Boardroom Briefing: Wimbledon, Qantas Hackers, a Big Beautiful Bill
and the most exclusive group chat in the world
This week, hackers got the best of Qantas, Chinese EV giant might outstrip Tesla, TikTok feuds are the norm, the rise of the facelift, Bill Gate’s daughter launched a cool fashion app, and I think we have found a job that will satisfy your childhood dreams.
We also just want to say hi to all of our new subscribers. We’ve just hit 500 of you who read Mode Office to start your week off right and feeling confident! Don’t forget you can DM us anytime with feedback on what you want to see more of/less of or just to say hi!
🎙️ ICYMI
Boardroom Briefing
Qantas got hacked. Apparently the hackers were “Too Good.” 6 million names, birthdates, emails, and frequent flyer numbers are now presumably doing laps on the dark web. CEO Vanessa Hudson, conceded that the attackers were “too good and capable” for the airline’s defences. That’s one way to say “we got absolutely rinsed.” (- via AFR)
Tesla's quarterly deliveries decreased by 13.5% year over year. While Elon Musk believes Tesla's nascent robotaxi business will power future earnings, current revenue is driven by EV sales, which are slumping in the face of increased competition, a muted response to recent updates, and Musk's political feud. The news comes as Chinese EV giant BYD outsells Tesla in Australia. (- via LinkedIn)
Arthur Hayes says bank-backed stablecoins could unlock a casual $6.8 trillion in U.S. debt sales, basically turning crypto into Wall Street’s new liquidity BFF, and reminding us that even decentralised dreams can end up in a tailored suit. (- via Crypto news)
Microsoft is laying off 9,000 employees which is about 4% of its global workforce in a second wave of cuts this year, aiming to streamline operations and fund its massive AI investments, which means middle managers are out and AI is in. (- via news.com.au)
Donald Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill" just rewrote America's rulebook slashing social safety nets, supercharging immigration crackdowns, and dialing down on green energy, so if you're in policy, ESG, or just trying to keep your job, it might be time to recalibrate your strategy. (- via ABC)
ASIC is warning Aussies to beware of high-pressure sales tactics and flashy promises urging quick superannuation switches because that "free super health check" might just be a fast track to risky investments and eroded retirement savings. (- via ASIC’s newsroom)
REA Group is trimming its tech team by under 4% (about 20 roles) as it shifts more development to India, all while facing ACCC scrutiny over pricing and bracing for a heavyweight rival, Costar, entering the Aussie property ring. (- via Mumbrella)
Kakao is linking up with OpenAI to supercharge its suite of apps (from chat to payments to maps) by embedding advanced AI across the board, in a bold move to reignite growth and charm users in South Korea’s hyper-competitive tech scene. With profits down and rivals heating up, this partnership signals Kakao’s serious pivot from cute to cutting-edge, turning ChatGPT into the ultimate digital power player behind your everyday apps. (- via Forbes)
Sika and Sulzer are joining forces to bring next-gen plastics recycling to the construction world. Think high-tech meets high-impact, with mechanical and chemical solutions designed to tackle one of the dirtiest industries. For the sustainability girlies in steel caps and safety glasses, this JV is the quiet power move you’ve been waiting for. (- via Chemical Engineering)
Nearly half of women-led organisations in crisis zones face closure within six months due to global funding shortfalls. A warning from the UN says that without urgent support, essential services for women and girls in conflict areas could disappear and we cannot let that happen. (- via Fair Play Talks)
Culture & influence
YouTube’s warning Aussie creators they could get hit hard if the under-16 social media ban includes its platform, as the eSafety Commissioner pushes to add YouTube for exposing teens to harmful content. Google has launched an international scare campaign targeting YouTubers, asking creators and viewers to swamp the Australian competition watchdog with complaints about its proposed mandatory news code. (- via The Guardian)
Usher has ghosted Australia. He has cancelled every tour date with no explanation, just radio silence. Guess we’re all left wondering if it’s “Confessions Part II” or just a straight-up disappearing act. (- via ABC news)
Merivale has been hit with fresh allegations of toxic workplace, with female employees “encouraged them to have sex with customers, perpetuated sexual harassment and facilitated frequent drug use”. With Fair Work Ombudsman sniffing around and the eSafety Commissioner raising eyebrows, Merivale’s roped in human rights lawyer Kate Eastman for an independent probe — all while insisting this kind of behaviour happens everywhere. Meanwhile, staff and customers are left wondering how much bad behaviour the city’s biggest venues are quietly letting slide. (- via SHM)
Bezos tied the knot in Venice and, oh yeah, sold $737 million worth of Amazon shares on the same day. While the guest list flexed with Oprah and the Kardashians, Jeff quietly cashed in on a stock boost that’s been beating the market all year. Maybe he’s cashing out to cover the wedding’s costs, reallocating cash for new investments, or just playing it safe by locking in gains after Amazon’s recent stock rise - who knows, but it will definitely cover the ~$20M wedding. (- via Forbes)
Ellie Carpenter has signed a four-year deal with Chelsea FC, marking a significant move in her career. The 25-year-old Australian defender joins the Women's Super League champions from French club OL Lyonnes, where she had a successful tenure, including winning two UEFA Women's Champions League titles. YTG. (- via Instagram)
Sean Combs has been found guilty of transporting people for prostitution, but not guilty of sex trafficking. Combs has been refused bail, and will remain behind bars until his sentencing. This means Combs has avoided a possible life sentence, but could still face up to 20 years in prison. (- via TDA)
Wimbledon 2025 🎾 has officially begun and the best serves are both on and off the court. The fashion girlfriends are back in full swing - you’ll want to follow Morgan Riddle for all the best looks. On the Aussie front, Alex de Minaur gave it his all but bowed out to Novak Djokovic, who celebrated his 100th Wimbledon win in straight sets. Proof that while the Aussies are fighting hard, Djokovic’s reign is still going strong. (- via Instagram, Nine news)
Beauty & fashion
Kate Moss' Cosmoss enters liquidation proceedings after just three years. The skin care and wellness business, launched by the 51-year-old British supermodel in 2022, entered into liquidation proceedings on June 24, according to the company filing. (- via WWD)
“The facelift, which was once a very private act, is now being celebrated.” Once reserved for rich aunts and Real Housewives, cosmetic procedures like facelifts and boob jobs are increasingly being sought by women in their 20s and 30s. Surgeons report a noticeable uptick in younger patients, coinciding with a rise in influencers and celebrities - like Kylie and Khloé Kardashian who recently shared details of their exact boob job and every cosmetic procedure they’ve had done, respectively. (- via Allure)
Is all press good press? Brands and influencers are airing their dirty laundry on social media like it’s the anonymous section on Tumblr’s circa 2013. Who Is Elijah founder, Raquel Bouris defended her brand against Sarah’s Day who said she was blind sided by a drop in partnership. This comes 24 hours after an influencer ripped Sydney bridal store, The Ivory Room, to shreds (posts have now been taken down). It begs the question: does “building in public” always boost loyalty and authenticity, or does it just leave everyone bruised when things go wrong?
Selena Gomez has finally figured out what we already knew. Rare Beauty’s CMO. Katie Welch, told Vogue Business the brand has decided to use Substack in a strategic play to flip the script on beauty marketing. Their newsletter, Rare Beauty Secrets, swaps product pushes for behind-the-scenes stories, mental health chats, and unfiltered team updates. It’s less sell, more substance - and it’s working. Around 17% of their audience now finds them through Substack alone. Call it marketing, but make it intimate. (- via Vogue Business)
💌 ANONYMOUS TIP
👑 The world’s most exclusive group chat
While you were waiting for a reply in the work Slack thread… Europe’s next generation of queens were texting each other about palace drama. Princess Elisabeth of Belgium (23), Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway (21), and Catharina-Amalia, heir to the Dutch throne (21), have formed what might be the most iconic group chat on the planet.
Catharina-Amalia said “because we are all living a very specific life…[we chat about] friendship, privacy, social media and how we handle it”.
According to Catharina-Amalia, their royal texts cover friendship, social media, and how we handle it all, “because we are all living a very specific life”.
Just remember, Your Highness’ are just girls too.
📝 DEEP DIVE
From Dorm Room to Digital Disruption: The Phia Founders' Journey
Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni, former Stanford roommates, have transformed their shared passion for fashion and sustainability into Phia, an AI-powered shopping app revolutionising the way we shop. Phia aggregates listings from over 40,000 retail and secondhand websites, allowing users to compare prices and make informed, eco-conscious purchasing decisions.
“It’s been exciting to bring a vision to life that caters directly to customer needs, and combines innovation with our passion. Shopping for the things you love shouldn’t be hard, expensive, or a waste of time. That’s why we built Phia — to make finding the best deal effortless,” Co-founders (-via People)
Creating a brand with sustainability at the core
Phia's mission is to make sustainable fashion accessible and appealing. The app combines cutting-edge AI technology with a user-first experience, helping shoppers find the best deals on clothing and accessories while promoting environmentally conscious consumption. Features like price drop alerts and a "Should I Buy This?" button, which tells users if an item is overpriced, average, or a steal based on real-time data, are turning heads and winning over a loyal Gen Z and millennial audience.
Despite their impressive backgrounds; Phoebe being the daughter of Bill and Melinda Gates, and Sophia a prominent climate activist and UN advisor, the founders faced challenges in building an independent, impactful enterprise. They emphasised the importance of Phia being a stand-alone venture, not reliant on family funding, and focused on delivering a personalised, sustainable shopping experience tailored to modern consumers.
The vision and strategic direction of the brand
Phia aims to revolutionise the fashion industry by aligning convenience with sustainability. The founders are committed to pushing the fashion industry forward by providing users with information to contextualise their potential purchases, putting the power in the customer's hands. They are also focused on expanding the platform's features and user base, with plans for further growth in the coming years .
Wait, they have a podcast as well….
In addition to their work with Phia, Gates and Kianni co-host "The Burnouts," a podcast that explores what it really looks like to build something from scratch. The podcast shares their candid experiences and lessons learned in entrepreneurship, aiming to provide inspiration and insights to other young women navigating their own career paths .
What can you steal from the Phia Founders?
Build on friendship & shared values: Strong partnerships start with trust and aligned purpose, whether it’s co-founding a startup or collaborating on a big project.
Use tech to solve real problems: Embrace innovation (hello, AI!) to make customer experiences smoother and more meaningful.
Own your story: Authenticity resonates, don’t hide your background or challenges; use them as fuel to inspire and lead.
Be fiercely independent: Don’t wait for permission or funding; hustle and resourcefulness can create your own runway.
Balance hustle with self-care: Learn from The Burnouts, being driven doesn’t mean burning out. Prioritise mental health and support networks.
Think big but start small: Phia began in a dorm room and scaled with clear vision and iterative growth focus on building strong foundations before expansion.
Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni's journey from college roommates to co-founders of Phia exemplifies the power of collaboration, innovation, and a shared commitment to sustainability. Through their entrepreneurial endeavours and podcast, they continue to inspire and lead the way in reshaping the future of fashion and business.
👜 STYLE SESSION
We are loving the style session this week. A cute brown wool-blend skirt and matching knit top set the tone for quiet luxury, while gold and pearl earrings add polish, and with a red scarf thrown over the shoulder, it’s the perfect winter look that says “boardroom at 3, wine bar by 6”.
Akai boot, Alias Mae - ($219) (we know, it’s $$$ but worth the investment!)
Relic Pearl Earrings Gold, Saint Valentine - $87.50 (on sale!)
✨ MOOD BOARD
💻 JOB BOARD
We know the job market can be tough - we’re here to help.
Your inner child will love this job for you 👉 Brand Manager, Milo
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See you next week,
Adrianna & Maddi x