Social Currency with Sammi Cohen

Explore the dramatic downfall of Saks Fifth Avenue, once a luxury icon. The podcast covers the flawed Neiman Marcus merger, highlighting the junk-bond debt that exacerbated their financial woes. Discover how vendor relationships faltered, leading to stalled payments and inventory shortages. Leadership turmoil and real estate maneuvering were key factors, revealing deeper issues in retail strategy. Ultimately, Saks' Chapter 11 filing serves as a cautionary tale about the pitfalls of financial engineering and the myth that some brands are 'too iconic to fail.'

In this conversation, Brittany Hugoboom, co-founder of Evie Magazine, and her husband Gabriel delve into their mission of creating a women’s media brand that celebrates femininity without a progressive lens. They share insights on the viral Raw Milkmaid dress and its backlash, exploring the complexities of branding in today's political landscape. They also discuss their cycle-based wellness app, 28, addressing menstrual health gaps and the market for women's health. Together, they offer a fresh perspective on modern feminism and the future of female-led media.

Dive into the fascinating world of OnlyFans and its unconventional approach to success. Discover how the platform bypassed app store restrictions to enhance creator earnings. Sammi reveals the secrets behind creator-driven growth on social media and innovative monetization methods beyond subscriptions. Learn about the controversial adult content ban and its implications for the platform's future. Plus, could OnlyFans successfully expand beyond its adult roots, or is it destined to remain niche? This exploration uncovers the multi-billion dollar industry's secrets.

Jenn Hyman, Co-founder and CEO of Rent the Runway, shares her journey of revolutionizing the fashion rental market. She discusses how social media spurred rental demand and highlights the challenges of taking a consumer startup public as a woman. Jenn reflects on the emotional IPO moment alongside her daughters and the tough realities of a plummeting stock price. She also critiques competitors like Nuuly and recounts the scandal surrounding CaaStle. With insights on building resilient teams and adapting to market shifts, Jenn offers a fresh perspective on entrepreneurship in the fashion-tech world.

Discover the unseen tug-of-war behind restaurant reservations, where credit card companies wield surprising power over access and demand. Sammi explores how OpenTable monopolized the scene, only to be shaken up by Resy's innovative approach. American Express's acquisition of Resy turned reservations into exclusive perks, while Visa's cash incentives brought restaurants back into the fold. Delve into how DoorDash is redefining the dining experience by merging delivery and reservations. This insightful look reveals how control and influence shape where you dine.

Rebecca Rittenhouse, actor and founder of Privet Beauty, discusses her journey from studying business at UPenn to pursuing acting, including her breakout role on The Mindy Project. She shares insights on launching her clean beauty brand with a single hero product, emphasizing independence and hands-on involvement. The conversation covers the challenges of balancing acting and entrepreneurship, the importance of eyebrows, and scrappy marketing techniques that made an impact. Rebecca also reflects on managing self-criticism and her unique approach to running a business.

Sammi reflects on a transformative 2025, sharing her journey from Amazon employee to podcaster. She recounts challenges like building a podcast studio during LA fires and emphasizes the necessity of diversifying revenue streams. The importance of a personal brand is highlighted, alongside mindset shifts that encourage dreaming big and using visualization for goal achievement. Sammi discusses overcoming comparison and planning for future growth, reminding listeners that taking risks is part of the journey.

Rebecca Minkoff, an innovative fashion designer and advocate for female entrepreneurs, shares her gritty journey from a $3.25/hour intern to founding a renowned brand known for hits like the Morning After Bag. She reveals the serendipitous moments that shaped her career and discusses the realities of navigating a crowded fashion landscape. From avoiding VC pitfalls to exploring unique customer acquisition strategies like Tupperware parties, Rebecca offers invaluable insights for aspiring founders while tackling modern challenges in accessible luxury.

Women in corporate America aren’t burned out because of how much they’re working—they’re burned out by how much the system isn’t working for them. Today, Sammi breaks down the latest Women in the Workplace report from Lean In and McKinsey, and the findings are more alarming than the headlines suggest. For the first time in over a decade, women are less interested in climbing the corporate ladder—not because they don’t want success, but because the ladder itself is broken. Sammi unpacks the data behind the growing “ambition gap,” the consequence of rolling back DEI efforts, and why women are still being penalized for flexibility and remote work—while men aren’t.  Sammi connects the dots between structural corporate failures and the rise of an entirely new career model—one that could define the next decade of work in America. If companies don’t adapt, Sammi says, they may be staring down a long-term talent crisis. Follow Sammi on Instagram  Subscribe to the Social Currency newsletter  00:00 The Breaking Point 01:10 Inside the Women in the Workplace report 02:15 The Truth About the “Ambition Gap” 3:13 The Broken Rung Problem 5:58 Corporate America’s Retreat from DEI 7:03 The Rise of Portfolio Careers 8:45 The Future of Work Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join Andrew Chau, co-founder of Boba Guys and pioneer of artisanal bubble tea in the U.S., as he dives into the journey of transforming bubble tea into a cultural phenomenon. Discover his insights on authentic branding, the importance of educating customers about Asian culture, and how Boba Guys set trends in café aesthetics. Andrew also shares his creative process behind the strawberry matcha latte and discusses the evolving café landscape as it becomes more influenced by Asian flavors. Get ready for a delightful exploration of culture, consumer behavior, and community!