New York-based social retail jewelry company Chloe + Isabel announced that it has closed a $15
million Series C equity round to continue to provide an entrepreneurship
opportunity through its social commerce platform. Led by SoftBank Capital, the
round also included participation from existing investors General Catalyst
Partners, First Round Capital, Forerunner Ventures, and Floodgate
Fund.
Chloe +
Isabel’s socially-integrated e-commerce platform equips its sellers, known as
merchandisers, with a customizable e-commerce “storefront.” With over 4,500
merchandisers, Chloe + Isabel is creating a movement among
entrepreneurially-minded women across the U.S. The company’s proprietary
technology provides its merchandisers with online and mobile tools to create,
curate and power their own online boutiques, including sales and merchandising
training, online marketing support, and the ability to manage their businesses
real-time.
The company
launched the business with its flagship jewelry line – designed and developed
in-house at its headquarters in NYC – and successfully launched its first
fragrance, Jardins du Midi, this past April. The recent
funding will be used to fuel the company’s growth and increase Chloe + Isabel’s
community of micro-entrepreneurs both domestically and internationally, as well as to
further enhance product categories.
“Chloe +
Isabel’s innovative scalable tools and training offer a true social-selling
experience and provide an entrepreneurial opportunity for today’s woman,”
said Scarlett O'Sullivan, Partner
at SoftBank Capital. “We were drawn to
the merchandisers’ stories and the way in which Chloe + Isabel’s disruptive
selling platform, customized marketplaces and high-quality products are
impacting merchandisers’ lives and allowing them to attain whichever goals they
set for themselves. We see a vast opportunity to expand the brand and bring
this unique social selling approach globally, and are excited to help the
company navigate its entry into new markets overseas.”
Chloe +
Isabel’s community of merchandisers, 75% of whom are under the age of
thirty-five, is the lifeblood of the organization. Merchandisers join the
opportunity to achieve personal goals ranging from earning supplemental income,
to building their resume to land in retail jobs, to developing sales and
leadership skills. Merchandisers can earn $50 to $400 per hour, with
commissions ranging from 25% to 40%.
“We’re
building a global community and platform to arm our merchandisers with the best
technology tools, retail training and education to maximize their growth and
success as today’s entrepreneurs,” said Chantel Waterbury, Chloe + Isabel
Founder and CEO. “SoftBank has tremendous global experience building
high-growth businesses, and we look forward to partnering with them to extend
our brand and provide the Chloe + Isabel opportunity to women
everywhere.”
You may also have interest in learn about the Chloe + Isabel Fragrance that we wrote about recently here on the Apparel Search blog.
ABOUT CHLOE
+ ISABEL
Chloe + Isabel
is a New York-based, innovative social commerce jewelry company that empowers
and connects women through their own social selling experience. Launched in
2011, the company has reinvented the direct sales model through technological
innovation and social media integration geared to empowering the female
entrepreneurs of today. For more information, visit http://www.chloeandisabel.com.
ABOUT
SOFTBANK CAPITAL
SoftBank
Capital makes early and growth stage investments in companies that connect
people, devices and the world. SoftBank Capital invests in category leaders in
consumer and enterprise mobile, online advertising, ecommerce, social media and
cloud computing. We have been making investments since 1995, with recent exits
including Bluefin Labs, Buddy Media, Hyperpublic, Huffington Post, OMGPOP, Pivot
and ZipList. To learn more, visit http://www.softbank.com.
Learn more about jewelry companies in the jewelry guide section here on Apparel Search. Yes, in addition to clothing and beauty products, we also have a guide for people interested in learning more about necklaces, bracelets, earrings, etc.
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