Voices of Venture Muse Club

Anya Evans
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Where brand brains and cultural intuition collide - strategy, storytelling, and building cult brands that matter. venturemuseclub.substack.com

Episodes

  1. 08/21/2025

    Let’s Talk About What AI *Can’t* Do

    Is AI Coming for Your Job or Making It Better?
In this mind-opening episode, I sit down with Kevin Pereira, Managing Director at Blue Artificial Intelligence and professor at HKU, to talk about the real state of AI in 2025. We go way beyond the hype and cut through the noise to explore: - The biggest AI trends founders need to know - What’s actually worth your time vs. what’s just noise - The rise of virtual influencers and how brands are using AI to scale content - The future of work, team structure, and which jobs AI won’t touch - Common mistakes founders make when using tools like ChatGPT - The real difference between open-source AI like DeepSeek vs. closed models like GPT - Why AI ethics is about to become a mainstream job - Kevin’s favorite underrated AI tools (beyond the usual suspects) This isn’t just another "AI will change everything" chat. It’s a no-nonsense founder-focused conversation about how to think smarter, build faster, and stay human in an AI-saturated world. About Kevin:
Kevin Pereira is the Managing Director at Blue Artificial Intelligence, where he advises organizations on AI implementation and strategy. He also lectures at HKU and HKUST on the future of work and ethical AI. Kevin’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kpereira12/ Blu Artificial Intelligence: https://www.blu.ltd/ — ✨ About This Podcast Season This is Episode 7 of Season 1, where we explore what goes into building a cult consumer brand: from strategy and storytelling to community, content, and commerce. Each episode unpacks a core pillar of modern brand-building through real founder stories and tactical insights. This episode is all about: How AI actually impacting the future and how to best use it for your brand. Previous Episodes in the Season: Ep 1: Foundations of Your Brand for the Future Ep 2: Building a Community Ep 3: Raising Funding Ep 4: Role of Creativity Ep 5: Distribution: Shopofy DTC, Wholesale, Amazon Ep 6: Scaling with Intention and Personal Branding for Founders — 🔗 Links Founder Resources from Anya Evans → https://stan.store/anyaevans VMC Newsletter → Sunday Substack https://venturemuseclub.substack.com/ Listen on Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/7onnGEi... Listen on Apple → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... --- 💡 Free Resources for Founders - Access Notion Database 👉 Get access to the VMC Vault: https://venturemuseclub.typeform.com/... --- 🗣️ Let’s Keep the Conversation Going What part of this conversation hit hardest for you? Are you rethinking your go-to-market strategy? Want help applying this to your brand or portfolio? DM me on IG (@imanyaevans) I’d love to hear your take. And if you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to: → Leave a rating + review → Share it with a fellow founder or investor → Subscribe to Voices of Venture Muse Club for more episodes on building the brands of tomorrow This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit venturemuseclub.substack.com

    59 min

  2. 08/08/2025

    She Built a Fashion Brand From Scratch While Raising a Toddler

    What if the best thing that ever happened to your brand... was that it didn't go viral? In this founder interview podcast, we sit down with Monica Millington, the fashion brand founder behind Singapore-based Sette, a slow, soulful brand that’s redefining what it means to build a sustainable fashion business from scratch. Monica shares the raw, behind-the-scenes story of launching her label while navigating motherhood, moving across the world, and choosing purpose over pace. We talk about how to start a clothing brand without a blueprint, what it really means to build a founder-led brand, and why showing up online (imperfectly) might be your strongest growth strategy. If you're a mom founder, a first-time designer, or building a personal brand, this episode is your permission slip to do it your way. 🧵 Chapters 00:00 – Intro: Who is Monica Millington 01:45 – The leap: How she started her fashion brand 04:10 – Finding her voice as a founder-led brand 06:30 – Content strategy for personal branding 09:15 – Boundaries, authenticity, and showing your real life online 13:00 – The reality of sustainable fashion production 17:45 – Why she manufactures in Bali (and how she found her partner) 23:00 – Packaging, ethics, and the non-negotiables 25:00 – Pop-ups vs retail: What actually works to grow a fashion brand 30:00 – Building in Singapore: The long game 33:00 – The power of slow growth 40:00 – Motherhood and ambition: Building without guilt 46:00 – Faith, family, and reframing success 54:00 – Final thoughts: Loving the journey ✨ About This Podcast Season This is Episode 6 of Season 1, where we explore what goes into building a cult consumer brand: from strategy and storytelling to community, content, and commerce. Each episode unpacks a core pillar of modern brand-building through real founder stories and tactical insights. This episode is all about: Scaling with Intention and Content for Personal Branding as a Founder. Previous Episodes in the Season: Ep 1: Foundations of Your Brand for the Future https://youtu.be/6wy1Ht8N2eo?si=Pnu2shhx2oEKOLZc Ep 2: Building a Community https://youtu.be/iIrodggV21c?si=I5v4SUVpXKf0oh8m Ep 3: Raising Funding https://youtu.be/UzSHmLCSB-g?si=oIKMH4BKLUBk6noj Ep 4: Role of Creativity https://youtu.be/JcQ-CmBiQcg?si=RHFMKkuFSH8y2LGp Ep 5: Distribution: Shopofy DTC, Wholesale, Amazon https://youtu.be/OVRk-aelLdc?si=T2TbpZ42FIWg0-tx 🔗 Links Founder Resources from Anya Evans → https://stan.store/anyaevans VMC Newsletter → Sunday Substack (https://venturemuseclub.substack.com/) Monica’s brand Sette → https://settethelabel.com/en-sg Monica’s IG → https://www.instagram.com/monicamillington/ Listen on Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/7onnGEip01cdEDzOdKU5Ml?si=K53gWkJ1SiCwBclJ4iYkLw Listen on Apple → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/voices-of-venture-muse-club/id1812913607 💡 Free Resources for Founders - Access Notion Database 👉 Get access to the VMC Vault: https://venturemuseclub.typeform.com/... 🗣️ Let’s Keep the Conversation Going What part of this conversation hit hardest for you? Are you rethinking your go-to-market strategy? Want help applying this to your brand or portfolio? DM me on https://www.instagram.com/imanyaevans/ - i’d love to hear your take. And if you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to: → Leave a rating + review → Share it with a fellow founder or investor → Subscribe to Voices of Venture Muse Club for more episodes on building the brands of tomorrow 🔑 Keywords: how to start a clothing brand, how to start a fashion brand from scratch, founder interview podcast, fashion brand founder, fashion founder interview podcast, female founder story, female mom founder story, mom founder story, how to grow a fashion brand, content strategy for small business, content for a personal brand, building a sustainable fashion brand from scratch, behind the scenes of a fashion launch, how to build a founder-led brand This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit venturemuseclub.substack.com

    54 min

  3. 07/24/2025

    Amazon, Shopify, or Duty-Free? The Truth About E-Commerce Distribution Strategy

    In this episode of Voices of Venture Muse Club, we sit down with Roslyn (Furry Muse) and Quentin (The Rocks), two founders who’ve built thriving e-commerce brands using completely different distribution strategies. Roslyn scaled a fashion-forward pet accessories brand through community-led brand building, influencer marketing, and Shopify DTC. Quentin built the #1 whiskey stone brand on Amazon, and now sells through duty-free channels like Korean Air, Lufthansa, and Emirates. We unpack: → E-commerce distribution strategy: DTC, Amazon, wholesale, and beyond → Profitable product strategy: Why more SKUs ≠ more sales → Brand building through community: What worked (and what didn’t) → Influencer marketing for e-commerce: One UGC reel changed everything → Duty-free brand strategy: How a small brand landed on 14 airlines → Building a consumer brand in 2025: What actually drives traction today → E-commerce founder advice: The underrated tactics and hard lessons Whether you’re launching your first product or scaling your brand globally, this episode is packed with insights that will reshape how you think about growth. 🎧 Tune in, take notes, and don’t forget to download the free e-commerce strategy resource linked below. — 🔗 Links & Resources Mentioned 🔗 Follow Roslyn’s brand Furry Muse → https://furrymuse.com 🔗 Follow Quentin’s brand The Rocks → https://www.rockscs.com Mandala Club (https://mandala.club/) – mention “Anya Evans” for dining credits when signing up VMC Newsletter: Sunday Substack (https://venturemuseclub.substack.com/) 💡 Free Resources for Founders 👉 Get access to the VMC Vault: https://venturemuseclub.typeform.com/to/VI59eFLe 🗣️ Let’s Keep the Conversation Going What part of this conversation hit hardest for you? Are you rethinking your go-to-market strategy? Want help applying this to your brand or portfolio? DM me on https://www.instagram.com/imanyaevans - i’d love to hear your take. And if you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to: → Leave a rating + review → Share it with a fellow founder or investor → Subscribe to Voices of Venture Muse Club for more episodes on building the brands of tomorrow 🔑 Keywords:e-commerce distribution strategy, building a consumer brand 2025, brand building through community, profitable product strategy, duty-free brand strategy, influencer marketing for e-commerce, e-commerce founder advice This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit venturemuseclub.substack.com

    44 min

  4. 06/18/2025

    Brand Creativity in 2025

    Creativity isn’t just about visuals—it’s your sharpest strategic tool. In this episode, I sit down with Sascha Kuntze, Chief Creative Officer at BBH Singapore, to unpack the future of brand storytelling, creative risk-taking, and why some brands build cult followings while others fade fast. We dive into: → How to apply creativity across your business (not just in marketing) → Real examples like Loewe, Skims x Nike, and the Heineken Kicks campaign → Building culturally relevant brand strategies without going gimmicky → What makes a brand investable from a storytelling standpoint → The creative mindset shift every founder needs in 2025 Whether you're building a beauty brand, launching a DTC product, or investing in the next cult label—this episode is packed with branding advice for founders, long-term marketing strategy, and insights into how creativity fuels growth. 🎧 Subscribe for more episodes on building brands investors want to fund. --- 💡 Free Resources for Founders - Access Notion Database 👉 Get access to the VMC Vault: https://venturemuseclub.typeform.com/to/VI59eFLe --- 🔗 Links & Resources Mentioned Mandala Club (https://mandala.club/) – mention “Anya Evans” for dining credits when signing up VMC Newsletter: Sunday Substack (https://venturemuseclub.substack.com/) Connect with Sascha Kuntze: https://www.thisguyprobablycostsalot.com/ --- 🗣️ Let’s Keep the Conversation Going What part of this conversation hit hardest for you? Are you rethinking your go-to-market strategy? Want help applying this to your brand or portfolio? DM me on https://www.instagram.com/imanyaevans/ or connect on https://www.linkedin.com/in/annakhegay/ - i’d love to hear your take. And if you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to: → Leave a rating + review → Share it with a fellow founder or investor → Subscribe to Voices of Venture Muse Club for more episodes on building the brands of tomorrow 🔑 Keywords: brand creativity in 2025, branding advice for founders, creative risk taking in branding, beauty brand storytelling, how to apply creativity in business, marketing creativity examples, what makes a cult brand, long term brand strategy, culturally relevant brand strategy, building brands without venture capital This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit venturemuseclub.substack.com

    38 min

  5. 06/04/2025

    From 0 to $200M: Investor Lessons Every Founder Needs

    Most consumer brands fail. Many that raise VC do it too early - and burn out fast. In this episode, I’m joined by Bjorn Bergstrom - founder, investor, and ex-VC who scaled his last brand to $200M in 5 years. He’s now building a house of brands and investing in the next generation of consumer businesses. We cover: → Why most consumer brands fail to scale → Fundraising mistakes that kill brands → What investors really look for in founders → How to build profitable brands without VC → How to break through the noise in crowded markets → Why distribution and unit economics matter more than aesthetics → When (and if) you should raise venture capital → The new playbook for building consumer brands in 2025 This is one of the most tactical, founder-focused conversations we’ve had on the show. If you’re building a consumer brand - or investing in them - this episode is a must-listen. → Free Download: Investor Readiness Checklist (Get it here → https://venturemuseclub.typeform.com/to/VI59eFLe?typeform-source=www.youtube.com) 🔗 Links & Resources Mentioned The Wild Ventures (Bjorn’s house of brands) → www.thewildventures.com/ Bjorn on LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/bergstrombjorn Forerunner Ventures → https://www.forerunnerventures.com/Felix Capital → https://www.felixcap.com/ NAKD (Bjorn’s previous brand, scaled to $200M) → https://www.na-kd.com Nothing (consumer tech brand, competitor to Apple) → https://nothing.tech/ VMC Newsletter on Substack → https://venturemuseclub.substack.com/ Mandala Club (mention “Anya Evans” for dining credits when signing up) → https://mandala.club/ 🗣️ Let’s Keep the Conversation Going What part of this conversation hit hardest for you? Are you rethinking your fundraising strategy - or how you’re building your brand for long-term profitability? DM me on Instagram @imanyaevans or connect on LinkedIn - I’d love to hear your take. And if you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to: → Leave a rating + review → Share it with a fellow founder or investor → Subscribe to Told You It’d Work for more episodes on building the brands of tomorrow This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit venturemuseclub.substack.com

    45 min

  6. 05/21/2025

    The Framework for Belonging: How to Design a Cult-Like Brand Community

    What does it really take to build a brand community that goes beyond surface-level engagement? In this episode of Voices of Venture Muse Club, we sit down with Gustin Mahtani to explore the art and strategy behind building a community around your brand. From WhatsApp community marketing to CRM for brand community engagement, we unpack how today’s most beloved consumer brands are designing connection—not just pushing product. We cover: * How to build brand community from day one * Community-led growth tactics for early-stage brands * Using CRM to scale brand community with personalization * World building for brands and the new rules of belonging * Why founders should embrace their story (even the cringe parts) * How investors can better evaluate community ROI Whether you're starting from scratch or looking to deepen your engagement strategy, this episode is full of practical frameworks and honest insights. 💡 Free Download: Know Your People – CRM Tagging & Engagement Cheatsheet This tactical guide shows you how to personalize your brand community at scale—without expensive tools or complicated systems. Learn how to use smart CRM tags to track emotional signals, segment your audience meaningfully, and build real relationships that convert. Includes tag examples, outreach templates, and a simple setup you can implement today. 👉 Get access to the VMC Vault: https://venturemuseclub.typeform.com/to/VI59eFLe 🔗 Links & Resources Mentioned * Mandala Club – mention “Anya Evans” for dining credits when signing up * Folk CRM – simple CRM tool for community-driven brands * Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook by Gary Vaynerchuk – value-first brand storytelling * Bandit Running – example of community as the product * Duolingo – brand cult status through ritual-building * VMC Newsletter: Sunday Substack * Connect with Gustin Mahtani: LinkedIn 🗣️ Let’s Keep the Conversation Going What part of this conversation hit hardest for you? Are you rethinking your go-to-market strategy? Want help applying this to your brand or portfolio? DM me on @imanyaevans or connect on LinkedIn—I’d love to hear your take. And if you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to: * Leave a rating + review * Share it with a fellow founder or investor * Subscribe to Voices of Venture Muse Club for more episodes on building the brands of tomorrow This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit venturemuseclub.substack.com

    37 min
  7. Why Virality Is Overrated, and Belonging Wins

    05/07/2025

    Why Virality Is Overrated, and Belonging Wins

    In this episode of Voices of Venture Muse Club, we’re joined by Michelle Koh – co-founder of ⁠SAYA⁠ and one of the sharpest voices in brand growth strategy across Asia. Michelle and I go deep into the new rules of building cult consumer brands - from ditching global aspirations to designing belonging at scale. Whether you're a brand founder, operator, or an investor trying to understand how modern consumers choose what to love (and buy), this episode is packed with real talk and fresh perspective. What We Talk About: Why “going global” might be the wrong goal in today’s consumer landscapeThe difference between audience, community, and belonging (and why it matters)What Sunny’s Face, Fenty, and Dirty Manners are doing rightHow brands confuse engagement with virality—and why that’s a trapThe real ROI of PR boxes vs loyalty programsA breakdown of how Michelle would launch a brand with just $10,000 (percentages, priorities, and pitfalls included)Why many brands overuse influencers and underinvest in their own voiceThe one thing your brand needs more than paid ads: a world your customers want to live inPlus: our hot take lightning round, where Michelle dishes on the most overrated and underrated strategies in consumer marketing today 🎧 Why You Should Listen: This episode is a masterclass in modern brand strategy. It challenges the old playbook of building consumer brands and gives you a new lens rooted in authenticity, cultural fluency, community-building, and media thinking. It’s also a callout to investors: don’t write off ubiquitous, loved brands as “low-margin and boring.” The best consumer investments are hiding in plain sight—if you know how to read the signals. Whether you're launching your first brand, scaling a portfolio of products, or trying to spot the next breakout investment, you'll leave this episode with actionable frameworks, sharp insights, and a healthy dose of hot takes. 💡 Free Download: Build a World, Not Just a Product – Brand World-building Mini Guide This creative tool helps you map out the universe your brand lives in—from tone and values to rituals and community touchpoints. It’s more than a vibe—it’s your brand’s entire reality, brought to life. Includes a 1-page canvas you can print and fill out with your team. [⁠⁠→ Download it here⁠⁠] 💡 Free Download: The Anti-Playbook – 7 Outdated Brand Tactics to Ditch in 2025 A sharp, no-fluff guide to the tired brand tactics we’re leaving behind—plus what to do instead. If you’re still running the “hype drop” or “aspirational but empty” playbook, this one’s for you. ⁠[⁠→ Download it here⁠]⁠ 🔗 Links & Resources Mentioned: Michelle Koh on LinkedIn: ⁠Link here⁠SAYA (Michelle’s agency): ⁠Link here⁠Venture Muse Club website: ⁠Link here⁠VMC Instagram:⁠Link here⁠ 🗣️ Let’s Keep the Conversation Going: What part of this conversation hit hardest for you? Are you rethinking your go-to-market strategy? Want help applying this to your brand or portfolio? DM me on ⁠@imanyaevans ⁠or reach out via ⁠Linkedin⁠ —I’d love to hear your take. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit venturemuseclub.substack.com

    44 min
  • 7 Episodes

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Where brand brains and cultural intuition collide - strategy, storytelling, and building cult brands that matter. venturemuseclub.substack.com

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