Sonoma Brands, a Sonoma, CA-based venture fund and brand incubator, is expanding its team.
The strategic hires and promotions aim to advance the growth equity firm’s presence as an esteblished investor in innovative food & beverage, wellness and personal care brands.
Sonoma Brands hired Kevin Murphy as Managing Director and promoted Brian Nicholson from Principal to Managing Director.
Murphy brings deep expertise in the field, made through his 13-year career at Encore Consumer Capital. At Encore, he was instrumental in key investments in the food, beverage, pet, beauty and personal care categories, including Tarte Cosmetics and Supergoop!.
Brian Nicholson joined Sonoma Brands in 2018, bringing eight years of experience as a growth investor in leading eCommerce, Digital Media and Direct-to-Consumer businesses. Prior to joining Sonoma Brands, Nicholson spent over five years at Stripes Group, where he directly sourced and led growth investments in companies including Refinery29, Reformation, and The Black Tux.
During his tenure at Sonoma Brands, Nicholson has been focused on sourcing, executing and leading growth-stage investments in emerging consumer brands.
He currently serves on the Boards of Yumble and True Botanicals (Observer).
Founded by Jon Sebastiani, Sonoma Brands is a specialist growth equity firm exclusively dedicated to high-growth consumer brands. The portfolio includes
– SmashMallow
– ZÜPA NOMA
– Dang Foods
– KRAVE Pure Foods
– Guayaki
– True Botanicals
– Hu
– PECKISH
– Yumble
– Vintage Wine Estates.
FinSMEs
12/02/2019