Tariffs Force Goon Gear to Stop Making Boards
The post went on to call for people to support small businesses. Whether that's the local farmer's market, mom-and-pop deli, or coffee from a local store, skipping the corporate machine can help the small businesses rolling during times like these.Goon Gear has extended its reach into the community through its Goon Jam tour, which has aimed at connecting friends together for a day of snowboarding. There's no judging and a whole lot of fun. The past season saw the tour start in New York at Snow Ridge in December, make its way all the way to Lee Canyon Ski Area in Las Vegas, and back to the northeast, with its finale at Saddleback in Rangely, Maine. The Goon Gear love can be seen throughout the snowboarding world, but particularly in Vermont, Magoon's home state.
The family-owned businesses are not alone in being impacted by the tariffs. At the end of April, Black Diamond came forward to tell customers to expect increases in the cost of already-exiting products.'Beginning May 5, 2025, prices on most of our products will increase 10–25% due to the recent wave of global tariffs introduced by the Trump Administration,' an email to customers said. 'Tariffs have dramatically increased the cost of producing our gear - by more than double in some cases.Burton Snowboards and J Skis, both companies that are based out of Vermont, are also navigating similar circumstances. Burton CEO John Lacy told the Bennington Banner that prices could increase between 46 and 145 percent.
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Business Upturn
8 hours ago
- Business Upturn
Inside the Business Model of Smudge the Cat
The internet has always had a soft spot for cats, but few have reached the level of viral fame that Smudge the Cat enjoys. Known for his now-iconic appearance in the viral 'Woman Yelling at a Cat' meme, Smudge went from being an ordinary housecat to a global digital sensation. While the meme started as a piece of internet comedy, it quickly evolved into a lucrative business model in the USA, turning Smudge into one of the most recognized pet influencers in the world. But how exactly does a meme-famous cat like Smudge transform internet clout into a thriving income stream? Let's dive deep into the Smudge the Cat business model and explore the economic engines behind this fluffy internet star. Smudge the Cat's Rise to Meme-Fueled Fame in the USA Smudge wasn't always a celebrity. In fact, like many viral stars, fame found him unexpectedly. The photo of Smudge sitting at a dinner table with a grumpy expression, paired with the yelling woman meme template, exploded across Twitter, Reddit, and Instagram in 2019. Almost overnight, Smudge became a face recognized worldwide. What makes Smudge's story unique is that his fame was not initially manufactured by branding agencies or marketing professionals. Instead, it was entirely grassroots — powered by shares, reposts, and remixes from millions of online users. This organic virality laid the foundation for what would later become a carefully managed and profitable influencer business in the USA. Smudge's human family quickly realized the potential of this fame and began shaping it into a sustainable income model. How the Smudge the Cat Business Model Works in the USA When it comes to understanding how pet influencers make money, Smudge provides one of the clearest examples. His business model combines meme culture, influencer economics, and traditional branding strategies. Here are the core pillars: Smudge Pet Influencer Income USA: Brand Sponsorships and Partnerships One of the primary revenue streams for Smudge comes from brand sponsorships. With millions of meme fans across social media platforms, Smudge has a built-in audience that brands want to tap into. Pet food companies, lifestyle brands, and even tech firms see value in associating with an instantly recognizable internet celebrity. In these deals, Smudge's image is used to promote products in fun, meme-inspired ways. Unlike traditional influencer ads that sometimes feel forced, Smudge's campaigns often use humor, making them more authentic and shareable. This keeps engagement rates high, which in turn drives up his value to advertisers. Smudge Meme Brand Deals: Merchandise and E-Commerce If there's one place Smudge has truly thrived, it's merchandise. The Smudge meme brand deals often come to life in the form of T-shirts, mugs, stickers, and even plush toys. Fans of the meme love owning physical reminders of their favorite internet joke, and Smudge's signature table-sitting expression is instantly recognizable on products. What sets Smudge's merchandise apart from generic meme merch is that it's officially licensed, meaning fans know their purchases support Smudge's family and help maintain his influencer career. In the USA, where e-commerce is booming, this merchandise arm is a key driver of Smudge's income stream. Licensing and Media Opportunities in the Smudge Business Model Another important part of the Smudge the Cat business model is licensing. Memes often exist in a gray area of internet ownership, but Smudge's photo is original content, allowing his family to legally license it. This means Smudge's likeness can appear in official memes, ad campaigns, and even media productions. Licensing agreements are highly valuable because they generate passive income. Once a deal is signed, Smudge earns royalties whenever his image is used commercially. This makes licensing one of the most sustainable long-term strategies for meme-based pet influencers. Social Media Monetization: Turning Followers Into Revenue With millions of followers across Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, Smudge also benefits from social media monetization programs. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok provide monetization options such as ad revenue sharing, bonuses for engagement, and special creator partnerships. While these earnings may not rival sponsorships or merchandise, they create a steady background income. More importantly, high engagement on these platforms boosts Smudge's credibility as an influencer, making him more appealing to brands. Public Appearances and Fan Engagement Smudge's meme fame has also extended into the offline world. From meet-and-greet events to pop culture conventions, appearances give fans a chance to interact with their favorite internet cat. These events often sell tickets, merchandise, or photo opportunities, generating another income stream. What makes this special is that it reinforces Smudge's brand as more than just an internet meme. Fans see him as a real personality, not just a static image on a screen. This personal connection translates directly into higher loyalty and stronger merchandise sales. Behind-the-Scenes Economics of Smudge Pet Influencer Income USA The economics of Smudge's influencer career show how virality can be monetized in smart, sustainable ways. Engagement plays a massive role here. The original meme's popularity created a loyal community, and that community now drives revenue by liking, sharing, and purchasing. For example, every time a Smudge meme resurfaces online, it reignites interest in his social media accounts and merchandise. This cyclical nature of meme culture ensures that Smudge's relevance doesn't fade easily. Unlike a single viral video, a meme template has infinite remix potential, which keeps Smudge in circulation year after year. Comparing Smudge's Business Model to Other Pet Influencers in the USA Smudge's business model stands out when compared to other top pet influencers in the USA, like Grumpy Cat or Jiffpom. Grumpy Cat, for instance, relied heavily on licensing and merchandise before her passing, while Jiffpom's revenue comes primarily from brand sponsorships and TikTok fame. Smudge, however, occupies a unique niche: meme culture. While other pets may go viral for their looks or tricks, Smudge's fame is rooted in internet humor. This allows for a broader audience appeal — not just cat lovers, but meme lovers in general. It also means his income streams can be more diverse, spanning from merchandise to digital licensing. Why Fans Love Following Smudge the Cat A big part of the Smudge pet influencer income USA story is the audience. Fans don't just follow Smudge because he's cute; they follow him because he represents internet culture. His expressions are endlessly relatable, making him the perfect 'reaction face' for daily emotions. This relatability is what makes Smudge's brand so powerful. Fans feel connected to him in a way that goes beyond traditional influencer-audience relationships. Every share, like, or purchase is a way for fans to participate in the meme, which fuels the income model even further. The Cultural Impact of the Smudge Meme Business Model Beyond money, Smudge's business model has cultural significance. He shows how a single viral moment can be transformed into long-term success. In many ways, Smudge's career is a case study in modern internet economics, where humor and relatability can be monetized just as effectively as beauty or talent. Interestingly, Smudge's fame has also contributed to broader conversations about pet adoption and responsible ownership. Many fans are inspired by his story to adopt cats themselves, proving that meme culture can have real-world impact. What Smudge Teaches Us About How Pet Influencers Make Money Smudge's journey from viral meme to thriving pet influencer highlights the adaptability of internet culture. His business model blends brand sponsorships, merchandise, licensing, social media monetization, and appearances, showing that influencer income in the USA doesn't come from a single source but from a carefully balanced mix. This diversified approach ensures that even if one revenue stream slows down, others can carry the brand forward. It also demonstrates how important authenticity and relatability are in today's influencer economy. Fans aren't just buying into Smudge the cat — they're buying into the cultural moment he represents. Final Thoughts: Smudge as a Blueprint for Meme-Economy Success Smudge's story proves that internet memes are more than fleeting jokes — they can be sustainable businesses when managed well. The Smudge the Cat business model is a fascinating example of how viral fame, when paired with smart branding and audience engagement, can generate lasting income in the USA. What makes Smudge unique is that his career isn't just about selling products or posting sponsored content. It's about being part of a cultural phenomenon that resonates with millions. For anyone curious about how pet influencers make money, Smudge's thriving income stream offers a cheerful, meme-filled answer: with a mix of humor, strategy, and a whole lot of personality. This article is intended solely for informational and editorial purposes. It does not constitute endorsement or promotion of any artificial intelligence technology. Business Upturn makes no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information provided.
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- Yahoo
GoPro Stock Is on the Move After Earnings. Here's Why.
Key Points GoPro posted another decline in revenue, and extended its streak of bottom-line losses. The company is struggling with the "yesterday's news" aspect of its hardware products. 10 stocks we like better than GoPro › GoPro (NASDAQ: GPRO), one of a clutch of 2025-edition meme stocks that surged in price earlier this summer, hasn't been going very far this week. On Monday evening, the company published its latest quarterly earnings report, and this sapped any energy left in that meme rally. The following day, the stock suffered a nearly 4% decline, and in reading that earnings report, we can see why. A fuzzy picture Firstly, in line with several previous quarters, GoPro again reported a significant decrease in revenue. Its top line eroded by 18% year-over-year to land at $153 million. That was due largely to sales of its core product, action cameras, sliding by 23% to roughly 500,000 units. Subscription and service revenue, a relatively small but critical contributor to the top line, went sideways at $26 million. On a brighter note, GoPro managed to trim its net loss under both GAAP and non-GAAP (adjusted) standards. The adjusted net shortfall was $12 million, or $0.08 per share, exactly two-thirds narrower than the $36 million loss in the year-ago period. Yet it remained stubbornly in the red on the bottom line. Despite the rather negative investor reaction, GoPro actually posted a mixed quarter with those headline figures. After all, it beat the consensus analyst estimate for revenue (of just over $146 million), although it slightly missed for adjusted net loss ($0.07). But as any seasoned investor is aware, the law of gravity frequently applies with stocks. What comes up must come down, and for a stock that flies high -- like GoPro did when it was tagged with emotion-driven meme stock status in mid-July -- the fall to earth can be sharp and sudden. 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More recently, just after the meme stock rally in the company began, it announced an opt-in artificial intelligence (AI) training program. In it, U.S. subscribers to GoPro services can volunteer to make their content available for AI developers to build and enhance their models. The company said it will share 50% of the license fees generated by such efforts, meaning it's in front of a new revenue source. Yet as exciting and high-potential as AI is, I doubt this and any other valiant revenue-boosting effort will turn around GoPro's fortunes. Dedicated action cameras are looking like the hot technology of the past, and since the company is still centered on this hardware, I think more declines are on the way -- ditto for those red bottom-line numbers. Should you invest $1,000 in GoPro right now? Before you buy stock in GoPro, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the for investors to buy now… and GoPro wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $649,544!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $1,113,059!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 1,062% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 185% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of August 13, 2025 Eric Volkman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Meta Platforms. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. GoPro Stock Is on the Move After Earnings. Here's Why. was originally published by The Motley Fool Sign in to access your portfolio
Entrepreneur
21 hours ago
- Entrepreneur
OpenAI's New Agent Just Changed the Rules — Here's How Solopreneurs Are Turning it Into Profit
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