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It's news because they were an interesting idea that ran through $65M of venture money with some turmoil and then folded. If you you think you're seeing a gener

It's news because they were an interesting idea that ran through $65M of venture money with some turmoil and then folded. If you you think you're seeing a generational change in the way retail works and you see a charismatic founder who has found what looks like a new winning formula it doesn't seem that crazy to back her and see what happens. If you're the founder and you think you have fair odds at going from all of a small business to a large slice of the next H&M by pushing growth really hard then maybe that sounds like a good idea. My guess is that was the decision and she decided to go for growth, it would be interesting to hear why it blew up though.

jay_kyburz 10y ago
perhaps somebody could summarise what was interesting about thier idea.
- eltoozero 10y ago
  I think he just did, but I can do it further. Nothing new, investors threw money at a bad idea, business failed. So, how about lunch?
  - lmm 10y ago
    Is it normal to get $65mm in VC money for an online clothes store? Should I be trying to found a company like this?
    - corecoder 10y ago
      Also, does one get to keep some of those $65mm (without risking jail, that is)?
    - dawson 10y ago
      If you can grow a profitable company with no debt (prior to VC), with a [reported] revenue close to $100 million (in 2012), sure why not.
staticelf 10y ago
They sold clothes online? I don't get why their idea was any different from the thousands of other retailers that is selling clothes? Yeh, but going for the large growth and taking huge amount of vc money is very risky since if the growth you dream of never come that vc money is a ticking bomb.
- qq66 10y ago
  Most retailers don't have any different of an "idea" than "pay us money for stuff." They're differentiated on brand, positioning, marketing, customer service, etc. LL Bean's "idea" is the same as J. Crew's but they're both very different but very successful companies.
  - true_religion 10y ago
    Yeah, I mean this isn't like a startup where people are trying to strike it rich by exploring a whole new greenfield. Retail clothing sales is well trodden ground. No one is inovating, everyone who survives just executes better than the other guy.
    - danpalmer 10y ago
      I like to think we're innovating at Thread (thread.com). We're innovating on the customer side with recommendations and more educational content than a standard ecommerce experience, but also on the business model/stock/supply side.
      - Shanea93 10y ago
        Just signed up, it's perfect, the service I never knew I needed but clearly always have. Is there any time limit on purchases? I'm not paid for a week, I wouldn't want to go through that signup process and have it disappear for whatever reason.
        danpalmer 10y ago

jay_kyburz 10y ago

perhaps somebody could summarise what was interesting about thier idea.

eltoozero 10y ago
I think he just did, but I can do it further. Nothing new, investors threw money at a bad idea, business failed. So, how about lunch?
- lmm 10y ago
  Is it normal to get $65mm in VC money for an online clothes store? Should I be trying to found a company like this?
  - corecoder 10y ago
    Also, does one get to keep some of those $65mm (without risking jail, that is)?
  - dawson 10y ago
    If you can grow a profitable company with no debt (prior to VC), with a [reported] revenue close to $100 million (in 2012), sure why not.

staticelf 10y ago

They sold clothes online? I don't get why their idea was any different from the thousands of other retailers that is selling clothes? Yeh, but going for the large growth and taking huge amount of vc money is very risky since if the growth you dream of never come that vc money is a ticking bomb.

qq66 10y ago
Most retailers don't have any different of an "idea" than "pay us money for stuff." They're differentiated on brand, positioning, marketing, customer service, etc. LL Bean's "idea" is the same as J. Crew's but they're both very different but very successful companies.
- true_religion 10y ago
  Yeah, I mean this isn't like a startup where people are trying to strike it rich by exploring a whole new greenfield. Retail clothing sales is well trodden ground. No one is inovating, everyone who survives just executes better than the other guy.
  - danpalmer 10y ago
    I like to think we're innovating at Thread (thread.com). We're innovating on the customer side with recommendations and more educational content than a standard ecommerce experience, but also on the business model/stock/supply side.
    - Shanea93 10y ago
      Just signed up, it's perfect, the service I never knew I needed but clearly always have. Is there any time limit on purchases? I'm not paid for a week, I wouldn't want to go through that signup process and have it disappear for whatever reason.
      - danpalmer 10y ago