Moniqueca Sims, owner of SSG Appliance Academy, got her first glimpse into the appliance repair industry while dating a man who worked in the space. “He worked all the time, seven days a week,” Sims recalls, “so I used to go out with him just to spend time with him. I saw how easy it was for him to repair those appliances, and he was repairing them quickly.”

^{Image Credit: Courtesy of SSG Appliance Academy. Moniqueca Sims.}

Sims believes in “working smarter, not harder” and had the idea to hire technicians to help the man she was dating with repair calls. She did, but when he didn’t slow down, she ended up with her own appliance repair company.

However, in running that business, Sims lost a significant amount of money purchasing parts. Many people she hired didn’t actually know how to repair appliances — and would just switch out part after part in search of a fit.

Related: After Experiencing the ‘Lack of Diversity’ in Tech, This Software Engineer Started a Business That’s Changing Lives: ‘People Are Waking Up’

So Sims took matters into her own hands again. She enrolled in an online course to learn about appliance repair and started handling jobs herself, even taking her kids along sometimes.

“When you fix something, it boosts you up, every time you do it.”

Still, Sims knew there had to be a better way to train and hire technicians for business growth, so once more she set out to make it happen: She founded SSG Appliance Academy, which provides hands-on training courses on the fundamentals to have a career in the appliance repair industry, in Atlanta in 2019.

“ I saw how appliance repair was the gift that keeps on giving,” Sims says. “When you go out, when you fix something, it boosts you up, every time you do it. It’s not a grunt job. It’s a feel-good job.”

When Sims went out on jobs with her daughter, she found that many of the clients were stay-at-home moms who breathed a sigh of relief when they realized they wouldn’t be alone with a male worker. Knowing that, and seeing firsthand what a confidence booster appliance repair could be, Sims committed to bringing more women into the industry.

The total appliance repair industry revenue reached an estimated $6.3 billion in 2023, yet women make up less than 3% of home appliance repairers, according to data from ConsumerAffairs.

Related: Raised By an Immigrant Single Mom, She Experienced ‘Culture Shock’ Working at Goldman Sachs. Here’s What She Wants You to Know About ‘Black Capitalism.’

Sims decided to partner with shelters to grow SSG Appliance Academy and offer a viable career path to the women there. Although there was a lot of interest, the shelters didn’t have the funding to back it. So Sims got approved for grants through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).

The funding helps low-income, under- or unemployed women and men complete SSG Appliance Academy’s program and “turn their life around,” Sims says.

SSG Appliance Academy’s classes typically enroll eight to 10 students. The most recent course had three women in it. In the past, Sims often had to attend events and convince women to come to the class; now, word-of-mouth is helping them find it themselves, she says.

“ You constantly have to prove yourself [as a woman] in this industry.”

Sims looks forward to seeing even more women take advantage of SSG Appliance Academy, despite the challenges that can come with being a woman in the space.

“ You constantly have to prove yourself [as a woman] in this industry, and not just to the customers,” Sims says. “You have to prove yourself to everybody that works in the industry.”

Sims is also excited to see more people across the board jump into the appliance repair industry, noting that learning a trade can help people make more money than they might through earning a four-year college degree.

“Appliance repair can really help change people’s lives,” the founder says.

Related: This Black Founder Stayed True to His Triple ‘Win’ Strategy to Build a $1 Billion Business

“You want to learn your craft from the inside out.”

To other women interested in starting their own careers or businesses in the appliance repair industry, Sims has some straightforward but essential advice: Enroll in a program that can help you learn all you need to know about the trade.

“You want to learn your craft from the inside out,” Sims says. “A lot of technicians in the field now learn on the job, so they become part-changers because they don’t learn how to diagnose and troubleshoot the appliances properly. So my advice would definitely be to take a class. It doesn’t have to be my school — any school.”

Related: I Interviewed 5 Entrepreneurs Generating Up to $20 Million in Revenue a Year — And They All Have the Same Regret About Starting Their Business

Sims notes that there will be plenty of obstacles along the way, but she encourages anyone interested in learning appliance repair to stay the course — because “it’s a very rewarding career and business.”

This article is part of our ongoing Women Entrepreneur® series highlighting the stories, challenges and triumphs of running a business as a woman.

Serial entrepreneur and longtime restaurant group chief executive Julia Stewart, 70, is going viral this week for making one of “the best moves in leadership” when it comes to business deal comebacks.

After seven years as a senior leader at Taco Bell, Julia Stewart joined Applebee’s as president in 1998. She left after three years when she was denied a promotion to CEO, she says, despite being promised and earning the role — during her tenure, company and franchise sales skyrocketed, and so did the stock price, per Fortune. Soon after the snub, she joined IHOP as chair and CEO in 2001, per LinkedIn.

Related: How Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang Transformed a Graphics Card Company Into an AI Giant: ‘One of the Most Remarkable Business Pivots in History’

After about six years in the role, in November 2007, IHOP acquired Applebee’s for $2.1 billion, and Stewart had a phone call to make.

“I called the chair and CEO of Applebee’s, and I said, ‘Just wanted to say hi.’ And he said, ‘I was expecting this call,'” Stewart recently told The Matthews Mentality Podcast. “And I said, ‘As you know, this morning, we announced that we have purchased, for $2.3 billion, the company, and we don’t need two of us, so I’m gonna have to let you go.”

@kylematthewsceo Replying to @Lindsay The best do ever do it… Julia Stewart. Episode 59 of The Matthews Mentality Podcast #f#fypp#podcastclipsp#plottwistp#powermove ♬ original sound – Kyle Matthews | Sales Tips

Stewart would continue to serve as the chair and CEO of the parent company, Dine Brands Global, for another decade.

And at 70, Stewart is still working. She’s currently a board member at Bojangles, among other places, and the founder of a wellness app.

Related: Airbnb’s CEO Says He Personally Manages 40 to 50 Employees as Direct Reports: ‘A Lot of Work’

I’ve built companies like SetSchedule and Rentastic across proptech, fintech, AI and insurance. I’ve sold businesses that generated billions in financial products and tens of millions in recurring revenue. I’ve hired wrong, I’ve hired right. I’ve scaled too fast, and I’ve scaled smart. And I’ll tell you this from firsthand experience: Hiring offshore isn’t controversial — it’s intelligent. It’s practical. It’s how real businesses scale in the real world.

It’s not wrong to have your customer service rep in the Philippines. It’s not unethical to have your dev team in Poland or your marketing analyst in Bogotá. In fact, if you care about sustainability, profitability and actually building something that lasts, offshore hiring isn’t just the right move — it might be the only move.

And yet, people still hesitate. They still whisper like it’s a dirty secret. They still think “outsourcing” is a code word for corner-cutting. But if you’re serious about building a company that competes and wins — globally — you need to reframe the entire conversation.

So let’s talk about the reality. Here are five brutal truths — and serious advantages — you need to accept if you want to stop playing business and start building it:

Related: Your Most Pressing Offshoring Questions, Answered

1. You gain 24-hour productivity without burning out your team

Your California team clocks out. Your team in Manila clocks in. That’s not outsourcing. That’s continuous operation. It’s a machine that runs while you sleep. Offshore teams allow you to build seamless, round-the-clock workflows that don’t rely on heroics or 14-hour workdays. Your customers don’t care what time zone your team is in; they care that they’re getting what they need, when they need it.

This isn’t about wringing more hours from fewer people. It’s about creating balance and momentum. Offshore hiring means your U.S. team doesn’t have to burn out trying to do everything. That’s how you scale with sanity.

2. You slash burn rate — without slashing talent

Let’s get real: Payroll will eat you alive if you let it. At SetSchedule, I watched our domestic payroll balloon inside one zip code. At our insurance brokerage, we rewired the model and went global, and guess what? We didn’t sacrifice quality. We found more of it.

A strong U.S.-based engineer might cost $180K per year. That same level of capability and output in Eastern Europe or South Asia? Closer to $40K. That’s not a knock on American talent. That’s just math. If you’re a startup or growth-stage company and you’re spending like a public one, good luck making it past Series A.

By going offshore, you’re not choosing lesser talent — you’re just choosing smarter economics.

Related: This Strategy is the Key to Scaling Your Business — and Reducing Costs Along the Way

3. You access a global talent pool hungry for opportunity

Here’s something few founders will say out loud: Some of the best talent in the world doesn’t live anywhere near Palo Alto or SoHo. It lives in Lagos. In Cebu. In Kraków. In Medellín.

I’ve worked with marketers in Colombia who bring more hustle and creativity than their LA peers. I’ve hired devs in India who write cleaner code, ship faster and solve problems with more urgency than Bay Area engineers making triple their salary. And no, that’s not a fluke. It’s a wake-up call.

Talent isn’t defined by proximity. It’s defined by grit, hunger and execution. And if you’re only hiring within a 20-mile radius, you’re not just limiting your headcount — you’re capping your potential.

4. You build cultural resilience into your DNA

Want to get better at leading? Try managing a team across five time zones. Try aligning deliverables across three languages and cultural expectations. Offshore hiring forces you to get tight with communication. It demands documentation. It levels up your leadership skills — fast.

And if your long game involves selling your product or service internationally, then you need that cultural fluency now, not later. Building globally from day one hardens your operations and future-proofs your company.

It’s not just a hiring strategy. It’s an organizational workout. And if you do it right, you’ll come out stronger.

5. You de-risk scaling

Let’s be honest: Not every hire works out. But when your entire team is local and expensive, every bad hire hits harder. Offshore teams give you flexibility. You can test a new role, explore a new market or pilot a new initiative without betting the house.

You don’t need a bloated org chart. You need agility. Offshore hiring gives you the ability to pivot fast, adjust cost structure on demand and keep experimenting until you find what works. And in today’s climate, agility is survival.

Related: 7 Ways to Make Outsourcing a Success Time After Time

If you’re still romanticizing the all-in-house, all-local, in-office team model — wake up. That version of company-building is outdated. It’s inefficient. It’s blind to reality.

Offshoring isn’t betrayal. It’s evolution.

I’ve done this across industries. I’ve won big. I’ve failed loudly. And I’ve learned this: Smart founders don’t build local companies in a global world. They go where the talent is. They go where the economics work. And most importantly, they go now.

So if you’re still debating whether to hire offshore, let me save you the time:

Don’t debate. Deploy.

We love a good story, especially when it keeps us comfortable. In business, these stories often become rationalized myths. They sound like logic, feel like experience, and masquerade as truth. But really, they’re just assumptions wrapped in a confident tone.

You’ve heard them:

• “Customers only care about price.”
• “No one wants to pay for service anymore.”
• “Our market is too commoditized to differentiate.”
• “People just don’t read emails these days.”

What makes these myths dangerous isn’t their persistence, it’s how we rationalize them. We tell ourselves they’re based on data. (A survey from 2018? Please.) We cite competitor behavior. We assume it’s “just the way things are.” And then we design strategies, products and entire business models around them.

But these myths are born from perceptions. Not facts. Not insights. Just patterns we’ve gotten used to seeing and explaining away.

Let’s start with one of the classics: “Customers just want the lowest price.”

A B2B manufacturing client clung to this like a security blanket. Every RFP became a downward spiral of discounting. When asked how they knew price was the only factor, they pointed to lost bids. But after diving into post-mortems with prospects, the real reasons surfaced: unclear value, slow response times and rigid contract terms.

The issue wasn’t price. It was perceived value. Prospects didn’t see what made this manufacturer better because nothing was communicated that truly differentiated them. They’d accepted the myth and acted accordingly.

When they shifted their focus to flexibility, transparency and proactive support, those things customers wanted but weren’t getting, suddenly they weren’t the cheapest option. They were the smartest.

Related: 10 Popular Myths About Leadership and How to Overcome Them

Perception is reality, but not always truth

Humans are perception machines. We don’t just see the world, we interpret it. In business, we build narratives around what we think customers want, based on our internal views. But customers don’t live inside your boardroom, your org chart or your sales targets.

Frustrations, unmet needs and past experiences shape their reality. Which means you can shape perception if you’re willing to dig deeper.

Differentiation isn’t about being louder. It’s about being clearer on what matters. Most businesses try to stand out by tweaking what they already offer, rather than tapping into what customers crave but aren’t getting. That gap is where perception shifts and myths start to crumble.

A logistics company once told me, “We’re basically a commodity. Everyone moves boxes.” They’d convinced themselves that brand didn’t matter, experience didn’t matter, innovation didn’t matter. So, they optimized for efficiency and disappeared into the noise.

When we interviewed their customers, something fascinating emerged. Clients were desperate for visibility. Real-time updates, proactive communication and simplified invoicing. None of the competitors was doing well.

They leaned into this. Invested in client portals. Added human touchpoints. Their messaging shifted from “we move stuff” to “we make sure you know where everything is.” Perception changed. They weren’t a commodity anymore.

Breaking the myth cycle

Rationalized myths persist because we’re listening for confirmation, not contradiction. We validate what we already believe and ignore what feels inconvenient. But strategy isn’t about being right. It’s about being relevant.

To break the myth cycle:

1. Listen for gaps, not praise. Ask customers what frustrates them, not just with your company, but with the entire category.
2. Challenge internal dogma. Just because it’s always been done that way doesn’t mean it still works or ever did.
3. Reframe differentiation. It’s not about being “better.” It’s about offering what no one else is offering in the way your customer truly needs.

Myths are comfortable because they make the world feel predictable. But they’re dangerous because they keep you from evolving. The truth is you can’t build meaningful differentiation on faulty perceptions. But if you’re willing to challenge those myths and the stories you tell yourself, you can find the whitespace your competitors don’t even see.

Customers don’t always want more. They often want something different. And different is where real value and growth live.

Related: Developing a New Product? Here’s How to Make It a Hit Success

Myths don’t linger, they multiply

The problem is myths don’t just linger, they multiply. One assumption quietly supports another until you’ve built an entire strategic house of cards. You stop testing, stop questioning, and start filtering every new idea through the same warped lens. And the real danger is the longer a myth goes unchallenged, the truer it feels.

I’ve seen companies spend millions chasing an edge that didn’t exist, simply because they never bothered to ask customers what they valued. Not in a survey buried in the quarterly report. Not through a sales team’s best guesses. But directly, candidly, without the bias of defending past decisions.

Because that’s the trap. When your brand, processes and pricing are built on untested beliefs, you’re not strategizing, you’re gambling.

If your calendar feels like a constant game of catch-up, you’re not alone. Most founders and execs spend their days fielding questions, solving problems, and responding to whatever’s loudest. It feels productive. It looks like leadership. But it’s a trap.

Reactive mode is where strategic thinking goes to die. In my time as the founder of ButterflyMX, I’ve learned that the longer you operate like this, the more you become a bottleneck, not a builder. Your team stays dependent, your vision stalls, and worst of all, your time stops being your own. This post is about taking it back and becoming the kind of leader your company actually needs.

Related: Fixing Every Problem Isn’t Your Job — Here’s How to Empower Your Team to Handle Issues Without Your Constant Involvement

The trap of reactive leadership

At some point, most leaders realize they’re stuck in a loop: They wake up, dive into a flood of Slack pings and calendar invites and end the day wondering what they actually accomplished. Sound familiar?

This isn’t just a startup thing; it’s a leadership pattern. Early on, being in the weeds makes sense. You’re hands-on, scrappy and involved in everything. But what starts as necessary involvement often calcifies into chronic reactivity.

And the consequences pile up:

• You become the decision-making bottleneck.

• Your team learns to escalate instead of owning outcomes.

• And your most valuable asset, your time, gets spent on solving symptoms, not systems.

There’s also an emotional cost. Constant firefighting feels urgent, even heroic. But in reality, it pulls you away from the one thing only you can do: chart the course ahead.

Time is a leadership asset, not just a resource

There’s a quiet truth every seasoned leader eventually learns: Your calendar is a mirror of your priorities and your power.

When you treat time like a disposable resource, you spend it on whatever shouts the loudest. But when you treat it like an asset, you start investing it in what actually moves the business forward. That’s the difference between managing chaos and building momentum.

Strategic leadership doesn’t happen in 15-minute gaps between meetings. It requires protected time to think, plan and decide, not in theory, but in practice. That means blocking space for big decisions, pattern recognition and high-leverage conversations, just like you’d block time for a board meeting.

I’ve seen it firsthand: The leaders who scale aren’t the ones who do more. They’re the ones who do less, better. They get ruthless about what only they can do and design everything else around that filter.

The job isn’t to be everywhere. It’s to make sure the right things happen, even when you’re not in the room. And that starts by reclaiming your time.

Related: How to Reclaim Your Time and Start Focusing on Your Business’s Big Picture

How to reclaim your calendar and reset your role

This isn’t about downloading a new productivity app. It’s about shifting how you see your time and how you protect it.

Here’s how to start:

1. Audit your time like you audit your budget:

For one week, track where your hours go. You’ll be surprised how much time gets eaten by low-leverage work — things someone else could (or should) handle. Look for patterns: What drains your energy? What creates the most value? This isn’t busywork. It’s clarity.

2. Build “focus blocks” like your future depends on them, because it does:

Pick 2-3 hours a day (or even just a few slots a week) that are meeting-free and distraction-free. Use them to think strategically, review your org design, write out your vision or tackle the decisions only you can make. Treat these blocks like sacred ground.

3. Delegate outcomes, not tasks:

Too often, leaders delegate execution but hold onto ownership. Flip it. Give your team the “what” and the “why” and let them own the “how.” You’ll build trust, create more capacity and stop being the final answer to every question.

4. Install leverage, not just help:

If you’re drowning in scheduling, follow-ups or inbox triage, hire an executive assistant or Chief of Staff. But don’t stop at admin support. Empower them to shield your time, prioritize inputs and run point on internal processes so that you can stay focused on the big picture.

But what about the fires?

Let’s be real, urgent problems aren’t going away. Markets shift. People quit. Customers escalate. Even the best-run teams hit turbulence.

The goal isn’t to eliminate all fires. The goal is to stop being the only one holding the hose. Reactivity isn’t always bad; it’s just dangerous when it becomes your default. As a leader, you’ll still need to step in sometimes. But if every problem reaches your desk, that’s a system failure, not a leadership virtue.

This is where systems and culture matter. Build escalation paths. Set clear decision rights. Empower teams to solve at the level where problems occur. That’s how you create a company that doesn’t crumble every time you take a day off. Reclaiming your time means building the structure to handle itself without you.

Related: Dear Business Owners: It’s Time to Work on Your Business, Not in It

You can’t build the future while stuck reacting to the present.

The shift from reactive to strategic leadership isn’t just about time management; it’s about identity. It’s choosing to lead with intention instead of interruption. To focus on systems, not symptoms. And to spend your time where it creates the most value, not the most noise.

So, here’s the challenge: Look at your calendar this week. Is it a reflection of the leader you are, or the leader you want to be?

Take back your time. Your team, and your vision, are counting on it.

As an entrepreneur, time is money — anything that can save you time or increase your productivity helps. According to a study by Forrester, Apple users have a 3.5% increase in employee productivity due to the devices’ performance and reliability.

If you’ve yet to make the switch to an Apple device, now is the perfect time. This MacBook Air is currently on sale for just $199.97 (reg. $999) through September 7.

Work from anywhere with Apple’s lightest laptop

Entrepreneurs need to be able to work from anywhere, which makes the MacBook Air a great option. This device is Apple’s lightest laptop, but don’t be deceived by its 2.96-pound weight. It’s packed with features that can help boost your productivity.

Powered by a 1.8GHz Intel Core i5 processor and 8GB of RAM, this laptop can keep up with all of an entrepreneur’s multitasking. And you can tackle all your tasks on the 13.3-inch widescreen display, which features a 1440 x 900 resolution and Intel HD Graphics 6000, delivering sharp, vibrant visuals.

Twelve hours of battery life ensure you aren’t searching for electrical outlets all day. There is also 128GB of built-in storage so you can save important files locally, and built-in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi for easy connectivity.

If you’re curious why you’re saving $800, it’s thanks to this model’s grade A/B rating. That means it will arrive on your doorstep with light to normal wear, and will be fully operational, clean, and ready to use right out of the box.

Work efficiently from anywhere with this MacBook Air, now only $199.97 (reg. $999) through September 7 while supplies last.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Running a business means working with documents, presentations, spreadsheets, and contracts daily. Having the right tools in place can make or break efficiency, and that’s exactly what this offer delivers.

For a limited time, you can get a three-year subscription to Adobe Acrobat Classic plus a lifetime license to Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows—all for just $89.99 (MSRP: $543.99).

Why business leaders should pay attention

This isn’t just another software discount. For small business owners, entrepreneurs, or managers overseeing lean teams, the cost of subscriptions adds up quickly. This bundle eliminates that problem by combining the best offline PDF software with a permanent copy of Microsoft Office Pro.

• Adobe Acrobat Classic (three years): Work securely offline with tools to create, edit, and protect PDFs. Convert PDFs into Office files, redact sensitive sections, or generate forms—all with enhanced security features. With no reliance on the cloud, you maintain control of your documents while meeting compliance and client needs.
• Microsoft Office Pro 2021 (lifetime): Get the full suite—Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, Publisher, Access, and OneNote—installed directly on your Windows PC. Handle everything from financial modeling to pitch decks to client emails without ever worrying about renewal fees.

This bundle costs less than many companies spend in a single month on recurring subscriptions. Whether you’re in real estate creating contracts, in consulting preparing presentations, or in finance handling data-heavy spreadsheets, the Acrobat + Office bundle gives you the core tools to run daily operations smoothly.

Pick up this Adobe Acrobat + Microsoft Office Pro 2021 Bundle while it’s just $89.99 (MSRP: $543.99) during this pre-Labor Day sale.

Adobe Acrobat Classic + Microsoft Office Professional License Bundle

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StackSocial prices subject to change.

Your network is your net worth. Heard that before? I’ve said it for years because I’ve lived it. The right connection can change your life. The right introduction can change your business.

The problem is that most people think networking means working the room, shaking 50 hands and walking out with a stack of business cards. I used to think that too — until I realized the most valuable connections happen one-on-one.

That’s where Lunch with Legends came from.

Every weekday, I have lunch with someone new. Sometimes it’s an investor. Sometimes it’s a founder. Sometimes it’s a friend of a friend I’m meeting for the first time when they slide into the booth. The goal isn’t to pitch. It’s not to sell. It’s to connect because everyone’s happier with good food and good company.

Related: The 10 Commandments of Networking You Need to Know

Why meals are the secret weapon

Meetings are formal. Lunch is real. At lunch, no one’s watching the clock. No one’s hiding behind slides or an agenda. Food slows you down.

That’s when you get the truth. You hear about the deal they’re chasing. The challenge they can’t solve. The goal they’ve been sitting on because they don’t know where to start.

I’ve learned more over a plate of tacos than I ever have at a conference table.

How it started

When I was starting in real estate, I worked networking events like it was my job — because it was. I’d collect a pile of business cards, follow up with everyone, etc. One day, someone told me, “Forget the crowd. Take one person to lunch.”

It clicked. The best connections are personal, not rushed.

That first lunch turned into a connection that shifted my career. Not because I asked for anything, but because we built trust through conversation.

Since then, Lunch with Legends has been my daily habit. Networking isn’t about keeping score. It’s about showing up ready to help. Instead of leading with, “Here’s what I do,” I ask, “What’s on your plate — literally and figuratively — and how can I help?”

That changes everything.

• People remember you, not as “the guy from lunch” but as the person who introduced them to their next hire or shared an idea that unlocked a solution.
• The conversation flows. You’re not pitching. You’re listening.
• Opportunities come back around. When you help without expecting anything, your name comes up in rooms you’re not even in.

What it looks like in practice

Last week, I had lunch with people in completely different industries. None of them were “prospects” in the traditional sense. But in every conversation, I found a way to connect them to someone else who could help. A manufacturer. A mentor. A friend.

I didn’t have to force those opportunities. They came up naturally because I was paying attention.

Related: This ‘Lumberjack Strategy’ Helps Me Find New Clients Quickly — and With Way Less Effort

How to host your own Lunch With Legends

You don’t need a big title or a fancy budget. You need consistency.

• One lunch. One new person. Every weekday. Could be a friend-of-a-friend, a young professional looking for guidance or someone you’ve been meaning to meet.
• Keep it casual. You will see me at the same five places. I have my rotation down. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
• Listen more than you talk. People will tell you what they need if you give them space.
• Follow up with value. If you can help, do it right away.

The selfie rule

Every Lunch with Legends ends with a selfie. It’s not about ego. It’s about memory. That photo is a bookmark. Months later, I can scroll back and remember, ‘Oh yeah, she was looking for a podcast producer. I know someone now.’

It’s a fun ritual that makes the moment feel intentional, and it keeps the connection alive.

Networking is a long play. Not every lunch needs to turn into a deal. Some people I’ve met only once. Others have become friends, partners or clients years later. The value comes from showing up consistently, building trust and connecting people. That’s how your network grows in both size and strength.

Why food works for networking

There’s something about a shared meal that breaks barriers fast.

When you eat with someone, you’re both just people deciding between fries or salad. It’s human. It’s disarming. It sets the stage for a real conversation instead of a surface-level exchange.

That’s why Lunch with Legends works. It turns networking into something people actually look forward to. Who doesn’t want to break bread and learn something? It’s worth it every time.

It’s your move

Think of one person you’ve been meaning to meet. Invite them to lunch this week.

Don’t overthink it. Don’t make it about what you need. Make it about showing up, asking good questions and leaving them better than you found them.

And yes — selfie required.

Most people building with AI are chasing the same thing: viral chatbots, cool demos or the next trending wrapper. But I think the real money — the serious, unicorn-level money — is somewhere else entirely.

It’s in the stuff nobody wants to touch. Tedious, time-wasting, must-do tasks. The things you hate doing, but have to. That’s where the next wave of AI companies will emerge.

Painful > pretty

AI that makes you laugh is fun. AI that gets your taxes filed, your Visa sorted or your documents organized? That’s life-changing.

When I moved to the UK on a Global Talent visa, I couldn’t find a single tool to track my absence days — something crucial for maintaining legal status. So I built it myself. Not to show off. Just to solve a problem I was quietly freaking out about.

That’s the kind of “boring” problem most people overlook. But if it causes stress, repetition or fear — it’s valuable.

There’s more money in fixing one painful workflow than chasing 100 likes on a fancy AI-generated avatar.

Related: Don’t Be Afraid to Embrace Boring Ideas

The more annoying it is, the bigger the opportunity

Scheduling medical appointments. Submitting invoices. Picking wines from a 40-page restaurant list. These aren’t sexy problems. But they’re everywhere, and no one enjoys dealing with them.

I’ve built apps that take care of those exact scenarios. Some were simple side projects, but they solved problems that people repeatedly run into. That’s the magic formula.

In a piece I wrote earlier — 7 AI-Based Business Ideas That Could Make You Rich — I pointed out that the most profitable ideas are often hiding in plain sight. This is another example of that.

No team? No problem.

The tools available now are ridiculous. With GPT-4o, Supabase, Vercel and Claude, I’ve launched entire products in a week — solo.

No designers. No backend engineers. Just a painful idea, an AI stack and a few cups of coffee.

I’m not the only one. I’ve seen one-person shops build apps that manage apartment leases, prep legal docs and even coach you through IVF. They’re quiet tools with unflashy interfaces, but they’re deeply useful.

If you’re a founder today, your MVP doesn’t need to be impressive — it just needs to make someone’s headache disappear.

Build for Tuesday, not for tech Twitter

Some of the smartest founders I know aren’t even trying to go viral. They’re building for Tuesdays — for that one problem that hits at 4:00 p.m. when you’re stuck in a bureaucratic loop and need someone (or something) to handle it for you.

And here’s the kicker: The more boring the problem, the less competition you’ll have. AI founders are still chasing novelty. That’s your advantage.

This article on overlooked metaverse jobs made a similar point: There’s a fortune in places people ignore.

Boring doesn’t mean small

If you told someone a decade ago that accounting automation or AI-powered scheduling tools would be billion-dollar companies, they’d probably laugh.

Now those tools run quietly in the background of almost every business.

The lesson: Don’t build for applause. Build for relief. If your product makes someone breathe easier, saves them time or reduces stress — they’ll pay for it.

Even if they never tweet about it.

Related: Why Unglamorous Entrepreneurial Opportunities Can Be Lucrative

Boring tools can still build billion-dollar companies

If you need proof, look at Expensify. It started by solving one thing: making expense reports less painful. It’s not exciting, not revolutionary — just useful. Nobody dreams about scanning receipts, but millions of people have to do it.

Now Expensify processes billions in transactions. All because it made one annoying task easier.

Same story with Calendly, which killed the back-and-forth of scheduling. DocuSign, which removed the pain of printing and scanning contracts. UiPath, which built a massive business by automating office tasks.

None of these were flashy, but they fixed something people deal with every day. That’s what makes them work.

If you’re building with AI, forget the hype. Look for the problems people quietly suffer through. The ones they never talk about publicly, but deal with constantly. That’s where the best ideas live.

Boring isn’t a weakness. Boring is a business model.

You don’t need a revolutionary idea. You just need to make one annoying thing go away.

If you can do that, it won’t matter how it looks. It will sell.

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