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3 Benefits of Owning a UPS Store Franchise:

1. Established brand with 40+ years of franchising experience and nationwide recognition.
2. Access to award-winning training programs and national advertising for franchise support.
3. Diverse service offering satisfying a wide range of customer needs and business solutions.

The UPS Store franchise is a comprehensive postal and business services center, offering shipping, packing, mailboxes, printing, faxing, shredding, and notary services. Continuously ranked #1 in the business services industry, The UPS Store operates over 5,200 locations and has a strong franchise system dating back to 1980. Click Here to connect me with The UPS Store.

Key Facts:

• Minimum Initial Investment: $100,890
• Initial Franchise Fee: $9,950 – $29,950
• Liquid Capital Required: $75,000
• Veteran Incentives: $15,000 off franchise fee

Written by Amanda Eiden

My New Year’s resolution is to take my small business more seriously. Right now, I sell stickers of my art as a “side hustle,” but it’s my dream to take the gig full-time. Taking things to the next level means putting together a portfolio to showcase my best work and getting my paperwork in order. Here’s how I’m going to do it on the cheap.

I know Adobe’s Creative Cloud has some of the greatest document and design apps out there, but I can’t afford—and simply don’t need—all that. I’m going to use UPDF to create a portfolio and manage my contracts, invoices, and order forms since it’s only $47.99 for life with code HOLIDAY20 at checkout (reg. $59.99).

This is more than a PDF editor

When I first decided I wanted to create a design portfolio, I thought I could just use Office apps and save as a PDF…I was quickly mistaken. The design tools just aren’t made for that, and I quickly got frustrated.

With UPDF, I’m starting a new PDF file and laying out my best sticker designs. I can add images, text boxes, and annotations, and nothing moves when I don’t want it to. This is going to be an amazing asset to send to new clients.

Having a go-to document tool will be nice as well

I cannot count the number of times I’ve been sent a contract or form to sign or fill out, just to realize I have no way to do that. I usually scour the web for some “free” tool, but they always ask for credit card numbers—so I do a free trial to get out of it.

Now, I’m finally going to have a PDF editor for my business needs. And UPDF works on Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android, so I could finally take care of a signature without having to boot up my laptop.

If you’re looking to save money on business tools in the new year, get a UPDF lifetime subscription for $47.99 with code HOLIDAY20 at checkout (reg. $59.99).

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Ambitious goals have always been every entrepreneur’s driving force. They push you to dip your toes into unfamiliar waters before achieving serious growth. But even the boldest soldier won’t win a war without concrete plans, clarity and focus.

For over twenty years, I have been helping countless CEOs bring their big visions to life by combining personalized strategies with the right tools and resources. With the new year just around the corner, this challenge will only grow in importance.

Here’s how you can turn 2025 into a year of transformative progress.

Related: Every Entrepreneur Fails, But That’s a Good Thing. Here’s Why.

Breaking goals into milestones that matter

If you step back and look at the big picture, you’ll drown and start doubting. Break down your goals into smaller chunks. The ‘SCALEit Method’ is a great framework that has helped our clients turn their visions into actionable, more achievable plans. Here’s how it works:

Start with a clear vision. Be specific about where you want your business to be by the end of 2025. Your vision should inspire not only you but your entire team.

Next, align your goals with the five key pillars of growth: strategic vision, cash flow, team alignment, leadership and execution. Assess your progress in these areas every quarter. Identify the gaps and focus on the initiatives that will make the biggest impact.

But the magic happens when you break these goals into smaller pieces, and I’d like to call them the mile steps and the mini feats.

• Mile Steps: These are your major projects — the big moves that drive momentum.
• Mini Feats: These are the smaller actions that build up to those larger milestones.

This layered approach makes even the most ambitious goals feel manageable. And don’t forget to revisit your plan regularly. Quarterly check-ins keep you on track and provide an overview of what needs adjustment ahead of time. A great plan is never static. It’s a living, breathing guide that evolves with your business.

Why businesses stumble: The pitfalls to avoid

One of the biggest challenges in bringing your vision to life is diluted focus. While it’s natural for entrepreneurs to want to tackle everything at once, scattered attention just slows the overall progress. Choose a few high-impact priorities each quarter instead, and commit to seeing them through.

Another mistake I see is micromanaging. Often, business leaders see themselves as indispensable in every aspect of the business to ensure success. However, this just stifles your team’s creativity and significantly slows your business’s growth. Put the experts on your team into these initiatives, who have been doing it for the longest time. Empower them by providing resources so they can take ownership of their roles. Trust them to lead. You’ll be surprised by their capability and ingenuity.

And let’s not forget overcomplicating the plan. Some entrepreneurs associate complexity with security. It is not. You need to simplify your goals and make sure everyone on your team understands the “why” behind them. Make it clear and actionable, and avoid any extraneous details.

Related: Every Entrepreneur Fails, But That’s a Good Thing. Here’s Why.

What 2025 will demand from your business

Markets constantly evolve as demands continue to shift. I see 2025 as a bowl of exciting opportunities and challenges. They will put your leadership skills to the test. To stay ahead of the game, you’ll want to factor these trends into your new-year planning:

1. AI Is the new standard

The smartest businesses out there leverage AI as their secret weapon. It has helped business owners optimize their day-to-day operations and create more personalized experiences for clients. Don’t worry if you haven’t adopted AI yet. There’s still plenty of time to jump on the train.

2. Personalization builds loyalty

Customers’ expectations evolve with time. They expect great products and want experiences that feel tailored to them. They always look forward to personalized service, thoughtful touches, or meaningful interactions and businesses that prioritize human connection will see stronger retention and loyalty.

3. In-person experiences matter

Even in a digital world, nothing will ever replace the energy of face-to-face connection. High-impact events and community-building efforts will help businesses skyrocket in 2025.

4. Agility in supply chain management

Supply chain issues will never disappear. If anything, they will get more challenging as long as businesses exist. Agility is key here. You have to proactively diversify your business sourcing strategies to be better equipped to navigate disruptions.

5. Opportunities for acquisitions

2025 will be a strong year for acquisitions and public offerings. Now is the time to begin preparations if growth through acquisition is a part of your strategy.

Related: Goal-Setting Strategies and Actions to Take to Achieve Any Goal

Turn your vision into action

Every ambitious goal doesn’t come to life through one person alone — a strong team fulfils it through the right tools with exceptional strategies. Recognize and credit those who have supported you along the process — it takes a village to bring a vision to life. While leaders boldly take the first step, an empowered team ensures the momentum continues.

2025 is all about the businesses that are ready to shake things up. Whether you’re diving into AI or building stronger connections with your teams and customers, the future is bright for those who embrace change. This year is bursting with opportunities, but remember, success isn’t going to just come to your lap. Take on those wonderful opportunities and make sure your business is in sync with the future of the market.

Success isn’t just about what you achieve — 90% of it is your journey to achieving it. As you prepare for 2025, think big and act with intention. You’ve got everything you need to build a big future for your business; the only question is, “What will you create next?”

Most of us in business know enough about building SEO to get by or at least not embarrass ourselves when the marketing team starts throwing acronyms around the conference room. For most, it’s simply keeping up with keywords, tagging social media and website pages with query terms, paying for some rankings, earning more organically and monitoring search engine results pages to see how close you are to the top and your competitors.

But do you know about the dark and rapidly growing side of SEO?

Despite over 20 years as a marketing executive embracing new technologies as a practitioner and thought leader, I was unprepared for how quickly the marketing tech (MarTech) we use for good became the catalyst for so much bad.

Recently, I was involved in pitching marketing services to an investment fund that wanted to accelerate revenue quickly for acquisitions. As I always do, I looked under the hood to understand the businesses so I could craft highly relevant recommendations for lead generation and sales. Something odd popped up as quickly as popping the hood on my SUV. Every company in this portfolio had the same name and a very similar URL as an established competitor offering the same products to the same verticals, sending me a trigger alert for potential trademark and SEO infringement, both of which can build brands quickly and cheaply stealing hard-earned and costly marketing returns from other companies. While aware of black hat SEO and identity theft aligned with phishing scams, I was not aware of how common dark marketing tactics have become.

Unfortunately, in a world where good technology quickly enables bad deeds, monitoring your brand identity and SEO safety needs to be as common as monitoring traffic, leads and conversions from your marketing programs. Here are just a few actions to take to protect your brand.

Related: ‘We Pulled Off An SEO Heist’: This Entrepreneur Stole 3.6 Million Pageviews From Competitors — And Your Business Could Be Next.

Brandjacking

Brandjacking is more than setting up a fake site for a big brand like Norton or Netflix and then telling customers to update their payment information, which is then stolen by thieves behind the fake sites. It is also about branding a business with a similar identity and URL to another business to confuse customers about who is who with the intent to direct consumers looking for competitors’ websites to your site. Many consumers and algorithms don’t know the difference between URLs that are nearly identical. When this happens, money and effort spent managing keywords, tagging sites, crafting content, paying for Google Ads and more can actually benefit a dark competitor who does nothing but divert others’ heard-earned web traffic to their sites.

You can often detect potential brandjacking when a competitor pops up with a name and URL that are very similar to yours. Compare ABCtechnologies.com vs. ABCtechnologies1.com. Algorithms may miss tiny differences and serve up imposter URLs to your target customers regardless of how much you spend on SEO.

What you need to do to protect yourself

1. Continuously monitor URLs in your space and note any highly similar ones. You can do this by frequently checking SERPs for your brand and logging into hosting companies’ pages to see what similar URLs are taken. If you find similar URLs, try to identify company executives to whom you can reach out regarding your trademark rights. If there is malicious intent, you likely won’t find the names of executives on the site or social media.
2. Pay attention to branding that reflects yours. There can be more than one company named ABC Technologies, LLC, and that does not necessarily indicate intent to commit wrongdoing. If there is overlap in products and industries served and signs of brand confusion, there are several sites you can use to see where they are registered and who the agents are.
3. If you suspect you are a victim of intentional trademark and/or SEO infringement, you can take legal action against that brand to ensure they do not confuse your target customers and poach your sales in addition to your identity.

Is your SEO at risk of being stolen?

You may have read the story here on Entrepreneur.com last June about the great “SEO Heist” of 2023 and how the agency behind it bragged about stealing more than 3.6 million traffic hits from a competitor over a matter of months. There’s been quite a flurry of reaction to this announcement, some unscrupulously wanting to do it themselves and others disgusted that AI, automation and other tools are being used for outright theft. I will always stand with the latter. SEO heists often involve scraping your website’s site menu and links, duplicating URLs for blogs and landing pages, engaging AI to write keyword-laden articles that support your stolen content, and more. Consumers do not always know the difference and may think they purchased from you when they instead purchased from a hijacker they should not trust.

Thankfully, these threats are being exposed, but that does not mean business managers are prepared to protect their branding and SEO efforts against internet pirates. Here are three ways to determine if your SEO is at risk of being stolen.

1. Monitor your website traffic continuously. If you see unexplained dips despite no change in behavior on your part, you could be the victim of a heist.
2. Go to the content pages of brands with names and URLs similar to yours and see how closely their content, third-party links, and landing page URLs mimic yours. Take note. Report any suspicions to Google, which is committed to identifying black hatters using its platform and shutting down algorithms accordingly.
3. Check with Google to see if they detect any abnormalities in your web traffic and redirections for your backlinks. Report any suspected issues to Google. Here’s a summary of some actions Google takes to ensure a fair and safe SEO environment.

Related: 9 SEO Tips to Help You Rank No. 1 on Google in 2024

Marketing technology makes whitehat, ethical and earned paid and organic SEO easier to achieve, execute and monitor than ever. There are many ways to keep tabs on the impact of your keywords and those used by your competitors in a fair, ethical and legal way. You can read about these affordable tactics in Entrepreneur’s new book, Market Your Business – Your Guide to DIY Marketing, available on amazon.com, bn.com and more. There is never a reason to resort to black hat SEO. In fact, the campaign mentioned in the “SEO Heist” article referenced above crashed — and crashed hard. According to this article on LinkedIn and others, the long-term damage was greater than the gain.

AI provides many powerful tools to make marketing and growth initiatives work better and faster. But it’s also a great example of a failure of success. The failure is that this technology can be used for nefarious activities, and there are many out there who will do so. By following the steps in this article, you can set yourself up to recognize issues and correct them.

Recurring subscription fees might work for your streaming habits, but when it comes to productivity tools, wouldn’t you rather own your software outright? With Microsoft Office 2019 for either Mac or Windows — priced at $39.99 and $32.97, respectively — you can skip the subscription and enjoy a lifetime license tailored to your operating system.

For Mac users, Microsoft Office Home & Business 2019 includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, and Teams Classic. It’s designed to fit seamlessly into your macOS environment while providing offline functionality for ultimate control over your software and data. Perfect for small businesses and personal use, this version keeps things straightforward with features built for efficiency.

Windows users can tap into the power of Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019, which includes the same core applications without Teams Classic, but adds Access and Publisher, giving you additional tools for database management and design projects. It’s an excellent choice for professionals who need comprehensive capabilities beyond the basics.

Both versions prioritize privacy and security, offering peace of mind for those concerned about cloud-based solutions. With your data stored locally and offline, you retain full control without relying on cloud storage. Whether you’re working on sensitive business projects or personal files, you can trust your software to stay secure.

The one-time cost of these licenses eliminates the potential for unexpected price hikes or renewal fees, making them budget-friendly for individuals and businesses alike. Owning your software outright gives you long-term stability — no subscriptions, no surprises.

Time to say goodbye to subscriptions and hello to software that works for you. Take advantage of these lifetime deals on Microsoft Office 2019:

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DataStax CEO Chet Kapoor was once an intern for the late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs.

He worked for Jobs from 1989 to 1993 as a campus consultant intern at a computer company Jobs founded, NeXT, and says that if Jobs were alive today, he would be thinking about AI.

“If he was around for the last 10 years, I guarantee you it [AI] would’ve been top of mind for him,” Kapoor told Quartz reporter Rocio Fabbro on Thursday. “He was always somebody in my mind, his biggest gift to us was bringing liberal arts and computer science together to give us the products he gave us.”

^{Steve Jobs in 2010. Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images}

Apple, meanwhile, has been gradually exploring AI for the iPhone, iPad and Mac. Earlier this week, Apple released a new software update that brings ChatGPT to its products. Now, iPhone users can direct questions to ChatGPT through Siri and generate images with ChatGPT to accompany text.

Related: Apple Is Adding ChatGPT to iPhones This Week. Here’s How It Works.

Apple CEO Tim Cook said in an interview with Wired last week that AI ushers in a new era for all Apple products.

“I think it changes the way you interface with the product,” Cook said.

Cook mentioned Jobs as well in the interview, stating that Apple’s headquarters at Apple Park reminded him of Jobs.

“There’s a connection here to Steve that is incredible and very deep,” Cook said. “We have the theater named after him and think about him all the time, but I can feel him in other spaces too.”

Related: 4 Things Steve Jobs Taught Me About Succeeding as an Entrepreneur

Data breaches and ballooning subscription fees don’t exactly scream “success.” For entrepreneurs and business professionals, Internxt offers a smarter solution: a Dropbox alternative with a 10TB lifetime cloud storage plan for a one-time cost of $279.99 with promo code HOLIDAY20.

It’s secure, private, and built to grow with your business — all without recurring fees draining your budget.

Internxt takes data protection seriously. Built with privacy as a priority, its platform uses end-to-end encryption to safeguard files, ensuring only you have access to your data, the company says. Unlike many mainstream providers, Internxt is open-source, offering complete transparency about how your information is handled. For industries dealing with sensitive information, like finance, healthcare, or legal, this level of security and compliance with industry standards is a game-changer.

Collaboration and accessibility are seamless with Internxt. Whether you’re sharing files with your team or accessing documents on the go, its cross-platform compatibility lets you work from desktops, tablets, or smartphones effortlessly. With 10TB of space, it’s an ideal storage solution for growing businesses, providing ample space to meet current demands while scaling with you as your needs evolve.

The cost-effectiveness of Internxt’s lifetime subscription is hard to ignore. Traditional cloud storage often comes with growing subscription fees, but Internxt offers a one-time investment that eliminates ongoing costs. This makes it not just a storage solution but a strategic decision for businesses looking to save money and improve efficiency.

For entrepreneurs looking to take control of their data, Internxt delivers a secure, scalable, and budget-friendly solution that prioritizes privacy and flexibility.

With a lifetime subscription to 10TB of Internxt Cloud Storage for $279.99 with code HOLIDAY20, you can safeguard your files, collaborate effortlessly, and future-proof your business — all without breaking the bank.

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Subscription fatigue isn’t just about Netflix and Spotify—it’s your business and work tools, too. Adobe Acrobat’s recurring fees can feel like a necessary evil, but they’re not. An equally powerful alternative lets you ditch the monthly payments for good.

Meet PDF Expert, a Mac app that offers a lifetime subscription. Unlike Adobe Acrobat, just pay once to keep this tool for life. Even if you upgrade Macs, your subscription follows. Head to checkout to get PDF Expert at our unbeatable price: $79.99 (reg. $139.99).

Say goodbye to PDF woes and fees for life

Multiple reviewers compare PDF Expert to Adobe Acrobat, one saying, “All the utility and none of the hassles of Acrobat Pro,” while the other writes how it works the same, “for substantially less money.”

It has all the PDF tools you need and no confusing interface to get in your way when it’s time to get work done. Buy and download PDF Expert now to unlock all of these features for life:

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About eight years ago, I finally decided enough was enough — enough red tape, enough bureaucracy, enough of not feeling like my efforts aligned with my professional success. As much as I was ready for a change and knew what I’d be walking away from, I wasn’t sure what I was walking towards. After all, there is a big gulf between corporate frustration and finding the confidence to venture out into uncharted territory. I was confident in my abilities, but entrepreneurial imposter syndrome is real — Sound familiar?

Fortunately, I was able to find my way into a career path that provided a template for success while maintaining entrepreneurial independence: franchising. Today, as a former franchise owner and a current franchise consultant who has helped guide hundreds of individuals into franchising, I can confirm how the franchise model can alleviate entrepreneurial imposter syndrome and provide a fantastic path toward professional independence.

Let’s break down three imposter syndrome insecurity questions and explore how franchising offers a solution.

Related: Considering franchise ownership? Get started now to find your personalized list of franchises that match your lifestyle, interests and budget.

1. How do I know if I have the right skill set to be an entrepreneur?

Fortunately, when going through the discovery process, franchisors aren’t necessarily looking for a one-size-fits-all individual. While it’s important that you are adaptable and willing to learn and grow, franchises often complement your already-developed skill set.

First and foremost, it’s important to have an honest introspective look at your own experience to take stock of your skills. Most professionals have an area or two they consider to be “weak spots.” Is it finance? Sales? Engineering? Admin? Other? Realizing these holes exist in your professional repertoire can be unsettling for an aspiring entrepreneur. However, the franchising model helps to alleviate some of these concerns.

Let’s consider managerial aptitude. Whether you are confident in your ability to manage people or you absolutely hate managing people, there are franchise models that work for you. Brand selection is vital. In most cases, franchise owners don’t have a huge number of employees, but if you do want to avoid employee management, there are ways to do so.

Aversion to sales? B2C franchises that have recurring customer bases may be a good fit. (Consider a service brand like lawn care in which the franchisor has a larger call center, but your local franchise performs the services.)

Once you have selected a franchise brand that matches your skills, you are also immediately provided with an operations playbook — literally called “operations manual” from the franchisor. This manual provides step-by-step instructions for running every aspect of your business and a template for how the business can be successful.

Through careful brand selection and the information provided by a robust operations manual, franchising opens doors of possibilities that can match your skill set. Additionally, it may be worth working with a franchise consultant — a professional who helps candidates match their skill sets with the right business model.

Related: How to Overcome Imposter Syndrome and Start a Business, According to Gary Vee, a Serial Entrepreneur Worth Over $200 Million

2. Am I too young or too old to start my own business?

Ultimately, determining whether you are the “right” age to be a new business owner depends far more on you as an individual than on your actual age.

If you’re young, maybe you haven’t been as multifunctional because you just don’t have the experience of someone who has been in a corporate role for decades. Alternatively, maybe you’ve been doing the same job for so long that you’re concerned you’ll need support when shifting gears.

Luckily, franchising offers a solution here, too: franchising networks.

One of the most useful resources for franchise ownership is the network of current franchisees that exist within each brand. From day one as a new franchise owner, you will have access to other franchisees under the same brand that have experienced your exact situation. These peer groups become your trusted advisory board, sharing best practices and advice for every aspect of your business.

You may be attracted to business ownership so that you are in business for yourself, but when you join a franchise network, you’re not in business by yourself. These seasoned franchise owners are a better resource for you than the franchisor in many cases. You’ll be able to work with people who are in the same industry and offer the same service, but who aren’t competitors because you are in different geographic markets.

Related: It’s Never Too Late (or Early) to Become an Entrepreneur

3. Do I really have it in me to start from square one?

Professional fatigue is real. And I won’t lie to you, starting a business is not for the faint of heart.

No way around it, you’re going to have to work hard upfront. But it’s important to remember, when you are working for yourself, you’re operating from a different mindset than when you’re working for someone else. It may be hard to see that now, but if you’re truly ready for a change, you need to ask yourself:

Is a required level of discomfort now to make a change more difficult than the ongoing risk of losing your job, frustration in your role or dissatisfaction I currently feel in my career?

If you’re considering franchise ownership, you’re never truly starting from square one. The day you open your doors for business, your franchise is going to have professional branding and a recognizable market presence. When people interact with your brand, it inspires confidence to interact with a proven franchise model.

Related: Build Confidence and Get Over Imposter Syndrome by Focusing on 3 Areas