Perplexity CEO Says AI Coding Tools Cut Work Time From ‘Four Days to Literally One Hour’

AI search engine startup Perplexity internally mandated the use of AI coding tools — and says that its engineers have been noticeably more productive.

Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas told Y Combinator that the startup “made it compulsory” for its engineers to use AI coding tools such as Cursor or GitHub Copilot. These tools can generate blocks of code and debug programs.

Related: AI Is Already Writing About 30% of Code at Microsoft and Google. Here’s What It Means for Software Engineers.

Srinivas said that Perplexity engineers have seen measurable outcomes so far: Using the tools cuts down on “experimentation time” for new tasks from “three, four days to literally one hour,” he said.

“That level of change is incredible,” Srinivas stated. “The speed at which we can fix bugs and ship to production is crazy.”

Perplexity’s AI search engine reported a 20% month-over-month growth in May with 780 million queries.

Related: Google’s CEO Is Spending His Free Time ‘Vibe Coding’ a Webpage with AI: ‘I’ve Just Been Messing Around’

At Bloomberg’s Tech Summit in May, Srinivas predicted that within a year, Perplexity would be handling “a billion queries a week.” He pointed out that when the AI search engine first got started in 2022, it processed 3,000 queries a day, advancing to 30 million queries a day by May.

“It’s been phenomenal growth,” Srinivas stated at the event.

Still, there “are issues,” Srinivas said about using AI coding assistants, noting that the tools can introduce new bugs that software engineers aren’t familiar with and don’t know how to fix.

Last week, Perplexity introduced Comet, an AI-powered web browser that takes on Google Search and Google Chrome. Comet uses Perplexity’s AI search engine as its default tool, putting the company’s core product front and center for users.

In May, Perplexity was reportedly in late-stage talks for a $500 million funding round that would value the company at $14 billion.

Related: ‘Building It Ourselves’: Morgan Stanley Created an AI Tool to Fix the Most Annoying Part of Coding. Here’s How It Works.

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Why Skipping This One PR Move Could Stall Your Startup’s Growth Before It Even Begins

Startups often spend months perfecting their product, but forget to tell the world it exists.

That’s a costly mistake.

A classic study in the Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science found that public relations is nearly three times more effective than advertising when it comes to launching new products. PR doesn’t just promote — it positions, builds credibility, and creates the kind of buzz money can’t buy.

But here’s the catch: you only get one shot at being “new.” If you miss the PR window during your launch, the opportunity doesn’t come back. That’s why timing and strategy are everything.

Related: 11 Effective Marketing Strategies to Help Streamline Your Startup

Why the media cares about your launch (but only once)

Journalists are wired to cover what’s new. New company. New product. New idea. But only while it’s new. Once your startup is live and quietly running in the background, it’s no longer a story — no matter how brilliant it is.

That makes the months leading up to your launch critical. PR isn’t something you add after you go live — it’s something you bake in beforehand.

Startups that treat PR as an afterthought don’t just lose media opportunities. They lose credibility, visibility and momentum right out of the gate.

A smarter launch: Build buzz before you go public

Think of PR as your soft opening. Reporters love early access. Just like music journalists get advance streams and book reviewers receive early copies, your product should be previewed by media insiders before the public sees it.

Offer select journalists early access. Create an experience that makes them feel included and excited, not just informed.

Ideally, set aside at least three to six months before launch to focus exclusively on PR. If that time’s not built into your plan, consider delaying the launch. Seriously. The lost attention from skipping PR often costs far more than a postponed release.

Step-by-step: Laying the foundation for a successful PR launch

Here’s how to start building your PR momentum now:

1. Identify the right journalists

Look for reporters who already cover your space. Study what they write about. Note which ones your target audience follows. Then gather their contact details — Twitter, LinkedIn, email — and track everything in a media list spreadsheet.

2. Build relationships before you pitch

Start engaging now. Comment on their articles. Share their stories. Send a quick message of appreciation. Do not pitch your company yet — the goal is simply to get on their radar in a genuine way.

3. Develop a clear PR strategy (not just a press release)

PR isn’t marketing. Your goal is to help journalists tell a story that matters to their readers. Ask yourself: What’s the angle here? Why would this audience care?

In addition to press releases, consider:

• Hosting a pre-launch event or virtual demo
• Sending out early access or product samples
• Creating a media advisory (not just a press release)
• Developing unique story pitches for different outlets

Start with broad business outlets. Then move to trade publications. Then niche verticals. This staggered strategy protects your team from being overwhelmed and keeps your brand in the spotlight longer.

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Don’t have time? Outsource to experts who do

Yes, this takes real effort. But you don’t have to do it all yourself.

Some PR agencies now specialize in short-term launch campaigns — no expensive retainer required. These firms often have pre-existing media relationships and know exactly how to turn your launch into a headline.

This approach also avoids the cost and complexity of hiring full-time, in-house PR staff.

Even if your business is already live, bringing in trusted PR professionals can help you recover momentum. Journalists are far more likely to respond to a pitch from someone they already know.

Related: Four Tried-and-True Ways to Better Market Your Business

You only launch once — make it count

You can always tweak your product or adjust your marketing. But you only get one shot at a first impression — and that’s what PR is built for.

Whether you run your own campaign or hire an expert team, don’t waste your “new” status. The right PR strategy at launch can earn the visibility, trust, and authority that advertising can’t match.

And it all starts before anyone knows your name.

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Your PR Strategy Might Be the Reason People Don’t Trust Your Brand — Here’s How to Fix It

It’s 2025, and the business landscape is more crowded than ever. In almost every industry, buyers have endless choices — and less patience for cold calls, generic email blasts or outdated lead forms. Traditional lead generation isn’t just ineffective—it’s being ignored.

Instead, organic marketing has taken center stage. In fact, up to 27% of businesses now say the majority of their leads come from organic search. It’s no surprise that more companies are shifting away from interruption-based strategies and leaning into credibility-driven approaches, especially through thought leadership PR.

Related: 5 Effective Thought Leadership PR Tactics for Your Startup

What is thought leadership PR — and why should you care?

Thought leadership PR isn’t about blanketing your brand name across every outlet or going viral on social media. It’s about positioning you — the founder, executive or expert — as a trusted authority in your space.

When someone Googles a question related to your industry, do they find your voice offering insight, or someone else’s? Thought leadership puts you at the center of that conversation. It builds a digital footprint that not only earns trust but also turns you into the go-to source when prospects are looking for solutions.

Three ways to build thought leadership authority

You don’t need a PR team or a massive media budget to get started. Here are three powerful ways to establish yourself as a thought leader:

• Content marketing and media coverage: Publish insightful blog posts, LinkedIn articles and industry op-eds that show your depth of thinking. Contribute to relevant media outlets. When others cite your expertise, your credibility grows.
• Podcasts: Tap into loyal, niche audiences by appearing on podcasts or launching your own. Podcast listeners are high-intent and tend to view guests as trusted guides.
• Social media: Share behind-the-scenes knowledge, timely takes and actionable insights on platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram or TikTok. Informative content — not flashy branding — is what earns trust.

Why thought leadership wins in today’s market

Modern buyers — especially in B2B — are savvier than ever. They’re not waiting to be sold to; they’re researching before you even know they exist. One study found that 70% of the B2B buying process happens before a prospect reaches out.

That means your public presence matters. When potential clients search for answers and consistently find you offering them, you’ve already earned their trust before the first call.

And that trust accelerates everything — your credibility, your sales process, and your word-of-mouth momentum. Thought leadership turns your name into a shortcut for quality.

Even more: it builds long-term loyalty. When customers see you not just as a vendor but as a trusted advisor, your value increases and your relationships become stickier.

What real thought leadership looks like

To be clear, thought leadership isn’t just about posting content. It’s about being relevant, helpful and authentic.

Here’s what works:

• Speak from experience. Share stories and lessons — not just facts. Talk about challenges you’ve faced or trends you’ve navigated.
• Offer guidance, not self-promotion. No one wants a sales pitch masked as content. Give people ideas they can use, even if they never buy from you.
• Pick a niche and go deep. You don’t need to be everywhere. You need to be clear about who you serve and what you stand for. This clarity helps the right people find you — and follow you.

For example, if you run a wellness brand, talk about how your approach to stress management helped a client avoid burnout. If you run a PR firm, break down real-world strategies that helped a small brand punch above its weight.

Related: Own Your Expertise — 13 Ways to Elevate Your Thought Leadership

Choosing the right platform and strategy

Where you show up matters as much as what you say. Align your thought leadership strategy with where your audience actually spends time:

• LinkedIn: Ideal for B2B leaders, consultants and service providers.
• Instagram and TikTok: Better for consumer-facing experts and brands.
• YouTube or Substack: Great for deep dives and long-form storytelling.

Don’t try to be everywhere — pick one or two platforms where you can consistently show up with substance.

The long-term power of evergreen authority

Unlike cold outreach or paid ads that stop working the moment you pause spending, thought leadership is a compounding asset. Blog posts, podcast interviews and articles keep working for you long after they’re published. They show up in search results, circulate among peers and reinforce your credibility over time.

Yes, it takes consistency and intention. But for entrepreneurs who want to build a trusted name and attract ideal clients without chasing them, it’s one of the most effective moves you can make.

In a market full of noise, be the signal

Today’s buyers don’t just want to know what you sell — they want to know what you stand for. Thought leadership PR helps you rise above the noise, become known for your expertise and create inbound momentum that feels effortless — because it’s built on earned trust, not constant pitching.

Your next customer is already searching for answers. Thought leadership makes sure you’re the one they find.

The Fyre Festival’s IP Just Sold on eBay, and Founder Billy McFarland Isn’t Pleased: ‘Damn’

Fyre Festival founder Billy McFarland, who was released from federal prison in 2022 after serving four years behind bars for crimes related to the event, watched his brand sell on eBay for $245,300.

“Damn,” McFarland said while streaming the bids. “This sucks, it’s so low.”

Related: Fyre Festival Founder Puts Infamous Brand Up for Sale

Bloomberg notes that the winning bid was only 0.9% of the $26 million McFarland has been ordered to pay in restitution.

The sale, which lasted a week, includes rights to the IP, trademarks, and social media accounts. There were 175 bids in total from 42 bidders, with the final bid coming just before 1 p.m. on Tuesday.

McFarland didn’t disclose who the buyer was, but laughed when he saw the name, per NBC News.

“It’s funny,” he said.

After the infamous Fyre Festival disaster in the Bahamas in 2017, McFarland tried to revive the brand with the Fyre Fest 2, which was supposed to take place from May 30 to June 2 in Mexico, but was canceled in April (or never scheduled in the first place).

Related: Fyre Festival 2 Has Been Postponed — Again

“I’m sure many people think I’m crazy for doing this again. But I feel I’d be crazy not to do it again,” McFarland said when sales started.

McFarland tried to sell the brand through an email form with an offer sheet, before turning to eBay in July.

She Went From Teacher to Owning a Business in an Unexpected Industry – And Wants Others to Do the Same: ‘There Is So Much Opportunity’

Angie Snow was a teacher and mom of three young children when her husband suggested buying an HVAC company together. Assuming she’d be playing a background role, she agreed.

“I thought, Oh good, I can get out of the classroom, be at home. This will be a piece of cake! I just have to answer the phone and send out invoices, right? No big deal,” she says.

But what started as a small step into the trades industry quickly turned into a much bigger leap. Over the past 18 years, Snow and her husband grew Western Heating and Air Conditioning more than they ever could have imagined. Now an industry advisor, Snow also teaches business owners how to succeed with ServiceTitan, a leading home services software company.

“I thought teaching was for me, but it’s been fun as I’ve built my business and been able to help other contractors along the way,” she says. “I’ve been able to slide back into that teaching seat, just in a different role.”

Snow’s transition into the trades wasn’t always easy. As a woman stepping into a leadership role in a male-dominated industry, she struggled with impostor syndrome and finding her footing. Everything changed when she found community through Women in HVACR, an organization that promotes education, mentorship and support for women in the industry.

“I was like, ‘I found my people,'” Snow says.

Related: He Went From Customer to CEO of a Rapidly-Expanding Dessert Chain By Following This Process

That moment sparked a deeper passion. Snow later served on the group’s advisory board for six years and got involved with groups like Women in Plumbing and Piping and National Women in Roofing. “It’s just so cool to see these organizations exist to support women, where a lot of times we just haven’t felt or seen that in the trades,” she says.

Building a place in the trades where everyone can feel seen and supported became Snow’s goal, and part of her leadership philosophy centers on creating a workplace with a strong internal culture.

“Number one, you have to work on your leadership and always evolve as a leader — connecting with your people, helping your people feel like they matter and having a vision for them to look at and to follow. The foundational work has to be in place,” she says. “They have to know that you care and you’re a company and a brand worth working for.”

One of the biggest hurdles today is attracting younger workers to the trades. Snow says it’s not just about better recruiting, but rather about changing outdated perceptions of the industry.

“Something we’re doing at ServiceTitan to change that stigma is to show how home service companies are really the heroes,” she says. “They’re the ones showing up. You will have steady work, and these people are the heroes.”

The Covid-19 pandemic helped prove that point. While other industries slowed down, essential home services stayed strong. “It brought a new light to how important the trades are and why we are so needed,” Snow says.

Related: He Started a Business and Ended Up on the Brink of Bankruptcy. He Fixed His Mistakes – and Now Teaches Entrepreneurs What He Wishes He Knew When Starting Out.

Still, employee retention and morale require more than job security. Snow recognized that many employees, especially Gen Z workers, care deeply about balance and flexibility, which are things that don’t always come naturally in a demanding industry like home services.

“That generation really values work-life balance. They value having time with their family and time off when they want it,” Snow says. “We’re a 24/7 industry, but to help them, I show that I care about them and honor that work-life balance. Because that’s what I want in my life too.”

True to her word, she reworked the team’s schedule into four-day workweeks, which resulted in more engaged workers who take pride in each job.

Technology has also been a huge part of helping Snow deliver a high-level experience. Since switching to ServiceTitan in 2018, Western Heating and Air Conditioning has seen improvements in efficiency. Snow says artificial intelligence is further transforming the game. “It is just crazy how AI can analyze and do so many things so much faster,” she says.

With AI tools, her team can automate dispatching, consolidate contacts, track sales calls and even help technicians perform better during service visits. It’s a win-win: Smarter systems empower her people to focus on serving customers.

Looking back, Snow never imagined where this journey would take her. But she hopes others, especially women and young people, realize the trades offer much more than people assume.

Related: Her Show Was Canceled – But the Setback Taught Busy Philipps a Powerful Lesson for Creators and Entrepreneurs

“There is a path for everyone in the trades, and there is so much opportunity [and] money to be made,” she says. “It’s a very nice industry that way, and it is a service that people need. I would definitely consider finding your own unique genius in where you shine and finding a path in the trades, because it won’t let you down. You’ll be surprised.”

After nearly two decades growing a successful HVAC company and helping shape the future of the trade industry, Snow’s advice to current and future business leaders is clear:

• Lead with people in mind. Whether it’s your technicians or customers, building a business rooted in care, connection and trust sets the foundation for long-term success.
• Create an employee experience worth staying for. From flexible schedules to a culture of belonging, investing in your team elevates every part of your business.
• Embrace innovation early. Tools like AI and integrated software platforms don’t just boost efficiency — they also free your team to focus on what matters most: serving customers.
• Redefine what leadership looks like. There’s space in the trades for every kind of strength and every kind of leader.
• If there’s an open door, walk through it. The trades are full of hidden opportunities. Whether you start in the field, the office or by someone else’s side, you might be surprised where you end up.

Watch the episode above to hear directly from Angie Snow, and subscribe to Behind the Review for more from new business owners and reviewers every Tuesday.

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‘First Piece of Advice I Gave My Kids About Money’: Kevin O’Leary Says You Can Be a Millionaire on a $65,000 Salary. Here’s How.

Kevin O’Leary has been vocal about saving money for years. In 2024, he said people who spend $5 on coffee are “idiots” and doubled down on his disdain for wasteful spending earlier this month — “I can’t stand it when I see kids that are making 70 grand a year spending $28 for lunch,” he said on the “Diary of a CEO” podcast.

Now, in a post on X on Monday, the longtime “Shark Tank” investor explained why he feels this way, noting that his children received the same advice at a very young age.

Related: ‘Can Make a Ton of Money’: Kevin O’Leary Says This Is the Most Overlooked Startup Opportunity Right Now

“What’s the first piece of advice I gave my kids about money, and the last piece of advice, and the advice I always give them? Don’t spend it,” O’Leary said. “Save it. Invest it. Let it compound.”

O’Leary said that the market gives 8% to 10% interest, so take a set amount from every paycheck, gift, or income of any kind, and invest it.

Save. Invest. Compound. It’s that simple.

I don’t care if it’s a gift from grandma or your paycheck, 15% of everything goes to work. Do it long enough? You’ll be rich. pic.twitter.com/mRjrOn9tWG

— Kevin O’Leary aka Mr. Wonderful (@kevinolearytv) July 14, 2025

“Take 15% of every paycheck, I don’t care how big it is. Or any gift Granny gives you. Or anything you get in a side hustle, and invest it,” O’Leary said in the video.

With this system, O’Leary says that by the time you are 65, you’ll have “millions in the bank, even if you only have a salary of $65,000.”

However, there is one caveat to it all: “Just don’t buy crap you don’t need,” he said. (And we know he means $5 coffee and $15 desk salads.)

Related: Here’s How to Get an Investment for Your Business, According to ‘Sharks’ Kevin O’Leary, Barbara Corcoran, and Daniel Lubetzky

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Here’s How Much a Typical Microsoft Employee Makes in a Year

How well does it pay to work at Microsoft?

According to federal filings, seen by Business Insider on Tuesday, Microsoft is compensating software engineers from $82,971 to $284,000 in base salary. It’s slightly lower than other tech giants; Google pays software engineers from $109,180 to $340,000, and Meta pays anywhere from $120,000 to $480,000.

Related: Here’s How Much a Typical Salesforce Employee Makes in a Year

Microsoft product managers can make up to $250,000, while product designers can take home up to $208,058. Data scientists are offered salaries of up to $274,500 at the tech giant, as business analysts are paid up to $191,580.

The data is drawn from 5,400 documents Microsoft filed with the U.S. Department of Labor during the first quarter of 2025. The filings are required when Microsoft hires foreign workers through the H-1B visa program, which allows highly skilled professionals to work in specialty occupations.

The documents show the base annual salaries awarded to H-1B visa workers, excluding additional compensation in the form of signing bonuses and stock options.

The typical Microsoft employee makes nearly $200,000. A mid-level employee at Microsoft made $193,744 for the fiscal year 2024, per a filing the company submitted to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in December.

According to the H-1B filings, Microsoft pays other roles as follows:

• Business Program Manager: $102,380 to $195,100
• Cloud Network Engineer: $122,700 to $220,716
• Customer Experience Engineer: $126,422 to $239,585
• Data Analyst: $132,385 to $205,000
• Electrical Engineer: $138,995 to $247,650
• Research Scientist: $146,054 to $208,000
• Technical Program Manager: $120,900 to $238,000

The SEC filing showed that Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella received an annual total compensation of $79.1 million in 2024, or 408 times more than that of the median employee. Stocks comprised most of Nadella’s compensation.

In comparison, Google CEO Sundar Pichai earned over $10.7 million in 2024, roughly 32 times more than the $331,894 earned by the median Google employee last year.

Related: Here’s How Much a Typical Nvidia Employee Makes in a Year

Microsoft recently laid off thousands of employees, including 6,000 employees in May. Earlier this month, the company announced that it would be cutting an additional 9,000 workers, or around 4% of its workforce.

Microsoft is one of the most valuable companies in the world, second only to Nvidia, with a market value of $3.769 trillion at the time of writing.

For the full list of roles and salaries at Microsoft for H-1B workers, click here.

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4 Surprising Patent Myths That Could Cost You Big — What You Need to Know Now

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When people hear the word “patent,” they often think of complicated legal jargon or massive tech companies. As defined by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), a patent is an exclusive right granted for an invention that provides inventors with legal protection. But whether you’re a solo entrepreneur, a scientist, or a small business owner, patents can play a crucial role in protecting your unique ideas and innovations. For me, patents have been a very personal part of my journey as an entrepreneur and scientist, especially in my pursuit of protecting my ideas and leaving a lasting impact with my work.

The world of patents is a complicated one, with a number of requirements that anyone looking to file must meet. Additional complexities come into the mix depending on the country you’re filing in. For readers who are considering protecting their own inventions or products, understanding these nuances is key. With so many moving parts, it’s no surprise that there are a number of widespread myths surrounding U.S. patents in particular. These myths can lead to confusion and misunderstandings, making it even more intimidating to begin the patent process.

I’ve authored multiple patents, many rooted in bioscience, detox technology and environmental sustainability. And along the way, I’ve uncovered some pretty surprising truths — and debunked quite a few myths — about how the U.S. patent system really works. Whether you’re just starting to explore patents or already in the process, the best way to break down common myths about U.S. patents is to debunk them with facts.

Below, I take a look at four U.S. patent myths and address the real truth behind them to help you make better informed decisions related to your own patents, so you can protect your ideas and bring your innovations to life.

Related: How to Identify the Patent-Worthy Innovations in Your Business

Debunking four U.S. patent myths

There are a number of myths surrounding U.S. patents, from the length of patent validity to the actual steps of the patent filing process. One that’s especially persistent is the idea that having a patent automatically means you will make money. I wish it were that simple. If you’re an innovator hoping to monetize your invention, understanding this distinction will save you time and disappointment.

A patent is just one part of the bigger picture — it’s a protective tool, not a guarantee of profit. You still need a solid plan, strong partnerships and the right timing to actually bring that innovation to life. Let’s clear up four common U.S. patent myths to provide you with a clearer understanding of what a patent can actually do for your journey.

Myth 1: There is only one kind of U.S. patent

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) lists the three types of patents

• Utility: For new or improved processes, machines and inventions.
• Design: For new, original and ornamental designs, such as the shape or pattern of a useful item.
• Plant: For new kinds of plants invented or discovered through asexual reproduction.

The specific type of U.S. patent you’ll want to file for will depend on your idea, invention or innovation. Before you begin the patent process, start with a deep dive into what’s already out there. A thorough patent search can save you a lot of time and frustration. Then, make sure you’re clear on what kind of patent you need — utility, design or plant — because each has a different purpose and process. For you, this means your invention’s unique features will dictate your approach, so getting this step right early is critical.

Myth 2: You need to be a lawyer or tied to a large company to receive a patent

This is one of the biggest myths I ran into early on, and it’s simply not true. While it helps to have legal experts involved, especially when you’re trying to protect your work globally, many of my patents came from deeply personal research and experiences.

I was hands-on with every single step, from the science to the strategy. You can absolutely be an independent innovator and still protect your ideas. You don’t need a massive machine behind you — just a clear vision, dedication and the right guidance. So, if you’re worried you don’t “fit the mold” of who can file patents, rest assured that many successful inventors started exactly where you are now.

Myth 3: Patents are valid forever

According to the USPTO

If you’re considering your patent as a long-term asset, it’s important to plan accordingly. Knowing the expiration timeline helps you strategize how to maximize the value of your invention while your patent is active.

Related: Unlocking the Market Potential of Your Patent Portfolio — A Guide for Entrepreneurs

Myth 4: A U.S. patent protects my idea/invention globally

the U.S. was second behind China as the country with the most patent applications filed worldwid

Patents are territorial rights, meaning the protections a patent provides are only applicable in the country where the patent is filed and granted. But that’s not to say you can’t protect your idea or invention worldwide —you can think globally. If your invention has the potential to help people outside the U.S., explore international patent options early. You may need to apply in individual countries or use international systems like the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT).

I’ve learned that having a team that understands both the science and the legal side makes everything smoother and more successful when seeking international patent coverage. For innovators like you aiming to expand your impact, early global strategy can be a game-changer.

For anyone who’s looking to protect their ideas, seeking a U.S. patent is a crucial step to take. And by debunking the myths and misconceptions that surround them, you’ll be able to make better informed decisions as you start the patent process for yourself. But remember, filing a patent isn’t just about protecting your idea — it’s about building a legacy. Every time I’ve submitted an application, I’ve done it knowing I was adding something meaningful to the world. And for me, that makes every challenge and every late-night research session worth it. If you’re on a similar path, know that your dedication to protecting your ideas today could lead to innovations that change tomorrow.

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The 2025 Business Guide to Using Reddit Effectively

With over 1.2 billion monthly active users and a growing presence in Google’s search results, Reddit has quietly become one of the most powerful drivers of brand visibility.

Customers are no longer searching only on Google. Many are typing in your brand name plus “Reddit” to tap into the platform’s unfiltered feedback and peer-to-peer advice. They want to know what real people are saying about your product, so much so that Reddit’s appearance in Google search results has jumped considerably over the last year.

If you’re not showing up on Reddit — intentionally and authentically — you’re not in control of your own reputation.

What is Reddit, and why is it becoming an influential channel?

Reddit is a user-generated content (UGC) platform divided into thousands of subreddits — topic-specific communities moderated by users. These are highly active contributors, critics and vocal fans.

As of 2025, Reddit sees more than 97 million daily active users, 365 million weekly and 1.2 billion monthly. That’s nearly triple the 430 million monthly users it had in 2019. Its appeal has expanded well beyond the tech-savvy demographic. Everyone from car shoppers to CFOs now turns to Reddit for research and peer insights.

Related: ‘Faster, Smarter, and More Relevant’: Reddit Tests AI That Combs the Site For You

Why Reddit matters for your brand

Search behavior is changing. Users trust content that sounds like them — language from peers, not brands. That’s why Google, Bing and AI search tools are increasingly surfacing Reddit content as authoritative responses.

But visibility is only part of the equation.

Reddit also functions as a brand barometer. A single negative comment can spin into dozens of upvoted replies. A helpful answer from a customer support rep can earn goodwill that outlasts a hundred emails. It’s all about steering conversations at the moments that matter most.

And Reddit’s impact is sticky. Unlike social feeds where posts disappear in a matter of hours, high-ranking Reddit threads can stay visible — and relevant — for years. They show up in organic search. They’re indexed by AI. They’re cited in follow-up discussions. In short: They last.

Related: How to Keep Eyes on Your Business Even When Google’s Algorithm Changes, According to a Marketing Expert

What makes Reddit SEO and marketing unique

Marketing on Reddit is unlike any other platform. The audience is sharp, opinionated and allergic to fluff. What works here often runs counter to what succeeds elsewhere:

• No spray and pray: Broad messaging won’t land. You need specificity.
• No brand gloss: Highly produced content is viewed with suspicion.
• No shortcuts: One-off posts get ignored or flagged. Trust is cumulative.

Redditors value honesty, participation and domain knowledge. That makes it one of the most rewarding platforms for subject matter experts, but one of the harshest for brand reps who show up just to push product. Effective Reddit marketing starts with showing up where your audience already is and contributing to the conversation as a peer, not as a sponsor.

How to leverage Reddit

Done right, Reddit supports nearly every pillar of your marketing stack:

• Search visibility: Targeted engagement can help you rank for branded and unbranded queries, especially for long-tail and product-related queries.
• Content strategy: Reddit surfaces real questions and unmet needs. Treat this as fuel for content that resonates with your target audience.
• Product development: Threads highlight where your offering falls short or exceeds expectations. It’s a goldmine for refining features and messaging.
• Reputation management: Active, authentic responses from branded accounts can clarify misinformation, defuse criticism and reframe the narrative.
• Trust-building: Showing up regularly without selling earns credibility. Over time, that translates into influence.

You can’t fake it on Reddit. But if you’re willing to do the work, the payoff — traffic, loyalty, influence — is unusually durable.

Building your Reddit marketing strategy

Reddit success is iterative. It’s a slow burn, not a viral hit. That’s why we recommend a three-phase approach to grow your brand on the platform: Crawl-Walk-Run.

Crawl

Start slow. This phase is about becoming fluent in Reddit’s culture. Identify the subreddits where your audience gathers and begin reading, not posting. Pay attention to tone. Take note of the questions that get thoughtful responses and which get buried. Figure out what users consider helpful and what gets flagged.

Set up one to three branded accounts, ideally with usernames that match your business identity but sound human, not robotic. You’re not here to drop links. You’re here to observe and engage lightly. Upvote useful content. Reply to a thread only when you can add meaningful context or value. Prioritize relevance over reach.

Reddit doesn’t reward flashy entrances. At this stage, your success depends on whether users accept you as a participant. If you rush this phase, you risk being flagged or shadowbanned. Take the time to learn the language before you speak.

Related: I Trusted the Wrong Marketing Metrics for Years — Here’s What I Track Now Instead

Walk

Now that you’ve got the context, you’re ready to be more active. This is when you shift from listening to joining the conversation.

Start responding to questions related to your expertise. Share insights and experiences. Reference tools or tactics that have worked for you, but avoid sounding like a commercial. When you do mention your brand, keep it natural. For example, you might share it as one possible solution among many.

At this stage, start tracking mentions of your brand. Tools like Brandwatch or native Reddit search can help you monitor conversations and jump into relevant threads. Address questions. Clarify misinformation. Say thank you to users who recommend you.

This is also the stage to test your content pillars — recurring themes that align with what users care about and what your brand knows best. That might mean sharing security best practices if you’re in fintech or productivity hacks if you’re in SaaS. The key? Show up regularly. Respond thoughtfully. And don’t overreach.

Run

Once your brand is recognized and respected in key subreddits, you’re ready to scale. The “Run” phase is about building infrastructure that supports deeper engagement.

Launch a branded subreddit where your audience can ask questions, share tips or report issues. Think of it as your own space within Reddit. This gives you a centralized place to engage while maintaining a transparent, community-first tone.

Host ask-me-anything (AMA) sessions with team members — founders, product leads or subject matter experts. This is a chance to show up as real humans. Just make sure your participants are prepared. Redditors ask sharp questions, and canned answers won’t cut it.

Explore Reddit Ads to amplify high-performing organic posts. Native ad formats can help you reach new users without sacrificing authenticity, as long as your content adds value.

At this stage, you’ll likely need to participate daily, moderate in real time and coordinate with your social, customer support and PR teams. Reddit isn’t just part of your marketing stack anymore. It’s a core channel that deserves real resourcing.

Best practices and common pitfalls

Reddit isn’t a place where you can repurpose your Twitter threads or recycle blog copy. It’s a space that demands sincerity and restraint. Here’s what to do (and what to avoid):

What to do:

• Be upfront about who you are and who you represent. Authenticity builds trust.
• Study each subreddit’s rules before participating. Respect is a must if you want to gain traction on the platform.
• Focus on being useful. Solve real problems rather than pitch products.
• Monitor the impact of your activity, both on the platform and in search rankings.
• Commit to regular engagement. Relationships don’t form overnight.

What to avoid:

• Don’t overproduce your content. Slick visuals or overly polished videos can feel out of place.
• Ignoring context is a recipe for disaster. What works in r/marketing may get deleted in r/startups.
• Don’t go silent for long stretches. Inconsistency reads as inauthentic.
• Don’t make promises you can’t back up. Reddit users remember, and they will follow up.
• Boilerplate, copy-paste responses are a fast track to trouble. Reddit can spot scripted replies instantly. If it feels canned, chances are it’ll get flagged or roasted.

Measuring Reddit impact

You can’t manage what you don’t measure. Here are the most relevant metrics to track as you scale your Reddit presence:

• Brand mentions (volume and sentiment)
• Comment upvotes and engagement rates
• Thread longevity and search visibility
• Traffic from Reddit to your site (via tagged links or direct)
• Conversions or assisted conversions from Reddit visitors

Look beyond vanity metrics. A single, high-impact comment in the right thread might outperform a paid campaign in both reach and authority.

Tools that can help with measuring these metrics include:
If you’re serious about measuring Reddit’s impact, you need more than just upvotes and comments. Here are some tools to level up your tracking game:

1. Brand24 or Mention
Use these for tracking brand mentions across Reddit (and the rest of the web). They pull in volume, sentiment, and trending conversations so you’re not flying blind.

2. Reddit Keyword Monitor Pro
This tool is tailor-made for Reddit. Set up alerts for keywords or brand names and get real-time updates when they’re mentioned. Ideal for timely engagement.

3. Google Analytics (GA4)
Track traffic and conversions from Reddit. Set up UTM parameters to see exactly what’s driving clicks and sales—or where your funnel’s leaking.

4. Ubersuggest
While it’s more SEO-focused, Ubersuggest can still show you if Reddit links are helping your pages rank or if any backlinks are giving you SEO juice.

5. Hypefury or Buffer
If you’re syndicating Reddit insights to other platforms (or vice versa), tools like these help schedule and measure cross-platform performance.

6. Sprout Social
This one’s more for social listening and engagement reporting. If Reddit is part of a broader strategy, you’ll want centralized reporting.

Conclusion

Reddit is now an essential part of the digital marketing ecosystem. It shapes search results. It informs buying decisions. And it holds unmatched power for gauging brand sentiment.

Ignoring it gives others the microphone.

But for those willing to contribute with humility, value and consistency, Reddit offers reach and relevance.

Start now. Your competitors already have.

Lawmakers Introduced a Bill to Make the Current Version of the Joint Employer Rule Permanent. Here’s What It Means for the U.S. Franchise Industry.

Franchise owners could soon see relief from one of the industry’s most contentious legal issues: the joint employer standard. A bill working its way through the U.S. House of Representatives aims to permanently define when two businesses can be considered joint employers — an issue with major implications for the more than 800,000 franchise establishments across the country. Together, those businesses generate hundreds of millions in annual economic output and support close to nine million jobs in the U.S.

Related: Considering franchise ownership? Get started now to find your personalized list of franchises that match your lifestyle, interests and budget.

The Save Local Business Act, sponsored by Rep. James Comer (R-KY), would lock in the current, narrower joint employer definition that requires “direct and immediate control” over essential terms of employment. This would replace the shifting regulatory standards that have bounced back and forth for more than a decade, depending on which party controls the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).

At stake is the legal relationship between franchisors and franchisees. Under a narrow joint employer standard, franchisees are considered independent operators responsible for hiring, firing, scheduling and supervising their own employees. But under broader definitions — like the one the NLRB attempted to implement in 2023 — franchisors could be held liable simply for having the potential to influence those decisions, even if they never exercised that power.

Related: ‘Send a Man Next Time’: How an Entrepreneur and Her Daughters Built a $2.5 Million Franchise in a Male-Dominated Field

The 2023 rule faced immediate backlash from the business community, including franchise owners, labor attorneys and trade organizations, led by the International Franchise Association. Many argued that it was too vague and broad, leaving employers uncertain about their legal responsibilities. A federal judge struck down the rule in March 2024, calling it overly expansive and difficult to enforce.

Despite that legal win for franchise businesses, the concern remains that future administrations could revive similar language. The Save Local Business Act is designed to prevent that by codifying the narrower standard into federal law.

Previous attempts to expand the joint employer standard have had measurable economic consequences. When a broader rule was adopted in 2015, the franchise sector saw an estimated $33 billion in lost output, according to IFA research.

Related: I Walked Away From a Corporate Career to Start My Own Small Business — Here’s Why You Should Do the Same

The uncertainty has also made some franchisors more hesitant to support or expand their franchise networks. Under a broader rule, offering training, guidance or shared HR tools could expose them to legal liability, undermining the collaborative model that helps local owners succeed.

Supporters of the new bill argue that locking in a clear, consistent joint employer definition would restore confidence for franchise operators, investors and employees alike. They say the current model balances brand standards with local control and allows small business owners to grow within a proven system.

Related: 3 Lessons I Learned Selling My Billion-Dollar Company

Opponents of the bill, including some labor advocates, argue that the narrow standard makes it harder for workers to hold the appropriate parties accountable in cases of labor violations. They believe companies that benefit from franchise labor should also share in the responsibility.

Still, for most franchise businesses, the issue is about clarity, not politics. Whether they run gyms, restaurants, home services or child care centers, local owners are looking for regulatory stability so they can plan for growth without fear of surprise liability.

The Save Local Business Act now heads to committee and may be folded into broader labor or small business legislation later this year. Whether or not it passes, the debate over who qualifies as a joint employer is likely to remain a flashpoint in labor policy — and a top priority for the franchise sector heading into 2025.

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How to Cut Costs in the Right Places and Do More With Less

If you’re a small business owner right now, you’re probably feeling the tension in the market. There is immense pressure to grow, serve your clients, pay your team and still keep a healthy margin against the background of a turbulent economy. At the same time, you know you can’t just slash costs blindly, as cutting the wrong things can put you in an even more difficult position.

Done well, strategic cost-cutting can actually make your business leaner, more agile and more scalable — and it can give you increased peace of mind. Instead of running your business from a place of fear, reframe this time as a way to lean out your business and build a stronger foundation. You may be surprised at how you’ll run just as effectively with less.

Related: 5 Ways to Cut Costs in Your Business

Understanding your costs comes first

Studies show that a large portion of small business owners are not aware of their key expenses. Before cutting anything, it is critical to zoom out and get a handle on where your money is actually going.

Labor is commonly the largest expense for small businesses. If you don’t already have clear ROI data on your team’s time, now is the time to set it up. These ROI calculations can vary drastically depending on the role, so if you have KPIs set up, take this time to review those. If you don’t, I’d recommend working with a strategic finance specialist to set those up.

Regardless, looking at your revenue per FTE (full-time employee) is a good place to start. That KPI should be close to $500,000 per full-time employee. If you are coming in under that, start looking at where on your team you can redirect their time to be revenue-generating or reduce labor time and cost.

Other expenses that tend to be fairly easy to reduce include outside contractor expenses, unused subscriptions and travel expenses. It’s a wise practice to review these expenses, one by one, every single month.

This kind of detailed financial review can be intimidating and stressful, but it is absolutely critical to surviving a slowdown as a small business. By establishing this practice now, you’re also creating a strong habit of being financially smart inside your business.

Related: Don’t Let These 8 Common Expenses Stunt Your Growth and Drain Your Profits

Considering what and when to delegate

A common myth is that delegation always saves you time, but that doesn’t always play out. It can become costly if done wrong, and any delegation you’re currently doing is worth a second look.

There are a few things to consider when evaluating what you’re already delegating or if you’re considering newly delegating work.

First, delegation works best if you’ve already systematized what’s being handed off. If you systematize first, you are delegating something that will minimize the cost of delegated labor, so you’re maximizing your ROI. This can look like automation inside of your CRM or creating SOPs for your main practices.

Speaking of ROI, consider the ROI of anything you’re paying to delegate. As an example, if you’re outsourcing cold-calling your leads, consider the cost of each call based on the hourly rate you’re paying and the number of appointments generated. This gives you an estimate of the cost per appointment, which helps you understand the ROI of that investment. If you can invest the money elsewhere in your business with a better return, this is the time to shift that investment.

Related: 8 Unconventional Ways to Cut Costs in Your Business

Don’t cut where it counts

Most businesses will go wrong by cutting investments that actually support long-term growth, like marketing, client delivery support or team culture, when they start feeling the financial pinch.

It’s critical to examine the ROI of each cost instead of panic-cost cutting. If your assistant is saving you 10 hours a week and you’re using that time to close deals, that has its own return. If your operations manager is helping you retain key clients, that’s a return. Make your best estimate of what that return is to help guide you in making that comparison. For your assistant, count the value of the deals they helped you close. For your manager, consider how many key clients they’ve helped re-sign.

One effective way to avoid this is to reinvest more into client delivery for your existing clients rather than growth. By ensuring your client delivery is top-notch, you can shore up growth by creating fans who will then refer to you while better retaining your existing clients. This can give you a multi-faceted return on the same investment.

Despite the slowdown that many small businesses are feeling in real-time, the goal at this moment in time isn’t just to survive. Rather, it’s to build a business that’s effective and lean. Then, when the economy inevitably picks back up, you’ve built an efficient business to build on, and you’ve flexed the muscles of regularly monitoring your finances and making data-driven decisions about them.

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Starbucks Is Offering $25,000 for the Best Customized Drink — and Finally Reveals Its ‘Secret Menu’

Starbucks is no longer gatekeeping its “secret menu,” and the coffeehouse is asking customers to submit a custom creation for a chance to win thousands.

The “secret menu” has been “a thing for years,” Starbucks says, and there are numerous social media accounts that highlight various concoctions from around the world.

Related: Starbucks Tells Employees to Return to the Office or Take a Buyout: ‘Not Everyone Will Agree with This Approach’

But Starbucks never revealed if the “menu” actually existed until now. Rewards members can see some of the most popular “secret menu” drinks in the “offers” tab of the app.

Secret menu customizations now in the app include adding “cookies on top” to a Cold Brew with two pumps of vanilla syrup and Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Foam, or “elevating” the Mango Dragonfruit Lemonade Refresher by blending it with peach juice and topping with Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Foam.

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How to enter the ‘Secret Menu’ contest

Is your Starbucks order so customized that it creates a grande-sized receipt? Think your custom Starbucks order is better than anything on the menu? Now’s your chance to prove it (without annoying baristas) — and win money.

To enter the contest, contestants build a drink on the Starbucks website, like placing an order on the app. For the contest, all drinks are a grande size.

Related: Starbucks Is Hiring a ‘Global Content Creator’ to Travel, Drink Coffee, and Get Paid Six Figures

First, you choose the style of drink (hot or cold coffee or tea, refreshers, frappuccino, hot chocolate, or lemonade). Next, the roast (blonde, medium, dark, decaf), style (americano, latte, macchiato, flat white), and then the various mix-ins and customizations (milks, flavors, cold foams, toppings, number of espresso shots, and sweeteners).

The only fine print is that contestants must be 18 years or older. The entry period ends on July 20. The winners will be selected based on “taste, creativity, and fan appeal,” the company said.

The top prize is $25,000, and three runners-up will win $5,000 each.

To enter, click here.

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‘Neighbors Can Only Do So Much’: Nextdoor Announces Plans to Become More Than Just a Place to Complain About Leaf Blowers

If you are a Nextdoor user, you know it is the place to ask for plumber recommendations and to air your grievances about the new traffic light in town.

But Nextdoor wants to be so much more. Co-founder and CEO Nirav Tolia told AP News: “There should be enough value that we are creating for neighbors that they feel like they need to open up Nextdoor every single day. And that isn’t the case today.”

To that end, Nextdoor announced its “most consequential redesign of its core product to date.” A refresh of the site and app will focus on three pillars: Alerts, News, and Faves.

Related: 12 Leadership Lessons From Nextdoor CEO

Alerts promises “to deliver real-time updates on everything from daily weather and traffic to critical moments like power outages, severe storms, and wildfires.” Faves will utilize AI to deliver quick answers to questions like, “What is the best place to hike with kids?” according to the release.

In a big push to become a source of reliable information, the News section will utilize content from 3,500 local news publications in the U.S., UK, and Canada. Collectively, the app will publish 50,000 local news stories per week. “Trusted outlets are now reaching neighbors directly through the platform, bringing community-focused journalism to neighborhoods everywhere,” read the release.

“We thought in our early days that neighbors would take over, almost as citizen journalists or local reporters,” Tolia said to AP. “I think we’ve come to the conclusion that neighbors can only do so much.”

Related: Nextdoor’s CMO Says Small Businesses Are Underutilizing One Critical Tool That Could Propel Their Marketing Efforts

Tolia revealed that while Nextdoor has 100 million registered users, only about 25 million log in once a week. With these improvements, Nextdoor is hoping to boost that number, which could provide an ancillary boost for the struggling local news market. Tim Franklin, head of the Medill Local News Initiative at Northwestern, told the AP that this could provide a lifeline to sites getting killed by Google’s AI answers.

“If Nextdoor is another vessel to get readers to news sites, and local news sites in particular,” Franklin said, “It would come at a real moment of vulnerability for local news organizations and would be a real opportunity.”

Ready to break through your revenue ceiling? Join us at Level Up, a conference for ambitious business leaders to unlock new growth opportunities.

Starbucks Tells Employees to Return to the Office or Take a Buyout: ‘Not Everyone Will Agree with This Approach’

Starbucks is calling corporate employees back to the office four days a week and offering a buyout to those who’d rather leave the company instead.

In a letter to employees on Monday, Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol said that at the beginning of the company’s fiscal year in October, workers will be expected to be in the office four days a week, Monday through Thursday, up from the previous three-day requirement established in 2023.

Related: ‘We’re Not Effective’: Starbucks CEO Tells Corporate Employees to ‘Own Whether or Not This Place Grows’

However, he also offered a way out. Niccol noted that Starbucks corporate workers have the option for a “one-time voluntary exit program with a cash payment” of undisclosed value if they wish to leave the company in response to the return-to-office mandate.

“The default for support partners should be working in person, in a Starbucks office, alongside your team and cross-functional partners,” Niccol wrote. “We understand not everyone will agree with this approach.”

Niccol wrote that he has “listened” and “thought carefully” about the move to more in-person work, concluding that four days a week in the office is the best step for Starbucks going forward. Employees do their “best work” when they’re together, and in-person work strengthens company culture, Niccol asserted.

“As a company built on human connection, and given the scale of the turnaround ahead, we believe this is the right path for Starbucks,” Niccol wrote.

Niccol became Starbucks’ CEO in September 2024 after spending six years leading Chipotle. Starbucks pays for Niccol to use a corporate jet to commute nearly 1,000 miles from his home in Newport Beach, California, to the company’s headquarters in Seattle, Washington. His work schedule exceeds three days a week in the office, a Starbucks representative told CNBC in August.

Under Niccol’s leadership, Starbucks has embarked on a turnaround plan called “Back to Starbucks,” designed to revitalize slumping sales and make the coffee chain more of a welcoming place for customers.

Changes made so far include streamlining the menu by cutting 30% of it, aiming to make coffee in under four minutes, and offering a personalized touch by writing customers’ names down on their cups.

Related: ‘Additional Human Touch’: Starbucks Has a Turnaround Plan That Includes Buying 200,000 Sharpies. Here’s Why.

So far, sales are still dwindling. Starbucks’ most recent financial results in April showed that global store sales declined 1% for the quarter ending on March 30 compared to the same period last year. In the U.S., store sales dropped 2% for the quarter.

Starbucks still opened 213 net new stores in the quarter, ending the period with 40,789 global stores. More than 17,000 of those stores were located in the U.S.

Starbucks shares were up over 2% year-to-date at the time of writing. The coffee chain had a market value of $106.85 billion.

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This 29-Year-Old’s Side Hustle Brought People ‘to the Dark Green Side.’ It Made $10,000 Within 2 Days and Sees 6 Figures a Month.

This Side Hustle Spotlight Q&A features Nikki Seaman, the 29-year-old, Atlanta, Georgia-based entrepreneur behind olive brand Freestyle Snacks. Learn more about her business journey, here. Responses have been edited for length and clarity.

^{Image Credit: Courtesy of Freestyle Snacks. Nikki Seaman.}

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What was your day job or primary occupation when you started your side hustle?
I was on an externship from my management consulting job at Bain & Co, leading special projects at Whisps Cheese Crisps.

When did you start your side hustle, and where did you find the inspiration for it?
The idea of Freestyle Snacks came about in 2021. I found inspiration during the pandemic, as olive bars in grocery stores shut down, and I was forced to get my olive fix from the traditional olive aisle. The “eyeballs” in a jar just weren’t cutting it for me in terms of quality and convenience. So I decided to create an easier, more enjoyable way to eat olives.

Related: They Started a Side Hustle Producing an ‘Obvious’ Food Item. It Hit $300,000 Monthly Revenue Fast — On Track for Over $20 Million in 2025.

What were some of the first steps you took to get your side hustle off the ground? How much money/investment did it take to launch?
I started by focusing on consumer data. I lived in Mintel reports, and I ran a bunch of surveys to pressure-test if there was real demand. I would stand in the olive aisle at the grocery store and interview olive-lovers about their preferences. After calling over 200 co-packers, I was able to find a partner to bring my vision for Freestyle Snacks to life. Including our packaging design, materials and first production run, I spent around $50,000 in savings to get to market.

Are there any free or paid resources that have been especially helpful for you in starting and running this business?
No matter the industry, finding a community and other founders to chat with is invaluable. When I was first getting started, I would stack my Fridays with meetings with other CPG founders to see what I could learn from their wins and their mistakes. For my industry, the Startup CPG community is a great place to find other like-minded individuals who are eager to help and support. In running the business, one resource that has been incredible for us lately is TikTok — it is free organic reach to millions of potential customers, and we are investing a lot of time on this platform.

If you could go back in your business journey and change one process or approach, what would it be, and how do you wish you’d done it differently?
I would have taken more time to build a stronger bench of part-time help earlier. In the beginning, I was doing everything from shipping samples to managing QuickBooks and answering customer emails at midnight. It was, of course, scrappy, but it was also draining and unsustainable. Looking back, I could have brought in affordable support sooner to free up my time for the highest-impact work. Some of my best hires are my virtual assistants; they truly save me so much time, and the business couldn’t run without them.

Related: Tired of ‘Culturally Obtuse’ Products, This 27-Year-Old Took His Side Hustle From $1,000 a Month to 7-Figure Revenue: ‘Pick the Right Opportunity to Pursue’

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?
Retail distribution sounds exciting, but it is incredibly operationally intense. From logistics coordination to managing distributor deductions to planning for promotions, it is a constant challenge. It can be expensive to get your product on the shelf, and that’s just the beginning. The real fun comes in making sure the product is actually selling off the shelf.

Can you recall a specific instance when something went very wrong? How did you fix it?
We had a few operational hiccups very early on. One nightmare was when we received our latest packaging order from our supplier, and there were holes in the packaging near the resealable zipper. We didn’t realize this until after we’d packed thousands of products. Luckily, we were able to expedite a new order of packaging and tested it thoroughly, and now we are hypervigilant about all suppliers we work with.

How long did it take you to see consistent monthly revenue? How much did the side hustle earn?
Since I didn’t go the farmers market path, we tested product-market fit by putting the product online and seeing if it sold. Within our first two days of launch, we sold over $10,000 worth of olive snacks. I started seeing consistent revenue only after the first year, once our products landed in major retailers and demand was a bit more predictable.

^{Image Credit: Courtesy of Freestyle Snacks}

Related: ‘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

What does growth and revenue look like now?
Freestyle is now in about 5,000 retail locations, including Whole Foods, Target, CVS, Harris Teeter and Giant Food, and we’re just getting started. We have seen strong retail velocity and six-figure monthly sales, with growth driven by expanded retail distribution and a high repeat purchase rate in our existing retail footprint.

How much time do you spend working on your business on a daily, weekly or monthly basis? How do you structure that time? What does a typical day or week of work look like for you?
This started as a side hustle but quickly turned into a full-time job and more. I now work on Freestyle full-time, often from my home office and sometimes out of our garage, which has become overflow storage. I work pretty much seven days a week, with the weekends being lighter. I love to use the weekends for catching up on admin work or internal projects and conducting store visits. My days vary but usually include a mix of operations, sales outreach and strategy, content creation and team management. I also try to carve out time for creative and strategic thinking so I do not get stuck in execution mode.

What do you enjoy most about running this business?
I love creating something from nothing and seeing people genuinely enjoy it. It never gets old when someone discovers Freestyle Snacks and shares what an essential snack it has become for them, whether they are diabetic, looking for a low-calorie snack or just craving a good olive. The best is all of the folks we’ve converted to the dark green side, who used to hate olives until they tried Freestyle!

Related: The ‘Hustle’ He Started Out of His Station Wagon Became a Nationwide Business That’s About to Hit $300 Million: ‘Everything We Do Is Pretty Simple’

What is your best piece of specific, actionable business advice?
In order to succeed, you need to have grit, passion and perseverance. You will face many rejections, have to navigate operational challenges and sometimes feel like the world is crumbling around you. Entrepreneurship is a rollercoaster. I like to stay grounded by focusing on being 1% better each day. These incremental improvements to the business truly add up to something incredible.

This article is part of our ongoing Young Entrepreneur® series highlighting the stories, challenges and triumphs of being a young business owner.

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