Boardroom Briefing: Natural disasters, Oscars, Bitcoin
and it's not that hard to get into Soho House
This week we talk Bitcoin, sex brands, the Oscars, facials and getting into exclusive membership clubs.
🎙️ ICYMI
Boardroom Briefing
Cyclone Alfred is a major disaster for millions of Australians across QLD, and the banks are doing everything they can from emergency support packages, deploying mobile branches, increased cash holdings, and generators. (- via AFR, CBA, Westpac)
Anthony Albanese is expected to hand down a budget on Tuesday March 25, after Cyclone Alfred derailed his plans to call an election on Sunday for April 12. - (via ABC news)
Australian Women earn 22% less than men as per new data from the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA). The Financial services industry show some of the biggest gaps with Macquarie Bank reporting a 41.8% pay gap. - (via WGEA)
Retail recession: Woolworths Holdings, owner of Country Road Group, reports a significant drop in sales and earnings, attributing it to an ongoing "retail recession" in Australia. - (via The Australian)
Hong Kong investor buys Brisbane Star Casino for $53M and is expected to enter into administration in the next week. Not only are they in breach of regulatory obligations but have also paused trading on the ASX. (- ABC)
Trump signs order to create strategic bitcoin reserve. Bitcoin dropped by 5% due to investor disappointment over the limited scope of the initiative: the reserve will be funded by cryptocurrencies seized in criminal and civil proceedings (ie. not paid for by US taxpaerys). But we think this is just the beginning - legislation may be on the horizons. - (via WSJ).
Skype is dead – and Microsoft is making sure you never look back. Acquired in 2011 for $8.5 billion, Skype paved the way for modern tools like Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams. But the president of Microsoft 365, just said they’re fully shifting their focus to Teams. - (via CBS News)
Culture & Influence
It was International Women’s Day on March 8. We saw lots of great tips on what real action we can take to champion women. Here is a favourite from Laura Henshaw (Co-Founder & CEO of Kic):
Ex-Swillhouse bartenders’ are going on an international take-over tour to fundraise for their upcoming legal cases against the prominent hospitality group and raise awareness. - (via SMH)
The 97th Academy Awards, was held last week. Anora emerged as the night's biggest winner, securing five awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Film Editing. The Brutalist also performed notably, with Adrien Brody winning Best Actor and the film receiving accolades for Best Cinematography and Best Original Score. - (via Variety)
Beauty & Fashion
That’s ‘Donatella VERSACE💜’ to you. Prada is negotiating a deal to buy Versace for a reported $1.6 billion. (Bloomberg)
Kikki.K launches clothing. Random or the most clever pivot in a branding history? We’re not sure yet. - (via Instagram)
The Ubank ‘Feel-Good’ Fashion Fund launched their second fashion campaign in collaboration with Ruby Pedder. It is the largest financial support available in Australia solely for emerging designers and provides a tailored mentorship program and industry exposure. Ruby has released three couture pieces for the bank and a limited edition of ‘ready to wear’ capsule collection.
📝 DEEP DIVE
Two ladies, one podcast, and now a growing facial and skincare business…FAYSHELL
Fayshell is shaking up Sydney’s beauty scene with a fresh, no-fuss approach to skincare. As Australia’s first membership-based facial clinic, it takes the guesswork (and hefty price tags) out of professional treatments, making high-quality skincare something you can actually commit to—without the fluff. Founded by best friends Ella James and Katelin Gregg, Fayshell was born out of their beauty podcast Cosmechix, where they spent years diving into the industry, interviewing experts, and testing treatments. What they realised? Facials were either overly complicated, ridiculously expensive, or treated as a once-in-a-blue-moon luxury. So, they built Fayshell: a minimalist, membership-based facial bar that’s all about results, not gimmicks.
Unlike traditional clinics with overwhelming treatment menus, Fayshell’s approach is simple—walk in, let the experts assess your skin, and walk out with a customised facial designed just for you. The membership model is straightforward: one facial a month, unlimited access to the LED lounge, and discounted add-ons. There’s an initial three-month commitment, but after that, it’s month-to-month, making it feel more like a smart beauty investment than a locked-in expense. Their Bondi Junction location took off fast, leading to a second, bigger space in Neutral Bay, offering everything from skin needling to herbal peels. It’s a model that’s resonating with women who love their skin but don’t have time for overcomplicated routines.
What makes Fayshell different isn’t just the membership—it’s the ethos. There’s no upselling, no confusing product pushes, and no unnecessary treatments. Just expert-backed skincare that’s designed to work. Ella and Katelin aren’t just founders; they’re still at the forefront, using their platform to educate women on what actually matters when it comes to looking after your skin. Between their social media content, podcast episodes, and in-clinic conversations, they’re on a mission to cut through the noise and make clinical-grade skincare feel as normal as your Pilates membership.
With more locations likely on the way, Fayshell is tapping into a shift in how we approach beauty—less about the one-off splurge, more about consistency and care. It’s part of a new wave of Australian brands that are blending accessibility with expertise, making good skin a lifestyle rather than an afterthought. If you love the idea of glowing, makeup-optional skin without the drama, this is one membership that actually delivers.
👜 STYLE SESSION
I’m writing this week’s newsletter from Japan, inspired by the girls who effortlessly pair oversized-tailored with drapped pieces. - Maddi x
Oversized Blazer, H&M, $79.99
Vintage Bangle, Seed Heritage, $39.95 (currently on sale!)
📱 ANONYMOUS TIP
It’s not that hard to get into Soho House.
SOHO House is known for its almost-elitist selection process and year-long waitlists to get access to the global membership club for the world’s best creatives and entrepreneurs. Membership prices range from $2,000 - $7,000AUD per year - getting you access to their club houses in New York, Los Angeles, Berlin and Hong Kong where you can enjoy their splashy restaurants, sexy bars and sometimes even cinemas, spas, and rooftops.
Well, two people in our network applied for a membership at SOHO House this week and received their offer in less than 20 days. Rumour has it that they’re struggling to retain their members and application rates are low. This may be a sign they’re loosing their appeal particularly at a time where Gen Z are increasingly rejecting exclusivity.
While there isn’t a SOHO House in Australia yet, you might be interested in the Cities Without Houses membership if you travel regularly. But then again, we’re not sure who you’ll meet there.
✨ This week’s mood board
💻 JOB BOARD
Job hunting is tough but we’re here to help.
Share with your friends or leave a comment if you can refer a Mode girl to one of these jobs!
See you next week,
Adrianna & Maddi x