December 2024

AI can do incredible things. Microsoft’s Copilot can create leadership decks in seconds while synthesizing the two leadership decks you forgot to read. Notebook LM can create custom podcasts from full books or articles. And ChatGPT… well, we all know ChatGPT.

But hype and promise often misalign, and AI is no exception. John Werner, an MIT Senior Fellow and Managing Director at Link Ventures, said, “sometimes the promotional language doesn’t match the results that you see from a new advancement in IT. Experts talk about a “hype cycle” for new technologies that affect how they are perceived and how they are used, when they’re brand new. AI is not immune, and it’s undergoing its own hype cycle right now.”

Amid all of this, you understand that you need AI (or at least a strategy for it), but how can you stand out from your competitors and bring your vision to fruition?

In this article, I’ll show you how leading entrepreneurs and executives are leveraging fractional AI experts to bring their strategies to life.

Related: How to Effectively Integrate AI into Your Organizational Strategy

The problem: Companies don’t know where to look for leadership-level AI talent

We all know that good leadership is crucial. A team without a strong leader is like a rowboat without a captain. Everyone may keep rowing but lack direction, adjustment and motivation. In business, poor leadership leads to wasted time, money and opportunities.

I’ve observed a similar issue with AI strategies. Instead of appointing a strong leader to manage, execute and cultivate AI success, companies often settle for the wrong talent or simply hold back. When this happens, it is common for claims of financial issues or simply not being the right person. When companies settle, they hire someone who falsely claims to be an expert in AI without checking if the individual has a background in computer science, deep learning, statistical modeling, or neural networks. More often than not, this results in stagnation and wasted resources. This can make those you hired in leadership positions lose trust in your company and doubt your faith in utilizing AI.

In the context of AI, both hesitation and settling are akin to algorithms without the right input data. No matter how impressive the presentation, strategy, or press release may seem, the desired outcomes are rarely achieved without the right data (much like strong leadership). The issue isn’t a lack of talent or that talent is too expensive or difficult to find. The real problem is that companies are searching in the wrong places.

Related: The Future of Work: Solving Problems Through a Flexible Workforce

The solution: Fractional experts

There’s a third strategy that bridges the gap between holding and settling: fractional AI experts. These executive-level independent freelancers can deliver the same results as top executives but at a fraction of the cost. Rather than committing full-time to a single company, fractional experts typically work with two to five clients, dedicating 10-30 hours per week to each.

The concept of fractional isn’t new. The term “interim executive” is widely understood and is seeing high growth. According to a Business Talent Group report, “the need for interim leadership rose 116 percent year over year at all levels throughout organizations, with the demand for such help in the C-suite rising by 78 percent.” The distinction between fractional and interim roles is often just a matter of terminology.

Fractional is one aspect of the flexible workforce, and what’s unique about today’s fractional experts is that they choose and plan to stay full-time fractional. Recent data makes this clear, as individuals choosing full-time independence have doubled since 2020. Amidst a trying 2023 and 2024, growth persisted to the point that 27.7 million Americans choose to be independent today, with a 5.5% higher compound annual growth rate of individuals deciding to be more independent than the general non-farm workforce.

Fractional executives can do everything that a full-time executive can. They can identify problem areas that are ideal for AI, create roadmaps, go to market and workback plans to go from ideation to product market fit. They can even build and manage large teams. The only thing fractional experts can’t do is technically be solely employed by you. Oftentimes, this isn’t necessary.

Related: 3 Reasons Your Small Business Needs Flexible Talent

Get started by finding a fractional platform

Where there’s flexible talent, there’s a talent platform to help you find, onboard, manage, pay and scale your flexible workforce. There are 29 fractional-focused platforms on Human Cloud’s Industry Landscape. Toptal is a well-known developer platform, while Tribe.AI specializes specifically in AI.

Platforms can also focus on specific regions. For instance, Malt, Europe’s largest freelance platform, adopts a country-by-country strategy where each nation offers a tailored client experience. Other platforms like Flexer.AI specializes in Southeast Asian fractional marketing talent, Talent Alpha specializes in IT talent in Poland and Dojo Talent focuses on gaming talent in Turkey.

Think beyond AI

While AI is great, use cases can be industry or skill-set-specific. For example, rather than an AI expert, a supply chain expert on supply chain-focused talent platform NatQuest, paired with an AI expert on Arc might be best. Or potentially, a fractional CFO on finance-focused talent platform Paro paired with an AI expert might be best.

Akhil Seth, UST’s Freelance Program leader, learned this when combining multiple freelancers for a website build rather than trying to find one Unicorn talent that understood both advanced mathematics and a specific Python library. They found two freelancers. One understood advanced mathematics. The other understood the Python library and could teach UST’s internal team how to develop with it. The result is that they finished the website in 3 weeks, saving $2 million worth of revenue.

What experts can you pair to take your first step into realizing your potential in AI?

Related: A Game Plan for Introducing Flexible Talent

Let your flexible talent strategy unlock growth and innovation

Once you embrace flexible talent, you’ll quickly learn that top talent is always only a couple of days away. You’ll realize this is more than a “plug the hole” staffing solution. Flexible talent is a leadership strategy that drives growth and innovation across your company.

Take the next step by scaling your flexible workforce. Don’t stop at collaborating with only one individual. Build a pool of 20 to 100 freelancers, then 1,000 freelancers, and watch your company go from bureaucratic and slow to agile and effective.

Running a small business often means juggling multiple responsibilities, from managing cash flow to staying ahead of market trends. For business owners who are looking to diversify revenue streams or strengthen their financial acumen, understanding the stock market is a powerful tool.

Whether it’s to earn passive income or cultivate a new revenue stream for your business, trading intelligently requires the skill to minimize risk and maximize returns. Many business owners don’t have the luxury of making mistakes, so it’s worth it to learn from experts like those leading the 2024 Ultimate Candlestick Trading and Analysis Master Class. This investment training bundle is now available for $22.97, but that won’t last much longer.

Learn how to make smart investments

This bundle breaks down the strategies that master traders use in eight expert-led courses. It begins with the essentials of day trading, providing step-by-step instructions for those who may have little to no experience. These beginner-focused lessons emphasize technical and fundamental analysis, showing how to read market indicators and develop personalized trading plans.

Courses like the Candlestick Trading and Analysis Masterclass teach the nuances of interpreting candlestick patterns—a vital skill for analyzing price movements in the stock, forex, or futures markets. This is how you’ll anticipate market trends and make informed decisions.

If you’re interested in more advanced trading techniques, pay attention to the lessons on tape reading, a technique used by professional traders to uncover market behavior at a granular level.

For business owners, this bundle isn’t just about learning to trade; it’s about leveraging financial knowledge to create stability and growth. Whether reinvesting profits or building a new revenue stream, these courses offer practical, detailed training to succeed in any market condition.

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StackSocial prices subject to change.

“Shark Tank” star and real estate pioneer Barbara Corcoran knows that being open to new things, whether adopting the latest technology for your business or even just buying a new coat, can be a big part of growing a business.

That’s why she says the one thing entrepreneurs need to be successful is having the ability to pivot.

Related: Barbara Corcoran Needed to Make Job Cuts. Here’s Why She Fired Her Mom First.

“I’ve learned that the entrepreneurs I’ve invested in are exceptional at one thing, embracing change,” Corcoran says in a new episode of “Behind the Biz with Barbara Corcoran,” a web series by AT&T. “It’s proven to be a key to growing their businesses.”

In the episode, Corcoran says AI is the “hot topic” affecting entrepreneurs today and asks Justin Fineberg, co-founder of CassidyAI, various questions on how businesses can use AI to help streamline their tasks.

Both entrepreneurs agreed that another important trait is being curious. By testing, researching, and exploring what is out there, you’ll know what you need to grow, Fineberg said.

Finally, when considering “what’s next,” Corcoran recommends that business owners focus on the “little guy” instead of what the larger, mainstream companies are doing.

“I never worry about the large guy; my eyes are on the little guy, ’cause he’s so smart and fast,” Corcoran said. “I think the little guy is the future competition.”

Corcoran adds that she dismisses the “big guy” because “they are never going to catch up, they are going to get slower and slower.”

Watch the full video on LinkedIn, here.

Related: ‘Not a Big Deal’: Barbara Corcoran Says the NAR Ruling Hasn’t Had Much of an Impact So Far

Amazon is putting its own spin on car sales — without a trip to the dealer or even a test drive.

The retail giant announced on Tuesday that shoppers could buy their next car through Amazon if they lived in one of 48 major U.S. cities, including Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and Portland through “Amazon Autos” on Amazon.com.

Amazon is partnering with Hyundai first, with plans to add additional manufacturers and cities in the coming year, the company said. The cars are all new and start at $22,500 in price. They include models like the Hyundai Kona, Sonata Hybrid, and Elantra.

Related: You Could Buy Your Next Car on Amazon, Seriously — But There’s a Not-So-Convenient Catch

In turning to online car sales, Amazon joins a marketplace already occupied by other online car retailers like Edmunds, Carvana, Shift, and Vroom, but those sites also feature used cars for sale; at the moment Amazon only offers new cars.

What would happen if I tried to buy a car from Amazon? Here are the pros and cons that emerged when I tried out the new feature.

Pro: Transparency

Amazon says that shoppers can see transparent pricing upfront with Amazon Autos, and I wasn’t disappointed. Clicking into a car, a new 2025 Hyundai Elantra SE, I was able to see a detailed price breakdown, down to the carpeted floor mats ($210) and how much the dealer charged compared to the Manufacturer Suggest Retail Price (MSRP).

^{Pricing through Amazon Autos.}

I was also able to estimate the monthly payment based on the down payment and loan term.

The product page also transparently outlined the condition of the car, how much mileage it had on it, and the terms of the manufacturer’s warranty.

Related: I Tested the ‘Invest As You Shop’ App to See If It Really Makes Investing Less Intimidating

Con: Selection

Right now, Amazon is only selling Hyundai vehicles, so cars from other automakers are nowhere to be found.

This con could soon disappear: Amazon says it will add cars from other manufacturers in 2025.

However, the selection is also limited in price, with the cheapest car selling for $22,510 excluding fees, taxes, and dealer charges. There are no used cars available for sale at the time of writing.

Related: I Tried Making an AI-Hosted Podcast with Google’s NotebookLM. It Worked Surprisingly Well.

Pro: Familiar Interface

Buying a car through Amazon Autos felt like shopping on Amazon, so I felt right at home. There were categories like price, model year, and trim color on the left-hand side, and there were products in a list sorted by price in the center.

Even though the car product category is new to Amazon, the familiar interface made the process easy to navigate.

^{How Amazon Autos looks.}

Con: No Negotiating Power

Amazon says that it shows transparent pricing, “eliminating the need for negotiation.” I can buy a car and complete my entire order, including securing financing, without talking to a human being about the price and trying to negotiate it down.

While it can be less stressful to have the whole process online, it is also less personal. And I can’t help wondering if I’m getting the best deal online or if I would be better off going in person.

This, along with the limited range of selection, ultimately dissuaded me from buying a car from Amazon — for now.

Related: I Tried 3 AI Headshot Generators and There Was a Clear Winner

Entrepreneurship is a journey of grit, vision and strategy. While many entrepreneurs focus solely on securing capital, true business growth often demands more than funding.

It requires the strategic mentorship of an investorpreneur — an investor who provides financial backing and serves as a mentor, guide and partner in your journey toward success.

Investorpreneurs are redefining the relationship between entrepreneurs and investors by blending financial support with expertise, real-world insights and access to networks.

This article explores how you can prepare your small business to engage with an investorpreneur, unlocking new opportunities for growth while building a resilient foundation for your company’s future.

Related: More Than Money: How the Right Investor Can Add Lasting Value to Your Startup

What is an investorpreneur?

An investorpreneur is a transformational ally, offering far more than just financial support. Unlike traditional angel investors or venture capitalists, investorpreneurs combine their capital with active mentorship, helping you make informed decisions, build connections and scale effectively.

Reid Hoffman, co-founder of LinkedIn and a prominent investorpreneur, played a pivotal role in Airbnb’s rise to success. Hoffman didn’t just provide funding — he mentored Airbnb’s founders, helping them refine their business model, expand into new markets and navigate industry challenges. His strategic advice during critical growth stages propelled Airbnb into becoming a global leader in hospitality.

Investorpreneurs invest more than money — they bring their experience, insights and networks to the table, turning promising startups into industry leaders.

Step 1: Craft a strategic business plan

An investorpreneur looks beyond the surface. To attract their interest, you need a business plan that is not only comprehensive but also compelling. Think of your business plan as your blueprint for growth, showcasing your readiness for partnership.

Your plan should begin with a high-impact executive summary that highlights your vision, mission and the unique value your business offers. A detailed market analysis is essential, demonstrating your understanding of industry trends, customer needs and how your product or service stands out in the competitive landscape.

Clearly articulate your product or service offering, focusing on the problem it solves and why your solution is innovative and scalable. Complement this with a well-thought-out growth and scaling plan that outlines your operational strategy, supplier relationships and scalability potential.

Provide financial projections that include realistic, data-driven forecasts for income, cash flow and expenses. Break down how you will use the investorpreneur’s funding to achieve these growth targets.

By structuring your business plan around these elements, you demonstrate not just your vision but your ability to take decisive action, something investorpreneurs highly value.

Step 2: Financial preparedness is key

Financial transparency is a cornerstone of any successful partnership with an investorpreneur. It proves your business’s health, viability and potential for growth.

To demonstrate this, start by showcasing historical financial data that highlights trends in profitability and stability. Pair this with cash flow forecasts that show your ability to manage liquidity effectively while pursuing growth targets. Clearly communicate your break-even point and when your business is likely to become profitable.

A critical element is your use of funds — outline precisely how the investment will be allocated across marketing, product development or scaling operations. This not only builds trust but also shows that you value the investorpreneur’s involvement in your business.

Investorpreneurs bring financial expertise and tools to help you manage these elements more effectively, ensuring you balance growth with liquidity.

Related: Investor Outlook: Seed Funding Needs to go Beyond the Money

Step 3: Build a high-performing team

Investorpreneurs invest as much in people as they do in ideas. Your team‘s expertise, passion and ability to execute your vision are critical to securing their support.

To build confidence, highlight the strengths of your management team. Showcase their experience, achievements and the unique skills each member brings to the table. If you have an advisory board, emphasize their industry expertise and connections, which lend credibility to your business.

Clearly define roles and responsibilities within your team to demonstrate you have the right people in place to manage operations and execute your business plan. Investorpreneurs are drawn to teams that inspire confidence and exhibit the capability to turn vision into reality.

Step 4: Understand and embrace mentorship

A unique characteristic of investorpreneurs is their active involvement in your business. They are not passive investors but hands-on mentors who use their expertise to help you grow strategically.

How investorpreneurs add value:

Investorpreneurs guide entrepreneurs through strategic decisions, such as entering new markets, refining pricing strategies and pivoting business models when necessary. For example, Hoffman’s mentorship during Airbnb’s early years helped refine its revenue model, ensuring monetization while maintaining customer trust.

They also provide operational support, helping streamline processes and scale operations sustainably. Additionally, investorpreneurs bring access to industry connections, opening doors to partnerships, customers and suppliers that accelerate growth.

Their involvement goes beyond financial returns — they mentor entrepreneurs to build resilient, sustainable businesses capable of thriving in competitive markets.

Assess your investor readiness

Are you ready to partner with an investorpreneur? Take the first step by evaluating your business’s growth potential and preparedness.

Access the Investorpreneurship Quiz by emailing me@jamesdooley.com to take a personalized quiz that highlights areas for improvement. This score-driven approach provides actionable insights to help you attract the right investorpreneur and scale your business effectively.

Related: Watch: Why You Should Be Getting More Than Money From an Investor

Investorpreneurs offer more than funding as they provide a partnership rooted in mentorship, guidance and shared expertise. By crafting a clear business plan, building a strong team and embracing their mentorship, you set the stage for a transformative collaboration.

Investorpreneurs invest in people and potential, not just ideas. By preparing your business to engage with an investorpreneur, you’re not just seeking funding; you’re building a foundation for long-term success.

Nestled in the heart of St. Louis, Missouri, Maypop is a coffee and garden shop known for its cozy charm and abundant greenery. People from all walks of life gather here to reconnect with nature and each other.

Julia Valleroy, Maypop’s administrative coordinator, was once one of those customers seeking a garden escape and a good cup of coffee. Now part of the team, Valleroy says Maypop’s dual business model still provides that warmth and magic for her and many others.

“You really don’t see [anything like Maypop] around here in the Midwest at all,” she says. “How many places can you go where you can get coffee and also buy some flowers for your front porch or a tropical houseplant that you’ve been dreaming of having?”

Many customers come to the shop to celebrate special occasions, like Yelp reviewer Angela P., who brought her son’s girlfriend to Maypop for her birthday. Both enthusiasts of coffee and gardening, Angela and her guest were thrilled to receive the best of both worlds — even in the summer heat.

“Maypop was definitely popping, but the capacity did not affect our experience one bit,” Angela wrote in her review. “It was a rather hot day, but the staff did not seem bothered. In fact, they were much more personable than I would have been had I been working in the heat. Kudos to all of the staff, both inside and out, for helping give one of the best birthday gifts that my girl has had.”

Customer service is a large part of what makes Maypop such a popular destination. The team provides expertise on everything from herbal tea to plant parenting, which Angela said greatly impacted her customer experience.

“They’re professional, so I trust they know what they’re talking about,” she says. “I wouldn’t just take the word off of the street, but going there, I felt a little more educated. They gave ideas on things that they liked [from the cafe]. The hibiscus tea—I was hesitant on getting that, but it was delicious. It was very refreshing.”

A knowledgeable team is also an asset when it comes to social media content. For instance, Valleroy recently worked with the garden staff to create an Instagram reel on how to plant a cactus without pricking yourself. She says social media is an opportunity to educate customers while showcasing your brand’s personality.

“Just make it fun and make it light to start with,” she says. “You’re going to get better with time. You want to always have your face out there in front of them so you’re not forgotten. I just envision whenever I’m typing up a post that I’m speaking to my friends.”

This strategy is successful online because Maypop’s team has also worked to establish friendly relationships on the ground. Community building is always at the forefront of Maypop’s mission, from its social media presence to its events strategy — for example, inviting vendors from across St. Louis to join its quarterly Maker’s Market.

“We thoughtfully select local artisans that like to create and share their passions,” Valleroy says. “That is something that really brings the community together, and it lifts people up and brings awareness to small businesses in our area. It just feels good to help support people, support our community and support each other.”

Not only is Maypop’s market a great way to build community, but it also promotes the brand locally. Valleroy creates digital fliers for the event and encourages vendors to share them, bolstering the brand’s 22,000+ Instagram followers and proving that many great marketing activations are free.

To further enhance community engagement, Valleroy regularly reads and responds to Maypop’s reviews on Yelp. Engaging with feedback shows you appreciate both your customers and your team. For example, Valleroy displays reviews in the staff room to inspire and motivate the team to keep innovating and improving.

“We like to switch things up,” she says. “Every week whenever I come in on Monday, especially in the garden center, they’ve moved things around and their displays, making it so when you come in, it feels new and fresh. We always evolve around at Maypop, always trying to do better.”

Since its founding in 2018, Maypop has attributed its blooming business to these core principles:

• Attitude speaks volumes. When conditions aren’t ideal, customers appreciate your professionalism and expertise even more. A helpful insight or thoughtful recommendation goes a long way on a hot or busy day.
• Stay top-of-mind through social media. Social media is made for connecting with friends, so approach your social media strategy like you’re talking to a friend about something new and fun. Even if your content is educational, use an accessible and lighthearted tone.
• Keep things fresh and exciting. Whether rearranging the store setup every week or hosting seasonal events for the community, switching things up keeps your staff and customers motivated.
• Create events to uplift local small businesses. Empower your fellow small business owners to become influencers for your brand. Not only will they get free promotion, but your business will get free exposure.
• Amplify customer reviews to staff. Shouting out a job well done and highlighting areas of improvement are key to motivating staff to outperform themselves.

Listen to the episode below to hear directly from Valleroy and Angela, and subscribe to Behind the Review for more from new business owners and reviewers every Thursday.

Editorial contributions by Erin Palmero and Emily Moon

This article is part of our ongoing America’s Favorite Mom & Pop Shops™ series highlighting family-owned and operated businesses.

OpenAI has added a new Sora video generator to ChatGPT that can create videos from text, animate images, and convert existing videos to new styles.

OpenAI made Sora broadly available to the general public on Monday after a video announcement showing off what the AI could do.

Related: Would You Pay $200 for ChatGPT? OpenAI’s New Reasoning Model Has a Hefty Price Tag.

Per OpenAI’s demo video, Sora starts with a text prompt, an image, or a video, which it then uses to generate videos in resolutions from 480p up to 1080p. It currently produces anywhere from 5 seconds to 20 seconds of video.

Sora can also generate different options for the same prompt. So if a user isn’t sure what they want their AI video to look like, they can ask Sora to generate one, two, or four variations of the same prompt to get more options.

OpenAI researchers demoed four variations of the prompt “A wide shot of woolly mammoths walking through a desert landscape” in a 480p resolution with 10 seconds of video.

How Much Does Sora Cost?

The cost of the service is included in the company’s paid plans.

ChatGPT Plus subscribers who pay $20 per month get up to 50 generations monthly. ChatGPT Pro subscribers, who pay $200 monthly, can generate an unlimited amount.

Related: OpenAI’s New Project Isn’t ‘Broadly’ Available Yet — But It’s Already Setting Off Alarm Bells

What Was the Sora Controversy?

OpenAI first previewed Sora in February. From the start, Sora was controversial and set off alarm bells because of its potential to create deepfakes or highly realistic videos of people.

Sora product engineering lead Rohan Sahai acknowledged the challenge with content moderation in the announcement video.

“We obviously have a big target on our back as OpenAI so we want to prevent illegal activity of Sora, but we also want to balance that with creative expression,” Sahai said. “We know that’s something that will be an ongoing challenge. We might not get it perfect on day one… Just give us that feedback, we’ll be iterating.”

Though OpenAI teased the dreamscapes that Sora could create from text, a small group of artists were upset with the company for asking them to be unpaid testers for Sora. These artists leaked Sora last month for a few hours before OpenAI shut down the test version entirely.

Related: Testers Leak OpenAI’s New AI Video Generator, Claiming They Were Used as ‘Unpaid Labor’

How Sora Might Help Businesses

Sora generates videos from text, images, and other videos, which could save businesses time and manpower when it comes to creating shareable content.

Businesses can use Sora to refresh videos they already have on hand or create new ones. This can work for creating ads, generating content for social media, and even brainstorming internally. For example, a 20-second video clip created by Sora could kickstart a meeting or create the basis for a social media campaign.

Related: Here’s What Sora, OpenAI’s Text-to-Video Creator, Can Do

This Side Hustle Spotlight Q&A features Dylan Zajac, 21, a senior at Babson College. At 15, Zajac had a side hustle thrifting and fixing computers. The gig inspired Zajac to found his nonprofit Computers 4 People, which provides refurbished computers to people in need. Responses have been edited for length and clarity.

^{Image Credit: Courtesy of Computers 4 People}

When did you start your side hustle, and where did you find the inspiration for it?
I started out by going to thrift stores around Brooklyn, New York, with my high school friends, just as a fun hobby. We’d take the PATH train from Hoboken and then skate from thrift store to thrift store, often hitting three or more in a single day. At these shops, we’d sift through piles of old electronics, hunting for hidden gems. When we found something valuable, we’d negotiate hard to get a deal. Some days we bought so many computers we had to stack them on our skateboards to roll them home.

Related: ‘I Just Hustled’: She Earned More Than $300,000 Wrapping Gifts Last Year — and It All Started With a Side Hustle

Once we got the computers back, we’d clean them up, fix them and sell them on Facebook Marketplace or eBay. Before long, this hobby turned into a real business. At one point, my entire bedroom was filled with random desktops and Apple PowerBooks. The margins were insane, sometimes as high as 80%!

What were some of the first steps you took to get your side hustle off the ground? How did it evolve into the nonprofit you run now?
One of the key things that made it possible for me to start my side hustle was having access to a laptop and the internet when I was in middle school. I’d spend hours watching YouTube tutorials on how to refurbish computers and learning the ins and outs of ecommerce platforms, which helped me reach hundreds of customers, all from my bedroom.

But as I got deeper into this, I started noticing a huge problem. On my trips to Brooklyn, I saw mountains of e-waste — computers tossed away by people and companies who had no idea how to dispose of them properly. At the same time, I realized just how many people in the world (2.6 billion to be exact) don’t have access to the digital world. That’s when the idea for Computers 4 People hit me.

I decided to turn what I’d learned into a nonprofit. Using online tutorials, I figured out how to incorporate, file for 501(c)(3) status, create bylaws and get everything up and running. The plan was simple: Collect used computers from individuals and companies, refurbish them and donate them to people and organizations in need. In February 2019, as a 15-year-old high school sophomore, I officially began my mission to eliminate the digital divide. I’ve been at it ever since.

Related: Their Nutty College Side Hustle Earned Over 6 Figures in Under 6 Months: ‘Revenue Doubled Every Month’

What were some of the biggest challenges you faced while building Computers 4 People, and how did you navigate them?
One of the toughest challenges was making sure Computers 4 People could run sustainably without me. Balancing school with running the nonprofit taught me that there’s really no such thing as balance; you just have to make it work. Many people assumed Computers 4 People would fall apart once I went to college, as most small projects like this do. To prove them wrong, I focused on creating a solid structure where responsibilities like accounting, HR and program management were clearly defined. I built proprietary systems to automate inventory, client management, donor management and federal/state grant reporting, which helped us scale and run efficiently.

Securing enough funding and computer donations remains an ongoing challenge as we work to meet the overwhelming demand for our services. With hundreds of individuals on our waiting list, the need often outpaces supply. To address this, we’ve been diversifying our funding sources, leveraging government grants, foundation grants, individual giving and earned revenue. Additionally, we’re partnering with some of the largest Fortune 100 and 500 companies to collect their used computers, ensuring we can continue effectively bridging the digital divide.

What do the organization’s growth and success metrics look like today?
To date, we have donated 3,668 computers to individuals in need, diverting over 55,000 pounds of electronic waste from landfills. Our programs have empowered thousands to access education, secure employment and thrive in the digital world. We’ve raised over $1.6 million through awarded grants and donations, allowing us to scale rapidly and grow our team to over a dozen full-time staff members.

Related: After Being Laid Off, He Started a Side Hustle With Facebook. It Made Almost $3 Million Last Year: ‘I Bought My Mom a $50,000 SUV.’

What do you enjoy most about working on this nonprofit?
I love solving tough problems, building technology to streamline processes and working with a team of mission-driven people all focused on the same goal. It’s also incredibly rewarding to receive messages every day about the life-changing impacts of our programs and to see those results reflected in our data.

What’s your advice for others hoping to start an organization that makes an impact?
Let community insights drive your solutions; don’t start something just because it seems impactful. Ensure your efforts create a net positive for the world, especially in the nonprofit space. In the beginning, don’t rely on others to handle the essentials. Learn how to manage incorporation, taxes, accounting, operations, technology, HR and setting up a board of directors yourself. It’s critical to understand your business and industry inside and out. Once you have a solid foundation, build a team that complements your skills and includes people who excel in areas like fundraising, accrual accounting or organization. Finally, don’t overthink every step: Act fast, make decisions quickly and keep moving forward.

Reddit has a new feature in the works that could make it both a ChatGPT and Google competitor.

Reddit announced on Monday that it has started to test a new AI chatbot called Reddit Answers. The bot provides conversational responses to user queries like “How can I get better sleep?” and “Is a hot dog a sandwich?” by drawing from what Redditors have written across the platform.

Reddit Answers summarizes what Redditors have said at the top of its response and links to the communities and posts across Reddit that it used to formulate the response at the bottom. Users have the option to dive deeper by clicking through the links or by asking a follow-up question.

^{Example of top of a Reddit Answers response. Credit: Reddit}

^{Example of the bottom of a Reddit Answers response. Credit: Reddit}

Reddit advertises Answers as a way to “Find answers from real people.”

Related: Here’s Why Reddit Turned Down an Acquisition Offer From Google in Its Early Days, According to Cofounder Alexis Ohanian

“AI-powered search is part of our longer-term vision to improve the search experience on Reddit – making it faster, smarter, and more relevant,” Reddit stated in a blog post.

The move puts Reddit in competition with search engines like Google and AI chatbots like ChatGPT. Instead of asking a question on Google and adding “Reddit” at the end of the search query to find an answer from Reddit, users can go straight to Reddit to ask the question.

The conversational format of the answer is also similar to ChatGPT, making Reddit Answers a combination of an AI chatbot and a Reddit search.

Related: Can ChatGPT Help Start a Business? I Tried the Latest Version, GPT-4o, to Find Out.

Google and OpenAI have already signed deals to use Reddit data in their AI responses. Google currently has about 90% of the search engine market, according to Stat Counter. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman revealed last week that ChatGPT has over 300 million weekly users and handles more than one billion messages per day.

Reddit Answers is currently only available in early access to a limited group of Redditors in the U.S., with plans to roll it out to additional countries.

If you’re hoping venture capital investors will pony up big money for your startup, you need to use your brain — all of it.

If you’re scratching your head to understand what that means, I’m referring to the false yet intriguing theory that people are right-brain or left-brain dominant. Left-brainers, like mathematicians and engineers, were once believed to be more logical and analytical. Right-brainers were more creative and artistic, like writers and painters.

While this scientific theory has been disproven, the idea behind it is a helpful illustration. If you’re an entrepreneur pitching to investors, you must utilize “both sides” of your brain to win them over.

To effectively tell your startup’s story, combine your business’s logical and analytical side with a creative, imaginative presentation. This is a multifaceted process that combines elements of art and science.

Understanding and embracing this dual nature of fundraising can significantly enhance your startup’s chances of success.

Related: What I Learned From The First 3 Months of Fundraising My 6-Figure Business

Left brain: The science of fundraising

If you’re a data lover and number cruncher, this section’s for you.

Understanding market dynamics, making data-driven decisions and employing accurate valuation techniques are crucial components of the scientific approach to fundraising.

Understanding market dynamics

As an entrepreneur, you have to understand your broader market and investor behavior.

Market research provides critical insights into trends, investor preferences and potential opportunities. Knowing your market and understanding what investors are looking for can give you a significant edge. Keen awareness of your market is more likely to attract investor interest.

Data-driven decisions

For left-brainers, data is king.

Startups need to back their proposals with extensive financial projections and metrics. This involves meticulous analysis of past performance, market potential and economic health. Investors won’t give you a second look unless you have a clear, realistic business plan reinforced by accurate data.

Startups presenting detailed financial projections and market analysis are likelier to instill confidence in potential investors because of their due diligence and foresight.

Valuation techniques

Accurate valuation is another critical scientific aspect of fundraising.

Suitable valuation methods include discounted cash flow (DCF) analysis or comparables. Selecting the right approach can significantly affect negotiations, making it easier to work alongside investors. Research and select a valuation method that aligns with your business model and market conditions. This strategic selection ensures your startup’s value proposition is realistic and appealing to investors.

Related: I Have Helped Founders Raise Millions. Here Are 7 Fundraising Mistakes I See Many Startups Making — And What You Need To Do Instead.

Right brain: The art of fundraising

Imagine fundraising like building a house.

If data and analytics are the foundation and base structure, the creative element is where you design the interior and exterior to create something unique that you can show off to the world.

It’s the human element of fundraising. Crafting a compelling narrative, building relationships and mastering persuasive communication are essential creative components that can sway investor decisions.

Crafting the narrative

Storytelling is a powerful tool in fundraising. Investors are not just buying into a product; they’re investing in a vision. A compelling story can set your startup apart in a crowded market.

Crafting a captivating narrative can emotionally resonate with investors and make your pitch more memorable. Focus on your mission, vision and the unique value you bring to the market, and use those pieces to weave together a tale that captures their imaginations.

Building relationships

Fundraising is more than a financial transaction. It’s about social transactions and building long-lasting relationships.

Networking plays a pivotal role in securing funding. A successful networking strategy means engaging with potential investors long before you ask them for funding. Rubbing shoulders with investors now can go a long way when you’re ready to raise funds. Building trust and rapport with investors creates a foundation for future support and collaboration and can make the fundraising process even smoother.

Communication is critical

Of course, building a solid network and nurturing meaningful relationships is pretty hard if you don’t know how to communicate effectively.

You can’t deliver a persuasive pitch unless you’re precise, confident and able to connect with your audience. That’s why you must continue honing your communication skills and practicing your pitch until it is clear, concise and compelling. Emphasize your strengths, be ready to address concerns and confidently present your vision for the future and your company’s immense potential.

Related: Think You’re Ready to Fundraise? Your Business Needs to Meet These 3 Milestones First.

Balancing art and science

A challenging aspect of fundraising lies in balancing the scientific and artistic elements. However, uniting the left and right brain can create a compelling and valuable proposition for investors.

Integrating both approaches

Successful fundraising requires both sides of the brain.

Startups must present their financials and market analysis while weaving a compelling narrative. Combining complex data with your brand’s story creates a comprehensive pitch, and investors need to see the potential for growth and the passion behind your vision.

This integration helps create a balanced and persuasive pitch.

Combining brain power

While some founders have a killer combination of science savvy and creative genius, most have the left side down but need a dominant right-brain partner to take things to the next level.

This is where building a core team is critical. Finding people who can understand your idea, see how to build on it and showcase it in a new way will help create a stronger organization that will shine in front of investors.

If you are an entrepreneur, it’s your responsibility to humble yourself, understand that you can’t control everything and put your trust in others who you know can excel in areas that aren’t your forte. That’s a true display of leadership.

Using your head

Securing funding is a pivotal step for any startup, and harnessing the full power of both sides of the brain is vital to achieving this goal.

By understanding market dynamics, leveraging data, crafting compelling narratives, building relationships and maintaining a long-term vision, startups can create a strong foundation for their fundraising efforts.

Balancing these elements can lead to more successful and rewarding fundraising experiences. Startups that embrace the art and science of fundraising are well-equipped to attract investors and drive their vision forward.