💌 salary needed to buy a home, Austin travel guide, new job opps

TODAY IS WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19

WHAT TO EXPECT

• stories: salary needed to buy a home, wabi sabi is affecting branding, poppi’s vending machine drama
• listen to this: blue over you
• in collaboration with: Brooklinen
• job seekers: digital marketing manager, commercialization project manager, brand
success manager
• extra stories
• quote: on perseverance
• bon voyage: Austin, Texas

HOME: SALARY NEEDED TO BUY A HOME IN THE U.S.
As of 2024, the financial landscape for American homebuyers has shifted dramatically, with the median salary needed to purchase a home rising to $104,339 - quite a jump from $88,000 in 2022. Even with mortgage rates hitting their highest point in over a decade and home prices at record levels, people are still eagerly buying houses. There's a bit of good news though, as housing inventory grew by 19% last May compared to the previous year. Looking at major cities, the differences are pretty striking: San Jose tops the chart, requiring an eye-watering salary of $463,887 (with monthly payments over $10,800) largely due to its Silicon Valley connection, while San Francisco follows with homes typically priced around $1.3 million. New York City ranks sixth, needing a salary of $186,123, though interestingly only 30% of New Yorkers own homes - way below the national average of 66%. On the flip side, cities like Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and St. Louis offer much more reasonable options, where you can buy a median-priced home with a salary under $70,000.

LIFESTYLE: WABI SABI IS MAKING AN IMPACT ON BRANDING
The “wabi sabi economy” is a significant countertrend to the U.S’s fascination with perfection, as it embraces imperfection and authenticity, based on the Japanese aesthetic tradition of wabi-sabi. This cultural shift is manifesting across various industries, from distressed denim and vintage shopping to luxury markets and social media, where unpolished content often outperforms highly produced material. Have you noticed a more worn-in look lately — that’s it! Brands are embracing this shift by celebrating imperfections, teaching consumers to appreciate what they have, and developing products that become age better than they are produced.

BUSINESS: POPPI’S VENDING MACHINE DRAMA EXPLAINED
During Super Bowl weekend, prebiotic soda brand Poppi stirred up controversy when they sent branded vending machines to various influencers as part of their marketing campaign. The backlash quickly spread on social media, with many users criticizing the brand for gifting expensive machines to well-off influencers instead of targeting more deserving groups like teachers or healthcare workers. The drama intensified when competitor Olipop jumped into the fray, claiming in TikTok comments that each machine cost $25,000 - a figure that Adweek later reported was more than double the actual cost. Poppi's founder Allison Ellsworth eventually addressed the situation in a TikTok video, calling out the "misinformation" from their competitor and explaining that the campaign was meant to leverage the Super Bowl moment through creator marketing. She acknowledged the feedback and promised that these vending machines would be distributed to more community-focused locations in the future, emphasizing the brand's commitment to learning from this experience and doing better.

If you’re an oldies lover, this song will invoke quite the feelings in you. It gives off 50’s-60’s love song & some listeners even say that they feel Elvis’s vocals coming forward.

IN COLLABORATION WITH

Let’s be real—there’s nothing quite like slipping into bed after a long day. Here's the thing: quality sleep isn't just about having the right mattress or perfect room temperature – it starts with what's actually touching your skin all night long. That’s where Brooklinen comes in.

Born from the simple idea that luxury bedding shouldn't cost a fortune, they've created something pretty special. Think hotel-quality sheets that actually get better with every wash (yes, really). Their luxe sateen sheets? Silky smooth. Their organic cotton and linen collections? The perfect blend of breathability and softness. And if you really want to take things up a notch, their down comforters feel like a literal cloud—fluffy, airy, and just the right amount of cozy. No wonder they’re award-winning.

It’s time to upgrade your sleep and finally feel well-rested, consider this your sign to invest in bedding that does more than just look pretty—it transforms your nights. Because let's be honest – we spend a third of our lives in bed. Shouldn't it feel amazing?

Digital marketing manager, DRISCOLL’S (Watsonville, CA): You’ll be responsible for the development of an integrated digital marketing content strategy across an assigned mix of digital platforms and touch points, followed by performance analysis and evaluation. You will work in close partnership with other members of the digital marketing team, including the community engagement associate manager and performance marketing specialist.

Brand success manager, FAIRE (NY,NY): Your goal in this role is to partner with and coach the highest potential brands to most effectively utilize Faire’s wholesale platform - to grow sales + simplify operations. You should be a results-oriented customer success / account management professional to manage a book of ~200 brands. You will be responsible for engaging and coaching brands within your book on strategies, tactics, programs, products, and events on Faire, in addition to supporting the day-to-day operations.

Commercialization project manager, RHODE (Los Angeles): You’ll support product development and commercialization through detailed project management, partnering closely with the executive team, product development, sales, operations, marketing, quality, regulatory, and finance. You are also to partner with the director of commercialization to document and manage risks and dependencies for each project.

👩🏻‍💻 what it’s like taking an unconventional career path aka the generalist

🤳🏼 we have a new photo sharing app and it looks similar to Instagram

💵 Alex Cooper from the Call Her Daddy podcast is getting even bigger and Warren Buffet wants in on it

ON PERSEVERANCE: Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts — Winston Churchill

Both success and failure are temporary states - what truly matters is having the determination to keep moving forward, regardless of the circumstances. Remember, when you’re down, the only place you can go is up. If you decidedly stay at the bottom, you’re choosing failure.

AUSTIN, TEXAS

EAT: For an unforgettable dining experience, check out Este, a Michelin-recognized gem serving up incredible coastal Mexican flavors, or Otoko, an omakase spot blending Tokyo-style sushi with Kyoto-style kaiseki. BBQ lovers can’t skip Franklin Barbecue, famous for its legendary brisket (yes, the line is worth it). Emmer & Rye is a great choice with its farm-to-table seasonal dishes. For a casual but equally delicious bite, Josephine House is the perfect spot for a leisurely brunch with its charming blue cottage vibes and fresh pastries.

STAY: If you’re looking for five-star luxury, Commodore Perry Estate offers a glamorous retreat with European-style elegance and lush gardens, while The Loren at Lady Bird Lake has stunning waterfront views and modern design. For something more unique, book a stay at Hotel Saint Cecilia, a rock-and-roll-inspired boutique hotel known for its ultra-exclusive vibe and dreamy poolside setting. Prefer a nature escape? The Collective Hill Country just outside the city offers a luxurious glamping experience with private tents, stargazing decks, and sweeping Texas Hill Country views.

DO: Explore the city’s live music scene at The Continental Club, where you’ll find everything from blues and rock to indie and country. Spend an afternoon kayaking on Lady Bird Lake or take a dip in the waters of Barton Springs Pool. For a truly unique Austin experience, head to South Congress Avenue for vintage shopping, quirky boutiques, and an iconic photo op in front of the “I Love You So Much” mural.