Inc.

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Business

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Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship

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Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship

Updated Weekly
Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship

Updated Weekly

Sep 22

The Behavioral Science Behind Better Marketing

In this episode of Your Next Move, Inc. staff reporter Ali Donaldson sits down with Chris Schembri, founder of Alethia Marketing and Media, ranked No. 1,342 on the 2025 Inc. 5000. Alethia is a marketing solutions and media company that combines behavioral science, audience data, and AI to help brands understand what motivates their customers and create more effective campaigns. Chris explains how Alethia developed its values-driven marketing approach—and why moving beyond traditional demographic targeting can improve campaign performance by as much as 20 to 25 percent. He also shares how acquisitions, recurring data revenue, and thought leadership have helped the company distinguish itself in a crowded industry. The conversation also explores how Alethia is incorporating AI into data analysis, hiring, and everyday workflows; why founders must learn to trust their leadership teams as their companies grow; and how transparency guides difficult decisions around costs and staffing. Plus, Chris discusses the dangers of relying on a handful of large clients, the growing importance of visibility in AI-powered search, and why sustainable growth requires entrepreneurs to build a strategy beyond hope.
Sep 8

The Discipline It Takes to Rebuild a Business

In this episode of Your Next Move: Audio Edition, Inc. senior editor Rebecca Deczynski sits down with Ebony Wilkins, president and CEO of Aalis Management Consulting, a government contracting firm ranked No. 369 on the 2025 Inc. 5000. The company provides acquisition support, financial management, and digital transformation services to more than 10 federal agencies. Wilkins explains how consistency, discipline, and regular self-assessment helped make Alice Management Consulting a two-time Inc. 5000 honoree. She also recounts how she rebuilt the company after losing every contract and watching its revenue fall to zero during the early days of the pandemic—and why persistent follow-up is the key to turning professional relationships into new business. Drawing on her experience as an Army veteran, Wilkins shares how a mission-driven mindset influences her leadership, hiring, and company culture. Plus, she discusses preparing employees to work with AI, helping government agencies navigate digital transformation, and finally transitioning from working in her business to focusing on its long-term strategy.
Jun 2

The PR Playbook Founders Actually Need

In this episode of Your Next Move: Audio Edition, recorded live at the Inc. 5000 Conference, Inc. staff reporter Chloe Aiello sits down with Ronica Cleary, founder and CEO of Cleary Strategies, an award-winning public relations firm specializing in earned media. Cleary breaks down what “earned media” really means—and why credibility, not clicks, remains the most powerful currency for growing companies. Drawing on her background as a former journalist, she explains how brands can position themselves as truly newsworthy, navigate an increasingly complex media landscape, and measure ROI in a space where impact isn’t always easy to quantify. The conversation also explores how AI is reshaping PR workflows and newsrooms, why SEO and generative search are becoming essential growth drivers, and how Cleary has evolved her go-to-market strategy beyond traditional networking. She shares candid insights on scaling a service business, building a strong remote culture, and adapting to the shift from traditional media toward podcasts and digital platforms. Looking ahead, Cleary outlines her vision for growth—doubling revenue while staying laser-focused on delivering high-impact earned media—and reflects on what it takes to remain indispensable in a rapidly changing communications industry.
11/13/2025

Art Meets Ambition: How One Artist Turned Passion Into a Global Business

From selling prints made at Kinko’s to global art exhibitions and collaborations with major brands like New Balance and Netflix, Chicago-based artist Louis de Guzman shares the leap-of-faith decisions and business tools that helped transform his creative vision into a thriving enterprise
Sep 15

Building a Pediatric Therapy Business Around Trust and Play

In this episode of Your Next Move: Audio Edition, former Inc. staff reporter Ben Sherry sits down with Luba Kaplan, founder of pediatric therapy provider Kidology, ranked No. 3,726 on the 2025 Inc. 5000. Based in the Philadelphia area, Kidology provides speech, occupational, physical, and behavioral therapy to children and young adults from birth through age 21. Luba explains how her background as a Russian-speaking speech-language pathologist helped her recognize an unmet need, challenge cultural stigmas surrounding disabilities and developmental delays, and build a community-centered practice. She also shares how Kidology grew from a contractor-based operation without an office into two 5,500-square-foot clinics featuring sensory play gyms—and how embracing teletherapy helped the business adapt during the pandemic. Plus, Luba discusses the risks and rewards of accepting insurance, the importance of building trust with pediatricians and families, and her plans to expand through pop-up locations in Philadelphia. She also explores how virtual reality, AI-assisted documentation, and other emerging tools could make pediatric therapy more measurable, engaging, and accessible—without losing the human connection at the heart of the work.
Jul 8

Disrupting Industries and Creating New Categories

Breaking into established markets requires strategic vision, passion, and relentless execution. This episode explores how to spot opportunities and think like a disruptor. It features insights from Olipop’s Ben Goodwin and Netic’s Melisa Tokmak, two founders who’ve scaled their businesses by challenging traditional industries and introducing consumers and clients to innovative alternatives.
Sep 21

How 2 Brothers Plan to Avoid the Zombie-Brand Graveyard | 1 Smart Business Story

It’s not a sports drink or an energy drink — it’s a lifestyle electrolyte. That’s the pitch from Leisure Hydration, one of the newest entrants in the soft drink game. Alex and Steve Michaelsen, brothers from Los Angeles, are determined not to become one of the hydration industry’s many zombie brands. They even told Inc.’s Ali Donaldson that they think they’ve hatched a billion-dollar brand. Ali joins 1 Smart Business Story host Chloe Aiello to break it all down. In this episode, you’ll learn: why the Michaelsen brothers want to create a whole new category in the drink space, how packaging in a can, not a plastic bottle, gave them a pathway into some highly selective markets, and why the whole thing reminds our reporter of Margaritaville. Plus, tips to prevent employee burnout on this week’s Action Items.
11/19/2024

Learn to Trust Your Gut

Today’s episode comes from the Your Next Move vault and is a conversation between host Tom Foster, editor at large at Inc and Bea Dixon, co-founder and CEO of the Honey Pot Company, the world’s first plant-based feminine care line, which she sold earlier this year for $380 million.In their conversation, they cover Bea’s journey, which began with inspiration delivered to her in a dream, following your instincts, and raising millions as a black female founder.
09/24/2024

How to Build Brand Awareness Without Social Media

For many small businesses, social media is the only way to reach customers. But are echo-chamber algorithms stopping you from reaching the right customers? Beatrice Dixon talks with Rachel Roff, Founder of Urban Skin RX, about creating inclusive marketing campaigns, and come away with proven strategies for freeing your brand’s dependence on social media.
Jun 23

Copyright, Capital, and the Future of Music

In this episode of Your Next Move: Audio Edition, Inc. staff reporter Brian Contreras sits down with Paul Goldman, founder and CEO of music copyright administration company Music, ranked No. 2,959 on the 2025 Inc. 5000. Based in Nashville, Music helps artists, publishers, and rights holders navigate the complex world of royalties, copyright, and intellectual property through a technology platform that manages more than 25 million copyrights worldwide. Paul shares how the company evolved from a scrappy startup into a growing industry player, why the next phase of growth requires a different approach to capital and asset management, and how founders must shift from day-to-day operations to long-term strategy as their businesses mature. He also discusses the challenges of scaling company culture, lessons learned from navigating sudden industry disruptions, and why resilience matters more than ever in today's business environment. Plus, Paul explains how Music's patented AI technology is helping untangle the massive data challenges behind music royalties and why he believes the future of the music industry depends on creating more balanced relationships between technology platforms, rights holders, and creators.

Inc. Podcasts: Bold voices. Big ideas. Real stories. From building smarter businesses to leading with purpose, we bring you conversations that inspire your next move.

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Inc.

Top Shows

The Behavioral Science Behind Better Marketing

The Discipline It Takes to Rebuild a Business

The PR Playbook Founders Actually Need

Art Meets Ambition: How One Artist Turned Passion Into a Global Business

Building a Pediatric Therapy Business Around Trust and Play

Disrupting Industries and Creating New Categories

How 2 Brothers Plan to Avoid the Zombie-Brand Graveyard | 1 Smart Business Story

Learn to Trust Your Gut

How to Build Brand Awareness Without Social Media

Copyright, Capital, and the Future of Music

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