Social Currency with Sammi Cohen

While tech investors chased ad-based creator platforms, OnlyFans did the opposite—and made billions. Today, Sammi unpacks the counterintuitive decisions that turned OnlyFans into a cultural lightning rod and a creator-economy juggernaut. From dodging the App Store tax and outsourcing discovery to TikTok, to the economics of fan intimacy and the infamous adult-content ban, Sammi explains why OnlyFans works and what makes it nearly impossible to replicate. Plus: can the platform really expand beyond adult content, or is that a recipe for failure? Follow Sammi on Instagram Subscribe to the Social Currency newsletter 00:00 The Business Model of OnlyFans 01:01 The Founding and Growth of OnlyFans 01:53 Avoiding the App Store 02:48 Creator-Led Growth Strategy 05:10 Monetization Beyond Subscriptions 06:26 The 2021 Adult Content Ban 07:39 Leadership and Risk Management 08:11 Expanding Beyond Adult Content 10:13 The Future of OnlyFans 10:52 How to Show Social Currency Some Love Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jenn Hyman built Rent the Runway on a contrarian insight back in 2009: women were already “renting” their clothes—borrowing from friends, cycling through fast fashion, and returning special-occasion outfits with the tags still on. Today, Jenn shares how she turned that overlooked behavior into one of the most influential fashion-tech companies of the last decade, why social media made outfit repetition feel impossible, and what fast fashion still gets wrong about how women actually shop. Jenn also goes where most founders won’t; she tells Sammi about becoming one of the few women to ever take a consumer startup public—and the first to IPO with an all-female C-suite—only to watch the market flip weeks later and the stock fall more than 98% from its peak. She breaks down what the stock price does (and doesn’t) say about the business, the realities of life as a public-company CEO, the recent recapitalization that strengthened Rent the Runway’s balance sheet and pushed it toward free cash flow breakeven, and how competition from players like Nuuly is reshaping the rental landscape. Plus, they unpack the wild downfall of CaaStle, a would-be Rent the Runway copycat—and Jenn’s response is JUICY. Follow Sammi on Instagram Subscribe to the Social Currency newsletter Follow Jenn’s work Learn more about Rent the Runway Here’s what Sammi covers with Jenn: 00:00 Jenn Hyman’s Social Currency 04:07 Early Days of RTR 09:16 The Role of Social Media 11:18 Building a Resilient Team 16:19 The IPO Experience 21:22 Navigating Public Market Challenges 31:32 The Irony of Entrepreneurial Ego 32:25 Navigating Rent the Runway's Rollercoaster 34:49 The Future of Rental Economics 35:06 Rent the Runway's Marketing Mastery 39:00 Pricing Strategies and Customer Insights 40:38 Competitors and Market Shifts 47:31 The CaaStle Fraud Scandal 54:41 Social Currency Corner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Most people think restaurant reservations are about demand. They’re not. Today, Sammi breaks down the quiet power struggle happening behind your hardest-to-get dinner reservations — and why credit card companies, not restaurants, increasingly call the shots. From OpenTable’s early dominance to Resy’s cultural takeover and American Express acquisition, Sammi explains how reservations became a tool for loyalty, data, and consumer control. Once you see how the reservation system really works, you’ll never look at “fully booked” the same way again. Follow Sammi on Instagram Subscribe to the Social Currency newsletter Here’s what Sammi covers today: 00:00 The Hidden Controllers of Restaurant Reservations 01:33 The Rise of OpenTable 03:14 Resy's Disruption 05:14 The Credit Card Wars: Amex vs. Visa 06:55 DoorDash Enters the Arena 08:22 The Bigger Picture: Control and Influence 09:03 Next Episode Teaser Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Building a business in public is hard. Building one when people already think they know you? Even harder. Today, Sammi sits down with actor and founder Rebecca Rittenhouse to talk about reinvention—on her own terms. Rebecca shares how she went from studying business at UPenn to taking a sharp left turn into acting, landing her breakout role on The Mindy Project, and ultimately channeling those skills into launching her clean, brow-focused beauty brand, Privet Beauty. Instead of launching with a sprawling product line or celebrity hype, she built Privet around a single hero product—bootstrapped, independently owned, and deeply hands-on at every step, from formulation with Korean chemists to brand storytelling. Rebecca opens up about the identity shift from actor to founder, how skills from acting translated into entrepreneurship, and why she chose independence over outside funding. Sammi and Rebecca also get into launching a brand with focus instead of scale, balancing two demanding careers at once, building a personal brand without losing yourself in it, and the scrappy, low-cost marketing moves that actually move the needle. Follow Sammi on Instagram Subscribe to the Social Currency newsletter Follow Rebecca on Instagram Check out Privet Beauty online and on Shopbop Here’s what Sammi covers with Rebecca: 00:00 Rebecca Rittenhouse’s Social Currency 03:25 Business at UPenn 05:51Choosing Acting Over Business 09:32 Early Acting Experiences and Challenges 11:54 Breakthrough Role on The Mindy Project 14:43 Launching Privet Beauty 16:59 The Importance of Eyebrows in Beauty 24:29 Marketing and Personal Branding 29:31 Substack and Personal Branding 30:49 Dealing with Self-Doubt and Inner Criticism 32:51 Building a Team 35:58 The Challenges of Bootstrapping a Business 43:15 Managing Time and Staying Organized 46:35 Making Decisions and Handling Emotions 52:32 Marketing Strategies for a New Business 55:45 How to Show Social Currency Some Love Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

2025 was a transformative year. In this episode, Sammi shares the biggest lessons she’s internalized since launching her podcast this spring. She leaves no stone unturned and recounts her biggest milestones, mindset shifts, and the challenges she faced while building her business. From beginning her year at Amazon to creating her podcast studio and launching 'Social Currency,' Sammi details her leaps of faith and the importance of having a strong personal brand… and gets a little emotional in the process. If you’re thinking of making your side-hustle your main-hustle in 2026, this episode is a must-listen. Follow Sammi on Instagram Subscribe to the Social Currency newsletter Here’s what Sammi covers today: 00:00 2025 Year in Review 01:55 Deciding to Launch Social Currency 04:21 The LA Fires and Building the Podcast Studio 05:34 Launching the Podcast and Leaving Amazon 06:04 Growing the Business and Revenue Streams 09:33 Mindset Shifts for Success 11:53 Visualization and Outsourcing 14:46 Overcoming Comparison and Planning for the Future 17:02 What Sammi’s Thankful For 18:50 How to Support Social Currency Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rebecca Minkoff’s origin story is not a glossy founder fairy tale—it’s a closet-bedroom apartment, a $3.25/hour internship, $60K in debt, and a single Rebecca Minkoff designed tee that ended up on Jay Leno. Today, Rebecca breaks down how that moment got her foot in the door—and how the next viral moment, the Morning After Bag, almost didn’t happen (FedEx late, no movie placement)… until it sparked the kind of sellout momentum every founder dreams about. Then she gets brutally honest about what it takes to stay alive in fashion when the landscape is louder, more crowded, and algorithm-shaped: the “white lies” founders sometimes tell to level up, why you don’t need VC, and the real pain of taking money. Rebecca also unpacks the OnlyFans Fashion Week deal that covered a six-figure show—until the platform flipped back to adult content—how COVID wiped out 70% of the business overnight, and why she’s now widening the funnel with new channels like QVC. Plus, if you’re building a product brand and wondering how to get customers without pouring cash into Meta ads, her answer is refreshingly tactical: throw the “Tupperware party.” Follow Sammi on Instagram Listen to Rebecca’s podcast Superwomen and start with Sammi’s episode! Follow Rebecca on Instagram Subscribe to the Social Currency newsletter Here’s what Sammi covers with Rebecca: 00:00 Rebecca Minkoff’s Social Currency 02:14 Rebecca's Early Career Goals 05:49 Learning Business in the Trenches 08:04 The "I Love NY" Shirt Story 12:18 The Morning After Bag 15:07 Trend Spotting and Product Development 21:43 Besting the Dupes 23:24 VC, PE and Monetizing Creatively (Including OnlyFans) 30:15 COVID, Chaos, and Reinvention 34:10 The QVC Rocket Ship 35:50 Inside the Female Founder Collective 36:33 Fundraising Advice Women Should Ignore 39:21 Marketing Tips 41:13 Fashion Lightning Round 42:36 Social Currency Corner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Women in corporate America aren’t burned out because of how much they’re working—they’re burned out by how much the system isn’t working for them. Today, Sammi breaks down the latest Women in the Workplace report from Lean In and McKinsey, and the findings are more alarming than the headlines suggest. For the first time in over a decade, women are less interested in climbing the corporate ladder—not because they don’t want success, but because the ladder itself is broken. Sammi unpacks the data behind the growing “ambition gap,” the consequence of rolling back DEI efforts, and why women are still being penalized for flexibility and remote work—while men aren’t. Sammi connects the dots between structural corporate failures and the rise of an entirely new career model—one that could define the next decade of work in America. If companies don’t adapt, Sammi says, they may be staring down a long-term talent crisis. Follow Sammi on Instagram Subscribe to the Social Currency newsletter 00:00 The Breaking Point 01:10 Inside the Women in the Workplace report 02:15 The Truth About the “Ambition Gap” 3:13 The Broken Rung Problem 5:58 Corporate America’s Retreat from DEI 7:03 The Rise of Portfolio Careers 8:45 The Future of Work Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, Sammi sits down with Andrew Chau, co-founder of Boba Guys—the brand that helped turn boba from a niche drink into a mainstream American obsession. Andrew takes us back to the very first 2011 pop-up and the early decisions that shaped Boba Guys’ identity: choosing authenticity over gimmicks, educating customers on Asian culture without westernizing it, and designing drinks that were as aesthetic as they were meaningful. He reveals how Boba Guys became the blueprint for modern café trends—and why so many brands copy their drinks without understanding the deeper consumer psychology behind them. Follow Sammi on Instagram Subscribe to the Social Currency newsletter Find a Boba Guys Location near you Here’s what Sammi covers with Andrew: 00:00 Andrew Chau’s Social Currency 02:05 Sammi’s Personal Tie-In 03:37 The First Pop-Up 08:01 Early Branding Decisions and Being Your Favorite Marketer’s Favorite Marketer 13:51 Educating Customers on a Product vs. Educating Customers on a Culture 22:24 The Future of Cafés 31:14 Vertical Integration 35:53 Matcha, Aesthetics, and Social Signaling 45:14 Consumer Behavior and Hot Takes 52:37 Social Currency Corner 01:03:17 How to Show Social Currency Some Love Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A blockbuster lawsuit just exposed the biggest fear in retail—but it could backfire spectacularly. Today, Sammi does a deep dive into Williams Sonoma vs. Quince, a case that’s revealing a seismic consumer shift: shoppers no longer believe legacy brands deserve legacy prices. Sammi breaks down why Quince’s billion-dollar rise is shaking old-guard retailers and how comparative advertising became the new frontline of the dupe economy. If you want to understand the next chapter of retail—pricing, branding, influence, and the power of “good enough”—this episode is your blueprint. Follow Sammi on Instagram Subscribe to the Social Currency newsletter Here’s what Sammi covers today: 00:00 Williams Sonoma vs. Quince 01:26 Quince's Disruptive Business Model 06:28 Consumer Reactions and Feedback 07:56 Quince's Foray into Food 09:01 Implications of the Lawsuit 10:18 Final Thoughts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Luana Lopes Lara didn’t just build a unicorn— she overturned a 100-year old ban, sued the regulators and became the youngest self-made female billionaire in the process. Luana co-founded Kalshi, the CFTC-regulated prediction market that lets you trade on the outcome of real-world events. Kalshi is one of the fastest-growing tech companies in the country; in fact, since Sammi spoke with Luana, Kalshi’s valuation has gone from $5 billion to $11 billion. Luana shares the ripple effects of the 2024 election on the business, the decision framework around which events are “tradeable,” the psychology of Kalshi users, and why she thinks prediction markets might rival stock exchanges sooner than anyone expects. Follow Sammi on Instagram Subscribe to the Social Currency newsletter Learn more about Kalshi Today Luana and Sammi discuss: 00:00 Luana Lopes Lara’s Social Currency 02:14 The Early Days of Kalshi 02:41 The Role of Ballet in Business 04:20 Understanding Prediction Markets 07:09 The Brutal Regulation Process 14:31 Marketing and Growth Strategies 16:18 The Impact of the 2024 Election 27:23 Sports and Other Popular Trading Categories 29:37 Ethics of Prediction Markets 33:33 User Behavior 37:55 Hot Takes and Future Trends 39:24 Social Currency Corner 46:24 How to Show Social Currency Some Love Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, Sammi breaks down all things Meadow Lane—the Tribeca grocery store that launched like a luxury fashion drop and spiraled into one of the most chaotic openings New York has seen in years. Founded by Sammy Nussdorf, the heir to a billion-dollar distribution empire, Meadow Lane was positioned as a bespoke, Manhattan-made answer to Erewhon. The result? A fandom of over 140,000 followers before the store even opened. But that hype came with consequences. During opening week, Meadow Lane faced a perfect storm of PR disasters—raw chicken nuggets, mislabeled chili that triggered an allergic reaction, viral snark about $750 caviar, and one very viral mouse. Sammi unpacks what Meadow Lane tells us about status-ification of food, TikTok consumerism, and whether grocery bags belong next to designer handbags. Follow Sammi on Instagram Subscribe to the Social Currency newsletter Here’s what Sammi covers in today’s episode: 00:00 The Grocery Store That Became a Cultural Event 01:58 Who Is Sammy Nussdorf? 03:20 Building in Public: TikTok, Fandom, and Hype 06:17 Opening Week Chaos: Raw Nuggets, Allergies & The Mouse Video 07:53 Meadow Lane vs Erewhon 08:55 Food as a Modern Status Symbol 10:49 Sammi’s Predictions and Takeaway 12:01 How to Show Social Currency Some Love Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Building a beauty brand that celebrates Latin culture while competing on a global stage is no small feat—but for Babba Rivera, it’s not just business— it’s personal. Babba founded Ceremonia to create a haircare brand rooted in Latin heritage, ritual, and community. Today, Ceremonia is one of the fastest-growing brands at Sephora, has raised over $11 million, and just took home an Allure Beauty Award. In this conversation, Babba shares how she built a company that’s as mission-driven as it is profitable—cutting marketing costs by half while still growing revenue—and what it really takes to lead a fast-scaling startup as a founder and mom of four. Babba also shares about her early days leading teams at Uber and Away, the power of saying no to investors who don’t get your vision, and why she believes the future of beauty is community-first, not celebrity-led. Follow Sammi on Instagram Subscribe to the Social Currency newsletter Follow Ceremonia on Instagram Follow Babba on Instagram Here’s what Sammi covers with Babba: 00:00 Babba Rivera’s Social Currency 02:27 Growing Up Between Cultures 05:07 Early Beauty Rituals and Haircare Influences 07:00 Lessons from Uber 10:48 The Wild World of Away 13:11 From Marketing Agency to Beauty Brand 15:53 The Birth of Ceremonia 19:44 Navigating Funding During COVID-19 22:36 Direct to Consumer and Learning from Customers 27:00 Strategic Move to Credo 27:16 Scaling with Sephora 28:04 Challenges of Big Retailers 30:27 Allure Best of Beauty Award 33:46 Focus on Profitability 38:01 Representation in Beauty 45:11 Balancing Motherhood and Business 50:05 Daily Routines and Systems 53:31 How to Show Social Currency Some Love Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Celebrity brands never release their numbers — until now. Beauty brand e.l.f. didn’t just acquire Hailey Bieber’s Rhode… they published every single line item of the company’s P&L. From shockingly low cost of goods sold to a 9x marketing efficiency ratio, Sammi unpacks why Rhode operates more like a billion-dollar conglomerate than a three-year-old celebrity brand. You’ll hear the real story behind the billion-dollar headline, why e.l.f. revealed Rhode’s financials days before earnings, and how a temporary sales dip shook Wall Street. Then, Sammi explains the record-breaking Sephora launch, the risks Rhode faces with limited SKUs, and why Hailey’s personal involvement is the brand’s ultimate moat. Finally, Sammi zooms out: what Rhode teaches us about cultural capital, beauty economics, and the future of creator-led brands — plus how it all compares to Rihanna’s Fenty and the cautionary tales of celebrity beauty past. Follow Sammi on Instagram Subscribe to the Social Currency newsletter Here’s what Sammi covers today: 00:00 The e.l.f. Acquisition of Rhode 03:07 e.l.f.’s Unprecedented Financial Disclosure 03:44 Analyzing Rhode’s Financials 07:15 The Sephora Launch and Its Impact 08:17 Challenges and Future Prospects for Rhode 10:28 Comparing Rhode and Fenty 11:03 Future Predictions on Beauty Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Many people say the healthcare system is broken. Julia Cheek, is trying to fix a key part of that system: diagnostics. Julia is the founder and CEO of Everlywell, the pioneering at-home health testing company that turned diagnostics from something that happened to you into something you control. Since launching in 2015, Everlywell has become one of the fastest-growing companies in consumer health and has raised more than $200 million—proving that convenience, access, and empowerment aren’t just buzzwords—they’re the future of medicine. In this conversation, Julia tells Sammi about the moment that inspired her to build Everlywell after her own frustrating lab experience, what really happens after a Shark Tank deal, and the split-second leadership calls she had to make during the pandemic when the company scaled almost overnight. She also shares what she’s betting on next—from the future of at-home diagnostics and biohacking, to how insurance needs to evolve for proactive healthcare to actually work. Follow Sammi on Instagram Subscribe to the Social Currency newsletter Explore Everlywell Here’s what Sammi covers today with Julia: 00:00 Julia Cheek’s Social Currency 01:42 The Lab Nightmare That Sparked Everlywell 04:18 Early Pushback—and Why Julia Built Anyway 08:47 BTS of Shark Tank 14:03 The Breakthrough Moment in Consumer Trust 18:55 Building a Team for Speed in Healthcare 21:37 Scaling Overnight During COVID 28:10 AI, Telehealth & The Future of Diagnostics 32:55 The Role of Insurance 44:17 Social Currency Corner: For Health Founders 48:30 How to Show Social Currency Some Love Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today Sammi unpacks the silent spectacle of The Row—Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen’s luxury label. Known for its “no logos, no advertising” ethos and a fiercely minimalist aesthetic, The Row has built its brand on mystique. But when a chaotic, viral sample sale hit New York this past October—drawing TikTok influencers and 9 hour+ lines—the brand’s carefully curated image suddenly looked less refined and more chaotic. Sammi breaks down The Row’s evolution from fashion-insider secret to full-blown cultural moment, dissects the breakup between The Row and their biggest fan, and asks: Can a brand built on exclusivity still grow without losing its identity? Or has The Row’s quiet luxury finally reached a volume it can’t turn down? Follow Sammi on Instagram Subscribe to the Social Currency newsletter Here’s what Sammi covers today: 00:00 The Row's Unique Luxury Approach 01:37 Early Days of The Row 04:21 The Row's Pricing Strategy and Market Impact 05:43 Sample Sale Insanity and 9 Hour Lines 07:22 The Breakup with Neelam Ahooja 10:05 The Future of The Row 12:27 How to Show Social Currency Some Love Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, Sammi sits down with Jaclyn Johnson and Marina Middleton—the powerhouse duo behind Create & Cultivate. Long before every brand wanted a “community,” Jaclyn and Marina built one that actually mattered: a movement where founders, Fortune 500 leaders, and creators came together to build what’s next. After selling the company in 2021, Jaclyn stunned the industry when she bought it back—this time with Marina stepping in as CEO. In this episode, they share what it’s really like to sell and then reclaim your life’s work, how they divide power and make decisions as co-leaders, and the tightrope walk of balancing exclusivity at scale. They also get candid about the future of community, what makes people actually show up in a post-pandemic world, and whether virtual events are officially over. Follow Sammi on Instagram Subscribe to the Social Currency newsletter Explore all Create & Cultivate events like their Supper Clubs (ATX on 3/13/2026 and LA 9/17/2026), ATX ATX Future Summit on 3/15/26 The World's Largest Festival for Women in Business 9/19/26 & 9/20/26 Here’s what Sammi covers with Jacyln and Marina: 00:00 Jaclyn and Marina’s Social Currency 02:25 The Evolution of Create & Cultivate Events 03:22 The Importance of Providing Value 06:05 How to Scale Intimacy 09:29 Monetization Strategies and Balancing Accessibility and Profitability 13:55 Marina’s Secret Sauce for Pitching Brands 18:30 BTS of the Create and Cultivate Sale 23:09 Reacquiring Create and Cultivate 25:29 Marina's Origin Story as CEO 27:04 The Secret Weapon of Being the Face of Your Brand 33:10 How Marina and Jaclyn Lead Together 37:20 Social Currency Corner 40:33 How to Show Social Currency Some Love Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, Sammi uncovers one of the most iconic origin stories in tech: how a scrappy, chaotic startup from the late ’90s — PayPal — became the launchpad for a generation of founders who went on to build Tesla, LinkedIn, Yelp, Affirm, Palantir, SpaceX, and more. Before they were billionaires or household names, Elon Musk, Peter Thiel, Reid Hoffman, Max Levchin, and the rest of the now-famous “PayPal Mafia” were just a band of stubborn twenty- and thirty-somethings coding through the night, fighting fraud in real time, burning millions a month, and trying to stay alive as the dot-com bubble exploded around them. From a bitter rivalry between X.com and Confinity, to the explosive merger that created PayPal, to the legendary coup that ousted Musk while he was on his honeymoon, this episode charts the near-death moments, the brutal decisions, and the relentless ambition that forged Silicon Valley’s most influential alumni network. Sammi breaks down how their survival tactics became the blueprint for today’s startup culture — contrarian thinking, founder myth-making — and why the ripple effects of PayPal still shape tech more than two decades later. Follow Sammi on Instagram Subscribe to the Social Currency newsletter Here’s what Sammi covers today: 00:00 The PayPal Origin Story 01:03 The X.com and Cofinity Rivalry 02:07 The PayPal Merger and Growth 02:38 16 Hour Work Days and Sleeping Under Decks 03:50 The Infamous Honeymoon Coup and Aftermath05:29 The PayPal Mafia Feature 08:23 The Legacy of the PayPal Mafia 11:33 How to Show Social Currency Some Love Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When the world shut down, Marina and Ricardo Larroudé hit go. Out of their Manhattan apartment, the former Teen Vogue fashion director and her financier husband built Larroudé—a shoe brand that went from zero to millions in sales in just a few years. In this episode, Sammi dives into how they turned job loss into rocket fuel, built their own factory in Brazil, and reinvented the luxury e-commerce playbook with a direct-to-demand model that’s shaking up the mid-tier market. The Larroudés also talk about the wild world of RTV (return to vendor), the innovative way they’re using pre-orders to keep prices low, and why they’re bullish on Brazil. Follow Sammi on Instagram Subscribe to the Social Currency newsletter Follow Larroudé Check out the Candy Pratts Price collab 00:00 Marina and Ricardo Larroudé’s Social Currency 02:05 Losing Their Jobs and Starting a Shoe Brand 04:47 Making Product Development Personal 08:48 Quality and Customer Satisfaction in D2C 13:05 Bootstrapping Then Friends and Family Rounds 27:28 Wholesale Pre-Payment Financing Strategies 29:21 The Wild World of Return to Vendor (RTV) 36:11 Being Bullish on Brazil 39:49 The Innovative “Direct-to-Demand” Model 43:34 Defining the Mid-Tier Shoe Market 51:11 Managing High Return Rates in the Shoe Industry 53:04 How to Show Social Currency Some Love Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hollywood is changing—and its future might be vertical. Today, Sammi dives into the explosive rise of “microdramas,” the ultra-short, ultra-addictive scripted shows that are pulling in billions and leaving traditional studios scrambling to survive. From Chinese-backed apps like ReelShort to Hollywood execs betting on AI-powered storytelling, this is the story of how 90-second episodes are out-earning blockbuster films and redefining what it means to be a creator. Sammi breaks down the psychology, the business model, and what this all says about our shrinking attention spans and the algorithmic future of storytelling. Follow Sammi on Instagram Subscribe to the Social Currency newsletter 00:00 Microdramas, Big Plots 01:37 Microdramas vs. Traditional Hollywood 02:09 The Data Behind the Craze 05:14 YouTube vs. TikTok 07:22 The Business Model of Microdramas 10:30 Hollywood's Response 12:49 The Role of AI 17:07 Predictions on the Future of Entertainment 19:43 How to Show Social Currency Some Love Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gwen Whiting co-founded The Laundress, the luxury laundry brand that transformed washing clothes into a lifestyle statement. What started as a passion project funded by credit cards became a cult favorite—and eventually caught the attention of Unilever, which acquired the company for a reported $100 million. But the dream deal didn’t go as planned. In this episode, Sammi sits down with Gwen to unpack what happens after the acquisition headlines fade. They discuss the culture clash between indie entrepreneurship and corporate ownership, the painful unraveling of the brand following a massive product recall, and the gender dynamics that often shape who wins and who loses in big business. Gwen opens up about what it was like to watch her life’s work become a public crisis—and how she found the strength to start again. Today, she’s building her next act: The Fill, a home wellness company that blends her love of design, sustainability, and self-care. It’s a conversation about reinvention, resilience, and the real cost of success—and one that every founder, dreamer, or brand-builder needs to hear. Follow Sammi on Instagram Subscribe to the Social Currency newsletter Learn more about The Fill Here’s what Sammi covers with Gwen: 00:00 Gwen Whiting’s Social Currency 00:45 The Birth of a Premium Laundry Brand 02:42 Early Challenges of Scaling The Laundress 04:29 Innovating in a Stale Market 15:24 Scaling and Funding the Business 20:44 The Unilever Acquisition 28:27 Gender Bias in Acquisitions 29:04 Corporate Culture Clash 32:52 Product Recall and Acquisition Nightmares 42:22 Rebuilding and Innovating with The Fill 51:08 Kris Jenner’s Cleaning Line and Advice for Founders 55:24 How to Show Social Currency Some Love Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s episode is all about the billion dollar business built on a business model that defies every rule of traditional retail; they occupy buildings for just three months a year, hire around 50,000 seasonal workers, carry zero inventory for nine months, and somehow they're not just surviving— they are thriving. The business? Spirit Halloween, of course. While most retailers are bleeding cash or shuttering entirely, Spirit has cracked the code on how to win in the age of e-commerce — by being deliberately temporary. Sammi unpacks how the brand turns ghost-town real estate into an asset, runs on a gig economy workforce, and creates an IRL experience that even Amazon can’t compete with. You’ll hear how Spirit’s seasonal strategy defies every traditional retail rule — and yet, earns over $1 billion annually. Plus, Sammi looks into the company’s bold new experiment: Spirit Christmas. Is it nostalgia or novelty fueling this growth? And what can other brands learn from Spirit’s spooky-smart playbook? Follow Sammi on Instagram Subscribe to the Social Currency newsletter Today, Sammi covers: 00:00 The Origin Story of Spirit Halloween 02:01 The Business Model Behind Spirit Halloween 02:36 The Seasonal Operations of Spirit Halloween 03:05 Real Estate Strategy 04:28 Inventory Management 04:53 The Workforce and Tear Down 05:53 The Billion Dollar Success 08:07 Spirit Christmas: A New Experiment 09:05 Lessons from Spirit Halloween 12:31 How to Show Social Currency Some Love Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In part two of her Restoration Hardware deep dive, Sammi pulls back the curtain on what’s really at the top of “Luxury Mountain.” From the troubled Aspen expansion and RH’s sky-high ambitions in Europe, to eyebrow-raising governance decisions, failed ventures, and Warren Buffett’s very public goodbye— you have to wonder: is the RH foundation starting to crack? Sammi explores whether RH is still building the “LVMH of America” or if it’s become a masterclass in overreach, vanity projects, and vibes over fundamentals. Follow Sammi on Instagram Subscribe to the Social Currency newsletter Today, Sammi covers: 00:00 RH's Luxury Journey 01:11 Unveiling the Cracks in RH's Luxury Facade 03:10 International Expansion: A Grand Vision with Flaws 07:52 Warren Buffett's Exit: A Signal of Trouble 09:56 Legal Battles and Creative Controversies 12:20 Aspen Project: The Dream vs. Reality 14:13 Luxury Assets and Governance Issues 19:58 How to Show Social Currency Some Love The following content is based on publicly available information and includes personal opinions and analysis. It should not be interpreted as fact beyond what has been publicly reported, and it does not constitute investment advice. This podcast is not affiliated with or sponsored by any company mentioned. While all information is accurate to the best of the show’s knowledge at the time of recording, details may change after publication. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, Sammi delivers the most requested episode topic yet: the lore of Restoration Hardware and its CEO, Gary Friedman. Gary Friedman is part visionary, part provocateur and part illusionist. He is the CEO who took a nearly bankrupt furniture company and convinced Wall Street that it was building the LVMH of America. And for a while everyone believed him. In this first installment of her two-part deep dive, Sammi covers the brand's quirky beginnings in 1979, Gary's journey from folding jeans at The Gap to turning around Restoration Hardware, to his ambitious plans of positioning Restoration Hardware as a luxury powerhouse. What followed was an internal relationship at the company, a resignation, an IPO, and more. In the second episode, coming next week, Sammi pulls back the curtain on how the view from “Luxury Mountain” may not be what it seems. Follow Sammi on Instagram Subscribe to the Social Currency newsletter 00:00 Introduction to Restoration Hardware Lore 00:51 Disclaimer 02:35 The Origins of Restoration Hardware 03:46 Gary Friedman's Rise in Retail 05:54 Transforming Restoration Hardware 06:27 The True Crime Interlude 07:28 Rebranding and Supply Chain Innovations 10:22 The Gallery Store Concept 16:44 Operational Challenges and Solutions 20:43 Expanding Beyond Furniture 22:26 Financial Moves and Future Plans 25:04 What’s Next The following content is based on publicly available information and includes personal opinions and analysis. It should not be interpreted as fact beyond what has been publicly reported, and it does not constitute investment advice. This podcast is not affiliated with or sponsored by any company mentioned. While all information is accurate to the best of the show’s knowledge at the time of recording, details may change after publication. Restoration Hardware was not contacted for this piece. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Building something that lasts is rare. Building something that rewires an entire industry? That’s almost unheard of. But that’s exactly what Jim McKelvey did when he co-founded Square (now Block) with Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey. Today, Jim and Sammi talk about how Square went head-to-head with Amazon and won, why Jim believes most startups don’t understand what real innovation looks like, and the surprising psychology behind a piece of tech being just difficult enough to capture attention. Plus, they dive into his more recent ventures, Invisibly and Fastrials, and what serving as an independent director at the Federal Reserve taught him about the intersection of policy and entrepreneurship. Plus, his hot take on— and role in— tipping culture. Follow Sammi on Instagram Subscribe to the Social Currency newsletter Here’s what Sammi covers with Jim: 00:00 Jim McKelvey’s Social Currency 01:17 How Square Evolved From A Personal Painpoint 02:37 That Time Jim Stripped in a Business Pitch 05:13 The Psychology of Attention in Business 19:50 How Square Beat Amazon 31:21 Understanding Human Behavior and Social Pressure 32:17 Lessons From Jim’s Time as a Federal Reserve Director 38:19 Why Invisibly Failed, Profitably 40:28 Jim’s Newest Venture and Revolutionizing Drug Trials 45:48 Advice for Entrepreneurs in Regulated Industries 53:33 Tipping Culture and FinTech Predictions 58:24 How to Show Social Currency Some Love Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if you never had to click “Buy Now” again—because your AI did the shopping for you? Today, Sammi breaks down the partnership between OpenAI and Stripe that could rewrite the rules of e-commerce. With the launch of the Agentic Commerce Protocol, AI can now recommend, purchase, and process transactions entirely within ChatGPT—no links, no websites, no Google searches. Sammi explains how this changes everything: from how we shop to how companies monetize, and why this might be the biggest existential threat Google has ever faced. Follow Sammi on Instagram Subscribe to the Social Currency newsletter Here’s what Sammi covers today: 00:00 Introduction to AI-Driven Shopping 00:46 The Agentic Commerce Protocol Explained 02:28 How AI Changes Shopping Behavior 03:59 The Impact on Google and Traditional Search 06:22 OpenAI's New Monetization Model 07:23 What It Means for Consumers and Merchants 08:49 The Future of AI Commerce Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From small studios to celebrity status, Tracy Anderson has built one of the most influential—and imitated—fitness empires in the world. Today, Sammi sits down with the fitness icon whose method has shaped some of the most famous bodies in Hollywood to peel back the layers of the brand, the science, and the woman behind it. Tracy opens up about the evolution of her signature method, the tension between exclusivity and accessibility, and what it really takes to maintain your signature style in a copycat industry. She also shares her candid thoughts on the rise of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, the tech takeover of the wellness space, and why protecting intellectual property is the next frontier in fitness. Follow Sammi on Instagram Subscribe to the Social Currency newsletter Follow Tracy Anderson on Instagram Here’s what Sammi covers with Tracy: 00:00 Tracy Anderson’s Social Currency 00:22 The Myths Behind the Method 07:45 Spotting the Gap in the Fitness Industry 09:36 The Early Days of the Method 15:42 The Science Behind Her Signature Workouts and Partnering with Gwyneth Paltrow 24:53 Balancing Exclusivity and Accessibility 39:37 Copycats, Copyrights, and IP Protection 51:13 The Rise of Wellness Tech 52:21 Aging, Beauty, and Authenticity 1:01:18 How to Show Social Currency Some Love Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever built a business around something you love—only to realize it’s draining your passion? In this episode, Sammi shares her full founder story: launching a matcha brand during business school, fighting to scale it, surviving the 2020 lockdown, and finally deciding to shut it down. She breaks down the unglamorous side of entrepreneurship, the identity shift that comes with closing a company, and why walking away can sometimes be the ultimate power move. Follow Sammi on Instagram Subscribe to the Social Currency newsletter Today Sammi covers: 00:00 The Matcha Business Idea 03:15 Challenges and Lessons Learned 05:31 Pivoting to a New Strategy 07:56 The Impact of the Pandemic 08:48 Balancing a Day Job and a Side Hustle 10:16 Finding a New Passion 11:03 Shutting Down the Business 11:33 Reflections and Lessons 13:52 How to Show Social Currency Some Love Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Neil Parikh disrupted the sleep industry with Casper. Now, he’s using tech to disrupt one of the most pressing crises of our time: mental health. As co-founder of Slingshot AI, Neil is building tools to close the care gap in behavioral health, expand access to therapy, and still keep human connection at the heart of it all. He joins Sammi to chat about the buzziest topics in AI: ethics, regulation, job replacement, job creation and AI friends. Neil also shares advice for any founder who is thinking about raising capital; he’s raised VC money, bootstrapped a business, taken a company public, and taken a public company private. He’s seen every side of the table, and shares what he thinks is the best route for most early stage founders. Plus, Sammi and Neil dig into the ethics of AI in wellness, surprising user behavior Slingshot has observed with Ash, and why Neil thinks now is the moment for mission-driven tech. Follow Sammi on Instagram Subscribe to the Social Currency newsletter Talk To Ash Today, Sammi and Neil cover… 00:00 Neil Parikh’s Social Currency 01:02 The Rise of Casper and Revolutionizing Sleep 07:55 Challenges and Lessons from Taking a Company Public 12:59 Transition to Mental Health Tech 25:57 AI, Mental Health and Therapy 27:38 AI Friends and Anthropomorphizing AI 31:05 Surprising Insights From Ash 35:51 Monetization Strategy and Funding 37:15 Raising Venture Capital 41:37 Investing in Startups 43:07 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs 44:39 Regulating AI in Mental Health 48:36 Finding the Right Co-Founder 50:33 How to Show Social Currency Some Love Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, Sammi unpacks the dramatic meltdown of the Jeep brand. Once a cultural symbol that survived world wars and recessions, Jeep’s market share has now plunged to historic lows. Behind the scenes: a billionaire family dynasty, leadership obsessed with margins over customers, and a string of decisions so poor they’ll likely become a business school case study. Sammi traces how Stellantis, the global auto conglomerate that owns Jeep, gutted the brand’s core identity while chasing luxury profits. From discontinuing the Cherokee to launching overpriced SUVs, Jeep alienated loyal fans and opened the door for rivals like Ford’s Bronco to steal market share. Add in trade wars, tariff shocks, executive turnover, and tone-deaf cultural moves, and the result is a corporate implosion of epic proportions. Follow Sammi on Instagram Subscribe to the Social Currency newsletter 00:00 Super Bowl 2025: A Symbolic Commercial 01:08 The Rise and Fall of Jeep 02:12 Stellantis, the Agnelli Family and Carlos Tavares 05:45 Cultural Impact of Jeep's Decline 08:54 Sammi’s Predictions 11:50 How to Show Social Currency Some Love Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Follow Sammi on Instagram Subscribe to the Social Currency newsletter Start Sammi’s Eventbrite Challenge Today, Sammi and Julia cover… 00:00 Julia Hartz’s Social Currency 02:09 Julia’s Early Career in TV 05:05 The Meet-Cute That Led to Eventbrite 08:44 Startup Model 25:58 Work-Life Balance? 32:24 Unlocking Productivity by Knowing Yourself 35:19 Transition to Solo CEO 37:49 Taking Eventbrite Public 43:43 Navigating the Pandemic 47:45 The Resurgence of In-Person Events 52:21 Trends and Quirky Subcultures in Events 57:36 Social Currency Corner 01:03:31 Eventbrite Challenge Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why is everything from your Starbucks drink to your popcorn now enhanced with extra protein? With 61% of Americans increasing their protein intake last year, cottage cheese sales skyrocketing 20%, and Starbucks rolling out drinks with 36 grams of protein, it’s clear this isn’t a fad—it’s a seismic shift in how we eat. Sammi explores the cultural, medical, and social factors driving this change, including the influence of GLP-1 weight loss drugs, the “health halo” around protein, and TikTok’s viral food trends. You’ll hear how food companies are scrambling to keep up with demand, why Chobani is investing $1.2 billion into new facilities, and how celebrities like Khloé Kardashian and Zac Efron are cashing in on the craze. Follow Sammi on Instagram Subscribe to the Social Currency newsletter Here’s what Sammi covers today: 00:00 Why Protein is Everywhere 01:09 Stats That Prove the Craze 03:08 Medical + Social Drivers 05:00 Cottage Cheese Goes Viral 06:35 Starbucks Bets Big on Protein 08:20 Celebrity Influence and Innovation 10:55 Sammi’s Predictions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Since she spoke with Sammi, she’s raised an additional $10 million, for a total of $94 million raised, the most ever raised by a female founder in construction tech. In this conversation, Maria shares how her immigrant upbringing shaped her entrepreneurial drive, the scrappy tactics that got Kojo off the ground, and the leadership lessons that helped her scale in one of the most male-dominated industries. Whether you’ve never thought twice about procurement or you’re hungry for scaling lessons from a record-breaking founder, Maria will have you hooked. Follow Sammi on Instagram Subscribe to the Social Currency newsletter Keep up with Kojo Read the fundraising news since Sammi and Maria spoke Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From London’s 17th-century gentleman’s clubs to the meteoric rise of Soho House, private membership clubs have always been about more than cocktails and couches—they’re cultural status symbols. But as Soho House goes private again in a $2.7 billion deal, the playbook for exclusivity is being rewritten. Today, Sammi unpacks the cracks in the traditional model and explores what’s next: hyper-niche communities, the luxury third-space economy, and the rise of the anti-club prioritizing privacy over paparazzi. Whether you’re eyeing a $10,000 waitlist or curious about how exclusivity itself is evolving, this episode reveals how the future of belonging is shifting from velvet ropes to invisible threads. Follow Sammi on Instagram Subscribe to the Social Currency newsletter Here’s what Sammi covers today: 00:00 What Is the Ultimate Status Symbol? 00:48 From Coffee Houses to Soho House 02:21 The $2.7B Soho House Pivot 04:14 Cracks in the Exclusive Club Model 07:36 Hyper-Niche Clubs, Luxury Third Spaces, and the Anti-Club Movement 07:59 Sammi’s Predictions 08:18 How to Show Social Currency Some Love Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. When Health-Ade was acquired in 2021, she had to redefine what success means in her second act as an advisor and investor. In this conversation, Vanessa opens up about the company’s scrappy beginnings, the hardest decisions she had to make while building her business, what it really feels like to exit, and how she’s now paying it forward by backing the next generation of founders. Follow Sammi on Instagram Subscribe to the Social Currency newsletter Follow Vanessa Here’s what Sammi and Vanessa cover today: 00:00 Vanessa Dew’s Social Currency 00:34 The Businesses Vanessa Almost Built 01:53 Kombucha Beginnings: Health-Ade’s First Batches 02:52 The Scrappy Startup Phase 04:33 From Farmers’ Markets to Grocery Shelves 09:52 Raising the First Round of Capital 13:22 The Rollercoaster of Funding Rounds 17:50 Co-Founders: Dividing Roles and Responsibilities 21:08 Scaling Without Losing Quality 23:44 Navigating Relationships Between Investors and Partners 25:58 Taking Health-Ade Nationwide 26:43 The Emotional Reality of Acquisition 28:21 Life After Exit and Redefining Success 35:49 Investing in Women Founders 38:48 Building Systems for Work-Life Balance 41:24 Where CPG Acquisitions Are Headed + Vanessa’s Advice Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, Sammi’s doing something a little different. She’s pulling back the curtain on her five years at Amazon—and the lessons she’s bringing with her as she builds Social Currency. Sammi breaks down the three Amazon frameworks that really work: customer obsession (yes, the empty chair in meetings is real), the fiery but brilliant “disagree and commit rule,” and the counterintuitive magic of writing a press release… before you build a thing. These aren’t corporate clichés—they’re surprisingly practical tools that can help you move faster, make smarter calls, and grow something people actually care about. Follow Sammi on Instagram Subscribe to the Social Currency newsletter Here’s what Sammi covers today: 00:00 Introduction and Overview 00:30 From Amazon to Entrepreneurship 00:46 Inside Amazon’s Ecosystem 01:38 The Playbook That Lasts 02:06 #1 - Customer Obsession 04:40 #2 - Disagree and Commit 07:17 #3 - Writing PR FAQs 08:49 Takeaways You Can Use 09:23 How to Show Social Currency Some Love Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Sammi and Alli 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. Follow Sammi on Instagram Subscribe to the Social Currency newsletter Follow Alli on Instagram Find Messy at Sephora Here’s what Sammi and Alli cover today: 00:00 A Perfectly Timed Sale 00:26 Meet Alli Webb: From Blowouts to Billion-Dollar Buzz 01:39 How Drybar Was Born 03:07 From One Shop to a Movement 12:16 The Big Bet on Franchising 20:11 Turning Blowouts Into Products 25:00 Pandemic Curveballs & Selling the Business 30:41 Clearing Up the Myths 32:41 Writing The Messy Truth 35:48 Partnerships, Business, and Love Lessons 39:09 Enter Messy: Alli’s New Chapter 40:57 Why Messy is the New Perfect 49:49 Ambition vs. Self-Care 53:56 How to Show Social Currency Some Love Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This summer, denim wasn't just a fashion statement—it was a battlefield. Today, Sammi unpacks how American Eagle, Gap, and Lucky Brand launched three wildly different campaigns that turned jeans into a referendum on identity, controversy, and cultural capital. From American Eagle’s headline-grabbing Sydney Sweeney campaign to Gap’s inclusive girl-band-powered clapback, and Lucky Brand’s nostalgia-fueled Y2K revival with Addison Rae—Sammi breaks down how these brands are fighting for Gen Z’s attention and loyalty. Follow Sammi on Instagram Subscribe to the Social Currency newsletter Here’s what Sammi covers today: 00:00 Welcome to the Denim Wars 02:06 American Eagle’s Sydney Sweeney Bet: Controversy as Strategy 05:07 Gap’s Counterpunch: Inclusivity Goes Viral 06:07 Lucky Brand’s Nostalgia Play: Addison Rae and the Y2K Revival 06:39 The Bigger Picture on Fashion Marketing 08:18 Rivalries as a Branding Strategy 09:23 How to Show Social Currency Some Love Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bill Ready has never been afraid to make big bets—and at Pinterest, those bets are paying off. Since becoming CEO, he’s doubled down on building a healthier internet: one where all accounts under 16 are private by default, AI is tuned for positivity, and users come away inspired instead of exhausted. Today, Sammi sits down with Bill to trace his journey from his father’s auto shop in Kentucky to the helm of PayPal, Google, and now Pinterest. They dig into the headline-making decisions that reshaped Pinterest’s future, the rise of Gen Z shopping habits, and how collaborations like Pinterest Predicts with Emma Chamberlain’s coffee brand are setting cultural trends. If you want a look at what social media can be when it prioritizes progress over doomscrolling, this conversation is it. Follow Sammi on Instagram Subscribe to the Social Currency newsletter Keep up with Pinterest here Check out the trend report Pinterest Predicts 00:00 Bill Ready’s Social Currency 02:05 Early Lessons from the Auto Shop 05:31 The Controversial Decision to Turn Accounts Private for Users Under 16 06:43 Tuning AI for Positivity 26:10 Evolving the Pinterest Shopping Experience 31:58 Pinterest's Unique Approach to Video Content 34:24 Inclusive AI Tools and Driving User Engagement 41:44 How Pinterest Shapes and Predicts Trends 51:45 Bill’s Systems for Success 53:14 Social Currency Corner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Seventeen years. $140 million in funding. And Goop—the empire Gwyneth Paltrow built on clean beauty, provocative candles, and aspirational wellness—is still not profitable. Today, Sammi unpacks the paradox of Goop: a brand that pioneered the $6.3 trillion wellness industry, yet can’t seem to make money from it. From the downfall of Goop Beauty at Sephora to the unexpected success of Goop Kitchen, and the leadership style that insiders compare to Anna Wintour, this is the story of how being an influencer and being a CEO are two very different games. Does Goop even need to exist in 2025—or has every other influencer already copied its playbook better? Follow Sammi on Instagram Subscribe to the Social Currency newsletter Here’s what Sammi covers today: 00:00 Goop’s $140 Million Paradox 01:04 Gwyneth’s Kitchen-Table Origins 02:03 Charisma vs. CEO Skills 03:16 Layoffs and Leadership Turmoil 03:43 Beauty’s Bust, Fashion’s Flicker 05:10 The Surprising Success of Goop Kitchen 05:50 The Investor Dilemma 06:30 The Bigger Cultural Question: Do We Still Need Goop? 09:46 Closing Thoughts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Some say cult-favorite beauty brand Tower 28 is an “overnight success”— but founder Amy Liu is here to share how the brand’s success was years in the making. Today, Sammi and Amy dive into the real story behind Tower 28’s rise: from Amy’s scrappy Sephora pitch and pandemic launch to lessons from her friends and family fundraising round. Amy also gives her take on the perfect morning routine and the importance of picking the right partners— in business and in life. This episode was taped 4.23.25. Follow Sammi on Instagram Subscribe to the Social Currency newsletter Follow Tower 28 on Instagram 00:00 Amy Liu’s Social Currency 01:33 The Myth of Overnight Success 01:57 From Employee to Founder 04:21 Learning from Experience 05:57 The Role of Beauty in Confidence 09:15 Lessons Learned from Early Ventures 12:00 Raising Funds from Friends and Family 15:08 The Iconic Sephora Pitch 21:12 Launching During a Pandemic 25:14 Discovering the Power of Skincare 26:23 Building a Family Business 28:54 The Importance of Choosing the Right Partner 30:10 Creating a Strong Team Culture 34:26 Engaging with the Community 39:44 Morning Routines and Personal Systems 41:18 Creating Original Content 44:10 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs 46:54 How to Show Social Currency Some Love All investing involves the risk of loss, including loss of principal. Brokerage services for US-listed, registered securities, options and bonds in a self-directed account are offered by Public Investing, Inc., member FINRA & SIPC. Public Investing offers a High-Yield Cash Account where funds from this account are automatically deposited into partner banks where they earn interest and are eligible for FDIC insurance; Public Investing is not a bank. Cryptocurrency trading services are offered by Bakkt Crypto Solutions, LLC (NMLS ID 1890144), which is licensed to engage in virtual currency business activity by the NYSDFS. Cryptocurrency is highly speculative, involves a high degree of risk, and has the potential for loss of the entire amount of an investment. Cryptocurrency holdings are not protected by the FDIC or SIPC. *APY as of 6/30/25, offered by Public Investing, member FINRA/SIPC. Rate subject to change. See terms of IRA Match Program here: public.com/disclosures/ira-match. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fitness is the new religion. It sounds dramatic, but look around. People used to go to church on Sundays. Now they go to Barry's Bootcamp. Instead of confession, they cold plunge. Today, Sammi unpacks how the boutique fitness boom became a new form of secular spirituality—complete with instructors as gurus, before-and-after photos as testimonies, and $10,000 luxury wellness retreats as modern pilgrimages. But this isn’t just a cultural shift—it’s a business revolution. With the wellness market on track to hit $7 trillion by 2025, fitness has become a belief system people are willing to invest in, spiritually and financially. Whether you’re a brand builder, a wellness junkie, or just curious about why we now confess in cold plunges instead of pews, this episode dives deep into the new religion of our era: sweat. Follow Sammi on Instagram Subscribe to the Social Currency newsletter Here’s what Sammi covers today: 00:00 Fitness Is the New Religion 00:49 The Decline of Traditional Belief Systems 01:44 How Studios Became Sanctuaries 03:14 The Trillion-Dollar Wellness Economy 04:14 What This Shift Means for Brands 05:47 How to Show Social Currency Some Love Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What do Casper and Allbirds have in common, besides redefining modern D2C brands? They all worked with branding agency Red Antler before they became household names. Today Sammi sits down with Emily Heyward, co-founder of Red Antler, the powerhouse creative agency behind some of the most iconic startups of the last decade. Emily shares how Red Antler went from a scrappy agency to the go-to partner for founders launching the next big thing. They dig into the real work of branding; how to create emotional connection, why a logo is never enough, and the mistakes even seasoned founders make when they treat branding as an afterthought. Emily also opens up about the founding of Red Antler’s VC arm, how her team vets investments, and why she thinks branding will always be human—even in the age of AI. Follow Sammi on Instagram Subscribe to the Social Currency newsletter Follow Red Antler’s work Here’s what Sammi and Emily cover today: 00:00 Emily Heyward’s Social Currency 01:45 The Origin of Red Antler 09:35 From Scrappy Startups to Culture-Making Brands 14:23 How to Land—and Keep—Dream Clients 18:40 When Branding Gets Messy (and How to Fix It) 24:10 Strategic Bets and the Ones That Paid Off 30:40 Building for Startups vs. Working with Giants 37:20 Breaking Down Red Antler’s Pricing Strategy 41:30 Why Red Antler Launched a VC Fund 49:23 What It Really Means to Build an Iconic Brand 54:40 Will AI Replace Branding Agencies? 1:00:36 Favorite Projects and Most Fun Collabs 1:05:22 Why Creative Breaks Are Critical 1:07:54 Crumbl, Duolingo, and What’s Trending Now 1:11:30 How to Choose the Right Branding Partner 1:20:35 How to Show Social Currency Some Love Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens when a unicorn startup hires a spy to infiltrate its biggest rival? Welcome to the $28 billion battle between Rippling and Deel—where encrypted messages, crypto payments, burner phones, and a secret escape to Dubai are all part of the plot. Today, Sammi unpacks the real-life espionage scandal playing out in Silicon Valley. At the center: two HR tech giants locked in a legal death match. One allegedly planted a spy inside the other. And not just any spy—a payroll exec turned corporate James Bond, allegedly paid thousands a month to leak sensitive data from Slack, Salesforce, and more. This story has everything: honeypots, family conspiracies, a phone destroyed with an axe, and RICO charges straight out of a mob movie. And it’s all unfolding right now. Whether you’re a founder, a tech worker, or just here for the tea—this episode is a front-row seat to the dark side of startup competition. Follow Sammi on Instagram Subscribe to the Social Currency newsletter Here’s what Sammi covers today: 00:00 The Spy Thriller Silicon Valley Didn’t See Coming 00:48 Meet the Rivals: Rippling vs. Deel 02:16 The “Snake Oil” Feud Gets Personal 04:13 Enter the Spy: Keith O’Brien’s Double Life 06:20 Crypto, Code Names, and the Watchman 08:31 How the Spy Got Caught (and Things Hit the Fan) 11:06 The Honeypot Trap and a Shocking Confession 13:45 Destroyed Phones and Dubai Getaways 15:52 The Lawsuit: RICO, Racketeering, and Corporate Crime 18:33 Deal Fires Back and the Legal War Escalates 20:10 Why the Market Doesn’t Seem to Care 22:05 What This Means for Startup Culture All investing involves the risk of loss, including loss of principal. Brokerage services for US-listed, registered securities, options and bonds in a self-directed account are offered by Public Investing, Inc., member FINRA & SIPC. Public Investing offers a High-Yield Cash Account where funds from this account are automatically deposited into partner banks where they earn interest and are eligible for FDIC insurance; Public Investing is not a bank. Cryptocurrency trading services are offered by Bakkt Crypto Solutions, LLC (NMLS ID 1890144), which is licensed to engage in virtual currency business activity by the NYSDFS. Cryptocurrency is highly speculative, involves a high degree of risk, and has the potential for loss of the entire amount of an investment. Cryptocurrency holdings are not protected by the FDIC or SIPC. *APY as of 6/30/25, offered by Public Investing, member FINRA/SIPC. Rate subject to change. See terms of IRA Match Program here: public.com/disclosures/ira-match. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

James Reinhart didn’t set out to change the way we shop—he just wanted to clean out his closet. But that simple idea turned into ThredUp, the giant and beloved resale marketplace. In today’s episode, Sammi sits down with James to unpack how he went from teaching in classrooms to disrupting closets. They talk about the bold bet that helped ThredUp outsmart competitors, why the “Clean Out Kit” became their secret weapon, and what most people get wrong about the secondhand economy. James also shares why partnerships with legacy retailers like Walmart and Macy’s matter, how AI is reshaping resale logistics, and his take on live shopping. Follow Sammi on Instagram Subscribe to the Social Currency newsletter Follow ThredUp Read ThredUp’s Resale Report Here’s what Sammi covers today with James: 00:00 James Reinhart’s Social Currency 01:51 From Education to Entrepreneurship 04:07 The Genesis of ThredUp 09:00 Building the Founding Team 15:20 The Managed Marketplace Model 18:37 The “Clean Out Kit” Innovation 25:43 Challenges in Secondhand Retail 28:56 Resale Market Growth Predictions 29:40 Trends in Secondhand Selling 30:23 Consumer Behavior in Secondhand Shopping 32:19 Customer Loyalty and Retention Strategies 34:06 AI Innovations in Secondhand Retail 39:46 Impact of De Minimis Exemption on Retail 46:34 Future of Retail and Brand Building 51:19 POV on Live Shopping 54:05 Surprising Consumer Behaviors 55:34 How to Show Social Currency Some Love All investing involves the risk of loss, including loss of principal. Brokerage services for US-listed, registered securities, options and bonds in a self-directed account are offered by Public Investing, Inc., member FINRA & SIPC. Public Investing offers a High-Yield Cash Account where funds from this account are automatically deposited into partner banks where they earn interest and are eligible for FDIC insurance; Public Investing is not a bank. Cryptocurrency trading services are offered by Bakkt Crypto Solutions, LLC (NMLS ID 1890144), which is licensed to engage in virtual currency business activity by the NYSDFS. Cryptocurrency is highly speculative, involves a high degree of risk, and has the potential for loss of the entire amount of an investment. Cryptocurrency holdings are not protected by the FDIC or SIPC. *APY as of 6/30/25, offered by Public Investing, member FINRA/SIPC. Rate subject to change. See terms of IRA Match Program here: public.com/disclosures/ira-match. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Would you spend $33 on toilet paper just because it looks good on your bathroom shelf? You’re not alone—and there’s a reason why. Today Sammi unpacks the rise of what she calls aesthetic utility—a consumer movement where everyday essentials are elevated into lifestyle flexes. Gone are the days of basic olive oil and generic hand soap; now, products like Flamingo Estate’s $48 EVOO or Skinny Confidential’s premium TP are selling status, not just function. Sammi traces how this shift evolved from the first wave of DTC disruption into something deeper: a full-blown cultural phenomenon driven by micro luxury, social media aesthetics, and generational disillusionment with traditional success. You’ll learn why this trend is booming, which brands are getting it right, and how “small luxuries” are reshaping the future of retail—one beautifully packaged necessity at a time. Follow Sammi on Instagram Subscribe to the Social Currency newsletter Here’s what Sammi covers today: 00:00 The Rise of Aesthetic Utility 00:22 The $33 Toilet Paper That Says Everything 01:20 DTC 1.0 vs 2.0: From Cheap to Chic 02:53 Micro Luxury: The New Status Symbol 04:49 Brands That Turn Basics Into Flexes 07:17 Sammi’s Prediction: How Ordinary Becomes Extraordinary 08:06 How to Show Social Currency Some Love All investing involves the risk of loss, including loss of principal. Brokerage services for US-listed, registered securities, options and bonds in a self-directed account are offered by Public Investing, Inc., member FINRA & SIPC. Public Investing offers a High-Yield Cash Account where funds from this account are automatically deposited into partner banks where they earn interest and are eligible for FDIC insurance; Public Investing is not a bank. Cryptocurrency trading services are offered by Bakkt Crypto Solutions, LLC (NMLS ID 1890144), which is licensed to engage in virtual currency business activity by the NYSDFS. Cryptocurrency is highly speculative, involves a high degree of risk, and has the potential for loss of the entire amount of an investment. Cryptocurrency holdings are not protected by the FDIC or SIPC. *APY as of 6/30/25, offered by Public Investing, member FINRA/SIPC. Rate subject to change. See terms of IRA Match Program here: public.com/disclosures/ira-match. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, Sammi is joined by Ariel Kaye, the founder of Parachute—the cult-favorite home essentials brand that helped define the direct-to-consumer movement. Ariel shares the real story behind Parachute’s early days: from bootstrapping her first launch to navigating funding rounds, managing growing pains, and expanding from digital to retail. She opens up about the emotional toll of solo entrepreneurship, the importance of mentorship, and how she kept her business grounded in customer experience—even during the chaos of COVID. Plus, Ariel reveals how she thinks about growth today, the pressures of staying independent, and why having options—not obligations—is the real founder flex. Follow Sammi on Instagram Subscribe to the Social Currency newsletter Follow Parachute Here’s what Sammi covers today with Ariel: 00:00 Ariel Kaye’s Social Currency 02:49 Early Customer Research and Product Iterations 07:53 Launch Mode: The First Products, First Wins 11:20 Fundraising Without Losing Focus 15:32 What Early Growth Looked Like 17:39 Why Parachute Went IRL With Brick-and-Mortar 21:44 COVID Curveballs 24:19 Building a Full Lifestyle Brand 27:35 Making Marketing Personal 31:32 How Ariel Earns Customer Trust 39:47 The Emotional Side of Building Solo 42:02 How to Show Social Currency Some Love All investing involves the risk of loss, including loss of principal. Brokerage services for US-listed, registered securities, options and bonds in a self-directed account are offered by Public Investing, Inc., member FINRA & SIPC. Public Investing offers a High-Yield Cash Account where funds from this account are automatically deposited into partner banks where they earn interest and are eligible for FDIC insurance; Public Investing is not a bank. Cryptocurrency trading services are offered by Bakkt Crypto Solutions, LLC (NMLS ID 1890144), which is licensed to engage in virtual currency business activity by the NYSDFS. Cryptocurrency is highly speculative, involves a high degree of risk, and has the potential for loss of the entire amount of an investment. Cryptocurrency holdings are not protected by the FDIC or SIPC. *APY as of 6/30/25, offered by Public Investing, member FINRA/SIPC. Rate subject to change. See terms of IRA Match Program here: public.com/disclosures/ira-match. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, Sammi dives into the dramatic rise and fall of Juicero, a startup that raised $120 million to solve a problem that didn't exist with an over-engineered solution. Founded by Doug Evans, who aspired to revolutionize the juice industry, Juicero promised a convenient, high-tech juicing machine. Despite backing from major investors like Google Ventures and celebrity endorsements, the company's $400 juicer was exposed as redundant by a viral Bloomberg video. The video revealed that the machine’s expensive features were unnecessary. This debacle led to Juicero’s downfall, highlighting critical lessons about startup culture, over-engineering, and the importance of validating a problem before developing a solution. Follow Sammi on Instagram Subscribe to the Social Currency newsletter Here’s what Sammi covers today: 00:00 Introduction to Juicero’s Rise and Fall 00:51 Doug Evans: The Visionary Behind Juicero 01:58 The Juicero Press: A Revolutionary Idea 02:40 Silicon Valley's Enthusiastic Response 03:48 The Launch and Initial Success 05:13 The Bloomberg Revelation 07:11 The Aftermath and Lessons Learned 10:55 How to Show Social Currency Some Love All investing involves the risk of loss, including loss of principal. Brokerage services for US-listed, registered securities, options and bonds in a self-directed account are offered by Public Investing, Inc., member FINRA & SIPC. Public Investing offers a High-Yield Cash Account where funds from this account are automatically deposited into partner banks where they earn interest and are eligible for FDIC insurance; Public Investing is not a bank. Cryptocurrency trading services are offered by Bakkt Crypto Solutions, LLC (NMLS ID 1890144), which is licensed to engage in virtual currency business activity by the NYSDFS. Cryptocurrency is highly speculative, involves a high degree of risk, and has the potential for loss of the entire amount of an investment. Cryptocurrency holdings are not protected by the FDIC or SIPC. *APY as of 6/30/25, offered by Public Investing, member FINRA/SIPC. Rate subject to change. See terms of IRA Match Program here: public.com/disclosures/ira-match. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What’s the secret behind today’s fastest-growing newsletters—and how can creators build smarter, not harder? Tyler Denk is here to answer exactly that. Tyler was one of the first hires at Morning Brew, and now is CEO of Beehiiv, the platform that’s powering some of your favorite newsletters and fueling a new wave of digital media empires. Tyler shares hard truths of being a founder, why he thinks being single is a startup superpower, and how he’s positioning Beehiiv to dominate in a creator economy flooded with tools. Plus, Tyler and Sammi dive into the role AI will (and won’t) play in the future of content. Follow Sammi on Instagram Subscribe to the Social Currency newsletter Subscribe to Big Desk Energy Here’s what Sammi covers today with Tyler: 00:00 Tyler Denk’s Social Currency 03:23 Inside Morning Brew Early Days 06:46 Growth Hacking at Morning Brew 09:44 Leaving Morning Brew and Starting Beehiiv 16:57 Raising Seed Funding for Beehiiv 20:54 Naming Beehiiv 33:17 How to Grow a Newsletter 36:50 The Anti-VC Founder Mentality 38:36 Competing with Substack 43:54 AI in Newsletters 50:37 Contrast Therapy 55:05 Building a Company in Public 01:00:11 The Competitive Advantage of Being Single 01:02:38 Routine and Productivity Hacks 01:04:47 Monetization Funds for Creators 01:07:09 Exciting New Tools at Beehiiv 01:10:09 How to Show Social Currency Some Love All investing involves the risk of loss, including loss of principal. Brokerage services for US-listed, registered securities, options and bonds in a self-directed account are offered by Public Investing, Inc., member FINRA & SIPC. Public Investing offers a High-Yield Cash Account where funds from this account are automatically deposited into partner banks where they earn interest and are eligible for FDIC insurance; Public Investing is not a bank. Cryptocurrency trading services are offered by Bakkt Crypto Solutions, LLC (NMLS ID 1890144), which is licensed to engage in virtual currency business activity by the NYSDFS. Cryptocurrency is highly speculative, involves a high degree of risk, and has the potential for loss of the entire amount of an investment. Cryptocurrency holdings are not protected by the FDIC or SIPC. *APY as of 6/30/25, offered by Public Investing, member FINRA/SIPC. Rate subject to change. See terms of IRA Match Program here: public.com/disclosures/ira-match. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From skincare to alcohol, it feels like every celebrity has a brand and your feed is probably full of them. But why do some explode while others quietly crash and burn? Today, Sammi breaks down what really separates the hits from the hype. Is it all about star power—or does authenticity actually matter? Sammi dives into the blueprint behind successful celebrity brands like Hailey Bieber’s Rhode and Kim Kardashian’s Skims, and why others, like Blake Lively’s new beauty line and Katy Perry’s non-alcoholic beverage line, might be missing the mark. This isn’t just about celebs—it’s about how trust, timing, and problem-solving products win in a saturated market. Follow Sammi on Instagram here Subscribe to the Social Currency newsletter here Here’s what Sammi covers today: 00:00 The Celebrity Brand Boom 00:38 Fame vs. Business Savvy 01:13 The Risks of Building on a Personal Brand 01:45 What Happened to Ivy Park? 04:44 Skims: A Case Study in Smart Branding 06:20 Rhode and the Rise of Skinfluencers 07:30 Beauty Industry Hits and Misses 10:07 What Actually Makes a Brand “Authentic”? 12:04 Takeaways and Predictions 12:25 How to Show Social Currency Some Love All investing involves the risk of loss, including loss of principal. Brokerage services for US-listed, registered securities, options and bonds in a self-directed account are offered by Public Investing, Inc., member FINRA & SIPC. Public Investing offers a High-Yield Cash Account where funds from this account are automatically deposited into partner banks where they earn interest and are eligible for FDIC insurance; Public Investing is not a bank. Cryptocurrency trading services are offered by Bakkt Crypto Solutions, LLC (NMLS ID 1890144), which is licensed to engage in virtual currency business activity by the NYSDFS. Cryptocurrency is highly speculative, involves a high degree of risk, and has the potential for loss of the entire amount of an investment. Cryptocurrency holdings are not protected by the FDIC or SIPC. *APY as of 6/30/25, offered by Public Investing, member FINRA/SIPC. Rate subject to change. See terms of IRA Match Program here: public.com/disclosures/ira-match. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The fashion industry is facing a reckoning—from how clothes are made to how they’re resold. And Phia, a new tech-driven platform, is betting that the future of shopping is secondhand, smarter, and more sustainable. In this episode, Sammi sits down with Phia co-founders Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni to talk about how they went from brainstorming ideas in their Stanford dorm room to building a company that’s rethinking retail. They share how Phia uses tech to track price drops and spotlight resale options, why they’re betting on browser extensions and Gen Z, and how their backgrounds have helped them build a mission-driven brand from the ground up. Follow Sammi on Instagram here Subscribe to the Social Currency newsletter here Learn more about Phia here Listen to The Burnouts here Here’s what Sammi covers with Phoebe & Sophia: 00:00 Phoebe & Sophia’s Social Currency 01:51 The Phia Origin Story 07:18 Dropping Out of Stanford and Betting on Themselves 09:38 Building a Team and Advice from Bill Gates 14:48 How the Phia App Makes Secondhand Shopping Easy 25:23 Why Secondhand Isn’t Second-Rate 28:26 Gen Z’s Take on Sustainability 29:20 How Phia Reaches Shoppers Where They Already Are 30:11 The Resale Value Factor 31:07 Who They're Building Phia For 34:12 Lessons from Investors and Advisors 35:42 How Their Podcast The Burnouts on Alex Cooper’s Unwell Network Ties into Their Brand 37:32 Radical Transparency and Listening to Your Customer 44:41 How They Manage Their Time 47:18 What’s Next for the Future of Shopping 48:54 Whose Closet They’d Raid Tomorrow 50:02 How to Show Social Currency Some Love All investing involves the risk of loss, including loss of principal. Brokerage services for US-listed, registered securities, options and bonds in a self-directed account are offered by Public Investing, Inc., member FINRA & SIPC. Public Investing offers a High-Yield Cash Account where funds from this account are automatically deposited into partner banks where they earn interest and are eligible for FDIC insurance; Public Investing is not a bank. Cryptocurrency trading services are offered by Bakkt Crypto Solutions, LLC (NMLS ID 1890144), which is licensed to engage in virtual currency business activity by the NYSDFS. Cryptocurrency is highly speculative, involves a high degree of risk, and has the potential for loss of the entire amount of an investment. Cryptocurrency holdings are not protected by the FDIC or SIPC. *APY as of 6/30/25, offered by Public Investing, member FINRA/SIPC. Rate subject to change. See terms of IRA Match Program here: public.com/disclosures/ira-match. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices