Dr. Kathrin Hamm, founder and CEO of sleep-wellness company Bearaby, never wanted to be an entrepreneur. After graduating with her Ph.D. in economics, she started as an economist at the World Bank. Her work took her all over the world and provided invaluable insight into the small, medium and women-founded enterprises she tried to convince banks to lend to — but she "learned firsthand how hard it is, especially in developing countries, for women to get access to finance and start and grow thei ...read more
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In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, startups need to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) if they want to succeed and attract investors. Despite funding for startups being at a five-year low, AI has been attracting hefty investments from companies like Nvidia, Google and Amazon. Founders should lean into AI to drive innovation, streamline operations and enhance customer experiences.AI technologies like machi ...read more
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In a world where the glitz and glamor of professional sports often overshadow the harsh realities of life after the game, Austin Ekeler stands out as a beacon of adaptability and foresight. His story, detailed in a captivating conversation with Jeff Fenster on his podcast, is not just one of athletic prowess but of strategic planning and execution in the realm of business.Related: How Giving Your Time and Resources to Ot ...read more
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The right franchisees will make you; the wrong franchisees will sink you. Maybe one of the most daunting aspects of becoming a franchisor is selecting the franchisees who will grow your brand. The right people do the right thing – pick the right locations, hire and motivate the right teams, hold the highest standards and are always investing in growth. The wrong people do the wrong thing — they pick the wrong locatio ...read more
Nick Loper doesn't just teach the art of side hustling — he's a side-hustler himself. In 2006, while working a full-time gig at Ford Motor Company, he launched a website that recommended footwear through affiliate links. After six years and about $10 million in sales, he turned his attention to another side hustle: an education company called Side Hustle Nation, which teaches others how to build and run — you guessed it—side hustles. Here, he answers users' most common questions.Side hustl ...read more
This Side Hustle Spotlight Q&A features Elle Rowley, founder of Solly Baby, a company that produces sustainably sourced baby wraps made of 100% certified TENCEL Modal and other baby gear. In 2023, Rowley stepped away from her day-to-day role (she now serves the brand as a strategic advisor and is on the board), and the company welcomed Nicole Newhouse as CEO to lead the next stage of Solly Baby's growth.Image Credit: Courtesy of Solly Baby. Elle Rowley.When did you start Solly Baby as a side ...read more
Many people dream of starting their own business. Running an enterprise in your home, garage or on the go means you can take more control over your professional goals, set more ambitious financial targets and achieve a more desirable work-life balance.But what if you're ready to start a business but don't know what type of services to provide? You've come to the right place if you need profitable business ideas. Below, find a detailed breakdown of 63 small business ideas — from financial servi ...read more
Starting a new business is never easy. But once a business is established, many entrepreneurs dream of a new goal: franchising (and, of course, the money that comes with it).Three entrepreneurs who started a business nearly 20 years ago are realizing that dream now. Through a combination of sales innovation, lean proprietary systems and old-fashioned hard work, Amerisleep recently began franchising.Related: Considering franchise ownership? Get started now to find your personalized list of franch ...read more
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"I didn't see myself reflected in the fragrance industry," says Brianna Arps, founder and CEO of MOODEAUX, on why she decided to start building her business back in 2017. "I remember watching these commercials with a half naked man running across beaches and other advertising gimmicks that didn't always make sense."Arps started her career as an investigative journalist covering beauty, fashion and lifestyle beats. In 201 ...read more
These days, keeping good employees can be difficult. Two of the biggest concerns for small business owners are hiring the right talent (60.7%) and retaining and motivating employees (33%), according to survey data from the nonprofit organization SCORE.A study from The Society for Human Resource Management found that, on average, it costs a company six to nine months of an employee's salary to find a replacement — and a Gallup poll revealed that more than half of employees who quit said their m ...read more