Entrepreneur

Inspiration can hit you anywhere. Hear from entrepreneurs David Choi of Seoul Taco and Natalie Ebel of Backdrop as they discuss the connections they’ve made and inspirations they’ve stumbled upon on their journeys to success. #MakeYourConnection Presented by CitiBank & American Airlines. Learn more here: https://entm.ag/makeyourconnection

In this week's episode of Elevator Pitch features a founder with 20 years of experience in her industry...and an entrepreneur who's only 12 years old. The businesses on this episode are just as varied, spanning from fast food and mental health to job placement and fitness. Like most startups, each founder and business have some weaknesses and concerns for our investors: entrepreneur Shaun Neff, angel investor Kim Perell and Netflix co-founder Marc Randolph. For example, how does a brick-and-mortar fitness class intend to deal with the long-reaching effects of Covid? Which business partner in the mom-and-daughter nail-care team holds more weight? The first entrepreneur in the elevator faces an even simpler question: Who is his customer? While his patented french fry-holder makes it easier for customers at a fast-food restaurant to eat on the go, he's not actually selling to a McDonald's eater. He needs to sell to McDonald's management and other fast-food chains, which have different incentives and emphases than their customers. Will he satisfy the investors' concerns and have them bite on his invention?

Actor, producer and founder of The Honest Company Jessica Alba encourages businesses to include giving back in their business models. Jessica Alba doesn’t just talk about wanting to help others, she included giving to those in need within The Honest Company’s business model. And she encourages other business owners to do the same. “You can take a percentage of sales and embed that in your business model,” she explains. “And you can say, ‘We are going to stand for this.’” Jessica says she got some pushback from her initial investors and was asked to take this charitable component off the table. “Instead of meeting them with anger or frustration, I met them with, ‘Let’s just try it,” she explains. “And if it doesn’t work, we can always pivot.” It was a way to buy time and test out her plan, which in the end worked and became a signature pillar of what The Honest Company is all about. Entrepreneur Small Business Tips is brought to you by The UPS Store. Every "ing" for small business, all in one place. TheUPSStore.com

The Bar Rescue Star shared his insights on what it takes to make any business successful.

Food Network host and Top Chef star Carla Hall’s advice for entrepreneurs: be proactive. As we all know too well, the pandemic hit businesses big and small, sadly shutting some down permanently. Food entrepreneur Carla Hall was in the middle of shooting a show when the lockdown happened, and the show was canceled. “I am my business, in terms of filming,” she explains, “And so here I am without work and a team that I have to support.” Carla quickly pivoted and added a new role for herself: producer. She bought equipment and instead of waiting for offers, she started reaching out to people and explained the content she could create for them. She was quickly back to creating content — and getting paid for it. Her advice to anyone whose main source of income disappeared? “Be proactive! Look at your skillset and instead of waiting for someone to come knocking on your door, you go knock on theirs.” Entrepreneur Small Business Tips is brought to you by The UPS Store. Every ing for small business, all in one place. TheUPSStore.com

Don't miss a tense, new Elevator Pitch episode -- watch now! It’s a new week, so you know what that means: An all NEW Elevator Pitch is here, and you won’t want to miss this week’s exciting episode. While the ascent to our boardroom of investors is high for our four startups, the stakes and tension have never been higher. Watch as entrepreneurs pitching food-waste, children’s education, noise-canceling technology and solar-panel companies race against the clock to impress our three investors. Who is able to strike a deal, and whose business proposal is declared a “waste of time” by our judges? This episode is powered by ASU's Innovation Open, an annual competition for the world’s top collegiate tech ventures. Each startup you'll see on this episode is a previous Innovation Open winner. Learn more at ASU.io

This week's episode of Elevator Pitch features female founders from the travel, beauty, and fashion industries. Each pitch offers something new and intriguing: One startup founder claims a valuation upward of $20 million, another boasts $5 million in sales and another uses an "off the cuff" style that she believes provides a more genuine pitch. But will those big numbers and surprising styles be enough to overcome their companies' weak points, like an overcrowded marketplace or an untested product? Our investors for this episode — serial entrepreneur Dre London, angel investor Kim Perrell and Netflix co-founder Marc Randolph — put this group of entrepreneurs through the paces to determine which business will likely be printing money, and which will likely be a money pit. Watch the full episode to find out who wins an investment ... and who gets sent packing.

"This week's episode of Elevator Pitch features pitches from minority founders in the finance, beauty, cannabis and beverage industries. Some of the founders have years of experience with starting ventures and raising funds, while others are pitching in front of cameras for the first time. Regardless of their previous experience, every person in our elevator has to stare down the ticking clock and battle their nerves to deliver a succinct and compelling 60-second pitch. What happens if they stumble over a rehearsed sentence or lose their train of thought? Will they be able to get back on track and impress our investors — serial entrepreneur Dre London, angel investor Kim Perell and Netflix co-founder Marc Randolph — or will they completely fall apart under the pressure. Watch the full episode to see who manages to pass the first stress test and get into the investment room."

Do you never feel successful enough? Actor and Chief Creative Officer of Below 60 Hilary Duff is in that spot, despite all her career triumphs. Hilary sits down with Executive Editor Brittany Robins to chat about what motivates her, career pivots, and why she loves her new role with Below 60 - 100% natural home fragrances inspired by the pristine air below the 60th parallel.

Nicole Walters, CEO & Founder of Inherit Learning Company, chats with Nicole Gibbons, Founder & CEO of Clare, about overcoming self-doubt when starting a business.

Documentarian and entrepreneur Soledad O’Brien shares her philosophy for leading in times of crisis. Soledad O’Brien’s mantra for leading her company through the Covid-19 crisis comes down to three words: communication, communication, communication. Fine, that’s one word repeated three times, but that’s how important she thinks it is. “We reiterate what we believe as an organization so that everyone is very clear,” she explains. “We tell everyone that we are going to try to keep everyone employed; that we are not going to shift away from the things we believe are high-quality; that we are going to make sure that safety is prioritized.” She also makes it a point to convey that she understands how stressed out everyone is feeling, and backs those words with action. “When a project crosses the finish line, we say, ‘Take two days off and here’s some money for dinner. Go take your loved ones out for dinner or order in and just take a break!’” It is a small monetary investment that pays huge dividends in mental health, she says. “Plus it helps keep New York City restaurants in business. Win-win!” Learn more at soledadobrienproductions.com. Entrepreneur Small Business Tips is brought to you by The UPS Store. Every ing for small business, all in one place. TheUPSStore.com

Nicole Walters, CEO & Founder of Inherit Learning Company, chats with Andres Wydler, executive director of StartOut, about the importance of technology in scaling your business.

If you’ve ever come really close to victory, only to have the rug pulled out from under your feet, you know the pain that one contest in this episode went through. Watch and find out the not-so-magic words that turned a sure thing into a big letdown. Learn the finer points of pitching and deal-making in the new episode of Entrepreneur Elevator Pitch. It's episode two of the new season of Entrepreneur Elevator Pitch, and the deals are flowing. In each episode, entrepreneurs are challenged to step into an elevator and pitch their business on camera to a board of investors in 60 seconds or less. If the investors like what they hear, the elevator doors open to reveal the boardroom, and contestants have the chance to walk away with life-changing funding, mentorship from the smartest minds in business and a personal and brand-defining moment.

Documentarian and entrepreneur Soledad O’Brien on dealing with the unexpected. As a news reporter, Soledad O’Brien knows that not everything goes the way you hoped it would. An interview subject bails on you, a story you traveled great distances to investigate doesn’t pan out — every day comes with new and unexpected challenges. Learning to be flexible and to pivot quickly has helped Soledad achieve great success as a reporter, and in life. Reflecting on the time that her show got canceled, Soledad shared her philosophy on moving forward: “You have to pick the pieces out of what you think went well, and cobble those pieces together into the next thing that you want to be doing.” Failure can be disappointing and embarrassing, she says, but you can’t dwell on it. “Find the opportunity you can pluck from that experience, and run with it.” Learn more at soledadobrienproductions.com. Entrepreneur Small Business Tips is brought to you by The UPS Store. Every ing for small business, all in one place. TheUPSStore.com

"Video chat fatigue is real. But even realer? Feral video chat syndrome. This is a condition where formerly normal people become so accustomed to communicating through a little window on their computer screen that they are no longer able to make eye contact or make sense in person. Oh, and also they are unable to wear pants. Sponsored by Canon Working in an office can be crazy — but it doesn't have to be! In this new comedy series, watch as people learn to navigate the twists and turns that come with the nationwide return to the workplace. Commuting, in-person meetings, breakroom small talk...we're all a little out of practice, but with a little time and understanding, we'll all get back to normal. (Meaning not just wearing work clothes from the waist up.)"

"What would you do if you flubbed your introduction during a high-stakes pitch? Entrepreneur Elevator Pitch invites ambitious entrepreneurs to step into the Entrepreneur Elevator, then gives them 60 seconds to pique the judges’ interest. It’s a high-pressure, fast-paced environment in which startup founders need to race the clock while maintaining their composure to make a clear, deliberate pitch that covers at least three essential components: Defining the company Making the request Specifying what the investment money will be used for The investors watch the pitch through a video livestream while the elevator ascends to the boardroom floor. Once the 60 seconds are up, the group votes on whether to open the doors or send the founder back down and pass on investing."

In this episode, NFL great Brandon Marshall brings a whole new level of competitiveness between the investors. See who scores a deal and who gets benched as entrepreneurs take their shot at business greatness.

Nicole Walters, CEO & Founder of Inherit Learning Company, chats with Jonathan Morris, Founder of Fort Worth Barber Shop, about finding the right employees to embrace the culture of your brand.

See if our investors think there's something fishy about her concept on the new episode of 'Elevator Pitch.' You never know who will walk (or swim) through the doors of Entrepreneur Elevator Pitch. Check out episode six for some true surprises!

"Whether you're just returning from a home office where reality TV made up most of your social interactions, or you've been back in person for a while - it's clear that corporate culture as we knew it has changed...a LOT. Change can be scary, but before you freak out - this may help. As this hilarious new series shows, you can actually work in a No Drama Office. Just remember, we're all on the same team, searching for a healthy work-life balance in a space free of our co-workers' creepy dolls. Sponsored by Canon Working in an office can be crazy — but it doesn't have to be! In this new comedy series, watch as people learn to navigate the twists and turns that come with the nationwide return to the workplace. Commuting, in-person meetings, breakroom small talk...we're all a little out of practice, but with a little time and understanding, we'll all get back to normal. (Meaning not just wearing work clothes from the waist up.)"

Food Network and podcast host Carla Hall’s advice for entrepreneurs: It’s okay to not know everything! When she was a contestant on Top Chef, food entrepreneur Carla Hall recalls a defining moment that changed her outlook on the show — and life. She was standing at the judges’ table and her heart was beating out of her chest, sure she was about to be sent home. “And then I just had this thought,” remembers Carla, “Wait, nobody has ever died here.” That perspective allowed her to relax and stop worrying about things out of her control, and she suddenly began performing better. Carla says she carried that lesson of getting comfortable with being uncomfortable into her business, whether that means learning how to do things she never did before, or stopping and asking for help from her team. “Your team won’t see it as a sign of weakness,” she says. “They will be empowered by it.” Entrepreneur Small Business Tips is brought to you by The UPS Store. Every ing for small business, all in one place. TheUPSStore.com

The spirit of adventure can drive you to do big things. Hear from event planner & designer Jove Meyer and Dave Horesh of Oxford Pennant as they discuss entrepreneurship and how travel has bettered their businesses. #MakeYourConnection Presented by CitiBank & American Airlines. Learn more here: https://entm.ag/makeyourconnection

On this bank-breaking episode of 'Elevator Pitch,' see who gets funding and who gets called out. Sheena Jongeneel spends 60 seconds selling her stylish children's fashion recycling company Stylette. James Curly sells the importance of data-driven exercise with Tyger Mat. Max Gomez breathes some fresh air into mental fitness with Breathwrk. Kevin Swanson wants to protect your neck with the X Collar and Katie Kaps wants to get you high naturally with Higher Dose. Tune in and see who makes it to the top floor.

"How do you build a business that stands out but welcomes people in? How do you make money without doing things just for the money? These are the kinds of questions we're hoping to answer with Entrepreneur's new series ""America's Favorite Mom and Pop Shops"", where we teamed up with Walmart Business to visit community-minded entrepreneurs across the country to learn what it takes to build meaningful businesses that last. For this episode, we went to Caldwell, Idaho, where Krista and Heath Albers left their old life behind to build a business their way. It's called Bond and Bevel, and it is a coffee shop and also a leather shop where everything is handmade and nothing is compromised, even if it costs them money."

"On every episode of Entrepreneur Elevator Pitch, we learn new lessons about what gets investors' attention and what leaves them yawning. During this week's show, Marc Randolph, the co-founder of Netflix, explains that touting your ability to get new customers is fine, but what gets him excited is if you can figure out how to keep them. ""The one-and-done model is the surest sign to me that you're going to piss away all of my money,"" he says. ""But build a machine that can get the same customer to come back to buy over and over and over again? Well that my friend is lifetime value, and now you're speaking my language."" As always, this episode features three entrepreneurs who step into an elevator and have just 60 seconds to pitch their business. If our board of investors likes it, the elevator doors open and the entrepreneurs are invited in to try to make a deal. If the investors don't dig what they hear? The elevator gets sent back to the ground floor, and the entrepreneurs are sent packing."