Why Unbound?
Hi everyone!
Before I dive back into finishing Rare Beauty’s story, I wanted to share with you the reasons behind the creation of Unbound.
Over the past few years, I’ve embarked on a journey of self-discovery and self-betterment. This process has allowed me to deeply connect with my deepest passions. Like many, my interests don’t neatly fit into a box and might seem a tad disparate at times. Hence, this inspired me to create Unbound – a safe place for discussing a wide range of topics including fashion, beauty, wellness, consumer behavior, business models, new technology, evolution, self-awareness and self-betterment, mental health, sustainability, and fundraising.
Introspection allowed me to arrive at an obvious but not-so-obvious realization! While many dismiss the worlds of fashion, beauty, and wellness as mere superficial pursuits, few realize the profound intersections with technology and innovative business models that drive these trillion-dollar powerhouses. Once you start to peel back the gloss and delve into the heart of these sectors, the intricacy and opportunity that many overlook become evident. Indeed, there are numerous challenges, and many problematic aspects (e.g., significant carbon emissions), BUT this is where entrepreneurs, investors, creators, and companies can seize the opportunity to drive CHANGE and make PROFIT.
One of the initial companies that piqued my curiosity and invited me to explore more in-depth the intersection between fashion, technology, and sustainability, was Stella McCartney. This pioneering luxury brand embraces “ the most cutting-edge and progressive materials that aim to reduce the impact on the planet and are always cruelty-free, whilst following the principles of circularity.”
Such a unique value proposition made me wonder how technology would further shape other fashion businesses and how it would create new opportunities in the industry. Simultaneously, I became eager to discover how this trend would manifest in the beauty and wellness sectors too. It truly made me investigate and learn about the opportunities and biggest challenges that needed to be addressed. These industries are enormous, and their impact on a global scale is tremendous. However, the lines between these categories and industries become blurred as consumer behavior changes and technology transforms our interactions and brings about change.
Startups, social media (a.k.a. TikTok), and consumer behavior have become the epicenter of transformation in the fashion, beauty, and wellness industry. This has prompted industry giants like LVMH and L'Oréal, as well as tech behemoths like Amazon and Apple to establish innovation hubs. Examples include LVMH Maison des Startups, L'Oréal BOLD venture fund, Amazon Fashion Stores gaining traction, and the use of the Apple Watch for Wellness.
As consumers spend more time online and virtual reality becomes more relevant in our lives, we are seeing new identities being built, digital needs becoming paramount, and the rise of new technologies, such as AI, AR, VR, and gaming. These innovations are allowing companies to connect with customers on myriad levels, signaling that the future is unequivocally omnichannel. Yet, there's so much we don't know; history is unfolding before us.
Why launch Unbound now?
Today, most of this information across these industries is unstructured, fragmented, skewed, and very expensive to access; pricing out those who aim to understand, build, grow, or invest in this industry. These industries are intricate and wide-ranging. They touch on fundamental subjects in our society such as self-image, mental health care, technology as an enabling tool, consumer behavior, supply chains, manufacturing, real estate, customer engagement, and climate change.
As the dynamics of the world continue to change, it is crucial to have an outlet that serves as a cultural bridge and presents perspectives and businesses across the globe. Why not create a safe and global space where entrepreneurs, creatives, investors, and companies can gain access to these valuable insights through narratives that are approachable and accessible to everyone?
Write of Passage
In my pursuit to scale Unbound, refine my storytelling skills to authentically connect with people around the world, and encourage others to build their unconventional success stories. I applied for Cohort 11 of Write of Passage, the BEST and most intensive 5-week writing course for online writers. I couldn’t be happier to announce that as a recipient of the merit scholarship, let’s gear up to build something extraordinary!
And yes, I am following David Perell’s advice: “Follow what does NOT make sense!” 😊
P.D.: I am posting this just before I go into dental surgery (scared AF) 😱…
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