Social Currency with Sammi Cohen

Why are weddings costing more than ever? The host dives into the wedding industry’s shocking transformation into a multibillion-dollar affair, examining sky-high budgets for flowers and cakes. Discover the role social media plays in inflating expectations and trends. Learn about the rise of micro weddings and secondhand attire as people seek budget-friendly options. Plus, hear about the most influential wedding brands and predictions for future wedding trends. It’s an eye-opening look at love and money!

Before credit card points were a lifestyle, Brian Kelly was just a travel-obsessed guy with a blog. Then came a viral New York Times article, a flood of traffic, and a big bet on affiliate marketing that turned The Points Guy into a multi-platform media empire. Today, Brian tells Sammi how he turned his passion project into a profitable business, what he learned from selling his brand twice, and how he secured partnerships with the biggest financial institutions in the world.  Plus, Brian drops pro tips for maximizing travel rewards, choosing the best credit cards, and navigating the ever-changing landscape of travel perks. Whether you're a points rookie or a seasoned globetrotter, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss. In this convo, you’ll find out how to travel smarter — and maybe even in first class — without breaking the bank. Follow Sammi on Instagram here Follow Brian on Instagram here and The Points Guy here Order Brian’s book How to Win at Travel here Here’s what Sammi covers today with Brian: 00:00 Updates from Sammi 01:58 How Brian Became The Points Guy  08:01 Brian’s First Deal and Monetizing TPG 16:18 Scaling Challenges and Wins  24:11 Burnout and TPG’s Acquisition Stories  28:07 How the Pandemic Impacted TPG 29:41 How Brian Built Strong Partnerships  34:13 How Businesses Should Diversify Channels 36:20 Brian’s Unconventional Leadership Strategies 41:27 Social Currency Corner and Tips on Maximizing Travel Rewards Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ever wondered if your side hustle could become your full-time gig? Today, Sammi shares everything she learned from taking that leap herself. If you’re sitting on a big idea or just curious what it really takes to bet on yourself, Sammi uses her own story as a case study to share actionable advice and a behind-the-scenes look at building a brand from scratch. She shares the key lessons from working the opening shift at Aldi, launching a match brand, pivoting into tech and logistics during the pandemic, and how Mindy Kaling gave her the ultimate confidence boost. Follow Sammi on Instagram here Subscribe to the Social Currency newsletter here Here’s what Sammi covers today: 00:00 Why This Episode is Special 02:39 Early Obsessions with Business  03:43 Why Entertainment Was Not It 05:33 The Aldi Experience (and Crying in Chicago) 08:46 Starting a Matcha Brand 12:22 The Origin Story of Tanner's Tea 13:43 The Pandemic Pivot 15:29 The First Video and (Later) Going Viral 19:03 Finding a Niche 19:59 The Turning Point 25:50 Building Social Currency 28:19 How You Can Show Social Currency Some Love Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 How did a small health food store become the go-to grocery destination for celebrities, influencers, nepo babies, and anyone who wants to signal their status and health to the world?  Today, Sammi unpacks how your favorite influencer’s favorite grocery store, Erewhon, cultivated its cult following. Sammi traces the brand’s rise from its origin story, to the acquisition that changed everything, and how much money the brand is making from the Hailey Bieber smoothie. Sammi uncovers the real secret to Erewhon’s success— not the perfectly-curated aisles— but the transformation of wellness into a status symbol.  Here’s what Sammi covers today: 00:00 Updates from Sammi 02:12 Erewhon’s First Location and Origin Story 03:23 Erewhon’s Acquisition and the “Murdochs of Macrobiotics” 05:50 Erewhon’s Business Model, Surprising Bestsellers and Financials 07:46 Influencer Collaborations and Income From Luxury Smoothies 13:01 The Future of Erewhon and Health as a Status Symbol 14:04 How You Can Show Social Currency Some Love Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ty Haney, the founder of Outdoor Voices, Joggy, and TYB, transformed the athletic wear landscape with her 'Doing Things' movement at just 23. In an insightful conversation, she reflects on her tumultuous journey, discussing what she learned from the rise and fall of Outdoor Voices. Ty sheds light on the darker side of venture capital, the significance of equity for founders, and her commitment to community through her new ventures. With Joggy, she champions cleaner energy drinks, while TYB redefines customer loyalty through community engagement.

On Social Currency, Sammi Cohen unpacks the stories that are shaping business, culture and the intersection of the two. From boardrooms to Instagram trends, Sammi speaks with business leaders to connect the dots between brand, consumer and influence, so you don’t just keep up—you get ahead. New episodes drop every Tuesday and Friday. Follow now to stay in the know. Want more? Find Sammi on Instagram @sammicohentalks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices