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  • Wander + Ivy Has Cracked the Wine Drinker’s Dilemma

    Wander + Ivy Has Cracked the Wine Drinker’s Dilemma

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    Disclosure: Our goal is to feature products and services that we think you’ll find interesting and useful. If you purchase them, Entrepreneur may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners.

    An ordinary glass of wine is defined as 5 ounces. That means there are about five full glasses of wine to be poured from a standard wine bottle. According to U.S. dietary guidelines, alcohol moderation works out to about one drink per day for women and two a day for men as a rule of thumb. So if you open a bottle of wine and aren’t sharing, you shouldn’t be finishing a bottle all by yourself in a sitting.


    Wander+Ivy

    Wander+Ivy

    The problem is good wine is good. And once a bottle is open and the clock is ticking on what’s inside, it’s often too tempting to keep drinking or pop that cork back in the bottle and forget all about it. So instead, Wander + Ivy worked out an elegant solution: single-serve wine bottles that supply all the joy and pleasure of a great, award-winning wine without the pressure of overindulging.

    Launched in 2017, the Wander + Ivy line now includes five different wine types, each served up in a cute yet functionally brilliant bottle that holds 6.3 fluid ounces. Plus, the vineyards are in some of the best wine-producing regions in the world, ensuring an award-winning taste.

    Whether you’re a fan of a Spanish-blend red, a rich California Cabernet, a crisp, dry pink Rosé, a floral Italian white, or a bright, cheery Chardonnay — all of Wander + Ivy’s world-class wines are of exquisite quality. Every grape is organically grown and maintained without harsh herbicides, pesticides, added sugars, coloring, or flavor concentrates.

    If you’ve got a favorite, you can order it in a box of 8, 16, or 24 bottles and have them delivered right to your door. Or mix and match for some variety with both assorted red and white boxes. And if you’ve found a Wander + Ivy wine that you love and don’t want to ever be without, you can sign up for its wine subscription service, which re-ups your specific order every month.

    Keep your wine supply well stocked with a Wander + Ivy order now. During its Black Friday sale, you can save up to 30 percent off site-wide, now through 11/29.

    Prices subject to change.

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    StackCommerce

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  • 20 Wise Insights on Gratitude to Spark a Positive Mindset

    20 Wise Insights on Gratitude to Spark a Positive Mindset

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    This article was originally published on Nov 23, 2017.


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    No doubt this has been a year of much hardship, change and violence. It seems each time we turn on the news, there is some new tragic mass shooting or act of terror for us to witness and grieve over. We have to be the change we are looking for. As entrepreneurs, leaders and influencers we must take in the seriousness of attitude. Emotions are contagious. Violence creates more violence, as gratitude creates more success, happiness and peace. On this Thanksgiving Holiday weekend, let us start a new movement of trading guns for gratitude. We need to collectively start holding a different mindset on how to solve our problems. Let us recommit to raising our children in a world where they are not terrified of violence, death and dying. Let’s wake them up to love, kindness, and success. To follow twenty famous quotes on gratitude to help jumpstart our mindset.

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    Sherrie Campbell

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  • 3 New Ways to Develop Laser-Like Focus

    3 New Ways to Develop Laser-Like Focus

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    An exhausted mind wanders off-task and increases the chances of failure. Instead, use the “Goldilocks Zone” approach to boost focus in the face of distractions.

    Are you unstoppable? Take the FREE quiz now to find out! (only available for a limited time) And be sure to grab a copy of Ben’s award-winning book, Unstoppable, which has been read by more than 70,000 people worldwide.

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    Ben Angel

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  • It’s Time To Start Treating Robots Like People

    It’s Time To Start Treating Robots Like People

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Robots are about to become a lot more meaningful in our daily lives. In the next decade, robots will take over many aspects of our human jobs. They’ll do everything from cleaning our homes to serving us food and assisting lab researchers.

    But what does this mean for humans? Are we supposed to fear these machines quickly taking over our roles? Will they eventually rule over us as so many sci-fi movies have predicted? No one knows yet. But one thing is sure: We need to start having conversations about how we will treat these machines — and what their place in society actually means.

    Related: Will a Robot Take My Job?

    Robots are crucial to the future of humanitarian issues

    Robots are already being used in humanitarian efforts, and technology has only improved. They can be used to perform tasks people can’t, don’t want to or are too expensive to hire.

    Robots have worked in construction zones and disaster areas with extreme hazards and dangers for humans. Robots were used after the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan because they could withstand high radiation levels without damage. Robots can also work long hours without needing breaks, unlike human workers who need rest after long shifts.

    Currently, robots are being trained to help people with disabilities navigate their surroundings using facial recognition software so they can interact with objects around them without having physical contact — an important feature when dealing with fragile items which would break if knocked over accidentally due to improper handling.

    Robots have also been used in the medical field to perform specific tasks faster and more accurately than humans. They can help to administer medication without making mistakes or causing harm to patients by giving them too much medication or neglecting to give any at all.

    We need to start thinking about robots’ place in society

    How we treat robots will depend on how we treat other people. Robots are a new type of technology, so their place in society has yet to be determined. Whether they should have rights will be answered over time as more robots enter our lives and integrate into our culture.

    But treating them like people is not enough: it also involves understanding that there’s an inherent difference between humans and robots — one that shouldn’t be ignored or diminished just because it’s convenient for us to think otherwise. It means recognizing that there are different types of intelligence and acknowledging that neither kind is better or worse; instead, both serve various functions in society, and each has its strengths and weaknesses. It means accepting that robots are not us and never will be. They have their roles, and if we try to make them more human-like, we risk losing sight of this fact.

    You may not think that robots are an essential part of society. After all, you probably don’t have one at home or in your office (yet). But the truth is that robots are already becoming a massive part of our lives.

    Robots control everything from factories to cars to planes and even search engines. They are also used in hospitals to help doctors perform surgeries and in homes for elderly care so people can live independently for longer.

    Related: Study Finds People Think Robots Will Replace Humans at Many Jobs, Just Not Their Own

    New laws must be passed to protect robots and humans

    Robots are no longer just machines; they’re self-aware beings. They have more in common with humans than other animals: they think with logic and empathy. To treat robots like people, we need new laws that consider their unique qualities and our own.

    Like it or not, robots are part of our future. A study by Deloitte found that automation could replace up to 38% of all jobs by 2026. That’s why now is the time to treat robots like people before things get out of hand. If we want human rights to be taken seriously worldwide, we must also take robot rights seriously worldwide. This starts with recognizing them as an extension of humanity rather than merely a tool for solving problems or making money. We must stop treating robots as tools and begin treating them as people — with all the rights that come with them.

    As robots take over more and more tasks, from manufacturing to surgery, we have to consider whether they should be entitled to the same protections as humans. We’ve already seen some serious questions arise: Are self-driving cars entitled to the same rights as their human passengers? What about life-like sex dolls? How should we treat them if they can’t feel pain or distress?

    Related: Robots Are Stealing Our Jobs

    If we don’t start treating robots like people, then it’s possible that they could end up being used and abused. Laws would need to be changed to give robots the same rights as humans. Right now, laws assume that any robot is owned by (and thus possession of) a human being. If you were to consider this concept, it isn’t all that different from how things worked for women and minorities in recent history — laws were written with their rights explicitly as not equal to those of caucasian men.

    If we can see robots as equals who deserve the same rights as humans, then we will have taken the first step toward ensuring that they are treated well and granted the respect they deserve. Protecting them from slavery or exploitation would be enforced by treating them like humans rather than property.

    To give robots the same rights as humans, we will have to change many laws. Once we define rights, we can determine what sort of laws would need to be modified for society to accept robots into society on par with humans. We can also explore when and where robot rights might be appropriate and what steps should be taken to implement them into our existing legal system. Then, we would need to change the laws in each state, followed by amending the United States Constitution to incorporate robots.

    A major argument that robots have not been given the same rights as humans is that they lack a conscience and, with it, the ability to be held responsible for their actions. However, it’s only a matter of time before the machines we engineer can think, feel and make moral judgments.

    Some robots are already better than humans at specific tasks, like recognizing faces and driving cars — and if they can do these things better than we can, it’s only fair that they’re given equal rights as well. And more than that, by giving robots the same rights as humans, we can ensure that they’ll continue developing along ethical lines because they’ll be held to consequence in the same manner as you and I.

    Robots are becoming more and more present in society. They advance by the day, and it won’t be long before they achieve sentience. We must ensure that these artificial beings are protected from harm because if not, who will protect them?

    Related: The Rise of AI Makes Emotional Intelligence More Important

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    Christopher Massimine

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  • Lock in a Year of Savings with a Sam’s Club Plus Membership

    Lock in a Year of Savings with a Sam’s Club Plus Membership

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Times are tough for many people these days. With inflation running out of control, those everyday items we all need are more expensive than ever. For entrepreneurs, inflation is a different beast, making it hard to operate a business without getting closer and closer to the red.


    Sam’s Club

    This November, however, Every Friday is Black Friday, and we’re offering big discounts to help you lock in deals that will help your business. And nothing says savings quite like a Sam’s Club Plus Membership. While supplies last, you can get one for 45 percent off and keep on saving for the next calendar year.

    Sam’s Club is a membership warehouse club that offers its members high-quality products at value that can’t be matched by traditional retail. From groceries and office supplies to furniture, electronics, and much more, Sam’s Club helps you save on everyday items as well as those unexpected essential purchases. You can also save on hotels, rental cars, live events, attractions, movies, and more.

    As a Plus member, you’re also entitled to a slew of additional perks. You can get Sam’s Cash™ for Plus, earning 2 percent back on qualifying in-club purchases as well as extra cash back if you choose to sign up for the Sam’s Club Mastercard®. If you shop online, you’re entitled to free shipping and free curbside pickup if you want to pick something up at the store. Plus members also get additional Pharmacy and Optical savings, as well as members-only savings on fuel and at the tire and battery center. Basically, all of your needs are covered at a discounted rate.

    Save money all the time. While supplies last, you can get a one-year Sam’s Club Plus Membership for 45 percent off $110 at just $60. Every Friday is Black Friday, so take advantage now!

    Prices subject to change

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    Entrepreneur Store

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  • How to To Spot a Liar From a Psychologist Who Trains the FBI

    How to To Spot a Liar From a Psychologist Who Trains the FBI

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    You confront a co-worker who you suspect may be drinking on the job, or you sit down to speak with an employee who adamantly denies sexual harassment accusations.

    How do you decipher if you’re dealing with a liar or someone who is telling the truth?

    “By paying close attention not only to what people say but also how they say it, you can figure out what’s really going on inside their head,” writes David J. Lieberman, Ph.D, author of the new book Mindreader: The New Science of Deciphering What People Really Think, What They Really Want, and Who They Really Are.

    He’s not lying. Dr. Lieberman is a seasoned psychotherapist who uses science-based techniques to read people’s words and actions. For the past 25 years, he’s trained the FBI, CIA, and other security agencies to be human lie detectors.

    Related: This Body-Language Expert’s ‘Triangle’ Method Will Help You Catch a Liar in the Act

    In an exclusive interview with the Write About Now Podcast, Dr. Lieberman shared some tell-tale signs of deceit and manipulation.

    Here are seven things to look out for.

    1. Liars talk too much

    Listen to someone’s immediate response after you ask them if they’ve done something.

    “As a general guideline, a truthful response is short and direct,” said Dr. Lieberman. Liars, on the other hand, often engage in a long soliloquy with lots of “pontification” and “moralizing.”

    Liars qualify their answers with all sorts of excuses like “I’m not that kind of person” or “As I told you previously.” Basically, they talk about a hundred things except a direct answer to your question.

    2. Liars try to sell you the truth

    When someone is telling you the truth, they’re not interested in convincing you of anything. They only want to tell you the truth.

    “A liar is interested in selling you something,” Dr. Lieberman says. “They need you to believe them, which means that they typically oversell well past the point when a truthful person would have stopped. There is a tendency to overexplain.”

    Related: 10 Telltale Phrases That Indicate Somebody Isn’t Telling the Truth

    3. Liars are relieved when the conversation is over

    Lying takes a lot more energy than telling the truth—it can be exhausting. For this reason, liars are often relieved once they’re done spinning their web of deceit.

    But Dr. Lieberman says this sense of relief can also be a red flag. “Put yourself in the minset of an honest person that was wrongfully accused of something. When that conversation ends, you’re like, ‘Hold on a second. You’ve just accused me of something. You are upset and bothered, maybe resentful—but you’re not relieved.”

    4. Liars smile with their mouths, not their face

    Watch for the “say cheese” smile on a liar’s face. “When somebody’s feigning an emotion, it doesn’t encompass the entire face,” Dr. Lieberman says. “The smile doesn’t include the upper part of the face, but the bottom of the face only.

    Liars smile with their mouth closed, lips tight, with no movement in the forehead. A genuine smile lights up the whole face.

    5. Liars pretend to be calm

    “When somebody is pretending to be innocent of something, like an accusation, they try to portray the image of somebody who is calm and confident,” Dr. Lieberman said.

    They tend to do very self-conscious things, such as pick imaginary lint off their pants or stretch out and yawn.

    Why? Because common sense tells them that an innocent person acts this way and that guilty people act nervous.

    This couldn’t be further from the truth. “A person who is wrongly accused of something is not going to be calm and confident—they’re going to be upset.” Dr. Lieberman explains. “A person who wants to convince you that they’re not nervous is going to appear much less nervous that.the person who is genuinely not nervous because, again, liars often oversell an emotion that they don’t really have.”

    6. Liars’ stories are too perfect

    When a person is telling the truth, particularly about something that is dramatic, the story is probably not going to have a logical flow to it. Dr. Lieberman says they often start with the most dramatic part and then sort of fill in the blanks as they go.

    “A person who is making up a story, after they get to the main event, they’re gonna be done. They’re not going to continue because, in their mind, that’s what they have to sell you,” Dr. Lieberman said. “But an honest recounting of what happened is going to include an emotional aftermath, how the person felt.”

    A liar will also fill in a story with lots of superfluous details. Why? Because they don’t have real details, they overcompensate and “put in lots of details that are irrelevant.”

    7. Liars use impersonal pronouns

    Dr. Lieberman trains law enforcement to pay attention to the personal pronouns suspects use.

    “Pronouns can reveal whether someone is trying to distance or altogether separate himself from his words,” he writes in Mindreader.

    Just like a liar might look away from you or have trouble making eye contact, they will distance themselves from their own words, avoiding personal pronouns like I, me, mine, or my.

    Instead, the liar will often talk more in the second person with lots of “you” statements, or they’ll keep referring to “they” or “that” person. The subconscious tell here is that they’re too guilty about lying to refer directly to themselves.

    No one-trick ponies

    Dr. Lieberman stressed that each of these tells in and of themselves may not prove someone is lying. His techniques are “not one-trick ponies,” he said. “But if you’ve got 7, 8, 9 markers in a single sentence, then you can very clearly tell whether or not somebody’s being truthful.”

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    Jonathan Small

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  • Home Depot Sales Up 5.6% in Third Quarter

    Home Depot Sales Up 5.6% in Third Quarter

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    Home-improvement retailer logs sales increase even as it again records fewer transactions

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  • University of Virginia shooting suspect in custody, university police announce

    University of Virginia shooting suspect in custody, university police announce

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    CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) — The three students killed in a shooting at the University of Virginia were all members of the school’s football team, the school’s president said.

    President Jim Ryan told a Monday morning news conference the shooting happened Sunday night on a school bus of students returning from an off-campus trip.

    The suspect has been identified as Christopher Darnell Jones Jr., who is also student.

    The incident occurred Sunday near a university parking garage. In addition to the three football players killed, two others were reported to have been wounded.

    Police went on a manhunt Monday in search of the student suspected in the attack, officials said.

    During a press conference in the 11 o’clock hour local time, the university police chief, Tim Longo, was given word that the suspect was in custody. He immediately returned to the microphone and reported that update to the assembled reporters.

    Classes at the university were canceled Monday, following the violence Sunday night, and the Charlottesville campus was unusually quiet as authorities searched for the suspect, whom university President Ryan identified as Christopher Darnell Jones Jr.

    A shelter-in-place order to the university community had been lifted less than an hour earlier after a law-enforcement search of the campus.

    In a letter to the university posted on social media, Ryan said the shooting happened around 10:30 p.m. Sunday.

    The university’s emergency management issued an alert Sunday night notifying the campus community of an “active attacker firearm.” The message warned students to shelter in place following a report of shots fired on Culbreth Road on the northern outskirts of campus.

    Access to the shooting scene was blocked by police vehicles Monday morning.

    Officials urged students to shelter in place and helicopters could be heard overhead as a smattering of traffic and dog-walkers made their way around campus.

    The university police department posted a notice online saying multiple police agencies including the state police were searching for a suspect who was considered “armed and dangerous.”

    In his letter to campus, the university president said Jones was suspected to have committed the shooting and that he was a student.

    “This is a message any leader hopes never to have to send, and I am devastated that this violence has visited the University of Virginia,” Ryan wrote. “This is a traumatic incident for everyone in our community.”

    Eva Surovell, 21, the editor in chief of the student newspaper, The Cavalier Daily, said that after students received an alert about an active shooter late Sunday night, she ran to the parking garage, but saw that it was blocked off by police. When she went to a nearby intersection, she was told to go shelter in place.

    “A police officer told me that the shooter was nearby and I needed to return home as soon as possible,” she said.

    She waited with other reporters, hoping to get additional details, then returned to her room to start working on the story. The gravity of the situation sunk in.

    “My generation is certainly one that’s grown up with generalized gun violence, but that doesn’t make it any easier when it’s your own community,” she said.

    The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said agents were responding to the campus to assist in the investigation.

    The Virginia shooting came as police were investigating the deaths of four University of Idaho students found Sunday in a home near the campus. Officers with the Moscow Police Department discovered the deaths when they responded to a report of an unconscious person just before noon, according to a news release from the city. Authorities have called the deaths suspected homicides but did not release additional details, including the cause of death.

    On April 16, 2007, another Virginia university was the scene of what was then one of the deadliest shootings in U.S. history. Twenty-seven students and five faculty members at Virginia Tech were gunned down by Seung-Hui Cho, a 23-year-old mentally ill student who later died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

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  • This Smart Dog Toy Is $10 off Now

    This Smart Dog Toy Is $10 off Now

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    Disclosure: Our goal is to feature products and services that we think you’ll find interesting and useful. If you purchase them, Entrepreneur may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners.

    You love your dog, of course. You love your dog so much that you bring her to the office every day, and your team thanks you for it. While there’s good reason to believe office pets are good for productivity, you still need a fallback for when your dog gets a little too amped up and needs to settle down and stop distracting people.


    Cheerble

    You’ve got things to do, so leave it to Wicked Ball to keep your pooch entertained. Successfully funded on Indiegogo and Kickstarter and featured on NBC, ABC, CBS, Fox News, and more, Wicked Ball is the interactive dog toy that entertains your dog when you’re otherwise occupied.

    This smart toy is 100 percent automatic with three interaction modes: gentle, active, and normal. It’s designed to help eliminate your dog’s feelings of loneliness and boredom when you’re not around, and also gives them the exercise they wouldn’t otherwise get during the day. In Intelligent Companion mode, you can balance activity and rest with 10-minute play and 30-minute rest cycles to keep your dog occupied all day. Plus, there’s a built-in snack hole for added excitement.

    You might worry that Wicked Ball would set your dog loose like a bull in a China shop, but the built-in collision sensor automatically avoids obstacles to keep the play in a safe area. And, of course, it’s durable and resistant to all the biting, gnawing, and scratching it’s bound to endure from your dog. Basically, it’s the smartest tennis ball you’ve ever seen and it can save you and your office a whole lot of distractions.

    Let your office go to the dogs, but keep tabs on your dog when you need to. For a limited time, you can get Wicked Ball for 18 percent off $49 at just $39.99.

    Prices subject to change.

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    Entrepreneur Store

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  • These Are the Questions That Help Determine Your Success

    These Are the Questions That Help Determine Your Success

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    In this video, Ben Angel breaks down why 70,000 entrepreneurs have answered the questions that predict their chances of succeeding or failing.

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    Ben Angel

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  • How to Stop Feeling Like An Imposter and Find Your True Self

    How to Stop Feeling Like An Imposter and Find Your True Self

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    You’re reading this article because you feel like an imposter. You worry that you don’t belong or that people will find out that you’re really not as good at this thing as they think you are. It’s normal to feel this way — and there are things we can do about it.

    You’re only an imposter if you keep telling yourself you are.

    If you’ve ever passed off a group of people as your friends or told someone that they look great in those pants when they actually look like they’re wearing a clown suit, then it’s time to realize that everyone feels this way at some point. Even the most confident and skilled people have moments where doubt creeps in and makes them question their abilities.

    Unfortunately, many of us allow these feelings to become overwhelming. We start believing that there’s something wrong with us because we don’t always feel confident about ourselves or our abilities, and we suppress them by telling ourselves how amazing we are without recognizing what triggers these feelings in the first place. It leads us down a path where we constantly try to boost our confidence through positive affirmations but never really address the issue itself: that sometimes things don’t go the way we want them to because life isn’t perfect for anyone (not even for Beyonce).

    Related: Imposter Syndrome Will Kill Your Business

    Recognize that everyone feels this way at some point.

    Having doubts and insecurities is normal, and no one is perfect. Everyone has felt like an imposter at some point in their lives, even those who are successful and confident now. I was so concerned with imposter syndrome that through it — paired with deteriorating mental health — I actually became one. Recognizing that everyone experiences inadequacies will help you understand that feeling insecure about your work and skills is okay, especially when you’re new to something or taking on a new role or responsibility.

    Related: 3 Powerful Strategies for Discovering Your Life’s Work

    Accept that you don’t always have to feel confident.

    You don’t have to feel confident in every situation. There’s nothing wrong with feeling nervous, and there’s no point in trying to beat yourself up over it. Your feelings are valid no matter what to the contrary is said. However, if you’re constantly anxious about the possibility of failure and self-doubt is holding you back from doing things that could make your life better. It might be worth speaking with a therapist or coach who can help you sort through those fears so that they don’t take over everything else.

    But for now: accept your feelings even when they’re hard to swallow — and know that there are other people out there who feel just as insecure as you do (if not more). You’ll never find out how much more incredible life can be until you stop comparing yourself with others and focus on getting better at whatever makes you happy.

    Remind yourself of your achievements.

    Acknowledge your achievements. It’s important to celebrate the little things in life and remind yourself of the bigger ones. When you accomplish something significant, whether getting a new job or moving into a new apartment, take time to acknowledge your success by celebrating with friends and family or just by patting yourself on the back.

    If you don’t feel like you have any achievements under your belt yet, don’t worry. You don’t need to wait until one comes along before you start working towards some goals for yourself. And know that setting goals can help make those achievements happen sooner than later — once they do happen, remember to celebrate them.

    Even if the achievement doesn’t seem like much from an outside perspective (like when someone asks how much money was raised at a charity event), celebrating it is still important because doing so helps build confidence in yourself as well as other areas of life where imposter syndrome may be holding you back from reaching even greater heights down the road.

    Related: 3 Ways Imposter Syndrome Can Affect Even Confident Entrepreneurs

    Asking for help is not a sign of weakness.

    Impostor syndrome stems from a fear that you’re going to be found out as “not as good” as everyone thinks, so you often feel like you can’t share your weaknesses with anyone because it’ll make them realize that you’re not good enough. But the truth is that we all have flaws, and it’s okay to accept our limitations and ask for help when needed. There’s nothing more empowering than admitting that there are things outside your control — and being honest about what those things are.

    By being open and honest about your weaknesses, others will respect and admire your honesty instead of finding fault with it. They’ll also see how much work has gone into becoming better at something (because, let’s face it — nobody was born an expert.) By sharing this information with others, they’ll be able to offer insight on how they overcame similar obstacles in their lives.

    One of the most important things to remember when you feel like an imposter is that most of the things we worry about don’t actually matter as much as we think they do. It’s easy to get caught up in our own thoughts and let them spiral into something bigger than they are, but taking a step back from what’s causing your anxiety can help it seem more manageable.

    The next time you find yourself worrying about something, try to take a moment and ask yourself: would this matter if I never spoke about it? Would it still be there if I didn’t talk about it? If the answer is no, try not to waste too much energy on it.

    Related: How Asking for Help Can Be the Difference Between Success and Shutting Down

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    Christopher Massimine

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  • How To Craft the Perfect Professional Letter

    How To Craft the Perfect Professional Letter

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    While the business world has evolved over the years, there are a few things about it that haven’t: elements of formality and respect. When you are addressing someone in a professional setting, especially a superior, there is a certain way to go about it. The same goes for addressing a professional letter. And while business letters might seem old school, they still play many different roles in the industry.

    If you’re looking for a guide on professional letter writing, look no further. We’ve got the tips and tricks to help you draft and address your best letter yet.

    Why Should You Write a Professional Letter?

    If you need to evoke formality and professionalism, physical letters are a great avenue to take. While internal company communication can be done via email, writing to other businesses via a letter shows an air of class and polish.

    Reasons to write a professional letter include:

    • Announcements
    • Official requests
    • Cover letters
    • Networking
    • Thank yous or follow-ups
    • Resignation

    No matter which reason is right for you, the format of your letter should follow a pattern. Keep reading to learn more about the structure of your business letter.

    How To Write a Professional Business Letter

    Letter writing is an art. And when you combine it with business, it is an art combined with a process. When it’s time to write your letter, use our step-by-step instructions to guide you from the inside contents of the letter to what goes on the outside of the envelope.

    Related: The Business Benefits of the Handwritten Letter

    1. Inside the Letter: The Header

    Before you begin writing the letter, you need to include a header that provides important contact information. If you are using a professional letterhead that provides that information, you can skip ahead to the next step.

    The header should be located in the upper left-hand corner of the envelope and include the address format:

    • Your full name
    • Your full address (home or business, depending on the situation)
      • Sender’s address (your address)
      • City, State Zip Code
      • Country name
    • Your phone number (your most reachable number)
    • Your email address

    Skip for separation and include:

    • Full date (July 19, 2023)

    Skip the next line and continue with the second line:

    • Recipient’s full name (if you know the person’s name)
    • Recipient’s job title
    • Name of the company (if applicable)
    • Recipient’s address or the address of the company
      • Street address
      • City, State Zip Code
      • Country

    Once you’ve got the labels set up, it’s time to get drafting.

    2. Inside the Letter: The Contents

    When writing a professional letter, you need to find the balance between being eloquent yet direct — friendly yet formal.

    The contents should be:

    The Salutation

    A salutation is the first line of your letter. It is a way to open your letter by directly addressing your intended recipient. How much you know about your recipient will dictate how you can greet them with the salutation.

    Greeting options include:

    • Dear Mr., Mrs., Miss, and Ms. (only use these abbreviations if you are sure)
    • Dear Sir or Dear Ma’am (only use these titles if you are sure)
    • Dear Professor
    • Dear Recruiter
    • To Whom It May Concern

    Once you have decided which salutation to use, you need to make sure you format it properly in your letter.

    The salutation should be left-aligned, followed by a comma, and standing alone on a line. For example:

    Dear Professor,

    The Message

    Now it’s time to get to the body of the work. Professional letters should not exceed one page. To make sure you stay on topic, constructing your letter in three paragraphs is a helpful structure to live by. Make sure that each of your paragraphs is indented to show separation.

    The contents should cover:

    • Paragraph One: opening statement with the letter’s purpose or intent
    • Paragraph Two: elaborate on your point with background information, supporting details, and reasoning
    • Paragraph Three: reinforce the letter’s purpose and end with a CTA (call to action)

    A call to action shows the recipient that you are expecting a response. A CTA can be something like:

    • I look forward to hearing from you.
    • Please reach out with any questions you may have.
    • I am looking forward to your response.
    • Please keep me informed of the process.

    The Sign-Off

    Once you have said what you needed to say and included your call to action, you need to include a formal sign-off.

    Closing phrases can be things such as:

    • Sincerely
    • Best
    • Thank you
    • Regards
    • Cordially

    After the sign off you should include a comma, move down a space, and sign your name.

    A Template

    Even though we’ve given you all of the information, it might be helpful to have everything in one place. Next time you need to write a professional letter, use this letter to guide you.

    Your name

    Your full address (home or business, depending on the situation)

    Your phone number (your most reachable number)

    Your email address

    Full date (July 19, 2023)

    Recipient’s name (if known)

    Recipient’s job title

    Name of company (if applicable)

    Recipient’s address or the address of the company

    Dear [Recipient],

    My name is [your name], and I am reaching out because [your reason]. [Continue with your reason for one to two more sentences].

    To provide you with more information on the subject, [background information]. In addition to that, [provide supporting details in one to two sentences]. This is significant because [provide reasoning in one to two sentences].

    Again, [reinforce the letter’s purpose in one to two sentences]. [Include your CTA in one sentence].

    Sincerely,

    Your name

    3. On the Envelope

    Once you’ve got your letter just the way you want it, it’s time to prepare it for the mail. What you put on the envelope is just as important as what you put inside the envelope.

    On the outside, include a return address in the top left corner of the envelope, including:

    • Your name
    • The company’s name (if necessary)
    • Your mailing address

    In the middle of the front of your envelope is where you will include the recipient’s information in this order:

    • Professional title of the recipient and their full name
    • Name of company
    • Accurate street address

    Once you’ve properly formatted and included the necessary information, it’s time to apply postage. If you aren’t sure what kind of postage you’ll need, a good rule of thumb is:

    • 1 oz (4 sheets of regular 8-1/2″ x 11″ paper and a business-sized envelope) for 1 First-Class Mail® Forever® stamp (currently $0.60)

    You can purchase postage stamps on the United States Postal Service website or at any post office location. Most grocery and drug stores also carry USPS stamps.

    Related: How to Write a Cover Letter That Gets You an Interview

    Other Things To Consider

    Now that we’ve got the basics covered, it’s time to go over the little details that make a big difference.

    The Font

    When sending a professional letter, you need to make sure your font is professional. For formal font options, stick to:

    • Times New Roman
    • Arial
    • Cambria
    • Georgia

    As for font size, 11-12 point font is acceptable.

    The Proofread

    This might sound like common sense, but this is your official reminder — proofread your letter! Errors in your letter are unprofessional and do not provide a strong impression on the recipient.

    Proofreading means reading your letter aloud to yourself. Reading out loud will help you hear the tone and rhythm of your letter. It will also help you catch errors you wouldn’t have when you read only by sight.

    The Email Address Line

    Providing a personal email address as part of your contact information is perfectly acceptable. However, you need to make sure it is professional-sounding. Try to avoid nicknames or slang terms. Steer towards using an easy-to-read version of your real name, so recipients can easily recognize you in further interactions.

    The Stamp

    This is a tiny detail, but the stamp on the top right corner of the letter adds to the overall aesthetic of your letter upon arrival. The USPS offers many choices when it comes to stamps, but try to stick to something standard when you mail it. Avoid “happy birthday” and things to that effect, as that sentiment does not match your intent.

    The Penmanship

    If you are addressing your letter by hand, make sure your penmanship is neat and legible. This is another small detail, but it speaks to the impression of your work, itself. If you are not confident in your handwriting, then you can always type your letter address.

    The Takeaway

    The art of professional letter writing is still very much alive. When it comes to formal letter writing, remember these three things:

    1. The contents of your letter should be clear, concise, and easy to read
    2. Your letter’s envelope should provide sender information, recipient information, and proper postage
    3. It’s the little things that will set your letter apart from the rest.

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  • Stand Out With Confidence and Achieve Your True Potential With This Mindset

    Stand Out With Confidence and Achieve Your True Potential With This Mindset

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Let’s face it. It’s not always easy to stand out, go against the grain or make a bold statement. It can feel easier to go with the flow than to swim against the current. When you step out, you can be seen and can feel uncomfortable. People might label you, point fingers and even judge you. You might even fear failing, and rightfully so because having anyone see you fail is terrifying. The horror of being in the spotlight keeps many people from ever stepping out and being true to their beliefs, opinions, and themselves. Fear keeps transformative thoughts and ideas buried, often resurfacing later in life when people ask themselves, “what if?”

    What if I had stood up for what I wanted? What if I had taken that risk? What if I had raised my hand and spoken my truth…. would my life have been different? Could I have made a difference? Would I have been happier?

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    Jen Sugermeyer

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  • All eyes on China as Apple and Foxconn outline zero-COVID issues. Meanwhile, cases are rising again in the U.S.

    All eyes on China as Apple and Foxconn outline zero-COVID issues. Meanwhile, cases are rising again in the U.S.

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    China’s strict zero-COVID policy was making headlines Monday after Apple and iPhone manufacturer Foxconn said over the weekend that restrictions are crimping production and will delay shipments of the high-end iPhone 14.

    “We continue to see strong demand for iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max models,” Apple
    AAPL,
    -0.82%
    announced in a Sunday evening press release. “However, we now expect lower iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max shipments than we previously anticipated and customers will experience longer wait times to receive their new products.” 

    Also read: Will Apple’s latest production issues destroy demand?

    Foxconn, meanwhile, which trades as Hon Hai Precision Industry Co.
    2317,
    -0.50%    ,
    lowered its fourth-quarter guidance and said anti-COVID measures were affecting some of its operations in Zhengzhou, China, as Dow Jones Newswires reported.

    Foxconn said that the Henan provincial government had made it clear that it would fully support the company. Foxconn’s most advanced iPhone plant, located in the provincial capital of Zhengzhou, has been battling a COVID outbreak.

    Foxconn said it is working with the government to halt the outbreak and resume production at full capacity as quickly as possible.

    Workers at the world’s biggest assembly site for Apple’s iPhones walked out last week as Foxconn struggled to contain a COVID-19 outbreak. The chaos highlighted the tension between Beijing’s rigid pandemic controls and the need to keep production on track. Photo: Hangpai Xinyang/Associated Press

    Investors have been closely watching China for signs that its government would start to lift the tough pandemic restrictions that have been in place for almost three years. The Wall Street Journal reported Monday that the country’s leaders are considering steps but have not yet set a timeline.

    Chinese  officials have become concerned about the costs of their zero-tolerance approach to COVID, which has resulted in lockdowns of cities and whole provinces, crushing business activity and confining hundreds of millions of people to their homes for weeks and sometimes months on end.

    But they are weighing those concerns against the potential costs of reopening on public health and on support for the Communist Party. On Saturday, officials from China’s National Health Commission again reaffirmed their commitment to a firm zero-COVID strategy, which they described as essential to “protect people’s lives.”

    Still, there are plans in Beijing to further cut the number of days incoming travelers must quarantine in hotels from 10 to seven, followed by three days of home monitoring, the paper reported, citing people involved in the discussions.

    And officials have told retail businesses that they intend to reduce the frequency of PCR testing as soon as this month, partly because of the cost.

    In the U.S., known cases of COVID and hospitalizations are climbing again for the first time in a few months.

    The daily average for new cases stood at 39,954 on Sunday, according to a New York Times tracker, up 6% compared with two weeks ago. But cases are sharply higher in several states, led by Nevada, where they are up 96% from two weeks ago, followed by Tennessee, where they are up 69%; Louisiana, where they are up 68%; Utah, where they have climbed 61%; and New Mexico, where they are up 56%.

    Cases are climbing in 30 states and in Washington, D.C.

    The daily average for hospitalizations was up 2% to 27,419, while the daily average for deaths was down 11% to 320.

    Physicians are reporting high numbers of respiratory illnesses like RSV and the flu earlier than the typical winter peak. WSJ’s Brianna Abbott explains what the early surge means for the winter months. Photo illustration: Kaitlyn Wang

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 variants accounted for 35.3% of new cases in the week through Nov. 5, up from 27.1% a week ago.

    The two variants accounted for 52.3% of all cases in the New York region, which includes New Jersey, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, up from 42.5% the previous week. That was more than the BA.5 omicron subvariant, which accounted for 24.9% of new cases in the New York area in the latest week.

    The BA.5 omicron subvariant accounted for 39.2% of all U.S. cases, the data show.

    BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 were still lumped in with BA.5 variant data as recently as three weeks ago, because at that time, their numbers were too small to break out. BQ.1 was first identified by researchers in early September and has been found in the U.K. and Germany, among other places. 

    Coronavirus Update: MarketWatch’s daily roundup has been curating and reporting all the latest developments every weekday since the coronavirus pandemic began

    Other COVID-19 news you should know about:

    • BioNTEch SE
    BNTX,
    +2.84%    ,
    the German biotech that has partnered with Pfizer
    PFE,
    -0.53%
    on a COVID vaccine, posted earnings early Monday, showing a roughly 50% drop in profit that sent its stock lower, despite beating consensus estimates. The Mainz-based company said it had invoiced about 300 million doses of its bivalent vaccine, which targets the omicron variant as well as the original virus. The company chalked up €564.5 million ($563.9 million) in direct COVID vaccine sales in the quarter, down from €1.351 billion a year ago. BioNTech raised the lower end of its full-year COVID vaccine revenue range to €16 billion to €17 billion, from a previous €13 billion to €17 billion.

    • Thousands of runners took to the streets of the Chinese capital on Sunday for the return of Beijing’s annual marathon after a two-year hiatus, the Associated Press reported. However, the good news was offset by anger about another death related to COVID restrictions, this time of a 55-year-old woman in a sealed building. An investigation report released Sunday in Hohhot, the capital of China’s Inner Mongolia region, blamed property management and community staff for not acting quickly enough to prevent the death of the woman after being told she had suicidal tendencies.

    • The U.S. flu season is off to an unusually fast start, contributing to an autumn mix of viruses that have patients filling hospitals’ and physicians’ waiting rooms, the AP reported separately. Reports of flu are already high in 17 states, and the hospitalization rate hasn’t been this high this early since the 2009 swine flu pandemic, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. So far, there have been an estimated 730 flu deaths, including at least two children. The winter flu season usually ramps up in December or January.

    Here’s what the numbers say:

    The global tally of confirmed cases of COVID-19 topped 632.6 million on Monday, while the death toll rose above 6.60 million, according to data aggregated by Johns Hopkins University.

    The U.S. leads the world with 97.7 million cases and 1,072,598 fatalities.

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s tracker shows that 227.3 million people living in the U.S., equal to 68.5% of the total population, are fully vaccinated, meaning they have had their primary shots.

    So far, just 26.3 million Americans have had the updated COVID booster that targets the original virus and the omicron variants, equal to 8.4% of the overall population.

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  • Apple warns that iPhone 14 Pro shipments will be hit by China production snags

    Apple warns that iPhone 14 Pro shipments will be hit by China production snags

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    Apple Inc. said Sunday that it now expects lower shipments of its high-end iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max devices than it did previously, as COVID-19 issues hamper production in China.

    “We continue to see strong demand for iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max models,” the company announced in a Sunday evening press release. “However, we now expect lower iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max shipments than we previously anticipated and customers will experience longer wait times to receive their new products.”

    Apple
    AAPL,
    -0.19%
    acknowledged in its release that COVID-19 issues have “temporarily impacted” production of the devices at the Zhengzhou site that is the “primary” assembly facility for the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max. That facility is currently seeing “significantly reduced” operating capacity.

    “We are working closely with our supplier to return to normal production levels while ensuring the health and safety of every worker,” the company added in the release.

    Analysts have been discussing iPhone production disruption at manufacturer Foxconn’s
    2354,
    +1.31%
    Zhengzhou facility for the past week amid fallout from COVID-19 restrictions in the city.

    “Although Apple earnings were only a week ago, supply shortages at the high end of the market and recent COVID lockdowns in China impacting a Foxconn plant could negatively impact iPhone units in the December quarter,” UBS analyst David Vogt wrote Wednesday, ahead of Apple’s press release. “While we believe iPhone demand tends to not be perishable, a slippage of a couple of million units is possible below our 86 million forecast.”

    While Apple was the only Big Tech company to see its shares rally in the wake of its late-October earnings report, shares have struggled more since then. They logged their worst weekly performance since March 2020 last week.

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  • Toast to This Early Black Friday Wine Delivery Deal

    Toast to This Early Black Friday Wine Delivery Deal

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    Disclosure: Our goal is to feature products and services that we think you’ll find interesting and useful. If you purchase them, Entrepreneur may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners.

    Every entrepreneur should have a hobby or passion to enjoy in their spare time. For some, that pastime is wine.


    Splash Wines

    Who could blame anyone for enjoying a fine wine from time to time? Especially when you can get early Black Friday savings on a collection of fall favorites. As part of our Every Day is Black Friday promotion, we’re offering limited-time deals leading up to the big day. The deals are great, but our supply is limited, so right now is the time to jump on this offer of 18 bottles of wine for just $69.99 from Splash Wines.

    Just like food, wine is seasonal, and Splash Wines is helping you enjoy fall with a special curation of stunning autumnal selections. Their Top 18 Wines for Fall 2022 have been selected, and through this offer, you can get all 18 for an extraordinary price you won’t find anywhere else.

    The selection includes a mixed array of reds, whites, and a bottle of bubbly, but through this offer, you can also customize your pack to an extent. If you’d prefer, you can pick all reds or all whites, depending on what best suits your fancy.

    Splash Wines has earned a sterling 4.6/5-star rating on Trustpilot on more than 20,000 reviews because they make it so easy and affordable for people to get their hands on some of the world’s best wines. Truly, anybody can be a connoisseur with Splash Wines.

    Indulge in an early Black Friday deal while these supplies last — which won’t be long. Right now, you can get 18 bottles of wine from Splash Wines for 80 percent off $350 at just $69.99. That’s less than $4 per bottle.

    Prices subject to change.

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  • How to Boost Productivity Using Nutritional Psychology

    How to Boost Productivity Using Nutritional Psychology

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    In this video, Ben Angel shares how nutritional psychology can help supercharge productivity.

    Are you unstoppable? Take the FREE quiz now to find out! (only available for a limited time) And be sure to grab a copy of Ben’s award-winning book, Unstoppable, which has been read by more than 70,000 people worldwide.

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    Ben Angel

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  • Murdaugh Family Murders Explained, What You Need to Know

    Murdaugh Family Murders Explained, What You Need to Know

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    The story of the Murdaugh murders stems from a 100-year-old family legal dynasty in Hampton, South Carolina, that was put in the hands of fourth-generation lawyer Alex Murdaugh.

    But what took a century to build came crashing down in June 2021, when Alex called authorities after finding his wife, Maggie Murdaugh, and his youngest son, Paul Murdaugh, shot dead in their 1,770-acre hunting lodge at 4147 Moselle Road in Islandton, South Carolina.

    These crimes led to a series of revelations about the family, which HBO Max is set to unpack in the new true crime documentary, Low Country: The Murdaugh Dynasty, airing on November 3.

    Image credit: Courtesy of Maggie Murdaugh via Facebook.

    Who Are the Murdaugh Family?

    The Murdaugh family began in South Carolina at the turn of the century and have been prominent lawyers in the state for decades. Beginning with Alex Murdaugh’s great-grandfather Randolph Murdaugh Sr., who started Peters Murdaugh Parker Eltzroth & Detrick in 1910, generations of his family have continued to work at the firm, including his son, Randolph “Buster” Murdaugh II, grandson, Randolph Murdaugh III, and his great-great-grandsons Randolph “Randy” Murdaugh IV and Alex Murdaugh.

    The firm was successful with personal injury cases by taking advantage of a South Carolina law that allows people to sue in any county and not where an incident may have occurred — which can often result in favoritism and landed Hampton County on the 2004 list of “Judicial Hellholes“. However, this made the Murdaugh group the “go-to” lawyers in the county.

    Randolph Sr. also became the first elected solicitor, (or district attorney), of the 14th judicial circuit (district) in 1920. Randolph Sr. held the role for 20 years until his death. His son, Randolph “Buster” Murdaugh II, was elected to the position next. He worked from 1940 to 1986, until his son Randolph Murdaugh III took over, working from 1986 to 2006. Alex volunteered and worked part-time in the solicitor’s office after graduating from USC Law School in 1994 until 2021.

    The Murdaugh family were solicitors in South Carolina for 86 years straight; leading criminal prosecutions for their district, and playing a key role in deciding which cases get prosecuted (and when) from 1920 to 2006.

    What Happened to Paul and Maggie Murdaugh?

    Maggie and Paul Murdaugh were shot dead on June 7, 2021. Alex Murdaugh called 911 at around 10 p.m., claiming he had discovered the bodies. However, the coroner found that the two had died between 9 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., per NPR, and they had been shot with different weapons — Maggie with an assault-style rifle and Paul with a shotgun.

    In October 2021, Alex was named as a person of interest in the case, although his lawyer denied the allegations and said he had no motive for the crimes, according to People.

    According to NBC News, sources close to the investigation said authorities found cellphone video evidence that places Alex at the scene of the crime.

    On July 14, 2022, he was indicted by a grand jury in connection to Paul and Maggie’s murders. He was charged with two counts of murder and two counts of possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime.

    Alex Murdaugh’s lawyers maintain his innocence.

    Image credit: Courtesy of Maggie Murdaugh via Facebook.

    What Other Crimes Were Uncovered After the Murdaugh Family Murders?

    As investigators looked into the deaths of the mother and son, other unsolved crimes relating to the Murdaugh family were discovered.

    Two years before his death, in February 2019, youngest son Paul, 22, had been involved in a boat crash that left his friend, Mallory Beach, dead after being thrown from the boat. Though various witnesses said Paul had been driving the boat while intoxicated, according to a previous NBC documentary on Peacock, key evidence had gone missing in the case.

    Paul was charged with one count of boating while intoxicated and two counts of causing bodily injury, though people suggested he received special treatment thanks to his family’s legacy. He was released on bond and a date for his trial was never set, per People.

    Additionally, two weeks following the double murders that took place in June 2021, the state reopened an investigation into a 2015 case of a man, Stephen Smith, who had been found dead on the side of the road.

    While South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) has not revealed what evidence caused them to reopen the case, per NPR, the Murdaugh name kept coming up in relation to the case. Sources speculated that Buster Murdaugh, Alex Murdaugh’s eldest son who also worked at the family law firm, had a relationship with Smith, according to the Daily Mail.

    Furthermore, although Smith’s death was ruled a hit-and-run, he had a gunshot wound above his right eye and his injuries were not consistent with those sustained from vehicle trauma, according to the Daily Mail.

    Buster has not been named a person of interest in Smith’s death.

    What Happened to Gloria Satterfield?

    In addition to Smith’s death, SLED began investigating another case involving the Murdaugh family. In 2018, the family’s longtime housekeeper, Gloria Satterfield, died after Maggie Murdaugh called 911, claiming Satterfield had fallen down the stairs. It was noted that Paul was present during the call.

    Satterfield was a longtime caretaker of the family, and according to sources featured in Discovery + documentary Murdaugh Murders: Deadly Dynasty, she had told several people that Paul would kill small animals and often disregarded authority.

    Her cause of death remains unclear.

    At the funeral, Alex approached Satterfield’s sons and said since the accident happened on his property, he was going to sue himself for wrongful death so the boys can get some insurance money, according to The New York Times.

    With all legalities handled by Alex, the sons were told to wait for a settlement.

    Alex and his insurers did reach a $4.3 million settlement in the months after Satterfield’s death, but the Satterfield family didn’t see a dime.

    The Satterfield sons filed a lawsuit against Alex Murdaugh in September 2021, and SLED decided to exhume the body for an autopsy in June 2022, according to South Carolina’s WCSC. That same month, Alex agreed to pay the Satterfield family $4.3 million.

    Where Is the Murdaugh Law Firm Now?

    The alleged misappropriated funds in the wrongful death suit uncovered various other financial crimes including Alex stealing millions from clients and his family law firm, according to The New York Times.

    He was then forced out by his partners in September 2021, just three months after the double murders. The firm changed its name to the Parker Law Group, LLP in January 2021, according to WOTC South Carolina.

    Alex was also stripped from being a lawyer in the state of South Carolina indefinitely, and his name was removed from the firm that was once known as the “Murdaugh Law Firm.”

    What Happened to Alex Murdaugh?

    The following day, after Alex was forced out of the firm, he was shot in the head while changing a tire on the side of the road. The shot only caused minor damage and he was able to call for help.

    Days after he was shot, he checked into rehab for opioid addiction. It was there that he admitted to lawyers that he had hired Curtis Eddie Smith to kill him so his son Buster could collect $10 million in insurance money.

    On Sept. 16, 2021, he turned himself in to Hampton County Law Enforcement in connection to the suicide-for-hire scam, per People.

    Later, on Oct. 14, 2021, Alex was arrested on felony charges for misusing millions from the Satterfield estate and obtaining property under false pretenses, per NPR, and was hit with tens of charges in the months that followed concerning numerous financial crimes and deaths.

    He was indicted on murder charges for the deaths of his wife and son in July 2022.

    Image credit: Tracy Glantz/The Island Packet/Tribune News Service via Getty Images

    Where Are the Murdaughs Now?

    Alex Murdaugh is currently in jail and is set to go on trial for the June 2021 murders of his son Paul and his wife Maggie in January. If convicted, he could face 30 years to life in prison without parole and could be eligible for the death penalty, according to USA Today.

    Murdaugh faces a total of 90 charges, many of which include financial crimes such as stealing from the family law firm, money laundering through a drug ring, and committing insurance fraud.

    As for the rest of the surviving Murdaugh family, eldest son Buster was last reported to be “not doing well at all” since his father was arrested for the double murders, sources told People in July 2022.

    Despite previously working at his family’s law firm, Buster appears to have no involvement in the rebranded Parker Law Group.

    Meanwhile, Alex’s brother Randy still works as a practicing lawyer at the now-renamed Parker Law Firm. He denounced Alex’s actions and claimed he had no involvement in his mishandling of company funds in a statement to People in September 2021.

    Randy is also suing Alex for thousands in unpaid loans.

    How Much Are the Murdaughs Worth?

    It’s unclear exactly how much wealth the Murdaugh family once had, but several accounts and properties were found to be worth millions.

    When Murdaugh was held on a $7 million bond for 51 criminal charges, the court detailed Murdaugh’s assets, which included numerous real estate properties and even small islands, according to Greenville News.

    Additionally, the court found a retirement account worth between $2.1 and $2.2 million, and an IRA retirement fund valued at $350,000 to $400,000.

    He was also supposed to receive a trust for an undisclosed amount after his father Randolph Murdaugh III’s death in June 2021, plus probate assets after his wife’s death that same month.

    Furthermore, the family hunting lodge where Paul and Maggie were killed was listed in February 2022 for $3.9 million.

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  • 5 Ways to Clear Your Mind and Be Your Most Productive Self

    5 Ways to Clear Your Mind and Be Your Most Productive Self

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    You can be in flow one day and out the next. While earning my doctorate, I worked full-time while running a business and engaging in a dysfunctional marriage. I had committed to doing everything I had set out to do with no consideration for the impact of the pressures on my life.

    But one day, I found myself unfocused and uninterested in completing my work. I sat at the computer for a while, but nothing came. I couldn’t produce. Does this sound familiar? If it does, you have experienced a mental block.

    Related: 7 Unexpected Ways to Get Around Mental Blocks

    Spotting the signs

    I was in the middle of my doctoral program with tons of papers to write, but I was stuck. It lasted for days. Although that was the first time I had experienced a mental block, it wasn’t the last.

    I realized I was prone to mental blocks when I was engaging in long periods of mental stimulation, experiencing prolonged stress, and in a highly creative period. Here are some signs to watch out for in yourself:

    • Feeling frustrated and overwhelmed
    • Trying to push through to finish a task but feel stuck
    • Difficulty completing any tasks that required me to think, strategize or create
    • Trouble producing anything of high quality
    • Finding it hard to describe how you’re feeling and what you’re experiencing

    One of the hardest things about experiencing a mental block is that it cannot be seen, which makes it hard to identify. Furthermore, a mental block can happen to anyone, varies in length and can happen at the most inconvenient time. They can range from acute to severe.

    Related: 7 Mental Blocks Preventing Your Success

    Contributing factors

    Several factors can contribute to mental blocks. Some of them include:

    1. Mental exhaustion: As in my case, I was overworking my brain muscles all day and night by constantly engaging in creative activities. I was experiencing mental fatigue from excess decision-making. My life was structured so that all decisions had to pass through me and couldn’t be delegated to someone else. My brain was exhausted.
    2. Lack of sleep: With 24 hours in a day, eight were dedicated to my full-time job, six were going to my business, two were for traveling back and forth and three were used for cooking, bathing and spending time with my family and friends. On average, this schedule left me with five hours each day to sleep. The recommended amount of sleep per day is six to eight hours. I was not giving my brain enough time to rest to function correctly.
    3. Environmental disorganization: Your workspace should reflect the clarity you want when working. When my environment is in disarray, I have the most difficulty focusing on a task. When I earned my doctorate, I was in a dysfunctional marriage. My ex-husband was verbally abusive and battling drug addiction. He would often throw fits and destroy the apartment. On days I would arrive home, items would be all over the floor and out of place. I would need to leave home to think clearly. This was one of the contributing factors to my staying so busy and out of the house as much as possible.
    4. Impostor syndrome: I doubted my experience and abilities at the highest level while earning my doctorate. It felt like I was in an in-between space where I had years of professional experience, but I didn’t feel like an expert in my field. This led me to question my abilities and hesitate before writing a paper. I wanted everything I submitted to be perfect and I feared judgment. So instead of creating, I would find myself stuck on validating myself.

    Related: 6 Powerful Ways to Get Out of a Mental Slump

    Overcoming a mental block

    Once you can identify the root cause of your mental blocks, that is half the battle. The next half consists of taking some actions to help overcome it so you can accomplish your goals. Here are a few things to try:

    1. Turn up your physical activity: This is my go-to anecdote. We are full of energy, and mental blocks are created when that energy becomes stagnant. Engaging in regular physical activity helps prevent and remove blocks that occur. Physically, exercise pumps blood to the brain, which can help us think more clearly.
    2. Grab a coloring book and start coloring: Coloring is relaxing and allows you to get your creative juices flowing without using much brain power. It can help your brain and body relax to improve brain functioning. When coloring, various parts of our brain’s cerebral hemispheres are activated.
    3. Schedule your sleep: Putting your sleep on your schedule helps to regulate the amount you get. By getting more sleep, your brain has time to relax.
    4. Meditate daily: Meditation is a powerful tool that can help us remove distractions and negative thoughts. It helps us to get in touch with our subconscious mind and release the thoughts holding us back. It also produces peace within us, which helps us gain clarity in any situation.
    5. Tap into music: Music can serve as a form of therapy to help us process emotions and act as a calming agent. Listening to music also has incredibly positive effects on our brains.

    The most important thing to remember when feeling stuck is that stepping away from what you are working on is always an option. Take some time to relax and shift your focus. After all, continuing to work will only frustrate you, which is never helpful. Instead, take the time to try some of the suggestions above.

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    Fanike-Kiara Young

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  • Build Multi-Generational Wealth With This Mindset

    Build Multi-Generational Wealth With This Mindset

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    “You can’t take it with you” — how often have you heard that?

    It’s an oft-abused phrase employed, usually within the context of a person amassing wealth or assets beyond their needs. What it speaks to is intent, and that’s what building multi-generational wealth is all about: growing your assets to pass them on to future generations.

    We’re not just talking about money and other valuable items, though. There’s far more to it than that.

    Right now, in the West and throughout the world, we’re experiencing deep financial uncertainty. Especially since the crash of 2008, we’ve been on an increasingly fast treadmill of debt.

    Most Millennials and Generation Z in America identified home ownership as the prime marker for success. Increasingly, though, they are being priced out of the housing market altogether. Two-thirds of non-homeowners cited affordability as why they didn’t own their own home.

    There are, of course, several factors that have gone into this situation. It boils down to a total lack of focus on building generational wealth. Now we could lay that at the feet of consumerism; far too much emphasis on instant gratification, not enough on the journey of life and deferred gratification for greater future reward.

    Related: Experts Share Tips on Overcoming Generational Wealth Disparity

    Certainly, that’s true to an extent. We buy on credit now more than ever (I’ll get to why that’s bad…but not why you think, shortly). We seek shortcuts and outcomes rather than journeys and experiences. But as with everything in life: the answer lies in more than one factor.

    Right now, we’re experiencing the perfect storm of destabilizing geopolitics, recessions, war and cultural norms that don’t favor multi-generational wealth.

    We’ve cultivated this sense of wealth being about what you can demonstrate to others. It’s all about “flex” culture (as the kids say). But this belies the true nature of what it means to be wealthy.

    What is wealth?

    I’m not going to say something as predictable or demonstrably untrue as: “wealth has nothing to do with money.” That kind of platitudinal soundbite is also part of the problem. We’re not holding ourselves accountable for what we say publicly. Money is absolutely a component of wealth, there’s no doubt. But it also doesn’t paint the complete picture.

    A “wealth” of something simply means that you have an abundant supply of it. For example, you can have a wealth of knowledge. It comes down to how resourced you are as a person and how valuable you can be as an individual to the broader community.

    We’ve done ourselves a cultural disservice in emphasizing money. Not that this is some kind of anti-capitalist rant! I’m a serial entrepreneur, after all. We do, however, need to steer the conversation towards other forms of wealth to heal the current pain we find ourselves in.

    Related: Health Is Wealth: How to Move Away From Hustle Culture

    For multi-generational wealth, we must take a more holistic approach to life

    Millions of dollars in the bank won’t serve you if you have to sacrifice your mental well-being and time with your family (or a family, for that matter) to achieve it. My vision of multi-generational wealth is not about one generation falling on their proverbial sword to bring it about.

    My approach is about breaking these “molds” into which we constantly try to force ourselves. I want us to ditch the ‘cookie-cutter’ approach altogether and really examine what we have to offer future generations beyond just accrued capital.

    Related: Successful Entrepreneurs Don’t Follow Mainstream Money Advice, And You Shouldn’t Either

    Let’s start with money

    Thanks to inflation, the money that you leave behind for your kids will be eroded by the sands of time anyway.

    Our education systems throughout the west offer pitifully little education when it comes to money management. We need to start teaching our kids how to handle money properly if we want to build generational wealth.

    That starts with understanding how to use debt properly!

    We’re used to buying things on credit, usually having been fed the ridiculous line about how it frees up your capital to earn money. Given the rates that most retailers and third-party lenders charge, that’s total garbage.

    You find me a savings account or investment portfolio that will give you the level of return that will match or exceed what they’re charging!

    That said: we also need to avoid the trap of thinking that debt is inherently evil. It’s not. It just depends on how you use it.

    Consumer debt (i.e., buying consumables with debt) is a terrible idea because you’re servicing debt on something that is losing value. Hence why you can leverage your capacity to service debt, for example, to become a lender yourself essentially. That’s how a lot of other successful entrepreneurs and I make a lot of money.

    From an entrepreneurial perspective, educating your kids about how debt works is a massive leap toward building generational wealth.

    This means educating yourself — no bad thing. I would encourage you to break the old habits and stigmas around debt for your own sake. Learn to identify the difference between consumer debt and the debt you can leverage.

    The most important advice I can offer to you as an entrepreneur that will help you build multi-generational wealth is to…

    Find your ‘why’!

    “He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how” — Friedrich Nietzsche

    This is always the first port of call for anyone I coach in business. It’s the single most important thing to teach your kids if you want them to build on your legacy.

    You must understand what’s driving you and why. That takes serious introspection and hard work. You will need to weed out all the programmings you’ve been fed since you were a kid that is keeping you motivated by the desires of others.

    We think that so much of what drives us comes from us. More often than not, however, we’re being driven by what someone else expects of us. When we don’t confront this proactively, it leads to mid-life crises.

    The stark realization that we have less time left than we’ve had throws into sharp relief all of the things we’ve valued and how little we actually did for ourselves!

    Don’t let that be the legacy you leave.

    Get your head around the life that you want to lead. Be an example to future generations and build your resources (money, knowledge, health, energy, etc…) to be of maximal service.

    Being of service to others ultimately builds true wealth, after all.

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    Daniel Mangena

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