LOUISVILLE, Ky., Oct. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --Turning Point Brands, Inc. ("TPB") (NYSE: TPB), a manufacturer, marketer and distributor of branded consumer products with active ingredients, today announced a $15 million strategic investment in leading global cannabinoid companydosistand an exclusive co-development and distribution agreement of a new national CBD brand, created in partnership withdosist'sthc-free business unit. Additionally, TPB has an option to invest another $15 million at pre-determined terms within the next 12 months.

"The cannabis market is exploding and now is the opportune time to invest in the space and significantly expand our addressable market," said Larry Wexler, CEO of Turning Point Brands. "With its leadership in results-oriented plant-based formulas and dose control technology, global recognition, consumer trust and scalability, dosist was the clear choice to be our new partner in this critical growth market. We couldn't be more pleased to enter into this agreement with dosist, to not only help fuel its exciting new business and co-create a completely new CBD brand for our retail partners, but also to leverage their expertise as a marketing powerhouse to help build the future of both our companies."

"We are extremely proud to partner with Turning Point Brands on our next phase of growth and distribution as we continue to transcend the way consumers think about their health and wellness," said Gunner Winston, CEO of dosist. "Turning Point's leadership team has demonstrated remarkable foresight and vision about the future and opportunity for federally legal cannabinoid products. The synergy between our brands around this scope and mission is incredible and we are excited by what we will achieve together with this partnership."

Since its launch in 2016, dosist has quickly established itself as a pre-eminent and globally recognized cannabis brand through its award-winning innovations (Time Magazine, Fast Company, Bloomberg), and superior marketing prowess. The renowned dosist product portfolio, including its internationally patented dose-control inhalation technology, delivers scientifically engineered formulations targeting key human need states. dosist formulas offer consumers a complete range of solutions, starting with its core line featuring balanced ratios of cbd to thc, and their thc-plus line, a collection of high potency formulas designed for targeted thc-forward experiences.

All dosist formulas are delivered via their proprietary dose-controlled devices, which include their completely re-engineered inhalable disposable dose pen, the newly launched dose pen rechargeable system and the dose dial, which dispenses a 3.7 mg sublingual tablet. In the coming 3-6 months, dosist plans to expand on its current platform with a substantial innovation pipeline including tinctures, gummies and dynamic live resin and full spectrum formulas developed in collaboration with some of the most progressive brands in the space.

dosist'sleading cannabis products are currently available in California, Colorado, Nevada and Canada, serving a total dispensary network of more than 700 stores. The company has plans to launch into key new markets in the coming months, adding geographies as they continue their North American expansion. dosist has consistently elevated the retail experience across all markets which they currently service, including a transformative retail store on iconic Abbot Kinney Blvd. in Venice, CA, and a flagship shop-in-shop in Planet 13 in Las Vegas, the largest cannabis retail destination in the world, in addition to other numerous and impactful retail experiences across their distribution channels.

In addition to their robust portfolio of current and upcoming thc-regulated products, dosist plans to launch a globally scaled omni-channel platform in November, dosist thc-free, bringing the brand's leading standards of precision, quality and targeted performance to the rapidly growing CBD market across multiple product lines. The partnership between TPB and dosist also includes the co-creation of a completely new national CBD brand aimed at the mass market. This partnership combines Turning Point Brands' best-in-class sales and operations infrastructure with dosist's expertise in product innovation, marketing and brand development. The new brand will be exclusively distributed by TPB, which services more than 180,000 points of sale in the United States.

dosist thc-free products will be available nationally across the US starting early November at http://www.dosistthcfree.com and select retailers. For more information about dosistthc-freeand its products follow them on Instagram @dosistthcfree.

Transaction Details

The proceeds of TPB's investment are being used by dosist's thc-free and Canadian business units and cannot be used in connection with or for any cannabis or cannabis-related operations in the United States, unless and until such operations comply with all applicable laws of the United States. TPB has been issued a warrant to receive preferred shares of dosist that will automatically be exercised upon a change in federal laws in the United States to reschedule or deschedule cannabis and/or permit its general cultivation, distribution and possession. As part of this agreement, TPB will also have an option to fill a seat on the board of directors of dosist upon legalization.

About Turning Point Brands, Inc.

Turning Point Brands (NYSE: TPB) is a manufacturer, marketer and distributor of branded consumer products with active ingredients through its iconic core brands Zig-Zag and Stoker's, and its emerging brands within the NewGen segment. TPB's products are available in more than 210,000 retail outlets in North America in addition to sites such as http://www.zigzag.com, http://www.nu-x.com and http://www.solacevapor.com. For the latest news and information about TPB and its brands, please visit http://www.turningpointbrands.com.

About dosist

dosist, based inLos Angeles, California, launched in 2016 and has since become known as a disruptor in the health and wellness industry. dosist was named one of Time Magazine's Best Inventions of 2016, was recognized by Fast Company as one of 2018's Top 10 Most Innovative Companies in the health sector, and was designated by LinkedInas the number two Top Startups 2019: Hottest U.S. Companies To Work For Now. dosist's new thc-free business is scheduled to launch in early November, providing natural options for some of our most common ailments through dose-controlled targeted cbd+ formulations such as calm thc-free, sleep thc-freeand relief thc-free. For more information about dosistthc-freeand its products visit the website at dosistthcfree.com and follow them on Instagram @dosistthcfree.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements may generally be identified by the use of words such as "anticipate," "believe," "expect," "intend," "plan" and "will" or, in each case, their negative, or other variations or comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements include all matters that are not historical facts. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that may or may not occur in the future. As a result, actual events may differ materially from those expressed in or suggested by the forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement made by TPB in this press release speaks only as of the date hereof. New risks and uncertainties come up from time to time, and it is impossible for TPB to predict these events or how they may affect it. TPB has no obligation, and does not intend, to update any forward-looking statements after the date hereof, except as required by federal securities laws. Factors that could cause these differences include, but are not limited to:

Investor Contacts:Robert Lavan, Senior Vice President and CFO, Turning Point Brands [emailprotected]

Anne-Marie Dacyshyn, Chief Marketing Officer, dosist [emailprotected]

Media Contact: Sonia Hendrix, Founder, GALLERY PR [emailprotected]

SOURCE dosist

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Turning Point Brands Makes Strategic Investment into dosist A World-Class and Globally Recognized Cannabis Brand - PRNewswire

PT Tokopedia's mascot Toped sits on display in the reception area at the company's offices in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Friday, Feb. 19, 2016.

Photographer: Dimas Ardian

Photographer: Dimas Ardian

Google and Temasek Holdings Pte have agreed to invest about $350 million in PT Tokopedia, people familiar with the matter said, a major cash infusion that will bankroll the Indonesian online malls post-Covid-19 expansion.

The Alphabet Inc. unit and Singapores state investment firm could sign an agreement for the funding soon, the people said, asking not to be identified discussing the deal before its formally concluded. The financing falls short of the initial goal of between $500 million to $1 billion that Bloomberg News reported in July, though Tokopedia may still be looking for more investors.

Tokopedia, the online marketplace backed by SoftBank Group Corp., was said to have held talks with U.S. internet giants including Facebook Inc., Microsoft Corp. and Amazon.com Inc. The backing of Google and Temasek is a vote of confidence for one of Indonesias biggest e-commerce operators, which rode a surge in online shopping during the pandemic.

Americas largest internet corporations have looked increasingly toward Asia as growth in the U.S. and Europe slows, seeking to tap the regions rapidly growing smartphone-savvy population. Facebook is buying a stake in Indias Jio Platforms, while its WhatsApp unit struck a deal to invest in Gojek, which has a popular digital payments service called GoPay. Representatives for Google, Tokopedia and Temasek declined to comment.

Tokopedia co-founder and Chief Executive Officer William Tanuwijaya built Indonesias most valuable startup after Gojek by scoring early backing from SoftBank founder Masayoshi Son and Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. co-founder Jack Ma.

E-commerce platforms like Tokopedia, Alibabas Lazada Group SA and Singapore-based Shopee -- a unit of Sea Ltd. -- moved quickly to serve the millions of people forced to make their first online purchases during widespread lockdowns. Indonesia has become a key battleground between the regional rivals: The countrys e-commerce market is projected to expand from $21 billion in 2019 to $82 billion by 2025, according to a recent study by Google, Temasek and Bain & Co.

Indonesia is the biggest contributor to the internet economy's growth in the region

Source: Google & Temasek / Bain, e-Conomy SEA 2019

Before it's here, it's on the Bloomberg Terminal.

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Google, Temasek Agree to Invest $350 Million in Tokopedia - Bloomberg

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The department of nonprofit management, empowerment, and diversity studies encourages students to talk about empowerment in uncertain times during the ninth annual IZE week.

Alice Delvecchio, the department chair, said that the idea of IZE week originated in 2012 and asked students to identify a social issue that they would like the community to realize, to emphasize and to mobilize.

The theme for the weeks stem around a topic that is of interest to the students that they may think they know about, but actually do not. Delvecchio said that students and faculty know what these uncertain times feel like but may not know how to navigate. She hopes that IZE week will help those understand that they can get through these times.

All of us are really trying to get back to normal as best we can, and everybodys world has been turned upside down, most of us are not doing things the way we had done them before, Delvecchio said.

Those in the nonprofit sector have seen what uncertainty and COVID-19 has done to those who use nonprofit services, such as food banks and services for mental health challenges.

Everybody has been impacted by this COVID piece, Delvecchio said. I have seen how the sector is dealing with it and how students and colleagues are dealing with it. We hear from the students and it is hard to stay confident and in a power mode when the world around you feels so uncertain.

Andrea Altman, a junior dual major in integrated marketing and communications and philanthropy and nonprofit management, is the social marketing chair for the Student Nonprofit Alliance, the organization who helps to coordinate IZE week.

Altman said that they knew everybody was all over the place with COVID and that empowerment during uncertain times would help others to realize that they can have control in this crazy time.

Everyone has been crammed with school and being extremely stressed and we wanted to say we are here for you and we understand what you are going through,' Altman said. We know this is crazy, but there are ways you can gain control.

Gaining control and realizing that students have the power within themselves to be empowered are two key messages that Altman and Delvecchio hope those who attend IZE week walk away with.

IZE week began Oct. 27 and will end Nov. 9, with events such as So Many Ways to Change the World, Sweet and Meet, Empowered through Service, Get Off Your A and Walk Challenge, Self-Care Sunday and Mobilizing for Empowered Communities to end the week.

Part of the Self-Care Sunday event will be presenter Rick Thomas with a self-care workshop with tools that can be used to enhance personal empowerment during uncertain times.

The reality is you can provide opportunities for people to become empowered, Delvecchio said.

To help empower students, Delvecchio and Altman came up with the idea of gratitude bags which can be picked up in the student center across from Starbucks from 11 a.m.-1.p.m. on weekdays.

These bags consist of a pen, 28 small blanks pieces of paper and several items to remind students that the campus community cares about them.

Delvecchio said that students are challenged to write something that they are grateful for every day and to hang the gratitude bag where they can see it.

We really are empathetic with the students because we know this is rough for them and they keep at it, and the freshman, this is definitely not what they signed up for, Delvecchio said.

Part of what is done in the department is to teach people how to change the world.

That change starts with you and if you are empowered you can change the world, Delvecchio said. We want them to know that the world may be trying to change you and it may at times feel like burning and going to hell in a handbasket and our role in the world is not the world itself. Students have the power to change the world.

The nonprofit management program is the only undergraduate program in Pennsylvania. Any students interested in the major or a certificate should get in touch with Delvecchio.

Hope is a senior converged journalism major entering her third year on The Rocket staff and her second year as campus life editor. Previously, she served as assistant campus life editor after contributing to the campus life section her freshman year. After graduation, she hopes to report for a paper either in local journalism or city news. Outside of The Rocket, Hope is also part of the JumpStart Mentor Program, the Student Organization of Latinos Hispanics and Allies (SOL) and Lambda Pi Eta.

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Realize, emphasize and mobilize in uncertainty - SRU The Online Rocket

Johnson Citys Seasons of Hope is seeking donations to help one of its low income working families through an illness that has thrown them behind on their bills.

Executive Director Katy Hicks said, like most of the families Seasons of Hope assists through its HOPE Family Program, They live paycheck to paycheck. And due to illness, there was no paycheck this week.

They have experienced a loss of income due to an illness in her family, Hicks said, and her immediate need is for $240 to get them through the end of the month.

A small nonprofit organization with limited resources, Seasons of Hopes focus is on working families that earn too much to meet the standard guidelines for assistance from other charitable organizations and too little to meet all of their childrens needs. Its mission is to empower families who are committed to improving their own situations.

Its HOPE Helping (and) Offering Personal Empowerment Program is a two-year course of mentoring, key life skills classes, encouragement and incentives that together help families harvest the rewards of their own hard work.

Space in the program is limited and families selected to participate are those who pledge to apply themselves to its educational courses, to going to work or to college if they are not already there, to meeting monthly with a HOPE Program mentor, and to giving back to their community through volunteering.

Of the HOPE family in emergency need, Hicks said, This family does a lot of volunteer work for Seasons of Hope (and) the community. And this month, they are struggling to make ends meet.

Her request is for donations earmarked for HOPE Family that can be made on the Seasons of Hope website at http://www.seasonsofhopetn.org or by mail to Seasons of Hope, 706 Antioch Rd, Johnson City, TN 37604.

Ways to help the HOPE Family Program include volunteering as family mentor or sponsoring an incentive reward for a family such as a free haircut, manicure, pedicure or massage, or even more helpful, a grocery, gasoline, clothing or restaurant gift card.

HOPE families are also included in Seasons of Hope annual back-to-school distribution and its Secret Santa Christmas outreach that over the next month and a half will be gathering gifts and clothing for children and teens and food boxes, blessing bags and a modest Christmas wish for each of the families.

Seasons of Hope kicked off its holiday drive this week with its Christmas Morning Breakfast Box in the spotlight.

THicks said that Seasons of Hope believes Every child deserves to wake up on Christmas morning to a gift under the tree, a stocking hung with care and food on the table.

And to get the ball rolling, it has put out its call for donations of pancake mix, syrup, cereal, oatmeal, muffin mix, canned fruit, juice, hot chocolate mix and a $5 gift card for milk and eggs to go into a Christmas breakfast box for each of its families.

Those who wish to help may donate items for the boxes, fill a box or multiple boxes to donate, sponsor a breakfast box food drive, or make a $25 donation to sponsor a box for one family.

More information about the Secret Santa project and HOPE Family Program can be found at http://www.seasonsofhopetn.org or may be obtained by contacting Hicks at 423-724-7398.

If there is a need or a project in your neighborhood the Good Neighbor column can assist with, contact Sue Guinn Legg at 423-722-0538, slegg@johnsoncitypress.com or P.O. Box 1717, Johnson City, TN 37605.

Originally posted here:
Seasons of Hope family in need of help during illness - Johnson City Press (subscription)

Big news: Ariana Grandes in love. Shes also really, really in the mood. This intel does not come from an anonymous source close to the singer. Its broadcasted all throughout her sixth studio album, Positions, a record that boasts the happiest music weve heard from Grande in a while and the naughtiest lyrics weve heard her angelic voice sing, well, ever. Two tracks in, on 34+35 (do the maths), she sings, Can you stay up all night? Fuck me til the daylight, setting the tone for more subsequent filth on tracks such as Nasty. Grandes desire is spelled out in explicit, occasionally eye-popping terms in the best way possible putting a popped cherry on top of a very sexy year for women in music.

Its not like the realm of sex is new territory for Grande. Dont pretend you thought Side To Side was a song about riding bikes. But now, shes moved on from the creative euphemisms and is following Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallions lead, singing pussy, dick and fuck like a kinky lullaby. Its not like this is new territory for female artists in 2020 either. Remember when Dua Lipa sang, When youre going down I get so up on Good In Bed at the start of the year? Or when she begged for someone to put their hands on her in Pretty Please? Dont tell me youve already forgotten about WAP and the subsequent debate it sparked as to whether its appropriate for women to talk about what they want from sex in music. If youre still looking for some clarity on that debate, the answer is: yes, it is.

While conservative commentators may feign shock at this development in mainstream music, as one of lifes most basic pleasures, people have made music about sex for much longer than you might expect. Now finding new viral fame on TikTok, blues singer Lucille Bogan was singing lyrics that wouldn't seem out of place as extra verses in WAP in the 1930s. Take this gem from Till The Cows Come Home for example: If you suck my pussy, Baby I'll suck your dick. In 1975, Donna Summer faked 22 orgasms on Love To Love You Baby. In 1981, Grace Jones asked a man to Pull Up To The Bumper" and put a long black limousine in places automobiles have no business being. Then Madonna felt Like A Virgin, before releasing the suitably named Erotica and the even sexier Bedtime Stories. In the midst of Madonnas sexual awakening, Salt-N-Pepa straight up said, Lets Talk About Sex. Two became one with the Spice Girls in 1996. In 2002, Khia gave in depth instructions for oral sex in My Neck, My Back.

The list goes on, and thats only covering the women who have sung horny lyrics. Surprise! Those women are vastly outnumbered by men who have done exactly the same thing. There are the obvious tracks such as Marvin Gayes Lets Get It On and Boyz II Mens Ill Make Love To You, but for a more direct comparison to todays eXXXtra explicit lyrics mainstream, N.W.A.s now infamous album Niggaz4Life is a masterclass in misogynistic approaches to sex. It is incredibly vulgar and, at many points, down right offensive to women, who are merely seen as disposable objects for male pleasure, epitomised by the reprehensible interlude To Kill A Hooker. The sex talk on this album isnt fun because it only pleases one party, while the other is degraded and, essentially, abused. MC Ren raps about a 14-year-old girl on She Swallowed It. See, Cardi B asking you to park that big Mack truck right in this little garage isnt so bad after all, is it?

Those are the ghosts of musics raunchy past, but lets circle back to Grandes foray into dirty talk. And Cardi B and Megans. And Dua Lipas. And Doja Cats. There have arguably been more songs from women talking vividly about sex in the charts than ever before in 2020, with the concept evolving from what was once a titillating novelty to a part of everyday discourse. The most obvious explanation for the rise in female pleasure in music, and the increased demand for it, is that recent conversations around equality and sex positivity have simply loosened up taboos. From Lily Allen launching a range of sex toys to Rihannas Savage X Fenty line of underwear, more women are taking ownership of their sexuality, which means more women want to talk about it and listen to other women talk about it. The onus is no longer on performing sexy for the male gaze; its about genuinely feeling sexy for personal empowerment and pleasure.

Who this music is written by and for is also crucial: Like A Virgin was written by two men. While Summer is credited as a songwriter on Love To Love You Baby, it was actually only the title that she came up with Giorgio Moroder wrote the full song and, at first, it was so explicit that she only agreed to record it as a demo for someone else. Even Rihannas recent tracks Birthday Cake and Sex With Me were written by teams comprised practically entirely of men, bar Fenty herself.

Look at the songwriting credits on Grandes Positions and youll see that representation is much more balanced. Grande is credited as the lead songwriter on almost every track and, on the particularly cheeky songs such as 34+35 and Nasty, shes joined by her longtime collaborators Victoria Mont (who also got pretty raunchy on her debut album Jaguar this summer) and, on the former, Tayla Parx. As David Levesley notes, Dua Lipa made a concerted effort to involve as many women as possible in the creation of Future Nostalgia, which gave us Good In Bed and Pretty Please. Were not just hearing women sing about sex more frequently in music, were specifically hearing it from their perspective, rather than that of a horny man ventriloquising the imagined desires of women.

Perhaps thats whats most shocking about this new wave of sexually empowered pop: not the content itself, but rather the fact that the men arent in control of it. Were some men outraged by WAP because they feared it would turn young girls into nymphomaniacs with no self-respect, or were they simply offended to hear that their own sexual desires werent being prioritised? Is it fair to be angry at women using words like pussy in reference to their own bodies, when men have been using it derogatorily for decades? Some food for thought. Listen to Grandes new album while you mull it over. You might even pick up some tips.

In praise of Ariana Grande

Ariana Grandes new album is her most authentic work yet

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Ariana Grandes Positions shows the power of women writing about their own orgasms - British GQ

E! News: You've been hard at work releasing songs during quarantine. However, "My Man" gave fans more insight into your relationship and personal life. What made you want to share that side of yourself?

BG:"Sebastian is with me, he's actually blushing. But I look at that video and it's gonna be something that I always smile at when looking back at it. Obviously, COVID-19 has affected so many people in so many different ways. I've never been one to shy away from speaking about my mental health and times like this can be very triggering. And I shut offI was a daughter first, a sister first, I was a partner first, I was a human being first. It was so overwhelming and Sebas was really that little bit of light."

"It was really hard to think about music, but when I felt I was ready I wanted to share this song that I've had in my music archive and do a vlog-style, fly-on-the-wall day in quarantine with me and my man. Although we are very open about our relationship, we're also still very private at the same time. Fans haven't been able to see that side to our relationship. They see Seb as the professional athlete that he is and they see me as the professional artist that I am, but at the end of the day, we are each other's best friends. We were going through it as well during quarantine, and to share that little bit of light with my fans, I think was really special."

E! News: In the video, you both dressed up in similar styles and were matching in some clips.Do you find that you both influence each other's fashion?

BG:"For sure. I'm always asking him to come into a fitting, asking, 'What do you think about this dress?' He'll be honest with me, too, like, 'Yeah, babe! You look good,' or 'That's not my favorite.' And it's the other way around when he's getting ready for events. We always keep it real with each other. Sometimes, he'll even steal my Secret Deodorant. I'm serious, this is a real thing. He'll be stealing my deodorant, he'll be stealing my skincare. He's like, 'Ooh, you have a face mask on? Can you put it on me, too?' ... Let's teach our men that good, healthy skin maintenance. I'm all about it!"

E! News: Seeing that you've been busy throughout this time,what has been yourfavorite thing to do to relax and de-stress?

BG:"I don't shy away from the mental health conversation. I've been in therapy for about two years now and it changed my life. Even during quarantine, I've been keeping up with FaceTime chats with my therapists. She gives me homework to do sometimes. And I love anything self-care."

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Becky G's Fight for Equal Pay Is Personal: How She's Paving the Way for the Latinx Community - E! Online

Ivanka Trump speaks at a campaign event for her father on October 27, 2020 in Miami. Joe Raedle/Getty Images

In an interview published by RealClearPolitics on Thursday, Ivanka Trump revealed that she unapologetically opposes abortion rights. I respect all sides of a very personal and sensitive discussion, she said, while aligning herself with a movement that seeks to ban women from making very personal decisions for themselves. But I am also a mother of three children, and parenthood affected me in a profound way in terms of how I think about these things.

Ivankas anti-abortion stance, which she hadnt yet spoken of during her time in the White House, tracks with much of her previous rhetoric on a womans place in the world. The most important job any woman can have is being a mother, she said in a 2016 campaign ad for her father that was supposed to promote his policies for working women. When Cosmopolitan pressed her on the fact that her parental leave plan, which offered nothing to fathers or mothers who didnt physically give birth, stood to further entrench womens disproportionate share of parenting responsibilities, she lost her usual composure and snapped at the journalist interviewing her. Former Planned Parenthood president Cecile Richards said Ivanka and her husband, Jared Kushner, tried to bribe the organization into halting its abortion care, by promising to secure more funding for it if it eliminated abortion servicesa deal that would have been a major victory for Donald Trump, who anti-abortion groups have called the most pro-life president ever.

But in other ways, Ivanka Trumps newly vocal commitment to the anti-abortion cause is a departure from the way shes presented herself since her fathers 2015 campaign. Ivanka has consistently sought to portray herself as a moderating force in her dads administration, a poised and culture waraverse influence to balance out the far-right ideologues on staff. She once told the New York Times that she wanted to sand down the edges of her fathers worst policies, especially those on climate policy and immigration. And she never talked about abortion. She seemed to want her presence to soothe voterparticularly women who were a bit turned off by Donald Trumps demeanor and extremism but were looking for reasons to feel OK about supporting him anyway.

Over the course of the Trump administration, it has become ever clearer that Ivankas supposed influence isnt worth a dime. If Ivanka Trump has had any success in her alleged mission to make her dads presidency less catastrophic, its entirely invisible. If kidnapping migrant children from their parents with no plan to reunite them was the Ivanka-moderated policy, what was the original? Ivanka claimed to be an LGBTQ ally, but never uttered a peep when her father barred transgender Americans from serving in the military. Donald Trump has pulled the U.S. out of the Paris climate agreement, opened up protected lands to fossil-fuel pillagers, and is reversing almost 100 environmental regulations. From where did Ivanka pull him back? This administrations total lack of federal response to the COVID-19 crisis has forced hundreds of thousands of women, many of them mothers, out of the workforce. Where is the author of Women Who Work?

Now, Ivanka has realized that no ones buying her moderating-force act. So like the rest of the Trump campaign, Ivanka is pivoting to riling up the base rather than attempting to win over those in the middle. Aware that women have fled from his side with haste, the president is making his rallies more sexist than ever in an attempt to energize his sexist supporters. Likewise, Ivanka is adjusting her image to better align with Trump fans who support him unconditionally. Theyre the only people left to please: Donald Trump has already revealed himself to be the cruel, wannabe-authoritarian president he promised hed be. Four years in, there are no Americans whose concerns about a Donald Trump presidency could be assuaged by a seemingly intelligent daughter-advisor with a womens empowerment shtick. She seems to have realized that she might as well give up that act and try out a new one.

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October 30, 2020 4:09PM ET

Up Close is Sourcing Journals regular check-in with industry executives to get their take on topics ranging from personal style to their companys latest moves. In this Q&A, Tommy Kelly, CEO of cross-border e-commerce platform EShopWorld, discusses what fashion can learn from the digital innovations happening in food and the benefit of having globally diversified online channels.

Tommy Kelly, CEO of EShopWorld

Name: Tommy Kelly

Title: CEO

Company: EShopWorld

Which other industry has the best handle on the supply chain? What can apparel learn?

The food industry has embraced the digital revolution with open arms and some really great innovation has sprung forth. The likes of Deliveroo and Uber Eats have used new technologies to improve the customer experience and match service level to demands. If you want to order a hot meal, you can have it at your door in 20 minutes. Of course, on the grocery side, companies have adopted different fulfillment and delivery strategies, but its hard not to be impressed by what Ocado have done with the level of automation and efficiency they have brought to the supply chain. There is learning in all of this for lots of verticals, including apparel.

How would you describe yourself as a consumer?

Im probably similar to most other people, in that what are important to me are transparency and dependability, and predictability. I have expectations around what I want from the brands and channels I like, and if those brands deliver on their promise, then Im happy! I like to shop online, so that comes with certain expectations: Make it easy for me to purchase, dont surprise me with unexpected charges or fees, ensure that something arrives when its supposed to arrive, and make it easy for me to return a purchase if its not right.

As a consumer, what does it take to win your loyalty?

If a brand delivers on its promise, then thats it. If I like the product or service, feel like its good value, and the brand shows that it cares about my experience, Ill come back for more.

Whats your typical uniform?

The shift to remote working this year has had an interesting impact on dress choice. We all still need to dress appropriately for the audiences we are engaging with, so if its an external audience I tend to stick to business casual attire. On days that are taken up by internal meetings, I keep it quite casualsimilarly for the weekends.

Which fashion era is your favorite?

I cant say I would pick one out over another. I like quality clothing that is comfortable, which is one of the reasons I started EShopWorld. It was sometimes difficult to access some of the brands I liked when living in the U.S., so I felt if that was the case for me, others were likely having the same frustrations.

Whats the best decision your company has made in the last year?

2020 has been a bit of a rollercoaster in that it started off strongly, suffered uncertainty in March, but since then has been very positive for us. We recognized an opportunity for the business when we saw the online shopping trends emerge during the early lockdowns, and decided to accelerate investment in some key projects, and expand the organization to support those investments. That decision has worked out very well for us, in that we have been able to help our clients pivot into and prioritize digital channels and non-domestic markets to meet the trading challenges of Covid. We anticipate those trends will continue, which is positive for our clients and our business as we look to the new normal.

How would you describe your corporate culture?

Weve worked hard on the culture part of the business. It really is an important part of who we are, and weve shaped our corporate values around five key concepts, which are: Entrepreneurship, Empowerment, Excellence, Enjoyment, Ethics.

Since we launched in 2010, weve grown to almost 500 people, yet we are still entrepreneurial at heart. I think this is an important contributor to how we get things done. In fact, our internal motto is exactly that: Consider it done.

As the organization has grown and evolved, weve worked to keep it as flat as possible, with everyones doorincluding my ownopen to anyone in the company. This helps to keep a collaborative environment where we support each other and communicate openly. We like to celebrate successes, albeit that has been more challenging in a remote environment. That said, our HR team has worked tirelessly to keep engagement high, with regular online events and meetups.

What can companies learn from COVID-19?

The biggest lesson any company in any industry can learn is that it is more important than ever to be agile and adaptable. This is a competency that needs to be built into every organization, from its technologies to its infrastructure, people and processes. Adaptability, in the truest sense of Darwins theory, is the key to survival.

What should be the apparel industrys top priority now?

If I may, I think there are two. We conducted some research in the months after COVID, and it became quite obvious to us that brands whose online channels were geographically diversified bounced back much faster than those whose werent, in terms of their share price. We live in a global economy, with fast evolving market conditions. Those that had prepared to be in a position to push volume through their digital channels, to diverse geographies, were in a far better position to weather the storm, and even grow. This is not a matter of whether a brand should consider this strategyit should be an existential priority.

Secondly, sustainability needs to be at the forefront of all brands thinking. Consumer sentiment is shifting, and more and more young people are making purchasing decisions based on a set of values that are important to them. Information flows quickly, so brands really need to be out in front of this issue if they want to win the hearts and minds of the younger generations.

What keeps you up at night?

Change has always been the only constant in business. But now, the pace of change is accelerating year after year. Our business is in e-commerce and it is amazing how fast this industry moves. So, the things that keep me thinking are usually related to anticipating change, how to meet demands of both clients and shoppers. Weve all been through many recessions and macro events over the years, but none of us have really ever experienced the world we see around us now before.

What makes you most optimistic?

I am quite inspired by the retail industrys reaction to COVID, and the resiliency that has been shown by lots of brands and retailers. Innovation has gathered pace during this period, as companies examine their business models and seek out new ways of connecting with customers and meeting their needs. Im optimistic about the future, as I think that these kinds of challenges typically bring out the best in people as they adapt and create a new generation of retail.

Tell us about your companys latest product introduction/service:

Our business spans the entire e-commerce value chain, so we continually innovate to bring new features to market that drive value and positive outcomes for our clients.

One area we have recently invested heavily in is the consulting and advisory element of our business, which we call Shopx. Due to our scale and blend of clients, our understanding of the shopper journey in each market offers unique insights into how to build successful online D2C channels. Weve listened to the industrys requests for help in this area, and we believe this blend of knowledge and data is an important differentiator for us.

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Up Close: In Conversation with EShopWorld CEO Tommy Kelly - Sourcing Journal

The first-generation American experience is incredibly unique. As the American-born child of immigrants, you have intimate access to multiple cultures, and the ability to navigate between them and deeply relate to distinct types of people. I for one feel profoundly blessed to be counted among this group and incredibly proud of my parents' sacrifices to help me realize the American dream.

However, I am also acutely aware of many of its challenges. There are significant pressures to be successful; to make your parents' sacrifices "worth it," and to provide various types of assistance to immediate and extended family members. One of the biggest untold burdens of being a "first" is being a lifelong member of the "original sandwich generation" and I don't mean the "sandwich" experience of Gen Xers who find themselves caring for their kids and aging parents at the same time.

For Gen Xers, the "sandwich" experience is usually limited in duration, and not an expectation they've lived with their entire lives (unlike many of their first-generation peers). Ask any first-generation American, regardless of age, and they will likely tell you they directly support not only themselves, but also extended family in the US and/or in their parents' country of origin.

This can be a serious challenge for even the most diligent savers. The unfortunate reality is that BIPOC employees in most professions are statistically underpaid compared to their white peers. Therefore, not only are we earning less, we are also inheriting less and must make our comparatively lower incomes stretch to support multiple generations and/or households. This challenge trifecta means finding a delicate balance between self-preservation, wealth building, and honoring our parents' sacrifices to form a new life in America for our benefit.

With my clients, I see that it is mentally taxing to dream of creating wealth for your nuclear family and future generations while balancing the significant practical or emotional burdens of supporting your family of origin.

If this resonates with you as a situation you are currently facing, I have some basic recommendations to help you build wealth and honor your responsibilities to your family at the same time.

Your dependent family members will not be well served by you giving away all your money only to incur debt or live with extreme financial anxiety. By continuing to build wealth through saving, investing, and paying down debt, you are also building financial stability for your entire family. Therefore, you should endeavor as best you can to release any feelings of guilt associated with aiming higher financially.

If you are currently financially supporting anyone outside your immediate family, I recommend you come up with your exact "family contribution quotient." That is, exactly how much, for whom, and/or to what causes you are willing to support. These clear boundaries allow you to balance your personal financial well-being and goals with the need to support your family.

Some examples:

Perhaps you are not currently supporting family but expect that you will have to do so at some point in the future. This can feel like an ominous cloud lingering on the horizon and feel limiting in terms of your overall financial health.

To temper that anxiety, it is important to fully understand your loved ones' financial picture. That will require a slightly awkward conversation, but knowing exactly how bad (or not) things are is so important. Working with real numbers is one of the most important things you can do to alleviate any financial anxiety. From there, you can create a long-term plan for your future support.

If you have siblings, discuss with them what you can contribute or what the long-term plan is for managing your parents' care.

You can also consider setting up a "family emergency savings account." This involves allocating a certain amount of money monthly to a savings account or an accessible investment account for future family support needs. This will serve as a backstop should a need arise. If the money is never needed, then the funds are still in your name and can be used for any other financial goals you may have.

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Link:
3 ways first-generation Americans can build wealth and support family - Business Insider - Business Insider