Deborah Benton
Managing Partner at Willow Growth Partners
Malibu, California
Overview
Work Experience
Founder & Managing Partner
2020 - Current
Willow provides early growth capital to entrepreneurs building the next generation of consumer brands and the disruptive technologies that power them.
Chair Of The Board Of Directors
2020 - 2021
Acquired by Graham Holdings Company (NYSE:GHC).
Board Director
2019 - 2021
Leaf Group Ltd. (NYSE: LEAF) is a diversified Internet company that builds platforms across our media (Well & Good, Hunker and LIVESTRONG.COM) and marketplace (Society6, Saatchi Art, and The Other Art Fair) properties to enable communities of creators to reach passionate audiences in large and growing lifestyle categories. In addition, Leaf Group's content studio and diverse advertising offerings help brands and publishers find innovative ways to engage with their customers. Leaf Group is headquartered in Santa Monica, California.
Leaf Group is a diversified Internet company that builds platforms across its media and marketplace properties.
Raised $190,300,000.00 from Generation Partners, 3i Group, Oak Investment Partners, Goldman Sachs and Spectrum Equity.
Investment Partner
2014 - 2020
Kaktus Capital invests in early-stage consumer branded companies and technology companies that facilitate the consumer experience. More accurately, we invest in extraordinary entrepreneurs building these types of companies who are looking to make a significant and lasting, positive impact.
Partner
2014 - 2020
MMG is a global performance improvement consulting firm working with global companies and private equity firms on strategy issues and assisting management with strategic revenue enhancement initiatives and cost management challenges arising from globalization, outsourcing and supply chain management. The firm consists of senior consultants, former C-level executives and functional experts, leveraging intellectual capital developed over decades to assist our clients achieve significant short-term and sustainable performance improvement.
Mitchell Madison Group is a California-based consultancy firm that provides management consultancy solutions to corporate clients.
Board Director
2015 - 2020
The Bouqs Company (Bouqs.com), the only cut-to-order, farm-to-table flower retailer delivering straight from farms on a volcano in South America!
The Bouqs Company is a cut-to-order online flower delivery service.
Raised $111,100,000.00 from CrowdOut Capital.
Board Director
2015 - 2020
Carbon38 is the premier destination for fashion-forward activewear. #RUNinRUNway.
Carbon38 is the premier e-commerce destination for performance fashion
Raised $39,100,000.00 from Cambridge Companies, Halogen Ventures and SoGal Ventures.
Board Director
2018 - 2019
Comfortable underwear made for unapologetic people of all sizes and genders.
Board Director
2016 - 2018
Vow To Be Chic is the millennial's best destination for rental designer bridesmaid and little white dresses.
President & Chief Operating Officer
2012 - 2014
Nasty Gal is a fashion brand that sells women's clothing and accessories online.
Raised $65,000,000.00 from Index Ventures and Ron Johnson.
Chief Operating Officer
2009 - 2012
ShoeDazzle is an online e-commerce site offering personalized and stylish ladies footwear handpicked by fashion experts.
Raised $66,000,000.00 from Andreessen Horowitz, Polaris Partners and Lightspeed Venture Partners.