Innholdsfortegnelse for March/April 2025 i Entrepreneur Magazine

YOU’RE TRYING to solve a big problem. Nothing seems to work. Hold up! Before you waste more time, you should consider a problem-solving framework called “the monkey and the pedestal.” It comes out of X, the innovation factory where Alphabet, Google’s parent company, takes its most ambitious bets, and it will save you a lot of time. Here’s how it works. Imagine getting a crazy assignment at work: You must teach a monkey to recite Shakespeare while standing on a pedestal. Now ask yourself: What’s the first thing you should do? Maybe you say, “Build the pedestal!” That sounds logical. The pedestal is what we call low-hanging fruit—the small, easy stuff that we love to tackle first, because it gives us a sense of progress. But that’s the wrong answer.…

1/ More intuitive headphones. As headphones become more sophisticated, controlling them becomes more complicated. What does one tap mean again? What about two? The JBL Tour One M3 with Smart Tx [$400; jbl.com] fixes that: It comes with a small, rechargeable touch screen to handle the basic headphone functions without opening an app or memorizing a pattern of taps and swipes. The Smart Tx also plugs into the jack of your middle seat’s infotainment system, letting you stream content wirelessly while blocking out the guy snoring in the aisle seat. It releases in April. 2/ A universal smart lock. With their chunky plastic housing, bulky keypads, and battery compartments, smart locks aren’t very discreet. But the matte black or satin nickel Level Lock+ (Matter-over-Thread) [$329; level.co] looks like a regular…

After decades of economic stagnation, Japan is experiencing a remarkable resurgence, with the end of deflation, the strongest period of nominal economic growth since the 1990s, and a surge in corporate vitality. According to a 2024 report by Morgan Stanley, this renewed dynamism is transforming industries, and nowhere is this more evident than in the retail sector. Wage growth, record-breaking tourism, and expanding international retail presence have made Japan’s retail sector “the booming outlier in Asia Pacific,” Savills reported in November 2024. Regional cities are thriving, and consumer spending is on the rise. Against this backdrop of opportunity, MrMax Holdings, a company celebrating its centenary in 2025, is solidifying its place in Japan’s dynamic retail landscape. Founded in 1925 as a home appliance components shop, MrMax transitioned into a comprehensive…

Japan should experience steady growth through 2025, supported by accommodative monetary policy from the central bank, the Economist Intelligence Unit has said. An expected boost in public spending should also support an economy seeing an uptick in consumption. Domestic demand, the strong Japanese automotive sector, and a growing international trend towards greater sustainability are expected to boost the synthetic leather industry in the coming years. Japan’s domestic synthetic leather market will grow by a CAGR of 8.15% between 2022 and 2032, according to SPER Market Research. Established in 1935, Kyowa Leather Cloth Co. celebrates its 90th year in business in 2025. The company produces synthetic leather and decorative films for a range of industries, including fashion, housing and construction, and automotive. The company became a member of Toyota Group in…

Japan’s economy will rebound in 2025 as consumption is driven by rising wages, according to the IMF. The country’s economy has long been known for its powerful and high-value manufacturing sector, which accounts for 20% of GDP. Ultrafabrics, which produces sustainable leather alternative, epitomises innovative and quality-focused Japanese industry. “There are many companies in the world that produce polyurethane leather,” says Ultrafabrics president Noboru Yoshimura. “They supply their products to one industry – automotive, or aviation, or furniture. But we supply all these sectors, and that’s unique. If there’s someone looking for a premium alternative to leather, we produce that product.” Another distinguishing feature of Ultrafabrics’ business is that it exports almost all its production, with the exception of a few blue-chip Japanese clients such as Japan Airlines. Ultrafabrics prides…

For most companies, social media is a given. You hire a team, pump out content, try to channel the viral spirits, maybe hire some influencers. It’s a lot. But if that’s all, you may be missing out on social media’s greatest business potential. When you’re fully strategic, your social media can become a virtuous cycle where customers buy, speak, are heard, and see themselves integrated into the product—which they then buy more of, shout louder about, and share like crazy. When that happens, “community” isn’t just an overused buzzword; it becomes the capital that fuels your growth. Sarah Lee and Christine Chang, founders of Glow Recipe, have pulled that off. Their K-beauty brand has 1.6 million followers on TikTok, who directly fuel their $300 million in annual sales. Social media…

Claude AI/ An advanced natural language model capable of generating longform, humanlike content—with minimal editing needed—from raw outlines. Claude is better than ChatGPT for training on large datasets and copywriting. ChatGPT/ A popular conversational AI that can dynamically understand and respond to multifaceted prompts. Leveraged for ideation and creation across assets and analyses, ChatGPT is great for a fast workflow and handling multiple tasks. Descript/ An audio/video editing application with integrated AI speech to text allowing seamless voice overdubbing and manipulations to footage by editing the transcript. Captions/ A cost-effective video service that uses AI to auto-generate text captions and enables footage augmentation like eye and head movements. Envato Elements/ A stock media marketplace providing ready-made digital assets to incorporate in video and other projects. You can use the AI…

Want to buy a franchise that’s tried, true, and tested? This list is for you—because it’s 46 years in the making. Entrepreneur has been producing its Franchise 500 for 46 years, and during that time, we’ve seen hundreds of franchise brands come and go. To have staying power, a brand must succeed out of the gate, maintain momentum over time, and constantly adapt and evolve to remain relevant and resilient. Few can do that—so the ones that can deserve a close look. That’s why, every year, we publish this list—a chronicle of brands that have outperformed the industry for decades, and have become a constant presence on our Franchise 500 ranking. To appear in our Hall of Fame, a brand must have ranked in the Franchise 500 consecutively for 25…

Larkin Combs was always a hard worker. During his childhood summers, while his friends went to the Jersey Shore, he worked on his grandparents’ farm in Georgia. “Ten hours a day, from when I was seven until my teenage years,” he says. He eventually spent 25 years as a police offcer in Union County, New Jersey. That’s how he met Jason and Steven Parker, founders of K9 Resorts—a dog boarding and daycare franchise that was founded in 2005, now has 40 units and 130 in the works, and often runs community initiatives like donating Kevlar vests to local police departments. When Combs retired in 2019 and prepared to move to Apex, North Carolina, to be near his elderly mother, the Parkers asked if he wanted to open a franchise there.…

Commercial Cleaning Six brands ranked on this list, adding a total of 1,847 units in the U.S. and Canada. Fastest-growing brand/ Stratus Building Solutions (No. 1) Chicken Five brands ranked, adding a total of 607 units. Fastest-growing brand/ Wingstop (No. 6) Coffee Four brands ranked, adding a total of 489 units. Fastest-growing brand/ Dunkin’ (No. 10) Travel Agencies Two brands ranked, adding a total of 446 units. Fastest-growing brand/ Cruise Planners (No. 8) Mexican Food Four brands ranked, adding a total of 432 units. Fastest-growing brand/ Taco Bell (No. 12) Fitness Six brands ranked, adding a total of 378 units. Fastest-growing brand/ Hotworx (No. 15) Restoration Seven brands ranked, adding a total of 297 units. Fastest-growing brand/ Servpro (No. 33)…

We had an exciting idea for an AI company. But we struggled to hire AI engineers. The idea was this: We can use AI to help prevent chronic health conditions like diabetes. My cofounder and I developed a company called January AI, raised money from investors, and posted AI engineering jobs. But the candidates we saw were uninspired. They were more interested in the likes of OpenAI, where they could work on flashy tools with broad appeal, and not applications like health. This problem is common among smaller businesses: Everyone competes for talent against industry behemoths, who can offer the kind of glamour and benefits that we cannot. That means we must get creative, offering things that our larger competitors cannot. In my case, we found a powerful offer—and it…

The world’s fourth-largest economy, over the past eight decades Japan has established a reputation as a global leader in high-tech manufacturing and innovation, based on timeless traditions of craftsmanship and quality. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who was appointed in October 2024, it has a government dedicated to boosting growth, encouraging investment and business expansion, and taking the lead in the digital and green transformations. The Ishiba administration builds on the work of that led by his predecessor Fumio Kishida, which aimed to create a “virtuous cycle of growth and distribution” and transition to a growth-oriented economy. “My administration will continue and steadily develop this policy of Japan an asset-building nation,” Ishiba told the Asset Management Forum Japan in Tokyo last year. “In addition, one of the…

Contributing 6.5% of global manufacturing output while accounting for just 1.5% of its population, Japan is a true industrial powerhouse. Aichi Prefecture, located in central Honshu, is at the core of Japan’s manufacturing sector, which accounts for an impressive 35% of the prefecture’s GDP, according to official figures. Renowned as the nation’s manufacturing hub, Aichi hosts a diverse range of industries, including automotive giants like Toyota. It also leads the nation in the volume of goods shipped, solidifying its role as a critical driver of Japan’s economic and industrial success. Aichi Financial Group (Aichi FG) serves as a hub for regional development in the prefecture. With more than a century of expertise in supporting regional businesses and households in Aichi Prefecture, the group strives to become the leading regional financial…

“Steady growth and a renewed corporate dynamism are powering Japan’s economy and boosting its stock market,” international investment bank Morgan Stanley reported in 2024, noting that the Asian champion is seeing its best period of nominal economic growth since the 1990s. Combined monetary, fiscal, trade, and industrial policy are lifting economic productivity and enhancing sustainability, Morgan Stanley said. The bank sees the technology sector as one of the best-placed to benefit from the new wave of growth. Japan’s highly-developed digital infrastructure provides the backbone for what is the world’s fourth-largest e-commerce sector, according to the UN International Trade Administration. The ITA reports that the covid-19 pandemic saw Japanese e-commerce sales rise by nearly a third between 2020 and 2021 alone, and identifies the sector as one of the most promising…

Japan’s fintech sector is undergoing a rapid transformation, driven by a surge in digital payments adoption, advancements in open banking regulations, and a growing demand for seamless financial services. Traditionally reliant on cash transactions, Japan has seen a significant shift towards cashless payments, accelerated by government initiatives and changing consumer behavior. At the heart of this evolution is Infcurion, a fintech pioneer that has been instrumental in bridging the gap between legacy systems and modern payment technologies. Founded in 2006, Infcurion delivers cutting edge solutions, including digital wallets and credit card platforms, empowering businesses and financial institutions to adapt to Japan’s rapidly changing financial landscape. With an IPO anticipated after 2025, Infcurion is set to further strengthen its leadership position, drive technological innovation, and expand its role in shaping Japan’s…

Ever wish your business could go for bigger marketing opportunities, but you simply don’t have the employee bandwidth or extra budget to hire an outside agency? You may be right about the resources. But you’re wrong about pursuing those opportunities. These days, with a few handy tools like ChatGPT or Claude AI, which are free or around $20 a month depending on your usage needs, you can quickly create a highly effective, standout promotional campaign targeted expressly to the audience you want to reach—no need for a marketing team. Once you’re familiar with generative AI’s potential, there’s no end to how imaginative and profitable you can get. To see how this can play out, consider the following case study. Jeff J. Hunter is an entrepreneur who helps companies use AI…

Your business will take off when you nail two parts of an important equation: You must have something valuable to offer, and you must present it in a way that attracts the right buyers. Once you find that sweet spot, revenue should start to accelerate. This may sound obvious. But let me emphasize the words that entrepreneurs often overlook: the right buyers. Many entrepreneurs chase any buyers, or hope that, by blasting their message out across every possible channel, the right buyers will simply reveal themselves. It doesn’t work like that. Instead, you must strategically simplify who you’re talking to and how you’re talking to them. I call it the “Rule of One.” I’ve seen this work for companies large and small. I was once the director of strategic sales…

Tiffny Consoli is thriving in the pool industry. She was the first-ever Pool Scouts franchisee, and now operates a $3 million business with 23 vehicles and 19 routes in the Raleigh, North Carolina, area. Given her success, people are sometimes surprised to learn: At the start, she knew nothing about pools. Instead, Consoli came from a career in retail management. She loved customer service, but wanted to run her own business. She started looking for a franchise to buy, and in 2016, she took the leap and joined Pool Scouts. As she’d discover, a lot of her old skills proved valuable in her new business—often in ways she didn’t necessarily expect. Here, she explains how she learned the ropes, and why she believes the home services sector is an excellent…

Can you keep your job and start a franchise? It’s a good question that many people don’t even think to ask. But the answer is yes. This is what is commonly referred to as being a “semi-absentee owner.” It’s a fancy way of saying that your role as a franchise owner is part-time. Most semi-absentee owners have another commitment, typically a corporate job. But some people own multiple businesses and take on semi-absentee roles in all of them. Others are partly retired and make a little money with a franchise as a side hustle. So what does semi-absentee ownership look like? It can differ greatly from one franchise to the next. The first thing to know is that “semiabsentee” is one of the most poorly defined terms in the industry.…

1/ KFC INTERNATIONAL FRANCHISE GROWTH +2,116 2/ McDonald’s INTERNATIONAL FRANCHISE GROWTH +1,530 3/ 7-Eleven INTERNATIONAL FRANCHISE GROWTH +1,116 4/ Pizza Hut INTERNATIONAL FRANCHISE GROWTH +619 5/ Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen INTERNATIONAL FRANCHISE GROWTH +494 6/ Subway INTERNATIONAL FRANCHISE GROWTH +397 7/ Circle K INTERNATIONAL FRANCHISE GROWTH +291 8/ Dairy Queen INTERNATIONAL FRANCHISE GROWTH +269 9/ Dunkin’ INTERNATIONAL FRANCHISE GROWTH +177 10/ Papa Johns INTERNATIONAL FRANCHISE GROWTH +103 11/ Wendy’s INTERNATIONAL FRANCHISE GROWTH +100 12/ Coverall INTERNATIONAL FRANCHISE GROWTH +99 13/ Hampton by Hilton INTERNATIONAL FRANCHISE GROWTH +98 14/ Yogen Früz INTERNATIONAL FRANCHISE GROWTH +89 15/ Anytime Fitness INTERNATIONAL FRANCHISE GROWTH +80 16/ Cinnabon INTERNATIONAL FRANCHISE GROWTH +75 17/ Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express INTERNATIONAL FRANCHISE GROWTH +71 18/ Tous les Jours INTERNATIONAL FRANCHISE GROWTH +69 19/ Trademark Collection by Wyndham INTERNATIONAL…

Everyone said they wanted my product, but nobody bought it. Why? Here’s the context: I am currently a Ph.D. candidate who studies creativity. I explore how it works, and how people can become more creative. Companies have hired me to speak about this for years, because creativity is one of the most sought-after skills in today’s job market. Then I started to ask clients: Would you want a tool to boost employee creativity? They all said yes, so I made one. It’s called Bulby. But when I showed it to clients, they suddenly lost interest. I felt stuck, confused, and frustrated. I knew the product was good, so why didn’t people want it? Then one day, I looked at a figurine of Einstein on my desk—and I realized my problem.…

1/We followed our employees to hybrid. “We’ve cycled through in-office, hybrid, and fully remote over the years. Recently, we made the move back to hybrid. We have employees across the U.S., so we always host larger team meetings online. But we have a large cohort of employees in San Diego who desired more in-person time. We find the hybrid blend to be perfect. Remote-first supports flexibility and autonomy. But we also have a central hub available for organic collaborations.” —SAMANTHA PANTAZOPOULOS, cofounder, Vizer 2/Remote is best for our team of parents. “We are remote all the way! My team is made up of many moms, and being remote allows me to flex their schedules to fit their needs. They can be more present and spend more time with their families,…

Japan has long been synonymous with engineering excellence, boasting a reputation for precision, innovation, and efficiency that has established its companies as global leaders. With the nation’s economic growth projected to accelerate in 2025—driven by rising wages, robust corporate profits, and increased household spending—its industrial giants are poised to play a central role in shaping the global energy landscape. The offshore engineering sector, in particular, exemplifies Japan’s ability to lead complex, high-stakes industries, setting standards for quality and innovation. At the forefront of this sector is MODEC, a company that epitomizes Japanese excellence and international reach. Founded as Mitsui Ocean Development Engineering & Company, MODEC remains a part of the Mitsui Group, combining its deep Japanese roots with a global mindset. For over five decades, MODEC has specialized in oceanrelated…

Stronger wage growth, rising private investment, and a return to rising consumer spending all powered the Japanese economy in the second half of 2024, according to Deloitte. Trade is also looking up, with semiconductor machinery exports up more than 50% in the year to August, and Deloitte expecting a rise in vehicle exports. Rising incomes and broader economic growth should help Japan’s healthcare sector, which is a huge part of the economy, and growing due to the country’s aging population. Healthcare expenditure has topped 10% of GDP in recent years, according to the OECD. Amvis Holdings, Inc. (Amvis) is a trail-blazer in the Japanese healthcare sector, a pioneer of a facility-based hospice care to solve the critical social issue of gaps in healthcare access and affordability through the creation of…

Consumption underpinned by wage growth will drive Japan’s economy in 2025, according to a recent report from the IMF. Rising salaries will support the food sector, one of the world’s largest, which is worth upwards of $400bn. Established in 1912, Kanro is one of Japan’s leading confectionary companies, a household name. The company tops the market in hard candy, while its Puré gummy are the best-selling gummy brand in the country. The company has three factories in Japan, one in Yamaguchi at the western tip of Honshu, where the business was founded, and two in Nagano in the heart of the island. A new gummy line came onstream in 2019 and the company continues to expand its capacity. “When we talk about our history, what predominates is our product development…

1 Direct-to-consumer will be a bigger piece of the marketing pie. For years, brands with new products had a simple playbook: Drive sales on Amazon. That’s where customers were, after all. But now, small businesses are renewing their focus on direct-to-consumer (DTC) strategies, instead of trying to win the Amazon game. “There is huge, huge competition on Amazon, and new entrepreneurs are finding it’s really hard to invest all this money to be in the first pages,” says Hope Khoury, a cofounder of Go Vertical, which has worked with over 250 inventors on developing their products and launching their small businesses. “They are relying on [other] sources so they can boom and have brand awareness elsewhere.” In order to incentivize more DTC sales, small business owners are getting strategic about…

When Varune and Karie Maharaj bought a Bodybar Pilates franchise in Katy, Texas, they knew nothing about Pilates. They hadn’t ever even taken a class. So why’d they buy? The franchise allowed semi-absentee owners, which they needed to be because Varune works full time in the energy industry and travels often, while Karie has paused her career to raise their three daughters ages 6 to 13. Also, the couple had been living in Trinidad, where they’re from, and could only fully move to Houston nine months after the business opened as they awaited the necessary paperwork and appointment to immigrate. They became semi-absentee owners in 2023. And today Varune puts in about 15 hours a week and Karie 20, mostly working on the big-picture aspects of the business, like strategy, retention,…