Inc.
Great Leaders Build More Leaders
Every founder who finds traction with their business faces an inevitable evolution in how they spend their time, from being the person who does everything (sales, tech support, emptying the garbage) to being primarily a people manager. And as the business grows larger and more complex, it becomes time to transition again to a next-level role that is trickier but more profound. Entrepreneur and author Jay Shetty recently put it this way: “The best leaders don’t create more followers, they create more leaders.” (He credited the insight to motivational author Roy T. Bennett.)
5 min |
Winter 2025
Inc.
Welcome to Zero-Click SEARCH
The shift to AI search is worrying online businesses—and creating a new cottage industry for AEO.
2 min |
Winter 2025
Inc.
Base44 Found a Buyer Four Months After Launching
Serial entrepreneur Maor Shlomo attracted an eight-figure offer for his vibe-coding startup before hiring a single employee.
4 min |
Winter 2025
Inc.
How to Prepare for Volatility Everywhere
Three founders of fast-growing companies share their strategies for navigating unpredictable markets.
7 min |
Winter 2025
Inc.
EVERY FOUNDER'S FIRST RESORT
Entrepreneurs who want to get away from it allbut still network and hang out with like-minded CEOShave found their preferred destination at Palm Heights.
9 min |
Winter 2025
Inc.
PLAYING TO WIN
How three Aussie founders built Canva, a $42 billion software business, by being relentless on Al—and ruthless about hiring.
9 min |
Winter 2025
Inc.
Best Incorporated
The best of the best.
2 min |
Winter 2025
Inc.
Marina Khidekel | It's never too early to think about a future exit. Here are six ways to prepare your startup for a sale.
Selling your business can feel like a topic for the distant future when you're busy pouring all your energy into your startup. But when it happens, many founders discover that selling isn’t the clean ending they’d imagined.
5 min |
Winter 2025
Inc.
The PE Firm That Actually Listens to Founders
How Boyne Capital helped a third-generation Oklahoma contractor triple in size while keeping the family in charge.
3 min |
Winter 2025
Inc.
America's REBUILDERS
What does it really mean for a business to survive after a fire, flood, tornado, or hurricane? The long, slow road to building back tests the strongest founders and the communities they serve.
10+ min |
Winter 2025
Inc.
SWIMMING WITH THE SHARKS
Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian was a brash avatar of Web 2.0. Today, he's funding everything from one-time rival Digg to women's sports. Has he mellowed—or is he more competitive than ever?
10+ min |
Winter 2025
Inc.
This Government Contracting Company Created a Can-Do Culture
Aalis Management Consulting and its mostly military staff help government run. Its secrets are preparation, persistence, and perseverance.
2 min |
Winter 2025
Inc.
From Breaking News to Breakthrough Event Production
With Emmy®-winning roots, Alongi Media has engineered a solar-powered mobile unit that saves clients money while transforming live-event production.
2 min |
Winter 2025
Inc.
BOTTLE ROCKETS
Smash Kitchen, an organic condiment brand co-founded by two startup vets and a Hollywood star, has surpassed $10 million in sales in six months.
4 min |
Winter 2025
Inc.
Go Bid or Go Home
How The Bid Lab team is helping business owners change their lives-one RFP at a time.
2 min |
Winter 2025
Inc.
CREAM RISES TO THE TOP
Jenni Kayne's eponymous lifestyle brand hit $140 million this year, thanks to a timeless, 50-shades-of-beige look that drives great retail math. With celeb fans and a growing customer base, the question is: Can she be the next Ralph Lauren?
7 min |
Winter 2025
Inc.
From Rock Bottom to Award-Winning: One Entrepreneur's Story
A moment of desperation launched Trust Consulting Services, a respected government contracting firm specializing in technology.
2 min |
Winter 2025
Inc.
HOW A $6 BILLION COMPANY KEEPS ITS IDEAS FRESH
Known for its viral gadgets-Ninja Slushi, anyone?-SharkNinja is betting big on the next generation of innovators.
2 min |
Winter 2025
Inc.
HOW CLOUD TECHNOLOGY HELPED A CHARITABLE FOUNDATION DOUBLE DOWN ON ITS MISSION
AFTER THE BRENDA STRAFFORD FOUNDATION COMPLETELY REIMAGINED ITS DATA INFRASTRUCTURE, THE HEALTHCARE ORGANIZATION WAS FREED TO DO WHAT IT DOES BEST: HELPING PEOPLE IN NEED
3 min |
Winter 2025
Inc.
Wish List
You've worked hard all year-now you deserve a reward! We asked entrepreneurs what gifts from upstart brands and inspiring enterprises they plan to give this year, or what they might want to receive. Consider your holiday shopping plans sorted.
2 min |
Winter 2025
Inc.
PERFECTING THE RECIPE
Todd Graves, the founder and owner of Raising Cane's, is seeing just how far the company can go by doing one thing well. This year, it's on track to exceed $5 billion in sales—and he's just getting started.
10 min |
Winter 2025
Inc.
LARRY ELLISON'S YEAR OF WINNING
Sorry, Elon! It's Larry's year. From going after huge deals (TikTok, Paramount) and pivoting Oracle to Al, Ellison is richer and more relevant than ever. But in clawing back to the top, he's taking on more risk and setting sky-high expectations.
10+ min |
Winter 2025
Inc.
CLAUDE IS MY CO-FOUNDER
By launching the vibe-coding trend, Anthropic has made it easy for startups to write simple code and even create complex products. As the company hits $9 billion in revenue, rivals like OpenAl are scrambling to catch up.
9 min |
Winter 2025
Inc.
BOOTS ON THE GROUND
With a little help from Taylor Swift and Cowboy Carter, Tecovas became a cultural touchstone this year. Behind its success is a loyal fan base cultivated by the best customer service around.
8 min |
Winter 2025
Inc.
White-Glove Service Powers Insurance Firm's Rise
Driven by the founder's personal experience, Guru of Insurance helps small-business owners secure employee benefits and insurance.
2 min |
Winter 2025
Inc.
How a Founder Let Go and Helped His Company Soar
After building KUOG with empathy and grit, Paul L. Gunn Jr. brought in a CEO to scale the company's mission-driven growth.
2 min |
Winter 2025
Inc.
TASK MASTER
Netic's Melisa Tokmak uses AI to help service businesses be on time— and make more money.
2 min |
Winter 2025
Inc.
A Renovation Business That Helps Workers Build Careers
Pennsylvania construction company Porter Family Exteriors finds success by remodeling its work culture and developing a long-view strategy for growth.
2 min |
Winter 2025
Inc.
Driving Digital Excellence Through Innovation
RighIT Solutions creates real value for customers with happy employees and inspired solutions.
1 min |
Winter 2025
Inc.
The Future of Construction Is Being Built Today
With its T3 platform, construction company EquipmentShare is building connected jobsites, making the industry more efficient and effective.
2 min |