Millenials

The End of Commodity Piercing and the Rise of the Experience Economy

Studs co-founder and CEO Anna Harman has spent the past decade building and scaling consumer businesses at the intersection of operations, technology and omnichannel retail. In this Expert Insights Q&A, Harman examines what Claire’s bankruptcy reveals about the state of the commercial jewelry industry, and why piercing is no longer a commoditized service, but an experience-driven category shaped by trust, education and self-expression. Harman explains how Studs is redefining piercing for Gen Z and millennials, and why the brands that win next will be the ones that invest in expertise, consistency and meaningful consumer connection.

How Luxury, Experience and Education Are Redefining the Global Bar Scene

Adrian Biggs has spent more than 15 years shaping global cocktail culture, drawing on a career that spans fine dining, craft bars, hotel operations and more than a decade with Bacardi across the U.S., U.K. and New Zealand. In this Expert Insights Q&A, Biggs explores how emotional connection, analog experiences and the rise of destination bars are redefining luxury for a new generation of drinkers—and why mentorship, craftsmanship and storytelling remain essential to the future of hospitality.

From Profit to Purpose: The Next Generation’s Values Are Rewriting the Rules of Success

Ted Swimmer, head of commercial banking at Citizens, examines how the next generation’s evolving definition of success is reshaping expectations for companies, banks and leaders alike. Drawing on his experience advising middle-market and large corporate clients, Swimmer explores why businesses must move beyond traditional growth metrics to embrace purpose, inclusivity and long-term value creation.