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Field Notes: The New Credibility Loop

A decade ago, founders built companies first and personal brands later. Today, as I’ve talked about a lot on here, it’s the reverse — for many founders, the personal brand often acts as part of the moat. A strong online presence builds credibility that investors, customers, and talent respond positively to. A strong, positive founder personal brand is organic marketing for any company.

What’s fascinating is how the loop feeds itself: founders use their personal brand to give their startups early legitimacy, and once the company succeeds, that success strengthens their personal brand even further. We’ve entered an era where reputation compounds like capital — and those who understand how to reinvest it thoughtfully are building the next generation of hybrid founder-creators. I’d venture to say that social currency online is more important than its ever been because of this: your social media real estate quite literally acts as a marketing and hype machine for what you’re building.

The key isn’t to chase virality — it’s to build narrative equity. When your audience sees you not just as a founder but as a point of view, every product you launch, every brand you back, and every company you build starts with trust already baked in. I’m thinking a lot about how I continue to grow my following, credibility, and social currency through establishing a strong point of view. More to come on this topic, would love to hear your thoughts on it too. -Sammi

P.S.- apologies on this newsletter coming out later than usual. I had a bit of a wild month of business travel, but I love writing this newsletter so I’m going to get back on schedule 🙂 

Business, Economy & Culture🛍️📈💸

🛍️ Etsy Pops 16% as OpenAI Announces ChatGPT Instant Checkout for the Shopping Site Etsy’s stock pops 16% following OpenAI’s rollout of ChatGPT Instant Checkout for the marketplace—shortcutting shopping with AI and making transactions frictionless. The move supercharges impulse buys and positions Etsy at the edge of AI-powered commerce. (cnbc)

👶 Looking for the 'Rolls-Royce' of Strollers? What About an Aston Martin? Strollers aren’t just for naps and walks anymore—they’re luxury flexers. Aston Martin’s $3K stroller, Lamborghini’s new collab with Silver Cross to create a $5,500 stroller, and Loro Piana’s “thermoregulating” pieces show how baby gear is being rebranded as status symbols. What used to be a parenting essential is now a marker of taste, wealth, and lifestyle branding. (nyt)

🪶 Stella McCartney Pioneers Plant-Based Fashion Feathers Stella does it again—swapping bird plumes for lab-grown, plant-based feathers. A move that blends couture drama with sustainability cred, pushing fashion closer to cruelty-free chic and keeping up with its brand voice. (bof)

🚴‍♂️ Peloton Goes All in on AI in Product Relaunch Peloton’s latest refresh leans heavily into AI: new equipment and software promise smarter workout recommendations, adaptive programming, and deeper personalization to retain users and win back churned customers. It’s a bold pivot to stay competitive in fitness tech’s evolving landscape. (cnn)

🧥 Gwyneth Paltrow Wants to Be the Next Ralph Lauren Gwyneth Paltrow’s new fashion line Gwyn swaps her old G. Label’s quirky wellness aesthetic for refined wardrobe foundations — think cashmere knits, minimalist coats, and elegant tailoring. With a signature “old Jil Sander-meets-Theory vibe,” the collection is handcrafted with elevated materials, aiming to anchor Goop in timeless fashion territory. (nyt)

👟 Long-Awaited NikeSKIMS Launches To Reignite Nike’s Women’s Business Nike and Kim Kardashian’s Skims have finally dropped their much-anticipated collab—aimed at boosting Nike’s women’s segment, which has lagged in growth. The collection fuses Skims’ viral, body-con aesthetic with Nike’s performance edge, giving consumers style + function in one. Beyond product, the move is about reclaiming star power: by teaming with Kardashian and spotlighting top female athletes, Nike is signaling it wants to own the cultural spotlight again—rivaling Lululemon, Alo, and other lifestyle heavyweights. (forbes)

🥤 If Pepsi Wants to Win, It Has to Play Coke’s Game PepsiCo is under pressure to simplify and streamline. Coca-Cola’s asset-light model (no bottling/distribution baggage) is delivering smoother margins and sharper branding. Analysts argue Pepsi should follow suit to close the gap rather than trying something completely new. (wsj)

🌿 At Wellness Resorts, Ozempic Becomes Part of the Menu Wellness resorts are embracing the GLP-1 wave—integrating drugs like Ozempic into their retreats rather than seeing them as competition. Spa programs now offer consulting, personalized plans for maintenance and aging, and medical guidance to help guests stay healthy while on GLP-1s. (bof)

💔 Love, Drugs and a Fashion Breakup Worth $95 Million Natalie Massenet (the superstar founder of Net-a-Porter) sued her partner Erik Torstensson (co-founder of the denim brand Frame) for $95 million, alleging misuse of funds and betrayal; he countersued over character, custody, and reputation. The breakup’s fallout is spilling far beyond romance—reshaping their business and brand alliances. (nyt)

📚 Why Barnes & Noble is Buying Indie Chains like Books Inc. and Tattered Cover Barnes & Noble is buying struggling indie bookstores—like Books Inc. & Tattered Cover—and keeping their local flavor. The move under CEO James Daunt signals a change: instead of crushing indies, B&N is aiming to preserve them as partners and stewards. (modern retail)

🧴 Bubble Was Built on Gen Z. Now, It Must Grow Up Bubble, known for fun, affordable skincare targeting teens and Gen Z, is evolving as its audience ages. The brand is introducing more results-driven skincare for drier/reactive needs while retaining accessible pricing and youthful branding. It’s the next chapter: growing up without losing its tribe. (bof)

🐎 What Is Activewear in a Post-Leggings World? Outdoor Voices founder Ty Haney is reimagining activewear as she is back after 5 years and- leggings aren’t the default anymore. Her new collection leans into equestrian styles: jodhpurs, rugby tops, and riding-inspired lines. Big workout pants, sustainable growth, and a mission centered around “happiness through movement” are her lane now. (wsj)

📈 Phia, Founded by Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni, Raises $8 Million Seed Round, Led by Kleiner Perkins Phia, a fashion-tech startup co-led by Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni, closed an $8M seed round (led by Kleiner Perkins). The platform—a free browser extension/app—helps shoppers compare resale value, track price drops, and simplify product info, especially for secondhand fashion. They’ve already reached 500K users! (fortune)

👙 Victoria’s Secret CEO Hillary Super Is Pushing ‘a New Era of Sexy Hillary Super took over as CEO in September 2024 and is steering Victoria’s Secret back to its provocative roots—but with modern updates. Her predecessor’s historic approach focused on toning down the sexual aspect of VS and Super now wants to find a middle ground between sensuality and inclusivity and keeping it modern and accessible. (wsj)

🎥 American Films Are Losing Their Dominance Over the Global Box Office Once commanding ~92% of global box office revenue, U.S. films now account for about ~66%. Meanwhile, China’s booming film industry is capturing a bigger share, signaling a major shift in cultural and economic influence on global entertainment. (bloomberg)

🛍️ Condé Nast to Launch New Creator Shopping Platform, Vette Condé Nast is rolling out Vette in early 2026, a creator-commerce platform where influencers and editors can launch boutique storefronts without managing inventory and help creators monetize directly and reduce friction in social commerce. Vette is poised to be a strong competitor to platforms like ShopMy in the fast-growing creator-commerce space. (vogue business)

📦 Shein Opens Its Supply Network to Fashion Brands to Boost Growth Shein is turning its vendor network into a service product: brands can now tap Shein’s fast-fashion factories (5-7 day turnaround), sample development, warehousing, and fulfillment via the Xcelerator program—provided they list on Shein’s marketplace. By treating its supplier relationships as something it can sell, Shein aims to diversify beyond its own apparel sales as U.S. tariffs and shrinking margins bite. (bof)

💻 Nvidia to Invest $5 Billion in Intel, Furthering Trump’s Turnaround Plan Nvidia is dropping $5B into Intel via a strategic partnership: Intel will build custom x86 CPUs that integrate with Nvidia’s AI chips, boosting compatibility and reviving Intel’s relevance in AI data centers. It’s a major boost for Intel’s turnaround under government support, while Nvidia extends its footprint in PC and edge computing. (wsj)

🌍 Inside Uniqlo’s Quest for Global Dominance Uniqlo isn’t just selling basics—it’s building a fashion empire. With its “LifeWear” ethos (timeless, functional designs), massive scale, and affordable pricing, Uniqlo has turned simple clothes into a global language. (new yorker)

🍦 Ben & Jerry’s Co-Founder Jerry Greenfield Quits, Saying Brand ‘Silenced’ on Social Issues After 47 years, Jerry Greenfield resigned from Ben & Jerry’s, claiming that Unilever has eroded the independence promised when it bought the company in 2000 and stifled its ability to speak out on social issues. He cites recent conflicts—such as debates over international human rights and political activism as evidence that the brand’s activist voice is being muted. (cnn)

🎙️ Zoom’s C.E.O. Thinks Your Meetings Could Be Better Zoom’s Eric Yuan wants meetings to be sharper, shorter, and smarter. He’s calling for tighter agendas, fewer unnecessary attendees, and more follow-ups. On the AI front, Zoom is building tools that auto-summarize meetings, handle follow-ups, and even act like “digital agents” to relieve repetitive tasks. All in service of making meetings less tedious and more productive. (nyt)

🎥 YouTube Expands its Livestreaming Tools In Push for More Live Video YouTube is supercharging livestreams with dual-format streaming (vertical + horizontal in one chat), a rehearsal mode for creators, interactive Playables games, and AI-driven highlights that auto-spin best moments into Shorts. The goal: make live more engaging, monetizable, and competitive with Twitch & TikTok. (nyt)

🧠 Idea of the Week: Mood Commerce 🌐

Shopping driven by emotional states instead of categories. Instead of searching for “black dress” or “candles,” consumers shop by vibes like “main character energy,” “Sunday reset,” or “cozy chaos.”

🔑 Why It Matters

• Gen Z & Gen Alpha already buy via aesthetic language on TikTok and Pinterest.

• AI recommendation engines + mood boards can translate feelings into product bundles.

• Brands can market across categories (fashion, wellness, food) under a single mood tag. Positioning products by mood turns shopping into a feeling-led decision, boosting sales.

Venture Capital, Innovation & Entrepreneurship💰🌍💼

📱OpenAI's Sora Soars to No. 1 on Apple's US App Store OpenAI’s new app Sora has soared straight to the top, outpacing social and gaming giants. The app blends text, image, and video generation into one seamless experience, signaling the mainstream pull of generative AI. Its rapid rise shows how consumers are ready to treat AI tools not just as utilities, but as everyday lifestyle apps—putting pressure on rivals from TikTok to Google. (tech crunch)

🎤 Ticket Platform StubHub Raises $800 Million in Midrange IPO Ticketing giant StubHub priced its IPO at the middle of the expected range, pulling in $800M. With live events booming, the company is betting investor demand will match the concert craze. (bloomberg)

🎧 Airbuds is the Music Social Network Apple and Spotify Wish They Had Built Airbuds lets users share what they’re listening to in real time, turning playlists into social feeds. With 20M+ tracks linked to conversations, it’s blending music discovery with community in a way streaming giants haven’t cracked. (tech crunch)

🦤 Startup Working to Bring Back Dodo Bird Raises $120 Million A de-extinction biotech firm Colossial Biosciences is aiming to bring back the dodo bird just secured $120M. Investors are betting on genetics, conservation science, and a touch of Jurassic Park appeal to turn the impossible into reality. (bloomberg)

Brain Food- The Social Currency Podcast Roundup

Julia Hartz: Co-founder, Eventbrite Julia Hartz co-founded Eventbrite in 2006 with a bold vision: make ticketing accessible for anyone creating an event. Nearly two decades later, she’s still at the helm as CEO, having taken the company public in 2018 and steered it through one of the toughest crises imaginable—the pandemic, when live events disappeared overnight. In this episode, Julia takes us behind the scenes of Eventbrite’s rise from scrappy startup to IPO, and the resilience it took to reinvent during COVID. She opens up about being co-founders with her husband, the challenges and rewards of leading as a solo CEO, and why she believes the future of gathering is brighter—and quirkier—than ever.

Maris Davidson: CEO, Kojo Maria Davidson is making construction procurement cool— and a billion-dollar business. After studying philosophy, politics, and economics at Oxford and a stint in venture capital, Maria set her sights on one of the least “sexy” industries imaginable: construction. What started with her hustling for meetings by showing up at job sites with pizza has grown into Kojo, a platform processing over $4 billion in material orders annually—and has broken fundraising records along the way.

Vanessa Dew: Co-founder, Health-Ade Kombucha From hand-bottling kombucha in an apartment kitchen to building a $500 million brand sold in tens of thousands of stores across the country, Vanessa Dew didn’t just build a company— she built a movement. As the co-founder of Health-Ade Kombucha, Vanessa turned a niche wellness drink into a household name, all while keeping true to the company’s artisanal roots.

Alli Webb: Founder, Drybar What do you do after creating a $255 million brand that reshaped an entire industry? If you’re Alli Webb, founder of Drybar, you sell it, rebuild, and then launch something even more personal. We go deep into the scrappy early days of Drybar, the chaos of scaling to hundreds of locations, and the bittersweet reality of selling your life’s work. Alli gets real about the toll entrepreneurship took on her personal life, the misconceptions she had to set straight, and the identity shift that came with “what’s next.” Now, she’s back with Messy—a new haircare line at Sephora that flips perfection on its head and celebrates authenticity. 

Resources/Links/Reads 🌶️🧥

📊 I Did the Math on Motherhood. The ROI Broke My Spreadsheet. (how we grow)

🚘🥃🗑️ Cars, Cognac and Trash: 10 Companies to Watch Right Now (bloomberg)

🧘‍♀️ When Did Everything Become So ‘Intentional’? (nyt)

🧩 Kidlin’s Law: The Shortcut to Clarity (curiosity chronicle) 

🚀 Why Thiel Fellows Win (pirate wires)

☕ National Coffee Day: Here’s How Much a Cup of Coffee Costs in Your State

🔄 Don’t Let AI Reinforce Organizational Silos (hbr)

🐒 Without Jane Goodall, Chimps Need New Champions — Us (bloomberg)

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