I am so disturbed by the Elon/Vivek announcement. Running an agency to minimize government spending while being the largest recipient of government contracts.... the audacity.
Re: the Substack raise - late stage capitalism is where our values and ideals go to die.
Ah! And just as I pressed Post, I saw this article about Elon apparently ruffling some Trump feathers already because he's acting too much like co-president. We didn't see that coming at all...
The serif font trend makes me think of the ‘70s (look at the cover of Anna Marie Tendler’s memoir) and at the same time the nineties, which were nostalgic for the seventies? (That 70s Show came out in the nineties!)
Naval Ravikant openly supports Trump and Musk on Twitter… argh. It's alarming how these influential figures back each other. The connection to Substack is particularly disappointing. Money rules the world!!!
Ochuko, I am a new subscriber-- but WOW your words are a gift. So informative yet *fun* to read-- a delicate balance that you perfectly hit. Happy to be here!
I think looking at who is participating in the fundraising for substack here really drives home a point I have been articulating. I think the app is gonna have a really hard time winning over a main demographic of social media users, it can feel like a space that is more welcoming to conservatives/older generations.
A lot of the "tourists" (non-consumer investors that really spoiled the industry with "grow at all costs" marketing-driven investments with insane valuations) have left and the industry went through a bloodbath in '22 and '23, but as some of those companies are still struggling to raise later rounds at higher valuations, there's a push to go back to basics - which was what happened in the early 2010s, the DTC boom - and focus on foundational growth and smart investments. Valuations are palatable now and you'll see a new crop of early-stage consumer investors rising to the occasion.
I'm having trouble parsing this statement: E.l.f. CEO Tarang Amin told CNBC, “We do have pricing power. If we saw we needed to leverage pricing, we would.” Does this mean they will raise prices if they need to, or that they will be able to keep pricing lower because they're already a low-cost leader? Also E.l.f. is makeup not clothing, no? Maybe I should just click on over to The Cut.
This is funny because as I was writing this I thought, I should probably clarify that elf is a makeup brand but i got lazy! Elf is saying they would increase prices if they had to because of tariffs
Not enough people are talking about how 23AndMe doesn’t have to comply with HIPAA and therefore is a data mind field for literally anyone who wants to buy it!!! It’s utterly mind boggling!
The words “Tucker Carlson” are depressing and so are those publisher weekly stats :-(
Can’t disagree here 🥲
i did not clock the donald trump jr tea...................
That’s why I’m hereeeee 😂
I am so disturbed by the Elon/Vivek announcement. Running an agency to minimize government spending while being the largest recipient of government contracts.... the audacity.
Re: the Substack raise - late stage capitalism is where our values and ideals go to die.
Ah! And just as I pressed Post, I saw this article about Elon apparently ruffling some Trump feathers already because he's acting too much like co-president. We didn't see that coming at all...
https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/elon-musk-trump-donald-mar-a-lago-appointment-position-rcna179826
haha reading now.
Elon is stepping into the Melania-sized hole in Trump’s life…
my head is still getting around this one!
The serif font trend makes me think of the ‘70s (look at the cover of Anna Marie Tendler’s memoir) and at the same time the nineties, which were nostalgic for the seventies? (That 70s Show came out in the nineties!)
yesss I was thinking the too. ties into my theory ;)
genuinely very excited to hear your thoughts on why brands are using more serif fonts
its coming its comingggg
Naval Ravikant openly supports Trump and Musk on Twitter… argh. It's alarming how these influential figures back each other. The connection to Substack is particularly disappointing. Money rules the world!!!
I need Chris and Hamish to tell us whats up
You have the power haha to ask them 🤣 I believe in you that you can get us all the juicy gossip.
No matter where I run, I can't escape venture capital funds
you me and us all
I also read about the puff - nowhere is safe from the needle :-)
no where. im very afraid for us all
Man those publishing industry stats are so unsurprising but still so sad - that much whiteness is a fucking tragedy
Not surprised but also surprised. That’s a lot!
it explains a lot, i'll tell you that much!
Soooo much 👀
!!!!! Honestly it explains literally everything
Love how we’re just riffing off each other 😂
We’re just two passionate book queens!!!
White women’s iron grip on the publishing industry is why authors like Colleen Hoover are as successful as she is.
Ochuko, I am a new subscriber-- but WOW your words are a gift. So informative yet *fun* to read-- a delicate balance that you perfectly hit. Happy to be here!
"So informative yet *fun* to read" this has always been my goal so make so happy to Hera its resonating! thank you :)
Thanks for the shout out & might I add, I’ll be joining the gift guide mafia on my own channels soon too ha ♥️
will be looking forward to it :)
I think looking at who is participating in the fundraising for substack here really drives home a point I have been articulating. I think the app is gonna have a really hard time winning over a main demographic of social media users, it can feel like a space that is more welcoming to conservatives/older generations.
https://pullupachair1.substack.com/p/why-i-think-substack-will-fail?utm_source=substack&utm_content=feed%3Arecommended%3Acopy_link
thanks for linking need to sit down and read properly!
"Speaking of new funds, do any of my readers who work in consumer investing want to talk to me about how things are going?"
Later-stage consumer investing continues to be in a bit of disarray.
Early-stage is facing a rebirth!
wait but explain to me!
A lot of the "tourists" (non-consumer investors that really spoiled the industry with "grow at all costs" marketing-driven investments with insane valuations) have left and the industry went through a bloodbath in '22 and '23, but as some of those companies are still struggling to raise later rounds at higher valuations, there's a push to go back to basics - which was what happened in the early 2010s, the DTC boom - and focus on foundational growth and smart investments. Valuations are palatable now and you'll see a new crop of early-stage consumer investors rising to the occasion.
Yes, this is a shill for my firm, but specifically Slide 9: https://docsend.com/view/t6r5smku2bgnn6c2
(And here's the original deck, and it's still relevant a year later: https://www.cpgd.xyz/guide-to-cpg-investing-in-2023)
diving into these today thank you for the breakdown :)
You got it! Happy to help, and feel free to ping me if needed!
I'm having trouble parsing this statement: E.l.f. CEO Tarang Amin told CNBC, “We do have pricing power. If we saw we needed to leverage pricing, we would.” Does this mean they will raise prices if they need to, or that they will be able to keep pricing lower because they're already a low-cost leader? Also E.l.f. is makeup not clothing, no? Maybe I should just click on over to The Cut.
This is funny because as I was writing this I thought, I should probably clarify that elf is a makeup brand but i got lazy! Elf is saying they would increase prices if they had to because of tariffs
Not enough people are talking about how 23AndMe doesn’t have to comply with HIPAA and therefore is a data mind field for literally anyone who wants to buy it!!! It’s utterly mind boggling!
shit I forgot to talk about this but I saw it somewhere!
If you want to get nerdy with me, I’ll do it! It’s literally one of the most mind boggling, semi-scary and very US things happening right now.
I'm really starting to look forward to this newsletter. Sooo good!
this makes me smile :)