Marie Ernst®

Selective memory is the tendency to remember some things while purposely forgetting others, often by choice. Do you remember where you were when the shelter-in-place mandate began during the COVID-19 pandemic? The mass furloughs and layoffs as retail stores, restaurants, and offices shut down were hard to miss. If you do, then you probably recall your monthly income at the time and what you received in unemployment insurance (UI). If not, let me remind you. The average UI check was about $387 per week. However, many overlook that those who were furloughed or laid off received an additional $600 per week in federal UI payments, raising the average monthly benefit to approximately $4,000—nearly double what some people earned pre-pandemic. When you add the three stimulus checks totaling $3,200 to the $4,000 in monthly UI payments, it’s clear how this unexpected financial support had a profound psychological impact, leading many lower-income individuals to feel they were better off under the Trump administration. Once the additional payments ended—particularly the extra $600 per week from the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) program, which ran from March to July 2020—the sense of financial stability began to fade as the average weekly UI benefit reverted to $387. Financial security, even if temporary, can significantly affect one’s perception of well-being. The relief measures during Trump’s administration, such as unemployment benefits and stimulus checks, are often credited to his term. Many lower-income individuals who felt more stable may view the economy as stronger under Trump, selectively recalling these positives while minimizing any unfavorable economic developments. Our democracy is too important to lose to selective memory, which is why reminding people of the facts is crucial before November 5, 2024.

Since childhood, I’ve dreamed of owning and driving a Ferrari, influenced by the iconic Ferraris featured in shows like Magnum PI with its famous red Ferrari 308 GTS and Miami Vice showcasing Crockett’s legendary white Testarossa. It’s always been a dream of mine to own a Ferrari. Well, let me tell you—dreams do come true! I’m thrilled to share my new stunning Ferrari 488 Spider. Isn’t she a beauty? Now that I have your attention, please allow me to explain why ‘she’ is as she… In the United States, the personification of objects, forces, and concepts as female has a rich history. Many people affectionately refer to their cars, boats, and ships including aircraft as “she” or “her,” reflecting a tradition rooted in the idea of vessels being nurturing and protective. Natural forces like Mother Nature symbolize the nurturing yet unpredictable aspects of the natural world, while weather is occasionally personified as a woman, emphasizing its changing moods. There’s also abstract concepts. Lady Luck, Lady Justice, Lady Liberty, symbolized by the Statue of Liberty, stands for freedom and democracy. Even the United States is often referred to as “she” in patriotic or poetic contexts. However, there exists a stark disconnect between how women are revered in language and culture and how they are treated in our society. Despite being celebrated in abstract terms, women continue to face significant barriers that illustrate their second-class status: Bodily autonomy, equal pay, employment opportunities, and support during and after pregnancy are critical issues. The roots of this contradiction lie within several key factors: patriarchy, objectification, and idealization versus reality. And efforts to advocate for women’s rights frequently face hostility from those who benefit from the status quo. As I (we) confront these issues, we must recognize the dichotomy of reverence and inequality. Women deserve full bodily autonomy, equal pay, and equitable access to employment. It is time for us as a nation to put aside our preconceived beliefs, prejudices, and biases that disqualify anyone with the credentials of a district attorney, attorney general, U.S. state senator, or vice president simply because she is a woman. I ask you, will you support Lady Liberty, our democracy, and our motherland? Or will you turn your back on her because you’re afraid you’ll lose your agency and false sense of security? People with true inherent power fear no one. In truth, men with real power seek to empower others and put others before themselves, especially those in need. Do you have that power? Together, we can work toward a future where women are valued not just as symbols but as equals deserving of respect and opportunity. It’s time to vote for progress and say “yes” to the first female president of the United States of America. #WomensRights #GenderEquality #LadyLiberty #Empowerment #VoteForChange #Kamala2024 #HarrisWalz #WomenLead #ProgressiveValues #VoteForKamala

Sometimes in business, you’ve got to make a quick pivot. While working on the logistics of our pre-order campaign, I wanted to create some additional revenue opportunities for Marie Ernst®. In what may be the most important political election season of my lifetime, I’ve designed a variety of Kamala Walz T-shirts, with a portion of the proceeds donated toward the Kamala Walz campaign. I wanted to do my part to raise awareness for political issues I’m passionate about, including a woman’s right to choose, and a woman’s right to vote. I also wanted to inform people that MISSISSIPPI didn’t ratify a WOMAN’S RIGHT TO VOTE until MARCH 22, 1984. I also have a very active creative mind, and this allows me to get the thoughts out of my head and bring my creativity to life. The idea of designing T-shirts was inspired by a story I read about the early days of Airbnb back then, co-founder and CEO Brian Chesky faced multiple rejections from investors while pitching the business. Desperate for funds, they had to come up with a creative solution to keep their dream alive. Here’s what they did: When Airbnb launched in 2008, they saw a surge in demand during the Republican and Democratic national conventions. But after the conventions, demand dropped sharply. In a bold move, the founders decided to take advantage of the political climate by designing and selling cereal boxes featuring then-presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain. That quick pivot earned them around $30,000, which they used to fund Airbnb’s operations and keep the business afloat. I’m hoping to follow a similar path by generating additional revenue for Marie Ernst® to generate some extra revenue before the November election to keep our democracy intact. Hey, you never know unless you try, and I go all out to keep my company Marie Ernst® moving forward. These T-shirts are currently available at our TikTok Shop with more designs to come that are still taking up space in my head without paying rent. My thoughts and ideas must think my brain is their own personal Airbnb. Anyway, these are some of the current designs with more to come. Let me know what you think. I’d love to hear your thoughts and feedback! Have a great day! Check out Marie Ernst’s shop on TikTok! https://lnkd.in/gmBueDiA #BusinessPivot #CreativeSolutions #PoliticalAwareness #Airbnb #SupportWomenLeaders #WomensRights #Suffrage #KamalaHarris #VoteHarrisMalz #SocialImpact #Election2024 #WomansRightToVote #HarrisMalz #DNC #TikTok #TikTokShop #MarieErsntInc #CivilRights #WomansRightsToChoose #AbortionRights #ImmigrantsRights #Democrats

I’ve seen the ChatGPT “How many R’s are in the word ‘Strayberry’” question posted on TikTok and LinkedIn, but I don’t understand why some people are getting different responses—unless they’re intentionally using an older version. I’m also not sure what message they’re trying to convey, other than the fact that ChatGPT can make mistakes, which it often acknowledges at the end of its responses. I asked the question “How many R’s are in the word ‘Strayberry’” once and received a direct and correct answer from ChatGPT shown in the image below. Then I asked a follow up question regarding the other post I’ve seen online. Why are my responses accurate while others aren’t? #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #ChatGPT #TechQuestions #AICommunity #LinkedInLearning #Innovation #TechnologyTrends #AIMistakes #AIInsights #TechDiscussion

I was deeply honored to be invited by the esteemed Rachel Brown, Editor-in-Chief at Beauty Independent, to share my thoughts on the Youthforia controversy. With twenty different viewpoints on whether Youthforia can—and should—be saved, the debate is rich and varied. I would greatly appreciate it if you took the time to read my opinion, join the discussion, and share your thoughtful feedback. #beauty #investors #beautyindependent #youthforia #truebeautyventures https://lnkd.in/gcSQsHM3

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and this year marks the first time I've truly grasped the extensive challenges faced by millions of Americans, including myself, who live with mental health conditions. To give you a glimpse into my experiences, I wanted to share this video by a musician named Ren, titled "Hi Ren," that illustrates how my mind operates as I navigate my journey toward mental health improvement. I genuinely have these types of conversations in my head, and trust me, they are far from fun. I've chosen to share my story because I now recognize that seeking help is not only beneficial but essential. I am committed to eradicating the stigma associated with mental health issues, extending support to those in need, fostering public education, and advocating for policies that prioritize the well-being of individuals and families affected by mental illness. I have started a GoFundMe campaign to support my recovery, and I would be deeply grateful for any donations and support. Please click the link below to read more about my story and consider contributing to my journey toward healing. https://gofund.me/36c56bbb

I recently wrote a post on mental health, and since some time has passed, I wanted to share my experience where seeking support for my severe depression unexpectedly made things worse. Which is why I need help sharing my story. Common advice suggests that it’s important to reach out for help with mental health issues. However, when I finally sought help, I was not met with open arms or the support I needed; instead, I faced admonishment and criticism. This response mirrors the broader challenges many Black men, like myself, encounter in seeking mental health support. It's clear why many of us hesitate to seek help. Who wants to be scolded for asking for assistance? My experience highlights the pervasive stigma and misunderstanding surrounding mental health both within and outside our community. Statistics show that fewer than 10% of Black Americans receive mental health counseling or treatment, despite experiencing high levels of emotional distress. This stark underrepresentation in mental health care usage is compounded by the challenges of stigma, limited access to culturally competent care, and economic barriers that disproportionately affect Black communities. Source: https://lnkd.in/gH-HZY2C The reluctance to seek help is further amplified by traditional societal norms about masculinity, which often discourage expressions of vulnerability among men, particularly in Black communities. The pressure to conform to these norms can make it difficult for individuals to seek help without fear of judgment or reprisal, which I experienced too. Source: https://lnkd.in/eKTPTSB Moreover, when Black men do seek help, we often encounter healthcare systems that are not adequately equipped to address our specific needs. This can lead to less frequent and less effective treatment outcomes, as indicated by the significantly lower rates of treatment for major depression among Black communities compared to White ones. Source: https://lnkd.in/gCw5wUCm My personal journey and the barriers I’ve faced highlight the urgent need for systemic changes within mental health services to become more inclusive and accessible, particularly for Black men. This involves not only increasing awareness and reducing stigma but also enhancing the training of healthcare providers to be culturally competent and responsive to the diverse backgrounds of their patients. I sincerely hope my story, combined with these broader statistics, can serve as a powerful call to action to address these disparities and work towards a more supportive and understanding mental health system for everyone. Click here for more information on how you can help: https://gofund.me/0ce72a0b

We have to choose, our planet or plastics.

Happy Earth Day, everyone! At Marie Ernst® we recognize the far-reaching impact of our actions on our consumers, communities, and our planet. We believe that buy our bar soaps should help you solve your skin care problems, not create new ones that to leave a trail of plastic waste that pollute our rivers, oceans, streams, and our bodies. I founded Marie Ernst® with a deep commitment to sustainability, specifically targeting the reduction of plastic waste in the beauty industry. Our innovative approach involves the creation of bar soaps that feature a U.S. patented, 2-in-1 interlocking customizable design, which not only meets a wide range of skincare needs but also drastically minimizes or eliminates the use of plastic in our packaging. This initiative is a core part of our mission to promote cleaner, more sustainable consumption practices. By focusing on environmentally friendly solutions, Marie Ernst® is dedicated to making a significant impact in the fight against plastic pollution, aligning our products with the values of consumers who prioritize both skin health and our planet over plastic. Join us in our mission to create a better world through responsible, effective, and sustainable skin care solutions. Learn more by clicking the link here: https://lnkd.in/gBdKiYiD