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Careful where you’re walking — the baby squirrels are back. This year’s first babies have been born, according to the New England Wildlife Center. The helpless little things do sometimes get separated from their mom, so give it ~12 hours before lending a hand. If you do attempt a rescue, putting the stray in an elevated basket and playing baby squirrel noises on YouTube could lure mom back. Your video recommendations are about to get so weird. 🏆 Drumroll please… The Hustle has been nominated for Webby Awards in the Websites & Mobile Sites (https://vote.webbyawards.com/PublicVoting?_hsenc=p2ANqtz--Q1qWJ2g1WUEGJQxwxg-cFX65sPCUDVeY8yMHchN8QUA_17TxpjDvndoKXxjG7nDvzq-f-sc5nu7HYo7mnaxaSn_olfQ&_hsmi=411922226#/2026/websites-mobile-sites/email-newsletters/entertainment-culture ) and Video & Film (https://vote.webbyawards.com/PublicVoting?_hsenc=p2ANqtz--Q1qWJ2g1WUEGJQxwxg-cFX65sPCUDVeY8yMHchN8QUA_17TxpjDvndoKXxjG7nDvzq-f-sc5nu7HYo7mnaxaSn_olfQ&_hsmi=411922226#/2026/video-film/series-channels/business-thought-leadership ) categories. If a little coffee has ever sprayed out of your mouth while reading our jokes at your desk — throw us a vote (and sorry about that stain). You’ll notice some other familiar faces: HubSpot Media’s My First Million (https://vote.webbyawards.com/PublicVoting?_hsenc=p2ANqtz--Q1qWJ2g1WUEGJQxwxg-cFX65sPCUDVeY8yMHchN8QUA_17TxpjDvndoKXxjG7nDvzq-f-sc5nu7HYo7mnaxaSn_olfQ&_hsmi=411922226#/2026/podcasts/shows/interview-or-talk-show-news-business-society ) and Marketing Against the Grain (https://vote.webbyawards.com/PublicVoting?_hsenc=p2ANqtz--Q1qWJ2g1WUEGJQxwxg-cFX65sPCUDVeY8yMHchN8QUA_17TxpjDvndoKXxjG7nDvzq-f-sc5nu7HYo7mnaxaSn_olfQ&_hsmi=411922226#/2026/podcasts/shows/technology ) are up for awards, too. A little help? Every so often, we need you to click a link so we know you're an actual human being who likes us, not some weirdo bot. Hit the button below to confirm you still want to receive The Hustle. Yes I'm Real (https://thehustle.co/email-re-engagement?_hsenc=p2ANqtz--Q1qWJ2g1WUEGJQxwxg-cFX65sPCUDVeY8yMHchN8QUA_17TxpjDvndoKXxjG7nDvzq-f-sc5nu7HYo7mnaxaSn_olfQ&_hsmi=411922226 ) NEWS FLASH 🚀 Will space tourism finally take off? Richard Branson still thinks there’s a chance. Virgin Galactic reopened (https://gizmodo.com/richard-branson-is-still-trying-to-make-space-tourism-happen-selling-tickets-at-750000-2000740478?_hsenc=p2ANqtz--Q1qWJ2g1WUEGJQxwxg-cFX65sPCUDVeY8yMHchN8QUA_17TxpjDvndoKXxjG7nDvzq-f-sc5nu7HYo7mnaxaSn_olfQ&_hsmi=411922226 ) bookings for commercial suborbital trips after almost two years of delays. Unfortunately for starry-eyed travelers, inflation seems to exist in outer space as well: Tickets for the 90-minute flights are $750k per seat — up from $450k in 2021. 🎸 A day in the life: Paul McCartney’s Reddit account was temporarily banned (https://www.404media.co/paul-mccartney-banned-from-reddit-after-promoting-himself-in-paul-mccartney-subreddit/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz--Q1qWJ2g1WUEGJQxwxg-cFX65sPCUDVeY8yMHchN8QUA_17TxpjDvndoKXxjG7nDvzq-f-sc5nu7HYo7mnaxaSn_olfQ&_hsmi=411922226 ) for sharing photos of a concert in the r/PaulMcCartney subreddit, which is admittedly very funny. One theory suggested a bot made the call as Reddit does not allow self-promotion. It was ultimately determined that his account only appeared banned due to a glitch. As Reddit claimed in an email to 404 Media, “No one would ban one of The Beatles.” 🎮 As if we needed another time-waster: TikTok added (https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/31/go-play-this-secret-game-in-your-tiktok-dms/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz--Q1qWJ2g1WUEGJQxwxg-cFX65sPCUDVeY8yMHchN8QUA_17TxpjDvndoKXxjG7nDvzq-f-sc5nu7HYo7mnaxaSn_olfQ&_hsmi=411922226 ) a hidden emoji game that players can access by sending an emoji in any chat, per TechCrunch, to make messaging more fun. Instagram introduced a similar game two years ago, and Threads is prototyping its own messenger games now. The New York Times has seen massive success with its Games app, and even LinkedIn got in on the trend by adding a handful of puzzle games with a social component. MORE NEWS TO KNOW - Holy smokes: OpenAI closed a $122B (https://finance.yahoo.com/sectors/technology/article/openai-valued-at-852-billion-in-latest-funding-round-ahead-of-ipo-213943098.html?_hsenc=p2ANqtz--Q1qWJ2g1WUEGJQxwxg-cFX65sPCUDVeY8yMHchN8QUA_17TxpjDvndoKXxjG7nDvzq-f-sc5nu7HYo7mnaxaSn_olfQ&_hsmi=411922226 ?) funding round, bringing its valuation to $852B ahead of a possible IPO. The company says it’s generating $2B in revenue per month, compared to $1B per quarter in 2024. - Rough landing: Allbirds, once valued at $4B, sold its assets to American Exchange Group for $39m (https://www.wsj.com/business/retail/allbirds-the-tech-bro-favorite-once-valued-at-4-billion-just-sold-its-assets-for-next-to-nothing-605e3216?mod=hp_lead_pos10&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--Q1qWJ2g1WUEGJQxwxg-cFX65sPCUDVeY8yMHchN8QUA_17TxpjDvndoKXxjG7nDvzq-f-sc5nu7HYo7mnaxaSn_olfQ&_hsmi=411922226 ) . While its shoes were popular, attempts at diversification — including workout gear, underwear, and other types of shoes — failed to take off. - Outer space arms race: A flexible robotic arm developed (https://spacenews.com/chinese-startup-tests-flexible-robotic-arm-in-space-for-on-orbit-servicing/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz--Q1qWJ2g1WUEGJQxwxg-cFX65sPCUDVeY8yMHchN8QUA_17TxpjDvndoKXxjG7nDvzq-f-sc5nu7HYo7mnaxaSn_olfQ&_hsmi=411922226 ) by China’s Sustain Space could one day remove space debris and enable satellite servicing and refueling. - AI did take a writer’s job… just not in the way we predicted. The New York Times cut ties (https://futurism.com/artificial-intelligence/nyt-cuts-ties-with-writer-ai?_hsenc=p2ANqtz--Q1qWJ2g1WUEGJQxwxg-cFX65sPCUDVeY8yMHchN8QUA_17TxpjDvndoKXxjG7nDvzq-f-sc5nu7HYo7mnaxaSn_olfQ&_hsmi=411922226 ) with a freelance journalist after discovering he used AI — which borrowed closely from another publication’s work — to write a book review. FROM OUR FRIENDS AT MINDSTREAM An illustration of several scientists in a lab standing around a bed. On it is a man whose image is being projected into a blue beam. (https://www.mindstream.news/p/ai-can-now-build-a-fake-version-of-your-body?_hsenc=p2ANqtz--Q1qWJ2g1WUEGJQxwxg-cFX65sPCUDVeY8yMHchN8QUA_17TxpjDvndoKXxjG7nDvzq-f-sc5nu7HYo7mnaxaSn_olfQ&_hsmi=411922226 ) The company building a digital twin of your body It’s not the stuff of sci-fi — New York-based startup Mantis Biotech is building digital twins of human bodies. Don’t worry, though, it’s for a good cause: The startup says these twins could be used to test procedures, train surgical bots, and predict future medical problems. 👉 Read more on Mindstream. (https://www.mindstream.news/p/ai-can-now-build-a-fake-version-of-your-body?_hsenc=p2ANqtz--Q1qWJ2g1WUEGJQxwxg-cFX65sPCUDVeY8yMHchN8QUA_17TxpjDvndoKXxjG7nDvzq-f-sc5nu7HYo7mnaxaSn_olfQ&_hsmi=411922226 ) THE BIG IDEA A text conversation providing housing information in English and Spanish. (https://thehustle.co/news/when-you-need-answers-this-startup-can-help?mainArticle=true&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--Q1qWJ2g1WUEGJQxwxg-cFX65sPCUDVeY8yMHchN8QUA_17TxpjDvndoKXxjG7nDvzq-f-sc5nu7HYo7mnaxaSn_olfQ&_hsmi=411922226 ) (Image: e.e.r.s) When you need answers, this startup can help Kyiana Williams is the founder and CEO of e.e.r.s (https://eers.us/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz--Q1qWJ2g1WUEGJQxwxg-cFX65sPCUDVeY8yMHchN8QUA_17TxpjDvndoKXxjG7nDvzq-f-sc5nu7HYo7mnaxaSn_olfQ&_hsmi=411922226 ) , a multilingual chatbot that provides official info in the event of a crisis. And for Williams, it’s a personal mission. Williams’ family home burned in the Eaton Fire in Altadena, California. First forced to evacuate, her family then had to navigate how to relocate, recover, and rebuild. That information can already be confusing and difficult to parse, but Williams also learned that bad actors were soliciting sensitive info from victims under the guise of assistance programs, exposing them to identity theft and fraud. “My goal for e.e.r.s is to make sure that when you have questions, that they get answered by a source that you can trust,” she told The Hustle. It didn’t start that way Williams initially founded entertwine, a platform to connect aspiring filmmakers to opportunities, but people often remarked that its recommendation engine could be used for something “bigger.” The company first looked at 988, the national suicide prevention hotline. Finding that overwhelmed workers often fielded calls from different states, they developed a platform that could source relevant resources. Williams describes e.e.r.s as a “slight pivot,” as it’s always been about connecting people with what they need. How it works - Municipalities — federal, state, county, or city — can integrate e.e.r.s. with their existing platforms or websites. - Residents can chat or text with e.e.r.s. like they would any other chatbot and receive conversational answers in 140 different languages. For example, someone could ask for help finding an open shelter, transportation, or financial aid programs. - As municipalities provide e.e.r.s. with info, it never sources the broader internet. If a question is beyond its scope, it will either redirect the user or decline to answer. What’s next? E.e.r.s is actively seeking municipalities open to piloting the software, and working to find ways to communicate when WiFi isn’t an option. While e.e.r.s’ main goal is to help in and after emergencies, the platform could also be used to help residents prep for disasters (e.g., “What do I need in an earthquake kit?”) or even answer general questions (e.g., “Where can I drop off my compost?”). Williams also noted an added ROI for cities: If residents had one reliable place to ask questions, they’d be less likely to call 911 or other emergency departments for non-emergency questions. 🔗 (https://thehustle.co/news/when-you-need-answers-this-startup-can-help?mainArticle=true&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--Q1qWJ2g1WUEGJQxwxg-cFX65sPCUDVeY8yMHchN8QUA_17TxpjDvndoKXxjG7nDvzq-f-sc5nu7HYo7mnaxaSn_olfQ&_hsmi=411922226 ) HIGHLY RECOMMENDED “Said no prospect ever.” Here’s how those four simple words could change (https://marketingagainstthegrain.com/articles/said-no-prospect-ever?_hsenc=p2ANqtz--Q1qWJ2g1WUEGJQxwxg-cFX65sPCUDVeY8yMHchN8QUA_17TxpjDvndoKXxjG7nDvzq-f-sc5nu7HYo7mnaxaSn_olfQ&_hsmi=411922226 ) your writing forever. NEWSWORTHY NUMBER How much of the time scientists’ jokes actually land, according to a recently published survey, which analyzed 500+ science conference presentations over two years to determine that the folks charged with curing cancer and saving the Earth — well, they aren’t very funny. While 40% of presenters avoided humor altogether, 66% of those who did try were met with either “polite chuckles or straight-up dead silence,” per (https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/20/why-scientists-cant-get-a-laugh/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz--Q1qWJ2g1WUEGJQxwxg-cFX65sPCUDVeY8yMHchN8QUA_17TxpjDvndoKXxjG7nDvzq-f-sc5nu7HYo7mnaxaSn_olfQ&_hsmi=411922226 ) TechCrunch. We’d say formulating a joke isn’t rocket science, but that might be exactly why the brainy bunch can’t crack the code on comedy. AROUND THE WEB 📅 On this day: In 1968, Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey premiered (https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/april-2/2001-a-space-odyssey-released?_hsenc=p2ANqtz--Q1qWJ2g1WUEGJQxwxg-cFX65sPCUDVeY8yMHchN8QUA_17TxpjDvndoKXxjG7nDvzq-f-sc5nu7HYo7mnaxaSn_olfQ&_hsmi=411922226 ) . 🛰️ That’s cool: A map (https://satellitemap.space/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz--Q1qWJ2g1WUEGJQxwxg-cFX65sPCUDVeY8yMHchN8QUA_17TxpjDvndoKXxjG7nDvzq-f-sc5nu7HYo7mnaxaSn_olfQ&_hsmi=411922226 ) of Starlink satellites. 📰 Newsletter: Tactics (https://www.stackedmarketer.com/tactics-signup/?utm_source=marketingagainsthegrain&utm_medium=april2026&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--Q1qWJ2g1WUEGJQxwxg-cFX65sPCUDVeY8yMHchN8QUA_17TxpjDvndoKXxjG7nDvzq-f-sc5nu7HYo7mnaxaSn_olfQ&_hsmi=411922226 ) offers one practical AI tactic every Saturday, with three ways to use it. 🍄 Game: Mario (https://codepen.io/t_afif/full/JoKYwXO?_hsenc=p2ANqtz--Q1qWJ2g1WUEGJQxwxg-cFX65sPCUDVeY8yMHchN8QUA_17TxpjDvndoKXxjG7nDvzq-f-sc5nu7HYo7mnaxaSn_olfQ&_hsmi=411922226 ) , in CSS. 🐶 Aww: So brave (https://www.reddit.com/r/aww/comments/1s4zc4m/so_damn_proud_of_my_dog_chewie_the_chiweenie_who/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz--Q1qWJ2g1WUEGJQxwxg-cFX65sPCUDVeY8yMHchN8QUA_17TxpjDvndoKXxjG7nDvzq-f-sc5nu7HYo7mnaxaSn_olfQ&_hsmi=411922226 ) . SHOWER THOUGHT It must suck to be born with six fingers nowadays. Everyone will think every picture of you is AI generated. SOURCE (https://www.reddit.com/r/Showerthoughts/comments/1s0qqgn/it_must_suck_to_be_born_with_six_fingers_nowadays/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz--Q1qWJ2g1WUEGJQxwxg-cFX65sPCUDVeY8yMHchN8QUA_17TxpjDvndoKXxjG7nDvzq-f-sc5nu7HYo7mnaxaSn_olfQ&_hsmi=411922226 ) Today's email was brought to you by Juliet Bennett Rylah (https://bsky.app/profile/jbrylah.bsky.social?_hsenc=p2ANqtz--Q1qWJ2g1WUEGJQxwxg-cFX65sPCUDVeY8yMHchN8QUA_17TxpjDvndoKXxjG7nDvzq-f-sc5nu7HYo7mnaxaSn_olfQ&_hsmi=411922226 ) and Singdhi Sokpo. Editing by: Sara "Sounding the alarm" Friedman. Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up here (https://thehustle.co/join/?utm_source=thehustle&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=footer&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--Q1qWJ2g1WUEGJQxwxg-cFX65sPCUDVeY8yMHchN8QUA_17TxpjDvndoKXxjG7nDvzq-f-sc5nu7HYo7mnaxaSn_olfQ&_hsmi=411922226 ) . Working on something big? We've got a whole library of business-building resources (https://thehustle.co/resources?utm_source=the-hustle&utm_medium=email-media-newsletter&utm_campaign=owned&utm_term=resources-footer-link-07-2025&utm_content=hustle-footer&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--Q1qWJ2g1WUEGJQxwxg-cFX65sPCUDVeY8yMHchN8QUA_17TxpjDvndoKXxjG7nDvzq-f-sc5nu7HYo7mnaxaSn_olfQ&_hsmi=411922226 ) for you. 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Break our hearts and Unsubscribe (https://blog2.hubspot.com/hs/preferences-center/en/page?data=W2nXS-N30h-RMW3NF5jH3VyJDWW34j06B1Nv0g2W45mlqN3DYLDYW38ryKT32bl-xW2F-C0k4hq3Z1W4rxJ1g2xBc31W1NyhNs2YJfrBW2TLMjG3jdJdbW4thCtp3NPkJtW2CMkKJ2w1ZxcW41rq0B4ktY8ZW3b3f-x47Cr1fW3djW604cw2NFW3JT53s4m96FLW4mHBWS2FzBMtW3zh1nL3-0GsYW4cjyQp30rYj5W2KP7pv2FVzhFW327VVH3dqL0bW2qP8PK4fQ5lSW3j9l283QQWqfW1YZy8H1S58vVW1LxK5034G4scW2-zMxf2HFx67W1L7W-z2r1SLZW4hw0jl2s_80CW2Wxbsq2TlwBbW1X06GT3gy32PW2MVShm3QStMbW2-FWGC3VZmg_W1VhlT03dwJjQW2KCHyv4mmY6XW21cJ5d2HRrWPW3F7s071Bq3CrW38mQ5138ylQ6W4kc07B4cPQz_W36m5xk1Nh7RyW2t0qFB30cVBKW1Ljdnc3dsMtYW3-1Z9y47QdC6W2WjFCM1_mJXKW36dpXg1LqX1nW2RP2bp1S4mbYW4rzP0Y1Xt8zkW3QNJKr4t5d_7W30ryk-2YqfLgW3F8NmS1-ZdKMW2YNPKm1BnQyLW3GWrpz2p1KWHW1QrJpW3M7n6fW3QWtF645QQYvW47tn_-3JFTSzW2YKrqX3_N5m_W2xPnxD2FS-gqW4cgXwh4hNyMX0&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--Q1qWJ2g1WUEGJQxwxg-cFX65sPCUDVeY8yMHchN8QUA_17TxpjDvndoKXxjG7nDvzq-f-sc5nu7HYo7mnaxaSn_olfQ&_hsmi=411922226 ) .

Plus: Sexy fruit slop, the best travel apps, and more. View in browser (https://thehustle.co/seeing-solutions?ecid=ACsprvu8aDW4Fcy_XflcYMDN5tJCDWkw-D63HIn9z6LGtMzvCMTSKUFMjd5Wn7QqNA8pTN-cctnB&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8P4AFUBR-Z7uY7PCBOXxosGlKjXZwHCDVcn4TYIASK8XhoIcx3ehrTjUAN_NPSdsfMfQsze85gvMsXR88m1ZqFM9hiYA&_hsmi=411665771 ) You're just 3 referrals away from earning a Hustle Essentials kit. Check out all of our prizes here (https://store.thehustle.co/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8P4AFUBR-Z7uY7PCBOXxosGlKjXZwHCDVcn4TYIASK8XhoIcx3ehrTjUAN_NPSdsfMfQsze85gvMsXR88m1ZqFM9hiYA&_hsmi=411665771 ) . Share your link: https://thehustle.co/join?ref=9211312919&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8P4AFUBR-Z7uY7PCBOXxosGlKjXZwHCDVcn4TYIASK8XhoIcx3ehrTjUAN_NPSdsfMfQsze85gvMsXR88m1ZqFM9hiYA&_hsmi=411665771 (https://thehustle.co/join?ref=9211312919&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8P4AFUBR-Z7uY7PCBOXxosGlKjXZwHCDVcn4TYIASK8XhoIcx3ehrTjUAN_NPSdsfMfQsze85gvMsXR88m1ZqFM9hiYA&_hsmi=411665771 ) Share The Hustle: https://thehustle.co/join?ref=9211312919&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8P4AFUBR-Z7uY7PCBOXxosGlKjXZwHCDVcn4TYIASK8XhoIcx3ehrTjUAN_NPSdsfMfQsze85gvMsXR88m1ZqFM9hiYA&_hsmi=411665771 (https://thehustle.co/join?ref=9211312919&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8P4AFUBR-Z7uY7PCBOXxosGlKjXZwHCDVcn4TYIASK8XhoIcx3ehrTjUAN_NPSdsfMfQsze85gvMsXR88m1ZqFM9hiYA&_hsmi=411665771 ) Check your referral progress & prizes here (https://thehustle.co/refer-the-hustle?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8P4AFUBR-Z7uY7PCBOXxosGlKjXZwHCDVcn4TYIASK8XhoIcx3ehrTjUAN_NPSdsfMfQsze85gvMsXR88m1ZqFM9hiYA&_hsmi=411665771 ) The Hustle by HubSpot Media (https://thehustle.co/home/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8P4AFUBR-Z7uY7PCBOXxosGlKjXZwHCDVcn4TYIASK8XhoIcx3ehrTjUAN_NPSdsfMfQsze85gvMsXR88m1ZqFM9hiYA&_hsmi=411665771 ) 👋 Good morning. And happy April Fools’ Day. This piece of news is thankfully not a prank: Cadbury unveiled a 121-pound, nearly 27.5-inch-tall Mega version of its classic chocolate Mini Egg. The supersized creation took two days to craft by hand and is currently on display at Cadbury World in the UK. Food for thought: An adult weighing 165 pounds would need to eat 75k milligrams — or 7,084 Hershey's Kisses — to die from chocolate. Just FYI. NEWS FLASH 🎀 I’m a Barbie girl in a… barren convention center? That sure feels off. As did the Mattel-sanctioned Barbie Dream Fest in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where fans expecting (https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/30/style/barbie-dream-fest-florida.html?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8P4AFUBR-Z7uY7PCBOXxosGlKjXZwHCDVcn4TYIASK8XhoIcx3ehrTjUAN_NPSdsfMfQsze85gvMsXR88m1ZqFM9hiYA&_hsmi=411665771 ) a life-size Barbie Dreamhouse, 1980s roller disco, and space-themed exhibition were instead met with 2D cardboard cutouts, a roped-off concrete rink, and a pretty sad-looking disco ball. Tickets, which started at $149 and went up to $449, are now being refunded — though the words “Fyre Festival” are being thrown around. 🏋️ Nice gains: Playlist, parent company of ClassPass, Booker, and Mindbody, has merged (https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/31/the-company-behind-classpass-and-mindbody-just-got-a-lot-bigger-with-a-7-5b-merger/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8P4AFUBR-Z7uY7PCBOXxosGlKjXZwHCDVcn4TYIASK8XhoIcx3ehrTjUAN_NPSdsfMfQsze85gvMsXR88m1ZqFM9hiYA&_hsmi=411665771 ) with EGYM, which makes smart gym equipment, AI workout plans, and corporate wellness app Wellpass. The move, which values the fitness behemoth at $7.5B, connects users across 30+ countries and 100k+ businesses and venues that customers can book through one of the apps, or which offer EGYM equipment. 💰 Show them the money: While startups typically offer lower salaries but bigger equity packages, AI startups are doing the opposite, per (https://www.wsj.com/lifestyle/careers/ai-talent-startups-cash-equity-32065b74?gaa_at=eafs&gaa_n=AWEtsqdt__5nwCar09spPestwGtlQuIxeiyo91aHermOUcWG5nhpIy-P2grE&gaa_ts=69cbe9a4&gaa_sig=riGLdIylYBcZBsUxUMu9xXrtxYoC8BRjb2Lsr1jlfWUIOpKec4cBS1WBnO0H8hsvXra5_6V0Uak0aKJ8iL2U0w%3D%3D&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8P4AFUBR-Z7uY7PCBOXxosGlKjXZwHCDVcn4TYIASK8XhoIcx3ehrTjUAN_NPSdsfMfQsze85gvMsXR88m1ZqFM9hiYA&_hsmi=411665771 ) The Wall Street Journal. Recruiters say such companies are using their venture capital to court candidates with generous base pay, leaving the top 5% to 10% of applicants flush with offers while everyone else struggles. The most in-demand roles include software engineers, sales reps, product managers and marketers, and engineers who teach customers how to use AI. MORE NEWS TO KNOW - Does AI micromanage? Let’s find out: 15% of Americans say (https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/30/ai-work-boss-supervisor-us-quinnipiac-poll/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8P4AFUBR-Z7uY7PCBOXxosGlKjXZwHCDVcn4TYIASK8XhoIcx3ehrTjUAN_NPSdsfMfQsze85gvMsXR88m1ZqFM9hiYA&_hsmi=411665771 ) they’re willing to work for an AI boss, according to a Quinnipiac University poll. - Space: still really freaking cool. NASA’s Perseverance rover — the four-wheeled robot exploring Mars — discovered (https://gizmodo.com/nasa-rover-finds-glowing-ruby-like-crystals-on-mars-for-the-first-time-2000740212?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8P4AFUBR-Z7uY7PCBOXxosGlKjXZwHCDVcn4TYIASK8XhoIcx3ehrTjUAN_NPSdsfMfQsze85gvMsXR88m1ZqFM9hiYA&_hsmi=411665771 ) ruby-like crystals embedded in Martian rocks, suggesting Mars could be home to precious minerals. - Pedaling faster: Also, a Rivian spinoff, hit a $1B valuation and is partnering (https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-03-31/rivian-bike-spinoff-lands-1-billion-valuation-doordash-partnership?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8P4AFUBR-Z7uY7PCBOXxosGlKjXZwHCDVcn4TYIASK8XhoIcx3ehrTjUAN_NPSdsfMfQsze85gvMsXR88m1ZqFM9hiYA&_hsmi=411665771 ) with DoorDash to use its electric bikes for autonomous last-mile deliveries. - Great news for stalkers: Instagram’s testing (https://www.theverge.com/tech/904032/instagram-premium-subscription-story-viewing-anonymously?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8P4AFUBR-Z7uY7PCBOXxosGlKjXZwHCDVcn4TYIASK8XhoIcx3ehrTjUAN_NPSdsfMfQsze85gvMsXR88m1ZqFM9hiYA&_hsmi=411665771 ) a paid subscription that lets users browse stories anonymously and see how many times people replayed their own stories, among other perks. WRITE BETTER COPY Copywriting-Crash-Course (https://offers.hubspot.com/copywriting-masterclass?utm_medium=email-media-newsletter&utm_source=the-hustle&utm_campaign=owned&utm_term=2026-04-01&utm_content=native-ads&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8P4AFUBR-Z7uY7PCBOXxosGlKjXZwHCDVcn4TYIASK8XhoIcx3ehrTjUAN_NPSdsfMfQsze85gvMsXR88m1ZqFM9hiYA&_hsmi=411665771 ) Million-dollar copywriting lessons Before podcasting ever made them famous, writing made them rich. One of Sam Parr (The Hustle, Hampton) and Shaan Puri’s (Milk Road, Stealth Co) best-kept secrets is storytelling instincts. This Copywriting Crash Course (https://offers.hubspot.com/copywriting-masterclass?utm_medium=email-media-newsletter&utm_source=the-hustle&utm_campaign=owned&utm_term=2026-04-01&utm_content=native-ads&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8P4AFUBR-Z7uY7PCBOXxosGlKjXZwHCDVcn4TYIASK8XhoIcx3ehrTjUAN_NPSdsfMfQsze85gvMsXR88m1ZqFM9hiYA&_hsmi=411665771 ) chops up their systems and skills to help you think differently. Finesse every word: - The anatomy of captivating stories - The framework behind two $10m+ newsletters - Panoptic content brief template - 3 steps to more persuasive copy - 14 ChatGPT prompts that expedite editing Don’t give up on this part of your brain. Be a better writer (https://offers.hubspot.com/copywriting-masterclass?utm_medium=email-media-newsletter&utm_source=the-hustle&utm_campaign=owned&utm_term=2026-04-01&utm_content=native-ads&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8P4AFUBR-Z7uY7PCBOXxosGlKjXZwHCDVcn4TYIASK8XhoIcx3ehrTjUAN_NPSdsfMfQsze85gvMsXR88m1ZqFM9hiYA&_hsmi=411665771 ) THE BIG IDEA A pair of black-rimmed glasses (https://thehustle.co/news/four-eyes-on-the-future?mainArticle=true&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8P4AFUBR-Z7uY7PCBOXxosGlKjXZwHCDVcn4TYIASK8XhoIcx3ehrTjUAN_NPSdsfMfQsze85gvMsXR88m1ZqFM9hiYA&_hsmi=411665771 ) Four eyes on the future Motivating a kid to wear glasses isn't always easy — take it from a once reluctantly bespectacled 5-year-old. But one young girl in the UK found the motivation to not only don a pair of specs, but created innovative, color-changing glasses that help her and others with dyslexia read more easily and comfortably, per (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy7j33rny16o?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8P4AFUBR-Z7uY7PCBOXxosGlKjXZwHCDVcn4TYIASK8XhoIcx3ehrTjUAN_NPSdsfMfQsze85gvMsXR88m1ZqFM9hiYA&_hsmi=411665771 ) BBC. A reading rainbow Struggling with headaches and difficulty reading due to dyslexia, 11-year-old Millie designed Rainbow Glasses. - A prototype of the glasses was created by manufacturing firm Thales, which features lenses that turn red, blue, or green using LEDs. - Users can select the hue that best alleviates visual stress and makes reading more comfortable. - Millie's design won gold at the UK's annual Primary Engineer MacRobert Medal (https://www.primaryengineer.com/greater-manchester-pupils-invention-rainbow-glasses-awarded-gold-medal-in-london/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8P4AFUBR-Z7uY7PCBOXxosGlKjXZwHCDVcn4TYIASK8XhoIcx3ehrTjUAN_NPSdsfMfQsze85gvMsXR88m1ZqFM9hiYA&_hsmi=411665771 ) , beating 70k+ entries. - She now plans to secure funding to get Rainbow Glasses on shelves. While some organizations, such as the Irlen Institute (https://irlen.com/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8P4AFUBR-Z7uY7PCBOXxosGlKjXZwHCDVcn4TYIASK8XhoIcx3ehrTjUAN_NPSdsfMfQsze85gvMsXR88m1ZqFM9hiYA&_hsmi=411665771 ) , promote the use of colored lenses for dyslexia and other conditions, many medical authorities (https://dyslexiaida.org/how-to-counter-vision-based-claims-about-dyslexia-cures/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8P4AFUBR-Z7uY7PCBOXxosGlKjXZwHCDVcn4TYIASK8XhoIcx3ehrTjUAN_NPSdsfMfQsze85gvMsXR88m1ZqFM9hiYA&_hsmi=411665771 ) have found little scientific evidence to support their use as a treatment. Through the looking glass Dyslexia affects roughly 1 in 14 people (https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/6005-dyslexia?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8P4AFUBR-Z7uY7PCBOXxosGlKjXZwHCDVcn4TYIASK8XhoIcx3ehrTjUAN_NPSdsfMfQsze85gvMsXR88m1ZqFM9hiYA&_hsmi=411665771 ) globally, so it's not surprising that Millie isn't the only entrepreneur looking to help those with the learning disability. - French startup Lili for Life (https://thevertical.la/entrepreneurs/french-monitor-for-dyslexic-adults-to-launch-in-u-s-in-february/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8P4AFUBR-Z7uY7PCBOXxosGlKjXZwHCDVcn4TYIASK8XhoIcx3ehrTjUAN_NPSdsfMfQsze85gvMsXR88m1ZqFM9hiYA&_hsmi=411665771 ) unveiled a monitor that uses flickering light to stabilize visual perception and reduce reading effort. - Boston startup EarlyBird Education (https://www.builtinboston.com/articles/boston-future-5-company-earlybird-education-q1-2023?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8P4AFUBR-Z7uY7PCBOXxosGlKjXZwHCDVcn4TYIASK8XhoIcx3ehrTjUAN_NPSdsfMfQsze85gvMsXR88m1ZqFM9hiYA&_hsmi=411665771 ) developed a mobile game that can help identify signs of dyslexia before a child has even learned to read. - Santa Monica-based Polygon (https://dot.la/polygon-adhd-dyslexia-test-2657357820.html?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8P4AFUBR-Z7uY7PCBOXxosGlKjXZwHCDVcn4TYIASK8XhoIcx3ehrTjUAN_NPSdsfMfQsze85gvMsXR88m1ZqFM9hiYA&_hsmi=411665771 ) uses remote assessments for early detection of dyslexia and other learning disabilities. - An Idaho high schooler recently won $10k in funding for ReadBuddy AI (https://www.rediconnects.org/news-happenings/posts/2025/may/idaho-teen-wins-in-invest-nest-earns-10k-for-dyslexia-startup/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8P4AFUBR-Z7uY7PCBOXxosGlKjXZwHCDVcn4TYIASK8XhoIcx3ehrTjUAN_NPSdsfMfQsze85gvMsXR88m1ZqFM9hiYA&_hsmi=411665771 ) , software that helps readers pronounce words and curates personalized content. An entrepreneurial superpower Multiple studies have shown that a high percentage (https://www.amanet.org/articles/new-research-reveals-many-entrepreneurs-are-dyslexic/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8P4AFUBR-Z7uY7PCBOXxosGlKjXZwHCDVcn4TYIASK8XhoIcx3ehrTjUAN_NPSdsfMfQsze85gvMsXR88m1ZqFM9hiYA&_hsmi=411665771 ) of entrepreneurs are dyslexic, and many suggest that dyslexia offers a competitive edge (https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbesbusinesscouncil/2023/06/02/dyslexia-and-entrepreneurship-a-competitive-edge/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8P4AFUBR-Z7uY7PCBOXxosGlKjXZwHCDVcn4TYIASK8XhoIcx3ehrTjUAN_NPSdsfMfQsze85gvMsXR88m1ZqFM9hiYA&_hsmi=411665771 ) thanks to big-picture thinking and resilient problem-solving, among other skills. Richard Branson, who considers (https://www.madebydyslexia.org/MBD-Entrepreneurs-Spotlight.pdf?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8P4AFUBR-Z7uY7PCBOXxosGlKjXZwHCDVcn4TYIASK8XhoIcx3ehrTjUAN_NPSdsfMfQsze85gvMsXR88m1ZqFM9hiYA&_hsmi=411665771 ) dyslexia his superpower, even launched the University of Dyslexic Thinking to demonstrate how dyslexia can fuel innovation and success across industries. It seems Millie is in good company. 🔗 (https://thehustle.co/news/four-eyes-on-the-future?mainArticle=true&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8P4AFUBR-Z7uY7PCBOXxosGlKjXZwHCDVcn4TYIASK8XhoIcx3ehrTjUAN_NPSdsfMfQsze85gvMsXR88m1ZqFM9hiYA&_hsmi=411665771 ) HIGHLY RECOMMENDED Don’t miss this one: Starter Story founder Pat Walls on selling his company and how dumb iPhone apps still mint big money (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8wulNsNYc8&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8P4AFUBR-Z7uY7PCBOXxosGlKjXZwHCDVcn4TYIASK8XhoIcx3ehrTjUAN_NPSdsfMfQsze85gvMsXR88m1ZqFM9hiYA&_hsmi=411665771 ) . NEWSWORTHY NUMBER Views racked up by “Fruit Love Island,” an AI-generated TikTok series, launched this month, about sexy fruit with names like Grapenzo the grape and Cherrita the cherry, who flirt, fight, and cheat just like the contestants on the human reality show “Love Island.” If you’re thinking, “What in the AI slop?”, just know you’re far from alone. Apparently, as many people were disturbed by the horny produce as were intrigued — the show’s creator has seemingly deleted the TikTok account, which amassed 3m+ followers in just nine days, reportedly rage-quitting (https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/articles/massive-ai-tiktok-creator-public-110000084.html?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8P4AFUBR-Z7uY7PCBOXxosGlKjXZwHCDVcn4TYIASK8XhoIcx3ehrTjUAN_NPSdsfMfQsze85gvMsXR88m1ZqFM9hiYA&_hsmi=411665771 ) after several videos were reported by users and removed from the platform. HOW YOU HUSTLE We don’t need to tell you — our readers are amazing. We wanted to dedicate some real estate to a Hustler building something big. Who: Zac Wolf What: The Danger Booth (https://www.thedangerbooth.com/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8P4AFUBR-Z7uY7PCBOXxosGlKjXZwHCDVcn4TYIASK8XhoIcx3ehrTjUAN_NPSdsfMfQsze85gvMsXR88m1ZqFM9hiYA&_hsmi=411665771 ) The elevator pitch: “We offer a solution to provide employees, guests, or whoever access to high-quality headshots at scale. Our headshot lounge is able to instantly send users four high-quality headshots in under 90 seconds total." The problem they’re solving: “So many folks are still using low quality and/or outdated headshots and in the world of remote work headshots are more important than ever.” Origin story: “It all began as a more traditional photobooth company that was just an extension of my wedding photography work. After a few years, a client had reached out to me about a need for 40 headshots in an hour and I came up with the idea to use the photobooth instead of a more traditional camera on a tripod.” What are you working on? Tell us here (https://media.hubspot.com/e3t/Ctc/UB+113/d2q-Vf04/VVpwTn6Chl2QW12grRK3Yl4y2W7lBRbf5D5YbXMwF3S-2-ZW0W6N1vHY6lZ3mpW4Xxxj21N4-DWW99Dns73K5zx3VRXMbC8wB5bXW8vSgy46CXWr8W6rDm_F1KKfbFW7hhl487q42HDW7GRxp78TQr5CN6Lc_Hdn-MlfW7RSbxY2q8XLGW7pnGSs1HGGDVW1NQ--Y3FFg-4W9bbkyT1yVsnYN97h-vy50hQZW18yNTb2t3l_-N75VdpmY-DvzVMkFkd8QqH-hW93MqRh1ZzGKhW6JMh3n8Fw5HBW5H1JFb7YSmH6W3Cs6xm4qfnKjN2r9RTM6_bMzW88g-_H35xssyd97C_v04?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8P4AFUBR-Z7uY7PCBOXxosGlKjXZwHCDVcn4TYIASK8XhoIcx3ehrTjUAN_NPSdsfMfQsze85gvMsXR88m1ZqFM9hiYA&_hsmi=411665771 ) . AROUND THE WEB 📅 On this day: In 1985, Nike released its first Air Jordan sneakers (https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2024/04/01/this-week-in-history/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8P4AFUBR-Z7uY7PCBOXxosGlKjXZwHCDVcn4TYIASK8XhoIcx3ehrTjUAN_NPSdsfMfQsze85gvMsXR88m1ZqFM9hiYA&_hsmi=411665771 ) , selling $126m worth in one year. 🌐 That’s cool: Interactive lessons on the history of the internet (https://www.web-rewind.com/?utm_source=archive.internetisbeautiful.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=web-rewind&_bhlid=153b0ea6f1e39b23aaed05afd684052ad00f8ff9&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8P4AFUBR-Z7uY7PCBOXxosGlKjXZwHCDVcn4TYIASK8XhoIcx3ehrTjUAN_NPSdsfMfQsze85gvMsXR88m1ZqFM9hiYA&_hsmi=411665771 ) . 📰 Newsletter: Like charts and data storytelling? Subscribe (https://join.sherwood.news/signup/?utm_source=hubspot&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8P4AFUBR-Z7uY7PCBOXxosGlKjXZwHCDVcn4TYIASK8XhoIcx3ehrTjUAN_NPSdsfMfQsze85gvMsXR88m1ZqFM9hiYA&_hsmi=411665771 ) to Chartr. 🧳 Useful: The New York Times’ picks for best travel apps (https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/19/travel/local-apps-international-travel.html?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8P4AFUBR-Z7uY7PCBOXxosGlKjXZwHCDVcn4TYIASK8XhoIcx3ehrTjUAN_NPSdsfMfQsze85gvMsXR88m1ZqFM9hiYA&_hsmi=411665771 ) for trips abroad. 🐈 Aww: Very meticulous tail washing (https://www.reddit.com/r/aww/comments/1s5badr/the_only_correct_way_to_wash_tail/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8P4AFUBR-Z7uY7PCBOXxosGlKjXZwHCDVcn4TYIASK8XhoIcx3ehrTjUAN_NPSdsfMfQsze85gvMsXR88m1ZqFM9hiYA&_hsmi=411665771 ) . SHOWER THOUGHT Squirrels and guinea pigs both figured out how to solve the rat charisma problem, but in different ways. 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When something is free, people feel a positive glow — and standard cost-benefit analyses go out the window. You're just 3 referrals away from earning a Hustle Essentials kit. Check out all of our prizes here (https://store.thehustle.co/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8_DIdn7BjRW4ptO0QlZR51cCZXoEw2CHmOjfG7xRroZvgjinJabfMIz_Jggqfo2gqeM4c0NLRfiHqJe-ThKlbZxoQGmw&_hsmi=410851136 ) . Share your link: https://thehustle.co/join?ref=9211312919&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8_DIdn7BjRW4ptO0QlZR51cCZXoEw2CHmOjfG7xRroZvgjinJabfMIz_Jggqfo2gqeM4c0NLRfiHqJe-ThKlbZxoQGmw&_hsmi=410851136 (https://thehustle.co/join?ref=9211312919&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8_DIdn7BjRW4ptO0QlZR51cCZXoEw2CHmOjfG7xRroZvgjinJabfMIz_Jggqfo2gqeM4c0NLRfiHqJe-ThKlbZxoQGmw&_hsmi=410851136 ) Share The Hustle: https://thehustle.co/join?ref=9211312919&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8_DIdn7BjRW4ptO0QlZR51cCZXoEw2CHmOjfG7xRroZvgjinJabfMIz_Jggqfo2gqeM4c0NLRfiHqJe-ThKlbZxoQGmw&_hsmi=410851136 (https://thehustle.co/join?ref=9211312919&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8_DIdn7BjRW4ptO0QlZR51cCZXoEw2CHmOjfG7xRroZvgjinJabfMIz_Jggqfo2gqeM4c0NLRfiHqJe-ThKlbZxoQGmw&_hsmi=410851136 ) Check your referral progress & prizes here (https://thehustle.co/refer-the-hustle?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8_DIdn7BjRW4ptO0QlZR51cCZXoEw2CHmOjfG7xRroZvgjinJabfMIz_Jggqfo2gqeM4c0NLRfiHqJe-ThKlbZxoQGmw&_hsmi=410851136 ) View in browser (https://hubspotmedia-20627419.hs-sites.com/why-free-stuff-makes-us-irrational-1?ecid=ACsprvs-LRT86wZzzs65E1U-CzGoMVXyoCadXlxtCeMHGtuZtnVm2e1RIM48wz9elwXTsSEnCQnp&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8_DIdn7BjRW4ptO0QlZR51cCZXoEw2CHmOjfG7xRroZvgjinJabfMIz_Jggqfo2gqeM4c0NLRfiHqJe-ThKlbZxoQGmw&_hsmi=410851136 ) The Hustle by HubSpot Media (https://thehustle.co/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8_DIdn7BjRW4ptO0QlZR51cCZXoEw2CHmOjfG7xRroZvgjinJabfMIz_Jggqfo2gqeM4c0NLRfiHqJe-ThKlbZxoQGmw&_hsmi=410851136 ) Issue #386 Animated illustration of a person excitedly grabbing free items. (https://thehustle.co/originals/why-free-stuff-makes-us-irrational?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8_DIdn7BjRW4ptO0QlZR51cCZXoEw2CHmOjfG7xRroZvgjinJabfMIz_Jggqfo2gqeM4c0NLRfiHqJe-ThKlbZxoQGmw&_hsmi=410851136 ) Sunday, March 29, 2026 Why free stuff makes us irrational When something is free, people feel a positive glow — and standard cost-benefit analyses go out the window. BY MARK DENT (https://x.com/mdent05?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8_DIdn7BjRW4ptO0QlZR51cCZXoEw2CHmOjfG7xRroZvgjinJabfMIz_Jggqfo2gqeM4c0NLRfiHqJe-ThKlbZxoQGmw&_hsmi=410851136 ) If you’ve ever wondered just how passionate people are about free samples at Costco, look no further than these 2 incidents: - 2015: At a Southern California Costco, a 78-year-old was punched in the face after accusing a 24-year-old of hogging too many Nutella waffle samples. An arrest was made. - 2018: At a South Carolina Costco, 2 septuagenarians on a cheeseburger sample binge got into a spat over line etiquette that ended in a hat-flying slap to the face. It may seem odd that a few small nibbles on toothpicks would incite violence. But this conduct is rooted in behavioral psychology. In short, free stuff makes us do very strange, irrational things. Why Free Stuff Makes Us Irrational (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COzrbr5HOVA&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8_DIdn7BjRW4ptO0QlZR51cCZXoEw2CHmOjfG7xRroZvgjinJabfMIz_Jggqfo2gqeM4c0NLRfiHqJe-ThKlbZxoQGmw&_hsmi=410851136 ) We’ll look at how “free” affects consumer behavior across 3 different areas: grocery store samples, shipping, and online content. The ‘positive glow’ of not having to pay Dan Ariely, a professor of behavioral economics at Duke University and the author of Predictably Irrational (https://www.amazon.com/Predictably-Irrational-Revised-Expanded-Decisions-ebook/dp/B002C949KE/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=predictably%20irrational&qid=1651076893&s=books&sprefix=predic%2Cstripbooks%2C121&sr=1-1&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8_DIdn7BjRW4ptO0QlZR51cCZXoEw2CHmOjfG7xRroZvgjinJabfMIz_Jggqfo2gqeM4c0NLRfiHqJe-ThKlbZxoQGmw&_hsmi=410851136 ) , has researched the allure of free for years in all kinds of settings. One time, he even hired somebody to give out free tattoos at a party. People who otherwise may not have considered a tattoo — especially not on a whim — got inked up because the price was right. “There is something special about being free,” Ariely tells The Hustle. In 2007, he co-authored a study (https://people.duke.edu/~dandan/webfiles/PapersPI/Zero%20as%20a%20Special%20Price.pdf?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8_DIdn7BjRW4ptO0QlZR51cCZXoEw2CHmOjfG7xRroZvgjinJabfMIz_Jggqfo2gqeM4c0NLRfiHqJe-ThKlbZxoQGmw&_hsmi=410851136 ) titled “Zero as a Special Price: The True Value of Free Products” in which participants were asked to choose one of the following: - A free Hershey’s Kiss - A $0.13 Lindt truffle (a superior product in quality that retails for multiples more than a Hershey’s Kiss) More than 2x as many people chose the free Hershey’s Kiss than chose the $0.13 Lindt truffle. But when Ariely and his co-authors put a $0.01 price tag on the Hershey’s Kiss and adjusted the Lindt truffle price by a mere penny, participants overwhelmingly selected the Lindt truffle. Zachary Crockett / The Hustle The researchers conducted other experiments involving real chocolates and photos of chocolates, and the results were similar every time. They dubbed this the zero price effect: People overvalue things that are free and make irrational decisions in many cases when something free is involved. Kristina Shampanier, a co-author of the study who now works at an economics consulting firm, told The Hustle the behavior is irrational because the research participants who picked the free item gave up something better, something they should prefer in a traditional cost-benefit analysis. People do it because they are guided by a good feeling — “a positive glow that people have about not having to pay,” according to Shampanier. As Ariely explains further, when people see something for free, they don’t see the downside. Most days, we’re not confronted with a choice between free Hershey’s Kisses and inexpensive Lindt chocolates. We do, however, face situations where accepting a free offer feels good but isn’t necessarily the best deal. Free shipping According to the 2019 Walker Sands Future of Retail Survey (https://www.walkersands.com/resources/the-future-of-retail-2019/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8_DIdn7BjRW4ptO0QlZR51cCZXoEw2CHmOjfG7xRroZvgjinJabfMIz_Jggqfo2gqeM4c0NLRfiHqJe-ThKlbZxoQGmw&_hsmi=410851136 ) , 77% of 1.6k respondents said free shipping had made them more likely to buy an item online, ranking far above inducements like same-day shipping or the ability to visualize products in 3D. Zachary Crockett / The Hustle In a study about free shipping in ecommerce, former Wharton School professor David Bell found that free shipping lulled buyers into financially unsound decisions. The consumers he studied preferred (https://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article/how-the-offer-of-free-shipping-affects-on-line-shopping/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8_DIdn7BjRW4ptO0QlZR51cCZXoEw2CHmOjfG7xRroZvgjinJabfMIz_Jggqfo2gqeM4c0NLRfiHqJe-ThKlbZxoQGmw&_hsmi=410851136 ) to save $6.99 and get free shipping, versus saving $10 on the purchase price but still pay for shipping, even though the savings would have been greater. In addition to the positive glow inherent in the free offer, Ariely says the popularity of free shipping is attractive for another reason. Consumers, he says, have a difficult time understanding why shipping should cost anything: - They feel OK paying for a tangible product, but they don’t compute how the time and labor involved with shipping should drive up the price. - The added price of shipping makes them see the total purchase as having an “unfair” cost. When the “unfair” barrier is removed (by making shipping free), people are more likely to buy the product. FedEx workers sorting and processing packages with free shipping on Cyber Monday in 2008 (Joe Raedle/Getty Images) And inexpensive shipping isn’t nearly as effective as free shipping — at least anecdotally. During Amazon’s early days, the company introduced free shipping in several European countries. In France, it reduced shipping to one franc. While business increased dramatically in the free shipping countries, purchases in France didn’t rise at nearly as high of a rate. Free samples When stores like Costco, Sam’s Club, Whole Foods, and Walmart halted free samples at the peak of the pandemic, they had to adjust. At Walmart, Cure Hydration made a deal for samples of its electrolyte-infused beverage to be featured in curbside pickup orders (https://www.cnbc.com/2021/03/10/free-samples-with-curbside-orders-how-brands-woo-online-grocery-shoppers.html?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8_DIdn7BjRW4ptO0QlZR51cCZXoEw2CHmOjfG7xRroZvgjinJabfMIz_Jggqfo2gqeM4c0NLRfiHqJe-ThKlbZxoQGmw&_hsmi=410851136 ) . Walmart also started offering samples for ecommerce customers (https://www.forbes.com/sites/charlesrtaylor/2020/10/08/the-time-has-come-for-e-commerce-sampling/?sh=2851534b791d&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8_DIdn7BjRW4ptO0QlZR51cCZXoEw2CHmOjfG7xRroZvgjinJabfMIz_Jggqfo2gqeM4c0NLRfiHqJe-ThKlbZxoQGmw&_hsmi=410851136 ) . Why so much trouble for a freebie? It’s simple: Free samples often make people spend money. To get samples in stores, businesses typically partner with independent companies (https://clubdemo.com/about-cds/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8_DIdn7BjRW4ptO0QlZR51cCZXoEw2CHmOjfG7xRroZvgjinJabfMIz_Jggqfo2gqeM4c0NLRfiHqJe-ThKlbZxoQGmw&_hsmi=410851136 ) that staff sampling events and that have relationships with major stores. Based on 2011 data from The Street (https://www.thestreet.com/personal-finance/why-retailers-pay-for-your-free-samples-11008255?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8_DIdn7BjRW4ptO0QlZR51cCZXoEw2CHmOjfG7xRroZvgjinJabfMIz_Jggqfo2gqeM4c0NLRfiHqJe-ThKlbZxoQGmw&_hsmi=410851136 ) , costs for contracting with a demonstration company for one sampling event at a grocery store range from $150 to $340 a day. Companies spend ~$2B (https://news.byu.edu/news/study-free-samples-increase-sales-work-better-end-aisle-promotions?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8_DIdn7BjRW4ptO0QlZR51cCZXoEw2CHmOjfG7xRroZvgjinJabfMIz_Jggqfo2gqeM4c0NLRfiHqJe-ThKlbZxoQGmw&_hsmi=410851136 ) a year on free samples. The returns are usually high, both for the companies looking to sell new products and the stores. - The former supermarket chain Marsh found (https://www.supermarketnews.com/archive/marsh-increases-store-sampling?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8_DIdn7BjRW4ptO0QlZR51cCZXoEw2CHmOjfG7xRroZvgjinJabfMIz_Jggqfo2gqeM4c0NLRfiHqJe-ThKlbZxoQGmw&_hsmi=410851136 ) 68% of samplers were persuaded to buy a product after sampling. - A sampling event by one brand leads to higher average sales of brands in the same category that were not part of the sampling event, according to a Brigham Young University study (https://news.byu.edu/news/study-free-samples-increase-sales-work-better-end-aisle-promotions?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8_DIdn7BjRW4ptO0QlZR51cCZXoEw2CHmOjfG7xRroZvgjinJabfMIz_Jggqfo2gqeM4c0NLRfiHqJe-ThKlbZxoQGmw&_hsmi=410851136 ) . - When Ziploc sampled a new space bag at Costco, it saw a 156% sales increase (https://clubdemo.com/case-studies/ziploc/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8_DIdn7BjRW4ptO0QlZR51cCZXoEw2CHmOjfG7xRroZvgjinJabfMIz_Jggqfo2gqeM4c0NLRfiHqJe-ThKlbZxoQGmw&_hsmi=410851136 ) . Products in categories like beer, wine, cheese, and frozen pizza have seen (https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2014/10/the-psychology-behind-costcos-free-samples/380969/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8_DIdn7BjRW4ptO0QlZR51cCZXoEw2CHmOjfG7xRroZvgjinJabfMIz_Jggqfo2gqeM4c0NLRfiHqJe-ThKlbZxoQGmw&_hsmi=410851136 ) increases ranging from 71% to 600%. Zachary Crockett / The Hustle Researchers have identified several reasons behind the success of the free samples, from customers gaining familiarity with a product they may have otherwise never tried to customers learning where sampled products are located in the store after sampling them. But because something free is involved, irrationality is also at play. The “free” aspect of a free sample causes the same glowing feeling that people experienced with the Hershey’s Kisses, and, Ariely says, people who receive the free sample want to reciprocate. “You feel obligated to some degree, [making] it more likely you buy the full package,” Ariely says. But the feeling of reciprocation doesn’t apply everywhere. Free content Whether it’s a Substack newsletter or a publication as decorated as The New York Times, many media outlets have readership bases built on giving away a few stories before requiring people to sign up for a subscription. On the surface, it sounds similar to offering a free sample. So readers should be basking in the glow of a free deal after consuming a couple of articles and then feeling the need to reciprocate, right? Ariely says the circumstances are different. - People who read 3 articles for free may want to read another when they bump up against a paywall. But they may see a monthly subscription rate as an expensive price for one more article. - For food and drink items that get sampled at stores, people are familiar with their regular prices. Because so much content is still free on the internet, people think of online media “in the realm of free.” Some 20% of Americans pay for online news, according to the Reuters Institute’s Digital News Report for 2020 (https://www.niemanlab.org/2020/06/in-some-countries-like-the-u-s-people-really-will-pay-for-more-than-one-news-subscription/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8_DIdn7BjRW4ptO0QlZR51cCZXoEw2CHmOjfG7xRroZvgjinJabfMIz_Jggqfo2gqeM4c0NLRfiHqJe-ThKlbZxoQGmw&_hsmi=410851136 ) . Their reasons for subscribing are varied, ranging from supporting a specific journalist, to wanting to get ahead in their careers, to believing that paying for news is a societal good. Zachary Crockett / The Hustle But ~40% (https://www.digitalnewsreport.org/survey/2020/how-and-why-people-are-paying-for-online-news/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8_DIdn7BjRW4ptO0QlZR51cCZXoEw2CHmOjfG7xRroZvgjinJabfMIz_Jggqfo2gqeM4c0NLRfiHqJe-ThKlbZxoQGmw&_hsmi=410851136 ) of Americans say they would never pay for news. Similarly, Ariely says hardly anybody would want to pay for Facebook after being ingrained in its ad-based model for so long. Yet free content isn’t necessarily the best deal. It’s possible that subscription news sites are higher quality than the free options and also that the free sites — as well as the free version of Facebook we’re accustomed to — include more ads that hook users into paying more money in the long run. The behavior isn’t rational, a common thread when something free is involved. Share & discuss this story on: Site (https://thehustle.co/originals/why-free-stuff-makes-us-irrational?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8_DIdn7BjRW4ptO0QlZR51cCZXoEw2CHmOjfG7xRroZvgjinJabfMIz_Jggqfo2gqeM4c0NLRfiHqJe-ThKlbZxoQGmw&_hsmi=410851136 ) YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@TheHustleChannel?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8_DIdn7BjRW4ptO0QlZR51cCZXoEw2CHmOjfG7xRroZvgjinJabfMIz_Jggqfo2gqeM4c0NLRfiHqJe-ThKlbZxoQGmw&_hsmi=410851136 ) LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/thehustle/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8_DIdn7BjRW4ptO0QlZR51cCZXoEw2CHmOjfG7xRroZvgjinJabfMIz_Jggqfo2gqeM4c0NLRfiHqJe-ThKlbZxoQGmw&_hsmi=410851136 ) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/thehustledaily/?hl=en&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8_DIdn7BjRW4ptO0QlZR51cCZXoEw2CHmOjfG7xRroZvgjinJabfMIz_Jggqfo2gqeM4c0NLRfiHqJe-ThKlbZxoQGmw&_hsmi=410851136 ) Today's email was brought to you by Katherine Laidlaw (https://x.com/klaidlaw?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8_DIdn7BjRW4ptO0QlZR51cCZXoEw2CHmOjfG7xRroZvgjinJabfMIz_Jggqfo2gqeM4c0NLRfiHqJe-ThKlbZxoQGmw&_hsmi=410851136 ) , Mark Dent (https://x.com/mdent05?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8_DIdn7BjRW4ptO0QlZR51cCZXoEw2CHmOjfG7xRroZvgjinJabfMIz_Jggqfo2gqeM4c0NLRfiHqJe-ThKlbZxoQGmw&_hsmi=410851136 ) , and Zachary Crockett (https://x.com/zzcrockett?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8_DIdn7BjRW4ptO0QlZR51cCZXoEw2CHmOjfG7xRroZvgjinJabfMIz_Jggqfo2gqeM4c0NLRfiHqJe-ThKlbZxoQGmw&_hsmi=410851136 ) , with help from Kaylee Jenzen. 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Plus: Amazon’s big win, a community music project, and more. ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ View in browser (https://thehustle.co/gift-local-1?ecid=ACsprvtHDW1YE4mcZ7xW3WWLqBDp5MUtHyNb8xPpYuxs2XbFRFsIuq4LJq56nu2PzYjXHDVRSDa5&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_imljoC8JJ6smMn2NzfCoKRkifeskM5gMeKNNzi1yOTgFdJLltitQcz6UrgwwYt-Cx_XHbNmZbTvHboLHnVlIQtII0tA&_hsmi=405415147 ) You're just 3 referrals away from earning a Hustle Essentials kit. 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Share your link: https://thehustle.co/join?ref=9211312919&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_imljoC8JJ6smMn2NzfCoKRkifeskM5gMeKNNzi1yOTgFdJLltitQcz6UrgwwYt-Cx_XHbNmZbTvHboLHnVlIQtII0tA&_hsmi=405415147 (https://thehustle.co/join?ref=9211312919&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_imljoC8JJ6smMn2NzfCoKRkifeskM5gMeKNNzi1yOTgFdJLltitQcz6UrgwwYt-Cx_XHbNmZbTvHboLHnVlIQtII0tA&_hsmi=405415147 ) Share The Hustle: https://thehustle.co/join?ref=9211312919&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_imljoC8JJ6smMn2NzfCoKRkifeskM5gMeKNNzi1yOTgFdJLltitQcz6UrgwwYt-Cx_XHbNmZbTvHboLHnVlIQtII0tA&_hsmi=405415147 (https://thehustle.co/join?ref=9211312919&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_imljoC8JJ6smMn2NzfCoKRkifeskM5gMeKNNzi1yOTgFdJLltitQcz6UrgwwYt-Cx_XHbNmZbTvHboLHnVlIQtII0tA&_hsmi=405415147 ) Check your referral progress & prizes here (https://thehustle.co/refer-the-hustle?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_imljoC8JJ6smMn2NzfCoKRkifeskM5gMeKNNzi1yOTgFdJLltitQcz6UrgwwYt-Cx_XHbNmZbTvHboLHnVlIQtII0tA&_hsmi=405415147 ) The Hustle by HubSpot Media (https://thehustle.co/home/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_imljoC8JJ6smMn2NzfCoKRkifeskM5gMeKNNzi1yOTgFdJLltitQcz6UrgwwYt-Cx_XHbNmZbTvHboLHnVlIQtII0tA&_hsmi=405415147 ) 👋 Good morning. And, if you have an English lit degree, good luck. Just kidding (kinda), but the degree has fallen from the No. 4 spot to No. 16 on the National Center for Education Statistics' list of the most common fields of study in the US since 1970. Business has held the No. 1 spot since 1980 with 368k degrees conferred in 2024, 50% more than health, the No. 2 field of study. The pen might be mightier than the sword, but it’s not as mighty as being able to put “MBA” on your LinkedIn profile. STARTING UP Can AI spot cancer before your doctor can? ❌ The problem: Pancreatic, lung, and liver cancers are hard to catch early, but doing so is the most effective way to cure the diseases. 💡 The pitch: Xlue (https://www.xlue.ai/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_imljoC8JJ6smMn2NzfCoKRkifeskM5gMeKNNzi1yOTgFdJLltitQcz6UrgwwYt-Cx_XHbNmZbTvHboLHnVlIQtII0tA&_hsmi=405415147 ) is training an AI model on millions of patients' medical records to flag patients at high risk before they develop symptoms. Its tool, CATCH-FM, analyzes patient trajectories to predict (https://www.seattletimes.com/life/predicting-cancer-ai-startup-aims-to-upend-cancer-treatment/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_imljoC8JJ6smMn2NzfCoKRkifeskM5gMeKNNzi1yOTgFdJLltitQcz6UrgwwYt-Cx_XHbNmZbTvHboLHnVlIQtII0tA&_hsmi=405415147 ) future cancer risk with a ~50% accuracy for first-time cases and ~70% for recurring cases. 🚀 The outlook: The startup is exploring partnerships with major health systems and says the tech could one day be expanded to predict medical events like strokes or heart attacks. If AI can autocomplete your emails, it might as well try to save your life. NEWS FLASH - Uber’s empire gets bigger: SpotHero, a parking reservation app, is being acquired (https://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/23/uber-acquiring-spothero.html?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_imljoC8JJ6smMn2NzfCoKRkifeskM5gMeKNNzi1yOTgFdJLltitQcz6UrgwwYt-Cx_XHbNmZbTvHboLHnVlIQtII0tA&_hsmi=405415147 ) by Uber for an unknown sum. The rideshare and food delivery giant will use SpotHero’s tech to power a parking reservation feature in its own app for events, venues, and airports. - Weather report: The creators of Dark Sky — the weather app acquired by Apple in 2020 — are back with Acme Weather. Co-founder Adam Grossman wrote (https://acmeweather.com/blog/introducing-acme-weather?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_imljoC8JJ6smMn2NzfCoKRkifeskM5gMeKNNzi1yOTgFdJLltitQcz6UrgwwYt-Cx_XHbNmZbTvHboLHnVlIQtII0tA&_hsmi=405415147 ) that the app embraces weather’s uncertainty by offering a data-derived forecast alongside alternate possible weather outcomes. Plus, you can have it notify you if there’s a cool rainbow outside. - Monkey business: Plush orangutans that once retailed for $20 at Ikea are now listed for hundreds (https://gizmodo.com/punch-the-baby-monkeys-ikea-plushie-is-selling-for-hundreds-on-ebay-2000725633?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_imljoC8JJ6smMn2NzfCoKRkifeskM5gMeKNNzi1yOTgFdJLltitQcz6UrgwwYt-Cx_XHbNmZbTvHboLHnVlIQtII0tA&_hsmi=405415147 ) on eBay because Punch, the internet-viral baby macaque abandoned by his mother and raised by zookeepers at Japan’s Ichikawa City Zoo, carries one around. Punch is currently attempting to integrate with new primate friends. - Keep it going: Startup 222 began in 2021 as a dinner series, launched an app in 2024, and has since raised $13.7m. In its current iteration (https://www.businessinsider.com/social-startup-222-raised-millions-expanding-dating-maintaining-relationships-ai-2026-2?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_imljoC8JJ6smMn2NzfCoKRkifeskM5gMeKNNzi1yOTgFdJLltitQcz6UrgwwYt-Cx_XHbNmZbTvHboLHnVlIQtII0tA&_hsmi=405415147 ) , users take a personality quiz to get matched for social events. If two people agree they’d like to hang again or go on a date, 222 sets it up. PROMPTS GALORE Work-Bundle (https://offers.hubspot.com/chatgpt-at-work-bundle-mindstream?utm_medium=email-media-newsletter&utm_source=the-hustle&utm_campaign=owned&utm_term=2026-02-25&utm_content=native-ads&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_imljoC8JJ6smMn2NzfCoKRkifeskM5gMeKNNzi1yOTgFdJLltitQcz6UrgwwYt-Cx_XHbNmZbTvHboLHnVlIQtII0tA&_hsmi=405415147 ) ChatGPT hacks for business professionals Time to stop dabbling and start dominating. While you’ve been twiddling thumbs, other folks are souping up their startups or making passive income. Why not both? Get started with 100+ ChatGPT hacks (https://offers.hubspot.com/chatgpt-at-work-bundle-mindstream?utm_medium=email-media-newsletter&utm_source=the-hustle&utm_campaign=owned&utm_term=2026-02-25&utm_content=native-ads&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_imljoC8JJ6smMn2NzfCoKRkifeskM5gMeKNNzi1yOTgFdJLltitQcz6UrgwwYt-Cx_XHbNmZbTvHboLHnVlIQtII0tA&_hsmi=405415147 ) , complete with four bonus resources for navigating sales, marketing, management, and customer support. - 100+ powerful AI prompts - Brand style template - When-to-use flow chart - Content refinement checklist - AI adoption worksheet Don’t get caught up doing nothing. Master ChatGPT (https://offers.hubspot.com/chatgpt-at-work-bundle-mindstream?utm_medium=email-media-newsletter&utm_source=the-hustle&utm_campaign=owned&utm_term=2026-02-25&utm_content=native-ads&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_imljoC8JJ6smMn2NzfCoKRkifeskM5gMeKNNzi1yOTgFdJLltitQcz6UrgwwYt-Cx_XHbNmZbTvHboLHnVlIQtII0tA&_hsmi=405415147 ) THE BIG IDEA Three bowls of ramen (https://thehustle.co/news/a-real-appetite-for-fake-food?mainArticle=true&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_imljoC8JJ6smMn2NzfCoKRkifeskM5gMeKNNzi1yOTgFdJLltitQcz6UrgwwYt-Cx_XHbNmZbTvHboLHnVlIQtII0tA&_hsmi=405415147 ) A real appetite for fake food Were you ever tempted to nibble those rubber grapes collecting dust in your grandma’s house? You'll want to restrain yourself. There's an entire industry devoted to lifelike food replicas so convincing that signs warn, "Don't eat the plastic models." Welcome to the world of "shokuhin sampuru," a Japanese tradition of handcrafted, hyperrealistic food models that's evolved into a $90m industry, per (https://www.newyorker.com/culture/annals-of-gastronomy/feast-your-eyes-on-japans-fake-food?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_imljoC8JJ6smMn2NzfCoKRkifeskM5gMeKNNzi1yOTgFdJLltitQcz6UrgwwYt-Cx_XHbNmZbTvHboLHnVlIQtII0tA&_hsmi=405415147 ) The New Yorker. More real than the real thing Shokuhin sampuru first appeared in Japan in the 1920s, as urban restaurants aimed to attract an influx of rural workers using wax models of unfamiliar foods and fashionable Western dishes like spaghetti. Since wax models would melt and discolor (yum!), ultra-durable polyvinyl chloride (PVC) became the preferred material (tasty!). - Entrepreneur Takizō Iwasaki launched the first sampuru business in 1932, according to a recent exhibition on food replica culture at Japan House LA (https://www.japanhousela.com/exhibitions/looks-delicious-exploring-sampuru-japanese-fake-food-replica-culture-iwasaki-mokei/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_imljoC8JJ6smMn2NzfCoKRkifeskM5gMeKNNzi1yOTgFdJLltitQcz6UrgwwYt-Cx_XHbNmZbTvHboLHnVlIQtII0tA&_hsmi=405415147 ) . - Iwasaki Co. now accounts for 70% of the market, supplying models to many of Japan's 1.4m restaurants, which often rent them for a monthly fee. - In 2017, the company, along with its sister company, earned $46m in annual sales, per (https://www.economist.com/business/2017/06/08/how-sham-food-became-big-business-in-japan?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_imljoC8JJ6smMn2NzfCoKRkifeskM5gMeKNNzi1yOTgFdJLltitQcz6UrgwwYt-Cx_XHbNmZbTvHboLHnVlIQtII0tA&_hsmi=405415147 ) The Economist. Today’s models are still handmade, often molded (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1wp9Co31G8&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_imljoC8JJ6smMn2NzfCoKRkifeskM5gMeKNNzi1yOTgFdJLltitQcz6UrgwwYt-Cx_XHbNmZbTvHboLHnVlIQtII0tA&_hsmi=405415147 ) from the food they're imitating. While straightforward models are priced at ~$100-$200, like this bento box (https://shop.ganso-sample.com/products/4580655314555?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_imljoC8JJ6smMn2NzfCoKRkifeskM5gMeKNNzi1yOTgFdJLltitQcz6UrgwwYt-Cx_XHbNmZbTvHboLHnVlIQtII0tA&_hsmi=405415147 ) and burger (https://shop.ganso-sample.com/products/4580655314364?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_imljoC8JJ6smMn2NzfCoKRkifeskM5gMeKNNzi1yOTgFdJLltitQcz6UrgwwYt-Cx_XHbNmZbTvHboLHnVlIQtII0tA&_hsmi=405415147 ) , premium models, like this honeycomb (https://shop.ganso-sample.com/products/2103000000365?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_imljoC8JJ6smMn2NzfCoKRkifeskM5gMeKNNzi1yOTgFdJLltitQcz6UrgwwYt-Cx_XHbNmZbTvHboLHnVlIQtII0tA&_hsmi=405415147 ) , can cost thousands. At Iwasaki's Sample Village (https://iwasakimokei.com/en/sample/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_imljoC8JJ6smMn2NzfCoKRkifeskM5gMeKNNzi1yOTgFdJLltitQcz6UrgwwYt-Cx_XHbNmZbTvHboLHnVlIQtII0tA&_hsmi=405415147 ) and other shops, you can even create your own for ~$20. Or order a soba smartphone stand or tempura keychain (https://iwasakimokei.com/en/goods/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_imljoC8JJ6smMn2NzfCoKRkifeskM5gMeKNNzi1yOTgFdJLltitQcz6UrgwwYt-Cx_XHbNmZbTvHboLHnVlIQtII0tA&_hsmi=405415147 ) instead. Instagrammable food you'll never want to eat Fake food is popping up everywhere these days: - The MoMA Design Store's faux-food pop-up (https://store.moma.org/collections/moma-mart-faux-food-pop-up?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_imljoC8JJ6smMn2NzfCoKRkifeskM5gMeKNNzi1yOTgFdJLltitQcz6UrgwwYt-Cx_XHbNmZbTvHboLHnVlIQtII0tA&_hsmi=405415147 ) features everything from tempting apple candles to giant corn stools (every home needs one). - Love "The Great British Bake Off," but hate soggy bottoms? Scotland's Fake Food Workshop (https://www.fakefoodworkshop.com/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_imljoC8JJ6smMn2NzfCoKRkifeskM5gMeKNNzi1yOTgFdJLltitQcz6UrgwwYt-Cx_XHbNmZbTvHboLHnVlIQtII0tA&_hsmi=405415147 ) sells lifelike renditions of UK favorites like Gala Pie ($91/slice) and Raised Game Bird Pie ($397). - Artist Leanne “Elrod” Rodriguez transforms the kitschy iridescent glow of 1960s Jell-O into works of art with her Mexikitsch (https://www.mexakitsch.com/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_imljoC8JJ6smMn2NzfCoKRkifeskM5gMeKNNzi1yOTgFdJLltitQcz6UrgwwYt-Cx_XHbNmZbTvHboLHnVlIQtII0tA&_hsmi=405415147 ) line. Still have those plastic grapes kickin' around? Don't toss them (or eat them) — they're trendy again. 🔗 (https://thehustle.co/news/a-real-appetite-for-fake-food?mainArticle=true&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_imljoC8JJ6smMn2NzfCoKRkifeskM5gMeKNNzi1yOTgFdJLltitQcz6UrgwwYt-Cx_XHbNmZbTvHboLHnVlIQtII0tA&_hsmi=405415147 ) HIGHLY RECOMMENDED Even the most unappealing products need advertising… but how do you sell them (https://thehustle.co/originals/how-do-you-sell-the-most-unappealing-products-in-the-world?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_imljoC8JJ6smMn2NzfCoKRkifeskM5gMeKNNzi1yOTgFdJLltitQcz6UrgwwYt-Cx_XHbNmZbTvHboLHnVlIQtII0tA&_hsmi=405415147 ) without scaring off your customers? NEWSWORTHY NUMBER Years of Walmart’s reign as America’s biggest company by revenue, a title it lost to Amazon last week after posting $713.2B in sales for the most recent fiscal year, coming in just a smidgen under the ecommerce giant’s total of $716.9B, per (https://www.wsj.com/business/retail/amazon-biggest-us-company-walmart-cfd0cac4?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_imljoC8JJ6smMn2NzfCoKRkifeskM5gMeKNNzi1yOTgFdJLltitQcz6UrgwwYt-Cx_XHbNmZbTvHboLHnVlIQtII0tA&_hsmi=405415147 ) The Wall Street Journal. Since it’s neither the biggest nor the fastest-growing — Amazon’s growth outpaced Walmart’s 12.4% to 4.7% in 2025 — the 63-year-old retailer has been focused instead on becoming “America’s favorite place to shop.” Though it might have to get creative about what metrics it uses to determine that, too: Walmart’s share of US retail spending hovers around 7.6%, compared to Amazon’s 9%. HOW YOU HUSTLE Our readers are always cooking up cool ideas. Here’s our weekly spotlight on a Hustle reader working on something big. Who: Laura Schaack What: Tattd (https://tattd.ai/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_imljoC8JJ6smMn2NzfCoKRkifeskM5gMeKNNzi1yOTgFdJLltitQcz6UrgwwYt-Cx_XHbNmZbTvHboLHnVlIQtII0tA&_hsmi=405415147 ) The elevator pitch: “Tattd is an AI-powered marketplace for the tattoo industry where clients can intelligently search, easily book, and securely pay their next tattoo artist.” The problem they’re solving: “This $150B industry runs on DMs, cash, and hashtags. We're building the first marketplace to act as infrastructure between client and artist, with AI to boot.” One truly innovative thing they’re doing: “We built the first tattoo-specific AI — smarter for this industry than ChatGPT will ever be. It matches clients to artists with real accuracy, not vibes. How? We own the world’s largest categorized tattoo image library, powering a proprietary tattoo-native algorithm. Patent pending and strong AF.” What are you working on? Tell us here (https://media.hubspot.com/e3t/Ctc/UB+113/d2q-Vf04/VVpwTn6Chl2QW12grRK3Yl4y2W7lBRbf5D5YbXMwF3S-2-ZW0W6N1vHY6lZ3mpW4Xxxj21N4-DWW99Dns73K5zx3VRXMbC8wB5bXW8vSgy46CXWr8W6rDm_F1KKfbFW7hhl487q42HDW7GRxp78TQr5CN6Lc_Hdn-MlfW7RSbxY2q8XLGW7pnGSs1HGGDVW1NQ--Y3FFg-4W9bbkyT1yVsnYN97h-vy50hQZW18yNTb2t3l_-N75VdpmY-DvzVMkFkd8QqH-hW93MqRh1ZzGKhW6JMh3n8Fw5HBW5H1JFb7YSmH6W3Cs6xm4qfnKjN2r9RTM6_bMzW88g-_H35xssyd97C_v04?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_imljoC8JJ6smMn2NzfCoKRkifeskM5gMeKNNzi1yOTgFdJLltitQcz6UrgwwYt-Cx_XHbNmZbTvHboLHnVlIQtII0tA&_hsmi=405415147 ) . AROUND THE WEB 📅 On this day: In 1940, the first televised NHL game aired. About 300 people watched (https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/february-25/nhl-hockey-milestone-broadcast-1940?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_imljoC8JJ6smMn2NzfCoKRkifeskM5gMeKNNzi1yOTgFdJLltitQcz6UrgwwYt-Cx_XHbNmZbTvHboLHnVlIQtII0tA&_hsmi=405415147 ) the New York Rangers triumph over the Montreal Canadiens at Madison Square Garden. 🎶 That’s cool: Add a note (https://internet-plays-music-frontend-391439826447.us-central1.run.app/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_imljoC8JJ6smMn2NzfCoKRkifeskM5gMeKNNzi1yOTgFdJLltitQcz6UrgwwYt-Cx_XHbNmZbTvHboLHnVlIQtII0tA&_hsmi=405415147 ) to this community-music project. 🖊️ Useful: Swap (https://droptheadverb.com/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_imljoC8JJ6smMn2NzfCoKRkifeskM5gMeKNNzi1yOTgFdJLltitQcz6UrgwwYt-Cx_XHbNmZbTvHboLHnVlIQtII0tA&_hsmi=405415147 ) a weak adverb for a stronger verb. 📰 Newsletter: Girlboss Daily (https://magic.beehiiv.com/v1/c8e484c6-380d-4129-adfc-bd740d7a07fb?email=b%40email.gomodulr.com&utm_source=thehustle&utm_campaign=hubspot&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_imljoC8JJ6smMn2NzfCoKRkifeskM5gMeKNNzi1yOTgFdJLltitQcz6UrgwwYt-Cx_XHbNmZbTvHboLHnVlIQtII0tA&_hsmi=405415147 ) is a work email you'll actually look forward to. 🐱 Aww: So cozy. (https://www.reddit.com/r/aww/comments/1q4ok35/stay_warm_cozy_boy/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_imljoC8JJ6smMn2NzfCoKRkifeskM5gMeKNNzi1yOTgFdJLltitQcz6UrgwwYt-Cx_XHbNmZbTvHboLHnVlIQtII0tA&_hsmi=405415147 ) SHOWER THOUGHT It's interesting that trauma dumping is far more socially acceptable when done through song. SOURCE (https://www.reddit.com/r/Showerthoughts/comments/1r2608t/its_interesting_that_trauma_dumping_is_far_more/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_imljoC8JJ6smMn2NzfCoKRkifeskM5gMeKNNzi1yOTgFdJLltitQcz6UrgwwYt-Cx_XHbNmZbTvHboLHnVlIQtII0tA&_hsmi=405415147 ) Today's email was brought to you by Juliet Bennett Rylah (https://bsky.app/profile/jbrylah.bsky.social?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_imljoC8JJ6smMn2NzfCoKRkifeskM5gMeKNNzi1yOTgFdJLltitQcz6UrgwwYt-Cx_XHbNmZbTvHboLHnVlIQtII0tA&_hsmi=405415147 ) , Danny Jensen, (https://www.instagram.com/dannysjensen/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_imljoC8JJ6smMn2NzfCoKRkifeskM5gMeKNNzi1yOTgFdJLltitQcz6UrgwwYt-Cx_XHbNmZbTvHboLHnVlIQtII0tA&_hsmi=405415147 ) and Singdhi Sokpo. Editing by: Sara "Faux real" Friedman. Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up here (https://thehustle.co/join/?utm_source=thehustle&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=footer&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_imljoC8JJ6smMn2NzfCoKRkifeskM5gMeKNNzi1yOTgFdJLltitQcz6UrgwwYt-Cx_XHbNmZbTvHboLHnVlIQtII0tA&_hsmi=405415147 ) . Working on something big? We've got a whole library of business-building resources (https://thehustle.co/resources?utm_source=the-hustle&utm_medium=email-media-newsletter&utm_campaign=owned&utm_term=resources-footer-link-07-2025&utm_content=hustle-footer&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_imljoC8JJ6smMn2NzfCoKRkifeskM5gMeKNNzi1yOTgFdJLltitQcz6UrgwwYt-Cx_XHbNmZbTvHboLHnVlIQtII0tA&_hsmi=405415147 ) for you. Subscribe to our other newsletters Stay up-to-date on AI: Mindstream (https://www.mindstream.news/?utm_channel=email&utm_source=hustle&utm_medium=footer&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_imljoC8JJ6smMn2NzfCoKRkifeskM5gMeKNNzi1yOTgFdJLltitQcz6UrgwwYt-Cx_XHbNmZbTvHboLHnVlIQtII0tA&_hsmi=405415147 ) | Expert insights: Marketing Against the Grain (https://marketingagainstthegrain.com/subscribe?utm_source=thehustle&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=dailyfooter&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_imljoC8JJ6smMn2NzfCoKRkifeskM5gMeKNNzi1yOTgFdJLltitQcz6UrgwwYt-Cx_XHbNmZbTvHboLHnVlIQtII0tA&_hsmi=405415147 ) | Sell better: The Science of Scaling (https://blog.hubspot.com/the-science-of-scaling-subscribe?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_imljoC8JJ6smMn2NzfCoKRkifeskM5gMeKNNzi1yOTgFdJLltitQcz6UrgwwYt-Cx_XHbNmZbTvHboLHnVlIQtII0tA&_hsmi=405415147 ) Follow The Hustle on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@TheHustleChannel?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_imljoC8JJ6smMn2NzfCoKRkifeskM5gMeKNNzi1yOTgFdJLltitQcz6UrgwwYt-Cx_XHbNmZbTvHboLHnVlIQtII0tA&_hsmi=405415147 ) , LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/thehustle/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_imljoC8JJ6smMn2NzfCoKRkifeskM5gMeKNNzi1yOTgFdJLltitQcz6UrgwwYt-Cx_XHbNmZbTvHboLHnVlIQtII0tA&_hsmi=405415147 ) , and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/thehustledaily/?hl=en&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_imljoC8JJ6smMn2NzfCoKRkifeskM5gMeKNNzi1yOTgFdJLltitQcz6UrgwwYt-Cx_XHbNmZbTvHboLHnVlIQtII0tA&_hsmi=405415147 ) . 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Plus: Harry’s big run, every US river, and more.  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ You're just 3 referrals away from earning a Hustle Essentials kit. Check out all of our prizes here (https://store.thehustle.co/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-89Ru4IYI8fcWqbT1NNB3sEiiEqBsDom33cXpSl4BSJmZsEbzipDNcPD9gynBylSY8HhSbdq_Wb-D-bTVBHjIBII44Kzg&_hsmi=401190263 ) . Share your link: https://thehustle.co/join?ref=9211312919&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-89Ru4IYI8fcWqbT1NNB3sEiiEqBsDom33cXpSl4BSJmZsEbzipDNcPD9gynBylSY8HhSbdq_Wb-D-bTVBHjIBII44Kzg&_hsmi=401190263 (https://thehustle.co/join?ref=9211312919&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-89Ru4IYI8fcWqbT1NNB3sEiiEqBsDom33cXpSl4BSJmZsEbzipDNcPD9gynBylSY8HhSbdq_Wb-D-bTVBHjIBII44Kzg&_hsmi=401190263 ) Share The Hustle: https://thehustle.co/join?ref=9211312919&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-89Ru4IYI8fcWqbT1NNB3sEiiEqBsDom33cXpSl4BSJmZsEbzipDNcPD9gynBylSY8HhSbdq_Wb-D-bTVBHjIBII44Kzg&_hsmi=401190263 (https://thehustle.co/join?ref=9211312919&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-89Ru4IYI8fcWqbT1NNB3sEiiEqBsDom33cXpSl4BSJmZsEbzipDNcPD9gynBylSY8HhSbdq_Wb-D-bTVBHjIBII44Kzg&_hsmi=401190263 ) Check your referral progress & prizes here (https://thehustle.co/refer-the-hustle?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-89Ru4IYI8fcWqbT1NNB3sEiiEqBsDom33cXpSl4BSJmZsEbzipDNcPD9gynBylSY8HhSbdq_Wb-D-bTVBHjIBII44Kzg&_hsmi=401190263 ) The Hustle by HubSpot Media (https://thehustle.co/home/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-89Ru4IYI8fcWqbT1NNB3sEiiEqBsDom33cXpSl4BSJmZsEbzipDNcPD9gynBylSY8HhSbdq_Wb-D-bTVBHjIBII44Kzg&_hsmi=401190263 ) 👋 Good morning. If you’re feeling stretched thin by all the roles you’re juggling, perhaps turn to Philip Noel-Baker for some perspective. After competing in the 1920 Olympics as a middle-distance runner and working on international disarmament for decades, he became the only person to win both an Olympic medal and a Nobel Peace Prize in 1959. That makes your calendar seem slightly less impressive, honestly. STARTING UP This startup is saying RIP to the PDF ❌ The problem: PDFs were invented in 1993 and, while they have evolved (https://www.adobe.com/acrobat/resources/pdf-timeline.html?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-89Ru4IYI8fcWqbT1NNB3sEiiEqBsDom33cXpSl4BSJmZsEbzipDNcPD9gynBylSY8HhSbdq_Wb-D-bTVBHjIBII44Kzg&_hsmi=401190263 ) , they’re static, hard to govern, and rely on external systems to track updates (looking at you, _final_final1_final2.PDF extension). 💡 The pitch: Tel Aviv-based Factify (https://www.factify.com/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-89Ru4IYI8fcWqbT1NNB3sEiiEqBsDom33cXpSl4BSJmZsEbzipDNcPD9gynBylSY8HhSbdq_Wb-D-bTVBHjIBII44Kzg&_hsmi=401190263 ) is building what it calls (https://www.forbes.com/sites/gilpress/2026/01/28/factify-raises-73-million-to-create-ai-infrastructure-for-documents/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-89Ru4IYI8fcWqbT1NNB3sEiiEqBsDom33cXpSl4BSJmZsEbzipDNcPD9gynBylSY8HhSbdq_Wb-D-bTVBHjIBII44Kzg&_hsmi=401190263 ) “document-as-infrastructure,” a cool tech way to say it embeds all the good stuff — identity, access control, version history, audit trails — directly into a document itself. The startup’s "Factified documents" record every event in a permanent audit log, and are machine-readable to serve as a single source of truth as AI increasingly reads documents autonomously. 🚀 The outlook: While AI is changing a lot of things, we’ll still need documents, especially in heavily regulated industries like banking, law, insurance, and HR — Factify’s target customers (https://www.ynetnews.com/business/article/bytqx2diwl?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-89Ru4IYI8fcWqbT1NNB3sEiiEqBsDom33cXpSl4BSJmZsEbzipDNcPD9gynBylSY8HhSbdq_Wb-D-bTVBHjIBII44Kzg&_hsmi=401190263 ) . Great for accountability. Less great for whoever introduced that typo. NEWS FLASH - Feeling sleepy? Uber co-founder Travis Kalanick and Oliver Ripley, founder of hospitality group Habitas, have partnered on Sekra (https://www.fastcompany.com/91482125/ubers-founder-wants-to-disrupt-your-apartment?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-89Ru4IYI8fcWqbT1NNB3sEiiEqBsDom33cXpSl4BSJmZsEbzipDNcPD9gynBylSY8HhSbdq_Wb-D-bTVBHjIBII44Kzg&_hsmi=401190263 ) , an upscale apartment company that prioritizes socialization and sleep (noise insulation, blackout curtains, circadian rhythm lighting). - Sit, stay, subscribe: Snout, a pet wellness startup, helps members pay vet costs upfront by essentially turning bills into memberships, per (https://fortune.com/2026/01/28/vet-bills-jump-40-startup-snout-raises-110-million-membership-model?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-89Ru4IYI8fcWqbT1NNB3sEiiEqBsDom33cXpSl4BSJmZsEbzipDNcPD9gynBylSY8HhSbdq_Wb-D-bTVBHjIBII44Kzg&_hsmi=401190263 ) Fortune. The average customer pays $65/month to cover exams, vaccines, and other preventative care. - Certified vibes only: LinkedIn will now let you add a certificate for vibe coding (https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/28/linkedin-will-let-you-show-off-your-vibe-coding-chops-with-a-certificate/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-89Ru4IYI8fcWqbT1NNB3sEiiEqBsDom33cXpSl4BSJmZsEbzipDNcPD9gynBylSY8HhSbdq_Wb-D-bTVBHjIBII44Kzg&_hsmi=401190263 ) . AI platforms including Descript, Lovable, and Replit will gauge your skills as you use them, then generate a certificate. - Seeing things differently: Snap is spinning its AR glasses department into a wholly owned subsidiary called Specs Inc (https://www.engadget.com/wearables/snap-is-spinning-off-its-ar-glasses-into-a-separate-business-140000659.html?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-89Ru4IYI8fcWqbT1NNB3sEiiEqBsDom33cXpSl4BSJmZsEbzipDNcPD9gynBylSY8HhSbdq_Wb-D-bTVBHjIBII44Kzg&_hsmi=401190263 ) . as it looks for investors and partners. Snap — sorry, Specs Inc. — is one of several companies looking to enter the smart wearables market, alongside both Big Tech like Meta and numerous startups. MAXIMUM PRODUCTIVITY Improving-Productivity (https://offers.hubspot.com/how-to-be-more-productive?utm_medium=email-media-newsletter&utm_source=the-hustle&utm_campaign=owned&utm_term=2026-01-30&utm_content=native-ads&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-89Ru4IYI8fcWqbT1NNB3sEiiEqBsDom33cXpSl4BSJmZsEbzipDNcPD9gynBylSY8HhSbdq_Wb-D-bTVBHjIBII44Kzg&_hsmi=401190263 ) How to be more productive There are times for dillying and dallying, and other times for coming up clutch. When you need yet another game winner, lock-in on work with this free productivity kit (https://offers.hubspot.com/how-to-be-more-productive?utm_medium=email-media-newsletter&utm_source=the-hustle&utm_campaign=owned&utm_term=2026-01-30&utm_content=native-ads&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-89Ru4IYI8fcWqbT1NNB3sEiiEqBsDom33cXpSl4BSJmZsEbzipDNcPD9gynBylSY8HhSbdq_Wb-D-bTVBHjIBII44Kzg&_hsmi=401190263 ) by ClickUp and HubSpot. It’s filled with frameworks, templates, and tips to make you way more efficient. Amplify your output: - Respectably work from home - Maintain flow-state efficiency - Visualize goals and progress (two templates) - Calculate labor hours for long projects - Prioritize with a PIE scoring chart Stop slackin’. Get crackin’. Get stuff done (https://offers.hubspot.com/how-to-be-more-productive?utm_medium=email-media-newsletter&utm_source=the-hustle&utm_campaign=owned&utm_term=2026-01-30&utm_content=native-ads&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-89Ru4IYI8fcWqbT1NNB3sEiiEqBsDom33cXpSl4BSJmZsEbzipDNcPD9gynBylSY8HhSbdq_Wb-D-bTVBHjIBII44Kzg&_hsmi=401190263 ) THE BIG IDEA An overhead view of a table full of laptops, phones, tablets, and notepads. Several people's hands are visible as they work on various devices. (https://thehustle.co/news/feeling-unproductive-host-an-admin-night?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-89Ru4IYI8fcWqbT1NNB3sEiiEqBsDom33cXpSl4BSJmZsEbzipDNcPD9gynBylSY8HhSbdq_Wb-D-bTVBHjIBII44Kzg&_hsmi=401190263 ) Feeling unproductive? Host an admin night It’s January, which means you’re probably gathering all your W-2s and 1099s. How excruciating! But a new trend is bringing people together to complete their most boring, tedious tasks over food, friendship, and maybe a glass of wine: Admin Night. Author Chris Colin coined (https://www.wsj.com/lifestyle/relationships/how-to-turn-the-bureaucratic-grind-of-life-into-a-party-7205f690?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-89Ru4IYI8fcWqbT1NNB3sEiiEqBsDom33cXpSl4BSJmZsEbzipDNcPD9gynBylSY8HhSbdq_Wb-D-bTVBHjIBII44Kzg&_hsmi=401190263 ) the term in The Wall Street Journal, noting that in today’s modern world, “We’re sinking into a quicksand of tiny, dumb administrative tasks.” So, he started inviting friends for weekly beers and to-dos. They’d book appointments, pay bills, clear emails, manage subscriptions. Basically, the stuff you put off because you’re tired of logging into clunky apps when you could be playing video games or petting your dog or literally anything else. That’s a great idea… … which is probably why it’s taken off, with numerous posts across social media where users praise the idea, share clips from their own gatherings, or offer tips (https://www.tiktok.com/@itsmekairenee/video/7598314246643961102?q=%23adminnight&t=1769638048679&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-89Ru4IYI8fcWqbT1NNB3sEiiEqBsDom33cXpSl4BSJmZsEbzipDNcPD9gynBylSY8HhSbdq_Wb-D-bTVBHjIBII44Kzg&_hsmi=401190263 ) . TikToker Benjamin Chipman posted (https://www.tiktok.com/@benchipman5/video/7582374587111886093?q=%23adminnight&t=1769638048679&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-89Ru4IYI8fcWqbT1NNB3sEiiEqBsDom33cXpSl4BSJmZsEbzipDNcPD9gynBylSY8HhSbdq_Wb-D-bTVBHjIBII44Kzg&_hsmi=401190263 ) about how six months of a weekly admin night was life-changing. In his most recent sesh, he wrote several birthday cards, booked a flight, and returned texts. Even venues are getting in on the idea: - The Omni Boston Hotel hosts (https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/admin-night?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-89Ru4IYI8fcWqbT1NNB3sEiiEqBsDom33cXpSl4BSJmZsEbzipDNcPD9gynBylSY8HhSbdq_Wb-D-bTVBHjIBII44Kzg&_hsmi=401190263 ) an admin night in its lobby bar with themed cocktails — the Inbox Zero Martini and the Done & Dusted Old Fashioned. - The Roguelike Tavern in Burbank, California, recently hosted a “Do-a-Thing Day (https://www.instagram.com/theroguelike/p/DUB9a7MknHx/?hl=en&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-89Ru4IYI8fcWqbT1NNB3sEiiEqBsDom33cXpSl4BSJmZsEbzipDNcPD9gynBylSY8HhSbdq_Wb-D-bTVBHjIBII44Kzg&_hsmi=401190263 ) ” for community and political activism and will likely host more. Owner John McCormick told The Hustle their hope was that people would “prioritize their own to-do lists while also getting ideas for how they can help the causes they care about. We’re also hoping to inspire folks to support causes they may not be familiar with and share resources and knowledge.” This all sounds a lot like… … body doubling (https://thehustle.co/03072023-body-doubling?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-89Ru4IYI8fcWqbT1NNB3sEiiEqBsDom33cXpSl4BSJmZsEbzipDNcPD9gynBylSY8HhSbdq_Wb-D-bTVBHjIBII44Kzg&_hsmi=401190263 ) , or parallel work, in which people work independently, but alongside others for greater focus and accountability. So, you mean, like... an office? Sure. But in an increasingly remote world, body doubling has begun happening online, too. And all of this may remind you of other groups where people do separate tasks together, like silent writer’s groups or book clubs, or even knitting circles. Admin nights may just be the mundane cousin of our communal instinct to do stuff — any stuff — together. 🔗 (https://thehustle.co/news/feeling-unproductive-host-an-admin-night?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-89Ru4IYI8fcWqbT1NNB3sEiiEqBsDom33cXpSl4BSJmZsEbzipDNcPD9gynBylSY8HhSbdq_Wb-D-bTVBHjIBII44Kzg&_hsmi=401190263 ) HIGHLY RECOMMENDED Gen Z wants to speak with your manager. Or better yet, your CEO. Here’s how (https://marketingagainstthegrain.com/articles/new-gen-z-business-model?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-89Ru4IYI8fcWqbT1NNB3sEiiEqBsDom33cXpSl4BSJmZsEbzipDNcPD9gynBylSY8HhSbdq_Wb-D-bTVBHjIBII44Kzg&_hsmi=401190263 ) to reach the generation that’s turning the marketing model on its head. NEWSWORTHY NUMBER People (https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/music/music-news/harry-styles-breaks-pre-sale-registration-record-new-york-1236486451/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-89Ru4IYI8fcWqbT1NNB3sEiiEqBsDom33cXpSl4BSJmZsEbzipDNcPD9gynBylSY8HhSbdq_Wb-D-bTVBHjIBII44Kzg&_hsmi=401190263 ) who signed up for Harry Styles’ Madison Square Garden residency, “the highest volume ever recorded for an artist presale” in New York or in a single market, per Ticketmaster. The Hollywood Reporter provided some perspective into how many people are gonna be disappointed: - Styles is playing 30 shows. - Madison Square Garden can accommodate 19.5k people per night. - That’s ~585k tickets available for Styles’ entire run, or just 5% of people who signed up for the presale. Of course, some of those people may actually be bots or people who signed up without actually intending to fork over the dough. Some tickets are going for $1k+, reflecting a trend in ticket pricing among top performers that you might say is an unfortunate… sign of the times (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qN4ooNx77u0&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-89Ru4IYI8fcWqbT1NNB3sEiiEqBsDom33cXpSl4BSJmZsEbzipDNcPD9gynBylSY8HhSbdq_Wb-D-bTVBHjIBII44Kzg&_hsmi=401190263 ) . AROUND THE WEB 📆 On this day: In 1920, Jujiro Matsudo founded (https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/january-30/japans-mazda-founded?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-89Ru4IYI8fcWqbT1NNB3sEiiEqBsDom33cXpSl4BSJmZsEbzipDNcPD9gynBylSY8HhSbdq_Wb-D-bTVBHjIBII44Kzg&_hsmi=401190263 ) Toyo Cork Kogyo in Hiroshima, Japan. While the business initially produced cork, it pivoted to vehicles in 1931 and changed its name to Mazda. 🖼️ Art: The Particle Art Museum (https://mystic-aura-dream.lovable.app/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-89Ru4IYI8fcWqbT1NNB3sEiiEqBsDom33cXpSl4BSJmZsEbzipDNcPD9gynBylSY8HhSbdq_Wb-D-bTVBHjIBII44Kzg&_hsmi=401190263 ) . 🚣 That’s cool: A map (https://www.flickr.com/photos/nelsonminar/8747607969/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-89Ru4IYI8fcWqbT1NNB3sEiiEqBsDom33cXpSl4BSJmZsEbzipDNcPD9gynBylSY8HhSbdq_Wb-D-bTVBHjIBII44Kzg&_hsmi=401190263 ) of every river in the US. 🔒 Game: Crack the safe (https://cracked-louvre-game.lovable.app/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-89Ru4IYI8fcWqbT1NNB3sEiiEqBsDom33cXpSl4BSJmZsEbzipDNcPD9gynBylSY8HhSbdq_Wb-D-bTVBHjIBII44Kzg&_hsmi=401190263 ) . 🐾 Aww: What it’s like to have a best friend (https://www.reddit.com/r/aww/comments/1pm9ghj/dogs_are_the_cheat_code_to_happiness/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-89Ru4IYI8fcWqbT1NNB3sEiiEqBsDom33cXpSl4BSJmZsEbzipDNcPD9gynBylSY8HhSbdq_Wb-D-bTVBHjIBII44Kzg&_hsmi=401190263 ) . SHOWER THOUGHT It only takes one person with a vendetta to ruin a fast food restaurant’s survey percentage for the whole year. SOURCE (https://www.reddit.com/r/Showerthoughts/comments/1qbtquk/it_only_takes_one_person_with_a_vendetta_to_ruin/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-89Ru4IYI8fcWqbT1NNB3sEiiEqBsDom33cXpSl4BSJmZsEbzipDNcPD9gynBylSY8HhSbdq_Wb-D-bTVBHjIBII44Kzg&_hsmi=401190263 ) Today's email was brought to you by Juliet Bennett Rylah (https://bsky.app/profile/jbrylah.bsky.social?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-89Ru4IYI8fcWqbT1NNB3sEiiEqBsDom33cXpSl4BSJmZsEbzipDNcPD9gynBylSY8HhSbdq_Wb-D-bTVBHjIBII44Kzg&_hsmi=401190263 ) and Singdhi Sokpo. Editing by: Sara "Hosting a whine night" Friedman. Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up here (https://thehustle.co/join/?utm_source=thehustle&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=footer&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-89Ru4IYI8fcWqbT1NNB3sEiiEqBsDom33cXpSl4BSJmZsEbzipDNcPD9gynBylSY8HhSbdq_Wb-D-bTVBHjIBII44Kzg&_hsmi=401190263 ) . Working on something big? We've got a whole library of business-building resources (https://thehustle.co/resources?utm_source=the-hustle&utm_medium=email-media-newsletter&utm_campaign=owned&utm_term=resources-footer-link-07-2025&utm_content=hustle-footer&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-89Ru4IYI8fcWqbT1NNB3sEiiEqBsDom33cXpSl4BSJmZsEbzipDNcPD9gynBylSY8HhSbdq_Wb-D-bTVBHjIBII44Kzg&_hsmi=401190263 ) for you. 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Plus: A pricey shellfish heist, guess the video game, and more. Share The Hustle: https://thehustle.co/join?ref=9211312919&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9M47wMcAGae5xpc6UXy0O-UYLvQm9uRRZhZGEmL4bPBvbvH61m_RLjVfBiLwBoyDdFkHhSGDG3vT_oUq3PCTYUYihc3g&_hsmi=397411281 (https://thehustle.co/join?ref=9211312919&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9M47wMcAGae5xpc6UXy0O-UYLvQm9uRRZhZGEmL4bPBvbvH61m_RLjVfBiLwBoyDdFkHhSGDG3vT_oUq3PCTYUYihc3g&_hsmi=397411281 ) Check your referral progress & prizes here (https://thehustle.co/refer-the-hustle?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9M47wMcAGae5xpc6UXy0O-UYLvQm9uRRZhZGEmL4bPBvbvH61m_RLjVfBiLwBoyDdFkHhSGDG3vT_oUq3PCTYUYihc3g&_hsmi=397411281 ) You're just 3 referrals away from earning a Hustle Essentials kit. Check out all of our prizes here (https://store.thehustle.co/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9M47wMcAGae5xpc6UXy0O-UYLvQm9uRRZhZGEmL4bPBvbvH61m_RLjVfBiLwBoyDdFkHhSGDG3vT_oUq3PCTYUYihc3g&_hsmi=397411281 ) . Share your link: https://thehustle.co/join?ref=9211312919&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9M47wMcAGae5xpc6UXy0O-UYLvQm9uRRZhZGEmL4bPBvbvH61m_RLjVfBiLwBoyDdFkHhSGDG3vT_oUq3PCTYUYihc3g&_hsmi=397411281 (https://thehustle.co/join?ref=9211312919&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9M47wMcAGae5xpc6UXy0O-UYLvQm9uRRZhZGEmL4bPBvbvH61m_RLjVfBiLwBoyDdFkHhSGDG3vT_oUq3PCTYUYihc3g&_hsmi=397411281 ) The Hustle by HubSpot Media (https://thehustle.co/home/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9M47wMcAGae5xpc6UXy0O-UYLvQm9uRRZhZGEmL4bPBvbvH61m_RLjVfBiLwBoyDdFkHhSGDG3vT_oUq3PCTYUYihc3g&_hsmi=397411281 ) 👋 Good morning. What time should we come to your housewarming at your new Texas digs? No, we’re not psychic — just taking an educated guess. Texas was the most moved-to state for the seventh time in 10 years, according to U-Haul data. Florida, North Carolina, and Tennessee followed behind, while California saw the most people move out for the sixth consecutive year. STARTING UP Finally, a robot you can cuddle ❌ The problem: Animal companions can be incredibly helpful for seniors and people with dementia, but live animals aren’t always a realistic option. While companion robots exist, they’re often shiny, hard, and far from comforting. 💡 The pitch: Tombot (https://tombot.com/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9M47wMcAGae5xpc6UXy0O-UYLvQm9uRRZhZGEmL4bPBvbvH61m_RLjVfBiLwBoyDdFkHhSGDG3vT_oUq3PCTYUYihc3g&_hsmi=397411281 ) created Jennie, a plush, robotic yellow dog designed to sit in a user’s lap and respond to touch, voice, and movement like a real pup. Tombot’s founder Tom Stevens developed Jennie when his mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and had to rehome her dog, per (https://www.inc.com/chris-morris/how-tombot-robotic-puppy-stole-hearts-and-won-over-investors/91284658?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9M47wMcAGae5xpc6UXy0O-UYLvQm9uRRZhZGEmL4bPBvbvH61m_RLjVfBiLwBoyDdFkHhSGDG3vT_oUq3PCTYUYihc3g&_hsmi=397411281 ) Inc. 🚀 The outlook: Stevens said investors were initially lukewarm on the concept, but, after word of Jennie’s cuteness circulated through CES 2025, the company had 5k+ pre-orders and closed a $6.1m Series A round soon after. Tombot will start shipping this summer and is expecting a ~$100m raise in 2027 to bring its puppies around the world. NEWS FLASH - Pill bot: Utah is conducting (https://www.politico.com/news/2026/01/06/artificial-intelligence-prescribing-medications-utah-00709122?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9M47wMcAGae5xpc6UXy0O-UYLvQm9uRRZhZGEmL4bPBvbvH61m_RLjVfBiLwBoyDdFkHhSGDG3vT_oUq3PCTYUYihc3g&_hsmi=397411281 ) a pilot with Doctronic, a startup that makes AI medical tools for doctors, in which an AI chatbot handles prescription renewals of 190 common medications for patients with chronic conditions, excluding medications with potential for abuse. - “Git good” no more: Rather than figuring out how to beat “Elden Ring” or paying someone (https://gizmodo.com/elon-musk-admits-to-paying-people-to-play-video-games-for-him-2000552872?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9M47wMcAGae5xpc6UXy0O-UYLvQm9uRRZhZGEmL4bPBvbvH61m_RLjVfBiLwBoyDdFkHhSGDG3vT_oUq3PCTYUYihc3g&_hsmi=397411281 ) to play “Path of Exile” for you, let a bot do it. PlayStation maker Sony has apparently filed a patent (https://gizmodo.com/sony-patent-would-unleash-ai-ghosts-to-beat-games-for-you-when-they-get-too-hard-2000706270?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9M47wMcAGae5xpc6UXy0O-UYLvQm9uRRZhZGEmL4bPBvbvH61m_RLjVfBiLwBoyDdFkHhSGDG3vT_oUq3PCTYUYihc3g&_hsmi=397411281 ) for an AI “ghost” that would take over if a video game got too hard. - Tasty tunes: Lollipop Star unveiled (https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/06/the-most-bizarre-tech-announced-so-far-at-ces-2026/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9M47wMcAGae5xpc6UXy0O-UYLvQm9uRRZhZGEmL4bPBvbvH61m_RLjVfBiLwBoyDdFkHhSGDG3vT_oUq3PCTYUYihc3g&_hsmi=397411281 ) a lollipop that plays music while you suck on it by sending vibrations through your skull bones to your ear. It comes in three flavors and plays three artists: Ice Spice, Akon, or Armani White. - Taking off: Air taxi startup Joby bought (https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/07/joby-faa-air-taxi-evtol.html?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9M47wMcAGae5xpc6UXy0O-UYLvQm9uRRZhZGEmL4bPBvbvH61m_RLjVfBiLwBoyDdFkHhSGDG3vT_oUq3PCTYUYihc3g&_hsmi=397411281 ) a new 700k-square-foot manufacturing facility in Ohio for $61.5m with the intention of doubling production to four eVTOLs per month by 2027. The startup hopes to achieve FAA approval this year. FROM OUR FRIENDS AT MINDSTREAM An illustration of a courier riding a motorcycle. (https://www.mindstream.news/p/your-food-wasn-t-late-it-was-ai-delivered?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9M47wMcAGae5xpc6UXy0O-UYLvQm9uRRZhZGEmL4bPBvbvH61m_RLjVfBiLwBoyDdFkHhSGDG3vT_oUq3PCTYUYihc3g&_hsmi=397411281 ) AI ate your delivery pizza A DoorDash driver was booted from the platform after allegedly uploading an AI-generated proof of delivery image. While DoorDash said it has a zero tolerance policy for fraud — and uses a mix of human eyes and tech to spot it — the incident is just another example of the ways AI tools can be misused. Dinner from our favorite restaurant is where we draw the line. 👉 Read more on Mindstream (https://www.mindstream.news/p/your-food-wasn-t-late-it-was-ai-delivered?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9M47wMcAGae5xpc6UXy0O-UYLvQm9uRRZhZGEmL4bPBvbvH61m_RLjVfBiLwBoyDdFkHhSGDG3vT_oUq3PCTYUYihc3g&_hsmi=397411281 ) THE BIG IDEA A screenshot of a white man wearing a gray jacket and white headphones live streaming a video game. An ad for another game appears in the corner. (https://thehustle.co/news/the-startup-that-makes-livestreaming-safer-for-advertisers?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9M47wMcAGae5xpc6UXy0O-UYLvQm9uRRZhZGEmL4bPBvbvH61m_RLjVfBiLwBoyDdFkHhSGDG3vT_oUq3PCTYUYihc3g&_hsmi=397411281 ) Streamer Mtashed displaying an ad for “Kingdom Come: Deliverance II” (Courtesy of NexTide) The startup that makes livestreaming safer for advertisers In 2022, gaming site BonusFinder released (https://www.forbes.com/sites/paultassi/2022/11/09/mario-kart-call-of-duty-ranked-among-the-most-stressful-video-games/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9M47wMcAGae5xpc6UXy0O-UYLvQm9uRRZhZGEmL4bPBvbvH61m_RLjVfBiLwBoyDdFkHhSGDG3vT_oUq3PCTYUYihc3g&_hsmi=397411281 ) a study of 16 video games to see which elevated players’ heart rates the most. Surprisingly, “Mario Kart” came in first, boosting players’ BPM by an average of 32.8%, higher than even “Call of Duty” or the notoriously hard “Dark Souls.” As anyone who’s watched a fave Twitch streamer knows, the stress — and occasional rage — of a hectic game can mean curses, insults, or other problematic language, making livestreaming a potential minefield for advertisers. But NexTide Media has a solution NexTide (https://www.nextide.io/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9M47wMcAGae5xpc6UXy0O-UYLvQm9uRRZhZGEmL4bPBvbvH61m_RLjVfBiLwBoyDdFkHhSGDG3vT_oUq3PCTYUYihc3g&_hsmi=397411281 ) connects brands to 700+ livestreamers and provides the infrastructure to advertise across platforms including Twitch, YouTube Live, and Kick, opening up new audiences — including younger demographics — for advertisers and new revenue streams for creators. “We look at it as the extension of traditional digital [marketing]. Each streamer, to us, is like their own publisher. So we use their channel — their space — to be able to promote to their audiences,” Alexander Guerrero, NexTide CEO and founder, told The Hustle. - Livestreaming is popular among gamers, representing an industry that generated an estimated $187B (https://www.npr.org/2026/01/01/1249801194/the-video-game-industry-at-a-crossroads?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9M47wMcAGae5xpc6UXy0O-UYLvQm9uRRZhZGEmL4bPBvbvH61m_RLjVfBiLwBoyDdFkHhSGDG3vT_oUq3PCTYUYihc3g&_hsmi=397411281 ) in revenue in 2024. That’s a lot of eyeballs, and potentially a lot of dollars. But NexTide found brands were “terrified” due to live content’s unpredictability, and created LiveGuard (https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nextide-media-to-launch-the-first-real-time-brand-safety-platform-built-for-livestreaming-with-liveguard-302597836.html?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9M47wMcAGae5xpc6UXy0O-UYLvQm9uRRZhZGEmL4bPBvbvH61m_RLjVfBiLwBoyDdFkHhSGDG3vT_oUq3PCTYUYihc3g&_hsmi=397411281 ) , a patent-pending, AI-powered safety platform that helps prevent ads from appearing alongside NSFW or controversial content. How it works - Creators agree to feature ads within their content. This can include banner ads or pop-ups that respond to various in-game or user actions. For example, a jumpscare to promote an upcoming horror movie in response to something a typed in chat window. - Brands can choose what content or specific keywords they don’t want to be associated with. Some may be OK with swearing or more adult games, while others may adopt stricter policies. - LiveGuard constantly monitors content and analyzes its context. For example, Guerrero said, it can tell if a streamer is talking about their friend named Dick or using that same word in a derogatory way. - If it identifies a problem, it can alert advertisers for manual review or automatically pause campaigns for 30-60 minutes. Chief product officer JJ Liebig also noted that livestream clips often go viral on other platforms, like Reddit and TikTok, meaning advertisers can avoid being forever tied to (or paying for) content that goes viral for the wrong reasons, but get a boost from fun content. Who could ever forget Leeroy Jenkins (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLyOj_QD4a4&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9M47wMcAGae5xpc6UXy0O-UYLvQm9uRRZhZGEmL4bPBvbvH61m_RLjVfBiLwBoyDdFkHhSGDG3vT_oUq3PCTYUYihc3g&_hsmi=397411281 ) ? 🔗 (https://thehustle.co/news/the-startup-that-makes-livestreaming-safer-for-advertisers?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9M47wMcAGae5xpc6UXy0O-UYLvQm9uRRZhZGEmL4bPBvbvH61m_RLjVfBiLwBoyDdFkHhSGDG3vT_oUq3PCTYUYihc3g&_hsmi=397411281 ) HIGHLY RECOMMENDED Followers are so last year. Here’s how (https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/jemma-wu-forget-follower-count?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9M47wMcAGae5xpc6UXy0O-UYLvQm9uRRZhZGEmL4bPBvbvH61m_RLjVfBiLwBoyDdFkHhSGDG3vT_oUq3PCTYUYihc3g&_hsmi=397411281 ) a TikTok marketing expert actually drives sales. NEWSWORTHY NUMBER Value of a truckload of lobsters stolen from a Massachusetts facility last month, where a crab shipment was also lifted just days earlier, per (https://www.forbes.com/sites/steveweisman/2026/01/01/how-hackers-and-cargo-thieves-orchestrated-the-great-massachusetts-lobster-heist/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9M47wMcAGae5xpc6UXy0O-UYLvQm9uRRZhZGEmL4bPBvbvH61m_RLjVfBiLwBoyDdFkHhSGDG3vT_oUq3PCTYUYihc3g&_hsmi=397411281 ) Forbes. Cargo thefts, which account for an estimated $35B in annual losses, are on the rise nationwide, thanks to what some industry experts hypothesize to be partnerships between organized crime rings and cybercriminals. Food-and-beverage items, like shellfish, are especially vulnerable since, unlike other lucrative cargo, they don’t usually come with barcodes. They do, however, come with expiration dates — the crustaceans, which were destined for Costco, have not been found, though by now they wouldn’t be safe to eat anyway. AROUND THE WEB 📆 On this day: In 1946, Elvis Presley received (https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/january-8/elvis-presley-receives-his-first-guitar?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9M47wMcAGae5xpc6UXy0O-UYLvQm9uRRZhZGEmL4bPBvbvH61m_RLjVfBiLwBoyDdFkHhSGDG3vT_oUq3PCTYUYihc3g&_hsmi=397411281 ) his first guitar as a gift from his mother. He was 11 years old. 🗓️ Useful: A 2026 calendar (https://abetusk.github.io/neatocal/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9M47wMcAGae5xpc6UXy0O-UYLvQm9uRRZhZGEmL4bPBvbvH61m_RLjVfBiLwBoyDdFkHhSGDG3vT_oUq3PCTYUYihc3g&_hsmi=397411281 ) you can print on a single page. 🗞️ Newsletter: Want to get smarter about financial markets? Join Opening Bell Daily (http://openingbelldailynews.com/subscribe?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9M47wMcAGae5xpc6UXy0O-UYLvQm9uRRZhZGEmL4bPBvbvH61m_RLjVfBiLwBoyDdFkHhSGDG3vT_oUq3PCTYUYihc3g&_hsmi=397411281 ) . 🎮 Game: This game (https://steamdle-psi.vercel.app/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9M47wMcAGae5xpc6UXy0O-UYLvQm9uRRZhZGEmL4bPBvbvH61m_RLjVfBiLwBoyDdFkHhSGDG3vT_oUq3PCTYUYihc3g&_hsmi=397411281 ) will likely only appeal to, well, gamers. Guess the video game based on its Steam achievements. 🐱 Aww: Let’s all go (https://www.reddit.com/r/aww/comments/1plgw4c/sometimes_the_cats_of_my_parents_join_me_and_my/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9M47wMcAGae5xpc6UXy0O-UYLvQm9uRRZhZGEmL4bPBvbvH61m_RLjVfBiLwBoyDdFkHhSGDG3vT_oUq3PCTYUYihc3g&_hsmi=397411281 ) for a walk. SHOWER THOUGHT The stereotypical "cartoon monkey" does not actually look like any monkey species that exists in real life. SOURCE (https://www.reddit.com/r/Showerthoughts/comments/1q16ok1/the_stereotypical_cartoon_monkey_does_not/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9M47wMcAGae5xpc6UXy0O-UYLvQm9uRRZhZGEmL4bPBvbvH61m_RLjVfBiLwBoyDdFkHhSGDG3vT_oUq3PCTYUYihc3g&_hsmi=397411281 ) Today's email was brought to you by Juliet Bennett Rylah (https://twitter.com/JBRylah?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9M47wMcAGae5xpc6UXy0O-UYLvQm9uRRZhZGEmL4bPBvbvH61m_RLjVfBiLwBoyDdFkHhSGDG3vT_oUq3PCTYUYihc3g&_hsmi=397411281 ) and Singdhi Sokpo. Editing by: Sara "Twitch, please" Friedman. Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up here (https://thehustle.co/join/?utm_source=thehustle&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=footer&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9M47wMcAGae5xpc6UXy0O-UYLvQm9uRRZhZGEmL4bPBvbvH61m_RLjVfBiLwBoyDdFkHhSGDG3vT_oUq3PCTYUYihc3g&_hsmi=397411281 ) . Working on something big? 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Plus: A medical-grade water bottle, spas for your scalp, and more. Share The Hustle: https://thehustle.co/join?ref=9211312919&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_SYT_DJDyhl0i_OZAopUk1ieAfN3RKruakiaRbP5HshfPs1CwjGlscFDIQqKF1S1JAPZkau3i4l1rducGWjywV1VJVjw&_hsmi=395308593 (https://thehustle.co/join?ref=9211312919&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_SYT_DJDyhl0i_OZAopUk1ieAfN3RKruakiaRbP5HshfPs1CwjGlscFDIQqKF1S1JAPZkau3i4l1rducGWjywV1VJVjw&_hsmi=395308593 ) Check your referral progress & prizes here (https://thehustle.co/refer-the-hustle?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_SYT_DJDyhl0i_OZAopUk1ieAfN3RKruakiaRbP5HshfPs1CwjGlscFDIQqKF1S1JAPZkau3i4l1rducGWjywV1VJVjw&_hsmi=395308593 ) The Hustle by HubSpot Media (https://thehustle.co/home/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_SYT_DJDyhl0i_OZAopUk1ieAfN3RKruakiaRbP5HshfPs1CwjGlscFDIQqKF1S1JAPZkau3i4l1rducGWjywV1VJVjw&_hsmi=395308593 ) 👋 Good morning and happy 2026 to you. We’re only two days in, but we can already tell it’s shaping up to be a good one. Before you blend up your green juice, write in your mindfulness journal, and hit the gym, take a second to check out our predictions for the glorious year in business ahead. OUR CRYSTAL BALL Top storylines for 2026 This past year was perhaps one of the wildest we can remember, and that’s largely because it’s the first where we’ve had to ask ourselves if every cute animal video we saw was real or just an AI fever dream. (That possum trying to get the Halloween candy? Yeah, fake. We were pissed.) Now we’re looking ahead and, to be perfectly honest, we don’t see things getting any less weird: Robots are performing more labor, perhaps including actual labor The past few years have given us a robot for everything, from folding clothes to serving drinks to tamping down grain in a silo, and we’re sure to see even more when CES returns to Las Vegas Jan. 6-9. But will they ever give birth? Kaiwa Technology (https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/us/chinas-kaiwa-technology-develops-pregnancy-humanoid-robot-with-artificial-womb-technology/articleshow/123358906.cms?from=mdr&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_SYT_DJDyhl0i_OZAopUk1ieAfN3RKruakiaRbP5HshfPs1CwjGlscFDIQqKF1S1JAPZkau3i4l1rducGWjywV1VJVjw&_hsmi=395308593 ) , a Chinese tech company, claimed in August that it expected to launch a robot with a synthetic womb designed to carry a baby from embryo until birth in 2026. It would cost ~$14k (https://www.vice.com/en/article/robot-with-artificial-womb-could-give-birth-to-humans-by-next-year/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_SYT_DJDyhl0i_OZAopUk1ieAfN3RKruakiaRbP5HshfPs1CwjGlscFDIQqKF1S1JAPZkau3i4l1rducGWjywV1VJVjw&_hsmi=395308593 ) , so not exactly cheap, but cheaper than a human surrogate, who is typically paid between $100k and $200k per pregnancy. Responses to the bot are predictably mixed. While we do expect to see robots and AI models infiltrate more of our lives than perhaps we want them to, this robot may be entirely sci-fi for now. It’s entirely unclear how exactly the bot becomes pregnant or deals with the numerous complicated elements of a pregnancy, so we wouldn’t hold our breath on this one. $1T shopping spree We’ll find out if the National Retail Federation’s prediction (https://www.axios.com/2025/11/06/holiday-sales-2025-nrf-forecast-trillion-dollar?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_SYT_DJDyhl0i_OZAopUk1ieAfN3RKruakiaRbP5HshfPs1CwjGlscFDIQqKF1S1JAPZkau3i4l1rducGWjywV1VJVjw&_hsmi=395308593 ) — that US holiday shopping will exceed $1T for the first time ever in 2025 — came true. NRF estimated that shoppers dropped an average of ~$890 per person on gifts, food, and decor, the second-highest since NRF began tracking 23 years ago. Granted, the price of nearly everything has gone up, but it was still an odd year for people to spend big. Yet retailers rolled out sales earlier and did what they could to keep prices low, and while shoppers hunted for bargains and switched to cheaper brands, they still prioritized spending on gifts. After all, people need some joy in their lives. Economists are feeling mid, as the kids say, about US economic growth going into 2026, but do expect inflation to ease gradually while still remaining over the Fed’s 2% goal, per (https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-08-29/economists-see-slow-us-growth-stubborn-inflation-well-into-2026?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_SYT_DJDyhl0i_OZAopUk1ieAfN3RKruakiaRbP5HshfPs1CwjGlscFDIQqKF1S1JAPZkau3i4l1rducGWjywV1VJVjw&_hsmi=395308593 ) Bloomberg. Agentic everything Everyone’s had plenty of time to ask AI to generate images of cats playing banjos and recipes that may or may not be edible, but companies are now looking to agentic AI (https://thehustle.co/news/the-future-of-web-browsers?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_SYT_DJDyhl0i_OZAopUk1ieAfN3RKruakiaRbP5HshfPs1CwjGlscFDIQqKF1S1JAPZkau3i4l1rducGWjywV1VJVjw&_hsmi=395308593 ) , which can make decisions and perform autonomous tasks on behalf of its user. Some examples you’re likely to see more of this year: - Self-driving vehicles: Agentic AI is behind the wheel. Waymo rolled out in numerous cities in 2025, and started operating (https://techcrunch.com/2025/11/20/waymo-enters-3-more-cities-minneapolis-new-orleans-and-tampa/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_SYT_DJDyhl0i_OZAopUk1ieAfN3RKruakiaRbP5HshfPs1CwjGlscFDIQqKF1S1JAPZkau3i4l1rducGWjywV1VJVjw&_hsmi=395308593 ) in Minneapolis, New Orleans, and Tampa, Florida, with human safety drivers. It will also allow fully autonomous rides in Miami, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, and Orlando in 2026. There may be some resistance, however. San Franciscans were outraged (https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/15/us/waymo-san-francisco-kit-kat.html?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_SYT_DJDyhl0i_OZAopUk1ieAfN3RKruakiaRbP5HshfPs1CwjGlscFDIQqKF1S1JAPZkau3i4l1rducGWjywV1VJVjw&_hsmi=395308593 ) when a Waymo ran over a beloved neighborhood cat. One city supervisor has asked for locals to have more control over how robotaxis are deployed in their communities. - Browsers: Agentic web browsers including Perplexity’s Comet, ChatGPT’s Atlas, and Opera’s Neon seek to make web browsing a seamless experience where AI can do things like fill out forms, summarize content, and complete bookings for their users. Other browsers, including Google Chrome and Mozilla’s Firefox, are incorporating AI. Such browsers may threaten Chrome’s long-standing dominance if they achieve widespread adoption, but reviews are currently mixed. PC Mag’s Ruben Circelli found (https://www.pcmag.com/opinions/ive-tested-too-many-ai-web-browsers-that-all-have-the-same-fatal-flaws?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_SYT_DJDyhl0i_OZAopUk1ieAfN3RKruakiaRbP5HshfPs1CwjGlscFDIQqKF1S1JAPZkau3i4l1rducGWjywV1VJVjw&_hsmi=395308593 ) they required too much babysitting to outperform traditional browsers. And for people with data privacy concerns, DuckDuckGo remains a favorite. - Shopping: Amazon rolled out its “Buy for Me (https://www.coveo.com/blog/the-rise-of-agentic-commerce/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_SYT_DJDyhl0i_OZAopUk1ieAfN3RKruakiaRbP5HshfPs1CwjGlscFDIQqKF1S1JAPZkau3i4l1rducGWjywV1VJVjw&_hsmi=395308593 ) ” feature to select users in 2025, which lets customers quickly purchase items not just from Amazon, but third-party websites, without leaving the platform. OpenAI and other companies are already integrating with platforms like Etsy to allow shoppers to browse and buy products entirely within platforms like ChatGPT. Combine this tech with AR try-ons that let you visualize what outfits might look like on you or how a piece of furniture might look in your home, and you’ve got a pretty high-tech retail experience brewing. - Travel: Agentic AI is also expected to make its way into the travel sector, with 80% (https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/travel/what-is-agentic-ai-book-flights.html?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_SYT_DJDyhl0i_OZAopUk1ieAfN3RKruakiaRbP5HshfPs1CwjGlscFDIQqKF1S1JAPZkau3i4l1rducGWjywV1VJVjw&_hsmi=395308593 ) of travel execs planning to roll out agentic AI tools at scale within the next five years. Such assistants would ideally find flights and lodging options based on your preferences, compare prices, come up with itineraries, and handle booking. To the moon No, we’re not talking about crypto, thankfully. We’re talking about literally going to the moon. Artemis II (https://www.nasa.gov/mission/artemis-ii/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_SYT_DJDyhl0i_OZAopUk1ieAfN3RKruakiaRbP5HshfPs1CwjGlscFDIQqKF1S1JAPZkau3i4l1rducGWjywV1VJVjw&_hsmi=395308593 ) is the second of NASA’s Artemis missions, intended to build a long-term presence on the moon. Scheduled to launch in early 2026, Artemis II will be the first crewed flight test of NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft around the moon, marking the first time humans have traveled to the moon since 1972. Humans won’t actually set foot on the moon again until Artemis III, scheduled for some time in 2027. TOOLS FOR TIME Matt-Wolfe-AI-Playbook (https://offers.hubspot.com/matt-wolfe-ai-tools?utm_medium=email-media-newsletter&utm_source=the-hustle&utm_campaign=owned&utm_term=2026-01-02&utm_content=native-ads&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_SYT_DJDyhl0i_OZAopUk1ieAfN3RKruakiaRbP5HshfPs1CwjGlscFDIQqKF1S1JAPZkau3i4l1rducGWjywV1VJVjw&_hsmi=395308593 ) Matt Wolfe’s favorite time-savers As a tech-focused ‘Tuber with 700k+ subs and running, Matt has tried a swarm of AI tools. These are his recommendations across categories (https://offers.hubspot.com/matt-wolfe-ai-tools?utm_medium=email-media-newsletter&utm_source=the-hustle&utm_campaign=owned&utm_term=2026-01-02&utm_content=native-ads&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_SYT_DJDyhl0i_OZAopUk1ieAfN3RKruakiaRbP5HshfPs1CwjGlscFDIQqKF1S1JAPZkau3i4l1rducGWjywV1VJVjw&_hsmi=395308593 ) , from copy and images and videos to workflow and journaling and strategy. Find ways to free up more time. Or frick around and find out if you’d like. Try these chatbots (https://offers.hubspot.com/matt-wolfe-ai-tools?utm_medium=email-media-newsletter&utm_source=the-hustle&utm_campaign=owned&utm_term=2026-01-02&utm_content=native-ads&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_SYT_DJDyhl0i_OZAopUk1ieAfN3RKruakiaRbP5HshfPs1CwjGlscFDIQqKF1S1JAPZkau3i4l1rducGWjywV1VJVjw&_hsmi=395308593 ) THE BIG IDEA A woman parts her brunette hair revealing her scalp. (https://thehustle.co/news/scalp-care-is-the-new-skin-care?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_SYT_DJDyhl0i_OZAopUk1ieAfN3RKruakiaRbP5HshfPs1CwjGlscFDIQqKF1S1JAPZkau3i4l1rducGWjywV1VJVjw&_hsmi=395308593 ) Scalp care is the new skin care Overdrawn eyebrows and bountiful butts had their moment in the mid-2010s, just as glowy skin has had its in recent years. But now, consumers and brands are fixating on another region of our anatomy: the scalp. Interest in treatments and products dedicated to the crown of our heads has exploded in recent years — so much so that some beauty insiders are calling it the new “it” body part, per (https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/20/style/scalp-care-beauty-trends-2025.html?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_SYT_DJDyhl0i_OZAopUk1ieAfN3RKruakiaRbP5HshfPs1CwjGlscFDIQqKF1S1JAPZkau3i4l1rducGWjywV1VJVjw&_hsmi=395308593 ) The New York Times. - Searches, views, and posts for “scalp serum” and “scalp massagers” were up 77% and 58%, respectively, in August 2025 compared to the year before across Google, TikTok, and Instagram. - Searches for “head spas” — where you can pay anywhere from $35 to $330 to take a microscopic look at your roots — have hit an all-time high (https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=all&q=head%20spas&hl=en&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_SYT_DJDyhl0i_OZAopUk1ieAfN3RKruakiaRbP5HshfPs1CwjGlscFDIQqKF1S1JAPZkau3i4l1rducGWjywV1VJVjw&_hsmi=395308593 ) on Google. Haircare brands have capitalized on the heightened consumer demand, with most now offering, or preparing to offer (https://www.unilever.com/news/news-search/2025/the-skinification-of-scalp-care-unilevers-expertise-delivers-on-demand/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_SYT_DJDyhl0i_OZAopUk1ieAfN3RKruakiaRbP5HshfPs1CwjGlscFDIQqKF1S1JAPZkau3i4l1rducGWjywV1VJVjw&_hsmi=395308593 ) , some kind of scalp serum or treatment, packed with buzzy ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid, as remedies for itchiness, dryness, or hair density. There are also companies like Nutrafol and Hims hocking hair growth supplements, and upstarts like Jolie and Canopy selling shower head filters that promise to reduce shedding and help with dandruff. The trend is no head scratcher Scalp care, a fast-growing sector of the ~$107B (https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/hair-care-market-102555?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_SYT_DJDyhl0i_OZAopUk1ieAfN3RKruakiaRbP5HshfPs1CwjGlscFDIQqKF1S1JAPZkau3i4l1rducGWjywV1VJVjw&_hsmi=395308593 ) global hair care market, is the latest self-care fad to dazzle Gen Z and millennial men and women, popularized online by TikTok tutorials, influencers, and wellness enthusiasts. It also coincides with the growing popularity of beauty products and practices from Asian countries (https://wwd.com/beauty-industry-news/beauty-features/k-beauty-asian-beauty-global-wave-skin-care-makeup-hair-1237872768/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_SYT_DJDyhl0i_OZAopUk1ieAfN3RKruakiaRbP5HshfPs1CwjGlscFDIQqKF1S1JAPZkau3i4l1rducGWjywV1VJVjw&_hsmi=395308593 ) like Korea and Japan, where head spas have been around for decades (https://whyy.org/articles/philadelphia-head-spas-scalp-treatments/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_SYT_DJDyhl0i_OZAopUk1ieAfN3RKruakiaRbP5HshfPs1CwjGlscFDIQqKF1S1JAPZkau3i4l1rducGWjywV1VJVjw&_hsmi=395308593 ) and scalp health is a centuries-old priority. But is it necessary? Probably not — while scalp massagers can promote hair growth by increasing circulation and treatments can help alleviate dryness or itchiness, it’s not like everyone’s suddenly developed scalp conditions that would call for them. In fact, one dermatologist told NYT, putting unnecessary chemicals on a perfectly healthy scalp can cause issues like irritation and inflammation, while the minority (https://yougov.com/en-us/articles/52808-us-hair-care-trends-2025-consumer-concerns-routines-and-market?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_SYT_DJDyhl0i_OZAopUk1ieAfN3RKruakiaRbP5HshfPs1CwjGlscFDIQqKF1S1JAPZkau3i4l1rducGWjywV1VJVjw&_hsmi=395308593 ) of people with actual scalp conditions, like alopecia or seborrheic dermatitis, would be better off consulting a medical professional. That being said, a good head spa sesh can still be a luxuriously relaxing time — which, one could argue, is an occasional must. 🔗 (https://thehustle.co/news/scalp-care-is-the-new-skin-care?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_SYT_DJDyhl0i_OZAopUk1ieAfN3RKruakiaRbP5HshfPs1CwjGlscFDIQqKF1S1JAPZkau3i4l1rducGWjywV1VJVjw&_hsmi=395308593 ) NEWSWORTHY NUMBER How many prototypes it took to make Okapa’s $300 medical-grade water bottle, which the brand claims “redefines hygiene and durability,” per (https://www.wired.com/story/whats-the-deal-with-okapas-dollar300-water-bottle/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_SYT_DJDyhl0i_OZAopUk1ieAfN3RKruakiaRbP5HshfPs1CwjGlscFDIQqKF1S1JAPZkau3i4l1rducGWjywV1VJVjw&_hsmi=395308593 ) Wired. The next-level drinkware also has 70+ patents, is made with aerospace and medical materials, and required eight years of research to develop. But priced at an eye-watering sum, is it really worth it? No, according to Wired’s Hannah Singleton, though she did call it “the nicest, most thoughtfully designed water bottle” she’s ever tested. Still, considering Gen Z’s obsession with drinkware and water’s recent high-brow treatment (see: water sommeliers (https://thehustle.co/news/may-we-interest-you-in-a-water-flight?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_SYT_DJDyhl0i_OZAopUk1ieAfN3RKruakiaRbP5HshfPs1CwjGlscFDIQqKF1S1JAPZkau3i4l1rducGWjywV1VJVjw&_hsmi=395308593 ) ), we wouldn’t be totally shocked if this became the next Stanley, Owala, or whatever other trendy bottle people are currently vying for. SHOWER THOUGHT At the age of 60, Snoop Dogg will be 420 in dog years. SOURCE (https://www.reddit.com/r/Showerthoughts/comments/7nadkz/at_the_age_of_60_snoop_dogg_will_be_420_in_dog/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_SYT_DJDyhl0i_OZAopUk1ieAfN3RKruakiaRbP5HshfPs1CwjGlscFDIQqKF1S1JAPZkau3i4l1rducGWjywV1VJVjw&_hsmi=395308593 ) Today's email was brought to you by Juliet Bennett Rylah (https://bsky.app/profile/jbrylah.bsky.social?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_SYT_DJDyhl0i_OZAopUk1ieAfN3RKruakiaRbP5HshfPs1CwjGlscFDIQqKF1S1JAPZkau3i4l1rducGWjywV1VJVjw&_hsmi=395308593 ) and Singdhi Sokpo. Editing by: Sara "New year, same me" Friedman. Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up here (https://thehustle.co/join/?utm_source=thehustle&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=footer&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_SYT_DJDyhl0i_OZAopUk1ieAfN3RKruakiaRbP5HshfPs1CwjGlscFDIQqKF1S1JAPZkau3i4l1rducGWjywV1VJVjw&_hsmi=395308593 ) . Working on something big? 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Plus: Mechanical engineering for kids, fountain pens keep kicking, and more. Share The Hustle: https://thehustle.co/join?ref=9211312919&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_8ghSesx1S4oYjyMsqWhLtXfSV4JkAhn_zxbiBifQh2VlcMm9P1PDF2NpcPvrWv6THGE2-wx21NhXxSwQ1GYbCmecGUw&_hsmi=395307564 (https://thehustle.co/join?ref=9211312919&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_8ghSesx1S4oYjyMsqWhLtXfSV4JkAhn_zxbiBifQh2VlcMm9P1PDF2NpcPvrWv6THGE2-wx21NhXxSwQ1GYbCmecGUw&_hsmi=395307564 ) Check your referral progress & prizes here (https://thehustle.co/refer-the-hustle?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_8ghSesx1S4oYjyMsqWhLtXfSV4JkAhn_zxbiBifQh2VlcMm9P1PDF2NpcPvrWv6THGE2-wx21NhXxSwQ1GYbCmecGUw&_hsmi=395307564 ) The Hustle by HubSpot Media (https://thehustle.co/home/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_8ghSesx1S4oYjyMsqWhLtXfSV4JkAhn_zxbiBifQh2VlcMm9P1PDF2NpcPvrWv6THGE2-wx21NhXxSwQ1GYbCmecGUw&_hsmi=395307564 ) 👋 Good morning. You know who’s awesome? You. Seriously — we’re not just sucking up here. Our readers are entrepreneurs, inventors, and businesspeople who are dreaming up some of the future’s most promising ideas. It’s almost a new year, but we couldn’t go forward without turning the spotlight on you all one last time. P.S. We’re stepping away to pop some champagne and watch the ball drop (from bed). Happy New Year and we’ll see you back here Jan. 2. A YEAR OF HUSTLING Your bright ideas: How you hustled in 2025 All year long, you’ve been building, creating, and inventing. We’ve already featured 30+ of your amazing businesses, and now we’re taking a look back at 10 Hustlers who really caught our eye in 2025: Chris Brewer — Best Retreats (https://bestretreats.co/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_8ghSesx1S4oYjyMsqWhLtXfSV4JkAhn_zxbiBifQh2VlcMm9P1PDF2NpcPvrWv6THGE2-wx21NhXxSwQ1GYbCmecGUw&_hsmi=395307564 ) - Created the “Better Business Bureau for ayahuasca.” The platform verifies spiritual retreats so seekers can make empowered decisions. - Entrepreneurship advice that’s BS: “Courses. All of them. You can't learn to swim by reading. The same applies to building something.” Dr. Destini Copp — HobbyScool (https://newsletter.hobbyscool.com/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_8ghSesx1S4oYjyMsqWhLtXfSV4JkAhn_zxbiBifQh2VlcMm9P1PDF2NpcPvrWv6THGE2-wx21NhXxSwQ1GYbCmecGUw&_hsmi=395307564 ) - Built a place for creative hobbyists to learn, grow, and connect, through virtual summits and workshops. - Advice to a fellow entrepreneur: “You don’t have to do everything at once. Focus on one key offer, get it right, and then expand. Simplicity scales.” Julie Cushen — Lilaque (https://lilaquenails.com/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_8ghSesx1S4oYjyMsqWhLtXfSV4JkAhn_zxbiBifQh2VlcMm9P1PDF2NpcPvrWv6THGE2-wx21NhXxSwQ1GYbCmecGUw&_hsmi=395307564 ) - Created the first and only soy-based, odor-free, DIY gel nail polish on the market. - One truly innovative thing: “We’ve developed the first and only soy-based gel nail polish and just launched 3D-printed, plant-based press-on nails!” Ray Ghorbani — JamWith (https://www.jamwith.info/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_8ghSesx1S4oYjyMsqWhLtXfSV4JkAhn_zxbiBifQh2VlcMm9P1PDF2NpcPvrWv6THGE2-wx21NhXxSwQ1GYbCmecGUw&_hsmi=395307564 ) - Built the “LinkedIn for the music community,” helping independent artists find collaborators and gigs. - Advice to a fellow entrepreneur: “While looking for cofounders in an early stage startup, try to do everything yourself for at least a month so you really understand what you don't know…” Christian Ross — HappyTalks (https://www.happytalks.com/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_8ghSesx1S4oYjyMsqWhLtXfSV4JkAhn_zxbiBifQh2VlcMm9P1PDF2NpcPvrWv6THGE2-wx21NhXxSwQ1GYbCmecGUw&_hsmi=395307564 ) - Connected seniors with conversation — no voicemail required. - Big win: “Talking to a 95-year-old member for nearly 912 days straight, and having his family share how much we make a difference in his world.” Tom Sayer — Ello (https://www.ello.com/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_8ghSesx1S4oYjyMsqWhLtXfSV4JkAhn_zxbiBifQh2VlcMm9P1PDF2NpcPvrWv6THGE2-wx21NhXxSwQ1GYbCmecGUw&_hsmi=395307564 ) - Developed an AI reading coach for kids ages 5-9 that listens as they read aloud and offers real-time feedback and encouragement. - Advice to a fellow entrepreneur: “Talk to your users constantly — especially when it’s uncomfortable. The most valuable insights often come from hearing what’s not working...” Vat Tann — Nyam Nyam Superfoods (https://nyamnyamsuperfoods.com/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_8ghSesx1S4oYjyMsqWhLtXfSV4JkAhn_zxbiBifQh2VlcMm9P1PDF2NpcPvrWv6THGE2-wx21NhXxSwQ1GYbCmecGUw&_hsmi=395307564 ) - Made healthy snacks crave-worthy with functional chocolates. - One innovative thing: “We have a white chocolate with blue spirulina and toasted hemp seed bar that looks like the blue sea on a tropical vacation and tastes like a nostalgic Nestlé Crunch bar but healthy.” Jennifer Whitchurch — The Literary Escape (https://media.hubspot.com/e3t/Ctc/UB+113/d2q-Vf04/VV-pzN7x3sK-W6dT3Dp2j8pbrW2C4PM95HfJfwN3cFw542-ZW0W5BW0B06lZ3p3W30m80P5X055PW1G7F_28MB4QBW3fWj457-QY2SW2zhS3J13nYyKN7fGqW76QLSJW5ymVW66H5V73W5Z2gkT94G252W8vhwXd7zb0mRW6GNQG2535438N317GGKbsRsRW8XvWl61FFY3wW89nG9s3kyFhVW2jwFCD14R5mFV8zqBY6zjt8TW4-7-qf5ZQZDCW4HVR0w4XM5mCW8mm2N154l3szW3flMF-6Wg9dbf6GkG_z04?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_8ghSesx1S4oYjyMsqWhLtXfSV4JkAhn_zxbiBifQh2VlcMm9P1PDF2NpcPvrWv6THGE2-wx21NhXxSwQ1GYbCmecGUw&_hsmi=395307564 ) - Transformed books into story-inspired getaways for women craving connection, conversation, and indulgence. - Entrepreneurship advice that’s BS: “That you have to hustle 24/7 to succeed. Hard pass. That kind of advice glorifies burnout and ignores the fact that rest, boundaries, and joy are just as essential to success as spreadsheets and strategy.” Alan Wieder — Crappily Drawn Pets (https://www.instagram.com/alanhwieder/?hl=en&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_8ghSesx1S4oYjyMsqWhLtXfSV4JkAhn_zxbiBifQh2VlcMm9P1PDF2NpcPvrWv6THGE2-wx21NhXxSwQ1GYbCmecGUw&_hsmi=395307564 ) - Drew hilarious, heart-filled portraits of people’s pets. - Origin story: “During a depressive episode, I pivoted and decided to spread joy by compelling people to see their cats and birds and lizards in a way they never have. It lifted me out of my haze and also brought me much closer to my own cat — and my turtle!” Aaron Zar — SLNT (https://slnt.com/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_8ghSesx1S4oYjyMsqWhLtXfSV4JkAhn_zxbiBifQh2VlcMm9P1PDF2NpcPvrWv6THGE2-wx21NhXxSwQ1GYbCmecGUw&_hsmi=395307564 ) - Empowers people to disconnect with Faraday backpacks and sleeves that block wireless signals. - Big win: “Five SBIR US Air Force R&D contracts for the development of next generation backpacks and carrying equipment.” Want to see your name here in 2026? Tell us how you’re hustling (https://thehustle.co/how-you-hustle-founder-startup-feature?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_8ghSesx1S4oYjyMsqWhLtXfSV4JkAhn_zxbiBifQh2VlcMm9P1PDF2NpcPvrWv6THGE2-wx21NhXxSwQ1GYbCmecGUw&_hsmi=395307564 ) . CHECK THESE IDEAS Deepest-Rabbit-Hole-of-Business-Ideas_1200x628_Op2A (https://offers.hubspot.com/mfm-koerner-business-bundle?utm_medium=email-media-newsletter&utm_source=the-hustle&utm_campaign=owned&utm_term=2025-12-30&utm_content=native-ads&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_8ghSesx1S4oYjyMsqWhLtXfSV4JkAhn_zxbiBifQh2VlcMm9P1PDF2NpcPvrWv6THGE2-wx21NhXxSwQ1GYbCmecGUw&_hsmi=395307564 ) The business idea rabbit hole you’ve been waiting for Whenever you get serious about starting a business, make this your very first pit stop. Chris Koerner’s startup database (https://offers.hubspot.com/mfm-koerner-business-bundle?utm_medium=email-media-newsletter&utm_source=the-hustle&utm_campaign=owned&utm_term=2025-12-30&utm_content=native-ads&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_8ghSesx1S4oYjyMsqWhLtXfSV4JkAhn_zxbiBifQh2VlcMm9P1PDF2NpcPvrWv6THGE2-wx21NhXxSwQ1GYbCmecGUw&_hsmi=395307564 ) highlights ~200 creative startup ideas with pre-built business plans, including: - Epic Weddings LLC - Protein vending machine - Aeroponics vertical farming - Pet pocket gate installation - Upcycled engine block coffee tables - Scaling from resale to sustainable - Luxury ice (cubes) - Rent-a-chicken-right-now - Airbnb wall mural design - Coffee in waffle cones With such ridiculous creative range at your disposal, there can be no more loafing. Go haul around a bouncy house or charcuterie cart or something. 197 wild ideas (https://offers.hubspot.com/mfm-koerner-business-bundle?utm_medium=email-media-newsletter&utm_source=the-hustle&utm_campaign=owned&utm_term=2025-12-30&utm_content=native-ads&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_8ghSesx1S4oYjyMsqWhLtXfSV4JkAhn_zxbiBifQh2VlcMm9P1PDF2NpcPvrWv6THGE2-wx21NhXxSwQ1GYbCmecGUw&_hsmi=395307564 ) THE BIG IDEA A gold-nibbed fountain pen (https://thehustle.co/news/in-a-digital-world-people-still-love-a-good-fountain-pen?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_8ghSesx1S4oYjyMsqWhLtXfSV4JkAhn_zxbiBifQh2VlcMm9P1PDF2NpcPvrWv6THGE2-wx21NhXxSwQ1GYbCmecGUw&_hsmi=395307564 ) In a digital world, people still love a good fountain pen Did you get a fountain pen for Christmas? Was it from a fountain pen enthusiast trying to get you into the hobby? Because we know a guy… There’s something very satisfying about writing with a fountain pen, but they can be expensive. A Montblanc pen could set you back $1k+. But there are several companies, largely in China, that produce knockoff versions of pricier models, per (https://www.wsj.com/lifestyle/fountain-pens-chinese-replicas-montblanc-7f4d43d0?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_8ghSesx1S4oYjyMsqWhLtXfSV4JkAhn_zxbiBifQh2VlcMm9P1PDF2NpcPvrWv6THGE2-wx21NhXxSwQ1GYbCmecGUw&_hsmi=395307564 ) The Wall Street Journal, despite the ire of the pen makers they’re accused of copying. - Jinhao offers pens starting at ~$12. - Majohn Wancai pens start as low as $5 (https://thefabulousscientist.com/2024/06/09/fountain-pen-review-the-best-chinese-brand-fountain-pens-in-my-experience/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_8ghSesx1S4oYjyMsqWhLtXfSV4JkAhn_zxbiBifQh2VlcMm9P1PDF2NpcPvrWv6THGE2-wx21NhXxSwQ1GYbCmecGUw&_hsmi=395307564 ) . What’s so great about fountain pens? They use a metal nib and refillable liquid ink, whereas the more common ballpoint pen uses a rolling ball and an oil-based ink. Fountain pens, thus, require less pressure to use and allow for a smoother, easier writing experience that many find more enjoyable. They’re also customizable, with many different sizes and kinds of nibs, not to mention refillable inks. Some enthusiasts boast vast — and expensive — collections. These enthusiasts… … have mixed feelings about the knockoffs. While some find them repugnant, others note that they’ve provided an entry point for new enthusiasts and collectors. A Reddit group for enthusiasts has doubled to ~368k users over the past five years. Artist and enthusiast Irv Tepper, who boasts a collection of 200+ pens, told WSJ he actually prefers the cheaper Chinese-made pens for everyday use and to gift to people he hopes to introduce to his hobby. Are there similar trends? As our lives have become increasingly digitized, there’s been a rising interest in physical media (vinyl records, cassette tapes, board games, etc.) and hobbies that involve using your hands or getting outdoors. There’s also been a growing demand for stationery, a global market that’s grown since the pandemic, when people took up journaling and calligraphy as hobbies, per (https://www.forbes.com/sites/katehardcastle/2025/03/02/the-rise-of-stationerycore-why-a-digital-generation-is-falling-in-love-with-analogue/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_8ghSesx1S4oYjyMsqWhLtXfSV4JkAhn_zxbiBifQh2VlcMm9P1PDF2NpcPvrWv6THGE2-wx21NhXxSwQ1GYbCmecGUw&_hsmi=395307564 ) Forbes. Consumers shop for high-quality, beautifully designed cards, notebooks, planners, and other paper items, so it makes sense they’d want the pens to match. And if a $12 pen feels just as lovely as a $200 splurge, well… who can blame them? 🔗 (https://thehustle.co/news/in-a-digital-world-people-still-love-a-good-fountain-pen?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_8ghSesx1S4oYjyMsqWhLtXfSV4JkAhn_zxbiBifQh2VlcMm9P1PDF2NpcPvrWv6THGE2-wx21NhXxSwQ1GYbCmecGUw&_hsmi=395307564 ) NEWSWORTHY NUMBER How much Simple Machines Made Simple, a picture book on mechanical engineering for kids, exceeded its Kickstarter goal by, thanks to 6.8k+ backers who’ve pledged $357k+. The guide, which pairs interactive models like spinning wheels and levers with real-world examples, was created by computer engineer Chase Roberts, who also authored the viral book Computer Engineering for Babies in 2021. If you’re wondering what kind of child would reach for such books, the answer is probably none. Roberts told (https://www.fastcompany.com/91439043/simple-machines-book-explain-physics-to-a-2-year-old?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_8ghSesx1S4oYjyMsqWhLtXfSV4JkAhn_zxbiBifQh2VlcMm9P1PDF2NpcPvrWv6THGE2-wx21NhXxSwQ1GYbCmecGUw&_hsmi=395307564 ) Fast Company his target audience aren’t tykes themselves, but engineers who want to teach their kids about the work they do in a fun way. Oh, to imagine all the sterile things that’ll eventually induce childhood nostalgia in those youngins. SHOWER THOUGHT Out of all the eras to be born into, I'm glad it's one with toilet paper. SOURCE (https://www.reddit.com/r/Showerthoughts/comments/1o8orur/out_of_all_the_eras_to_be_born_into_im_glad_its/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_8ghSesx1S4oYjyMsqWhLtXfSV4JkAhn_zxbiBifQh2VlcMm9P1PDF2NpcPvrWv6THGE2-wx21NhXxSwQ1GYbCmecGUw&_hsmi=395307564 ) Today's email was brought to you by Juliet Bennett Rylah (https://bsky.app/profile/jbrylah.bsky.social?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_8ghSesx1S4oYjyMsqWhLtXfSV4JkAhn_zxbiBifQh2VlcMm9P1PDF2NpcPvrWv6THGE2-wx21NhXxSwQ1GYbCmecGUw&_hsmi=395307564 ) and Singdhi Sokpo. Editing by: Sara "Wantrepreneur" Friedman. Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up here (https://thehustle.co/join/?utm_source=thehustle&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=footer&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_8ghSesx1S4oYjyMsqWhLtXfSV4JkAhn_zxbiBifQh2VlcMm9P1PDF2NpcPvrWv6THGE2-wx21NhXxSwQ1GYbCmecGUw&_hsmi=395307564 ) . Working on something big? We've got a whole library of business-building resources (https://thehustle.co/resources?utm_source=the-hustle&utm_medium=email-media-newsletter&utm_campaign=owned&utm_term=resources-footer-link-07-2025&utm_content=hustle-footer&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_8ghSesx1S4oYjyMsqWhLtXfSV4JkAhn_zxbiBifQh2VlcMm9P1PDF2NpcPvrWv6THGE2-wx21NhXxSwQ1GYbCmecGUw&_hsmi=395307564 ) for you. 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