Man, it’s nice to get this little side project officially out into the wild. In a way, it’s my equivalent of jotting down thoughts, ideas, and word clouds stream-of-consciousness style. On a side note, if you haven’t tried applying that method to your daily routine, I highly suggest trying it.
Oh, while you’re trying it, get some writing supplies from Baron Fig in the process. (I highly recommend the Grow Daily Journal and the Squire Pen Writing Set.)
Once again: Here we go.
What are you currently working on?
Launch life is always grand, but I’m also working on building out a slew of resources for founders across the consumer spectrum. If you have any resources that you absolutely recommend (agencies, experts, talent partners, content engines, things in between, etc.), send them my way!
What are you currently excited about?
PE and Startups. In an unexpected twist of events, private equity firms have gotten some interesting attention across the consumer startup world. Recently, Ranjan Roy posted a story in his newsletter The Margins about the private equity history behind Popeye’s (and its spicy chicken sandwich). Additionally, Modern Retail’s Anna Hensel wrote a deeper piece about PE and DTC startups. When you go deeper into the spectrum (as I did via some Twitter threads), you realize that PE has done a lot of work within the food world but that more consumer startups are looking to them as real fundraising options.
Not too long ago, many PE shops had to heavily hire placement agents to get in line to meet with the hottest consumer startups. While they still do today, it’s significantly lower in trend because the stronger ones have built better relationships across the VC and startup ecosystems. I hope more of this happens (and I wrote more about it in the thread below).
What’s a story or article that you're currently thinking about?
Morgan Housel of Collaborative Fund recently wrote a post entitled “You Better Love This.” The timing of the post (in correlation to how I was feeling at the time when I got it sent from Adrian) couldn’t be more perfect; I was going through a mentally draining day where a bunch of things weren’t going right and I was openly questioning where I was in life. Morgan’s post helped me mentally get back on track.
This stuck with me:
If you view “do what you love” as a guide to a happier life, it sounds like empty fortune cookie advice. If you view it as the thing providing the endurance necessary to put the quantifiable odds of success in your favor, you realize it should be the most important part of any strategy.
If you were to ask me what I’d love to do, career-wise, I’d simply say, “Help people in need.” Venture/startups, charitable causes, giving back, it just goes beyond providing capital and resources. It’s about lending an extra hand, an ear, whatever it takes that I can genuinely help someone out. I’ve been told in the past that it’s a waste of my time, that I should “shut up and drink my beer,” but it’s a fire that won’t ever be stomped out.
It’s nice to get a story that refuels that fire every now and then.
What’s a product you’re currently obsessed with?
I had a long conversation with some friends one weekend about material goods and if they can cause a “Superhero Effect.” In other words, are there items in our lives that when we put them on or use them, we have a bit of a confidence boost? It was a pretty hot debate amongst everyone, but I’m on Team Yes.
That said, if I were to name a product that immediately gives me that “Superhero Effect,” it’s a pair of sneaker boots that I managed to find at Round Two, one of the most intriguing sneaker reseller shops out there. It’s an amazing shop that has truly democratized the space of high-end sneakers (a la StockX/GOAT/Flight Club/Stadium Goods), where it doesn’t feel like a museum and it feels more welcoming.
Here’s more about the store from the NYT.
Wild Card: What’s an item you can’t shake your mind off of?
Another podcast recommendation: “Household Name” by the Business Insider team. It’s one of the best intriguing brand-related podcasts I’ve listened to, whether it’s about the Atari E.T. game burial, how KFC brought Christmas to Japan, the evolution of “sonic branding,” and dozens more amazing stories. The next season is starting soon, so I’d recommend getting on it.
Bonus: They also created a newsletter!
~ C O L O P H O N ~
Please send all feedback, both positive and negative, to sumeetshahwork@gmail.com as this project continues to evolve.
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