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Entrepreneur
3 days ago
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Improve Your Productivity with Windows 11 Pro for Just $15
Disclosure: Our goal is to feature products and services that we think you'll find interesting and useful. If you purchase them, Entrepreneur may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners. More than 50% of entrepreneurs fund their companies with retirement savings, and another 20% use personal savings, according to data from Guidant Financial. Under those circumstances, every penny has to count, so you won't be splurging on expensive software just because you think it would be nice. However, if you can get an affordable, powerful operating system designed specifically for professionals to turbocharge productivity and offer maximum security, you shouldn't pass that up. That's precisely what you get while Microsoft Windows 11 Pro sells for only $14.97. Everyone from designers to developers will appreciate this operating system, but entrepreneurs who must always be effortlessly connected will be particularly happy with it. Convenience was a priority for Windows 11, and the sleekly intuitive user interface is as friendly as it gets. Yet, the advanced security features will help you sleep easier at night. You'll get a biometrics login, encrypted authentication, advanced antivirus defense, and so much more. Tools to increase productivity abound, from a far more robust search experience to improved voice typing, seamless redocking, snap layouts, and more. Unique features to optimize your professional tasks are found throughout the system, such as BitLocker device encryption, Windows Sandbox, Hyper-V, Azure AD, Smart App Control, TPM 2.0, Windows Studio Effects, and more. Of course, hard-working professionals are also entitled to their downtime, and Windows 11 Pro provides unprecedented gaming features. You'll enjoy DirectX 12 Ultimate graphics that maximize your hardware to provide amazingly realistic graphics so you can play all the latest games to their peak potential. Features such as Widgets and Microsoft Teams are also built in. You can even ditch the mouse and keyboard because the Touchscreen function will still give you a genuine computing experience. However, the superstar in this system is Copilot, Microsoft's AI-powered assistant. It answers questions, changes settings, opens apps, generates code suggestions and images, kicksstart your writing process, and more. Get Microsoft Windows 11 Pro while it's available for just $14.97. StackSocial prices subject to change.
Entrepreneur
25-05-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Ultimate Email Backup Solution
Emails are too important to take chances with and Mail Backup X offers a lifetime of secure management, backup, restore, archiving and more. Disclosure: Our goal is to feature products and services that we think you'll find interesting and useful. If you purchase them, Entrepreneur may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners. According to Guidant Financial, we'll be seeing a lot more digital transformation and innovation as more Millennials and Gen X become business owners. That means communication tools will only become even more important. Mail Backup X is hard to beat if you want the best product for email management, backup, archiving, and conversion. Best of all, a lifetime subscription is now available to new users for just $49.99, plus, you can use coupon code SAVE20 at checkout for an additional 20% off. Emails are easily the most critical part of daily communications and activities for most organizations and individuals. Don't wait until crucial emails are lost to implement a robust backup solution; you need to plan to keep your mail data safe. Mail Backup X is trusted by over 42,000 home users and businesses worldwide as a one-stop solution for all your email needs. Backing up your emails is a breeze from all the major email clients, including Microsoft Outlook, Office 365, Microsoft Exchange, Apple Mail, Thunderbird, and more. You can also backup from mail services like Gmail, Yahoo, or any service that supports the IMAP protocol. You also get mirror backup with a USB drive or cloud services like Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, and more. Restoring is just as easy, directly to the server account or a different server account. Your archives will be highly compressed to save up to three times the storage space. You'll also have an archive file viewer to search and view your archived emails quickly. Import most mail archive files, such as .pst, .ost, .mbox, .olk, and more. You can even move all emails into a new account in Office 365 for 100% privacy. Your data is secured with military-grade AES 256-bit encryption with your private key, so everything is visible only to you. It's no wonder that Mail Backup X is rated 4.8 out of 5 stars on AppSumo, and CNET gives it a perfect 5-star rating. Get a lifetime subscription to the Individual Edition of Mail Backup X, available to new users for just $39.99 when you use coupon code SAVE20 at checkout. StackSocial prices subject to change.
Entrepreneur
12-05-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Save $90 on the Microsoft Office Apps Your Business Needs
From emails to spreadsheets, this version has what every leader needs. Disclosure: Our goal is to feature products and services that we think you'll find interesting and useful. If you purchase them, Entrepreneur may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners. Thirty-two percent of owners say that the biggest challenge to running a business is a lack of capital or cash, so expensive software subscriptions may be out of reach, according to data from Guidant Financial. Fortunately, you can save big on a lifetime license of Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business for Mac or PC while it's available for just $159.97—37% off. MS Office 2024 Home & Business offers the five most valuable Office programs for both home and business users: Excel, Word, PowerPoint, OneNote, and Outlook. This edition of MS Office has many improvements over the 2021 version. The suite has increased performance, most obviously in Excel. It has no lag when managing multiple workbooks and large datasets, so that you can make data-based business decisions in a more timely manner. PowerPoint offers new advanced content creation tools, including integrating video and voice narration, even live camera feeds. Word has a new Focus Mode that hides non-essential options and toolbars to minimize distractions. Accessibility features have been upgraded, such as Outlook's accessibility checker, which will flag poor formatting and unclear language issues to ensure emails meet standards for effective communication. The user interface has been modernized, as well. Even better, the interface is consistent throughout all of the applications. Touch and pen support has also been updated, making them more responsive and providing a better experience on tablets and hybrid devices. Small businesses will find these useful for presenting a polished image without graphic design experience. Collaboration tools have been improved with a deeper integration of Microsoft Teams, chat and commenting features, and more. Exciting new AI-powered features are also now available. Best of all, this license is a one-time purchase, so there's no need to worry about expensive subscriptions anymore. Not sure if you need Outlook or business licensing? You can also get Office Home 2024 for just $129.97 (reg. $149.99). This version includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote—the classic core apps —but is licensed for personal/home use. If you're mainly tackling household tasks, schoolwork, or personal projects, this lighter version might be all you need. Pick from one of these Office versions now through June 1 to get this deal: • Home & Business: Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business for Mac or PC is available for $159.97 (reg. $249). • Home: Microsoft Office 2024 Home for Mac or PC for just $129.97 (reg. $149.99). StackSocial prices subject to change.
Entrepreneur
08-05-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Why Buying a Retiring Business Is the Smartest Move for Young Entrepreneurs
Boomer-owned businesses tend to be in better financial and operational shape than others; the longer it's been in operation, the better its track record. Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. An upheaval is reshaping the small business landscape, but contrary to popular belief, it's not necessarily a destructive force — it could be your golden opportunity. Financial experts are calling it the "silver tsunami": the wave of small business ownership transfers triggered by the retirement of the Baby Boomer generation, who currently own 30 percent of the nation's nearly 35 million small businesses, according to Guidant Financial and the U.S. Small Business Administration, respectively. For younger entrepreneurs, this could be a game-changer. With Baby Boomers retiring at an accelerating pace, now is the ideal time for Gen-Xers and Millennials to step into business ownership — if they're prepared to navigate the unique dynamics of buying a company from a retiring generation. Related: Baby Boomer Businesses Are Up for Grabs — Here's How Entrepreneurs Can Benefit In 2025 Why should you buy from a Baby Boomer? Let's break it down with hard numbers. Fewer than 15 percent of boomer companies are passed on to the family's next generation, according to Project Equity, a non-profit employee advocacy group. The rest? They're up for grabs. Often, the reason isn't that the business is struggling. In fact, Boomers tend to run businesses that are more financially stable and operationally sound than others. Their companies have survived economic downturns, evolving markets and changing technologies, and many have grown stronger because of it. For prospective buyers, this means more stability and less risk. But that doesn't mean you can skip the due diligence process. As always, carefully vet any business you're considering purchasing. However, compared to other businesses, those owned by Baby Boomers tend to have a better track record, especially as they're generally more seasoned and experienced. The challenges of buying from a Boomer Despite the clear advantages, buying a business from a Baby Boomer comes with its own set of challenges. For many, selling a company they founded feels like giving up a child. If the owner is the sole decision-maker, their departure could leave a leadership vacuum that makes the transition challenging. It's crucial to assess whether the company is prepared for leadership succession and whether there are any gaps in the management team. Additionally, many Boomer-owned businesses may rely on outdated technology. While some owners are tech-savvy, others have resisted upgrading their systems. This presents an opportunity for the buyer to modernize and grow the business using newer tools, including AI, digital marketing and automation. If you're comfortable with technology, this gap is your chance to gain an edge. Another consideration: while this emotional attachment can complicate the transition, the right buyer might actually find that it clears the way for a smoother exit. If the owner's children aren't interested in taking over, the business may not carry the same emotional weight. For instance, a medical device company that transitioned from family ownership to a third-party buyer saw an 87% increase in valuation just 18 months after the sale. Related: Want to Start a Business? Consider Buying One Instead — Here's Why. Key considerations before you dive in 1. Get expert guidance You'll need a seasoned business broker who specializes in your industry. Look for one with experience, credentials, and transparency in both their process and fees. Additionally, enlist the help of an experienced CPA to scrutinize the business's financials and ensure there are no surprises post-sale. A smart, well-negotiated deal could give you the leverage you need to succeed from day one. 2. Evaluate company culture If the team is close to retirement or the business has long-term employees, you may face the challenge of retention. Consider offering incentives to retain key staff, especially if the owner's departure could create unrest among loyal employees. Also, evaluate whether the company's culture aligns with your vision for growth and innovation. 3. Negotiate a transition period One of the best ways to ensure a smooth transition is by negotiating a transition period where the previous owner stays on for several months. During this time, they can train you, introduce you to key vendors and customers, and help you integrate into the community. This is especially important if the owner has strong local connections or a reputation that could give your business an initial boost. Be sure to include this transition period in your purchase agreement. Turning a legacy into your own Though you may encounter comments like, "The old owners never did this," buying a Boomer-owned business can set you up for success in ways that starting from scratch never will. The silver tsunami isn't just a wave to watch from the shore — it's a massive opportunity for those ready to ride it. Acquiring a business with an established customer base, track record, and reputation allows you to build on a solid foundation. Instead of re-inventing the wheel, you can leverage years of experience and industry connections to grow and innovate. And with the right adjustments — whether it's streamlining operations, upgrading tech, or enhancing company culture — you can leave your own mark on the legacy and build your own. Now, more than ever, Baby Boomer retirees are opening the door for the next generation of entrepreneurs. If you act strategically, the silver tsunami could help you build your own legacy, with the lessons and opportunities of the past firmly in your corner.
