Quick Peek: Snapback Hats

Posted by on Jun 19, 2011 in Fashion | 4 comments

Will Smith Wearing A Snapback Hattupac shakur wearing a snapback hatSnapback hats, or “Snapacks” as they are affectionately referred to by their fans, first became really popular in the 1990’s. With hip hop starting to get mainstream attention, the clothing that surrounded the movement started to take off. Rappers like Will Smith and Jazzy Jeff were seen in them, as well as  the likes of Tupac Shakur.

Originally derived from a “Brookyln” style baseball hat, the Snapback has evolved since. The brim remains large and flat, and most have green fabric stitched to the underside.

Today, rappers like Wiz Kalifa and Mac Miller from Philadelphia are promoting them in songs with lines like, “You can wear my hat just make sure you give it back”. This all coincides with a renewed interest in retro and vintage clothing that’s been making it’s way from downtown NYC to large stores like Old Navy, Nordstrom’s, etc.

Snapback Hats are going to be a hot item for the second half of 2011. When Mac Miller starts hitting the radio, they’ll likely be the next big thing in male fashion.

If you’re looking for a great place to buy Snapback Hats check out http://Snapbackhats.net

 

Why Entrepreneurs Are Winning

Posted by on Mar 5, 2011 in Tech | 2 comments

Is it ever a bad time to be an entrepreneur? When times are great they have lots of potential investors to fund outlandish ideas that at times may seem highly speculative. When times are bad, entrepreneurs are some of the best bootstrappers around and create high value propositions for ailing businesses or thrifty consumers. Finding and creating value is what the entrepreneur specializes in; it’s an ancient form of arbitrage that can thrive in just about any type of market.

The last five years have left the world economy in notoriously poor condition. The credit crunch has hit consumers and businesses hard, and stifled cash flow, loans, and all kinds of funding from angel to venture capital. Millions of people have been laid off of cushy cubicle jobs, pensions have been lost, and 401k’s have been decimated by highly volatile movements in the financial markets. At the same time, the cost of technology has never been lower, the value  of that technology has never been higher, and highly valuable talent is collecting unemployment checks. In short, it’s never been a better time to be an entrepreneur, here’s why: (more…)

Personalized Marketing

Posted by on Feb 13, 2011 in Entertainment, Tech | 30 comments

As a child you might remember some of the antics of cereal mascots as they attempted to steal, steal back, or keep people from stealing their Lucky Charms, Cookie Crisp, or Trix. Mascots in their current incantation have been stealing our hearts and brains the same way for the last two hundred years, but that is all changing. (more…)

Electronic Cigarettes

Posted by on Jan 25, 2011 in Tech | 23 comments

The last 5 years have brought about many disruptive technologies. Digital technology has invaded almost every facet of modern life. Google and it’s vast stores of information are accessible from your pocket, your car can call the cops for you when you get into an accident, and your TV can let you know who’s calling on the phone. Now, when the stress of all these devices gets to you, you can light up your battery powered cigarette.

Hon Lik - Los Angeles Times Photo

Hon Lik, E Cigarette Inventor

Hon Lik, 53, is the creator of a product that threatens to change not just how people smoke, but the entire smoking stigma all together. Lik, a former smoke, used to smoke through two packs of cigarettes by dinner time. When his father died of lung cancer, he decided that he would not suffer the same fate and quit smoking. Using his training as a pharmacist, and a bit of entrepreneurial spark, he had a prototype in hand in 2002, and a year later, a patent in 2003. (more…)

Upcycling

Posted by on Jan 14, 2011 in Environment, Fashion | 14 comments

The average American generates more than 4 pounds of solid trash every day. They account for nearly 50% of the world’s waste, but only 5% of it’s population. This stark contrast of consumption versus population has helped to spur movements like sustainability, and the now all to ubiquitous “Green” movement. Americans are beginning to realize that the rate at which they are consuming things isn’t a sustainable notion, and the idea of “Waste not, want not” is going to require more effort than just sorting your recyclables.

RecyclableIn the 1990’s the three R’s of recycling became famous for their easy to remember alliteration, and their catchy three arrow logo. It was during this time that sustainability made it’s first push into schools. Assemblies were held around the country to teach children about recycling, and how they can help “mother earth”. Field trips were organized to local recycling facilities, and TV commercials featuring the mentally disabled touted these places as a bastion for those who wouldn’t ever be knowledge workers. The recycling propaganda machine was in full force. (more…)

Rise Of The Quant

Posted by on Jan 2, 2011 in Featured, Tech | 16,747 comments

In the business, they’re oft chided as “rocket scientists” or “propeller hats” but they’re the new archetype for a Wall St. trader. They don’t wear $5000 suites, they don’t care about the bull or the bear and they don’t even do their own trading. They spent years in academia only to leave it’s sheltered walls looking for a big day on Wall Street. Their art is called high frequency trading. (more…)

Ubiquitous Pricing Information

Posted by on Nov 29, 2010 in Tech | 5 comments

It’s better to be currently knowledgable than to be just knowledgeable. This is true with almost anything, including shopping. While many might argue shopping is a chore, others, including this author, would consider it a sport, much like horse racing. The sport of shopping is particularly competitive during the holidays.

In 2009, over 10 billion dollars was spent on Black Friday alone. The ‘holiday’ got it’s name from the notion that the holiday season takes many retail outlets from the “red” indicating loss, into the “black”, indicating profits. This year, things are changing. The amount of savvy available to almost anyone is changing the playing field. (more…)