Warby Parker, an eyewear brand renowned for its direct-to-consumer (D2C) business model, and Allbirds, an eco-friendly shoe brand that went public on NASDAQ in 2021, exemplify innovation in connecting manufacturers directly with consumers without intermediaries. This model promotes a positive image by endorsing an eco-friendly business approach. However, the disclosure of the companies’ financial statements revealed that both had accumulated losses greater than anticipated. While it would have been ideal for manufacturers to supply products directly to consumers, the burden of inventory increased along with rising administrative and marketing costs. Distributors in the middle shared profits, but they also shouldered the financial burden. Choosing eco-friendly options often incurs higher costs due to the search for alternatives, which can lead to accumulating losses. Pollution negatively impacts both consumers and suppliers, and business deficits further inflict additional damage that c...
In the 2009 Korean film ‘Castaway on the Moon,’ a character states, “Desire makes humans smarter.” This reflects the protagonist’s ingenuity in creating useful tools from discarded items to survive on a deserted island. While knowledge enhances human understanding, it is desire that turns that knowledge into practical applications. Maslow was among the first to focus on this concept of desire in social science research. Understanding and addressing desires essentially means understanding humanity. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”