
36 Products So Pretty, Practical, And Affordable You Won't Have To Think Twice Before Buying Them
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This checkered cutting board that's half functional, half decorative is a vain but practical human's dream come true.
1. A pair of luxe retro-style oval sunglasses giving Miu Miu vibes without the $489 price tag. The devil's in the chic details on this one, including the little gold embellishments on the sides and the nostalgic shape of the lenses, which are softer than the typical skinny oval lens.
Promising review: "I absolutely love these sunglasses! They suit my face beautifully and elevate any look with their stylish design. The gold details on the sides are such a stunning touch — reminiscent of high-end Miu Miu sunglasses but at a fraction of the cost. They're lightweight, comfortable, and feel durable. I've received so many compliments already. Highly recommend these for anyone looking to add a chic accessory to their collection!" — Arsalan sheikh
Get it from Amazon for $11.99 (available in five styles and two packs).
2. A chamomile lavender hand sanitizer so luxurious that all the other hand sanis in your purse are shaking — this not only smells decadent, but helps hydrate your hands with a blend of aloe vera gel and ginkgo biloba, so your hands will be germ-free *and* radiant.
Amazon
Promising review: "If you love a rich and sophisticated scent, this is for you! It has a deep musk scent, almost comparable to a 5-star hotel. It doesn't leave behind any icky feeling like some sanitizers do. The bottle is a nice size to last a while because a little goes a long way!" — Hayley Cantrelle
Get it from Amazon for $8 (also available in a Champagne scent, as seen above).
3. A set of hair-tie bracelets designed to look like *actual* jewelry, so you won't be kicking yourself when you realize you left a hair tie on your wrist for every photo.
www.amazon.com, Amazon
Promising review:"I love these! These add the cutest touch to any outfit. They make you feel better about wearing a hair tie on your wrist. And they function great as both a hair tie and a bracelet! Not too tight to wear as either. Love them!" — Tiara Scheurell
Get a set of 20 from Amazon for $7.99 (available in nine styles).
4. A set of limited edition wildflower Band-Aids so the next time you get a little ouch, you can be like, "wound care, but make it fashion."
www.amazon.com
Promising review: "If you're looking for a cute Band-Aid that has flexible fabric, these are it! I only use flexible fabric Band-Aids because they're way more comfortable and stay on better. Bonus that these are a cute design!" — Jessica
Get a pack of 30 from Amazon for $3.77.
5. A Baccarat Rouge 540-inspired moisturizing body wash infused with white jasmine, red currant, and sweet amber that reviewers swear by for a cheap alternative to keep that delectably luxe scent on them all day long. Nothing wrong with smelling a lil' ~~expensive~~!
I bought this after being peer-pressured by all the lovely reviews and I'm happy to report it lives up to the hype. The scent is lovely — it has depth with a hint of floral, but it's light and not at all overpowering. My favorite thing about it is how easily it pairs with other scents, because I am a body mist gremlin who swaps out her scents every day. The lather is also deeply satisfying and I feel quite refreshed and squeaky clean without ever feeling dry.
Promising review:"Cremo's body wash is nothing short of exceptional. If you're a fan of luxurious fragrances, this product will quickly become your new favorite. It boasts an incredible scent that perfectly mimics Baccarat Rouge 540 — a fragrance renowned for its sophisticated and captivating aroma. What sets this body wash apart is not just its stunning scent but also its longevity. The fragrance lingers beautifully throughout the day, ensuring you stay enveloped in that luxurious aroma long after your shower." — Ralph D. Thompson II
Get it from Amazon for $9.99.
6. Hanalei Lip Treatment to *aggressively* restore and moisturize lips overnight, thanks to a truly luxe blend of Hawaiian kukui nut oil, antioxidant-rich agave, and grapeseed oils. If you've been trying product after product trying to outrun your dry, cracked lips, this is the hydration holy grail you're looking for.
Amazon, www.instagram.com
Hanalei is a small business that specializes in lip and body care products.
Promising review: "It keeps your lips kissable and soft!!!! I love love love this product. I've been using it for the past few years and it's by far one of the BEST lip moisturizing products I've ever used!!!! If you want soft, nourishing lip treatment, well, this is the product for you!!! Hey, hurry up before I order them all! 🥰" — P. Washington
Get it from Amazon for $15.55 (available in clear and four colors).
7. A little rose-shaped straw topper for your emotional support water bottle so you can remind yourself everything's (literally) coming up roses every time you pluck it off to take a sip. This is an excellent way to keep your straw safe from germs in between sips!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I get compliments on these all the time! They are so cute and functional! They are easy to clean and help keep your straw clean, help with accidental spills, and keep bugs out in the summer! They are a must-have." — Amazon Customer
Get a set of two from Amazon for $5.29 (available in six colors and larger multipacks).
8. Tree Hut Vanilla Hand Wash infused with hyaluronic acid and ceramides to help hydrate and restore skin health so your hands can be super clean *and* super nourished. Now all you have to do is prepare to have the link to this handy whenever guests come over and are like, "WHERE DID YOU GET THIS DELECTABLE SOAP??"
Amazon
Promising review: "Really great hand wash! I really can't believe it is so inexpensive. Enjoy." — Shar XO
Get it from Amazon for $5.99 (available in five scents, including the brand new Lotus Water!).
9. An Anthropologie-inspired reversible quilted throw blanket you can get in all kinds of fun, lively prints that will startle your boring couch into having a personality, or give your bed a *much* needed reset after a long dreary winter.
Amazon, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "Wow wow wow!!! 🤩 This blanket is so soft and the colors and image is so vibrant! The material is great. Lightweight but also snuggly weighted, I don't know how to describe it. I almost bought the one from Anthropologie, but this is exactly like it way less price! I think I'll be gifting a few of these because they are so nice!" — Amy
Get it from Amazon for $27.74 (available in 14 styles).
10. A pair of gorgeous kitchen shears that are as functional as they are stunning — reviewers love these all-purpose, super sharp blades for cutting everything from meat and fruit to opening packages and wrangling with complicated wrapping.
www.amazon.com, Amazon
Promising review: "I had a toddler I have to cut everything up for, and these scissors have made my life INCREDIBLY easier. I cut PB&J into perfect squares and grapes into three pieces effortlessly with these scissors. It cuts chicken and other meats simply. They're sharp, safe, and so affordable too. Don't look elsewhere; these are the best!" — Adrian
Get it from Amazon for $12.99 (available in eight styles and four sizes).
11. An oh-so-sweet hummingbird lamp with three brightness levels and a touch sensor that reviewers love using as a reading light, a wind-down light, or a nursery light. Bonus: it also functions as an aroma diffuser if you add 3–4 drops of essential oil to the top of its head.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Check out a TikTok of the bird night-light in action.
Promising review:"This little bird is truly a gem. You tap on its head to get three different brightness of lighting. Works great as a night-light or to have on during the day as a decor for your table or end table. I love that it comes with a charger. No need to worry about having the right battery size. Will buy as gifts for friends and family!" — Linda S.
Get it from Amazon for $15.99+ (available in two sizes and four colors).
12. An absorbent floral dish drying mat so lovely that you'll actually — gasp — look forward to doing the dishes? The "main character in a rom-com" energy of this mat is too strong to resist.
Promising review:"This mat is perfect. It absorbs water from washed dishes well and provides a protective buffer between dishes and our granite countertops. After use, you can hang the mat; it will dry out in minutes. The mat is both decorative and functional. This was a great purchase. There will be no more wet dish towels to contend with. I highly recommend this product." — Cambodian Nurse
Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in five styles and three sizes).
13. A set of family-friendly pastel "unbreakable" deep plates perfect for anyone who needs to be practical, but doesn't want to sacrifice on prettiness. These chic plates are unexpectedly lightweight, making them easier for kids to use, but are still dishwasher-safe and microwave-safe for up to three minutes.
Promising review: "These are microwaveable and light to carry. Love the colors. Wish they were available in one color only, but I can't complain. I primarily bought these for microwave purposes. But can be used for salads, hot soup, etc. Also it's an in-between size like a medium. Just right for me." — M. Zolnosky
Get a set of four from Amazon for $9.95 (also available as bowls!).
14. A pair of pretty pastel wireless over-the-ear headphones crafted to look like AirPods Max, so you can still enjoy the comfort and chic style of their iconic headphones without shelling out hundreds of dollars. These feature premium cushion padding, a built-in mic with the ability to take calls, 10 hours of playtime per charge, and surprisingly decent noise blocking for the price.
iJoy is a small business that specializes in headphones and tech accessories.
I own a pair of these, because I'm vain as heck and need to own all things pink, but I was decently surprised by how well they muffle noise! I feel like these are ideal for people who still want to hear some of the world around them (read: parents, people working in open offices), but still want to listen to their tunes comfortably. The charge on these goes for at least four hours (I haven't tried it beyond that yet), and the Bluetooth connects to my devices super easily. Excellent pair of headphones for the price point.
Promising review: "These headphones surprised me. I thought they were not going to be as great because of how cheap they are, but the bass is amazing! The noise cancellation is so good that I can't hear anything. The volume is loud and sound quality is a win, and just how I like it. Very snug and comfy, recommend! Thanks TikTok, lol :)." — Chevelle Revero
Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in five colors).
15. A gorgeous statement checkered cutting board designed with deep grooves for juice, hidden handles on the bottom, and end grain to "heal" cuts from knives. A true overachiever considering it's worth the buy for decor purposes alone!!
Promising review: "I am OBSESSED with this cutting board. It is made so well and looks so expensive. Every time I have guests, I will use it as serving tray or display for charcuterie and I always get compliments on it." — Lorrin Farrell
Get it from Amazon for $35.99 (clip the 10% off coupon on the product page for this price).
16. "The Malibu Set" from beloved razor brand Billie, a set of disposable travel-friendly razors designed to ~float~ over a skin for a seamless, oh-so-gentle, and super close shave. They even come cushioned with aloe shave soap for extra skin protection and easier glide.
Amazon
Promising review: "The shave on these is great, and in my opinion, absolutely worth the price. I almost like it better than the standard Billie razor, if I'm being honest. It's been a few days, and I don't have any of the usual prickly feelings on my legs. They're super smooth, and I had zero irritation afterward." — sam
Get a set of three from Amazon for $5.97 (available in two sets).
17. A set of super absorbent pastel waffle weave dishcloths, because it's high time someone looked around and said, " Hey, what if we made the thing we use the most often in the kitchen actually LOOK good??" Thank you for your aesthetic service!!!!
Amazon
Promising review: "Great set of kitchen towels, and I love the colors! They are easy to wash and hold their quality after several washes. They absorb water and mess very well. Would recommend to anyone looking for great quality kitchen towels for an affordable price!" — Lunita Co
Get a set of four from Amazon for $17.99 (available in 16 styles).
18. An oh-so-classic pair of slip-on pointed toe ballet flats reviewers *love* as a cheaper alternative to the beloved Vivaia and Rothy's version, especially since these are also designed for all-day wear without any painful break-in periods, and are fully machine washable.
Promising review:"They are SO comfortable and breathable, and my poor footsies are ruined from wearing heels every day when I was younger. These look fabulous and feel great. What a great find! I'm gonna have to buy them in another color now." — JeGo
"I love these shoes. So comfortable and stylish AND the dreaded stinky flats can be avoided as they are fully washable. I've washed them several times now and they come out looking brand new every time." — Marie
Get it from Amazon for $32.99+ (available in sizes 6–10 and 14 styles).
19. A sophisticated laptop tote bag so you can easily (and chicly!) carry not just your tech, but the whole arsenal of I'm A Very Busy Business Person things you need to get through the day. Reviewers compare this to the $100 Beis version, and especially love the unexpected depth and pockets included.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "It's much more spacious than it looks. It's very sleek and stylish. I use it as my work bag and find that it looks professional and has enough space for all of my stuff. I carry a laptop, pencil case, two books, makeup bag, water bottle, wallet, lotion, phone and laptop charger, and other small miscellaneous objects. Still plenty of space. And when you carry it, it doesn't feel bulky or cumbersome." — Su
Get it from Amazon for $27.89+ (available in nine styles).
20. And a Lululemon-esque adjustable mini belted pack (aka ~fanny pack~) you can wear around your waist or shoulder for a lightweight bag alternative that you won't lose, since it is literally attached to you. A lot of reviewers mention how genuinely *stunned* they are by how much this little bag can secretly carry.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "TikTok told me this compared to Lululemon, and it's true, it is. Love this little bag! And the price — you can't beat it." — Jolie
BuzzFeeder Elizabeth Lilly also owns this — she packed it as her only bag for a trip to busy trip to Iceland in 2023, and not only did it hold a ton and keep her hands free, it easily fit around her waist over her outerwear. It's still holding up two years later — she also used it for a Panama trip, where it fared well from airports to hanging bridges to a sunrise hiking trip to the top of Panama's only volcano!
Get it from Amazon for $12.98 (available in 45 colors).
21. A charming and oh-so-comfortable tennis skirt with built-in shorts — reviewers compare the buttery soft quality to Lululemon's Align Skirt, and love the secret inner pocket on the shorts for stashing keys and tennis balls.
Promising review: "I wear this going on walks or elevating an outfit to run errands. The side pocket is perfect to fit my phone or wallet. Very comfortable, especially in the spring/summer! Packs well for trips. It's a staple in my closet. Great quality for the price." — Jamie
Get it from Amazon for $29 (available in women's sizes XS–XXL and 20 colors).
22. A flowerpot-shaped lemon juicer designed to flex on all your other kitchen tools — it's not only really good at its job, but it looks gosh darn adorable doing it.
Amazon
Promising review: "Cute, quirky, and fun to use! Lemonade is quickly made. It looks so good, I leave it on the counter." — Stephaniep
Get it from Amazon for $14.90.
23. A set of decadently cooling bamboo bed sheets so soft, breathable, and lovely that you'll be like, "Wait — am I in a White Lotus hotel??" Hot sleepers especially swear by these, and reviewers love how durable they are and how nicely they drape on mattresses. All of the luxury of being a rich person on an HBO drama, without any exorbitant prices (or murder!).
Amazon, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"I have a medical condition that makes my skin VERY sensitive to fabrics and I am a hot sleeper. I can't tell you the number of sheets I buy in a year that I have to return because I feel like my skin is on fire when I lay on them. These sheets are heaven-sent!!! I will never buy any others. They are so soft, very comfortable and keep me cool all night long. They wash very nicely but tend to wrinkle if you don't get them out of the dryer right away. But once I stretch them out on the bed, the wrinkles tend to go away. The quality of the fabric is exceptional and not cheaply made. They are a great value for the money as I have spent way more for way less quality. I would highly recommend!!" — bobsbaby406
Get it from Amazon for $37.99+ (available in sizes Twin–California king and 22 colors).
24. A slim-profile Bella VersaBrew 2-in-1 Coffee Maker designed to save you SOOOO much space — this can hold a coffee pot that brews up to 12 cups of coffee on days when you've got a crowded kitchen, or convert to a one-cup coffee maker that uses both grounds *and* K-cup pods on days when you're flying solo. It's basically two deeply functional (and sleek??) coffee makers in one.
Amazon
Promising review:"I love this design! In the past, we have used Keurig and Hamilton Beach products. We are replacing coffee makers every two years. This design is more simplistic and brews a hot cup of coffee. You can actually see the steam. It's very easy to use, and I love that you can use fresh coffee grounds or a K-cup. This makes me want to buy the whole line of products for the kitchen." — HJ
Get it from Amazon for $79.99 (available in four colors).
25. A handy, aesthetically pleasing kitchen measurement conversion magnet for the avid baker who is like, "Avoiding math, but make it fashion." This pretty little magnet will make sure your pretty little head doesn't have to break itself with equations the next time you bake.
www.amazon.com
Levain & Co is a small business that specializes in kitchen conversion charts and kitchen tools.
Promising review: "I bake often (following recipes on the internet) and usually have to convert some of the ingredient amounts. I'm glad I got this — super helpful, especially because it has the conversions for different ingredients. It's also very cute! It's not too big either which is a plus." — Jasmine
Get it from Amazon for $11.95.
26. A decorative rainbow window film that says, "Yes, I want my privacy, but I also want to be extremely glamorous about it." Not only does this refract beautiful rainbows to turn your space into a calm, colorful oasis, but reviewers mention that it's handy for pet owners whose dogs love to bark at things outside.
Promising review:"I actually did not know anything like this existed. I was watching TikTok and saw someone use it to allow the light to shine in without people being able to stare into their home. So I decided to give it a try, and am so glad I did. It is beautiful. I currently have it on a small window, and the difference it makes as opposed to aluminum foil is amazing. Plus, if you like a little light but not an over-abundant amount, this is the stuff to use. Very easy to put up, very happy with my purchase." — Eva Thomas
Get it from Amazon for $5.94+ (available in eight sizes)
27. A machine! washable!! vintage-inspired area rug to elevate any space in your home, with the added benefit of protecting your floors and muffling noises. Not only are these durable enough for your busiest rooms like the kitchen, living room, or entry hall, but they're designed to be thin enough to go right into the washer for an easy clean.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"Absolutely beautiful! This rug is super soft and so easy to clean. As a mom of three who has an indoor pet, this rug is great for the dining room or any other area of the house." — Marsha
Get it from Amazon for $11.04+ (available in 11 shapes and sizes, and in seven styles).
28. Kitsch's iconic claw clip, well-known for its delicate style and strong, sturdy clamp suitable for all hair types. Yes, it's more expensive than the cheaper sets you can get out there, but this is actually built to last and has specially rounded teeth to prevent hair damage.
Kitsch is an LA-based, self-financed, woman-owned business established in 2010 that specializes in hair accessories.
Promising review:"Love that you can dress this up or down! It is my go-to accessory for working in preschool to put my hair up quickly. It is elegant and classic. It is amazingly durable even in getting thrown in the bottom of my heavy work bag! I am amazed by this clip. I have coarse medium thick hair and it is the perfect size." — Niki
Get it from Amazon for $7.99.
29. An oh-so-sweet reusable bowl cover to inspire you to make all your coziest meals so you can stash the leftovers as aesthetically as possible. These environmentally friendly covers are machine washable and also super handy for bread proofing!
Stacy Kitchen Decor is a California-based, woman-owned Etsy shop established in 2020 that specializes in handmade reusable kitchen towels, aprons and bags.
Promising review:"Love this bowl cover! It fits perfectly and looks so beautiful. It's also sturdy, as I've washed it by hand and all the daisies are intact. I also appreciate the sellers prompt communication." — Nicoco
Get it from Stacy Kitchen Decor on Etsy for $11.98+ (originally $17.12+; available in seven sizes and custom sizes, plus five patterns).
30. A charming set of ceramic egg trays so versatile you'll always be glad to have them on hand — these are great for fresh and hardboiled egg storage, egg decorating, *and* for a lil' twist on a solo charcuterie journey if you want to put some snacks in each little slot.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"I decided to start eating hard boiled eggs and was tired of them rolling around on a plate in my refrigerator. I didn't want to mix them up with uncooked eggs and was so happy to find this lovely ceramic holder at such a reasonable price. The yellow reminds me of egg yolks and stands out nicely from other things in my refrigerator. Great little storage item." — Carol Fentiman
Get a set of two from Amazon for $12.89 (available in seven colors, half dozen and full dozen, and in solo packs).
31. A marble board wire cheese cutter to serve as half decor, half kitchen tool, and 100% the biggest hit at any wine-and-cheese night when you let guests slice their own cheese with it.
Check out a TikTok of the cheese slicer in action.
Promising review:"My mother-in-law had purchased one last year, and I tried hers at Christmas and fell in love with how easy it was to use. We have a lot of get-togethers with friends, and cheese is a staple appetizer in our house. So I purchased my own and have been using it weekly since. It cuts easily and it's mostly easy to clean. Sometimes cheese gets stuck in the crack, but some scrubbing with a small brush usually does the trick." — Jessica
Get it from Amazon for $16.60 (available in two colors).
32. A set of transparent sticky notes reviewers love not just for the aesthetic, but because it makes it easier to leave notes in books and study guides without interrupting the ~flow~ of the text.
Promising review:"For someone who is a big note-taker, these are perfect. Durable, easy, and not to mention aesthetically pleasing! Definitely will be purchasing more!" — penny
Get a pack of 50 sheets from Amazon for $5.99 (available in seven colors).
33. A set of dainty ceramic fruit keepers you'll feel oh-so-cottagecore using to store your farmer's market haul on Saturday mornings.
www.amazon.com, Amazon
Promising review: "These berry baskets are so cute and actually larger than I expected. They hold an entire two pound container of strawberries. The color is perfect for my decor and the floral print is a really nice touch I think. I plan to buy more sets as gifts!" — handshaker17
35. A chic structured toiletry organizer with a "window" so you can look inside and easily access whatever you need on the go. Reviewers especially love how the structure of it stops items like beauty products or medications from getting crushed inside (and that it's a heck of a lot cheaper than the $100 Truffle Clarity version).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Reviewers also use this for "emergency kits" for their car!
Promising review: "Best Amazon purchase in awhile. The bag is TSA-compliant which was the most important thing for me, but it is also well made, very sturdy, and the shape of it makes it easy to organize my liquids by laying them down rather than forcing them all to stand up. Even the packaging was beautiful. 10/10 would recommend." — RZ
Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in five sizes and four colors).
36. A blank acrylic dry-erase board you can install by the side of your bed as an easy, aesthetically pleasing way to keep track of your schedule for the week. (Or write motivational messages to yourself like "Please make sure all the Goldfish crackers end up in your mouth and not all over your bed.")
1801 & Co/Etsy
1801 & Co. is a Minnesota-based Etsy shop established in 2016 that specializes in family wall calendars, chore charts, wedding signs, and more.
Promising review: "I love it! I got it so fast after ordering, and it's perfect. I love the sleek design for my small home office space. I can't function at work without a dry-erase board but couldn't find any that would look nice in my office space, which is in the corner of my master bedroom! Having functional office space but not LOOK like office in the bedroom is challenging, but this acrylic board is PERFECT. The black pen that comes with it is very nice fine tip and erases without a trace." — Dawn Powell
Get it from 1801 & Co. on Etsy for $24.55+ (available in different thicknesses and sizes as well as three hardware colors).
Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.
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- Business Upturn
Is ‘The Wheel of Time' returning for season 4? Everything we know so far
By Aman Shukla Published on July 26, 2025, 18:00 IST Last updated July 26, 2025, 11:18 IST Fans of The Wheel of Time are still buzzing from the epic Season 3 finale that hit Prime Video on April 18, 2025. The show, adapted from Robert Jordan's massive 14-book fantasy saga, has delivered stunning visuals, gripping drama, and a world that keeps viewers hooked. But the burning question remains: Will there be a Season 4? Here's everything we know so far. Has The Wheel of Time Been Renewed for Season 4? As of July 2025, Prime Video has not greenlit The Wheel of Time for a fourth season, and some tough news has surfaced. Reports from Deadline and Radio Times confirm the show was canceled after Season 3 due to financial reasons. With a reported $260 million spent on the first two seasons alone, the production is a costly beast. While Season 3 pulled in over 530 million minutes watched during its premiere week (per Nielsen), the viewership apparently didn't match the high costs for Amazon's liking. Season 3 earned strong praise, with a 77/100 on Metacritic and 81% on Rotten Tomatoes, but the numbers didn't add up for the streamer. That said, hope isn't entirely lost. The show's team remains passionate, with whispers of potentially shopping the series to other platforms. However, TV Line notes that 'well-placed sources' say there are no current plans to pitch it elsewhere. Fans of shows like The Expanse , which found a new home after cancellation, know that miracles can happen, but it's a long shot for now. When Will Season 4 Release? If another platform picks up the show or Amazon reconsiders, don't expect Season 4 anytime soon. The series' complex production, with its detailed sets and heavy VFX, takes time. Season 1 launched in November 2021, Season 2 in September 2023, and Season 3 in March 2025—roughly 18 to 24 months apart. If filming begins in late 2025 or early 2026, a release could land in late 2027 or early 2028. Patience is key for epic fantasy! Ahmedabad Plane Crash Aman Shukla is a post-graduate in mass communication . A media enthusiast who has a strong hold on communication ,content writing and copy writing. Aman is currently working as journalist at

Business Insider
4 hours ago
- Business Insider
I'm the CEO of Twitch. My day starts with a 5-mile run and often ends with playing country songs on a late-night livestream.
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Dan Clancy, the 61-year-old CEO of Amazon-owned Twitch, who lives outside of Portland, Oregon. It's been edited for length and clarity. When I was an undergrad at Duke, I double-majored in computer science and theater — an unusual combination that often raised eyebrows. Most people couldn't see how the two fit together. Fast-forward a few decades, and my path led me deep into tech: earning a Ph.D. in AI and computer science and working at places like NASA, Google, YouTube, and Nextdoor. By the time I arrived at Twitch, I was seen primarily as a tech executive. But at my core, I've always been a creative. Being CEO of Twitch gives me the rare opportunity to bring both sides of myself — technologist and creative — into a single role. Here's what a typical day looks like for me. BI's Power Hours series gives readers an inside look at how powerful leaders in business structure their workday. See more stories from the series here, or reach out to the editor Lauryn Haas to share your daily routine. I wake up at 7 a.m. and run five miles I usually wake up naturally. I don't worry about an alarm clock. I try to exercise in the morning unless I have a super early meeting. If my meeting starts at 9 a.m., I'll wake up at 7 a.m. or so, and then I'll try to be out running by 7:30 a.m., and I'll run four or five miles. I will get back about 8:30 a.m. In 2017, I started running regularly. In the past, I'd run for three months and then I'd stop. This time I gamified it and it stuck. Then I started biking, I started swimming, and then I did two Ironmans. I did a number of half-Ironmans. I did a half-Ironman last year. I use a Garmin. I'm not training right now, but when I am training, I'll try to exercise twice a day. Aside from bike riding or swimming, I like to white-water kayak. Usually, I am at my home in Washington working remotely, so I don't need to worry about commuting. I try not to look at my phone. It's always tempting to start swiping in some random app, but in general, I very much try to avoid. If I'm swiping for five minutes, it's probably Instagram. I drink Coca-Cola, not coffee I'm not a coffee drinker and I'm not much of a breakfast eater. At one point, when I was trying to lose weight, I did intermittent fasting, and now I'm not intermittent fasting, but I still often don't eat in the morning. My bad habit is I drink Coca-Cola now. I try to keep it to one, and I don't need it in the morning, but I do get caffeine. I always go through these cycles of saying, "I need to stop drinking Coke." And then I stop for a while and I feel good about it, and then I start drinking it. Ever since I was young, I'll keep flopping back and forth, and the family is constantly encouraging me to give up the habit. My day is back-to-back meetings I spend most of the time meeting with people. It might be a product review or a go-to-market review. I have one-on-ones with various folks. Some days we have an off-site with our leadership team. Slack is the primary channel. I still check my email regularly, but to be honest, my email now is dominated by messages I don't need to pay attention to. I have a 30-minute meeting later to sync on a personnel project. Then I have a two-hour quarterly business review. This is Amazon culture for managing what's going on. Once a quarter, we'll have a QBR for all of our business units. This one is for community health, which is the team that works on our moderation tools. Lunch is usually some form of a sandwich. I'm not a fine-dining person. I just think, why should I spend 30 bucks on a lunch? I can afford 30 bucks on a lunch, but it seems like I don't need it. My generative hours are around midnight There's also times when I need to be generative. I find it hard to be generative in the same space and in the middle of a day. Often, my modus operandi is that I'll get going at 10 or 11 at night, and then I'll just write till one in the morning. This probably was conditioned in me when my kids were young. I was working at NASA at the time, and then Google for some of it. Google is a good example. Folks were staying late at Google in 2005, but I'd still try to get home at 6 or 6:30. I'd spend time with the kids, do dinner, run around outside. Half the time I'd fall asleep while putting them to bed. Then I'd wake up at 11:00 p.m., start catching up on email and writing stuff. People always joked that they would get these notes from me at 3:00 a.m. I hang out and sing on livestream Today my work day ends at 3 p.m. because I'm streaming tonight. I'm doing my first full charity stream with an organization GCX for St. Jude's. The beauty of streaming is very little goes into prepping it. I streamed Tuesday night and the prep work that went into the stream was: I showed up in the room where we have a piano, I turned on the computer, I made sure my OBS configuration was right, and I hit "Go live." On that stream, I talked with the community some, but then I played probably a handful of songs. Sometimes I like to drop in on other streamers and hang out with them. On that stream, I knocked on T Pain's stream and we hung out for like 45 minutes chatting. Then I did an hour more of songs and signed off. The other day I was mostly playing Tyler Childers' songs. I'm a big fan of Zach Bryan, so I do a lot of his songs. Sturgill Simpson, Gregory Alan Isakov, and this guy Jeffrey Martin, who I think is amazing. Everybody knows "Let It Be" or "Take Me Home, Country Road" or "Piano Man," but those aren't the ones I usually choose. I consider myself a mediocre piano player, but as I'm improvising, it sounds like I know what I'm doing. I read and spend time with my kids after work If I'm at home, I'll do something with the kids at night. My son's 23, my daughter's 27. My daughter has an 11-month-old now. We all live close to each other. I'm the one who often did the cooking, but that's just because I'm a functional cook. I pick some form of protein, a tri-tip, steak, salmon, chicken. I pick something to do with potatoes, and then they're like five vegetables that are my go-to. It's fairly repetitive. I mostly cook at home. I can't remember the last time I had a non-work dinner where we made a reservation. I'll watch TV shows, but I don't watch many movies anymore. I just watched "Paradise." I liked "Your Friends and Neighbors" and "The Penguin." A little bit of drama, but not a horror thing. When it's time to wind down around 10:30 to 11 p.m., I'll lie down and read. I just finished reading "Long Island" by Colm Tóibín. I like novels, but I'm not really a Tom Clancy novel reader. I'm much more of a literary novel reader, something that has emotional connection. One of my favorite authors is Cormac McCarthy and his book "The Road." I've read it a few times. I fall asleep fairly quickly once I've started reading. Ten minutes and I'm getting sleepy.