Hate Yourself? Stay at this AirBnb.

The peer to peer rental giant misses the mark, Google's layoffs, a lab grown meat ban, Daniel Day Lewis' questionable style, Graza's new product, and Anine Bing's solo album.

GM everyone!

Today marks 6 months since I began writing this newsletter every weekday. Its incredible to me how fast that time has gone. I initially began writing this newsletter with a lack of intentionality, just a simple method to get my thoughts on design, marketing, fashion, and business out into the world.

It started realllllyyyyyy f*cking slow. I wrote to essentially no one for months and months. Often times I thought about scaling back, using the time more efficiently for other activities, but I ultimately leaned in and kept trying to get better and better.

Last month I tripled readership, and am bringing on guests I could have never imagined (you’re welcome) Its pushed me to explore new spaces and make connections I wouldn’t have if I didn’t write.

This newsletter has given me the opportunity to speak with so many founders, writers, and new friends I deeply admire.

So thanks for reading… its all gas no brakes until Who Do You Know Industries pays for my first Porsche or high rise condo. Maybe we do merch soon?

OKAY NEWS…

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• AirBnb’s newest marketing stunt really misses the mark. The peer to peer rental service is launching a new facet of their business: AirBnb Icons, where users will be able to rent a curated selection of ‘iconic’ properties as scene in film, television, and music. You’ll be able to book a night in the X-Man Mansion, Shrek’s Swamp, the Ferrari Museum, or the house from the Pixar film ‘Up’, which will actually be suspended in the air via crane.

  

  While this new launch did attract a publicity blitz, it fails to address the core viability concerns with AirBnb’s business model. While the company is profitable many surveys report guests prefer staying in hotels instead. A ritzy hotel, with luxurious amenities, is honestly unbeatable, and you don’t need to pay a stupid cleaning fee, or cohabitate in someone else’s crib. I don’t see how offering infantilized, novelty destinations is going to take AirBnb to the next level. Like okay what’s the plan here? You take your significant other to stay in the Up house, now you’re suspended in the air and what do you do? Its dumb and immature, and doesn’t appeal whatsoever to those with real bread who want to stay in actually luxurious places like an Aman or Carlyle hotel.

  

  There is a real white space here for a service that offers rentals at architecturally significant, chic homes, like the Stahl or Goldstein house. If any VCs are reading this, give me a call… I have taste and you have money.

  

• Google continues layoffs. The search giant is laying off 200 ‘core’ employees and replacing them with cheaper labor overseas. In the age of remote work, it can really be this easy to be replaced with someone just as technically proficient in a cheaper economy. The company, which just reported a 15% YoY increase in revenue, is probably hoping to replicate the job cuts that surged Meta’s stock last year.

  

• Anine Bing is dropping an album. The blogger turned designer of West Village women’s favorite sweatshirt is dropping an album. I didn’t know she was a singer? Girlies, who is getting first listen tonight? Dua Lipa or Anine Bing?

  

• Daniel Day Lewis just wore the most Brooklyn ass fit. The iconic method actor known for his chameleonic sartorial choices just stepped out in Manhattan wearing the most Brooklyn bro fit. He was wearing head to toe Carrhart with a massive trucker hat. TBH, There Will Be Blood is one of my favorite films ever, but this fit is unfortunately going to serve as Summer inspo for many of the Brooklyn bros I have to politic with at Dolly’s.

  

• Ron DeSantis is banning lab grown meat in Florida. The governor of the 3rd best U.S. state (1. New York 2. California) just signed legislation that would ban the sale and production of meat substitutes. This is really odd to me? Like I am not a fan at all of lab grown meat and there’s many studies that show its really bad for you and the environment, but this was a top priority? This comes as the New York Times wrote a deep dive on the carnivore diet, aka a growing wave of bros and podcasters (sometimes both) who only eat meat. Protein consumption is incredibly important, so maybe these are signs that this about to be Meat Summer? LOL.

  

• Graza is launching a mysterious new product. Let’s hope its not more soap! It will reportedly be the company’s biggest launch in 2+ years. If I had to guess, I’d say with confidence its going to be olive oil ice cream. But from a business perspective, not sure if that would be the smartest move. Keeping a product frozen the entirety of its consumer journey is really f*cking expensive.

OKAY BYE! SHARE THIS NEWSLETTER WITH YOUR CLOSEST LOVED ONES

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Jake Bell is a content marketing and creative strategist based in NYC. He specializes in content creation, branding, art direction, creative strategy, and making things cool.

To learn more about Jake visit www.jb.studio

Have a tip email me jake@jb.studio

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