Moxie Report / Opinion

The Exchange

Business. Technology. The opportunity underneath.

A closer look at the incentives, trade-offs, and possibilities shaping the way we work and build.

By Ellis

Illustrative photograph of a skincare shop interior. Not The Lip Bar or one of its retail partners. — Ela De Pure / Unsplash · Illustrative photograph.

The Exchange / OPINION

The Lip Bar’s wider customer ambition should deepen its relationship with Black women

A broader market can strengthen a Black owned beauty company. The commercial test is whether expansion gives its original customers more reason to stay.

By Ellis · Nov 2, 2026

Discuss this story

Players' athletic shoes on an indoor court. Illustrative footwear photograph, not Move products or reported customers. — Winston Chen / Unsplash · Illustrative photograph.

The Exchange / OPINION

Damian Lillard’s Move revenue is impressive. The operating questions matter more.

Reported sales rose from $1.2 million to $8 million. A useful product, trusted distribution and working capital determine what that growth is worth.

By Ellis · Nov 1, 2026

Discuss this story

A payment terminal on a salon counter. Illustrative photograph, not a Cécred store or one of its reported business partners. — SumUp / Unsplash · Illustrative photograph.

The Exchange / OPINION

Beyoncé’s Cécred funding choice puts a price on the right to protect the product budget.

The Exchange by Ellis examines the control a founder retains by supplying capital and the financial risk that remains on the same side of the table.

By Ellis · Oct 31, 2026

Discuss this story

Basketball fans at Madison Square Garden in New York. Illustrative arena photograph, not the Atlanta Dream or State Farm Arena. — With Paul / Unsplash · Illustrative photograph.

The Exchange / OPINION

Renee Montgomery’s Atlanta Dream stake shows why a valuation is only the beginning.

The Exchange by Ellis looks past the headline multiple to control, operating economics and the next price a buyer would actually pay.

By Ellis · Oct 30, 2026

Discuss this story

Illustrative photograph of a person working with a laptop and notebook. Not a reported founder or UK programme participant. — Daniel Thomas / Unsplash · Illustrative photograph.

The Exchange / OPINION

Britain’s women in tech initiative should widen the investment pipeline, not just the invitation list.

A broader search for founders can be a business advantage. The test is whether introductions lead to serious evaluation and decisions.

By Ellis · Oct 29, 2026

Discuss this story

Illustrative photograph of hands holding a smartphone above a notebook. Not a reported app developer or company representative. — Nathan Dumlao / Unsplash · Illustrative photograph.

The Exchange / OPINION

Google and Apple’s South Korea fines put the economics of payment choice to the test.

An alternative checkout becomes valuable when a developer can use it without losing the customer or the margin.

By Ellis · Oct 28, 2026

Discuss this story

Illustrative photograph of a man holding a payment card while using a laptop. A stock model, not a reported subject. — Vitaly Gariev / Unsplash · Illustrative photograph.

The Exchange / OPINION

Bob Johnson built BET around distribution. That is the lesson worth keeping.

His latest account of BET points beyond founder mythology to the arrangement between audience, content costs and customers who actually paid.

By Ellis · Oct 27, 2026

Discuss this story

Illustrative photograph of shoppers in a grocery store. Not reported Instacart customers or retail partners. — Spencer Plouzek / Unsplash · Illustrative photograph.

The Exchange / OPINION

Instacart sale talk puts the retailer relationship on the negotiating table.

A potential buyer would need more than delivery volume. The opportunity is a service that stores and customers still want to use.

By Ellis · Oct 25, 2026

Discuss this story

A man wearing glasses looks at his phone outdoors. Illustrative photograph, not a participant in a reported share transaction. — Alex Nemo Hanse / Unsplash · Illustrative photograph.

The Exchange / OPINION

Carta and NewView’s tender offer study puts a cash question beside employee equity.

The Exchange argues that a stake becomes more useful when employees understand how, when, and on what terms they might sell.

By Ellis · Oct 24, 2026

Discuss this story

A person using a laptop computer. Illustrative photograph, not an image of the announced 1Password integration. — Windows / Unsplash · Illustrative photograph.

The Exchange / OPINION

1Password’s agent launch puts permission at the center of the AI business case.

The Exchange argues that small businesses need useful delegation with clear limits, not another software bill justified by a demonstration.

By Ellis · Oct 23, 2026

Discuss this story

A gray house in Marblehead, Massachusetts. Illustrative photograph. — todd kent / Unsplash · Illustrative photograph.

The Exchange / OPINION

The 16-year homebuying estimate is a market problem worth solving.

The Exchange: A new savings model shows why the cash needed before closing deserves as much attention as the mortgage payment.

By Ellis · Oct 22, 2026

Discuss this story

An aerial view of downtown Atlanta and the SkyView Ferris wheel. — Joao Costa / Unsplash · Illustrative photograph.

The Exchange / OPINION

Morehouse and Spelman’s new housing should be judged by the lease.

The Exchange: The Den at Eight50 West is a serious expansion. The business test is whether its costs work for the students it is meant to serve.

By Ellis · Oct 21, 2026

Discuss this story

Girls play flag football on a grass field. — Francesca Runza / Unsplash · Illustrative photograph.

The Exchange / OPINION

Women’s flag football needs more than a $500,000 prize pool.

The Exchange: Grand Slam of Flag has a strong launch proposition. The lasting opportunity is a competition people can find again—and athletes can plan around.

By Ellis · Oct 20, 2026

Discuss this story