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chrysemys's review against another edition
3.0
3.5*
Lots of stories about so-called disruptors in the realm of consumer products, a few about meta-disruptors servicing the needs of these direct-to-consumer startups.
While each story was, in its details, different from the others, the general storyline was-- someone from outside an industry notices a problem, has the audacity to start a company to address the issue using new(er) technology and internet-based business practices, makes bank while the old guard in the industry is slow to catch on. The implicit message was something like "serves them right for their hubris" and "hooray for these new guys for figuring out how to do this better."
I was disappointed that there was no real discussion about how the disruption of industry is painful for the people being replaced and what this massive shift in the way we buy goods and services means to the overall labor force and society in general. Not all in-person shopping experiences were as traumatic as buying a mattress or a bra: for example, small brick-and-mortar bookstores were among the first victims of the online revolution. And, although this book was about the market for retail goods, other forms of "disruption" are catastrophic, e.g. the effect that the likes of Airbnb have had on the real estate market. Disruption produces unintended consequences and it would have been a more honest book if Ingrassia had more closely examined the darker side of disruption rather than only writing an homage to several companies selling things in new ways.
Lots of stories about so-called disruptors in the realm of consumer products, a few about meta-disruptors servicing the needs of these direct-to-consumer startups.
While each story was, in its details, different from the others, the general storyline was-- someone from outside an industry notices a problem, has the audacity to start a company to address the issue using new(er) technology and internet-based business practices, makes bank while the old guard in the industry is slow to catch on. The implicit message was something like "serves them right for their hubris" and "hooray for these new guys for figuring out how to do this better."
I was disappointed that there was no real discussion about how the disruption of industry is painful for the people being replaced and what this massive shift in the way we buy goods and services means to the overall labor force and society in general. Not all in-person shopping experiences were as traumatic as buying a mattress or a bra: for example, small brick-and-mortar bookstores were among the first victims of the online revolution. And, although this book was about the market for retail goods, other forms of "disruption" are catastrophic, e.g. the effect that the likes of Airbnb have had on the real estate market. Disruption produces unintended consequences and it would have been a more honest book if Ingrassia had more closely examined the darker side of disruption rather than only writing an homage to several companies selling things in new ways.
aarthyketh's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars ⭐️
What an easy, wonderful and insightful read. I am extremely familiar with a lot of DTC brands that have emerged and taken over the market like behemoths since the start of social media marketing. However, even with my knowledge in these brands, it was really great to get insider information on exactly how these branded started and where they ended up. In summary, if you are interested in DTC, whether you have knowledge on it or just tapping into this space, this is a good book on the biographies of many of big DTC companies. Ingrassia also writes in a way that keeps the readers engaged!
Highly Recommend!
What an easy, wonderful and insightful read. I am extremely familiar with a lot of DTC brands that have emerged and taken over the market like behemoths since the start of social media marketing. However, even with my knowledge in these brands, it was really great to get insider information on exactly how these branded started and where they ended up. In summary, if you are interested in DTC, whether you have knowledge on it or just tapping into this space, this is a good book on the biographies of many of big DTC companies. Ingrassia also writes in a way that keeps the readers engaged!
Highly Recommend!
femmecheng's review against another edition
3.0
This book is a little too just-so in its narrative and I found myself consistently frustrated at the lack of discussion around sheer luck vs. survivorship bias. That said, I enjoyed reading about the companies themselves.
shailydc's review against another edition
4.0
This was a pretty interesting look at how disruptive companies tapped into consumer needs/wants and took on established giants. I would love to read a follow-up on how these companies are performing today, how they responded to the pandemic, and how consumers are different today.
trnolan's review against another edition
2.0
This already feels outdated and often contradictory. Half of these brands barely exist anymore and the stories are barely connected.
quirkygirlreads's review
2.0
Book 32 of 32-by-32!!!!!!!!!!! I DID IT!!!!!!!
Ugh, what a dull book. For telling the stories of these super cool brands and the strategy that made them big, this was a SLOG to get through.
2/5 Stars
Ugh, what a dull book. For telling the stories of these super cool brands and the strategy that made them big, this was a SLOG to get through.
2/5 Stars
tamarahala's review against another edition
4.0
Pretty interesting look into the world of direct to consumer companies.
madhukaraphatak's review against another edition
5.0
In our day to day life, we use products from a dozen different brands which are mostly bought online. We rarely stop to think it's a very recent phenomenon and there was a different world where things were not online.
This book shows how direct to consumer revolution started in 2010 and how different companies started changing the way we buy things. Every chapter talks about different companies and different aspects of the business. Each chapter is short and to the point. In no place, the author tries to add his own opinions and most of the information is balanced and backed by facts.
If you want to understand what it takes to build a brand that you use every day, this is the book to read.
This book shows how direct to consumer revolution started in 2010 and how different companies started changing the way we buy things. Every chapter talks about different companies and different aspects of the business. Each chapter is short and to the point. In no place, the author tries to add his own opinions and most of the information is balanced and backed by facts.
If you want to understand what it takes to build a brand that you use every day, this is the book to read.