Hello from Lisbon!
I’m currently writing this between coworking sessions and dinners, gearing up to head to Abu Dhabi next week for a huge client activation, and the fact that I get to do this for work is not lost on me. Having friends all over the world is such a cool flex, and I love getting to get a cool local experience in a new city.
I got really emotional the other day, talking to my mom about all of this. Not just the travel, but the fact that I came back from Buenos Aires completely wiped out, and my team just handled everything. Like, they didn't need me hovering. No micromanaging. No redoing anyone's work. Everything ran smoothly. I actually have a REAL team. A real business with people who care about each other and do great work together. That kind of thing doesn't happen by accident, and I'm really grateful for it.
Of course, I miss Daisy, and I lowkey want to go home already, but being able to travel to these amazing places and calling it work is an incredible adventure.
So wherever you are this week (probably NOT bouncing between time zones like me), I hope you're also taking a second to look around and notice what sparks joy in your life.
Even with all the bopping around, I still got you allll the tea!
What I’ve been thinking about lately
Rest isn't a reward, it's the whole strategy. I've been trying to figure out how to relax and my body is literally staging a rebellion against the grind I built my entire career on. The hustle doesn't make me sharper anymore. It makes me duller.
The best communities are built by choice, not circumstance. I spent my whole childhood wanting to escape a place where everyone knew my business, only to realize that the most fulfilling version of adult life involves building the exact same thing with people you actually choose.
Adaptation isn't optional. Whether it's your body changing in your 30s or AI reshaping how we work, the pattern is always the same: early adopters gain advantage, skeptics catch up later at a disadvantage, and everyone else pretends it's not happening until they have no choice.
Business & Marketing
Netflix Just Bought Warner Bros The streaming giant acquired Warner Bros' film and streaming businesses for $72 billion, gaining Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, and HBO Max.
Versace's New Designer Is Already Out Dario Vitale parted ways with Versace after just one season, weeks after Prada's $1.375 billion acquisition closed.
Millennial Retailers Are Back Abercrombie, American Eagle, Gap, and Urban Outfitters are posting major stock gains thanks to Gen Z shoppers who don't remember these brands as uncool.
Culture & Lifestyle
Beeple Unleashed Robot Dogs at Art Basel His new installation features robotic dogs with Elon Musk and Zuckerberg heads that excrete certificates of authenticity as they move.
Euphoria Season 3 Is Finally Coming The show returns in April, five years later, with Rue in Mexico, Cassie engaged to Nate and addicted to social media, and an "unforgettable" wedding.
Skip Your Spotify Wrapped This Year Instead of accepting a corporate scorecard based on play counts, consider making your own list that reflects what you actually connected with.
Tech & Leadership
Nvidia's CEO Called Managers "Insane" for Limiting AI In a leaked all-hands, Jensen Huang said he wants every possible task automated and told employees to keep using AI "until it works."
Digital Wallets Will Decide Who Controls the Future The real policy debate isn't about crypto tokens, it's about who designs the infrastructure that determines access to the digital economy.
The New York Times Is Suing Perplexity AI The lawsuit claims Perplexity has been copying millions of articles without permission to power its AI products.
One of my favorite conversations from last season.
Melinda is a strategic PR expert specialized in brand elevation, media relations, and thought leadership who made the wildest move: she packed up and moved to LA with $500 and no job lined up. In this episode, we get into the realities of corporate culture, why so many of us put work before our own health, and the lessons she's learned from six years of running her own business.
Key takeaways:
Your boundaries are not negotiable; they're what keep you in the game long term
PR is about earning organic media coverage, not just buying ad placements
Taking actual vacation days isn't lazy, it's strategic
Listen to the full episode: Apple Podcasts | Spotify
A few things I’ve been obsessed with that also happen to make great gifts, because if I love it, you probably will too.
Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm Trio The vanilla beige is my daily go-to, and the brown sugar is perfect for winter. This trio is the kind of gift that looks thoughtful but takes zero effort to pick out.
Boy Smells Essentials Votive Quad Set Four mini candles, all good scents, perfect for someone who can't commit to a full-size candle or wants to test the vibe first.
Throw Blanket Cozy, cute, under $35, and looks way more expensive than it is. Plus, it’ll look amazing on your couch.
Ritual Multivitamin for Women The girlies who know, know. Great gift for the friend who's trying to be healthier.
TSA-Approved Travel Bottles These little silicone bottles have saved me more times than I can count. No leaks, no checking bags just for shampoo, no overpaying for minis.
ICYMI: The 1% of VC Funding Going to Women Is Economic Malpractice
Women-led startups generate 78 cents in revenue for every dollar invested, male-led startups generate 31 cents, and yet, all-female founding teams got just 1% of VC funding in 2024. That's actually worse than 2017. We're not asking for charity. We're pointing out a massive market inefficiency that costs everyone money.
Have ideas for future newsletters?
Hit reply and let me know what you'd like to see!
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P.S. If you’re thinking “I wish my brand had content like this” good news: we can make that happen. Let’s Talk!