Samuel Stillman

ASPIRING VC                             

EX-FOUNDER | OPERATOR | INVESTOR | CONSUMER

Hi, I’m Sam!

From the snowy terrains of Minnesota where I carved my path as a professional snowboarder, to the esteemed halls of the University of Michigan, my journey has been anything but ordinary.

ENTREPRENEURIAL ROOTS

When the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic cut short our study abroad program in Europe and led to the cancellation of our junior summer internships, my close friend and I decided to pivot. Instead of dwelling on the setback, we embraced the challenge of entering the competitive coffee market with "The Rising Vibe Coffee Company," a direct-to-consumer e-commerce brand.

Our foray into this saturated sector was a strategic move, prioritizing invaluable learning experiences over mere profitability. Within just nine months, we successfully built a distinct brand, sold hundreds of bags of coffee, and an even more considerable volume of merchandise.

Understanding the complexities associated with scaling a business, especially in a saturated market, we began to evaluate the long-term viability of our venture. Coupled with this was our forward-looking perspective towards our post-graduation aspirations and the potential avenues we wanted to explore. After careful consideration of these factors and the broader landscape, we made the strategic decision to wind down our venture, ensuring we were best positioned for the next phase of our professional journeys.

GROWING, GROWING, GONE

After graduating from The University of Michigan, I embarked on a new chapter in New York City, joining the Red Giant Growth team at Lunar Solar Group as a Growth Analyst. This role allowed me to leverage my entrepreneurial experience from "The Rising Vibe" to consult for emerging DTC companies. I became a beacon of guidance for founders, helping them navigate the challenges and intricacies of the startup world, much like I had.

As a Growth Analyst, my mission was clear-cut: streamline and optimize. I honed in on minimizing the Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC) while simultaneously bolstering the overarching strategy, marketing initiatives, and conversion optimization. My portfolio included consultations for renowned brands like Momofuku and Vita Coco, as well as promising startups such as Nature's Fynd and CircleBlack.

My commitment to client success transcended the confines of my job description. I consistently went the extra mile, ensuring not only the achievement of immediate scaling goals, but also the long-term sustainability of their business models. Often, I would engage with clients beyond the stipulated project parameters, offering insights and support. This unwavering dedication caught the attention of many, leading to accolades from clients and culminating in a well-deserved promotion within just a year.

Momofuku

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Vita Coco

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Nature's Fynd

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CircleBlack

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Milkmaid Goods

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Manna Hydration

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Enso Rings

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KNOW Skincare

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Speedster App

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Enewton Jewelry

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Nowadays

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Momofuku 〰️ Vita Coco 〰️ Nature's Fynd 〰️ CircleBlack 〰️ Milkmaid Goods 〰️ Manna Hydration 〰️ Enso Rings 〰️ KNOW Skincare 〰️ Speedster App 〰️ Enewton Jewelry 〰️ Nowadays 〰️

PROMISING ANALYST TURNED

EMERGING LEADER

At Lunar Solar Group (LSG), I took on the challenge of rejuvenating the business development team. Under my leadership, the team underwent a transformative phase, streamlining processes and adopting innovative strategies. Within a year, the division not only achieved profitability but also managed to reduce operational costs by an impressive +35% YoY. This turnaround was a testament to our collective efforts and the new direction we had charted.

My role at LSG also involved forging and managing strategic partnerships with 20 burgeoning technology companies. These collaborations were instrumental in enhancing product development and catalyzing growth for our partners. Furthermore, I spearheaded the new business funnel, overseeing client communication and proposal development. This initiative bore fruit, securing projects with over 50 venture-backed clients and generating a staggering $2.4M in ARR for LSG.

Beyond the confines of LSG, I was deeply committed to building and nurturing a vast network within the entrepreneurial ecosystem. I engaged with over 400 entrepreneurs, facilitating regular communications and fostering meaningful relationships. These interactions not only enriched my professional network but also paved the way for invaluable partnerships for LSG. Additionally, I undertook in-depth analyses of businesses, assessing their strategies and product strengths. By leveraging financial analysis, industry research, and consumer insights, I crafted strategic recommendations, ensuring these businesses were poised for sustained growth and had a product-market fit that resonated with their target audience.

Pretty Damn Quick

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Wonderment

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TapCart

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Aisle

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Stay.ai

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Yotpo

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Superfiliate

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Klaviyo

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Unbounce

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KNO Commerce

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Upfluence

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Pretty Damn Quick 〰️ Wonderment 〰️ TapCart 〰️ Aisle 〰️ Stay.ai 〰️ Yotpo 〰️ Superfiliate 〰️ Klaviyo 〰️ Unbounce 〰️ KNO Commerce 〰️ Upfluence 〰️

JOURNEY INTO 
VENTURE CAPITAL

2,500 HOURS OF VC WORK

200 FOUNDERS CONNECTED

200 SEED AND PRE-SEED DEALS SOURCED

50+ FUNDS CONNECTED WITH

8 VC BOOKS READ AND ANNOTATED

2 INVESTMENT THESES MADE

As digital consumption patterns shift, those spearheading content creation find themselves leading one of the fastest-growing verticals globally. This rapid evolution presents a golden opportunity for the development of tools tailored to empower these creators, facilitating both monetization and evolution of their craft. Despite a recent downturn in investments for such tools, several underlying factors indicate an impending resurgence. This thesis delves deep into the myriad themes poised to shape investment trends in the upcoming quarters, offering a comprehensive insight into the future of this dynamic space.

THESIS:
Creator Economy Tools 
in the Next-Gen Media 
ENvironment

As Ecommerce continues its rapid expansion, it intersects with growing concerns over consumer privacy, presenting a pivotal opportunity for innovation. The future beckons the development of advanced retention marketing tools that harness the power of generative AI and personalization. These tools, when adeptly crafted, promise not only to address privacy issues but also to deliver conversion rates that surpass those achieved by traditional customer acquisition channels. In this presentation, I delve deep into the current Ecommerce Retention Marketing landscape, highlighting the prevailing trends. Furthermore, I'll shed light on the themes poised to dominate and shape the industry's trajectory in the foreseeable future.

THESIS:
RETENTION marketing
in the ecommerce
enablement space

LET’S WORK TOGETHER