Inc. Magazine

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.

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CONTRIBUTORS

If You’re Not Focused on Employee Retention, You Should Be

The Worst Advice I Ever Got • Every entrepreneur has received a bad business tip from a trusted source. The key is recognizing it—and how quickly you recover.

A Big Al Trap Your Company Must Avoid • Some companies will use AI to reduce head count—and embrace mediocrity. If you want yours to be great, do this instead.

Back Away From the Term Sheet • Not taking venture capital is one of the best things that can happen to a company. It forces a shift in your mindset toward long-term growth.

Good Culture Is Building a Billion-Dollar Dairy Business • Jesse Merrill attracted over a half a billion dollars for his cottage cheese and dairy brand—without sacrificing his company’s culture.

How Your Customers Can Help You Win More Business • Three go-getting entrepreneurs explain how taking care of customers has helped them grow—quickly.

Making Cold Calls • Early on, Ben Van Leeuwen braved big pivots. Today, as he manages a midsize ice cream business with great brand awareness, he finds himself managing change yet again.

How Travel Fuels Innovation at Work • Travel experts from IHG Hotels & Resorts, ReachTV, and Pelorus Travel reveal how getting out of your comfort zone can spark ideas and improve ROI

Your $4,499 Body Scan Keeps the Score • Welcome to the brave new world of concierge medicine, where full-body MRIs and subscription bloodwork offer personalized health care at a fraction of the price.

Inc. FOUNDERS HOUSE • MARCH 13-15, 2026 AUSTIN, TEXAS

NO LOOKING BACK • RJ Scaringe has a lot riding on the launch of the R2, Rivian’s new, more affordable EV. Is the car that people swoon over finally ready to become the car that steals market share from Tesla?

THE STORY OF A NEW NAME • Annie Fan and Sung Park built the bag brand Parallelle to $12.5 million in sales. Then came a trademark complication and an unexpected rebranding—an act of reinvention that was required prior to any global expansion.

SWIMMING WITH THE SHARKS • Leslie’s Poolmart expanded nationwide by taking advantage of every trend in financing a company you could imagine. But financial engineering comes with a price.

AI’S AMAZING DATA RACE • Databricks’ niche turned out to be the key to bringing AI into the business world. Now the company is in a heated acquisition race with Snowflake to dominate one of the fastest-growing markets around.

“I can do something about this” • Why a White House veteran-turned-hedge fund investor ditched a booming career to start a wellness brand in one of the most crowded consumer markets.

Welcome to the Experience Economy • Amid the deluge of digital noise, events are essential for companies looking to connect with customers. But to make your invite stand out, you have to get creative. Here’s our guide to winning the experiential marketing game.

By the Numbers

Fringe Fests

TESTING HER METAL • Hertha Metals founder Laureen Meroueh has an audacious $1 billion plan to revolutionize the steel industry by building an innovative new mill in Texas. The catch? She has to turn rivals into partners.

UP IN THE AIR • When Kevin Prince’s drone-marketing startup, Heads in the Sky, landed Apple as a client, he was thrilled. But there were storm clouds on the horizon.

PEACE, LOVE, AND ACCOUNTABILITY • The B Corp and the billionaires’ Giving Pledge are broken—so says the team at Dr. Bronner’s. The...