Tonight, I just went for it. I had a great day, lots of rest, and I felt frisky. So, I took it all off, dimmed the lights, and I didn't even feel like browsing for content to get me off- I had you in my mind's eye for that tonight. Now, you might have wondered this for a while: "Does a special girl like her play with herself only by playing wirh her candy cane, or does she also use toys? Tonight, you get your answer! 😉
- Tapestry’s Acquisition Attempt: In August 2023, Tapestry (Coach and Kate Spade’s parent) announced an $8.5 billion acquisition of Capri Holdings (Michael Kors’ parent), aiming to create a luxury handbag giant.
- FTC Blocks Merger: The FTC blocked the merger in October 2024 over antitrust concerns, arguing it would reduce competition in the accessible luxury handbag market. Capri’s share price dropped sharply following the ruling.
- Economic Concerns for Capri: Capri's financials had been declining, with revenue dropping 8% over the past fiscal year and Michael Kors struggling due to oversaturation and heavy discounting, which damaged its luxury image.
- Accessible Luxury Market: Accessible luxury brands (e.g., Coach, Kate Spade, Michael Kors) occupy a middle market between mass-market and high-end luxury, targeting consumers who want quality but can't afford top-tier brands like Chanel or Louis Vuitton.
- Internal Memos as Evidence: Tapestry and Capri's internal communications showed they aimed to limit price competition by reducing discounting across brands, which the FTC viewed as anti-competitive.
- Investor Expectations Misaligned: Investors initially expected the merger would proceed, especially given recent court defeats for the FTC. Capri’s stock surged briefly but plunged after the judge’s ruling.
- Tapestry’s Gain: Tapestry may have benefited as Capri’s declining performance would have made the acquisition costly; blocking the deal avoided an overpriced purchase.
- Luxury Market Competition: Luxury handbag brands are intensely competitive, with distinctions in price and quality between mass-market, accessible luxury, and true luxury brands. European brands like Chanel dominate true luxury.
- Michael Kors’ Decline: Overexpansion, frequent discounts, and logo-heavy designs contributed to a loss of prestige for Michael Kors, making the brand appear less exclusive.
- Future for Capri: With the merger blocked, Capri must navigate challenges independently, facing financial instability and a diluted brand reputation for Michael Kors.
The beautiful chart below is from yesterday, November 13th. When people ask me where I wish I was yesterday, my reply is I wish I was all up inside QUBT hard! :P I mean look at this beautiful chart!
Chile's Unique Economic Landscape: Chile is one of the wealthiest countries in South America, often compared favorably to its neighboring countries. However, it is also one of the most unequal countries in the world due to policies favoring low taxes, lax regulations, and a business-friendly environment.
Resource-Driven Economy: Chile is a major global exporter of copper, producing around one-third of the world's supply, which has driven economic growth. This heavy export reliance, particularly on non-renewable resources, poses a long-term sustainability issue.
Influence of the "Chicago Boys": In the 1970s and 80s, a group of economists trained in free-market policies, known as the "Chicago Boys," implemented drastic privatization and deregulation under the Pinochet regime, impacting industries from health to education.
Economic "Miracle" and Inequality: While Chile’s economy grew significantly in the decades following these reforms, wealth disparity also widened, with a high concentration of wealth among the top 20% and low wages for the majority of workers.
Export Dependency and Economic Instability: Chile's dependence on exports and the matching of its currency to the U.S. dollar in the 1970s led to a severe economic crisis in 1982, resulting in high unemployment and banking instability.
Impact of Inequality on Social Stability: Despite economic growth, the wealth gap has led to social unrest, with significant protests between 2019 and 2022 that cost billions in damages and caused job losses. There are pressures on the government for social reforms to address inequality.
Government Concessions and Constitutional Change: In response to social pressures, Chile's government has made concessions, including a proposal to rewrite its constitution, aiming to address inequality without deterring foreign investment.
Calls for Reform and Diversification: To maintain stability and prosperity, Chile may need reforms that ensure fairer wealth distribution and diversification beyond copper and lithium exports to build a more sustainable economy.
Ongoing Inequality Despite Improvement: Although inequality has improved slightly, it remains high. Chile faces challenges in balancing its export-driven growth with the need for social equity and political stability.
Need a good comeback story to make you feel amazing? Check out the story of how Kodak bounced back- brought to us by Logically Answered. Notes below too! :)
Kodak's Bankruptcy and Restructuring: Once a $30 billion leader in the camera market, Kodak filed for bankruptcy in 2013 after failing to capitalize on digital photography. By selling assets and reducing debt, they were able to exit bankruptcy, although many creditors received only partial repayments.
New Leadership with Jeffrey J. Clarke: In 2014, Kodak appointed Jeffrey Clarke as CEO. Clarke prioritized listening to employees and fostering innovation, implementing a "fail fast" approach to improve agility and reduce bureaucracy.
Shift to Commercial Printing: Under Clarke, Kodak pivoted to digital printing, using their expertise in ink and imaging technology. They launched the Prosper 5000XLi and later the Prosper 6000, high-speed printers that positioned them as leaders in the commercial printing market.
Profitability and Film Comeback: Kodak recorded their first profit post-bankruptcy in 2016. Additionally, film photography experienced a resurgence, with high-profile directors and newer generations showing renewed interest in analog film.
2023 Success and Future Outlook: By 2023, Kodak reported $1.1 billion in revenue and a $75 million net income, marking a successful transformation. They continue focusing on innovation and research, maintaining their legacy in printing while expanding into profitable new markets.
People smarter than me have said that maybe it is time for the European Union to become the world's tourism hotspot and a museum, because RIP European manufacturing. Patrick Boyle is bringing us another video discussing exactly this situation. What that would do to Europe, would it cause a huge exodus of fairly native Europeans coming here all over again... is something worth looking into. Notes below :)
Industrial Decline in Europe: Industrial production has been falling across most European countries due to high energy costs, sluggish demand, and competition from the U.S. and China, with Eurostat data showing a 2.2% decrease in the eurozone's output over the prior year. Germany's long-standing manufacturing strength is also in decline, raising concerns about its industrial future.
Energy Cost and Dependency Issues: Europe's energy prices, especially for industrial sectors, are significantly higher than in the U.S. and China, exacerbated by dependence on natural gas imports, especially from Russia. The continent's transition to renewables is hindered by challenges in energy reliability, infrastructure costs, and regulatory complexities, further straining industrial competitiveness.
Volkswagen’s Troubles as a Microcosm: Volkswagen, Germany’s largest employer, announced plans to shut down factories and cut jobs, symbolizing Europe's struggle to maintain industrial relevance amidst high energy costs, labor demands, and competition from foreign manufacturers. The company also grapples with an expensive transition to green technology that is not yet in high demand.
Productivity Gap with the U.S.: European productivity, especially in the tech sector, lags behind the U.S., which is attributed to regulatory hurdles and a lack of investment in innovation. Former ECB President Mario Draghi warns that without structural changes, Europe’s industrial relevance and economic growth will continue to decline.
Demographic and Economic Shifts: Europe faces an aging workforce, and projections show a significant drop in the working-age population by 2040, which may further hinder growth. Additionally, Germany’s industrial model, once powered by cheap Russian gas and high global demand for exports, faces major challenges due to energy costs and shifting global trade dynamics.
Soo, it has been a while since I have done a Netflix and Chill because I've been into podcasts a lot and I was so busy working and socializing that I had zero chill in me for a few weekends now! 😩😅 So, when Nina said she is coming over to give me a much needed chill infusion, I initially said no. You know how it is... You spend a few weekends being super busy that you start first missing the times you had fun on weekends, and then you even begin to resent weekend fun overall which is so silly but that is how our brains get sometimes! 😛 This time, Nina rescued me from myself. Aaand, I got a good clip for you- that is a two for one I could not miss, and neither should you! 😘
All Hallows Eve is almost upon us. Through the dark forest of days ahead of us until spooky trick or treat, this Little Red Riding Hood has to visit grandma and the path to her place, well, let's just say it's not without its distractions. We all heard the original story. The Kim Dash version... it's a little different to be honest with you. 🤔 True, this version has some similarities. There's a Little Red Riding Hood but she's not so little any more. There's a grandma at her destination. However, there's no hunter... because in this version, the wolf is not what it seems. The wolf is a he, not an it. This guy, he got exiled from our village because he liked to chase girls a little too much. He did try to do it on the down low, until the rumours spread. According to the rumours, he was huuuge. Oh my! 🥵 So, the village elders exiled him because they could try to keep him away from their women, but they could only fail at trying to keep their women away from him!
Now, you may wonder, how did I end up at his new home? Well- for one- he's on the way to my grandma's. Two, I've been feeling lonely since his exile- no one compares! 😩 Three- grandma always asks me the same questions when I come over. When will you get married? Why are you so tiny- why don't you eat more? Are you obeying the village elders? Seriously, if Mr. Wolf doesn't help me mellow out, I'll flip out on her instead of being a nice, sweet polite Little Red Riding Hood...
Time to be his Little Red Riding (big) Wood- And Yours!🤤
When you get basted more than the turkey! 😩 Why does last minute fun, which also lasts not much more than a minute, feel so much better than many all-nighters?! 🥵💦💦 I think books should be written about it ahha! Until then, how about a demonstration? 😅
Ok, fun fact- I love oral, foreplay and teasing! 😅 Now, to that you respond "OK Kim, that's great but what would that look like?". Oh, and especially if I wanted to do it on camera with you, have you do a performance on me and make it unforgettable for us and anyone else watching?! 🎉 Well, here is a fun role play scenario of how that would go. Except, there's a twist! You wanted to show off so you saved up a huuuuuuge load! 😛 Smart thinking. Except, what usually goes along with saving a huge load? Things tend to cum a little-ummm- prematurely! 🥵🍆💦💦💦
