Notes from a Beauty Deal Junkie
by Rich Gersten

I am sharing insights and lessons from over 30 years in private equity—spanning buyouts, growth equity, and venture capital—with a deep focus on the consumer and beauty sectors. This Substack is a space to reflect on the patterns, principles, and people that drive successful investing.

From brand-building to leadership scaling to strategic exits, each post draws from real-world wins and hard-earned lessons. I will explore the value of pattern recognition, the role of sector specialization, and yes, the impact of timing and luck, all critical ingredients in navigating this industry.

Whether you are a founder, operator, or investor, my goal is to offer sharp, actionable takeaways grounded in decades of experience and deep category focus.

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Sharing lessons from 30+ years in private equity across buyouts, growth, and venture with a focus on beauty. Each post offers practical takeaways on building brands, scaling teams, and driving successful outcomes for founders, operators, and investors.

People

Co-founder and General Partner at True Beauty Ventures, an emerging growth fund focused exclusively on beauty and wellness brands. I am sharing over 20 years of experiences investing in the beauty industry.