the dtc live newsletter:
February 12, 2026

Is your brand stuck in the "Sea of Sameness"?

Who managed to stay awake for the Super Bowl on Sunday?

If you did, we hope you’ve had enough coffee to power through the week. We are still thinking about the halftime show (and regretting the amount of snacks consumed), but it was worth the late night.

But now that the confetti has settled, let's talk about a different kind of big event closer to home.

DTC Live Connect London

Mark your calendars for Thursday, March 12th, 2026.

We are bringing the signature DTC Live energy back to Holborn, London for our flagship Connect event.

If you’ve been before, you know the drill: real growth stories, bold ideas, and the kind of networking that actually moves the needle for your brand.

See what the hype is about

We could tell you about the packed rooms and the electric atmosphere, but it’s better if we just show you. Hear directly from the founders and operators who have been in the room:

Here is what it actually looks like when the UK’s best brands get together.

Ready to join us in London? Secure your spot at DTC Live Connect London 2026 and be part of the community shaping the future of e-commerce.

How to build a brand that people actually trust

We recently sat down with Allie Egan, Founder and CEO of Veracity, a metabolic health brand, at our NYC conference.

In a vertical as crowded (and often skeptical) as supplements and wellness, how do you stand out?

The answer wasn't "more influencers." It was radical authenticity and a pivot to expertise.

Here is the highlight from the session on how she built a brand that people actually trust.

1. Don't force the Founder persona

We often tell founders they need to be the face of the brand, but usually, that comes with the pressure to act like a polished content creator.

Allie admitted that early on, she tried to fit the mould but felt awkward.

"I'm not a traditional beauty influencer founder where I know how to film myself... 'Get Ready With Me' videos are not really my style. I feel awkward doing it. I look awkward doing it."

Allie leaned into her background in finance and her personal health journey instead. She embraced being a "nerd at heart."

By stopping the performance and starting the education, the brand voice became organic, and the audience responded. Authenticity outperforms a forced trend every time.

2. Navigating a sea of sameness

We are reaching a saturation point with standard influencer marketing. As Allie noted on stage:

"Everyone finds that influencer content works, so everyone jumps on that thing, and then everyone's feed is just full of the same 40 ladies selling them different things."

When consumers see the same faces selling everything from greens powder to skincare, trust dilutes.

3. Expert > Influencer

So, what is working for Veracity right now? Who is delivering the message?

Veracity found that their best-performing content doesn't come from lifestyle influencers, but from the founder and physicians.

In a high-stakes category like health, people don't want a sales pitch, they want answers.

4. Content First, Product Second

Most brands would rush to launch a SKU. Veracity launched a website before they sold a single product.

Why? Because Allie realised that in the health space, the "product" isn't the pill, it's the answer.

"We launched our website before we sold a single thing... Product can only be one piece of that if you're actually really solving health issues. You need to help people feel informed."

If you are in a high trust category (Health, Baby, Pet), you can’t just run ads. You have to build authority first.

The takeaway for you

Take a look at your content mix this week. Are you trying to replicate a trending format that doesn't fit your brand DNA?

  • If you have a technical product, lean into the "nerdiness."
  • If you have a mission-led product, lean into the founder's story.
  • If you are in a crowded market, try swapping the influencer for the expert.

Don't scale in silence, join our slack community

Running a DTC brand can be lonely, but it doesn’t have to be.

Our private DTC Live community, powered by Brightpearl by Sage, is your direct line to the network.

We’ve just got back from our Brand Retreat in Gran Canaria last week (the vibes were immaculate), and if you missed out, you’ll want to be in the Slack group - community members get exclusive priority access for the next retreat happening this October.

It’s also a dedicated space for you to:

  • Ask questions when you're stuck.
  • Share updates and wins.
  • Get real-time advice from peers.
  • Access templates, guides and resources from industry experts

If you want insider blueprints and first dibs on the next flight out with us, this is where you need to be.

Join the conversation.

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