“Perhaps the original mistake of the DTCs (direct to consumer brands) wasn’t in their vision, but in their decision to take the venture capital in the first place. Now under pressure to grow even faster and at greater scale than they otherwise would have had to naturally, they are being confronted with what happens when growth slows down, the cash starts running out, and investors are expecting their returns.” Why All the Warby Parker Clones Are Now Imploding. (I’ve been investing in startups for a couple decades, and by far the most difficult conversations I’ve had are when I’m trying to tell companies they shouldn’t take venture money. You’re not Google. You’re selling a suitcase.)