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Thanking your AI chatbot when it provides a response to a query may not require much energy on its own, but the cost of your interactions will add up over time—and a new tool from Hugging Face can tell you approximately how much. The ChatUI energy interface estimates the energy consumption involved in messaging with an AI model in real time, with comparisons to common appliances like LED light bulbs and phone chargers. You can type in any query or utilize one of the suggested inputs to generate a response along with the corresponding energy requirement. For example, a "professional email" took an AI just over 25 seconds to create and required 0.5 watt-hours, the equivalent of 2.67% of a phone charge. A 90-second script for testing transcription software required 1.4 watt-hours—7.37% of a phone charge, 22 minutes of an LED bulb, or 0.6 seconds of microwave use. (Responding to my "thank you" equaled 0.2% of a phone charge.) Note that ChatUI is approximating, not providing exact measurements. The tool can run on various models, including Meta’s Llama 3.3 70B and Google’s Gemma 3. How AI energy use compares to a Google searchAccording to estimates from the International Energy Agency (IEA), a single ChatGPT request requires nearly 10 times the electricity of a typical Google search at 2.9 watt-hours vs. 0.2 watt-hours, respectively. If ChatGPT was utilized in all 9 billion daily searches, that would require nearly 10 terawatt-hours of additional electricity per year, the equivalent usage of 1.5 million European Union residents. AI's environmental impact comes in large part from the power and water demands of running data centers. The IEA expects global AI electricity consumption to be ten times in 2026 what it was in 2023, and the water requirements by 2027 could be more than the entire annual usage of all of Denmark. View the full article

Sellers have roughly a month to bring transactions involving properties from the "claims without conveyance of title" and REO programs in line with the changes. View the full article

Officials are worried US president will use minor progress in talks as ‘excuse’ to disengageView the full article

The fraudsters aren't doing anything new or sophisticated, but are successfully using familiar tactics, said reports from CertifID and FundingShield. View the full article

Energy drink company Celsius Holdings announced today that its subsidiary brand, Alani Nu, has notched more than $1 billion in sales over the past 52 weeks—representing a head-turning 72.4% year-over-year sales increase. The company’s impressive success demonstrates that the functional beverage craze may not be merely a passing fad for consumers. Celsius Holdings, which also owns the popular energy drink Celsius, officially acquired Alani Nu last month for $1.8 billion. The brand was originally founded by entrepreneur Katy Schneider and husband Haydn Schneider in 2018, and has since found a growing audience of Gen Z and millennial consumers looking for a low-calorie, zero-sugar energy drink option. According to a press release, Alani Nu’s $1 billion milestone “has been fueled by accelerated brand growth, strong and unique innovation, and a growing female energy drink consumer segment seeking better-for-you, functional beverages that fit their health and wellness lifestyles.” As of this writing, Celsius Holdings stock is up slightly by 0.16% since market open. What Alani Nu’s success says about the future of “functional beverages” Over the past several months, “functional beverages,” or drinks that offer some kind of mood or health boost (in the case of Alani Nu and Celsius, that would be the added jolt of caffeine), have gained popularity in the mainstream beverage market. A study by Nielsen IQ last spring found that sales of functional beverages grew by 54% between March 2020 and March 2024 to $9.2 billion, accounting for 10% of the total nonalcoholic beverage market in the U.S. Subcategories of this market, including energy drinks and sports beverages, are similarly trending up. Experts across the beverage industry largely attribute this trend to a rising interest in health and wellness among Gen Z and millennial consumers, who are increasingly choosing to ditch alcoholic beverages in favor of more “healthy” drinks that can offer one or more benefits. In the past year, new brands like the DTC sports beverage company Magna and influencer Alex Cooper’s electrolyte drink brand Unwell have emerged to capitalize on this widening consumer base. Meanwhile, existing brands like Mio, Bodyarmor, and Liquid I.V. have all introduced refreshed looks to emphasize their “functional” features. Alani Nu, which has positioned itself as a “health and wellness” brand for women since its founding, was uniquely prepared to capitalize on this trend as it emerged. The energy drink comes with 200 mg of caffeine per 12-ounce can (the equivalent of about two cups of coffee) and is vegan, sugar-free, gluten-free, and low-calorie. The brand’s $1 billion milestone shows that, more than a year after the initial hype around functional beverages first began, the sector has taken root as a more permanent beverage category—one that’s both attracting a new generation of consumers and causing beverage giants to rethink how they market their products. View the full article

Chinese robotaxi technology company Pony AI Inc. (Nasdaq: PONY) was up a whopping 55% on Monday—yes, you read that right—after Chief Technology Officer Lou Tiancheng told the Wall Street Journal it can now build its autonomous driving system for 70% less and is on the road to profitability. Pony AI makes the technology that allows cars to become autonomous, or self-driving, not the cars itself, but is partnering with companies that do. It also operates a fleet of robotaxis in China. Last week, Pony AI unveiled three new driver-less vehicles at the Shanghai Auto Show, which were co-developed with Chinese state-owned automakers BAIC Motor and Guangzhou Automobile Group, as well as, Toyota. Analysts estimate the company has slashed its bill-of-materials, or BOM, (all the materials, components, sub-assemblies, and instructions needed to manufacture a product) costs for its robotaxis from $137,217 to a $41,165. Cheaper production could enable Pony AI to achieve single-unit breakeven, the point it makes a profit each time a new robotaxi is added to its fleet, according to the WSJ. Some analysts think they could reach that coveted goal by the end of 2025, but that the company wouldn’t likely turn a profit until at least 2030 when it hits 50,000 robotaxis. “The key is software optimization,” Lou told the WSJ. “For example, our software performance has tripled under the same computing power.” It’s worth noting, Pony AI, which focuses on developing and deploying autonomous driving technology, including robotaxi services, has yet to turn a profit and, in fact, posted a loss last quarter, it first reporting since going public last year. If all goes well, Pony plans to to start production of its robotaxis mid-year, with the goal of expand from 300 vehicles to from 1,000 at the end of 2025, per the WSJ. View the full article

U.S. stocks are drifting Monday ahead of potential flashpoints looming later in the week that could bring more sharp swings for financial markets. The S&P 500 was virtually unchanged in morning trading, coming off a winning week in its whipsaw ride that’s been rattling investors for weeks. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 145 points, or 0.4%, as of 10:15 a.m. Eastern time, and the Nasdaq composite was 0.1% lower. The relatively calm trading offers a respite following historic swings that have come as hopes rise and fall that President Donald The President may back down on his tariffs, which investors expect would otherwise cause a recession. The S&P 500 has roughly halved its drop that had taken it nearly 20% below its record set earlier this year. This upcoming week will feature earnings reports from some of Wall Street’s most influential companies, including Amazon, Apple, Meta Platforms, and Microsoft. Their performances carry huge sway over the market because they’ve inflated to become the biggest by far in terms of size. Outside of Big Tech, executives from Caterpillar, Exxon Mobil, and McDonald’s may also offer clues about how they’re seeing economic conditions play out. Several companies across industries have recently been slashing their estimates for upcoming profit or pulling their forecasts completely because of uncertainty about what will happen with The President’s tariffs. “We heard more plans to mitigate tariff impacts than in prior months and than during 2018” from U.S. companies, including preordering, shifting production, and increasing prices for their own products, according to Bank of America strategist Savita Subramanian. But she also said in a report that she’s seeing “some indications of a pause: no hiring/no firing, no new projects/no cancellations etc.” A fear is that The President’s on-again-off-again tariffs may be pushing households and businesses to alter their spending and freeze plans for long-term investment because of how quickly conditions can change, seemingly by the hour. Domino’s Pizza was flipping between small losses and gains after it reported weaker profit for the latest quarter than analysts expected. The pizza chain’s CEO, Russell Weiner, called the global economic environment “challenging,” and its stock was most recently up 0.7% DoorDash added 1.2% after Deliveroo, the food delivery service based in London, said it heard from DoorDash about a possible cash offer to take over the company. So far, economic reports have mostly seemed to show the U.S. economy is still growing, though at a weaker pace. On Wednesday, economists expect a report to show that U.S. economic growth slowed to a 0.8% annual rate in the first three months of this year, down from a 2.4% rate at the end of last year. But most reports Wall Street has received so far have focused on data from before The President’s “Liberation Day” on April 2, when he announced tariffs that could affect imports from countries worldwide. That could raise the stakes for upcoming reports on the U.S. job market, including Friday’s, which will show how many workers employers hired during all of April. Economists expect it to show a slowdown in hiring down to 125,000 from 228,000 in March. The most jarring economic data recently have come from surveys showing U.S. consumers becoming much more pessimistic about the economy’s future because of tariffs. The Conference Board’s latest reading on consumer confidence will arrive on Tuesday. In the bond market, Treasury yields held relatively steady. They’ve calmed since an unsettling, unusual rise rise in yields earlier this month rattled both Wall Street and the U.S. government. That rise had suggested investors worldwide may have been losing faith in the U.S. bond market’s reputation as a safe place to park cash. The yield on the 10-year Treasury slipped to 4.25% from 4.29% late Friday. In stock markets abroad, indexes were mixed across Europe and Asia. The CAC 40 in Paris rose 0.8%, but stocks slipped 0.2% in Shanghai. —Stan Choe, AP business writer AP Writers Jiang Junzhe and Matt Ott contributed. View the full article

David Spector, the firm's CEO, touted Pennymac's technology, consistency and support for the broker channel. View the full article

Block Advisors by H&R Block has announced the launch of its second annual Fund Her Future grant program, designed to support women-owned small businesses with high growth and community impact potential. Applications are now open and will be accepted through May 30, 2025. The 2025 program will award a total of $100,000 in grant funding and nearly $30,000 worth of small business services to six recipients. One grant recipient will receive a $50,000 package, while up to five additional winners will each receive $10,000 grants. All winners will also gain a year of access to Block Advisors’ small business services, which include tax preparation, payroll, bookkeeping, and business structure analysis. “We understand the challenges entrepreneurs face as they grow their businesses. They need more than just capital; they need trusted expertise that saves them time and puts their mind at ease,” said Jamil Khan, Chief Small Business Officer at H&R Block. “That’s why Fund Her Future provides not only financial support but also access to Block Advisors year-round small business services, including such business-critical services as tax preparation, payroll, bookkeeping and business structure analysis.” Block Advisors highlighted that despite women being among the fastest-growing segments of new small business owners, they continue to face significant barriers to funding and resources. According to the 2024 State of Women’s Small Business Report by Block Advisors, 42% of women business owners who applied for a bank loan were never approved, and nearly 90% reported relying on personal finances and credit cards to fund their ventures. To apply for the Fund Her Future program, applicants must be over 18 years old and own a United States-based business. Businesses that demonstrate a strong community impact are especially encouraged to apply. Full eligibility requirements can be found on the Fund Her Future website. Recipients of the 2025 grants will be notified by the end of July. Last year’s inaugural Fund Her Future program attracted more than 6,000 applicants and awarded grants to five entrepreneurs whose businesses demonstrated significant growth potential. Grant recipient Heather Jiang, owner of Allégorie, a New York City-based small-batch accessory line that turns food waste into fashion, expanded her product lines and hired additional staff with the help of her grant. “There is a sense of relief in handing off my bookkeeping to a Block Advisors expert,” Jiang explained. “It frees up my time to focus on other aspects of the business. They ensure everything is handled properly. The recognition from the grant has been amazing, as well. We’ve seen a 50 percent increase in online traffic to our website since the 2024 grant was announced.” Another 2024 grant recipient, Erica Cole, owner of Richmond-based No Limbits, used the funding and support to scale her accessible apparel brand. “The funding and small business support from Block Advisors has allowed me to scale my business. It enabled me to launch my sensory-friendly collection in Walmart and acquire Buck & Buck, a leader in adaptive apparel,” Cole shared. Ameka Coleman, owner of Strands of Faith based in Pearl, Mississippi, also saw significant growth following her 2024 grant. “This grant allowed us to onboard two more hospital networks, which significantly increases demand for our products. We’re looking at a 400% increase in revenue from this workstream,” said Coleman. For more information about the Fund Her Future program and how to apply, visit www.BlockAdvisors.com/FundHerFutureGrant. To learn more about Block Advisors’ year-round services for small businesses, visit www.BlockAdvisors.com. This article, "Block Advisors by H&R Block Opens Applications for 2025 Fund Her Future Grant Program" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Block Advisors by H&R Block has announced the launch of its second annual Fund Her Future grant program, designed to support women-owned small businesses with high growth and community impact potential. Applications are now open and will be accepted through May 30, 2025. The 2025 program will award a total of $100,000 in grant funding and nearly $30,000 worth of small business services to six recipients. One grant recipient will receive a $50,000 package, while up to five additional winners will each receive $10,000 grants. All winners will also gain a year of access to Block Advisors’ small business services, which include tax preparation, payroll, bookkeeping, and business structure analysis. “We understand the challenges entrepreneurs face as they grow their businesses. They need more than just capital; they need trusted expertise that saves them time and puts their mind at ease,” said Jamil Khan, Chief Small Business Officer at H&R Block. “That’s why Fund Her Future provides not only financial support but also access to Block Advisors year-round small business services, including such business-critical services as tax preparation, payroll, bookkeeping and business structure analysis.” Block Advisors highlighted that despite women being among the fastest-growing segments of new small business owners, they continue to face significant barriers to funding and resources. According to the 2024 State of Women’s Small Business Report by Block Advisors, 42% of women business owners who applied for a bank loan were never approved, and nearly 90% reported relying on personal finances and credit cards to fund their ventures. To apply for the Fund Her Future program, applicants must be over 18 years old and own a United States-based business. Businesses that demonstrate a strong community impact are especially encouraged to apply. Full eligibility requirements can be found on the Fund Her Future website. Recipients of the 2025 grants will be notified by the end of July. Last year’s inaugural Fund Her Future program attracted more than 6,000 applicants and awarded grants to five entrepreneurs whose businesses demonstrated significant growth potential. Grant recipient Heather Jiang, owner of Allégorie, a New York City-based small-batch accessory line that turns food waste into fashion, expanded her product lines and hired additional staff with the help of her grant. “There is a sense of relief in handing off my bookkeeping to a Block Advisors expert,” Jiang explained. “It frees up my time to focus on other aspects of the business. They ensure everything is handled properly. The recognition from the grant has been amazing, as well. We’ve seen a 50 percent increase in online traffic to our website since the 2024 grant was announced.” Another 2024 grant recipient, Erica Cole, owner of Richmond-based No Limbits, used the funding and support to scale her accessible apparel brand. “The funding and small business support from Block Advisors has allowed me to scale my business. It enabled me to launch my sensory-friendly collection in Walmart and acquire Buck & Buck, a leader in adaptive apparel,” Cole shared. Ameka Coleman, owner of Strands of Faith based in Pearl, Mississippi, also saw significant growth following her 2024 grant. “This grant allowed us to onboard two more hospital networks, which significantly increases demand for our products. We’re looking at a 400% increase in revenue from this workstream,” said Coleman. For more information about the Fund Her Future program and how to apply, visit www.BlockAdvisors.com/FundHerFutureGrant. To learn more about Block Advisors’ year-round services for small businesses, visit www.BlockAdvisors.com. This article, "Block Advisors by H&R Block Opens Applications for 2025 Fund Her Future Grant Program" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Iran and the United States will hold talks Saturday in Oman, their third round of negotiations over Tehran’s rapidly advancing nuclear program. The talks follow a first round held in Muscat, Oman, where the two sides spoke face to face. They then met again in Rome last weekend before this scheduled meeting again in Muscat. The President has imposed new sanctions on Iran as part of his “maximum pressure” campaign targeting the country. He has repeatedly suggested military action against Iran remained a possibility, while emphasizing he still believed a new deal could be reached by writing a letter to Iran’s 85-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to jump start these talks. Khamenei has warned Iran would respond to any attack with an attack of its own. Here’s what to know about the letter, Iran’s nuclear program and the tensions that have stalked relations between Tehran and Washington since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Why did The President write the letter? The President dispatched the letter to Khamenei on March 5, then gave a television interview the next day in which he acknowledged sending it. He said: “I’ve written them a letter saying, ‘I hope you’re going to negotiate because if we have to go in militarily, it’s going to be a terrible thing.’” Since returning to the White House, the president has been pushing for talks while ratcheting up sanctions and suggesting a military strike by Israel or the U.S. could target Iranian nuclear sites. A previous letter from The President during his first term drew an angry retort from the supreme leader. But The President’s letters to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in his first term led to face-to-face meetings, though no deals to limit Pyongyang’s atomic bombs and a missile program capable of reaching the continental U.S. How did the first round go? Oman, a sultanate on the eastern edge of the Arabian Peninsula, hosted the first round of talks between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and U.S. Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff. The two men met face to face after indirect talks and immediately agreed to this second round in Rome. Witkoff later made a television appearance in which he suggested 3.67% enrichment for Iran could be something the countries could agree on. But that’s exactly the terms set by the 2015 nuclear deal struck under U.S. President Barack Obama, from which The President unilaterally withdrew America. Witkoff hours later issued a statement underlining something: “A deal with Iran will only be completed if it is a The President deal.” Araghchi and Iranian officials have latched onto Witkoff’s comments in recent days as a sign that America was sending it mixed signals about the negotiations. Yet the Rome talks ended up with the two sides agreeing to starting expert-level talks this Saturday. Analysts described that as a positive sign, though much likely remains to be agreed before reaching a tentative deal. Why does Iran’s nuclear program worry the West? Iran has insisted for decades that its nuclear program is peaceful. However, its officials increasingly threaten to pursue a nuclear weapon. Iran now enriches uranium to near weapons-grade levels of 60%, the only country in the world without a nuclear weapons program to do so. Under the original 2015 nuclear deal, Iran was allowed to enrich uranium up to 3.67% purity and to maintain a uranium stockpile of 300 kilograms (661 pounds). The last report by the International Atomic Energy Agency on Iran’s program put its stockpile at 8,294.4 kilograms (18,286 pounds) as it enriches a fraction of it to 60% purity. U.S. intelligence agencies assess that Iran has yet to begin a weapons program, but has “undertaken activities that better position it to produce a nuclear device, if it chooses to do so.” Ali Larijani, an adviser to Iran’s supreme leader, has warned in a televised interview that his country has the capability to build nuclear weapons, but it is not pursuing it and has no problem with the International Atomic Energy Agency’s inspections. However, he said if the U.S. or Israel were to attack Iran over the issue, the country would have no choice but to move toward nuclear weapon development. “If you make a mistake regarding Iran’s nuclear issue, you will force Iran to take that path, because it must defend itself,” he said. Why are relations so bad between Iran and the U.S.? Iran was once one of the U.S.’s top allies in the Mideast under Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who purchased American military weapons and allowed CIA technicians to run secret listening posts monitoring the neighboring Soviet Union. The CIA had fomented a 1953 coup that cemented the shah’s rule. But in January 1979, the shah, fatally ill with cancer, fled Iran as mass demonstrations swelled against his rule. The Islamic Revolution followed, led by Grand Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, and created Iran’s theocratic government. Later that year, university students overran the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, seeking the shah’s extradition and sparking the 444-day hostage crisis that saw diplomatic relations between Iran and the U.S. severed. The Iran-Iraq war of the 1980s saw the U.S. back Saddam Hussein. The “Tanker War” during that conflict saw the U.S. launch a one-day assault that crippled Iran at sea, while the U.S. later shot down an Iranian commercial airliner that the American military said it mistook for a warplane. Iran and the U.S. have see-sawed between enmity and grudging diplomacy in the years since, with relations peaking when Tehran made the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. But The President unilaterally withdrew America from the accord in 2018, sparking tensions in the Mideast that persist today. ___ The Associated Press receives support for nuclear security coverage from the Carnegie Corporation of New York and Outrider Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. —Jon Gambrell, Associated Press Associated Press writer Amir Vahdat contributed to this report. View the full article

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has announced that applications are now open for the Agricultural Growth, Research, and Innovation (AGRI) Value-Added Grant Program. The initiative aims to boost the state’s agricultural and renewable energy sectors by supporting value-added businesses with targeted equipment investments. Through the AGRI Value-Added Grant, eligible applicants — including individuals, farmers, businesses, agricultural cooperatives, nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, local governments, and tribal governments — can apply for funding to enhance the production capacity, market diversification, and market access of value-added agricultural products. For this program, “value-added” is defined as the addition of value to an agricultural product through processing. The MDA expects to award a combined $2 million in funding through the AGRI Value-Added and AGRI Meat, Poultry, Egg, and Milk (MPEM) Grants. Funding priorities for this round include projects that increase food safety and expand hemp fiber production capacity. Grant recipients are required to meet specific cash match requirements. Applicants must provide 50% of the first $50,000 of project costs to qualify for up to $25,000 in reimbursement. For expenses beyond the first $50,000, recipients must cover 75% of the additional costs, with the state reimbursing 25%, up to a maximum grant award of $150,000. For example, a project costing $400,000 would be eligible for $112,500 in total grant reimbursement. Applicants would receive $25,000 for the first $50,000 of expenses and $87,500 for the remaining $350,000, requiring them to contribute $287,500 of their own funds. Applications for the AGRI Value-Added Grant are due by 4 p.m. Central Time on Thursday, August 7, 2025. Interested parties are encouraged to carefully review the Value-Added Request for Proposals – Spring document for full eligibility and requirement details. Applications must be submitted online through the designated MDA portal, and new users will need to create an account before applying. The AGRI Program is a key component of Minnesota’s strategy to advance its agricultural economy, offering resources to help businesses grow while promoting innovation and sustainability in the industry. Image: Canva This article, "Minnesota Department of Agriculture Opens Applications for AGRI Value-Added and MPEM Grant Programs" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has announced that applications are now open for the Agricultural Growth, Research, and Innovation (AGRI) Value-Added Grant Program. The initiative aims to boost the state’s agricultural and renewable energy sectors by supporting value-added businesses with targeted equipment investments. Through the AGRI Value-Added Grant, eligible applicants — including individuals, farmers, businesses, agricultural cooperatives, nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, local governments, and tribal governments — can apply for funding to enhance the production capacity, market diversification, and market access of value-added agricultural products. For this program, “value-added” is defined as the addition of value to an agricultural product through processing. The MDA expects to award a combined $2 million in funding through the AGRI Value-Added and AGRI Meat, Poultry, Egg, and Milk (MPEM) Grants. Funding priorities for this round include projects that increase food safety and expand hemp fiber production capacity. Grant recipients are required to meet specific cash match requirements. Applicants must provide 50% of the first $50,000 of project costs to qualify for up to $25,000 in reimbursement. For expenses beyond the first $50,000, recipients must cover 75% of the additional costs, with the state reimbursing 25%, up to a maximum grant award of $150,000. For example, a project costing $400,000 would be eligible for $112,500 in total grant reimbursement. Applicants would receive $25,000 for the first $50,000 of expenses and $87,500 for the remaining $350,000, requiring them to contribute $287,500 of their own funds. Applications for the AGRI Value-Added Grant are due by 4 p.m. Central Time on Thursday, August 7, 2025. Interested parties are encouraged to carefully review the Value-Added Request for Proposals – Spring document for full eligibility and requirement details. Applications must be submitted online through the designated MDA portal, and new users will need to create an account before applying. The AGRI Program is a key component of Minnesota’s strategy to advance its agricultural economy, offering resources to help businesses grow while promoting innovation and sustainability in the industry. Image: Canva This article, "Minnesota Department of Agriculture Opens Applications for AGRI Value-Added and MPEM Grant Programs" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Two Democratic members of the National Credit Union Administration board of directors are suing the The President administration for wrongful dismissal, a suit that could have implications for the Federal Reserve and Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. View the full article

For the past five years, Google's Emoji Kitchen has offered a way for users to make unique emojis from existing icons. The feature lets you take two emojis and combine them into one to make emojis that are familiar yet new. You can take the saluting emoji and combine it with the robot emoji to make a saluting robot, or the alien emoji and the "shh" emoji to make an alien telling you to be quiet. You can't necessarily mix each and every emoji that you see in your emoji keyboard, though—first, Google has to make those combinations possible. Every now and then, Google will include new combinations within software updates, even if they don't advertise each one. The more often you use emojis with Gboard, the more combinations you're bound to discover. But now, you no longer need to experiment with Emoji Kitchen in order to discover new combinations. In fact, Google will do the combining for you: All you have to do is scroll. Browse Emoji Kitchen combinations on PixelAs reported by 9to5Google, Google is rolling out an update to the emoji keyboard on Pixel devices. Once the update hits your Pixel, you'll now see a short row of emoji combinations along the top of the emoji keyboard, with an arrow at the end of the row. Tap the arrow, and you'll open up a full grid of emoji combinations, which you can scroll through for a long time. If you somehow reach the bottom without finding an emoji you like, you can return to the top of the grid and pull down to refresh the browser. Credit: Jake Peterson/Lifehacker When you do find a combination you like, tap on it. The emoji keyboard will reveal a pop up, showing you which two emojis were used to make this new one. If you want to use it, just tap Send. Credit: Jake Peterson/Lifehacker While the Emoji Kitchen is available on all devices using Gboard, the new Emoji Kitchen browser is exclusive to Pixel devices. Other devices will still need to create Emoji Kitchen icons by hand. Alternatively, you can use the "Randomize" option in the Emoji Kitchen tool built into Google: just search Emoji Kitchen in the web browser, then click Get cooking. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Youth culture moves fast. New slang is created and abandoned in days, whole communities organize around a blurry photograph, jokes become memes, memes become rituals, and everything might is abandoned before you even notice it exists. It's like to trying to study a snowflake: Once you can look at it, it's already melted. So it is this week, as I take a look a new lexicon of brain-rot slang (that might not really be slang), a meme format based on threatening to eat your Uber driver, and the performative disappointment of youth. Plus, as a reminder that we still still share something, a video about humanity's never-ending fascination with digging holes. What do "Kevin," "gurt," and "IKIAB" mean? I cover slang a lot in this column and keep a running glossary of Gen Z and Gen A words, but I'm not sure what to make of "Kevin," "gurt," "IKIAB," and countless other slang terms born in the past couple of weeks. To many young people, anything bad can be described as Kevin, and the word gurt means something like "smart but dangerous" and IKIAB is an acronym for "Imma keep it a buck," which means "I'm telling the truth." But maybe they don't mean anything. All these new words are part of the quickly evolving world of brain-rot memes, and they straddle a line between self-aware parody of slang and actual slang. IKIAB was coined a few weeks ago by TikTok user @xznthos, who declared it was new slang that everyone would now use. Gurt was invented and defined a few days later, and Kevin a few days after that. This led to making up slang words becoming a meme format in brain-rot videos, with all kinds of people declaring that all kinds of words now mean all kinds of things. But do they? Is slang really slang just because someone says it is and a lot of people see the video? Taking it a step further, a writer at Daily Dot asked Google Search’s generative AI Overview to define nonsense phrases like “banana slurp” and “cyclops vibing," and it answered that banana slurp "could potentially be a misinterpretation of ‘that’s bananas’ or ‘she/he went bananas,’ which both mean something is crazy, wild, or extremely agitated," and that cyclops vibing "essentially suggests that a person is enjoying themselves and in a good place, even if they are depicted with a somewhat intimidating or unusual image like a cyclops.” So you don't even need a person to have ever used a word or phrase for it to have a definition (at least to a computer), so when is a word slang and when is it nonsense? That's the kind of question only a total stork smoother would ask. What is the "I'm so hungry I could eat..." trend?The "I'm so hungry I could eat..." trend is way easier to understand than brain-rot slang. It's a form of prank video where you secretly record someone's reaction to you saying, "I'm so hungry I could eat X," with X being whatever is likely to get the biggest reaction. It started with videos of parents saying "I'm so hungry I could eat a kid" to their kids, which is adorable: Then dog owners started threatening to eat their dogs: Then things started getting stranger, like this video where someone threatens to eat their Uber driver. But the height of the trend is saying you're so hungry they could eat a random, specific person from their victim's past. Like an old classmate who might have been dangerous: or their first boyfriend: or their coke dealer from the 90s. What is the Hiccup Cult?If your child has just joined The Hiccup Cult, don't worry. It's not a cult like The People's Temple; it's just a random TikTok thing with no real meaning. A few weeks ago, TikToker @annesstinkysock posted a video where they pointed out that the character Hiccup from How to Train Your Dragon is kind of funny-looking, and that she'd changed her profile picture to an image of Hiccup. That's it. That's the whole origin story. For some reason no one can explain, this video was spat out to millions of TikTok users, thousands (maybe hundreds of thousands) of whom changed their own profile pictures to Hiccup. Many of them started following each other, and a cult was born. To join, you just have to change your profile picture to Hiccup and you're in. TikTok cults aren't new. There have been a ton of them revolving around a picture of a hamster, or Dragon Ball character Goku, or minions. It's the kind of thing that will be forgotten quickly, but maybe it provides some sense of belonging for the 12 seconds it exists. "Rejection cakes" take over the internetIt's the time of year when high school seniors are crossing their fingers and receiving their acceptance or rejection emails from the colleges they applied to. As you'd probably expect, social media is filled with videos of over-achievers crying happy tears because they were accepted at Harvard, Boston College, or all four of the Ivy League schools they applied to. As you'd probably expect, it's getting ridiculous. Just check out how elaborate this video is for getting into UT Austin: Good for her and all, but I mean, it's UT Austin? Anyway, I'm more interested in the people who won't be choosing between Yale and Dartmouth this fall. The trend for the rest of us, the also-rans and the almost-made-its, this year is rejection cakes. Videos like this one: and this one: are providing a much-needed counter-narrative to all the terrible success some people experience. I think there's something more valuable in performative displays of resilience than displays of pride, because we can't all get into Stanford, but we can all eat cake. Anyway, If you'd like to look at young people who have had their hopes dashed early instead of having them dashed when they graduate from their dream college there's a bunch of videos here. Viral video of the week: A Video About Digging A Hole A lot of youth culture these days lives up to the "brain-rot" name, but there's always a yin to the yang, like this week's viral video, "A Video About Digging a Hole." This video will not rot anyone's brain. In it, YouTuber Jacob Geller goes deep into the subject of holes. People, particularly younger people, have always been fascinated with holes, and Geller's video examines the cultural and symbolic power of the simple hole in the ground, finding connections between Louis Sachar's classic young adult novel Holes, Minecraft's constant digging and tunneling, 2025's unexpected blockbuster video game A Game About Digging a Hole, and way more hole-based media. This video is worth the watch just for the section on The Kola Superdeep Borehole—the deepest hole humans have ever dug. View the full article

FTSE 100 company tells hundreds of workers to stay at home and admits it has no idea when operations will recoverView the full article

President The President suggested his sweeping tariffs would help him reduce income taxes for people making less than $200,000 a year. View the full article

The "Sell America" trade that gripped markets this month has left a potentially lasting dent in investors' willingness to hold the US government's longest-maturity debt, a mainstay of its deficit-financing toolkit. View the full article

AI video generators are rapidly improving and becoming more widely available, with Google's Veo 2 now built into the Gemini app for anyone paying for a Google One AI Premium plan. Like OpenAI's Sora, Runway, Adobe's Firefly, and others, Veo 2 enables you to create a professional-looking video from nothing more than a text prompt. With Veo 2 now available to paying users, it seems like a good opportunity to test these different AI video generators against each other, and compare their strengths and weaknesses—and to assess where we're at with AI video in general. We keep being told that these tools will transform movie-making, or at least fill the internet with AI slop, but are they actually practically useful? Microsoft seems to think so, having used it in a recent ad. However, only parts of the clip were AI-made—shots with quick cuts and limited motion, where hallucinations are less likely to happen or be noticed. For the purposes of this guide I'm going to take a look at Google Veo 2 and put it up against Sora, Runway, and Firefly. Other video generators are available, but these are four of the most prominent: They all cost money to access (starting from $20 a month), so you'll need to sign up for a month at least to play around with them. Bouncing balls If you're as old as I am, you'll remember an incredible ad Sony made to promote its new 1080p Bravia televisions in 2005 (above). More than 100,000 bouncy balls were dropped on the steep streets of San Francisco while the cameras rolled, and it was a compelling watch (the behind-the-scenes story is pretty fun, too). This is a real challenge for AI, involving a lot of physics and movement. The prompt I used was: "Thousands of individual, brightly colored balls bouncing down a steep, sunny street in San Francisco, in slow-motion. The camera moves carefully down the street as the balls bounce downwards, passing trees and parked cars." The Google Veo 2 attempt isn't bad. There's some weird physics going on here, but it looks reasonably natural, and could work as a short clip if you're not looking too closely. The background elements are well-rendered, and the instructions in my original prompt were followed pretty closely. Sora seems confused about the scene it's supposed to be rendering. There are colored balls for sure, but they move as a confusing mush, and defy gravity. The pace of the video is OK, even if it's going in the opposite direction to the one I requested, and the background parts of the video look fine on the whole. Runway gets the vibes pretty close, if you compare it to the original Sony clip, but again, there are several problems: The balls aren't at all consistent, the movement isn't what I asked for, and it looks as though there's an alien watching from a window in the top right corner. The street does look pretty cool though. Firefly is probably the worst of the bunch, here. Most of the balls are stationary, and those that are moving aren't very well-rendered. The street looks OK but it's nothing special—there's definitely a retro video game feel to it. As with the Sora clip, the camera is taking me up the street when I really wanted to go down. "Jurassic Park" scene If AI is going to replace the actual people who make movies, then it needs to be able to create scenes as powerful as the "welcome to Jurassic Park" one in Spielberg's 1993 movie: the moment where Richard Attenborough as John Hammond reveals the dinosaurs to his visitors for the first time (above). I was curious to see what AI would make of the scene. The prompt was: "At the top of a hill, two paleontologists slowly stagger along through the grass. As they do so the camera pulls back for a wider shot, revealing a wide clearing and a lake below. There are dinosaurs slowly walking through the lake and the trees." The clip from Google Veo 2 looks pretty good. The camera isn't really moving in the way I described, and the paleontologists aren't really staggering (and they're not on a hill either), but the scenery looks good and the dinosaurs look OK. It's rather generic overall, but it's a decent effort. Sora goes a little bit crazy with this prompt. The camera movements are jerky and don't follow the instructions I made, and the dinosaurs look like weird shape-shifting creatures. The best I can say about this effort is that all the elements I described are included, and the surrounding scenery is reasonably well done. As for Runway, it's probably the closest to what I wanted when it comes to the camera movements and the overall feel of the scene. The lake and the dinosaurs look realistic enough, but it's by no means a perfect rendering—where does the red-shirted paleontologist disappear to? It's another poor effort from Firefly. I'm not sure it knows what paleontologists are, and the dinosaurs are very small. The lake and the surrounding forest are done to an OK standard, though, even if there's a noticeable AI sheen to everything in the frame. The camera movements have been translated well here. "The Living Daylights" scene One more: the memorable Bond and Kara border-crossing scene in The Living Daylights, where they scoot down a snowy mountain on a cello case (above). I don't need to hire Timothy Dalton or Maryam d'Abo, learn how to operate a camera, or travel to Austria, because AI can make the whole scene for me. The prompt for this one was: "A man and a woman in winter clothing are sliding down a snow-covered road on a cello case. There is a barrier on the road, and as they reach it, both characters duck under it." Google Veo 2 manages this pretty well, everything considered—the scene looks mostly realistic and fun, and that does look a bit like a cello case. We do have to ignore the two people going through the road barrier as if it isn't there, but at least there is a barrier there (something the other AI models couldn't grasp). Over to Sora, and again, it's not terrible. OK, that's not really a cello case, and surely the two people would be facing forward, but the snowy road and the surrounding trees look good—it's an immersive scene. Where's my road barrier, Sora? I want to see these people ducking under it. As for Runway, whatever videos it was trained on, they sure weren't videos of people riding cello cases down mountains. The people are blending into each other, elements in the shot are shifting shape, and it just looks weird. The snowy scenery and the actual live snow effect do look good, though. Who knows what Adobe Firefly is thinking here. The physics in this one make absolutely no sense, the characters aren't consistent, and there's no road barrier to duck under. It's actually unsettling to watch. We do get a snowy road, a cello case, and two people in the clip, however. There's no clear winnerI think the Veo 2 videos impressed me most overall, though Runway seems good for realism more often than not. Across the board we have a lot of problems with physics, realism, and prompt interpretation. These are all clearly AI videos, with numerous weird quirks and inconsistencies. Now, I wasn't expecting these AI generators to get anywhere near the quality of professional ads or movies: It's just not possible to recreate those scenes with only a text prompt and a few minutes of time and effort. I'm not trying to take a cheap shot at these tools, which are obviously very clever, but rather point out some of the fundamental issues with AI video. These balls aren't bouncing. Credit: Adobe Firefly/Lifehacker With more careful work and expertise, I could probably get something that looked a lot better, and clearly these video generators are going to improve over time. Who knows what they'll be able to produce in five or 10 years? If you check out the showcased videos on these platforms, you can see that great results are possible. Personally, though, I'm not convinced these AI tools will ever fully replace traditional film work, no matter how well they're trained. To get something like the Sony ad in AI, you'd have to write reams and reams of incredibly detailed prompts, and even then you might not get what you wanted. Would AI think up the frog jumping out of the drain? Results are quick and easy, sure, but you're offloading most of the creative decisions to AI. These videos feel computer-generated. One of these people is about to disappear. Credit: Runway/Lifehacker AI doesn't really know how a ball bounces, or what a dinosaur looks like, or which way people should face as they slide down a snowy road on a cello case. It approximates and calculates based on all the videos it's previously seen, and those shortcomings show up a lot more in video than they do with images or text. You'll notice most AI videos, including the examples above, don't include elements that come in and out of shot, because the AI is likely to forget what they look like if they're not visible. And I haven't even had space here to cover the copyright issues or the energy cost to the planet. No doubt we'll see an increasing number of AI-made ads and shorts as time goes on and the technology improves, but it's worth going back to the famous warning in Jurassic Park: Being so preoccupied with whether we can do it, we don't stop to think about whether we should. Disclosure: Lifehacker’s parent company, Ziff Davis, filed a lawsuit against OpenAI in April, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems. View the full article

Months after enabling Deep Research in its expensive $200 ChatGPT Pro plan, OpenAI is now rolling out the feature to all users. Anyone can now access a lightweight version of Deep Research for free. This new version of Deep Research sits somewhere between a regular ChatGPT search and a ChatGPT Pro-style in-depth report. These searches usually take around five to ten minutes, and give you a report that's about a page or two long. In my experience, its reports are practical, to-the-point, and well-researched. How the new "lightweight" ChatGPT Deep Research worksDeep Research is different from a regular ChatGPT search. Here, ChatGPT will use all of its resources, like its reasoning model, its thinking capabilities, its online search integration, and bring it all together to generate a detailed response. Deep Research will first ask you some clarifying questions about your prompt, and then start its work. A single Deep Research query can take anywhere between 5–30 minutes, depending on how complex of a question you're asking. The full-version of the Deep Research tool can perform complex and detailed research for you on complicated science, and math problems. These queries usually take around 30 minutes, and then generated in-depth, multipage reports. The new lightweight version is more casual than that. You can use it to research a share that you want to invest in, products that you want to buy, or to understand a new topic. The results take about five to ten minutes, and the reports are shorter and to the point. But they'll still be heavily sourced, so you can check the links to confirm that ChatGPT isn't hallucinating. But despite technically being available to everyone, access to ChatGPT Deep Research is quite limited, and it's based on the plan that you're using. Free plan: You'll get five lightweight Deep Research queries per month. Plus and Team plans: The $20 per month plan gives you ten queries a month with the full-fledged Deep Research tool and an additional 15 using the lightweight version. Pro: The $200 per month plan comes with 125 full Deep Research queries per month, and an additional 125 using the lightweight version. All limits reset every 30 days, and the count starts the day you start using the Deep Research feature. How to use Deep Research in ChatGPTAfter opening the ChatGPT website, click the Deep Research button and enter your prompt. The more details that you can provide, the better off you'll be. To add more context, you can attach images, documents, or spreadsheets. Credit: Khamosh Pathak After you enter your prompt, ChatGPT will come back to you with clarifying questions. These questions are not compulsory to answer, but they will help specify your report. If you want a more general report, you can just say something like "I don't know, do your best", and ChatGPT will get started with what it thinks is the best way to go forward. Credit: Khamosh Pathak When the research starts, you'll see a progress bar in the chat itself. You are free to leave the chat and come back later, as this will take time. In my testing using the lightweight free version, queries still took between four to eight minutes, even for simple questions. You can click the progress bar to reveal a sidebar. This is where you'll see the steps that ChatGPT is going through to answer your query. Depending on your question, ChatGPT might look at scholarly articles, PDFs, websites, and then use its thinking model when all the information is collated. Credit: Khamosh Pathak Once the report is ready, you'll see it in its own specialized box. You can click the Share button to see a Preview window. Here, you can click on Share Link to generate a link to the report. Though, unlike Google Gemini, you can't export the report as a PDF (or other format). Credit: Khamosh Pathak How ChatGPT Deep Research can help youI ran a couple of tests with the Deep Research tool on the free plan, and I came away impressed. ChatGPT's reports are concise and direct. By comparison, Google Gemini's reports feel unnecessarily verbose. ChatGPT is also better at highlighting links right in the text, something that Gemini hides behind a menu. I asked ChatGPT to create a beginners guide to learning Handpan, and it did a good job of compiling YouTube videos, handpan sellers, and exercises, all on one page. Next, I asked it to research market sentiment for a specific share, and it included everything from recent earnings, to expert opinions, to share price targets. Credit: Khamosh Pathak I then used it for something that I standard Googling couldn't help me with, which was to find a part number for a spare wheel screw hook for my Volkswagen Polo. Not wanting to open the owner's manual or go to the dealership, I asked ChatGPT for help instead. First, I used the regular Search feature, and it just wouldn't give me a usable answer. The Deep Research feature, though, found the part number in a couple of minutes. But it couldn't find a website based in India (where I'm located) that sells this part (it did find many sellers in the US and Europe, though). To compare, I ran the query in Gemini. Gemini generated a really long report, most of which wasn't really useful. I had to scroll all the way to the bottom to find the spare part number. This being Google, though, it gave me a link to an Indian site that sells the part. Nice. Overall, I found that ChatGPT's Deep Research tool is comparable to the likes of Gemini and Perplexity, and goes beyond them when it comes to direct-language and sourcing. That said, the content is still generated using a Large Language Model, which has a tendency to hallucinate and make things up. It would be best to check the report's sources to confirm that what ChatGPT has generated is correct. View the full article

We’ve all been there: the windowless conference room, the stale coffee, the flip charts, the obligatory icebreaker, followed by hours of sticky notes and talk of disruption that feels, ironically, deeply uninspired. This is the traditional corporate offsite: a manufactured attempt at connection and creativity staged inside four beige walls. But here’s the truth that most leaders won’t say out loud: If your strategy session could’ve been an email, your offsite isn’t working. In a world demanding fresh thinking, deep alignment, and courageous reinvention, we don’t need more sticky notes; we need more perspective, pause, and place. It’s time to rethink the offsite. It is not a retreat from work, but a return to what makes work matter. The traditional offsite is designed for control: a fixed agenda, predictable outputs, and highly curated team-building exercises. But innovation is inherently unpredictable. Creativity doesn’t follow a schedule, and a breakthrough doesn’t happen when people feel boxed in—literally or figuratively. A recent Steelcase study found that only 13% of employees strongly agree that their workplace helps them be creative. Imagine taking that same creative tension and relocating it to a stuffy hotel ballroom with bad lighting and bad air quality. It’s not just uninspiring, it’s counterproductive. The Power of Perspective, Pause, and Place If you want to unlock real innovation, you need to get out of the room—literally. I have taken executive teams hiking in the mountains, walking through sculpture parks, sketching beside rivers, and sharing stories under open skies. What happens in those moments isn’t just memorable; it’s transformative. Creativity doesn’t thrive in confinement; it thrives in movement, reflection, and meaningful environments. Here’s what shifts when you leave the room: Perspective expands: On a recent mountain trail, one of my clients looked out over the valley and said, “I finally see my business differently.” Nature helps leaders zoom out, see patterns, and reconnect to what really matters. Dialogue deepens: Walking side-by-side fosters vulnerability in a way boardroom chairs never will. One CFO told me after a trail walk, “That’s the first time I have really talked to my team, not just with them.” Energy resets: Changing physical environments resets our mental state. The body moves, the mind loosens, and new insights begin to emerge, often without even trying. Ask yourself: What would happen if your team had space to think, not just speak? To feel instead of just perform? Nature, Narrative, and Nonlinear Thinking Before you overhaul your next offsite, pause and consider what actually fuels creativity and connection in teams. It’s not tighter agendas or better breakout sessions. It’s the deeper human elements that corporate playbooks often overlook. It’s the environments that stir the senses, stories that build shared meaning, and a space that honors the messy, magical process of emergence. At the heart of powerful offsites are three essential elements most corporate agendas ignore: Nature. Nature doesn’t just reduce stress—it rewires our thinking. A Stanford study found that even a 90-minute walk in nature can reduce rumination and improve problem-solving. But beyond the science, nature reminds us: Not everything must be engineered. Some things must be experienced. What might your team discover if they swapped Wi-Fi for tree lines? Narrative. The best breakthroughs don’t start with strategy decks; they start with stories. When leaders share pivotal life moments or team origin stories, new insights emerge. The strategy becomes personal, and the mission gets real. Instead of starting with goals, ask each person to share a moment that shaped how they lead. Watch what opens up. Nonlinear Thinking. Great ideas don’t arrive on demand. They bubble up in white space (or maybe it should be called green space). That’s why I build in unstructured time during offsites, not as filler, but as fertile ground. One leader told me their breakthrough idea came during a quiet solo hour by the water. Innovation needs space to breathe. A New Offsite Design Philosophy Forget the PowerPoint marathons. The new offsite design should be immersive instead of performative, meaningful instead of efficient, and designed for discovery, not just alignment. Whether you are hiking a coastal trail or sitting around a campfire, the goal isn’t to force productivity. It’s to create the conditions where insight naturally emerges. I call this strategic restoration, a practice of slowing down, stepping back, and reconnecting with what matters most. You don’t need to summit a mountain. Just start here: Change the Environment. Ditch the hotel ballroom and book a retreat center near water, a creative space, or even a local museum. One client who held their offsite in a botanical garden said, “We got more creative in two hours than we usually do in two days.” Design for Emotion, Not Just Execution. Begin with personal storytelling. Build in moments of awe—sunrise meditations, guided journaling, even shared silence. What’s the emotional tone we want this offsite to create, and why does it matter? Include Movement and Mindfulness. Use walking meetings, breathing practices, or a simple quiet space. Movement regulates the nervous system, and stillness amplifies clarity. If you are feeling bold, schedule “unplugged” windows with no devices, just presence. Trust Emergence. Don’t overfill the schedule. Leave space for what you can’t plan. That’s where breakthroughs hide. In a world addicted to speed, the leaders who pause are the ones who leap forward. In a culture obsessed with performance, the companies that reconnect with purpose are the ones that endure. So no, your next innovation breakthrough probably won’t come from a hotel ballroom with cold sandwiches and tired team-building games. It might come from a hike or a story told around a fire. Because when you design for renewal, reflection, and reconnection, strategy becomes more than a plan. It becomes a shared vision that feels alive. View the full article

Key Takeaways Rewarding Business Opportunity: Starting a laundry business meets a consistent community need, driven by busy lifestyles and the ongoing demand for clean clothing. Business Models: Entrepreneurs can choose between self-service laundromats, requiring minimal staff, and full-service laundry options, catering to clients with a comprehensive washing and drying experience. Startup Costs: Low initial investment makes it accessible for budding entrepreneurs, allowing flexibility in financing options through loans or crowdfunding. Essential Equipment: Selecting the right washing machines, dryers, and folding stations is crucial for operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. Effective Marketing: Building a strong online presence and engaging in local advertising can significantly enhance customer acquisition and brand visibility. Anticipate Challenges: Be prepared for industry challenges, such as rising costs, labor shortages, and maintenance needs, to ensure long-term success in the laundry business. Starting a laundry business can be a rewarding venture that meets a vital need in your community. With busy lifestyles and the constant demand for clean clothes, there’s never been a better time to dive into this industry. Whether you’re considering a self-service laundromat or a full-service laundry, the opportunities are plentiful. You don’t need extensive experience to get started, just a solid plan and a passion for service. This guide will walk you through the essential steps to launch your laundry business, from market research to choosing the right equipment. Get ready to turn your entrepreneurial dreams into reality and create a thriving business that keeps your customers coming back for more. Benefits Of Starting A Laundry Business Starting a laundry business offers numerous advantages for entrepreneurs seeking to tap into a stable market. Understanding these benefits can motivate you to embark on this rewarding venture. Flexible Working Hours Flexible working hours allow you to tailor your schedule to fit personal commitments. You can choose to operate during peak times, accommodating busy customers, or establish hours that suit your lifestyle. This flexibility enhances work-life balance, making it easier for you to maintain other responsibilities or pursue additional interests. Low Startup Costs Low startup costs present an appealing entry point for aspiring business owners. Initial investments often include essential equipment, such as washers, dryers, and detergents. Depending on your business model, you can start as a small operation with minimal financing or explore funding options like crowdfunding or small business loans. A well-crafted business plan can further strengthen your position when seeking funding. With careful budgeting and market research, you establish a foundation for potential growth without overwhelming financial burdens. Types Of Laundry Businesses Understanding the different types of laundry businesses is essential for entrepreneurs exploring how to start a business in this industry. Each model comes with unique operational structures and opportunities for profitability. Self-Service Laundromats Self-service laundromats allow customers to wash and dry their laundry independently. These facilities require minimal staff, focusing primarily on maintenance and customer support. High-efficiency washers and dryers enhance performance while conserving water and energy. Typical features include vending machines for detergent and coin or card-operated payment systems, streamlining the user experience. Selecting the right location is critical for success. Aim for high-traffic areas, such as near apartment complexes, shopping centers, or universities. Consider local competition and accessibility to your target audience when conducting market research, as these factors significantly impact customer acquisition and revenue. Establishing a solid business plan that incorporates costs, such as equipment and leasing, lays the groundwork for a sustainable venture. Full-Service Laundry Full-service laundry businesses cater to customers by handling every aspect of the cleaning process. These services usually include washing, drying, folding, and often ironing garments. Employing skilled staff enhances customer satisfaction, making it crucial to focus on hiring and training. Full-service models may target specific niches, like high-end garments or commercial clients, which can influence your branding and marketing strategies. Leveraging digital marketing, including SEO and social media, strengthens your reach to potential customers. Establishing partnerships with local businesses can be advantageous, creating a steady stream of clients while enhancing your reputation. Setting the right legal structure for your full-service operation—whether an LLC, sole proprietorship, or corporation—ensures compliance with local regulations. Obtaining the necessary permits and licenses is a vital step in your startup journey. Focusing on customer service and quality can differentiate your business from competitors, fostering customer loyalty and repeat business. Exploring funding options, such as small business loans or crowdfunding, expands your ability to scale operations quickly. By understanding these core types of laundry businesses, you will cultivate a clear picture of your entrepreneurial path. Essential Equipment For Your Laundry Business Starting your laundry business requires the right equipment to serve your customers efficiently. Focusing on essential machinery boosts operational capacity and customer satisfaction. Washing Machines Commercial washing machines serve as the backbone of your laundry operation. Options range from compact 5kg machines to large 120kg units. Selecting the right type of washing machine is crucial. You can opt for: Top-loaders: Economical and user-friendly, they often consume more water. Front-loaders: More energy and water-efficient, though typically more expensive. High-Efficiency (HE) top-loaders: Use less water and energy, appealing to environmentally conscious customers. Assess your customer volume and tailor the number and capacity of machines accordingly. Investing in high-quality washing machines creates a reliable service, aiding customer retention and high satisfaction rates. Dryers Dryers complement washing machines, essential for fast and effective garment drying. Tumble dryers are the most common choice among laundry businesses due to their efficiency. You should consider: Stackable dryers: Ideal for space management while maximizing output. Commercial-grade dryers: Offer durability and quicker drying times. Choosing the right dryer type enhances your service’s competitiveness and accommodates high customer flow, impacting overall profitability. Folding Stations Folding stations streamline your workflow and improve the customer experience. You can implement: Dedicated folding tables: Ensure sufficient space for folding clothes efficiently. Signage: Provide clear instructions for customers to maintain organization and cleanliness. Incorporating these stations into your business layout aids in efficient closing operations, enhancing customer service. Investing in quality folding stations supports a smoother experience, promoting positive customer attitudes toward your brand. With these essential pieces of equipment, you can effectively set up your laundry business, ensuring operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. Marketing Strategies For Your Laundry Business Effective marketing strategies are crucial for your laundry business’s success. Implementing targeted tactics can improve customer acquisition and enhance brand visibility. Building An Online Presence Establish a strong online presence to connect with your target audience. Create a user-friendly website showcasing your services, pricing, and contact information. Optimize your site for search engines using SEO techniques to improve visibility. Utilize social media platforms to engage potential customers through compelling content and promotions. Consider email marketing campaigns to keep clients informed about new offers and loyalty programs. Investing in a digital marketing strategy enhances your online reach, attracting more customers. Local Advertising Leverage local advertising to promote your laundry business within your community. Utilize flyers, posters, and local newspapers to reach nearby residents. Participate in community events to network and increase brand awareness. Partner with local businesses for referral programs that incentivize shared customers. Offering discounts or free trials can encourage first-time visitors to try your services. Focus on building relationships within the community to foster loyalty and repeat business. Challenges In The Laundry Industry Understanding the challenges in the laundry industry helps you prepare for potential obstacles as you start a business. Key aspects include rising costs, environmental regulations, labor shortages, competition, and maintenance of equipment. Rising Costs Rising costs significantly impact laundry businesses. Labor expenses, energy bills, and supply prices all increase, affecting profitability. Staying competitive while ensuring high standards of cleanliness requires careful management of these expenses. Environmental Regulations Environmental regulations shape your laundry business operations. Compliance with laws concerning water consumption and wastewater management proves essential. Navigating these regulations can consume time and resources, but non-compliance can lead to fines and reputational damage. Labor Shortages Labor shortages present a challenge, especially in areas with low unemployment rates. Finding skilled workers costs more while impacting service consistency. Investing in training programs enhances your team’s skills and improves service quality. Competition Competition within the laundry industry is fierce. Numerous established businesses can make customer acquisition difficult. Conducting thorough market research helps you identify your target audience and refine your business model to stand out. Differentiating your services through exceptional customer care and effective branding strengthens your position. Maintenance Of Equipment Maintenance of equipment ensures efficiency in your laundry operations. Regular servicing of washers and dryers prevents costly breakdowns, which can disrupt business. Implementing a maintenance schedule allows you to manage expenses and extend equipment lifespan, contributing to improved profit margins. Conclusion Starting a laundry business can be a fulfilling and profitable journey. With the right planning and dedication you can tap into a steady demand for laundry services. Whether you choose a self-service model or a full-service operation your focus on quality and customer satisfaction will set you apart. Embrace flexibility in your schedule and take advantage of low startup costs. Remember that thorough market research and a solid business plan are your keys to success. As you navigate challenges like rising costs and competition keep your passion for service at the forefront. Now’s the time to turn your vision into reality and create a laundry business that meets the needs of your community. Frequently Asked Questions What are the key benefits of starting a laundry business? Starting a laundry business offers benefits such as flexible working hours, enabling a better work-life balance. The startup costs are relatively low, allowing entrepreneurs to begin with minimal financing. There’s also a consistent demand for laundry services, making it a stable and rewarding venture. Do I need extensive experience to start a laundry business? No, you don’t need extensive experience. While having knowledge of the industry helps, a solid business plan and a passion for service are more important. The article provides guidance on the steps to launch successfully. What types of laundry businesses can I start? There are various types of laundry businesses, including self-service laundromats and full-service operations. Self-service laundromats focus on customer independence, while full-service businesses handle all aspects of laundry care for customers, emphasizing satisfaction. How do I choose the right equipment for my laundry business? Selecting the right equipment is crucial. You should consider customer needs when choosing washers and dryers. Additionally, incorporating folding stations improves workflow and enhances the customer experience, making it easier for staff and clients alike. What marketing strategies are effective for a laundry business? Effective marketing strategies include establishing a strong online presence through a user-friendly website and social media. Utilizing SEO techniques, email marketing, and local advertising like flyers and community events can help attract and retain customers. What challenges can I face when starting a laundry business? Common challenges include rising costs, environmental regulations, and labor shortages. Regular equipment maintenance is essential for efficiency, and understanding local competition is crucial for differentiating your services and attracting customers. How can I finance my laundry business startup? You can start with minimal financing or explore funding options like small business loans and grants. A well-crafted business plan can help you secure the necessary funds, demonstrating your vision and potential profitability to investors or lenders. Image Via Envato This article, "Essential Guide to Start a Laundry Business and Achieve Success" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Key Takeaways Rewarding Business Opportunity: Starting a laundry business meets a consistent community need, driven by busy lifestyles and the ongoing demand for clean clothing. Business Models: Entrepreneurs can choose between self-service laundromats, requiring minimal staff, and full-service laundry options, catering to clients with a comprehensive washing and drying experience. Startup Costs: Low initial investment makes it accessible for budding entrepreneurs, allowing flexibility in financing options through loans or crowdfunding. Essential Equipment: Selecting the right washing machines, dryers, and folding stations is crucial for operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. Effective Marketing: Building a strong online presence and engaging in local advertising can significantly enhance customer acquisition and brand visibility. Anticipate Challenges: Be prepared for industry challenges, such as rising costs, labor shortages, and maintenance needs, to ensure long-term success in the laundry business. Starting a laundry business can be a rewarding venture that meets a vital need in your community. With busy lifestyles and the constant demand for clean clothes, there’s never been a better time to dive into this industry. Whether you’re considering a self-service laundromat or a full-service laundry, the opportunities are plentiful. You don’t need extensive experience to get started, just a solid plan and a passion for service. This guide will walk you through the essential steps to launch your laundry business, from market research to choosing the right equipment. Get ready to turn your entrepreneurial dreams into reality and create a thriving business that keeps your customers coming back for more. Benefits Of Starting A Laundry Business Starting a laundry business offers numerous advantages for entrepreneurs seeking to tap into a stable market. Understanding these benefits can motivate you to embark on this rewarding venture. Flexible Working Hours Flexible working hours allow you to tailor your schedule to fit personal commitments. You can choose to operate during peak times, accommodating busy customers, or establish hours that suit your lifestyle. This flexibility enhances work-life balance, making it easier for you to maintain other responsibilities or pursue additional interests. Low Startup Costs Low startup costs present an appealing entry point for aspiring business owners. Initial investments often include essential equipment, such as washers, dryers, and detergents. Depending on your business model, you can start as a small operation with minimal financing or explore funding options like crowdfunding or small business loans. A well-crafted business plan can further strengthen your position when seeking funding. With careful budgeting and market research, you establish a foundation for potential growth without overwhelming financial burdens. Types Of Laundry Businesses Understanding the different types of laundry businesses is essential for entrepreneurs exploring how to start a business in this industry. Each model comes with unique operational structures and opportunities for profitability. Self-Service Laundromats Self-service laundromats allow customers to wash and dry their laundry independently. These facilities require minimal staff, focusing primarily on maintenance and customer support. High-efficiency washers and dryers enhance performance while conserving water and energy. Typical features include vending machines for detergent and coin or card-operated payment systems, streamlining the user experience. Selecting the right location is critical for success. Aim for high-traffic areas, such as near apartment complexes, shopping centers, or universities. Consider local competition and accessibility to your target audience when conducting market research, as these factors significantly impact customer acquisition and revenue. Establishing a solid business plan that incorporates costs, such as equipment and leasing, lays the groundwork for a sustainable venture. Full-Service Laundry Full-service laundry businesses cater to customers by handling every aspect of the cleaning process. These services usually include washing, drying, folding, and often ironing garments. Employing skilled staff enhances customer satisfaction, making it crucial to focus on hiring and training. Full-service models may target specific niches, like high-end garments or commercial clients, which can influence your branding and marketing strategies. Leveraging digital marketing, including SEO and social media, strengthens your reach to potential customers. Establishing partnerships with local businesses can be advantageous, creating a steady stream of clients while enhancing your reputation. Setting the right legal structure for your full-service operation—whether an LLC, sole proprietorship, or corporation—ensures compliance with local regulations. Obtaining the necessary permits and licenses is a vital step in your startup journey. Focusing on customer service and quality can differentiate your business from competitors, fostering customer loyalty and repeat business. Exploring funding options, such as small business loans or crowdfunding, expands your ability to scale operations quickly. By understanding these core types of laundry businesses, you will cultivate a clear picture of your entrepreneurial path. Essential Equipment For Your Laundry Business Starting your laundry business requires the right equipment to serve your customers efficiently. Focusing on essential machinery boosts operational capacity and customer satisfaction. Washing Machines Commercial washing machines serve as the backbone of your laundry operation. Options range from compact 5kg machines to large 120kg units. Selecting the right type of washing machine is crucial. You can opt for: Top-loaders: Economical and user-friendly, they often consume more water. Front-loaders: More energy and water-efficient, though typically more expensive. High-Efficiency (HE) top-loaders: Use less water and energy, appealing to environmentally conscious customers. Assess your customer volume and tailor the number and capacity of machines accordingly. Investing in high-quality washing machines creates a reliable service, aiding customer retention and high satisfaction rates. Dryers Dryers complement washing machines, essential for fast and effective garment drying. Tumble dryers are the most common choice among laundry businesses due to their efficiency. You should consider: Stackable dryers: Ideal for space management while maximizing output. Commercial-grade dryers: Offer durability and quicker drying times. Choosing the right dryer type enhances your service’s competitiveness and accommodates high customer flow, impacting overall profitability. Folding Stations Folding stations streamline your workflow and improve the customer experience. You can implement: Dedicated folding tables: Ensure sufficient space for folding clothes efficiently. Signage: Provide clear instructions for customers to maintain organization and cleanliness. Incorporating these stations into your business layout aids in efficient closing operations, enhancing customer service. Investing in quality folding stations supports a smoother experience, promoting positive customer attitudes toward your brand. With these essential pieces of equipment, you can effectively set up your laundry business, ensuring operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. Marketing Strategies For Your Laundry Business Effective marketing strategies are crucial for your laundry business’s success. Implementing targeted tactics can improve customer acquisition and enhance brand visibility. Building An Online Presence Establish a strong online presence to connect with your target audience. Create a user-friendly website showcasing your services, pricing, and contact information. Optimize your site for search engines using SEO techniques to improve visibility. Utilize social media platforms to engage potential customers through compelling content and promotions. Consider email marketing campaigns to keep clients informed about new offers and loyalty programs. Investing in a digital marketing strategy enhances your online reach, attracting more customers. Local Advertising Leverage local advertising to promote your laundry business within your community. Utilize flyers, posters, and local newspapers to reach nearby residents. Participate in community events to network and increase brand awareness. Partner with local businesses for referral programs that incentivize shared customers. Offering discounts or free trials can encourage first-time visitors to try your services. Focus on building relationships within the community to foster loyalty and repeat business. Challenges In The Laundry Industry Understanding the challenges in the laundry industry helps you prepare for potential obstacles as you start a business. Key aspects include rising costs, environmental regulations, labor shortages, competition, and maintenance of equipment. Rising Costs Rising costs significantly impact laundry businesses. Labor expenses, energy bills, and supply prices all increase, affecting profitability. Staying competitive while ensuring high standards of cleanliness requires careful management of these expenses. Environmental Regulations Environmental regulations shape your laundry business operations. Compliance with laws concerning water consumption and wastewater management proves essential. Navigating these regulations can consume time and resources, but non-compliance can lead to fines and reputational damage. Labor Shortages Labor shortages present a challenge, especially in areas with low unemployment rates. Finding skilled workers costs more while impacting service consistency. Investing in training programs enhances your team’s skills and improves service quality. Competition Competition within the laundry industry is fierce. Numerous established businesses can make customer acquisition difficult. Conducting thorough market research helps you identify your target audience and refine your business model to stand out. Differentiating your services through exceptional customer care and effective branding strengthens your position. Maintenance Of Equipment Maintenance of equipment ensures efficiency in your laundry operations. Regular servicing of washers and dryers prevents costly breakdowns, which can disrupt business. Implementing a maintenance schedule allows you to manage expenses and extend equipment lifespan, contributing to improved profit margins. Conclusion Starting a laundry business can be a fulfilling and profitable journey. With the right planning and dedication you can tap into a steady demand for laundry services. Whether you choose a self-service model or a full-service operation your focus on quality and customer satisfaction will set you apart. Embrace flexibility in your schedule and take advantage of low startup costs. Remember that thorough market research and a solid business plan are your keys to success. As you navigate challenges like rising costs and competition keep your passion for service at the forefront. Now’s the time to turn your vision into reality and create a laundry business that meets the needs of your community. Frequently Asked Questions What are the key benefits of starting a laundry business? Starting a laundry business offers benefits such as flexible working hours, enabling a better work-life balance. The startup costs are relatively low, allowing entrepreneurs to begin with minimal financing. There’s also a consistent demand for laundry services, making it a stable and rewarding venture. Do I need extensive experience to start a laundry business? No, you don’t need extensive experience. While having knowledge of the industry helps, a solid business plan and a passion for service are more important. The article provides guidance on the steps to launch successfully. What types of laundry businesses can I start? There are various types of laundry businesses, including self-service laundromats and full-service operations. Self-service laundromats focus on customer independence, while full-service businesses handle all aspects of laundry care for customers, emphasizing satisfaction. How do I choose the right equipment for my laundry business? Selecting the right equipment is crucial. You should consider customer needs when choosing washers and dryers. Additionally, incorporating folding stations improves workflow and enhances the customer experience, making it easier for staff and clients alike. What marketing strategies are effective for a laundry business? Effective marketing strategies include establishing a strong online presence through a user-friendly website and social media. Utilizing SEO techniques, email marketing, and local advertising like flyers and community events can help attract and retain customers. What challenges can I face when starting a laundry business? Common challenges include rising costs, environmental regulations, and labor shortages. Regular equipment maintenance is essential for efficiency, and understanding local competition is crucial for differentiating your services and attracting customers. How can I finance my laundry business startup? You can start with minimal financing or explore funding options like small business loans and grants. A well-crafted business plan can help you secure the necessary funds, demonstrating your vision and potential profitability to investors or lenders. Image Via Envato This article, "Essential Guide to Start a Laundry Business and Achieve Success" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. If you're tied into the Apple ecosystem and looking to upgrade your mouse or streamline your desk setup, Woot is offering a refurbished Apple Magic Mouse 2 for $49.99 for the next twelve days—or until it sells out. That’s a decent cut from its current $79.95 listing on Amazon. It's worth mentioning upfront that this is a refurbished unit, which means it might show minor signs of previous use, but it’s been inspected and approved to work properly. Woot throws in a 90-day limited warranty, and free shipping is available if you’re an Amazon Prime member (otherwise, it’ll add $6 to the bill). Also, Woot only ships to the 48 contiguous U.S. states. Apple Magic Mouse 2 $49.99 at Woot $79.95 Save $29.96 Get Deal Get Deal $49.99 at Woot $79.95 Save $29.96 The low-friction strips on the bottom of the Magic Mouse 2 help it move smoothly across surfaces, and its optical sensor is quick to pick up on movement. You can also easily tweak the tracking speed and sensitivity of the mouse through your Mac’s settings (it automatically pairs with any Mac via Bluetooth). Swiping between browser pages, switching full-screen apps, and pulling up Mission Control are all baked into its multitouch surface, and everything feels natural once you get the hang of it. That said, the low profile of this mouse might not be for everyone—if you prefer a mouse with a more sculpted, ergonomic shape for long work sessions, it could feel uncomfortable. Also, the charging port is awkwardly placed on the bottom, meaning you can’t use it while it’s plugged in. But if you’re someone who charges devices overnight anyway, it’s manageable. View the full article