Category: Applied and Practice

Fleet Feet Charleston shows how franchise owners can use “coopetition” — working with suppliers, rivals, franchisors and employees — to build a stronger local business ecosystem. Last in a Read more

Franchising is often sold as a safer path to entrepreneurship. But when franchisors collapse or change direction, franchisees can be left with heavy financial risks, little information, and almost no Read more

Before buying a franchise, learn how to use the FDD to spot risks, costs, churn, and signs of system health. Third in a series about franchising If you're looking into franchising, you've likely seen Read more

Research on restaurant chains shows why franchising can turn a proven business concept into a self-reinforcing growth engine. First in a series on franchising Competition in service industries that Read more

Herd behavior in startups is not just about incentives. It is also about how ecosystems signal which ventures deserve attention, capital, and recognition. Spend time in any entrepreneurship ecosystem Read more

Helping Daughters Become Successful Family Business Leaders

Daughters can become strong and credible successors when families involve them early, clarify authority, support professional development, and make room for new models of leadership. While daughters Read more

Founders and leaders often seek outside advice to reduce uncertainty, but conflicting counsel can create hesitation instead. Here’s how to turn advice into usable input without losing judgment, Read more

Many companies build better products and still lose. Netflix shows that innovation is not just invention or launch: It is getting people to switch, stay, and make your solution the new default. Over Read more

Standard startup advice assumes room to experiment. Experts explain why many Black founders must prioritize survival sooner—and how ecosystems and support programs can respond. Startup guidance is Read more

Your first idea doesn’t matter. What’s important is being able to reevaluate when circumstances change and to see your skills as building blocks rather than remnants of a past venture. Starting a Read more