In its earlier years before going public, Allbirds, the New Zealand and American company, was a remarkable direct-to-consumer (DTC) brand, renowned for its eco-friendly wool sneakers. Allbirds became known to the world in 2014 after introducing and selling its wool sneaker on Kickstarter, a crowdfunding platform where individuals can support and fund creative projects. Allbirds raised an impressive US$119,000 in just five days on the platform. The brand’s success reached new heights when it caught the attention of prominent figures like former President Barack Obama, Silicon Valley tech enthusiasts, and, of course, eco-conscious consumers. Allbirds was highly praised for its unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability. However, after it went public and raised over $300 million from its IPO, and expanded its product line, the brand encountered several challenges that led to a decline in its fortunes.
The Road to Mandarin
Anyone learning Mandarin as a non-native will probably, at some stage of their learning journey, curse at how much of a pain it is.…