Sammi’s Corner: The Importance of A Personal Brand 🌶️📈 

If you’ve subscribed to this newsletter, I can pretty much guarantee that at least one of the following things is true about you: 1) you’re well educated (doesn’t necessarily mean college degree, but it means that you enjoy learning and have done a lot of it), 2) you care about being up-to-speed on news across business and culture, or 3) you’re interested in entrepreneurship (you’re either involved in the entrepreneurship space in some way or would like to do something entrepreneurial at some point in your life). Note: if you don’t fall into one of the aforementioned categories, send me a note so I can understand why you subscribed.

I believe that anyone that falls into at least one of these categories needs to drastically rethink about what it means to have a personal brand in 2025. A personal brand enables you to build a network of people who engage with your vision and to have conversations with others about these topics. If I’ve learned anything this year, it’s that doubling down on what you’re passionate about and putting those ideas into the world is the best way to build your personal brand. And I’m not talking about any one particular form of content (although video is great, there has never been a better time to post ANYTHING on social media or written content in a newsletter format). Instagram, TikTok (pending ban?), YouTube, LinkedIn… whatever the medium, building your personal brand starts with declaring your point of view.

According to several projections, around 50% of the U.S. workforce is expected to be freelance workers by 2025. This percentage is wild to me. Regardless of your role or industry, your personal brand is increasingly important in a world that is sprinting towards more flexible work. Having a strong personal brand enables you to weave your way between companies, roles, and clients more seamlessly because your brand isn’t tied to a particular job, company or boss. Essentially, personal brand = more flexibility with what you end up doing with your life.

I’ll continue to touch on the magic of the personal brand over upcoming newsletters with my favorite tips to jump in (if you’re nervous to get started), or to grow your personal brand if you’re already focused on building it. And as always, feel free to reach out if you have any strong thoughts on this that I can feature in an upcoming newsletter. xx Sammi

Business, Economy & Culture🛍️📈💸:

Why Kylie Kelce’s Podcast, ‘Not Gonna Lie,’ Is a Breakout Hit 🎙️ Kylie Kelce’s podcast, Not Gonna Lie, is taking the podcast world by storm, surpassing The Joe Rogan Experience shortly after its launch on December 5th. 🚀💬 The show dives into modern parenting, social media trends, and women in sports with Kylie’s candid, and relatable storytelling. She’s the wife of Eagles star Jason Kelce and sister-in-law of Chiefs’ Travis Kelce. Kylie launched the podcast to share her family’s story and address misconceptions.🌟👩‍👧⚽ I’ll be tuning into it this weekend (I haven’t listened to it yet) to see what all the hype is about. 🎧✨ (nyt)

Why Brands like Bonobos Are Increasingly Tapping Reddit for Advertising 👾 Reddit is becoming a goldmine for brands like Bonobos looking to connect with niche audiences, especially with its “Fit is a Feeling” campaign. 🔍💬 By tapping into highly engaged communities, brands are leveraging Reddit’s conversational tone to drive meaningful interactions and increase visibility. 🚀👕 With tools like targeted ads and sponsored posts, Bonobos and other brands are tailoring their messaging to align with the platform’s user-driven ethos. 🛍️✨(modern retail)

Brat, Bodysuits, and Bag Charms: The Year in TikTok ✨ TikTok’s influence on fashion trends skyrocketed in 2024, with items like bratcore aesthetics, sleek bodysuits, and bag charms seemingly everywhere. The platform became a breeding ground for viral fashion moments and micro trends showcasing how Gen Z and millennial creators are go all in on the trend of the moment. 👜👗✨ (vogue business)

The $20-Trillion Tunnel That Could Link New York and London  🌍 *Spoiler alert: this is just a proposal, not an actual planned tunnel yet*. This $20-trillion visionary project aims to connect NY and London via vacuum tube technology, creating unprecedented opportunities for travel. 🚄💨 (newsweek)

Honda, Nissan to Start Talks on Possible Merger 🚗 Honda and Nissan are exploring the possibility of a merger to tackle industry challenges like electrification, sustainability, and global competition. 🔋🌎 A partnership could drive innovation and efficiency, reshaping the future of mobility while cementing Japan’s role as a global auto powerhouse. 🚘🤝(bloomberg)

Beige & Body Conscious: Kim Kardashian Wants to Reinvent Skiwear ❄️ Although this 14-piece collab is almost sold out, this is a great read about the ever-present marketing powerhouse that is Kim K. She brought her signature minimalist, body-conscious aesthetic in varying nude colors to the slopes. The luxury skiwear market ❄️ in 2023 has been valued at $1.59 billion as brands continue to embrace alpine styles and gorpcore. 🏔️💃(wsj)

The C.E.O.s Are Tripping. Can Psychedelics Help the C-Suite? 🌀 Psychedelics are making their way into corporate boardrooms, from microdosing to guided ayahuasca retreats. 🤯💼 The article mentions a specific retreat called “The Psychedelic C.E.O.” Executives are exploring these substances to boost creativity, improve decision-making, and tackle burnout. The rise of this trend also coincides with the macro-loosening of traditionally-stuffy corporate culture. 🌈✨(nyt)

Highlight from Fashion’s Big Year of Sport 🏀 Amid a luxury slowdown, sportswear collaborations with luxury labels proved to be vital this year. Designers collaborated with star athletes and drew inspiration from arenas, courts, and fields, creating collections that merged functionality with flair. Athleisure collabs also peaked this year; the Zendaya x On campaign is my personal favorite. 🎾🌟🏆 (vogue)

How to Buy a Secondhand Gift Someone Might Actually Want Buying secondhand is no longer taboo—it’s thoughtful. 🎁💚 In the UK, some 84% of people say they plan to buy at least one pre-owned Christmas gift this year. Searches for “pre-owned luxury” on eBay grew by 40% this year compared to last year. Beni, a web browser tool, recently launched a resale registry where thrifters can save their wishlist and share it with their friends and family. 🛍️✨ (bloomberg)

‘Filler Fatigue’ Is Setting In 💉 The beauty industry is seeing a shift: many are moving away from overdone fillers and opting for a more natural look (finally!!!). 🌸✨ Alternative treatments such as laser resurfacing have sparked a new appeal as many customers rethink skincare and wellness. 🌿🌟 (bof)

Swarovski Introduces Its Most Sustainable Crystals to Date 💎 Swarovski’s latest line of crystals use at least 40 percent fewer natural resources than for its standard crystals, reducing environmental impact without compromising brilliance. 🌍✨ The initiative underscores the brand’s commitment to innovation and a greener future. ✨♻️ (wwd)

Temu is The Most Downloaded App on the US App Store in 2024 🚀 Known for its ultra-low prices, diverse product range, and gamified shopping experience, Temu has dominated US downloads this year. 🛍️✨ With its innovative marketing strategies and flash deals, the platform is redefining online shopping, and other marketplaces will likely try emulating some of Temu’s strategies in 2025. 💸🔥 (tech crunch)

Meet the TikStocks 📈 Say hello to "TikStocks"—a new term for companies that skyrocket in value thanks to viral TikTok moments. 📹🔥 With millions of users sharing content, TikTok has become a powerful market-mover, creating instant demand and reshaping how brands interact with consumers. A potential ban in January will have a significant impact on creators and the millions of businesses that utilize TikTok for consumer awareness & growth. 🛒💸 (sherwood news)

Gen Z and Millennials Find Offline Joy in Board Game Clubs 🎲 In a digital age, Gen Z and millennials are rediscovering the joy of face-to-face connections through board game clubs (so wholesome! so cute!). 👫✨ The resurgence of tabletop gaming highlights a shift towards slower, more meaningful interactions, where unplugging becomes the ultimate luxury. 💡🎉(nyt)

Fun Facts/Brain Snacks 🧠📚💡💭

Understanding the Drunkest Country in the World 🍷 🍹 Mark Manson, bestselling author of ‘The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck’, spent a few days in the country with the highest number of alcoholics worldwide. His mission? To delve into the culture’s complex relationship with alcohol and uncover the factors driving it. Along the way, he discovers Palinka, a traditional alcoholic drink that plays a significant role in the nation's deeply ingrained alcohol culture. Curious to find out which country it is? Tune in! (youtube)

The Wisdom of Seijaku– a Japanese Concept- Finding Calm When Everything Feels Chaotic 🌀 Amid life’s turbulence, the Japanese concept of Seijaku offers a pathway to serenity. ✨ Rooted in mindfulness, Seijaku encourages finding inner peace and stillness, an “energized relaxation,” even when surrounded by chaos. 🌸🕊️(Medium)

Concept of the Week: The Endowment Effect 🧠🛋️ 

The endowment effect describes how people tend to value items they own more highly than they would if they didn’t own them.

Usage example: Sellers often try to charge more for an item than it would cost elsewhere due to the endowment effect. In addition, as a buyer, any tactic that makes us feel a sense of psychological ownership over a product can encourage us to spend more to buy it.

A cousin to this theory is the IKEA effect, a cognitive bias that helps explain why people place higher value on things they helped to build or create. In studies, it’s been confirmed that participants have been willing to pay up to ~60% more for products that they themselves assemble 😅, and to be less willing to part with such products.

Venture Capital/Innovation & Entrepreneurship💰🌍💼:

YC-backed Zimi Raises $2M to Help International Merchants Easily Sell in the U.S 💰📦 Offering tools for logistics, compliance, and customer engagement, Zimi streamlines cross-border sales, empowering businesses to expand effortlessly as brands shipping internationally face high costs, long delivery times, and often rely on expensive distributors. 🚀🛒 🌐✨ (tech crunch)

A Ride-Hailing Start-up in Washington Tries to ‘Out-Uber Uber.’ 🚖 Empower is shaking up Washington D.C.'s ride-hailing market, emerging as a strong competitor to Uber. 💡 Unlike its rival, Empower operates on a subscription-based model that lets drivers keep 100% of their earnings. 💵🚗 This approach appeals to drivers and riders alike, redefining the dynamics of the gig economy and challenging established players. However, despite accumulating over $100 million in unpaid fines and navigating significant legal challenges, Empower remains optimistic and steadfast in pursuing its ambitious future plans. 🔥⚡ (nyt)

The 51 Most Disruptive Startups of 2024 🚀 Meet TechCrunch’s list of the 51 most disruptive startups.💡✨ From AI-driven healthcare solutions to climate tech and consumer platforms, these startups are tackling big challenges with fresh perspectives. 🌍🔥 🌟💼(tech crunch)

Resources/Links 🌶️🧥

2024 Entrepreneurship Report - Squarespace surveyed more than 2,000 people selling physical products, digital content, or offering services to clients online, and this report consolidates their entrepreneurial insights.

Trends and Innovations in Women’s Health - This report consolidates data across investment in women’s health startups and businesses this year. Lots of juicy data.

Tips for Freelancers Vetting Clients Effectively - For freelancers, one of the most common issues is dealing with nightmare clients. This article helps to provide a framework on how to vet them.

2025 Trend Forecast Report - Yelp’s 2025 Trend Forecast report based on data from their platform.

How Notion Leveraged Community to Build a $10 Billion Business - Notion is a top 3 case study for any founder or future business owner (industry agnostic).

Use Arc - A leading capital management platform for startups.

Harmonic - Connecting the right startups with the right investments through its database.

HotHands Hand Warmers - Long-lasting, safe, and natural odorless air-activated warmers- bringing warmth this winter when you forget to carry gloves!

Voluspa Spiced Pumpkin Latte Candle Collection- A festive last-minute gift option.

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