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...
I believe that humans’ key activities are discovery and imagination. Humans grow through thought, which involves gathering information from the exploration of nature and society and organizing it meaningfully. Progress occurs when we connect with and apply this information beyond its immediate relevance, and this process of connection is termed imagination. Discovery serves as the foundational material for imagination, while imagination generates new outcomes through application, leading to development. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”