Jennifer Bett Communications

A brand-new issue of the JBC newsletter, "Office Hours," is out now — and we're talking all things relationships. For today’s issue, we’re highlighting a selection of recent stories that were born out of our team’s relationships, the likes of which we value so dearly. If you have any questions that we can help answer in our next installment, comment below and let us know. ☺ — Jennifer Meyer & Melissa Conner

French fries are universally loved, so it's no surprise they've inspired home decor. The collaboration between Bearaby and Shake Shack has brought the Crinkle Cut Cuddler—a fry-shaped body pillow that playfully pays homage to everyone's favorite potato dish. Timed perfectly for National French Fry Day on July 12th, it's a snuggle-worthy tribute that adds whimsical charm to any space. For more details, check out Better Homes & Gardens: https://lnkd.in/eb5kFmKZ

FASHIONPHILE, the luxury resale platform, is establishing a firmer footing in physical retail by turning two mall pop-ups into fully established, permanent stores. Located in Carlsbad Premium Outlets and Irvine Spectrum Center, these shops will cater to the high demand from customers wanting to see and purchase products in person. Founder & CCO Sarah Davis shared more with Modern Retail. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/dXzXf5hm

Before 2018, getting your ears pierced meant choosing between a Claire’s or a tattoo shop, neither of which were ideal options. Now, brands like Studs have revolutionized the experience by offering trendy, personalized piercing parlors that provide a chic, comfortable atmosphere, plus jewelry that ranges in price. Check out Marie Claire for more details: https://lnkd.in/eR6h_2wA

The wine industry's DTC model, which sells wine directly from wineries to consumers via online platforms and clubs, grew rapidly during the COVID-19 pandemic but now faces significant challenges. Many DTC wine startups have struggled, with some declaring bankruptcy, while others have been acquired by Full Glass Wine Co., a Los Angeles-based firm founded in 2023 by Neha T. Kumar. The company revitalizes these brands by enhancing operations and market presence while maintaining their unique identities. Check out Forbes for more details: https://lnkd.in/eSyBaQdj

In 2020, Grove Collaborative, an online marketplace for eco-friendly home products, set an ambitious goal to become 100% plastic-free by 2025. However, as 2025 approaches, CEO Jeff Yurcisin has announced that they will not meet this target. Despite significant progress in reducing plastic use, collecting ocean-bound plastic and advocating for industry-wide sustainability, challenges with suppliers, scalable alternatives and costs have made the goal unattainable. Emphasizing transparency, Grove has openly communicated these difficulties and reaffirmed its commitment to continuous improvement and sustainable solutions. For more details, check out Fast Company: https://lnkd.in/ez7MVW5J

In 2020, e-commerce company Grove Collaborative—which curates and creates eco-friendly home products like shampoo bars to soap concentrates—announced an ambitious sustainability goal: it would be 100% plastic-free by 2025. Four years later, and about 18 months before that goal’s deadline, Grove has an update: it will *not* be 100% plastic-free by 2025. Grove has made a lot of strides when it comes to reducing its plastic use, recovering ocean-bound plastic, and pushing the personal care industry at large to become more sustainable. Despite all that, it said it faced challenges in terms of its suppliers, scalable alternatives, and costs that ultimately pushed the completely-plastic-free goal out of reach. That all highlights the enormity of the plastic pollution problem and the ways that the material has become ubiquitous in our lives. I spoke with Grove CEO Jeff Yurcisin about what exact challenges the company faced in its quest to become totally plastic free, what it needed from the industry to make more progress, and about the company's new sustainability goal:

When Paul Hedrick launched Tecovas in 2015, he sold cowboy boots from the back of his Toyota at local markets, refusing to wait for online sales to trickle in. His hands-on approach set the foundation for the brand's DTC success, which he discusses in TechCrunch's latest podcast episode. Listen to the full episode and learn more about Paul's journey: https://lnkd.in/evj3Y7ke

Filson, the iconic 127-year-old brand from Seattle known for outfitting prospectors during the Alaska Gold Rush, has officially arrived in Los Angeles with a new store in Silver Lake. The 1,400 square foot store is filled with endless clothes and celebrity-obsessed pieces, like those seen on the hit TV show 'Yellowstone.' Check out WWD for more details: https://lnkd.in/e8aVe9np

Amira Rasool transitioned from a fashion journalist to an entrepreneur, launching The Folklore to create retail opportunities for diverse owned businesses, which she shares more about in a Fashionista Fireside interview with Fashionista's Deputy Editor, Ana Colón. Her journey is an inspiring example of how passion and determination can drive impactful change, which you can learn more about: https://lnkd.in/ef25W2Ee