Working Girl’s Guide #44: Poppi's acquisition, Forever 21 isn't so forever anymore, and I went on a *gasp* hike

PepsiCo buys Poppi, Google makes its biggest purchase ever, and I discover ALIGNE (all equally big news!). Let’s get into it.

Pepsi busy Poppi for more 0s than I can count

PepsiCo announced that it’s acquiring popular prebiotic soda brand Poppi for nearly $2 billion, just 7 years after husband-and-wife team Allison and Stephen Ellsworth debuted what was then called “Mother Beverage” on Shark Tank. Pepsi stock rose almost 2%. Rival Olipop was similarly recently valued at $1.85 billion, and has received purchase interest from both PepsiCo and Coca-Cola.

Does “Forever” mean nothing anymore??

Goodbye forever to all my memories from the ages of 13 to 19 because Forever 21 is absolutely NOT forever: the retailer responsible for introducing me to crop tops when I was way too young to be showing a lick of skin has filed for bankruptcy, and will be closing all 350+ of its stores. No one wants to buy the brand, so they’re liquidating, which means clothes are going for cheaper than cheap. If you have a 13-year-old niece… this could be your moment to get on her good side. All it will cost you is an afternoon, your sanity, and, like, $19.

Google makes its largest purchase ever, with $32 billion acquisition of Wiz

Google has signed an agreement to acquire the New York-based cloud security startup, which prevents and detects cyber attacks. Wiz was founded 5 years ago, and has hit $100 million in ARR in just its first year and a half. Google tried to buy them last year for $23 billion, but they said no; the additional $11 billion put them over the edge, though (uh, yeah! How could it not?!).

Raise your hand if you currently have ‘hiking’ listed in the ‘Interests’ section of your resume, but you’ve never actually gone on a hike. Just me? Seriously? No perfect! I went on my first ~big girl hike~ and I’m genuinely shocked I survived. Bae and got to swim in the waterfall at the top which was AMAZING but the hike back down in my wet clothes in the mud was…so terrible? Anyway, I’m glad I pushed myself but that was INTENSE and I probably won’t be doing it again, like, ever!

I must live under a rock because this sweater is my first ever ALIGNE piece and I LOVE IT!! While I’m not sure showing a little tummy is work-appropriate, it IS the moment for a night out with friends, a well-styled shopping trip, or if you want to look cute working from home. Could also def throw a tank under it or wear even higher-rise pants if you’re looking for something more okay for the office. This is definitely a unique and memorable piece: I’ve been asked about this sweater every time I wear it! I love that ‘one-of-a-kind’ feeling, and the button/flare bottom is soo flattering! And hi yes this is my new bedroom, shoutout to us for mounting wall sconces… so proud.

CALLING ALL LAZY GIRLIES. It’s nearly spring, which means cleaning and decluttering — and maybe even selling that top you wore once but will never wear again. This is NOT sponsored, just a really great, super lazy way to get rid of the stuff you swore you’d get a ton of wear out of, then didn’t: Poshmark has a new AI feature that writes your listings for you — just snap a pic, and boom, the description is done. No more thinking of creative ways to say “worn twice, super cute, just not my vibe.” Now you have no excuse to not sell your clothes! Bonus: that money you make on your old stuff is perfect for guilt-free splurges on new spring trends!

This week, Ross and I unlock the vault of workplace weirdness, and it’s glorious. We’re hosting a “Corporate Hotline” in which we read listener-submitted workplace stories, and they are WEIRD. Get ready for: happy hour turned twerking contest, a holiday party that left everyone scrambling for damage control, and a calendar invite that screams red flag. Plus, we tackle the age-old question: is hooking up with your boss a good idea? (Spoiler: probably not). Listen HERE.

Thanks for reading!