In a world of social media, programmatic advertising and digital-first marketing, the direct mail market carries an old-school feel. But did you know that U.S. direct mail is a $50 billion market?  To dive into this lucrative-but-overlooked market, I grabbed some time with Dave Fink, the CEO and co-founder of Postie, a data and technology platform that helps clients run smart, data-driven direct mail campaigns.  In today’s episode, you’ll hear Dave share why direct mail is still a powerful avenue in the digital age, strategies for creating a direct mail campaign, and using direct mail to build a unique name for your brand.  Dave also shares his thoughts on accelerators and venture capital firms which he gleaned from investing in 75+ startups, including his first-hand experience with Dollar Shave Club, building effective branding for D2C businesses and the traits he’s seen from the most successful companies he’s invested with.  Key Takeaways with Dave Fink Dave's front-row seat to Dollar Shave Club's launch to 9-figure exit in 4 years. How Dollar Shave Club distinguished itself with an authentic brand story in the right media channels. The core differentiator between successful and unsuccessful businesses. The self-fulfilling prophecies in the accelerator world that creates business winners and losers. The two types of founding groups in accelerators — and which is the most successful. The merits of building one company vs. taking on a portfolio of companies. Strategies for convincing prospective employees to work for your company. Navigating nuanced sales cycles depending on the needs of your prospect. How D2C brands like Liquid Death, Dollar Shave Club and Casper made consumers want to be part of their brands. Prioritizing a quality business model over venture capital KPIs. Why Dave chose to get into direct mail in the digital age. Linking data with direct mail campaigns to make your brand stand out. Reasons for companies to consider the $50 billion direct mail space in the U.S. Where to start a D2C marketing playbook. Want the Full Show Notes? To get access to the full show notes, including audio, transcripts, and links to all the resources mentioned, visit Retention.com/20 Rate & Review If you enjoyed today’s episode of Ten Years In The Making, hit the subscribe button on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen, so future episodes are automatically downloaded directly to your device. Connect with Adam Robinson: LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamtalksemail/  Get The Podcast on: APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/10-years-in-the-making/id1656993308 SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/4LPWNrljdXFv0caHvfQUIv?si=qiHzoPUdR-6TSgUJOiwyrw YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBJe-176R0xRyfb9eBk80Yg?sub_confirmation=1