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3K followers
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Anna Taranova reposted thisThe latest in our Founder to Founder series: Thursday Boot Company Co-Founder Connor Wilson on what it takes to build a brand that lasts. Great conversation with Ben Brachot on Thursday's disciplined approach to scale, product, and capital raising. 👇Anna Taranova reposted thisThursday Boot Company and Dwight Funding both got their start during the height of the DTC boom, when rapid, venture-backed scale felt like the standard playbook for emerging brands. I recently caught up with Connor Wilson, Thursday's Co-Founder, for our latest Founder to Founder feature. We talked about those early days, and how their decision to prioritize product quality and channel discipline over sky-high valuations was rare for the time. Over a decade later, the results speak for themselves: 100,000+ five-star reviews and customers in all 50 states and 150+ countries. Having had a front-row seat to how market dynamics have shifted over the last 10+ years, this one really resonated. Connor's approach is spot on for today's market: double down on what's working, stay obsessed with your product, and bring in the right capital partners who genuinely share your vision. A really interesting conversation on what it actually takes to build a durable business. Check out the full interview: https://bit.ly/4xAgXnT
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Anna Taranova reposted thisAnna Taranova reposted thisYour financials are telling your lender a story. When a brand comes to us for a working capital facility, the quality of their books tells us immediately whether we can move, and how fast. Clean, reconciled financials signal operational discipline. Messy books don't disqualify you, but they will slow down the process and delay funding at exactly the moment it matters most. We partnered with Blue Onion, an AI-powered subledger built for multi-channel ecommerce brands, to create a free monthly close checklist to help omnichannel brands get lender-ready, and practical guide on what asset-based lenders actually look for in your financials. If you're planning to enter a credit process this year, the time to get your books in order is now. Read this to show up prepared. 🔗 https://bit.ly/4w0x9Px #ecommerce #omnichannel #workingcapital #cpg Lyndsey Bunting Meg O'Donnell Alexander Barton Logan Summy Ben Brachot Jessica Bates Anna Taranova
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Anna Taranova shared thisExpo West is my Super Bowl. Always fun to spend a few days off Zoom and back on the floor reconnecting with founders, clients, and friends across the CPG world. Step count crossed 30K. Voice mostly gone. Protein consumption was aggressive. Feeling very lucky to work in an industry I genuinely love, and even luckier to do it alongside the Dwight Funding team. #ExpoWest2026 #CPG #NaturalProducts #FoodAndBeverage Ben Brachot Jessica Bates Madeline Graves Todd Scobell, CFA Lauren Adelson
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Anna Taranova shared thisHeading to Denver for Newtopia Now? Join me and fellow CPG founders/friends for The Founder Social on Wednesday 8/20, 6–9 PM at The Clayton Club 🍸 - a perfect post–Day 1 wind-down with cocktails, conversation, and great company. Space is nearly full, so grab your spot before registration closes! LINK: https://bit.ly/4fwUIat Huge thanks to our co-host RodeoCPG and to the event sponsors Morrison Foerster, CCI Vegas , GroundForce Capital, Crew Finance, and SecureCPG for making the evening possible. #NewtopiaNow #FounderSocial #CPG #Denver
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Anna Taranova shared thisCheck out our latest edition of Founder to Founder! Dwight FundingAnna Taranova shared thisFor Anouck Gotlib, the female entrepreneurial community has been more than a support system. It’s been a catalyst for growth. The shared playbooks, solidarity, and spirit of generosity helped shape Belgian Boys into what it is today: Instacart’s fastest growing emerging brand of 2024, with distribution in over 12,000 retailers nationwide. In our latest edition of Founder to Founder, Anouck shares how her community influenced her leadership style, inspired people-first policies, and played a pivotal role in Belgian Boys' success. 🔗 Read the full piece on our blog: https://bit.ly/3HT0O8k #FounderToFounder #FemaleFounders #ConsumerBrands #Leadership #CPG #DTC
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Anna Taranova shared thisLast week’s trip to Austin was a great reminder of how strong and collaborative the CPG community is. In just two days, we packed in what felt like weeks’ worth of conversations with founders, investors, and partners—proof that this community always shows up. We had a chance to co-host a happy hour with Astō Consumer Partners and Springdale Ventures, alongside fellow co-sponsors IronClad Consulting Services, TRAVERSE LEGAL, PLC, ForceBrands, and Pathstone. Consumer brands are facing real challenges right now—but the energy, focus, and momentum in the room made it clear this community is ready to meet them. Grateful to our partners for bringing Dwight Funding into the mix, and to everyone who showed up ready to engage. If we didn’t get a chance to connect this time, we’ll be back soon!! :) #CPGFinance #DwightFunding
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Anna Taranova shared thisThere's something irreplaceable about taking relationships from Zoom to real life, and Expo West 2025 was the perfect reminder of why these in-person moments are so valuable. Nothing beats walking the halls with people from all over the industry, seeing brands like Daily Crunch, Brami Inc., Magic Mind, and so many others showcasing their products IRL, or reconnecting with so many of the founders, investors, and industry professionals I've had the opportunity to work with over the years. The energy coming out of Expo West has me feeling optimistic for the future and excited to support more industry-leading brands with working capital financing Dwight Funding. P.S. Can we take a moment for Vanessa Hudgens (KNOW Beauty) making an appearance at our GOODLES Prom event! 💥 #CPG #FoodAndBeverage #ConsumerFinance #ExpoWest2025
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Anna Taranova shared thisGreat panel discussion on the fundraising landscape at XRC Ventures' Founder's Summit last week! Really enjoyed having this conversation with so many different perspectives - Daniel Faierman bringing the equity lens from Habitat Partners, Mike McManus sharing the venture banking view from Stifel Bank, and us on the debt financing side from Dwight Funding. Huge thanks to Jonathan Sagot from Fenwick & West for moderating such a well-rounded discussion. We covered a lot of ground - from the interplay of different funding options for growth-stage companies, to market timing considerations, and what founders should be thinking about as they look ahead to 2025. These nuanced conversations are so valuable for founders navigating their next phase of growth. Thank you so much XRC Ventures and Fenwick & West for bringing together this discussion!
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Anna Taranova shared thisWanted to take a moment to share our Q3 Consumer Review - and even though we're well into Q4, the insights here are as relevant as ever. Quick, digestible updates on consumer trends, notable fundraises, and market dynamics that we're finding ourselves referencing in conversations almost daily. Take a look at Dwight Funding's full blog below; we're curious what stands out to you!Anna Taranova shared thisFresh off the press: Our Q3 2024 Consumer Review Grab a pumpkin spice latte and settle in—there's plenty to unpack from the latest developments in the consumer goods space. Leveraging our proprietary data engine, we've been diligently tracking and analyzing top news stories to bring you the most relevant trends across consumer categories. A few highlights that caught our eye: ▶️ Wellness is the word, influencing everything from kids' snacks to skincare ▶️ Pre-workout supplements are having their moment in the sun ▶️ Women's health products are attracting serious attention—and capital ▶️ AAPI-founded beauty brands are making waves globally We've also kept a keen eye on the evolving capital markets for digitally native brands as traditional equity providers gradually re-enter the space and private credit steps up to fuel growth. We cover all this and more in the full Q3 Consumer Review on our blog. Dive in today: https://bit.ly/403bXur We want to hear from you. What consumer trends are you most excited about?
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Anna Taranova liked thisAnna Taranova liked thisThere's something special about gathering great people around a table. Last night's founder dinner at Franklin Barbecue with Sorenson Capital and Holland & Knight LLP was a reminder of how strong and collaborative the Austin innovation ecosystem has become. Grateful for the candid conversations, new connections, and shared commitment to helping entrepreneurs scale great businesses. Thanks to everyone who joined and contributed to a fun evening. #Austin #Startups #VentureCapital #Community J.P. Morgan Kevin Crabb George Ploss Daniel Alvarez, Brendan Moreira Carmelo Gordian, Ken Elefant, Burke Davis, Patrick Driscoll
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Anna Taranova liked thisAnna Taranova liked thisTexas, you SHOWED UP!! 🥒 What a whirlwind few days driving around the Dallas highways (if you know, you know… and I did NOT 😂), visiting a dozen Costco Wholesale warehouses and supporting the incredible CDS team sampling Freestyle Snacks. There’s so much value in getting out from behind your laptop and getting in front of your customers. Our Garlic Dill mini pickles were definitely a fan favorite, but we loved hearing members rave about the crunch of our Classic Dill pickle chips. Another thing we kept hearing: people couldn’t believe how fresh our pickles tasted coming out of a shelf-stable pouch. We also got a lot of compliments on our “costumes.” Turns out wearing a pickle on your head is a pretty effective way to get someone to stop and chat... If you’re in Texas, Louisiana, or Oklahoma and haven’t tried our Costco-exclusive pickle bundle, now’s your chance. Keep an eye out on your next Costco run! 👀
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Anna Taranova liked thisAnna Taranova liked thisMy wife taking the photo: “Just act natural” Natural, it turns out, looks like this when our realsy nut butter filled dates hit Super Target shelves nationwide!! Find us in the PRODUCE set! 🎯 The Target team took a chance on us, and we’re very incredibly grateful. My knees are less grateful.🦘 Appreciate everyone going out to support! Sophia Karbowski, our incredible team, and I are building realsy brick by brick, bringing nutrient-dense, minimal-ingredient snacks to more shelves. Big Q4 and 2027 incoming. #cpgnews #grocerynews #NowAtTarget #IFPA #TargetFinds #SuperTarget #ProductLaunch #CPG #ConsumerGoods #CPGFounder #CPGBrands #Grocery #GroceryRetail #RetailLaunch #FoodIndustry #Produce #producenews #FreshProduce #MedjoolDates #Dates #NaturesCandy #FruitSnacks #HealthySnacks #CleanEating #RealFood #BetterForYou #HealthyLiving #Wellness #FoodStartup #SnackTime #Foodie #Entrepreneurship
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Anna Taranova liked thisAnna Taranova liked thisIt is a privilege every year to work alongside such exceptional young people at Université Paris Dauphine - PSL. What stood out to me most during our Soft Skills training was the students' approach to failure, conflict, and stress management. It’s also how quickly they learn from their first internships and reflect on essential themes at work, such as communication, time management, and leadership. And most importantly their curiosity to learn and practice what truly matters for success in one's career. Congratulations also on pulling off my final - and quite challenging - exercise: a public-speaking group exercise with 3 minutes of preparation ;) You all did superbly. Keep working on your soft skills for success! Thanks to all three prestigious Masters I work with: Dauphine Master 203 Financial Markets Master 224 – Finance, Impact et Technologie – Université Paris-Dauphine Master 225 - Corporate Finance & Financial Engineering - Université Paris-Dauphine And a warm thank you to Sabrina Buti, Hervé Alexandre and Fabrice Riva for your trust.
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Anna Taranova liked thisAnna Taranova liked this“The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you figure out why.” 💜💜💜 Here’s a little story about finding mine… Two years ago, after years of trying, 8 rounds of IVF, and ultimately welcoming our perfect little Max via surrogate because I couldn’t carry a pregnancy myself, I became a mom 🥹. At almost exactly the same time, I was giving birth to another baby of sorts… Harken Sweets TWINS if you will… Fast forward two years and we were in the middle of the surrogacy process AGAIN when…SURPRISE!!!! Somehow, impossibly, I was pregnant. There are a million theories about what changed (including some VERY interesting ones involving the truly unhinged quantity of dates I consume thanks to Harken lol!!). I do know that Max and Harken first came into my life in the most chaotic way. Somehow, being a mom and being a founder have been tangled together ever since. So, here is to one little guy who arrived right alongside Harken, one still cooking (but SEE YA IN NOVEMBER!), one husband who has made ALLLL of it possible (but, actually, truly…), and a whole lotta candy 🥹🍫🥹🍫🥹🍫🥹🍫
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Anna Taranova liked thisHave really enjoyed getting to know Kelly Byrne over the past few yrs, so it was an easy yes when she asked to interview me. Check out more about Mezcla and my story below.Anna Taranova liked this"The most important thing you can build in a career, or honestly in life, is yourself. Be honest, be trustworthy, and do what you say you're going to do." My next feature on Who You Become is Griffin Spolansky, Co-Founder & CEO of Mezcla. That line captures exactly how I’ve come to know Griff over the years, and it’s also, almost word for word, the premise of this entire series. Yes, he's a busy CEO building a fast-growing bar and snacking business, but I tend to leave our conversations with as much to admire about the person as the progress of the company. A values-oriented go-getter and a competitor at his core, he's building a team designed to win and to chase Mezcla's north star: making delicious, better-for-you products for as many people as possible. Here's what we get into: --> The "horizontal accountability" he learned from his UVA national championship lacrosse team, and how he built it into Mezcla's culture from day one --> What building a company in your twenties actually costs, and what it gives you that a normal job never will --> What Griff has learned about himself as a leader, and behaviors he’s worked to change --> How overcoming challenges in sports taught him how to achieve any goal he puts his mind to This felt like two friends (and washed up collegiate athletes) chatting. Thanks again, Griffin Spolansky! Interview linked below: https://lnkd.in/gDE7Pg8EFounder | Griffin Spolansky, Founder & CEO of MezclaFounder | Griffin Spolansky, Founder & CEO of Mezcla
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Anna Taranova liked thisAnna Taranova liked thisYou officially have permission to eat ice cream for breakfast. So excited to launch our newest Culture Cup flavor at Alec's Ice Cream: Ice Cream for Breakfast made in collaboration with Purely Elizabeth. This flavor somehow tastes like pulling a bowl of cereal right out of the freezer: cereal milk ice cream, covered in a strawberry shell and topped with Purely Elizabeth granola. It was so fun working with Elizabeth Stein and the Purely Elizabeth team to bring this to life. This flavor is quickly becoming one of my favorites. Find it on shelf nationwide at select Target stores today!
Experience & Education
Licenses & Certifications
Volunteer Experience
Courses
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Business Law
BLS 111
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Business Statistics
CQS 112
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Financial Accounting
ACCT 211
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Intermediate Accounting I
ACCT 311
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Intermediate Accounting II
ACCT 312
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Introduction to International Business
IBUS 311
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Introduction to Marketing
MKTG 311
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Investments
FIN322
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Management Information Systems
MIS 311
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Operations Management
OPM 311
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Organizational Behavior
MGMT 311
Honors & Awards
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Reeves-Ellington Case Competition - 1st Place Winner
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Dean's List
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Languages
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English
Native or bilingual proficiency
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Russian
Native or bilingual proficiency
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Spanish
Elementary proficiency
Organizations
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Enactus
Project Manager
- Present- Head a project called Leading the Way with the goal of educating students in underprivileged communities about the benefits of furthering their education - Manage the implementation of new educational programs at the Tioga County Boys and Girls Club - Presented mission, initiatives, accomplishments, and results to a panel of 30 professionals as a representative of Binghamton University in the regional Enactus competition
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PricewaterhouseCoopers Scholars Program
Community Service Committee Member
- Present- Selected to be a member of an elite honors program of students who excel in academics, leadership, and professionalism - Organize events to fundraise money for large-scale community service goal: The Recreation Park Project - Participated in a 12-day trip to South Africa to visit PwC offices, learn about the firm, network with recruiters, and experience cultural immersion by touring, sight-seeing, and taking part in unique South African activities
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Sigma Delta Tau
Vice President
- Present- Collaborate with President and Executive Board in chapter decision making - Oversee election and maintenance of a board of individuals responsible for specific sorority functions - Plan and participate in philanthropic events to raise money for Prevent Child Abuse America
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Ignite Competition
Director of Professional and Student Engagement
-- Connect with potential SOM employer firms to inform them about Ignite and encourage their involvement with BU - Operate the marketing of Ignite to SOM students through various advertising methods such as fliers and in-class announcements - Organize “Get to Know Ignite” event to inform participating students about the logistics of the competition
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Many Hopes
Junior Board
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