When former F-16 and F-35 pilot Hasard Lee had to make a split-second decision about landing on a damaged runway during a mortar attack with only 15 minutes of fuel remaining, the stakes couldn’t have been higher. The framework he used in that moment—and countless others during 82 combat missions in Afghanistan—offers powerful insights for entrepreneurs facing their own high-pressure decisions. Lee’s military experience led him to develop what he calls the ACE Helix: Assess, Choose, Execute. This three-step framework breaks down even the most complex decisions into manageable components. First, you assess the situation by gathering information from multiple …

Most entrepreneurs get so caught up in the day-to-day grind of running their businesses that they rarely step back to consider the bigger picture. Ray Dalio, founder of Bridgewater Associates, offers a framework that might change how you think about your entire entrepreneurial journey. In a recent presentation, Dalio outlined three distinct phases of life that every person—and every entrepreneur—goes through. Understanding where you are in this arc isn’t just philosophical edification. It can fundamentally shift your priorities and approach to business. Phase One is dependence and learning. You’re absorbing knowledge, making mistakes, and figuring out how the world works.  …

Building a successful business often starts with what seems like an impossible dream. Melanie Perkins, CEO of Canva, knows this better than most. She transformed a “crazy” idea about democratizing design into a platform now used by over 100 million people monthly and valued at $32.5 billion. In a recent keynote address, which you can watch below, Perkins shares the journey from Canva’s humble beginnings with a team that could fit around one table to becoming a global design powerhouse with 3,300+ employees worldwide. What makes Perkins’ story particularly compelling for entrepreneurs is how she approached the seemingly impossible. She …

Every entrepreneur has been there: Staring at a looming deadline, knowing you should have started weeks ago, feeling that familiar wave of guilt about procrastination. What if that guilt is misplaced? What if your tendency to delay might actually be fueling your best ideas? Organizational psychologist Adam Grant discovered this counterintuitive truth after initially passing on investing in what would become Warby Parker—a billion-dollar company. His mistake? Judging the founders’ procrastination as a weakness rather than recognizing it as a creative advantage. In his compelling TED Talk, which you can watch below, Grant reveals research showing that moderate procrastinators consistently …

If you’ve ever bought or sold anything online, chances are you’ve interacted with Shopify. What started as a solution to sell snowboards has evolved into a platform that powers millions of businesses worldwide. In a recent interview, Shopify CEO Tobi Lütke shared insights from his 20-year entrepreneurial journey that could change the way you think about your own business. Lütke believes entrepreneurship is fundamentally “load-bearing for society”—a powerful phrase that captures just how essential business creation is to our economic well-being. As he points out, between 60-80% of people work for small businesses, not the giant corporations that dominate headlines. …

Building a successful business in today’s economy means navigating constant change and uncertainty. But what if the secret to entrepreneurial success isn’t following market trends but creating entirely new ones? That’s exactly what Jensen Huang, founder and CEO of NVIDIA, has done in transforming his company from a graphics chip startup into the third most valuable company in the world. In a revealing View From The Top interview, Huang explains how entrepreneurs can find opportunities by solving problems that others can’t or won’t tackle. Watch the full video below to discover how he built a $2 trillion company by repeatedly …

As an entrepreneur, you know that building a successful business requires much more than just a great product. But have you considered how your brand might serve as a cultural ambassador? Senegalese entrepreneur Magatte Wade has built her career on this powerful insight, and her approach offers a fresh perspective for business owners looking to expand their impact. Wade’s journey began with a simple observation: while young people across developing nations consistently name America as their dream destination, it’s not because of economic opportunity—at least, it’s not the only reason. It’s also America’s powerful cultural influence through its brands. From …

From homelessness to a multi-billion dollar entertainment empire, Tyler Perry’s entrepreneurial journey is nothing short of extraordinary. In a revealing conversation about his path to success, which you can watch below, Perry shares insights that every business owner should hear about understanding your market and staying true to your vision. Perhaps the most striking aspect of Perry’s success is his unwavering commitment to his core audience. “I never succumb to [pressure to change who you are to attract someone or something],” he explains. “I always believe in serving my audience, super-serving them.” This dedication to understanding and meeting the needs …

In a business climate often fixated on competition and market share, some of the most successful entrepreneurs take a radically different approach. In one segment from a much longer conversation with Lex Fridman, Elon Musk challenges young people and those early in their entrepreneurial journey with a deceptively simple insight: focus on creating value, not capturing it. “Try to be useful… are you contributing more than you consume?” This fundamental question cuts to the heart of sustainable business success. While many aspiring entrepreneurs obsess over their slice of existing markets, truly transformative businesses expand possibilities for everyone involved. This might …