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The Power of Problems
Instead of trying to avoid problems, what if we saw them as progress?
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What Will They Remember?
We want to give people a lot of value. But they may appreciate us more if we give a little less.
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‘I’m Looking For Someone Who Has to Make It Big’
After 14 seasons on Shark Tank, Barbara Corcoran has seen a pattern: The most successful entrepreneurs approach business with a mixture of ambition and humility.
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How to Save an Iconic Brand
When Barbie sales were falling, Mattel asked Richard Dickson to help save the famous toy. To do it, he drew up a four-part playbook.
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Getting Top Talent to Stick Around
The best workers have plenty of options, so employers must get creative to keep them. Here, six business leaders describe their strongest retention strategies.
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Hands-On or Hands-Off?
How do you balance between giving your team autonomy and leading them to success? Here, six leaders share what works for them.
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Hey, Don’t Throw That Away!
Need a business idea? Identify a problem, then repeatedly try to solve it. That’s how Divert’s founders built a big business out of food waste.
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Do Not ‘Agree to Disagree’
That’s just called ‘avoiding the issue.’ There’s a better way to handle disagreements—and for the guys behind Smart Passive Income, it became their guiding principle.
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Can a Boss and an Employee Swap Roles?
These two women at the creative agency Marine Lane did it, and they say it’s the perfect arrangement. Here, they extol the virtues of what they call the ‘boomerang boss.’
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Consumers Aren’t Buying Products. They’re Buying You.
Your story matters a lot more than you think, according to emerging research. Here’s how to make sure it sings—and sells.
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Patience Is a Venture
I wanted to open a café in a trendy neighborhood. But when I found a location in a not-so-trendy area full of skeptical customers, I learned the merits of playing the long game.
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This Word Helps You Go Viral
It’s hard to light up the internet. But according to one of today’s hottest viral agencies, it becomes a little easier when you take this approach.
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Tech That Helps You Focus
Upgrade your work! Products expert (and two-time Emmy Award-winning talk show host) Mario Armstrong is here to help with his favorite new stuff.
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Gear to Kick Off the Year
2023 is all about mixing business with pleasure. Emmy Award-winning gear expert Mario Armstrong has the latest equipment to get you going.
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Go Ahead, Steal a Leadership Style
To become the best leader you can be, you must start by being a version of the leaders you most admire.
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Who to Learn From When You’re the Boss
Entrepreneurs can often feel isolated, because there’s nobody above them to learn from. But with a little extra effort, you can find the guidance you need to keep growing.
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TOP SCHOOLS for ENTREPRENEURS
The top 50 undergraduate and top 50 graduate schools of 2023, as ranked by Entrepreneur and The Princeton Review.
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EVERY. LITTLE. DETAIL.
Do you obsess? Overthink? Plan to perfection? BLAKE LIVELY used to hide those instincts in herself—but by learning to channel them, she built a business that’s selling millions.
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STEVE AOKI SELLS THE FUTURE
Evangelists say Web3 is going to change everything. Are they right? World-renowned DJ and entrepreneur Steve Aoki wants to prove it to you.
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LIVE EVERY DAY LIKE A CRISIS
No one likes a catastrophe, but when we’re in survival mode, the path forward becomes clearer. That’s a useful mindset to cultivate, for good times and bad.
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THE CURE FOR STRESS IS NOT LESS STRESS
Like many entrepreneurs, I could barely sleep. I felt like a failure. Then I went on a journey to calm myself—and found the scientifically backed answer where I least expected it.
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THE BRAINSTORM AS WE KNOW IT DOESN’T WORK
Codirectors of Executive Education at Stanford University’s Institute of Design
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BREAKING THE FEAR CIRCUIT
Too often, our thoughts spiral into the gap between our anxieties about the future and the reality of our circumstances. As a therapist, here’s how I help clients stop their fears from becoming self-fulfilling prophecies.
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As Clean as It Gets
As juicing became popular across America, the brand Clean Juice looked to stand out. Its solution wasn’t a new product—it was raising the standards for all its products.
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STOP OBSESSING OVER ‘WHAT IF?’
It’s natural. It’s unproductive. And with a little work, you can take back control of your thoughts.
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TAP INTO YOUR EMOTIONAL EMERGENCY FUND
We get back what we put out, we’re told. But if loss sends us spiraling, and we have nothing left to give, how do we survive? Cyndie Spiegel knows something about that.
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A Franchise Nonprofit?
Jamie Trujillo bought a for-profit business, but wanted to reach the people who couldn’t afford her services. So she made a radical change.
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Four Ways to Fix Your Marketing
Franchisors often struggle to reach new franchisees online. Here are four common mistakes, and the insight you need to truly expand your reach.
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Where Business Is
Want to join a fast-growing industry? Here’s why there’s a boom in breakfast, fitness, recreation, and staffing.
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WHAT MAKES A WINNER
Our 2023 list can tell you a lot about what it takes to succeed.
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The Hottest Trends for 2023
Looking for a business to buy next year? We predict which categories will thrive, and list the top brands in each.
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BREAKFAST
Breakfast is back! The most important meal of the day struggled during the heaviest Covid days, as people were stuck at home and not grabbing coffees and bagels en route to the office. But now it’s rebounded, as grab-and-go and sit-down meals are increasing once again.
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CHICKEN
People love chicken—and as it turns out, there are endless ways to cook a bird. New concepts continue to appear with their own twists on chicken sandwiches, tenders, and wings, including what might be the “hottest” trend-within-the-trend right now: Nashville hot chicken.
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1 Taco Bell
It’s #1 for the third year in a row. What keeps the cravings so strong? The brand has mastered the risky art of being cool—by paying close attention to both outsiders and insiders.
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CHILDREN’S EDUCATION/ENRICHMENT
As life returns to something resembling the pre-pandemic “normal,” parents are eager to get their kids back on track, both academically and socially. A wide variety of franchise businesses are ready to help, offering everything from tutoring and educational childcare to art classes and sports clubs.
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FITNESS
The last few years were challenging for the fitness industry, but the businesses that survived lockdowns have come out stronger—and ready to help customers old and new take off those pandemic pounds. Boutique concepts seem especially poised for success going forward.
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HEALTH & WELLNESS
Health is more top-of-mind than ever for most people, and the number of franchise concepts tapping into this trend has expanded greatly in the last few years. In particular, alternative wellness offerings such as CBD, cryotherapy, IV therapy, and massage therapy are gaining ground through franchising.
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MEXICAN FOOD
Americans are said to eat more than 4.5 billion tacos every year, and the popularity of tacos—and burritos, nachos, fajitas, and more—keeps on growing. Franchises serving up these dishes, and some creative spins on them, keep on growing as well.
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PETS
No matter the economic conditions, people never skimp on spending for their furry, feathered, and scaly friends. The American Pet Products Association reports that the pet industry hit a record $123.6 billion in sales in 2021, and it projects that number will be even higher for 2022.
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RECREATION
Our world is full of stress, so everyone deserves a chance to escape and relax. Perhaps that’s why these franchises are booming—helping create some family-friendly fun (adventure parks and campgrounds!) or just new ways for adults to blow off steam (with axe throwing, rage rooms, brewery tours, and more).
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RESTORATION
What do water, fire, smoke, and mold have in common? They can be messy disasters—and they’ll happen regardless of economic conditions. That’s why restoration is often touted as a recession-resistant industry, and why the category is expected to see continued strong growth.
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STAFFING/RECRUITING
In a time of labor shortages and “quiet quitting,” leaders in nearly every industry have struggled to hire. That’s why we expect staffing/recruiting franchises to continue thriving: The need for them has never been greater. Franchises specializing in healthcare staffing are experiencing especially strong growth right now.
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THE FRANCHISE 500’S BIG MOVERS
Some brands leapt more than 100 spots on our list this year. What did they do right? We asked them.
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SHOULD YOU BUY A FRANCHISE DURING A BAD ECONOMY?
The answer is yes, so long as you buy wisely. That’s why today’s potential franchisees are asking tougher questions before signing on.
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WHAT THE BIG MOMENT LOOKS LIKE
Want to be a franchisee? The last big step is often called “Discovery Day,” where you decide to sign…or not! We followed four people on their big moment at Unleashed Brands.
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Here Comes the Fun
What’s next in franchising? These seven newer brands (who didn’t make our ranking this year) are introducing bold, fresh ideas to the world.
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HOW MUCH CAN I MAKE?
It’s what everybody wants to know before buying a franchise—and although there’s no guaranteed answer, you can learn a lot by asking the right questions. Here’s how.
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How To Be A Wealthy Franchisee
Some franchisees are slaves to their businesses. Others make great money and still have time to enjoy their lives. What’s the difference? Mindset and execution.
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Are You an Entrepreneur… or a Systempreneur?
It’s the first question any potential franchisee should ask themselves. Here’s how to find the answer.