Masters of Scale Rapid Response: How Barstool Sports’ ex-CEO cooks up attention, with Food52’s Erika Ayers Badan
Jul 30, 2024
Erika Ayers Badan, former CEO of Barstool Sports and now leading Food52, dives into her remarkable career shift. She discusses the chaotic yet groundbreaking environment of Barstool and how community building can redefine the food industry. Ayers Badan also reflects on the challenges of leadership under media scrutiny and the importance of saying 'no' for clearer decision-making. Her journey uncovers valuable lessons in resilience and the pursuit of inclusivity, offering a fresh perspective on navigating change.
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Career Suicide?
- Erika Ayers-Badan faced criticism for joining Barstool Sports, a company labeled "disgusting" by some.
- Despite external negativity, she found Barstool to be less sexist than previous workplaces like Microsoft, AOL, and Yahoo.
Replicable Model
- Barstool's rapid growth, from $5 million to $300 million, was driven by a wild, disruptive, and anything-for-a-laugh mentality.
- Despite two exits in one year, the core model, centered around community, was replicable and led Erika to Food52.
Community Building
- Community building relies on personality, and Barstool's fearless experimentation fueled its success.
- Food52 needs to find its own charismatic figures to build community around its content.
