I Dismissed This Unconventional Leadership Practice — Until It Transformed My Business and My Life

Key Takeaways

Embodied leadership is the practice of leading not just from intellect or strategy, but from the integration of mind, body and emotion.
When I started leading from an embodied state, investor meetings became more effective, my team responded more to how I showed up than to what I said, conflict resolution became less reactive and more relational, and I made fewer fear-based decisions.
Entrepreneurs should check in with their bodies before making a big decision, reframe stress as physical data, lead with grounded presence and integrate regular practices.

There’s no shortage of leadership advice online. Scroll your feed and you’ll find endless tips on optimizing your calendar, sharpening your pitch or making better decisions. After 38 years of building and funding growth companies, riding the waves of the capital markets, IPOs, crashes and reinventions, I’ve learned the real starting line isn’t my calendar or pitch deck; it’s my energy, the cadence of my breath and the weight of my feet on the floor.

I didn’t come to this realization in a moment of calm clarity or on a meditation cushion. It slammed in hard during one of the most chaotic times in my life, after the Great Recession wiped out nearly everything I had built. I wasn’t just facing business losses; my balance sheet bled, real estate values flipped, but the real deficit was unraveling physically and emotionally. On the outside, I still wore the leader’s mask, yet I was reactive and spent. Strategy couldn’t reach that place; only presence could.

That’s when I discovered embodied leadership.

From surviving to leading with presence

Embodied leadership is the practice of leading not just from intellect or strategy, but from the integration of mind, body and emotion. It is grounded in neuroscience and used in elite performance environments, including special-ops military and Fortune 500 boardrooms. At its core, it teaches leaders to feel what is happening inside before they act outside.

At first, I was skeptical and dismissed it as woo-woo. Coming from the world of capital markets and hard metrics, the idea of breathing techniques and posture awareness felt too soft and intangible. But then I tested it when I began practicing it, three slow breaths before investor meetings and grounding myself before making a high-stakes call, I noticed something. I made better decisions. I communicated more clearly. My presence started speaking louder than my pitch.

The science behind the shift

This isn’t just personal insight. It is backed by research. A study published by Yale found that even short breathing interventions reduced anxiety and improved executive performance. Other research has shown that adopting an expansive posture for just two minutes can elevate testosterone, reduce cortisol and enhance confidence and clarity.

In real-time leadership, this translates to sharper thinking under pressure, more grounded decision-making and improved team trust. For me, it also meant less burnout. I no longer lived in a constant state of mental overdrive.

What changed in my business

Once I started leading from an embodied state, subtle shifts created powerful results.

Investor meetings became more authentic and effective.
My team responded more to how I showed up than to what I said.
Conflict resolution became less reactive and more relational.
I made fewer fear-based decisions and better strategic ones.

One vivid example: During a tense discussion, I paused a boardroom conversation and took a few centering breaths. Just 30 seconds, but that short pause settled the energy in the room. What could have escalated into a heated debate shifted into a focused, solution-driven dialogue. Had I stayed on autopilot, that moment would’ve gone very differently.

How entrepreneurs can use this now

You don’t need to become a breathwork or meditation expert to lead this way. If you’re an entrepreneur dealing with uncertainty, team dynamics or nonstop decisions, this is for you. Try these simple shifts:

Start with the body, not the spreadsheet: Before your next big decision, pause. Feel your breath. Relax your shoulders. Plant your feet on the ground. This five-second check-in can help you respond rather than react.
Reframe stress as physical data: When you feel tension such as a tight jaw (a bygone for me), racing heart or clenched fists, don’t ignore it. That is data. Your body is showing you what needs attention. Listening to them gives you clarity.
Lead with grounded presence: Walk into the room with your breath low and posture strong. You’ll speak less and land more. People respond to how you enter before you say a word.
Integrate regular practices: Whether it is daily movement, breathwork or stillness, it’s about doing it daily. It is not about perfection. It is about consistency.

Why this matters more than ever

In a world of constant disruption, information overload and AI-driven decisions, what sets leaders apart isn’t just intelligence or innovation. It’s presence. The ability to stay grounded is a competitive advantage. It helps you build resilient teams, navigate volatility and make authentic decisions.

I’ve worked with dozens of CEOs through IPOs, pivots and exits. The ones who lead best aren’t always the loudest or the boldest. They’re the steadiest. They are the most embodied. These are the leaders who can stay steady in the storm and lead with clarity when the stakes are highest.

Leadership is not just what you say. It is how you show up. And how you show up begins in your body.

If there is one thing I wish I had embraced earlier in my career, it is this: You don’t need to have all the answers. But you do need to be present. And presence is something you practice, not a performance.

Because at the end of the day, companies rise and fall on decisions. But great leadership? It lives in the presence.

Why The Most Effective Leaders Don’t Yell the Loudest — They Conduct

Key Takeaways

Founders grow fastest by embracing their blind spots and building trust.
Leadership isn’t volume or control — it’s harmony, clarity, and coordination

Are you The Wizard of Oz or The Great Gatsby? Behind the curtain or in front of the crowd?

Most founders pause when I ask them this. Some smirk. All of them get it.

Early on, you have to be both.

You’re pulling the strings and selling the show. But eventually, the lines blur. And it becomes critical to know your zone of genius (and more importantly, your blind spots).

Every time I meet with an early-stage founder, I’m looking for two things: self-awareness and clarity. Not just “what’s your product” or “how big your market is,” I want to know if they’ve taken the time to really learn themselves.

I’ve learned my strengths and weaknesses over the years. That is one of the best things that a founder can do for themselves (and their investors). It’s not glamorous, but it’s the work that lasts.

The faster you admit what you’re not good at, the faster you can build a company that doesn’t depend on you doing everything. A business is an orchestra. A founder is a conductor.

Conductors know the notes. They don’t play them all.

Conductors aren’t guessing up there. They know the music. They’ve studied every instrument. They could jump in and play. But they don’t. Their job is to lead the performance.

The same goes for founders. You might know how to code. Sell. Market. Fundraise. But that doesn’t mean you should do it all forever. You’re not supposed to be a solo act.

You’re the one setting the tempo and keeping the vision clear. Making sure everyone hits their mark. If you’re the smartest person in every room, you’ve stopped growing. Hire people who play their parts better than you ever could. Then trust them to deliver.

Startups don’t die from a lack of hustle. They die from a lack of harmony. Leadership isn’t about control. It’s about coordination.

Music isn’t just a sound. It’s a story.

My company’s named after Van Morrison and Bob Seger. My daughters are named after Phil Collins and Don Henley.

Music has always been personal for me. It’s not just what I listen to. It’s how I lead. Every album tells a story. Every track carries a truth. Music is storytelling. Every lyric is a snapshot. A single thought. One moment frozen in time.

Yet somehow, millions of people hear the same song and make it their own.

That’s leadership.

You don’t need to yell louder. You need to say something real. The best founders don’t just build companies. They write stories people want to be part of. There’s a reason some brands have lifelong fans and others get forgotten in six months.

It’s not about ad spend. It’s about resonance.

My favorite thing about music?

Music is the great equalizer. You step into a concert, and everything else fades.

You’re not a CEO. Not a parent. Not a whatever-your-resume-says. You’re just a person in a crowd, feeling something.

It doesn’t matter who you worship or what you believe. When the lights go down and the music hits, you’re part of something bigger. Cheesy? Sure. True? Definitely.

That applies directly to business. Create something that lets people belong. Build something they can feel. Lead in a way that brings people together. That’s how you build brand loyalty, not with transactions, but with transformation.

Don’t confuse the spotlight with the sound

You’ve got to decide something early on: Do you want the attention, or do you want the impact?

Both are possible. But chasing one often kills the other.

The conductor isn’t louder than the orchestra. He’s not front and center, chest out, hands in the air. He’s present. Tuned in. He guides from where he’s needed most.

Same with great founders.

You don’t have to be the loudest in the room. You just have to know how to lead one. The right tempo is quiet confidence. It’s not about being seen. It’s about being felt.

No one remembers perfect. They remember powerful.

Have you ever left a concert and remembered one off-key note? Didn’t think so.

You remember the emotion. The silence before the beat dropped. People don’t follow you because you’re perfect. They follow you because you make them feel something. If your team trusts you, if your brand has rhythm, if your vision makes people stop and listen, you’ve already won.

Founders who obsess over perfection miss the point. People connect with the real. Not rehearsed.

Founders who succeed don’t try to play every part. They conduct. They know the song. They build the team. They guide the energy. They lead so others can perform.

You don’t need to be everywhere. You need to be in sync.

Great Gatsby or Wizard of Oz? A little bit of both? Either way, be well-rehearsed when it comes to balancing life behind the curtains, in the pit, or on the stage.

Mic drop.

Traditional Leadership Credentials Are No Longer Cutting It. Here’s What You Should Be Developing Instead.

Key Takeaways

In a business world defined by speed, transparency and trust, the most powerful asset an executive can build isn’t just strategy — it’s identity.
Executive branding is essential for leaders today. When done with authenticity and purpose, it becomes the foundation for influence, opportunity and long-term growth.
With a well-crafted personal brand, you can elevate your leadership, attract the right people and create measurable ROI while staying true to who you are.

Leadership isn’t what it used to be. And that’s a good thing. There was a time when the corner office, the credentials on the wall and a polished resume were enough to signal executive credibility. Today, those things are merely the starting point. Now, people want more from leaders. More transparency. More values. More humanity. And perhaps most of all — more clarity about what those leaders stand for.

That’s where executive branding enters the picture.

Executive branding is no longer a buzzword or a luxury reserved for public-facing CEOs. It has become a strategic leadership asset. It’s the way executives translate who they are into influence, trust and opportunity. In today’s environment, your personal brand is not just a reflection of your reputation — it is a critical lever for business growth, cultural impact and long-term relevance.

At Boardsi, we’ve worked with thousands of executives navigating the path from operational leadership to boardroom influence. Time and time again, one truth rises to the surface: The leaders who grow fastest and go furthest are the ones who know how to articulate their story — and back it up with substance.

Why executive branding matters more than ever

We’re living in an age of noise. Information is everywhere, and attention spans are shorter than ever. People don’t just want information; they want connection. They want leaders who are clear, consistent and authentic.

That’s what makes executive branding so powerful.

A strong executive brand doesn’t mean you’re constantly promoting yourself. It means you’re building a reputation rooted in values and purpose. It’s a way of showing up consistently — online, onstage and in every stakeholder conversation — as the leader you truly are.

But here’s the catch: If you don’t define your brand, the world will do it for you. And in today’s fast-moving landscape, lack of clarity can be costly.

When your personal values align with your professional voice, people don’t just notice you — they believe in you. That belief is what opens doors, builds trust and creates long-term strategic advantage.

The business case for executive branding

Let’s talk ROI — not in abstract terms, but in measurable outcomes. Here’s what a well-developed executive brand unlocks:

1. Credibility that compounds

Authenticity is magnetic. Leaders who consistently live their values earn trust faster and hold it longer. Whether you’re negotiating deals, presenting to a board or rallying a team through change, a trusted personal brand provides a baseline of credibility that can’t be faked.

2. A talent magnet

Top talent isn’t just looking for jobs — they’re looking for leaders. They want to work for people who inspire them, who share their values and who model the kind of integrity and courage they admire. A compelling executive brand makes it easier for the right people to say yes — to your company, your mission and your vision.

3. Influence with real reach

Influence isn’t just about being visible. It’s about being heard — and remembered. Leaders with strong brands are invited to speak, collaborate and contribute. Their words carry weight because people believe they come from a place of conviction, not performance.

4. Boardroom advantage

At Boardsi, we’ve seen firsthand how executive branding becomes a difference-maker in board recruitment. When you can articulate your leadership philosophy, show evidence of impact and demonstrate thought leadership, you stand out. Not because you’re louder, but because you’re clearer.

How to build a brand that actually reflects you

There’s no one-size-fits-all blueprint, but there are a few principles that every executive can apply:

1. Start with purpose

What drives you? What do you believe about leadership, about people, about innovation? Your personal brand should begin where all great leadership begins: with purpose. If you’re unclear, take the time to reflect. If you’re confident, take the time to articulate it.

2. Communicate with consistency

Your brand lives wherever people encounter you — LinkedIn, board meetings, conferences, interviews. It should feel like a throughline, not a highlight reel. You don’t need to post daily or chase attention. But when you do speak, be thoughtful. Be generous. Be real.

3. Live the brand internally

The strongest personal brands are aligned from the inside out. If you say you value transparency, be the first to own a mistake. If you believe in mentorship, show up for your team in meaningful ways. Your internal credibility is the foundation of your external brand.

4. Show up where it matters

Your voice has more power when it’s shared in the right rooms. Speak at events. Contribute to industry conversations. Say yes to interviews, panels and mentoring opportunities. These aren’t just chances to be seen — they’re opportunities to serve and shape your ecosystem.

5. Think long-term

Executive branding isn’t a campaign — it’s a leadership commitment. It’s the story people will tell about you when you’re not in the room. It’s how you continue to lead, even when your title changes or your company evolves.

Beyond the title: Building a brand that lasts

When I wrote Beyond the Title, my mission was simple: to give leaders a roadmap for building a brand that reflects more than their resume. It’s about understanding that leadership is personal, and your identity as a leader is one of your most valuable assets.

The book breaks down how to define your leadership philosophy, express it with clarity and grow your influence in a way that’s both authentic and strategic. Because at the end of the day, people don’t follow titles. They follow leaders who show up consistently with purpose.

And that’s what we do at Boardsi — help leaders go beyond their roles and into the influence and impact they’re capable of. From board education to placement, we equip executives to lead at the highest level, with brands that stand for something real.

In today’s world, trust is currency. Visibility is velocity. And executive branding is how you earn one and accelerate the other. So, ask yourself not just what do I do, but what do I stand for? Your answer might just become your most powerful leadership tool.

‘You Can Go Viral Overnight’: This College Student and His Brother Spent $5,000 to Start a Side Hustle — Now Their Brand’s Making Over $175 Million

Key Takeaways

The brothers officially launched their brand in 2014, listing the product on Amazon and eBay.
The business surpassed $100 million in annual revenue with over one million customers in 2023.

It’s the era of the side hustle, and if you’ve ever considered starting one to earn some extra cash outside of your 9-5, you’re in good company. These days, more than one-third of U.S. adults have side hustles, and their supplemental gigs make an average of $891 a month, according to recent research from Bankrate. Of course, the most successful side-hustlers see much higher earnings, especially when they start a business that brings in nearly as much as — or significantly more than — their full-time sources of income.

Los Angeles, California-based brothers Gurmer and Dashmeet (Robby) Chopra launched their side hustle with $5,000 in 2014 and turned it into a successful brand worn by Arnold Schwarzenegger, YG and others, and have collaborated with UFC, Gold’s Gym and Yu-Gi-Oh!. Learn more about their journey, here.

Looking for a profitable side hustle but not sure where to start? Money Makers is a free newsletter providing helpful tips, ideas and action items to build your own lucrative venture — delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up here.

^{Image Credit: Courtesy of YoungLA. Gurmer Chopra and Robby Chopra.}

What was your day job or primary occupation when you started your side hustle?
At the time, I was a college student and working part-time at Ernst & Young. My brother Robby was working for a company called DEX. Robby and I were both hustling, working on other small ecommerce side projects, selling on Amazon and eBay. We weren’t in the fashion industry at all; we were just two guys who got into the fitness space and wanted to create something better but affordable for that industry.

When did you start your side hustle, and where did you find the inspiration for it?
We officially launched YoungLA in 2014, but it really started a little earlier when we saw a gap in gymwear that fit well, looked good and didn’t break the bank. We were inspired by our own frustration with overpriced or underwhelming fitness gear. So we made our own shorts with just one product, and it snowballed from there.

What were some of the first steps you took to get your side hustle off the ground?
We designed one pair of bodybuilding shorts, listed them on Amazon and eBay and used the profit from the first batch to fund the next. No investors, no loans, just reinvesting everything. We fulfilled every order ourselves from our parents’ garage, handled customer service and learned the business side on the fly.

If you could go back in your business journey and change one process or approach to save you time, energy or just a headache, what would it be, and how do you wish you’d done it differently?
I would’ve built out better systems earlier. For fulfillment, inventory tracking and marketing automation. We were doing everything manually for way too long, and it cost us time, energy and sometimes even sales. Delegating sooner would’ve scaled us faster.

When it comes to this specific business, what is something you’ve found particularly challenging and/or surprising that people who get into this type of work should be prepared for, but likely aren’t?
Forecasting demand is way harder than people think. You can go viral overnight and suddenly not have enough inventory, or drop something you thought would kill and get crickets. The fashion and fitness worlds move fast. Staying ahead means always adapting, but also not moving too quickly, where you’re stuck with something that is off-trend or doesn’t even make sense to launch anymore.

Can you recall a specific instance when something went very wrong? How did you fix it?
In the early days, we botched a shipment from overseas. Wrong color, wrong sizes, and we had already started marketing the drop. We couldn’t launch it all; it wasn’t something we could sell to our customers. We ate the cost, apologized to customers and expedited a new batch. That taught us the importance of quality control and having backup suppliers, but more importantly, the right supplier that meets our standards.

How long did it take you to see consistent monthly revenue? How much did the side hustle earn?
It took about 12-18 months before we saw consistent monthly sales. We were reinvesting everything, so profit wasn’t the focus, just growth. But once we started seeing five-figure months, we knew this wasn’t just a side hustle anymore.

What does growth and revenue look like now?
As of 2023, we crossed $100 million in annual revenue, with over one million customers worldwide. We’ve grown into a full-blown brand! Sponsoring athletes, collaborating with influencers and expanding our women’s line, gym gear and accessories.

How much time do you spend working on your business on a daily, weekly or monthly basis?
It’s full-time and then some. I’m in the office daily in meetings with our creative team, supply chain, marketing and athlete relations. My brother and I stay hands-on, especially with new drops. We live and breathe YoungLA. Sundays are the only semi-off day, but even then, we’re thinking about what’s next.

What do you enjoy most about running this business?
The community we’ve built. Seeing people rep YoungLA in the gym, on social media or in everyday life is the most rewarding feeling. It’s not just clothes — it’s a lifestyle people connect with in and outside of the gym.

What is your best piece of specific, actionable business advice?

Why Storytelling Beats Bullet Points and Facts Every Time

Key Takeaways

People remember stories, not bullet points; stories create meaning and connection.
Use structured storytelling frameworks to turn dry content into engaging messages.
Great communicators don’t just inform — they inspire action through narrative clarity.

People don’t remember bullet points. They remember what happened. The moment. The metaphor. The story about how a customer hacked your product into a completely new use case, and you turned it into a breakthrough. That’s the kind of stuff that gets passed around. Because stories don’t just deliver information, they create meaning, they connect and they get remembered.

Communication isn’t just about getting the message out. It’s about getting it to land. And that’s where storytelling earns its keep. It helps people not only understand but also care. It moves your ideas from the ears to action.

Not with fluff. With structure.

The good news? You don’t need to be Hemingway to be effective. There are proven frameworks anyone can use to turn dry content into something people will engage with — and maybe even repeat. Here are five that do the heavy lifting, each with its own angle depending on your audience, goal and context.

1. The Pixar pitch

Once upon a time…
Every day…
Until one day…
Because of that…
Because of that…
Until finally...

This one comes straight from the pros at Pixar. You know, the folks who made grown adults cry over a lamp and a fish. It works because it follows the universal arc of transformation: something changes, and the character adapts. And that is exactly what strategy, product and business communication should be about.

Use it when: You’re selling a vision. Whether it’s a new initiative or a culture shift, use this format to show the arc: where we were, what changed and how we’re winning now.

2. And, But, Therefore (ABT)

We do X and Y,
But Z is in our way,
Therefore, we’re doing this.

Short. Clean. High impact. ABT cuts through the noise by establishing context, identifying the tension and driving toward action. It works because it forces narrative tension — the thing that makes people lean in.

Use it when: You’re writing an executive summary, a funding pitch or even a strong social post. Any time you want to hook fast, get to the point and frame a compelling case in under 30 seconds.

3. StoryBrand’s framework

There’s a character
Who has a problem
And meets a guide
Who gives them a plan
And calls them to action
That leads to success (or avoids failure).

Donald Miller’s StoryBrand flips the script. You’re not the hero — your audience is. Your brand, product or idea? You’re the guide. You’ve got the map, the flashlight and the granola bars.

Use it when: You’re writing anything external — marketing copy, onboarding flows and campaign strategies. Put your audience at the center, highlight their challenge and show how you help them win.

4. What? So what? Now what?

What: Here’s what’s happening.
So what: Here’s why it matters.
Now what: Here’s what we’re going to do.

This one is the gold standard for clarity. It forces relevance and urgency into every message. No spiraling. No academic detours. Just crisp communication.

Use it when: You’re debriefing after a meeting, writing internal updates or getting a cross-functional team aligned. It’s especially useful when dealing with data — this format turns numbers into decisions.

5. Minto’s pyramid principle

Start with the answer.
Support it with grouped arguments.
Back each with data or examples.

Structured thinking meets strategic storytelling. Minto’s Pyramid is the consultant’s best friend, and with good reason — it respects time, prioritizes logic and builds trust fast.

Use it when: You’re pitching to the C-suite, making a recommendation or writing a proposal. This isn’t a narrative arc — it’s a laser beam. Start with your conclusion, then walk through your logic with elegance and precision.

This isn’t about being “creative.” It’s about being effective.

Storytelling isn’t about making things sound pretty. It’s about making things clear, compelling and human. It’s how you make dry data come alive. How do you make change feel exciting instead of terrifying? And how you lead without preaching.

So, whether you’re leading a transformation, launching a product or just trying to get someone to answer your email, remember facts tell. Stories sell. And the best communicators? They’re not just analysts or strategists. They’re storytellers in disguise.

Now go tell the damn story.

Bill Gates Told These Authors That AI Is More Important Than The PC: ‘This Time, the Computer Understands Us.’

Key Takeaways

Adam Brotman and Andy Sack believe that embracing AI is not just an option but a necessity for any restaurant business that wants to thrive in a rapidly changing industry.
As restaurants face labor shortages and changing consumer habits, investing in technology is no longer a luxury.
From predictive analytics to labor management, AI is already reshaping the restaurant business. Brotman and Sack share the moment they realized just how transformative AI would be.

Adam Brotman and Andy Sack weren’t planning to write a book about AI.

At first, Harvard approached them about customer loyalty, a subject they knew well. Brotman had spent years leading digital strategy at Starbucks, helping build the company’s world-class mobile app. Sack was a longtime technologist and venture capitalist who co-founded Forum3, a digital strategy firm, alongside Brotman.

Then ChatGPT arrived on the scene, and everything changed.

“We had this moment,” Sack says to Shawn Walchef of Cali BBQ Media, “where we looked at each other and said: this is going to be way bigger than anyone realizes.”

In that instant, the book they thought they’d be writing—the safe one about digital loyalty—became something else entirely. They were now on a mission to unpack AI: what it meant for business, creativity, and the entire landscape of work.

That kicked off a journey that resulted in AI First: The Playbook for a Future-Proof Business and Brand.

Their research involved interviewing some of the most powerful minds in tech: Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI; Reid Hoffman, the co-founder of LinkedIn and OpenAI; and Bill Gates.

They weren’t easy interviews to get.

When they met with Hoffman, he was late. He’d just finished a call with the Pope. That’s how powerful technology companies have become.

He was working with the Vatican to help them understand the societal impact of AI. What caught the Pope’s attention was the idea that a device powered by AI could provide healthcare guidance on par with a primary care physician. At scale. For the entire world.

Bill Gates put his feelings simply: “AI is bigger than the computer.” When asked why, he explained, “This time, the computer understands us.”

Sam Altman didn’t hold back when asked how AI would impact marketing and creativity. He said 95 percent of marketing as we know it would be done by AI within five years. Whole departments would be replaced by agents. Decades-old workflows would be transformed.

That interview, held at OpenAI’s offices in San Francisco, was a turning point. Brotman and Sack left stunned. They walked around the block in silence.

“We were just processing,” Brotman says. “Everything we thought we knew about business and the future had shifted.”

That’s when it clicked: this was bigger than anything they had ever experienced. It was their “Holy Shit Moment.”

Because that’s what it was. And that’s what it still is, for anyone paying attention.

The AI-First Restaurant

For Adam Brotman, the restaurant industry isn’t just another vertical. It’s where digital meets human, where a line of hungry customers can make or break your bottom line. He’s lived it, from his days building the Starbucks app to consulting with some of the biggest names in hospitality.

So when he says AI is a game-changer for restaurants, he means it.

“Restaurants have always struggled to compete with bigger retailers on technology,” Brotman says. “They run on razor-thin margins, always focusing on the guest, the food, the experience. Tech has often been an afterthought.”

That’s no longer an option. “The playing field has changed,” he says. “You can’t say, ‘I don’t have a tech team or business intelligence.’ You do. It’s called AI.”

So what does that mean? For starters, every conversation matters. Team huddles, problem-solving sessions—record them, transcribe them, feed them into AI. That pile of chatter is now a goldmine of insight.

Customer feedback is no longer just something you respond to. It is data. Use AI to structure that feedback, cross-reference it with your notes, and figure out what’s working and what’s not.

And the data you already have? “You don’t need a massive data warehouse,” Brotman says. “Snapshot it weekly, feed it into AI, and get a clear, real-time look at what customers are buying, what trends are emerging, and where you need to pivot.”

Andy Sack is quick to point out that an AI-first restaurant starts with an AI-first mindset. “You don’t have to be an expert,” he says. “Start with a problem—labor, supply chain, marketing—and let AI help you map out solutions.”

His advice: Don’t overcomplicate it. “Just ask,” Sack says. “Treat it like an advisor. Tell it what’s on your mind and let it help you see what’s possible.”

For restaurant operators who’ve always fought for every inch of progress, that might be the biggest shift of all. The world where you had to choose between hospitality and technology is gone.

And for Brotman and Sack, it all goes back to that first Holy Shit Moment—the realization that AI wasn’t just another tool, but a tectonic shift that would change everything.

“The ground is moving,” Brotman says. “We’re just helping restaurants stand on it.”

About Restaurant Influencers

Restaurant Influencers is brought to you by Toast, the powerful restaurant point-of-sale and management system that helps restaurants improve operations, increase sales and create a better guest experience.

Toast — Powering Successful Restaurants. Learn more about Toast.

Restaurant Influencer is also supported by NEXT INSURANCE. See why 600,000+ U.S. businesses trust NEXT for insurance.

Edit Photos Like a Pro With This Award-Winning AI Tool, $80 for Lifetime License

According to Business Insider, entrepreneurs typically allocate 10% of their revenue to pay freelancers for support roles. But if you’re ready to take on more yourself, the award-winning Luminar Neo Lifetime Bundle lets you create professional-grade images without having to outsource.

Right now, a lifetime license to Luminar Neo, a video training course, and six packs of preset photo filters can all be yours for $79.99 (reg. $682), the best price on the web.

Handle pro-level image edits yourself with Luminar Neo

With Luminar Neo, you can create professional-looking photos without hiring an expensive photographer. This easy-to-use photo editor is compatible with both Windows and Mac, and works as a plugin for Photoshop and Lightroom. It’s packed with basic editing tools like masking, layers, and local adjustments, so you can create eye-catching photos.

Luminar Neo also offers AI-powered tools to take your photos to the next level. It provides tools like sky replacement, skin retouching, and control of lighting aspects in photos. And if you figure out the perfect recipe for your photos, you can use multiform presets and easily replicate that same look over and over again.

This bundle includes the Creative Photo Editing Techniques in Luminar Neo Video Course, an informative class taught by photographer and editor Albert Dros that teaches you how to edit landscapes beautifully.

You’ll also receive six preset photo filter packs, which allow you to transform photos without manual editing. Change your photos with the Light Reflections Overlay Add-On, give a winter vibe with the Frosty Winter LUTs Add-On, among other options.

Handle photos in house with the Luminar Neo Lifetime Bundle, now only $79.99 (reg. $682), the best price on the web.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

‘Trust Your Instincts:’ Dr. Drew Pinsky and Serial Investor Kim Perell Help One Entrepreneur Overcome Decision Fatigue

Key Takeaways

Healthy Hip Hop CEO Roy Scott opens up about the challenges facing his company’s need to pivot
Dr. Drew encourages him to take the reins more in decision making.
Kim Perrel encourages that he follow the 70 percent rule.

Roy Scott used to write raps that promoted violence and drug use. But seeing his young son repeating his lyrics changed everything. “That was just a light bulb,” he says. “Like, I can’t do this anymore.”

As the founder and CEO of Healthy Hip Hop, Scott is on a mission to bring clean, positive hip hop to kids and families. He has scaled the company through school partnerships, government contracts, and a new direct-to-consumer app. But with that growth has come pressure. Scott wants to scale the business but worries that he’s not making the right decisions.

“I just want to kind of mitigate that risk. I want to make more of the right decisions and [fewer] wrong decisions,” he says.

In this episode of Entrepreneur Therapy, presented by Amazon Business, Dr. Drew and Kim Perell help Scott tackle one of the toughest parts of entrepreneurship: trusting your instincts.

Scott explains that after finding early traction with schools and government contracts, changes in budget availability forced him to rethink his strategy and go direct to consumer.

Perell reassures him that this is not a misstep, but part of the entrepreneurial journey. “99% of all the most successful entrepreneurs I’ve ever met have pivoted at least once,” she says. “Having the courage to make a change is amazing.”

Regarding Scott’s personal journey, Dr. Drew homes in on on his mindset around decision-making. He notices Scott switching between “we” and “I” when talking about the business and asks, “How does it feel to be in a leadership position — is that comfortable for you?”

Scott says he feels confident as a leader but leans heavily on his team. Dr. Drew challenges him to step more fully into his role: “I’m wondering if maybe you need to sort of take the reins a little more proactively and trust your instincts a little more — because ultimately, it’s you.”

Scott admits that part of the reason he hesitates to make quick decisions stems from not wanting to make the wrong call. He also confesses: “I am hard on myself… I want to be the best version of myself, so I definitely need to show myself some more grace.”

To help him deal with that pressure, Perrel offers one of her go-to strategies: The 70 percent rule. “I know it’s hard to make decisions without complete information,” she says, “but if you have 70 percent of the information, my rule of thumb is: go.”

It’s a simple guideline — one that reminds Scott (and anyone watching) that waiting for perfection is often the greater risk.

Watch the episode to learn more about Ahuja’s challenges and the advice Dr. Drew and Perrell give to build smarter while staying grounded at home.

Entrepreneur Therapy is presented by Amazon Business. Smart business buying starts with Amazon Business. Learn more.

At Age 23, He Started a Side Hustle While on Welfare. It Led to a 7-Figure Business and a Stay on Richard Branson’s Private Island.

Key Takeaways

Turner’s Stand4Socks, a B Corporation, has distributed more than 750,000 pairs across the UK, Europe and Ukraine.
Consistent revenue came after about five years, and the bootstrapped business continues to grow with no outside investment.

This Side Hustle Spotlight Q&A features New York City-based entrepreneur Josh Turner, 34. Turner is the founder of Stand4Socks, a sock company that, for every pair sold, donates another to someone in need. The B Corporation has distributed more than 750,000 pairs across the UK, Europe, and most recently, Ukraine. Stand4Socks now sees more than $1 million in revenue a year. Responses have been edited for length and clarity.

^{Image Credit: Courtesy of Stand4Socks. Josh Turner.}

What was your day job or primary occupation when you started your side hustle?
I’ve been entrepreneurial since the age of 8, starting little businesses throughout my early years of life. When I was still in school, I did club nights, eBay, power selling, etc., and this laid the foundation for being a lifetime entrepreneur.

Being dyslexic, I eventually had the opportunity to spend a lot of time with Richard Branson, one of the most famous British entrepreneurs who also has dyslexia, and he has been a real inspiration throughout my life.

I studied business at university, and when I started my career, I went to an entrepreneur accelerator program called NEF (New Entrepreneurs Foundation). I was placed in a big corporate job and, unfortunately, fired within six months on Christmas Eve. I never wanted to work in a big company, but as I looked for another job while on welfare benefits, I had the opportunity to launch this side project. In the UK, they give a little extra money to start a company on welfare. That was the starting point — being close to homelessness — but the extra money and time I had to pursue this when I lost my job was the launchpad.

When did you start your side hustle, and where did you find the inspiration for it?
In 2015, TOMS Shoes was huge at the time for its “buy one, give one” concept, and I saw how the mash-up of business and charity was actually an attainable and scalable concept. I liked the idea of a hybrid model of doing good as you do business, not the old school definition of “make money, then give to charity.” Rubber wristbands like Livestrong were also popular at the time, raising money, showing support and spreading awareness. However, at the end of the day, they were just rubber wristbands, and I figured there had to be a more meaningful and sustainable way to wear your values. That’s when the idea clicked: Why not use colorful socks to show what we stand for?

We started in 2015 doing donations linked to the United Nations Global Goals. You wear one sock, and we plant 10 trees. Another sock supports gender equality and educates a child in Afghanistan. A third reduces child mortality; sales of the baby blue sock would help vaccinate kids against measles. One HIV and AIDS design wasn’t popular in the middle of 2016, so I started donating them to homeless shelters. I was quick (and surprised) to learn that throughout this donation process, many shelters told me no one ever donates socks — yet socks are the most requested item. Homeless people walk up to 10 miles a day, and not having fresh socks can lead to very severe foot health issues. That’s when the penny dropped. I realized we were putting so much effort into supporting causes worldwide, but we had missed something close to home: homelessness. We still do 10% of other causes (Ukraine, dyslexia, NHS socks, etc.). But now, the majority of our “buy one, give one” model supports people experiencing homelessness, which we use broadly to help refugees, people in Ukraine, children in poverty, older people and more.

^{Image Credit: Courtesy of Stand4Socks}

What were some of the first steps you took to get your side hustle off the ground?
At the time, I was a 23-year-old millennial who saw the power of the internet and how big of a factor that could be on the success of my business. One of the first things I did was learn to code and build a website; this was before even having socks or a factory. In my mind, I thought getting socks would be easy (turns out it wasn’t) and learning to code would be one of the harder business challenges to overcome. Secondly, I couldn’t afford a graphic designer or really any external expertise. So, I took it upon myself to learn graphic design using Illustrator and how to design socks. I used YouTube to learn both things, not courses, because I couldn’t afford them.

I saved up my welfare money to use on travel to go to big trade shows to find a factory for sock production. I went to Paris, Hong Kong and Turkey for trade shows, staying in hostels and taking cheap buses (at the time I couldn’t afford direct flights or hotels). I would speak with people on site and say, “We’re from Stand4 Socks,” and we’d receive the same reaction: They had never heard of us. They knew of the big brands, but not us, because we didn’t have a factory yet. While not surprising, it presented a challenge for 23-year-old me, as it was a bit of a chicken-and-egg situation to get a factory to believe in us. After a lot of hard work, we eventually landed a factory that believed in us, one that we still have a longstanding relationship with now. They took a chance on us when no one else did. And now the people there are like family — they even came to my wedding!

Are there any free or paid resources that have been especially helpful for you in starting and running this business?
As I mentioned earlier, YouTube was massive for us. I frequently call it my co-founder. It taught me anything I needed to learn. Being dyslexic, I learn best from visuals and at my own pace. If I got lost, I could rewind or find another video on the topic. Shopify has also been a game-changer, especially as we’ve grown. It allowed us to launch a website quickly. As we expanded, we added apps and features to compete with bigger companies, which took time but has helped us scale effectively.

If you could go back in your business journey and change one process or approach to save you time, energy or just a headache, what would it be, and how do you wish you’d done it differently?
To save time and energy, I would get a grip on our financial numbers earlier. I’ve had mentors who emphasize financial details, and my dad has an accounting background. I’ve had times when we nearly ran out of money because we donated socks before sales came in or spent too much on stock without adequate cash flow. Using the accounting software Xero has been phenomenal for our business. It allows me to see our balance sheet in seconds, compare year on year and month on month, providing real-time financial insights and comparisons. Instead of having just annual business plans and cash flow forecasts, we are now able to review our numbers on a weekly or monthly basis, empowering us to stay closely attuned to the numbers. This, in turn, has created opportunities for us to take more calculated risks, know when things are tight and change strategy when needed.

^{Image Credit: Courtesy of Stand4Socks}

When it comes to this specific business, what is something you’ve found particularly challenging and/or surprising that people who get into this type of work should be prepared for, but likely aren’t?
We were fortunate enough to pitch on the UK’s version of Shark Tank called Dragon’s Den. One of the biggest obstacles we stumbled on was how we presented and understood our financial numbers. As someone with dyslexia, handling many different numbers under pressure was difficult, especially when we were thrown a ton of questions all at once. Since filming in 2019, we’ve grown significantly and recognized the value of having a grip on our numbers year-round as opposed to waiting until year-end. This is something we weren’t acutely aware of in the earlier stages of our business, but have grown to recognize how tremendous a difference it can make.

Can you recall a specific instance when something went very wrong? How did you fix it?
Given how unexpected the pandemic was, challenges in our business escalated quickly, despite being an online business. Our factory shut down, and our supply chain was severely disrupted. We came up with the idea of launching a special “Help for Health Heroes” sock to support frontline workers and to address the PPE gap with quality socks. We started by launching a pre-sale as a way to support frontline workers and keep our lights on, with the caveat to customers that they likely wouldn’t get the socks for three months. We sold over 30,000 pairs of socks in that period, which helped keep our business alive and support a worthy cause. It really taught us the strength of our customers and mission and showed that a little creativity can go a long way.

How long did it take you to see consistent monthly revenue? How much did the side hustle earn?
It took about five years before we had consistent monthly revenue. For the first five years, I put a majority of my time into this business, but my income came from freelance work with digital marketing consulting for brands and other big companies. I actually learned these skills from building my business, and that’s how I was able to sustain myself and the business in the early days. I worked from my mom’s shed for the first five years, which helped me keep costs low and save up to eventually move out and continue to grow the business. This time period was invaluable for learning how the business operates, enabling more rapid and sustainable growth in the subsequent five years.

What does growth and revenue look like now?
We’re now a consistently seven-figure business annually and profitable. We’ve remained bootstrapped, though, and haven’t taken any outside investment. Our focus is to prioritize sustainable growth, our bottom line and profitability. With our expansion to the U.S. market, we expect 3x growth of the whole global business, and 10x in the next five years is what we’re working towards.

What do you enjoy most about running this business?
What I enjoy most about my business is also what makes it the hardest: No one tells you what to do. On one hand, you have to figure out everything yourself. There isn’t a playbook; no one is handing you a to-do list. But on the other hand, that’s exactly what makes it so rewarding. You get to set the direction, trust your gut and follow your instincts, rightly or wrongly. When working for a large corporation, I often saw inefficient decision-making. At this stage in my career, being so junior, I had no say, even though my gut was telling me there was a better way. Running my own business gives me an opportunity to take risks and course correct in real time. Sometimes those risks lead to flops, but other times, they’ve led to great success. The sense of freedom to build something your way is what keeps me going.

What is your best piece of specific, actionable business advice?
Enjoy the journey. It’s going to be way harder than you think when you set out, but also way more rewarding than you’d ever expect. Don’t get overly caught up in milestones — appreciate the process.

Also, the answer is always “no” if you don’t ask the question. So many people stop themselves from reaching out because of the fear of being rejected. But if the answer is already “no” in your head, and you reach out and get a “no,” then nothing’s changed. Don’t be afraid to reach out to people because you might just get a yes.

^{Image Credit: Courtesy of Stand4Socks}

That mindset has taken me to some wild places. One of the most surreal examples? I ended up spending a week with Sir Richard Branson on his private Necker Island. That experience didn’t come from deep connections or privilege: It came from asking bold, often unreasonable questions and walking through doors some may have felt they had no business knocking on.

Richard gave me a piece of advice that has stuck with me: “Hire people smarter than you, and then get out of their way.” It’s brilliant in theory, but when you bootstrap and are living in places like New York City, you often can’t afford to hire those people. So my approach has been to learn just the basics — whether development, sock design, marketing, etc. — and then delegate effectively. Don’t try to be an expert in everything, but have enough foundational knowledge to guide someone who is.

Want to read more stories like this? Subscribe to Money Makers, our free newsletter packed with creative side hustle ideas and successful strategies. Sign up here.

OpenAI’s Partnership With Legendary iPhone Designer Jony Ive Has Already Hit a Snag: ‘We Don’t Agree With the Complaint’

Former Apple designer Jony Ive, who began at the tech giant in 1992, is famous for his work creating the iPhone and iPad (among other products). Ive left Apple in 2019 to found his own companies, including “io,” an AI device startup, which was just purchased for $6.5 billion in an all-stock deal last month by ChatGPT-maker and AI behemoth, OpenAI.

Or was it? If you check OpenAI’s website or social media, you will no longer find any mention of it.

When the deal was announced, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Ive posted a video together announcing the partnership. Altman called one product he interacted with “the coolest piece of technology the world has ever seen,” while Ive complimented Altman, calling him “a visionary.”

Now, the page is blank except for the text: “This page is temporarily down due to a court order following a trademark complaint from iyO about our use of the name ‘io.’ We don’t agree with the complaint and are reviewing our options.”

Spokespeople for Ive and OpenAI told Bloomberg that the public content was removed because of a recently filed trademark lawsuit by a company called IYO Inc., which also builds AI devices and wants to bar OpenAI from using the “io” name.

“This is an utterly baseless complaint and we’ll fight it vigorously,” a spokesperson for Ive said on Sunday, per Bloomberg.

But until then, the launch of the “coolest” tech ever is going to have to wait.

LinkedIn’s AI Writing Tool Isn’t as ‘Popular’ as the CEO Thought It Would Be. Here’s Why He Thinks Users Are Shunning It.

Key Takeaways

LinkedIn CEO Ryan Roslansky has led LinkedIn for the past five years.
He said in a new interview that LinkedIn has an AI writing feature that gives users AI-generated suggestions to improve their writing.
However, not many LinkedIn members use the feature to avoid their posts sounding AI-written.

An AI tool on LinkedIn has failed to gain traction with the platform’s over one billion members.

LinkedIn CEO Ryan Roslansky, who has led the company for the past five years, told Bloomberg last week that LinkedIn has an AI writing tool that polishes posts written by members before they hit publish. The AI feature gives LinkedIn users the option to tap into AI-generated suggestions to improve their writing.

The only problem? “It’s not as popular as I thought it would be,” Roslansky told Bloomberg.

There’s a clear reason why. Roslansky, who has overseen the company as it has grown from $7 billion in annual revenue in 2019 to nearly $17 billion in revenue in 2024, explained that LinkedIn members could face backlash for posting something AI-generated. Other members might call someone out if a post came across as AI-generated, and the label could tarnish the person’s reputation on the platform and their “ability to create economic opportunity,” Roslansky said.

LinkedIn, unlike other social media platforms like X and TikTok, is a “your resume online” and “your professional reputation in general,” which means that the bar is much higher for posts to come across as authentic, Roslansky said.

“If you’re getting called out on X or TikTok, that’s one thing,” Roslansky told Bloomberg. “But when you’re getting called out on LinkedIn, it really impacts your ability to create economic opportunity for yourself.”

Even though AI writing tools may not be popular on LinkedIn, they do come in handy internally. Roslansky disclosed that he uses Microsoft Copilot’s AI writing suggestions for emails he sends to his boss, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella.

^{LinkedIn CEO Ryan Roslansky. Photographer: Bryan van der Beek/Bloomberg via Getty Images}

AI skills are in high demand among the 15 million jobs featured on LinkedIn at any given time. Roslansky said that in the past year, there has been a sixfold increase in the number of jobs that require AI-related skills. At the same time, the number of members adding AI skills to their profiles has grown twentyfold.

Companies are also turning to AI to help review applications. A Resume Genius survey from March of 1,000 hiring managers shows that nearly half are using AI to help screen resumes and job applications.

Meanwhile, employers are cracking down on AI use among candidates. A TopResume survey conducted in May of 600 U.S. hiring managers found that one in five automatically reject AI-written resumes, and over a third can spot an AI-created resume in under 20 seconds.

Even Anthropic, a $61.5 billion AI startup that advertises its Claude chatbot as skilled in writing, asks candidates to write their materials themselves without the help of AI.

Edward Kaye, a recruiter for PCI Pharma Services, wrote on LinkedIn last year that recruiters “can tell if a resume was created by AI.” They look for clues like formatting, lack of personalization, and language use, he explained.

“Don’t get a false sense of security and leave it up to AI,” Kaye wrote. “We’re looking for authentic documents written by real people about their real-life experience.”

‘Consumers Are Frustrated, and So Are We’: How These Founders Built a Platform to Fight Fake AI-Generated Product Reviews

Frustrated by AI-generated product reviews flooding platforms and confusing consumers, four former colleagues came together to build and launch InMyExpertOpinion, a site devoted to providing “trustworthy, insightful, and authentically human advice.”

Here’s how co-founders Avi Buchbinder, Brie Dyas, Will Kenton, and Nick Leftley created the site and are planning for its growth.

Please give the elevator pitch of your business.
Will Kenton: InMyExpertOpinion, or IMEO, is a new kind of review platform — built by humans, for humans. At a time when AI slop and fake reviews flood the internet, IMEO offers something rare: honest, first-hand product reviews from real experts. Founded by veteran journalists and trusted reviewers from major outlets like TIME, AP, and HuffPost, IMEO emerged after the 2024 Google update pushed credible content out of sight. We’re reclaiming the web for quality, transparency, and trust — one expert opinion at a time.

What inspired you to create this business?
Avi Buchbinder: The inspiration for this business struck me as I observed two significant shifts happening simultaneously. Firstly, after Google’s policy changes led to layoffs for many talented journalists, and with the rapid rise of AI tools like ChatGPT and AI Overviews, I was wondering if people actually wanted to learn about products from people, or if the information slapped together by AI is enough. So, I started to dig into that question. It became pretty clear from talking to coworkers, friends, and seeing posts on Reddit that a lot of people were skeptical of AI-generated content when it came to product reviews. They were really searching for authentic takes from real people they could trust. That’s when it clicked.

Brie Dyas: I have the unique perspective of having been an editor who has worked in shopping-related content since 2012, and also a consultant who has worked with ecommerce brands and startups. I strongly believe in a consumer-first perspective because the purchases we choose to make with our hard-earned money (at any income level) impact our lives. No one wants to spend thousands on a mattress that keeps you up at night or an e-bike with a faulty battery, a hundred on running shoes that contribute to foot problems or fall apart on your workout, or even a $15 moisturizer that could give you a rash. Consumers are frustrated. So am I.

Nick Leftley: Google’s AI updates were a moment of brutal clarity for all of us: Not only had our already sickly industry been further decimated by these updates, but the millions of people who rely on Google daily to find helpful buying information were being screwed over en masse, all, supposedly, in the name of making a “better” user experience. We’re tackling both issues at the same time: Firstly, providing a reliable, unbiased platform for well-written, useful reviews written by real journalists. Secondly, making sure those journalists get fairly compensated for once! That’s why we came up with the revenue-sharing model we’ve built, where the revenue every article makes is split 50/50 on a monthly basis, with half going to the writer and the other half being invested back into the business itself.

What advice would you give entrepreneurs looking for funding?
Avi Buchbinder: If you don’t 100% believe in your product, no one else will.

What does the word “entrepreneur” mean to you?
Avi Buchbinder: To me, it means a person with a vision whose passion and self-starter mentality fuel the drive to actually make it happen.

Brie Dyas: I think of someone who isn’t happy with the status quo.

What is something many aspiring business owners think they need that they really don’t?
Avi Buchbinder: A perfect product. In the world of business, you don’t need perfect — you need good enough for now.

Brie Dyas: Second, third, and fourth opinions. There is comfort in consensus, but I’ve often found (when working alongside founders, VPs, and CEOs) that their gut feeling is usually right. Don’t overthink things.

Is there a particular quote or saying that you use as personal motivation?
Brie Dyas: As a Philadelphia Eagles fan, Jalen Hurts is an endless supply of motivation. I always loved his quote, “I didn’t walk through fire just to smell smoke.” To me, it’s a reminder that no matter the challenges you face, remind yourself of your purpose and keep going.

Nick Leftley: This is going to sound super basic, but mine comes from a Tarantino movie. There’s a scene in Reservoir Dogs where Joe says, “You knew how to handle that situation: S*** your pants, dive in, and swim.” It’s a quote that pops unbidden into my head any time I’m about to do something scary. (As someone who’s been set on fire, wrestled an alligator, dangled under a flying helicopter, and worse, all for various magazine stories, I can speak with authority on doing scary stuff.) I still think it holds water. Sometimes, you just have to embrace the fear and do it.

Avi Buchbinder: A saying that I hold as a strong personal motivator is, “A day that you learned something new is a day not wasted.” This simple yet profound idea is something I actively use to drive me to grow and improve. It serves as a powerful daily reminder that progress, in any form, really hinges on continuous learning.

Will Kenton: For me, it’s a quote from Walt Disney: “The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.” This has been our philosophy from the start. We conceived of IMEO as a place for people who will do, instead of letting their opinions get outsourced.

‘It’s Coercion’: Compass Sues Zillow Over Its Listings Being ‘Banned’ Online

“Gatekeeping” has become unfashionable, as Gen Z wants to know the secrets of everything, from who’s-your-surgeon to finding the perfect apartment. But the latter is becoming harder and harder, as home prices are still high and mortgage rates remain well over 6%. In fact, May 2025 was the slowest month for existing home sales since 2009.

Now, adding to the housing woes, two real estate giants are battling in court: Top-selling real estate brokerage Compass is accusing Zillow (the top real estate website in the U.S., with approximately 160 million properties listed and 227 million unique visitors monthly) of being a “monopolist gatekeeper” and “breaking federal antitrust laws,” per the New York Times.

“In a free and competitive market, competitors’ products and strategies should rise and fall on merit — not the whims of a monopolist gatekeeper like Zillow,” Compass wrote in the lawsuit, which was filed in New York federal court on Monday.

In late May, Zillow put a rule into effect (announced in April) that bans listings that have appeared elsewhere for 24 hours before going on Zillow. The company says this gives buyers “fair access to listings without having to get access behind a velvet rope controlled by any one company.”

Compass alleges that the “Zillow ban” violates federal antitrust laws. The company offers “Private Exclusives,” where Compass agents and the public can view its listings exclusively. But now, they’d be banned from Zillow.

“This lawsuit is about protecting consumer choice,” Compass CEO Robert Reffkin said in a statement, per CBS. “No one company should have the power to ban agents or listings simply because they don’t follow that company’s business model.”

“That’s not competition. It’s coercion,” Reffkin added. “Imagine if Amazon banned a seller for offering a product on their own website first. That’s what Zillow is doing in real estate. Consumers should have the right to choose how they sell their homes.”

A Zillow spokesperson told CBS Moneywatch that the company will fight the “unfounded” claims in court.

“At the heart of this issue is a simple principle: When a listing is publicly marketed, it should be accessible to all buyers — across all platforms, including Zillow,” the statement said. “Hiding listings creates a fragmented market, limits consumer choice and creates barriers to homeownership, which is bad for buyers, sellers and the industry at large, especially in this inventory and affordability-constrained environment.”

3 Truths Every Founder Learns the Hard Way

Key Takeaways

Relationships matter more than money — don’t burn bridges.
Don’t just look for a job — build a career that points forward.
Go to college — but not for the reasons you think.

Growing up, most of us were raised on a handful of core values: Be respectful, work hard, go to school, and try to find a “good job.” That kind of advice served a purpose — until you stepped into the world of entrepreneurship.

Once you start building companies, managing risk and making decisions that impact other people’s livelihoods, you quickly realize that much of the real-world playbook wasn’t passed down at the dinner table. There are rules no one told you — lessons that only become clear through experience, failure and a few bruises along the way.

Here are three truths your mom probably didn’t mention, but every entrepreneur eventually learns.

1. Relationships matter more than money — don’t burn bridges

Money gets a lot of attention. In business, it’s often treated as the ultimate scorecard. But ask anyone who’s been through multiple cycles — booms, busts, exits, restarts — and they’ll tell you the same thing: Relationships are the true long-term currency.

Too many people early in their careers treat business like a zero-sum game. Win the deal. Beat the competition. Squeeze every cent. But what they don’t realize is that business is a marathon, not a sprint. And the bridges you burn now could be the ones you need to cross later.

People remember how you made them feel. They remember how you showed up when things were good and how you behaved when things weren’t. I’ve seen incredibly talented people sidelined from opportunity not because they lacked skill, but because they left a trail of scorched relationships behind them.

Business isn’t just about capital — it’s about trust. When the tide turns, it won’t be your profit margins that save you. It’ll be the people who trust you enough to bet on you again.

So, here’s the bottom line: Protect your name. Don’t burn bridges. Stay in touch with the people who helped you early on. And never underestimate the value of loyalty, humility and consistency.

2. Don’t just look for a job — build a career that points forward

Most people are trained to look for stability. A job with a paycheck, a title, maybe benefits. But entrepreneurship requires a different mindset — one that’s focused not just on the next role, but on the next direction.

If you’re constantly looking straight ahead, reacting to what’s in front of you, you’ll miss the bigger picture. The best founders don’t just ask, “What should I do next?” They ask, “What kind of life do I want to build? What impact do I want to have?”

Looking up means identifying a bigger vision. It means saying no to short-term moves that don’t serve the long game. It means thinking in terms of legacy, not just tasks.

Every great company starts with someone who wasn’t satisfied with the status quo. Someone who refused to settle for “just another job” and instead chose to take a risk on a bigger idea. If you’re serious about entrepreneurship, your job isn’t to chase opportunities — it’s to shape them.

Stop asking what’s available. Start asking what’s possible.

3. Go to college — but not for the reasons you think

We’ve been told since childhood: “Go to college. It’s the only way to succeed.” And sure, if you’re planning to be a doctor, attorney or engineer, that advice still holds up. But for the rest of us? The real value of college has little to do with the diploma and everything to do with the people.

College isn’t just a classroom. It’s your first real network. Your first taste of navigating relationships, learning to pitch an idea, convincing others to join your vision and failing publicly — then bouncing back. That’s not something you learn in a lecture hall.

Some of the most successful founders of our time didn’t finish college, but they were smart enough to immerse themselves in a social ecosystem where ideas, ambition and bold personalities collided. College is where you find your tribe. Your co-founders. Your early supporters. Your future business partners.

So if you’re going to invest in college, don’t do it for the framed degree. Do it for the four years of social capital you’ll never get back. Skip the resume-padding clubs and find the circles where ideas get challenged, risks get taken and relationships get built.

Because ten years from now, no one’s going to ask what grade you got in Econ 101 — but they will ask who you built something with.

Entrepreneurship is one of the toughest and most rewarding paths you can take. But it doesn’t come with a manual — especially not one your parents had. The lessons you need to succeed often fly in the face of conventional wisdom.

So let this be your updated guide:

Prioritize people over profit.
Think in decades, not quarters.
And recognize that your social intelligence will often carry you further than any degree.

Your mom gave you the basics. Now it’s on you to learn the rest — and write your own playbook.

6 Social Media Trends Defining Gen Z’s Shopping Behavior

Key Takeaways

Gen Z shops where they scroll — social media is the store.
Authentic content from creators beats polished ads in driving trust.
Mobile-first, community-driven experiences build loyalty and brand engagement.

Landing pages have been replaced by in-app storefronts that turn moments of inspiration into instant purchases. In 2024, more than 53% of Gen Z ordered directly through social media, and 58% of all US users said they made a decision to buy once they saw a product in their feed. Social platforms are no longer just communication channels — they are the marketplaces where discovery, inspiration and purchase go together.

1. Social commerce as the default discovery channel

In 2024, 68% of Gen Z consumers discovered new products on social media, up from 60% in 2023. Nearly 60% went on and made an order, nearly doubling from the previous year. Gen Z buys while scrolling TikTok, Instagram and other social media, mixing their leisure time with shopping with no need to turn to search engines and, moreover, physical shops.

Take Luxe Collective, a luxury resale brand that has generated £2 million through TikTok Shop since April 2024 by combining live shopping events with influencer collaborations. Or YOZY, a UK-based women’s wear brand that sold nearly 400,000 items in just three months through affiliate partnerships and shoppable content.

How brands should act: Invest in your social platforms to make a perfect mix of entertainment and advertising: from short videos to live demos, from real reviews to shoppable storefronts. Be part of the scroll and turn inspiration into action with clickable, shoppable content.

2. Influence of peer reviews and content creators

Gen Z trusts people, not polished ads. Around 80% say they rely on influencers who share real experiences, and more than 60% say reviews and content from beloved bloggers are the most influential factors in their purchasing decisions. This data only proves we’ve all been facing for a while: this generation wants authentic, ongoing endorsement, not a one-off exposure to an ad.

Think Glossier. This beauty brand collaborates a lot with micro- and nano-influencers who create simple, authentic content that feels personal, not promotional. Over 70% of Glossier’s sales are driven by peer recommendations rather than traditional marketing.

How brands should act: Work with smaller influencers who speak in a relatable, honest voice and share the vibe of the audience you want to engage with. Encourage real customers to share reviews, unboxings and video reactions. Reward user-generated content through loyalty programmes and special campaigns.

3. Mobile-first experiences and in-app community building

Smartphones reign supreme in Gen Z’s world, also defining their shopping habits. Over half of Gen Z shoppers have made in-app purchases, and 75% say that a convenient brand’s mobile app or site can make a whole difference when choosing what brands to support. Yet, a clear interface and digital checkout are not enough — focus on community-building.

Nike understands this well, thus transforming their mobile app into a whole lifestyle space rather than an online shop. With personalised workout plans, live trainer chats and social sharing tools, Nike’s app blurs the line between fitness and commerce, and reap the benefits with over 75% of Gen Z users saying this whole ecosystem is vital to their relationship with the brand.

How brands should act: Turn your mobile experience into a hub of interaction. Add features like live chats, ratings, user forums and social feeds. Offer app-only exclusives and create content-based challenges or rewards to encourage ongoing engagement.

4. Path from inspiration to engagement

Gen Z rarely goes straight from awareness to action. Instead, they might discover a product on Instagram, research real-life reviews on YouTube, compare prices on diverse sites and then buy it (or not).

How brands should act: Support every stage – discovery, validation, purchase, re-engagement – with relevant content. Share behind-the-scenes videos, customer stories, comparisons and FAQs. Create events or experiences that blend online and offline touchpoints.

5. Two-way engagement and active conversation

Around 80% of Gen Z use social media for inspiration but seek validation through peer comments and real conversations. Transparency and co-creation become paramount, and brands that act more like communities than corporations are more likely to win. This trend only intensifies with the rise of AI.

Spotify Wrapped is a brilliant case in point. It transforms individual user data into shareable content that feels personal and celebratory. Gen Z isn’t just consuming the campaign – they’re sharing it and sparking conversations.

How brands should act: Build communities, not campaigns. Let your audience co-create product lines, vote on designs or share ideas, and spark dialogues in comments. Be transparent about changes and even mistakes so your audience is more likely to trust the brand.

6. Viral speed means instant adaptation

91% of Gen Z are on Instagram; 86% use TikTok, and these are the platforms that keep changing daily. Over half of Gen Z made a purchase after seeing a product in a review or viral video in 2024. Brands must adapt if they want to stay relevant.

How brands should act: Monitor trends in real time and always be ready to respond, even if it means sacrificing perfection for speed. Find your perfect creators who can creatively interpret your product in a fun, ironic and culturally relevant way, yet maintain your tone of voice.

Gen Z’s shopping behaviour is shaped not by impulse, but by identity and the desire to express. For brands, this means adaptation to new rules: the agile and authentic ones. And brands that want to thrive need to meet Gen Z not where they are, but where Gen Z lives.