Latest news with #KevinOLeary
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Kevin O'Leary Says All 54 Of His Small Businesses Are Using AI To Cut Costs, Stay Competitive Amid Tariffs
Kevin O'Leary, also known as "Mr Wonderful," says artificial intelligence is helping businesses like his fight inflation and survive margin pressure brought on by new tariffs. What Happened: In a video posted Tuesday on X, formerly Twitter, the "Shark Tank" investor broke down how companies are coping with rising costs, citing General Motors (NYSE:GM) as an example of how businesses may navigate a 45% margin hit. "This may be the roadmap for every business," O'Leary said on Fox Business. One-third of the margin hit, they're going to eat themselves, so they're going to have to find ways to be more productive, he said. One-third, they're going to push out on price increases, which "I agree is inflationary." But the last third? That's where AI comes in. Trending: Be part of the breakthrough that could replace plastic as we know it— He emphasized that every one of the 54 small businesses in his private portfolio is now leveraging vertical applications of AI to reduce operational costs — whether in insurance, wireless charging, or other sectors. "We've never had tariffs before with an AI multiplier in it," he said. "This forces us to figure out a way to be more productive." Why It's Important: O'Leary's comments come as many companies grapple with rising tariffs and inflationary pressure, especially in sectors heavily exposed to global supply chains. His view reflects a growing consensus that artificial intelligence is not just a tech trend but a crucial tool for business survival and long-term productivity gains. Last week, Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) (NASDAQ:GOOGL) CEO Sundar Pichai reportedly urged employees to increase their use of AI to boost productivity, highlighting that the company must 'accomplish more' without expanding headcount. Earlier this month, Yahoo Japan also instructed its 11,000 employees to incorporate generative AI into their daily workflows, to double productivity through automation by 2028. AI-driven automation has also contributed to a surge in tech industry layoffs, impacting as many as 80,000 workers. Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT), for example, has laid off 15,000 employees while simultaneously allocating $80 billion toward AI development. Read next: $100k+ in investable assets? Match with a fiduciary advisor for free to learn how you can maximize your retirement and save on taxes – no cost, no obligation. These five entrepreneurs are worth $223 billion – they all believe in one platform that offers a 7-9% target yield with monthly dividends Photo courtesy: Shutterstock UNLOCKED: 5 NEW TRADES EVERY WEEK. Click now to get top trade ideas daily, plus unlimited access to cutting-edge tools and strategies to gain an edge in the markets. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? This article Kevin O'Leary Says All 54 Of His Small Businesses Are Using AI To Cut Costs, Stay Competitive Amid Tariffs originally appeared on Sign in to access your portfolio
Fox News
10 hours ago
- Business
- Fox News
Kevin O'Leary predicts there will be ‘no rate cuts' in 2025
O'Leary Ventures Chairman Kevin O'Leary discusses the Federal Reserve's decision to leave interest rates unchanged on 'The Story.'
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Kevin O'Leary claims his simple formula is all you need to turn yourself into a millionaire — even on a $65,000 salary
You're making $65,000 a year and wondering if you'll ever see seven figures in your bank account. According to "Shark Tank" investor Kevin O'Leary, not only is it possible – it's practically guaranteed if you follow his simple formula. O'Leary recently shared his wealth-building philosophy on X, delivering the same advice he gave his own children: save, invest, and let compound interest work its magic. His approach strips away intimidating complexity and focuses on three core principles that anyone can follow, regardless of their income level. Don't miss Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 6 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) You don't have to be a millionaire to gain access to this $1B private real estate fund. In fact, you can get started with as little as $10 — here's how But is it really that simple? O'Leary: Save first, spend later The foundation of O'Leary's strategy revolves around one non-negotiable rule: save before you spend. "Don't spend it. Save it. Invest it. Let it compound," he emphasized in his recent video message. Why does O'Leary prioritize saving over spending? The answer lies in the power of compound interest and market growth. He points to historical market returns of 8% to 10% annually, which means your money grows exponentially over time. Every dollar you invest today becomes significantly more valuable decades down the road. O'Leary's magic number is 15%. "Take 15% of every paycheck, I don't care how big it is. Or any gift Granny gives you. Or anything you get in a side hustle, and invest it," he advises. This consistent percentage applies to all income sources, ensuring that your wealth-building efforts accelerate as your earning power increases. Balancing present needs with future wealth Setting aside 15% of your income might seem daunting, especially when you're juggling rent, groceries, and other essential expenses. The key is viewing this percentage not as optional spending money, but as a non-negotiable bill you pay to your future self. Start by creating a budget that prioritizes your 15% investment contribution right after essential expenses like housing, food, transportation, and minimum debt payments. Consider this your "wealth tax" — a mandatory payment that builds wealth rather than depleting it. If 15% feels impossible initially, begin with whatever percentage you can manage consistently. Even 5% or 10% creates momentum and establishes the habit. You can increase the percentage as you eliminate debt, receive raises, or find ways to reduce other expenses. Here's a relatively painless way to start: Contribute just enough to get your company's full 401(k) match — something nearly a quarter of 401(k) investors don't do, investment house Vanguard found in a 2024 study. Many employers offer a dollar-for-dollar match on the first 3% of your salary — meaning you put in 3%, they put in 3%, and boom: You're saving 6% of your income for retirement. From there, take 1% from your next raise, or more, and add it to your contribution. Do the same with each raise that follows until you're putting away 15%. You'll barely notice the difference in your paycheck, but your future self will thank you for the slow, steady climb. Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says — and that 'anyone' can do it Time is your biggest asset The earlier you start investing, the more dramatic your results become. This is where compound interest truly shines, turning modest contributions into substantial wealth over decades. Consider Sarah, who starts investing 15% of her $65,000 salary at age 25. She contributes $9,750 annually ($812.50 monthly) to diversified index funds earning an average 9% return. By age 65, her investments will have grown to approximately $3.3 million — despite contributing only $390,000 of her own money over 40 years. Compare that to Michael, who waits until age 35 to start the same investment strategy. His final balance at 65 would be around $1.5 million, despite contributing $292,500. Sarah's 10-year head start resulted in $1.8 million more, even though she only contributed $97,500 more of her own money. This dramatic difference explains why O'Leary emphasizes starting immediately, regardless of age or income level. Time multiplies money in ways that higher salaries alone can't match. The power of cutting unnecessary spending O'Leary's wealth-building philosophy includes one crucial caveat: "Just don't buy crap you don't need." He's particularly vocal about small daily expenses that seem insignificant but add up to substantial amounts over time. But you don't have to live like a hermit. The goal is distinguishing between purchases that genuinely enhance your life and those that provide momentary satisfaction. Create a "want versus need" filter for discretionary spending. Ask yourself: Will this purchase matter to me in five years, or will investing this money instead set me up for financial freedom? What to read next Robert Kiyosaki warns of a 'Greater Depression' coming to the US — with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 'easy-money' assets will bring in 'great wealth'. How to get in now Accredited investors can now buy into this $22 trillion asset class once reserved for elites – and become the landlord of Walmart, Whole Foods or Kroger without lifting a finger. Here's how Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? Stay in the know. Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise sent straight to your inbox every week for free. This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
‘Shark Tank' icon Kevin O'Leary reveals the 3 things he looks for when investing his millions into a founder
Multimillionaire investor Kevin O'Leary looks for three star qualities in the entrepreneurs he goes into business with: those who have a 'founder's mindset,' a balanced talking-to-listening ratio, and executional prowess. From working with the likes of late Apple cofounder Steve Jobs and multimillion-dollar entrepreneurs to being an investor on his hit-TV show, he's picked up a few patterns of the most successful people. Multimillionaire entrepreneur Kevin O'Leary knows a thing or two about picking the right people and ideas to invest in. Having worked with greats like Steve Jobs, not to mention his success on Shark Tank backing businesses generating millions, he's picked up on a few key qualities in great founders. O'Leary looks for three qualities in the people he chooses to do business with. The 71-year-old investor tells Fortune the most critical trait is having 'founder's mindset': adopting a frame of mind that prioritizes 'signal,' or what has to get done in the next 18 hours, while drowning out the 'noise' of everyday life and complications. He witnessed this demeanor while working with Jobs, when Apple was partnering with O'Leary's $4.2 billion software company SoftKey Software Products. He requires that the founders he invests in have that same leadership ethos—even if it's a quality that's hard to come by. 'The ability to see all the noise coming at you and filter it out, and focus on the three to five things you're going to get done, that's a remarkable attribute,' O'Leary tells Fortune. 'You find that in 30% of the people. Then you want to back those people, because if they're not successful in their first mandate, they're going to figure it out. That attribute is very important.' When it comes to the signal versus the noise, he currently operates on a 80:20 balance, just like Jobs did while running Apple, and looks for entrepreneurs who can keep their eye on the ball. O'Leary admits that he didn't always have the right ratio in embodying the founder's mindset—but now has achieved it, and looks for it in others. 'You have to decide everyday, every 18 hours, what three to five things you have to get done,' O'Leary says. 'It's not the big vision. It's what you have to get done in the next 18 hours that matters.' The two other traits a founder needs to have O'Leary's backing O'Leary has heard hundreds—if not thousands—of entrepreneurs plead their business case while starring on Shark Tank. Thanks to his intuition from decades in the game, he's worked alongside and invested in a lot of winners. In 2014, O'Leary put $150,000 down for 80% of licensing profits of small photo-book subscription service Groovebook, which was later bought by Shutterfly for $14.5 million, making it one of the show's biggest acquisitions. He also had luck with sustainable cleaning-products business Blueland, investing $270,000 for 3% equity and $0.50 per unit royalty until principal was recouped. By 2022, Blueland made over $100 million in lifetime sales and profitability, with its products now flying off the shelves of Target and Whole Foods every 10 seconds. It's clear the serial investor has developed a keen eye for what will work well. In addition to the 'founder's mindset,' the serial investor also emphasizes the importance of having a balanced listening-to-talking ratio and strong executional skills, which he says is 'impossible to find.' He says he didn't always get the talking-to-listening balance right. Wall Street and Silicon Valley executives may think they should be the loudest and most outspoken people in the room—but taking a backseat and giving others the floor is important, too. Not enough listening and too much talking may stifle great business ideas that get drowned out. 'Reverse the ratio of talking and listening. Most people love to hear themselves talk—I was guilty of that for years, and I've reversed it,' O'Leary says. 'I listen two thirds of the time, and I talk one third of the time. That's my new ratio, and it's much more powerful.' Lastly, the baby boomer investor looks for unparalleled executional skills. Coming up with the next billion-dollar business venture is one thing, but getting it off the ground is another. O'Leary looks for founders and teams that can get the job done—even if it takes more than one try. Being an excellent executor doesn't always mean hitting a home run your first time at bat. Sometimes, O'Leary says, investors and entrepreneurs need a little karma and luck. 'Great ideas are dime a dozen—executional skills are impossible to find,' O'Leary continues. 'I've invested in lots of teams over the years that screw up their first deal, they go to zero, and then I invest again, and I get a huge hit, because I know they're good. 'I'm working on a deal right now with a team that I just finished a great execution with, and hopefully will be good on the second one. I like to work with people that I know have proven executional skills.' This story was originally featured on Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
‘Shark Tank' icon Kevin O'Leary reveals the 3 things he looks for when investing his millions into a founder
Multimillionaire investor Kevin O'Leary looks for three star qualities in the entrepreneurs he goes into business with: those who have a 'founder's mindset,' a balanced talking-to-listening ratio, and executional prowess. From working with the likes of late Apple cofounder Steve Jobs and multimillion-dollar entrepreneurs to being an investor on his hit-TV show, he's picked up a few patterns of the most successful people. Multimillionaire entrepreneur Kevin O'Leary knows a thing or two about picking the right people and ideas to invest in. Having worked with greats like Steve Jobs, not to mention his success on Shark Tank backing businesses generating millions, he's picked up on a few key qualities in great founders. O'Leary looks for three qualities in the people he chooses to do business with. The 71-year-old investor tells Fortune the most critical trait is having 'founder's mindset': adopting a frame of mind that prioritizes 'signal,' or what has to get done in the next 18 hours, while drowning out the 'noise' of everyday life and complications. He witnessed this demeanor while working with Jobs, when Apple was partnering with O'Leary's $4.2 billion software company SoftKey Software Products. He requires that the founders he invests in have that same leadership ethos—even if it's a quality that's hard to come by. 'The ability to see all the noise coming at you and filter it out, and focus on the three to five things you're going to get done, that's a remarkable attribute,' O'Leary tells Fortune. 'You find that in 30% of the people. Then you want to back those people, because if they're not successful in their first mandate, they're going to figure it out. That attribute is very important.' When it comes to the signal versus the noise, he currently operates on a 80:20 balance, just like Jobs did while running Apple, and looks for entrepreneurs who can keep their eye on the ball. O'Leary admits that he didn't always have the right ratio in embodying the founder's mindset—but now has achieved it, and looks for it in others. 'You have to decide everyday, every 18 hours, what three to five things you have to get done,' O'Leary says. 'It's not the big vision. It's what you have to get done in the next 18 hours that matters.' The two other traits a founder needs to have O'Leary's backing O'Leary has heard hundreds—if not thousands—of entrepreneurs plead their business case while starring on Shark Tank. Thanks to his intuition from decades in the game, he's worked alongside and invested in a lot of winners. In 2014, O'Leary put $150,000 down for 80% of licensing profits of small photo-book subscription service Groovebook, which was later bought by Shutterfly for $14.5 million, making it one of the show's biggest acquisitions. He also had luck with sustainable cleaning-products business Blueland, investing $270,000 for 3% equity and $0.50 per unit royalty until principal was recouped. By 2022, Blueland made over $100 million in lifetime sales and profitability, with its products now flying off the shelves of Target and Whole Foods every 10 seconds. It's clear the serial investor has developed a keen eye for what will work well. In addition to the 'founder's mindset,' the serial investor also emphasizes the importance of having a balanced listening-to-talking ratio and strong executional skills, which he says is 'impossible to find.' He says he didn't always get the talking-to-listening balance right. Wall Street and Silicon Valley executives may think they should be the loudest and most outspoken people in the room—but taking a backseat and giving others the floor is important, too. Not enough listening and too much talking may stifle great business ideas that get drowned out. 'Reverse the ratio of talking and listening. Most people love to hear themselves talk—I was guilty of that for years, and I've reversed it,' O'Leary says. 'I listen two thirds of the time, and I talk one third of the time. That's my new ratio, and it's much more powerful.' Lastly, the baby boomer investor looks for unparalleled executional skills. Coming up with the next billion-dollar business venture is one thing, but getting it off the ground is another. O'Leary looks for founders and teams that can get the job done—even if it takes more than one try. Being an excellent executor doesn't always mean hitting a home run your first time at bat. Sometimes, O'Leary says, investors and entrepreneurs need a little karma and luck. 'Great ideas are dime a dozen—executional skills are impossible to find,' O'Leary continues. 'I've invested in lots of teams over the years that screw up their first deal, they go to zero, and then I invest again, and I get a huge hit, because I know they're good. 'I'm working on a deal right now with a team that I just finished a great execution with, and hopefully will be good on the second one. I like to work with people that I know have proven executional skills.' This story was originally featured on Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
