Esha Chhabra

Iconic is using AI to help Main Street business owners sell smarter as $5 trillion in small business value prepares to change hands over the next decade.

SURI expanded into 500 Target stores, confident from strong demand signals like 4x velocity at Boots, robust DTC/Amazon sales, and 16,000+ positive Trustpilot reviews for their unique, plant-based electric toothbrush. This strategic move wasn't based on a single metric, but on Target being the right partner with aligned shoppers and viable economics. Recognizing that over 65% of oral care purchases happen in-store, physical retail is crucial for mass awareness and long-term growth, despite the high marketing spend of competitors. SURI meticulously modeled retail economics, focusing on shelf productivity and converting discovery into routine. The brand aims to stand out in-aisle with clear positioning, emphasizing design, performance, and practical sustainability. Scaling requires navigating operational complexities and sustainability trade-offs, ensuring the core mission remains intact while adapting messaging for retail's quick impression.

Founders Jesse Schiller and Rachel Evans, have dealt with volatile tariffs, choosing to absorb them rather than pass them on. They're still on track to grow the business.

Derek Cooper and Krysta Morgan of Poppy and Pout have built a national beauty brand, without taking any external funding, and expert analysis says that might be wise.

New regulations in California and Europe are pushing fashion brands to come head-to-head with their waste problem. One Canadian company is working on a circular solution.

Chef Curtis Stone's Gwen marks 10 years in LA as the city continues to see restaurant closures. Here's how Stone's steakhouse has survived, and continues to source ethical meats.

Amidst a rapidly shifting media landscape, traditional newsrooms are struggling, exemplified by disappearing climate desks despite increased public concern. However, a new wave of media businesses is proving that sustainability requires abandoning old models. Success stories like Semafor, Puck, and 404 Media demonstrate profitability by focusing on niche audiences and diversifying revenue through events, memberships, and innovative compensation, rather than relying solely on ads. Robin Thurston of Outside Inc. transformed legacy brands by shifting to recurring SaaS and subscriptions, prioritizing active user engagement. Chip Giller's Agog fund explores immersive media for deeper engagement on critical issues. These pioneers highlight that a balanced, diversified revenue strategy and a focus on specific, engaged communities are crucial for media's future.

Billions are going into AI-enabled legal services, as entrepreneurs build law firms from the ground up, hoping to make legal more affordable for small businesses.

After the Noma reckoning, Copenhagen nonprofit MAD now moves forward without René Redzepi, focusing on hospitality education, restaurant leadership and workplace culture.

Harbor Fund has raised $15M and targets $100M for social impact film financing, using a nonprofit model that reinvests returns into new projects in Hollywood and beyond.