For Subscribers

Why 2014 Was the Year of the Story Storytelling was the common thread in an otherwise mercurial year in business.

By Amy Cosper

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

2014 stands out as a pivotal year for many reasons: some good, some terrifying, some cringe-worthy, but all noteworthy. This year we've witnessed the horrific groundswell of the terrorist group ISIS. We've experienced the very real possibility of an epidemic in this country. And we witnessed an uprising—in the name of democracy—in Hong Kong.

But it's not all evil and strife. 2014 was the year we put marriage equality in the books; we allowed a nascent industry—marijuana—to thrive; and we celebrated (and wept) as Malala Yousafzai became the youngest Nobel Peace Prize winner in history.

It was a year of humility—and from that humility, optimism.

And in business, new ways of seeing and creating became the norm. Access to capital morphed as 2014 ushered in and finally acknowledged the power of the people.

This was the year ride-sharing services made major inroads, operating in nearly every major U.S. metropolitan area and internationally. (Uber alone is in 45 countries.) Of course, they made some enemies along the way, criticized for price-gouging, wage-garnishing and security breaches.

Also this year, crowdfunding platforms grew some serious balls. The strategy continues to gain momentum and street cred, with big-time investors taking a second look at the possibilities. And you, as entrepreneurs and internet denizens, are part of this narrative.

Welcome to the year of the storyteller platform, which will carry on into next year. Of all the highs and lows, storytelling seemed to be the major business lesson of 2014. Financials still matter to investors, but your story is now the story—and the one that will land you cash money.

Take this, for example: the Coolest Cooler, a combination cooler-stereo-margarita blender, which raised a hangover-inducing $13 million on Kickstarter. That's a lot of cash for a cooler startup. And what a great story.

On a smaller but still notable scale: This was the year of potato-salad capital investment. What started as a tongue-in-cheek campaign to make potato salad ended up raising $55,000 on Kickstarter—proving yet again that if you have a compelling story and know how to tell it, the money is there.

This issue is our favorite of the year. We look not only at the events and the people that have defined the past 12 months, but at the trends and opportunities we expect to see in the coming 12 months. It is our moment to bring together past, present and future. And it is our only issue this year (if ever?) in which Mary Barra (CEO of GM) and Beyoncé (CEO of the Universe) come together in perfect harmony in one feature.

Amy Cosper

Former Editor in Chief

Amy Cosper is the former vice president of Entrepreneur Media Inc., and editor-in-chief of Entrepreneur magazine.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Side Hustle

After a 12-Year-Old's Side Hustle Made Over $4,000 in 1 Day, He and His Dad Grew the Business to Nearly $50,000 a Month: 'It Takes Commitment'

Madden Forrest and his father, Steven, turned their passion for football into a lucrative business.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Business News

10 Surprising and Inspiring Quotes From Brian Wilson, the Genius Behind The Beach Boys' 'Pet Sounds'

The Beach Boys' Brian Wilson died this week at age 82, but his music is still blowing minds.

Side Hustle

Use This AI-Powered Platform to Turn Your Side Hustle into a Scalable Business

Turn a side hustle into something sustainable with Sellful's ERP White Label plan.

Growing a Business

The Hidden Risk That Crashes Startups — Even the Profitable Ones

In uncertain markets, the most resilient businesses aren't the biggest—they're the most liquid, able to move fast, adapt quickly and survive when capital gets tight.