You've Lost Your Job... Maybe Try This.
You've Lost Your Job... Maybe Try This.
In Today’s Newsletter
Making Content Out of Getting Laid Off
Sauna Politics
Tennis Swag
How to Start a $30M Brand and Other Things You Should Read
Good evening everyone sorry for the late newsletter today, I moved to my new apartment in Williamsburg this weekend and have been adjusting to my new reality.
Here are some initial thoughts on Williamsburg compared to my previous neighborhood, the Upper East Side—
Either nobody has a job or everyone works from home. At noon the streets are packed with Salomon clad mfs drinking cold brew. And no I didn’t pass a mirror, I’m wearing Crocs and Kapital pants today.
I love McCarren Park. I ran at the track this morning at sunrise. So good.
You could try a new aesthetic wine bar every night and never run out of new options.
Okay now let’s get to some news—
Making Content Out of Losing Your Job
So far this year, nearly 90,000 tech employees have lost their job in the U.S.
As companies look to trim costs, adopt AI to increase productivity, workers who long sought the comforts of working in tech are finding their lives upended, oftentimes suddenly and shockingly.
Many have documented their actual layoff calls on TikTok, going viral in the process.
- recently launched a dedicated Substack, Laid Off, interviewing various workers across fields who were laid off. Go read a few of the interviews, they offer great insights into when people found out they were getting fired and what they’re doing to cope.
I think some forms of layoff content are great and the vulnerability people are willing to share is helpful to others in the same unfortunate situation.
But myself and many of my young professional friends think posting the video of your firing (as seen in the above example) can be incredibly detrimental to future career opportunities.
Getting laid off is not ideal for anyone, but handle it with poise and tact and move forward without making a massive fuss. Obviously call out bullshit but keep your head held high.
and no matter what please don’t put on the green #OpenToWork profile overlay on LinkedIn…
Networking in the Sauna
Ever need to have an important work conversation? Maybe try doing it in the sauna.
The New York Times covered the hottest (literally) way diplomats are taking meetings at the Finnish embassy: directly in the sauna.
The Fins have a rule: What happens in the sauna stays in the sauna
Funny that’s also on a sign at Equinox…
But more and more diplomats are being encouraged to take important diplomacy meetings directly in the embassies sauna, and completely in the nude.
They believe it breaks through the formalities of meeting and literally strips away and sweats out the BS.
Participants undress — nudity is encouraged, but bathing suits are allowed — and then go through the sauna ritual: shower, heat, cold, repeat. After a few rounds, everyone changes and heads back into the bar area. Drinks and traditional Finnish snacks are served, including salmon on rye bread with dill sauce and meatballs.
The U.S. Open is Here. Check out Naomi Osaka’s ‘Lolita Goth’ Look
One of the best parts about tennis is the players swag.
Naomi Osaka spoke with the New York Times about her opening day look, designed by Yoon Ahn (founder of Ambush) in collaboration with Nike.
The look is a black and white tennis dress adorned with massive bows, in line with the current coquette craze.
It also comes in a green version for daytime matches.
Yoon is also releasing a preppy-goth inspired women’s tennis collection this week and it all looks really good.
Go read the full interview and I’ll be posting updates on players looks as the tournament goes on.
I saw Osaka paired up with Nick Kyrgios last week for Mixed Madness (courtesy of my friends at Joe and the Juice and Potion) and I’m stoked to see her play this week.
Quick Reads to Start the Week
- wrote about her journey from a Complex host, to creative director for Kith Women’s, to turning Sporty & Rich into a $30M brand. Oberg is an icon and an inspiration and she drops so much valuable knowledge in her latest newsletter.
Go read
’ extensive Summer ‘24 trend recap. She spent the last few months documenting instances of the phrase ‘the Summer of ____’ and compiled them in an excellent edition of After School.- wrote about how bad movie costumes have become lately. Costuming in film is truly one of the details that can elevate a film’s watch experience and its place in the larger cultural landscape. Would modern film’s like Tar or Uncut Gems have become some relevant (memeable) without their iconic costumes? Probably not… Tar is a great movie, but watching Cate Blanchett’s life go to shit while she wears The Row makes it so much better.
Jake Bell is a content marketing, creative strategist, designer, and writer based in NYC. He specializes in brand building, content strategy, creative direction, business development, and making things cool.
Want to chat? Email me: jake@jb.studio