Alison Ryu

Alison has been investing in consumer brands for nearly a decade.

She is currently a Managing Director at Able Partners, an early stage venture fund focused on positive living — those brands helping the consumer live a healthier, happier and more meaningful life.

Able's portfolio includes Daily Harvest, goop, Chief, Kosas, Blueland, Spring Health, and Vivvi in addition to several other consumer brands.

On her morning routine.

I typically wake up around 6:45 and spend 15 minutes triaging email.

I like to start the day with a 16 oz. glass of water and my supplements before working out. I find exercising in the morning to be cathartic and it helps me to kick start my day with a clear head. 

I’m usually showered and at my desk around 8:45.

I start my day reading for at least 15 minutes - whether it’s news, deal announcements, or relevant articles about a specific thesis that we are spending time on - before jumping into emails, calls and meetings. 

That said, I will admit that my routine has evolved in the last 3 months in light of quarantine. I’ve tried to give myself some space to deviate to help each day feel a bit more distinct. 

On prioritizing workouts. 

I grew up playing a lot of sports and enjoy being active.

I do my best to spend an hour every day working out. I’m pretty intentional about that habit because of the mental health benefits.

It gives me a chance to clear my head and let go of any stress and anxiety. It’s an hour that I invest in taking care of myself.

Prior to quarantine, my workout routine was more predictable — I enjoyed running or swimming at Equinox and often tried to fit in a class at Barry's.

More recently, I’ve tried to be creative during quarantine with outdoor workouts including stair sprints or jumping rope.

It’s important to move throughout the day for a few minutes between calls and meetings. A short walk outside can make a big difference. I tend to not listen to music or a podcast during that time because it’s nice to be able to be present.

On finding balance.

We find ourselves in a unique time where our work and home lives are one and the same. This lack of separation is actually the norm for me as I’ve been working remotely since I joined Able.

Earlier in my career, I often let work blend between the week and weekend.

I’ve learned to be more intentional about time away from work — to spend time with family and friends, to travel, to experience new things and to rest — in many ways, that’s probably helped me be a better investor.

I believe that our weaknesses are often the overuse of our strengths.

I am more aware of that now. I grew up in an immigrant family culture and work ethic was always most important. But I realize that I can value working hard, while still taking time to recharge. I think that’s important in early-stage investing where work doesn’t always have a natural beginning and end.

On ambition and hustle.

I was raised in Santa Barbara, a small beach town, so it may just be the stark contrast, but I have always felt that New York City has insane energy.

The diversity, sense of hustle, and ambition in the air are unmatched.

I think the City has developed a vibrant consumer community, and there seems to be a lot of collaboration among funds, entrepreneurs, and others in the ecosystem which is really refreshing. 

After a couple of years in NYC, I moved out to SF, which I also love for different reasons. To have access to both the ocean and the mountains is hard to find.

I'm grateful to call San Francisco home and to still have the opportunity to spend time in New York for work.

On navigating culture fit.

When considering a new role, it's critical to spend time understanding the culture fit and the people that you are aligning yourself with. 

Prior to joining Able, I was fortunate to have already built a relationship with Lisa and Amanda. I have a lot of respect for them as investors and operators, but what was most important was that I was excited to work with them as people.

They've been intentional in developing a culture that encourages a point of view, embraces discussion and debate, and empowers me to take the lead.

I’m lucky to spend my day evaluating investments in sectors I care deeply about.

On protecting time with family.

In the evening, I enjoy connecting with my husband. 

Our schedules don’t always align, but it’s nice to spend time together on a walk, over dinner, or while watching a show. He is also an investor but moonlights as an amateur chef, so I am fortunate to always be well fed! 

I am the middle of three kids, and I try to make an effort to check in with my family every day, whether that’s a phone call or even a few texts.

I don’t necessarily have a big update to share, but it allows me to feel connected since we are all in different places.

On her evening routine.

I don’t have any specific rules like “no tech after 9” but maybe I should! 

I try to go with the flow in the evening because things tend to come up. I don’t have kids yet so I find that I am able to tackle a lot more in the evenings when I have a block of time to digest information and reflect on the day’s conversations.

I always try to be responsive so I religiously go through my inbox before signing off. I really value sleep. I try to get at least 8 hours so I’m usually in bed by 10:45.

Right before bed, I’ll spend 10 minutes stretching and 5 minutes with my legs up against the wall, which is my form of meditation. 

I recently learned that this pose is called Viparita (inverted) Karani (to do) and it helps with rest and rejuvenation. It is the inverse of all of the activity in a given day and a chance to be still.