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  • How I Scaled from Side Hustle to 7 Figures Using 4 AI Tools (No Tech Skills Needed)

    How I Scaled from Side Hustle to 7 Figures Using 4 AI Tools (No Tech Skills Needed)


    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    If you’re only using AI to pump out blog posts or social media content, you’re thinking too small. The real game-changers? They’re building businesses that run on autopilot — using next-gen AI agents to automate sales, operations and marketing around the clock, with zero employees.

    In this video, I’ll break down the four AI agents that can turn a simple side hustle into a 7-figure business.

    • Revenue-generating agent: Replace entire sales teams with AI that qualifies leads, books calls and handles follow-ups — it’s like having a top-tier sales rep that never takes a day off.
    • Executive assistant agent: Say goodbye to calendar chaos and inbox overwhelm. Use AI to handle scheduling, inbox management, travel planning and data entry — freeing up hours each week.
    • Workflow and SOP agent: Automate your SOPs and streamline onboarding with screen-recording AI that turns your processes into step-by-step guides — no more micromanaging.
    • Pulse agent for marketing: Analyze sales data, audit content and predict campaign performance before you hit launch — this is the tool that tripled my sales in just 14 days.

    Whether you’re a solopreneur or scaling a lean team, these four agents can cut overhead, boost productivity, and give you a serious edge – without the headaches of hiring and managing people. Hit play to see how it’s done.
    Download the free “AI Success Kit” (limited time only). And you’ll also get a free chapter from my brand new book, “The Wolf is at The Door – How to Survive and Thrive in an AI-Driven World.”

    If you’re only using AI to pump out blog posts or social media content, you’re thinking too small. The real game-changers? They’re building businesses that run on autopilot — using next-gen AI agents to automate sales, operations and marketing around the clock, with zero employees.

    In this video, I’ll break down the four AI agents that can turn a simple side hustle into a 7-figure business.

    • Revenue-generating agent: Replace entire sales teams with AI that qualifies leads, books calls and handles follow-ups — it’s like having a top-tier sales rep that never takes a day off.
    • Executive assistant agent: Say goodbye to calendar chaos and inbox overwhelm. Use AI to handle scheduling, inbox management, travel planning and data entry — freeing up hours each week.
    • Workflow and SOP agent: Automate your SOPs and streamline onboarding with screen-recording AI that turns your processes into step-by-step guides — no more micromanaging.
    • Pulse agent for marketing: Analyze sales data, audit content and predict campaign performance before you hit launch — this is the tool that tripled my sales in just 14 days.

    The rest of this article is locked.

    Join Entrepreneur+ today for access.



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  • Want to Win in Business? Start by Giving, Not Taking

    Want to Win in Business? Start by Giving, Not Taking


    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    In today’s startup-obsessed, venture-fuelled economy, there’s a popular belief that success belongs to the bold, the fast and the aggressive. In business, you must take: market share, attention, capital, etc., before someone else does.

    But this belief is not just short-sighted. It’s wrong.

    The most resilient, respected and profitable businesses I’ve seen and built all share one counterintuitive trait: they give first.

    Take Costco, for example. By intentionally limiting margins on essential items and paying workers above-average wages, they’ve built a fiercely loyal customer base and an employee culture that outperforms competitors on both revenue per square foot and retention. They didn’t chase maximum profit on day one; they earned long-term trust and scaled it.

    Whether it’s providing opportunity to those overlooked, serving customers priced out by others, mentoring the next generation or offering value before making the ask, giving creates the kind of lasting value no ad campaign ever could.

    Related: Former Zillow Execs Target $1.3T Market

    Giving is written in history, and it is a smart strategy

    This isn’t some new-age philosophy. The Torah, our oldest business manual, lays it out clearly.

    In Deuteronomy 15:10, we are told: “Give to him readily and have no regrets when you do so, for in return, God will bless you in all your efforts and in all your undertakings.”

    And again, in Leviticus 25:35: “If your fellow Israelite becomes poor and cannot maintain themselves, you shall support them as you would a stranger or a sojourner, so that they may live with you.”

    These aren’t suggestions — they are imperatives. The foundation of a just, sustainable economy isn’t profit extraction. It’s human dignity, upliftment and mutual prosperity.

    The Bible doesn’t just spiritualize generosity; it links it directly to blessing in business.

    What giving looks like in modern business

    Giving in business is not about handouts or bleeding margins. It’s about:

    • Offering accessible pricing so more people can benefit.
    • Supporting early-stage founders and customers that others ignore.
    • Creating value (through content, time, advice or resources) before asking for anything back.
    • Building fair partnerships where everyone wins, not just your bottom line.

    These principles don’t weaken a brand. They build a legacy. Because when you empower others, they become your advocates. Your evangelists. Your long-term partners.

    It’s no accident that companies built on generosity: Patagonia, Costco, Basecamp and others, tend to have fanatically loyal customers. They gave. And it came back multiplied.

    Related: If These 4 Legacy Brands Can Get Their Message Across, So Can You

    History’s greatest thinkers got it too

    The greatest minds and leaders have echoed this philosophy.
    Winston Churchill once said, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”

    And Lao Tzu, the ancient Chinese philosopher, wrote: “The wise man does not lay-up treasure. The more he gives to others, the more he has for his own.”

    This isn’t just ancient wisdom. It’s neuroscience. It’s physics. It’s modern economics.

    Giving is good for the soul, and the system

    Here’s something the spreadsheets won’t show — giving makes you healthier.

    Studies show that generous people:

    • Have lower stress levels.
    • Experience higher serotonin and dopamine (feel-good chemicals).
    • Build stronger social bonds, which are directly linked to longer life expectancy.
    • They are perceived as more trustworthy, likable and attractive social currencies that open real doors.

    But it goes beyond biology. There’s a universal alignment at play. The energy, intention and support you put into the world don’t disappear; they ripple back. Some call it karma, others call it physics or simple human nature, but one thing is clear: it always returns. But we’ve all seen it in action.

    The entrepreneur who gives to others attracts opportunities. The brand that uplifts communities grows into a movement. The leader who nurtures loyalty creates a ripple of loyalty in return.

    From transaction to transformation

    We’re entering an era where people want to align with businesses that stand for something. It’s no longer just about profit, but about purpose, not only about the product, but also the principles behind it.

    Giving transforms a transaction into a relationship. It turns customers into communities. It turns a company into a force for good.

    So, the next time your team debates how to grow, how to beat the competition or how to boost this quarter’s numbers, ask instead:

    How can we give?

    • Give a better deal.
    • Give a platform to someone overlooked.
    • Give a second chance.
    • Give a bit of our success to make someone else’s path easier.
    • Give a product that makes the world better.

    Because when we give, we don’t just change someone else’s world. We change our world, the very environment our business operates in, and everything connected to it.

    And that’s the kind of ROI no spreadsheet can calculate.

    In today’s startup-obsessed, venture-fuelled economy, there’s a popular belief that success belongs to the bold, the fast and the aggressive. In business, you must take: market share, attention, capital, etc., before someone else does.

    But this belief is not just short-sighted. It’s wrong.

    The most resilient, respected and profitable businesses I’ve seen and built all share one counterintuitive trait: they give first.

    The rest of this article is locked.

    Join Entrepreneur+ today for access.



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  • What the Changes in Apple’s App Store Mean for iPhone Users



    A federal judge created a path for app makers like Spotify and Patreon to avoid paying Apple hefty commissions. Is this a win for consumers? It’s complicated.



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  • Barbara Corcoran Finds a Buyer in One Day for $12M Penthouse

    Barbara Corcoran Finds a Buyer in One Day for $12M Penthouse


    Longtime “Shark Tank” investor Barbara Corcoran, 76, announced last week that she was putting her beloved New York City penthouse on the market for $12 million — and the apartment almost immediately found a buyer.

    According to the latest Olshan Luxury Market Report, Corcoran’s duplex penthouse at 1158 Fifth had multiple bidders and sold for over the asking price within 24 hours of being listed. The final price paid for the unit and the identity of the new owner are still unknown, but will be disclosed as soon as the deal closes.

    The property was one of 36 contracts signed last week in Manhattan with a value of $4 million or more, per the Olshan report.

    Related: Barbara Corcoran Says the Best Entrepreneurs Are Good at This One Thing

    “Real estate is always emotional, but I never thought I’d say goodbye to this beautiful palace in the sky,” Corcoran wrote on Instagram last week. “I’m just hoping the special person who buys it cherishes it as much as I do!”

    The 4,600-square-foot, 11-room co-op has four bedrooms, four full baths, and two half baths. Monthly maintenance fees are $11,693.32. Corcoran listed the property with The Corcoran Group, the real estate firm she founded in 1973 and sold in 2001 for $66 million.

    Corcoran first spotted the penthouse in 1992, when she was delivering letters for a messenger service as a side hustle. She was impressed by the apartment’s terrace with views of Central Park, and asked the home’s then-owner to call if they ever thought about selling the unit.

    Related: Barbara Corcoran Says This Is the One Question to Ask Before Selling Your Home

    More than two decades went by without a phone call. Finally, in 2015, the owner was ready to sell. Corcoran bought the property for $10 million and spent an additional $2 million in renovations, designing the home exactly as she imagined it. She added a library with a fireplace, a full kitchen next to the terrace, and a butler’s pantry.

    Corcoran is moving out of the duplex penthouse and into a single-story one to save her and her husband, Bill Higgins, 80, the trip up and down the stairs. The duo has already found a single-story apartment in the same Carnegie Hill neighborhood.

    Corcoran previously disclosed that she makes $300,000 as a “Shark Tank” investor, but usually invests over $1 million per year in startups that come on the show. She also stated that she makes $4.5 million annually from her stocks, bonds, and other investments.

    Corcoran has been on “Shark Tank” for 16 years and has closed 650 deals on the show.

    Longtime “Shark Tank” investor Barbara Corcoran, 76, announced last week that she was putting her beloved New York City penthouse on the market for $12 million — and the apartment almost immediately found a buyer.

    According to the latest Olshan Luxury Market Report, Corcoran’s duplex penthouse at 1158 Fifth had multiple bidders and sold for over the asking price within 24 hours of being listed. The final price paid for the unit and the identity of the new owner are still unknown, but will be disclosed as soon as the deal closes.

    The property was one of 36 contracts signed last week in Manhattan with a value of $4 million or more, per the Olshan report.

    The rest of this article is locked.

    Join Entrepreneur+ today for access.





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  • HBO’s Streaming Service Becomes ‘HBO Max’ Again

    HBO’s Streaming Service Becomes ‘HBO Max’ Again


    It’s not Max. It’s HBO Max — again.

    In a surprise pivot, Warner Bros. Discovery executives announced Wednesday morning that the streaming service Max would be renamed HBO Max, reinstating the app’s old name and abandoning a contentious change that the company introduced two years ago.

    The reason for the change, executives explained, was straightforward.

    People who subscribe and pay $17 a month for the streaming service wind up watching HBO content like “The White Lotus” and “The Last of Us,” as well as new movies, documentaries and not a whole lot more.

    “It really is a reaction to being in the marketplace for two years, evaluating what’s working and really leaning into that,” Casey Bloys, the chairman of HBO content, said in an interview.

    HBO, a trailblazer of the cable era, has been on a very bumpy ride to finding an identity in the streaming era. There was HBO Go (2008), HBO Now (2015), HBO Max (2020), Max (2023) and now, once again, HBO Max (2025).

    Two years ago, Warner Bros. Discovery executives said that they meant well by changing the name to Max. Their overwhelming concern, the executives said, was that Discovery’s suite of reality shows — “Sister Wives,” “My Feet Are Killing Me” — risked watering down the HBO brand, which continued to produce award-winning series like “Succession.”

    Further, they said, HBO spent decades branding itself as a premium adult service. That was not exactly an ideal anchor for a streaming service that they envisioned would compete head-to-head with a general entertainment app like Netflix.

    Instead, the name change to Max mostly seemed to cause widespread confusion, both within the entertainment industry and generally among consumers. Was HBO dead? Was it being marginalized? What gives?

    In the last few years in the so-called streaming wars, Netflix has taken a runaway lead over old guard entertainment brands, drawing roughly 8 percent of all television time in March, according to Nielsen. Warner Bros. Discovery drew 1.5 percent, a little more than Peacock, but below Disney’s streaming services, Amazon Prime Video, Paramount, Roku and Tubi, Nielsen said.

    Executives have conceded in recent months that competing with a everything-for-everybody app like Netflix, which has more than 300 million subscribers, was not realistic. Instead, they would be perfectly happy to be a complementary service.

    “We started listening to consumers saying, ‘Hey, we don’t really want more content, we want something that is different, we want to end the death scroll with something that is better,’” JB Perrette, the president of streaming for Warner Bros. Discovery, said in an interview.

    Warner Bros. Discovery executives also discovered over the last two years that much of Discovery’s content was not being watched. Original programs tended to do the best on the service, as did new Warner Bros. movies, licensed A24 films and documentaries. Some Discovery content, particularly from its ID cable network, did well, but everything else — food, lifestyle and other reality series from Discovery — went relatively untouched. (Discovery+ remains available as a stand-alone streaming option.)

    Max has seen encouraging results in recent months. The streaming division at Warner Bros. Discovery is now profitable, and its subscriber count jumped another 5 million in the first three months of the year, bringing its total number of subscribers to over 122 million. The app recently rolled out to Australia and France, and next year it will be introduced to the United Kingdom, Germany and Italy.

    There have also been hints of a bigger change. Just a few weeks ago, Max changed its color scheme back to the old school HBO’s black-and-white, leaving behind the blue palette that the company introduced in 2023 with the brand pivot.

    Mr. Bloys said that the transition to streaming has been tricky for many cable companies. HBO “and a bunch of other companies are trying to navigate that,” he said.

    “That said,” he continued, “I do hope this is the last time we have a conversation about the naming of the service.”



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  • The Secrets to Success for Alexander’s Patisserie

    The Secrets to Success for Alexander’s Patisserie


    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    On a busy Saturday afternoon in Mountain View, California, the line at Alexander’s Patisserie — a pastry shop known for its precision and innovation — can stretch out the door. Customers eye a display case of delicacies, from black sesame croissants to more than 20 flavors of macarons. It’s easy to assume the appeal is in the presentation, but beneath the patisserie’s viral popularity is an authentic story: one of team leadership, craftsmanship and a dedication to continuous improvement.

    Central to this story is Shuyao Cao, better known as Chef Shu. As the pastry chef behind the Alexander’s menu, she leads with creativity and intention, uniting the business with a collaborative spirit.

    Related: Want to Work With Influencers? Here’s What Small Business Owners Need to Know.

    “I feel like our whole team, everyone has their own talents,” Cao says. “Each one of them is unique, and I take the string from them, and then I put it together. I can’t come up with [the brunch menu] all by myself.”

    The team dynamic is evident from the moment customers walk in the door. Whether staff are managing a packed tea service or catching up with regulars, the atmosphere is warm and welcoming. David Brungard, vice president of operations for Alexander’s Group Corporate, says Cao’s leadership has helped make this work environment possible.

    “[Chef Shu] earned every single person’s respect, including the dishwasher, because she does everything,” Brungard says. “She cleans the walk-in, makes the croissants, comes up with ideas and walks around to taste stuff. She makes family meals for our employees so that when they come to work, [they don’t have to eat pastries all day].”

    According to Brungard, Cao’s hands-on leadership style has fostered a workplace culture built on trust and appreciation: “The level of quality in your life depends a lot on how you feel when you are at work, and [Chef Shu] knows how to make everyone in our team feel valued,” he says.

    Related: 5 Secrets to Success From a Sustainable Business That’s Grown 95% in 3 Years

    One of the patisserie’s most talked-about menu items — the famous flat croissant — wasn’t even for customers at first. “I wanted to try it because it went viral in my Asian area,” Cao says. “I wanted to taste it myself, so I made one at the patisserie, and the front and the back of the house really enjoyed it. So I said, ‘Let’s put it on the menu.’”

    Since then, Cao’s flat croissants have become a fan favorite, driving traffic in-person and on social media. But trending pastries are only responsible for a portion of the patisserie’s success. What keeps Alexander’s relevant is its commitment to adaptation through customer feedback.

    “ We see how customers react and how much we sell every day,” Cao says. “We see how people react on the internet, too. I read every review the customer leaves me, and I mean it. I take opinions, and then I let the whole team taste it. Even [Brungard], when he comes, I pull him.”

    For Brungard, reviews function as both valuable feedback and a celebration of the team’s efforts: “When they mention an employee by name in a raving review, it makes me super happy because they deserve the credit,” he says. “I love it when the public recognizes their hard work. And then when they don’t, I take it on. That’s what I’m here for.”

    Part of Alexander’s staying power comes from thoughtful sourcing that spares no expense for quality. “We use chocolate imported from France… the best chocolate in the world,” Cao says. “We make sure we use an AOP butter for our croissant. AOP butter is super expensive, and only one region of France makes it.”

    And when specialty ingredients aren’t available through traditional vendors, Cao gets creative. “Sometimes I find matcha powder [or] the best sesame paste brand in the supermarket or the Chinese grocery store,” she says. “I can pick out different stuff for myself and then ask my sales guy if he can find me a bulk item.”

    Related: How This North Carolina Lawn Care Company Earns Customer Loyalty

    From recipe tasting to fixing kitchen equipment, Cao and Brungard run operations like clockwork, but always with heart. “Part of our meeting is to talk about new products, reviews, what’s broken in the kitchen,” Brungard says. “How can I fix it? How can I give you what you need to be successful?”

    This behind-the-scenes support reinforces a company-wide policy: Take care of the team, and they’ll take care of the guest.

    Ultimately, Alexander’s success comes from the patisserie staying true to its values. Thoughtful leadership and room for experimentation allow the team to chase their passions, resulting in a sweeter experience for the guests. “When you put love into something, it reverberates into the world,” Brungard says.

    Consider Alexander’s Patisserie’s guiding principles for creating a thoughtful experience for both customers and staff:

    • Lead from within. Respect is earned. Set the tone by working alongside the team and staying hands-on in the operation.
    • Innovate with intention. Let curiosity, creativity and customer feedback drive your menu changes, rather than trends alone.
    • Feedback helps you pivot and grow. Read and discuss every review to identify areas for refinement and improvement.
    • Quality begins with sourcing. Whether it’s imported French butter or the perfect sesame paste, sourcing should be deliberate and can help your business align with its (and customers’) values.
    • Culture is the secret ingredient. A welcoming team translates into a positive guest interaction. When your team feels supported, the entire operation succeeds.

    Related: She Runs a James Beard Award-Nominated Restaurant. Here’s Her 2-Step Process for Hiring the Best Employees.

    Listen to the episode below to hear directly from Cao and Brungard, and subscribe to Behind the Review for more from new business owners and reviewers every Thursday.

    Editorial contributions by Alex Miranda and Kristi Lindahl

    This article is part of our ongoing America’s Favorite Mom & Pop Shops™ series highlighting family-owned and operated businesses



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  • Insider Tips for the 2025 National Restaurant Show

    Insider Tips for the 2025 National Restaurant Show


    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Every year, thousands of chefs, founders, franchisees, operators and suppliers walk into the National Restaurant Show in Chicago looking for solutions and leave feeling something more powerful: inspired.

    Lisa Malikow, senior vice president of the National Restaurant Show (taking place this year on May 17-20 in Chicago), has been attending since 2009 and has played a key role in expanding the event into one of the largest food service gatherings in the world.

    The show has grown from two buildings to three, now covering more than 700,000 square feet, roughly the size of 12 football fields, and features over 2,200 exhibitors and 55,000 attendees from around the globe.

    They come for new tech, better equipment and smarter systems. But what often surprises first-time attendees is the sense of community and momentum they find just walking the floor.

    “I hear it every year,” Malikow tells Shawn Walchef of Cali BBQ Media, a regular attendee and content creator at the show. “They arrive with a plan, but they leave with ideas they didn’t even know they needed.”

    Related: How a Spot on ‘The Montel Williams Show’ Sparked a Restaurant Power Brand for This Miami Chef

    One-third of the vendors are new each year, ensuring the show stays fresh and future-focused. From real estate consultants to flavor scientists, back-of-house tech to beverage demos, the show is curated to reflect every layer of the modern hospitality world.

    “We don’t segment the show floor too tightly,” Malikow says. “We want it to feel like exploration.”

    Technology plays a massive role across every corner of the experience. The Kitchen Innovations program, now in its 21st year, showcases equipment powered not just by hardware but by smart software and real-time analytics.

    “It’s not just about machines anymore,” Malikow explains. “It’s about how those machines are integrated, connected and helping kitchens run smarter.”

    Even on the busiest days, Malikow carves out time to walk the floor, observe how people interact with the booths and hear what excites them. “There’s an energy that builds when this many people in hospitality come together,” she says. “You feel it. And that feeling is why they keep coming back.”

    Related: A Loyal Customer Asked Him to Cater One Event. Now, He Runs More Than 1,000 a Year.

    Restaurant Show tips

    If you’re heading to the National Restaurant Show like we are with a long to-do list, that’s good. Just don’t get too attached to it.

    The people who get the most out of the show know the real magic isn’t always planned. “The best moments are the ones you didn’t even know you needed,” Malikow says. “People show up thinking they’re just solving a problem, but they leave with ideas that reshape their business.”

    Preparation doesn’t just happen on the show floor. Malikow says some of the most effective operators start their strategy before they ever walk in. “The Show To Go app is where it begins,” she explains. “It’s your digital storefront. Attendees are searching before they show up, so if your profile is strong, you’re already on their radar.”

    She recommends every attendee download the app ahead of time. “It helps you map out your day, keep track of who you want to see and make sure you don’t miss something important,” she says. “With so much going on, it’s your guide to staying focused.”

    Once you’re inside, it’s a good idea to shift gears. “Think about how you can explore something that’s not already on your radar,” Malikow says. That might mean stepping into a panel on marketing to multiple generations, or catching a demo on how smart kitchens are using AI without losing soul.

    “There’s a lot of content that’s designed to help operators see what’s possible, not just what’s next,” she explains. Whether it’s rethinking a loyalty program or hearing how another operator solved a problem you’re facing, “the most valuable insights are often the ones you didn’t come looking for.”

    The educational sessions are where a lot of those unexpected light bulb moments happen. “We cover everything from branding and storytelling to operations and menu development,” says Malikow. “The content is built to meet people where they are, whether you’re just getting started or scaling.”

    She’s quick to point out that you don’t need to fill your schedule to get something out of it. “You don’t have to attend everything,” she says. “But pick one session that makes you a little uncomfortable. That’s usually the one that sticks.”

    For Malikow, the real value of the show isn’t just what’s on stage. It’s the crowd. “Everyone here is trying to solve something,” she says. “That energy is contagious. And sometimes the best ideas come from a conversation you weren’t planning to have.”

    So walk the floor, follow your curiosity and talk to people. “This industry is built on connection,” she adds. “You never know what’s going to change your path.”

    Related: This ‘Chopped’ Champ Beat Cancer 6 Times, Lost Nearly 200 Pounds and Found Power in Presence

    About Restaurant Influencers

    Restaurant Influencers is brought to you by Toast, the powerful restaurant point-of-sale and management system that helps restaurants improve operations, increase sales and create a better guest experience.

    Toast — Powering Successful Restaurants. Learn more about Toast.

    Every year, thousands of chefs, founders, franchisees, operators and suppliers walk into the National Restaurant Show in Chicago looking for solutions and leave feeling something more powerful: inspired.

    Lisa Malikow, senior vice president of the National Restaurant Show (taking place this year on May 17-20 in Chicago), has been attending since 2009 and has played a key role in expanding the event into one of the largest food service gatherings in the world.

    The show has grown from two buildings to three, now covering more than 700,000 square feet, roughly the size of 12 football fields, and features over 2,200 exhibitors and 55,000 attendees from around the globe.

    The rest of this article is locked.

    Join Entrepreneur+ today for access.



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  • These States Have the Most Affordable Housing in US: Ranking

    These States Have the Most Affordable Housing in US: Ranking


    The Wall Street Journal reported on Monday that the normally robust spring housing market was a “dud” this year, as economic and stock market uncertainty, coupled with mortgage rates hovering around 6.72% at press time, have kept buyers away.

    The outlet notes that with more homes hitting the market, demand is not aligning with the rising inventory, and home prices are fluctuating (some areas are seeing drops while others remain high).

    But there are some states where you can still find affordable housing.

    U.S. News & World Report‘s 2025 Best States list looks at thousands of data points to rank each state on a variety of factors, including crime, economy, education, fiscal stability, health care, infrastructure, natural environment, and opportunity. Using that data, along with statistics from the Bureau of Economic Analysis and factoring in cost of living and other points, the outlet also ranked the best states for housing affordability.

    Related: Thinking of Starting a Business? Here Are the 10 Best States for Startups, According to a New Report.

    Still, it’s worth noting that many of the top states for housing affordability were ranked near the bottom of the list in categories including poverty rate, food insecurity, and median household income. But if you’re a remote worker looking for more land or the chance to buy a home at a low price, it could be worth checking out.

    Here are the five best states for housing affordability, according to data used in U.S. News & World Report‘s “Best States” list.

    1. Mississippi

    Affordability Ranking: 2

    Overall Best States Ranking: 48

    According to Zillow, the average Mississippi home value is $189,710.

    2. West Virginia

    Affordability Ranking: 3

    Overall Best States Ranking: 46

    According to Zillow, the average West Virginia home value is $167,250.

    3. Arkansas

    Affordability Ranking: 1

    Overall Best States Ranking: 44

    According to Zillow, the average Arkansas home value is $217,895.

    Related: Here Are the 10 Best States for Working Seniors

    4. Alabama

    Affordability Ranking: 8

    Overall Best States Ranking: 45

    According to Redfin, the average home price in Alabama is $281,400.

    5. Kentucky

    Affordability Ranking: 10

    Overall Best States Ranking: 39

    According to Redfin, the average home price in Kentucky is $263,400

    You can find the full top 10 most affordable states list, here.

    Click here for the full Best States list.

    The Wall Street Journal reported on Monday that the normally robust spring housing market was a “dud” this year, as economic and stock market uncertainty, coupled with mortgage rates hovering around 6.72% at press time, have kept buyers away.

    The outlet notes that with more homes hitting the market, demand is not aligning with the rising inventory, and home prices are fluctuating (some areas are seeing drops while others remain high).

    But there are some states where you can still find affordable housing.

    The rest of this article is locked.

    Join Entrepreneur+ today for access.



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  • Femtech CEO on Leadership: Don’t ‘Need More Masculine Energy’

    Femtech CEO on Leadership: Don’t ‘Need More Masculine Energy’


    “I’ve been thinking a lot about leadership models,” Sarah O’Leary, CEO of femtech company Willow, tells Entrepreneur. “ There’s been a lot of noise and news around, ‘We need more masculine energy in the workplace.’ It makes you question as a leader: What is my style? How effective is my style? I don’t believe that we need more masculine energy.”

    Image Credit: Courtesy of Willow

    O’Leary characterizes her leadership style and the culture at Willow, the brand behind “patented leak-proof” wearable breast pumps and their accessories, as one that centers transparency and empathy to build trust within the workplace. According to the CEO, teams that have trust in each other — and in their leaders — are more likely to function in a way that’s conducive to success.

    Related: Strong Leaders Use These 4 Strategies to Build Trust in Their Workplace

    “I believe [flexibility in the workplace] makes us more productive.”

    Instilling trust within team members means emphasizing a level of autonomy, O’Leary says. Willow is a “very flexible workplace,” O’Leary explains, noting that the company has never given its employees return-to-office mandates. As a mother of two herself, O’Leary is particularly cognizant of the everyday hurdles team members who are also parents face, and she wants to support them in any way possible.

    “ If my kids’ elementary school concert is happening at 10 a.m., I’m going to sign off,” O’Leary says. “I’m going to go to that, then come back and keep going with my day. I don’t believe that makes us any less productive. I believe it makes us more productive. I feel very passionately that we can build a tremendously successful business while also operating in ways that feel authentic to our leadership and team.”

    Related: This Mother of 6 Created a Hit Children’s Brand Without Any Industry Experience — Here’s Her No. 1 Secret for Entrepreneurial Parents Who Want to Achieve Big Goals

    Willow is navigating its next growth chapter with O’Leary at the helm. The company recently announced its acquisition of UK-based femtech innovator Elvie, which is expected to boost revenue by 50%. Willow also continues to partner with organizations that support parents. To kick off its Mother’s Day campaign this year, the company announced a partnership with Canopie, a preventive maternal health care platform, to donate one million hours of maternal mental health support.

    “[Being CEO is] a responsibility as much as it is a cool title.”

    Prior to stepping into the CEO role at Willow, O’Leary served as the company’s chief commercial officer and “loved” the work. O’Leary has reflected a lot over the past year on her decision to become CEO, and she says that ambition wasn’t her primary motivator; instead, she recognized that she was the right person for the job at this moment.

    “I cared deeply about our mission,” O’Leary explains. “I had a vision for where we could go. I understood the commercial operations of the business and could bring that together with our product teams. In some sense, [becoming CEO] has put me in a servant leader kind of role — It’s a responsibility as much as it is a cool title.”

    Related: 10 Leadership Lessons From Successful CEOs — An Insightful Guide for the Ambitious Entrepreneur

    At the end of the day, O’Leary suggests that leaders make sure their motivation is authentic to them — because that’s what will help them lead through the most difficult times.

    “New tariffs are announced, and you’ve got to figure that out,” O’Leary says. “It is challenge after challenge, and the organization looks to you and says, ‘What are we going to do?’ This role is really about being willing to take responsibility for the people, products and customers. It’s not all glitz and glamor. You’re the first person who gets all the tough questions.”

    “I’ve been thinking a lot about leadership models,” Sarah O’Leary, CEO of femtech company Willow, tells Entrepreneur. “ There’s been a lot of noise and news around, ‘We need more masculine energy in the workplace.’ It makes you question as a leader: What is my style? How effective is my style? I don’t believe that we need more masculine energy.”

    Image Credit: Courtesy of Willow

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  • A Packing List of Apps to Download Before You Travel

    A Packing List of Apps to Download Before You Travel


    So you can whip together a weekend bag or fit a fortnight’s worth of outfits into a rolling suitcase, but does your status as “packing guru” extend to your phone or tablet? Think of your device as a second carry-on, with its own packing list of apps that are essential for entertainment, getting around, safety and more.

    “Everyone talks about making the super app, the one place for everything you need,” said Gilbert Ott, partnerships director at Point.me, a website that helps travelers manage loyalty points, “but no one has done it yet.” Until that super travel app exists, here are some suggested apps to download before you go.

    Public Wi-Fi networks like those in cafes and hotels may not be secure, so to keep criminals from intercepting passwords, credit card numbers and emails, “it’s better to encrypt your internet activity,” said Mr. Ott. One method to keep data secure is to download and use virtual private networks like NordVPN or ExpressVPN, which encrypt your web doings. Both charge about $13 per month for a monthly plan, and about half that rate for a yearly plan. Another VPN provider, Mullvad, charges about $5.50 per month.

    It may be tempting to store copies of important documents like passports, health insurance cards and prescriptions on your phone as photos, but it’s more secure to use apps that encrypt that information, like 1Password (starting at $35.88 per year) and Microsoft OneDrive Personal Vault (included with a $99.99-per-year Microsoft 365 subscription or, for nonsubscribers, three files free storage).

    The U.S. government’s free Mobile Passport Control app can help U.S. citizens and some other groups — even travelers not in the Global Entry program — make their way through immigration and customs more quickly by scanning their passport into the app and adding a selfie within four hours of arrival. Preloading the information speeds your interaction with the officer.

    For detailed information on public transportation that can go beyond Google Maps, Moovit (free with ads or Moovit+ with additional features and no ads for $17.99 per year) and Citymapper (free with ads or $9.99 per year) can help with routes, fares and trip length around the world. In cities like New York and London, make sure you’ve loaded a credit or debit card in your digital wallet and set it up for transit to avoid lines by using touchless payment at turnstiles.

    In some countries, hailing a cab on the street may be difficult or unsafe. So where Uber and Lyft aren’t available, download local trusted ride-hailing apps that offer set fares and location tracking. In Vietnam, Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries, for example, Grab offers rides in cars, taxis and on the backs of motorcycles. In India, Ola is a popular choice.

    For hours spent in planes, trains and hotel rooms, load your device with a mix of diversions and destination information. Taylor Beal, a travel blogger from Philadelphia, who leads high school groups on trips to Europe, recommends borrowing electronic library books using Libby and Hoopla. The apps are free but require a local library card from one of the more than 90,000 participating public libraries and schools.

    For road trips in the United States, the phone app Autio ($35.99 annually, with a free trial) offers 23,000 short stories and information about the surrounding landscape and history, based on your location. Offerings include Kevin Costner on the northern Great Plains and John Lithgow on “Footloose” filming locations.

    Keeping track of who paid for what among a group of friends can be a fun-killing chore. Jamie Larounis, a travel industry analyst for Upgraded Points, recommends Splitwise Pro ($39.99 per year, or a limited free version), which tracks and divides up expenses for taxis, meals and more. Other apps like Tricount (free) and Settle Up (free, or $19.99 per year for the premium version) offer similar services.

    For tracking flights and making plans either solo or with companions, TripIt (free version or TripItPro $49 per year) and Wanderlog (free version or Wanderlog Pro for $39.99 per year) can tame even complicated itineraries.

    You may already have Google Translate on your device, but that app also has some lesser-known handy features. Point your camera at a foreign menu, train station sign or receipt, for example, and Google can translate it — even with non-Roman characters. The Conversation button in the app lets you pass your phone back and forth when you’re trying to get directions, order food, ask for help and more. You can even create a custom phrase book in the app.

    Bloomberg Connects has teamed up with more than 800 museums and other cultural spaces, like the New York Botanical Garden, around the world to offer free information on their exhibits, complementing local organizations like the Musée Carnavalet, a history museum in Paris, which often have institution-specific apps.

    Of course, there’s also always the good, old-fashioned way to travel — wandering around and letting serendipity take the lead. Is there an app for that, too?





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