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Staying at home with kids is a full-time job on its own. But many moms also want to make extra money online or with a home-based business idea. If you’re looking for the perfect business idea for stay at home moms, read on for some options. What is a Mompreneur? A mompreneur is any mom who also runs a business. The term is often applied to those who run companies that serve other moms, or those who serve as the primary caregiver for their children. Read more: What is a Mompreneur? Business Opportunities for Stay-at-Home Moms Technology has opened lots of opportunities for stay-at-home moms and anyone looking to run a business remotely. You can run a company completely online and enjoy time flexibility to complete tasks while the kids are napping or entertaining themselves. Read more: 21 Successful Mom Entrepreneurs to Inspire You Why You Should Consider Starting Your Own Business as a Stay-at-Home Parent Some aspiring small business owners who are also parents may consider waiting until their children are grown or away at school. However, here are some reasons why you should start a business while staying home with the kids: Earn extra income: Most families with a parent who stays home live off one income. However, if you can build a lucrative business from home or during a partner’s off-hours, you can increase your family’s resources significantly. Demonstrate work ethic to your kids: If your kids see you working hard at something you love, they may emulate you and create their own career opportunities in the future. Enjoy a flexible schedule: Home-based business ideas often allow you to work on your own schedule. You can run your business while the kids sleep, go to school, or enjoy fun activities. Get your kids involved: As they get older, certain business opportunities may even create family bonding opportunities. For example, your kids may weigh in on your web design options or help you prepare decorations for an event you’re planning. Do something for yourself: Stay-at-home parents spend most of their time taking care of others. Creating your own business opportunity can help you reclaim some of your individuality, creativity, and sense of purpose outside your family. Criteria for Choosing Business Ideas for Stay-at-Home Moms: Our Methodology To assist stay-at-home moms in finding entrepreneurial opportunities that align with their lifestyle and responsibilities, we use a specific set of criteria. These criteria are essential for identifying ventures that are feasible, flexible, and rewarding. Each criterion is rated on a scale from 1 to 5, where 1 indicates the least importance and 5 the highest importance in our review process: Flexibility and Time Management Importance: 5 We prioritize business ideas that offer flexibility in terms of time and scheduling. This allows stay-at-home moms to balance business activities with family responsibilities effectively. Low Start-Up Costs and Overhead Importance: 4 Business ideas with minimal initial investment and low ongoing costs are preferable, as they reduce financial risk and are more accessible for moms working from home. Potential for Home-Based Operations Importance: 5 We assess the feasibility of running the business entirely or primarily from home, which is crucial for moms who need to be available for their children. Skill and Talent Utilization Importance: 4 Business ideas that leverage a mom’s existing skills, talents, or interests are highly rated. This could include areas like crafting, writing, consulting, or teaching. Market Demand and Economic Viability Importance: 4 The demand for the product or service in the market and its potential for generating income are important considerations. Scalability and Growth Potential Importance: 3 We evaluate whether the business idea has the potential for growth and scalability, both in the short term and as the children get older. Social Interaction and Networking Importance: 3 Opportunities for social interaction and networking can be beneficial, especially for stay-at-home moms looking to build a community or expand their professional network. Work-Life Balance Importance: 5 It’s crucial that the business idea aligns with maintaining a healthy work-life balance, ensuring that family life is not adversely impacted. By applying these criteria, our aim is to guide stay-at-home moms toward business ideas that are not only feasible and flexible but also fulfilling and compatible with their family-oriented lifestyle. Best Business Ideas for Mompreneurs Here are the top home businesses for moms interested in offering profitable products or services online. Freelance Writing Business As a freelance writer, you contract with publications to create content or articles as needed. This business model allows for flexibility and creativity, enabling you to write across multiple genres and for various platforms. There are a few ways to structure this business. Some writers work with just one or two companies on an ongoing basis, developing a deep understanding of their client’s voice and needs. Others prefer to diversify, marketing their writing skills on a wider scale, and partnering with multiple clients for short projects, which can range from blogs, magazine articles, or even ghostwriting books. Proofreading Business If your strength lies in refining content rather than creating it, then starting a proofreading service might be a great fit for you. You can serve a range of clients, including online publications, print journals, academic scholars, or independent authors looking to self-publish. As a proofreader, your keen eye for detail ensures the content is error-free and meets high-quality standards. Proofreaders may charge an hourly rate per word or even per project. As the digital age continues to boom, the demand for error-free content becomes increasingly crucial, making proofreading a sought-after skill. It’s also incredibly flexible and can easily be done from home on your own schedule. Bookkeeping Business For those with a knack for numbers and a financial background, running a bookkeeping business can be both profitable and satisfying. Many local businesses, especially small to medium enterprises, require bookkeeping services but don’t have the resources to hire a full-time accountant. By offering your services, you can help these businesses maintain their financial health. With the aid of modern bookkeeping software and cloud-based solutions, you can easily manage your client’s financial records, process payroll, and generate financial statements. Plus, the ability to work remotely allows you to serve clients beyond your local area right from the comfort of your home office. Virtual Assistant In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, business owners and entrepreneurs frequently face a multitude of tasks. This is where the virtual assistant (VA) comes into play, providing essential support for those who feel inundated by administrative responsibilities. Virtual assistants provide a broad spectrum of services, from scheduling meetings, managing social media accounts, and drafting emails to more specialized tasks like market research. As a VA, you can choose to work with one large client, offering a comprehensive range of services, or diversify and provide specific services to several clients. The flexible nature of this role means you can tailor your services to suit your strengths and expertise, and with many businesses moving online, the demand for VAs is on the rise. Read more: Small Business Ideas for Beginners Direct Sales Direct sales contracts with larger companies to sell products. Alternatively, some offer multi-level marketing opportunities where you purchase products yourself and then sell them to others. This can be another flexible opportunity, but one that can allow you to network with others in your industry. Social Media Manager Social media managers are responsible for scheduling content and engaging with followers on their clients’ social media accounts. To promote your services to other businesses, consider creating your own website and social media profiles. Personal Training Business Those with a fitness background can serve personal training clients online thanks to video chatting platforms. Or you can work with people in your local community if you prefer and if your schedule allows. You just need a home gym and computer to start this type of business. Consulting Business If you have experience with business, marketing, or other technical skills, work with clients remotely as a consultant. These professionals usually give clients the knowledge and tools to improve operations on their own, rather than offering ongoing services. More Great Home Business Ideas for Moms There are tons of diverse opportunities for making money as stay-at-home parents. Whether looking for an online business idea or something that you can run with your kids, here are some opportunities to consider. Course Writing Business Online education is experiencing a boom as more people seek to upskill or learn new topics from the comfort of their homes. If you have expertise in a particular subject, creating an online course can be a lucrative venture. Online courses typically consist of multiple videos, written lessons, quizzes, and interactive elements tailored to suit various learning styles. Once your course is ready, you can offer it for sale on your website or use platforms like Udemy or Coursera to reach a wider audience. A well-organized course can provide a source of passive income, allowing students to enroll and complete the course at their own pace without requiring any further involvement from you after it has been launched. Online Store There are tons of products you can sell online, from t-shirts to tech devices. Manage your own inventory from home or use a fulfillment or drop shipping service to simplify operations. Graphic Design Business In an increasingly visual world, businesses are continuously in need of standout graphics. If you have a flair for design, starting a graphic design business can be both fulfilling and profitable. Graphic designers assist companies in crafting their brand identity by creating logos, promotional materials, website designs, and more. With the advent of tools like Adobe Creative Cloud and communication platforms like Slack or Zoom, it’s easier than ever to collaborate with clients from all over the world, making your operations entirely remote. At-Home Daycare For those who love children and have the space and resources, an at-home daycare can be an ideal business. By providing care for your own children alongside others in the community, you can earn an income while also creating a social environment for the kids. Parents are always in search of reliable and nurturing spaces for their children, and by offering a safe, structured, and loving environment, you can create a thriving business. Just ensure you have the necessary licenses and adhere to local regulations. Dog Walking Business For animal enthusiasts looking for an active business, dog walking can be both enjoyable and profitable. It’s a great way to combine your daily walks with an income stream. If you have children who adore pets, this business becomes a fun family affair, teaching them responsibility while enjoying the outdoors. As your reputation grows, you can expand services to pet sitting or even grooming. Craft Business For those who find joy in creating, a craft business can be a rewarding endeavor. Whether you’re into pottery, jewelry making, or creating bespoke home decor, there’s a market for unique, handcrafted items. You can establish an online presence through platforms like Etsy or Shopify or participate in local craft fairs and farmer’s markets to showcase your creations. As demand grows, you can also consider offering craft workshops or tutorials, adding another revenue stream to your business. Event Planning Business Organizing events, whether they’re birthdays, weddings, or corporate functions, requires meticulous planning and a keen eye for detail. As an event planner, you’d collaborate with clients to bring their vision to life, liaising with vendors, venues, and suppliers. Even though much of the coordination can be done remotely, you’ll sometimes need to visit sites or attend the actual event to ensure things go smoothly. Event planners build a reputation based on the experiences they curate, so exceeding client expectations is key. This is an ideal opportunity for those who love social interaction and networking. Tutoring Business With the rise of online education, the demand for online tutors is increasing. You can utilize platforms such as Zoom or Skype to provide personalized lessons in subjects where you excel. This business can encompass a variety of areas, from academic subjects to skills like playing musical instruments or learning languages. Wholesale Baking Business For those who find solace in baking, turning this hobby into a business is a delightful proposition. From cupcakes to artisan bread, if you can bake it, there’s likely a local cafe or bakery interested in purchasing. Ensure you’re familiar with health regulations and obtain the necessary licenses. Stock Photography Business Quality images are in high demand for websites, blogs, and advertising campaigns. If you have a knack for photography, selling your images on platforms like Shutterstock or Getty Images can provide a steady income. Diversify your portfolio to increase sales opportunities. Digital Product Sales Digital products are cost-effective to produce and distribute. Create and sell items like eBooks, printable planners, or design templates. Websites like Gumroad or Shopify make selling these products seamless. YouTuber Create your own YouTube channel about your family or another subject you’re passionate about. Then, earn income from ad sharing or sponsored content. Social Media Influencer Similarly, focus on growing your own social media presence and work with brands you love to provide sponsorship opportunities. This is a flexible opportunity that you can scale over time. Podcaster For those who prefer an audio format, podcasting allows you to share content you care about. Then, offer sponsored ads within each show. Affiliate Marketing Affiliate marketers earn a commission from each sale made when they direct followers to a site via an affiliate link. This is a popular passive income stream for bloggers or influencers. Content Marketing Service Offer writing services to businesses that want to start a blog or build a robust online presence. There are many in-demand niches that you can specialize in while working remotely on your own schedule. Vacation Rental Business If you have the resources to purchase properties in a popular tourist destination, rent those spaces on sites like Airbnb or VRBO. You’ll need to maintain those properties regularly or work with a management company to get them ready for new guests. Meal Prep Service Those who love cooking may offer prepared meals to clients, especially those looking to save time and eat more healthy foods. Catering Service Turn your culinary passion into a business by catering events. Whether it’s intimate gatherings or grand affairs, delivering exceptional food and service will secure repeat clientele. Alterations Service For those with sewing skills, alter clothing and hem curtains for local customers from your own home. You can run this business on your own schedule, and you only need a few supplies to get started. Laundry Service Similarly, you can offer laundry services like washing, stain removal, and pressing. Either let customers pick up their items or deliver them to each person’s home. Web Design Business If you have the technical skills to design and build websites, help businesses create their own online presence in exchange for a fee. Create your own website with an online portfolio to showcase your work. Business Ideas for Stay-at-Home Moms Summary Brief Description Freelance Writing BusinessContract with publications to create content. Options for diverse clientele or specializing in one or two. Proofreading BusinessRefine content for clients; service online publications, academic scholars, and more. Bookkeeping BusinessServe local businesses with financial record management. Work remotely with modern software. Virtual AssistantManage administrative duties for businesses. Services range from scheduling to specialized tasks. Direct SalesContract with companies to sell products or engage in multi-level marketing. Social Media ManagerHandle content and interactions for client's social media accounts. Personal Training BusinessOffer fitness services online through video chats. Consulting BusinessShare expertise to help clients improve operations. Course Writing BusinessCreate online educational courses in specialized subjects. Online StoreSell various products online. Graphic Design BusinessCraft visual materials for businesses, including logos and promotional items. At-Home DaycareProvide care for children in a structured and loving environment. Dog Walking BusinessOffer walking services for dogs. Craft BusinessSell unique, handcrafted items online or at local events. Event Planning BusinessOrganize and manage various events for clients. Tutoring BusinessOffer online lessons in various subjects. Wholesale Baking BusinessBake goods for local establishments. Stock Photography BusinessSell quality photographs for various purposes online. Digital Product SalesProduce and distribute digital items like eBooks or design templates. YouTuberCreate content on YouTube and earn from ads or sponsorships. Social Media InfluencerGrow online presence and collaborate with brands for sponsorships. PodcasterProduce audio content and monetize through ads or sponsorships. Affiliate MarketingEarn commissions by directing followers to sites via affiliate links. Content Marketing ServiceOffer writing services to businesses wanting to build an online presence. Vacation Rental BusinessRent properties on platforms like Airbnb or VRBO. Meal Prep ServiceOffer prepared meals for those wanting convenient, healthy options. Catering ServiceProvide food services for events. Alterations ServiceSew or alter clothing for customers. Laundry ServiceProvide washing, stain removal, and pressing services. Web Design BusinessDesign and build websites for businesses. What Business Idea Can You Do While Staying Home? There are many online business ideas for stay-at-home moms that allow you to work from home and set your own schedule. For instance, you could provide freelance services such as writing, marketing, or web design to other businesses. Alternatively, you might consider launching your own eCommerce site or offering services directly to consumers, such as dog walking or laundry and alterations. Which Home Business Is Most Profitable? Many home-based businesses can be profitable since they often don’t come with high overhead costs like retail or office space. There are several that can be started with little to no investment, including freelance writing, web design services, and VA business, all of which can be profitable quickly. Conclusion The journey of a stay-at-home mom is undoubtedly a full-time job in itself, filled with love, care, and dedication to family. However, the modern world has opened up a world of opportunities for moms who wish to balance their caregiving responsibilities with the pursuit of entrepreneurial dreams. The term “mompreneur” encapsulates the spirit of these mothers who successfully manage both roles – nurturing their families and running businesses of their own. The changing landscape of technology and remote work has ushered in a wealth of business opportunities for stay-at-home moms. The ability to operate businesses entirely online has provided moms with the flexibility to manage their businesses while attending to their children’s needs. This new paradigm has transformed what it means to be a stay-at-home mom, offering a chance to earn income and pursue personal passions simultaneously. The decision to start a business while staying at home with the kids is a significant one, and it’s not without its challenges. However, the benefits and opportunities that come with this choice are substantial. Here are some compelling reasons why aspiring mompreneurs should seriously consider starting their own businesses: 1. Earn Extra Income: Many families rely on a single income when a parent stays home to care for the children. By establishing a profitable business from the comfort of home or during a partner’s off-hours, moms can significantly increase their family’s financial resources. This extra income can be a game-changer, providing financial security and the ability to pursue family goals more comfortably. 2. Set an Example of Work Ethic: Children often emulate the behaviors and values they observe in their parents. When kids see their moms working hard on something they are passionate about, it instills a strong work ethic in them. This example can inspire the next generation to create their own career opportunities, fostering independence and a lifelong love for learning. 3. Enjoy a Flexible Schedule: One of the most significant advantages of home-based business ideas is the flexibility they offer. Moms can manage their businesses during the hours that best suit their family’s needs. Whether it’s working during nap times, school hours, or late at night, this flexibility allows moms to strike a balance between caring for their children and pursuing their entrepreneurial dreams. 4. Get Kids Involved: As children grow older, certain business opportunities can create unique bonding experiences for families. Involving kids in aspects of the business, such as web design decisions or event planning, not only educates them but also strengthens family ties. It’s an opportunity for kids to learn about entrepreneurship firsthand, gaining insights into creativity, responsibility, and teamwork. 5. Reclaim Personal Identity: Stay-at-home parents often dedicate the majority of their time to caring for their families. While this is a noble and fulfilling role, it’s equally important for parents to nurture their individuality and personal interests. Starting a business allows moms to reclaim some of their creativity, passion, and sense of purpose outside their family role. The article has explored a wide range of business ideas suitable for mompreneurs, each offering unique opportunities for earning income and personal fulfillment. Here are some of the top home businesses for moms: 1. Freelance Writing Business: Freelance writers have the flexibility to create content for various platforms and genres. Whether they choose to work with a few long-term clients or diversify their portfolio, this business allows moms to express their creativity and writing skills. 2. Proofreading Business: If attention to detail is a strength, a proofreading service can cater to online publications, academic scholars, and authors seeking error-free content. 3. Bookkeeping Business: Moms with a financial background can offer bookkeeping services to local businesses. Modern bookkeeping software and remote work capabilities make this business accessible from home. 4. Virtual Assistant: In today’s fast-paced digital world, virtual assistants help businesses and entrepreneurs manage administrative tasks. Moms can choose to work with one primary client or offer specific services to multiple clients, adapting their roles to their strengths and expertise. 5. Direct Sales: Moms can participate in direct sales by collaborating with larger companies to sell their products or by delving into multi-level marketing opportunities. This business model provides flexibility and the opportunity to earn commissions from product sales. 6. Social Media Manager: Social media managers schedule content and engage with followers on clients’ social media accounts. Establishing an online presence to market services to other businesses is a key aspect of this business. 7. Personal Training Business: Moms with fitness backgrounds can offer personal training services online through video chatting platforms, combining their passion for fitness with income generation. 8. Consulting Business: Moms with expertise in various fields, such as business or marketing, can work as consultants, offering clients knowledge and tools to improve their operations independently. Beyond these business ideas, numerous other opportunities await stay-at-home moms. From creating online courses to selling products through eCommerce, the options are diverse and tailored to individual skills and passions. In the pursuit of entrepreneurship, moms can find fulfillment, financial independence, and a sense of personal identity while continuing to provide the love and care their families deserve. The path to becoming a successful mompreneur is not without its challenges, but with determination, creativity, and a strong work ethic, moms can achieve their business goals and inspire the next generation to follow their dreams. As we look to the future, let us celebrate the resilience and ingenuity of stay-at-home moms who have ventured into the world of entrepreneurship. They are not just managing businesses; they are also nurturing their families, proving that with dedication and ambition, it’s possible to create a harmonious balance between career and family life. The mompreneurs of today are paving the way for a new generation of empowered women who can thrive both at home and in the business world. Image: Envato Elements This article, "Business Ideas for Stay-at-Home Moms" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Staying at home with kids is a full-time job on its own. But many moms also want to make extra money online or with a home-based business idea. If you’re looking for the perfect business idea for stay at home moms, read on for some options. What is a Mompreneur? A mompreneur is any mom who also runs a business. The term is often applied to those who run companies that serve other moms, or those who serve as the primary caregiver for their children. Read more: What is a Mompreneur? Business Opportunities for Stay-at-Home Moms Technology has opened lots of opportunities for stay-at-home moms and anyone looking to run a business remotely. You can run a company completely online and enjoy time flexibility to complete tasks while the kids are napping or entertaining themselves. Read more: 21 Successful Mom Entrepreneurs to Inspire You Why You Should Consider Starting Your Own Business as a Stay-at-Home Parent Some aspiring small business owners who are also parents may consider waiting until their children are grown or away at school. However, here are some reasons why you should start a business while staying home with the kids: Earn extra income: Most families with a parent who stays home live off one income. However, if you can build a lucrative business from home or during a partner’s off-hours, you can increase your family’s resources significantly. Demonstrate work ethic to your kids: If your kids see you working hard at something you love, they may emulate you and create their own career opportunities in the future. Enjoy a flexible schedule: Home-based business ideas often allow you to work on your own schedule. You can run your business while the kids sleep, go to school, or enjoy fun activities. Get your kids involved: As they get older, certain business opportunities may even create family bonding opportunities. For example, your kids may weigh in on your web design options or help you prepare decorations for an event you’re planning. Do something for yourself: Stay-at-home parents spend most of their time taking care of others. Creating your own business opportunity can help you reclaim some of your individuality, creativity, and sense of purpose outside your family. Criteria for Choosing Business Ideas for Stay-at-Home Moms: Our Methodology To assist stay-at-home moms in finding entrepreneurial opportunities that align with their lifestyle and responsibilities, we use a specific set of criteria. These criteria are essential for identifying ventures that are feasible, flexible, and rewarding. Each criterion is rated on a scale from 1 to 5, where 1 indicates the least importance and 5 the highest importance in our review process: Flexibility and Time Management Importance: 5 We prioritize business ideas that offer flexibility in terms of time and scheduling. This allows stay-at-home moms to balance business activities with family responsibilities effectively. Low Start-Up Costs and Overhead Importance: 4 Business ideas with minimal initial investment and low ongoing costs are preferable, as they reduce financial risk and are more accessible for moms working from home. Potential for Home-Based Operations Importance: 5 We assess the feasibility of running the business entirely or primarily from home, which is crucial for moms who need to be available for their children. Skill and Talent Utilization Importance: 4 Business ideas that leverage a mom’s existing skills, talents, or interests are highly rated. This could include areas like crafting, writing, consulting, or teaching. Market Demand and Economic Viability Importance: 4 The demand for the product or service in the market and its potential for generating income are important considerations. Scalability and Growth Potential Importance: 3 We evaluate whether the business idea has the potential for growth and scalability, both in the short term and as the children get older. Social Interaction and Networking Importance: 3 Opportunities for social interaction and networking can be beneficial, especially for stay-at-home moms looking to build a community or expand their professional network. Work-Life Balance Importance: 5 It’s crucial that the business idea aligns with maintaining a healthy work-life balance, ensuring that family life is not adversely impacted. By applying these criteria, our aim is to guide stay-at-home moms toward business ideas that are not only feasible and flexible but also fulfilling and compatible with their family-oriented lifestyle. Best Business Ideas for Mompreneurs Here are the top home businesses for moms interested in offering profitable products or services online. Freelance Writing Business As a freelance writer, you contract with publications to create content or articles as needed. This business model allows for flexibility and creativity, enabling you to write across multiple genres and for various platforms. There are a few ways to structure this business. Some writers work with just one or two companies on an ongoing basis, developing a deep understanding of their client’s voice and needs. Others prefer to diversify, marketing their writing skills on a wider scale, and partnering with multiple clients for short projects, which can range from blogs, magazine articles, or even ghostwriting books. Proofreading Business If your strength lies in refining content rather than creating it, then starting a proofreading service might be a great fit for you. You can serve a range of clients, including online publications, print journals, academic scholars, or independent authors looking to self-publish. As a proofreader, your keen eye for detail ensures the content is error-free and meets high-quality standards. Proofreaders may charge an hourly rate per word or even per project. As the digital age continues to boom, the demand for error-free content becomes increasingly crucial, making proofreading a sought-after skill. It’s also incredibly flexible and can easily be done from home on your own schedule. Bookkeeping Business For those with a knack for numbers and a financial background, running a bookkeeping business can be both profitable and satisfying. Many local businesses, especially small to medium enterprises, require bookkeeping services but don’t have the resources to hire a full-time accountant. By offering your services, you can help these businesses maintain their financial health. With the aid of modern bookkeeping software and cloud-based solutions, you can easily manage your client’s financial records, process payroll, and generate financial statements. Plus, the ability to work remotely allows you to serve clients beyond your local area right from the comfort of your home office. Virtual Assistant In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, business owners and entrepreneurs frequently face a multitude of tasks. This is where the virtual assistant (VA) comes into play, providing essential support for those who feel inundated by administrative responsibilities. Virtual assistants provide a broad spectrum of services, from scheduling meetings, managing social media accounts, and drafting emails to more specialized tasks like market research. As a VA, you can choose to work with one large client, offering a comprehensive range of services, or diversify and provide specific services to several clients. The flexible nature of this role means you can tailor your services to suit your strengths and expertise, and with many businesses moving online, the demand for VAs is on the rise. Read more: Small Business Ideas for Beginners Direct Sales Direct sales contracts with larger companies to sell products. Alternatively, some offer multi-level marketing opportunities where you purchase products yourself and then sell them to others. This can be another flexible opportunity, but one that can allow you to network with others in your industry. Social Media Manager Social media managers are responsible for scheduling content and engaging with followers on their clients’ social media accounts. To promote your services to other businesses, consider creating your own website and social media profiles. Personal Training Business Those with a fitness background can serve personal training clients online thanks to video chatting platforms. Or you can work with people in your local community if you prefer and if your schedule allows. You just need a home gym and computer to start this type of business. Consulting Business If you have experience with business, marketing, or other technical skills, work with clients remotely as a consultant. These professionals usually give clients the knowledge and tools to improve operations on their own, rather than offering ongoing services. More Great Home Business Ideas for Moms There are tons of diverse opportunities for making money as stay-at-home parents. Whether looking for an online business idea or something that you can run with your kids, here are some opportunities to consider. Course Writing Business Online education is experiencing a boom as more people seek to upskill or learn new topics from the comfort of their homes. If you have expertise in a particular subject, creating an online course can be a lucrative venture. Online courses typically consist of multiple videos, written lessons, quizzes, and interactive elements tailored to suit various learning styles. Once your course is ready, you can offer it for sale on your website or use platforms like Udemy or Coursera to reach a wider audience. A well-organized course can provide a source of passive income, allowing students to enroll and complete the course at their own pace without requiring any further involvement from you after it has been launched. Online Store There are tons of products you can sell online, from t-shirts to tech devices. Manage your own inventory from home or use a fulfillment or drop shipping service to simplify operations. Graphic Design Business In an increasingly visual world, businesses are continuously in need of standout graphics. If you have a flair for design, starting a graphic design business can be both fulfilling and profitable. Graphic designers assist companies in crafting their brand identity by creating logos, promotional materials, website designs, and more. With the advent of tools like Adobe Creative Cloud and communication platforms like Slack or Zoom, it’s easier than ever to collaborate with clients from all over the world, making your operations entirely remote. At-Home Daycare For those who love children and have the space and resources, an at-home daycare can be an ideal business. By providing care for your own children alongside others in the community, you can earn an income while also creating a social environment for the kids. Parents are always in search of reliable and nurturing spaces for their children, and by offering a safe, structured, and loving environment, you can create a thriving business. Just ensure you have the necessary licenses and adhere to local regulations. Dog Walking Business For animal enthusiasts looking for an active business, dog walking can be both enjoyable and profitable. It’s a great way to combine your daily walks with an income stream. If you have children who adore pets, this business becomes a fun family affair, teaching them responsibility while enjoying the outdoors. As your reputation grows, you can expand services to pet sitting or even grooming. Craft Business For those who find joy in creating, a craft business can be a rewarding endeavor. Whether you’re into pottery, jewelry making, or creating bespoke home decor, there’s a market for unique, handcrafted items. You can establish an online presence through platforms like Etsy or Shopify or participate in local craft fairs and farmer’s markets to showcase your creations. As demand grows, you can also consider offering craft workshops or tutorials, adding another revenue stream to your business. Event Planning Business Organizing events, whether they’re birthdays, weddings, or corporate functions, requires meticulous planning and a keen eye for detail. As an event planner, you’d collaborate with clients to bring their vision to life, liaising with vendors, venues, and suppliers. Even though much of the coordination can be done remotely, you’ll sometimes need to visit sites or attend the actual event to ensure things go smoothly. Event planners build a reputation based on the experiences they curate, so exceeding client expectations is key. This is an ideal opportunity for those who love social interaction and networking. Tutoring Business With the rise of online education, the demand for online tutors is increasing. You can utilize platforms such as Zoom or Skype to provide personalized lessons in subjects where you excel. This business can encompass a variety of areas, from academic subjects to skills like playing musical instruments or learning languages. Wholesale Baking Business For those who find solace in baking, turning this hobby into a business is a delightful proposition. From cupcakes to artisan bread, if you can bake it, there’s likely a local cafe or bakery interested in purchasing. Ensure you’re familiar with health regulations and obtain the necessary licenses. Stock Photography Business Quality images are in high demand for websites, blogs, and advertising campaigns. If you have a knack for photography, selling your images on platforms like Shutterstock or Getty Images can provide a steady income. Diversify your portfolio to increase sales opportunities. Digital Product Sales Digital products are cost-effective to produce and distribute. Create and sell items like eBooks, printable planners, or design templates. Websites like Gumroad or Shopify make selling these products seamless. YouTuber Create your own YouTube channel about your family or another subject you’re passionate about. Then, earn income from ad sharing or sponsored content. Social Media Influencer Similarly, focus on growing your own social media presence and work with brands you love to provide sponsorship opportunities. This is a flexible opportunity that you can scale over time. Podcaster For those who prefer an audio format, podcasting allows you to share content you care about. Then, offer sponsored ads within each show. Affiliate Marketing Affiliate marketers earn a commission from each sale made when they direct followers to a site via an affiliate link. This is a popular passive income stream for bloggers or influencers. Content Marketing Service Offer writing services to businesses that want to start a blog or build a robust online presence. There are many in-demand niches that you can specialize in while working remotely on your own schedule. Vacation Rental Business If you have the resources to purchase properties in a popular tourist destination, rent those spaces on sites like Airbnb or VRBO. You’ll need to maintain those properties regularly or work with a management company to get them ready for new guests. Meal Prep Service Those who love cooking may offer prepared meals to clients, especially those looking to save time and eat more healthy foods. Catering Service Turn your culinary passion into a business by catering events. Whether it’s intimate gatherings or grand affairs, delivering exceptional food and service will secure repeat clientele. Alterations Service For those with sewing skills, alter clothing and hem curtains for local customers from your own home. You can run this business on your own schedule, and you only need a few supplies to get started. Laundry Service Similarly, you can offer laundry services like washing, stain removal, and pressing. Either let customers pick up their items or deliver them to each person’s home. Web Design Business If you have the technical skills to design and build websites, help businesses create their own online presence in exchange for a fee. Create your own website with an online portfolio to showcase your work. Business Ideas for Stay-at-Home Moms Summary Brief Description Freelance Writing BusinessContract with publications to create content. Options for diverse clientele or specializing in one or two. Proofreading BusinessRefine content for clients; service online publications, academic scholars, and more. Bookkeeping BusinessServe local businesses with financial record management. Work remotely with modern software. Virtual AssistantManage administrative duties for businesses. Services range from scheduling to specialized tasks. Direct SalesContract with companies to sell products or engage in multi-level marketing. Social Media ManagerHandle content and interactions for client's social media accounts. Personal Training BusinessOffer fitness services online through video chats. Consulting BusinessShare expertise to help clients improve operations. Course Writing BusinessCreate online educational courses in specialized subjects. Online StoreSell various products online. Graphic Design BusinessCraft visual materials for businesses, including logos and promotional items. At-Home DaycareProvide care for children in a structured and loving environment. Dog Walking BusinessOffer walking services for dogs. Craft BusinessSell unique, handcrafted items online or at local events. Event Planning BusinessOrganize and manage various events for clients. Tutoring BusinessOffer online lessons in various subjects. Wholesale Baking BusinessBake goods for local establishments. Stock Photography BusinessSell quality photographs for various purposes online. Digital Product SalesProduce and distribute digital items like eBooks or design templates. YouTuberCreate content on YouTube and earn from ads or sponsorships. Social Media InfluencerGrow online presence and collaborate with brands for sponsorships. PodcasterProduce audio content and monetize through ads or sponsorships. Affiliate MarketingEarn commissions by directing followers to sites via affiliate links. Content Marketing ServiceOffer writing services to businesses wanting to build an online presence. Vacation Rental BusinessRent properties on platforms like Airbnb or VRBO. Meal Prep ServiceOffer prepared meals for those wanting convenient, healthy options. Catering ServiceProvide food services for events. Alterations ServiceSew or alter clothing for customers. Laundry ServiceProvide washing, stain removal, and pressing services. Web Design BusinessDesign and build websites for businesses. What Business Idea Can You Do While Staying Home? There are many online business ideas for stay-at-home moms that allow you to work from home and set your own schedule. For instance, you could provide freelance services such as writing, marketing, or web design to other businesses. Alternatively, you might consider launching your own eCommerce site or offering services directly to consumers, such as dog walking or laundry and alterations. Which Home Business Is Most Profitable? Many home-based businesses can be profitable since they often don’t come with high overhead costs like retail or office space. There are several that can be started with little to no investment, including freelance writing, web design services, and VA business, all of which can be profitable quickly. Conclusion The journey of a stay-at-home mom is undoubtedly a full-time job in itself, filled with love, care, and dedication to family. However, the modern world has opened up a world of opportunities for moms who wish to balance their caregiving responsibilities with the pursuit of entrepreneurial dreams. The term “mompreneur” encapsulates the spirit of these mothers who successfully manage both roles – nurturing their families and running businesses of their own. The changing landscape of technology and remote work has ushered in a wealth of business opportunities for stay-at-home moms. The ability to operate businesses entirely online has provided moms with the flexibility to manage their businesses while attending to their children’s needs. This new paradigm has transformed what it means to be a stay-at-home mom, offering a chance to earn income and pursue personal passions simultaneously. The decision to start a business while staying at home with the kids is a significant one, and it’s not without its challenges. However, the benefits and opportunities that come with this choice are substantial. Here are some compelling reasons why aspiring mompreneurs should seriously consider starting their own businesses: 1. Earn Extra Income: Many families rely on a single income when a parent stays home to care for the children. By establishing a profitable business from the comfort of home or during a partner’s off-hours, moms can significantly increase their family’s financial resources. This extra income can be a game-changer, providing financial security and the ability to pursue family goals more comfortably. 2. Set an Example of Work Ethic: Children often emulate the behaviors and values they observe in their parents. When kids see their moms working hard on something they are passionate about, it instills a strong work ethic in them. This example can inspire the next generation to create their own career opportunities, fostering independence and a lifelong love for learning. 3. Enjoy a Flexible Schedule: One of the most significant advantages of home-based business ideas is the flexibility they offer. Moms can manage their businesses during the hours that best suit their family’s needs. Whether it’s working during nap times, school hours, or late at night, this flexibility allows moms to strike a balance between caring for their children and pursuing their entrepreneurial dreams. 4. Get Kids Involved: As children grow older, certain business opportunities can create unique bonding experiences for families. Involving kids in aspects of the business, such as web design decisions or event planning, not only educates them but also strengthens family ties. It’s an opportunity for kids to learn about entrepreneurship firsthand, gaining insights into creativity, responsibility, and teamwork. 5. Reclaim Personal Identity: Stay-at-home parents often dedicate the majority of their time to caring for their families. While this is a noble and fulfilling role, it’s equally important for parents to nurture their individuality and personal interests. Starting a business allows moms to reclaim some of their creativity, passion, and sense of purpose outside their family role. The article has explored a wide range of business ideas suitable for mompreneurs, each offering unique opportunities for earning income and personal fulfillment. Here are some of the top home businesses for moms: 1. Freelance Writing Business: Freelance writers have the flexibility to create content for various platforms and genres. Whether they choose to work with a few long-term clients or diversify their portfolio, this business allows moms to express their creativity and writing skills. 2. Proofreading Business: If attention to detail is a strength, a proofreading service can cater to online publications, academic scholars, and authors seeking error-free content. 3. Bookkeeping Business: Moms with a financial background can offer bookkeeping services to local businesses. Modern bookkeeping software and remote work capabilities make this business accessible from home. 4. Virtual Assistant: In today’s fast-paced digital world, virtual assistants help businesses and entrepreneurs manage administrative tasks. Moms can choose to work with one primary client or offer specific services to multiple clients, adapting their roles to their strengths and expertise. 5. Direct Sales: Moms can participate in direct sales by collaborating with larger companies to sell their products or by delving into multi-level marketing opportunities. This business model provides flexibility and the opportunity to earn commissions from product sales. 6. Social Media Manager: Social media managers schedule content and engage with followers on clients’ social media accounts. Establishing an online presence to market services to other businesses is a key aspect of this business. 7. Personal Training Business: Moms with fitness backgrounds can offer personal training services online through video chatting platforms, combining their passion for fitness with income generation. 8. Consulting Business: Moms with expertise in various fields, such as business or marketing, can work as consultants, offering clients knowledge and tools to improve their operations independently. Beyond these business ideas, numerous other opportunities await stay-at-home moms. From creating online courses to selling products through eCommerce, the options are diverse and tailored to individual skills and passions. In the pursuit of entrepreneurship, moms can find fulfillment, financial independence, and a sense of personal identity while continuing to provide the love and care their families deserve. The path to becoming a successful mompreneur is not without its challenges, but with determination, creativity, and a strong work ethic, moms can achieve their business goals and inspire the next generation to follow their dreams. As we look to the future, let us celebrate the resilience and ingenuity of stay-at-home moms who have ventured into the world of entrepreneurship. They are not just managing businesses; they are also nurturing their families, proving that with dedication and ambition, it’s possible to create a harmonious balance between career and family life. The mompreneurs of today are paving the way for a new generation of empowered women who can thrive both at home and in the business world. Image: Envato Elements This article, "Business Ideas for Stay-at-Home Moms" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

If your Instagram profile looks a little different, you’re not alone. Instagram is rolling out a new 4:5 aspect ratio for post previews, replacing the classic 1:1 square grid. This means posts now appear taller, bringing the profile grid in line with the vertical-first format already used for feed posts and Reels. 0:00 /0:11 1× This update is part of Instagram’s evolution toward a more immersive, mobile-friendly experience. While it introduces some small adjustments for users who have carefully curated their feeds, the good news is that adapting to this change is easy—and might even help your content stand out more. In this guide, we’ll explain what’s changed, how to optimize your content, and what this means for Buffer users. What has changed with the Instagram grid?Instagram’s profile grid has traditionally displayed posts in a 1:1 square format (1080 x 1080 px). Now, the platform is updating the grid preview to 4:5 (1080 x 1350 px), giving posts a taller, more dynamic look. This shift aligns Instagram’s grid with the growing vertical-first trend seen in Reels, Stories, and feed posts, making content more engaging and optimized for mobile browsing. Here are the new dimensions: Single image & carousel postsFeed size: 1080 x 1350 px (4:5)Grid preview: 1080 x 1350 px (4:5)ReelsFeed size: 1080 x 1920 px (9:16)Grid preview: 1080 x 1440 px (3:4)This update is rolling out gradually, meaning some users may still see the classic square grid. However, designing content with the 4:5 format in mind now will ensure your feed stays visually appealing in the long run. Now, let’s review how this change affects your existing posts and how you can seamlessly adjust. How does the Instagram grid change impact your existing posts?Instagram’s switch to a taller grid format slightly alters how older posts are displayed. If your posts were originally designed for a 1:1 square format, you might notice some subtle adjustments in their appearance. Here are some things to keep in mind: Slight cropping of older posts: Posts originally designed as squares may have their edges trimmed slightly in the new grid preview, but the full image remains intact when tapped.A different profile aesthetic: If you’ve carefully arranged a square grid pattern, the taller format may shift how your posts align visually.While these updates might take a little getting used to, they won’t drastically change the visibility or impact of your content. Plus, there are easy ways to optimize your feed for the new format. How to optimize your Instagram gridAdapting to the new 4:5 grid format is simple and can even help make your content more engaging. Here’s how to adjust seamlessly: Start posting in 4:5 format: Creating posts in 1080 x 1350 px ensures they display correctly in both the feed and the profile grid.Keep key elements centered: Since some users still see a square grid, position important details (text, faces, logos) within a 1080 x 1080 px center area to ensure readability across different previews.Manually adjust older posts if needed: If a past post looks misaligned, you can tweak the preview. Here's howTap the three dots (•••) on the post.Select Edit > Adjust Preview.Reposition the image to fit better in the grid.Save changes to update the preview.Experiment with a new grid layout: Since the profile view is now taller, you have more room to play with creative layouts that showcase vertical visuals more effectively.Making these simple adjustments will keep your feed looking polished and optimized. How this affects your Instagram account in BufferBuffer now fully supports 4:5 images, although our previews have stayed the same — here’s how it works. You can still upload 4:5 (1080 x 1350 px) images, and Buffer will retain the correct format for Instagram’s feed.To maintain consistency across social networks, images in the queue and calendar views still appear in 1:1 format, but this does not affect how they are published on Instagram.Inside the composer, the upload thumbnail remains 1:1, but the right-side preview accurately reflects how your post will appear on Instagram.What this means for your scheduling workflowIf you upload a 4:5 image, it will post correctly to Instagram, even if the thumbnail preview appears square inside Buffer.If you upload a 1:1 image, Instagram may crop it slightly in the grid preview—so switching to 4:5 ensures better alignment.Use the right-side preview in Buffer to check how your post will look when published.The Buffer team is actively monitoring this update and will continue refining previews and resources to ensure a smooth publishing experience. Why Instagram made this change and what it means for youInstagram’s move from a 1:1 square grid to a 4:5 format is part of a broader push toward mobile-first, vertical content. Instagram’s head, Adam Mosseri, in a carousel on the change, confirmed that most content uploaded to the platform is already vertical. So the 4:5 preview is just aligning with feed posts and Reels, to create a seamless experience across the app. The new format maximizes screen space, making images and videos more immersive. View the full article

If you’re feeling a little apprehensive about your next flight because of Trump administration policies, that’s not unreasonable—and not just because Elon Musk and the so-called Department of Government Efficiency fired hundreds of workers at the FAA, including some whose roles supported air safety, according to a union representing workers. Now, job cuts are imminent at NOAA, the agency in charge of weather forecasting—which supports air travel with critical data and analysis around the clock. NOAA’s work “isn’t a ‘nice’ thing to have—this is an absolute essential for aviation,” says Rick Spinrad, who served as NOAA administrator until January. “I would argue that NOAA’s weather information is as important as jet fuel to the aviation industry. You can’t fly without it.” The agency has 22 weather service units around the country that provide detailed analysis and support to FAA air traffic controllers as the weather changes. “They provide all of the information that’s used to make predictions about delays, times, flight times, optimal routes for the aircraft, and this has been done for decades,” Spinrad says. “That’s one critical function. There are literally hundreds of NOAA weather service employees who are involved in providing that information to the FAA. This is not just when there’s a storm. This is all the time, 24/7/365.” NOAA also operates and maintains hundreds of automated observation systems at airports that track things like precipitation, cloud cover, and temperature so the FAA can clear flights for landing and takeoff. The agency also tracks weather in space, including solar flares and geomagnetic storms that can disrupt GPS navigation and communication systems. “NOAA has the responsibility for space weather forecasts,” Spinrad says. “We’ve seen that being used to redirect flights. If you’re flying from San Francisco to New York, if there’s a solar storm and it may impact GPS, your flight may be redirected to the south.” Internal weather teams at major airlines also rely on NOAA data. So do the private companies that offer weather forecasting; it’s not the case that NOAA’s work in this area could be easily replaced. “There really is no substitute,” says Spinrad. “NOAA is the primary source.” “If NOAA gets broken up and privatized, like Project 2025 recommends, the threats to aviation safety will increase dramatically,” says Jeff Masters, the cofounder of Weather Underground, who now writes for Yale Climate Connections. “The aviation industry heavily relies on NWS forecasts for safety. While private companies add value, they ultimately build on the foundation of NWS-provided weather information, and the years-long transition period to a system where private companies do aviation forecasting would bring chaotic and unpredictable consequences to a system that needs utmost stability. ‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!’ definitely applies here.” In fact, private weather companies have been successful because of their reliance on NOAA forecasts, Spinrad wrote in a recent LinkedIn post: It’s NOAA that operates 122 Doppler weather radars, 16 environmental satellites, 15 ships (that provide accurate nautical charts and sustainable seafood), and 10 airplanes (including the Hurricane Hunters, and the planes that monitor atmospheric rivers). Without NOAA, someone would have to pick up the bill for all of those assets, and their continuing operations and maintenance costs. And that someone will be the privileged few willing to pay the private sector the fees and subscriptions that would have to be charged… Wanna know when that hurricane’s going to make landfall, or where those tornadoes are going? Pay up. It’s not clear yet which specific jobs at NOAA will be cut. (A NOAA spokesperson said that the agency could not discuss internal personnel and management matters based on long-standing policy.) But it was arguably already understaffed: The agency has around 12,000 employees now, which is small for its duties. Spinrad argues that it needs around 5,000 more workers to fully meet its mission. View the full article

David Droga is a legendary advertising creative and executive. He’s also CEO of Accenture Song, one of the largest advertising and marketing services firms on the planet. For those two reasons, we kick off Brand New World with Droga at the 2024 Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity. Why there and then? It’s the world’s biggest convergence of media, marketing, entertainment, technology, and brands, and a mirror of what’s happening and a bellwether of what’s to come, on a global scale. There’s no better time and place to start a conversation about how brands, and the marketing and advertising industries, are approaching AI at this crucial and nascent moment. In this episode, I talked to Droga about what Accenture’s $3 billion commitment to AI means for his work, how it compares to the first digital revolution two decades ago, where it may be headed in the not-so-distant future, and the impact it will have on the art of persuasion and pop culture. On AI’s existential threats “Fundamentally, I think we have to look beyond job preservation. This is not about preserving specific jobs within an agency. What we look at is what it unleashes for the skillsets that you have, and how you can parlay that into new things. “AI is going to open up possibilities that we don’t understand quite yet and allow us to do things we wish we could have done, or didn’t anticipate being able to do. And if we have that attitude, then we will move forward.” On AI vs human creativity “Not all creativity is worth saving. I know that’s a provocation, that’s probably going to annoy some people. But I really mean it, because just turn on the TV. Look at most advertising. Look at most of the stuff that follows you online. Who wrote this shit? Who’s creating this stuff? Does that need saving? A lot of it’s written by something more alarming than AI, which is research and conformity. And that’s why it’s bland. “Now, what’s interesting about that is, that it does not erase the need for incredible things, innovative things. Things that touch you and [allow you to] experience the new. There’s always room for things that are really, really wonderful and delightful. That’s where our role as creators and shapers is always going to be needed and necessary. That’s where my optimism is.” Listen to the full episode for more. View the full article

While the March 3 submission deadline holds firm, compliance experts suggested guidance inquiries for Home Mortgage Disclosure Act filers could be lacking. View the full article

The increase in refinance originations in the fourth quarter trickled down to the title insurers, which reported year-over-year gains in new orders. View the full article

Parents, rejoice: For the first time ever, there’s a Lego brick so tiny that you can’t see it, let alone step on it. The brick in question is a microscopic sculpture created by U.K.-based artist David A Lindon. It’s made from a standard red square Lego, and it looks like one, too, aside from the fact that it measures just 0.02517 millimeter by 0.02184 millimeter (about the size of a white blood cell). As of this month, the brick has snagged the Guinness World Record for the smallest-ever handmade sculpture, measuring four times smaller than the previous record holder. We’ve seen lunar Legos, renewable Legos, and giant Legos, but this brick might just be the most innovative one yet—and the process of creating it was almost as unusual as the object itself. The world’s tiniest Lego is the smallest of three micro Legos Lindon’s created, according to his website. Materials science firm Spectrographic professionally measured each Lego to confirm the Guinness record. “With all three sculptures, one smaller than the other, they are so microscopic that even though you know where they are, on the head of a pin, when you look with your own eyes you still cannot see them,” Lindon writes. [Image: David A Lindon/Hammond Gallieries/SWNS] Lindon has been creating micro paintings and sculptures since 2021. His past works include a version of Stonehenge small enough to live atop a miniature pushpin, a statue of Beetlejuice that’s less than half the size of a match head, and a rendition of Vincent van Gogh’s Sunflowers that fits inside the eye of a needle. To bring his works to life, Lindon uses a Nikon SMZ25 microscope that requires a foot pedal to control zoom and focus. Then, he works with what he calls “micro precision tools” and materials such as micro-size pigments, dust, minerals, Kevlar strands, carbon, and carpet fibers to carve and shape his creations. Unsurprisingly, this niche practice presents a host of specific design challenges. In an interview with the BBC, Lindon shared that he’s trained himself to work between the beats of his heart to prevent the pulse in his fingertips from destroying his work. To create his record-breaking Lego, he said, he worked 6 to 10 hours each night so as to avoid the vibrations brought on by passing traffic. On his website, Lindon details a slew of other threats to his work, including static electricity, sneezing, coughing, or a breath of wind from an open window. “My first Amy Winehouse is still somewhere in our bedroom carpet or stuck on the sole of my shoe, we never found her,” Lindon writes. Luckily, he adds, his concentration has since improved, allowing him to hold still enough to create his microscopic works of art. Still, his practice takes time: “Each piece may take several months to get right,” he says. While the record-holding Lego brick is unlikely to go on sale anytime soon—given that it’s essentially invisible—it remains a fascinating testament to the human capacity for artistic perseverance. View the full article

The latest Big Tech-funded effort to improve affordable housing sees the solution in people’s backyards. The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative announced today that it’s providing seed funding for a startup that helps turn backyard dwellings into new homeownership opportunities for Americans who are increasingly getting locked out. The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI) announced a $750,000 investment in BuildCasa, a California-based startup seeking to increase the supply of ADUs, or accessory dwelling units. The funding is part of CZI’s Affordable Starter Home Initiative, which aims to provide funding for a number of pilot programs addressing housing accessibility and affordability. “We’re excited about BuildCasa’s model because it is creating new homes within existing, high-opportunity communities that can be sold for less than typical market rate homes without utilizing public funding to subsidize the projects, which is extremely limited,” Amaya Bravo-France, a program officer at the CZI, told Fast Company. [Image: BuildCasa] Founded in 2022 and named one of Fast Company‘s Most Innovative Companies last year, BuildCasa utilizes California law SB 9, which allows owners of large lots to split them up. The startup’s model, and its proprietary means of analyzing building opportunities, pairs landowners with developers, allowing a homeowner to sell part of their land to a developer, who can add one or two housing units and then sell them separately. The process creates additional density in existing residential areas, and adds much-needed supply to a state in the throes of a growing housing shortage. The grant will fund construction for eight housing units for those making 80% of AMI (area median income, a measure used to guarantee affordable housing goes to those in need). BuildCasa recently closed on a pair of properties in Sacramento using these grant funds, and the other six should be finished in the next two years. The Sacramento two-bedroom homes will be 650 square feet each and go for $325,000 (the area median price is $477,000). BuildCasa expects to break ground in the third quarter of this year. These kinds of lot split arrangements needs parcels that measure at least 2,400 square feet. [Image: BuildCasa] “Decades of regressive housing policy and NIMBY activism on the local level has blocked this crucial ‘missing middle’ development, leaving us with a catastrophic shortage of housing that young, lower, and middle-income families can afford to buy,” said Paul Steidl, BuildCasa’s cofounder and CPO, in a statement. “The only way out of this generational crisis is to build more housing.” So far, BuildCasa has helped add nearly 100 units, which are either approved or under construction, across California, concentrated mostly in Sacramento and the Bay Area. One reason they haven’t finished any units yet is that under California’s new laws, subdividing a lot via this process can take 10 to 18 months alone. [Image: BuildCasa] Can backyard building provide affordable housing at scale? CZI says it chose BuildCasa because it believes the startup can help fill a gap in affordable housing production and provide more entry-level homeownership opportunities. [Image: BuildCasa] “BuildCasa’s model stuck out because they utilize private capital to build these homes, but are able to offer them for more affordable rates,” says Bravo-France. “They also partner with homeowners to leverage their excess land to build these new affordable homes, allowing homeowners to receive a financial benefit from their land value while also contributing to solving CA’s housing crisis.“ Part of the appeal of this model, says BuildCasa CEO Ben Bear, was the ease of land acquisition. Often, affordable housing, especially larger apartment projects, requires substantial land, which adds to the cost, and the dense collection of new units can trigger neighborhood and NIMBY pushback. By using surplus land in oversize lots, and spreading a handful of units across numerous sites, the new housing blends into the neighborhood, Bear says. “It’s just there, coexisting side-by-side, which is really the way development used to be 100 years ago,” he says. “You have different types of units, apartments, and single family homes, all on the same street.” BuildCasa believes there’s significant opportunity for more such units, both statewide and nationally, if laws can be amended to mirror those in California. The firm’s algorithm has identified 1 million parcels of land in California alone where a lot split and ADU development would be possible. View the full article

Spring is just around the corner, ushering in new growth, brighter days, and the heady anticipation of summer. For those of us with sizable screen time, spring’s arrival also means that the dreary weather is no longer an excuse for spending hours doomscrolling TikTok and Instagram Reels until our eyes glaze over. And now there’s an app that can help you feel like it’s spring year-round. Rhys Kentish is a senior software engineer at the London-based app design firm Brightec. He’s spent the past four months building an app that makes users literally touch grass before they can open social media. “I was sick and tired of my reflex in the morning being to reach for my phone and scroll for upwards of an hour,” Kentish says. “It didn’t feel good and I wasn’t getting anything out of it.” [Image: courtesy Rhys Kentish] His solution is an app called Touch Grass, currently available for preorder and expected to debut on the App Store for iOS devices around mid-March. The app’s premise comes from a jab that gained popularity during the early pandemic, typically used to inform chronically online users that they’d become disconnected from real life. “Touch grass [is] used when someone is doing something weird, stupid, or pointless,” according to Urban Dictionary. “It means they need to come back to reality, they need to get some fresh air and get back in touch with how the real world works.” Kentish’s app works by allowing users to select their most distracting apps, then blocking said apps by default until the user ventures outside to touch grass. Once they take a photo of grass and submit it to the app, they can then choose the amount of time they’d like their problem apps to be unblocked. Currently, the app uses Google’s image-labeling Cloud Vision API to verify that the grass has, indeed, been touched. However, Kentish says, the app has gone so viral that he’s considering training his own image-detection model for cost-reduction purposes before Touch Grass makes its App Store debut. The app’s current iteration includes a pixelated 8-bit logo and a grass-scanning screen inspired by retro sci-fi aesthetics. Kentish plans to use a freemium model to support the app, wherein subscribers can pay a fee to block unlimited apps and categories, view their screen time history, and purchase extra monthly “skips” to get around touching grass (free users get one monthly skip). According to Kentish, 50% of skip purchase profits will go toward wildlife conservation projects in the U.K. The proposition of the Touch Grass app is simple: Before your digital fatigue drives you to embark on a full-on social media detox, maybe just try getting some fresh air. View the full article

How to Make Money Streaming If you’ve ever been curious about how streamers make money, we’re here to provide you with the answers. A live-streaming business can be quite profitable and serves as a great option if you’re seeking an extra source of income. There are numerous ways to begin learning how to make money streaming. In this article, we’ll explore what streaming is, the potential earnings you can achieve, and some ideas to help you get started. Ideas to Make Money Streaming Most platforms have some kind of streaming capability that can open you up to a large audience. Streaming can be a good way to make real money while also gaining a large following. We’ll go through some of the ways that you can earn money through streaming through activities such as playing a video game or demonstrating a skill or talent you have. Receive Tips on Live Streaming Platforms Using a live stream platform such as Youtube or Twitch, you can ask viewers to tip you if they have enjoyed the stream. This is one of the primary ways to make money live streaming, but the income will vary. Alternatively, you can also integrate links to payment platforms such as your personal PayPal, Venmo, and CashApp and encourage customers to tip you through those methods. Here are some more methods you could use: Engage Actively with Your Audience: Regular interaction with viewers can build a strong community and loyalty. Responding to comments, shouting out to regular viewers, and addressing questions can make viewers more inclined to tip as they feel a personal connection. Implement Visual Alerts: Visual and sound alerts for tips can encourage tipping. Not only does this alert notify you and the viewers of a tip, but it also gives recognition to the person tipping, making them feel appreciated and potentially prompting others to do the same. Set Goals and Challenges: Having a visible tip goal for specific purposes, like upgrading streaming equipment or funding a project, can motivate viewers to contribute. Moreover, setting challenges (e.g., doing something special when a tipping milestone is reached) can make tipping more interactive and fun for viewers. Mention Affiliates in Your Live Streams and Bios When it comes time to create content for your live stream, being part of an affiliate program like Twitch Partners can help you gain money on a live streaming platform, such as becoming a Twitch partner. You can include information about affiliates and what they offer and include an affiliate link. Each time a customer purchases from your link, you’ll get a percentage of money from affiliate sales. Branded merchandise Branded merchandise is another way to make money from video streaming. Based on your video content, you can create your own merchandise to go alongside it, such as hats, t-shirts, mugs, and more on your online store or Merch by Amazon. Stream sponsorship ads You can also make money streaming games through sponsorship ads and having brands sponsor your live stream. This is a hugely popular way to make money streaming games for live streamers as they can create brand partnerships on a streaming service such as Twitch or Youtube. Here are some more ideas: Exclusive Game Showcases: Brands might provide streamers with early access to their games or products. Streamers who are among the first to present a game can attract bigger audiences and benefit from exclusivity, which can be monetized. Sponsored Challenges or Events: Brands might sponsor specific challenges or events within a game. For instance, completing a game level using a brand’s product or organizing tournaments with brand-named titles provides entertainment and promotes the brand simultaneously. Branded Overlay and Product Placement: Brands can provide streamers with custom graphical overlays to be used during streams, highlighting the brand’s presence. Additionally, physical product placements in the streamer’s setup or background can also serve as subtle yet effective sponsorship ads. General advertising YouTube is one of the key platforms where streamers can generate revenue through ads, such as the pre-roll and mid-roll ads that appear in videos. Whether you’re playing video games or providing other kinds of content, advertising revenue through video monetization can be incredibly beneficial. Here are some campaigns you could run: Targeted Ad Campaigns: Implement targeted advertising campaigns that match the demographics of the streamer’s audience. This may include collaborating with brands that cater to a similar target market. Interactive Ad Formats: Incorporate interactive ad formats like polls or quizzes within the stream, making ads more engaging and less intrusive. Product Demonstrations: Conduct live product demonstrations and reviews during streams. This method can be particularly effective for tech gadgets, beauty products, or gaming accessories. Cross-Promotion: Engage in cross-promotion with other streamers or influencers. This can expand reach and provide fresh content for advertisements. Affiliate Marketing: Integrate affiliate marketing into streams. Mention products or services during the stream and provide affiliate links in the video description or chat. Sponsorship brand deals While one avenue is to have sponsorship ads, professional gamers, and live streamers can also get sponsored by brands and create partnerships with them as an additional revenue model. That might include creating sponsored content for brands or including them as a mention when talking to live viewers. Paid subscriptions Another common revenue model for a Twitch channel or YouTube videos is to create paid subscriptions. Fans can get exclusive content as part of being a subscriber and access to perks such as a streaming schedule, and streamers get regular payments through a flat fee revenue model. Offer courses Depending on the type of content you create, you can also offer courses and teach others to earn more money. Many streamers create digital products such as courses that they sell access to. You can create one-off or recurring teaching events that you can sell tickets to for additional income. Here are some courses you could offer: Content Creation Skills: Streamers can create courses teaching others how to become successful streamers themselves. This could cover topics like setting up a streaming studio, choosing the right equipment, and tips for engaging with an audience. Gaming Tutorials: Gaming streamers can draw in viewers by providing courses on gaming strategies, detailed walkthroughs, or advanced techniques, catering to gamers who want to enhance their skills. Monetization Strategies: Provide insights on how to make money streaming. Courses may cover techniques for establishing brand partnerships, utilizing affiliate marketing, and creating diverse income streams. Personal Brand Building: Teach how to build and maintain a personal brand online. This can include lessons on social media management, public speaking, and community building. Technical Workshops: Offer workshops on technical aspects of streaming, such as editing videos, optimizing streaming software settings, or graphic design for streamers. Create multiple channels Another way that streamers can make money is by creating multiple channels for different interests running simultaneously. That can be a great way to target more niche audiences, keep the channel organized, and provide multiple income streams. Although that does mean creating more content, it’s a way to diversify so that you’re not dependent on one channel for income. Create additional content Many streamers eventually branch out beyond video content to generate income. For instance, many streamers produce blog posts that may contain content marketing strategies to entice readers to visit their channel. Additionally, they might create various types of pre-recorded videos and provide exclusive access to paid subscribers as an incentive for watching their live streams. How to Make Money Streaming Summary MethodDescription Receive Tips on Live Streaming PlatformsAsk for tips from viewers on platforms like YouTube or Twitch. Offer alternative payment platform links like PayPal. Mention Affiliates in Your Live Streams and BiosPromote affiliate programs on your stream. Earn commissions from purchases through your affiliate links. Branded MerchandiseSell branded merchandise related to your streaming content. Stream Sponsorship AdsPartner with brands to have sponsored live streams, especially popular in game streaming. General AdvertisingMonetize through ads like pre-roll and mid-roll on platforms like YouTube. Sponsorship Brand DealsEstablish brand partnerships to create sponsored content or live mentions. Paid SubscriptionsOffer exclusive content to fans through paid subscriptions on platforms. Offer CoursesOffer and sell courses or other educational content based on your expertise. Create Multiple ChannelsLaunch multiple streaming channels for varied interests or niches to diversify income sources. Create Additional ContentExpand content offerings beyond streaming, like blogs or pre-recorded videos, to drive more traffic and monetize further. What is Streaming? Streaming is similar to live TV, where viewers can watch you and your screen in real-time. You have the ability to create and share videos live by using a mobile app, computer, or tablet that supports live streaming technology. There are many platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, Twitch, and Youtube that you can stream from and where viewers can find and watch your live stream. There’s no editing involved with your live content, so viewers see exactly what’s happening. You can play games, offer advice, and/or provide expert content based on your interests. How Much Money Does a Streamer Make? The amount streamers can make will vary quite a bit depending on how much time and effort goes into it. Many streamers report average earnings between $3,000-$5,000 if they work 40 hours per week. Streamer sponsorships can be anywhere between 1¢ to $1 per viewer per hour, so there are no set monthly payments, but there is ample opportunity for recurring income. For many, it’s just a hobby, but it can turn into solid income with some time and dedication. How to Get Started with Streaming Getting started with streaming and making money is pretty easy since it doesn’t require a lot of equipment. Here’s what you’ll need: A computer High-speed internet connection Streaming webcam and/or camera A microphone Good lighting and using additional equipment such as a ring light What are Streaming Costs There are not a lot of costs associated with streaming, so it’s a relatively affordable way to make additional income. You will need to invest in the following: Subscription fees to platforms such as Twitch and YouTube Premium Equipment such as high-quality webcams, cameras, and microphone Upgrading your machine to handle streaming content Additional audio/video peripherals Image: Depositphotos This article, "How to Make Money Streaming" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

How to Make Money Streaming If you’ve ever been curious about how streamers make money, we’re here to provide you with the answers. A live-streaming business can be quite profitable and serves as a great option if you’re seeking an extra source of income. There are numerous ways to begin learning how to make money streaming. In this article, we’ll explore what streaming is, the potential earnings you can achieve, and some ideas to help you get started. Ideas to Make Money Streaming Most platforms have some kind of streaming capability that can open you up to a large audience. Streaming can be a good way to make real money while also gaining a large following. We’ll go through some of the ways that you can earn money through streaming through activities such as playing a video game or demonstrating a skill or talent you have. Receive Tips on Live Streaming Platforms Using a live stream platform such as Youtube or Twitch, you can ask viewers to tip you if they have enjoyed the stream. This is one of the primary ways to make money live streaming, but the income will vary. Alternatively, you can also integrate links to payment platforms such as your personal PayPal, Venmo, and CashApp and encourage customers to tip you through those methods. Here are some more methods you could use: Engage Actively with Your Audience: Regular interaction with viewers can build a strong community and loyalty. Responding to comments, shouting out to regular viewers, and addressing questions can make viewers more inclined to tip as they feel a personal connection. Implement Visual Alerts: Visual and sound alerts for tips can encourage tipping. Not only does this alert notify you and the viewers of a tip, but it also gives recognition to the person tipping, making them feel appreciated and potentially prompting others to do the same. Set Goals and Challenges: Having a visible tip goal for specific purposes, like upgrading streaming equipment or funding a project, can motivate viewers to contribute. Moreover, setting challenges (e.g., doing something special when a tipping milestone is reached) can make tipping more interactive and fun for viewers. Mention Affiliates in Your Live Streams and Bios When it comes time to create content for your live stream, being part of an affiliate program like Twitch Partners can help you gain money on a live streaming platform, such as becoming a Twitch partner. You can include information about affiliates and what they offer and include an affiliate link. Each time a customer purchases from your link, you’ll get a percentage of money from affiliate sales. Branded merchandise Branded merchandise is another way to make money from video streaming. Based on your video content, you can create your own merchandise to go alongside it, such as hats, t-shirts, mugs, and more on your online store or Merch by Amazon. Stream sponsorship ads You can also make money streaming games through sponsorship ads and having brands sponsor your live stream. This is a hugely popular way to make money streaming games for live streamers as they can create brand partnerships on a streaming service such as Twitch or Youtube. Here are some more ideas: Exclusive Game Showcases: Brands might provide streamers with early access to their games or products. Streamers who are among the first to present a game can attract bigger audiences and benefit from exclusivity, which can be monetized. Sponsored Challenges or Events: Brands might sponsor specific challenges or events within a game. For instance, completing a game level using a brand’s product or organizing tournaments with brand-named titles provides entertainment and promotes the brand simultaneously. Branded Overlay and Product Placement: Brands can provide streamers with custom graphical overlays to be used during streams, highlighting the brand’s presence. Additionally, physical product placements in the streamer’s setup or background can also serve as subtle yet effective sponsorship ads. General advertising YouTube is one of the key platforms where streamers can generate revenue through ads, such as the pre-roll and mid-roll ads that appear in videos. Whether you’re playing video games or providing other kinds of content, advertising revenue through video monetization can be incredibly beneficial. Here are some campaigns you could run: Targeted Ad Campaigns: Implement targeted advertising campaigns that match the demographics of the streamer’s audience. This may include collaborating with brands that cater to a similar target market. Interactive Ad Formats: Incorporate interactive ad formats like polls or quizzes within the stream, making ads more engaging and less intrusive. Product Demonstrations: Conduct live product demonstrations and reviews during streams. This method can be particularly effective for tech gadgets, beauty products, or gaming accessories. Cross-Promotion: Engage in cross-promotion with other streamers or influencers. This can expand reach and provide fresh content for advertisements. Affiliate Marketing: Integrate affiliate marketing into streams. Mention products or services during the stream and provide affiliate links in the video description or chat. Sponsorship brand deals While one avenue is to have sponsorship ads, professional gamers, and live streamers can also get sponsored by brands and create partnerships with them as an additional revenue model. That might include creating sponsored content for brands or including them as a mention when talking to live viewers. Paid subscriptions Another common revenue model for a Twitch channel or YouTube videos is to create paid subscriptions. Fans can get exclusive content as part of being a subscriber and access to perks such as a streaming schedule, and streamers get regular payments through a flat fee revenue model. Offer courses Depending on the type of content you create, you can also offer courses and teach others to earn more money. Many streamers create digital products such as courses that they sell access to. You can create one-off or recurring teaching events that you can sell tickets to for additional income. Here are some courses you could offer: Content Creation Skills: Streamers can create courses teaching others how to become successful streamers themselves. This could cover topics like setting up a streaming studio, choosing the right equipment, and tips for engaging with an audience. Gaming Tutorials: Gaming streamers can draw in viewers by providing courses on gaming strategies, detailed walkthroughs, or advanced techniques, catering to gamers who want to enhance their skills. Monetization Strategies: Provide insights on how to make money streaming. Courses may cover techniques for establishing brand partnerships, utilizing affiliate marketing, and creating diverse income streams. Personal Brand Building: Teach how to build and maintain a personal brand online. This can include lessons on social media management, public speaking, and community building. Technical Workshops: Offer workshops on technical aspects of streaming, such as editing videos, optimizing streaming software settings, or graphic design for streamers. Create multiple channels Another way that streamers can make money is by creating multiple channels for different interests running simultaneously. That can be a great way to target more niche audiences, keep the channel organized, and provide multiple income streams. Although that does mean creating more content, it’s a way to diversify so that you’re not dependent on one channel for income. Create additional content Many streamers eventually branch out beyond video content to generate income. For instance, many streamers produce blog posts that may contain content marketing strategies to entice readers to visit their channel. Additionally, they might create various types of pre-recorded videos and provide exclusive access to paid subscribers as an incentive for watching their live streams. How to Make Money Streaming Summary MethodDescription Receive Tips on Live Streaming PlatformsAsk for tips from viewers on platforms like YouTube or Twitch. Offer alternative payment platform links like PayPal. Mention Affiliates in Your Live Streams and BiosPromote affiliate programs on your stream. Earn commissions from purchases through your affiliate links. Branded MerchandiseSell branded merchandise related to your streaming content. Stream Sponsorship AdsPartner with brands to have sponsored live streams, especially popular in game streaming. General AdvertisingMonetize through ads like pre-roll and mid-roll on platforms like YouTube. Sponsorship Brand DealsEstablish brand partnerships to create sponsored content or live mentions. Paid SubscriptionsOffer exclusive content to fans through paid subscriptions on platforms. Offer CoursesOffer and sell courses or other educational content based on your expertise. Create Multiple ChannelsLaunch multiple streaming channels for varied interests or niches to diversify income sources. Create Additional ContentExpand content offerings beyond streaming, like blogs or pre-recorded videos, to drive more traffic and monetize further. What is Streaming? Streaming is similar to live TV, where viewers can watch you and your screen in real-time. You have the ability to create and share videos live by using a mobile app, computer, or tablet that supports live streaming technology. There are many platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, Twitch, and Youtube that you can stream from and where viewers can find and watch your live stream. There’s no editing involved with your live content, so viewers see exactly what’s happening. You can play games, offer advice, and/or provide expert content based on your interests. How Much Money Does a Streamer Make? The amount streamers can make will vary quite a bit depending on how much time and effort goes into it. Many streamers report average earnings between $3,000-$5,000 if they work 40 hours per week. Streamer sponsorships can be anywhere between 1¢ to $1 per viewer per hour, so there are no set monthly payments, but there is ample opportunity for recurring income. For many, it’s just a hobby, but it can turn into solid income with some time and dedication. How to Get Started with Streaming Getting started with streaming and making money is pretty easy since it doesn’t require a lot of equipment. Here’s what you’ll need: A computer High-speed internet connection Streaming webcam and/or camera A microphone Good lighting and using additional equipment such as a ring light What are Streaming Costs There are not a lot of costs associated with streaming, so it’s a relatively affordable way to make additional income. You will need to invest in the following: Subscription fees to platforms such as Twitch and YouTube Premium Equipment such as high-quality webcams, cameras, and microphone Upgrading your machine to handle streaming content Additional audio/video peripherals Image: Depositphotos This article, "How to Make Money Streaming" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

FitzWalter Capital takes aim at key remaining asset in teetering metals empireView the full article

Feeling the impact of eggflation? As egg prices have soared, and the avian flu continues to wipe out millions of birds, many egg producers are struggling, but Vital Farms has managed to keep growing. CEO Russell Diez-Canseco shares how the brand’s relationship with farmers and transparency with customers have allowed the company to turn crisis into opportunity. This is an abridged transcript of an interview from Rapid Response, hosted by Robert Safian, former editor-in-chief of Fast Company. From the team behind the Masters of Scale podcast, Rapid Response features candid conversations with today’s top business leaders navigating real-time challenges. Subscribe to Rapid Response wherever you get your podcasts to ensure you never miss an episode. The price of eggs is up like 50% over the past year, and in some places, more. I know there’s talk about bird flu impacting supply and hens lost. What’s going on? There’s a fair bit of conjecture about what’s going on in the market. The headline is, yes, a lot of birds have been destroyed over the last couple of years and even more recently in the last few months as a result of avian influenza, and that has resulted in a supply contraction in the market. Russell Diez-Canseco [Photo: Vital Farms] Some would say the price impact has been outsized relative to the amount of that enduring supply contraction. Almost all of those birds that have been, they call it depopulated, have been on really large farms, farms with a million or more birds, in cages, some outside of cages, but all in these big buildings with a lot of birds. That has resulted in more than 12% of the bird population in the United States being killed over the last year. On our network of small family farms, it’s been less than one-half of one percent. And I can’t prove to you exactly why we’ve been so lucky to avoid this issue, but we’ve been a lot luckier than many. Vital Farms eggs are particularly expensive, premium eggs. What makes an egg worth paying extra for, especially when eggs are already more expensive? Matt O’Hayer, our founder, is a serial entrepreneur with a big heart around animal welfare. When we first started this business, more than 95% of the laying hens were in cages, and he wanted to create a business that could liberate some of them. And that’s exactly what he ended up doing. So in those early days, we were the only nationally distributed brand of pasture-raised eggs—a new kind of egg that we were trying to popularize. In the ensuing years, starting as far back as when I joined the company in 2014, there have been lots of options besides Vital Farms to buy pasture-raised eggs. Yet over the years, ours has been the most expensive version of that commodity. We’ve been growing rapidly with healthy margins. We had an IPO in 2020. It’s more than just the features and benefits. They are buying our purpose and how we do what we do in addition to this certain kind of egg. We operate with a lot of transparency. For example, our egg cartons have the name of the farm from which those eggs came on them, and you can see a video of that farm on our website. When we go to a retailer, we’re not just trying to transact with them. We’re trying to help them plan their business to achieve their goals. Right now, it’s no secret that we’re not filling orders in full. A lot of egg companies aren’t, but we’ve developed a powerful brand, and demand, especially since we haven’t raised prices in over a year, is outstripping our supply of eggs. We’re pretty transparent about what we commit to with those retailers. It’s a rare thing in this world and certainly in the food system. That’s appealing to some. And if you haven’t had to raise prices over the last year when prices of other eggs have gone up, that means that premium is narrower than it used to be, right? How do you maintain that? There is some balance to the way we think about the choices we make around pricing. We might have built a strong brand that we could command an even higher price at some point in the future. We also have a commitment to improving the lives of people, animals, and the planet through food. And we might price ourselves out of some growth that leaves some chickens in cages and leaves some people stuck with an egg that may not be as good for all of our stakeholders. So, we take all that into account when we set pricing. But the truth is that our cost structure has faced some inflation over the last few years, but nothing that would inspire us or force us to double pricing the way we’ve seen it in the market over the last year. And that it sounds like is you’re using more smaller farms as opposed to these bigger industrial farms? Input costs are what they are. It takes a certain amount of feed, space in a barn, heat in the winter, and veterinary care to produce an egg. These are measurable commodities. We feed our birds corn and soy in addition to what they find out on the pasture, for example. Those have not doubled in the last six months. There is a pricing discovery mechanism for commodity eggs in this market, driven in part by spot pricing of eggs. When there’s a dislocation of supply, that number can jump up and suddenly find its way into production, pricing to retailers, and pricing on the shelf. We price as a branded CPG company. I don’t look at that index. We price based on what we think is right as part of the marketing mix, like any other branded company. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xm0CFIKPEBY What’s at stake for Vital Farms right now? Our goal is to build America’s most trusted food brand. The way we build this company is by operating in a certain way—a values and purpose-driven way. So from that sense, what’s really important and what’s at stake is how do we continue to scale a world-class organization with a strong culture in a remote environment? We went remote in 2020. We’re still remote-first. Some crew members packing eggs or servicing farms need to be in a specific location, but a lot of us work from home. That is top of mind for me because, long before it shows up in any performance indicator, there’s always a risk of losing trust or upsetting the culture you’ve built. So that’s a primary focus for me. For all the chickens, it’s about the people. It’s an interesting but appropriate way to put it. Again, we focus significantly on treating chickens well and preventing them from getting sick from avian influenza. It’s working, but it requires vigilance, ownership from farmers and crew members who support them, and great execution. Those qualities are hard to come by in many respects, so we work hard to maintain that level of commitment. View the full article

Quantum researchers are in a race for qubits, and Microsoft is in the thick of the competition. Microsoft has spent the last 20 years pursuing a topological approach to quantum development. Last week, they had a breakthrough: The company counted eight topological qubits on their Majorana 1 chip. They published a paper in Nature, got a glowing New York Times piece about a “new state of matter,” and buoyed quantum stocks across the market. Eight qubits isn’t anywhere near what would be needed to reach full-scale quantum computing. That number is in the millions, and they would need to be error-corrected. Other companies, like IBM and Google, are much further ahead on that—just with different models. Microsoft finally proved that the topological approach could work; now, they’ve got to catch up. (Think of it like discovering a new way to build a car engine: Microsoft just got theirs to start, while others are already racing down the track.) There are reasons to be excited—namely, that a topological approach could be less susceptible to noise—but they’re still vastly behind in scale. “If anybody believes this means that Microsoft is close to a commercial quantum computer, they’re missing the point,” says Alan Baratz, CEO of D-Wave Quantum, a rival quantum company. “It’s a validation that [topological] is a viable approach. Will it be a better approach than superconducting or trapped ion or photonic or neutral atom? That remains to be seen.” The many paths to quantum computing All of our computers operate using “bits,” the smallest unit of digital information. This bit can be either a zero or a one. Quantum researchers are now developing bits that can be both zero and one at the same time—something that would dramatically speed up computations. These “qubits” are difficult to develop, even harder to scale, and almost impossible to correct for errors. Still, researchers at major companies have made significant progress. But there’s not one singular way to build a qubit. The most prominent approach to making a qubit relies on superconducting circuits—Google, IBM, and Amazon Web Services have all bet big on that. Another is the photonic technique, which uses light particles as qubits; that’s being developed domestically by PsiQuantum and Xanadu, and overseas by Chinese researcher Jian-Wei Pan. Each has shown promise, but most still face major hurdles, keeping large-scale, error-corrected quantum computing years away. Microsoft has added a topological approach to the rat race. “[For other modalities], we’ve demonstrated the physics as a community. Now it’s about scale,” says Jack Hidary, CEO of AI company SandboxAQ. “In the case of topological, it’s the one modality that needed a fundamental science breakthrough.” But, while Microsoft has reached their “science breakthrough,” other companies have pushed further. Both Hidary and Baratz reference Google’s Willow chip, which employs the superconducting approach. Not only did Willow employ significantly more qubits, but it also proved that error-correction was scalable. The more qubits, Google found, the more they reduced error. “They were able to show partial error correction on gate model qubits for the first time, and that’s critically important,” Baratz says. “That’s a true advance. I think [Majorana 1] is just a proof of concept widening.” Baratz is, like a number of physicists, generally skeptical of the Microsoft announcement. He references Microsoft’s previous failure in the arena: After publishing a 2018 paper in Nature claiming a Majorana discovery, quantum researchers began to question their findings. Microsoft’s scientists admitted “insufficient scientific rigour” in 2021, and Nature retracted the paper. Baratz also notes that the paper ignored qubit or gate fidelity, both measures of accuracy. “It leads you to wonder, what is this chip actually capable of doing, and to what extent is it actually a process?” he asks. For their part, Microsoft is embracing the spirit of competition. “Others are working to bring this same vision to life, but with different approaches,” a Microsoft spokesperson wrote in an email to Fast Company. “This is what makes science fun. Some in the field believe an alternative approach is the right one to take and have invested significant time and resources into their methods. We understand why they would want to advocate for their approach. Discourse and skepticism are all part of the scientific process.” Still, there’s a reason scientists continue to call Microsoft’s paper a “breakthrough.” While the company may not have anything close to a quantum computer—or even a lead in the race to get there—they’ve pulled off something thought previously unimaginable. Most had simply given up on the topological approach. “The topological approach is the most scientifically daunting approach to building a quantum computer, and that’s why Microsoft deserves credit,” Hidary says. “Kudos.” How far are we from full-scale, marketable quantum computing? That’s still unknown. But experts like Karthee Madasmy, who was an early investor in PsiQuantum, thinks the Microsoft news is yet another good sign. The timeline has shrunk, he says. “It’s not multiple decades away,” Madasmy says. “It’s actually a few years away.” View the full article

Shift follows pressure from activist hedge fund Elliott ManagementView the full article

In the short time since Graza’s 2022 launch, the wunderkind olive oil slinger has become a standout in a crowded market with its dynamic duo of extra-virgin olive oils: Sizzle for cooking and Drizzle for finishing—cleverly packaged in matte-green squeeze bottles. On Tuesday, Graza introduced its third product to the lineup, the high-heat cooking oil Frizzle. It’s being sold online as well as in select Whole Foods locations nationwide in squeeze bottles and a company-first nonaerosol spray bottle. Made from the remaining pressed olives from Graza’s flagship oils, Frizzle is extracted and refined without the use of chemicals or solvents. The natural refinement process results in a neutral taste and high smoke point, making it a wholly olive-based alternative to seed oils (those being the latest boogeyman of the wellness-industrial complex). Entering the neutral oil market has also allowed Graza to play around with new packaging, something the brand explored last year with its olive oil refill cans. [Photo: Graza] A new spin on neutral oil Graza cofounder and CEO Andrew Benin was well aware of the risks of tinkering with the brand. “Why mess with something that’s working?” he says. Frizzle may be the new kid on the block, but the product’s conception is as old as Graza itself. The Graza braintrust had always envisioned three use cases for its oil: frying and high-heat cooking, sautéing, and raw finishing. Frizzle is still made from olives, but don’t call it olive oil. Per regulations of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, that title is reserved for the substance directly extracted from the olive fruit (such as Graza’s Drizzle and Sizzle). Frizzle, on the other hand, is technically an upcycled by-product made from the spent olives. But unlike some other cooking oils, it isn’t chemically refined. After spinning the pressed olives in a high-speed centrifuge, a tapenade-like slurry of flesh, pits, and peels known as pomace is left behind—what the Graza team lovingly calls “olive mush.” Once the oil is extracted, the product is naturally refined through multistep filtration and gradual heating, which removes impurities without the use of hexanes, solvents, or deodorants. [Photo: Graza] No seeds, no problem? These common refinement techniques are at the center of an ongoing push against seed oils, the detractors of which range from gently concerned at best to conspiratorial at worst. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the new secretary of Health and Human Services, has been a particularly vocal skeptic of seed oils, suggesting Americans are being “unknowingly poisoned” by them. Nutrition experts insist such concerns have been exaggerated. Benin is quick to point out that neutral seed oils have a role to play. “By diminishing them, you’re diminishing the people who need to consume them as a functional ingredient in their diet,” he says, alluding to the presence of dietarily necessary omega-6 fatty acids that occur in corn oil, sunflower oil, canola oil, and the like. To lump all seed oils into one category, he continues, is as overly generalizing as presuming all olive oil meets the same quality standards. Still, Benin will go to bat for Graza any day of the week. “This is a superior product than canola oil because we can back it up with lab data, and taste,” he says. “But we’re not going to be bashing seed oils as part of our brand.” [Photo: Graza] Standing out by blending in Despite conventional wisdom, Benin says, you can fry with extra-virgin olive oil. In fact, he notes that you can fry more, repeatedly, in EVOO than you can in other types of oils. But its capabilities top out around its smoke point of 410 degrees. At that temperature, you’re essentially refining the oil yourself, and all of those lovely grassy, bitter notes flame out, making way for an acrid-tasting substance called acrolein. [Photo: Graza] Frizzle’s 490-degree smoke point makes it optimal for wok cooking, grilling, or searing in a ripping-hot cast iron. But Benin says those capabilities presented some new challenges for the oil aficionados at Graza. How do you sell a product whose defining characteristic is neutrality? Extra-virgin olive oil is known for its variety of tasting notes, whether grassy, peppery, or fruity, due to EVOO’s high percentage of antioxidant-rich polyphenols. The refining process breaks down polyphenols, resulting in more neutral-tasting oil. Graza adds 7% of its Sizzle formula to Frizzle post-refinement, replacing some lost polyphenols and adding a soupçon of buttery flavor that Benin says eludes other neutral oil options. “Adding [EVOO] after the Frizzle has been refined means that all the antioxidants from the Sizzle are not affected as part of the refining process,” he says. “We’re adding in the health benefit afterwards.” New oil, new packaging One advantage of refined oil is its longer shelf life—approximately three years as opposed to extra-virgin olive oil’s two (or even one, in some instances). That wiggle room allowed Graza, which has limited its refills to single-use sizes, to introduce a new suite of packaging volumes, all decked out in a lemon-yellow color scheme. Frizzle can be bought in Graza’s first at-home jug, a 2-liter vessel with an ergonomic handle that retails for $29.99 exclusively on the company’s website. Frizzle also comes in a nonaerosol spray bottle—another Graza first—for grilling and baking ($6.99). And it wouldn’t be Graza without the signature squeeze bottle that put the brand on the map, available in the same 750-milliliter bottle as Sizzle ($14.99). Benin and company have no doubt that Frizzle will stand up to Graza’s flagship oils, even if it means expanding its lexicon to include the word neutral. “We’re trying to push it, we’re trying to innovate, we’re trying to prove it in our products,” he says. “It’s been exciting and difficult to orient a company around a new word.” View the full article

In 2034, Salt Lake City will join a short list of cities that have hosted a Winter Olympic Games twice, joining the likes of Turin and Innsbruck. But unlike in any Olympics of the past, skiers and bobsledders may glimpse a surreal sight overhead as they compete—flying air taxis. Though still nine years away from the Opening Ceremony, aviation company Beta Technologies sees the state of Utah as a proving ground for its electric planes. As competitors focus on major cities like New York and Los Angeles, Beta has inked a deal with Utah to start exploring transportation solutions across the very rural state. The Beehive State had a confluence of benefits for Beta, including a varied geography, well-distributed airports, expansive land for testing, and a foot already in aviation. “In our space, everybody (municipalities and states) wants to raise their hand,” says Kyle Clark, Beta’s founder and CEO. “But it’s only a few who step up and [allocate] the right money, the right political resources, the right regulatory support, the right businesses.” If Beta can create a functioning network of electric planes to connect the remotest parts of Utah, initially focusing on cargo and logistics, then it should be able to streamline naturally into carrying passengers for the 2034 Olympics. Connecting Utah’s remote areas Utah has created a coalition designed to support companies like Beta comprises the governor’s office, the state Department of Transportation, and public-private aerospace partnership, 47G (named for 1847, the year the first Mormons reached the Salt Lake Valley, and for a number close to the most G-force ever experienced, 46.2). 47G is focused on growing aerospace and defense in the state, industries that already represent 20% of Utah’s economy. The organization helps 200 aerospace-adjacent companies—from startups, to contractors, to Delta Air Lines—to source capital, build infrastructures, and incubate. Beta was a welcome addition. “We want to move people and packages, and we want Utah to lead out on this space,” says Aaron Starks, 47G’s president and CEO. “We wanted to bring a partner in and not just sell us aircraft, but build the ecosystem with us.” One significant hurdle is FAA certifications, which Beta will need to progress. It has three certifications pending: It expects the first, for its pusher motor—the propulsion device that pushes the craft forward—to be completed this year, followed by those for its eCTOL (conventional take-off and landing) and eVTOL (vertical take-off and landing) models. If they come through, Utah will be an inviting market. Utah was the fastest-growing state by population between 2010 and 2020, and is due to welcome 500,000 new residents by 2033. That’ll increase demand for cargo, medical, and logistics—all of which Beta wants to operate in, having already secured partners that include Amazon, UPS, and United Health Therapeutics. Utah’s unique geography suits Beta’s goals. Of its 29 counties, only four are not considered rural, and a third of the state is desert. That allows the possibility for aircraft to improve rural routes that are otherwise inefficient to traverse. Clark says the minor roads that connect eastern and western Utah slow down transport, which is precarious when it involves goods like emergency medical supplies. It’s a state actively seeking out faster and cheaper options. Carbon emissions from vehicles also contribute to poor air quality, as the mountainous topography leads to a phenomenon called inversion, whereby cold air and pollutants, including carbon, get trapped under a layer of warmer air, resulting in thick smog. “As a state, we are very much on board with decreasing the emissions footprint through clean technologies,” Starks says. Making it happen The coalition’s first order of business will be developing airport infrastructure to accommodate Beta’s vehicles across Utah, where 94% of the population lives within a 30-minute drive of an airport. They have started identifying five initial existing airports that could serve as bases for both of Beta’s aircraft offerings: eCTOLs and eVTOLs. The latter, which rise upward like helicopters instead of accelerating along a runway and taking off, need slightly different sites known as vertiports—which could easily be added to existing airports. “Vertiport sounds big and scary,” Clark says, “[but] we’ve built vertiports that are de-iced landing pads with lights on them. These are pretty simple things.” Beta and the coalition have also begun an assessment of optimal sites for a charging network, with the help of Beta’s algorithm, which it’s used to place 60 of its “charge cubes” across the U.S., mainly concentrated in the Northeast and South. The fast chargers are multi-modal, meaning they can accommodate EV road fleets like trucks and delivery vans. So, once Beta’s FAA certifications come through, both the planes and networks will be ready to go for their partners. “UPS loves the fact that we’re putting in a bunch of charging network nodes throughout Utah,” Clark says. For Clark, the ability to validate the entire system holistically within a single state makes Utah a better market entry point than major metropolitan areas, where its competitors, including Archer Aviation and Joby Aviation, have focused on passenger air taxis. Archer has announced Newark-to-Manhattan and O’Hare-to-Chicago routes with United Airlines, which has conditionally approved $1.5 billion of investment; and Joby has partnered with Delta, with up to $200 million. But cities pose complicated regulatory hurdles from municipalities and communities, Clark says, as well as the need for intricate power and flight infrastructures. And for such a new offering, the size of demand from would-be passengers is yet unknown. “It’s going to happen,” he says. “But you have to ask the question: Is that the right entry point?” Archer and Joby, both public companies, are reportedly both planning to use the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics as the milestone event for proving out their air taxis. But caution lingers from the Paris Olympics, where grand promises of air taxis by European companies fell flat. Clark believes the L.A. Games are too soon to do this effectively, and it would merely be “a bit of a stunt” to show the world flying taxis without providing any real use. Conversely, he says the plan in Utah gives them time to rehearse with cargo and logistics for almost a decade, so that by 2034 they can meaningfully taxi Winter Olympics visitors across the skies. Clark insists he’s unfazed by his competitors, but still slams what he views as their “superficial” strategies. “We are a quiet, private company, and we have been crushing the technology,” he says. “You may not see us out there making fancy videos of the future, because we’re building the real stuff here.” View the full article

When Netflix reality show Dubai Bling debuted in 2022, it became a global sensation, garnering viewers across 51 countries. And it’s kept up the momentum: The show’s recently released third season racked up 18.6 million hours of viewing time in its first week alone. Dubai Bling, filmed in English and Arabic, is subtitled in 31 languages and dubbed in 5. The show has been part of a surge in Arabic content on Netflix attracting global viewership. Last spring’s Honeymoonish, an Arab-language rom-com from Kuwait, trended in the top 10 film list of 73 countries, amassing more than 22 million views. Danya “Diva Dee” Mohammed in Dubai Bling, Season 1 [Photo: Hyku Desesto/Netflix] Love Is Blind Habibi, the Arab adaptation of the hit reality show Love Is Blind, premiered on Netflix in October 2024 and ranked among the top 10 global non-English shows in 26 countries. Netflix’s commitment to showcasing stories from the Arab region has been a game changer for Arab filmmakers, according to Dubai Bling creator Mazen Laham. Though he had worked on multiple Arabic-language shows previously, they were local projects with nowhere near the scope of Netflix’s viewership. As the streaming platform has invested in stories told in Arabic, it has given Arab-led projects global reach by dubbing them in multiple languages. “[Before Netflix] we didn’t have the chance to show the world what content we can produce,” Laham says. “We were always producing for local platforms and channels. Nobody had the opportunity to see what we do.” Netflix’s targeted move Investing in original content from the Arab region is a strategic move for Netflix: The world’s fastest-growing population is in the Middle East and Africa. Arab-speaking countries have a combined population of more than 473 million people, and more than 55% of the people in the Middle East and North Africa are younger than 30. A young and growing population poses a lucrative viewership opportunity for Netflix. Nour El Haj in Love is Blind: Habibi [Photo: Netflix] Netflix has also launched several initiatives aimed at encouraging young creative talent from the Arab world, focusing especially on nurturing female filmmakers through financial grants and upskilling opportunities. Because She Created provides a platform for female creatives in the Arab world who are pioneering new paths in the film industry. As part of the Netflix Fund for Creative Equity, the initiative also offers a onetime grant of $250,000 to support female filmmakers in their creative endeavors. In July 2024, Netflix also launched the Saudi Female Future Filmmakers Program, an advanced mentoring initiative designed to identify the next generation of female talent in the Saudi film industry. “Through these projects [Netflix is] automatically nurturing the industry. The more projects that we deliver to the industry, the better the industry will become,” says Wael Abumansour, a Saudi producer with Telfaz11, the studio behind Netflix films such as AlKhallat+, The Matchmaker, and Naga. He adds that the demand for content from the Arab region is “accelerating really fast,” which makes it “an exciting time” to be an Arab filmmaker. Taking Arab content global Abumansour says the creative freedom that Netflix extends to showrunners and filmmakers allows them to explore diverse narratives and cultural themes. In 2024, the platform aired a diverse slate of shows and films from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Kuwait, and Jordan from both emerging and seasoned creatives from the region. Raneem Haitham (in pink) plays Farah in the second season of the Jordanian series AlRawabi School for Girls. [Photo: Courtesy of Netflix © 2024] One of those emerging talents is Tima Shomali, the Jordanian writer-director of the teen drama AlRawabi School for Girls, one of Netflix’s most successful series, garnering solid viewership in 43 countries. Shomali believes that Arab content has increasing appeal on streaming platforms because of its well-crafted scripts and characters who resonate with audiences. Tima Shomali created and directs the Jordanian teen drama AlRawabi School for Girls. [Photo: Courtesy of Netflix © 2024] “The most important thing in a story is writing root-worthy characters—characters that people can relate with, sympathize with,” Shomali says. “AlRawabi connected with people regionally and internationally, because maybe a lot of people actually connected or saw themselves or someone they know in one of these characters.” The hope is that Netflix’s investment continues to pay off for Arab storytelling. “It’s time for Arabic content to travel,” Shomali says. “We’ve always imported content from the West. And now it’s time for us to export our content.” View the full article

The best review platforms for businesses include Google, Facebook, Yelp, Tripadvisor, G2, and Trustpilot. View the full article

If you are career-minded, you may think applying for a loftier position in another company is the best route. In fact half of millennials expect to leave their current company within a year. But it’s not always the right move. Advancing in your present company may be a smarter move. You already know the culture and the people. If you enjoy them, who is to say that you’d find something better elsewhere? Also, some companies reward loyalty. And why would you want to compete with hundreds of applicants in a chaotic job market? If you are staying, hone your strategy. Follow these five steps to boost your likelihood of advancing. 1. ASK FOR VISIBLE ASSIGNMENTS First, seek out high-profile assignments. You want to be seen as a go-getter. Do this, and your boss and other leaders in the firm will regard you as a creative, productive worker with aspirational goals. I’m not talking about doing extra grunt work. I mean seizing opportunities to come up with innovative ideas and initiatives that impress others. Commit to projects that reach beyond your department. You’ll open the door to new relationships with potential bosses in other departments. For example, you might lead a fundraising project, or help another executive with her presentation, or volunteer to speak at an International Women’s Day event in your company. 2. BUILD YOUR NETWORK AT THE COMPANY It’s important to build your network within the firm. You’ll meet and gain the favor of leaders who recognize your talent and initiative. That can lead to important new relationships with strategically placed individuals. Take part in activities where you can meet senior leaders. These include conferences, sports such as company golf tournaments, leadership forums, and training sessions. If there is someone in the company you admire and think you’d like to work for, find a way to get onto their calendar. You might have a mutual interest. Or, you might invite them to speak to your team as a guest expert. Be creative in setting up that meeting. Once you’ve made that contact, broach the discussion about reporting to them. There might be an advertised position or not. Either way, if you want to work in that department go for it, set up a meeting, and prepare to pitch yourself. 3. PREPARE A STRONG PITCH If you’re job hunting in your present company, it might seem like overkill to prepare for each encounter. But you must do so—even for conversations with people who may not have a job to offer you at the moment. They may be able to recommend you to others. Your preparation should include a résumé that is polished and geared to opportunities in the company. If someone has agreed to meet with you, you’ll also want to prepare speaking notes in the form of a well-crafted statement explaining what kind of position you are looking for and why you feel ready for it. And don’t forget to write a thank-you note after the meeting. For guidelines on how to create a strong networking pitch, see the chapter on “Pitching Yourself inside Your Company.” in my book, The Job Seeker’s Script. You’ll discover how to sell yourself within your present company. 4. DON’T LET YOUR BOSS GET IN YOUR WAY It’s important to get along with your boss. But don’t let that person slow you down if you want to advance. A manager who praises your work may not want to see you move to another department. One woman I know had an opportunity to take a VP position elsewhere in the company. That would have been a big step forward since she was a director. But her boss pleaded “don’t go . . . I need you here.” So, she stayed, and after a decade she is still a director. If you have a boss who encourages you to pursue next steps within the company, be thankful. But be wary of a bad boss who tries to block ascent. All the more reason to develop strong network ties that will allow you to get around that roadblock. 5. AVOID COMPLAINING ABOUT YOUR CURRENT ROLE As you have conversations with others and seek to move up the corporate ladder, never complain about your current position. A bad boss is, of course, only one reason for seeking a new position. There are many others. But if you are looking to move up because you are unhappy with your current manager or some other aspect of your job, keep that to yourself. No one wants to hire a complainer. They fear it might be a personality trait. Instead, focus on what you like about your present role, what you have learned from your boss, what a great team of professionals you’ve had the pleasure of working with. And then look ahead and share your excitement about moving to the next role, whatever it may be. That kind of self-portrayal will get you a potential job offer and it will help you build your career. View the full article

Plus the housing market and growthView the full article