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Entrepreneurship is a journey of grit, vision and strategy. While many entrepreneurs focus solely on securing capital, true business growth often demands more than funding.

It requires the strategic mentorship of an investorpreneur — an investor who provides financial backing and serves as a mentor, guide and partner in your journey toward success.

Investorpreneurs are redefining the relationship between entrepreneurs and investors by blending financial support with expertise, real-world insights and access to networks.

This article explores how you can prepare your small business to engage with an investorpreneur, unlocking new opportunities for growth while building a resilient foundation for your company’s future.

Related: More Than Money: How the Right Investor Can Add Lasting Value to Your Startup

What is an investorpreneur?

An investorpreneur is a transformational ally, offering far more than just financial support. Unlike traditional angel investors or venture capitalists, investorpreneurs combine their capital with active mentorship, helping you make informed decisions, build connections and scale effectively.

Reid Hoffman, co-founder of LinkedIn and a prominent investorpreneur, played a pivotal role in Airbnb’s rise to success. Hoffman didn’t just provide funding — he mentored Airbnb’s founders, helping them refine their business model, expand into new markets and navigate industry challenges. His strategic advice during critical growth stages propelled Airbnb into becoming a global leader in hospitality.

Investorpreneurs invest more than money — they bring their experience, insights and networks to the table, turning promising startups into industry leaders.

Step 1: Craft a strategic business plan

An investorpreneur looks beyond the surface. To attract their interest, you need a business plan that is not only comprehensive but also compelling. Think of your business plan as your blueprint for growth, showcasing your readiness for partnership.

Your plan should begin with a high-impact executive summary that highlights your vision, mission and the unique value your business offers. A detailed market analysis is essential, demonstrating your understanding of industry trends, customer needs and how your product or service stands out in the competitive landscape.

Clearly articulate your product or service offering, focusing on the problem it solves and why your solution is innovative and scalable. Complement this with a well-thought-out growth and scaling plan that outlines your operational strategy, supplier relationships and scalability potential.

Provide financial projections that include realistic, data-driven forecasts for income, cash flow and expenses. Break down how you will use the investorpreneur’s funding to achieve these growth targets.

By structuring your business plan around these elements, you demonstrate not just your vision but your ability to take decisive action, something investorpreneurs highly value.

Step 2: Financial preparedness is key

Financial transparency is a cornerstone of any successful partnership with an investorpreneur. It proves your business’s health, viability and potential for growth.

To demonstrate this, start by showcasing historical financial data that highlights trends in profitability and stability. Pair this with cash flow forecasts that show your ability to manage liquidity effectively while pursuing growth targets. Clearly communicate your break-even point and when your business is likely to become profitable.

A critical element is your use of funds — outline precisely how the investment will be allocated across marketing, product development or scaling operations. This not only builds trust but also shows that you value the investorpreneur’s involvement in your business.

Investorpreneurs bring financial expertise and tools to help you manage these elements more effectively, ensuring you balance growth with liquidity.

Related: Investor Outlook: Seed Funding Needs to go Beyond the Money

Step 3: Build a high-performing team

Investorpreneurs invest as much in people as they do in ideas. Your team‘s expertise, passion and ability to execute your vision are critical to securing their support.

To build confidence, highlight the strengths of your management team. Showcase their experience, achievements and the unique skills each member brings to the table. If you have an advisory board, emphasize their industry expertise and connections, which lend credibility to your business.

Clearly define roles and responsibilities within your team to demonstrate you have the right people in place to manage operations and execute your business plan. Investorpreneurs are drawn to teams that inspire confidence and exhibit the capability to turn vision into reality.

Step 4: Understand and embrace mentorship

A unique characteristic of investorpreneurs is their active involvement in your business. They are not passive investors but hands-on mentors who use their expertise to help you grow strategically.

How investorpreneurs add value:

Investorpreneurs guide entrepreneurs through strategic decisions, such as entering new markets, refining pricing strategies and pivoting business models when necessary. For example, Hoffman’s mentorship during Airbnb’s early years helped refine its revenue model, ensuring monetization while maintaining customer trust.

They also provide operational support, helping streamline processes and scale operations sustainably. Additionally, investorpreneurs bring access to industry connections, opening doors to partnerships, customers and suppliers that accelerate growth.

Their involvement goes beyond financial returns — they mentor entrepreneurs to build resilient, sustainable businesses capable of thriving in competitive markets.

Assess your investor readiness

Are you ready to partner with an investorpreneur? Take the first step by evaluating your business’s growth potential and preparedness.

Access the Investorpreneurship Quiz by emailing [email protected] to take a personalized quiz that highlights areas for improvement. This score-driven approach provides actionable insights to help you attract the right investorpreneur and scale your business effectively.

Related: Watch: Why You Should Be Getting More Than Money From an Investor

Investorpreneurs offer more than funding as they provide a partnership rooted in mentorship, guidance and shared expertise. By crafting a clear business plan, building a strong team and embracing their mentorship, you set the stage for a transformative collaboration.

Investorpreneurs invest in people and potential, not just ideas. By preparing your business to engage with an investorpreneur, you’re not just seeking funding; you’re building a foundation for long-term success.

As an entrepreneur, it’s no secret that managing expenses is an art. But when the whispers of “cost-saving” echo, most people immediately think of layoffs. In business, I’ve built a philosophy around real, impactful cost-saving strategies that don’t involve cutting people. Instead, they involve smarter, often hidden adjustments that leave the teams intact and free up resources.

So, let’s dig into eight unconventional ways to save costs that most won’t talk about.

Related: What Every Entrepreneur Needs to Know About Cost-Cutting

1. Specialized tasks can be outsourced at a fraction of the cost

Outsourcing isn’t just about saving money — it’s about leveraging specialized expertise without having to commit to a full-time hire. Tasks like graphic design, content writing, IT support or even digital marketing can be outsourced to a skilled professional or agency for a fraction of the cost of bringing on in-house staff. The trick is to concentrate on tasks that don’t need daily oversight but are critical for business growth. For example, I outsourced the social media management of my business and saved a lot of money while getting access to the latest marketing insights and trends.

Tip: Find out non-core tasks that can be done by specialists. If you can’t find talent that fits your budget and specific needs, try getting help from specialized VA agencies. This enables you to have your core team work on high-impact work and leverage outside expertise without the overhead.

2. Learn how to embrace vendor negotiation — beyond pricing

When I started out, I realized vendor contracts can sometimes be the biggest drain. But here’s the secret: It’s not always about getting a cheaper price. Get deeper with your vendors. Can they add value? Or just adjust costs? Maybe they can do something else, like add a consultant or give early access to updates. Once, I negotiated a deal where a vendor included free training sessions for my team on new software — something they typically charge thousands for.

Tip: Step away from the dollar amount. Reach out to your vendors and ask them what they can provide that could potentially release time, training or resources within your company.

3. Lean tools for automating low-impact processes

That’s not just for tech giants. From invoicing to customer feedback to basic HR processes, there are countless low-cost tools that can handle repetitive tasks that your team might be spending hours on. Instead of using a high-end solution, explore the many micro automation tools out there that are lean, cheap and effective. I’m referring to things like Zapier, which can automate little workflows that save hours a week without needing an IT overhaul.

Tip: Review your team’s daily tasks and pinpoint three repetitive processes that can be taken care of by low-cost automation tools. The biggest differences over time are often made by the smallest automations.

4. Implement shadow budgeting for projected expenses

A strategy I’ve used to foresee and avoid unnecessary costs is shadow budgeting. It involves creating a secondary “what-if” budget for every major project, where you anticipate unplanned expenses. Once you’ve compared this to your actual expenses, you’ll see patterns in unexpected spending and ways to eliminate them. Preemptively tackling hidden costs like extra software fees or unplanned resource needs has saved me thousands with this approach.

Tip: Every time you set a budget, create a shadow budget that projects potential “extra” costs. Use this over time to adapt project scopes, contract terms or resource allocation.

Related: Layoffs in This Economy Don’t Have To Be Inevitable If You Reevaluate Your Spending in These Areas

5. Create a cross-training culture

Here’s a little-known fact: Silos create cost leaks. If only one team member knows how to perform a particular task, any absence or delay means that the work is outsourced or there is downtime. Cross-training your team doesn’t just improve collaboration; it also cuts costs on external hires or consultants. In one of my businesses, we cross-trained team members on some things that saved us thousands in emergency freelancer fees when unforeseen absences came along.

Tip: Create a simple cross-training program. Ask employees to learn at least one task from another team member’s job role. While this may require upfront time investment, the costs of knowledge gaps will be saved.

6. You can negotiate flexible payment terms

It’s not just about revenue; it’s about timing. Flexible payment terms with vendors and service providers can be negotiated to boost cash flow without affecting operations. Instead of paying on standard payment schedules, I have often negotiated terms where we pay in installments or defer certain payments until certain revenue goals are met. It offers breathing room without giving up services.

Tip: Contact your top five vendors and ask to speak about flexible payment terms. A small change can make a big difference to your monthly cash flow when you’re lean.

7. Promote a data-driven approach to energy usage

Most businesses overlook a cost called utilities. I’ve also seen businesses cut their energy costs by 15-20% by installing smart meters and analyzing energy usage data. It’s not just about turning down the thermostat; it’s about finding out when the peak usage times are, turning equipment off at the end of the day and using timers wherever possible.

Tip: Smart meters can be installed, or your local utility provider can provide detailed energy reports. Set up protocols for energy usage using this data. Encourage team members to power down equipment when not in use, and consider implementing a “green team” to maintain energy-saving practices.

8. Rethink your software stack and licensing agreements

Most companies end up paying for software features that they don’t need or use. Auditing your software stack can save you a lot of money. Once, I cut software expenses by 30% by merely downgrading licenses, consolidating tools and removing unused features. Focus on software that truly supports your key operations rather than investing in “nice-to-have” features.

Tip: Ask your team what features they use and what features they don’t. If you can’t reach out to providers for lower-tier options, consider switching to tools that consolidate multiple functions into one.

Related: 9 Business Expenses You Can Reduce or Eliminate to Save Thousands

These eight strategies aren’t about cutting people; they’re about optimizing processes, rethinking your vendor relationships and taking a smarter approach to the daily work of your business. True cost savings involve foresight, creativity and a willingness to challenge the status quo. When you embrace these unique tactics, you can build a more resilient, more efficient and more cost-effective business that can grow without sacrificing morale.

In today’s landscape, every dollar saved is one that can be reinvested into innovation, growth and the vision that makes your business tick. Act strategically, start small, and don’t forget — real savings begin only when you value time and resources as much as revenue.

If you’re busy operating a business or establishing a side hustle, shopping for groceries and managing household needs with trips across town can be challenging. Fortunately, Costco Gold Star Members can access a far-ranging selection of supplies under one roof and beyond.

During Cyber Week, you can get a Costco 1-Year Gold Star Membership plus a $40 Digital Costco Shop Card* for only $65 and start shopping smarter. Stretch your budget by exploring the advantages of a Gold Star Membership, which features an additional Household Card that can be used by one adult member of your household that can be used on favorite products at any location.

Offering access to more than 500 warehouses nationwide, Costco is an ideal destination for those looking to dominate their to-do list. Buy smarter with bulk goods and discover new value from brand names.

Stock your kitchen, find quality everyday items, and see what’s new in electronic devices and furniture, all while possibly getting a car tire installed. That experience awaits with a Costco Gold Star Membership.

The impact extends beyond store aisles, as a Gold Star Membership comes complete with access to Costco Travel for exclusive vacation opportunities, along with Costco Optical and Costco Pharmacy at select locations. Plus, enjoy members-only savings on fuel when you refill your vehicle’s tank at a Costco Gas Station before heading home. You can even use your perks when ordering online at Costco.com.

It’s easy to start using your Costco Gold Star Membership right away. Just purchase your membership here and provide a valid email address. Within two weeks of redeeming your membership purchase, you’ll receive your $45 Digital Costco Shop Card* via email. Use it at a Costco location nearby or shop online. Keep in mind that this offer is only available for new members or those who had their membership expired more than 18 months ago.

Gain greater value on a variety of household needs and much more by grabbing this Cyber Week deal: purchase a Costco 1-Year Gold Star Membership with a $40 Digital Costco Shop Card* for only $65 while supplies last. This offer ends tomorrow, December 8, at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

*Services are provided to Costco members by third parties.

Nowadays, your website is usually the first impression clients and customers have of your brand. But hiring a developer or managing expensive subscriptions can quickly eat into your budget. MaxiBlocks, a no-code WordPress website builder, changes the game by letting you design professional websites without technical skills or hefty monthly costs. You can get a lifetime subscription on sale for just $59 for a limited time.

WordPress powers more than 43% of all websites globally, making it the most trusted platform for businesses of every size. MaxiBlocks takes full advantage of WordPress’s flexibility with its drag-and-drop builder, giving you the tools to create sleek, responsive sites that look custom-made. Whether you’re launching a new business, showcasing your portfolio, or building an e-commerce store, MaxiBlocks makes it fast and intuitive.

And it’s cost-effective. While competitors like Wix and Squarespace charge at least $16 per month for basic plans, MaxiBlocks offers a no-subscription deal. That means you can save hundreds over time while still enjoying professional results.

With features like ready-made templates, full WordPress compatibility, and an intuitive interface, MaxiBlocks lets you build like a pro — no coding required.

Focus on growing your business while MaxiBlocks takes care of your website with a lifetime subscription to a MaxiBlocks No-Code Webpage Builder Pro Plan for $59.

MaxiBlocks No-Code Webpage Builder: Pro Plan Lifetime Subscription (3 Licenses) – $59

See Deal

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Andrew Carnegie was at the height of his success in the early 1900s, and he had a perspective that would define his legacy and drive countless entrepreneurs for generations. Carnegie was born into a poor family in Scotland, but he immigrated to the United States, where he rose from being a telegraph operator to owning a quarter of the U.S. steel industry through sheer determination and strategic vision.

By 1902, he was the richest man in the world, yet he held a powerful, surprisingly simple philosophy about success: “No one will make a great business who wants to do it all themselves or take all the credit.”

This isn’t a quote from the past; it’s a timeless principle that anyone building something bigger than themselves needs to remember. Carnegie didn’t just build a business; he built a machine of empowerment, using delegation and talent to reach the pinnacle he envisioned.

Here’s how Carnegie’s wisdom on leadership, teamwork and delegation still holds deep insights for today’s entrepreneurs and business leaders.

Related: How Andrew Carnegie Found Success in the Face of Failure

So, why don’t visionary leaders do it all?

As entrepreneurs, we often think that we have to do all of it ourselves. The drive behind a company is often a fierce desire to control. Holding on to every task, as Carnegie’s journey shows, is not only unsustainable — it’s also counterproductive. Carnegie realized that true growth requires a structure that allows leaders to do what they do best while distributing responsibilities effectively.

For Carnegie, the answer was clear: We hire talented people and empower them. This wasn’t about relinquishing control; it was about liberating himself to steer his business toward bigger goals.

How to build a system that works for you

Carnegie was a master at systemizing and processing his business to make it run efficiently. It was simple but powerful. His trusted managers reported to him every morning. He didn’t micromanage; he suggested and let them take action based on their expertise. He’d wrap up his day’s work within an hour, and his team would execute his vision while he strategized and enjoyed his day.

The takeaway? If you want to grow, you need to spend less time working in your business and more time working on it. Carnegie’s system worked because he trusted his team, had clear processes and empowered people to take ownership. This resulted in a business that could work and grow without him.

Enlisting the “right people” — Carnegie’s biggest advantage

Carnegie was known for surrounding himself with people who were often “better” than him in certain areas. He didn’t want to be the smartest person in the room; he valued expertise, and he let people bring their best skills to the table. His secret was this: Hire people who are better at things than you are and let them do their thing.

Imagine you could delegate complex tasks to people who could perform them better than you could. This was the secret sauce that made Carnegie’s empire possible. He knew that if the right team multiplies a business, the results are much more than the sum of the parts.

Related: You Don’t Have to Go It Alone. It’s Time to Let Go and Let Others Help.

The investment in growth through delegation

Delegating can feel like a loss of control to many entrepreneurs. However, Carnegie viewed delegation in a different light — as an investment that would allow him to free up time to focus on moving the company forward. It was about getting rid of small, repetitive tasks and focusing on high-impact decisions.

Ask yourself: Are you spending your time on $10 tasks or billion-dollar ideas? It’s not just about saving time; it’s about changing your focus. If you delegate effectively, you’re not just offloading your work; you’re making space for innovation, strategy and growth.

The delegation principles of Carnegie today

• Identify your high-value tasks: What are the tasks that only you can do which have the most impact? These are the tasks that you should be spending your time on. The rest should be delegated.

• Build trust with your team: Effective delegation is based on trust. If you don’t believe in your team, they won’t perform to their potential. Invest in your team, train them well, and give them the tools to succeed.

• Set up clear systems and processes: By having clear guidelines and processes, you are creating a framework for your team to work independently. It provides consistency and quality without the need for constant oversight.

• Let go of control gradually: Begin by delegating simple tasks. Progressively delegate more complex responsibilities as you build trust and see positive results. This will help you slowly move into a culture of effective delegation.

• Celebrate success together: Carnegie knew that a team that feels valued will go above and beyond, and he believed in sharing credit. Give credit where it’s due and recognize your team’s efforts. It’s not just a morale boost; it’s an investment in a motivated, loyal team.

What the richest man in 1902 can teach you about the billion-dollar lesson

If there’s one lesson Carnegie taught, it’s this: A business that is built on the strength of one person cannot grow too far. A business that relies on the strengths of many can go to unimaginable heights. If you want to do something great, you need to stop doing it and start leading.

Ultimately, this isn’t about giving up control; it’s about building a business that doesn’t require your daily involvement. When you empower others, you not only grow your business, you reclaim your time. And when you’re not bogged down by all the small tasks, you have more freedom to think bigger, plan farther and live more fully, as Carnegie showed.

Related: How to Reclaim Your Time and Start Focusing on Your Business’s Big Picture

Carnegie’s philosophy is a blueprint for any modern entrepreneur. The richest man of 1902 had a vision that still applies today: Great businesses aren’t built by single individuals; they’re built by empowered teams. If you find yourself stuck in day-to-day operations, remember Carnegie’s words: “No one will make a great business who wants to do it all themselves or take all the credit.”

Your time is the most precious thing you have. Invest it, protect it, use it wisely. By building a team you can trust, creating strong systems and delegating with purpose, you can transform your business and your life, focusing on what truly matters: growth, innovation and legacy.

It’s freeing to let go. Bruce Lee captured it perfectly: “It’s not the daily increase but daily decrease. Hack away at the unessential.” It’s an idea that’s turned businesses on their head and made life easier — one that’s changed the definition of productivity and success in a world full of information and distractions.

In a time of endless options, every task and every decision can take our attention. But success isn’t about doing more; it’s about doing less and focusing only on what genuinely matters.

Now, let’s discuss the daily decrease. This is about getting rid of every unessential task and distraction that takes us away from our core focus. When we let go of the excess, we have time, mental clarity and energy to build and grow. It’s here where a thoughtful approach to delegation, process and minimalism really pays off.

Related: Managing Every Single Task on Your Own Is a Trap for Business Owners — Here’s How I Moved From Doing It All to Doing What Matters

The cost of the unessential

The problem is not that entrepreneurs don’t have drive or ambition; it’s that they spend their time doing unimportant, endless tasks. Non-urgent emails can be answered, you can get bogged down in micromanagement or do some minor administrative duties that steal precious hours that could be spent on strategic growth or creative work.

In essence, every unessential task robs you twice: It costs you, first, of the time it directly consumes, and second, of the compounded value you could have created with that time. It’s a low-return, high-cost task and a distraction that needs to be eliminated.

Minimalism in business — focusing on the core

Minimalism isn’t just about owning less stuff; it’s about removing unnecessary actions, distractions and decisions. Picture yourself running your business with the mentality of only holding what actually brings value. All of a sudden, you’re not weighed down by a thousand things to do. You’re focused, present and making impactful decisions instead.

Minimalism in business means:

• Delegating tasks that don’t require your expertise

• Automating processes that are repetitive

• Streamlining decisions to avoid the clutter of “options” that lead to inaction

Related: How I Transformed My Business by Letting Go of Low-Value Tasks and Focusing on High-Impact Activities

Hacking away at the unessential

But how do you know which tasks to keep and which to let go? The idea is to find the activities that are directly in line with your core vision and purpose. Below is a roadmap to get you started.

1. Identify your core tasks

Your core tasks are the things only you can do that directly contribute to the growth and vision of your business. This could be big-picture planning, relationship nurturing or innovating products and services.

Action: Write down every task you do in a week and highlight the ones that actually affect your business growth. These are your core tasks. Everything else? Elimination or delegation of candidates.

2. Embrace the art of delegation

Giving up control isn’t delegation; it’s an expansion of your reach. When you have a team that knows your vision, you can trust them to do routine or secondary tasks so you can focus on higher-value work. Done right, delegation allows you to focus on what’s important.

Action: Begin with one or two tasks you do on a regular basis that don’t demand your special contribution. Teach your team how to manage these with autonomy so you can focus on big-picture work.

3. Run systems without you

A scalable business is a process-driven business. Tasks run smoothly with a minimal amount of intervention, thanks to systems. Automate where you can and minimize human involvement where you don’t need it, such as for repetitive tasks like reporting, email responses and scheduling.

Action: Automate things like invoicing, scheduling and even customer service queries. For this, tools like CRMs, scheduling software and chatbots are great.

4. Limit your daily decisions

Decision fatigue is real. The more decisions you make in a day, the less energy you have for important ones. Get rid of the decisions you don’t need to make to simplify your day. Whether it’s picking out your daily outfit or scheduling meetings, simplify your choices so you can spend more time on important decisions.

Action: Set up routines for low-impact areas of your life, like having a standard dress code, automating meal choices and a fixed daily schedule to be able to focus on work.

5. Batch similar tasks together

The mental toll of switching between different tasks is that you become less effective and more drained. Constantly switching between tasks is a drag, but batching similar tasks — like handling emails all at once or setting aside specific times for meetings — helps to mitigate this.

Action: Group tasks together and dedicate specific times during the day to handle those tasks. Set “no-meeting” days or “email hours” to protect your focus and increase productivity.

6. Audit and prune your to-do list regularly

To-do lists tend to pile up. Each week, take a hard look at your task list and prune out items that don’t serve your core goals anymore. If you have a task that has been sitting there for weeks and doesn’t help you in achieving your larger objectives, then let it go.

Action: Get into the habit of reviewing your task list every Friday. For every item you have, ask yourself if it still fits your goals. Delete it or delegate it if not.

7. Protect your creative space

Creativity and strategy need space to grow. When every moment is filled with tasks, that’s impossible. Make time for reflection, big-picture thinking and rest. These moments of stillness and focus are where the most groundbreaking ideas come from.

Action: Carve out creative time each week where you can’t be interrupted by meetings or routine tasks. This time is to be used to strategize, innovate or just recharge.

Related: 3 Major Time Wasters for Leaders — and How to Overcome Them

Reaping the rewards of time

What you end up with is a day full of purpose and clarity as you hack away at the unessential. This isn’t about checking off a long list of tasks; it’s about making sure the tasks you do are the tasks that move you closer to your vision. You reclaim time by delegating, automating and cutting out the non-essentials.

Focusing on fewer, high-impact activities isn’t just freeing up your time; it’s creating momentum. What if you could use that extra time to deepen relationships, explore new ideas or make strategic moves for your business? This focused attention on the things that matter is what makes a business good and then great.

Your time is your wealth. Money is always replaceable, but time is not. Don’t let it be eaten up by the unessential. Instead, invest your time in things that are in line with your purpose, delegate the rest, and watch your impact and your satisfaction multiply.

Let go of the unnecessary. Hack away at the clutter.

In today’s fast-paced business world, achieving significant revenue growth within a short timeframe requires strategic thinking, relentless execution and the willingness to push boundaries. A 90% revenue boost over the next 12 to 24 months might sound ambitious, but it’s not unattainable if you implement the right growth hacks.

Here are five actionable strategies to turbocharge your business growth.

Related: 4 Decisions That Will Increase Your Revenue and Business Growth

1. Leverage data to hyper-personalize customer experiences

Today’s consumers expect more than just a good product or service — they demand personalized experiences. By leveraging data analytics and AI, you can uncover hidden customer behaviors and preferences to tailor your offerings accordingly.

Invest in CRM tools that consolidate customer data and offer predictive insights. Platforms like Salesforce and HubSpot can help you identify key segments. Use AI-powered marketing automation tools to deliver personalized emails, product recommendations and dynamic pricing based on customer history. Implement A/B testing to optimize landing pages, email campaigns and sales funnels, ensuring you’re always iterating toward what works.

Personalization not only increases conversion rates but also drives customer loyalty, boosting lifetime value and recurring revenue.

2. Introduce a recurring revenue model

A subscription or membership-based model can provide predictable income and significantly enhance your customer lifetime value. If you’re not already using one, consider how it can complement your existing offerings.

If you sell physical products, offer a subscription box service. For service-based businesses, introduce tiered membership levels with exclusive perks. Software providers can enhance revenue through freemium-to-premium upgrades.

Recurring revenue models create stickiness, reduce customer churn and allow for upselling opportunities. They also appeal to investors by demonstrating predictable cash flow.

3. Partner with industry influencers or micro-influencers

The rise of influencer marketing offers a cost-effective way to amplify your reach and build credibility. Instead of chasing celebrities with massive followings, focus on micro-influencers who have high engagement within your niche.

Identify influencers with 5,000-50,000 followers whose audience aligns with your target market. Offer them an exclusive affiliate partnership, providing a percentage of sales they generate. Collaborate on authentic content like product reviews, how-tos or giveaways.

Micro-influencers are particularly powerful because their audiences trust their recommendations, which can translate into immediate sales.

Related: Turn Your Startup into a Powerhouse With These 6 Financial Growth Hacks

4. Expand into underserved markets

Most businesses focus on their primary market, leaving growth opportunities untapped in secondary or underserved markets. Conduct market research to identify regions, demographics or industries that could benefit from your product or service but are currently overlooked.

Launch a localized marketing campaign tailored to the culture and preferences of the new market. Consider partnerships with local distributors or influencers to gain credibility quickly. If entering a new geographic market, ensure your website and customer support can handle multi-language capabilities.

Companies like Uber and Airbnb grew exponentially by localizing their services in international markets while maintaining their core value propositions.

5. Upsell and cross-sell like a pro

One of the fastest ways to grow revenue is by increasing your average order value (AOV) through strategic upselling and cross-selling. This involves persuading customers to buy a premium version of your product or additional complementary products.

Use AI tools to recommend complementary products during checkout. Offer bundled pricing for customers buying multiple items. Train your sales team to pitch higher-tier products with clear, value-driven messaging.

Timing is everything. Offer upsells at the moment of purchase and follow up with cross-sells post-purchase through email campaigns. This strategy not only boosts your revenue per transaction but also deepens your relationship with customers, encouraging repeat purchases.

Bonus hack: Optimize for retention, not just acquisition

While these five hacks focus heavily on driving new revenue, don’t underestimate the power of customer retention. Studies show that retaining just 5% more customers can increase profits by up to 95%. Focus on delivering an exceptional post-purchase experience, loyalty rewards and regular value-driven communication.

Related: Your Business Could See a 133% Surge in Revenue If You Do This

Growing your revenue by 90% in the next 12 to 24 months is not just about working harder — it’s about working smarter. By personalizing customer experiences, adopting a recurring revenue model, leveraging micro-influencers, tapping into underserved markets and maximizing upselling opportunities, you can position your business for rapid and sustainable growth.

Remember, success lies in execution. Pick one or two strategies to focus on initially, implement them thoroughly, and measure their impact. Once you’ve mastered these, scale up and add more hacks to your arsenal. With determination and the right tactics, your business can achieve extraordinary growth.

Consumers today want convenience and instant gratification. That’s why millions of consumers turn to platforms like Amazon to make everyday purchases. With a simple click of a button, the product they want arrives at their doorstep within a few days (or sooner). Thanks to technology and changes in consumer behavior due to the global pandemic, ecommerce is expected to continue growing rapidly. By 2028, the global ecommerce market is expected to grow by 50% to nearly $7 trillion.

In today’s modern economy, most entrepreneurs and small business owners are required to embrace technology through social media, chatbots, workflow automation and CRM platforms. While this can complicate and frustrate entrepreneurs, the internet has enabled businesses, especially product-based businesses, to reach millions of potential customers across the globe and generate serious revenue through ecommerce.

But is 2025 the right time for small businesses to embrace global marketplaces such as Amazon, Shopify and Etsy? A recent trend has shown that small- to medium-sized businesses are finding tremendous growth and success through these platforms.

Related: 70% of Small Business Owners Say Online Marketplaces Help Them Boost Sales — and Now It Can Be True For You.

Benefits of Amazon and other online marketplaces

There are a wide range of benefits that come with building an ecommerce presence using an established online marketplace like Amazon. The small businesses that are best positioned to gain these benefits include established product-based businesses with a scalable supply chain, brands looking to expand or diversify into international markets, businesses that need an inexpensive option for building an ecommerce presence and niche or specialty product providers.

• Wide reach and global access: Small businesses often struggle to reach a large enough audience through traditional marketing. They are often limited to the local or online communities they have built themselves. Global marketplaces like Amazon allow small businesses access to millions of new customers and help them expand into new international markets with little to no effort.

• Consumer trust and brand exposure: Gaining consumer trust is difficult, especially for startups and small businesses that haven’t established the same social credibility as major brands. Online marketplaces like Amazon provide a level of comfort for consumers looking to purchase products from trusted sources. While they might not be familiar with your specific business, they can feel confident that their experience will be consistent with past purchases on the platform.

• Built-in marketing and SEO tools: Reaching online audiences can be quite challenging. Not only are SEO (search engine optimization) rules changing constantly, but you’re competing with thousands of similar brands for attention. Learning technical concepts of SEO and other online marketing strategies can become complicated and time-consuming. Fortunately, platforms like Amazon provide their sellers with the tools they need to be successful without having to become an SEO guru.

Related: How to Get Your First 100 Sales on Amazon

Getting the most out of online marketplaces

Building an ecommerce operation isn’t a silver bullet. Success on these platforms requires strategic planning and setting things up right from the start. It’s important for entrepreneurs to understand the best practices that can improve their opportunities for a successful ecommerce launch on an online marketplace.

I spoke to Jamie LeBlanc from Prime Seller Pro, a logistics and ecommerce channel management expert, to find out what companies need to look into if considering an ecommerce strategy in 2025. He identified five major areas to investigate:

1. Select the right platform: Amazon seems to be the go-to in today’s ecommerce landscape. This is no surprise, as Amazon controls nearly 40% of the U.S. ecommerce marketplace. However, Amazon isn’t right for every business. There are a number of platforms available that each have their own pros and cons. For businesses that produce handmade or artisanal products, a platform like Etsy, for example, might be a better option since those are the types of products Etsy customers seek.

2. Consider the fees and support: Each platform has its own fee schedules, infrastructure and seller support resources. It’s important to carefully evaluate each platform to find out which works best for your business. It’s a good idea to get feedback from other small businesses that use these platforms to find out more about their experience, what they recommend and what mistakes you can avoid.

3. Build a strong, consistent brand: When selling products on a third-party platform, it’s important to bring out the look and feel of your brand. Consistency across your social media, website and online marketplace is key to giving a professional look that consumers can trust. Try to incorporate a similar tone in the messaging, and add brand elements such as colors or logos whenever possible.

4. Select how you will fulfill orders: Some platforms have order fulfillment services that allow you to ship products to a centralized warehouse for storage. When you make a sale, the platform picks the order from their warehouse and gets it to the customer. This makes the experience seamless for both you and the customer. However, this also means you will need to carry excess inventory, which can be costly. The alternative is to ship everything yourself. The downside here is that this requires a lot of manual effort to handle the orders, package products and arrange shipment.

5. Understand the platform’s search algorithms: You’ll never sell your products if people can’t find them. It’s important to understand how to optimize your product listings to work with the platform’s SEO standards. The good news here is that most platforms provide plenty of resources to help you accomplish this.

Related: 3 Reasons Online Marketplaces Benefit Entrepreneurs — and Should Be Protected

Building a successful ecommerce operation with an online marketplace like Amazon has a lot of benefits. However, having the right strategy is key to staying ahead of the competition and keeping up with rapidly changing consumer behavior. Entrepreneurs must lean on market research to carefully determine if this option is right for their business.

The first quarter often brings a natural slowdown, as many consumers tighten their budgets following holiday spending. This dip can be challenging, especially for shopping centers, beauty brands and service-based businesses that rely on steady engagement to maintain growth.

However, with a well-thought-out PR strategy, brands can avoid the post-holiday slump and create a buzz that keeps customers coming back. Here’s how a proactive Q1 approach — complete with specific examples — can help brands attract customers, build brand loyalty and set the tone for a successful year.

Related: 4 Ways to Generate Sales Post-Holiday Period

1. Create a Q1 content calendar and focus on value-driven content

Starting with a comprehensive content calendar allows brands to plan valuable, engaging content that resonates with audiences’ post-holiday needs. At this time of year, people are looking for fresh starts, personal care tips and value-driven solutions, making it a prime time for brands to create content that aligns with these goals.

Example: For a beauty or skincare brand, focusing on content around New Year skincare routines, winter skincare tips or simple self-care hacks can establish your brand as a go-to resource. By collaborating with influencers who share their skincare routines, you can tap into the new-year mindset of renewal and self-care. These partnerships can be arranged early to ensure your brand message reaches consumers just as they’re ready to refresh their routines.

2. Launch a New Year campaign that inspires and engages

As January arrives, people are often focused on resolutions and goals. Crafting a New Year-themed campaign around fresh starts can resonate well with audiences and align your brand with this mindset. The messaging can center on renewal, change or self-improvement, depending on what’s relevant for your brand.

Example: For a shopping center, recognize that consumers tend to hold their wallets a bit tighter after the holidays. By teaming up with local organizations, such as wellness centers or craft markets, you can create themed events that bring added experiential value and incentivize foot traffic. For instance, a shopping center could host a “New Year Wellness Weekend” featuring workshops on fitness, nutrition or stress relief. Partnering with local experts and offering incentives, like discounts on wellness products, attracts visitors by connecting with their New Year’s goals without pressuring them to make major purchases.

3. Secure thought leadership placements for industry authority

The start of the year is an ideal time to position brand leaders as industry experts through thought leadership. Many publications seek fresh perspectives, trend predictions and advice on starting the year off right. By pitching insights or unique perspectives, brands can build credibility and engage readers who are looking for guidance and inspiration.

Example: For a wellness brand, sharing predictions on upcoming health and wellness trends or advice on starting new habits can secure thought leadership placements in trade publications, industry blogs or even local newspapers. By positioning the brand as a resource, you build trust while increasing visibility. For service-based brands, crafting “New Year, New Insights” articles that share actionable tips for consumers — whether related to beauty, fitness, finance or productivity — also resonates well with media and audiences alike.

Related: How to Continue Your Small Business Success After the Holidays

4. Leverage influencers to build momentum through authentic engagement

In Q1, influencers can be a valuable asset for brands looking to maintain visibility and engagement. While larger influencers may focus on holiday content, micro-influencers tend to maintain active engagement into the new year, making them great partners for a January campaign.

Example: For a skincare or wellness brand, working with influencers to promote “New Year, New Routine” campaigns can encourage followers to start the year with a focus on self-care. Sharing product routines, personal skincare tips and simple self-care ideas can create authentic engagement and generate buzz for your brand. Influencers with smaller but highly engaged followings often bring greater authenticity, making their recommendations more impactful in terms of trust and conversions.

5. Re-engage audiences with social media tips and user-generated content (UGC)

Social media provides a powerful platform for brands to keep audiences engaged without the hard sell. By focusing on valuable tips, actionable insights and user-generated content (UGC), brands can maintain a consistent presence that feels less promotional and more community-driven.

Example: For brands in any industry, offering tips and tricks relevant to customers’ lives — like self-care tips for skincare brands or home organization ideas for lifestyle brands — demonstrates that your brand is a trusted source of advice. Featuring UGC can be especially effective; for example, showcasing how real customers incorporate your products into their lives fosters a sense of community and loyalty. These types of posts build trust with new customers and deepen connections with current ones.

6. Tap into niche and local media to maintain visibility

National media outlets often slow down after the holidays, but niche and local media remain active, making them valuable resources for brands looking to maintain visibility. Local coverage also helps foster community connections, which can be especially beneficial in the quieter Q1 months.

Example: For a client in the retail sector, pitching to local media about a New Year’s event or partnering with a local influencer for a regional campaign can drive traffic without overwhelming the budget. For beauty brands, targeting niche publications like wellness blogs or local magazines with “new year, new you” messaging can ensure that your brand remains visible to an engaged, interested audience.

Related: 4 Ways Retailers Can Ride the Post-Holiday Wave to More Sales

Although Q1 can be a slower period, the right PR strategy can help brands overcome the post-holiday slump and keep their momentum strong. By leveraging strategic partnerships, refreshing successful content and focusing on value-driven storytelling, businesses can drive engagement and set the tone for a productive year. With a thoughtful, proactive PR plan, you’ll not only sustain visibility but also build meaningful connections with your audience, setting a foundation for success all year long.

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