Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash
This post was written by Investment Partner Holly Jacobus.
I imagine I speak for a lot of people in saying quarantine has made me appreciate my parents in a whole new way. Whether you're stuck at home with them in close quarters or far away wishing you could actually be in the same room with them, they’re probably more top-of-mind than pre-pandemic. So, with Father's Day coming up, I want to spend a minute appreciating dads.
Some of my fondest memories of my dad are those intimate moments of shared experience, eating oatmeal in the morning with him in the dark, trying to keep my eyes open while he got ready for work. Or staying up late into the night in high school, working through proofs together while we drank coffee and tea.
My parents definitely gave me a strong drive to excel and impress, but when Father's Day comes around, I find myself stumped trying to find a meaningful gift, especially now with social distancing. My dad’s go-to gift used to be nuts from the company where he worked. So, in true father-fashion, I’m also turning to my work to help me find the perfect present.
Here are a few suggestions from our portfolio of remarkable companies:
Fashion
Naadam makes gorgeous, affordable cashmere clothing, from classic-cut sweaters to luxurious scarves and gloves. Naadam sources its wool straight from the nomadic herders of Mongolia, and all its products are created using clean energy and zero toxic chemicals.
Wolf & Shepherd’s men’s dress shoes are scientifically structured to be as comfortable as high-performance sneakers. Dreamed up by Adidas’s former chief designer, their products maintain the style and elegance of classic Italian footwear while providing all-day comfort and support. W&S’s founder even ran with the bulls in Pamplona—in dress shoes—to prove it!
Pistol Lake’s “ultra-functional apparel for minimalists” is made with ethical manufacturing and custom-kit recycled fabrics. Their clothes line, manufactured in LA, ranges from classy crewcut tees to super comfy gym shorts to breathable boxer briefs.
Health and Wellness
Embr Labs’ Wave bracelet acts as a personal thermostat. Developed by MIT scientists, Embr Wave taps into your thermoreceptors to deliver soothing sensations that make you feel cooler or warmer in minutes, so you can be comfortable wherever you go.
Relief is a smart heat wrap specifically for low-back pain. You can control every function using your phone to receive instant, effective, on-demand heating, anytime, anywhere.
Doppel’s bracelet creates a silent vibration on the inside of your wrist that feels just like the ‘lub-dub’ of a heartbeat. It substantially reduces stress so you can feel calm and focused throughout the entire day.
Thryve creates probiotic supplements that are personalized to your gut biome to optimize your health. Their state-of-the-art gut test explores your microbiome and provides specific food recommendations tailored to your needs.
AVE + EDAM’s skincare algorithm was developed by data scientists, dermatologists, and beauticians, delivering personalized care formulas depending on your lifestyle, season, temperature, and environmental factors.
Food and Drink
Hamama offers a fail-proof way to grow microgreens in your home year-round. You can choose from their wide selection of delicious, nutritious seed varieties, then just add water and harvest in a week!
Copper Cow Coffee provides a unique selection of sustainably sourced coffee pour-over kits. These super-convenient kits are perfect for starting your day no matter where you are - in your kitchen, your office, or by a campfire in the middle of the woods.
Wild Wonder is inspired by ancient herbal wisdom. They use super herbs and fruit juices to create delicious, invigorating drinks with creative flavors like Matcha Pineapple Coconut and Lemon Ginger Cayenne that taste great and make you feel even better.
Weller makes CBD-infused food and beverage products with simple, high-quality ingredients. Get creative with their water-soluble powder that can “turn any drink into a day-changer.”
Fun with Kids
Smilo’s baby products are all designed by parents who double as doctors, scientists, and engineers. They offer everything from pacifiers to baby loungers, tested by experts to please infants and adults alike.
Monti Kids’ subscription boxes deliver the right learning materials for each child's age. Every three months, the box arrives with updated Montessori curriculum-based toys, video-based guidance for parents, and personalized support.
ToyBox’s 3D printer lets kids print toys they love right at home. Kids can either select from a huge catalog of pre-loaded toy designs or even conceive and create their own.
Ten Little makes shoe shopping for kids easy. With a sizing system that grows as your child does, completely customizable styles, and made with vegan and recycled materials, these shoes are designed with both kids and parents in mind.
Home Improvement
Made In Cookware crafts affordable, professional-quality cookware for at-home chefs. Their products are championed by celebrities like Stephanie Izard and Tom Colicchio and all come with a lifetime warranty.
Burrow’s couches are all completely customizable, take just ten minutes to assemble, include a built-in USB charger (because furniture always blocks the wall outlet), and are delivered directly to you. Already satisfied with your sofa situation? They also have a great selection of pillows, throws, and rugs!
Outer has reinvented outdoor furniture to make it flexible, comfortable, and durable. Rain or shine, their sofas and chairs are the perfect improvements to your backyard, porch, or patio situation, in any environment.
Wynd’s smart air purifier senses dust, allergens, smoke, and pollution, then removes them from the air around you, enabling you to breathe clean air wherever you go. Its tracking system then records air quality data, empowering you to always be aware of the air health in your area.
At our funds, we strive to celebrate and support what we call “Delightful Moments.” I hope this helps you find a way to thank your dad or father figure this month for every delightful moment he has shared with you.
By Investment Partner Holly Jacobus
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@HollyJacobus on Twitter