TLDR Did Teddy Bears Just Save the Economy?
10 snips
Sep 10, 2025 
Kyla Scanlon, an economy commentator and author of 'In This Economy,' joins the discussion to dissect the ongoing tensions between Trump and the Federal Reserve. She shares insights on how these dynamics could impact Canada. The conversation turns to the surprising stock success of Build-A-Bear, which saw a 1,700% increase over five years, thanks to innovative adaptations. They also explore the shifting narratives in AI investment, revealing a more cautious perspective from industry leaders.
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How Build-A Survived The Pandemic
- Build-A Workshop rapidly pivoted during the pandemic by closing unprofitable mall stores and boosting e-commerce and adult product lines.
- The company leaned into tourist locations and collectible offerings to replace lost mall foot traffic.
Percent Gains Can Mislead About Impact
- Small companies can show massive percentage gains that capture attention but don't move markets the way megacaps do.
- Build-A's 1,700% gain is impressive for investors but less consequential globally than a giant like NVIDIA doubling.
Stay Cash-Rich And Flexible
- Keep cash and stay debt-averse to pivot when trends shift unexpectedly.
- Cut costly retail locations and test online and tourist-focused channels to find profitable distribution.
