Taboo Entrepreneurship & Status Trucker Hats

creating companies out of controversy and Amber Waves

Author

Sammi Cohen
November 02, 2024

Business, Economy & Culture:

  • The founders of Julie, Blip and Overdrive are creating products in opportunity spaces that other companies are afraid to dive into. They miraculously take a category that has some level of stigma attached to it, create a product that directly addresses this head on, then market it as Gen-Z friendly (& obviously cool).

  • The blocked merger between Capri Holdings and Tapestry surprised the entire fashion industry. But luxury goods, whether they’re handbags or supercars or fine wine, don’t straightforwardly adhere to the pricing rules that govern most consumer products. When the thrill of buying something expensive is fundamental to the pitch to customers, the price itself becomes part of the product.

  • Brian Chesky (Airbnb) is a huge fan of the annual product launch. He looked to how Steve Jobs implemented this strategy at Apple. Brian believes that all companies should be using an annual event to connect with their employees and show off new updates to customers. Earlier this year, even Taco Bell organized Live Más Live to publicize what it called “an unimaginable lineup of food innovations”.

  • This is very niche tech drama, but it’s something I’m planning on deep diving soon. Long story short, there’s an ongoing feud between WordPress and WP Engine (two different companies). Automattic owns WordPress, and the company’s CEO is on a mission to take down WP Engine; he’s already asked anyone who doesn’t agree with him at his own company to leave and he paid a good severance package for them to do so.

  • Reddit is profitable for the first time ever and daily users are up 47% year over year. The company hasn’t been profitable at any point (!!!) in its nearly 20-year history. Reddit CEO Steve Huffman attributed the recent increase in users to the platform’s AI-powered translation feature.

  • Influencers, brands, and data analytics play key roles in identifying, shaping, and predicting emerging styles. The rapid feedback from digital culture shortens trend cycles, making fashion forecasting both complex and dynamic. In short, it’s a mix of many factors, and not all trends are created equally.

  • Amber Waves Farm in Amagansett has gained popularity for its stylish "status merch," which appeals to fashion-conscious visitors wanting a piece of its community-driven brand. The farm’s branded apparel, like hats and sweatshirts, has become a symbol of rural charm and social status, blending farm culture with lifestyle branding.

  • Only six years ago, all of Nerds had less than $50 million in sales. This year, Nerds Gummy Clusters alone has already generated more than $500 million. This one product now generates close to 90% of Nerds’ overall revenue. 

  • Respectfully, we could have seen this news coming from a mile away. These drinks never really caught on, and with Brian Niccol (CEO) trying to turn things around at Starbucks, it makes sense that the unpopular drinks are getting cut from the menu.

  • Olivia Munn openly displays her mastectomy scars in a new SKIMS campaign, supporting body positivity and encouraging conversations about post-surgery experiences. The campaign reflects SKIMS' inclusive approach, celebrating diverse bodies and empowering individuals to embrace their personal journeys.

  • Schools are banning Crocs due to concerns over safety and dress code violations, affecting the brand’s popularity among children. These restrictions could impact Crocs' growth in the kids' market if they continue to spread across more schools.

  • Nearly half of Americans don't want a promotion. Getting ahead was once a cornerstone of the American Dream. Now, many professionals are stepping off the corporate ladder (cue the ‘quiet quitting’ and ‘lazy girl job’ trends on TikTok).

  • Tights are back, baby. L'eggs, a brand synonymous with pantyhose & iconic packaging, is experiencing a revival as consumers increasingly embrace tights and shapewear for their versatility and comfort, reflecting changing fashion trends and a shift in consumer preferences toward comfort and body positivity.

Startups/Entrepreneurship:

  • This course helps to teach you how to design AI prompts that work in five steps. Zero experience required.

  • This three year roadmap can help you to create a solid framework for how to grow a consulting business (full-time or part-time) over the next few years.

  • Employee equity is always more confusing than it needs to be. This link has different equity calculations to help demystify the equity scenarios.

  • Olivia Wilde has launched a new venture capital firm, aimed at investing in innovative and socially responsible companies, reflecting her commitment to supporting meaningful projects in various sectors.

Becoming a Better You

A creator who helps you to organize your life, via notion templates and lots of other tools

Sephora’s big sale event starting on 11/1. The sale started on November 1st. It’s 30% off on the Sephora Collection for everyone, and it runs til November 11th.

Not to be dramatic, but this face pencil is changing my life. It’s from Jones Road (this isn’t sponsored), and I can’t believe that this is the first time I’ve used a concealer pencil. Every time I use it, I feel like I’m an artist who is writing on my face and that’s fun.

T-shirts for the Female Gaze (nyt). A handful of small brands like Flore Flore founded by women are gaining recognition for their takes on a wardrobe staple

Black Friday Early Deals (wire cutter). Pizza ovens, Cuisinart, iPads, and deep fryers… and these deals are just getting started.

Call Me, Beep Me

If you liked this newsletter, it would be very cool if you shared it with your family, friends or even a random person that you know loves business & culture news! Link to share here.

I seriously love chatting with you all; please feel free to send me a note on any of these platforms:

P.S. - If you see any typos in this newsletter, know that I did it on purpose just to make you giggle.

Collaborate/Sponsor This Newsletter

I’m always looking for new companies, people and stories to highlight. If you have any ideas for a future newsletter, please feel free to drop me a note.

Reply

or to participate.