CATEGORIES

A Bank That Keeps Things Simple

It’s not nuts – The 18-year-old coin bank on Casilimas’ desk.

STEVE JOBS INVITED JEFF BEZOS OVER FOR SUSHI.

It was the fall of 2003, which were consequential days for both Apple and Amazon. Only two years earlier, Apple released its first iPod and Amazon turned a quarterly profit for the first time. Now Steve was inviting Jeff, me (Colin), and another Amazon colleague down to Cupertino for a chat.

This Year Will Be Great. Really

After months of forced closures and record-high unemployment, the U.S. is ready for an economic recovery—and the franchise industry is uniquely positioned to lead the charge.

Stop Working, Start Automating

Why waste your energy on tedious tasks when an app can do them instead?

START YOUR YOUTH MOVEMENT

Young franchisees keep brands relevant with millennial and Gen Z customers, and with decades of career growth ahead of them, they can help bring long-term growth and continuity to franchise companies. So why don’t we spend more time courting them?

Focus On Your Mission

Our worlds may feel shaken. But we’re actually much sturdier than we think.

What Makes Peloton, Apple, Netflix, and Tesla Successful?

They’re not just smart companies. They’re vertically integrated companies—and it’s a strategy even small startups can consider.

Brand Power - How To Win Friends and Influencer People

Shaun Neff builds the hottest brands for the hottest people, including Kendall Jenner, Shay Mitchell, and Millie Bobby Brown. His secret to creating a hit: It’s all about the vibe.

Zooming into the Future

This year, ZOOM transformed from a business tool into a lifeline. How did the company keep up? Simple, says founder and CEO Eric Yuan: It focused on fundamentals.

Michael J. Fox – “With Gratitude, Optimism Is Sustainable”

After a hard year for everyone, beloved actor Michael J. Fox has some advice: No matter the circumstances, optimism is possible. And he should know.

Can There Be Two Tinders for Clothes?

She was a first-time founder with a fresh idea. Then a $30 million competitor arrived.

“How Can I Help You?”

Don’t know exactly what your customers want? Ask them. That’s how Christine Schindler turned a raw technology into a popular tool to make restaurants safer.

Getting More from Less

Everyone has been forced to cut back in some way—but limitations can lead us to even greater growth. We asked six entrepreneurs: What unexpected benefits have you gotten from change?

How the Future Gets BUILT

Intelligent algae that eat carbon. Underwater drones. An internet for Mars. It’s not easy building the stuff for tomorrow when you also have to run a sustainable business today. But that’s what Hypergiant is trying to figure out.

Are We Going Digital Forever?

The pandemic swiftly moved our world online. Once you discover the power of engaging your customers digitally, you won’t want to go back.

15 Ways Franchises Became Stronger This Year

No matter what service or product they provide, franchisees and franchisors were rocked by 2020. But many made adjustments that improved their businesses—not just for now but for long into the future. Here’s what 15 of them learned.

The Beauty of Being Rejected

I thought my idea to shake up the book industry was brilliant. Investors didn’t. That ended up being my greatest asset.

Need an Assistant?

Virtual assistant services are on the rise. Here’s how to hand your tasks (and inbox!) over to a total stranger.

How Not to Get Disrupted

Disruption sounds sexy...until you’re the one getting toppled. Here’s what it takes to stay on top.

Recruiting - TOP TECH TALENT AT LOW COST?

It’s possible. The crisis has created a great hiring opportunity for companies, so long as you approach it the right way, through the right channels.

THE WIZARD OF WHOPPER

Fernando Machado is the marketing genius who turned Burger King (and Popeyes!) into a buzzy, relevant, always-on-point brand. Here’s how he pulls it off.

Reinvention - MATCH.COM, BUT FOR FOOD?

To help save the food industry, this founder has a plan: Think differently about who uses the kitchen.

Franchise Success - KEEPING CLEAN, AND CLEANING UP

Spaulding Decon founder and CEO Laura Spaulding has made a career of cleaning up crime scenes, meth labs, and now, COVID-19. But her biggest job is keeping franchisees prepared.

Next Big Thing - THE NEW APPRENTICES

The old plumber and electrician trainee model has been reimagined for the new world—and could be exactly what a bootstrapped, growing startup needs.

Working from Home - HOW TO HIRE AND ONBOARD REMOTELY

Make the technology as easy as possible, and build a sense of team camaraderie.

Management - IS IT TIME TO SAY GOODBYE?

Whether or not we like it, firing employees is a part of entrepreneurship. Here’s how to know when to let go of a team member.

It's Time to Get Creative

We may be physically apart, but actor and entrepreneur Joseph Gordon-Levitt says we can (and should!) still find ways to creatively collaborate.

Building a Strong Team

Dan Murphy is an Army vet and a former NCAA athlete who knows the power of community. Now, as COO of the gym franchise D1 Training, his business is only as strong as its weakest link.

A New Pipeline

The global tech company Infosys wanted to diversify its hiring. But to get it right, it needed to rethink a lot more than just its recruiting methods.

From Coworking to Co-Leading

Shelley Bade has had a complex journey with the coworking franchise Office Evolution. It began as a competitor, then turned into a support system when she needed it the most.