Market Outsiders
Welcome to Market Outsiders — where business news meets real insight, fast. Two days per week, the Management Consulted leadership team breaks down one major story through a business lens, helping you spot what really matters behind the headlines.
Another Credit Card Fee Increase? Why Amex Increased the Platinum Fee to $895 (September 18, 2025)
Amex just raised the annual fee on its Platinum card from $695 to $895 — a nearly 30 percent jump.Â
In this episode of Market Outsiders, Jenny Rae and Namaan break down what’s behind the increase, why Amex believes customers won’t walk away, and how the move fits into a broader strategy to protect its premium brand.
We dig into questions like:Â
Who really cares about the fee hike? Why didn’t Amex go even higher? And what does this say about the future of credit card perks, co-branding, and the “status symbol” game?Whether you’re a cardhol...
Ram Shelves Electric Pickups - Were They Doomed From the Start? (September 15, 2025)
Ram will cancel its all-electric pickup, raising questions about the EV market, the rise of hybrids, and what truck buyers really want. Was the plan ever realistic, or just peak EV hype?
Jenny Rae and Namaan break down the strategy shift at Stellantis — the parent company of Ram, Jeep, Chrysler, and Dodge — and why it matters. They also highlight:
The risks of chasing trendsThe limits of EV infrastructureWhy hybrids may be the more practical bridge for automakersWhy doubling down on Ram’s strengths might be less flashy but far more sustainableLinks mentioned in the ep...
How Jolie Turned Your Showerhead Into a Subscription Business (September 11, 2025)
Jolie isn’t just selling showerheads — it’s turning your bathroom into a subscription business. In today’s episode, we break down how a simple product innovation paired with sharp marketing and a recurring revenue model is disrupting an overlooked category.Â
From personalized water tests to DTC funnels that bypass big-box retail, Jolie shows how challenger brands are rewriting the rules of consumer products.
Links mentioned in the episode:
Visit Jolie's siteLearn more about Storytelling Training with Management ConsultedStay at Jenny Rae's wineryJoin Market Ou...
The Booming Business of Sports Betting (September 8, 2025)
In this episode of Market Outsiders, Namaan and Jenny Rae unpack the booming business of sports betting.Â
From DraftKings to FanDuel, they examine how sportsbooks use aggressive advertising to acquire customers, the economics behind their business models, and the role of state regulations.Â
The conversation also highlights the challenges of user retention and the untapped B2B opportunities shaping the future of online gambling.
Links:
DraftKings quarterly resultsJoin Market Outsiders live every weekday at 9:15AM ET on LinkedIn and YouTube.
Follow Management Consulted on Li...Saks on Amazon Signals Luxury in Crisis (September 3, 2025)
Saks is now selling luxury goods on Amazon. Is this a bold new growth play or a last gasp for survival?Â
Namaan and Jenny dig into the financial pressures behind the deal, Amazon’s stake in Saks, and whether this move signals the end of department stores as we know them. It’s a revealing look at the future of luxury retail.
Links:
Watch the Saks on Amazon ad we discussed here Read the Forbes analysis on the partnership hereJoin Market Outsiders live every weekday at 9:15AM ET...
Kraft Heinz Breakup Signals the End of Scale at All Costs (September 2, 2025)
Kraft Heinz is splitting after a decade, and we unpack what that says about the end of “scale at all costs” in Big Food. Jenny Rae and Namaan dive into why focus beats brute scale, how zero-based budgeting collided with challenger brands, and why owning the shelf no longer locks in customers.
From ketchup loyalty to cream cheese on the “taste elevation” roster, we map the split: condiments vs packaged meals, the margin math, and the acquisition targets a focused sauces business will chase next.
Resources:
AP News: Kraft Heinz is putti...The $1B Water Park Empire and Why Private Equity Wants In (August 29, 2025)
Great Wolf Lodge might look like just another family getaway, but behind the wolf ears and waterslides is a billion-dollar business model.Â
Jenny Rae and Namaan break down how this “cruise ship on land” drives year-round revenue, why its fixed-cost structure makes it so attractive to private equity, and what it tells us about the rise of experiences over products in today’s economy.
Listen in as we connect the dots between family vacations, Disney’s record park revenues, and the next wave of private equity plays.
Join Market Outsiders live every weekday at 9:15AM...
NVIDIA’s Record Earnings and Business Model Breakdown (August 28, 2025)
NVIDIA just reported $46.7 billion in quarterly revenue with a stunning 73% gross margin.
In this episode of Market Outsiders, Jenny Rae Le Roux and Namaan Mian break down how NVIDIA's business model, how it makes money, and key risks the leadership team must face.
Join Market Outsiders live every weekday at 9:15AM ET on LinkedIn and YouTube.
Follow Management Consulted on LinkedIn and subscribe on YouTube Connect with Namaan and Jenny Rae on LinkedInDr. Pepper Bets $18B on Coffee War with Nestlé (August 27, 2025)
Dr. Pepper is making an $18 billion play in the global coffee market, acquiring Dutch giant JDE Peet’s and splitting into two standalone companies. The deal creates a new coffee contender set to rival Nestlé.
Jenny Rae and Namaan break down why Dr. Pepper is betting big, what the move says about synergies and strategy, and why investors sent KDP’s stock down.
They also explore what this means for global beverage competition and whether Dr. Pepper can truly challenge Nestlé’s dominance.
Links:
Reuters: Keurig Dr Pepper brews co...Target Falters, TJ Maxx Shines as Powell Weighs His Next Move (August 20, 2025)
Target is stumbling, TJ Maxx is outperforming, and Jerome Powell’s Jackson Hole speech could set the tone for interest rates through the rest of 2025. What does this mean for the U.S. consumer, retail stocks, and the Fed’s rate cut decision?
In this Market Outsiders episode, Namaan and Jenny Rae cover:
Target earnings: stagnant sales, falling traffic, and a new CEO searchTJ Maxx results: strong customer demand, earnings beat, and higher guidanceFed policy watch: how retail data shapes Powell’s decision on interest ratesConsumer trends...Why Chili’s Is Winning While Other Restaurants Struggle (August 18, 2025)
Chili’s just posted five straight quarters of growth and a 39% sales jump, bucking the trend in a struggling casual dining sector.
On today’s Market Outsiders, Jenny Rae and Namaan unpack what’s behind Chili’s surge and why its real competition may be McDonald’s and Chick-fil-A, not Outback or Applebee’s.
They also explore how Chili’s is threading the needle on pricing strategy, what it reveals about consumer behavior, and why the chain has become a rare bright spot in restaurants.
Links:
Daily Mail: Family favorit...What Record Stock Buybacks Signal (August 11, 2025)
Stock buybacks are hitting all-time highs in 2025, led by big banks and tech giants like Apple and Alphabet.Â
In this episode, Namaan and Jenny Rae unpack what a buyback is, why companies do it, and what this surge signals about corporate balance sheets, sector trends, and the strength of the U.S. economy.
Links:
Investopedia: What is a Buyback?Wall Street Journal: American Companies Are Buying Their Own Stocks at a Record PaceChapters:
03:38 Understanding Stock Buybacks06:47 The Mechanics of Buybacks and Their Implications09:41 C...When Growth Isn’t Enough: Inside Taco Bell, KFC, and Pizza Hut’s Earnings Miss (August 5, 2025)
Yum! Brands beat expectations in some areas - but it wasn’t enough. Today, Jenny Rae and Namaan break down why positive same-store sales at Taco Bell still set off alarms, how KFC and Pizza Hut are dragging the portfolio, and what investors and operators often miss when they celebrate “growth.”
They explore:
The real meaning behind Yum’s earnings missWhy brand-level performance matters more than the headlineCompetitive pressure in fast food (and who’s stealing share from KFC)What Bain or another top firm might recommend Yum do nextLessons from KFC’s success outside the U.S.Join...
Starbucks Ditches Pickup-Only Stores - Smart Move or Big Mistake? (July 31, 2025)
Starbucks is ditching its pickup-only and drive-thru-only stores. CEO Brian Niccol says they “lack warmth” — but is that really the reason?Â
In today’s Thursday Market Outsiders, Namaan and Jenny Rae break down the surprising move and whether it’s a smart brand strategy or a costly operational mistake.Â
Listen in to learn what this shift signals for loyalty, in-store experience, and the future of Starbucks' growth.
Previous episodes on Starbucks:
Starbucks Profits Crash 47% (Market Outsiders: July 30, 2025)Inside Starbucks’ Turnaround (Market Outsiders: June 16, 2025)Starbucks Business Breakdown (Strategy Simplified)Join Market Outside...
Starbucks Profits Crash 47% - Why the Market Still Believes in the Turnaround (July 30, 2025)
Starbucks just reported a 47% drop in profits - but investors pushed the stock up anyway. Why?Â
In this episode, Namaan and Jenny Rae break down what’s really going on behind the numbers: rising costs, China’s rebound, and the revenue beat that has Wall Street betting on a turnaround.Â
Tune in for a fast, insightful look at how leadership, strategy, and market perception intersect in Starbucks’ latest earnings story.
Previous episodes on Starbucks:
Starbucks Business Breakdown (Strategy Simplified)Inside Starbucks’ Turnaround (Market Outsiders)Join Market Outsiders live every weekday at...
Inside Garrett Popcorn’s Slow Line, Fast Profits, and Untapped Growth (July 29, 2025)
A slow-moving popcorn line sparked today’s conversation, but what it uncovered was a masterclass in business strategy. Jenny Rae and Namaan dig into Garrett Popcorn’s iconic brand, operational bottlenecks, and surprising pricing tactics.
They also explore what Garrett’s isn’t doing - and what it could - plus how SkinnyPop’s explosive growth started with the same insight: there’s real money in popcorn.
From impulse buys to private equity plays, today’s episode reveals how small tweaks in consumer experience can lead to massive business impact.
Join Market Outsiders live every wee...
Inside Tesla’s Futuristic Diner Experiment in Los Angeles (July 24, 2025)
Tesla has opened a diner in Los Angeles - and it’s not just about burgers and fries. In today’s episode, Namaan and Jenny Rae explore the business strategy behind this bold move and why the diner could be more than a gimmick.
They break down how Tesla might use this concept to test robotics, integrate charging infrastructure, and experiment with a new kind of customer experience - all while considering brand positioning and long‑term ecosystem plays that could shape the future of the company.
Business Insider article: We visited the first Tesla Diner...
McDonald’s Snack Wrap Comeback Drives Sales Surge (July 23, 2025)
McDonald’s snack wraps are back – and the response has been sizzling. In today’s episode, Namaan and Jenny Rae break down how this nostalgic menu item is driving double‑digit traffic and lifting U.S. same‑store sales by 7%.
Tune in to hear them explore why the return of a simple chicken wrap is surprising investors, what it says about customer behavior in a tight economy, and how McDonald’s might be outsmarting competitors like Taco Bell.
Join Market Outsiders live every weekday at 9:15AM ET on LinkedIn and YouTube.
Follow Management Consulted on Linked...Why Coca‑Cola Beat Earnings but Shares Still Slipped (July 22, 2025)
Coca‑Cola posted stronger‑than‑expected earnings, yet its stock still slipped. Why?Â
In today’s Tuesday episode of Market Outsiders, Jenny Rae and Namaan unpack Coca‑Cola’s latest results, from price hikes to shifting volume trends across regions and product lines.Â
They explore how forward guidance, tariffs, and supply chain costs shape investor reactions - and what it all means for your own business or investing decisions.
Join Market Outsiders live every weekday at 9:15AM ET on LinkedIn and YouTube.
Follow Management Consulted on LinkedIn and subscribe on YouTube...Amex’s Profit Jump and the Credit Card Strategy Driving It (July 18, 2025)
American Express beat profit expectations on strong spending from its affluent cardholders. But the story goes deeper than the headline number.
In today’s episode, the Market Outsiders team - Jenny Rae and Namaan - break down how AMEX makes money, why its high‑end strategy is paying off, and what rising provisions for credit losses really mean.
They also explore the fierce competition in premium cards, from lounge perks to annual fee shifts, and what these moves signal about consumer behavior and the broader economy.
Tune in for a fast, focused look at t...
PepsiCo Pops Despite Headwinds – What Earnings Reveal About F&B Battles (July 17, 2025)
PepsiCo’s latest earnings surprised Wall Street, sending shares up even as U.S. demand slipped. Namaan and Jenny Rae unpack what’s driving the numbers, from price increases and consolidation to the rise of challenger brands and new distribution models.Â
They break down how shifting consumer tastes, global supply chains, and strategic M&A are shaping the future of food and beverage.Â
If you want to understand the levers big players are pulling - and what it means for your own decisions - this conversation is for you.
Additional Resources:
Peps...Goldman’s 22% Profit Surge and the Trading Boom Behind It (July 16, 2025)
Goldman Sachs just posted a 22% profit jump, but the headline only tells part of the story. On today’s Market Outsiders, Jenny Rae and Namaan break down what’s really driving the surge, and why trading desks, not dealmakers, are leading the charge.
We dig into what the numbers reveal about investment banking, how fee mix and volatility are reshaping revenue streams, and why market sentiment is playing an outsized role this quarter.Â
Plus, we look at what this means for JPMorgan, Citi, and other top banks - and why analysts may need to rethink their...
NVIDIA’s China Comeback Fuels Market Rally Despite Rising Inflation (July 15, 2025)
NVIDIA’s surprise approval to resume selling AI chips to China sent its stock soaring and lifted the broader market - even as fresh inflation data showed price pressures ticking back up.
Jenny Rae and Namaan break down why NVIDIA’s China comeback matters for investors and how U.S. policy is shaping global chip strategy.
They also explore what rising inflation could mean for Fed decisions ahead.Â
Join Market Outsiders live every weekday at 9:15AM ET on LinkedIn and YouTube.
Follow Management Consulted on LinkedIn and subscribe on YouTu...Nissan’s Cash Crunch and Goldman's First AI Coder (July 11, 2025)
Nissan is in survival mode. After major layoffs and underused factories, the automaker is now producing trucks for former rival Honda while raising $4.5B in unsecured bonds and delaying supplier payments.Â
We break down what’s really happening and why this could be a textbook case in crisis management.
Plus, Goldman Sachs is piloting its first autonomous software engineer - an AI agent named Devin. We explore what this means for AI on Wall Street and why it could signal a future acquisition.
Join Market Outsiders live every weekday at 9:15AM ET on Lin...
Inside Ferrero's $3.1 Billion Play for WK Kellogg (July 10, 2025)
Ferrero just dropped $3.1 billion to acquire cereal maker WK Kellogg, home of Froot Loops and Frosted Flakes. But why now, and why cereal?Â
In this episode, Namaan and Jenny Rae unpack the deal from every angle, connecting the dots on category expansion, geographic growth, shelf space strategy, and manufacturing capacity.Â
Plus, how this move compares to Ferrero’s other acquisitions, what it signals for the snack industry, and why most M&A deals fail.
Join Market Outsiders live every weekday at 9:15AM ET on LinkedIn and YouTube.
Follow Management Consulted on Linke...Why Meta Just Bet $3.5B on Ray-Ban (July 9, 2025)
Meta just dropped $3.5 billion on a stake in the maker of Ray-Ban - but why?Â
In today’s episode, Jenny Rae and Naman unpack Meta’s bold move into smart eyewear through its investment in EssilorLuxottica.Â
From content creation use cases to the strategy behind wearables, vertical integration, and even long-term plays in health tech, they break down what this deal really signals.
Join Market Outsiders live every weekday at 9:15AM ET on LinkedIn and YouTube.
Follow Management Consulted on LinkedIn and subscribe on YouTube Connect with <...Target and Walmart Just Declared War on Amazon Prime Day (July 8, 2025)
Amazon’s summer sales juggernaut is no longer a one-player game.Â
In today’s episode, Namaan and Jenny Rae unpack how Walmart and Target are leveraging loyalty programs, inventory strategy, and media placement to compete head-on with Prime Day - and why it matters more than just discounted vacuums.Â
Plus, they share which retailers could be next to join the battle.
Update: Prime Day 2025 is already off to a slower start - early spending is down 14% from last year. Read the Bloomberg report.
Join Market Outsiders live every weekday at 9:1...
Fast Casual Gets Smarter as Loyalty Becomes the New Growth Engine (July 7, 2025)
Welcome back from the holiday weekend. Today, Namaan and Jenny Rae break down why fast casual restaurants are leaning hard into loyalty programs - and how it’s reshaping growth strategies in a cooling consumer environment.Â
From Chipotle to Cava, we unpack why some brands are thriving while others are treading water, and what this tells us about pricing, positioning, and the state of consumer sentiment.
Plus, we preview the tariff headlines that could dominate business news this week, and why it pays to look deeper than the top-line number.
Donate to Tex...
The Jobs Market Just Beat Expectations Again (July 3, 2025)
Happy Fourth of July weekend - but before the fireworks, we’re diving into a surprising June jobs report that added 147,000 new positions and revised prior numbers upward.Â
Namaan and Jenny Rae break down why the labor market keeps defying the forecasts, what sectors are driving the surge, and how this could shape the Fed’s next move.Â
Plus, why now might be the best time to lean in - not wait it out.
Join Market Outsiders live every weekday at 9:15AM ET on LinkedIn and YouTube.
Follow Management Consulted on Linked...The Skill AI Can’t Replace & Home Depot’s Power Play (June 30, 2025)
Fresh off a week in NYC, Namaan and Jenny Rae kick off today’s episode with reflections from a top-tier consulting conference, where storytelling was named the critical skill AI can’t replace. They break down why the ability to build trust and communicate with clarity is essential across industries.
Next, they share behind-the-scenes moments and key takeaways from Case Camp, where aspiring consultants dove into real-world business cases. You’ll hear what impressed the team, what surprised them, and why business acumen is simpler (and rarer) than you might think.
Finally, they unpack Home Depot’...
Delaware in Decline? How States Are Competing to Win Corporate Business
Why are companies rethinking Delaware as their go-to for incorporation? Namaan and Jenny Rae break down how states like Texas, Nevada, and Oklahoma are making aggressive legal and tax moves to lure corporate business.Â
They also explore the growing trend of state-level competition and what it means for founders, investors, and economic growth.
Join Market Outsiders live every weekday at 9:15AM ET on LinkedIn and YouTube.
Follow Management Consulted on LinkedIn and subscribe on YouTube Connect with Namaan and Jenny Rae on LinkedInWhat This Weekend in the Middle East Revealed About Oil, Markets, and Risk (June 23, 2025)
Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz dominated headlines this weekend, but what does it actually mean for oil prices, markets, and investors?Â
Namaan and Jenny Rae unpack the potential ripple effects of shipping disruptions, debate the future of domestic energy production, and explore why Israeli markets are rising despite regional conflict.Â
Plus, they share how great investors think in second and third order effects and what questions you should be asking this week.
Join Market Outsiders live every weekday at 9:15AM ET on LinkedIn and YouTube.
Follow Management Consulted on LinkedIn...Can Home Depot Stop QXO’s $5B Hostile Takeover of GMS? (June 20, 2025)
A high-stakes showdown is unfolding in the building supply world. In this episode, Jenny Rae and Namaan break down why QXO is making a $5B hostile bid for drywall distributor GMS - and why Home Depot has jumped into the fight.Â
They unpack what a hostile takeover really means, who holds the power behind the scenes, and how the battle could reshape contractor distribution in the U.S.Â
Plus, they discuss fresh signals from the Fed and whether a July rate cut is now on the table.
Join Market Outsiders live every weekday at...
Meta’s $100M Power Play, My Kids' Startup Lessons, and What the Fed Won’t Say (June 18, 2025)
Jenny Rae goes solo in this episode to unpack 3 timely topics.Â
She kicks off with surprising business lessons from her kids’ popsicle stand, dives into Meta’s aggressive $100M offers to poach OpenAI talent, and breaks down what the Fed isn’t saying in its latest market signals.Â
From startup grit to macro pressure, this episode connects the dots between homegrown hustle and global headlines.
Join Market Outsiders live every weekday at 9:15AM ET on LinkedIn and YouTube.
Follow Management Consulted on LinkedIn and subscribe on YouTube Connect with ...Chase Sapphire Reserve Fee Hike: Smart Strategy or Customer Risk? (June 17, 2025)
JPMorgan Chase just raised the annual fee for its popular Sapphire Reserve card by 45%.Â
In this episode, Jenny Rae and Namaan break down what the new perks really offer, whether the value justifies the price, and what this move signals about Chase’s broader strategy.Â
Plus, they weigh in on the struggling state of JetBlue and what it might mean for a potential United takeover.
Join Market Outsiders live every weekday at 9:15AM ET on LinkedIn and YouTube.
Follow Management Consulted on LinkedIn and subscribe on YouTube Connect with...Inside Starbucks’ Turnaround and the Jobs Data You’re Not Hearing About (June 16, 2025)
Starbucks just brought 14,000 store leaders to Las Vegas as part of its turnaround strategy under CEO Brian Niccol. We unpack the key moves, from operational changes to union resistance and long-term growth plans.Â
Plus, a surprising look at youth unemployment and why recent data suggests it's getting harder to find a job if you're just starting out.
Join Market Outsiders live every weekday at 9:15AM ET on LinkedIn and YouTube.
Follow Management Consulted on LinkedIn and subscribe on YouTube Connect with Namaan and Jenny Rae on L...Why Oil Spiked 10% And What Dumplings Teach Us About Business (June 13, 2025)
Oil prices surged 10% overnight - what does it mean for inflation, the Fed, and your wallet? We break down the economic ripple effects of rising energy costs and why it’s more than just a headline.Â
Plus, we unpack the business genius behind Din Tai Fung, the dumpling chain quietly pulling in $27M per location with a model that defies fast-casual norms.
Join Market Outsiders live every weekday at 9:15AM ET on LinkedIn and YouTube.
Follow Management Consulted on LinkedIn and subscribe on YouTube Connect with Namaan and J...Inflation Expectations vs. Reality: Decoding the Market’s Mixed Signals (June 11, 2025)
Markets are up, inflation is steady - but something isn’t adding up.
In this episode of Market Outsiders, Namaan and Jenny Rae unpack the disconnect between inflation data, market reactions, and media narratives. Is the economy actually cooling off, or are we just telling ourselves it is?
Hit play to cut through the noise.
Join Market Outsiders live every weekday at 9:15AM ET on LinkedIn and YouTube.
Follow Management Consulted on LinkedIn and subscribe on YouTube Connect with Namaan and Jenny Rae on Li...Paramount’s 3 CEOs and 18K Employees?! | The Real Power of Private Markets (June 10, 2025)
In today’s episode, Jenny Rae and Namaan dig into the surprising scale of Paramount’s workforce amid fresh layoffs - and the eyebrow-raising fact that the media giant is led by three CEOs. But that’s just the jumping-off point.Â
The duo zoom out to explore a staggering market insight: while fewer than 4,000 companies are publicly traded in the U.S., over 60,000 private firms are backed by PE or VC.Â
It’s a revealing look at where business activity really happens - and why Market Outsiders is committed to covering it.
Join Market Out...
Jobs Day Delivers - Why the Market’s Stronger Than Headlines Say (June 6, 2025)
It’s Jobs Day, and Market Outsiders is here to break down what the numbers actually mean. Namaan and Jenny Rae unpack why May’s employment data points to a surprisingly strong economy - despite all the noise in the headlines.Â
They challenge the “chaotic economy” narrative, explore sector-level shifts, and highlight what most investors and operators miss in labor data. Plus, a closer look at Lululemon’s stock plunge - does it really come down to tariffs, or is something deeper going on?
Join Market Outsiders live every weekday at 9:15AM ET on LinkedIn and YouTube...
