Social Currency with Sammi Cohen

A deep dive into the acquisition of Hailey Bieber's Rhode by e.l.f. reveals groundbreaking transparency in financials. Discover the impressive 9x marketing efficiency and why low production costs are key to Rhode's business model. The record launch at Sephora and the brand's unique challenges with limited SKUs are also discussed. Plus, insights on how Rhode's approach to cultural capital compares to Fenty show the evolving landscape of celebrity beauty brands. Hailey’s personal involvement is highlighted as a major asset.

Julia Cheek, Founder and CEO of Everlywell, revolutionizes health diagnostics with her at-home testing company. She shares her journey from a frustrating lab experience that sparked her entrepreneurial spirit to the pivotal moments during COVID when Everlywell scaled rapidly. Julia also recounts her Shark Tank experience, the challenges of fundraising as a female founder, and her vision for the future of proactive healthcare, including biohacking and telehealth innovation. Her insights on consumer trust and insurance integration are particularly enlightening.

Discover the allure of The Row, where silence speaks volumes in luxury fashion. Dive into the chaos of a sample sale that sparked nine-hour lines and TikTok frenzy. Sammi explores the Olsens' brand evolution and examines a surprising breakup with a major influencer. Can a label known for exclusivity maintain its mystique amid rapid growth? Tune in to unravel the tension between luxury and accessibility in today's fashion landscape.

Jaclyn Johnson, founder of Create & Cultivate, and Marina Middleton, its CEO, dive into their remarkable journey of building and reclaiming a powerful community for women in business. They discuss the nuances of scaling events while fostering intimacy, the balance between profit and accessibility, and effective brand partnership strategies. Jaclyn reveals the motivations behind her audacious decision to reacquire the company, and both share insights on why in-person events still reign supreme as they navigate the future of community.

Discover the thrilling saga of PayPal’s rise from chaotic rivalry to startup powerhouse. Delve into the infamous coup that saw Elon Musk ousted on his honeymoon. Uncover how a group of ambitious misfits revolutionized financial trust and tech culture, leading to the creation of giants like Tesla and LinkedIn. Learn about their grueling work ethic, tribal loyalty, and the unique principles they spread across Silicon Valley. Explore how this iconic origin story reshaped the founder archetype and continues to influence today's tech landscape.

Marina and Ricardo Larroudé, dynamic co-founders of Larroudé, share their journey from job loss to launching a successful footwear brand. Marina, a former Teen Vogue fashion director, focuses on innovative design, while Ricardo, an ex-financier, drives operations and strategy. They discuss their unique direct-to-demand model, building a factory in Brazil, and using pre-orders to manage costs. The duo emphasizes product quality and customer satisfaction, while navigating challenges like return-to-vendor dynamics. Their inspiring story showcases resilience and creativity in business.

Discover the rise of microdramas, those addictive 90-second shows reshaping entertainment. Sammi Cohen explores how they generate billions, outpacing traditional Hollywood blockbusters. With a focus on AI-driven production and phone-first formats, these stories cater to diminishing attention spans. Learn why platforms like YouTube are thriving while Quibi faltered. Dive into the psychology behind viewer engagement, the business models at play, and what this all means for the future of storytelling in a digital age.

Gwen Whiting, co-founder of The Laundress, reflects on her journey transforming laundry into a luxury brand before its acquisition by Unilever, which led to unforeseen challenges. She discusses the stark culture clash between indie startups and corporations, facing a massive product recall, and the gender dynamics in business. Gwen shares her resilience in launching The Fill, a home wellness company, focusing on sustainability and community. Her candid insights on acquisitions and navigating entrepreneurial pitfalls are essential for any founder.

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