Today we bring you #ChedHER: a day full of live programming celebrating women who are changing the game. In each hour, we'll focus on a different theme and introduce a new guest co-host.
In Opening Bell, we highlight women in business and finance and then women entrepreneurs. Anjali Kumar, Cheddar's Chief People Officer and General Counsel, kicks off the day's coverage with Kristen Scholer.
We hear from Dia Simms, president of Combs Enterprises, about how she climbed the ladder and got to where she is today. Simms started as Sean Combs' assistant in 2005 and gradually worked her way up the ranks. At times, Simms oversaw Combs' liquor, entertainment, and clothing properties, and also played a big role in the creation and launch Ciroc Vodka.
We also talk to Whitney Casey, founder of the women's tech start-up Finery. Casey and her partner Brooklyn Decker just closed on a $5 million round of funding. Finery is the world's first automated online operating system for wardrobes. Casey discusses the challenges she faced trying to get male-dominated VC firms to invest in a female-focused tech company.
Joe Cecela, Dream Exchange CEO, explains how they are aiming to form the first minority-controlled company to operate an exchange in U.S. history. Watch!
A Michigan judge is putting sponges in the hands of shoplifters and ordering them to wash cars in a Walmart parking lot when spring weather arrives. Genesee County Judge Jeffrey Clothier hopes the unusual form of community service discourages people from stealing from Walmart. The judge also wants to reward shoppers with free car washes. Clothier says he began ordering “Walmart wash” sentences this week for shoplifting at the store in Grand Blanc Township. He believes 75 to 100 people eventually will be ordered to wash cars this spring. Clothier says he will be washing cars alongside them when the time comes.
The State Department had been in talks with Elon Musk’s Tesla company to buy armored electric vehicles, but the plans have been put on hold by the Trump administration after reports emerged about a potential $400 million purchase. A State Department spokesperson said the electric car company owned by Musk was the only one that expressed interest back in May 2024. The deal with Tesla was only in its planning phases but it was forecast to be the largest contract of the year. It shows how some of his wealth has come and was still expected to come from taxpayers.
