What are we doing here?

An introduction to Taking Inventory from the ACE Hotel lobby in Manhattan.

These upcoming posts are dedicated to my perspective on the business of design, hospitality, clean tech, material sciences, and consumer brands. No Crypto/Web-3 news. My sincerest apologies — I can only stay awake for things that excite me. Like writing this opening letter sitting across from Malcolm Gladwell today at the Ace Hotel. He was locked in and I said nothing to him. I’ll also share personal anecdotes on business models I’ve tested and stories from along the journey.

I’ll do my best to keep a weekly cadence, and if you find my perspectives in line with how you like to spend your time, great! I’ll keep most business posts behind a traditional paywall for the price of a latte, and most personal takes public/free. So far we’ve got 17 posts in the queue…

I like keeping notes on everything and building lists. On my website, I have a section tab: companies I admire. Many of these are taken from my surrounding community in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. One of these is a brand with a big relaunch coming up… a fun little teaser. Try and guess.

• Air Company (B2B Materials Science)

• Cove (B2B Materials Science)

• FORGO (B2B & DTC Design-Centric Sustainable Personal Care)

• Newlab (Deep Tech Incubator)

• Public Goods (B2B & DTC product powerhouse) 

• Liquid Death (Consumer water brand, community builders, creative marketing)

• Pop-Up Bagels (Consumer bagel brand, community builders)

• Apotheke Candles (Consumer candle brand, product quality & uniqueness)

• Lenka Granola Bars (Consumer food brand, product quality is 13/10)

• Yerba Mate (Consumer beverage brand, I am an addict)

• Bandit Running (Consumer clothing brand, running community is top-notch)

• Buck Mason (Consumer clothing brand, domestic supply-chain, stellar product quality)

• Akari Sauna (Neighborhood brick & mortar sauna business, run by the nicest of people)

• St.Agrestis (Makers of the Phony Negroni, for those cutting back on their alcohol but missing the taste of a seriously well-made cocktail)

What’s to talk about? 

I look around at companies that take creative risks to build cult followings and grow brand - like Bandit Running. They’ve been top of mind for me after this moment.

I’m also very responsive to product design and branding, and a disaster in the grocery stores. This space has seen lots of love from content creators like Ashwin & Oren on social. I watch these guys religiously.  

Additionally, the growth and innovation behind deep tech and material science companies like Cove & Air Company have my attention. Mainly because B2B companies don’t typically care too much about their public/online appearance. Both of these brands started in consumer products to showcase the technology and application (Water bottles, perfume, and vodka). And our now leveraging B2B partnerships to scale impact and their sustainability mission.

F&B is not necessarily a focus of mine - but when you have bagel shops building communities like Leon’s (always a line on Bedford Ave) and Pop-up Bagels, there are relevant takeaways other than delicious schmear. The world around us is getting a rebrand and more importantly a redesign. From the bread to the water bottle, and the fuel that we use to travel. But like all innovations - the hard part is getting people to care. Distribution is the name of the game in this attention economy.

I have to give a quick shoutout to Emily Sundberg. King of the business newsletter - if you want the most valuable & relevant daily info, stop reading this and head over to Feed Me.

Last notes - I’ll be building a business here publicly and on Instagram. I’ve come to realize that building in public is a net positive. Although, it's slightly out of my comfort zone. Welcome to Taking Inventory - here we go!