5 Things / Flight

I recently received terrible customer service from someone in a membership role. Somehow in 60 seconds, it felt personal, and I was activated. I left angry instead of staying and escalating. I chose flight, not fight, fawn, or freeze.

I almost always choose flight.

This wasn't a colleague. It wasn't a client. It was a stranger in customer service. I try to pick my battles.

Here's what I find interesting about that: knowing your default stress response is the first step to making it a choice. I didn't default this time. I chose.

Flight over fight made sense here. Not every hard conversation is worth having. The skill is knowing the difference.

What's your default? And when did you last choose it deliberately?

This Week's Good Vibes:

Adidas finally designs with us

Adidas launched the Supernova Rise 3 Adaptive shoe on World Down Syndrome Day, built in collaboration with adaptive athletes and the Down Syndrome community. The shoe design features a step-in heel for hands-free entry, a low-pressure lacing system, softer foam, a wider fit to allow toes to spread naturally, and prints designed to accommodate those with visual or sensory needs. ♐️ Co-design products with the community from day one.

Hijabs meet sensory needs, beautifully

Minneapolis occupational therapist Najma Omar created the SereniHijab for sensory-sensitive wearers, inspired by her autistic siblings and her sister’s noise sensitivity. It uses lightweight fabric plus ear padding to reduce overwhelming sound without needing headphones. Accessibility should not require choosing between comfort and faith. ♐️ Design for dignity by making accommodations wearable and stylish.

Beauty pipelines get more founders paid

Sephora’s 10-year Accelerate program has produced 41 graduates, with more than half launching at Sephora. Its 2021 program revamp centered BIPOC-founded brands, helping Sephora more than triple its Black-owned brand assortment. The program strengthens founders through curriculum, mentorship, and readiness for scale, which shifts who gets access to distribution and growth. ♐️ Invest in founders, then commit to stocking them.

Philly says cramps count at work

Philadelphia will require workplace accommodations for menstruation, perimenopause, and menopause and prohibit discrimination tied to these conditions. Accommodations include bathroom and water access, flexible breaks, breathable uniforms, temperature control, and schedule flexibility. Workplaces have long treated these needs as “personal problems,” which disproportionately harms those who menstruate, especially in hourly jobs with rigid rules. ♐️ Build accommodations into policy.

David’s Bridal sees South Asian brides

David's Bridal partnered with Kynah, a retailer representing more than 70 Indian designers, to launch 25 couture-inspired wedding looks available online, including a full multiday celebration wardrobe, not just one ceremony look. David's learned from a past quinceañera misstep where they skipped authentic partnership and internally created weak products. Physical rollout is coming to New Jersey and Houston next. ♐️ Audit your offerings. Are you actively designing for diverse communities?

Good Vibes to Go:

It’s Autism Acceptance Month. Get Smarter in Seconds on autism courtesy of Blair Imani and Dylan Kapit.