Building the firm: sarah foley, managing partner, invinext growth
In this episode of There Is No Alternative, Tina Bou-Saba, founder of CXT Investments, interviews Sarah Foley, Managing Partner at InviNext Growth Partners, to explore her unique journey from private equity to early-stage consumer investing. Sarah shares the pivotal moments that shaped her career, the lessons she’s learned from both the boardroom and the trenches, and why she believes building brands is about emotional connection, strategic clarity, and a decade-long commitment.
They discuss the frameworks behind identifying “maverick founders,” the rise of content-driven commerce, and the deep empathy needed to be both a great investor and partner. From Supergoop to Knix, Sarah offers inside stories and sharp takeaways for anyone building or backing consumer businesses. If you're a founder, investor, or operator navigating consumer, wellness, or brand building, you’ll find a ton to learn here.
In This Episode:
Why Sarah left private equity to back early-stage brands
How she defines “emerging growth” and why execution beats everything
What makes a founder “maverick” and how to spot one • Fundraising and the story behind two major exits: Supergoop and Knix
The role of brand storytelling, capital efficiency, and emotional resonance in long-term success
Trends shaping the future of consumer, from wellness and fan engagement to AI-powered brand building
Chapters
[00:00] Sarah’s early career in investment banking and her mission-driven lens on consumer investing.
[06:20] Transitioning from operations to VC, learning from pain points at the operating level.
[10:40] Exploring founder qualities like storytelling, resilience, and clarity of vision.
[15:12] Why Gut, Grit, and Growth define her thesis for successful consumer businesses.
[19:05] On discipline in investing and turning down good businesses that don’t fit their thesis.
[22:45] Discussing the deep personal drivers behind iconic brands and founders.
[26:00] Metrics and founder behaviors that stand out in early-stage consumer companies.
[30:22] Stories behind two of Sarah’s most successful long-term investments.
[34:12] Reflections on lean growth, customer advocacy, and strategic fundraising.
[38:15] Passion, authenticity, and leadership, how lasting brands come to life.
[41:45] A decade-long view of what it takes to build and scale purpose-driven companies.
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