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Tag: Celebrity Entrepreneurs

  • Why One Bite Pizza Fest Proves Live Events Win Big | Entrepreneur

    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Many know Dave Portnoy as the multi-millionaire founder of Barstool Sports, the unapologetically irreverent digital media empire. But to millions more, he’s the face behind the viral One Bite Pizza Reviews on YouTube, where he travels the country rating pizzerias on a strict 1–10 scale (decimals included).

    What began in 2017 as a fun viral series has grown into a culinary kingmaker, with Portnoy’s verdict capable of making — or breaking — a shop overnight. That phenomenon has expanded into a live event, the One Bite Pizza Fest, which marked its third anniversary in New York on Saturday, September 13, drawing 10,000 fans to sample pies from more than 40 of the world’s most iconic pizzerias — all hand-picked by Portnoy himself.

    Related: 5 Years Ago, No One Would Take Their Calls. Then a Big Break Caused a ‘Domino Effect’ That Hasn’t Stopped.

    The event, produced in partnership with Medium Rare, reflects a bigger shift in digital media: turning online content into live experiences. Barstool has been at the forefront, building events around its podcasts — from the Call Her Daddy “Unwell Tour” to the Chicklets Cup for Spittin’ Chicklets. At first, it might seem counterintuitive for a digitally native brand to double down on in-person programming. In reality, it’s become both a core part of Barstool’s content strategy and a key performance indicator of its success.

    Streaming a YouTube series like One Bite with Dave Portnoy while folding laundry doesn’t necessarily make someone a die-hard fan. True loyalty shows when people are willing to buy a ticket, show up, and spend real time with the brand.

    That shift transforms a community from a list of usernames into a packed arena of people who can actually connect and bond over a shared experience.

    Related: Dave Portnoy, One Bite Pizza Review Saves TinyBrickOven

    A slice of the sponsorship pie

    For sponsors, One Bite Pizza Fest is a dream platform. Pepsi, Ninja and Bilt were among the brands that activated in creative ways. Ninja used the event to showcase its new 5-in-1 pizza oven, giving pizza fans a firsthand look at a new product designed for their tastes. Pepsi kept attendees refreshed with complimentary drinks, building goodwill with nearly 10,000 festival-goers.

    While these companies clearly align with the theme of pizza, several other sponsors might be more surprising. Bilt returned as the official rewards partner, creating an entire “Neighborhood” filled with exclusive perks like expedited lines and even allowing members to redeem points for tickets.

    Sponsors may keep the lights on at the One Bite Pizza Festival, but they don’t feed the ravenous attendees. That title goes to the real stars of the event: the restaurants. Many travel from out of state to hand out free slices to massive crowds — all while being surrounded by direct competitors. Some might call it a food fair. Others could interpret it as a cage match for pizzerias.

    While every spot brought its best, a few stood above the rest. In general admission, Lucali, Frank Pepe’s, and Di Fara each dished out more than 10,000 slices. In VIP, Ceres Pizza stole the show — thanks to Portnoy’s 9.2 rating — cementing its spot as the festival’s most in-demand pie and underscoring just how much influence his reviews hold.

    Related: Dragon Pizza Sells Out After Dave Portnoy’s Barstool Bad Review

    One Bite Pizza Fest is more than just a giant pizza party. It’s a testament to the brand loyalty Portnoy has cultivated over years of creating online. By taking his digital show into the real world, Portnoy continues to strengthen the community he’s built—while bolstering dozens of small businesses in the process. And it all starts with just one bite.

    The festival unfolded across two sessions. Fans could choose between afternoon or evening tickets, priced at $179.99, or upgrade to VIP experiences at $649.99 that include early access and an open bar. Session one runs from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., with VIPs entering at 12:30. Session two follows a similar format, opening at 6:00 p.m. and running until 9:30, with VIP access beginning half an hour earlier.

    Many know Dave Portnoy as the multi-millionaire founder of Barstool Sports, the unapologetically irreverent digital media empire. But to millions more, he’s the face behind the viral One Bite Pizza Reviews on YouTube, where he travels the country rating pizzerias on a strict 1–10 scale (decimals included).

    What began in 2017 as a fun viral series has grown into a culinary kingmaker, with Portnoy’s verdict capable of making — or breaking — a shop overnight. That phenomenon has expanded into a live event, the One Bite Pizza Fest, which marked its third anniversary in New York on Saturday, September 13, drawing 10,000 fans to sample pies from more than 40 of the world’s most iconic pizzerias — all hand-picked by Portnoy himself.

    Related: 5 Years Ago, No One Would Take Their Calls. Then a Big Break Caused a ‘Domino Effect’ That Hasn’t Stopped.

    The rest of this article is locked.

    Join Entrepreneur+ today for access.

    Leo Zevin

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  • Why Lewis Hamilton Is Racing Into the $1.3+ Trillion Non-Alcoholic Beverage Market | Entrepreneur

    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    I’ve written several articles about the rise of non-alcoholic (NA) beverages, from Dry January to the “sober curious” movement that’s gone from niche to mainstream. While I still enjoy a craft cocktail with my husband once in a while, alcohol rarely fits into my routine.

    I enjoy alternatives that feel intentional, functional and are crafted with purpose. What I don’t enjoy is paying $15 for a mocktail that turns out to be little more than lemonade in a fancy glass.

    That’s why brands like Almave stand out to me. The NA space isn’t just about abstaining anymore; it’s about reimagining the social ritual of drinking with authenticity, culture and innovation. Almave, a premium non-alcoholic agave spirit co-founded by seven-time Formula 1 champion Sir Lewis Hamilton, is a fascinating new product in this market.

    As the most decorated Formula One driver in history, Lewis Hamilton stopped drinking alcohol in 2023 to better align his health with the demands of his rigorous training schedule. The 40-year-old racer said that alcohol distracted him from operating at his full athletic and mental potential, often leaving him to “suffer for several days” after a big night out.

    That decision was not about missing out — it was about showing up stronger. It’s also exactly what paved the way for Almave: a spirit that honors the ritual without compromising performance.

    Related: Embrace a Healthier Summer With These Non-Alcoholic Beverages

    Hamilton had long enjoyed tequila in social settings, but once alcohol was off the table, he felt limited by the lack of premium, authentic NA alternatives.

    “Ordering a ginger beer felt underwhelming,” he said. He envisioned a non-alcoholic tequila that respected the craft of Mexico’s agave tradition, and that idea eventually led him to Casa Lumbre, a Mexico-based spirits house known for its innovation.

    He flew to Mexico City to meet Master Distiller Iván Saldaña, a biochemist and agave expert. Hamilton immersed himself in the fields and distilleries of Jalisco, learning the cultivation and distillation process firsthand.

    Together, they created Almave: a line of spirits made from blue agave, distilled with tradition and expertise, but free of alcohol. Hamilton explained to me during an interview that he admired the commitment and authenticity of Saldaña. “I knew I wanted to be a part of this and I wanted to learn from Iván and really be a part of the process.”

    Image Credit: Almave

    Today, Almave offers Ambar, Blanco and its latest release, Almave Humo, a smoky, mezcal-inspired NA spirit that brings complexity and depth to cocktails. I recently tried Humo and while I wouldn’t tell my friends that it tastes like mezcal, I would use it for a refreshing mocktail.

    Hamilton insists that Almave isn’t a celebrity vanity project. “We respect the craft and traditions of Mexico, using time-honored methods perfected over generations,” he said. That authenticity has resonated.

    • Almave has grown 35,000 Instagram followers since June 2024.
    • It sees an 8.3% engagement rate on TikTok – double the industry average.
    • Its launch reels have topped 10 million organic views.
    • Returning customers, though just 17% of the base, generate more than a third of total revenue.

    In a crowded NA space, those numbers speak to both curiosity and loyalty.

    Almave is only one part of Hamilton’s expanding entrepreneurial portfolio. His ventures consistently reflect purpose, lifestyle and innovation. Hamilton had been linked to Neat Burger, a global vegan burger chain (backed by Leonardo DiCaprio) that focused on sustainability but recently voluntarily liquidated.

    He also joined the ownership group of the Denver Broncos in 2022, and has a production company, Dawn Apollo Films, with Brad Pitt, under which they recently co-produced the F1 movie starring Brad Pitt. Hamilton also recently became a global Lululemon ambassador. Authenticity, innovation and values that align with his personal brand are woven throughout these ventures and Almave was the natural next step.

    Related: I Work Nearly 50+ Hours a Week and Rarely Feel Tired

    I relate to Hamilton’s pivot. I live and breathe health and wellness, but not in an extreme way. For me, the fundamentals — nutrition, hydration, sleep, movement and community — are what matter most. Everything else, from supplements to wearables to biohacks, are simply tools to help optimize and refine wellbeing.

    From a growth and economic viewpoint, Hamilton isn’t the only celebrity leaning into this trend. Bella Hadid co-founded Kin Euphorics, Katy Perry launched De Soi and Blake Lively created Betty Buzz and Betty Booze. Each brings its own twist, but what unites them is a recognition that consumers want sophisticated, intentional options when they’re not drinking. The global NA beverage market is projected to surpass $30 billion by 2030, fueled by younger consumers, health-conscious professionals and savvier audiences who desire both performance and pleasure.

    Related: Dry January? His Non-Alcoholic Side Hustle Made $50 Million+

    From integrating adaptogens to promoting healthier habits, I appreciate when brands in the NA space deliver more than just sugar in a sleek bottle. Almave feels elevated, authentic and celebratory. It acknowledges that rituals matter, but more important, that wellness matters. With Lewis Hamilton behind the wheel, Almave is proving to be a brand with speed, authenticity and staying power.

    Almave Blanco shines in a spicy mezcal margarita. Here’s my go-to recipe:

    Almave Spicy Mezcal Margarita

    • 2 oz Almave Humo
    • 1 oz fresh lime juice
    • 0.5 oz agave syrup (or less to taste)
    • 2 slices jalapeño
    • Tajín for rim

    I’ve written several articles about the rise of non-alcoholic (NA) beverages, from Dry January to the “sober curious” movement that’s gone from niche to mainstream. While I still enjoy a craft cocktail with my husband once in a while, alcohol rarely fits into my routine.

    I enjoy alternatives that feel intentional, functional and are crafted with purpose. What I don’t enjoy is paying $15 for a mocktail that turns out to be little more than lemonade in a fancy glass.

    That’s why brands like Almave stand out to me. The NA space isn’t just about abstaining anymore; it’s about reimagining the social ritual of drinking with authenticity, culture and innovation. Almave, a premium non-alcoholic agave spirit co-founded by seven-time Formula 1 champion Sir Lewis Hamilton, is a fascinating new product in this market.

    The rest of this article is locked.

    Join Entrepreneur+ today for access.

    Elisette Carlson

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  • Why Steve Aoki is Backing Brain-Boosting Gum Brand | Entrepreneur

    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    For the world’s busiest DJ, staying energized is essential. That’s why Grammy-nominated artist Steve Aoki partnered with Neuro, a functional gum and mints company founded in 2015 that helps boost energy, focus, calm and even sleep.

    For Aoki, Neuro has been a game-changer, offering a more natural alternative to endless shots of espresso.

    “It’s about being mindful of staying healthy while still maximizing my output, especially when I’m in my creative zone,” Aoki tells Entrepreneur. “You want to bring high energy so you can create high impact in whatever you do. If you’re moving through the day like a zombie, just giving the bare minimum, it’s embarrassing when you look back on it.”

    He continues, “Nobody wants to give a weak interview, a half-hearted answer or put out a song they didn’t fully commit to. You have to give 1000%. That’s why I believe the highest quality of life is tied to your energy level.”

    Related: How This Grammy-Nominated DJ and Entrepreneur Draws Inspiration from Every Day Life

    Potential in a plastic bag

    Aoki first met the Neuro founders nearly a decade before he started working with them.

    “I still remember when they came into the office and presented this caffeine gum to me”, he recalls. “They brought it in a plain plastic bag — no branding, no packaging. Just, ‘here’s this stuff that works.’

    He laughs. “You look at it and think, what is this, some kind of drug?“

    Luckily for Neuro, Aoki loved it.

    “It’s more exciting for me to see indie startups with brilliant ideas than something incubated by a big company with a huge team behind it,” he shares. ” I’d rather see two guys in their college dorm saying, ‘Hey, this is a great idea that could really help people or become something a lot of people will actually use.’”

    Still, the shrewd DJ wasn’t ready to commit right away. He and his team took their time with due diligence while keeping a friendly relationship with the founders.

    “It’s important for me to see that this works before I get involved,” Aoki explains.

    For Neuro, working means giving consumers the caffeine boost they need without triggering their anxiety — or their bladders.

    “I’m a big coffee drinker, and I love energy drinks,” Aoki admits. “But you can’t be pounding beverages all the time.”

    Neuro products, on the other hand, are designed for consistent use throughout the day and are formulated to mitigate side effects while providing a crucial boost.

    “Over the years, it’s become one of my staples,” Aoki professes. “I always have it in my pocket or backpack. If I’m doing a long set, it’s right there with my earplugs. After a couple of hours, if I start to feel tired, I just pop a piece, and I get that little boost I need.”

    Related: Elon Musk Lost His World’s Richest Title, But Only for a Few Hours. Here’s Who Took His Spot.

    Every drop needs a story

    Steve Aoki has never been the type to just slap his name on something and walk away. He throws himself into every project, obsessing over the details until it feels true to him. He had a hand in everything with Neuro. He helped pick out flavors, shape the vibe of the brand and even found a way to work in one of his personal passions, HiROQUEST, the trading card project he’s been building.

    Instead of a standard product launch, Aoki wanted it to feel like an experience. That’s why certain Neuro releases come with collectible cards, turning an everyday item into something fans can get excited about.

    “I’m a card guy,” Aoki says. “I love ripping open packs, chasing the rare hit. I wanted to bring that same feeling to something you’d never expect — like a tin of Neuro mints.”

    By adding in HiROQUEST, Aoki boosts awareness for his own brand and adds an experiential layer to the Neuro collaboration. This has long been central to his success.

    “I’m always thinking about how we can create a better, more unique experience,” Aoki says. “Something that gets people excited for the next drop or the next collaboration, and helps build the story within the world we’re creating. That’s why I love caking people. Whether you’re the one getting cake in your face or watching it happen, you’ll never forget that moment.”

    For the world’s busiest DJ, staying energized is essential. That’s why Grammy-nominated artist Steve Aoki partnered with Neuro, a functional gum and mints company founded in 2015 that helps boost energy, focus, calm and even sleep.

    For Aoki, Neuro has been a game-changer, offering a more natural alternative to endless shots of espresso.

    “It’s about being mindful of staying healthy while still maximizing my output, especially when I’m in my creative zone,” Aoki tells Entrepreneur. “You want to bring high energy so you can create high impact in whatever you do. If you’re moving through the day like a zombie, just giving the bare minimum, it’s embarrassing when you look back on it.”

    The rest of this article is locked.

    Join Entrepreneur+ today for access.

    Leo Zevin

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  • Taylor Swift and Amazon’s ‘Antifragile’ Secret to Business Success | Entrepreneur

    If you’ve had internet access since 2005, you’re familiar with Taylor Swift.

    Image Credit: Gilbert Flores | Getty Images

    The superstar musician is the most-streamed artist in the world. She is the first to win album of the year at the Grammy Awards four times. Her Eras Tour generated more than $2 billion in ticket sales. And she has a net worth of $1.6 billion.

    She also has something valuable in common with Amazon, the Jeff Bezos-founded ecommerce giant that boasts a $2.5 trillion market capitalization.

    Related: Don’t ‘Shake Off’ These 5 Business, Brand and Legal Lessons From Taylor Swift

    Aside from Swift and Amazon’s status as two of the most successful brands in the world, the pair shares a rare trait that’s helped them get there, according to former strategist at Harvard Business School Sinéad O’Sullivan.

    In her new book, Good Ideas and Power Moves: Ten Lessons for Success From Taylor Swift, O’Sullivan claims that Taylor Swift and Amazon have both reached the pinnacles of their respective industries by being “antifragile.”

    “In an increasingly complex and seemingly random world, some systems perform better in chaos than others.”

    The concept of “antifragility” relates to a field of physics called chaos theory. Lebanese American scholar of math and financial markets Nassim Taleb coined the term after noticing a peculiar event unfolding in systems and organizations across a wide range of fields, from biology to urban development, healthcare and more.

    “What he saw was that in an increasingly complex and seemingly random world, some systems perform better in chaos than others,” O’Sullivan writes.

    Essentially, antifragility flouts the human desire for stability and instinct to fear what’s different or unstable.

    “The idea of antifragility goes far beyond saying that uncertainty doesn’t have to be bad,” O’Sullivan explains. “It actually says that uncertainty is good. Antifragility isn’t just about surviving chaos; it’s about flourishing in it. It’s about flipping the script and turning adversity into opportunity, uncertainty into innovation and chaos into creativity.”

    Related: Embracing Antifragility — How to Leverage Uncertainty, Volatility and Stress for Unprecedented Growth and Innovation

    The immune system and winemaking serve as real-life examples of antifragility at work, O’Sullivan notes. A strong immune system has been exposed to pathogens and can better ward off future threats. Great wine often comes from vines under stress because they grow smaller grapes with more concentrated flavor.

    “Amazon’s business actually gets stronger because the volatility wipes out its competitors.”

    The pandemic helped reveal which companies were antifragile, too — those that didn’t have to wait for share prices to recover because they’d never really fallen in the first place, according to O’Sullivan. As many major retailers struggled to stock their shelves, Amazon maintained total control over its supply chain and saw its online business soar.

    “At Amazon, there is no single point of failure that would prevent toilet paper from being passed from millions of available sellers to millions of eagerly awaiting buyers,” O’Sullivan says. “Amazon’s business actually gets stronger because the volatility wipes out its competitors.”

    Likewise, Swift has demonstrated remarkable antifragility while building her business over the years. O’Sullivan cites four career moments when Swift took a “destructive” path that weakened the competition and strengthened her brand:

    1. In 2014, Swift withdrew her music from Spotify, the fastest-growing music streaming platform at that time, because she believed its compensation model for artists devalued their work.

    Why wasn’t the move “fatal,” as many industry experts assumed it would be? The “friendship first” and “music later” relationship she has with her fans plays an important role, according to O’Sullivan.

    “Taylor Swift can be compared to a Rolex watch, not a Swatch,” O’Sullivan writes. “The harder it is for people to access her music, the more they crave her and are willing to follow her. By withdrawing her music, Taylor Swift became what is known as a ‘Veblen’ or a ‘luxury’ good.”

    When Swift left Spotify, her music was in the playlists of more than 19 million users; the week she returned in 2017, she hit nearly 48 million streams.

    Related: 3 Lessons for Entrepreneurs From Spotify, Which Won Over Taylor Swift and Just Made its Billion-Dollar IPO

    2. Swift isn’t afraid to “beef” with other musicians and celebrities — like Kanye West after he told her on stage at the 2009 MTV Music Video Awards that “Beyonce had the best video of all time.”

    “The more Kanye West beat down Taylor Swift, the stronger her fan base rallied around her, leading to extravagantly higher levels of emotional connection between Taylor and her fans within the Swiftverse,” O’Sullivan says.

    O’Sullivan adds that “at least from the outside, Taylor never starts the fights,” which also tends to fit within three main growth-fueling “vibes”: “powerful men taking advantage of less powerful women,” “women who are bitchy and unkind” and “being on the right side of history.”

    Related: 7 Business Feuds With More Beef Than Kanye vs. Taylor

    3. During the pandemic, Swift released not one but two surprise albums despite marketing limitations amid lockdowns and industry precedents.

    “When everybody else was fumbling to get a handle on their life, how was Taylor Swift able to Amazon herself?” O’Sullivan writes. “Well, most of it comes down to the fact that, like Amazon, she has spent her entire career creating, buying and owning her own ‘value chain,’ or the different parts of the music industry that she needs to engage with to release music.”

    The Swiftverse is “one hell of a strategic asset,” O’Sullivan notes — and kept her able to deliver core products into the market.

    Related: ‘Historically Unprecedented Demand’: Taylor Swift Fans Caused Ticketmaster’s Site To Crash Over 5000 Times

    4. Finally, Swift rerecorded her albums after Big Machine Label Group was sold to Scooter Braun‘s Ithaca Holdings.

    Some industry leaders considered the lengthy and expensive move one that “would suck the oxygen out of her career” — but because Swift is antifragile, the opposite proved true, O’Sullivan says.

    “As Taylor and Amazon both show us, [during a crisis] is exactly when their stock is going to rise,” O’Sullivan writes. “Investors who pay hundreds of millions of dollars to try to own what they think is Taylor Swift’s ‘core product’ (music) simply don’t understand her empire as well as she understands it.”

    Related: Taylor Swift Just Made a Surprise Announcement, Revealing the Marketing Genius Behind Her $1.5 Billion Fortune

    Going forward, business and strategy leaders who successfully lead through chaos will all be building antifragile organizations — Swift just happens to be ahead of the game, O’Sullivan says.

    What’s more, as beneficial as antifragility is, O’Sullivan acknowledges that adopting it isn’t easy. It requires embracing uncertainty and volatility, building resilience and accepting “weird and bad things.”

    O’Sullivan’s Good Ideas and Power Moves offers other takeaways from Swift’s career that entrepreneurs and business leaders might find applicable to their own, including how to be a unicorn, have a strategy and stick to it, build a world instead of products, negotiate with authenticity and more.

    Amanda Breen

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  • ‘We Live the Brand’: Why Mark Wahlberg and Harry Arnett Built a Company That Embodies Relentless Ambition | Entrepreneur

    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Municipal CEO Harry Arnett met his future co-founder in a setting familiar to many business leaders: the golf course. They bonded quickly over shared experiences — raising kids, navigating careers — and from that connection, a friendship grew. At first glance, it sounds like a typical entrepreneurial origin story.

    But in Arnett’s case, the partner by his side wasn’t another executive. It was Oscar-nominated actor and Boston icon Mark Wahlberg.

    Related: John and Hank Green Built a Company That Gives Away 100% of Its Profits — Here’s How

    Purpose over products

    “When Mark and I first discussed starting a brand, it wasn’t about the products,” Arnett tells Entrepreneur. “It was about how we could equip modern consumers with what they need to achieve their goals.”

    They, along with film and television producer Stephen Levinson, identified a major white space at the intersection of fitness and fashion. Arnett formerly served as executive vice president at Callaway Golf, where he noticed a shift in how consumers engaged with brands.

    “They were starting to seek direct relationships with brands they liked, primarily through digital media,” he explains. As EVP, he focused on revitalizing Callaway by reconnecting with consumers in a fresh, dynamic way — a strategy he calls the centerpiece of his community-building efforts.

    After years of back-and-forth, the duo finally launched Municipal in 2019.

    “The idea for Municipal was something I’ve wanted to do for a long time,” Wahlberg tells Entrepreneur. “It wasn’t about just attaching my name to someone else’s idea, which is often what celebrity-led brands are. Municipal is different — this is a real partnership from the ground up.”

    The launch meant Arnett had to leave Callaway. “For me, that was an aha moment,” he says. “A chance to step away from a comfortable, familiar career and start over in pursuit of the best version of myself.”

    That mentality became the ethos of Municipal, a company founded on helping modern consumers pursue excellence in all aspects of life.

    “Municipal is about creating the best products in the world for workouts, athletic pursuits and everything in between, from the office to an active weekend,” Arnett explains. “It might sound like we’re trying to be everything to everyone, but when people see our product, they get it immediately — no one makes gear like we do.”

    Related: Restaurants Are Throwing Away Billions of Gallons of Water — This Startup Said Enough

    Building tomorrow’s leaders

    Contrary to standard practices, where brands are encouraged to hone in on a focus area, Arnett positions Municipal as more than just another activewear company, calling that label too “one-dimensional.”

    He envisions the brand inspiring a drive to succeed in any arena — athletics, academics or beyond. A key part of this approach is Municipal’s Next Gen Brand Immersion, a free, week-long program that gives young people an inside look at every aspect of building a modern, purpose-driven brand — from product design and marketing to finance and operations.

    “Too often, young people are fed the myth of overnight success and shortcuts,” Arnett says. “From our experience, those are fantasies. We saw an opportunity to use our platform to celebrate ambition, hard work, and self-belief in a way that feels ‘cool’ for kids.”

    The idea for the program didn’t originate with Arnett or Wahlberg, but with Arnett’s youngest daughter, Kerris, who has shown a keen interest in Municipal.

    “We’ve been talking about the brand since day one, and she got really passionate about it,” Arnett shares. “She said it would be amazing if more kids her age could experience these kinds of things firsthand, instead of just reading about them. I told her, ‘Karis, that’s a big idea.’”

    Building on his daughter’s suggestion, Arnett sought to replicate what brands like Nike have done with sports camps — creating a talent pipeline for Municipal while connecting the company with the next generation of potential entrepreneurs and gaining insights into the preferences of the highly coveted Gen Z audience.

    The effort culminated in a week-long, hands-on program giving ambitious 18- to 24-year-olds a real look at what it takes to build a modern, purpose-driven brand. Participants work directly with Municipal’s team across product design, marketing and operations, gaining experience in creating, launching and promoting a real collection.

    The students even designed a capsule — featuring a hoodie, pants, shorts, t-shirt and hat — that Municipal will release and help market.

    “It’s a way to engage with this group beyond just selling the best gear in the world,” Arnett explains. “These 25 students are leaders in their schools and have become rabid Municipal fans. They’ll tell their friends, and even when they go off to college, they’ll maintain a connection with us. The possibilities for extending that relationship feel practically endless.”

    Leo Zevin

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  • Psychic Medium John Edward Wants You to Trust Your Gut | Entrepreneur

    John Edward is arguably the world’s most famous psychic medium. Actually, scratch that word “arguably.” He is the world’s most famous psychic medium. His show, Crossing Over With John Edward, was a groundbreaking series that brought conversations with people who have passed into our living rooms. He used the success of that show to build a psychic medium empire that now includes EvolvePlusTV, a platform devoted to mindfulness, astrology, and dealing with grief. And he has a new book out called Chasing Evil, which tells the intense and true story of how he helped an FBI agent solve a serial killer cold case. I read an advanced copy of it and it is wild.

    Edward joined us on the latest episode of How Success Happens, where he discussed trusting intuition, overcoming professional skepticism, and the relentless pursuit of personal growth. And he did it all with his signature combination of insightfulness and humor. Hey, just because you talk to dead people doesn’t mean you can’t be funny, too.

    You can watch our conversation above or listen to it below. And read on for three success takeaways from Edward (and from the voices on the other side who guide him.)

    Subscribe to How Success Happens to get a dose of inspiration twice a week! Apple | Spotify | YouTube

    1. Betting on Yourself—Even When It’s Scary
    John shares how he transitioned from a secure hospital administration career to pursuing his psychic calling full-time. “I felt like I was on a cliff and I was jumping off into the abyss, not knowing what was next … I’m either going to fall flat on my face or I’m going to fly,” he explains, crediting his wife’s support for giving him the courage to follow his passion.

    Takeaway: Make calculated leaps—support from people who believe in you can transform fear into achievement.

    2. Trust Your Intuition
    For John, intuition is rooted in trusting oneself. He keeps a rock on his desk that is inscribed with the word “trust” as a daily reminder. “You can rely on yourself. You can rely on your process. You can rely on your knowledge,” he says. He emphasizes that timing is crucial, and sometimes failure is just foresight out of sync with opportunity.

    Takeaway: Cultivate self-trust and revisit past ideas; timing matters as much as vision.

    3. Use Your Entire Toolkit When Facing Obstacles
    John urges entrepreneurs to use a holistic toolkit—combining intuition, numerology, astrology, and seeking specialized guidance—as the means to confront business uncertainties: “Let’s bring out all the tools … here’s the astrologer you should see, here’s the numerologist. What are the tools we could use to get rid of obstacles and blockages?” He advises to never let fear become insurmountable.

    Takeaway: Embrace a multi-dimensional approach to problem-solving; connect with experts and trust in your resilience.

    Subscribe to the How Success Happens newsletter for more great leadership tips!

    Erica Schultz

    John Edward is arguably the world’s most famous psychic medium. Actually, scratch that word “arguably.” He is the world’s most famous psychic medium. His show, Crossing Over With John Edward, was a groundbreaking series that brought conversations with people who have passed into our living rooms. He used the success of that show to build a psychic medium empire that now includes EvolvePlusTV, a platform devoted to mindfulness, astrology, and dealing with grief. And he has a new book out called Chasing Evil, which tells the intense and true story of how he helped an FBI agent solve a serial killer cold case. I read an advanced copy of it and it is wild.

    Edward joined us on the latest episode of How Success Happens, where he discussed trusting intuition, overcoming professional skepticism, and the relentless pursuit of personal growth. And he did it all with his signature combination of insightfulness and humor. Hey, just because you talk to dead people doesn’t mean you can’t be funny, too.

    You can watch our conversation above or listen to it below. And read on for three success takeaways from Edward (and from the voices on the other side who guide him.)

    The rest of this article is locked.

    Join Entrepreneur+ today for access.

    Dan Bova

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  • ‘What Hoop Did I Not Jump Through to Get That Title?’: How Olympian Shaun White Disrupted Winter Sports By Spotting What Everyone Else Missed | Entrepreneur

    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Shaun White, five-time Olympian and three-time Olympic gold medalist in half-pipe snowboarding, is more than familiar with winter sports. He’s lived and breathed it for years. But there was always one thing missing: No one was organizing or governing them.

    That’s where White’s latest venture, THE SNOW LEAGUE, has been a game-changer for winter sports athletes. With a mission to bring structure and excitement to skiing and snowboarding, he successfully completed his inaugural event in Aspen.

    White’s entrepreneurial mindset came from years as the best snowboarder in the world, observing the benefits and problems with how extreme sports are organized. White’s business acumen was forged on the half-pipe as well as by athlete-entrepreneurs like Jake Burton and Tony Hawk. What they brought to the tools of his trade, White would bring to events.

    Related: 4 Insanely Easy but Overlooked Tactics to Advance Your Entrepreneurial Career

    The entrepreneur was always there

    From his early days of living in a van with his family to make ends meet, White reflected on how that experience shaped his view of success.

    “But honestly, I look back and those were some of the most exciting times. I think those experiences gave me a deeper appreciation for where I am now,” says White. “If I’d had the best gear and all the resources from day one, it probably wouldn’t have meant as much to me.”

    As he gained skill and then started competing with the best snowboarders in the world, he listened to the more experienced athletes and heard about what made them successful as well as their struggles. Many of them had contracts with brands but were always concerned about not being renewed. He also noticed that the only person not concerned was Jake Burton, who owned his own brand.

    Another influence was Tony Hawk, the world-famous skateboarder and owner of Birdhouse Skateboards. White recalled all of the best skateboarders wanting to be associated with Hawk’s brand, considered the best in the world. But Hawk told White not to emulate someone else, and instead build something himself that others would want to emulate.

    Related: 3 Things That’ll Make You a Master of Forming — and Keeping — Great Habits

    Image Credit: Mike Dawson

    The problem others missed

    Many of the best entrepreneurs look for gaps in a market, and White is no exception. He saw that there was no governing body to organize the sport like an NHL, an F1 or a UFC. The snowboarding landscape was made up of random events scattered throughout the season. The events that paid the most might not qualify an athlete for the Olympics, but they needed those for the money that could sustain their careers. Lucrative events often required expensive travel, while other events that didn’t pay much actually could qualify you for the Olympics, or meant more to sponsors than to athletes because of TV viewership.

    This fragmented nature meant that the sport’s accolades didn’t coincide with an athlete’s achievements. White experienced this when he had an undefeated season.

    “And I got to the end of the season and they’re (reporters) like, ‘Amazing accomplishment, way to go! No one’s ever done that before!’ and I’m so happy with myself, ‘…but how does it feel to not be the world champion?’ I was like, what hoop did I not jump through to get that title?”

    White’s answer to these problems is THE SNOW LEAGUE. He created a framework that included a qualifying and ranking system, competitive scheduling and the highest prize purses ever offered in the sport.

    White’s credibility made it possible. He had the same frustrations they experienced, and because of that result, the project was met with a positive response from athletes as well as people in the industry.

    Related: 7 Things to Add to Make Your Morning Routine More Productive

    Building and executing

    Since starting THE SNOW LEAGUE, White has achieved some significant milestones like securing NBC as the league’s broadcast partner. Another was signing Eileen Gu as the league’s global ambassador. Gu was the first freestyle skier to win three gold medals in a single Winter Olympics as well as being a multi-gold medal winner in the X Games.

    Assembling the right team was the next step. White works closely with two main team members, Ian Warda and Omer Atesman, who are critical to achieving the league’s vision. White describes the insider knowledge Warda brings to the team.

    “He’s run the Burton U.S. opens and things like that for years and years and years. So he really knows the ins and outs of how to run a snowboarding competition. He gets the culture,” says White. Atesman, the CEO, came with previously existing investor relationships and leadership experience.

    A cultural innovation White brought into the league was equal pay for all athletes. White feels both men and women skiers and snowboarders take the same risks and achieve the same results, and should therefore get the same compensation. The policy also helps deepen the field of female athletes in the league.

    The entrepreneurial philosophy

    White uses several factors to decide whether an opportunity is worth pursuing. First, he looks at the product itself and decides if he likes it and if it’s authentic to him, seeing if it appeals to the humorous, serious or competitive side of his nature.

    He looks at other ventures through the lens of how involved he wants to be in the project. High Cascade Snowboarding Camp in Mt. Hood, Oregon, a park where White attended snowboard camps as a child, inspired him to become an investor in the camp’s parent company.

    White also uses the backcountry as other executives use the golf course. He takes potential investors on a skiing or snowboarding trip to show them his world, and they get to experience a departure from the typical 18-hole business negotiation.

    Nowadays, White does his best to give back. He recently appeared on the SoFi podcast Richer Lives to talk about building businesses, negotiating contracts and more.

    For aspiring snowboarders, White has advice drawn from both a successful snowboarding and business career.

    “Wear your helmet. That’s always the first thing I say. And then — learn as much as you can, especially about your finances. Don’t just hand it off to someone else and hope they handle it right,” says White. “Take the time to understand where your money’s going, how it’s working for you. The more you know, the better off you’ll be in the long run.”

    White has transitioned his measurement of personal success from medals to intangibles. “Today I measure most of my success within what’s happening in my personal life, with friends, with family. The things that riches don’t really buy you.”

    But he also understands that an eye needs to be focused on business success as well. “I feel like as long as there’s just steady growth, are we learning from mistakes? Are we making the same mistakes as before? As long as we’re learning and moving forward and growing, then I’m pretty happy with everything.”

    On the horizon

    White has plans to increase the number of events in THE SNOW LEAGUE with the addition of freestyle snowboarding. With a successful Aspen event completed and a second scheduled for the end of 2025, there are LEAGUE events scheduled in both China and Switzerland for 2026. After that, White has plans to expand to the southern hemisphere with events in South America, New Zealand and Australia to make THE SNOW LEAGUE a truly global tour.

    Shaun White, five-time Olympian and three-time Olympic gold medalist in half-pipe snowboarding, is more than familiar with winter sports. He’s lived and breathed it for years. But there was always one thing missing: No one was organizing or governing them.

    That’s where White’s latest venture, THE SNOW LEAGUE, has been a game-changer for winter sports athletes. With a mission to bring structure and excitement to skiing and snowboarding, he successfully completed his inaugural event in Aspen.

    White’s entrepreneurial mindset came from years as the best snowboarder in the world, observing the benefits and problems with how extreme sports are organized. White’s business acumen was forged on the half-pipe as well as by athlete-entrepreneurs like Jake Burton and Tony Hawk. What they brought to the tools of his trade, White would bring to events.

    The rest of this article is locked.

    Join Entrepreneur+ today for access.

    John Boitnott

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  • How One Man Conquered the World’s Toughest Peaks — and Built a Brand Every Founder Should Study | Entrepreneur

    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    After conquering the world’s 14 toughest peaks in record time, Nepali-born Nims Purja rose as a bold voice for the often-overlooked Sherpa guides. In the process, he became the first true celebrity mountaineer of the social media era — and one of the most debated figures in the global climbing scene.

    His path wasn’t paved with venture funding or viral hacks — it was carved out with ice axes, discipline and a refusal to accept the limits others set. Purja is not just a climber; he’s an entrepreneur of his own brand, built atop grit, story and bold vision. His journey offers timeless insights for anyone aiming to build a global presence and leave a legacy.

    Dare to dream bigger

    By climbing all 14 of the world’s 8,000-meter peaks in just six months and six days — a feat that previously took others nearly a decade — he didn’t compete within the old standards; he created a new one entirely. For entrepreneurs, the lesson is clear: Don’t aim to improve marginally on what’s been done — dare to redefine the game itself.

    Apply the 10x framework: Instead of asking “How can we improve by 10%?” challenge yourself to ask “How can we deliver 10x the value?” A local restaurant shouldn’t just aim to be “better.” They should ask: “How can we create an experience so unique that customers travel 30 minutes just to eat here?” Take 30 minutes this week to list your current business goals, then rewrite each one using 10x thinking.

    When you operate with bold vision, relentless execution and unapologetic ambition, you don’t just enter the market — you reshape it. Purja’s example teaches founders that category leadership doesn’t come from incrementalism; it comes from delivering results so extraordinary that they spark a global conversation.

    Related: Dream Big: 3 Ways to Fight Off Doubt and Build the Business You’ve Always Wanted

    Own your narrative

    Purja’s rise to global prominence wasn’t just about his physical feats — it was also about how masterfully he told his story. Through his book Beyond Possible, the Netflix documentary 14 Peaks and a consistent, personal presence on Instagram, Purja controlled the narrative of his journey, spotlighting not just his own achievements but also celebrating his team, clients and fellow Nepali climbers.

    Master the three-channel system: Choose one primary social platform where you’ll post daily, add one long-form medium (blog, newsletter or LinkedIn articles) for weekly deep-dives, and secure one multimedia opportunity monthly (podcast, video or speaking engagement). Use the 70-30 rule: 70% behind-the-scenes process content, 30% final results.

    Importantly, when faced with allegations of misconduct in 2024, Purja used his platforms to respond directly, transparently and on his own terms.

    Prepare your crisis playbook now: When facing criticism, respond within 24 hours using this framework: Listen to the concerns (take 24 hours to process), acknowledge any valid points, respond with facts and your next steps, then follow through publicly. The lesson for entrepreneurs is powerful: In today’s digital age, owning your narrative means owning your audience, your brand and your resilience.

    Transfer skills across domains

    One of the most underrated superpowers in entrepreneurship is the ability to transfer skills across domains. Purja’s background in the British Gurkhas and the U.K.’s elite Special Boat Service wasn’t just a footnote in his story; it was the foundation. The discipline, decision-making under pressure, team cohesion and mental fortitude he developed in the military directly fueled his success in extreme mountaineering.

    Complete a skills audit: Take two hours this month to map your previous experiences. Create three columns: your past career or major experience, the specific skills you developed and how each could differentiate your current business. Focus on skills your competitors likely don’t have — these become your unfair advantage. A former teacher launching a business might leverage lesson planning abilities for customer onboarding, while an ex-military professional could apply tactical decision-making frameworks to client strategy sessions.

    Entrepreneurs often overlook the value of their past experiences — whether it’s a former career in a different industry, a side hobby or even personal challenges — but it’s often these very experiences that spark breakthrough ideas or create a unique edge. That unusual blend of backgrounds becomes your unfair advantage. Innovation doesn’t always require inventing something new; sometimes, it’s about repurposing what you already know in a way the world hasn’t seen before. The key is to recognize the transferable gold in your own journey and have the courage to apply it boldly in new arenas.

    Related: How My Old Job Secretly Prepared Me to Build a Thriving Business

    Monetize with meaning

    Books, talks, gear, coaching — these aren’t just revenue streams; they’re powerful brand extensions that reinforce your story and values. Purja turned his mountaineering journey into a multifaceted brand by writing a bestselling book (Beyond Possible), starring in a Netflix documentary, launching branded gear and offering high-end expeditions and coaching experiences. Each extension aligns with his core narrative of resilience, pushing limits and elevating others — strengthening his personal brand and expanding his reach.

    Build the four-stream model: Structure your revenue as 60% core service, 20% educational content (courses, books, workshops), 15% physical products or branded items and 5% high-value consulting or group programs. Start by perfecting your core offering and documenting your process. Then, in month two, create your first educational product — an eBook, video series or workshop. Month three, launch one branded physical item. By month six, add a premium consulting or mastermind component.

    Small businesses can apply this same approach, even on a modest scale. A local fitness studio could publish an eBook on home workouts, host online wellness webinars, sell branded apparel and offer one-on-one coaching for clients looking to build sustainable fitness habits. A bakery might launch a recipe blog, host virtual baking classes, sell branded tools like aprons or spatulas and speak at local events about entrepreneurship or sustainability.

    The key is to create extensions that tell your story in different formats — whether it’s education, merchandise or experiences — so your audience engages with your brand on multiple levels. When done thoughtfully, these extensions don’t just generate income — they deepen loyalty and turn your business into a lifestyle.

    Root in purpose

    Purja’s rise wasn’t just about personal glory — it was about collective recognition. From the start, he made it clear that his mission wasn’t only to break records but to uplift the often-uncredited heroes of Himalayan climbing: the Sherpas and Nepali guides who have long risked their lives on the world’s highest peaks like Everest without global recognition. By intentionally sharing the spotlight, forming all-Nepali climbing teams and using his media platforms to name and celebrate others, Purja shifted the narrative from individual achievement to collective pride.

    Apply the 20% rule: Dedicate one-fifth of your content and platform to highlighting others in your ecosystem. Create a monthly rotation: Week 1, feature a team member; Week 2, spotlight a supplier or partner; Week 3, showcase a customer success story; Week 4, amplify someone in your industry who deserves recognition. Track engagement rates on these posts versus self-promotional content — you’ll often find that generous content performs better.

    For entrepreneurs, this is a powerful lesson: Your platform is not just a megaphone for your success — it’s a tool for impact. Whether it’s amplifying the voices of overlooked teammates, underrepresented communities in your industry or emerging talent in your field, using your influence to lift others builds long-term credibility, loyalty and brand depth. In a world that values authenticity and purpose, advocacy isn’t just the right thing to do — it’s also a strategic move that differentiates you as a leader with vision and heart.

    Related: How Defining Your Purpose Can Help Attract the Right Clients, Build Culture and Drive Success

    Becoming a global superstar isn’t just about talent — it’s about vision

    Purja’s rise reminds us that superstardom doesn’t come from chasing fame — it comes from chasing the extraordinary and bringing others with you. Whether you’re building a startup, a personal brand or a social movement, the path to global recognition is paved with authenticity, audacity and advocacy.

    Your 90-day implementation plan: Start with one framework this month — perhaps the skills audit or three-channel narrative system. Master it over 30 days, measuring your progress weekly. Month two, add the four-stream revenue approach or 20% advocacy strategy. By month three, integrate 10x thinking into your biggest business challenge. Each framework builds upon the others, creating a comprehensive approach to authentic growth.

    The question isn’t whether you can reach the summit — it’s whether you’re ready to believe the summit isn’t high enough.

    Liliana Pertenava

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  • This Company Gives Away 100% of Its Profits — And Its Thriving | Entrepreneur

    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Even the staunchest capitalists acknowledge the tension between profit and social good. In a consumer-driven society, money often overshadows morals.

    Many founders claim their companies exist to make a difference, but in a system that prioritizes profits, good intentions are easily squeezed out. The Green brothers stand out as rare exceptions.

    Award-winning authors and YouTube trailblazers Hank and John Green have a storied history of supporting global health causes. At first, they did so by raising awareness with their platform. Now, the always innovative brothers are trying a more active form of philanthropy.

    Their latest venture, Good Store, is taking social justice to a new level, selling sustainable, quality products and donating 100% — yes, 100% — of profits to charity.

    Related: This Keepsake Reminds Me of My First Dream — And Why I’m Grateful It Never Came True

    Image Credit: Good Store

    The Fault in Our Systems

    While the Green brothers are best known for their bestselling novels and educational YouTube videos that have guided countless high school students, philanthropy is quite literally in their DNA. They grew up in a family deeply rooted in nonprofit work: their father worked at The Nature Conservancy, while their mother was a community activist.

    “Our parents are never proud of us when we accomplish anything other than giving money away,” John jokes.

    Early in his career, John worked at a tertiary care children’s hospital as a student chaplain — an experience that proved to be immeasurably formative.

    “Every kid who came into that place received excellent care,” he recalls. “It wasn’t perfect, and the outcomes weren’t always what people wanted, but everyone had a chance.”

    In 2011, brothers John and Hank Green launched the educational YouTube channel Crash Course. During that period, they became increasingly interested in global health equity, often brainstorming ways to support what John describes as “long-term interventions.”

    “I think I was probably a little more passive in my early activism,” John recalls. “But around the time of the success of The Fault in Our Stars, I realized I now had time — not just money, but also other resources — that I could use.”

    One of those resources was the small online merch store the brothers had started in 2008. They decided to direct its revenue toward improving healthcare in Sierra Leone, one of the world’s most impoverished nations.

    “It’s easy to feel paralyzed when trying to address the world’s problems — they’re endless, and horrors abound in every direction,” John says. “For us, the goal was to make a long-term investment in one community, so we could see the kind of positive change that unfolds over time.”

    Their first step was to consult trusted peers, asking who was doing the most effective work in these communities. Again and again, one name came up: Partners In Health, an organization they had already supported through their annual charity event, Project for Awesome.

    The brothers called them up, asking if they were interested in a more formal partnership, and the rest is history.

    “When we started providing support to the maternal healthcare system in Sierra Leone, about one in 17 women were dying during pregnancy or childbirth,” John says. “Today, it’s closer to one in 53. Our contribution is only a tiny part of that progress — most of the credit goes to the Sierra Leonean government and the Sierra Leonean people — but being able to play even a small role is a reminder that life doesn’t merely suck.”

    Related: Do You Give Discounts To Your Nonprofit Clients? I Don’t

    From Paper Towns to real impact

    In addition to material health in Sierra Leone, Good Store also supports causes like TB treatment in Lesotho, and coral reef restoration — all powered by the sales of everyday products like socks, underwear and soap.

    “We’re trying to create more ethical ways to consume the things you have to consume,” John says. “People need these essentials, so we want to offer them at a fair price, but with a different business model.”

    Shockingly, this model doesn’t exactly have investors tripping over themselves to join on. After all, the economic ROI of a company that donates all of its profits after breaking even isn’t exactly enticing to traditional capitalists.

    That means the brothers rely on their own money and investments from a few close friends to fund the business.

    “The deal is that we break even, and the rest of the money goes to charity,” John explains. “In the narrow sense, is that a good investment? No. But like, I’ve had investments that didn’t break even.”

    While he admits to hearing out “socially conscious” venture capitalists over the years, John believes the company doesn’t require outside money to be successful.

    “We’ve been growing steadily for the last 15 years, and I’m comfortable with that pace,” he says. “Having capital to accelerate growth would be exciting, but it would also come with strings I’m not comfortable with.”

    Conclusion

    Success for Good Store means more than just a positive profit margin. It means funding treatment for the 1.5 million people who die of tuberculosis each year, and helping lower maternal mortality rates in Sierra Leone.

    The world may not be a wish-granting factory, but for countless people around the globe, Good Store comes remarkably close.

    Leo Zevin

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  • DJ Khaled is Changing Men’s Grooming With This Partnership | Entrepreneur

    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Social media puts every aspect of our appearance under a microscope, and insecurities are more visible than ever. You’re not just worried about coworkers noticing a bald spot or a grey patch — everyone can see everything about you online.

    But as any savvy entrepreneur knows, small problems can spark big opportunities. Rewind It 10, a beard dye brand, is capitalizing on that very tension. By partnering with music and entertainment mogul DJ Khaled, the brand is turning a confidence crisis into a growth strategy — boosting self-assurance for customers while driving its bottom line.

    All he does is win

    The best celebrity partnerships happen organically, and this one is no exception. Khaled was already a Rewind It 10 customer before he became a spokesman, using the product regularly.

    “I use this product every day — especially when I get a haircut,” he says. “Back when we were making it, they let me test it out, and they even gave me one to use before my official box was ready.”

    He likens the dye to a favorite cereal or sneaker — something you reach for without thinking twice.

    But for Khaled, the product itself is only part of the draw. What really attracted him to Rewind It 10 was the team behind it. The brand was launched in October 2023 by beauty mogul Carolyn Aronson, entrepreneur Jeff Aronson and Khaled’s fellow music mogul Fat Joe.

    “Fat Joe is my brother,” Khaled says. “He’s supported me since day one, so when he brought me the chance to help sell a product I already love, it was a no-brainer.”

    Khaled also has deep respect for the Aronsons and the empire they’ve built in hair care, calling Carolyn “the queen.” Carolyn, a Puerto Rican-born entrepreneur, turned her experience as a hairstylist and salon owner into a global brand.

    She founded It’s a 10 Haircare in 2005, best known for its Miracle Leave-In product, and has grown it into a $500 million-a-year powerhouse.

    Her husband, Jeff, serves as CEO and president, bringing leadership experience from roles including Titan Fighting Championships and Arco Property Management. He joined It’s a 10 in 2017, helping scale the brand alongside Carolyn’s vision.

    “What they’ve built is a winning team,” the All I Do is Win rapper says. “And I believe winners should work with winners, and create more winners.”

    So far, Khaled’s beard dye has lived up to the standard he set with that 2010 hit, becoming the best-seller in Rewind’s celebrity ambassador line, which also includes Travis Kelce.

    ‘Major Key’ alert

    Khaled has built an identity on catchphrases, one of the many reasons the Rewind team wanted to work with him. From “We the Best” to “Another One”, the man figured out long ago how to apply classic marketing techniques of short, memorable slogans to the social media age. For his “Real Black” beard dye, Khaled landed on “Why fight time when you can rewind time.”

    “When I come up with something like that, it’s not a slogan — it’s from my heart and soul,” Khaled says. “Rewind just enhances the glow God gave us. Like a fresh haircut — do the full works, let the barber do his thing. Music, fashion, lifestyle — it’s all art, and barbers are artists too.”

    But key to Khaled’s success isn’t just his knack for catchy slogans — it’s his immeasurable, infectious self-confidence. And that’s precisely what Rewind is trying to sell.

    “Confidence is beautiful,” Khaled says. “It’s a divine power that tells you, ‘Yo, you can do this,’ and reminds you who you are. Once you build that confidence, it’s only going to help you in everything you want to accomplish.”

    For Khaled — and countless others — looking good is a crucial part of that confidence. But it’s not just about turning heads. It’s about maintaining a level of excellence and, as he puts it, “upkeeping the blessings God gave us.”

    “We’re talking about beards and looks, but I see it deeper than that,” he says. “God made us beautiful either way — haircut or no haircut — but it’s like having a beautiful house and not trimming the grass, watering the plants, or taking care of the mango tree. You’ve got to upkeep it. Same with the beard and the hair — that’s the best way to break it down.”

    Social media puts every aspect of our appearance under a microscope, and insecurities are more visible than ever. You’re not just worried about coworkers noticing a bald spot or a grey patch — everyone can see everything about you online.

    But as any savvy entrepreneur knows, small problems can spark big opportunities. Rewind It 10, a beard dye brand, is capitalizing on that very tension. By partnering with music and entertainment mogul DJ Khaled, the brand is turning a confidence crisis into a growth strategy — boosting self-assurance for customers while driving its bottom line.

    All he does is win

    The rest of this article is locked.

    Join Entrepreneur+ today for access.

    Leo Zevin

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  • Introvert Warren Buffett Reveals Secret to Public Speaking | Entrepreneur

    Introvert Warren Buffett Reveals Secret to Public Speaking | Entrepreneur

    Most people (56.8%) around the world identify as introverts, according to a 2020 study from The Myers-Briggs Company. Those with an introverted personality are often reflective and self-aware, prefer to write rather than speak and feel tired after being in a crowd.

    Naturally, many introverts aren’t big fans of public speaking. Addressing an audience might be an inevitable part of professional life, but the average introvert probably isn’t clamoring to get in front of a group.

    Related: I Work With Warren Buffett. He’s Probably the Smartest Person in the World — Here’s the Best Advice He’s Given Me.

    Even the most successful business leaders in the world aren’t immune to stage fright.

    Warren Buffett, the 94-year-old billionaire chairman and CEO of conglomerate holding company Berkshire Hathaway, considers himself an introvert. In his biography The Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life by Alice Schroeder, he admits that speaking in front of a crowd used to make him physically ill.

    Image Credit: Chip Somodevilla | Getty Images. Warren Buffett.

    “I was terrified of public speaking,” Buffett says. “You can’t believe what I was like if I had to give a talk. I was so terrified that I just couldn’t do it. I would throw up. In fact, I arranged my life so that I never had to get up in front of anybody.”

    Related: In Leadership, Introversion Is Underrated — and Warren Buffett and Bill Gates Share How They Use It to Their Advantage.

    After Buffett graduated from Columbia Business School, where he studied under investor Benjamin Graham, he returned to Omaha, Nebraska. There, he saw an advertisement for a public speaking course using the Dale Carnegie method.

    Buffett was familiar with Carnegie’s 1936 self-help book How to Win Friends & Influence People, and he’d even signed up for a Carnegie public speaking class in New York — before he backed out and stopped payment on the $100 check.

    Buffett decided to give the course another chance in Omaha.

    “I took a hundred bucks in cash and gave it to Wally Keenan, the instructor, and said, ‘Take it before I change my mind,’” he recalls in The Snowball.

    Related: 5 Mega-Successful Entrepreneurs Who Are Introverts

    In Keenan’s class at Omaha’s Rome Hotel, Buffett discovered the key to conquering his public speaking fears.

    “The way it works is that you learn to get out of yourself,” Buffett explains. “I mean, why should you be able to talk alone with somebody five minutes before and then freeze in front of a group? So they teach you the psychological tricks to overcome this. Some of it is just practice — just doing it and practicing.”

    Practicing under the same conditions in which you’ll speak or otherwise perform can help promote success in high-pressure situations, Sian Beilock, cognitive scientist and current president of Dartmouth College, told Entrepreneur in 2022.

    Related: Steve Jobs’ Public Speaking Power Moves Remain Just as Relevant Today, 13 Years After His Final Keynote at the Apple Developers Conference

    Additionally, it can help to take a step back as the event draws near, according to Beilock. Then, during the high-stakes moment, she suggests interpreting physiological responses positively; for example, consider sweaty palms or a racing heart signs of excitement rather than anxiety.

    “And it worked,” Buffett says of the psychological techniques he learned in his public speaking class many decades ago. “That’s the most important degree that I have.”

    Buffett‘s certification of completion for the Carnegie course, dated January 1952, hangs above the sofa in his office, according to Schroeder’s account.

    Related: I Spent a Day Living Like Billionaire Warren Buffett. Here’s What Happened.

    Now, Buffett stands in front of an audience of 40,000 at Berkshire Hathaway’s annual shareholder meeting, where attendees line up hours before the event to listen to the Oracle of Omaha speak.

    Amanda Breen

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  • Mark Zuckerberg Is Now Second Richest Person in the World | Entrepreneur

    Mark Zuckerberg Is Now Second Richest Person in the World | Entrepreneur

    Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is now worth around $206 billion, which puts him in the No. 2 spot on Bloomberg’s Billionaires Index.

    Zuckerberg, who founded Facebook in 2004, has a 13% stake in Meta, which owns Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, and the newer X competitor, Threads. The company has invested heavily in artificial intelligence in recent years.

    Related: Mark Zuckerberg Is $70 Billion Richer This Year

    Zuckerberg saw his net worth increase by $78 billion in 2024. Per Barrons, Meta shares have been up around 65% this year (through Thursday’s close).

    “Across Facebook and Instagram, advances in AI continue to improve the quality of recommendations and drive engagement,” Zuckerberg said in August. In July, Zuckerberg published a letter on Facebook pushing for open-source AI.

    Zuckerberg jumped slightly ahead of the current No. 3, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos ($205 billion).

    Meanwhile, Zuckerberg is about $50 billion behind the world’s richest person, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, whose net worth is currently $256 billion, per Bloomberg.

    Related: Here’s How Mark Zuckerberg Works to Keep Facebook Relevant

    Erin Davis

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  • Barbara Corcoran Says She Fired Her Mother: Business Lessons | Entrepreneur

    Barbara Corcoran Says She Fired Her Mother: Business Lessons | Entrepreneur

    Barbara Corcoran remembers when her real estate firm, The Corcoran Group, was in a tight spot. Mortgage rates were around 18%, placing the date around October 1981. She knew she had to make job cuts.

    “My mother said to me, ‘You’re going to have to fire people, right?’ She wasn’t a businesswoman, she was a mom,” Corcoran told Entrepreneur.

    When Corcoran confirmed the coming layoffs, her mother, who worked for The Corcoran Group at the time, said something unexpected: “Fire me first.”

    Related: Inside Barbara Corcoran’s $1 Million California Small Home: ‘Everything’s Little’

    “And I said, ‘How do I fire you first?’ She said, ‘Because everybody will know the rest of the firings were necessary.’ And I fired her first,” Corcoran said. “I had to announce I’m no longer having my mother here. I fired her.”

    Twenty years later, she sold her business for $66 million.

    Barbara Corcoran and her mother, Florence. Credit: Barbara Corcoran

    Corcoran says her mother’s decision helped her business thrive and helped her employees take the job cuts differently because her mother led by example.

    Florence would later be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, and display a condition called agitation in Alzheimer’s dementia, a separate diagnosis with symptoms including restlessness. After a nine-year battle with the illness, Florence passed away in 2012.

    Related: Barbara Corcoran Says ‘Now Is the Best Time’ to Buy as Home Prices Will Soon Go ‘Through the Roof’

    Corcoran is now the face of the “I Wish I Knew” public education campaign promoting awareness of agitation in Alzheimer’s dementia, in partnership with Princeton, New Jersey-based Otsuka Pharmaceutical and New York, NY-based Lundbeck, another pharmaceutical company.

    “It’s kind of weird when a mother quietly loses her mind later on when she has Alzheimer’s,” Corcoran said. “And you realize the reality of what you always assumed when you were there, an open cabin to ask her what’s inside, was closed. And it wasn’t gonna open again.”

    Corcoran praised her mom’s organizational skills and her gut instinct. Florence raised Corcoran and her nine siblings in a two-bedroom apartment in Edgewater, New Jersey, and kept her motivated whenever she felt overwhelmed.

    “She really had a great innate sense that she trusted,” Corcoran said.

    Related: Barbara Corcoran Sounds Off on NAR Settlement: ‘It’s a Scary Time for Real Estate Agents’

    Sherin Shibu

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  • Kevin O’Leary: I Got an MBA Instead of Following My Passion | Entrepreneur

    Kevin O’Leary: I Got an MBA Instead of Following My Passion | Entrepreneur

    Kevin O’Leary once had a photography lab in his basement.

    As a teenager, he did all he could to follow his dreams of becoming a photographer. There was one issue — his father didn’t approve.

    “He said you’re not good enough and you’ll starve to death,” O’Leary said in a video posted to X. “He said you should go to college and get a degree and I went on to do an MBA which ended up being a very important tool for me later.”

    Related: Kevin O’Leary Says This Is the One Skill He Looks For in a Leader — But It’s ‘Almost Impossible to Find’

    O’Leary has previously explained why he thinks an MBA, which can cost $231,420 on average for a top 10 program in the U.S., was worth it.

    In a 2021 Facebook post, he wrote that the degree gave him “a head start” and taught him “discipline,” turning him from a 20-something with poor study habits to someone who knew how to make money, defend his ideas, and focus on his strengths.

    O’Leary graduated from the University of Western Ontario in 1980, which now costs $83,250 per year for domestic students.

    Photography still played a key role in his life: After graduating, the first company he started, Special Event Television, was a production company focused on sports entertainment.

    Related: Kevin O’Leary Is Launching a New Agency With the Founder of Shazam

    “It was my attempt to get back to the thing I loved, which was photography and production, and make money doing it,” O’Leary said in the X video. “There was that science and that art coming together in my life.”

    O’Leary sold the company and then used the proceeds to start SoftKey, which sold education and entertainment software, in 1986. He and his two business partners sold SoftKey to Mattel in 1999 for $4.2 billion.

    Looking back, he has no regrets.

    “All of that stuff made me what I am today, the good, the bad, and the ugly,” O’Leary said in the video. “And I wouldn’t change a thing.”

    Related: Kevin O’Leary Says ‘Right to Disconnect’ Laws Are ‘Crazy’

    Sherin Shibu

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  • Alex Cooper, Call Her Daddy Podcast Moving to SiriusXM | Entrepreneur

    Alex Cooper, Call Her Daddy Podcast Moving to SiriusXM | Entrepreneur

    Alex Cooper, famed for her candid discussions on sex and relationships on the popular Call Her Daddy podcast, is leaving Spotify for a lucrative engagement with SiriusXM, according to several sources.

    The deal reportedly spans multiple years, possibly three, and is worth more than $100 million, per Bloomberg, while other reports say closer to $125 million. Cooper’s Spotify deal was worth $60 million.

    Alex Cooper attends The Prelude To The Olympics on July 25, 2024 in Paris, France. Photo by Stephane Cardinale – Corbis/Corbis | Getty Images

    Related: This Is the Winning Formula for Starting a Successful Podcast, According to a New Analysis

    The new deal reportedly gives exclusive advertising and distribution to SiriusXM, plus the right to host additional content and events branching from Cooper’s brand.

    “Call Her Daddy” was positioned as Spotify’s No. 2 most listened-to podcast in 2023, second to “The Joe Rogan Experience.” Other offerings under the Unwell Network umbrella include “Hot Mess with Alix Earle” and “Pretty Lonesome with Madeline Argy.”

    Despite the shifts, Cooper, who skyrocketed to stardom after her 2018 debut, has assured her audience, known as “The Daddy Gang,” that they “will always be my top priority, and with SiriusXM, we will continue to find new ways to evolve and provide my listeners the best experience.”

    Related: Why Every Entrepreneur Should Consider Starting a Podcast

    Erin Davis

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  • How Faith Powers This Entrepreneur’s Ability to Persevere and Grow | Entrepreneur

    How Faith Powers This Entrepreneur’s Ability to Persevere and Grow | Entrepreneur

    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Welcome to another episode of Jeff Fenster‘s podcast, where he dives deep into the stories of remarkable individuals who have overcome adversity and achieved great success. For today’s episode, Jeff sat down with Marco Contreras, whose journey from humble beginnings in Mexico to becoming a successful entrepreneur in the US is nothing short of remarkable.

    Embracing the Journey and Giving Back

    Marco’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of embracing the journey towards success. Growing up in Mexico, Marco witnessed his mother’s logistics business and was inspired to follow in her footsteps. He became a customs broker, combining his passion for business with his desire to give back to the community.

    Marco emphasizes the significance of personal development and positive influence in achieving both personal and professional success. He believes that taking care of oneself and continuously growing as an individual is essential to effectively help others. By focusing on self-care and personal success, Marco has been able to make a positive impact on the lives of those around him.

    Related: ‘Say Yes When Others Say No’: The Content CEO Shares His Secret for Success

    Dream Big, Grow, and Learn

    One of the key takeaways from Marco’s journey is the importance of dreaming big and having a growth mindset. He encourages everyone to set ambitious goals and take the first step towards achieving them. Marco believes that success is not just about reaching the destination but also about the growth and learning that happens along the way.

    Marco’s story is a testament to the power of resilience and faith. He faced numerous challenges throughout his journey, but he never let them deter him from pursuing his dreams. Instead, he embraced these obstacles as opportunities for growth and learning.

    Related: A Sudden Tragedy Inspired This Entrepreneur to Develop a Plan That Transformed His Life. Here’s How It Can Help You, Too.

    Perseverance, Positivity, and Overcoming Obstacles

    Marco’s story is a shining example of the value of perseverance and positivity. He believes that a positive mindset is crucial in overcoming obstacles and seizing opportunities. Marco’s unwavering faith in himself and his abilities has been instrumental in his success.

    As we wrap up this episode, let Marco’s journey serve as a reminder that no matter where you come from or what challenges you face, you have the power to create your own success. Embrace the journey, dream big, and never stop growing. Remember, success is not just about reaching the destination, but also about the person you become along the way.

    Related: The Method That This Entrepreneur Used to Transform His Health and His Business

    About The Jeff Fenster Show

    Serial entrepreneur Jeff Fenster embarks on an extraordinary journey every week, delving into the stories of exceptional individuals who have defied the norms and blazed their own trails to achieve extraordinary success.

    Subscribe to The Jeff Fenster Show: Entrepreneur | Apple | Spotify | Google | Pandora

    Jeff Fenster

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  • Karlie Kloss, Josh Kushner Relaunching Life Magazine | Entrepreneur

    Karlie Kloss, Josh Kushner Relaunching Life Magazine | Entrepreneur

    Karlie Kloss, founder of Kode with Klossy and 40-time Vogue cover model, and husband Joshua Kushner, managing partner of venture capital firm Thrive Global, are joining forces to revive Life Magazine about 16 years after its last print issue.

    Kloss is CEO of Bedford Media, a new media holding company that will take charge of operations for the new Life Magazine, including revenue and editorial strategy, according to a press announcement released on Thursday.

    “We see Life as an uplifting and unifying voice in a chaotic media landscape,” Kloss stated. Joshua Kushner and Karlie Kloss. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/FilmMagic)

    Kushner will take the role of publisher of the new Life Magazine.

    Related: Karlie Kloss Looks to These Female Founders for Inspiration

    The magazine will come back to both print and digital forms, with a Bedford Media representative telling the Los Angeles Times that the publication will “most likely” relaunch as a quarterly, scheduled for early 2025.

    Bedford Media acquired i-D Magazine in November; that publication is slated to start publishing print issues this fall.

    i-D laid off 10 members of its London staff earlier this week.

    Life launched in 1883 and gained recognition over the years for its photography, including Alfred Eisenstaed’s photo of a sailor kissing a nurse in Times Square.

    Life has shut down and reopened multiple times since its founding, with its last print issue published in 2008.

    Sherin Shibu

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  • Who Lost Money in FTX? Tom Brady, Kevin O’Leary and More | Entrepreneur

    Who Lost Money in FTX? Tom Brady, Kevin O’Leary and More | Entrepreneur

    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Additional reporting by Sherin Shibu.

    The collapse of Sam Bankman-Fried’s FTX crypto empire was not only felt by those deep in the crypto community — some big-name entrepreneurs and celebrities lost a lot of money, too.

    Although SBF allegedly led investors to believe he could bring them high returns with little risk, more than a million people may have been affected by the collapse, and big-spending-crypto-newbies quickly found out that trading crypto isn’t for the faint of heart.

    RELATED: Sam Bankman-Fried Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Multibillion-Dollar Crypto Fraud

    In November, Bankman Fried was found guilty on seven counts of fraud, embezzlement, and criminal conspiracy for orchestrating “one of the biggest financial frauds in American history” after a bank run exposed an $8 billion hole in company accounts and a piggy bank relationship with Alameda Research crypto trading firm.

    Bankman-Fried was sentenced on Thursday in a Manhattan federal court to 25 years in prison.

    Southern District of New York Judge Lewis Kaplan said that Bankman-Fried was “extremely smart” and agreed with prosecutors that Bankman-Fried “wanted to be a hugely, hugely politically influential person in this country.”

    Kaplan stated that the loss amount to the victims of Bankman-Fried’s crimes surpassed $550 million and that investors lost billions.

    Meanwhile, FTX’s new CEO John Ray, who stepped in for SBF after the company filed for bankruptcy, said the company has located $5 billion in cash and other assets, and while they are not done discovering unearthed funds, they plan to also sell over $4.6 billion in additional holdings as well.

    It’s unclear how the recovered funds will be divvied up, but typically in bankruptcy proceedings, only bond-holders are eligible to recoup a portion of their losses, while those with equity stakes are left at a loss, according to Markets Insider.

    Sequoia Capital likely suffered the greatest loss for an outside investor in the exchange with its $200 million investment, which peaked at $350 million in January 2022, according to data obtained by Forbes.

    RELATED: Who Is FTX Founder Sam Bankman-Fried?

    While Sequoia reportedly told investors its FTX investment was offset by its $7.5 billion in realized and unrealized gains, Singapore investment company Temasek didn’t get as lucky.

    The company reportedly invested $210 million for 1% of FTX and $65 million for 1.5% of FTX U.S. but has since determined its stakes to zero.

    Additionally, investment company Paradigm is said to have invested $215 million, while the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan invested $75 million, and has since written its investment to zero.

    Here’s a look at some of the famous faces who lost big in the FTX crypto collapse.

    Tom Brady

    Tom Brady is the most famous face to promote and invest in FTX — and he also may have suffered the greatest individual loss. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback owned over 1.1 million common shares of FTX Trading, which equaled about $45 million before the company went bankrupt, according to Bloomberg.

    While his investment is now zero in the wake of the collapse, he previously advocated for the exchange and appeared in several promotional ads with his now ex-wife Gisele Bündchen.

    Gisele Bündchen

    Along with her now ex-husband, Tom Brady, the supermodel also lost a significant portion of her wealth in the exchange. Bündchen reportedly owned 680,000 FTX shares, which were valued at about $25 million.

    Kevin O’Leary

    The Shark Tank entrepreneur was a fierce advocate for SBF’s FTX before the crypto exchange’s fall. As a paid spokesperson for the company, O’Leary owned 32,000 shares in FTX and 110,000 shares of FTX US. He said his shares were valued at $1 million during a U.S. Senate Banking Committee in December, adding that he has since “written them off to zero.”

    O’Leary told CNBC’s “Squawk Box” in December that he was paid around $15 million to act as a paid spokesperson for the brand and put just under $10 million into the crypto exchange. But he said his crypto investment is now equal to zero.

    Robert Kraft

    New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft also fell victim to FTX. He reportedly owned about 630,000 total FTX-related shares through KPC Venture Capital LLC, an entity connected to the Kraft Group.

    Using O’Leary’s valuation, the NFL team owner may have lost an eight-figure investment.

    Robert Belfer

    Billionaire oil baron Robert Belfer, who was once known as the heir to bankrupt gas company Enron, also reportedly lost millions with FTX’s collapse. Two firms linked to the Belfer family held shares in both FTX and FTX US with a combined stake of $34.5 million, according to court documents obtained by the Financial Times. Belfer was also notably entangled in Bernie Madoff’s infamous Ponzi Scheme.

    Anthony Scaramucci

    Donald Trump’s former communications director was also wrapped up in the FTX collapse with his alternative investment company, SkyBridge Capital. Last September, FTX acquired 30% of SkyBridge Capital, per The Street, and while the details of the deal are unknown, Scaramucci said he was also at a loss despite the purchase.

    “We lost money in general because the overall portfolio is going down as a result of this debacle, so yes I guess yes,” he said when asked about the collapse in November at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum in Singapore.

    RELATED: ‘I Didn’t Steal Funds, and I Certainly Didn’t Stash Billions Away’: Sam Bankman-Fried Speaks for the First Time Since His Arrest

    Stephen Curry

    Stephen Curry was one of the many celebrities to endorse FTX with his various commercials and his 2021 partnership with the brand. Like Brady and Bündchen, Curry also got a stake in FTX for his work with the company.

    Curry’s team, the Golden State Warriors, was also entangled in the scandal after FTX agreed to pay $10 million for an international rights sponsorship deal that gave the exchange in-area signage, exclusive brand placements, and the rights to the team’s NFTs in December 2021.

    Curry is also named in a class action lawsuit that claims the celebrities who endorsed FTX participated in deceptive strategies to “induce confidence and to drive consumers to invest in what was ultimately a Ponzi scheme,” according to the lawsuit.

    Sam Bankman-Fried, Tom Brady, Gisele Bundchen, Kevin O’Leary, Shaquille O’Neal, Udonis Haslem, David Ortiz, William Trevor Lawrence, Shohei Ohtani, Naomi Osaka, and Larry David were also mentioned in the suit.

    Naomi Osaka

    Tennis star Naomi Osaka also signed a long-term partnership agreement with FTX in March that was supposed to help bring women into the crypto world, according to Reuters. She was given an equity stake in the company and received compensation in the form of crypto.

    David Ortiz

    Red Sox baseball legend David Ortiz also signed on to be an FTX ambassador in October 2021 and agreed to be compensated in cryptocurrency, per CoinDesk. At the time, he agreed to release multiple NFT collections, while FTX agreed to sponsor the David Ortiz Celebrity Golf Classic and donate to the David Ortiz’s Children’s Fund. It’s unclear if the fund will be required to repay the donations if they are found to have been made with customer money.

    Check out our Dirty Money Podcast for our take on Crypto Crook Sam Bankman-Fried.

    Sam Silverman

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  • How to Empower Yourself to Unlock Your Full Potential | Entrepreneur

    How to Empower Yourself to Unlock Your Full Potential | Entrepreneur

    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    “Empowerment is the key to unlocking potential.”

    So says David Nurse, a former NBA player who is now a life and optimization coach and motivational speaker. By empowering oneself with a clear vision and belief in one’s abilities, he believes that individuals can tap into their full potential.

    Nurse encourages individuals to identify their strengths, set specific goals, and take action toward achieving them. Empowerment is the catalyst that propels individuals forward, enabling them to overcome obstacles and reach new heights.

    Related: How This Trainer for NBA Players Mastered the Pivot

    Confidence Breeds Success

    Confidence plays a pivotal role in achieving success. Nurse highlights the importance of cultivating self-confidence by surrounding oneself with positive influences and eliminating self-doubt. By believing in one’s abilities and staying focused on the end goal, individuals can overcome challenges and persevere in the face of adversity. Confidence is the fuel that drives individuals toward their aspirations, enabling them to take risks and seize opportunities.

    Related: 50 Inspirational Quotes to Motivate You for 2024

    Building Authentic Relationships is Essential

    Nurse emphasizes the value of building authentic relationships as a key component of success. Networking should not be seen as a transactional exchange, but rather as an opportunity to connect with others on a deeper level. By genuinely serving others and building meaningful connections, individuals can create a network of support and collaboration. Authentic relationships provide a foundation for growth, opening doors to new opportunities and fostering a sense of community.

    Hard Work and Dedication are Non-Negotiables

    Nurse’s journey from basketball player to motivational speaker underscores the importance of hard work and dedication. Success does not come overnight; it requires consistent effort and a willingness to put in the work. Nurse encourages individuals to embrace the grind, stay committed to their goals, and continuously seek personal growth. Hard work and dedication are the building blocks of success, enabling individuals to surpass their own expectations and achieve greatness.

    Related: 20 Motivational Quotes to Inspire Your Next Business Idea

    David Nurse’s journey from professional basketball player to motivational speaker offers valuable insights into the path to success. Through empowerment, goal-setting, confidence, and building authentic relationships, individuals can unlock their potential and achieve their aspirations. By embracing hard work, dedication, and continuous growth, individuals can navigate the challenges along the way and find fulfillment in helping others succeed. As we embark on our own journeys, let us remember the importance of empowerment, goal-setting, confidence, relationships, and the relentless pursuit of success.

    About The Jeff Fenster Show

    Serial entrepreneur Jeff Fenster embarks on an extraordinary journey every week, delving into the stories of exceptional individuals who have defied the norms and blazed their own trails to achieve extraordinary success.

    Subscribe to The Jeff Fenster Show: Entrepreneur | Apple | Spotify | Google | Pandora

    Jeff Fenster

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  • Elon Musk Says Tesla Workers to Sleep, Live in Texas Factory | Entrepreneur

    Elon Musk Says Tesla Workers to Sleep, Live in Texas Factory | Entrepreneur


    This article originally appeared on Business Insider.

    Elon Musk warned Tesla workers to prepare for a challenging production ramp-up as he previewed plans to build a mass-market vehicle.

    The Tesla CEO said on the company’s Wednesday earnings call that building Tesla’s next-generation EV, set to enter production in 2025, will require Tesla workers to live and sleep on the manufacturing line at the company’s Texas factory.

    “We really need the engineers to be living on the line. This is not sort of an off-the-shelf ‘it-just-works’ type of thing,” Musk told investors.

    “That will be a challenging production ramp,” Musk said. “We’ll be sleeping on the line, practically. Not practically, we will be.”

    It wouldn’t be the first time Tesla workers have reportedly had to sleep on manufacturing lines to meet the company’s production deadlines.

    A former worker at Tesla’s factory in Fremont, California, told The Verge that employees would sleep on the factory floor after 12-hour shifts. Musk has said he slept beneath his desk while spending “three years straight” basically living in Tesla’s manufacturing facilities.

    Musk said that Tesla’s next-generation vehicle, which Reuters reported is a mass-market, affordable EV codenamed “Redwood,” is set to enter production in the second half of 2025 at the company’s Texas Gigafactory — though he admitted that he is often optimistic with timing, and could not yet predict how many of the vehicles Tesla would initially produce.

    Tesla workers could face a heightened form of what Musk previously dubbed “production hell” during Tesla’s 2017 Model 3 ramp-up.

    “There’s a lot of new technology, a tremendous amount of new revolutionary manufacturing technology here,” Musk said.

    “I am confident that once it gets going, it will be head and shoulders above any other manufacturing technology that exists anywhere in the world. It’s next level,” he added.

    The billionaire has hinted for years that Tesla plans to release a cheaper EV expected to cost below $30,000.

    It comes as the company is under increasing pressure from Chinese EV manufacturers prioritizing more affordable vehicles, with the Chinese EV manufacturer BYD recently overtaking the U.S. automaker as the world’s largest producer of electric vehicles. But BYD does not yet sell its cars in the U.S.

    Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider, made outside normal working hours.



    Tom Carter

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