Richard

Business travel during summer doesn’t have to mean stretching your budget to the breaking point. Over the years, I’ve learned that with a bit of strategy, you can cut costs and add a touch of enjoyment to those work-related getaways.

Whether you’re sealing deals or prepping presentations, these tips will help you save smart while enjoying a little extra along the way. Here are eight practical ways to make the most of your summer business travel.

1. Score big on hotels with members-only platforms

Hotel costs tend to eat up a large part of any travel budget, especially during summer. That’s why I created Tonia in Vegas. You can save hundreds on top hotel bookings without compromising on comfort or location.

From luxury stays in Las Vegas (and anywhere else in the world) to budget-friendly accommodations near business hubs, members-only discount clubs offer the best of both worlds. Plus, they throw in perks like discounts on dining, entertainment and even experiences to make your business trips more enjoyable.

Related: 8 Easy Ways to Save Money on Your Next Business Trip

2. Book flights early (and stay flexible)

Flight prices often soar in summer, so early booking is a must. Aim to secure tickets at least 6-8 weeks in advance for the best prices. Being flexible with your travel dates can also save you big bucks. Did you know that Tuesdays and Wednesdays are usually the cheapest days to fly? Midweek flights are often less crowded, too.

If you’re not picky about departure times, consider red-eye or early morning flights, which tend to be cheaper. And even if you’re tempted by business class, economy seating can save you a pretty penny.

3. Make the most of credit card rewards

Your business expenses should be earning you something in return. Travel-focused credit cards come with perks like free travel insurance, airport lounge access and points on your purchases. Rack up these points while you book your flights, hotel stays or meals and you might find yourself redeeming a free flight or hotel sooner than you think.

If your company is footing the bill, make sure you’re still using your rewards card for those bookings. Just remember to review your usage policy or reimbursement procedures to stay compliant.

4. Pack light to avoid fees

Nothing stings like a surprise baggage fee at the airport check-in counter. Avoid extra costs by sticking to just a carry-on for your trip. Choose versatile clothing that works for both professional and casual settings, like a light blazer that can transition from client meetings to dinner outings.

If you’re headed somewhere sunny, pack lighter fabrics and neutral basics you can mix and match. Don’t forget to check the airline’s baggage policy beforehand to avoid unexpected fees.

Pro tip: Rolling your clothes instead of folding saves space in your suitcase. Packing organizers can also help keep everything compact and accessible.

Related: Ease Your Summer Business Travel in 5 Steps

5. Combine work and play

Traveling for work doesn’t mean it has to feel monotonous. Blend work with leisure to make your trips more enjoyable. For instance, if you’re heading to Las Vegas, use discount platforms to snag discounts on theme parks, live shows and fine dining. Scheduling a personal day at the end of your business trip can help you relax, recharge, and experience the destination more fully.

Example: Traveling to a city with cultural sites? Visit museums, local attractions or nature parks during your downtime to get the most out of your trip.

Not only will these experiences make your trip feel more balanced, but they’ll also boost your energy when it’s time to get back to work.

6. Skip pricey restaurants

Dining out is often one of the sneakiest ways to drain your travel budget. Avoid high-end restaurants for every meal by finding affordable local gems instead. Try to uncover hidden spots offering great food at reasonable prices.

If your hotel includes a kitchenette or even just a mini-fridge, consider grabbing groceries or pre-made meals to save even more. Breakfast, in particular, can be simplified with store-bought yogurt, granola bars, or fresh fruit.

Budget bonus: Some hotels offer free breakfast, coffee or evening snacks. Take full advantage of these perks!

7. Choose hotels close to attractions

Location matters. Staying near conference venues or your other main destinations can help you save on transportation costs like rental cars or rideshares. Look for accommodations within walking distance of key attractions, restaurants or meeting sites.

Not only will this help your budget, but it can also reduce overall travel stress. No one enjoys being stuck in traffic trying to make it to a critical client pitch. If you have extra time, don’t forget to have some fun and check out some local attractions.

Pro tip: Many central hotels offer special business traveler rates or shuttle services to airports or conference centers.

8. Stay connected with Wi-Fi and free tools

Roaming and data costs add up quickly when traveling, especially internationally. Avoid costly cellular bills by making use of free Wi-Fi spots in cafes, hotels and co-working spaces.

If your business regularly requires calling or video conferencing, use free tools like Zoom, Slack or WhatsApp to stay connected.

Pro tip: Invest in a portable Wi-Fi hotspot if you often find yourself needing reliable connectivity on the go.

Related: I Sold My House to Work Remotely on a Cruise Ship for 3 Years — and I May Stay Aboard Even Longer. Here’s What My Life Will Look Like.

Final sip of advice

Smart saving during summer business travel is all about planning and flexibility. From accessing exclusive hotel rates to using credit card perks and packing light, small changes to your travel routine can make a big difference to your budget. Buy blending work and play, staying mindful of expenses and keeping an eye on perks, you’ll not only save money but also make the most of every trip. Safe summer travels and happy saving!

If you’re running a business, managing a team, or just trying to stay ahead in a demanding field, you know how essential your software stack is. Right now, you can ditch the subscription model (like Microsoft 365) and own a full-featured, professional Office suite for a one-time cost of just $49.97 (reg. $219.99). That’s a significant savings over the 2024 version, which offers only five apps but demands a higher price tag.

Office 2021 Professional still offers everything most professionals need to do their jobs exceptionally well: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams (free version), OneNote, Publisher, and Access. The tools are robust, familiar, and built to handle real business tasks—whether you’re formatting a client proposal, managing spreadsheets, designing print collateral, or coordinating project details via email.

It runs natively on your Windows machine, is optimized for performance, and includes updated features like enhanced Excel functions, visual refreshes in PowerPoint, and improved collaboration tools in Word. It’s stable, streamlined, and doesn’t require constant online syncing or cloud dependence to perform.

For entrepreneurs and small teams who prioritize functionality over flash, Office 2021 Pro strikes the perfect balance. You get the same professional-grade software trusted by Fortune 500s without the recurring fees or unnecessary extras.

This version is ideal for independent professionals, remote workers, and business owners who don’t require Microsoft’s latest innovations but seek proven reliability. It’s especially valuable if you’re outfitting multiple employees and need to keep costs in check without sacrificing quality.

Unlike Microsoft 365, which renews monthly or annually, this is a perpetual license—you buy it once, and it’s yours for life on one Windows PC. That means no surprise charges, no account expiration, and no downgrade in features.

Don’t miss the chance to own Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows for $49.97 (reg. $219.99) for a limited time.

Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License

See Deal

StackSocial prices subject to change.

The AI boom has led to fast-growing startups like OpenAI, which raised a record $40 billion at a $300 billion valuation in April, and Perplexity, which processed 780 million user queries last month. However, investors claim that no AI startup has grown as rapidly as Anysphere, the three-year-old company behind popular AI coding assistant Cursor.

In January, Anysphere became the fastest-growing company to hit $100 million in annual revenue, reaching the milestone in 14 months. Cloud security company Wiz, which hit $100 million in revenue in 18 months, held the previous record. Anysphere is the fastest-growing startup of all time, according to its investors.

In the past few months, the startup has kept growing at a rapid pace. Anysphere announced on Thursday that it had exceeded $500 million in annual revenue and raised $900 million. More than a million people use its technology every day, the company stated.

The new funding round gives Anysphere a $9.9 billion valuation. The startup’s previous valuation was $2.5 billion in January, per Bloomberg.

Related: This AI Startup Spent $0 on Marketing. Its Revenue Just Hit $200 Million in March.

So what’s the secret behind Anysphere’s growth? Anysphere CEO Michael Truell told Bloomberg this week that it boils down to “the value” that the company offers. Since its launch, Anysphere’s Cursor AI tool has become popular for its ability to finish lines of code and generate new code based on prompts.

Cursor also acts like a spell check for code, automatically correcting errors so that developers save time. It can explain technical concepts and make recommendations to improve code quality.

“I think a lot of the excitement comes from the value that this tech is giving to developers,” Truell told Bloomberg.

Cursor is one tool developers are using to “vibe code,” or to prompt AI into writing code instead of writing it out manually. Google CEO Sundar Pichai said earlier this week that he used Cursor to help “vibe code” a webpage.

Related: ‘The Coolest Piece of Technology the World Has Ever Seen’: OpenAI Is Acquiring Former Apple Designer Jony Ive’s Startup for $6.4 Billion

Anysphere makes most of its revenue from Cursor subscriptions, which range from $20 a month for a pro account to $40 per user per month for a business account. Cursor also has a free tier, which includes a two-week trial of its pro plan and up to 200 code completions a month.

Paying individuals made up most of Anysphere’s revenue until recently, when the balance shifted to businesses. Late last year, the startup hired its first salespeople to market its technology to enterprises, and the effort has paid off. More than half of Fortune 500 companies are now using Cursor in some capacity, according to Bloomberg.

Cursor isn’t the only coding assistant available, competing with billion-dollar startup Replit and the $3 billion startup Windsurf, but it differentiates itself from competitors with its familiar appearance. Cursor resembles Microsoft’s code editor, Visual Studio Code, which is used by approximately three out of four developers worldwide.

Related: ‘Building It Ourselves’: Morgan Stanley Created an AI Tool to Fix the Most Annoying Part of Coding. Here’s How It Works.

With the $900 million it has raised, Anysphere wants to keep improving Cursor and bringing value to its customers.

“We want to be the ones pushing the frontier,” Truell told Bloomberg.

Most entrepreneurs are still using AI like a digital intern — rewriting emails, polishing posts and hoping for a little lift. But what if you flipped the script?

What if AI didn’t just help you run your business — what if it became the business?

Imagine a solo operation where content is created, leads are generated, and sales are made — all while you sleep. No team. No burnout. Just smart systems working around the clock.

In this video, you’ll discover seven powerful tools from the AI “Black Book” — designed specifically for founders who want to scale without adding headcount. These aren’t quick hacks. They’re plug-and-play systems built for autonomy, leverage and profit.

Inside, you’ll learn how to:

• Find the conversion killers on your site — and fix them instantly, no coding required.
• Uncover market gaps and messaging angles that would take a research team weeks to find.
• Deploy your own AI workforce to handle onboarding, support and admin — so you can focus on growth.
• Turn ideas into high-converting pitch decks in minutes — perfect for clients, webinars, and lead gen.
• Create data-backed content that grabs attention and drives action — without the guesswork.
• Diagnose and optimize your funnels with instant performance insights and actionable feedback.
• Access a toolbox of AI agents that replace entire roles — from copywriters to analysts to VAs.

No fluff. No jargon. Just a clear roadmap to building a business that runs 24/7 — without you on the hamster wheel.

If you’re ready to stop doing it all yourself and start building something that works harder than you do, this is the blueprint.

Download the free “AI Success Kit” (limited time only). And you’ll also get a free chapter from my brand new book, “The Wolf is at The Door – How to Survive and Thrive in an AI-Driven World.”

A lot goes into building a company before it ever makes a sale — from brainstorming the idea to developing a business plan and crafting a go-to-market strategy. Whether you’re launching a physical storefront or an online business, early-stage planning involves countless moving parts. But there’s one critical step that often gets overlooked: writing a mission statement.

A mission statement defines the purpose of your business in one or two clear, compelling sentences. It acts as a north star for your team, your customers and your stakeholders — guiding decisions, shaping culture and communicating what your company stands for. It should be completed before launch, because it lays the foundation for everything that follows.

In my experience managing 22 companies across 89 countries, I’ve learned this firsthand: the businesses with the clearest missions move faster, scale smarter and stay grounded in their values.

Related: 11 Effective Marketing Strategies to Help Streamline Your Startup

Why a mission statement matters

At its core, a mission statement explains why your company exists. It clarifies your purpose, expresses your values and points to your goals. It’s not just a description — it’s a declaration. A good mission statement is:

• Clear and concise
• Actionable and achievable
• Aligned with your company’s five-year plan

It doesn’t just inspire; it directs. When my team faces a major decision, I often ask: What does our mission statement say? That one lens can resolve uncertainty, align priorities and keep us on course.

For example, one of my companies has a simple mission: To empower individuals by providing clean, effective and science-backed wellness solutions. That clarity filters everything — from product development to marketing to customer service. And it keeps us focused on our longterm goals, not just short-term wins.

How to write a mission statement

Writing a mission statement isn’t about sounding impressive. It’s about being intentional. Here’s a simple formula that works:

“Our mission is to [main goal for the next five years], in order to [the impact you want to make].”

This structure keeps your mission grounded and forward-looking. Save the big, audacious future goals for your vision statement — that’s where longterm aspiration lives. Here are some great examples of clear, focused mission statements:

• Nike: To bring inspiration and innovation to every athlete in the world.
• JPMorgan Chase: To be the most respected financial services firm in the world.
• Ford: To help build a better world where every person is free to move and pursue their dreams.

Now compare that to their vision statements, which take a broader, longterm view:

• Nike: To do everything possible to expand human potential.
• Ford: To shorten the distance between where you are and where you want to go.

Mission statements should be memorable. If you can’t say it in a single sentence, it’s not a mission — it’s messaging.

Why it should come before launch

Think of your mission as the blueprint for your business. Just like an architect wouldn’t start building without a plan, you shouldn’t start accepting orders without clarity on why your company exists.

Your mission should guide key decisions before you ever go to market:

• Product development: Does this align with our purpose?
• Hiring: Do these candidates reflect our values?
• Branding and marketing: Are we communicating what we truly stand for?

After launch, your mission continues to guide you, ensuring that growth doesn’t come at the expense of your core purpose. It also helps your business adapt while staying anchored to its identity.

A tool for attracting the right investors and talent

Investors today want more than financial returns. They want to believe in your why. A strong mission statement tells them you’re building something that lasts — not just chasing short-term profit.

The same is true for your team. A well-defined mission increases engagement, attracts values-aligned talent and builds a strong internal culture. People want to do meaningful work — and your mission tells them what that meaning is.

Related: How to Write An Unforgettable Company Mission Statement

Set your direction before you hit “go”

A mission statement does more than clarify your purpose — it drives focus, builds culture, and attracts support. It helps every stakeholder — from employees to investors to customers — understand your business on a deeper level.

By crafting your mission before your company makes its first sale, you create alignment from day one. You establish a guiding principle that shapes every action and decision — now and into the future.

Before you launch, take the time to ask: What’s the purpose behind this business? Your answer might just be the most valuable asset you create.

If you’re a founder, freelancer or small business owner, chances are you’ve had at least one sales conversation go sideways — and maybe more than you’d like to admit. After presenting your offer enthusiastically, the client counters with a laundry list of demands, challenges your pricing or continues to push for more without giving an inch in return.

Sound familiar?

In our work delivering sales training for entrepreneurs and small business owners, we encounter this scenario all the time. Many founders tell us the same thing: “I didn’t start my business to be in sales.” And yet, selling and negotiations are critical to your business’s growth and survival.

The good news? You don’t have to be a high-pressure closer or a natural-born negotiator to succeed. You just need a simple shift in mindset and a few proven techniques to put you in the driver’s seat.

These five steps will work with even your toughest clients.

Related: Negotiation Basics: 8 Common Questions and Answers

Step 1: Don’t negotiate too early

One of the biggest mistakes I see small business owners make is negotiating before the prospect is sold on the value of the solution.

Consider negotiation as the final step in achieving an agreement, rather than the starting point. If you start negotiating before the client is fully convinced that you’re the right solution, you may end up giving away discounts, setting yourself up for scope creep or agreeing to unfavorable terms without receiving much in return. Even worse, you’ll appear uncertain, and uncertainty kills deals.

Instead, wait until you’ve qualified and engaged your prospect and you have demonstrated clear value for your offering. That’s your cue to shift the conversation toward finalizing the deal, rather than defending your worth.

Step 2: Define a “win-win” outcome before you talk numbers

Most founders want to be flexible and collaborative in negotiations, but that only works if you know what you need from the deal.

Before any negotiation, get clear on:

• What’s non-negotiable (e.g., your minimum price, legal terms, scope boundaries)

• What’s flexible (e.g., payment terms, timelines, minor add-ons)

• What a “win” looks like for both sides

A win-win outcome means both parties walk away with value. That might mean agreeing to a slightly lower price in exchange for upfront payment (a trade-off) or offering an extra revision round at no cost (an embellishment) to sweeten the deal without hurting your margins.

Being prepared gives you confidence and gives your client clarity.

Step 3: Don’t let personality hijack the process

I once worked with a creative agency founder who felt bulldozed in negotiations by a demanding corporate client. Every request came with a condescending tone. Every “no” was met with pushback. The founder was ready to give up the deal entirely — until we made one important distinction: the difference between the person and their position.

Negotiation is emotional, but it doesn’t have to be personal.

If a client challenges your pricing or scope, they’re advocating for their business, not attacking yours. Detaching emotionally lets you respond strategically. Instead of reacting to tone or attitude, stay grounded in the value of your offer and the structure of your deal.

Related: Negotiation Skills for Entrepreneurs — How to Craft Deals Like a Pro

Step 4: Use the power of trade-offs, embellishments and compromises

Every negotiation involves three variables:

• Deliverables

• Terms and conditions

• Price

The key is to balance all three without caving on what matters most.

Let’s say a client asks for a 20% discount. Instead of saying yes or no outright, respond with a trade-off: “We can offer a reduced rate if we simplify the scope or shift the timeline.” Or offer an embellishment: “Let’s keep the proposed rate, but I’ll add in a 30-minute strategy session post-launch.”

If you do need to compromise, do it intentionally and not reactively. Find the middle ground that protects your business while still moving the deal forward.

Step 5: Know when to walk away

No one likes losing a deal. However, chasing the wrong deals or closing them on bad terms can be even more damaging.

If you’ve qualified the prospect, demonstrated your value and offered reasonable flexibility — and they still demand more than you can give — it’s okay to walk away. It’s often the smartest move you can make.

One solopreneur I coached stood firm on her pricing after weeks of negotiation. The client walked away, but returned two months later, ready to sign at full price. Why? The seller knew her worth, and the buyer discovered that as well.

Related: 5 Negotiation ‘Don’ts’ That Must Be Avoided

You’re not selling, you’re solving

Negotiation should never be a battle. Instead, view them as a conversation about alignment. When you focus on solving your client’s problems and the value you bring to the table, you stay centered, credible and in control.

If you want to grow your business, scale your agency or simply feel more confident in sales conversations, you don’t need a slick pitch. You need a framework for value-based selling that works for you — especially if you’re an introvert, a creative or someone who doesn’t see yourself as a traditional salesperson.

Negotiating with tough clients becomes easier with the right mindset and tools. Start with preparation. Lead with empathy. Stay grounded in your value. Remember: Sustainable revenue growth is not about how many clients you win, but how you win the right ones.

Google and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai disclosed that he has been “vibe coding,” or using AI to code for him through prompts, to build a webpage.

Pichai said on Wednesday at Bloomberg Tech in San Francisco that he had been experimenting with AI coding assistants Cursor and Replit, both of which are advertised as able to create code from text prompts, to build a new webpage.

Related: Here’s How Much a Typical Google Employee Makes in a Year

“I’ve just been messing around — either with Cursor or I vibe coded with Replit — trying to build a custom webpage with all the sources of information I wanted in one place,” Pichai said, per Business Insider.

^{Google CEO Sundar Pichai. Photographer: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images}

Pichai said that he had “partially” completed the webpage, and that coding had “come a long way” from its early days.

Vibe coding is a term coined by OpenAI co-founder Andrej Karpathy. In a post on X in February, Karpathy described how AI tools are getting good enough that software developers can “forget that the code even exists.” Instead, they can ask for AI to code on their behalf and create a project or web app without writing a line of code themselves.

There’s a new kind of coding I call “vibe coding”, where you fully give in to the vibes, embrace exponentials, and forget that the code even exists. It’s possible because the LLMs (e.g. Cursor Composer w Sonnet) are getting too good. Also I just talk to Composer with SuperWhisper…

— Andrej Karpathy (@karpathy) February 2, 2025

The rise of vibe coding has led AI coding assistants to explode in popularity. One AI coding tool, Cursor, became the fastest-growing software app to reach $100 million in annual revenue in January. Almost all of Cursor’s revenue comes from 360,000 individual subscribers, not big enterprises. However, that balance could change: As of earlier this week, Amazon is reportedly in talks to adopt Cursor for its employees.

Another coding tool, Replit, says it has enabled users to make more than two million apps in six months. The company has 34 million global users as of November.

Related: This AI Startup Spent $0 on Marketing. Its Revenue Just Hit $200 Million.

Noncoders are using vibe coding to bring their ideas to life. Lenard Flören, a 28-year-old art director with no prior coding experience, told NBC News last month that he used AI tools to vibe code a personalized workout tracking app. Harvard University neuroscience student, Rishab Jain, 20, told the outlet that he used Replit to vibe code an app that translates ancient texts into English. Instead of downloading someone else’s app and paying a subscription fee, “now you can just make it,” Jain said.

Popular vibe coding tools offer a free entry point into vibe coding, as well as subscription plans. Replit has a free tier, a $20 a month core level with expanded capabilities, such as unlimited private and public apps, and a $35 per user, per month teams subscription. Cursor also has a free tier, a $20 per month pro level, and a $40 per user, per month, business subscription.

Despite the existence of vibe coding, Pichai still thinks that human software engineers are necessary. At Bloomberg Tech on Wednesday, Pichai said that Google will keep hiring human engineers and growing its engineering workforce “even into next year” because a bigger workforce “allows us to do more.”

“I just view this [AI] as making engineers dramatically more productive,” he said.

Alphabet is the fifth most valuable company in the world with a market cap of $2 trillion.

The average age of retirement in the U.S. is 63 for women and 65 for men, according to recent research from financial services company Empower — a milestone several decades off for Gen Z and young millennial professionals.

What’s more, for many people, saving enough money for a comfortable lifestyle in their golden years remains an elusive feat. More than 57% of working Americans think they’re behind where they should be on their retirement savings, including 35% who feel significantly behind, per a 2024 Bankrate survey.

Related: Americans in These 5 U.S. States Might Fare the Worst in Retirement. How Do Your Numbers Compare?

That’s perhaps not surprising given the lofty figure Americans consider the bare minimum for retirement: $1.46 million, according to a Northwestern Mutual study.

An alternative to reaching such a far-off, financially cumbersome goal? The increasingly popular “micro-retirement.”

What is a micro-retirement?

A “micro-retirement,” also known as a “mini-retirement,” refers to career breaks during which people can pursue personal interests and goals, and potentially reconsider their professional aspirations.

“Micro-retirement is a great way for workers to balance their careers with their personal lives,” Peter Duris, CEO and co-founder of AI career app Kickresume, says. “While some have ambitious career goals that see them climbing the ladder quickly, others have different priorities. Micro-retirement offers the freedom to explore those personal aspirations sooner rather than later.”

Duris also points out that micro-retirement doesn’t necessarily mean leaving the workforce forever — most micro-retirees will return to their careers “feeling refreshed” and “ready to jump right into a new role.”

Related: How Much Money Do You Need to Retire Comfortably in Your State? Here’s the Breakdown.

Where did the term “micro-retirement” come from?

The “micro-” or “mini-” retirement strategy is sweeping social media and gaining ground with Gen Z and young millennial professionals, but the concept of strategically-timed career breaks isn’t a new one.

In The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich, first published in 2007, American entrepreneur and investor Timothy Ferriss poses a question on the minds of many young workers today: “What if you could use a mini-retirement to sample your deferred-life plan reward before working 40 years for it?”

Related: Early Retirement vs. Delayed Retirement: Which Is Right for You?

Ferriss’s mini-retirement strategy involves regular travel. “I currently take three or four mini-retirements per year and know dozens who do the same,” he writes. “Sometimes these sojourns take me around the world; oftentimes they take me around the corner —Yosemite, Tahoe, Carmel — but to a different world psychologically, where meetings, e-mail and phone calls don’t exist for a set period of time.”

In a recent survey from global outplacement and career development firm Careerminds, 26% of micro-retirees said their top goal would be travel and exploration, while 23% were motivated by health and wellness.

How can you pull off your own micro-retirement?

The best time to micro-retire is when you’re ready to leave your current job and tackle a new experience, according to Duris — but adequate planning and preparation will go a long way.

Employees embarking on micro-retirement should make sure they save enough money for their time away and post-hiatus job search, have a clear sense of what they’d like to do during micro-retirement and upon their return, and refresh their resumes with any skills gleaned from the break, Duris suggests.

Related: Retiring at 27: Ambitious, Lazy or Crazy?

“Although this way of working and living might sound stressful, it offers the chance to experience the best of both worlds,” Duris says. “Putting your career on hold doesn’t have to be a bad thing. It can give young people the chance to do things that grow their confidence and help them learn more about themselves.”

IBM first used the phrase “new-collar jobs” in 2018 to describe roles where degrees are optional, and instead emphasize skills, certifications, or on-the-job training. These careers, such as a sales engineer or marketing manager, often put practical skills above formal education. And according to new data, the jobs can pay quite well.

Resume Genius recently released a report highlighting the highest-paying new-collar jobs, based on an analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data, automation risk scores from the third-party tool “Will Robots Take My Job?“, and job listings on Indeed to determine if the roles offered remote or hybrid work. The jobs were selected for their high pay (median salary of at least $100,000), absence of a four-year degree requirement, availability of remote or hybrid work, and having less than a 50% chance of being automated by AI.

Related: These Are the 10 Highest-Paying Jobs With the Lowest Stress, According to a New Report

“New-collar roles challenge the idea that a degree is the only path to success,” stated Eva Chan, career expert at Resume Genius, in an email. “By showcasing practical skills, a portfolio of work, or even strong referrals, people can build meaningful, well-paying careers without racking up more student debt or spending years in school.”

While landing a new collar job can be different than a traditional white-collar job, which usually requires a four-year degree, or a blue-collar job, which can involve physical labor with specific skill sets, candidates set themselves up for success when applying to new-collar jobs by earning certifications that match the job, freelancing to gain a strong portfolio of work and exposure, and networking.

Here are the top 10 best-paying, new-collar jobs for 2025, according to Resume Genius.

1. Marketing manager

• Median annual salary: $159,660
• Estimated job growth (2023–2033): 8%
• AI job takeover risk: 39%

2. Human resources manager

• Median annual salary: $140,030
• Estimated job growth (2023–2033): 6%
• AI job takeover risk: 24%

3. Sales manager

• Median annual salary: $138,060
• Estimated job growth (2023–2033): 6%
• AI job takeover risk: 33%

4. Computer network architect

• Median annual salary: $130,390
• Estimated job growth (2023–2033): 13%
• AI job takeover risk: 39%

5. General and operations manager

• Median annual salary: $129,330
• Estimated job growth (2023–2033): 6%
• AI job takeover risk: 36%

6. Information security analyst

• Median annual salary: $124,910
• Estimated job growth (2023–2033): 33%
• AI job takeover risk: 49%

7. Sales engineer

• Median annual salary: $121,520
• Estimated job growth (2023–2033): 6%
• AI job takeover risk: 38%

8. Health services manager

• Median annual salary: $117,960
• Estimated job growth (2023–2033): 29%
• AI job takeover risk: 26%

9. Art director

• Median annual salary: $111,040
• Estimated job growth (2023–2033): 5%
• AI job takeover risk: 34%

10. Construction manager

• Median annual salary: $106,980
• Estimated job growth (2023–2033): 9%
• AI job takeover risk: 13%

Click here for the full report.

Running more than one business can be both rewarding and demanding. For some entrepreneurs, multiple ventures offer financial security, diversification and more space for growth. For others, it introduces complications that affect focus, decision-making and long-term performance.

This article breaks down the real pros and cons of managing more than one business at a time, with an emphasis on sustainability, opportunity cost and operational clarity.

Related: How to Successfully Run Multiple Businesses

Advantages of running multiple businesses

1. Risk diversification

Even if one business faces market disruptions, the other could remain stable or prosper. This creates a cushion that protects overall income and investment. It can also reduce exposure to sector-specific issues by diversifying the industry and customer base. However, it should be noted that decentralized investment does not eliminate risk, but only diversifies risk. It works best when the businesses are structurally different and serve different markets.

2. Multiple sources of income

The clear benefit of running multiple businesses is earning revenue from multiple sources. It can be useful during seasonal fluctuations or when certain industries are sluggish.

By implementing an appropriate system, you can fund one business with income from another business, and you can create an independent loop to strengthen financial stability. However, this only works if each business has a sound cash flow and does not depend on other businesses.

3. Broader network and market reach

By owning multiple businesses, of course, you will contact various customers, suppliers and collaborators. There is a chance that numerous networks will be established throughout the industry, helping you form new alliances and unlock possibilities that wouldn’t be possible with just one business.

This exposure also helps you notice trends sooner than your colleagues and be more informed in your decision-making.

4. Strategic synergies (when businesses are aligned)

Businesses that share resources, such as teams, tools, and physical spaces, may benefit from cost savings and efficiency improvements. For example, media companies and consulting companies can share management support, marketing activities and back-end systems under the same ownership.

In such cases, if roles are clearly defined and business boundaries are respected, they can support each other and improve overall outcomes.

5. Increased learning curve and perspective

The lessons each business teaches are different. What I learned from one business may help me to predict issues in another business and find new opportunities. By touching various problems, judgment might be improved, and a better system may be built over time.

However, not everyone at the same time has a wide field of view and clear mental power to absorb lessons from many perspectives, especially during times of stress and change.

Related: 5 Ways to Manage Multiple Ventures for Maximum Success

Disadvantages of running multiple businesses

1. Time and energy spread thin

Managing multiple businesses means more deadlines, staff, financial reports and unexpected issues. Unless each business is highly structured and supported by independent leadership, your attention will be distributed.

Even if you have plenty of experience, attention is a finite resource. Continuous switching between operations will impair clarity, affect the quality of decision making and delay execution.

Time is not just about hours; it’s about how much focus you can dedicate where it matters most.

2. Operational complexity increases

As business increases, logistics becomes more complex. Payroll, taxes, customer service and relationships with vendors all scale up. Even if there is automation or expert help, important decisions and strategies must be supervised.

Something that is often overlooked is that small problems later develop into major problems, especially if they are not deeply involved in daily processes.

3. Financial pressure can multiply

The fact that there are multiple sources of income seems to be a strength, but the growth of each business usually requires capital. Once a business is stuck in a financial position, it is often tempted to raise funds from a healthy business. If such habits continue for a long time, both businesses will be at risk.

In addition, it becomes difficult to manage the credit frame, taxes and accounting between businesses. Especially when ownership and debt are duplicated.

4. Talent management becomes harder

Hiring and securing the right people is critical. If you run multiple companies, it may be difficult to give the necessary consideration to each team. The ability to guide staff, solve internal problems and align employees with the company’s direction may decline as your involvement grows.

Even if you hire an excellent manager, leadership needs monitoring. Without a clear understanding of what is happening in the field, corporate culture may deteriorate and morale may decline.

5. Brand dilution and strategic confusion

If your name or presence is closely related to all businesses, your personal brand may become unclear. This can confuse customers, partners and investors. Moreover, if your businesses have conflicting messages or unrelated missions, people may question your priorities. Inconsistent branding can also affect how the media, potential clients or acquirers view your portfolio.

Related: How to Split Your Time Effectively Across Multiple Companies

When it makes sense to run multiple businesses

• You’ve built one strong, self-sustaining business: A mature business with reliable processes and capable leadership frees up time to pursue other interests responsibly.

• You have distinct skill sets and structures in place: If your second business draws on a different team or niche that doesn’t conflict with your first, you’ll reduce the chance of overload.

• You treat each business as its own entity: Having separate KPIs, budgets and accountability structures ensures clarity and helps avoid internal confusion or resource drift.

• You’re willing to say “no.” Not every idea deserves its own business. The ability to walk away from a new opportunity is a sign that you have control, not the other way around.

Running more than one business isn’t a badge of honor — it’s a serious commitment with real trade-offs. You must be willing to invest time, build a system and clearly identify where your attention is going. Clarity is more valuable than activity. Whether you run one company or multiple companies, the most important thing is that each one operates with a purpose and consistency.