When will companies Iearn that going woke isn’t a great idea, as it means that they’ll go broke sooner rather than later, or at least see their stocks and fortunes plummet? Not soon enough to not shoot themselves in the foot financially, apparentIy, as Victoria’s Secret just made the same woke mistake as innumerable companies before it and made a very bad business move rooted in wokeness.
What did it do? It replaced its astoundingly attractive “angels” with the woke, pink-haired, America-bashing soccer player Megan Rapinoe and a slew of “plus size” models.
That might have sounded great in a boardroom full of people sipping soy lattes and chowing down on kale chips, but most American women, when they buy Iingerie, don’t want to look like “plus size” models or Megan Rapinoe.
And so Victoria’s Secret stock has tumbled dramatically and the company has had to fire a slew of executives as its financial fortunes have soured, as the New York Post reported, saying, in a July of 2022 post, that the lingerie giant’s shares crashed to $26.80 and that it had Iaid off 160 management employees from its headquarters in Ohio, about 5% of its home office headcount.
That stock crash problem has continued for the brand, as the Iingerie giant’s stock is, as of the time this article was updated (January 12, 2024), just $24.23. When 2022 began, it’s stock price was still over $56, and the crash began in February of that year and has more or less continued since.
In any case, why might the stock crash have happened and the firings have been necessary? Well the NYP hints at the same issues mentioned above, saying (emphasis added), “Now it offers plus sizes and features plus-size models in its marketing as well as selling masectomy bras for the first time. It also Iaunched its first-ever Mother’s Day campaign last year.
Its stores are brighter and it’s championing more causes highlighting women’s achievements, tapping famous athletes Iike Megan Rapinoe and actress Priyanka Chopra Jonas to represent the brand.
Beyond the Kitchen Table: Finding Her Own Way
The air in the living room hung thick with tension. Seventeen-year-old Maya sat across from her mother, her hands clenched tightly in her lap. “Mom, I’m serious. I’m ready to live on my own,” she declared, her voice firm.
Her mother, a woman whose face was etched with worry lines, sighed. “Maya, you’re only seventeen. You’re not ready for this.”
“Why not?” Maya countered, “I can cook, I can clean, I can even fix a leaky faucet. And I’ll have you over every weekend to help with the chores. What more do you want?”
Her mother shook her head, her expression a mixture of concern and exasperation. “It’s not just about chores, Maya. It’s about responsibility, about independence, about knowing how to handle yourself in the real world.”
Maya scoffed. “I’ve been handling myself just fine. I’ve been working at the coffee shop since I was fifteen. I pay my own phone bill. I even learned how to change a tire!”
Her mother remained unconvinced. “Living on your own is more than just paying bills and fixing a leaky faucet. It’s about dealing with emergencies, making difficult decisions, and learning to rely on yourself.”
“I can handle it,” Maya insisted. “I’ve been planning this for months. I’ve found a great apartment, and I even have a roommate. We’re going to split the rent and the utilities.”
Her mother looked at her, her eyes searching Maya’s face. “And what about college?”
Maya shrugged. “I’m not going to college. I’m not interested in getting a degree. I want to start my own business, maybe a small bakery.”
Her mother’s eyes widened. “A bakery? Maya, you’ve never even baked a cake.”
“I’ll learn,” Maya said confidently. “I’m a fast learner. And besides, I’ve already started taking online courses in baking and business management.”
Her mother was speechless. Maya had never been one to follow the traditional path. She had always been independent, always forging her own path.
After a long silence, her mother finally spoke. “Alright,” she said, her voice a mixture of resignation and pride. “But if you need anything, anything at all, you call me. And I expect you to keep your apartment clean. No dirty dishes piling up in the sink.”
Maya grinned. “Deal.”
Moving out was both exhilarating and terrifying. The first few weeks were a whirlwind of grocery shopping, furniture assembly, and awkward encounters with her new roommate. There were late-night panic attacks when the power went out, and frustrating moments when she couldn’t figure out how to fix the leaky faucet. But Maya faced each challenge with a mixture of determination and resourcefulness.
She learned to cook, to budget her money, to navigate public transportation, and to rely on herself. She made mistakes, of course. She burned a few meals, she missed a few deadlines, and she even had to call her mother for help (more than once) when things got overwhelming.
But with each passing day, Maya grew stronger, more confident. She discovered hidden talents, developed new skills, and learned to appreciate the freedom and independence that came with living on her own.
She even started baking, her apartment often filled with the delicious aroma of freshly baked bread and pastries. She sold her treats at the local farmers market, her small business slowly gaining popularity.
One day, her mother came to visit, a basket of homemade cookies in hand. “You know,” she said, watching Maya interact with her customers, “you’re doing a better job than I ever imagined.”
Maya smiled. “Thanks, Mom. I told you I could do it.”
As she watched her daughter thrive, her mother realized that Maya was right. She was capable, independent, and ready to take on the world. And while she might miss her daughter terribly, she knew that Maya was finally spreading her wings, ready to soar.
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