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Hi again!
Welcome to the Soapbox monthly R.E.P.O.R.T. Some of you may have noticed that March’s Soapbox didn’t have a monthly R.E.P.O.R.T. section 🥲 and that’s because we decided to separate the normal content and the R.E.P.O.R.T.! A few reasons as to why:
The newsletter was getting really long, and we had to choose between more personal or business content across each post (and we didn’t want to)!
We’ve had an increase in organic subscriber growth! YAY! This means some subscribers may not want to see the R.E.P.O.R.T., mostly about our personal recs, from month to month! If that’s you, let us know down below!
So, welcome to the funky and fresh monthly R.E.P.O.R.T. ✨
But before that, here’s what we’re up to this month 📆
Emily is visiting Seattle this month with gener8tor! She will be exploring the city’s startup ecosystem and key players in the space. Hit her up with any recs!
Maria is planning for Missouri Startup Weekend, and she’s excited to see all of the ideas that will be pitched. She’s off to DC at the end of the month to visit one of her college besties, and she just returned from a week of virtually working in Arizona. Lots of fun travel! ✈️
Do you love Soapbox but don’t want to receive the Monthly R.E.P.O.R.T.? ⤵️
Resources
Funding 💰
Podcasts, readings, and other fun things on the VC funding landscape
Good Reads 📖
A few of our favorite essays, short stories, and writings that we read this month
The Socially-Conscious Mean Girl by Eliza McLamb
Corporate Ozempic by Steve Galloway
How I Learned to Concentrate by Cal Newport
How to Become Insanely Well-Connected by Chris Fralic
Your Career in VC 👩💻
Check out these links on helpful tools, tips, and resources for starting or advancing your career in VC
The Monthly R.E.P.O.R.T
What We’re Reading, Eating, Playing, Obsesseing, Recommending, & Treating
READING 📚
Emily’s Reading: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
I am FINALLY reading The Great Gatsby. Not sure why I didn’t read this one in high school, like most people do. But as a St Paul resident, it feels like a crime to have not read a single novel by Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald was born in St. Paul, MN in 1896. He is a core part of our culture here, with streets, buildings, and businesses named after the famed author. I actually live near the home he was born in!
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
OH and add me on GoodReads :)
The early days of reading ft. cats in sweaters bookmark and spicy marg
Maria’s Reading: How to Hide an Empire by Daniel Immerwahr
I love to read books about things not related to work lol. Lately, I’ve been really into learning about the history of imperialism, and How to Hide an Empire is a fantastic read!
"How to Hide an Empire" showcases America's hidden history of empire, debunking the idea that the U.S. doesn't "do" imperialism. The book shows how America's empire has shaped global politics and the “serendipitous” events that accelerated American expansion.
One of my favorite reads of the year!
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
EATING 🍴
Emily’s Eating: Pickles + Tajin!
Grillos pickles have been a new staple in my life. I love their chips and spears.
The monstrosity that is the Chamoy Pickle has taken over my Tik Tok - but it inspired me to throw some Tajin on my pickles one night, and now its my new favorite snack!
Maria’s Eating: Bagel Sammies
I love a good bagel sammie, and Goldie’s is a real gem in Columbia. Their Zhug Breakfast Sandwich has made its way into my weekend lineup, and she’s not leaving! 🥯
PLAYING 🎲
Emily’s Playing: Dune
I also recently discovered the Dune movie series with Zendaya and Timothée Chalamet.
Glad I didn’t have to wait three years for Dune Part II like some people 😩
All I have to say is WOW! What a fantastic story and film. I really loved this and can’t wait for the next one. I also can’t stop screaming “LISON AL GAIB” around the house.
Maria’s Playing: Bracketology
It’s no secret that I am a massive NCAA Women’s and Men’s basketball fan! I was hyped for the Selection Sunday shows and have already filled out a few brackets on ESPN 🫣
For the women, I’m hoping to see some more iconic moments from Angel Reese, like the one pictured above! Sadly, Iowa has the toughest side of the bracket. I think Stanford, KState, and UCLA are playing great basketball, but the undefeated South Carolina will win it all.
On the men’s side, I’ve got Drake and JMU pulling upsets and making some deep runs, and ofc have Nebraska beating Texas A&M before falling to my pick to win it all, Houston! 🏀
OBSESSING 🤩
Emily’s Obsessing: Uniqlo Moon Bag
I finally got my hands on one of these bags! I am in LOVE. I got a black one and a white one. I’d get all the colors if I could 👜
Find the Uniqlo bag here.
Maria’s Obsessing: Going Outside
Look, I know we should all be going outside, but integrating at least 15 minutes of uninterrupted outside chill time into my evening routine has me relaxed and ready for the night. 🌙
RECOMMENDING 🏁
Emily’s Recommending: Visible by Verizon
Have you been kicked off your parents’ phone plan yet? It’s tough out here 😩
When I graduated from college, it was finally time to start paying for bills on my own. I didn’t want to deal with venmo-ing my parents once a month to stay on their plan, and getting my own plan was SO expensive!!!
I discovered Visible and have loved it for almost 2 years now. It’s great because it’s super easy to sign up 👌 and super affordable💰($25/month with unlimited data)
Use my referral code (3PG3SNW) for $20 off your first month!
Maria’s Recommending: Flow Club
I talked about Flow Club in this month’s Soapbox Moment, but I have to share it again!
Flow Club is a website for virtual coworking sessions that you can hop on at any time, anywhere. I love booking a session to do my weekly sourcing work and the tasks that often fall to the back burner!
Flow Club has got me focused, productive, and excited to hop on each and every session.
Get a 2-week free trial of Flow Club with my referral link here.
TREATING 💫
Emily’s Treating: Teva sandals
It was finally time to get some cute sandals for the spring/summer season!
I’ve been eyeing these shoes for a while now and finally pulled the trigger.
Check out the Teva Midform Infinity Sandals here! 🩴
Maria’s Treating: Flowers
That’s right, spring has sprung! There’s no better way to bring in good vibes and good weather than with some fresh flowers. I spent an afternoon putting together this lil arrangement from Target flowers, and every time I walk into my living room, I smile! 💐
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