My week in airplane mode
inside jobs, important funding deadlines 🚨 + a little news 🗞
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Whenever I go viral, I again become aware that I’m probably not the best version of myself in my comment section. Like I feel like the Philly in me just awakens, you know what I mean. Anyway, that awareness has prompted me to a phone detox. I’ve also started sleeping with my phone on airplane mode again— I don’t know why I ever stopped! Please do so as well! The best sleep of my life and not yelling at strangers in my comment section has alchemized into TWO newsletters this week. ‘Weekly-ish,’ she said.
I also had time to get into a FANTASTIC book, Buckeye which found me on a walk earlier this week on one of those sunny days before it snowed. I highly suggest it if you can get past the author’s clear fixation towards making every character blonde, even the side ones.
After that I’m starting Ali Kriegsman’s The Raise, which I’m also itching to get into.
Will I start incorporating book recs on here?
I will say that if you’re a brand founder or marketer, I HIGHLY suggest you start reading more fiction. It’s a subconscious way to develop a better instinct for world building.
Inside Jobs
Amika is hiring freelancers across social, content creation, video editing, design + more. Apply here (must be New York City based)
One Skin is hiring for various roles from Copy to Social Media
Rare is looking for a beauty-obsessed writer to join their Creative/Copy team for the Summer
Funding Opportunities
LvlUp Ventures is backing 250 CPG companies over the next 365 days from Pre-Seed through Series B. Pitch your company in 10 words or less
It’s the FINAL DAY to apply to XRC Brand Builder Grant
It’s a short and easy application. Don’t miss out.
For access to other available grants: DOWNLOAD the updated 2026 Grant Database (free)
You can also access my winning Grant Strategy Workbook and Cheatsheet here
News
In case you missed my thoughts on this viral question: Does it cost $10M to run a beauty brand?
I also wrote about it here:
I need your thoughts!
Other Happenings
Ulta just released their Q4 earnings with a “better than planned financial performance,” reporting $3.90 billion vs. $3.80 billion expected.
I have no idea why I’m rooting so hard for Ulta, I don’t even shop there. Probably because they actually support their founders.
I may have to start covering Quince….I feel like dupes have more of our loyalty than we're willing to cop to. Everybody can’t be at Reformation buying it fresh off the rack (at least that’s what the numbers say)!
Why else would they have just raised $500M?
Highsnobiety recently published something this week on how groceries are becoming cultural goods and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it. Mainly because I think a lot about where the needle moves once traditional status symbols become democratized. I’d staunchly agree that what’s in your belly has become the new marker.
To the surprise of no one, the e.l.f edge control launch has not been doing hot…
I hate that we live in a time where we can’t tell whether or not them not seeding many Black creators for this launch was a fumble or a strategic play.
Dare I say… I had a feeling when I covered it last week, that this would not go well 😭
Esteé Lauder is suing Jo Malone over the use of her name on a Zara fragrance — her name, which they have the rights to, mind you. The packaging says "Created by Jo Malone CBE, founder of Jo Loves." ELC says those words breach the contract she signed when she sold them her name in 1999. Now she's being sued.
Jo Malone has said publicly that this deal was the biggest mistake of her life.
This is exactly what I DIDN’T want for Pat McGrath.
Gabriella Karefa-Johnson is an example that you can be radically outspoken and still get ahead in life. Needed this news.
I loved learning about Tyra Booker this week and her move from Senior Director of Global Social at Ilia to Assistant Vice President of Marketing over at Rare. We can never have too many gorgeous women in high places, I just feel???
David must be having some really sh*tty astrology transits this year
Here’s the founder’s interview in Feed Me.
Anyways, it’s Friday. I don’t have any more news, I just needed an excuse to talk to you guys.
When I tell you I can’t wait for dinner this evening because I’m going out and I’m ordering this pesto and pistachio gemelli al dente that’s about to BUSS SO HARD!!!! And I’m ordering a Negroni to wash it down, even though I tell people I don’t drink.
Ugh my mouth is watering just thinking about it!!!
x,
SF
Can’t wait to hear what you think