How To Use Kickstarter As Your Secret Weapon | Meet The Under 30 Alum Helping Companies Measure Their Carbon Footprint | Why You Must Read The Fine Print On Loan Agreements

Plus: 6 Steps To Launch A Direct To Consumer Business Without Leaving Your Home

Hope your summer has been relaxing and safe. We at Forbes are back with your biweekly dose of The Pursuit, your must-read briefing for building and running a business.

Got a business idea you’ve been working on after hours? Or maybe you’ve already put pen to paper and have technically been in business for at least a year? Either way, you’ll want to check out the Next 1000: a first-of-its-kind initiative that will spotlight bold and inspiring entrepreneurs on their way to success. Applications are open now through October 31. The final product? One thousand new faces with a running start to one day land on the cover of Forbes. Apply here.

And below you’ll find more insights and practical guidance on how to make big business decisions in the face of ever-changing market headwinds and the pandemic. Thanks for reading. You can also follow me on Twitter and on LinkedIn.

"...We knew that [without the machine] we were a boutique hair-care brand in New York, which was not the ambition of the company."

Arnaud Plaus

Cofounder & CEO, Prose

Must Reads

Trying to de-risk starting a business? Many aspiring entrepreneurs turn to Kickstarter to help pre-market products and learn what customers want. Here are a few tips for using the platform to boost your business.

Millions of Americans have found themselves unemployed due to the pandemic. Digital savings app Esusu, which serves immigrant and minority groups, just raised $2.3 million in seed funding to help those in financial duress. Esusu is a rotational savings and credit-building app that allows users to pool and withdraw money for big-ticket transactions, such a down payment on a house. These purchases and payment track records are then reported to credit bureaus to help users better establish their credit profiles. Read more on how it works here. 

Speed and adaptability can make or break your startup. Here are some of the advantages and challenges of using no-code or low-code development platforms to build out your app idea.

Millions have been approved for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program’s low-interest loans through the Small Business Administration. But it’s important to carefully review the fine print—some savvy borrowers have been quick to point out onerous provisions and confusing language regarding personal guarantee requirements. Read up on everything you need to know here. 

It’s been well reported that small businesses have been disproportionately impacted by Covid-19. But America’s more than 30 million businesses have proven resilient. Here’s how some founders have cultivated business success. 

Across Forbes