The Big Are Getting Bigger

Major acquisitions. Consolidations. Conglomerates. What’s going on in franchising? The answer says a lot about where the industry is heading—and what growth means going forward.

Upgrade Your Problems

I spent all my money buying my first flat—which meant I had no money to fix my first homeowner’s problem. This was 2007, and I was a broke 20-something who’d pushed himself to the limit. I was sleeping on an air mattress because I couldn’t afford furniture. Boxes were everywhere. Then I noticed a leaky pipe under the bath, which created a soggy puddle. I couldn’t afford a plumber but didn’t want to introduce myself to the neighbors by crashing through their wet ceiling.

You Can't Buy Product-Market Fit

You can buy marketing. You can buy sales. You can buy attention. But don’t confuse those things for what’s most important

You Are In Sales!

If you are building a startup, then you are in sales. If you’re just thinking about building a startup, then you are also in sales!

Will a Robot Write Your Marketing?

A new AI model called GPT-3 is spitting out content like nothing before. Some say that as far as business tools go, it’s the last word.

You Know You're Good Enough. Why Don't You Believe It?

Entrepreneurs know they’re not failures, but sometimes they struggle to believe it. A therapist explains why—and how the solution may lie in our unprocessed memories.

WHAT I'VE LEARNED FROM DOING 500 SALES CALLS

Want to increase your sales? Rather than manipulate your potential clients, serve them.

TELL YOUR STORY THE RIGHT WAY

It isn’t about sharing all your great accomplishments. It’s about being relatable with your failures.

STAYING AHEAD OF CHANGE

Yousuf Ali had a successful career in marketing until he failed to embrace new technologies. Now, as a My Eyelab franchisee, embracing forward-thinking capabilities is the key to his success.

MARKET RESEARCH FOR $5

Can’t raise funds? That might be for the best. This entrepreneur scraped his way to unicorn status…by meeting his consumers at a coffee shop.

HOW TO BECOME A MASTER AT TALKING TO STRANGERS

Entrepreneurs must become experts at connecting with anyone—and with a few simple strategies, you can. Here’s what happened when I tried them myself.

HELP WANTED! (WHERE IS EVERYONE?)

The nationwide hiring crisis is having an especially large impact on fast-casual restaurants. Owners are trying all kinds of tactics to attract and keep employees—and their efforts may change the industry forever.

Time to Tag Yourself?

As you rush between meetings, losing your stuff is no longer something to worry about. Just use a tracking device.

THE Real Stakes OF THE “Future of Work” DEBATE

As companies and employees decide how, when, and where they should work in a post-pandemic world, let’s not forget this overlooked fact: If you harm your company culture, your customers will feel the impact.

THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT

THE NEXT GENERATION IS MAKING THE WORLD A KINDER— AND MORE FUN ! — PLACE. FROM SUSTAINABLE NUTRITION AND SAFER SCHOOLS TO REPRESENTATIVE ROMANTIC COMEDIES AND ROLLER SKATES THAT ACTUALLY ROCK, HERE’S HOW 15 FOUNDERS UNDER 27 ARE MAKING AN IMPACT.

Need Feedback? Charge Money!

To build a modern intranet platform, Haystack cofounder Cameron Lindsay needed users to share their criticisms. But at first, they wouldn’t. Here’s why.

HOW TO DO SOMETHING NOBODY HAS EVER DONE

ANKUR JAIN wanted tocreate a rewards program that helps people buy a home. Nothing like it existed. To become the first, he’d have to first fail over and over again.

His Worst Five Years Were His Life's Best Gift

What is it like to build a hit business and then lose all control? Oded Brenner, the founder of Max Brenner: Chocolate by the Bald Man has a lot to say about that.

How Do I Tell My Story?

Creating content may be easy, but that doesn’t mean you should do it.

Even Franchises Need Virtual Assistants

When you start building your brand, you may try to do everything yourself. I made that mistake, too. Then I discovered the power of outsourcing.

Why Simplicity Is So Complex

Entrepreneurs should make things easy, for themselves and their customers. So why don’t we?

Great Expectations

The year 2021 may feel uncertain, but set your expectations high anyway. Doing so will become your guiding force.

Kate Hudson – “We're Doing This for a Reason”

Kate Hudson has launched three businesses in very crowded industries but knows what separates her from the competition: It’s not just the products. It’s the mission.

Be a Constant Learner

Sheila Stanley spent years as a schoolteacher. Now she runs a boating franchise. What do the two have in common? A love of learning.

LIVESTREAM SELLING IS HERE!

Amazon, Facebook, Google, and TikTok are getting involved, VCs are investing, and brands are interested in a new retail spin that takes online shopping live. But an upstart company in Alabama is already living what may be the future of retail—and helping 6,000 small retailers see their business soar

HOW TO BECOME A MASTER AT TALKING TO STRANGERS

Entrepreneurs must become experts at connecting with anyone— and with a few simple strategies, you can. Here’s what happened when I tried them myself.

If You Can Make It There

The French fast-food sensation O’Tacos is rapidly expanding across Europe, but it failed to find its footing with its first outpost in the U.S. What should its fellow foreign companies know about coming to the U.S.? And how can American partners profit from their unique ideas?

Made for Times Both Good and Bad

After inaugurating its franchise program in a challenging year, Outer Banks Boil Company is eyeing future success.

How I Saw the Big Picture

Early in my career, I was easily overwhelmed. I overextended myself, and soon my responsibilities and commitments and ambitions piled up into this mass that felt unfathomably large—until, one day, my manager gave me something that is still on the bulletin board over my desk 26 years later, even as I’ve now transformed my career: It’s a postcard picture of Earth.

Desks That Kill Zoom Fatigue?

Another workday at home getting you down? A new line of desks will help you up— and help you maintain focus.