2025-08-28 12:00:53.563

Cracker Barrel, facing declining customer traffic and lagging behind competitors, announced plans to modernize, including a logo redesign. However, the changes sparked significant negative reaction, with criticism even coming from former President Donald Trump. The company quickly reversed course, keeping the original logo featuring an overalls-clad man leaning on a barrel. This decision was met with investor approval, leading to an 8% increase in Cracker Barrel's stock price.

2025-08-08 06:00:21.37

Shelbi Howell, a stay-at-home mom, earns over $500 monthly by posting outfits on social media, despite having only a few thousand followers. She leverages apps like ShopMy and LTK to earn commissions on sales generated through links in her bio. ShopMy boasts 90,000 users with under 500,000 followers driving $500 million in sales. This model is attractive as it requires fewer followers than traditional influencers, making it more relatable and less risky for brands. Experts note that "influencer fatigue" has made micro-influencers more appealing, as audiences tire of extravagant displays of wealth. However, critics raise concerns about the exploitative nature of turning friendships into transactional relationships and the potential for commodification. While some see it as "fun money" or a way to reinvest in their style, others worry about the ethical implications of using personal networks for profit, drawing comparisons to multi-level marketing schemes. The article highlights the experiences of several women using these apps, showcasing the varying levels of success and the diverse perspectives on this growing trend.

2025-08-04 18:00:32.663

Tesla awarded CEO Elon Musk 96 million shares of restricted stock, valued at approximately $29 billion. This comes just six months after a Delaware judge ordered the company to revoke Musk's multibillion-dollar pay package, citing sham negotiations with non-independent directors. Musk must pay Tesla $23.34 per share to exercise the stock. The initial pay package, awarded in 2018, had a potential maximum value of $56 billion, fluctuating with Tesla's stock price. Musk appealed the judge's ruling, and Tesla formed a special committee to review his compensation. The board defended the new award, arguing Musk hasn't received meaningful compensation since 2017 and has delivered transformative growth. Analyst Dan Ives believes this award will secure Musk's position as CEO until at least 2030 and alleviate shareholder concerns. Tesla's stock has fallen 25% this year due to factors including Musk's affiliation with President Trump and increased competition. The company's recent quarterly profits plummeted, falling short of expectations. Shareholder pressure led Tesla to schedule an annual meeting in November. Despite the controversy, Tesla's stock rose following the announcement of the stock award.

2025-07-27 00:00:24.046

Elon Musk's highly anticipated Tesla Diner in Hollywood opened to massive fanfare, with hundreds of fans lining up for a taste of "retro-futuristic" dining. However, just days later, the experience proved far less glamorous. Long wait times plagued the diner, exacerbated by technical issues with the ordering app, prioritizing Tesla owners over walk-up customers. The food, described as mediocre by many, included items ranging from high-end sandwiches to fast-food staples. While some loyal Musk fans remained undeterred, others, including tourists, expressed disappointment, citing long waits and a lack of promised high-tech features. The Optimus robot, a key attraction, was often out of service. Despite operational issues, the diner's unique aesthetic and Cybertruck-shaped packaging proved popular. Musk himself touted the diner's success, contrasting it with the company's declining revenue. The article concludes by reflecting on Musk's broader political projects and the paradoxical acceptance of dysfunction in contemporary society.

2025-07-20 12:00:30.52

Rebecca Renard-Wilson, a mother of two, is among many African Americans who have stopped shopping at Target and Amazon, opting instead for farmer's markets and small, minority-owned businesses. This shift reflects a broader movement rejecting corporations perceived as not valuing the Black community. The boycott, spearheaded by Rev. Jamal Bryant, began after Target and other retailers followed President Trump's lead in eliminating their DEI programs, reversing previous commitments to support Black-owned businesses. The boycott, which saw over 250,000 pledge to avoid Target, resulted in a reported $500 million loss in Target's first-quarter sales. While some find the boycott a necessary protest against corporate abandonment of DEI, others highlight the financial challenges it presents, particularly for those in rural areas with limited access to alternative retailers. The article explores the complexities of the boycott, including the financial implications for both consumers and businesses, and the broader implications for corporate social responsibility and the Black community.

2025-07-20 06:00:33.062

Andy Byron, CEO of New York-based tech company Astronomer, resigned following a viral video showing him embracing an employee at a Coldplay concert. Astronomer's board accepted his resignation and will begin searching for a new CEO. Following the video, alleged statements from Byron acknowledging the situation circulated online, though Astronomer initially denied he had made any statements. The video showed Byron with Kristin Cabot, the company's chief people officer, on the kiss cam at Gillette Stadium. Astronomer stated that Byron's actions did not meet the company's standards of conduct and accountability. Co-founder Pete DeJoy is serving as interim CEO. Byron's LinkedIn profile is no longer public, and he's been removed from Astronomer's leadership page, though he remains listed on the company website as a board member.

2025-07-19 12:00:44.567

Astronomer CEO Andy Byron has been placed on leave after a video of him embracing an employee, Kristin Cabot, on a Jumbotron at a Coldplay concert went viral. The incident, which occurred during Coldplay's "The Jumbotron Song", showed Byron and Cabot cuddling before quickly separating upon realizing they were on camera. Coldplay frontman Chris Martin jokingly commented on the couple. The video led to online speculation and memes. Astronomer issued a statement stating that an investigation is underway and that their leaders are expected to uphold high standards of conduct and accountability. Pete DeJoy, cofounder and chief product officer, is serving as interim CEO.

2025-06-26 06:00:54.632

Bumble, the dating app whose stock has lost 90% of its value since its 2021 IPO, is laying off 30% of its workforce, or 240 employees. This move, announced in a regulatory filing, aims to save $40 million annually and allow reinvestment in new products and tools. The company states that this restructuring is to better focus on strategic priorities. The layoffs come amid growing frustration among younger users and declining revenue. Bumble's recent quarter saw an 8% drop in revenue and a 1% decrease in premium subscribers. Founder Whitney Wolfe Herd has returned to the company, acknowledging its struggles. While Bumble's stock rose 17% upon the layoff announcement, the news highlights challenges faced by online dating companies. Competitors like Match Group (Hinge and Tinder) are also struggling, with Match Group recently laying off 13% of its workforce. In contrast, Grindr, an LGBTQ+ dating app, has seen its stock grow by over 115% in the past year, demonstrating success by expanding beyond its initial hookup-centric model.

2025-06-25 06:01:09.536

McDonald's is the latest target of a grassroots "economic blackout" campaign. The People's Union USA, led by John Schwarz, is urging a boycott from Tuesday to next Monday, demanding "fair taxes, an end to price gouging, real equality, and corporate accountability." McDonald's responded, stating they welcome dialogue but find the claims misleading, highlighting their commitment to inclusion, employment opportunities, and tax contributions. While the boycott's effectiveness is uncertain, it comes at a challenging time for McDonald's, which recently reported two consecutive quarters of sales declines amid economic uncertainty and rising prices (approximately 40% since 2019). Schwarz previously organized boycotts of Walmart, Target, and Amazon, with mixed results. A March boycott of Amazon had little impact, while a 40-day boycott of Target, driven by customer backlash to its DEI program changes, showed more significant effects. Experts remain skeptical about the impact of uncoordinated boycotts on large corporations.

2025-06-25 00:02:18.95

McDonald's is the latest target of a grassroots "economic blackout" campaign. The People's Union USA, led by John Schwarz, is urging a boycott from Tuesday to next Monday, demanding "fair taxes, an end to price gouging, real equality, and corporate accountability." McDonald's responded by stating their commitment to inclusion and fair tax payments, but the boycott comes at a time when the company is already facing declining sales and customer backlash over rising prices (approximately 40% since 2019). Previous boycotts organized by Schwarz, targeting Walmart, Target, and Amazon, have yielded mixed results. While a boycott against Amazon showed minimal impact, a 40-day boycott of Target, driven by customer opposition to the company's DEI policy changes, did lead to a sales decline. Experts remain skeptical about the effectiveness of these uncoordinated boycotts, but the pressure on McDonald's highlights growing consumer concerns and the ongoing debate surrounding corporate social responsibility and economic inequality.