Josh Richards, Griffin Johnson + Noah Beck are known in the TikTok world as a part of a group called “Sway House.” Don’t know what we’re talking about?
Don’t worry, if you’re not a Gen-Zer or avid TikTok user, we can translate for you: these 3 boys became millionaires from producing content across various social media platforms in a remarkably short time span.
So why would you, a Raleighite + not a Sway House fan girl, need to know their names? Those 3, along with Raleigh native Marshall Sandman, have created a venture capital firm looking to invest in health and wellness, fintech, and consumer media startups.
Raleigh native Marshall Sandman | Photo via Marshall Sandman
The fund — Animal Capital — is currently totaling $15 million + already has a portfolio of about a dozen companies with ~$3 million deployed. One of those companies is Durham-based startup Lolli, a browser extension that turns shopping rewards into BitCoin.
Marshall said although the fund is geographically agnostic, he’s keeping his eyes on home.
“I'm really hyper focused on making sure that we're delivering capital to the Triangle and startups in the Triangle,” he said.
When the pandemic began, Marshall left NYC and moved back to Raleigh + founded Animal Capital from his parents’ house. The move was inspired by the need for his mom’s cooking.
Marshall's mother, Lisa Sandman | Photo via Marshall Sandman
“My mom is the greatest baker in NC,” he said. “I'm very sorry to the Ashley Christensens and the Scott Crawfords of the world. They might tell you that my mom is a better baker, too.”
Though Marshall is currently in NYC, he’s looking at buying a house in Raleigh.
One of Marshall’s main goals with Animal Capital is to prove that these creators can be more than a social media post. The fund also has other celebrity investors, like NFL Pro Bowlers, he said.
Holiday
Show
- An Evening with Cory Branan | Fri., June 18 | 7–8 p.m. | 217 S. White St., Wake Forest| $17.55 | Spend a night at the Magnolia Music Lounge with Rollingstone-recognized artist Cory Branan. 🎶
Saturday
- Juneteenth Celebration | Sat., June 19 | 10 a.m.–5 p.m. | 5299 Capital Blvd. | Free+ | Join the celebration with performers, food, drinks + more.
- Raleigh Juneteenth Festival | Sat., June 19 | 2–8 p.m. | 2235 Garner Rd. | Free+ | Bring the whole family to eat, dance, celebrate + learn about the importance of Juneteenth.
- Commemorating Juneteenth | Sat., June 19 | 12 p.m. | East Building, Secu Auditorium, 2110 Blue Ridge Rd. | Free | Sit down with author Linda Simmons-Henry to discuss the culture of Raleigh’s African American communities + 8 local neighborhoods.
- Commemorating Juneteenth Film Screening and Discussion: Wilmington on Fire | Sat., June 19 | 2 p.m. | East Building, Secu Auditorium, 2110 Blue Ridge Rd. | Free | Watch the historical documentary + join director, Christopher Everett, in a conversation after.
Sunday
- Commemorating Juneteenth: Celebrating Black Music Month| Sun., June 20 | 3 p.m. | Theatre in the Museum Park, 2110 Blue Ridge Rd. | Free | Celebrate Black Music Month with DJ Thoro + your best dance moves.
- Father's Day Golf Event | Sun., June 20 | 9 a.m.–12 p.m. | TriGolf, 12201 Leesville Rd. | $37.82 | Bring your kids and come out for a morning of golf, contests + a complimentary lunch. ⛳
- Wright Center Meal | Sun., June 20 | 6:30–7 p.m. | 3603 Bastion Ln. | Donate | Cook, deliver, or serve to homeless women through the Helen Wright Center for Women.
- Songs from the Road Band | Sun., June 20 | 6–8 p.m. | Koka Booth Amphitheater | $5+ | Kickback + listen to this Asheville-based bluegrass band. 🪕
Triangle Pop-Up — a traveling market of local artisans + creators — is coming to Boxyard RTP tomorrow, Sat., June 19 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Boxyard RTP, the newly-opened development made out of repurposed shipping containers located at 900 Park Offices Dr in RTP, is dog-friendly + includes vendors like Lawrence Barbecue.
Saturday’s market will include live music by local artists like Durham-based indie-soul musician Tre. Charles. ProTip: Don’t forget to take your Insta-worthy pics in front of Boxyard’s murals.
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Weather
- 91º | Sunny | 0% chance of rain 🌞
Civic
- Raleigh selected a new police chief yesterday, naming Estella Patterson as the replacement for Cassandra Deck-Brown (whose last day is Wed., June 30). Estella was employed with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department for the past 25 years.
- Plans for Wake County's newest park, Kellam-Wyatt Farm, are being finalized + the last community meeting is being held Thurs., June 24 at Anderson Point Park (20 Anderson Point Dr.). From 4:30-7 p.m., locals can join + voice their opinions on the project.
ComingSoon
- While studying at NC State, Emily Neville began her own clothing company — Reborn Clothing Co. — an upcycling business that aims to reduce textile waste. This July, Emily's shop is opening at 4381 Lassiter at North Hills Ave. + plans to work directly with customers. 👚(Triangle Business Journal)
- Designed For Joy — a nonprofit that helps women coming from vulnerable situations gain work experience — is opening a new location at 517 W. Cabarrus St. in Downtown. The grand opening will be Fri., Aug. 20 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The current Gateway Center Boutique will remain open through the end of December.
NowOpen
- Former Village Grill chef John Scarangella recently opened Northside Bistro & Cocktails near Cape Fear Seafood Company (in the old Mezeh Mediterranean Grill space). The bistro serves classic American options, like prime NY strip steak + is reservation-only until Tue., July 6. (Triangle Business Journal)
Number
- The housing market has gone from heating up to hot — Triangle MLS data shows existing home inventory is down 75% since last year. Last year, homes sat on the market for 26 days + that number is now down to 12. The year-to-year median sale price also increased by $57,000. 🏠(CBS 17)
Development
FeelGood
- Competing Triangle developers teamed up to save downtown Cary’s only hotel — The Mayton Inn — after the operators filed for bankruptcy in 2018. Triangle Real Estate Company + Northwoods Associates transformed the inn into The Mayton, a 45-room boutique hotel. (The News & Observer)
WaterCooler
- NC State runner + Cary native Elly Henes won a national championship on the same track that her mother did 30 years earlier, in the same event — the 5000 meter final. Elly will now compete for a spot on the US Olympic team. 🏃(ABC 11)
Community
- On Sat., June 19, the North Carolina Fatherhood Conference will be held in Raleigh. The virtual event will include a father of the year announcement, prizes, men's health vendors + workshops. The event will be from 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. and you can register here.
TryThis
- Let Lowes Foods be your sous chef. To save time in the kitchen, you can pick out your fresh, local produce and the Pick & Prep pros will chop it for you. Looking at you, onions. 🔪 Ⓟ
Biz
- There's a reason over 3 million people start their day with Morning Brew — the daily email that delivers the latest news from Wall Street to Silicon Valley. Business news doesn't have to be dry and dense — make your mornings more enjoyable, for free. Check it out. Ⓟ
Job
- Passionate about growth marketing? 6AM City is looking for a Performance Marketing Specialist who has a proven track record of driving significant growth through the execution of paid digital marketing campaigns. This position is remote. Details + apply.
FeaturedDig
#RALcurrent: What we're currently hoping for — Carly is hoping to get some quality time with her dad for Father's Day + Laura is hoping to pick up some plants from Urban Pothos this weekend.
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