entrepreneurship
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X @Forbes
Forbes· 2025-09-24 17:57
While Mark Cuban is known for telling entrepreneurs they need to learn to sell their ideas, “or you won’t be in business for long,” one of his underappreciated abilities is using storytelling tactics when pitching. (Photo: Julia Beverly via WireImage) https://t.co/Brfi6gsRr4 https://t.co/0JLhPvvzXR ...
How small business owners can read customer signals
Yahoo Finance· 2025-09-18 19:20
Body Language in Business Communication - Body language is a crucial first language, sending messages even before words are spoken [6] - Non-verbal cues are often unconsciously perceived and believed more than spoken words [1][7] - Entrepreneurs should be aware of their own baseline body language to avoid misinterpretations [12][14] Key Body Language Tips for Entrepreneurs - Maintain great posture to project confidence and power [10][12] - Adopt an open and available stance when interacting with people [10][20] - Open power zones (throat, heart, belly button area) to welcome customers [20] - Beaming, or showing inner excitement, makes customers feel valued [21][22] - Avoid bringing negative emotions into the workplace, as emotions are transferable [23][24] Body Language in Sales and Negotiation - Know everything about your product and your customer to effectively serve their needs [28][29] - Focus on identifying and solving customer problems [30][31] - In virtual presentations, pay attention to lighting and use hands purposefully, exposing palms to show honesty [40][42] Interpreting Body Language in Others - Build rapport to establish a baseline of normal behavior before assessing deviations [46][48] - Look for congruence between facial expressions, words, tone, and non-verbal cues to detect deception [51][52] - Deceptive individuals often don't practice gestures and may exhibit stillness due to creating a story [50][52]
X @The Economist
The Economist· 2025-09-05 23:40
Much of Dame Steve’s success lay in cunning. Our obituary of the entrepreneur who started a multi-billion-dollar software firm from her dining table https://t.co/s8LZripK5j ...
X @Forbes
Forbes· 2025-09-05 05:00
Entrepreneurship & AI - AI is lowering the barriers to entrepreneurship [1] - ChatGPT-powered income ideas could help individuals start earning on the side in 2025 [1] Income Opportunities - Five ChatGPT-powered income ideas are mentioned as potential side hustles [1]
X @The Economist
The Economist· 2025-09-04 19:20
Entrepreneurship & Gender - In the 1960s, the tech industry was perceived as unwelcoming to women entrepreneurs [1] - The entrepreneur's success led to her workers becoming millionaires [1] Historical Context - The narrative highlights the challenges faced by women in the early days of the software industry [1]
How customer feedback transformed this fashion CEO's success
Yahoo Finance· 2025-08-21 19:08
Company Overview - Slick Chicks was founded in 2017 by Helia Mohamadian, inspired by her sister's C-section recovery, to create adaptive clothing for people with limited mobility [5] - The company's mission is to empower people by making getting dressed easier and more stylish [5] - Slick Chicks products are now available at major retailers like Target and CVS [5][30] Product Design and Development - The design process starts with understanding the customer's needs through conversations with end-users, caregivers, and occupational/physical therapists [23][24] - Customer feedback is crucial for iterating and improving the product [27][47] - The initial product was designed as a maternity product but evolved to serve people with disabilities and chronic illnesses [12][16][17] Funding and Business Strategy - The company initially used crowdfunding (Kickstarter) to raise capital and pre-sell products [13][14][15] - Bootstrapping and being scrappy are key for business owners, especially in the early stages [33] - Securing funding from angel investors with personal connections to the product's mission can be beneficial [34][35] Market and Customer Focus - The target market includes individuals with disabilities, chronic illnesses, and those recovering from surgeries [16][17] - Caregivers represent a secondary but critical market [25] - The company aims to serve a large, underserved market, emphasizing that accessibility is a need, not just a "nice-to-have" [31][34] Supply Chain and Manufacturing Challenges - The company faced challenges with manufacturing, including cutting corners and dealing with unreliable suppliers [19][20] - Building strong partnerships with the right suppliers is essential for navigating supply chain challenges [37][38] - Early challenges included issues with packaging and shipping large orders, requiring hands-on involvement from the founder [39][40][41] Retail Expansion - Cold emailing a buyer at Target led to a significant retail partnership [43] - Being in Target increased visibility and attracted other retailers like CVS [44] - Authenticity and storytelling are important for attracting retailers and conveying the size of the market [45] Key Advice for Entrepreneurs - Know everything about your customer and validate your product with them [45][46] - Be prepared to receive and act on uncomfortable feedback [47] - Don't be afraid to be scrappy and get your hands dirty [42]
Breaking Rules to Build Brands | Arthi Raguram | TEDxSRMIST
TEDx Talks· 2025-08-14 15:02
Brand Philosophy & Values - Vega emphasizes authenticity, purity, and honesty in skincare, challenging the industry's reliance on artificial preservatives and incomplete label information [3][7] - The brand prioritizes building relationships with customers, focusing on their individual skin concerns rather than solely on market demands [10][11] - Vega values conviction over comfort, encouraging individuals to break free from perceived limitations and pursue their own unique paths [15][16] Business Strategy & Growth - Vega initially focused on handcrafted, natural formulations, even without "perfect" packaging or synthetic fragrances, defying conventional beauty standards [4][5] - The company experienced organic growth through word-of-mouth marketing, highlighting the importance of customer advocacy and loyalty [8][11] - Vega prioritized people over profits, leading to a loyal customer base and demonstrating that building strong relationships can be more valuable than rapid scaling [12] Overcoming Challenges & Industry Norms - The founder faced skepticism and judgment for using edible ingredients and for not conforming to standard cosmetic industry practices [5][6] - Vega challenged the notion of "perfect" skin and the pressure to use skin-whitening products, advocating for self-acceptance and appreciation of natural beauty [6][9] - The brand defied the pressure to scale rapidly, choosing instead to focus on building strong customer relationships and maintaining its core values [10]