Latest news with #founder
Forbes
8 hours ago
- Business
- Forbes
The Visionary Leader: 5 Strategies To Drive Big-Picture Success
Allison Maslan, CEO & Founder of Pinnacle Global Network, Wall Street Journal best-selling author. There comes a moment in every founder's journey when the day-to-day problem-solving feels too small for the company's potential. We realize the next breakthrough won't be won by tightening the screws on operations. Rather, it will be sparked by a bigger idea and carried forward by people who share that idea as their own. A visionary leader is not a ceremonial promotion but a shift in how we think, speak and serve. These five strategies have guided my journey from chief doer to chief dreamer, and they can accelerate yours as well. 1. Build a circle that holds you accountable. Visionaries don't succeed in isolation. The further we reach, the more we need people who will question our blind spots and have uncomfortable conversations. Early in my career, I relied heavily on myself, convinced that's what capable leaders do, but I was wrong. I learned it the hard way. One evening, driving home with my mind completely jammed by deadlines and the crushing weight of a business entirely dependent on me, my focus slipped. I experienced a terrifying car accident, a moment that fundamentally rewired my perspective on leadership. That wake-up call made me realize that true leadership is about purposefully creating the support structures and striking the balance required for both you and your company to prosper sustainably, not about bearing every weight alone. So I began building that support. I hired a team and trusted them with real ownership. I reached out to mentors and met with peer advisors who challenged me to think beyond the obvious. When your internal board of brilliance feels empowered through clear goals and genuine autonomy, they'll handle the day-to-day while you steer the company's big-picture growth. And by welcoming external wisdom, you model teachability and reinforce that asking for help is a strength, not a weakness. But perhaps the most important lesson is that competence, while it starts with your capabilities, is amplified by building and listening to a circle of trusted advisors. Relying on people who care enough to have a sit-down, harsh-truth conversation with you proactively helps leaders avoid costly (and more painful) lessons. 2. Cultivate a leadership mindset. Founders who insist on owning every solution create ceilings for growth. Our real mandate is to elevate others until leadership becomes a habit. That begins with motivating your team to proactively fix issues before bringing them to you. When a team misses a deadline, I often ask, 'What would your approach be to this situation if I weren't available?' The conversation shifts from blame to creativity because it encourages the team to reflect and share insights without fear. At the same time, our credibility rises or falls on the integrity of our word. If we promise resources or access, we deliver. Consistency cements trust faster than perks ever could. Finally, small gestures like asking about their kid's recital may not feel like much, but go a long way in making your team feel seen and valued. This 'people-first' work culture makes them bring their best to innovation, and innovation is the lifeline of your vision. 3. Lead out loud. Vision is tested when the unexpected strikes. Wildfires, cyber breaches, market whiplash—whatever the disruption, people look to leadership for clarity and care. Start by checking in on your team's well-being. A simple 'Are you safe?' signals that results never outrank people and immediately lowers the tension. Empathy and flexibility in the work schedule during a crisis are often the fastest ways to keep morale intact while the outside world feels chaotic. Widen your lens by reaching out to mentors who have weathered similar storms. Their outside perspective calms emotion and helps you avoid tunnel vision. Once you're sure you're prepared and know where things stand, focus your communication on facts. Transparent data stops rumor mills and shows customers you value honesty over optics. Then, invite cross-functional team players to help with new strategies. When employees play authentic roles in the fix, confidence replaces anxiety and trust deepens. Finally, close the loop by sharing what the company learned and how safeguards will improve going forward. Teams remember leaders who pair compassion with decisive follow-through, and customers stay loyal to brands that prove reliable under pressure. 4. Align empowerment with clear accountability. When we give employees real authority, clear purpose and resources, they stop waiting for instructions and start thinking like owners. People who know their judgment is respected volunteer ideas and help colleagues push past roadblocks. Over time, this freedom shapes a workplace where initiative is the norm and energy is always high. While empowerment starts with trust, it comes with accountability. I hold regular check-ins that focus on conversation about learning rather than blaming, which makes it safe to admit missteps. When performance slides, we face it together; we provide coaching to help get back on track and capture the lessons learned to improve future projects. This way, progress becomes a shared responsibility and no one has to look over their shoulder. Recognition seals the deal. A quick note that says 'I see you' or a shout-out in weekly meetings tells rising leaders their contribution matters before any client claps for it. 5. Keep innovation agile. Agility in business means responding quickly and effectively to changes and opportunities while staying aligned with the company's mission and values. When a new idea emerges with potential, take swift action by testing it with a small group, gathering feedback and refining the approach based on their input while maintaining momentum and enthusiasm. The key is to stay flexible, adapt quickly and ensure that the changes made are always in line with the bigger goals of the business. Visionary leadership never settles for 'good enough.' It demands that you step beyond your comfort zone and model bold, actionable change. Organizations that lead this way can redefine targets, which compels the entire industry to raise its game. Will you cling to the familiar, or will you rally your team around daring new pursuits and together shape the future? The choice is yours. Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders. Do I qualify?
Fox News
11 hours ago
- Business
- Fox News
‘Uber of education' app launches as parents seek public school alternatives
An app that has a concept similar to Uber is connecting parents with specialized schools while many are fleeing the public school system. Edefy was launched in 2021 by a family with experience in investing in private schools overseas. The app's website explained that the software was "inspired by the rapid rise and outstanding results generated by Pod/Micro-Schooling." The creators of the app told Fox News Digital that this app was finalized this month after some piloting. "We have been funding the development of the Edefy app/platform for two and a half years, and began using a very rudimentary version of our app last year for some pilot pods, but the first real version for public use was just finalized and released a few days ago. We consider this version 1, but have a robust product pipeline so will be rapidly updating it with new features each week," a spokesperson told Fox News Digital. "Ultimately, I was just very frustrated with public education, and wanted to break its infrastructure and logistics monopoly, and from experience saw that the Pod school model created a better system for children and teachers," the founder of the app, who does not want their name to be disclosed, told Fox News Digital. "In-person education requires a three-sided marketplace... essentially an Airbnb for education space, meets Uber to connect families directly with teachers. It was quite the technical challenge, which is why it took so long to build, but the implications are pretty exciting," he added. School choice advocate of the American Culture Project, Corey DeAngelis, told Fox News Digital that "Uber revolutionized transportation by connecting drivers with riders." "It lowered costs, increased quality, and improved the taxi business through competition. The concept behind Edefy is the Uber of education," he said. The app creators began manually coordinating families and teachers with places to meet to form "pod schools." "This is an emerging market so terms are still somewhat undefined, but in our view, Pod schools are when families gather together and compensate the teacher they want directly," the founder told Fox News Digital. Pod schools operate similarly to microschooling, which is a hybrid of homeschooling and the traditional public school setting. These education models could be privately run or held at public institutions. The Indiana Microschool Collaborative describes microschools as "a small learning space in your local community where each student has a personalized learning plan built around their needs, interests, and goals." There has been an uptick in parents choosing to homeschool their children since the coronavirus pandemic, indicating a growing trend of parents overlooking public schools. While microschools are not a new concept, they operate similarly to homeschooling. After Arizona launched its $800 million universal school choice program giving parents $7,000 to put toward their child's education expenses, Tucson Unified School District is reportedly recently facing financial and enrollment struggles–citing losses of $20 million as parents overlooked the district. Several other states followed Arizona in passing universal school choice legislation, responding to the trend of parents seeking alternative options to traditional public schools. DeAngelis added that Edefy "could revolutionize education by connecting teachers with students while putting parents in the driver's seat." "Public schools spend about $20,000 per student per year. Imagine if that money followed the child with school choice and a teacher set up a microschool with 12 students. That teacher could pull in $240,000 in revenue each year, make more money than in the public school system, and have the freedom to teach without bureaucratic red tape," DeAngelis said. He concluded, "This concept shakes up the entire factory model school system… Parents want alternatives to the one-size-fits-all government school system, and the best teachers are ready to jump ship, too."
Entrepreneur
a day ago
- Business
- Entrepreneur
The Side Hustle Generation: Why Nearly Half of UK Adults Are Eyeing Entrepreneurship in 2025
According to Enterprise Nation, nearly half of UK adults are considering launching a business or side hustle in 2025—signaling a nationwide shift toward passion-driven, purpose-led entrepreneurship. Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. You're reading Entrepreneur United Kingdom, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. In kitchens, coffee shops, and co-working spaces across Britain, something is brewing—and it's not just flat whites. A quiet but powerful shift is taking place in the mindset of working adults, one that could redefine the UK's economic landscape. According to a new report from Enterprise Nation, nearly half of UK adults (47%) are now considering starting their own business or launching a side hustle in 2025. It's not just a trend—it's a movement. And it's being driven by a new generation of entrepreneurs who are rejecting outdated work models and rewriting what ambition looks like. The Rise of the Passion-Led Founder Unlike the traditional startup founder narrative—think high-stakes pitches, Silicon Valley dreams, and endless VC rounds—today's budding entrepreneurs are driven by purpose, creativity, and flexibility. Many are turning hobbies and personal interests into income streams, from homemade bakes and fashion styling to wellness coaching and digital art. According to Enterprise Nation's data, the majority of these aspiring founders cite reasons that go beyond money. Around 42% are seeking more fulfilment and meaning in their careers, while 38% are motivated by the desire to turn a passion or hobby into something tangible. Meanwhile, 36% want greater control over their time and income—reflecting a deeper shift in how people view work, purpose, and personal freedom. It's a deeply personal kind of entrepreneurship, often bootstrapped, digital-first, and community-oriented. Gen Z Leads the Charge Unsurprisingly, Gen Z—those aged 18 to 30—are leading the pack, with 62% saying they're likely to start something of their own this year. Many are choosing business ownership straight out of school or university, motivated by digital tools that lower the barrier to entry and the growing appeal of "freedom over formality." But it's not just the young. 51% of 31–40-year-olds also report they're actively considering a side hustle or full-blown venture. Even retirees and mid-career professionals are entering the game, often as consultants, makers, or online educators. Emma Jones, founder of Enterprise Nation, describes the shift as a "new wave of working," where entrepreneurial thinking is no longer reserved for a select few. "It's a movement grounded in optimism," she says. "People want more control over their future—and they're realizing that starting something small can be the most empowering way to get it." Digital Tools, Real Opportunities What's enabling this groundswell? Two things: technology and mindset. The explosion of e-commerce platforms, AI-powered productivity tools, and remote collaboration software has made starting a business from your bedroom more viable than ever. Social media, too, is playing a major role. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram aren't just marketing tools—they're launchpads. Many young entrepreneurs are building audiences before they even have a formal product, validating ideas in real-time and cultivating communities around their brand values. Meanwhile, digital marketplaces and low-cost SaaS solutions mean that selling, shipping, invoicing, and managing a business can now be done from a smartphone. Policy and Support Still Lagging Despite this enthusiasm, many new entrepreneurs are navigating the system without much formal support. Access to funding, business education, and mentorship remains uneven—particularly outside London and for those from underrepresented backgrounds. Enterprise Nation is calling on the government to streamline support for this new generation of small-scale entrepreneurs, particularly through better digital skills training, local community funding, and easier access to financial services for micro-businesses. The group is also encouraging large companies to create partnerships and procurement opportunities for side hustlers and solopreneurs—recognizing them not as fringe players, but as part of a vital and growing segment of the economy. From Side Hustle to Serious Business What begins as a creative outlet or weekend project can evolve into a thriving business. In fact, many of the UK's fastest-growing companies today started as side hustles—from skincare brands built on kitchen counters to tech consultancies launched during lockdown. And while the economic headlines may be dominated by inflation or funding slowdowns, this grassroots entrepreneurial surge suggests a more hopeful story—one of resilience, innovation, and self-determination. As 2025 unfolds, the real entrepreneurs to watch may not be those raising millions, but the ones raising the bar for what it means to work with purpose.
Forbes
a day ago
- Business
- Forbes
How To Remove Yourself From Sales, Without Breaking Your Business
If you're still leading every sales conversation, you become the bottleneck in your business. Most business owners don't start with the intention of becoming their business's bottleneck. But if you're still leading every sales conversation, closing every deal, and holding every client relationship in your head, you are. And here's the hard truth: If your business needs you to make a sale, you business is not ready to be sold if you ever desire to exit. that's because business buyers don't just evaluate profit, they evaluate risk. And the riskiest businesses? The ones that crumble when the founder steps away. The good news is: you can fix you being the bottleneck in sales, without losing revenue, quality, or control. In this article, I'll walk you through how to remove yourself from sales, without breaking your business. Let's start with the why. Step 1: Understand Why Founder-Led Sales Lowers Business Valuation When a business buyer looks at your business, they're not just buying revenue, they're buying reliability and predictability. If, as the founder or owner, you're the one making the sales, business buyers see: This is where many founders stall: they assume they're indispensable. But from a business buyer's perspective, you being essential is a liability, not an asset. Action Step You Can Take: Start by getting clear on exactly how involved you still are in the sales processes of your business. Grab a notepad (or a spreadsheet) and list every single sales-related task you personally handle. This becomes your Sales Dependency Map. Once you see the map, you can start removing yourself from sales related activities. Step 2: Choose Your Path to Sales Independence There are two core strategies to remove yourself from sales: This is ideal for service-based businesses with longer sales cycles and human-to-human trust: This works well for productized services, digital offers, or education-based businesses: It's the model I use for more than 15 years. I haven't been on a sales call in years. But sales happen all the time, because the Founder-Free Sales System replaces me. So how do you know which path is right? Look at your offer, your team, and your personality. Some founders thrive on relationships. Others prefer to scale through structure. There is no one-size-fits-all. But doing nothing is the only wrong choice. Step 3: Document What Only You Know If your sales process lives in your head, it can't be delegated. Start by recording yourself: Write down your typical structure: how you open, what questions you ask, and how you handle objections. If you use storytelling or case studies, add those too. Your goal is to build a Sales Playbook, a simple internal guide that includes: Think of it as your business's sales brain. Once it's written down, others can step in, whether that is a new sales agent or the buyer of your business. Step 4: Shift Your Team Into Sales Mode Here's a mindset shift: sales isn't a department. It's a company-wide culture. Even if you only have two team members, they impact the sale: Start having sales check-ins where every team member answers this question: "What did you do this week that helped someone say yes to us?" It builds buy-in into sales from the whole team. It shifts ownership. And it makes sales a shared priority, not your solo burden. Step 5: Delegate One Sales Task Now Business owners often fail at sales delegation because they try to hand over everything at once. Don't. Start small. Pick one low-risk task: Once you've delegated one piece, you build confidence and capacity. Step 6: Automate Your Sales System If you're automating (parts of) your sales process, you're giving up live client feedback. So you need another way to hear what's working well. With automations, your numbers become your ears: Set up a small spreadsheet with your key metrics. Look for trends. Iterate constantly. Your sales system should improve even when you're not touching it. Conclusion: You Don't Have to Be the Rainmaker Forever Removing yourself from your sales department isn't just a strategy. It's a key responsibility you have as the owner of your business. Your clients shouldn't have to wait for your calendar availability to get served. Your team deserves a business that grows without burning you out. The future buyer of your business is looking for a company, not a personal brand built around you. If you wait until six months before selling your business to step out of your sales department, it's already too late. Start now. Start small. But start. Because a business that does sales without you? That's a business worth buying.
Bloomberg
2 days ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
Opendoor Soars as Traders Flock to New Meme Stock
Eric Jackson, founder and president of EMJ Capital, talks about Opendoor's wild week, what led him to invest in the company and why he doesn't consider it to be a real 'meme stock.' (Source: Bloomberg)
