Inside the Vicious, Vicious Cheerleader Wars

Rebel Athletic is fighting a spangled, appliqued fashion-forward guerrilla war against an industry giant.

How I Got the Idea for My Startup

As the former director of business development at Foursquare and entrepreneur-in-residence at Andreessen Horowitz, Tristan Walker knew he could get people to invest in his company—if he came up with the right idea. He went through hundreds of concepts, from trucking to financial services, before landing on a subscription model for grooming products for people of color. He founded Walker and Company in 2013. 

How I created E-commerce In China

Jack Ma built one of the world’s biggest internet companies without learning how to code. The lead founder and executive chairman of Alibaba taught himself English by offering tours to foreign visitors of his hometown, Hangzhou, in eastern China. That’s where, in 1999, Ma launched Alibaba, which took in nearly $23 billion last year. Now Ma is hoping to expand his U.S. business, especially by encouraging more American companies to sell their goods on Alibaba’s platforms.

How An Earthquake Led Me To A VR Startup

Bryn Mooser is the co-founder of Ryot Films, which produces media for immersive formats like virtual reality and 360-degree video. He started thinking about transformative technology while working as a Peace Corps volunteer in West Africa, living on the edge of the Sahel in a region that had cell-phone towers–but had never had landlines. Ryot initially published news stories that enabled readers to take social actions, and then pivoted into immersive video. In 2016, Mooser and his co-founder, David Darg, sold Ryot to AOL

How I learned To Focus

Arianna Huffington, the co-founder of the Huffington Post, surprised many when she announced last year that she would be stepping down. She is throwing her energy behind a second startup, Thrive Global. In just under six months, New York City-based Thrive has signed deals worth “multiple millions of dollars.” Clients include Uber (where she’s a board member), Accenture, and Airbnb. Thrive recently doubled its sales targets for 2017. The company generates revenue primarily by charging businesses for its workshops and seminars focused on health and wellness, and via branded content that runs on its platform, the Thrive Journal. It also sells some consumer products, such as a $100 iPhone bed. The biggest challenge, Huffington admits, has been learning how to focus.

Sports Tech Jumps Ahead

A blown ulnar collateral ligament—the UCL, in the elbow—is among the worst injuries a pitcher can suffer. And it costs teams millions of dollars. Sparta Science, a leader in the growing sports-tech industry, has figured out the answer. It’s in the legs, not the arm. Founder Phil Wagner believes he’s uncovered other secrets for minimizing athletic injuries while maximizing performance. So do his growing list of competitors. Game on!

How To Fix Everything From Your iPhone To Your Toaster

The guys behind iFixit want to show you how to fix everything from your iPhone to your toaster—for free. By doing so, they’ve built a huge business. Even though Apple totally hates them.

Forget Stock Price

Look Closely To Find The Real Marks Of Post-Ipo Success.

Gabriel Flateman

Thanks to its focus on just a few products, the Casper co-founder has seen his company hit $200 million in revenue and take on the mattress industry’s giants.

Leaving A Clean Trail

Your newest competitive advantage? A transparent supply chain.

Building Stronger Lives for Good

ConBody gives ex-cons a chance at a bright future after a rough start .

Your Awkward Phase, And Why You Should Love It

All growing companies eventually reach an adolescence - a no man's land between scrappy startup and big, established company. It may make you feel like an overwhelmed teen again. Don't let it.

The Next Steve Jobs

Many entrepreneurs and their backers will tell you they're playing the long game. But no one's doing it quite like Theranos's Elizabeth Holmes.

Will The Next Steve Jobs Be A Woman?

Why a rising tide of female founders will finally bring us the next iconic entrepreneur.

Inside The Mind Of Sheryl Sandberg

Facebook's COO is arguably the most influential woman in business. Now, even after personal tragedy, she wants to spread that influence to small businesses - and get women into seats of power everywhere.

How A Terrible Day Spawned a $70 Million Business

Megan Tamte was living her lifelong dream of motherhood - and she was miserable. Launching a store for other mothers turned everything around.

How Creative Perks Strengthen Corporate Culture

When you cant swing egg freezing and baby cash bonuses, consider more modest options that employees will appreciate.

One Woman's Escape From Silicon Valley

When the connected future finally arrives, Jahangir Mohammed will be sitting there, reeling it in.

Where to Find Your Next Superstar Freelancer

You can get great freelance help at a great price - if you know the right place to look.

Want to Beat Hackers Once and for All? Hire One Yourself

Want to strengthen your digital security? Pay someone to break into your software - and your systems.

How Even the Smallest Company Can Offer Great Parental Leave

More companies are offering new parents paid time off. With smart planning, a parental leave policy won’t break the bank.

So, You Have This Great Idea...

Hiring a prototype contractor can be a cheaper and easier way to design your product. Use these tips to start building.

Want To Earn More? Sure. Live Somewhere Else? Why Not? The Company That Can't Say No

ANTHONY SALADINO, 26, made more than $100,000 last year—but he doesn’t have a fixed salary. He’s an account manager, helping clients like the fashion brand Alexander Wang get the perfect position in the search results when you Google “fashion” or “designer.” His income reflects how much the clients pay his company. Saladino works for Elite SEM, a digital marketing business based in New York City, whose CEO allows employees to select their compensation: straight salary or a commission-based hybrid. In either case, there are opportunities for addons. Ben Kirshner, the company’s 39-year-old founder and chief executive, doesn’t mince words: “One of my greatest frustrations when I was 21 was that I wasn’t getting paid what people with more experience were being paid,” he says.

The Smartest Money Advice I Ever Got

When to spend it, when to save it, and how to ask for it: Bobbi Brown, Max Levchin, Daymond John, and 19 other founders pass along the financial wisdom that led to their success

Fetishizing Simplicity

PERUSE A RACK OF PROTEIN BARS at any grocery story and they all blend together: claims of what the food does (or does not) contain, promises of protein, and some stamp of approval by the latest fad diet. Rxbar, founded in 2013 by Peter Rahal and Jared Smith, used to be one of them. But 18 months ago, the Chicago-based company gave its protein-bar packaging a radical overhaul, and they soon began landing in retailers including Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, Target, and Kroger. Rahal talks Inc. through logo shrinkage, packaging noise, and graphic-design enlightenment. 

Where Road Trips Are Both Work And A Perk

“It’s a competitive environment, but one where the overall interests of company and team and seeing the customer succeed rank higher than any individual’s success.”

Cynthia Rowley

Though her name is synonymous with fashion design, her work now ranges from developing office supplies to supporting new entrepreneurs

Project Management: Not Just For The Big Guys Anymore

Affordable—even free—technology solutions give smaller businesses access to critical project management advantages.

Going Global The Art Of Knowing Where To Launch

Stasis Labs found its first market overseas. What’s its best next move?

The Smart Way to Pay Taxes on Retirement Savings

Don’t pay all at once— and use these tips to increase your nest egg BY KATHY KRISTOF