Ali Kriegsman built a business empire from scratch—then walked away. The co-founder of Bulletin sold her company to focus on writing and advising startups. Her story shows the power of grit in America’s free market. But it also raises questions about today’s business trends favoring flash over substance.
Kriegsman started Bulletin as a side project with no fancy investors. She turned it into a major wholesale platform connecting brands and stores. Like true entrepreneurs, she adapted when challenges hit—pivoting from events to tech during tough times. This old-school hustle proves you don’t need government handouts to succeed.
Bulletin’s sale wasn’t about cashing out—it was strategic. Kriegsman saw bigger opportunities in guiding others after navigating startup chaos herself. Her book “How to Build a Goddamn Empire” pushes raw honesty over woke platitudes. She admits mistakes matter more than “girlboss” slogans—a refreshing take in today’s corporate culture.
Now consulting, Kriegsman backs influencer marketing’s growth—predicting brands will rely more on online personalities by 2025. But conservatives warn: influencers often push trendy politics over real value. While useful for sales campaigns, trusting them with brand reputations risks alienating mainstream customers.
Influencer partnerships might drive clicks but dilute quality craftsmanship that built companies like Bulletin. Kriegsman’s shift toward this space highlights a worrying trend—businesses chasing viral moments over lasting relationships with buyers who value reliability over Instagram fame.
America’s economy thrives on innovators like Kriegsman who build real products—not just social media hype. Her success came from adapting while staying grounded in core business principles: solving problems people care about without political grandstanding or empty hashtags.
The rise of influencer marketing could weaken traditional retail’s focus on tangible results—like creating jobs or quality goods—in favor of fleeting online trends requiring constant reinvention to stay relevant—a drain on resources better spent serving customers directly without middlemen craving likes.
Kriegsman’s journey teaches valuable lessons: hard work beats shortcuts every time even when markets shift rapidly around us! But as new tech changes how we shop let’s hope entrepreneurs remember true value comes from serving real needs not chasing every viral fad Washington bureaucrats don’t understand anyway!
