Unravel the double helix of 23andMe's rollercoaster journey from Silicon Valley darling to Wall Street wallflower. This episode decodes the DNA of a company that turned saliva into gold... and then watched it evaporate faster than you can say "genome sequencing." 🧪 From $1000 kits to $99 spit tubes: How 23andMe made genetics go viral 🔬 The FDA showdown: When regulators crashed the DNA party 💊 Pivot or perish: 23andMe's adventurous leap into drug discovery 💸 SPACs, hacks, and setbacks: The...

Hit us baby one more time with a juicy business blunder! This week, we're serving up a double whammy of celebrity missteps. First course: the pop princess's less-than-toxic foray into the restaurant biz. Britney Spears: Queen of the charts, not so much the kitchen. For dessert: a fresh slice of tech drama à la MKBHD.Highlights:From Mickey Mouse Club to Michelin dreams: Britney's recipe for restaurant disasterThe Louisiana-New York fusion that left fans saying 'Gimme More'... explanationWhy...

🛒 Dive into the world of Temu, the e-commerce sensation that's got everyone clicking "Add to Cart" faster than you can say "free shipping"!Episode Highlights:🎰 ADHD Consumerism: Discover how Temu turns shopping into a dopamine-fueled casino experience🐔 Chicken Helmets & Beyond: Explore the weird and wonderful world of Temu's product offerings💸 The Price of Cheap: Unpack the ethical dilemmas and sustainability concerns behind those irresistible deals🕹️ Gamification Nation: Learn how Temu...

From the heights of being touted as "bigger than the internet" to becoming a punchline in popular culture, the Segway's journey is a fascinating case study in innovation, hype, and the importance of understanding your market. Join Dale and Emily as they dive into the rollercoaster ride of the Segway - the invention that just couldn't seem to find its footing. Discover the key missteps that led to the Segway's downfall, like pricing it out of reach, regulatory challenges, and an inability to...

Is the world's favorite search engine losing its way? Dive into the digital drama as we dissect Google's journey from garage startup to tech titan. We'll explore:The rise of the data-hungry behemothWhy Google might be its own worst enemyThe AI race: How did the front-runner fall behind?Search results or ad bonanza? The blurring linesCan anyone topple this tech Goliath?Join us for a thought-provoking romp through Google's triumphs and tribulations. We'll ponder whether the company that once...

The Big Con" tackles the scandalous world of Ashley Madison, the dating site that shook the internet. Join hosts Dale and Emily as they unpack the business strategies behind the infamous "Life is short. Have an affair" empire.🔍 Key points: The rise of Ashley Madison and its controversial marketing tacticsHow they expanded globally, including a cheeky campaign in IndiaThe catastrophic data breach that exposed millions of usersSurprising revelations about the company's security practices...

In this episode of The Big Con, hosts Emily and Dale explore the fascinating world of Marvel Comics, examining its storied history and the strategic lessons that can be gleaned from its journey. From its humble beginnings in 1939 to becoming a cultural powerhouse, Marvel has faced numerous challenges and triumphs. Join us as we uncover how Marvel’s strategies evolved through its bankruptcy, its resurgence with blockbuster films, and its current position in the entertainment industry. Season...

Season 3 comes to a close in this insightful episode of "The Big Con Podcast," as we look back on the updates coming thick and fast from our tales of strategy successes and fails. We are tackling the nuances of industry feuds, lawsuits, and the ever-evolving landscape of corporate strategies, all while weaving in critical analyses on diversity and inclusion efforts, and the ethical implications of AI in business. Highlights of the Episode: Elon Musk's Legal Battles: A look into Elon Musk's...

In the latest episode of The Big Con, Emily and Dale are looking to the revolutionary Apple Vision Pro. Embarking on a journey to unravel the intricacies of Apple's latest innovation, discussing its potential to redefine the tech landscape. The Apple approach to product is a historical success so what can we take from these masters at product innovation from the small business owner to the average 9-5er. Key Highlights:Introduction to Apple Vision Pro: A detailed exploration of the Apple...

Kylie Cosmetics is a household name, almost as much as the Kardashians/Jenners. However, Forbes and Kylie are in some heated disagreement regarding valuation discrepancies. The episode narrates Kylie's venture into the cosmetics industry, leveraging her brand and the viral attention around her lip fillers to launch Kylie's Lip Kit, eventually expanding into a full cosmetics line. It critically examines the Forbes article that reevaluated Jenner's billionaire status due to purported...

From the Brink of Obscurity to a $1.7 Trillion Valuation: Nvidia's Unbelievable Journey - Dive into this episode of "The Big Con Podcast" as we peel back the layers of Nvidia's meteoric rise. Discover how a company known for its video game chips turned strategic pivots into an empire within the realms of artificial intelligence. Key Highlights: Epic Beginnings: Relive the moment Nvidia stepped onto the scene, against the backdrop of 1993's pop culture milestones.Strategic Genius: Unravel the...

The episode explores the intriguing story of "Act of Treason," an Australian-based alcohol company who have t aken a spicey approach to marketing, venturing into the agave spirits market, challenging traditional tequila norms. Emily and Dale are delving into the complexities of agave spirit production, marketing strategies, and the potential impacts on the tequila industry. They discuss how "Act of Treason" positions itself amidst global tequila demand and supply challenges, leveraging...

In this episode, we explore Shopify's remarkable journey from its inception to becoming a powerhouse in e-commerce, boasting a market cap explosion to roughly $200 billion.The Big Con Podcast dives into Shopify's strategic maneuvers and what makes up its moat (all the things that make this impressive company stand out from its competition), including its innovative API, revolutionary growth solutions, and community-building efforts, all of which have solidified its position in the digital...

Hesta's 40:40 vision. More diversity, more awareness and more transparency. Sounds great, right? But sometimes quotas, KPIs and metrics get in the way of a conversation. DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) is a hot topic at the moment, and rightly so; the Big Con is doing its part and discussing an incredibly complex issue. The Role of KPIs (Key Performance Indicators):Challenges and limitations of KPIs in business strategy.The potential for KPIs to stifle innovation and become a resource...

Imagine you're running the best business ever, so good, that someone else makes a perfect copy. Down to the last pixel on your website? The Big Con is heading back to Air BnB because they found themselves in this exact scenario. Did they live to fight another day (well, yes, but how is where the magic is). Mastering Anti-Copycat Strategies:SIlicone valley horror storiesCultivating Brand Allegiance: Unveiling the secrets to building unbreakable brand loyalty.Standing Out from the Crowd:A...

Episode Summary: This episode with hosts Emily Kay and Dale delves into the chaotic Optus outage of November 8, 2023, in Australia. Taking down emergency services, businesses and train lines - we look at the response and why it lead to a very public firing!Outage Overview: An in-depth look at the Optus outage timeline and its wide-reaching effects.Ripple Effects and Real-Life Consequences: Exploring the outage's impact on essential services, businesses, and the general public.Corporate...

Overview:The Big Con Podcast is taking the strategic microscope to Netflix, and their journey from a DVD rental service to a streaming giant and its seismic impact on Hollywood.Deep analysis of the "Netflix Effect," reshaping TV shows and altering traditional media consumption.Highlights:Netflix's evolution since 1997: disrupting the video rental industry and spearheading the streaming revolution.The shift from traditional TV models to streaming: financial strategies, consumer behavior...

The Big Con spotlight shines on Home First, a Bay Area nonprofit grappling with the balance between its noble mission to fight homelessness and internal allegations of racial discrimination. We delve into how nonprofits like Home First can navigate the delicate dance of aligning their internal practices with their public missions, especially in the realms of legal compliance and ethical integrity. This conversation isn't just about the hurdles; it's a journey through the importance of...

Have you ever wondered how quickly you can destroy 25 billion dollars in less than 365 days? The Con is embarking on Elon Musk's enigmatic journey with Twitter; our episode navigates the seismic shift from the familiar microblogging giant to the cryptic 'X.' Musk's audacious $44 billion acquisition unfolds in a corporate turmoil and strategic recalibration saga. The plot thickens as Musk discards Twitter's iconic bird logo, opting for 'X,' a move shrouded in intrigue given the inherent value...

Ever wondered how AirBnB came about? The Y Combinator Success Story, had its humble origins from selling mattresses to a conference, and even had a whirl at selling cereal just to keep the lights on. The design powerhouse and short stay accomodation darling went through a rocky 2020 but came out the other side stronger than ever. But is it all smooth sailing ahead for AirBnB? Listen to the Big Con Podcast to find out! 📕Show Menu - https://bit.ly/bcpshowmenu The Big Con Podcast: Emily and...

🚀 Get ready for a wild ride on The Big Con Podcast! In this episode, witness the epic saga of Sam Altman's rollercoaster journey at OpenAI – fired, rehired, and everything in between. From boardroom drama to tech nerd speculation, it's a tale of twists, turns, and white hearts on social media. Discover the Paperclip Theory's unexpected relevance and join the hosts in a lively chat about the fine line between AI greatness and, well, paperclip disasters. Buckle up, laugh along, and delve into...

🌐 Dive into the underground world of Snowy 2.0 with your Big Con Hosts as they unearth the highs and lows of Australia's ambitious energy project. From a $2 billion dream to a $12 billion reality, the journey involves giant tunneling machines named Florence, toxic gas releases (surprise!), and a sinkhole-sized hiccup. 😲🔍 Uncover the behind-the-scenes drama, questionable decision-making, and the lingering question: Should projects prioritize safety over political pressure? Tune in for laughs,...

Step into the tumultuous year of 2020 as we unravel the contrasting leadership styles of Jacinda Ardern and Boris Johnson during the global crisis. In this episode, we examine how Ardern's decisive actions in New Zealand led to one of the lowest COVID-19 death rates, while Johnson's controversial strategy in the UK faced setbacks. Join us for a gripping exploration of leadership essentials – clarity on goals, flexibility, ethics, empathy, and transparency. Discover the pivotal role these...

In our latest episode, the Con is diving into the AI revolution of 2023 and how it's changing the game for knowledge workers. Remember the release of ChatGPT by OpenAI? It's like your super-smart computer friend, always ready for a chat or to help with tasks. But it's way more than just auto-suggesting words; it can write poems, stories, and much more. But here's the kicker - ChatGPT isn't just for the tech elite. Anyone can access it for free and even find it embedded in Microsoft's Bing...