Founded in 1979 and acquired in 2005 by Mansueto Ventures LLC, Inc. is the only major brand dedicated exclusively to owners and managers of growing private companies, with the aim to deliver real solutions for today’s innovative company builders.
Great Leaders Build More Leaders
Best Incorporated
CONTRIBUTORS
The Founders Are Back, and They MEAN BUSINESS • In 2025, many entrepreneurs who left— or were pushed out of—their companies are buying them back with a vengeance.
The Incredible Disappearing MIDDLE MARKET • Even amid a startup boom, midsize companies have started vanishing. Are we losing an important part of the economy?
Welcome to Zero-Click SEARCH • The shift to AI search is worrying online businesses—and creating a new cottage industry for AEO.
Everyone's Buying Into ENTREPRENEURSHIP • Entrepreneurship through acquisition is becoming a trendy shortcut to the business world for MBA grads and other would-be business leaders.
Shuman Ghosemajumder Half of Gen-Z workers say email 'stresses them out.' Can AI teach them to communicate better?
Marina Khidekel | It's never too early to think about a future exit. Here are six ways to prepare your startup for a sale.
Celebrating the Changemakers • Inc. 5000 honorees build their “listfluence”
HOW CLOUD TECHNOLOGY HELPED A CHARITABLE FOUNDATION DOUBLE DOWN ON ITS MISSION • AFTER THE BRENDA STRAFFORD FOUNDATION COMPLETELY REIMAGINED ITS DATA INFRASTRUCTURE, THE HEALTHCARE ORGANIZATION WAS FREED TO DO WHAT IT DOES BEST: HELPING PEOPLE IN NEED
Base44 Found a Buyer Four Months After Launching • Serial entrepreneur Maor Shlomo attracted an eight-figure offer for his vibe-coding startup before hiring a single employee.
How to Prepare for Volatility Everywhere • Three founders of fast-growing companies share their strategies for navigating unpredictable markets.
EVERY FOUNDER'S FIRST RESORT • Entrepreneurs who want to get away from it all— but still network and hang out with like-minded CEOs— have found their preferred destination at Palm Heights.
Wish List 2025 • You’ve worked hard all year—now you deserve a reward! We asked entrepreneurs what gifts from upstart brands and inspiring enterprises they plan to give this year, or what they might want to receive. Consider your holiday shopping plans sorted.
Emeka Chukwurah • CO-OWNER, RHYTHMS OF THE VILLAGE, ALTADENA, CALIF. RETAIL STORE DESTROYED IN THE EATON FIRE, 2025
America's REBUILDERS • What does it really mean for a business to survive after a fire, flood, tornado, or hurricane? The long, slow road to building back tests the strongest founders and the communities they serve.
Christy & Janet Lee • OWNERS, FAIR OAKS BURGER, ALTADENA, CALIF. NEIGHBORHOOD BURNED IN THE EATON FIRE, 2025
Brett Turner • OWNER, ASHEVILLE RIVER CABINS, ARDEN, N.C. FLOODED BY HURRICANE HELENE, 2024
Shelene Hearring • OWNER, TWO DRAGONS MARTIAL ARTS, ALTADENA, CALIF. STUDIO BURNED DOWN IN THE EATON FIRE, 2025
Jordan Catapano • CO-FOUNDER, THIS GIRL WALKS INTO A BAR, PACIFIC PALISADES, CALIF. HOME DESTROYED IN THE PALISADES FIRE, 2025
Lee Nelson • OWNER, GUAD & CO., INGRAM, TEXAS RETAIL STORE FLOODED BY THE GUADALUPE RIVER, 2025
George Roberts • CO-OWNER, ROBERTS & ROBERTS, PANAMA CITY, FLA. BUSINESS DAMAGED BY HURRICANE MICHAEL, 2018
Javon Frazier • FOUNDER AND CEO, MAESTRO MEDIA, LOS ANGELES HOME DESTROYED IN THE PALISADES FIRE, 2025
The PE Firm That Actually Listens to Founders • How Boyne Capital helped a third-generation Oklahoma contractor triple in size while keeping the family in charge.
THEY HAD A GREAT YEAR
PLAYING TO WIN • How three Aussie founders built...