Zach Stein

I clearly have a startup obsession!😍 EVERYTHING feels like a startup lesson or comparison to me.🤔 I realized I had a problem this past weekend when I ran the San Jose Rock & Roll half marathon. Everywhere I looked, I saw something that felt startup related.  Even when looked at the long lines waiting to use the Port-o-Potties, all I could think of was "Clearly they have Product/Market fit".  Then I thought about the fact that the people in line were the users, not actually the customers...  and  it spiraled from there. But when I was actually running, I thought of some things to share with the founders who follow me... Before I became a distance runner, the idea of becoming a distance runner had never crossed my mind. ✖️ I was old(ish) ✖️ I was overweight ✖️ I had never been any type of athlete ✖️ I was not able to run 2 miles without needing a serious nap ✖️ It didn't strike me as something I would succeed at because I didn't have whatever it was that runners have It's not that I didn't have any interest in the benefits of running. I was just content to dwell on the reasons that I either: a) Shouldn't try b) Was not likely to succeed c) The excuses I could use if I didn't succeed Then one year I committed to trying, and ran my first 26.2 mile marathon 4 months later (with the help of a coach and training community) So what's the startup connection? I see founders doing what I did... ➡️ They focus on reasons why things won't work (e.g. validation interviews, fundraising) ➡️ They think there are things they can't overcome that are to blame for their inability to get funding ➡️ They think they might be too old ➡️ They compare themselves to others and come up short (usually comparing themselves to the visible examples of success) If I didn't ignore my excuses, I would not have become a distance runner. If founders hang on to reasons they might fail, they will likely double their chances of actually failing. ❗We drive where we look❗ Focus on what can be, not on "why it's not worth your full commitment." Launching a startup means doing things without a guarantee, but taking a chance.  It's about doing things where you might fail. Commit anyway. Don't half-ass it! If, like me, you decide the effort might go faster with a coach and support, you know where to reach me. Even it you don't, stop giving explanations for failure as a reason why you shouldn't try. When you do, the results will surprise you (in a good way) If it doesn't succeed, you've learned something useful.👍 What challenges have you taken on after letting go of your excuses? Drop a victory below!👇 #EarlyStage #StartupLife #Founders #LeanStartup #TheFoundersForge

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Want to talk GTM? Join us on October 2nd at Gasworks Brewing for another round of Seattle Founders GTM. #founders #entrepreneurs #startups #gtm Sign up with the link below.

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New Post: Land O’Lakes unit plays matchmaker for climate-conscious food companies and farmers - https://lnkd.in/gGcyJwDh - As companies seek to reduce their carbon footprint, farmers hold the keys. That's where Minnesota-based Truterra comes in. - #news #business #world -------------------------------------------------- Download: Stupid Simple CMS - https://lnkd.in/g4y9XFgR -------------------------------------------------- or download at SourceForge - https://lnkd.in/gNqB7dnp

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I work with dozens of start up’s at any one time as they scale - and then they hit a ceiling - many times due to competition. I have been at a $16B company and we hit a ceiling. With your head down grinding away at your business, it is important, but doesn’t feel urgent, to pivot to keep growing. Make the time - get outside-in advice from board advisors or expand your board with non-executive outside board members. Determining what needs to change is hard, but it needs the brain power and open mindedness to make the change. Thanks Jason Feifer for sharing this great story around brand and your differentiation … and a happy ending with a $1.2B buyout! #privateequity #venturecapital #entrepeneur #growth

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🚨**Health Alert for Our Community!**🚨 Big update, folks! April 2024 news just hit us with a reality check: Time to steer clear of Roundup weedkiller. Why? The cancer risk linked to Glyphosate is sky-high! 😱 This is our wake-up call for health safety. Let's pivot toward cleaner, toxin-free living. 💧 Our health is our priority, and together, we have the collective power to make healthier choices and protect our well-being. 💪 #HealthFirst #ToxinFreeLiving Remember, knowledge is our greatest weapon. Let's lead the charge towards a healthier future. 🌿💪💚 Stay informed, stay safe!

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If you wish to invest in FAME or learn more about our mission, DM me 🌱👨🏽‍🌾 ✅ FAME Map: Connect with and discover farmers from all parts of the world 🌍 ✅ $FAME rewards: Earn rewards for each like you get 💰 ✅ FAME unique Non-Custodial Wallet: Your keys, your control 🔐 ✅ Food Marketplace: Buy & sell local produce directly 🍏 ✅ Job Marketplace: Find & post agri-jobs easily 🛠️ ✅ SWAP Functionality: Trade $ALGO, $FAME, $USDC, $USDT 🔄 ✅ Chat-Pay: Send money as easily as sending a message 💬 ✅ Staking: your $USDC savings enable passive income in 5s so you continuously earn $FAME 💸 ✅ Decentralized Governance: Vote on key decisions and control our treasury with our FAME DAOs 🗳️ Join the FAME community now and be part of the agri-revolution! 📲 🤖Download for Android https://lnkd.in/e4qt2F6P 📲 🍎Download for iOS https://lnkd.in/eQdU-q7b Learn more: ✅ linktr.ee/algofame All built on Algorand Technologies Supported by the Algorand Foundation #FAMEApp #Agriculture #Blockchain #Crypto #DeFi #Sustainability #FarmersFirst #NoFarmersNoFood

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The Silicon Valley convening of Culture Shift Labs was nothing short of electrifying. I’m incredibly honored to have joined entrepreneurs from across the globe, all sharing the groundbreaking innovations they’re driving. There are some rooms you can work your entire life to enter—I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to share our bullish perspective on wild-capture fisheries, genuine product innovation, and the role of technology, modernized supply chains, and an upskilled workforce in shaping a more responsible U.S. economy for seafood. My first startup experience was in the Valley, and it shaped me in ways I’m still processing. I was wide-eyed, inspired by visits to our offices from 20/20, Colin Powell, and John Doerr. It was the first time I worked in NASA’s labs, the first time I worked on beta projects that landed with major customers like Google, and the first time I pulled an all-nighter (since college, anyway) for a presentation on my research. The buzz of a dedicated cadre of visionary, entrepreneurial changemakers in tech felt palpable—proof that we could indeed shape the world’s trajectory. Yet, alongside the innovation, I personally witnessed the deeply entrenched issues in the Valley. As a young Black female engineer—the only person like me on campus and the only Black technical person, period—I consistently encountered and was disheartened by the stark realities of underrepresentation in an environment that was not eager to grapple with, much less resolve, the corrosive issues of sexism and racism. Ellen Pao vs. Kleiner Perkins was fresh on everyone’s mind, but it wasn’t nearly enough to shift the male-dominated, ego-driven culture that led to notorious failures like Solyndra and the mistreatment of Black workers in Tesla’s facilities. The lack of checks and balances in the unstructured world I was living in accelerated innovation but undermined social progress—and my life’s objectives—all at the same time. There is a significant loss of potential energy that can’t be properly converted from world-class talent to durable outcomes in environments like these. These experiences helped me cut my teeth and prepared me to continue fighting on a new battlefield: equal access to capital for high-performing ventures led by underrepresented founders, something Pescavore is equally fighting for. This is why the work that Andrea Hoffman, Terell S. and their team are doing is so urgent. They’re helping to build a community and a high-performing culture that champions diversity, fosters progress, and reinforces recognition for those who don’t fit the typical pattern, ensuring that merit and innovation come from all corners of society. I left the summit deeply inspired by the path ahead and hopeful for continued strides toward equity. #representation #equity #culture #inclusion #tech #foodtech #seafood #emergingbrand #innovation #foodinnovation #blackfounder #founder #siliconvalley #sustainableseafood

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Professional CEOs plant gardens. Founders plant forests. One thinks in seasons. The other in centuries. Which timeline are you building on? Founders, your superpower is seeing beyond the horizon. Here's why: 1. CEOs play checkers, founders play chess - CEOs move for the next quarter - Founders set up the board for years ahead - Short hops vs. long strategies 2. CEOs build sandcastles, founders build pyramids - Sandcastles look great for a day - Pyramids stand for thousands of years - Quick wins vs. lasting impact 3. CEOs run sprints, founders run marathons - Sprinters burst with energy, then stop - Marathoners pace themselves for the long haul - Quick exhaustion vs. sustainable progress In the startup world, the tortoise often outpaces the hare. Slow and steady wins the race What long-term move are you making that might look "crazy" to short-term thinkers?

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As I am nearing the end of the book, "Ultra-Processed People: Why We Can't Stop Eating Food That Isn't Food," by Christoffer van Tulleken, I'm struck by the impact food processing has on our health and well-being. This book highlights a pressing issue... 𝐓𝐋𝐃𝐑: 𝐔𝐥𝐭𝐫𝐚-𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐬 (𝐔𝐏𝐅), 𝐨𝐫 𝐄𝐝𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐋𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐛𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 Ultra-processed foods are engineered to be convenient, hyper-palatable, and long-lasting, but they come at a significant cost to our health. These foods are often stripped of their natural nutrients, textures, and flavor, and packed with additives, preservatives, and artificial ingredients. They are designed to be irresistibly tasty and almost dissolve in our mouths to ensure that we eat them quickly, which can lead to overeating. The constant exposure to and consumption of UPFs makes it challenging to maintain a balanced diet, as these foods trigger cravings and disrupt our natural hunger signals. The book mentions that, "if you don't have the ingredient in your kitchen, it is likely ultra-processed." The result of increased UPF consumption? A growing epidemic of obesity, diet-related chronic diseases, and a disconnection from the wholesome, nourishing foods our bodies truly need. I am proud that Nurish'd promotes the consumption of whole foods by making them more accessible and convenient. We believe that food is medicine, and by prioritizing natural, minimally processed ingredients, we can empower individuals to make better choices for their health. #FoodAsMedicine #WholeFoods #HealthyEating #Nurishd #Nutrition #Wellness

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What an invigorating weekend surrounded by incredible minds in the startup ecosystem! Made new friends, reconnected with old and had a blast 🚀✨ One of my absolute highlights? Meeting Tim Koogle – the OG CEO of Yahoo! Hearing about his journey and soaking in the advice was a game-changer. ✨ His secret sauce for success✨ 1️⃣ Hire the best – never settle. 2️⃣ Get crystal clear on what you want them to do. 3️⃣ Relentlessly push authority out to them – trust your team. 4️⃣ Stay close, but don’t get in their way. 5️⃣ Repeat – Empower them to do the same with their teams. Such simple yet powerful principles to scale effectively while staying focused on the bigger picture. Ready, determined, and energised to make global domination a reality for EatKinda! 💜🍦 Thank you Icehouse Ventures 🙏🏼 #startuplife #leadership #scalingup #entrepreneurship #FMCG

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Creator economy observations as we get close to the end of the year: - Many large creators are thinking about their exit plan, most are confused on how to best execute it - VCs and investors missed the actual point of the creator economy, torching $$$ investing in companies like Jellysmack vs. directly in creators - Follow count is more irrelevant than it's ever been, esp. with most creators putting shorts and long form on same YouTube channels. All feeds seem to be moving to TikTok-esque pure algo response unless you specifically browse via following - There's a general fatigue to creator-released products unless they have some credibility besides "I have an audience" - Creator businesses want to be lean + high leverage + cashflowing or to take on an entire category. The middle is dangerous, because... - Most creators who hire a team are bad people managers / don't want to manage, leads to bloated teams w/ poor results - The Creator COO is the most important role to hire for, competent operators in this space will mop floor with competition due to low overall sophistication of industry - "Content to commerce" is just 1 acquisition channel, likely first and best for a creator business but cannot be relied on for long - I'm surprised we're not seeing more creator/founders of niche software products, SaaS model seems far better suited to these types of businesses than the 239th course on "how to do what I did" - As per usual, YouTube continues to dominate, cloning & innovating on best features from other platforms and plugging into their superior monetization model, thus "All roads lead to YouTube" will remain true for a while - Creating for TV viewers growing more and more important, this will result in an increase in "passive consumption" channels as well as longer runtimes on videos on average - I believe we're still in the hangover phase post-pandemic, and thousands of creators will eventually recognize that they can only make part-time income, as there's only so much room in each category to support outsized outcomes. - It's not novel anymore for a creator to start a related business, it's commonplace and there's something of a playbook, which means we're into the exploitative phase of the trend. Similar to how SMS open rates were 80%+ before marketers spammed the shit out of everyone, and now your SMS inbox has a spam filter on it. All strategies decay, creator economy approach is no different Typed this up off the cuff, would appreciate any takes / disagreements

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There's a really slim chance any of us get things right the first time, especially when you're trying to do something as bold as flip the narrative of 90% of startup failure into 90% success. 😳 My work at ASquared involves innovating new ways of working to accelerate positive impacts on people, nature and the planet in a way that is sustainable from a business point of view, too. 💡 In 2023 we created a new kind of accelerator programme for UK based impact startups. It was rough around the edges when we launched it, but we learned fast and adapted it into something that was really cool, and we ultimately ended up investing into a really great medical care startup. 🩺 Following that we built a new, bigger, more focused accelerator with an awesome mentorship team. 🙇‍♂️🙇‍♀️🙇 📉 However, when we went to market we soon learned our proposal was no longer fit for market due to changes in investor sentiment. So we got to work researching, testing and adapting and creating a new venture-builder like programme that is designed to solve the two biggest issues that startups face: 💷 raising capital and ⚠️ de-risking technological and market execution. In essence, our new offering, the Impact Builder, provides match-funding from £5k to £900k to pre/post revenue purpose-driven businesses in the South East of England with a need for digital products and a business-critical focus on people/nature/planet. 🌍🙋🏼🐞 Learn more about what we're doing and the support we're giving to both pre-revenue and post-revenue purpose driven businesses in my article below 👇 https://lnkd.in/gXvcZeCa #impact #startup #venturecapital #angelinvestors

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Lessons Learned from 11 Fundraising Rounds in 8 Years When my son recently asked how many fundraising rounds I’ve led over my career, I had to pause and think. It turns out I’ve spent nearly half of the past 25 years raising capital. As the co-founder and CEO of Suja Life, I led 11 fundraising rounds in eight years. Along the way, I made plenty of mistakes—many with hindsight, could have been avoided. Here are my top fundraising lessons learned, shared with the hope that emerging CPG founders can navigate this process with a little less chaos than I did! 1. Gross Margin is King Gross margins aren’t just numbers—they’re lifelines. At Suja, acquiring our organic produce distributor, Jack Family Farms, helped us reduce costs, improve margins, and rely less on external capital. In our early years, low gross margins increased our total fundraising needs by a staggering 55%. Healthy gross margins aren’t just attractive to investors—they’re essential for long-term sustainability. 2. Nail Your Investor Deck and Financial Model Your pitch deck is your first handshake with investors. Keep it concise, visually compelling, and grounded in realistic financials. At Rowdy, SKU-level forecasting showed investors we understood our business. A bottom-up financial model (forecasting retailers by doors, units, and weekly velocity) increases forecast predictability, builds trust and demonstrates you’re prepared for growth. 3. Avoid Over-Dilution Dilution is a silent killer of founder happiness. Low valuations, early mistakes, pushy early team members and unanticipated cash needs can erode your limited ownership levels. Achieving a big win but owning a small slice is frustrating.  Ideally, the founding team should strive to retain 50% of equity by the time of exit. 4. Timing is Everything Closing rounds in “headwinds” is virtually impossible. Raising capital is far easier when market conditions align with your brand’s momentum. At Suja, we learned to act while investor appetite was strong. Waiting too long can mean missed opportunities, unfavorable valuations, or lost investor interest. Raising money while managing dilution may feel like a high-wire act but its and area where "value" is created. 5. Understanding the “Why” that Angels Invest  Angels invest in three things: the founder, the product and the opportunity. It’s personal—they often know the founder and believe in their tenacity and integrity. Cold outreach rarely works. Tap into your network to find Angels who already trust you, as relationships are essential for early-stage fundraising. Angel Funnel Template When brainstorming potential investors, I’ve found the attached Angel Funnel template to be helpful: Identify 4 names for each of 15 groups and you'll end up with over 60 warm prospects! Your Turn What’s one thing you wish you had known before your first fundraising round? Let me know in the comments! CPG Brand Accelerator CPG Vibes Startup CPG Brandjectory #ConsumerGoods #FundraisingTips

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Excited to announce our partnership with Kyle and Evan via our investment in Two Boxes 📦📦 - a company focused on streamlining returns processing for 3PLs and self-fulfilling brands. I believe they are currently one of the most dynamic start-ups in the reverse logistics sector globally. 🌎 The importance of properly managing free returns deeply impacts ecommerce brands - especially given that online merchants currently face average return rates of 20% to 30%. Two Boxes' workflow software and hardware solution streamlines the returns process for 3PLs and brands, turning costs into potential profits. 💰 By providing deep and actionable data on returns, Two Boxes helps merchants identify fraud, improve sustainability, and reduce inventory costs. As Two Boxes becomes the returns processing hub for 3PLs and brands, our team at Assembly Ventures is excited about their potential to deliver tremendous value today while expanding into other areas like recommerce and outsourced returns services. Excited to move the world with our new friends at Peterson Ventures, Vinyl Capital , Range Ventures, and Matchstick Ventures as Two Boxes executes on their mission to make returns an asset instead of a liability. #twoboxes #assemblyventures #movetowin #movetheworld #petersonventures #siliconvalley #detroit #berlin #beyond

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After successfully building a traditional business for 18+ years, I ventured into the startup world. The most common question I got was how I would manage it with 0 startup experience. I knew not the exact path but was completely aware it required a significant shift in mindset. The journey was eye-opening! In a traditional business, things move slowly. There are many stakeholders, and the focus is often on processes rather than results. At Alpha Plastomers Private Limited we had a hierarchical structure where decisions had to go through multiple layers. This approach limited creativity and slowed down innovation. RESULT: Employees often felt restricted because they needed approval from several people before trying new ideas. On the other hand, I knew that a startup is fast-moving. With fewer stakeholders, decisions can be made quickly. The focus is on getting results, and there’s a lot of flexibility. Hence at Growit India, we encourage our team to be creative and experiment with different solutions. This flexibility allows us to adapt quickly and find the best path forward. As a founder with 18+ years of entrepreneurship in traditional business, it is challenging to be adaptive to a new approach to doing business. I learned that in a startup, it’s crucial to prioritize speed and innovation. If you're transitioning from a traditional business to a startup, remember to prioritize “flexibility” both for yourself as a founder and your team members. RESULT? This approach not only boosts creativity but also fosters accountability within the team. If people say that learning should be an integral part of entrepreneurship, then I would say that this transition was the biggest lesson for me. #entrepreneurship #founder #business

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Such a great article on Jason Hubbard's climate journey!! Proud to work with him at Zūm I used to work for the U.S. Army, in the 1990s. In 1991, they announced an army-wide recycling program. It was more intensive back then: separating green and brown glass, for instance, not the streamlined process we have today. It included everything—vehicles, furniture, you name it. And I loved it. I’d grown up learning about greenhouse gasses, how we can harm our planet. So it was great to see an organization really putting in the effort. That recycling program still exists today, and it has impacts that are both big and small. For instance, civilians on and near army bases use the same recycling centers as those in the military, and because military personnel move a lot, civilians can go use their moving boxes, upcycling that cardboard and making sure it gets used as much as possible. It’s a tiny thing, but in aggregate that makes a difference. Seeing that recycling program has really affected my view of sustainability. I don’t just recycle plastics. I know where to take things like styrofoam, how to properly upcycle and recycle things as a result. To me, sustainability is about being informed, knowing what the right steps are and doing everything you can to take them. I love working at Zum because it’s a company that takes the right steps. One part of my job overseeing I.T. is helping with the electrification of our bus yards. I’m making sure that we’re running charging conduits the right way, to be as economically and electrically efficient as possible, so we can best serve students, families, and school districts. In this job, I get to be a part of doing the right things. That’s sustainability. #sustainability #zum

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Your startup doesn't need millions in funding to thrive… Raising money is the ultimate vanity metric in the startup world. Headlines scream about million-dollar rounds, but is it always the smart move? The truth is, money is a TOOL, not the GOAL. It can accelerate growth, but it can also dilute your vision and compromise your values. Case in point: Casper: This mattress company was a disruptor, built on a strong brand and innovative product. Then came the funding floodgates... and a focus on growth at all costs, leading to an IPO that tanked. WeWork: Once a revolutionary workspace concept, their obsession with fundraising and hyper-growth led to a dramatic downfall, exposing a shaky business model beneath the hype. Brandless: This CPG startup raised millions, expanded rapidly, then abruptly shut down, proving that funding doesn't guarantee success. Don't get me wrong, capital can be useful. But if it forces you to compromise your brand essence or prioritize investors over customers, it's a recipe for disaster. So, what's the alternative? Bootstrap: Focus on building a sustainable business model first. Customer Obsession: Your most loyal customers are your best investors. Profitability Over Hype: Prove your concept before you scale. Raising money isn't inherently bad, but it's NOT the only path to success. Don't let the fundraising frenzy distract you from building something truly valuable. What do YOU think? Is fundraising overrated? Drop a comment below!

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Honestly, I sucked at fundraising. Yeah, that's the truth. Two years ago, I began the tumultuous journey that is fundraising. It starts with pitching to potential VCs and investors, and it took close to 40 rejections for me to understand where I was going wrong. 😅 Thankfully, I can share my insights, so perhaps your journey is a little easier than mine was. 💡 1. Don't sell yourself short! Dream bigger, inflate outcomes, and make the impossible seem possible. Your job is to make sure they see your vision. How it happens? No one 'really' knows, but we can always try! I sold myself short... a lot. 🚀 2. Create an elevator pitch before an actual pitch. Try to sum up your wins and your mission in 2 minutes, and practice this. Then keep the rest of your pitch ready for later. You have to know how to capture their interest, or you'll lose them! 📊 3. No more than 8 slides are necessary. Learn to use imagery, data, and graphs to weave a story. Moreover, know your story by heart. No investor wants to hear you read off a slideshow! 🔍 4. Don't try to make what doesn't fit... fit. If it's not a good match, and you don't like them anyway, maybe they aren't the investor for you. You also have a say in the process! ❤️ 5. Sell YOUR WHY, YOUR story, not the solution! Solutions are always going to be available. Investors put their money primarily in the founder (most do), not just the product (products can be replicated!).

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This is a hot take, but this election result may end up being the best thing for the climate ever. Yes, some climate policies will get rolled back. But changes in political winds are actually great for climate tech because it makes them anti-fragile. Climate tech needs to first and foremost be a better technology for people. It needs to help consumers save money and/or make the experience better. People buy a Tesla because it’s a better car - faster, cheaper, self driving. And then as an added bonus, it's also better for the planet. People use Runwise (our company) because it: - cuts energy bills by 20% - lets you view and control all your buildings and all your systems on your iPhone - prevents catastrophic issues - is also good for the planet. Companies like Tesla (and Runwise) get stronger when companies that only existed because of government incentives get washed out by the tide.

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