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Tag: life hacks

  • 5 Challenges Every Solopreneur Faces — and Smart Ways to Tackle Them | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    These days, something very interesting is happening in the world of online entrepreneurship.

    More and more people are choosing to build their businesses completely on their own. They are called solopreneurs — motivated individuals who focus on managing every part of their business alone.

    What separates solopreneurs from traditional entrepreneurs is that they purposefully choose to stay lean and independent while still aiming to grow and make a real impact, whereas entrepreneurs often build teams.

    According to what I’ve seen on Google Trends, the number of searches for the term “solopreneur” has increased in the last five years alone. The biggest increase occurs in entrepreneurial hotspots across North America, Europe and Asia.

    So, what’s the reason for this?

    A couple of things: people have become accustomed to remote work — it’s the new norm, and unconventional career paths are more accepted by society. Besides, powerful digital tools are more accessible and make running a business much easier.

    However, the reality is that solopreneurship isn’t exactly all freedom and flexibility. Running your own business comes with its own set of challenges that you don’t face in traditional jobs or when building a startup with a team. Understanding and overcoming these challenges is the key to thriving as a solopreneur.

    Related: How Solopreneurs Are Scaling Past Six Figures (Without a Team)

    1. Wearing too many hats

    Inside every business, there are a lot of moving parts — marketing, sales, finances, customer service and many other operations.

    For solopreneurs, all of these tasks fall on just one person’s shoulders. One day you’re the support agent, the next you’re writing social media posts or sending invoices… the list goes on.

    The tricky part isn’t the work itself — it’s the non-stop switching between fundamentally different tasks. This can lead to a loss of focus, energy and, over time, to decision fatigue, where even the small choices start feeling exhausting.

    How to make it easier

    Here are some tips to lighten the load and work smarter:

    • Group similar tasks together – for example, handle all the financial tasks on Monday morning instead of scattering them throughout the week.
    • Start small with outsourcing – no need to hire a full-time team. Begin outsourcing your most time-consuming tasks or the ones you feel you’re the weakest at.
    • Write things down – start simple checklists for recurring tasks to reduce mental load.
    • Implement the right tools – adapt software programs that allow you to cut down on repetitive work (email management, invoicing, scheduling, etc.)

    When you offload some of these roles, you can start focusing on the work that really matters – growing your business and providing your customers with top-quality service.

    2. The isolation factor

    Let’s be real — humans are social creatures, and working by yourself can make you feel lonely.

    With a traditional job, you’ve got colleagues to chat with, team meetings to discuss your ideas, and even those coffee chats that can break up the day.

    As a solopreneur, these social moments are gone.

    And while some enjoy the quiet, too much of it can take a heavy toll. Without those human interactions, you can lose motivation, creativity, and it can even negatively impact your mental health.

    How to stay on top

    The good news is that you don’t have to face solopreneurship alone. Here’s how you can bring people back into your work life:

    • Network and connect – join groups and online communities where other solopreneurs share their experiences.
    • Set up co-working sessions – find an “accountability partner”, either virtual, at a café, or a co-working space, to make it more fun.
    • Develop and learn – attend conferences and networking events to meet people who “get it.”
    • Seek out a mentor – they can guide you and share their knowledge with you.

    The key thing to remember: running a business by yourself doesn’t mean doing everything solo. Finding like-minded individuals can keep you motivated, inspired and less isolated.

    3. Financial instability

    Unlike employees with salaries, one of the toughest challenges for solopreneurs is money management.

    As a solopreneur, your income can swing up and down depending on the season, clients or just random luck. One month, you can be stressing over what bill to pay, the next, you’re on top of the world.

    This financial rollercoaster won’t just affect your bank account — it can also cloud your judgment. Some solopreneurs may take big risks when money starts flowing in, while others may become very cautious, holding back on extra expenses that can even help them grow.

    How to create stability

    The important thing is to smooth out the ups and downs as much as possible. Here’s how you can do that:

    • Diversify your income — don’t put all your eggs in one basket, develop multiple income streams to spread out the risk
    • Create recurring revenue — structure your offerings to include retainer agreements or subscription models to keep money coming in more predictably.
    • Create financial buffers — try to build an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses or income gaps.

    When you successfully implement these systems, the financial stress becomes much more manageable and understandable.

    Related: 5 Things You Need to Stop Doing as a Solopreneur

    4. Time management

    When we talk about solopreneurship, one of the biggest perks is being your own boss — you set your own schedule, no one tells you what to do, no 9-to-5 – sounds perfect.

    But on the flip side, without a proper structure, it’s easy to get lost in your work or not work nearly enough.

    Both can hurt your business and even you.

    The key is to create a rhythm that gives you focus without creating that feeling like you’re back in a corporate cubicle.

    How to manage your time better

    Here are some practical strategies that can help:

    • Work with your natural energy – keep track of when you feel most creative and energized, and schedule your most important tasks for then.
    • Create themed workdays – set up your days for different business functions. For example, Mondays for finances, Tuesdays for marketing, Wednesdays for client operations, etc.
    • Use time blocks – set aside chunks of time, but add short breaks in between so you don’t burn out.
    • Think in 90-day sprints – don’t try to do everything at once, select a few key priorities every quarter, and move in that direction.

    By implementing a structure, you can stay productive without feeling like you’re trapped by your work. It’s all about balance – become disciplined to get things done, and have enough flexibility to enjoy the freedom of being your own boss.

    Related: You Must Unlearn the Myth of the Solopreneur to Be Successful

    5. Maintaining confidence

    Managing a business solo means you’re constantly challenging yourself — acquiring new skills, facing new risks, gaining new responsibilities. With that comes something that every solopreneur faces: self-doubt.

    You start to question yourself, “Why am I doing this?”, “Am I good enough?”, “What was I even thinking when jumping into this…” and so on.

    The truth is, mental hurdles can be even tougher than practical challenges. But confidence isn’t about never doubting yourself – it’s about creating ways to push through when doubt shows up.

    How to build up your confidence

    Here are a few ways to keep your mind sharp and ready:

    • Record your wins – keep track of the skills you’ve gained, projects you’ve completed, and positive feedback from your clients. Seeing it in writing is a powerful reminder to keep going.
    • Level up gradually – take on slightly bigger challenges step-by-step. Each win is proof that you’re heading in the right direction.
    • Remember that a slight setback doesn’t mean you’re incompetent – it just means that you need to tweak the process a bit to get back on the right track.

    Confidence isn’t something that you have or don’t have. It’s all about how you overcome the challenges that you face.

    The future of solopreneurship

    Solopreneurship isn’t a passing trend – it’s becoming a real and lasting career path.

    As technology continues to improve and work culture continues to evolve toward more flexible solutions, more and more professionals will find “going solo” isn’t just possible but practical in various industries.

    The solopreneurs who will truly succeed in their endeavors will:

    • Recognize the key challenges that come with starting a one-person business
    • Implement strategic solutions that fit their unique scenarios
    • Stay flexible and adapt as their business grows

    The solopreneur path isn’t about building that “perfect balance”.

    Instead, it’s about finding solutions that make the tough parts manageable. With the right approach, solopreneurs can create businesses that are not only profitable but also personally fulfilling.

    At its core, solopreneurship is about choosing your own way, creating your own terms, and finding success that’s meaningful to you. You will be rewarded with freedom, creativity, independence and the joy of building something that’s truly your own.

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    Polina Beletskaya

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  • His Side Hustle Earns 6 Figures a Year: 1-2 Hours of Work a Day | Entrepreneur

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    This Side Hustle Spotlight Q&A features Dennis Tinerino, 39, of Los Angeles, California. Tinerino worked in online sales when he first learned about domain names and launching websites, which helped him discover domain investing as a side hustle. Here’s how he turned the gig into a lucrative business that brings in six figures a year — with about an hour or two of work per day. Responses have been edited for length and clarity.

    Image Credit: Courtesy of Domain Smoke. Dennis Tinerino.

    When did you start your side hustle, and where did you find the inspiration for it?
    I started my side hustle in 2014 after discovering that domain names are like real estate, only online. Realizing the right ones could keep growing in value was all the inspiration I needed to dive in. My interest first sparked when I was launching a new website and came across a domain name for sale. I had no idea what the cost might be, so I filled out the form on the seller’s website. A domain broker from Afternic replied, explaining that the name was for sale and would require a six-figure minimum offer. Unfortunately, this domain was out of my budget for this project, but thankfully, they were very helpful and explained why it was valued at that price, even suggesting other names that were closer to my budget at the time. That conversation grabbed my attention and pushed me to do a deep dive into the world of domains.

    Related: These 31-Year-Old Best Friends Started a Side Hustle to Solve a Workout Struggle — And It’s On Track to Hit $10 Million Annual Revenue This Year

    What were some of the first steps you took to get your side hustle off the ground? How much money/investment did it take to launch?
    When I started, I did not know anyone personally who was doing this, so I had to teach myself. I dove into blogs, read FAQ sections on marketplaces and learned everything I could about how domains are bought and sold. Like most new investors, my first stop was GoDaddy, where I began registering domains that sounded cool or interesting. Luckily, I kept my spending in check and only bought four domains for a total of $36. One of them, LawyerBoss.com, ended up selling for $700 on Afternic less than two months after I bought it for about $8. That sale was a turning point. It was exciting to see that I could learn the process, list a name and have someone actually buy it for their business. From that moment on, I was hooked and started looking for more ways to find new domains to invest in.

    If you could go back in your business journey and change one process or approach, what would it be, and how do you wish you’d done it differently?
    If I could hop in a time machine, I’d go straight back and immediately sign up for the Domain Academy course on day one. It covers everything about domains, with resources from A to Z, and there’s nothing else like it. I could have skipped months of trial and error, saved a few gray hairs and gotten in the game faster with a deeper understanding of domains and the industry as a whole. There are countless strategies in domain investing, but before you dive in, you need to understand how domains work, what end users are looking for and the different ways to approach them. Trust me, learning this early is a lot cheaper than buying cool names and hoping for the best.

    Related: I Interviewed 5 Entrepreneurs Generating Up to $20 Million in Revenue a Year — And They All Have the Same Regret About Starting Their Business

    When it comes to this specific business, what is something you’ve found particularly challenging and/or surprising that people who get into this type of work should be prepared for, but likely aren’t?
    The hardest part for newcomers is getting the right education. Too many jump in blind, skip the basics and end up spinning their wheels. It’s like trying to fix a car without ever popping the hood. Making uninformed investments is a quick way to waste time, burn cash and get frustrated fast. Another big surprise is how much upkeep a domain portfolio requires. This is not a buy it and forget it business. You have to watch your names, keep up with renewals, follow the market and be honest when it is time to let go of names that are no longer relevant or valuable.

    Can you recall a specific instance when something went very wrong? How did you fix it?
    In my early days, I started doing outbound marketing to create interest and generate sales for my domains. I was not thinking about trademarks at the time and reached out to companies that owned marks similar to my names. That mistake earned me a stack of legal threats and cease and desist letters. Thankfully, I was able to resolve each situation on good terms by finding common ground with the parties involved. It was a valuable lesson to always check for trademarks before investing or reaching out to buyers, and I am glad I learned it early. Avoiding legal battles is high on my priority list.

    How long did it take you to see consistent monthly revenue? How much did the side hustle earn?
    It wasn’t until my second to third year of domain investing that I began to see consistent monthly revenue come in. What I noticed is that after my first year, when I started to educate myself more, build up my domain portfolio with better quality domains and then began outbound marketing, my sales accelerated, and steady monthly revenue came in. In the first year, I earned a few thousand with my first initial sales. In the second year, it was in the lower five figures, and it kept ramping up from there as I invested more time and resources.

    Related: This Couple’s ‘Scrappy’ Side Hustle Sold Out in 1 Weekend — It Hit $1 Million in 3 Years and Now Makes Millions Annually: ‘Lean But Powerful’

    What does growth and revenue look like now?
    Back in 2014, the portfolio was just a handful of domains. Today, it has grown to roughly 8,000 to 10,000 names. There were stretches where I was buying one name a day, and some days I went on a spree and grabbed 20, using profits to keep scaling and building the portfolio. Each year, I have consistently added another 500 to 1,000 names, experimenting with different top-level domains (TLDs) and country code top-level domains (ccTLDs) when I spot a trend. The real growth has come from .com domains, which remain the most in-demand with end users. What started as a few thousand dollars a year has grown into a business generating steady six-figure revenue for the past five years. That growth comes from years of research, relentless market tracking, careful portfolio maintenance and making the right moves at the right time, even when they were tough.

    How much time do you spend working on your business on a daily, weekly or monthly basis?
    On a typical day, I spend one to two hours building and managing my portfolio. Over a week, that adds up to 15 to 20 hours, and by the end of the month, it’s usually 60 to 80 hours.

    How do you structure that time? What does a typical day or week of work look like for you?
    My time is split between portfolio management, searching for fresh inventory, outbound marketing and closing deals. Each week, I set aside blocks of time to review my portfolio, adjust prices and prepare names for marketing. Once you get past a few hundred domains, daily portfolio management becomes essential. It is easy to let small tasks slip through the cracks, and that is when mistakes happen. What has saved me the most time is staying organized. It sounds easier than it is, but creating workflows, keeping detailed spreadsheets and using the right tools will save you from falling behind on your daily tasks.

    Related: These Friends Started a Side Hustle in Their Kitchens. Sales Spiked to $130,000 in 3 Days — Then 7 Figures: ‘Revenue Has Grown Consistently.’

    What do you enjoy most about running this business?
    Domain investing can get a little lonely sometimes because you have to put in the hours to stay sharp and up to date. But the thing I have enjoyed the most is the investor community. We are very active on X, and I have met incredible people from all over the world who have helped me grow as an investor, taught me a ton and become lifelong friends.

    The freedom that comes with this business is unlike anything else. You can run it from anywhere in the world with minimal tech skills. You set the rules, choose your hours, decide your prices, pick where to sell your names and choose which names you want to buy.

    Over the years, as an investor, I found myself looking at tens of thousands of domains coming to auction or expiring every day. As great as many of those names were, I knew I could not buy them all, but I also did not want to see those opportunities go unnoticed by other investors. That got me thinking about how I could share this research and these findings with others. That is when I launched Domain Smoke, a daily newsletter sharing industry news, investment opportunities and the best domains hitting auction each day. Since its launch in 2019, it has grown to thousands of readers worldwide who read it every day.

    Based on your journey so far, what’s your best advice for someone who wants to get started with this kind of business?
    When I got started, there were a few things I would change if I could, and I hope my experience can help you find success in your own journey as a domain investor. If you are new to domain investing, here are three tips that can help you start on the right foot:

    1. Be patient with hand registrations
      This one is not easy, but you will thank me later. Try to hold back from registering new domains by hand until you have a proper understanding of domain investing. The easiest mistake beginners make is buying names that are not likely to sell. Many of them also have little or no appeal to end users. That costs both time and money you will not get back. Once you get past the learning phase, you will have plenty of time to acquire domains that actually fit your strategy. When you know what to invest in, you will be glad you waited.
    2. Invest in yourself early
      They say the more you learn, the more you earn, and that is definitely true with domains. Avoid rookie mistakes by investing in your education. One of the best places to start is the Domain Academy course from GoDaddy, which teaches the ins and outs of the business. Just like any other form of investing, there are many ways to make money, but the best way to improve your chances of success early on is to educate yourself.
    3. Keep learning and follow the data
      It is easy to get started, build up a bit of knowledge and then think you know it all. But markets evolve, trends shift, and change is constant. Stay up to date with domain blogs, industry news, eBooks, Domain Sherpa shows and forums like NamePros, which is full of free knowledge for beginners. Most importantly, follow the data. Study sales and trends using resources like NameBio, dotDB and DNJournal. These will help you understand what is actually selling, what is trending and why. That insight gives you a competitive edge and keeps you aligned with the market.

    Related: I’ve Interviewed Over 100 Entrepreneurs Who Started Businesses Worth $1 Million to $1 Billion or More. Here’s Some of Their Best Advice.

    Start small, stay consistent and give yourself time to learn. Every successful investor was once a beginner. The more you study and track sales data, the sharper your skills will become. And remember, the community side of this business matters too. The investors and connections you build can be just as valuable as the domains you own.

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

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    Amanda Breen

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  • After Studying 233 Millionaires, I Found 6 Habits That Fast-Track Wealth | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Entrepreneurship is the quickest path to wealth, offering the potential to bypass the slow grind of traditional saving and investing. I am a CPA, Certified Financial Planner and author of Rich Habits: The Routines Millionaires Use Daily That Will Help You Build Wealth.

    Over a five-year period, I studied the daily habits of 233 wealthy individuals, of which 177 were self-made millionaires, and 128 people living in poverty. My Rich Habits research, along with insights from other independent third-party experts/studies corroborating my research, reveals that entrepreneurship accelerates wealth-building when paired with specific habits.

    This article explores why entrepreneurship is the fast track to wealth and how my findings can guide aspiring entrepreneurs to success.

    Related: 10 Habits That Separate Rich and Successful Founders From Wannabe Entrepreneurs

    The entrepreneurial advantage

    My research shows that self-made millionaires who pursued entrepreneurship built wealth faster than those who relied on saving and investing as employees. In my five-year Rich Habits Study, “Saver-Investors” took an average of 32 years to accumulate $3.3 million, while entrepreneurs reached $7.4 million in just 12 years. This gap highlights entrepreneurship’s potential to compress the wealth-building timeline.

    Entrepreneurs can create multiple income streams, scale businesses and directly influence financial outcomes, unlike employees tied to fixed salaries. However, I must emphasize that success depends on adopting certain ‘Rich Habits’ — daily routines that set successful entrepreneurs apart.

    Below are the key habits from my research, tailored for aspiring entrepreneurs.

    1. Set clear, actionable goals

    In my Rich Habits study, 80% of self-made millionaires set specific, long-term goals and focused on them daily. For entrepreneurs, this means defining a clear vision — whether launching a product or hitting revenue targets — and breaking it into daily tasks.

    I found that successful entrepreneurs have a do it now mindset/daily mantra that encourages immediate action to maintain momentum.

    Actionable Tip: Write one major business goal for the next year and break it into monthly and daily tasks. Review progress daily to stay on track.

    Related: The Path to Becoming a Wealthy Entrepreneur Starts With Identifying Scarcity and Saying ‘No’ More Often

    2. Commit to continuous learning

    Successful entrepreneurs are lifelong learners. My Rich Habits study shows that 88% of millionaires dedicate at least 30 minutes daily to self-education, reading books on personal development or industry trends. In contrast, 77% of poor individuals in my study spent over an hour a day either watching TV, streaming, reading books of fiction, social media engagement and other online time-wasters. Knowledge keeps entrepreneurs competitive.

    Actionable Tip: Replace 30 minutes of social media with reading a business book or listening to an industry podcast. or reading industry journals

    3. Live frugally to re-invest

    Financial discipline is critical. Saver-Investor millionaires build their wealth by being frugal with their spending in order to save 20% or more of their net income, which they prudently invest themselves or through financial advisors. Entrepreneurs are different.

    While they do share the frugality habit with Saver-Investors, they don’t save like Saver-Investors. Instead, they live frugally in order to maximize the amount of profits, which they then reinvest back into their businesses — marketing, product development or hiring. In order to be able to live frugally, budget no more than 25% of net income on housing, 15% on food, 10% on entertainment and 5% on vacations.

    Actionable Tip: Automate investing 20% of your company’s profits into a business savings account to help you fund growth or provide a buffer.

    Related: Frugality Among the Wealthy: A Closer Look

    4. Build power relationships

    Networking is a cornerstone of success. In my study, I found that 93% of millionaires with mentors credited them, almost entirely, for their success in life. Mentors offer guidance, share processes that work, teach habits that automate success, teach what works and what does not work and open doors to influencers who are part of their inner circle.

    Wealthy entrepreneurs also invest significant time in cultivating “Power Relationships” with optimistic, success-minded peers and mentor others to strengthen their networks.

    Actionable Tip: Seek a mentor in your industry and ask for specific advice. Mentor someone else to build your network and refine your strategies.

    5. Take calculated risks

    Entrepreneurship involves risk, but successful entrepreneurs do their homework and make informed decisions prior to taking any risk. In my study, 27% of millionaires failed at least once in business but learned from their setbacks. They avoid reckless, speculative moves, relying on research, mentorship and market analysis to seize opportunities others miss.

    Actionable Tip: Before launching a venture, conduct market research and test ideas with a small-scale pilot program in order to minimize risk.

    6. Prioritize positivity and health

    A positive mindset and good physical health sustain entrepreneurial stamina and energy levels. My Rich Habits millionaires practiced “rich thinking,” controlling negative emotions and staying optimistic. Additionally, 76% exercised regularly to maintain energy and focus, enhancing decision-making and resilience.

    Actionable Tip: Spend 30 minutes daily on exercise like walking, yoga, weights or resistance exercises and practice gratitude to maintain positivity.

    Related: How to Build a Healthy, Wealthy and Wise Life

    The power of passion and persistence

    I learned from my Rich Habits research that passion fuels entrepreneurial success. Passion makes work fun. Passion gives you the energy, persistence and focus needed to overcome failures, mistakes and rejection.

    Passionate entrepreneurs endure long hours and challenges, while disciplined habits create a compounding effect. However, even the entrepreneurial fast track requires time — 12 years on average to reach multimillion-dollar wealth.

    Addressing challenges

    Critics of my work argue that systemic factors or demographic biases may influence wealth beyond habits. While barriers exist, my blind study focused on controllable behaviors. Entrepreneurs can’t eliminate external challenges, but can control daily actions, relationships and decisions to navigate them effectively.

    Entrepreneurship offers the fastest path to wealth for those who adopt the Rich Habits my research highlights. By setting goals, prioritizing learning, living frugally, building networks, taking calculated risks and maintaining positivity and health, aspiring entrepreneurs can emulate self-made millionaires. Wealth-building is a two-step process — creating and sustaining it — and entrepreneurship, with disciplined habits, is the engine that drives both steps faster than any other path.

    Start small, stay consistent and entrepreneurship will eventually lead you to financial success.

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    Tom Corley

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  • Her Business Helps Women Earn in a $6.3B Industry: ‘Rewarding’ | Entrepreneur

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    Moniqueca Sims, owner of SSG Appliance Academy, got her first glimpse into the appliance repair industry while dating a man who worked in the space. “He worked all the time, seven days a week,” Sims recalls, “so I used to go out with him just to spend time with him. I saw how easy it was for him to repair those appliances, and he was repairing them quickly.”

    Image Credit: Courtesy of SSG Appliance Academy. Moniqueca Sims.

    Sims believes in “working smarter, not harder” and had the idea to hire technicians to help the man she was dating with repair calls. She did, but when he didn’t slow down, she ended up with her own appliance repair company.

    However, in running that business, Sims lost a significant amount of money purchasing parts. Many people she hired didn’t actually know how to repair appliances — and would just switch out part after part in search of a fit.

    Related: After Experiencing the ‘Lack of Diversity’ in Tech, This Software Engineer Started a Business That’s Changing Lives: ‘People Are Waking Up’

    So Sims took matters into her own hands again. She enrolled in an online course to learn about appliance repair and started handling jobs herself, even taking her kids along sometimes.

    “When you fix something, it boosts you up, every time you do it.”

    Still, Sims knew there had to be a better way to train and hire technicians for business growth, so once more she set out to make it happen: She founded SSG Appliance Academy, which provides hands-on training courses on the fundamentals to have a career in the appliance repair industry, in Atlanta in 2019.

    “ I saw how appliance repair was the gift that keeps on giving,” Sims says. “When you go out, when you fix something, it boosts you up, every time you do it. It’s not a grunt job. It’s a feel-good job.”

    When Sims went out on jobs with her daughter, she found that many of the clients were stay-at-home moms who breathed a sigh of relief when they realized they wouldn’t be alone with a male worker. Knowing that, and seeing firsthand what a confidence booster appliance repair could be, Sims committed to bringing more women into the industry.

    The total appliance repair industry revenue reached an estimated $6.3 billion in 2023, yet women make up less than 3% of home appliance repairers, according to data from ConsumerAffairs.

    Related: Raised By an Immigrant Single Mom, She Experienced ‘Culture Shock’ Working at Goldman Sachs. Here’s What She Wants You to Know About ‘Black Capitalism.’

    Sims decided to partner with shelters to grow SSG Appliance Academy and offer a viable career path to the women there. Although there was a lot of interest, the shelters didn’t have the funding to back it. So Sims got approved for grants through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).

    The funding helps low-income, under- or unemployed women and men complete SSG Appliance Academy’s program and “turn their life around,” Sims says.

    SSG Appliance Academy’s classes typically enroll eight to 10 students. The most recent course had three women in it. In the past, Sims often had to attend events and convince women to come to the class; now, word-of-mouth is helping them find it themselves, she says.

    “ You constantly have to prove yourself [as a woman] in this industry.”

    Sims looks forward to seeing even more women take advantage of SSG Appliance Academy, despite the challenges that can come with being a woman in the space.

    “ You constantly have to prove yourself [as a woman] in this industry, and not just to the customers,” Sims says. “You have to prove yourself to everybody that works in the industry.”

    Sims is also excited to see more people across the board jump into the appliance repair industry, noting that learning a trade can help people make more money than they might through earning a four-year college degree.

    “Appliance repair can really help change people’s lives,” the founder says.

    Related: This Black Founder Stayed True to His Triple ‘Win’ Strategy to Build a $1 Billion Business

    “You want to learn your craft from the inside out.”

    To other women interested in starting their own careers or businesses in the appliance repair industry, Sims has some straightforward but essential advice: Enroll in a program that can help you learn all you need to know about the trade.

    “You want to learn your craft from the inside out,” Sims says. “A lot of technicians in the field now learn on the job, so they become part-changers because they don’t learn how to diagnose and troubleshoot the appliances properly. So my advice would definitely be to take a class. It doesn’t have to be my school — any school.”

    Related: I Interviewed 5 Entrepreneurs Generating Up to $20 Million in Revenue a Year — And They All Have the Same Regret About Starting Their Business

    Sims notes that there will be plenty of obstacles along the way, but she encourages anyone interested in learning appliance repair to stay the course — because “it’s a very rewarding career and business.”

    This article is part of our ongoing Women Entrepreneur® series highlighting the stories, challenges and triumphs of running a business as a woman.

    Moniqueca Sims, owner of SSG Appliance Academy, got her first glimpse into the appliance repair industry while dating a man who worked in the space. “He worked all the time, seven days a week,” Sims recalls, “so I used to go out with him just to spend time with him. I saw how easy it was for him to repair those appliances, and he was repairing them quickly.”

    Image Credit: Courtesy of SSG Appliance Academy. Moniqueca Sims.

    The rest of this article is locked.

    Join Entrepreneur+ today for access.

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    Amanda Breen

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  • Why I Make Time for Lunch With Someone New Every Day | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Your network is your net worth. Heard that before? I’ve said it for years because I’ve lived it. The right connection can change your life. The right introduction can change your business.

    The problem is that most people think networking means working the room, shaking 50 hands and walking out with a stack of business cards. I used to think that too — until I realized the most valuable connections happen one-on-one.

    That’s where Lunch with Legends came from.

    Every weekday, I have lunch with someone new. Sometimes it’s an investor. Sometimes it’s a founder. Sometimes it’s a friend of a friend I’m meeting for the first time when they slide into the booth. The goal isn’t to pitch. It’s not to sell. It’s to connect because everyone’s happier with good food and good company.

    Related: The 10 Commandments of Networking You Need to Know

    Why meals are the secret weapon

    Meetings are formal. Lunch is real. At lunch, no one’s watching the clock. No one’s hiding behind slides or an agenda. Food slows you down.

    That’s when you get the truth. You hear about the deal they’re chasing. The challenge they can’t solve. The goal they’ve been sitting on because they don’t know where to start.

    I’ve learned more over a plate of tacos than I ever have at a conference table.

    How it started

    When I was starting in real estate, I worked networking events like it was my job — because it was. I’d collect a pile of business cards, follow up with everyone, etc. One day, someone told me, “Forget the crowd. Take one person to lunch.”

    It clicked. The best connections are personal, not rushed.

    That first lunch turned into a connection that shifted my career. Not because I asked for anything, but because we built trust through conversation.

    Since then, Lunch with Legends has been my daily habit. Networking isn’t about keeping score. It’s about showing up ready to help. Instead of leading with, “Here’s what I do,” I ask, “What’s on your plate — literally and figuratively — and how can I help?”

    That changes everything.

    • People remember you, not as “the guy from lunch” but as the person who introduced them to their next hire or shared an idea that unlocked a solution.
    • The conversation flows. You’re not pitching. You’re listening.
    • Opportunities come back around. When you help without expecting anything, your name comes up in rooms you’re not even in.

    What it looks like in practice

    Last week, I had lunch with people in completely different industries. None of them were “prospects” in the traditional sense. But in every conversation, I found a way to connect them to someone else who could help. A manufacturer. A mentor. A friend.

    I didn’t have to force those opportunities. They came up naturally because I was paying attention.

    Related: This ‘Lumberjack Strategy’ Helps Me Find New Clients Quickly — and With Way Less Effort

    How to host your own Lunch With Legends

    You don’t need a big title or a fancy budget. You need consistency.

    • One lunch. One new person. Every weekday. Could be a friend-of-a-friend, a young professional looking for guidance or someone you’ve been meaning to meet.
    • Keep it casual. You will see me at the same five places. I have my rotation down. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
    • Listen more than you talk. People will tell you what they need if you give them space.
    • Follow up with value. If you can help, do it right away.

    The selfie rule

    Every Lunch with Legends ends with a selfie. It’s not about ego. It’s about memory. That photo is a bookmark. Months later, I can scroll back and remember, ‘Oh yeah, she was looking for a podcast producer. I know someone now.’

    It’s a fun ritual that makes the moment feel intentional, and it keeps the connection alive.

    Networking is a long play. Not every lunch needs to turn into a deal. Some people I’ve met only once. Others have become friends, partners or clients years later. The value comes from showing up consistently, building trust and connecting people. That’s how your network grows in both size and strength.

    Why food works for networking

    There’s something about a shared meal that breaks barriers fast.

    When you eat with someone, you’re both just people deciding between fries or salad. It’s human. It’s disarming. It sets the stage for a real conversation instead of a surface-level exchange.

    That’s why Lunch with Legends works. It turns networking into something people actually look forward to. Who doesn’t want to break bread and learn something? It’s worth it every time.

    It’s your move

    Think of one person you’ve been meaning to meet. Invite them to lunch this week.

    Don’t overthink it. Don’t make it about what you need. Make it about showing up, asking good questions and leaving them better than you found them.

    And yes — selfie required.

    Your network is your net worth. Heard that before? I’ve said it for years because I’ve lived it. The right connection can change your life. The right introduction can change your business.

    The problem is that most people think networking means working the room, shaking 50 hands and walking out with a stack of business cards. I used to think that too — until I realized the most valuable connections happen one-on-one.

    That’s where Lunch with Legends came from.

    The rest of this article is locked.

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    Rogers Healy

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  • Co-founders of Stakt on Starting a Side Hustle Earning $10M in 2025 | Entrepreneur

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    This Side Hustle Spotlight Q&A features New York City-based friends and co-founders Millie Blumka, 31, and Taylor Borenstein, 31. The pair started a side hustle in 2021 called Stakt, an adaptable workout accessories brand.

    Blumka was a director of brand partnerships at Showfields and Borenstein was a product implementation manager at Bloomberg when they invested about $50,000 of their personal savings into the business. The co-founders have since grown it from a two-person operation to a lucrative business on track for $10 million in revenue in 2025 as it scales across Amazon, DTC and B2B.

    Read exactly how they did it, here.

    Image Credit: Courtesy of Stakt. Taylor Borenstein, left, and Millie Blumka, right.

    Responses have been edited for length and clarity.

    When did you start your side hustle, and where did you find the inspiration for it?
    Blumka and Borenstein: We had the idea for Stakt back in 2020 when home workouts became the norm and our old yoga mats just weren’t cutting it. We needed more support and versatility for the variety of workouts we were doing like sculpt and pilates, and we couldn’t find a mat that could keep up. We found inspiration through our own personal need and noticing many trainers we looked up to were rolling their mat in half to get extra support…we knew there had to be a better way.

    Related: This Couple’s ‘Scrappy’ Side Hustle Sold Out in 1 Weekend — It Hit $1 Million in 3 Years and Now Makes Millions Annually: ‘Lean But Powerful’

    What were some of the first steps you took to get your side hustle off the ground? How much money/investment did it take to launch?
    Blumka and Borenstein:     Neither of us had started a business before, let alone created a product, so the first step was a lot of networking. We spoke with friends of friends to try to understand how you even go about creating a product. We also did a lot of surveying to understand if this was an “us” problem or if other people were struggling with this, too. We each invested $25,000 of our own savings to get the business off the ground and have invested profits ever since.

    Image Credit: Courtesy of Stakt

    If you could go back in your business journey and change one process or approach, what would it be, and how do you wish you’d done it differently?
    Blumka:     If I could go back, I’d probably establish our lanes much earlier. In the beginning, we both tried to touch everything and be hands on for every aspect of the business. Once we defined who owned what, things became so much smoother. Having those roles in place earlier would have saved us a lot of time.

    Borenstein: I probably would have hired customer service support sooner, as we spent a lot of our time on customer experience when we could have spent it building the business.

    Related: These Friends Started a Side Hustle in Their Kitchens. Sales Spiked to $130,000 in 3 Days — Then 7 Figures: ‘Revenue Has Grown Consistently.’

    When it comes to this specific business, what is something you’ve found particularly challenging and/or surprising that people who get into this type of work should be prepared for, but likely aren’t?
    Borenstein:     Before starting a consumer brand, I had always thought, How hard could it be if you have a good product? It turns out the product is just the first step: Growing a business takes a ton of discipline, hard work, networking and efforts across all verticals to really make it successful.

    Image Credit: Courtesy of Stakt

    Can you recall a specific instance when something went very wrong — how did you fix it?
    Blumka:     We once had an entire container of inventory arrive damaged, and we didn’t feel comfortable selling it. Instead, we donated the mats to local organizations and used them for community events. It left us out of stock for a while, so we leaned on pre-orders and reframed the challenge as a marketing opportunity.

    How long did it take you to see consistent monthly revenue? How much did the side hustle earn?
    Blumka:     We didn’t pay ourselves until we decided it was time to make Stakt our full-time jobs instead of just a side hustle.

    Borenstein: It took about a year before things leveled out and we saw consistent monthly revenue. For the first year, there were good months, great months and bad months — eventually it became more consistent and easier to predict.

    Related: At 24, She Immigrated to the U.S. and Worked at Walmart. Then She Turned Savings Into a ‘Magic’ Side Hustle Surpassing $1 Million This Year.

    What does growth and revenue look like now?
    Blumka and Borenstein:     We are on track to do $10 million in revenue this year — doubling what we did in 2024.

    Image Credit: Courtesy of Stakt

    What do you enjoy most about running your business?
    Blumka:     The combination of creativity and community. I love taking an idea and turning it into something people genuinely connect with. That said, the real reward is seeing our products out in the wild, with people actually using and loving them. Building community around movement and wellness has been the most fulfilling part. Plus, doing it alongside my best friend is the biggest bonus.

    Borenstein: At some point, this truly stopped feeling like work. Stakt is an extension of me and my family, and every day I get to work with my best friend and my husband (whom we hired last year). I love that I can make my own schedule, my hard work is rewarded with the growth of my own business, I meet awesome people, and I get the opportunity to design new products and see them come to life.

    “Chaos is part of the journey.”

    Based on your journey so far, what’s your best advice for aspiring founders?
    Blumka:     There will never be a perfect time, perfect product or perfect plan, but you have to start somewhere. There will always be a reason to wait, but the real progress starts once you launch. This is when you can adapt, learn and grow.

    Borenstein: Everyone will have advice, but trust your gut — there’s no single playbook. And remember, no one has it all figured out; the chaos is part of the journey.

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

    This Side Hustle Spotlight Q&A features New York City-based friends and co-founders Millie Blumka, 31, and Taylor Borenstein, 31. The pair started a side hustle in 2021 called Stakt, an adaptable workout accessories brand.

    Blumka was a director of brand partnerships at Showfields and Borenstein was a product implementation manager at Bloomberg when they invested about $50,000 of their personal savings into the business. The co-founders have since grown it from a two-person operation to a lucrative business on track for $10 million in revenue in 2025 as it scales across Amazon, DTC and B2B.

    Read exactly how they did it, here.

    The rest of this article is locked.

    Join Entrepreneur+ today for access.

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    Amanda Breen

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  • This Trillion-Dollar Industry Is Where You Need to Look For Your Next Investment — Here’s Why | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Here’s the uncomfortable truth: Most founders are still chasing yesterday’s markets. They’re building tools for productivity, or consumer apps that feel safe and familiar. Meanwhile, a new generation of companies is tackling the most universal customer need on earth — more years of energy, clarity and performance.

    This isn’t wellness 2.0. This is the redefinition of healthcare, insurance, consumer products and even food. By 2030, the longevity economy will be worth an estimated $27 trillion globally. For business leaders, this represents a once-in-a-generation category: It touches everyone, enables recurring revenues and rewards those who build early.

    The real question is simple: Will you profit from it — or watch from the sidelines?

    Related: Why Personal Health and Wellness Are Key to Business Longevity

    Why longevity is the next Gold Rush

    For decades, healthcare has focused on treating disease. Wellness became a $5 trillion global industry filled with supplements, wearables and green juices. But now, the shift is toward healthspan — the years we spend in peak physical and mental condition.

    The customer demand is obvious:

    • Aging populations: By 2034, the U.S. will have more people over 65 than 18. Globally, one in six people will be over 60 by 2030. That’s not just demographics — that’s a new consumer majority.
    • Rising costs: Chronic diseases and mental health conditions already account for 90% of U.S. healthcare spending. Businesses and insurers are desperate for solutions that prevent rather than patch.
    • Spending power: The 50+ population already controls more than half of global consumer spending, yet most innovation still chases Gen Z. That’s a blind spot waiting to be exploited.
    • Cultural momentum: From CEOs like Bryan Johnson spending millions on “biological age reversal” to mainstream adoption of WHOOP and Oura, longevity has gone from fringe to aspirational.

    Here’s the point: Longevity is no longer about lab coats and science journals. It’s becoming a consumer status symbol, a corporate necessity and a national policy issue all at once. That convergence creates rocket fuel for entrepreneurs bold enough to enter.

    Who’s leading the charge

    Look at where the smartest money is already flowing:

    • Altos Labs, backed by Jeff Bezos, is pursuing cellular reprogramming to reverse ageing itself.
    • Thorne HealthTech is scaling biological age testing and personalized supplementation.
    • Deep-tech startups are building senolytics (compounds that clear damaged cells), NAD+ boosters and precision nutrition platforms.
    • Consumer brands are reframing skincare, fitness and even food around “cellular longevity.”

    And it’s not just startups. Apple and Amazon are both quietly moving into health monitoring and prevention — because they know the next trillion-dollar market won’t be social feeds, it will be life itself.

    These aren’t small plays. In 2024, longevity startups attracted $8.5 billion in funding — a 220% year-over-year increase. And yet, compared to fintech or AI, this category is still underfunded. That means the window is wide open.

    Related: How Entrepreneurs Can Achieve Longevity

    Where entrepreneurs can enter

    You don’t need to be a biotech scientist to build here. In fact, some of the biggest near-term opportunities are business-model plays, not lab breakthroughs:

    • Data + AI platforms: Democratize access to advanced diagnostics, biomarket testing or personalized health programs. Think of it as “Mint.com for your biology.”
    • Longevity as a service: Subscription models for supplements, recovery protocols or wearables that create sticky, recurring revenue.
    • Talent and corporate healthspan: Companies will pay for healthier, sharper employees. Expect corporate packages for executive resilience, employee energy optimisation and “longevity perks.”
    • Consumer rebrands: Skincare, nutrition and fitness companies are already pivoting around the language of healthspan to differentiate. I’ve already invested in this space myself: Under my brand Rejna, I’m launching a skincare collection called Rejuvenate, built around the concept of “skinspan” — positioning skin health as a core pillar of longevity, not just cosmetics. It’s a live example of how consumer brands can reframe their value proposition to align with the longevity revolution.
    • Longevity communities: Hybrid digital + physical hubs offering programs, recovery lounges and memberships designed for the new aspirational class: the longevity customer.

    Translation for business leaders: You don’t need a lab. You need vision, distribution and the courage to build for where the market is going, not where it’s been.

    How business leaders can act now

    1. Educate yourself and your team. Follow longevity leaders (David Sinclair, Peter Diamandis and Laura Deming to name a few). Subscribe to longevity reports. Send your team to a longevity summit.
    2. Identity synergies with your business. Whether you’re in food, beauty, insurance, HR or data, there’s a longevity angle. If you’re not thinking about it, your competitors will.
    3. Start small, scale fast. Launch a pilot offering: corporate wellness with a longevity spin, a subscription recovery service or a data product built on wearable integration. Test, learn and scale.
    4. Position for partnerships. Big pharma, insurers and consumer brands will need agile partners. If you’re early, you’ll be the acquisition target, not the disrupted.
    5. Signal the story. Investors and employees back vision. Frame your longevity play as part of a bigger comeback or market-defining narrative. The story matters as much as the science.

    Related: Why Top Entrepreneurs Are Swapping Beach Vacations for Longevity Retreats

    The bigger picture

    Longevity isn’t about living forever. It’s about compressing the years of illness, fatigue and decline — and extending the years of vitality, clarity and purpose.

    The smartest entrepreneurs understand this isn’t just science, it’s strategy. It’s the chance to build the companies that will define the next decade of human health — and make fortunes doing it.

    The next trillion-dollar industry won’t just help us live longer. It will help us live better. The only question is: Are you building for it now, or waiting until it’s too late?

    Here’s the uncomfortable truth: Most founders are still chasing yesterday’s markets. They’re building tools for productivity, or consumer apps that feel safe and familiar. Meanwhile, a new generation of companies is tackling the most universal customer need on earth — more years of energy, clarity and performance.

    This isn’t wellness 2.0. This is the redefinition of healthcare, insurance, consumer products and even food. By 2030, the longevity economy will be worth an estimated $27 trillion globally. For business leaders, this represents a once-in-a-generation category: It touches everyone, enables recurring revenues and rewards those who build early.

    The real question is simple: Will you profit from it — or watch from the sidelines?

    The rest of this article is locked.

    Join Entrepreneur+ today for access.

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    Rejna Alaaldin

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  • Average Ages to Make 6 Figures, Buy a House, Save for Retirement | Entrepreneur

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    There’s no age limit when it comes to achieving significant financial milestones, but many people envision checking them off their list by a certain point in their lives.

    Unfortunately, these days, amid high costs of living and economic uncertainty, most U.S. adults fall short of wealth-building goals: 77% say they aren’t completely financially secure, according to Bankrate’s Financial Freedom survey.

    How old should you really be to land that dream job, start saving for retirement, earn six figures or buy your first home?

    Related: Rewire Your Brain to Reach Money Goals With This Simple Exercise From a Former J.P. Morgan Retirement Executive

    New research from Empower set out to answer those questions and explore how Americans navigate money milestones today.

    Although just 17% believe people should hit financial milestones by a specific age, 44% are glad they achieved them when they did, per the report.

    On average, Americans think you should start saving for retirement at 27, land your dream job at 29, buy your first home at 30 and earn six figures by 35, according to the research. Respondents also reported hoping to be debt-free at 41 and to retire at 58.

    About half of Americans (45%) wish they’d saved money earlier and with more consistency in order to prepare for life’s big changes, the study found.

    Related: Make Your Money Manage Itself — How to Automate Your Personal Finances and Keep Your Goals on Track

    After planning for retirement and becoming a homeowner, Americans see several life events as significant wealth-building opportunities: investing in stocks (34%), investing in education (26%), changing career paths (21%), getting married (19%) and starting a business (19%).

    Nearly one-third of respondents said they realized the value of having a financial plan or working with a financial planner after meeting a life milestone.

    “For all ages, it’s important to talk to an advisor who can help create a tailored path specific to your financial goals and set you up for a realistic retirement lifestyle,” Stacey Black, lead financial educator at Boeing Employees Credit Union (BECU), told Entrepreneur last year.

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

    There’s no age limit when it comes to achieving significant financial milestones, but many people envision checking them off their list by a certain point in their lives.

    Unfortunately, these days, amid high costs of living and economic uncertainty, most U.S. adults fall short of wealth-building goals: 77% say they aren’t completely financially secure, according to Bankrate’s Financial Freedom survey.

    How old should you really be to land that dream job, start saving for retirement, earn six figures or buy your first home?

    The rest of this article is locked.

    Join Entrepreneur+ today for access.

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    Amanda Breen

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  • 6 Ways to Downsize & Simplify Your Life

    6 Ways to Downsize & Simplify Your Life

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    Anyone who is active on the internet has heard the phrase, “TikTok made me buy it.”

    And…many of us can directly relate to this saying.

    I can’t count the number of times I’ve been up late at night scrolling through TikTok, only to turn to Amazon to buy something that was definitely going to change my life. Most of the items I’ve ended up with have been returned, a handful of orders were canceled the next morning when I was out of my state of exhaustion, and actually, not one thing comes to mind that I still have and use on a regular basis.

    Considering how easy it is to impulse buy online for instant gratification and have whatever we want on our doorstep the next day, people often end up living beyond their means–or spending more money than they earn.

    Living in a society that is driven by consumerism is nothing new. Many believe that each person is defined by their possessions, so no wonder people dig themselves into credit card debt to get the biggest house, the fanciest car, and the most expensive clothes. If one can only derive a sense of self-value through the material possessions they have, and believe that the things they own determine their quality of life, they’re likely to ignore some of the more important aspects of life—like their mental and physical health.

    This is a continuous process until you understand that your quality of life actually depends on the amount of control you command over your circumstances, and how much you value your current situation.

    But possessions and material goods aren’t the only thing that people tend to crowd their lives with. We all encounter unnecessary demands from juggling work with family and relationships, personal and professional development, and staying in the loop with worldly affairs. Also, there are distractions that we all face such as social media, technology, entertainment, trends, etc.

    By downsizing and simplifying your life, you can clear out what isn’t meaningful and make your life richer and more fulfilling. So, in this article, we are going to look at 6 ways you can weed through the chaos and come out with a clean, valuable life.

    But first, let’s look at the benefits of downsizing and simplifying your life.

    Why Should You Downsize and Simplify Your Life?

    When you downsize your life, you’re not just purging your belongings, you’re actually shifting your values. As you make decisions about things and determine if they are worth maintaining in a smaller space, you need to determine what role it all plays in your life. Through the process of determining if each component of your life is worthy of owning some time and space, you’ll see that you’re not just gaining space, but also adjusting to a new mindset.

    The end goal of downsizing is to be able to slow down and have enough capacity to focus solely on the things that you truly value and limit any distractions. When you’re able to embrace a simpler life, you’re able to live by the motto that “less is more” and recognize that the excess “stuff” in your life doesn’t offer any meaning or significance.

    The space that you have–whether that’s the amount of space in your home or in your schedule–is a matter of perspective. The more clutter you have, the more difficult it is to be efficient with how you use your time and space. Downsizing can help optimize any room that you have to work with.

    When you simplify your life, you can begin to experience the joys of living with a purpose and for yourself versus living for other people. You will learn that value is created in how you experience life rather than through possessions. Furthermore, when your space is cleared , it leads to a greater peace of mind, less fogginess, and greater ease in performing tasks.

    No matter how you’ve come to the decision to simplify your life, these tips will help you through the process. Downsizing won’t happen overnight, but with both intention and effort, you will be able to create a life that has less clutter and more value. Let’s take a look at how.

    6 Ways to Downsize and Simplify Your Life

    1. Determine Your Why

    You need to have a motivating reason behind downsizing your life to make the work worth the effort. You don’t want to set yourself up for potential failure before you’re able to reap the benefits of living a simpler life. Taking the time to explore your intentions behind this project will allow you to evaluate how different your life can look and what you need to do to get there.

    Achieving the dream of living a clutter-free life will take dedication, and motivation is a key factor for success. Why is this process meaningful to you? What does the end look like to you? These are important questions to consider before getting started.

    2. Stop Adding

    If your goal is to downsize, it can be assumed that your life is already crowded and you have more than you need, so putting a stop to the influx is helpful. There are two things you need to do to stop adding things to your life– learn how to say no, and reduce your shopping habits.

    If you have a tendency to be a people pleaser, it can be hard to say no when asked to take on more plans and responsibilities in your life. But by learning how to say no, you can stop adding things into your already-packed schedule and free up some time to do the things that you really want to do.

    how to downsize and simplify your life | downsizing and starting over | how to downsize your bedroom
    If your goal is to downsize, it can be assumed that your life is already crowded and you have more than you need.

    The clutter in your home is your main barrier to downsizing. To make the downsizing process easier, you need to reduce your shopping habits and avoid any temptation to impulse buy. To help you makeover your shopping habits, try to implement a spending freeze. This will help you identify where you’re unnecessarily spending money, which will benefit you financially once you’re living your simpler life.

    Here are some tips for not adding any more junk into your life:

    • Clean out your junk drawer and keep it clean
    • Delete one app and don’t download any more
    • Don’t look for a new show to binge– instead, do something more meaningful with your time
    • Create a “donate” pile– and don’t bring anything new into the house without sending at least two things out

    3. Declutter

    Make a plan that you can maintain for decluttering your living space. Start with considering the big things by making a list of the furniture you need and comparing it to the furniture that you have. Then purge duplicates of anything you own, unless you find the items to be valuable or you use them frequently. Let go of anything that you have but don’t love or find useful so you can create more free space in your life.

    Get rid of backup or “just in case” items that you’re unsure of when you’ll use, as these items are just wasting space. Also, consider purging any collections you may have gathered over the years–especially if it is something that you’re not passionate about anymore.

    Paper can quickly create clutter, so digitizing your life can help you get more out of your space and help you save time when you’re looking for a specific document. Try to eliminate paper from coming into your house as much as possible, like mail, coupons, newspapers, and magazines.

    And when it comes to freeing up space in your life elsewhere? Try these tips on decluttering your mind. If you can reduce the amount of worry and chaos in your life, you will feel much more free to reallocate that time to doing something more valuable. 

    4. Be Decisive

    Once you get it in your mind that you want to downsize, you need to be relentless about what “makes the cut” into your life. When these decisions get hard, just imagine yourself achieving your end goal.

    If an item isn’t used regularly and it doesn’t bring you a sense of joy, then you can make an informed decision regarding keeping it or tossing it. Keep your goals in mind, and your ability to decide will stay clear.

    Take One Thing Off Your Calendar

    You may instantly know something that you want to take off your calendar–and it’s probably good to go with your gut so you don’t start making excuses for why you have to keep everything you have scheduled. And while you can’t easily scratch off every commitment that you have, this is a good starting point.

    Start by looking at last month’s calendar. What did you do that, in hindsight, was a waste of time or took way too long? Or maybe you see something that you really didn’t enjoy doing. When you identify that commitment, make a plan for how to remove it from your calendar for good.

    Some things may take more than an email or phone call to remove from your schedule, but getting the process started to gracefully bow out will help you move one step closer to being happier.

    5. Automate Your Savings

    Simplifying your finances can help you simplify a lot of other areas of your life. By saving money automatically every month, you can reduce stress and worry less about where each of your paychecks is going. Some of the best benefits of automating your savings are:

    • Creating (and growing) an emergency fund
    • Reduce stress about how much you’re spending throughout the month
    • Create a savings account strictly for vacations
    • Avoid guilt from spending instead of saving
    • One less thing to keep track of

    Consider opening a high-yield savings account so your money can work for you while it’s tucked away.

    6. Maintain Your New Lifestyle

    Could you imagine having a quick daily cleaning routine that could help keep your home and schedule clean? You will want to do your routine often enough to stay clutter-free, but not so often that you drive yourself crazy with the amount of time you’re spending.

    how to downsize your belongings | decluttering a lifetime of belongings | how to downsize your homehow to downsize your belongings | decluttering a lifetime of belongings | how to downsize your home
    Downsizing requires a continued change in your habits.

    Downsizing isn’t something you can do once and be done with it. It requires a continued change in your habits. So while you may have a large initial purge that will help cut down on cleaning time in the future, maintaining a new routine will simplify your life even more.

    When it comes to simplifying your life, a great place to start is with social media. We consume a lot on social media—both good and bad. One tip is to unfollow anyone who…

    • Is constantly being negative or ranting
    • Is impeding you from living your best life
    • Aren’t in your life anymore

    Just call it quits with these folks. Chances are, you don’t talk to them in real life, so why do you need pics of their post-workout breakfast?

    Quality vs. Quantity

    This applies to everything in your life: goods, services, relationships, experiences, etc. For the things that are cluttering your space, to make your money last longer, invest in that slightly more expensive product. This will reduce the chances that the item will quickly break or need to be replaced. The truth is that you can stretch your dollar farther when you invest in quality pieces versus buying things in bulk. Yes, it is more of an upfront investment, but it provides long-term savings.

    Start by doing your homework and researching brands that are reliable and consistently create high-quality products. Don’t just look for a familiar brand name, read customer reviews to find out which products come highly recommended by actual consumers.

    Also, if you go the extra mile and actually downsize your living space, you will have no choice but to focus on quality over quantity. When you focus on quantity, especially when it’s cheaply made, achieving a good return on your investment will be tough because you won’t have the required storage space to maintain all of your extra things.

    Don’t waste your time or money by purchasing cheap things. Also, consider using one item for two things. For example, you could use your collapsible computer desk as a TV tray for meals, which can eliminate your need for an extra side table in the room.

    Focusing on quality over quantity will help you invest in fewer things, therefore simplifying your home.

    Final Thoughts on Ways to Downsize & Simplify Your Life

    In this article, we reviewed 6 tips you can use when you’re trying to downsize and simplify your life. You may notice that a lot of the tips laid out in this article will overlap each other, so by simplifying one area of your life, you can help simplify the others.

    Whether you’re trying to simplify because of life’s circumstances or just because you want less on your plate, these tips will help you remove some stress and responsibility from your life and allow you to have more time to do the things that are the most valuable to you.

    And if you’re not certain about what you value, check out these worksheets to help you identify the things in life that you find to be the most valuable.

    Connie Mathers is a professional editor and freelance writer. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing and a Master’s Degree in Social Work. When she is not writing, Connie is either spending time with her daughter and two dogs, running, or working at her full-time job as a social worker in Richmond, VA.

    Discover practical tips and inspiring ideas to streamline your living space and embrace a minimalist lifestyle. Learn how downsizing can help reduce stress, increase happiness, and give you more time to focus on what truly matters.Minimalist Living | Declutter Home | Simplify Life | Downsize Tips | Organize Space | Reduce Stress | Minimalism | Simple Living | Minimalist LifestyleDiscover practical tips and inspiring ideas to streamline your living space and embrace a minimalist lifestyle. Learn how downsizing can help reduce stress, increase happiness, and give you more time to focus on what truly matters.Minimalist Living | Declutter Home | Simplify Life | Downsize Tips | Organize Space | Reduce Stress | Minimalism | Simple Living | Minimalist Lifestyle

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    Connie Stemmle

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  • How Accountability Fuels Personal and Professional Growth | Entrepreneur

    How Accountability Fuels Personal and Professional Growth | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    “[He/she/they] that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else.” — Benjamin Franklin

    “The [person] who complains about the way the ball bounces is likely to be the one who dropped it.” — Lou Holtz

    “Wisdom stems from personal accountability. We all make mistakes; own them…learn from them. Don’t throw away the lesson by blaming others.” — Steve Maraboli

    Early on in my career, I made mistakes. Lots of them. It wasn’t out of malice or intent, it was simply a lack of experience. In everyone’s career and personal life, they are going to make mistakes. It’s part of the learning process and, quite frankly, the only way you are assured to eventually succeed. Truthfully though, it’s not the mistakes that matter. It is how you react to them. Your inner monologue, without fail, will tell you to explain yourself, to place blame and to minimize your participation — the goal being to limit the damage and walk away unscathed. I will let you in on a little secret: This is the worst thing you can do.

    Related: 3 Ways Owning Your Mistakes Will Make You Powerful

    Saying you’re sorry is hard, necessary … and important

    How many times in the past week, month or year can you remember saying “I’m sorry” to someone for something you have done? What was the reaction? There are simply very limited angry responses to someone who genuinely and reflectively says “I’m sorry.” It establishes remorse, but also acknowledgement. An acknowledgement of the failure. An acknowledgement of the action. An acknowledgement of the poor outcome. And remorse for the same. It can instantly mend relationships and allow you to move forward and progress. It also diffuses the situation.

    Trying to explain will only exacerbate the problem

    In contrast, attempting to explain away your failures invites the exact opposite reaction. Every time you explain why something wasn’t your fault, it’s easier to demonstrate why it was. Every time you place the blame on someone else, it opens the door for a more direct critique of your actions. Additionally, I think you will find that every time your deflections are redirected your way, they will get more intense, more angry and more likely to personally impact you in an adverse way.

    Saying you’re sorry is exercising personal accountability and demonstrating strength. Blaming others is just opening a window into your weakness.

    Personal accountability is, however, very difficult. It requires you to look at yourself critically. It requires you to stare failures in the face and ask yourself how and why they happened. It requires you to improve. Deflecting, on the other hand, simply requires you to make an excuse, whether truthful or not. There is no reflection necessary, simply an overwhelming desire to bury the problem and to move on. The problem is, you will likely move on to your next failure because, without critical reflection, you simply aren’t driving yourself to improve.

    Related: Are You Sabotaging Your Success by Blaming Others?

    There are simple, yet critical, ways you can practice personal accountability

    So, how do you turn these ambiguous theses into action? There are a number of ways:

    • In everything you do, take pride and put in effort: If you don’t care or you’re going to half-ass the assignment, find something else to do, whether it’s a personal project or professional one. The only way to consistently avoid failure is to put all of you into the things you do. Pride shows. Laziness and listlessness do as well.

    • Ask for feedback and embrace the negative: Everyone wants to go into a review and hear nothing but accolades. And, quite frankly, for your boss, it’s easier to highlight the good than lament the bad. Because of this, there is often a failure of leadership as well during these meetings. It’s great to hear what you’ve done well, but it’s absolutely necessary to learn what you have not. Before any feedback session ends, you must ask, “What can I do better?” The answer will never be “nothing,” and you will improve because of it.

    • Look critically at your work: Step outside yourself and ask, “If I was someone else, would I be impressed by this?” This is hard reflectivity. That said, if you put pride and effort into your work, you’ll likely answer the question with a resounding “yes.”

    • Never blame others: Let’s remove issues of unfair bias and/or personal vendettas. The truth is, if blame is being laid at your feet, you likely had something to do with it. Accept and embrace the responsibility. Say you’re sorry. Promise to improve. And then go improve. I promise you there is going to be some discomfort when you do this. I also promise the discomfort will be shorter and less painful than it will if you start deflecting the blame, even if it is warranted.

    • Trust others and be a good person: When you trust others and treat others well, you will find you’re not alone when mistakes are made, and you will rarely be the object of blame from those who don’t practice personal accountability.

    • Learn from those around you who are personally accountable and ignore those who aren’t: Becoming personally accountable is difficult. But the best of those around you will show you the way. They will be the leaders in your professional environment. Emulate them. Ask them questions. And when you see those consistently casting blame and trying to absolve themselves of their mistakes, ignore them. They won’t be around long.

    Related: The Real Reason You Struggle With Accountability — and What You Can Do to Master It

    I’ll be honest, maybe it’s that I’m getting old, but it seems unequivocal to me that personal accountability is decreasing. Maybe in this digital age and with the increase in remote work, it’s just easier to be dismissive and hide your mistakes. But “getting away with something” isn’t really getting away with something. Karma is real, and I think you’ll find that it comes back around with a vengeance. In contrast, exercising personal accountability will almost always land you in good stead. I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my career, and I can say, unequivocally, it is only because I’ve failed that I have succeeded.

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    Collin Williams

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  • Heartache Prevention via Valuable Relationship Lessons (22 GIFs)

    Heartache Prevention via Valuable Relationship Lessons (22 GIFs)

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    We all want to find our person, but it ain’t easy.

    In fact, sometimes it feels damn near impossible.

    How do you know you’re with the right partner? If things don’t seem to be working, should you walk away or try harder? What can you live with, and what are your dealbreakers?

    One Redditor asked, “What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned from a relationship?” and the responses might be just what you need to hear to save yourself some heartache.

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    Laura Lee

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  • Introvert Warren Buffett Reveals Secret to Public Speaking | Entrepreneur

    Introvert Warren Buffett Reveals Secret to Public Speaking | Entrepreneur

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    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.

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    Amanda Breen

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  • 5 Work Ethic Lessons Entrepreneurs Can Learn From Elite Athletes | Entrepreneur

    5 Work Ethic Lessons Entrepreneurs Can Learn From Elite Athletes | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Anyone who has found success as an athlete will tell you that sport teaches lessons that go far beyond the playing field. If you’re looking to succeed in the competitive business environment, there may be no better models than champion athletes. What is it that allows these individuals to achieve greatness? What makes someone a winner? There’s not a single answer. Rather, it’s a combination of things. We’re sharing five of them here. If you follow these lessons, you’ll be poised for a championship in the business world.

    Related: 4 Productivity Tips from Extreme Athletes That Will Make Your Business Stronger

    Show supreme confidence

    Champions have a robust belief in themselves and their ability to succeed. Importantly, this does not mean they expect the journey to be easy. Most things worth having require tremendous effort. Champion athletes devote “blood, sweat and tears” in pursuit of excellence, and they’re willing to make the sacrifice because they know it will pay off. Self-doubters abandon the journey when it gets too hard or when they encounter a few obstacles. Champions persevere because they believe in themselves to the core. This stout self-confidence becomes self-fulfilling. When you fully believe you’ll win if you keep on grinding, you’ll out-grind your less confident competitors. Supreme confidence leads to supreme effort, and supreme effort leads to success.

    Like a champion athlete, a winning entrepreneur stays committed when things are tough. Tomorrow’s industry leaders are those who will continue to refine their current pitches and marketing strategies as many times as it takes to reach a breakthrough. They will not be deterred by rejection but rather will learn from it, make adjustments, and come back stronger. This willingness to learn and improve, in fact, is another defining feature of champions.

    Always look to improve

    Champion athletes, while supremely confident, also possess enough humility to know they always have room to learn and grow. When they take a loss, they review the game film to identify the mistakes they’ve made and see where they need to adjust for the next time. Even when they win, they look at what they could have done better. They also seek input from others. When a coach points out a flaw in their technique, they’re receptive to the feedback and incorporate it into their training. They also look to teammates and even to opponents to learn what others are doing well.

    As an entrepreneur, if you lose out on a deal or find a competitor holding a larger share of your targeted market, then look at what they are doing to succeed. Be open to learning and humble enough to seek help from others. Champions are usually their own harshest critics, and their high standards drive them to keep improving. So even when you have some successes, continue looking to level up.

    Focus on what you can control

    Champions do everything they can to control the variables involved in their sport. Knowing that they can’t fully control the outcome, they go all-in on what they can control, including attitude, effort, and preparation. Entrepreneurs ought to do the same by analyzing their markets, rehearsing presentations multiple times, and scouting both their competition and their potential customers. If you’re meeting with a client, study them ahead of time so you can anticipate the questions they may ask and have impressive answers prepared. Be obsessive about your preparation.

    A corollary to this lesson is focusing your post-hoc explanations on what you can – or could have – controlled. After a tough loss, champions do not blame the referee. Instead, they look at what they could have done differently so the referee’s calls would not have mattered. As an entrepreneur, be cautious of attributing bad results to luck or of claiming things weren’t fair. When you do so, you lose motivation to make adjustments for next time. Instead, follow a champion’s lead and know there’s always something you could have done better.

    Improvise when needed

    Even as champions focus on what they can control, they also recognize that they can’t control everything. Rarely does something go exactly as planned, and the best performers adapt and improvise. Something can always go wrong, and rather than panicking when it does, winners stay confident and make the needed adjustments. Thus, even as you work to control what you can embrace the uncertainty of your sport – or your business, as the case may be.

    Related: 5 Lessons Entrepreneurs Can Learn from Pro Sports Teams

    Be flexible

    You may have noticed that the lessons described above hold some contradictions. Champions have supreme confidence yet also believe they need to get better. They also focus on what they can control while accepting they can’t control everything. Thus, another key to success is adapting your mindset based on the situation at hand. Champions have the mental flexibility to do so seamlessly. Rather than looking for a recipe to follow every time, they embrace the fluidity required to succeed consistently.

    This willingness to adapt – to possess an unfixed mindset – is the main premise of the book Extreme Balance: Paradoxical Principles That Make You a Champion, published by Entrepreneur Press. This volume, which I have co-authored with champion athlete and coach Ben Askren and successful business leader Joe De Sena, describes how various champions balance contradictory principles to succeed in their respective sports. It includes chapters such as “Thinking You’re Good Enough and Thinking You’re Never Good Enough,” and “Preparing for Everything and Expecting the Unexpected.” These sections expand upon the lessons described here – and many others – in greater depth. If you want to be a champion entrepreneur, it’s a great resource to help get you there.

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    David Sacks

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  • How to Teach Kids About Money and Set Them Up for Success | Entrepreneur

    How to Teach Kids About Money and Set Them Up for Success | Entrepreneur

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    Although 83% of U.S. adults said parents are the most responsible for teaching their children about money, 31% of American parents never speak to their kids about the topic, according to a survey from CNBC and Acorns.

    Last week, the subject came up on Northwestern Mutual’s A Better Way to Money podcast, which featured social media star and owner of Stur Drinks Kat Stickler and Northwestern Mutual vice president and chief portfolio manager Matt Stucky.

    “I love and respect my parents, but we didn’t really talk about money ever — I never saw them talk about money,” Stickler told Stucky during the conversation. “It was taboo. It wasn’t brought up once.”

    Related: Members of Every Generation Have Side Hustles — But They Don’t Spend Their Earnings the Same Way. Here’s the Breakdown.

    According to Stucky, parents can instill strong money management skills like any other good habit.

    “It just takes a lot of repetition — things like saving, investing,” Stucky said. “I’m not going to teach my 4-year-old about investing, but just the idea of if I save a dollar, that means I can spend it down the road on something that I really want. That takes a while to sink in.”

    Money might not have been a regular topic of discussion while Stickler was growing up, but the entrepreneur says her mother did show her the value of a dollar in other ways: repurposing old jeans into shorts or empty butter tubs into containers for school lunch.

    In addition to talking to their kids about money, parents can lead by example when it comes to smart financial decisions.

    “There are new risks that are now in the equation of being a parent,” Stucky said. “Things like, What if something happens to me; what if I can’t work anymore? How does that impact my child’s financial life?“

    Navigating those uncertainties means planning for big-ticket items, according to Stucky. Stickler, who has a young daughter, said she’s already taken some key steps to secure her future: setting up a will complete with a month-by-month timeline and establishing funds for healthcare and school — and even one for clothes and toys.

    Related: What Your Parents Never Taught You About Money

    According to Stucky, parents should leverage today’s circumstances for tomorrow’s success.

    Stucky recommends setting up a 529, to which you can contribute funds for education, and a Roth IRA for your child.

    “[With a Roth IRA], you are able to contribute on their behalf up to the child’s earned income amount or the current contribution limits of $7,000, and the dollars come out tax-free after age 59 ½ or if they need to use it for a qualifying life event,” Stucky explains. “It’s a way to set up your children for their retirement, as well as support generational wealth.”

    Parents might also consider a Uniform Transfer to Minors Account (UTMA), which has no limit on the amount that goes in and allows them to retain control until their kids reach 18-21, depending on where they live, Stucky says.

    Related: Shark Tank’s ‘Mr. Wonderful’ on Teaching Kids About Money: ‘Put Their Noses In It, Like You’re Training a Puppy’

    Finally, Stucky recommends the “often overlooked option” of permanent life insurance for your child.

    “The policy will pay a death benefit someday so long as the required premiums are paid,” he explains. “In addition, policies accumulate cash value, which your child could access during their lifetime.”

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    Amanda Breen

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  • 3 Simple Tips to Unlearn Bad Self-Care Habits and Escape Burnout For Good | Entrepreneur

    3 Simple Tips to Unlearn Bad Self-Care Habits and Escape Burnout For Good | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    We all love the idea of self-care, but seriously — who has the time? A younger, hungrier, success-at-any-cost version of me would be nodding my head reading that statement. The more established, experienced, post-pandemic version of me who sits here today knows that’s just an excuse.

    Stress and busyness

    We’re culturally indoctrinated to accept chronic stress as a part of our life cycle. During that pivotal phase of life from 20-50 years of age, we juggle college exams, the pressure to land a good-paying job, moving up the ladder, balancing career ambitions against the biological clock, starting a business, being a good leader, parent, partner and friend.

    All of these pressure triggers are a natural part of life, right? Well, I can agree that they are a natural part of life, but these events don’t have to feel so stressful. They only feel that way because the foundation holding it all up isn’t as solid as it could — and should — be. Constructing and reinforcing that foundation can happen at any time, but the best time is right now.

    Our business-first culture glorifies the external face of success while often disregarding the sacrifices it took to get there. The body that carries us, and the constantly revolving mind that fuels our great ideas, they require respite. The problem is that we don’t believe we can afford to pause with purpose and still be successful. That’s because we don’t know where to look for good examples.

    Related: How Learning to Take Care of Myself Helps Me Take Care of My Business

    The hunt for a self-care role model

    In my work, I’ve had the pleasure of interviewing several women who are doing self-care right. Recently I spoke with Erica Diamond, a practiced professional who has helped countless women, including Arianna Huffington, prioritize their own well-being, first. Diamond practices yoga and meditation to calm her central nervous system. I spoke to Karena Dawn, an entrepreneur who built a fitness empire by encouraging women to work through generational trauma through movement. These are just a few of the women who are showing us a better way to function in a world where overwhelm is normalized.

    Unlearning bad habits

    Before adopting the self-care practices we see others emulating around us, there’s a deeper job to do. We have to unlearn the bad habits we’ve collected over a lifetime. This can especially be true for women, having learned from our mothers that taking care of others comes first.

    If you could time travel and ask a housewife in the 1950s what her self-care routine was, she’d likely tell you, “It’s called Mother’s Day.” Incidentally, Anna Jarvis’ campaign to recognize Mother’s Day in the U.S. was funded by a department store owner. The business sector co-opted the holiday, and Jarvis spent the rest of her life railing against its commercialization.

    The moral of the story is that when a holiday that was created to show appreciation for the most selfless people in our lives gets exploited as a business opportunity, then our cultural priorities deserve a second look. It’s time to take back taking care of ourselves.

    Related: Self-Care Isn’t Selfish — It’s Essential for Sustaining High Performance. Here’s How to Avoid Burning Out.

    3 self-care tips to avoid overwhelm

    Overwhelm is typically the entry point into a self-care journey. It’s the chronic fatigue, the inability to shut down, snapping at people for no reason. If you run a business then you know what it feels like. The good news is that you can incorporate practices that will bolster your ability to move through potential stressors with more grace, and with practice, avoid overwhelm altogether.

    • Stop making excuses: If you’re experiencing overwhelm, don’t wait to address it. This can lead to more serious problems down the road. Face it now and take one small action to address it.
    • Practice mindfulness: This is a fancy way of saying “be present.” Meditation has been scientifically proven to reduce stress levels, and it’s a common practice among burnout recoverees. Journaling is another great way to center yourself, and it’s helped me tremendously over the years.
    • Move more: Yoga, stretching, swimming, jogging and walking in nature are all effective ways of releasing pent-up overwhelm healthily. Studies show that once you get into a routine with movement, you’ll be better able to manage stressful events without succumbing to overwhelm.

    From self-care shame to shameless self-care

    The voices promoting our need for self-care have never been louder, and that’s a good thing. However, it also means that self-care has become a double-edged sword. We’re almost being shamed into it.

    If you’re an entrepreneur and you’ve been interviewed, no doubt the “What’s your self-care routine?” question has been raised. Knowing what it takes to run a business, balance relationships and do and be all the things, it wouldn’t surprise me if half of us weren’t lying through our teeth about our self-care habits.

    We have to really step back and look at how we plan our day. Time is currency, and being busy doesn’t mean we’re important or even doing important things. When we see the signs of burnout, start a conversation. We need to do a better job of supporting balanced lifestyles among our professional peers.

    Related: 5 Self-Care Habits of Every Successful Entrepreneur

    Find what works for you

    There are a billion methods, books, podcasts and workshops designed to help you adopt a self-care practice. The problem is that we’re all individuals, so there’s no perfect formula for the masses. Finding what works for you starts with unlearning the behaviors that don’t consider your well-being and reversing the cycle. Then, you just have to try on different self-care hats and see what fits.

    If something works for a while, know that it might not work the same way in three years. Pivot, but don’t give up. Self-care isn’t a cookie-cutter thing. One size does not fit all. It’s personal, and it’s an ever-evolving, ever-integrative process. Start with what’s doable for you now. A solid self-care foundation that will help you live and work more sustainably starts with one achievable step at a time.

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    Ginni Saraswati

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  • Why Being a More Generous Leader Will Create a More Successful Business | Entrepreneur

    Why Being a More Generous Leader Will Create a More Successful Business | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    It’s a common perception of company culture; images of trendy startups with perks like swag, free snacks and nap pods often come to mind — a scene reminiscent of Google’s early days. However, for us at Market Veep, the value of “give generously” wasn’t initially formally part of our core ethos. It wasn’t until several years into our growth journey that we recognized something crucial was missing.

    Here’s how we stumbled upon this realization: hiring experiences. We brought several individuals on board; it became swiftly apparent that their inclination towards generosity — be it with their time, knowledge or support for colleagues and clients — fell short of our expectations. It became a constant conversation, and we kept thinking, “shouldn’t this just be the standard of how people work with each other?” There was no denying that their values differed greatly from the company’s. It did not make them bad people, but they were not a company culture fit. That’s when it hit us: we needed to make “give generously” a core value formally. It’s now interwoven throughout our entire ecosystem..

    One of my favorite interview questions is, “What is the last nice thing someone has done for you — and on the flip side, what is the last nice thing you have done to brighten someone else’s day?” Some things people have said that made my heart grow three sizes:

    • Made homemade soup for their sick neighbor.
    • They brought their roommate a lunch they had forgotten at home.
    • Spent time with their elderly grandparents cleaning their house.
    • Donating time to the local shelter.

    For me, it’s not about the big gestures. It’s about the small details, the accumulation of many small “cares” that add to an embodiment of kindness and freely giving it. Similar to anniversaries, birthdays and holidays, they come around a couple of times a year — but wouldn’t you feel so special if every day felt like your birthday? Many companies we talk to say I’d love to do that, but I don’t have the budget for that. I’ll tell you a secret: it’s not about the money.

    When we had no budget, we did things such as :

    • Smiley balloons on employee appreciation day on everyone’s chair as a surprise when they come in.
    • Post it notes on their computers.
    • Take off your birthday paid time off.
    • Bike rides around the complex.
    • Pumpkin painting.
    • Halloween contest.
    • Valentine’s Day cards as a team to the people who lived at the senior center.

    Here’s the beauty of it: many times, it’s the free things or minimal expenses that people end up valuing more, finding more profound connections with and building memories off of. There is a huge misconception about saving up to do one to two big things to show your team you love them, but think about all the time in between, months on end, without telling them you care. Would you not tell your kids you love them every day?

    Now, things are different than before pandemic. We had a physical office, so the sky was the limit. Once the pandemic happened, it was a whole new evolution, and learning how to build a team, create happiness and give to them generously without physically being able to hand them something. It also introduced a new obstacle to measuring happiness through a computer screen. It’s a lot easier when you can read body language in person, notice if they are quieter throughout the day, etc., but when we started hiring all over the country, it made it a challenge. The pandemic taught us a lot about generosity and gratitude. As much as it was one of my most challenging times as a leader, it was also, by far, a period that taught me the most. I’ve seen the amazing character of people and their mental strength. Their ability to bind together to find solutions to difficult problems. Their kindness when there are difficult conversations. Their giving spirit when organizations barely had enough for themselves but still continued to support others.

    Even when unsure of what would happen, we promised to continue giving generously because kindness always wins. Someone is always worse off, has more struggles, and needs something you may take for granted daily. Giving generously helps us stay humble and focus on others’ needs above our own. It reminds us we are fortunate.

    • What it looks like now
      • Flexible hours.
      • 45 days off a year.
      • Sabbatical and a bonus for longevity.
      • Half-day Fridays.
      • Cookies in the mail for spotlight moments.
      • A 401k match.
      • Bereavement.
      • Personal time.
      • Happy hour Fridays.
      • Paid volunteer time off.
      • Medical, dental, eye.
      • Life insurance.
      • Health advocate services.
      • Work-from-home stipend.
      • Paid training and certifications.
      • Meditation as a team before the day starts.

    It’s not always about presents — it’s also about understanding where someone is in life. Your team shows up to help each other and the company, but it is not the driving factor of their life. When you see someone struggling, it’s more impactful to say, “Hey, how can I help? It seems like you have a lot going on. It’s just work. We’re not heart surgeons. Please get offline and take care of XYZ.” We’ve had people want to come in a day after a family member passed away, work from their family vacation or take meetings from a hospital. Respect and protect your team’s time, mental health, and boundaries. Give generously to them, and they give generously to your company, your team and your clients. Be their advocate even when they think work is more important.

    Have you considered what your team needs to live a generous life? What makes them feel appreciated? How can your company build deeper relationships and help them live their best lives? Think about the moments in your life where you felt the most cared for, supported and ultimately most appreciated. Because no one ever says, “I want to work someplace where I don’t feel appreciated.” Then, take it one step further and ask your team. Start a dialogue, and you’ll be amazed at how creative and thoughtful the ideas will be. Keep your focus on giving generously, and you can’t go wrong.

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    Jennelle McGrath

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  • What To Do When Your Job Won’t Pay You More | Entrepreneur

    What To Do When Your Job Won’t Pay You More | Entrepreneur

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    Feeling underpaid and undervalued at work? Gabrielle Judge, the creator of the Lazy Girl Jobs movement, is here to fix that. She’ll share her best strategies for accelerating your earnings and getting the raise or promotion you deserve.

    Register now for our upcoming livestream to gain insights on topics including:

    • How to maximize your time and money in the workplace

    • Leveraging pay transparency to get more money

    • What to do if you feel undervalued and underpaid

    • Strategies for getting a raise through job hopping

    About the Speaker:

    Gabrielle, as the visionary CEO and content creator behind Anti Work Girlboss, leads a social revolution reshaping the future workplace landscape. Her pioneering concept of the “lazy girl job” has captivated millions monthly, offering both relatable content and career inspiration. Her areas of expertise extend across work-life balance, branding for Gen Z employees, and forward-thinking perspectives on the future of work. Esteemed platforms like NPR, BBC, and TEDx have recognized her innovative contributions, inviting her to speak on her insights. Gabrielle’s groundbreaking ideas have also been spotlighted in over 10,000 global publications, including the Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, Al Jazeera, and 60 Minutes Australia, underscoring her influential role in redefining career norms.

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    Entrepreneur Staff

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  • Unlock the Key to a More Fulfilled Life in 3 Simple Steps | Entrepreneur

    Unlock the Key to a More Fulfilled Life in 3 Simple Steps | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    For more than twenty years, I’ve been fortunate enough to work with dozens of CEOs and high-net-worth individuals to help them meet business and personal/lifestyle goals — in part by creating legacy projects that deliver lasting impact.

    One of the most important things I’ve learned through this work is that there are pronounced distinctions between happiness and fulfillment and that knowing the difference is critical for personal and business success.

    Because while happiness is important, it’s often fleeting — whether felt in the wake of an important sale, solid third-quarter results or upon receiving a promotion. It makes you feel good, as it should, but in the long run, tends not to change anything significant in how we live our lives day to day. It’s like a boost of dopamine—tends to leave as quickly as it arrived.

    Conversely, fulfillment is the result of extended dedication to a task, project, objective or dream. It is most often the result of a commitment to something greater than yourself, like family, a cause or community. Fulfillment is essentially, sustained and deep happiness.

    Innately, we recognize that happiness is fleeting and that fulfillment should be our long-term objective. However, for most of us, the goal continues to be the former. As a result of having the wrong focus, untold millions wind up stressed, unhealthy and suffering from debilitating mental illnesses like depression and addiction.

    So how do we break the cycle of chasing short-term satisfaction as opposed to long-term fulfillment?

    Related: The Biggest Trap Of Entrepreneurship: Happiness ≠ Achievement

    Step 1. Work on yourself

    It may sound simplistic, but the basic truth is that fulfillment is impossible if you don’t first take care of your body and mind. Focusing on physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing is the foundation for any other achievement.

    A good place to start is with diet and exercise. This doesn’t mean you have to live like an athlete training for the Olympics: small adjustments can go a long way toward creating big changes, both physically and psychologically.

    When it comes to diet, I love a simple phrase in Michael Pollen’s book, The Omnivore’s Dilemma, “Eat (real) food, not too much, mostly plants.” In other words, take it easy on heavily processed or fast food, as well as meat, and instead go for lots of vegetables and fruit. Just following that uncluttered guidance will work wonders.

    In terms of exercise, every bit helps, and the mantra “Use it or lose it” is great to keep in mind. A 2013 study found that, without regular exercise, we lose 1% to 2% per year in lean body mass and 1.5% to 5% per year of overall strength after turning 40.

    If you don’t exercise at the moment, start slowly. Even simple strolls have significant benefits. A 2023 Harvard report found that walking just 20 minutes a day, five days a week, yields significant health benefits, including cutting obesity incidence in half, reducing joint pain, lowering the risks of cancer and boosting immune health. Workers who were active in this basic way took 43% fewer sick days than those who were sedentary.

    No matter how busy we are, everyone should be able to find 100 minutes a week to walk.

    Related: 7 Reasons Why Entrepreneurs Must Workout

    Step 2. Look outward

    To me, a striking similarity among the myriad of theories, seminars and self-improvement coaching available today is that they tend to be focused on looking inward. But finding a purpose greater than ourselves is even more vital. Personal change is part of the process, certainly, but the ultimate goal — the true purpose in life —should be something greater. This kind of looking outward will also help with Step 1 because science tells us that interacting with and connecting to others is critical on many levels.

    The Polyvagal Theory, developed by Dr. Stephen Porges, details in part that we have a fundamental human need to meaningfully connect with others. It emphasizes the importance of social connection in regulating nervous system responses and promoting emotional wellbeing.

    Similarly, the U.S. Surgeon General stated in 2023 that loneliness — a phenomenon made much more widespread by both the pandemic and the isolation that comes from living in a digital world—poses health risks as deadly as smoking, its effects equivalent to smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day.

    Related: What’s the Burnt Toast Theory? A Psychologist Explains the Mindset Hack That Can Make You Happier and More Successful.

    But what constitutes a wellness-producing connection? In practice, it can be as simple as going for a coffee with an elderly neighbor and extend to coaching a youth sports team, joining a book club or volunteering at a community center. These are simple, tangible actions that place you in the company of real people — much more spiritually fulfilling than social media or Zoom calls.

    Step 3. Redefine what success means

    A commonplace Western construct is that happiness comes from success. The hitch is that, in my opinion, our definition of success is flawed. We generally equate it with wealth, fame and power. Further, we are conditioned to think that more is better: more money, more possessions and more attention, but I have seen first-hand that some of the wealthiest and most “successful” people are among the least fulfilled. They’ve checked all the boxes of conventional notions of achievement but remain wanting.

    A 2018 study found that a stunning 49% of CEOs report struggling with a mental health condition (compared to just under 23% of the U.S. adult population as a whole) and that the majority of them report feeling overworked and combat both fatigue and continual stress.

    Related: How to Reframe Your Internal Dialogue for Greater Fulfillment in Both Work and Life

    Chasing short-term happiness in the form of money, possessions and social media status creates a vicious cycle of never having enough, which leads to more stress and more unhappiness. Instead, look inward to better yourself physically and emotionally so that you have the capacity to look outward. You will then become a better leader, friend, coach and parent — and create a self-perpetuating cycle of betterment.

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    Marc Kielburger

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  • 4 Habits I Cultivated to Enhance My Leadership Skills and Well-Being | Entrepreneur

    4 Habits I Cultivated to Enhance My Leadership Skills and Well-Being | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Coping with the intensity of running a business — whether you’re a solopreneur, creator or leading a large company — can be physically and mentally taxing. Not only can heavy stress diminish your business success, but studies show it can take as much as three years off your life. As a creator and founder of a tech startup, this hit home for me a few years ago.

    Between scaling a business and becoming a dad, I developed behaviors that were negatively impacting my sleep, concentration and overall wellness. One of my motivations for staying healthy includes being fit and able to do all the fun stuff as my kids grow up — dancing at their weddings, playing with grandkids (if they have them) or just keeping up with them at their own sports. It’s a goal I don’t want to put in jeopardy.

    I’ve been reading more about healthspan — not just how long we live, but how long we live healthily — and I knew I had to make some changes. Like many, I looked to the usual suspects: exercise and diet. But it has also meant reexamining my relationship to other factors, including alcohol and screen time.

    I’ve slowly been working on creating healthier habits in all of these areas. If I’ve learned anything, it takes a lot of trial and error to figure out what works and how to make good habits stick. So for any leader, creator or entrepreneur looking to make positive health changes for the long haul, here’s what worked for me (and what didn’t):

    Related: 101 Good Habits for a Productive, Prosperous, Happy Life.

    Embrace flexibility

    For some people, going cold turkey on bad habits is the only way. For me, not so much. I figured out pretty quickly that I am not an all-or-nothing guy. As it turns out, when it comes to building new habits, top performers aim for consistency over perfection.

    A flexible approach is how I’ve managed to almost entirely cut out alcohol, which was wreaking havoc on my sleep. How? By adopting a mantra: “Not tonight.” I told myself I was simply passing on drinking for now, not forever — and kept that going for months. If a good wine came my way, I allowed myself a few sips (which I don’t recommend if addiction is an issue). I was able to enjoy the satisfaction of a taste without staying awake all night.

    I’m not alone in this approach. Focusing on personal exploration and incremental change versus strict rules is a hallmark of a growing sober curious movement. It’s exciting to see the benefits of elective sobriety being discussed more, as well as other leaders sharing their experiences on this path.

    Gamify your goals

    The healthcare gamification market is expected to hit $15.9 billion by 2030. Why? It’s an approach that works. Studies show that using a leaderboard to track your progress or receiving virtual gold stars for every milestone achieved can radically boost your motivation to keep going.

    I’ll be the first to admit it: Drumming up motivation to work out before or after a long day of work can be tough. So using my Apple Watch was a great way to gamify exercise and challenge myself. I started small with just five minutes a day, then built up to 30 minutes five days a week. Seeing the success streak tracked on my watch kept me going (embracing flexibility also came in handy when my battery died and I had to start over).

    I also found an app that helped gamify calorie tracking. Now, I’m not the type to live on greens and almonds, but gamifying my goal did prompt me to add more nutrient-dense foods to my diet (hello sardines for breakfast!). And that made all the difference in getting quick results.

    Related: James Clear’s Atoms App Promises to Help Break Bad Habits and Create Better Ones — Here’s How It Works

    Look to peer influence, research and communities

    As the founder of a business that helps creators share their expertise with the world, it’s no surprise I’m a huge proponent of seeking out expert content, resources and learning communities to master new skills and supercharge accountability.

    Following people who were doing what I wanted to be doing was a no-brainer. And research backs this up: Peers and social relationships can be powerful allies in building healthy habits.

    For me, that meant adding health experts and authors to my media mix and digging deeper into the science behind habit changes. Leaders like Ray Dalio helped me see how the results could make me better in my role as a CEO, too.

    Accept that not all strategies work (but only some have to)

    I’m not going to pretend my journey has been entirely smooth. For every strategy I tried, there was at least one that didn’t work. It’s important to acknowledge that failure is as much a part of this process as success.

    It’s also a reality that some behaviors are simply much harder to give up. This brings me to my current focus and what I’ve struggled with the most: reducing screen time. The evidence is clear that excess time on digital devices is as bad for adults as it is for kids, leading to sleep disruption, decreased physical activity and a higher risk of depression and anxiety.

    Of course, like many, I work in a business that requires me to be online. That means going completely dark isn’t an option (or desirable, truthfully). Instead, I’m working to optimize my screen time by getting more intentional about the content I consume and when I consume it. I deleted the apps off my phone and strive to put it away in the evenings (at least until the kids are in bed), but I’ve also accepted that exceptions will be the norm in this case — and I think that’s okay, too.

    Related: 8 Ways to Minimize Screen Time and Maximize Family Time

    It’s been 10 years since I first started down the path of building healthier habits. My biggest takeaway for anyone looking to do the same is that this is a marathon, not a sprint — when habits are for life, you have to keep tweaking them as you go.

    But there’s also been a silver lining that I didn’t see coming: equanimity. It’s that deep sense of calm in the face of stress and the quiet confidence that comes from being able to be the kind of leader (and person) I’ve always admired: centered, present and better able to handle whatever life — and business — throws my way.

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    Greg Smith

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  • Watch the Pitch That Landed $10K in 60 Seconds | Entrepreneur

    Watch the Pitch That Landed $10K in 60 Seconds | Entrepreneur

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    This episode of Entrepreneur Elevator Pitch may be about child-centric products, but no one is kidding around when it comes to cash. Contestants came ready with serious pitches — and serious funding requests. Will anyone score the hundreds of thousands they’re seeking to grow their business?

    There are many factors at play that can sway an investor’s decision, including this critical pitch component highlighted by Netflix co-founder Marc Randolph: “A product can’t just be useful — it has to be something that a lot of people want.”

    Related: Catch up all seasons of Elevator Pitch

    Quick show rules refresher: Every episode challenges contestants to step inside our elevator and pitch their company in just 60 seconds. A board of investors is watching on a monitor, and if they like what they hear, the elevator doors open and the entrepreneur has the chance to win a life-changing investment. But if the investors don’t like what they hear, the elevator heads to the ground floor, and their shot at glory is finished.

    Watch to find out who wins big and who is sent back to the sandbox on this family-focused episode of Entrepreneur Elevator Pitch!

    Season 11, Episode 2 Board of Investors

    Season 11, Episode 2 Entrepreneurs

    • Nicky Rishi of Miss Poppins, a marketplace that connects parents with expert coaches and a supportive community.
    • Chris Danis of Wet Wipe Wizard, a system that allows for the simple and reliable delivery of Wet Wipes at the push of a button.
    • Tausha LaFlore of Pincer Pal, where fun and learning come together during mealtime.

    How to watch

    Season 11 of Entrepreneur Elevator Pitch is presented by Amazon Business. New episodes stream on Wednesdays on Entrepreneur.com and EntrepreneurTV. Follow Entrepreneur Elevator Pitch on Facebook, YouTube and IGTV.

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    Dan Bova

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