Richard

Building a business in 2025 means wearing a lot of hats—strategist, marketer, designer, communicator, and leader. If you’re looking to sharpen your edge across these roles without spending months (or thousands), the 2025 Complete Entrepreneur’s AI Branding & Business Skills Bundle is designed for you.

This five-course bundle delivers real, actionable training on the tools and techniques today’s entrepreneurs need to stand out in a crowded market. Whether you’re building your first brand or refining your pitch deck for investors, this package teaches practical skills that actually matter.

At the heart of the bundle is a course on using ChatGPT for business branding and marketing—yes, a real AI application, not just hype. You’ll learn how to quickly generate branding assets like logos, typography, and social media templates that align with your business identity.

Then there’s the Branding Fundamentals course—perfect for founders who want a solid foundation in how to create trust and recognition across every touchpoint of their business. It’s your chance to stop “guessing” your way through brand strategy.

Next up: speaking and presenting like a leader. Public Speaking Mastery and Presentation Skills for Freelancers & Entrepreneurs offer pro techniques for overcoming nerves, structuring your message, and connecting with audiences—skills you’ll use in pitches, meetings, videos, and team calls.

Finally, the Entrepreneurship & Freelancing Business Blueprint offers workflow tips and productivity habits you can implement immediately, whether you’re bootstrapping your first business or scaling your side hustle.

For just $24.99 (reg. $100), this Entrepreneur’s AI Branding & Business Skills Bundle gives you the tools to show up like a pro across every aspect of your business.

The 2025 Complete Entrepreneur’s AI Branding & Business Skills Bundle

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For any business leader, startup founder, or freelancer who is managing overhead, one of the smartest moves you can make is cutting recurring software costs without sacrificing the tools your team relies on daily.

To that end, Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows is a full productivity suite, now available for a one-time purchase of just $39.97 through July 15.

You’re getting Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Publisher, Access, Teams, and OneNote — the exact lineup trusted by professionals around the world to write proposals, crunch numbers, design reports, manage email, and collaborate across teams. It’s the software backbone of modern business.

For entrepreneurs and small business owners, the deal is especially sweet. Instead of paying $70–$100 a year per user (as with Microsoft 365), this lifetime license installs on one Windows PC and never asks for another dollar. It’s the difference between renting your desk and owning the building.

Need to track finances in Excel? Done. Build pitch decks in PowerPoint? Easy. Write job offers in Word, or manage clients in Outlook? You’ve got it. Even niche tools like Access and Publisher are included — ideal for those working in sales, design, or HR.

There’s no learning curve either. The classic ribbon interface, rich formatting options, and deep integration between apps are familiar and reliable — ideal for fast-paced work environments where tools just need to work.

Whether you’re launching a solo consultancy, running a small agency, or upgrading the tools your office manager uses every day, this is the rare kind of tech deal that pays for itself before lunchtime.

And with instant digital delivery, you can have Office downloaded and running in minutes — no IT team required.

Get Office Professional 2021 for Windows for just $39.97 through July 15.

Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License

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Most business leaders have a story about a great opportunity that slipped away. Maybe it was an acquisition that fell through or a major client that signed with a competitor instead. Or a promising market expansion that had to be postponed due to “poor timing.”

During the post-mortem, it’s easy to blame sales, marketing or a lack of resources. But often, the core issue isn’t execution — it’s liquidity. Not a lack of capital but a lack of access to it when it matters most.

In today’s environment, timing is everything. The difference between winning and waiting can be measured in hours, not months. And the companies that come out ahead are often the ones whose capital stack can move at the speed of business.

Related: The Hidden Risk That Crashes Startups — Even the Profitable Ones

Liquidity, not just capital, drives growth

Imagine a competitor stumbles, and one of their top clients is suddenly up for grabs. You’re the right fit, and the client is ready to move, but only if you can scale quickly. That could mean hiring new staff, securing inventory or ramping production before the first payment clears.

This is when your capital stack either works for you or gets in your way. Many mid-sized businesses don’t lack capital — they just can’t access it quickly enough to take action.

And while they wait for accounts receivable to clear or a loan approval to be processed, the deal goes to a competitor who’s ready to act now.

Why “cash on hand” is the wrong metric

It’s easy to feel prepared if your cash reserves look healthy. But in fast-moving markets, the real question is this: How quickly can you turn your company’s assets, receivables or credit into usable funds? True financial flexibility isn’t about stockpiling cash — it’s about building a system that keeps money flowing. That includes:

• Reliable credit lines

• Faster payment collection

• Smarter inventory management

• Vendor terms that free up working capital

These are the building blocks of a capital stack that can support growth during good times and periods of uncertainty. Companies with these systems don’t just survive challenging business environments — they thrive in them. They grow their market share, attract new talent and invest in opportunities while competitors struggle to meet payroll.

Related: 4 Ways an Entrepreneur Can Increase Liquidity

When timing beats planning

Even strong companies miss growth opportunities, and it’s not always because their strategy is wrong. Instead, it’s usually because their timing is off. Picture a key customer doubling their order with little warning. The vendor that wins that business might not be the cheapest or the most well-known, but the one that can say “yes” right away and follow through.

The same principle applies during economic downturns. While some companies pull back, others are buying distressed assets, hiring top talent and preparing for the rebound. The edge isn’t in their forecasts but in their ability to move. Speed is often more valuable than size, and the companies that win are often the ones with financial systems built for action.

Inflexible capital doesn’t just slow you down, it also chips away at your growth over time. You may pass on projects with high returns because the cash isn’t available when needed. You may consider taking out a short-term loan with unfavorable terms to meet payroll. Or you may delay hiring because receivables are stuck in limbo.

Individually, these decisions seem small, but collectively, they slow your progress and put unnecessary stress on your team. And while these missed chances don’t show up on a balance sheet, they’re often the reason promising companies fall behind.

How to build a capital stack that can move

Smart operators don’t see capital as something to sit idle — they build systems that allow it to move with the needs of the business. A key piece of that is understanding your cash conversion cycle, which is the time it takes for a dollar spent to return to your account. The shorter and smoother the cycle is, the more responsive your business becomes.

Here are some practical ways to improve it:

• Send invoices quickly and enforce payment terms

• Keep inventory lean without hurting service levels

• Renegotiate supplier terms to match your cash flow

• Secure credit facilities before you need them

Related: 5 Top Financial Tips for Entrepreneurs

It’s not about preparing for a worst-case scenario but being able to act when the best-case scenario shows up unexpectedly.

When your capital system is built for flexibility, your decision-making process changes. You don’t put off action because of delayed payments, and you don’t lose sleep over a tight cash balance. You don’t say “no” to a great opportunity just because your funds are temporarily tied up.

Instead, you move with confidence and negotiate from a place of strength. And your team has the clarity and support to focus on execution, not firefighting. Companies with flexible capital move faster, stay focused and seize opportunities others miss.

Building a strong brand means recognizing potential reputation crises and knowing how to handle online articles that misrepresent you or your business. Negative press on Google can erode customer trustand disrupt your operations.

Burying negative search results can be complex, time-consuming and cost a fortune that in the long run will negatively affect the financials of your company or your career. Fortunately, there are branding experts who specialize in removing or burying unfavorable articles from the Google search engine. Whether you’re an individual or a business, it’s important to have a good reputation by removing any negative content as soon as possible.

Related: 5 Tactics to Bury Bad Press and Reclaim Your Brand Reputation

Benefits of deleting negative online articles

The public perception of your brand greatly depends on your ability to know how to remove bad search results. False reviews and misleading articles damage your credibility in many ways. Harmful content can even lower your search rankings when it increases your bounce rates and decreases click-through rates.

This means you’ll have fewer people visiting your site, which can significantly affect purchases and revenue. A lot of customers who may have wanted to do business with you may no longer want to after they read a bad article about your company. And the longer the bad information stays up on the internet, the worse the reputation damage will be.

Reach out to the website to report a breach of its content policies

Many websites enforce strict rules for the content they publish. If you discover an article about your brand that contains false or incorrect information, first review the site’s content policy. If the article appears to violate its rules, you may request its removal by providing proof that the article breaches a specific policy that they have.

Contact the site by providing clear facts why this article breaches the policy, and ask that they update it or remove it completely from the site.

Related: How to Remove Negative Reviews Online and Protect Your Online Reputation

Ask Google to take down the content from the search results

If you reach out to the website administrator and have no luck getting the content taken down, you can always ask Google to remove it for you. Google does a great job of helping users delete negative links that contain false information, fake content, or serious defamation, if the content qualifies for removal. You’ll have to explain your case and provide proof to support it.

Get in touch with the writer directly to discuss the issue

In many cases, contacting the author who wrote a specific piece directly is the most effective approach. Look up the email on the website, craft a nice email and explain what part of the article you believe is unfair or untrue. Make sure to include lots of facts and screenshots to back up your request. The writer might agree to edit or remove the article to maintain accuracy and credibility.

Related: The 5 ‘Cs’ Approach to Conflict Resolution in the Workplace

What does it mean to remove negative online articles?

Suppressing negative online content is much different than having it deleted, but it can still help your brand’s credibility in lots of ways. The search engine suppression process involves a mixture of unique approaches, like adding more positive content to the internet about your company, publishing press releases and optimizing SEO across multiple platforms.

When done strategically, the good content about your brand will take the place of the bad articles in search results.

Search engines often display social media profiles on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and Twitter on the first page of results. You should definitely sign up for these services now if you haven’t already. Be sure to utilize your company name consistently across all of your profiles and to fill them out to the fullest.

Related: How to Better Manage Your Brand’s Reputation in the Digital Age

Build new websites focused on branded search terms

Building a new website is another way to suppress negative articles about your brand. The new site should be full of information that praises your company and all of its offerings. Highlighting the strengths in the webpages you publish will boost your credibility and search visibility.

It’s also a good idea to include a page that clearly outlines positive reviews provided by current and former customers. Over time, these pages will rise in their search rankings, suppressing the harmful articles that damage your brand image.

Publish articles on trusted external platforms

Next, you’ll want to create high-quality material on popular websites that have high search rankings. You can do this through contributions, insightful analyses and thought leadership articles. Pick subjects that are relevant to your field, and be sure to mention your company name subtly throughout. Upon publication, these pieces will bolster your brand’s credibility and redirect focus from previous negative mentions.

Build a presence with links

Having a strong brand presence on authoritative websites that have relevant articles to your industry is essential for suppressing negative information about your individual brand or your company. We live in a world where people use Google on a daily basis, and they always research the company before they want to work with it. That’s why links not only help build trust with potential customers but also push down unwanted or harmful search results on Google.

Research keywords that trigger a negative result

Find out what keywords bring up the bad article by Googling your name or company. Once you know which terms lead to the bad content, you can make new pages that employ the same keywords positively. Doing this will result in the new, positive content coming up first in search results by causing the unfavorable information to fall in the rankings.

If you’re running a business, leading a team, or scaling a side hustle, chances are your “books to read” list is growing faster than the actual reading time you have available. But, there are ways around the time it takes to read an entire book.

This modern app, 12min, is a productivity tool that distills the key insights from more than 1,800 bestselling titles into bite-size, 12-minute reads or audio summaries that are designed to fit your schedule. They call them micro-reads.

This isn’t just another summary app. It’s a business resource for leaders who want to sharpen their thinking, strengthen their strategy, and keep pace with new ideas—without carving hours out of their day. Whether you’re revisiting the classics like The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People or exploring the latest in marketing, leadership, or personal development, 12min helps you soak up game-changing lessons while you’re commuting, working out, or waiting for your next meeting.

Each micro book is crafted by real editors—not AI bots—so you get clear, accurate takeaways. Plus, you can access them offline, listen on the go, or send them straight to your Kindle.

You’ll get access to 30 new titles each month, unlimited downloads, and full access to categories like Leadership, Startups, Productivity, Sales, and Psychology. It’s everything you’ve wanted to read, but finally made manageable. That means your reading list evolves with the business world, from new books on AI strategy and remote leadership to emerging insights on personal productivity.

For a one-time payment, you’ll have lifetime access to a resource that makes you a sharper entrepreneur, smarter manager, and more well-rounded thinker.

Don’t miss getting a lifetime of 12min’s Premium Subscription for just $39.99 (reg. $399.90) while you can.

12min Micro Book Library: Lifetime Premium Subscription

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If your computer is still running Windows 10, the clock is ticking. Microsoft announced that it is ending support for the beloved OS later this year, meaning it will no longer offer free software updates or security releases. Rather than scramble to upgrade at full price later, get Windows 11 Pro at an all-time low price now.

While you may be able to install Windows 11 Home, the basic version, at no cost, you won’t get remote desktop access, BitLocker device encryption, Hyper-V, or other exclusive features. Besides, at only $9.97, this Windows 11 Pro key can upgrade two compatible PCs (reg. $199). This price is only valid through July 15.

Features designed to support professionals and remote workers

Like many, you may be procrastinating this upgrade because you think you won’t like the new user design, but there’s a lot to love. It’s not too unlike Windows 10, and you’ll have new productivity tools like snap layouts, an improved search function, and widgets to streamline your workdays.

Upgrading to Windows 11 also means you get Copilot, the AI assistant. Powered by a custom version of GPT-4, it’s basically like having the premium version of Open AI living in your PC for generating text, images, code, and answering questions.

Almost instantly after completing your purchase, you’ll receive an email with a download link and activation code to install Windows 11 Pro on up to two PCs, like your work and personal computers. Enjoy software upgrades as long as Microsoft supports this OS.

Why this deal is worth it

Operating systems aren’t just background software—they shape how efficiently (and securely) you work. With Windows 10 sunsetting soon, this Windows 11 Pro deal is a rare chance to modernize your tech stack without the usual price tag. For just $10, you can streamline two machines with pro-grade features typically reserved for business users. It’s also a smart hedge against future compatibility issues, software lockouts, or the rising cost of digital tools. Think of it as preventative maintenance that actually saves you money.

Don’t miss this Windows 11 Pro discount: $9.97 until July 15 at 11:59 p.m. PT (reg. $199). No coupon is needed to get this price.

Microsoft Windows 11 Pro

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From the outside, becoming a CEO can look like reaching the top of the mountain — a final, triumphant chapter after a long climb. But here’s the real story: It’s not the end. It’s a new beginning. One filled with curveballs, late-night worry sessions and more lessons than any business school could ever cram into a syllabus.

As CEO of BELFOR, the world’s largest property restoration company, I’ve had the incredible privilege (and, let’s be honest, the intense pressure) of helping grow our team from 19 people to more than 13,000 across the globe. That journey has taught me a lot — about leadership, about people and about what it really means to carry the weight of the word “CEO.”

So, if you’re stepping into leadership (or dreaming about the day you do), here are five things I wish someone had pulled me aside and told me sooner:

Related: 4 Critical Business Lessons I’ve Learned as a CEO

1. The pressure never lets up — and that’s not a bad thing

When your choices affect others, the pressure doesn’t take a day off. What surprised me most? How personal it gets. Being a leader isn’t just about strategy; it’s about heart. It’s about caring deeply. Sometimes too deeply. DDI reports that one in six leaders feel burned out in 2025. A study from Deloitte found that 41% of executives experience high stress, and 36% are completely exhausted.

Here’s the truth: Pressure comes with the job. And once I stopped trying to dodge it, I learned to carry it like a badge of honor. That pressure builds resilience. It grounds you. It reminds you that your work matters. If you’re looking for comfort, leadership may not be your path. But if you’re looking for meaning? Pressure just might be your compass.

2. The journey is more important than the destination

When I was starting out, I had my eyes locked on the next big goal: the promotion, the win, the title. I was so focused on climbing the ladder that I nearly missed what was happening on the ladder.

Leadership isn’t a finish line. It’s a road trip, complete with pit stops, scenic detours and the occasional flat tire. The best leaders I know aren’t obsessed with arriving; they’re dialed in to the ride. There’s a reason the windshield is wider than the rearview mirror. Sure, we glance back, but we move forward. Every challenge, every small win, every hard lesson shapes who we become.

So, if you’re feeling behind or unsure, remember this: Done is done. Keep growing. Keep moving. Be the CEO of your own life — the Cheerleader, Enthusiast and Optimist who sees potential, even on the tough days.

Related: 3 Reasons Why ‘The Journey Is the Reward’

3. Lead by doing, not just by deciding

I’ll never forget my time on Undercover Boss. Working shoulder-to-shoulder with our team — cleaning, lifting, listening — changed the way I think about leadership. It wasn’t just eye-opening. It was heart-opening.

At BELFOR, we don’t print titles on our business cards. Why? Because when someone needs help, it doesn’t matter what your title is. It matters what you do. Real leadership isn’t about barking orders from a corner office. It’s about showing up. Rolling up your sleeves. Listening twice as much as you talk (there’s a reason we’ve got two ears and one mouth) and leading by example.

A Harvard Business Review study backs this up: Leaders who match actions to words build trust. And I’ll add this — they also build family. Everyone on your team has a story. A struggle. A spark. When you lead with trust, compassion and listening, you light the path for others to lead, too.

4. Trust is your most powerful tool

CEO life can be overwhelming. So, here’s the lifeline: You don’t have to do it alone.

Some of my best decisions started with someone else’s idea. That’s the power of trust. When you believe in your team and show it, you unlock something extraordinary. Delegating isn’t giving up control. It’s sharing belief. It’s letting people know, “I see what you can do. Go for it.”

A culture built on trust creates a ripple effect: more engagement, more ownership, more magic. When your team feels trusted, they rise — not just to the occasion, but beyond it. One person CAN make a difference. Sometimes, that one person is the one you empowered.

Related: Strong Leaders Use These 4 Strategies to Build Trust in Their Workplace

5. Vulnerability isn’t weakness — it’s strength

Somewhere along the line, we picked up this idea that strong leaders are tough, silent, unshakeable. I say this with all my heart: Let that go. The most powerful moments in my career have come when I let down the walls. When I asked for help. When I cried. When I let people see the real Sheldon — flaws, fears and all.

We spend most of our lives at work. If we can’t be ourselves there, where can we? Vulnerability doesn’t make you soft. It makes you human. And humanity is the heartbeat of leadership.

When your team sees that you’re not perfect — but you care deeply, try hard and show up anyway, they feel safe to do the same. That’s where trust begins. That’s where innovation is born. That’s where everybody’s little hero within them comes out.

If I could hop in a time machine and talk to my younger self, stepping into that CEO seat for the first time, I’d say this: “The title doesn’t make you a leader. Your actions do. You’re going to mess up. You’re going to feel overwhelmed. But if you stay rooted in empathy and passion; look at, walk with, feel and live compassion; believe in and trust your people; and keep your eyes on the road ahead … you won’t just grow. You’ll lead with purpose, with passion and with heart.”

Because leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about walking with your team while you guide, follow and truly care for each and every member of the family you’re now honored to be part of. Together.

Still stuck asking, “What business should I start?” You’re asking the wrong question.

Most entrepreneurs waste months chasing random business ideas that don’t fit their personality, skills, or lifestyle — then wonder why they burn out or get stuck.

But what if you could flip the script — and use AI to uncover 101 small business ideas that are custom-built for you?

In this video, I’ll show you exactly how to turn AI into your personal business strategist to:

• Unlock 101 personalized, profitable small business ideas tailored to your skills, personality, time, and income goals.

• Identify your top 3 business ideas that align with your values, energy, and long-term vision.

• Use AI-powered scenario modeling to simulate real-world results before you commit — eliminating guesswork and costly mistakes.

• Design a business that fits your life — not the other way around — with a custom 90-day AI game plan that includes your niche, monetization, automation tools, and ideal routine.

By the end, you won’t just have ideas — you’ll have clarity, focus, and a personalized roadmap to build a business that actually works for you.

If you’ve read The Wolf is at The Door or used my AI Starter Kit, you already know: The key to success isn’t random invention — it’s strategic reinvention, powered by AI.

Everything is broken down step-by-step — no tech skills required.

The AI Success Kit is available to download for free, along with a chapter from my new book, The Wolf is at The Door.

Almost half of the U.S. workforce now juggles a side hustle alongside their day job. But starting one isn’t as simple as it sounds — especially when time and money are tight. The biggest challenge? Figuring out how to build a recognizable brand and generate steady cash flow without sacrificing your sanity.

If you want a side hustle that not only survives but thrives, you need a clear plan that plays to your strengths, solves real problems and grows steadily without overcomplicating things. Here’s a practical step-by-step guide to help you get there.

Related: 50 Side Hustle Ideas to Make Extra Money in 2025

Identify the problems your skills can solve

Your side hustle shouldn’t just be about what you like doing. It has to solve urgent problems that people are actively searching solutions for — and are willing to pay to fix. Start by honestly assessing your talents and how they can help others quickly and efficiently.

For example, if you’re skilled in accounting, don’t try to offer every possible service under the sun. Instead, focus on the three most common financial headaches your ideal customers face — maybe expense tracking, invoicing or monthly reporting. Develop simple, repeatable processes for each that deliver reliable results every time.

The key is to think like your customer: what problems do they want solved fast? What kind of solution would they find clear, trustworthy and easy to use? Focus on delivering exactly that — nothing more, nothing less.

Build a brand that’s simple, trustworthy and self-sustaining

Once you’ve defined your core services, package them clearly. Give each service a straightforward name that sticks in the mind without sounding gimmicky. Then develop a clear promise — a specific guarantee about the results customers can expect.

But remember: your brand is more than a logo or a website. It’s the full experience you provide, from first contact to finished service. That means consistent quality, clear communication and processes designed around your customers’ needs.

Keep your operations simple so your side hustle can run smoothly even when you’re not hands-on every minute. This consistency builds trust and helps your brand stand out as reliable and professional.

Resist the urge to expand too quickly

It’s tempting to chase every opportunity once your side hustle starts gaining traction. But adding new services or clients too fast can stretch your time thin and hurt the quality your customers expect.

Remember, your side hustle’s strength lies in its focus and consistency. Stick to your core services and deliver them exceptionally well. This approach not only protects your time but also creates strong word-of-mouth referrals — your most valuable marketing tool.

Expand only when you have the capacity and systems to maintain the same quality your customers trust.

Related: From Side Gig to 6-Figure Success — How I Built a Thriving Home-Based Business as a Busy Family Man

Stay consistent — that’s how growth happens

Consistency is your most powerful growth strategy. When your processes and results are predictable and dependable, your reputation spreads naturally.

If your workload grows, consider bringing in help — but only if the new team members add clear value or save you significant time. Think virtual assistants, freelancers or part-time help who can plug into your existing model without adding complexity.

Keep refining your core services and customer experience. This steady, consistent growth builds a sustainable side hustle that can one day become a full-time business — but on your terms.

Final thoughts

A side hustle doesn’t have to be overwhelming or chaotic. By focusing on solving real problems with simple, repeatable processes and maintaining a trustworthy, consistent brand, you can build something that lasts.

Avoid the common pitfalls of over-expansion and time overload by keeping your offerings focused and your operations lean. When the time is right, growth will come — and so will profitability.

With the right approach, your side hustle can stand strong, generate steady income, and maybe even become your next big success.

More than 25% of companies using GPT reported saving $75,000+ thanks to their AI efforts, according to a survey by Resume Builder. If you’d like to cut costs, but aren’t sure where to start applying AI as an entrepreneur, the ChatGPT and Automation E-Degree can help.

Right now, you can get access to 25 hours of instruction for just $19.97 (reg. $790) through July 20.

Learn how AI can transform your entrepreneurial workflow

See how AI can work for you with the ChatGPT and Automation E-Degree. These 12 expert-led courses give you a deep dive into the world of automation, machine learning, and language models. With over 25 hours of engaging content, you can learn at your own pace

The courses in this e-degree are all brought to you by Eduonix Learning Solutions. These instructors specialize in delivering top-tier tech education that’s both accessible and beginner-friendly, preparing you to apply practical, real-world uses of ChatGPT.

Learn to customize and adapt this powerful technology for different industries with this instruction. You’ll gain hands-on experience you can apply daily as an entrepreneur while mastering smart automation in your workflow.

As an entrepreneur wearing many hats, this instruction shows how ChatGPT can enhance your creativity, communication, and data visualization. It can even help you improve your conversational skills and discover ways AI can help you thrive today and in the future.

See how AI can improve your workflow with the ChatGPT and Automation E-Degree, now for only $19.97 (reg. $790) through July 20.

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