The promise of the internet has always been a low barrier to entry enabling unique people and brands to find passionate audiences and sustainable business models. That is more possible now through the combination of direct distribution, vertical focus and (often) direct monetization models. But the brands that can pull off DTC strategies need to be... See more

A large portion of these companies chose niche products (luggage, mattresses, etc..), but tied themselves to a wider theme (travel, sleep, etc…). Organic social and content marketing were the most common “core” channels. Cost-effective, attention grabbing, visual, direct social proof – I’m not surprised that these channels were leaned on.