#USA #Atlanta #Entrepreneur #Founders Row #Jess Yuan

Founders Row Boosts Leadership with Jess Yuan as COO

In a significant move towards enhancing its founder-first mission, Founders Row has announced that Jess Yuan has joined as the new Partner and Chief Operating Officer. This appointment marks an important step in the firm’s vision to provide comprehensive support for early-stage founders, enriching the operational framework with years of valuable experience from Yuan.

Yuan, whose career spans over a decade in working with founder- and family-led enterprises, previously held a pivotal role at Freeman Spogli, a well-established consumer private equity firm. Her background includes investment in various category-defining businesses, among these is V/O Med Spa, recognized as the largest pure-play med spa franchisor in the United States. Moreover, her vast expertise traverses areas from health and wellness to consumer products and services, positioning her as a formidable asset to Founders Row.

The collaboration between Jess Yuan and Jamie Weeks, the Founder of Founders Row, has deep roots dating back to 2017. Their partnership began when Yuan's former firm, J.W. Childs, partnered with Weeks during the developmental phases of his B2B fitness franchise platform, Orangetheory Fitness. This relationship blossomed over time, as Yuan became a strong advocate for the boutique fitness category, skillfully analyzing consumer behavior and market trends to ensure the platform’s growth.

In her new role, Yuan commits to working closely with Weeks to provide profound operational support to a carefully selected group of founders, focusing on brand positioning and long-term growth strategies. A key focus would involve hands-on engagement with Founders Row’s portfolio companies. The initial spotlight will be on Baking Social, the first incubation project under the firm.

Yuan highlights the necessity for partnerships that extend beyond financial backing. “In the earliest stages of a venture, capital is simply not enough. Founders require partners who comprehend the nuances of business building, risk assessment, and who are prepared to engage in the operational trenches,” said Yuan. This philosophy aligns seamlessly with the foundational principles of Founders Row, which seeks to offer an alternative pathway for early-stage founders through its supportive infrastructure.

Jamie Weeks echoes this belief, acknowledging Yuan’s unique insight into the founder’s journey. “Jess is not only aware of the numerical aspects but equally appreciates the operators and entrepreneurs behind them. This understanding epitomizes the essence upon which Founders Row stands,” he stated.

With its home base in Atlanta, Founders Row dedicates itself to constructing and backing companies led by visionary founders. The firm champions dual operational models: one focusing on incubating new brands from their inception while the other seeks to partner with extraordinary founders to deliver platform-level support across various operational sectors.

Ultimately, Founders Row prides itself on assisting founders to maintain ownership and control, while facilitating disciplined growth that does not compromise company culture or long-term value. By embedding a seasoned executive like Jess Yuan into its operational fabric, Founders Row is taking bold strides forward in changing the landscape for early-stage entrepreneurship.

For further information on Founders Row and its endeavors, visiting their website at foundersrow.co is encouraged.

About Founders Row

Founded by dedicated entrepreneur Jamie Weeks, Founders Row aims to develop and support consumer-driven businesses founded by creatives. Adopting a dual approach to support startups and nestling new brands, the firm ensures every venture benefits from strategic operational practices and sustained growth being at the forefront of the business model.