How the Stanley Cup Became 2024’s Must-Have Status Symbol

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In this edition, we discuss how the Stanley Cup became 2024’s must-have status symbol, low-key small business hubs for high-key entrepreneurs, and like a sturgeon: ‘no-kill caviar’ protects endangered fish, and more.

As always, our meme of the week offers a relatable knee-slapper to coax you back into flow state. Let's dive right in, shall we?

How the Stanley Cup Became 2024’s Must-Have Status Symbol

Nobody could’ve predicted that crowds would be camping overnight at Target and brawling for a chance to buy a discontinued $45 water bottle — one from a brand that’s been around for over a century — but Stanley’s Quencher tumbler (a.k.a the Stanley Cup) has revolutionized drinkware marketing.

The Stanley brand, founded in 1913, traditionally appealed to outdoorsy men. Its massive 40-ounce Quencher tumbler failed to appeal to campers, however, and the company dropped it from the lineup … until the ladies behind ecommerce site The Buy Guide posted about it on Instagram. They struck a deal with Stanley to sell Quenchers in more feminine colors, such as the recent pink-and-red “Galentine’s Day” limited edition.

By mobilizing a network of influencers on #WaterTok, tapping into millennials’ passion for hydration, the Quencher became the year’s unlikeliest product success story. (The bottle in the back of your cabinet is probably fine too — and might not even contain lead.)

Laugh Your Way to the Bank: Does (Some) Joking Boost Productivity?

Rehearsing your open-mic comedy routine at the office seems like a waste of time and a potential ticket to meet with HR. But research from the University of Warwick found that laughter could induce a 12% uptick in productivity. Happy workers are better workers, and it’s tough to be sad when you’re cracking up.

So, how can you entertain colleagues without being unprofessional or, worse, a national trending topic?

To answer that question, Peppercomm CEO Steve Cody and stand-up comedian Clayton Fletcher — who have been friends “since Grover Cleveland won his second term,” Cody says — co-wrote The ROI of LOL: How Laughter Breaks Down Walls, Drives Compelling Storytelling, and Creates a Healthy Workplace. They believe humor nurtures “TOAST” within an organization: Trust, Openness, Authenticity, Storytelling and Teamwork.

“In the comedy world, there’s an element of trust that has to happen,” Fletcher says. “When you find someone you trust, there’s usually a shared sense of humor. … We look for those commonalities and work together to develop them.”

Improv exercises help employees (even those who’ve never dreamed of sitcom glory) feel confident sharing ideas and making presentations. The “yes, and…” technique encourages teams to “accept each other’s ideas and build on them,” Fletcher says. “Stand-up comedy and improv have taught us how to be crisp, compelling, and unexpected.”?

Laughter brings people together and breaks down barriers (“If your company is siloed, you’re not going to get anywhere,” Cody says) but there’s a fine line between humor and bullying. It’s a lot safer to make fun of the malfunctioning printer than specific individuals; you might be Don Draper, but don’t try to be Don Rickles.

“Great comedians are great communicators,” Fletcher says. “It’s about what this does for you as a leader, and what this does for your organization as a whole.”

Low-Key Small Business Hubs for High-Key Entrepreneurs?

If 2010s business culture was about consolidation in metropolises like New York City, Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay, the ‘20s are all about spreading out, often due to being priced out. What started as a response to lockdowns has ended up a cultural and geographic shift.

Gen Z is moving to the South — understandable with average one-bedroom rent sitting at $4,333 in New York and $3,200 in L.A. — and so are the companies they want to work for. Plenty of mid-sized cities offer booming economies and peace-of-mind perks.

Here’s where entrepreneurs can get a jump on that action, and why they might want to consider it.

Miami: Tech Startups

While venture capital in Silicon Valley is dipping, the Kauffman Index calls Miami the most entrepreneurial city in the States. Even giants like Microsoft and Softbank are soaking up the sun in the home of South Beach, with the latter offering $100 million to Miami-based startups via its Latin America Fund.?

St. Louis: Education Services

With a cost of living that inspired the Penny Hoarder to name it a haven for millennials, St. Louis is a boomtown for education-adjacent businesses, with no less than 10 regional community colleges. The University of Missouri alone generates $547.2 million for the local economy.?????

Nashville: Direct-to-Consumer Brands

Nashville’s location means you can offer one-day shipping to 75% of the continental U.S. There’s still plenty of room for DTC in the Music City, even if brands like SmileDirectClub and Dr. Axe beat you to the punch. And the rent is about half of what you’d pay in LA.?

Houston: Food

It’s no wonder Travel and Leisure named Houston the fifth best food city in America. While 53% of restaurateurs had to raise their prices in 2023, only 31% in Houston felt the need to do so.

Need more convincing to bust out of the 350-square-foot box you call home and swap it for a front yard? Check out our infographic below.

Like a Sturgeon: ‘No-Kill Caviar’ Protects Endangered Fish

Caviar drifted out of the culinary zeitgeist in the 2000s. The delicacy had become old-fashioned and literally inaccessible due to decreasing natural availability and global bans on killing critically endangered sturgeon for their eggs.

The way they do it will surprise you, read more in our full article: Link to Full article

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We Meme Business

What’s Upcoming?: Help Employees Feel Excited About Volunteer Events

For some employees, company-sponsored volunteer days are a major feel-good attraction. For others who simply want to get through their 9 to 5 and go home, corporate community service is just more work to do. Volunteerism is plummeting nationwide, reports the Associated Press.

So, how can companies make employees excited to volunteer?

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