Tony Olson grew up in the Midwest with a straightforward understanding of work: you earn what you build, and you build it from the inside out. That orientation never left him.
Tony’s career began in the natural and organic industry at a time when the category was still taking shape. He joined Just Squeezed Juices, later acquired by Odwalla, where he gained early operating experience in the space.
He later joined SPINS when the company had fewer than 20 employees and spent the next 25 years building the business.
During his tenure, SPINS grew to more than 650 people, expanded through several acquisitions, and became a leading data and analytics platform for the natural products industry. In 2021, Tony led the sale of a majority stake to Warburg Pincus and General Atlantic, and continues to serve as Chairman of the Board.
Tony built companies before he deployed capital. He made decisions where execution determined outcomes, not narrative or momentum. That experience defines how Webster operates today. We focus on standards first, and investments second.
That foundation comes from deep experience in the natural and organic space, as well as a strong understanding of retail, data, and brick-and-mortar brands built from the ground up.
Webster Capital is Tony’s capital, deployed through a platform built on his operating experience.
Each investment follows a clear thesis, defined criteria, and a consistent approach. Webster is not raising capital. Partnerships are formed through alignment and performance.
Tony is at a stage where he expects investments and people to deliver. His track record and respect for partners set that standard.
EME stands for Experience – Memory – Emotion. It is not a slogan. It is the lens through which Tony evaluates what endures — in business, in investment, and in life. The companies that last are the ones that create genuine experience, embed themselves in memory, and generate real emotional connection. That is not a soft idea. It is a rigorous filter, and it shapes how Webster approaches every decision.
Tony is the Chairman of the SPINS Board and a founding member of Naturally Chicago.
He founded Tasseo and supports City Church Chicago, the Salt and Light Coalition, and the Salt and Light Academy in Myanmar.