Stock Watch: New Olympic Sports

Icebreakers With...Stacy London

Courtesy of Stacy London

From 2003–2013, we gasped along with Stacy London as everyone on What Not to Wear tried to tell her that a sheer, midriff top was appropriate for the office. 

Now, London has traded in her reality TV stardom to become the owner and CEO of State of Menopause, one of only a few health and wellness companies making products for perimenopausal and menopausal consumers. We asked Stacy about her new role and, of course, for some fashion tips. 

What was the biggest hurdle in your transition to becoming a business executive? 

I had talked myself into this idea that I'm “talent.” That's all I do. You know, I'm on television. What do I know about running a company? And I'm like, nobody is born a CEO and an MBA doesn't really mean that much, in my opinion.

So why’d you do it?

There are zillion things that we don't understand or that we're not taught about menopause. And when I realized what kind of existential toll that took on me, I wanted to take over this company because I wanted to reframe the conversation. I don't think in my entire career there's ever been a time where I was afraid to be vulnerable with my own struggles. And no one was talking about menopause without the sense of fear, shame, confusion, or ignorance. 

Where is the best matcha in New York City?

Nili. It’s at 360 Smith Street. Also Telegraphe Café on 18th Street between 6th and 7th. Both of them have sweet matcha that's not too sweet.

Are you a breakfast person?

I am. And an every meal person.

Is there an item of clothing or accessory that you think everyone should have in their closet?

No. You know, I used to feel that way. And I think the difference between 2003 when What Not to Wear started and now is that we’ve gone away from a “how to” culture where you needed an expert with expertise and 10,000 hours or whatever. 

But we've stopped looking for expertise, and we are looking for shared experience. Wear what you want. But what I really think is that you can wear what you want and get what you want if you understand how style can help you control the narrative of yourself.

This interview has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity.

Why Are You Really Looking For a New Job?

Each week, Morning Brew's Head of People Ops Kate Noel answers reader-submitted questions about work in 2021. 

What’s the best way to respond to the interview question, “Why are you looking for new employment” when the answer is “to escape a toxic work environment”?—Casey from Wisconsin

Hey Casey, if I were asked why I'm looking for a new job and the answer is that I wanted to leave a toxic work environment, I would flip the question and tell the interviewer, "I am looking to be part of a positive and exciting work culture, and I believe that this may be the right place."  

I would then explain the specific elements that make up a positive and exciting work culture, whether it’s attentive managers or professional development opportunities. Do some research and be sure to mention how the company you want to work for exemplifies those qualities. In your follow-up email after your interview, emphasize that if you are selected for the role you’ll be a positive contributor to the company’s culture. 

Hope it works out!

Kate 

Something bothering you at work? Ask Kate here.

Is Everyone at the Olympics Pretending It’s 2020?

Sopa Images/Getty Images

There's a lot that feels "off" about this year's Olympics. Here's one of them: Despite the fact that it is very much the year 2021, all Olympic marketing materials, from the TV ads to the gold medals, are stamped with the “Tokyo 2020” logo.

It’s not a mistake. A decision to keep the original branding was made last March, when Japan and the International Olympic Committee agreed to postpone the Summer games for the first time in history.

Why not just change it to the correct year? Officials explained that Olympic years are always even numbers. It's a tradition, like a skyscraper skipping the 13th floor or the youngest sibling having a meltdown on any family vacation. In an interview last year Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike said, “An odd number is out of the question.”

Wow. We have chills. Also, not buying it. 

The real reason Tokyo 2020 didn’t become Tokyo 2021 is because a change would have been supremely expensive. Organizers spent $1.3 billion making billboards, giant public countdown clocks, and commercials with the original logo. Some sponsors in Japan have been creating merchandise and promotional materials for the Games since 2015. This isn’t something a little Wite-Out and a Sharpie can fix. 

And even if the Olympics did decide to update the branding to reflect the correct year, it would have to make sure everyone involved got the memo. Branding inconsistencies would give the same vibes as a high school winter formal: Is the theme Under the Sea or A Night to Remember? 

Another argument against changing the name is IP. The Olympics have some of the most intense copyright protections in the game, but there is nothing strong enough to keep cool dudes with pencil mustaches from an ironic t-shirt—and what’s more ironic than a tee for an Olympics that never happened? One can only imagine the underground market that would have erupted for knock-off “Tokyo 2020” merch. 

• After all, you can still buy shirts from the 2012 New York City Marathon that was canceled after Hurricane Sandy. 
• Same with the delayed 2020 Kentucky Derby or last year’s postponed NCAA tournament.

Bottom line: For all these reasons, marketing experts say organizers made the right call in keeping 2020 in the name. And let’s be honest—with Covid-19 cases rising, no fans in attendance, and strict social distancing rules in place, it does fit the mood.

Open House

Welcome to Open House, the only newsletter section that makes you go, “Wait—how much?” We’ll give you a few facts about a listing and you try to guess the price.

Bright MLS

We know what you’re thinking: “Only one photo? Where’s the collage?” But the beauty of this 5,227 square-foot home in Arlington, VA, is in its simplicity. Along with being a short Uber ride to Washington, DC, amenities include: 

• Attached garage with one parking space
• Big trees
• Water heater (not new, just one in general)
• Great location to build on if you’re cool with bulldozing the home

How much for the world’s most average house? Scroll to the bottom of the newsletter to find out.

Just Click It

1. How a baby-faced CEO turned a Farmville clone into a massive Ponzi scheme. (Rest of World)
2. The 115 workers who helped keep New York alive during its darkest months. (NYT)
3. What will it take to win the $4.5 billion hard seltzer category? (Thingtesting)
4. Jack Antonoff on the 7 habits of highly effective producers. (Billboard)
5. Get to know the Saudi prince of oil. (Bloomberg)
6. The deceptively cute game that’s growing at a mind-boggling pace. (Not Boring)
7. 8 reasons why entrepreneurship is in a golden age. (Founder’s Journal)
8. One Canadian man went two decades without using money. (Capital Daily)
9. What makes a graduate program predatory? (Culture Study)
10. An inquiry into why Jeff Bezos’s rocket looks like...that. (The Guardian)

Reserve shares in...tequila? The tequila market is on an upward trend with 100% agave tequilas leading the charge, which means there’s never been a better time to put your money where your margarita is and reserve shares in AsomBroso Tequila.*

Meme Battle

Welcome back to Morning Brew's Meme Battle, where we crown a single memelord every Sunday.

Today's winner: Veronica in New York, New York

This week's challenge: You can find the new meme template here for next Sunday. Once you're done making your meme, submit it at this link. We'll pick a new memelord for next week's Sunday Edition and provide you with another meme template to meme-ify. 

$1.1 million and we have no idea why

✳︎ A Note From Walmart

*Excludes freight & Marketplace items.

✤ A Note From AsomBroso Tequila

*View AsomBroso Tequila’s Offering Circular and Risk Disclosure Here:

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