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AI startup Sensay published what it says was the world’s first job advertisement for a Full Stack Developer (AI Agent) last month on LinkedIn, asking for fully autonomous AI to create code, test and fix software bugs, and write technical documentation.

But they aren’t looking for a human to fill the role. Instead, the startup is looking for human developers to submit fully functional code that it can use — and it intends to pay those developers an unspecified annual salary, open to negotiation, for their work creating the AI agent.

Sensay creates lifelike digital replicas, AI clones of real people, to carry out tasks on someone’s behalf, like sending emails, writing chat messages, and participating in video calls. The company says it works on over half a million interactions every day.

Related: AI Agents Can Help Businesses Be ’10 Times More Productive,’ According to a Nvidia VP. Here’s What They Are and How Much They Cost.

But although the job is asking for AI applicants, Sensay told Entrepreneur it isn’t expecting AI to respond to the posting.

Sensay’s job posting is unique from the tens of thousands of job postings for human AI engineers because the startup only wants the software of the AI agent, not the full-time talents of the people who built it.

Related: What You Need to Know About ‘AI Agents’ and Why We Are One Step Closer to The Jetsons

“This is an exciting moment for Sensay,” said Founder and CEO Dan Thomson stated in a press release. “By bringing on board our first AI employee, we’re taking a big step toward a future where AI and humans work together as colleagues and collaborators.”

The non-human AI agent would operate on its own and be tasked with helping build other AI. The job posting had over 100 applicants at the time of writing. It asks for an AI program with proven software development capabilities, especially in AI and machine learning, and a track record of puzzling out complex development challenges.

Sensay intends to embed the AI agent into their communication channels, like email, WhatsApp, and Slack, so that it can respond to feedback, suggest ideas, and contribute to software development like an actual employee.

The company better make sure their new hire doesn’t create its own LinkedIn profile, though.

Related: ‘More Soul-Crushing Than Ever’: Popular Hiring Platform Finds Around 20% of Its Postings Were ‘Ghost Jobs’

According to a report earlier this year from 404 Media, LinkedIn has identified and deactivated two accounts labeled as AI “co-workers.” The accounts had the flair #OpenToWork, which is used on LinkedIn to signal to employers that someone is open to new job opportunities.

Reddit users were quick to point out that job applicants face many hurdles on the way to landing a job, including fake job listings — and now they have to compete with AI applicants, too.

According to LinkedIn’s latest Workforce Confidence survey, American workers feel less confident about their job security now than they have in the past five years.

The public perception of artificial intelligence often hinges on reducing workforces and replacing workers. But what about its power to help established teams outperform their limitations without expanding in size?

Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are often held back by a lack of time and resources. While larger organizations go after lucrative opportunities, SMBs are forced to sit back and watch simply because they don’t have what it takes to run with the big dogs. As AI and related tech advancements go mainstream, 2025 is beginning to look like the year when SMBs find they can finally go toe-to-toe with larger corporations and hold their own.

If you’re an entrepreneur of a startup or growing organization, here are some key ways you can utilize tech to equip your SMB to compete on an enterprise level this year.

1. Accelerate digital transformation

It’s easy to understand how a new technology can help your business in theory. Integrating it into your existing operations can be more difficult. This process of digital transformation is essential to SMBs taking the next step in keeping up with enterprise-scale organizations.

Heading into 2025, leaders of smaller organizations are recognizing the imperative nature of digital transformation. All-in-one small business management software Thryv revealed in its 2024 Small Business Index Report that 31% of small business owners were using AI last year. In comparison, 43% expect to use it in 2025.

This rapid growth is a necessary first step in SMB competitiveness. If they want to tap into the potential of AI and other technologies, small business leaders must be on the lookout not just for the best software in their industry but for ways to effectively integrate it to improve their unique business activities.

Entrepreneurs looking to compete with larger companies should ensure that they are embracing digital transformation. They should consider the options in each area (administrative, R&D, financials, etc.). Once a tech tool is chosen, they should set KPIs and clear expectations. Then, measure over time to ensure any new technology is not just present but properly integrated into their companies.

Related: You Must Embrace Digital Transformation to Stay Ahead of the Competition — Here’s How to Seamlessly Weave It into Your Organization

2. Target your AI adoption

Developers have released a smorgasbord of AI applications since ChatGPT came out in late 2022. However, many of these have felt rushed, have been limited in scope and have lacked scalability and accessibility. Thus far, it has been hard for small business owners to find an applicable and effective way to use them in niche or limited settings.

In 2025, AI tools should become more targeted and accessible for smaller operations. SMBs can expect to have access to a growing number of AI tools that are tailored to their industry, too. One example is financial services.

TechTarget points out that AI and machine learning are making it easier for financial companies of all sizes to analyze historical and real-time data to gauge the legitimacy of a user near-instantaneously. AI also helps in other niche areas like wealth management, stock trading and loan approvals.

SMBs can expect similar AI tools to become available in all industries. In addition, these tend to be scalable, offering cost-effective, long-term solutions for smaller businesses that can grow with a company over time.

In 2025, SMB leaders should look for industry-specific AI tools that target specific activities and give them unique advantages over larger competitors. They can anticipate these developments by following industry publications and influencers to observe the latest tech innovations and associate them with industry benefits.

3. Migrate to a cloud infrastructure

In the past, small businesses have lacked the internal capabilities to migrate to a cloud infrastructure. Limited budget and lack of in-house expertise were primary factors holding many companies back.

AI is quickly making it easier for SMBs to move away from centralized data centers. Companies are utilizing AI to build community-driven cloud network options that draw on a global network of devices.

These are more sustainable and affordable cloud-based options. They enable enterprises to create flexible, resilient and adaptable infrastructures. These scale easily, have lower risk and can accommodate things like remote work, giving SMBs access to a larger talent pool.

If you’re an SMB owner in 2025, you should be taking active steps to take advantage of AI-powered cloud-based infrastructure. Assess your current infrastructure. Review your cloud-based options. Also, remember things like flexibility, security, and scalability when considering a migration.

Related: During Uncertain Times, SMBs Can Rely On What They’re Best At: Talking to Their Customers

David overcoming Goliath

Small and medium businesses have historically been at a disadvantage when competing with larger enterprises. No matter how much they’ve leaned on things like personalized service or niche product offerings, smaller companies have always faced a lack of resources that creates barriers to competitive growth — barriers that are quickly disintegrating thanks to the rapid evolution of technology.

If you are a small or medium business owner, 2025 is the year you can get out ahead of the competition, no matter how big it might be. If you have a competent, creative and committed team equipped with well-integrated, updated tech tools, you can create quality results at a scale that makes you look like you’re one of the big dogs.

Founders often talk about taking a “leap of faith” when starting their business. The phrase, coined by Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard, describes believing in something without rational proof — accepting an uncertain outcome despite a lack of evidence.

My opinion? This is a terrible way to approach launching a company.

To me, taking a leap of faith is like jumping out of an airplane without a parachute, assuming you’ll be okay without any supporting evidence. Perhaps a well-meaning flock of birds will carry you to safety, or a strong gust of wind will deposit you gently on the ground. Personally, I’d rather pack a parachute — one that I know is structurally sound and will do its job.

Determining when it’s time to move forward with your business idea doesn’t require soaring foolishly into an unknowable abyss. It doesn’t mean there won’t be uncertainty. But if you can meet the below pre-conditions, your leap will be more of a confident step, and you won’t need to rely on faith: You’ll have facts.

Related: 4 Ways to Determine If Now Is the Right Time to Launch Your Business

Pre-condition 1: You know who is ready to use your product

When I started my company, Jotform, I knew exactly who would be using the product I wanted to build: Me and all of the editors at the media company where I worked as a programmer. I was constantly getting requests for forms, so I knew how important they were to the company’s operations. I also knew I was tired of building them and that there had to be a better way. And there was.

As Y Combinator co-founder Paul Graham put it, “When a startup launches, there have to be at least some users who really need what they’re making — not just people who could see themselves using it one day, but who want it urgently.”

Jotform is a classic example of the power of scratching your own itch. In my case, it was a win-win: Even if my no-code forms didn’t take off, I’d still have solved an irritating problem for myself, all while continuing to collect a paycheck at my day job.

Pre-condition 2: You can build your product

Say you have an amazing idea for a house you want to build — it will have all sorts of incredible features, like turrets, multiple balconies and a wraparound porch. The only problem? You’ve never picked up a hammer.

That doesn’t mean it can’t be done. All it means is you’ll have to learn how to do it — if possible, on someone else’s dime.

By the time I started working on Jotform, I’d already built a handful of products in my spare time, in addition to the ones I’d made for my 9 to 5 job. At that job, I also had the incredibly valuable experience of owning a SaaS product used by millions — it was called TheCounter.com, and it was a sort of precursor to Google Analytics. TheCounter.com was originally released as a free product, but after the stock market crashed, the company needed cash, so I was charged with building a paid version. Making big decisions and having ownership over that product was the best education I could have asked for — and I did it all while continuing to collect a paycheck.

By the time I started working on Jotform, I already had much of the experience I needed to get it up and running myself. For everything else, I learned as I went.

Pre-condition 3: Your MVP is viable

For many founders, their “leap of faith” moment comes when they quit their day job, dramatically trading in security for the freedom of entrepreneurship.

Not me. I only quit the media company after my side project — a profile tool I’d developed — was consistently earning more than my paycheck. I spent six months building a free version of Jotform with only basic functions. When I released it, I knew one of two things would happen: People would use it or they wouldn’t. And if they didn’t, well, I had only wasted six months, and I’d still have the income from my side project.

I had a lot of confidence in Jotform, and once I quit my job, I worked on it with complete dedication. As disappointing as it would have been if it had failed, it wouldn’t have been catastrophic. I still had my other products, I still had my experience and I knew I would come up with something else.

Related: 5 Tips for Solidifying MVP, and Why It’s the Most Important Aspect of Building a Startup

Pre-condition 4: You know how to reach your target users

This is a pre-condition I actually didn’t meet myself, but would have had I known better.

Marketing does not come naturally to me, but when I founded my company, I was proud of my product and the technology I’d developed. Doing PR wasn’t too painful.

Still, there are many ways you can drum up interest in your product, even before it’s released. Figure out your audience and do outreach on social media, through forums like Reddit or by starting a blog. Even the best product will be DOA if it doesn’t reach people.

Launching a business doesn’t have to be a reckless leap into the unknown. By meeting these pre-conditions, you can turn a leap of faith into a strategic, well-planned step forward — one supported by preparation, data and confidence.

Courage is not about recklessness or boldness; it means doing what’s right without being carried away by fear or impulse. This interpretation redefines the role of a leader, which should be based on the values of integrity, personal growth and accountability.

By definition, it readdresses authenticity through courage. Courageous leaders are followed by their team members. They make good decisions and strategically foster resilience and imminent thinking.

The transformative power of courage in leadership

Courage makes leaders go beyond reactive behavior — which is often influenced by fear, pride and short-term desires — and helps them achieve their objectives with precision and purpose. Courageous leaders are like a compass; they use their personal values and the organization’s mission to make long-standing decisions. This approach not only helps you make better decisions, but it also creates possibilities for growth, personal development and organizational expansion.

Courageous leaders also create an innovation- and experimentation-friendly atmosphere, promoting psychological safety for their teams. For instance, an entrepreneur who is starting a tech startup may want to take the bold step of capitalizing on artificial intelligence despite the market uncertainties. They can foster a culture where their team members feel secure experimenting with innovative ideas by bringing this decision into line with their mission to update customer service. Such an approach can ultimately drive innovation and long-term growth.

This approach makes them different from the leaders who work out of fear or rigid expectations. The presence of a courageous leader in a team provides a renewed sense of creativity and motivation, nurturing a more inclusive and effective leadership style.

Related: Why Demonstrating Courage Changes Everything

Empowerment through courage: The foundation

Courageous leaders can proactively handle problems and set a tone that is shared by other team members. They address challenges with transparency, inviting input and fostering trust and inclusion. In times of uncertainty, their unwavering support brings their team together. Courageous leaders encourage skill development, project leadership and increased responsibility. A courageous leader might entrust a team member with the responsibility of presenting a transformative idea to potential investors while providing guidance and encouragement along the way. This approach not only elevates the team member’s self-assurance but also strengthens the startup’s capacity for innovation.

They empower their teams by enhancing their growth and development. They see their team members’ success as their own. This not only helps boost the capabilities of the team but also reinforces the leader’s influence and legacy. Hence, courageous leaders foster a culture of trust and inclusion by empowering their teams and ensuring their success and the success of their organization.

Importance of truth and accountability in leadership

Courageous leaders are always willing to admit their mistakes and take responsibility for their decisions. They consider setbacks as prospects for self-improvement and team growth. For example, an entrepreneur is introducing a new product and encounters a failed market entry due to inadequate customer research.

Rather than blaming their team members and other external factors, they assume responsibility, collaborate with their team to collect feedback and adjust their strategy to more effectively meet customer demands. Such an approach builds conviction and personal growth. Taking responsibility or being accountable is not a sign of weakness; rather, it is crucial for long-term success. Courageous leaders are not fearful of owning their mistakes and take responsibility for their decisions.

Related: This One Act of Courage Completely Shifted My View on Leadership

Moving away from external validation to inner confidence

Inner confidence, integrity and self-honesty are the true characteristics of courageous leadership. Such courageous leaders adapt to different challenges and criticism without compromising their integrity. For example, an entrepreneur might decide to decline a highly profitable partnership proposal that clashes with their company’s ethical principles, showcasing a steadfast dedication to integrity over immediate financial benefits.

Courageous leaders are less emotionally reactive and do not follow the emotions that may not reflect reality. They make decisions not to gain recognition or out of fear of failure but because they believe their decisions will benefit the organization and its mission. This type of leadership nurtures an environment where team members are encouraged to act for a reason, rather than out of fear of admonishment or appraisal. Courageous leaders are better prepared to deal with setbacks and drive their teams to do the same. At its core, courage is a key dynamic to foster a culture and environment of integrity, honesty and resilience.

The decline of emotional reactivity

Courageous leaders have reduced emotional reactivity and increased inner calm, which leads them to more accurate responses to challenges. For instance, during the start-up phase, when there is a limited cash flow and slow growth, a brave leader keeps calm, does not panic and focuses on long-term ideas like reinvesting in customer acquisition rather than chasing shortcuts. They possess clarity and steadiness, crucial for navigating complex leadership challenges.

In high-stress settings like the tech industry, courageous leaders uphold a sensible standpoint and take time to consider whether their actions ensure long-term success. This composure helps them make calculated decisions under pressure to reinforce their team’s confidence. Their actions become logical and reliable, motivated by no momentary emotions or short-term desires. This control positively impacts their team, who can trust their leader’s unswerving and rational choices. Courageous leaders nurture a place of work where challenges are dealt with confidence and calm, rather than anxiety or impulsivity.

Related: 3 Strategies for Thinking and Acting Courageously

Courage as a transformative force

Leadership courage is more than a skill — it’s about a mindset that has the power to transform the leader, the organization and the people in it. Courageous leaders start with values and integrity that inform a foundation for trust, accountability and purposeful actions. Courageous leaders help their team members to grow, reduce emotional reactivity and thrive on inner confidence — rather than external validation — because challenges are met with confidence, calm and resilience. The immediate result is just part of their story, as they create an environment for lasting and innovative success as their legacy.

Bloomberg is reporting that the SEC is offering some employees $50,000 to resign or retire — within a month.

According to an email sent to staff on Friday by the agency’s COO, Ken Johnson (and reviewed by Bloomberg), the incentive is part of a voluntary separation or early retirement program.

Related: Verizon Tries to Steal ‘Top Talent’ From Rival AT&T With Email Promoting Its Hybrid and Remote Roles

Eligible employees have until March 21 to apply and need to leave by April 4.

In order to qualify, employees must have been on payroll before Jan. 24 and voluntarily resign, immediately retire, or transfer to another agency. The email notes that the $50,000 must be paid back in full if an employee accepts the buyout but then returns to the SEC within five years.

The SEC mandated that all staff return to the office five days a week starting April 14.

The Education Department also offered some of its staff a buyout of $25,000 to resign or retire last week. That email, also sent on Friday, reportedly had a deadline of Monday at 11:59 p.m. to accept the offer, with a final work day of March 31.

Related: I’m an Employment Lawyer. Here Are 4 Steps You Can Take When Your Company Announces RTO.

In today’s high-stakes business world, waiting for a problem to surface isn’t an option. Whether you’re a risk manager, compliance officer, or business owner, non-financial risks—from cybersecurity threats to reputation damage—can be the difference between success and crisis. And Riskify was made to help.

Riskify is an AI-powered risk monitoring platform that scans and analyzes risks in real time across seven key domains: Capital Markets, Operations, Reputation, Cybersecurity, Employees, Compliance, and ESG. With AI-generated insights and automated reporting, Riskify arms businesses with actionable intelligence, ensuring they stay ahead of disruptions rather than react to them.

From monitoring stock fluctuations to tracking regulatory changes and detecting cybersecurity vulnerabilities, Riskify centralizes risk management into one powerful tool. Simply log in, search for a company, and instantly generate a comprehensive Non-Financial Risk (NFR) report with real-time data pulled from sources like Google Finance, Crunchbase, LinkedIn, and more.

Riskify doesn’t just provide data; it delivers strategic insights that help you make better business decisions. Whether evaluating a potential investment, screening vendors, or ensuring regulatory compliance, Riskify gives you the intelligence you need to minimize risks before they become costly problems.

The automated alerts and AI-driven monitoring work 24/7, so you never miss critical developments that could impact your business.

Beyond analysis, Riskify simplifies compliance reporting with clear, structured documentation. Whether you need to satisfy regulatory bodies or internal stakeholders, its easy-to-read reports take the hassle out of compliance tracking. Plus, the integration with major financial and business data sources ensures your risk assessments are always based on the most up-to-date information available.

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Enjoying life’s pleasures doesn’t have to derail your financial goals. While it’s natural to want nice things, thoughtful spending habits can help you savor small luxuries while staying aligned with your money objectives. The secret to enjoying treats without guilt is allocating a specific portion of your monthly budget for indulgences and respecting those boundaries.

Having a dedicated “pleasure fund” has transformed my view of budgeting. Rather than seeing it as limiting, I now view my spending plan as a tool that empowers me to mindfully enjoy life’s delights. This perspective shift has revolutionized how I think about money. This intentional approach allows me to enjoy special moments while maintaining financial control.

Related: How To Monitor Your Spending Habits

Understanding ‘Treat Yo Self’ — The philosophy behind indulgence

I believe occasional indulgences are essential for emotional well-being and life satisfaction. Studies indicate that planned treats can boost happiness levels when approached mindfully and purposefully.

The psychology of treating yourself

When we reward ourselves thoughtfully, our brains release dopamine — a natural chemical that reinforces positive behaviors. This creates a healthy pattern of effort and reward.

Balancing self-discipline with planned treats leads to greater long-term satisfaction than strict deprivation. Experience shows that setting aside resources for occasional indulgences reduces stress and prevents impulsive overspending.

The key lies in finding harmony between treats and responsibility. Simple pleasures like a soothing bath or a favorite meal can bring as much joy as expensive purchases. By being intentional about how we reward ourselves, we can create sustainable happiness without compromising our financial health.

Remember that treating yourself isn’t about the price tag — it’s about choosing meaningful experiences that align with your values and budget. When we approach indulgences mindfully, they become powerful tools for maintaining motivation and celebrating life’s moments while staying true to our financial goals.

Hedonic adaptation and its effects

I’ve noticed how quickly my mind adjusts to new pleasures through hedonic adaptation. What brings me joy today often becomes mundane tomorrow.

To maintain the special feeling of treats, I make sure to space them out and mix up my indulgences. This approach helps me avoid the “hedonic treadmill” — that endless cycle of needing bigger and pricier rewards to feel satisfied.

Studies show that experiential purchases like attending concerts or enjoying spa treatments create more enduring happiness compared to buying physical goods.

I find that simple joys like reading in nature or experimenting with new recipes can be meaningful rewards that resist becoming ordinary.

Strategic budgeting for guilt-free splurges

Thoughtful budgeting allows you to enjoy treats while staying aligned with your financial goals. Success comes from designating specific funds and planning ahead for purchases that spark joy. I suggest opening a dedicated savings account just for special purchases. Regular contributions help make indulgences feel guilt-free.

Begin with a realistic monthly amount — even $20-50 can accumulate nicely. Setting up automatic transfers on payday helps maintain consistency.

Monitor your fund with these simple steps:

• Define clear savings targets

• List upcoming planned treats

• Keep track of money going in and out

A dedicated treat fund gives you permission to spend on yourself while protecting your main budget.

Related: This Financial Expert Reveals the Simple Spending Hack That Will Make You Happy, Even in a Recession

Incorporating splurges into your budget

I’ve found that zero-based budgeting works wonderfully for managing treats. This means assigning a purpose to every dollar, including fun money.

Organize your treat budget into these categories:

• Monthly pleasures (coffee, entertainment)

• Mid-size purchases (wardrobe, hobbies)

• Major treats (travel, electronics)

Keep treats within 5-10% of your take-home pay to maintain a healthy financial balance. Plan bigger treats well in advance. I prefer saving gradually instead of using credit cards.

Ideas for responsible splurging

I’ve learned that spending wisely on meaningful purchases doesn’t require excessive spending. The key is focusing on experiences and items that provide lasting satisfaction rather than momentary pleasure.

Experience the joy of a spa day at home:

Creating a relaxing spa environment at home helps me save money while achieving genuine relaxation. My bathroom becomes a sanctuary with calming activities that fit my budget.

Here’s what my home spa ritual includes:

• Luxurious bath with Epsom salts

• Natural face masks using kitchen staples

• Soothing background music and flameless candles

• Comfortable robe and slippers

• Hot herbal tea in my cherished mug

Setting the right atmosphere is crucial. I lower the lights, silence my phone and dedicate at least an hour to complete relaxation.

Engaging in low-cost leisure activities:

I’ve found numerous free or inexpensive activities that feel special. Reading brings me immense pleasure — I borrow books from the library and create an inviting reading corner with soft blankets and cushions.

Finding treasures in thrift stores:

Thrift shopping allows me to discover unique items at incredible prices. I approach it like a treasure hunt with a modest budget.

Tips for successful thrifting:

• Shop at stores in affluent areas

• Look for premium brands

• Check items thoroughly for wear

• Visit during weekday mornings for the best selection

I maintain a wishlist and visit stores regularly. This patient approach helps me find quality items at significant discounts.

Safeguards to prevent financial overindulgence

A robust emergency fund serves as my financial safety net against overspending. I make it a priority to set aside 3-6 months of essential living expenses in an easily accessible savings account.

Building financial stability begins with saving money before considering any indulgences. This way, when unexpected expenses arise, I won’t need to tap into my discretionary spending budget or rely on credit cards.

I maintain my emergency savings in a dedicated account, separate from my day-to-day spending money. This separation helps prevent accidentally dipping into these crucial funds for non-emergency purposes.

Related: How To Save Money: 10 Tips to Build Your Savings

Setting limits to your ‘Treat Yo Self’ expenditures

I establish clear monthly spending limits for personal treats. I typically allocate 5-10% of my take-home pay after covering essential expenses and savings goals.

For larger treats over $100, I implement a 48-hour waiting period before purchasing. This cooling-off period helps me avoid impulsive buys I might later regret.

My treat budget remains separate from regular expenses. Once it’s depleted for the month, I stop — no borrowing from other categories or future allowances.

Want to run your business on autopilot and finally escape the 24/7 grind? AI is the “lazy” entrepreneur’s secret weapon, and if you’re not using it, you’re missing out on massive time savings and increased profits. In this video, I’m revealing five game-changing AI tools that can automate the most tedious parts of your business, letting you work less while achieving far more. What you’ll learn:

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Download the free “AI Success Kit” (limited time only). And you’ll also get a free chapter from Ben’s brand new book, “The Wolf is at The Door – How to Survive and Thrive in an AI-Driven World.”

As of Thursday, Meta has fired around 20 employees for spilling “confidential information” to the press and other parties outside of Meta.

“We recently conducted an investigation that resulted in roughly 20 employees being terminated for sharing confidential information outside the company, and we expect there will be more,” Meta spokesperson Dave Arnold told The Verge. “We take this seriously, and will continue to take action when we identify leaks.”

Arnold said that when employees join Meta, they are made aware of the company’s strict no-leaks policy, which prohibits staff from revealing internal information.

Related: ‘There Are Repercussions’: Meta Reminds Staff of Its Strict No-Leaks Policy — That Has Since Been Leaked to the Press

Meta cracked down on leaks after Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg held an all-hands meeting last month — and a recording leaked to multiple outlets almost immediately. That same day, The Verge also obtained an internal memo sent to staff by Meta’s Chief Information Security Officer Guy Rosen warning them against sharing confidential information.

During a company Q&A earlier this month, Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth noted the “tremendous number of leaks” from inside the company and warned employees that Meta was “making progress on catching people.” A recording of the meeting also leaked to the press.

Related: Meta Confirms It Is Doubling Executives Bonuses to ‘Motivate’ and ‘Reward Them’ a Week After Layoffs

Meta conducted performance-based layoffs on February 10 that affected 5% of its 72,000-person workforce or about 3,600 employees who weren’t meeting standards. The cuts surprised some affected workers, who said they had a “solid” track record of performance at the company.

Meta has also recently made sweeping changes to how content is moderated on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads with the decision to roll out Community Notes, a system that enables users to flag misleading content and write explanations citing their sources. The new system replaces the independent fact-checking one that Meta had in place for eight years.

What does it take to start and grow a business to $1 million? Or even $1 billion?

If you’re among the more than six in 10 (62%) of U.S. adults who want to be their own boss, you might be familiar with the basics of entrepreneurship. Still, the prospect of leaving a secure 9-5 job to go all-in on a side hustle or business can be daunting.

Hearing from founders who have already traveled the path to business success — and learning from their mistakes made and wins achieved along the way — can help prepare you for your own entrepreneurial journey.

Related: I Wish I Received This Advice as a Young Entrepreneur

Over the past four years, I’ve interviewed more than 100 successful entrepreneurs who started businesses worth $1 million to $1 billion or more.

I’ve sat down with business luminaries like Richard Branson (Virgin Group), Martha Stewart (Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia), Alexis Ohanian (Reddit), John Mackey (Whole Foods Market) and Bobbi Brown (Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, Jones Road Beauty), among so many others.

No matter how well-known the founders or their particular industries, they, like all entrepreneurs, had to push through business ups and downs to reach success on the other side.

Related: 7 Critical Pieces of Business Advice for Entrepreneurs Just Getting Started

Needless to say, their entrepreneurial careers have taught them a lot, and even if you take just one lesson from their experiences, you could be one step closer to achieving your own business goals.

Read on to see some of their best advice.

Be curious and open-minded

Martha Stewart – Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia

Stewart stresses the value of curiosity — and explains how she uses it to expand her horizons every day.

“Curiosity is certainly a character trait that I think is very important if you’re trying to understand, ‘Where is the world going? What the hell are we doing here? What are we going to do?'” Stewart says. “So I’ve always been happy to be curious. I read a lot. I travel a lot. And one of the things I try very hard to do is never drive down the same street twice if there’s an alternative so that I might see something that I’ve never seen before. And when I travel, I try to do the same thing. I try to see as much as I can in a day.”

Melissa Ben-Ishay – Baked By Melissa

Ben-Ishay isn’t afraid to admit when she doesn’t have all the answers.

“I love to be wrong,” Ben-Ishay says. “I don’t think I know everything. In fact, the older I get and the more experience I have under my belt, the less I know. And that is something I know with certainty. And I think that is an incredibly important mindset for a leader and an entrepreneur.”

Related: 3 Ways to Foster a Culture of Curiosity (and Why You Should)

Arsha Jones – Capital City Mambo Sauce

Jones didn’t grow up in a family of entrepreneurs and says she was on her own when it came to figuring out how to grow her small, home-based business. Without outside money to fund her venture or an extensive network to tap into, she took a grassroots approach instead.

Jones scanned grocery shelves for small bottled brands, “like a local barbecue sauce,” and then sent their owners an email: “I would say, ‘How did you do X? And how did you get on the store shelf?'” Jones explains. “And they would just sit down and answer any kind of questions that I had. And that was really how I jumped over a few of those hurdles, at least in the beginning.”

^{Image Credit: Courtesy of Capital City Mambo Sauce. Arsha Jones.}

Get clear on what you want and stay true to it

John Mackey – Whole Foods Market, Love.Life

Mackey suggests entrepreneurs first figure out if they want to be startup serial entrepreneurs or builder entrepreneurs. “If you’re the serial entrepreneur, then my advice is figure out when is a good time to sell so you can go on to your next thing,” he says.

Mackey’s advice for builder entrepreneurs concerns the critical issue of venture capital. He says most venture capitalists and those in private equity will automatically assume you’re a serial entrepreneur, and “they’ll be looking to replace you.”

“If you are going to be a builder, you should be very clear with the investors that you bring in that you’re not looking to sell the business: You’re looking to build it — you hope to grow it for many years, and the exit for them will not be a sale. It’ll be an IPO,” Mackey says.

Tom Baker – Mr Black Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur

Baker says it’s important to consider your business’s unique offering, even if it slows you down temporarily.

“[I wish we’d] spent a little more time upfront thinking about how we were actually going to recruit drinkers into our brand,” Baker explains. “What will we be better at than every other liquor company? How am I going to get into [customers’] repertoire? I think we probably could have saved millions of dollars and a few years had I just spent another three months thinking about that before we started Mr Black.”

Related: How to Turn Vision Into Reality — A Step-by-Step Approach to Achieving Your Goals

Jackie Summers – Sorel Liqueur

Summers recommends taking breaks to get an accurate accounting of your goals.

“Our culture says you must keep going at 100 miles an hour at all times,” Summers says. “If you don’t have a chance to reflect, you don’t get the opportunity to see what your strengths and weaknesses are and how you’re going to compensate for both. It’s important to cocoon on a regular basis — whether [that’s] 20 minutes of meditation a day or being able to get away once every few weeks and spend some time in nature and quiet your mind. Once you have clarity, all sorts of things can move forward.”

Irene Chen and Matthew Grenby – Parker Thatch

Parker Thatch makes handbags, but its “true mission” is about giving customers a confidence boost, Chen says — a guiding principle that helps other aspects of the business fall into place.

Finding that “why” helped supercharge the company and serves as a solid defense against inevitable industry challenges, like competitors that produce knock-offs, Grenby says.

“That ‘why’ is not something that’s not easily copyable,” he explains. “If it’s not authentic, people sense that, and they value authenticity.”

^{Image Credit: Courtesy of Parker Thatch. Matthew Grenby and Irene Chen.}

Don’t wait forever to start — do take calculated risks

Jenny Just – PEAK6 Investments, Poker Power

Just emphasizes that strategic early risk-taking can pay off in spades.

“When we talk about women taking risks, it’s not about taking bigger risks,” Just explains. “It’s just taking more risks sooner, and what poker allows you to do is take those risks in a bite-sized way.”

Johanna Hartzheim – Wildgrain

Hartzheim recommends jumping in and learning as you go.

“Just go for it because it’s something you learn while doing,” Hartzheim says. “It sounds kind of cliche, but as long as you’re motivated and passionate, you can do anything. I knew nothing about tracking, importing, all these things, but it’s not rocket science. You can learn anything or find the right people who do know these things.”

Related: You Have to Take Risks to Succeed. Here Are 4 Risk-Taking Benefits in Entrepreneurship

Kathrin Hamm – Bearaby

Hamm suggests setting a definitive timeline to put your best foot forward.

“Once you believe in a product, just take a chance and give yourself a year,” Hamm says. “It’s much more manageable if you [have] a considerable time frame where it’s like, Okay, in that year, I’m giving everything I have, 100%. Because sometimes we second guess ourselves. After [a few] months or six weeks, we don’t see the success, [and] we start doubting ourselves. You say [I have] one year, and I’m not asking if this is working. Just have tunnel vision for one year, and then reevaluate after those 365 days.”

^{Image Credit: Courtesy of Bearaby. Kathrin Hamm.}

Embrace failure and the learning-filled journey

Payam Zamani – Autoweb, One Planet Group

Zamani notes that entrepreneurial fulfillment doesn’t have to depend on a business’s success.

“The fact is the overwhelming majority of businesses don’t survive,” Zamani says. “So you want to make that journey worth experiencing, and not just seeking an exit, seeking an IPO that may never happen. Then you feel like, ‘Ah, that was a failure.’ But if you’re making that journey something that’s worth living, you will always feel fulfilled whether or not that climax comes about in your business.”

Bobbi Brown – Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, Jones Road Beauty

Brown suggests giving entrepreneurship a shot so you don’t have to wonder “what if.”

“If you don’t try, you’ll never know,” Brown says. “I don’t believe in failure because it’s just a message that if something didn’t work out, do it differently.”

Related: 7 Ways Companies Can Harness Failure to Drive Success

Ellen Bennett – Hedley & Bennett

Bennett cautions against aiming for overnight success because a slow and steady approach brings some of the biggest gains.

“I’m a huge believer in the long game,” Bennett says. “You can start something out of your house with no money and have a viable, profitable business that you are a majority owner of many years later. And that is awesome. There’s nothing wrong with taking longer to build something great. I know our whole lives are oriented towards speed and how quickly things grow and [becoming] a unicorn, but you can be a long-game unicorn, too.”

Missy Tannen – Boll & Branch

Missy Tannen emphasizes that aspiring entrepreneurs don’t have to have it all figured out from the start.

“You don’t have to know everything day one,” she says. “You’re going to learn so much along the way, and I think if we’d realized all the things we didn’t know, we would have never started.”

^{Image Credit: Courtesy of Boll & Branch. Missy and Scott Tannen.}

Keep your priorities in check

Alexis Ohanian – Reddit

Ohanian wants to reframe the question of what it takes to achieve work-life balance.

“I don’t think it’s about work-life balance,” Ohanian explains. “I don’t think anyone can really accomplish that. It’s not about balancing. If you’re chasing balance, you’re implying, like Thanos, [that] you’d be able to create something perfectly balanced. And the reality is work-life [is] never 50/50. You’ll never achieve anywhere close to that — nor should you. There are times in your life where you will need to focus on the career, the work. There are times in your life when you need to focus on life. It’s on a spectrum that’s ever-flowing back and forth.”

Related: 5 Priorities for Young Entrepreneurs

Do good and do well

Wemimo Abbey – Esusu

Abbey stresses that responsible entrepreneurship doesn’t have to be a zero-sum game.

“We need to find ways where we can create a win-win-win construct across the board,” Abbey says. “We really believe in this idea of justice capitalism: We can do good and do well — and it’s by no means mutually exclusive.”

Cason Crane – Explorer Cold Brew

Crane acknowledges that not every customer will support Explorer Cold Brew because of its LGBTQ+ partnerships, but he’s committed to running a business that reflects his values.

“It certainly helps keep me going every day,” Crane says. “There are things that you do as a business owner to position your business for financial success, and then there are the things you do to keep yourself excited to get out of bed every morning. And I think it’s important as a business owner to do both.”

Related: How to Make Giving Back Part of Your Brand’s DNA

Randy Goldberg and David Heath – Bombas

Goldberg and Heath say founders must ensure the mission is “fully integrated into the business.”

“Every team at Bombas is responsible for the mission in either a direct or an indirect way,” Heath says. “And I think having that so intertwined makes our employees feel good about our mission. But it also makes it so that the mission shows up in everything that we do, from customer experience interactions, to the website, to the creative, to the product. It’s so much a part of our DNA that you could never separate the mission. It’s not an afterthought.”

^{Image Credit: Courtesy of Bombas. David Heath and Randy Goldberg.}

Lead with intention and encourage creativity

Chris Kirby – Ithaca Hummus

Kirby explains what it takes to build a company culture that promotes ideation, risk-taking and learning.

“I’ve learned that true leadership is about empathy, clear communication and creating an environment where people feel valued and empowered,” Kirby says. “So I’ve worked hard to build a culture that’s the complete opposite of what I experienced in a lot of those kitchens. I want my team to feel safe to share ideas, take risks and learn from mistakes without fear of being punished.”

Scott Tannen – Boll & Branch

Tannen says that a business leader is only as good as the people with whom they surround themselves.

“I am not the most talented person in this company by miles,” Tannen explains, “and I think that’s a mark of a great company when I can say that.”

Related: What Makes a Good Leader? Here’s What I’ve Learned After 20-Plus Years as a CEO.

Jocelyn Gailliot – Tuckernuck

Gailliot says Tuckernuck leaders strive to learn from their team members, which means listening to them.

“We constantly ask [them] questions,” Gailliot says. “I’ve been in industries before where it’s very much: ‘This is the role you play at these different hierarchical levels.’ And for us, it’s always been: ‘You’re on the team — you have amazing ideas to contribute, and we want to hear them.’ And we really do.”

Richard Branson – Virgin Group

Branson cites Virgin Unite’s The Elders, a group of independent global leaders working for peace and human rights that has included leaders like Nelson Mandela and Jimmy Carter, as an example of strong leadership.

“They’re all great listeners,” Branson explains. “They know what they’re thinking. They don’t need to hear themselves saying it out loud, and the only way they can learn is by listening to other people talk.”

Work hard to achieve the results you want

Amir Loloi – Loloi Rugs

Loloi says that the only person standing in the way of your business success is yourself.

“If you dream big and work hard, no one is there to stop you,” Loloi explains. “It’s not about the color of your skin. It’s not about your background. It’s not about your religion. It’s not about anything except about you personally: What are you willing to do? When you are given a task, how much more are you willing to add to it to deliver so much more? If you want to be someone in life, step out of the boundaries.”

^{Image Credit: Courtesy of Loloi. Amir Loloi and his sons.}

Adriana Carrig – Little Words Project

Carrig suggests a three-pronged strategy to realize your biggest dreams.

“If you want it bad enough that you’re willing to work for it and believe in yourself, and all those things come together in this perfect trifecta, then there’s nothing you can’t achieve,” Carrig says. “So go for it.”

Related: 7 Elements of a Strong Work Ethic

Fawn Weaver – Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey

According to Weaver, entrepreneurs need to give the business their all — or rethink it altogether.

“If you’re not going to do it with excellence and with consistency, bow out and get a job,” Weaver says. “Period. If you are going to do it with excellence and with consistency over time, don’t let anybody slow you down — no one. Just keep going after it, because the only people that fail doing it with excellence and with consistency are those who give up before they succeed.”