In this episode of Skytale Insights, Annie Robertson Hockey hosts McConnell Smith, Partner at VMG, to discuss trends shaping the consumer market and how investors are identifying the next generation of high-growth brands. VMG is a branded consumer growth equity firm that invests in founder-led companies across food and beverage, beauty and personal care, pet, fitness, and wellness.
McConnell shares his path from L’Oréal into consumer investing and explains how VMG evaluates emerging opportunities by tracking insights from strategics, retailers, manufacturers, and operators.
The conversation also explores the current investment environment, including longer deal timelines, evolving diligence expectations, and the impact of credit markets and supply chain uncertainty. Annie and McConnell close by discussing margin discipline, practical AI adoption, and why investors remain optimistic about health, wellness, and healthcare-adjacent consumer brands.