Inc. Magazine

Founded in 1979 and acquired in 2005 by Mansueto Ventures LLC, Inc. is the only major brand dedicated exclusively to owners and managers of growing private companies, with the aim to deliver real solutions for today’s innovative company builders.

THANKS FOR TAKING THE GLOOM AWAY

Inc.

HOW TO BEAT THE COMPETITION

EXPERT ADVICE FROM INC.’S INNER CIRCLE

MY MENTOR TAUGHT ME ALWAYS GO DEEPER

HOW I GOT THE IDEA

ASK AN EXPERT IS THIS A BUSINESS? • In her 20 years at Inc. Leigh Buchanan has had some time to cook up a few business ideas. She ran one past an expert.

FOUNDERS YOU SHOULD KNOW

BY THE NUMBERS INSIDE THE GIFT BOX BIZ

MR. TRASH WHEEL BOX

WHEN THE BUBBLE BURST

HOW TO ASK FOR FEEDBACK

I CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT … SOULCYCLE

THE BEST PARTS

THE FUTURE OF FOOD • Food connects, in some way, with virtually every challenge the world faces. Seth Goldman connects, in some way, with virtually every aspect of food. His résumé includes stints working at food startups, and at corporate, vegan, and philanthropic food organizations. Insider asked Goldman about food’s future.

Smart Solutions Tame Payroll Complexity • Always a fundamental responsibility for employers, payroll has played an even more important role for SMBs during the COVID-19 pandemic

THE RULES OF THE ROAD • Entrepreneurs won’t give up easily. But don’t confuse perseverance with execution. You need to pick up your head now and then to make sure you’re not driving off a cliff.

STOP WASTING YOUR TIME • Founders often feel compelled to take on all of the smallest tasks just to show they’re part of the team. You are—you’re the leader. Now act like it and delegate.

DISTANCED DELEGATING • Behind every great remote assistant is a CEO who knows how to let go

GO TAKE A LEAP • Being in business has been harsh over the past six months. But being in business over the next six months offers the chance for your organization to transform employee teams.

WHEN FAMILIES FEUD

Why Every Small Business Must Embrace Digital Payments • Post-pandemic it’s more important than ever that your company offer contactless payment options, and here’s how

IT’S NOT EASY BEING BLUE • The Covid-19 pandemic has boosted the sales of Blueland, a DTC company that markets sustainably made cleaning products. Co-founder Sarah Paiji Yoo is juggling rapid growth, retail expansion, and family expansion—all while trying to assess her role as CEO.

THE WORLD’S BEST MBA PROGRAMS FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN 2021 • FROM ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE SOFTWARE TO A MOBILE BANK FOR INTERNATIONALS, THESE MBA FOUNDED ENTERPRISES HAVE DISRUPTIVE POTENTIAL

DISRUPTIVE MBA STARTUPS YOU’VE NEVER HEARD OF • Some of the hottest ventures currently coming out of the world’s best business schools

A New Role for Private Equity: Hero • Inc.’s annual list of founder-friendly PE firms is your go-to resource for investors that have entrepreneurs’ backs—especially in a pandemic.

A Pattern of Success • Triangle Home Fashions’ Jenny Zhu needed a partner to help grow her business and give her more control of her life.

Dogfish Head’s Hoppy Landing • In the crowded craft brewing segment, Sam Calagione found a drinking buddy.

The Top 50 Founder-Friendly Private Equity Firms

Not Just a Cosmetic Change • TPG Growth matched Beautycounter’s passion for sustainability.

A Fintech Finds an Investor That Gets It • Fattmerchant founder Suneera Madhani had some issues with tech bros until she connected with a PE firm that respected her, and her company.

WISDOM OF WOMEN • THE WOMEN OF THIS YEAR’S FEMALE FOUNDERS 100 SHARE THE LESSONS THEY’VE LEARNED FROM BEING FIRST, FEARLESS, AND...