How To Make Millions From Bezos’ Billions | How To Build A Startup That Scales | Meet The White House Advisor Bringing More Women And Minorities Into Tech

Plus: 4 Things To Keep In Mind During National Entrepreneurship Month

The holiday season is  typically one of the busiest for small business owners, and this year should be no exception. With Small Business Saturday just a few days away, here are some ways to connect with your customers. 

Earlier this week, President-elect Joe Biden said, “We need to support small businesses and entrepreneurs that form the backbone of our communities but are teetering on the edge.” As we reflect on 2020 and its unprecedented challenges, I am so inspired by the intrepid entrepreneurs running the businesses driving America’s economy forward amid the pandemic. Thank you for sharing your stories of successes, pivots and hardships with me. 

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. As always, thanks for reading. You can also follow me on Twitter and on LinkedIn.

"You have to skate to where the puck is going."

Charlie Chanaratsopon

Founder, Charming Charlie

Must Reads

A strong team with varied experiences and skills is a must for any growing company, but that alone is not enough to scale. Consider this your roadmap. 

While there’s no such thing as a perfect founder, when it comes to attracting investors, there are a few behaviors that may be keeping them at arm’s length.  Uninspired storytelling, for example, can make or break your pitch. Here are some ways to ace your next investment meeting. 

Tired of barriers keeping promising young women, low-income students and people of color from careers in computer science and engineering, Ruthe Farmer, former senior policy advisor for tech inclusion in the Obama White House, has committed her life to achieving equal opportunity in tech. Here’s how Farmer has been advocating for equity and diversity in STEM education for over two decades.

Sinai Capital Partners has raised $600 million to fund two social change-oriented companies in media and tech. The fund has already invested in 85 businesses, including Pinterest, Roman Health and Hippo Insurance. With its newest raise, Sinai Ventures will focus on investing in growth-stage and pre-IPO companies. Is your venture what they are looking for? 

Despite the pandemic, many franchises are thriving—and they’ve never been more important for the health of the economy. In addition to serving as job creators, there are a host of reasons why franchises are vital. 

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