For the longest time, I was always curious as to why Apple products were so appealing that some people could not fathom owning anything else. They don’t have the fastest technology, the sharpest cameras, or the most durable exteriors, so why do people go crazy for these devices? Brand identity and personality. That is the answer. Apple has done an incredible job at building their personal brand, from the colors they use, to the experience a customer encounters in the Apple store. Consumers associate Apple with an “aesthetic” lifestyle now because of how they have positioned themselves on the market, and it has worked wonders.

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But Apple wasn’t built overnight. It took years of marketing campaigns, tactics, and creative integrity to develop the brand we know today when we hear the word “Apple.” That is the first thing to know when looking to develop your brand further. It is going to take a lot of time and effort, but eventually, if you’re consistent in how you’re positioning yourself, it will pay off. Brand identity is more than your services or what you sell, though. It is essentially who you are, and what makes you unique on the market.

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So why is investing in your brand identity so important? Focusing on building your brand identity, rather than just a campaign or product, gives your target audience a long-term association or connection with your product. Even when your company introduces a new product or service that no one has tested out before, you will already have a group of people who are ready and willing to try it simply because it is owned by your brand. In turn, investing in your brand identity can give your marketing campaigns, products, and other business endeavors instant validation. 

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Building your brand can also bring you better customers. When customers feel a connection with your brand, they will continue to invest in it time and time again. Since it costs less money to convert past customers instead of attempting to convince new ones to purchase, your company can also save money.

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Customers investing in your brand will also pay a premium for your products and services. Once you have a developed brand identity, just hearing the name will make the customers more inclined to purchase something from your company, even if it is slightly more expensive. There will be less convincing and research involved for them, so they will purchase your products faster. 

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Building your brand identity will take time. It is truly an investment for your company. But the long-term benefits far outweigh that investment.   

Recessions are a natural part of the free-market system. Since they are such a normal part of the business cycle, it is imperative to prepare for them. While recessions may make small businesses anxious, they can also be times of opportunity. Because of this, understanding economic concepts in the present day, safeguarding your business, and of course, keeping a great attitude, your business can come prepared for any recessional storm it may encounter.

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We at Fifty Six have put together some tips and tricks for “recession proofing” your business to make sure you know what to expect when an economic crisis occurs.

1. Secure Capital Before You Need It

Having cash reserves and other financing options to fall back on will be a great tool to stay afloat. According to Eyal Lifshitz, the CEO of BlueVine, “Flexible working capital will be the single most important factor to help keep doors open, as it was in 2008.”

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Additionally, Lifshitz emphasizes that acquiring capital has become much easier in the present day, especially for small business owners. Banks are easing credit, so making it priority to secure capital now would be the right move.

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2. Assess Your Workforce Needs

Do you have everyone on your team that you would like? Are there areas of your company that you find may be lacking? These are good questions to ask prior to a recession to ensure that you are prepared for what your business may encounter.

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Take stock of the number of employees you have currently, as well as their skills, to make sure their efforts align with what your business would need during a recession. But also be ready to make adjustments for efficiency purposes. 

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3. Build Up Employee Skills

You will be reliant on your team to think creatively, actively problem-solve, and overcome pivoting during an economic hardship, so making sure they are in prime shape to meet these challenges will save your company in the long run. 

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Cross-training staff is a great way to begin doing this, so employees have a grasp on every aspect of the company. Even if they only learn basic skills in some areas, at least they will be familiar with the company as a whole, rather than just their specialized department.

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4. Establish Flexible Client Agreements

Establishing client flexibility is a great way to build customer loyalty. Offering rewards in return for contracted sales volumes, or customize offerings in exchange for faster payment returns. 

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Being flexible can also create goodwill and repeat customers, since customers will see that you are bending to their needs, and will therefore be appreciative of that.

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5. Assess Your Organization’s Risk Tolerance

It is very important to do an honest assessment of your company leaders to see how much risk they can take to determine how adaptable they are and how much risk they can absorb without cracking under pressure. Risk assessment can include how much risk your organization can handle, its risk attitude, and how much risk it is willing to take.

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The inflation crunch is real, and it has manifested itself in TikTok’s latest trend—deinfluencing. Creators list the trendy but expensive products that consumers don’t need, offering up inexpensive dupes or reminders that they already have twenty lip glosses. I’m looking at you Fenty Gloss Bomb in Hot Chocolit. Some “deinfluencers” also explain that TikTok’s cult beauty products didn’t work for them. Ultimately, deinfluencing videos follow a wide format from product reviews to dupe suggestions, but they all seek to calm the hype surrounding TikTok’s most popular products.

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Deinfluencing TikToks show a clear shift in consumer behavior from the #TikTokMadeMeBuyIt era of the last few years that was fueled by pandemic stimulus. Now as a recession looms on the horizon, consumers are practicing more careful spending habits through #deinfluencing. The trend is also in line with Gen Z’s value of sustainability because it counteracts the overconsumption popularized by TikTok. GRWMs and restock TikToks earn millions of views, but often include upwards of 20 products that are all conveniently linked in an account’s amazon storefront. In response, some deinfluencers are tallying up the cost of these videos to remind viewers that it isn’t normal to spend $500 on accessories for a new car. The public is realizing that they can’t afford to live like influencers, who get the majority of their products for free and make money from promoting them. 

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The trend became popular after TikTik creator Estef posted a video to her account @sadgirlswag. In it she tells her audience, “I am here to deinfluence you. Do not get the Ugg Minis. Do not get the Dyson Airwrap. Do not get the Charlotte Tilbury wand. Do not get the Stanley Cup. Do not get Colleen Hoover books. Do not get the Airpods Pro Max. If you do any of those things a bomb is gonna explode.” Estef’s video calls attention to the cult of TikTok products and tries to get her audience to snap out of their influencer-motivated buying haze.

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TikTok 1

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One of deinfluencing’s most popular creators is @michelleskidelsky, who is already on part eleven of her deinfluencing series. In this TikTok with 2 million views, Michelle reminds her viewers that expensive products like the hottest pair of Uggs are “going to be out of fashion just as quickly as they came into fashion.” People are obsessed with the series, commenting “Regular people unite” and “Make more of these I love you.”

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TikTok 2

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Who is to say whether deinfluencing is here to stay or whether it will be out of style next year —like the Ugg minis. That being said, if the economic outlook continues to be negative consumers will continue to find the overconsumption promoted on TikTok unrelatable and inaccessible. As a consumer of TikTok trends (I am wearing the Airpods Max right now lol), I find the deinfluencing content refreshing in a sea of constant advertising. Dyson Airwrap I don’t need you! 

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Influencer marketing has become one of the most efficient marketing strategies that brands and agencies use. When it comes to the term influencer though, we have to break it down into four groups. 

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Micro influencers: 5,000 - 100,000 followers

Mid-tier influencers: 100,000 - 500,000 followers

Macro influencers: 500,000 - 1M followers 

Mega influencers: 1M+ followers

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At first, marketers jump at the idea of marketing a product or service with someone who has an audience of 1 Million or more, however, there are more benefits to not. Micro and mid-tier influencers, although having smaller audiences, are more successful in their own niche market. This makes it much easier for brands in specific markets to expose products or services to their target audience. Currently, 91% of the influencer market are micro influencers and 77% of brand partnerships are with micro or mid-tier influencers. 

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Take Kate Bartlett for example. In 2021, Kate Bartlett posted a “Very Realistic Day in the Life of a Fashion Student in NY” TikTok highlighting her day as a fashion student in NYC. It was the video that took her from a random TikTok account to being a mid-tier influencer with an audience of Gen Z fashion students and new NYC transplants. Kate began highlighting her budgeting tips for living in NYC, as it was a main pain point for many of the followers, being new to the city or a student there as well. One of her main “Budgeting Tips” was her subscription at Pret A Manger in NYC. This became one of her first influencer partnerships, boosting both Kate’s and Pret’s successes.

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The number of followers on an influencer’s account can be deceiving, because with mega influencers, brands will only resonate with a fraction of the millions of people viewing content. Micro and mid-tier influencers with niche followings guarantee higher engagement with brands and are more affordable as well. Three main benefits to micro and mid-tier influencer partnerships are their affordability, trust with audience, and high engagement. Mega-influencer marketing will start at $5,000 a post, at least. Whereas a micro or mid-tier influencer, will charge $100-$500 for content. Trust with the audience is key for high engagement, and Gen Z currently trusts micro influencers much more than high celebrity endorsements for brands. 

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Using micro and mid-tier influencers requires research and high levels of knowledge of which niche markets your brand or service is in, and the markets the influencers you pitch to are in as well. When done correctly, micro and mid-tier influencers can assist brands in taking off. 

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What is a high conversion rate? High conversion in simpler words is a site where high percentages of consumers take action, whether that is purchasing a product or signing up for your brand newsletter. “High” conversion rates may seem low though as the top 20 Shopify sites right now have an average conversion rate of 3%. This translates to: for every 100 customers on the site, 3 purchases are made. Because of this, it is important to focus on your Shopify site! 

Our top 10 ways to help increase your conversions are: 

1. Value First

Product pages should share benefits and value in a quick and concise manner so customers can easily make a decision to purchase. 

2. Know Your Audience 

Highlight what problems are solved on product pages. Show your customers that your product is made to benefit THEM!

3. Real People = Real Results 

Testimonials and reviews from your customers show that products are beneficial to your audience. Organic reviews are important for growing businesses. Reviews help showcase best selling products in marketing campaigns and establish trust and customer loyalty as well.  

4. Cross Sell your Products 

Small amounts of related products advertised on each product page is important to showcase possible add-ons and relevant products offered. 

5. Grow your engagement on social media

Growing awareness of your brand and products on social media translates into higher conversion on your site. Social media platforms – Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, etc. – make it easy to connect your shopify site to your account posts. 

6. High Quality Visuals = High Quality Sales 

Professional product images on each product page ease customers when shopping online. The combination of photos and videos give customers better ideas of what this product looks like/feels like. Product pages that give a customer the most similar experience to in-person shopping results in higher conversion. 

7. Testing your Site 

A/B testing is a perfect way to find what your customers are more attracted to. Google Optimize is a perfect tool to test different headlines, product names, etc. on your website. Through these tests, you can determine the best site for your target audience. Numbers don’t lie!

8. Who Are You? 

Tell your audience about yourself. An About page on your website is a way to build credibility and connect with your customers on a personal level. 

9. Urgency and Exclusivity!

Exclusivity urges customers to purchase sooner rather than later, because the product may sell out. Notifying customers on your site that there are Only a few products available or 1 Left in Stock can lead to fast purchases. 

Limited time discounts for holiday’s or certain seasons influence customers on sites to purchase sooner as well. Having count-down timers on your site to show how much time is left in the sale pushes these purchases as well. 

10. Understand Your Own Numbers

Keep track of your conversion rate in order to know how your website is performing to your customers. Google Analytics is a common software tool used to keep track of conversions. 

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Looking to make major improvements to your Klaviyo strategy? We broke down four important metrics you need to be focusing on:

Unsubscribe Rates

An email unsubscribe rate measures how frequently subscribers opt-out of receiving your email marketing. This occurs when a subscriber clicks your unsubscribe link or changes their consent in your subscription preferences. Klaviyo calculates the unsubscribe rate as the number of people who unsubscribe after receiving your email divided by the number of emails sent. A high unsubscribe rate can negatively affect your sender reputation, resulting in more emails landing in spam. Strategies to decrease unsubscribe rates include cleaning your email lists regularly, refreshing email content, managing preferences page, and enabling global unsubscribes. Klaviyo recommends enabling global unsubscribes to prevent subscribers from unsubscribing multiple times and marking your emails as spam. A great unsubscribe rate is less than 0.2%.

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Conversion Rates

Conversion rates are important for businesses as they indicate how many subscribers have converted into customers after receiving an email. The conversion window can be set in Klaviyo, which means that any conversion that occurs within a specific time frame after a subscriber interacts with an email will be considered a conversion. Strategies for increasing conversion rates include adjusting segmentation, using links wisely, A/B testing messaging, improving the checkout experience, and optimizing flows. Advanced segmentation strategies can target messaging for specific customer interests, characteristics, and locations. Links should be directly related to content and drive conversions, and A/B testing can be used to determine which content and subject lines lead to higher conversions. Improving the checkout experience, such as by communicating shipping delays, is also crucial to maintaining high conversion rates.

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Open Rates

Open rates measure customer engagement and monitor deliverability and performance of emails. They are calculated by dividing the number of individuals opening an email by the number of recipients. Open rates are a key deliverability metric, and good sending habits and high open rates result in a better sender reputation. Flows have a higher open rate than campaigns, with welcome series, abandon cart, browse abandonment, and post-purchase flows having around 40% open rates. Strategies to increase flow open rates, include targeting flow messages, optimizing subject lines, and A/B testing flow emails and branches.

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Spam Complaint Rate

Spam complaint rate measures the number of subscribers who mark emails as spam. High spam complaint rates negatively impact sender reputation, causing emails to be sent directly to spam folders. A good spam complaint rate is less than 0.05%. To decrease spam complaint rates, email marketers should make unsubscribe links easily accessible, enable double opt-in, enable global unsubscribes, avoid spammy subject lines, and ensure emails render for all users. Its best practice to avoid using spam trigger words in subject lines and to account for mobile and desktop layouts in email design.

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It's been a minute and as my executive coach Paru Radia reminded me just last week, LI can be an incredibly valuable tool for CEO's, so I'm trying to really post more. Between Fifty Six and The University of Chicago Booth School of Business things have been pretty crazy (to say the least) and I wanted to share a bit of reflection I've done over the past few months.

Very few classes have impacted my work over the past year quite like Waverly Deutsch's Building the New Venture. One of the options for our final exam during our summer semester was to "as an entrepreneur analyze a startup you have been personally involved with from the beginning" - well hello, I think I qualify. It was the first time in over 20 months I took the time to really assess not only how far Fifty Six has come BUT how far I've come on my entrepreneurial journey. To say I poured my soul into this  final sounds about right, it's one of my pieces of writing I'm most proud about (like - ya know, ever) and I checked with Waverly to make sure it was okay if I share it here. So here goes. Read it, skim it, skip it - fair warning, it's really long - but most importantly take the time to reflect on yourself and how far you've come, I promise it's really cathartic. Buckle up…

In Building the New Venture as a class we have reviewed strategic tools and frameworks, a “How to Be an Entrepreneur” if you will. Hindsight being twenty-twenty I started my current venture - Fifty Six - relying on these same frameworks, albeit unknowingly at the time, and in my own head as fractured thoughts not nearly worthy of putting down on paper. Jumping right into it, in December 2020 with the future of the pandemic still rather unknown I started Fifty Six. Less than a year later I found myself owning an S-Corp, having a payroll all while starting my MBA at Chicago Booth, ending an engagement suddenly (but oh don’t worry she was just like a sister to him – insert eye roll), cancelling a wedding and moving to the dreaded Upper East Side after nearly a decade and a half having been in Chinatown, New York. Safe to say this time last year I was struggling to keep my head above water, let alone taking the time to reflect on the business I put my blood (true), sweat (also true), and tears (absolutely 1000% true) into. And if I wasn’t clear, there have been plenty of tears.

Taking after my father, I always knew I wanted to work for myself; I just never knew what my “thing” was. From 2009 – 2020 I climbed the corporate ladder, as one does, working my way up as a Buyer at a unicorn slash digital darling all the way to being the COO of a retail brand in New York City. Waverly’s note about one never works at a startup until you’ve been “fired” from a startup, or in my case, leaving due to differences, resonated with me. Here I was in December 2020 transitioning out of a job I loathed with no idea what came next. Let’s face it, if I had a business model framework or even a remote idea of an elevator pitch, I think things would have gone a bit easier, but what came next sort of just happened. I sat down and without knowing it at the time applied the bird-in-hand principle and thought about what I was good at; 1. eCommerce and Marketing Strategy – check. 2. More broadly, based on my experience I am great at scaling luxury retail brands from nothing to $10MM within two years – boom, now we were on to something. I quickly threw up a website positioning myself as some sort of eCommerce/Marketing Consultant/Advisor/Fractional C-Suite - lots of slashes – and we were off to the races. Before I knew it, I had worked my network and had my first real client[i], an optical brand that hired me to lead their brand creation, site build and overall go-to-market strategy based on my prior experience. Once client quickly grew into two, two quickly grew into four and I think at one point four grew into nine. By then not only did I start to lose track, but I knew I needed help. I hired my first employee in April of 2020. As good as I am as an operator, I needed someone who can keep us on track. In the agency world we call that a “Producer”, and I needed one, badly. Flash forward to 2022 and here I am taking Building the New Venture currently owning one that recently turned 18 months old - applying a weeks’ worth of content into my now over-1M-in-revenue-with-multiple-employees first born business.

I didn’t start Fifty Six with a mission, vision, elevator pitch or clear idea of who my customer or what my business model even was. In my head I knew I had a value prop and there was a client base out there. Having worked in the industry for ages I knew there was a gap in the market for a marketing-first agency specializing in early stage DTC brands, and since I had struggled to find one, why not just start one myself. Since then, with the help of my executive coach I have evolved and developed this;

Founded out of the necessity for a women-owned nimble agency that cares about your goals as much as you do, Fifty Six is “not your mother’s” agency. We’ve been there, and we know what brands want - a world where marketing is easy to understand, and growth is inevitable.

In hindsight not having a clear business model from the jump absolutely caused some hiccups along the way. Without formalizing it I had a rough outline of my value prop, developed my customers after I landed my first one and knew in my head, I was open to any-and-all revenue streams. I spent the first six months of Fifty Six working on saying yes to everything. Before you judge, yes, I have heard that there is a power in saying no, but I couldn’t afford it. I had clients I hated but kept the lights on and clients I loved that cost me profitability. Like Collin at Digital Innovations, in those early days I made quite a few decisions out of sheer desperation. I did not have a clear understand of my value prop and the market. Rather than pricing at willingness to pay by identifying our differences, I found cheaper labor (in the form of college students willing to trade profits for experience) and priced my offerings cheaper than my competitors. Looking back now one of my biggest areas of opportunity in the beginning was to take the time to really think through the decisions I was making in how to position Fifty Six in the market, things were just moving so fast I made reactive decisions on the fly in order to close a sale and build our reputation.

I financed Fifty Six with my own money, depleted my savings, 401k, and anything else of value in efforts to remain 100% independently women owned. The idea of seeking outside investment has never been a goal of mine, quite frankly I like not having to report back to anyone (*cough straight white man in a suit*) about our financial ongoings and the state of our business. In those early days I sped through “Idea Inception”, conducted “feasibility testing” as I landed more clients and quickly found myself in the “Traction” and “Scale” phases. Now that I’m there, like Grant noted, I spend at least 25% of my time on hiring. I split the rest of my time across new business development, sales, and working with our clients on their marketing. Of course, I have made more mistakes than I can count (and continue to do so) along the way. As discussed in our conversation with Grant, I know I cannot pay people what they are worth, and sometimes have lacked the ability to hire experts to relieve some of our burden because I simply cannot yet afford to. We have an internal team who works on Fifty Six internal brand utilizing the brand deck I created, that as a marketer myself I have been able to rely on using my industry experience and sheer intuition when building my venture. We have evolved our pricing since launch based on competitive research and willingness to pay analysis through talking to clients, expanded our product offering based on feasibility and our experience as an agency in efforts to streamline our processes to make Fifty Six not only a competitive player in the agency space, but a great place to work as well.

Looking back, and assessing my own journey as an entrepreneur, regardless of framework, it’s something I’m always evolving. And listen, I loved this class, it gave me the motivation to reflect on my own decisions in my personal evolution as an entrepreneurial CEO, but I also think a big portion of what has defined my success as a founder was that I was never afraid to try, test and pivot. I didn’t start Fifty Six with the intention of a massive news breaking exit comparing myself to the likes of Sophia Amoruso, Emily Weiss or even Ty Haney. I wanted to build a new venture because deep down, it makes me happy, and I enjoy the life I have built for myself. Relying on my industry knowledge, networking, fortitude, and resiliency I have been able to build a new venture that I am proud of, no matter how small and one I hope to never give up. 

Believe it or not, LinkedIn is more than just the occasional job search when you are bored and certainly more than yet another social networking platform for you to catch up with those you haven’t spoken to since high school. For brands, especially early stage firms and new brands finding their place in the digital landscape, LinkedIn can serve as a valuable awareness tool for business growth.

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While LinkedIn may not be the first platform that comes to mind for fashion companies, it offers unique opportunities to connect with industry professionals, showcase your brand's story, and ultimately increase sales. In this post, discover six effective ways to leverage your LinkedIn strategy and elevate your brand to the next level.

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1. Build a strong profile

Your LinkedIn profile is your digital first impression. It is essential to have a clear and concise headline, a professional headshot, and an attention-grabbing summary that communicates your brand's mission and values. Don't forget to add your company's website and other relevant links to your profile to make it easy for potential customers to learn more about your brand.

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2. Engage with industry professionals

LinkedIn is a powerful platform for networking and building relationships with industry professionals. Connect with influencers, editors, and other fashion companies to build your network and establish your brand's credibility. Engage with their content by commenting, liking, and sharing their posts to increase your brand's visibility.

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3. Share your brand's story

LinkedIn is an excellent platform to showcase your brand's unique story and values. Use the "About" section to share your company's mission, history, and future goals. Additionally, consider creating multimedia content such as videos, infographics, and images to showcase your brand's personality and style.

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4. Utilize LinkedIn Groups

LinkedIn Groups are communities of like-minded professionals who share knowledge and ideas. Join fashion industry groups to connect with potential customers and industry professionals. Share your brand's content and participate in group discussions to establish your brand's authority in the fashion industry.

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5. Publish thought leadership content

LinkedIn's publishing platform is an excellent opportunity to share your brand's knowledge and expertise in the fashion industry. Publish blog posts and articles that showcase your brand's unique perspective and thought leadership. This content will help establish your brand as an authority in the fashion industry and drive traffic to your website.

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6. Use LinkedIn Ads

LinkedIn Ads allow you to target specific audiences based on job title, industry, and location. Use LinkedIn Ads to increase brand awareness, drive traffic to your website, and generate leads. LinkedIn Ads are especially effective for B2B fashion companies looking to connect with other businesses in the industry.

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LinkedIn is a powerful tool for fashion companies looking to increase their online presence and connect with industry professionals. By leveraging these six strategies, your brand can establish its authority in the fashion industry and drive sales. Remember to stay true to your brand's values and showcase your unique story and style to stand out in the crowded fashion industry.

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Greta Thundberg

In 2019, at the age of 17, Greta Thundberg was named the Time’s Person of the Year. She earned the title after inspiring climate marches around the world, galvanizing Gen Z to fight for their futures. At a UN Climate event in New York, she famously stood up to politicians, demanding they confront the reality of climate change. Every week, Greta continues her Friday for the Future climate strike to keep support for the movement strong. Her unwavering commitment to fighting global warming is truly inspiring because #TomorrowIsTooLate.

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Simone Biles

At the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, Simone Biles made a big statement. It wasn’t another gold medal to further cement her status as the greatest gymnast of all time, but that mental health comes above all else. Biles faced a case of the “twisties,” which could have endangered her team’s success and more importantly her safety. Instead of ignoring the signs, Biles trusted her intuition and chose to be the team’s biggest fan instead of competing. Her decision tells us that no matter the stage, no matter the pressure, your physical and mental health come first.

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AOC

Congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio Cortez is a strong voice in the House, fighting for climate legislation and equity. Her speeches are filled with powerful lines that inspire young women everywhere. One of her most famous speeches, made in response to rude comments from Representative Ted Yoho of Florida, proclaims, “having a daughter does not make a man decent. Having a wife does not make a decent man. Treating people with dignity and respect makes a decent man.” To learn more about her meteoric and unlikely rise watch Knock the House Down, which is available on Netflix.

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Amanda Gorman

Amanda Gorman was the nation’s first Youth Poet Laureate, and read her poem “The Hill We Climb” during President Biden’s inauguration. Only a few weeks after the January 6th attack on the Capital, the poem eloquently captured the mood of the nation as we reconciled the event and looked toward the future of our nation. Currently, Gorman is hosting writing workshops to help young girls find their voices.

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For there is always light

If only we’re brave enough to see it

If only we’re brave enough to be it

-Concluding Lines to “The Hill We Climb”

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Jennifer Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier 

Compared to the other names on this list, Jennifer Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier might be unfamiliar to you, but their scientific breakthrough CRISPR is not. The CRISPR/Cas 9 tool allows for genome editing and could eventually be used to treat genetic diseases. It has already been used to treat an incurable form of leukemia, saving a child’s life. Doudna and Charpentier were the first pair of women to win the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Their invention has completely revolutionized microbiology and genetics research, allowing for an explosion of scientific progress.

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Up First

Short and sweet, this daily news podcast packs a punch, with all of the daily episodes hovering around 15 minutes. Listen to it on your commute or as you get ready to stay informed on politics and current events. A daily news podcast helps you stay up-to-date on market trends, industry developments, and economic changes that could impact your business. The information is useful for strategic decision-making, which is an important skill to foster if you are looking to level up your career.

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How I Built This

If you are an entrepreneur look no further than this podcast. In a little over an hour, podcasting giant Guy Raz interviews founders of top brands including Chobani, Tripadvisor, and Roku. Their stories illustrate the rocky yet rewarding path of starting a business and can help give you the motivation to continue growing your business and career.

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The Career Contessa Podcast

From resume tips to mental health advice, this podcast is the swiss army knife of women’s career advice. In a half an hour, host Lauren Goodwin helps to demystify your working life with information about salaries, the job market, and workplace management. By interviewing industry experts, Goodwin provides the actionable advice you need to succeed in the workplace and feel good doing it.

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Pivot

For analysis on breaking news, look no further than the Pivot podcast. Recent episode topics include the A.I. Race and the SVB collapse, meaning with two short listens you can listen to hot takes on the most pressing topics in business. Longer and more business-focused than Up First, this podcast is great if you want to deep dive into a topic.

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The Goal Digger Podcast

Host Jenna Kutcher provides the ideal mix of professional and personal tips on The Goal Digger Podcast. If social media and marketing are your niche, whether you're a business owner or marketer, then you will love Kutcher’s actionable advice for growth and improvement. Need to take a step back from work? Then listen to her recent podcasts on journaling and writing a book because personal growth is just as important as professional.

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Mel Hu, Chief Operating Officer

Fifty Six has announced Mel Hu has joined the agency as Chief Operating Officer. As COO, Mel will lead and scale growth and cross-functional operations, as well as business development, focusing efforts on agency-wide operational excellence and further definition of strategic direction. She will report directly to the Founder & CEO, Katelyn Glass.

“Mel's proven experience and analytical expertise in improving efficiencies across people, processes, and technology is a great fit for our clients, as they look to drive performance through their fractional marketing team,” said Katelyn Glass. “We are ecstatic to bring Mel on board. Her experience is exactly what we need to level up Fifty Six, and she has already hit the ground running and made a positive impact.”

Mel brings a decade of experience in organizational change management and strategic implementation for global firms. Prior to joining Fifty Six, she served as an experienced growth and transformation management consultant, leading large-scale strategic engagements for multiple Fortune 500 clients at Booz Allen Hamilton. She also has previous experience as a digital marketing strategist at HackerAgency and client and data services at BlackRock.

Mel holds a BA in Economics from the University of Washington and a MA in International Affairs from King’s College London. 

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About Fifty Six 

Fifty Six is “not your mother's agency.” A global marketing & e-commerce agency with a focus on early-stage apparel and lifestyle brands in the premier retail space, clients are presented with a world where marketing is easy to understand, and growth is inevitable. Known as efficient experts in the digital industry, services include full-funnel marketing strategy and execution, e-commerce design and development, public relations services, and more.

More than just an agency, Fifty Six is a multidisciplinary, fractional marketing team providing above and beyond planning, optimization, and support for all functions needed for a brand to be successful –– with a proven track record driving scalable growth for direct-to-consumer businesses to prove it.

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Find more information, visit www.fiftysixny.com and @fiftysixny.

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