The Real Cowboys of New York City

Pro bull riding has a new foothold—and record numbers of fans—suggesting that our latest flirtation with Western Americana has entered a phase of mainstream appeal. Can cowboy fever help bull riding become the next UFC?

STEP INTO Mr. Affleck's OFFICE

Since founding a production company with a genuinely radical vision, Ben Affleck has chosen to make films as an executive first, a director second, and an actor third, But can you really just stop being one of the biggest movie stars on earth?

HI, MY NAME IS TOM - AND I'M ADDICTED TO THE SENSELESS PAIN AND SUFFERING OF BEING A SPORTS FAN.

Of all the relationships in life, none is more toxic than the one we have with the sports team we love the most. But why is it so impossible to call it quits?

His Schools Drove $7.5 Million in a Year

Jason Skidmore didn't have an education degree. Here's how he thrived as an education franchisee anyway.

Nobody Cares What You Want...

...unless you speak up and tell them! That's how this franchisee became a CEO, and then transformed herself into a true leader.

I'VE BEEN A PUBLICIST FOR 17 YEARS.DON'T HIRE ME.

Entrepreneurs often think they need PR. Most don't. Here's why you're probably better off not hiring someone like me.

'ONLY THE STRONGEST ARE GOING TO SURVIVE'

Brian Lee cofounded companies like LegalZoom and ShoeDazzle-and he believes a lot of conventional business wisdom is backward. Sure, it's harder to raise capital. But it's actually cheaper than ever to start a company.

Trust Equals Sales

For their business to work, Dianne and Gabrielle Melillo need more than customers. They need a community that has total confidence in them.

The Omega That Bond Built

For 30 years, Omega has been 007's watch of choice. Now, with a new Seamaster, the Swiss maker is letting some of that superspy allure spill over to its main line.

BIGGER Than TEXAS - BigXthaPlug

put Texas rap back on the map. Now, on the heels of a hypnotic album packed with hits, he's plotting to take his Lone Star appeal worldwide.

Damiano David IS REVIVING THE ROCK STAR

He became one of the world's biggest musicians after winning Eurovision with his band, Måneskinand now the Italian singer has his sights on a global solo career. Over espresso and cigarettes in Rome, Damiano David argues that pop music desperately needs a high-fashion frontman.

MR&MRS. RIZZ

At 22, PIRATES PITCHER PAUL SKENES and LSU GYMNAST LIVVY DUNNE seem to have it all—wild success in their respective sports, movie-star good looks, big-ticket deals, and crackling chemistry. Now what? We went to Baton Rouge to find out.

Private Powder

The next frontier of exclusive, members-club culture? Ski mountains. We went to Netflix founder Reed Hastings’s new Powder Mountai to see how private mountains are taking over—

Does This Deal Taste Good?

There are a lot of franchise restaurants. So how do you know which ones are worth buying? This restaurant veteran says it’s all about average unit volume—and here's why.

HOW TO CLOSE THE SALE (EVEN WHEN THEY SAY NO)

I'm the world's leading door-to-door sales expert. I've heard “no” endlessly. Here's how I close sales anyway—and how you can too.

THE BIGGEST MISTAKES THAT STARTUPS MAKE

The path forward is hard, so learn from where others have fallen. This is a list of very hard-won lessons.

You Should Give Ideas Away

Don't be overly protective of your ideas. When you make them free, the ROI is huge.

'The Best Marketing Dollars I've Ever Spent'

Great marketing doesn't require huge budgets. We asked franchisees and franchisors to share their best marketing ROl—and their stories (on the following pages) will inspire you.

Build Your Money Machine

A franchise isn't just a franchise. It should be a Money Machine, creating profit even while you're out of the office. Here's how.

SPEEDY GROWTH KILLED MY STARTUP

We seemed to be rocking it—lots of press, major partnerships. Then we learned the harsh consequences of overlooking our customers.

Want to Buy a Low-Cost Franchise? These Are The Top 300!

On this list, find a franchise for anywhere from $2,000 to $150,000.

THE ALIEN EYE

Sayaka Murata sees the ordinary world as science fiction.

GOING NUCLEAR

Some climate activists are giving atomic energy a second look. Should they?

CLEAR AS FOLK

The evolution of a punk troubadour.

EXIT WOUNDS

\"Warfare.\"

LET IT LIE

A novel about an Austrian town with secrets it would prefer to forget.

MAN UP

“Glengarry Glen Ross” and “Good Night, and Good Luck.”

Margaret Atwood on Mavis Gallant's "Orphans' Progress"

In 1965, when I was twenty-five and starting out as a writer, I was reading The New Yorker, as all of us young writers did.

LIFE AFTER DEATH

Has Colossal, a genetics startup, resurrected the ancient dire wolf?

"FROM, TO"

At ten o'clock on a Wednesday night, he gets a call from his aunt's number. It's late to get a call from his aunt, but his mother is often with his aunt, and it's not unusual for her to call at that hour.