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Zack Oates of Ovation on Building Business Connections through Digital Storytelling
Soliciting feedback from customers often seems like a daunting task. However, Zack Oates and his team at Ovation have cracked the code with a proven strategy that not only encourages guest feedback, but also establishes a personal connection for exceptional results.Zack Oates and the guest feedback platform Ovation have taken a radically different approach to hearing from customers, which stems…
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Why In-Person Events Are Still a Business Superpower in 2025
Even with all the ways technology has changed how we work and connect, there's still something powerful about being in the same room with people. In-person events — whether it's a roundtable, a workshop, a conference, a product roadshow or a community gathering — create opportunities for connection, trust and…
Domain Costs Can Spiral — Take These Steps to Stay in Control and Save Thousands
The right domain is essential in 2025 and beyond. Brands need that perfect web address to establish credibility and attract traffic. In practice, domain brokerage firms act as intermediaries between buyers and sellers, often negotiating opaque fees that can increase the final costs.Join me as I reveal the reality of…
Lessons from Macmillan’s CEO on Leading Through Change Without Losing Your Why
As someone who regularly speaks with CEOs about their industries, paths and philosophies, my conversation with Jon Yaged, CEO of Macmillan, stood out. It wasn't just about books or publishing — it was about values, culture and the role of business leaders in a time of social friction.What surprised me…
Why Every Entrepreneur Needs an Exit Mindset from Day One
After three decades in capital markets and entrepreneurial ventures, I've learned one hard truth: Most founders wait too long to think about their exit. They're focused on growing the business, product-market fit, hiring the right people or raising their next round, and understandably so. But here's the reality: The companies…
How AI’s Defining Your Brand Story — and How to Take Control
If you ask a large language model (LLM) like ChatGPT or Google Gemini to solve your customers' pain points, it will give you an answer based on the easiest-to-verify information. That often includes published articles, consistent founder commentaries, structured product pages and other third-party references. If those answers do not…
How a Software Engineer’s Business Impacts Education
As Brandon Bailey, founder and CEO of TutorD, built his career in software engineering, he came face-to-face with the "lack of diversity and inclusion" in tech — and he wanted to do something about it.Image Credit: Courtesy of TutorD. Brandon Bailey. Bailey worked at a consultancy in Chicago at the…
People Really Only Care About These 3 Things at Work — Do You Offer Them?
When people leave their jobs, they often give polite reasons: "looking for growth," "better alignment," "more flexibility." But after years of hiring, managing and losing people — some to better opportunities, some to burnout — I've come to believe that most job satisfaction boils down to just three things.Everything else…
Co-founders of Stakt on Starting a Side Hustle Earning $10M in 2025
This Side Hustle Spotlight Q&A features New York City-based friends and co-founders Millie Blumka, 31, and Taylor Borenstein, 31. The pair started a side hustle in 2021 called Stakt, an adaptable workout accessories brand.Blumka was a director of brand partnerships at Showfields and Borenstein was a product implementation manager at…
The Signs You’re Ready for Multi-Unit Franchise Ownership
Among the nearly 850,000 franchise establishments in the U.S., almost half are operated by owners with more than one location – multi-unit franchisees. These individuals have had to invest significant capital, go through comprehensive training, launch the business, endure the growing pains that inevitably come with expansion and growth and…
How to Set Boundaries With Your Clients
If you've ever responded to an email at 9:00 pm on a Sunday, waived a late fee to "be nice," or bent your availability to fit a client's changing schedule (again), you're not alone. Setting boundaries as a business owner can feel genuinely impossible.You want to be helpful, responsive and…
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Creative Ways Startups Can Earn Funding in Tough Economic Times
In a declining economy, startups face an uphill battle when it comes to securing funding.…
I Asked AI to Create a Plan for a Fake Company — The Results Blew Me Away, But Not in the Way You Might Think
With all of the recent news about artificial intelligence (AI), it got me thinking about…
Ideas To Transform You From Good To Better To Best
A while back, I took a couple of my grandchildren on a tour of the…
5 Crucial Challenges Startups Must Overcome
Startups face numerous challenges on their journey to success, and failing to overcome any one…