Jed Brewer

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Build smarter, lead with purpose and turn your one-person operation into a successful business. Launching and growing a culture-focused business on your own means setting the vision, making the deals, managing operations and finding the next big opportunity — all without a built-in team to share the load.  To be successful, you’ll need to prioritize what matters most while also tapping into the right networks and creating systems that keep you moving forward without burning out. It’s a balancing act that calls for both creative drive and sharp business instincts. To help you make it work, Rolling Stone Culture Council members share their best advice for turning a solo venture into a sustainable, successful business.

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Big risks can lead to big rewards — if you’re willing to take the leap. In any career, there comes a moment when you have to decide whether to play it safe or take a chance. For some, that risk might mean leaving a stable job, starting from scratch or trusting an unconventional idea. These bold moves don’t always follow a straight path, but they often lead to growth, opportunity and lasting impact. To explore what it really means to put it all on the line, Rolling Stone Culture Council members share the biggest risks they’ve ever taken in their careers — and the valuable lessons those experiences taught them.

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Every leader has room to grow — and the best ones never stop learning. To successfully lead a business in the modern world, entrepreneurs have to be intentional about how they grow — both personally and professionally. That growth often comes down to refining the skills that influence how you communicate, make decisions and guide your team through uncertainty. To help you find out which skills are worth the effort, Rolling Stone Culture Council members share what they’re currently working on and why it matters. From emotional intelligence to technical fluency, their answers offer a valuable look at the behind-the-scenes work that shapes effective leadership.

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These entrepreneur-recommended habits and mindset shifts can help you navigate the daily pressures of owning and running a business. Entrepreneurship can be thrilling and rewarding, but it’s also one of the most stressful paths a person can choose for their career. From long hours and personal financial pressure to constant decision fatigue and uncertainty, business ownership can eventually take a toll on your mental and emotional well-being. So how do seasoned entrepreneurs stay balanced under pressure? Here, Rolling Stone Culture Council members share the stress-relieving habits and strategies that have helped them thrive. Whether you need to delegate more, reflect on your mission or build a stronger support system, these insights can help you find calm in the chaos.

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Culture doesn’t shift through good intentions alone. These leaders share what real inclusivity looks like behind the scenes. While inclusion is important in any business, it’s especially vital in the culture space, where the work plays a role in shaping trends, sparking conversations and generating overall visibility. When inclusivity is treated as an afterthought, companies not only jeopardize their brand’s place in culture, but they also risk falling out of step with the people they rely on the most: their employees and customers. Employees feel disconnected when their voices aren't reflected in decisions, while audiences tune out if a brand's messaging misses the mark. The most effective companies make inclusion a daily practice by asking the right questions, bringing more voices to the table and backing it up with action. Below, the members of Rolling Stone Culture Council share how (and why) to embed inclusivity into the fabric of your business.

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When a team member seems off their game, the most powerful response a leader can offer is not correction, but connection. Every leader eventually encounters a moment when a team member seems distracted, overwhelmed or simply not like themselves. Whether they’re noticing missed deadlines, low energy or a shift in demeanor, a leader’s instinct may be to push for answers or performance, but that’s rarely what’s most effective. The most impactful leaders approach these situations with curiosity, empathy and a willingness to listen. To that end, members of Rolling Stone Culture Council share how they support struggling employees in ways that are both human and productive. Here's how to help your employees get back on track without sacrificing trust or well-being.

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Not every promising offer is the right one for your business. Ask yourself the following questions to help you decide whether it's truly worth your time. Opportunities in the culture space can appear out of nowhere — an event invite, a partnership pitch or a shiny new business venture that seems too good to pass up. However, saying "yes" to everything without pause can stretch your resources thin, distract from your core mission or dilute your brand. Asking yourself the right questions at the right time can help you figure out whether an opportunity truly fits your goals, values and capacity. Below, members of Rolling Stone Culture Council share the smart, honest lines of inquiry they explore before making a commitment.

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Strong cultural networks are built on trust, generosity and authentic connection, rather than transactions. In the culture space, who you know often matters just as much as what you do. But that doesn’t mean relationship-building should feel transactional or opportunistic. The most successful and fulfilling connections are grounded in sincerity, shared values, and mutual support. To that end, Rolling Stone Culture Council members share their best advice for growing positive connections in the culture space. Whether you're an artist, entrepreneur, producer or creative executive, your career will benefit from cultivating genuine relationships that go beyond surface-level networking.

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Business leaders across sectors are excited about these upcoming technology trends, industry shifts and networking events in 2025 and beyond. Many industries are sitting at a crossroads right now, where artificial intelligence, immersive experiences, social change and culture are converging in ways that promise to redefine entire fields. From tech-fueled transformations to cultural shifts and long-awaited events, industry leaders are looking ahead to these changes with optimism and energy.  Below, members of Rolling Stone Culture Council share the innovations and upcoming moments that have them most excited, and why they believe these developments will spark lasting impact.

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Cutting costs can save your business money in the short term, but long-term financial success is about making intentional decisions that lead to growth. Whether you’re bootstrapping a startup or running a thriving enterprise, smart financial habits can make or break your success. For experienced leaders, saving money isn’t necessarily about penny-pinching, but rather about optimizing how and where resources are spent. Below, members of Rolling Stone Culture Council share their top money-saving tips and explain how those strategies have helped their businesses thrive. From automating savings to auditing software tools, these seasoned business leaders have developed strategies that help stretch every dollar further while fueling sustainable growth.

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If the idea of going live makes you nervous, you’re not alone — but the right advice can make all the difference. Going live on social media or appearing on live television can be nerve-wracking, especially when the pressure to sound polished or look perfect kicks in. But showing up authentically and with intention often leaves the strongest impression. Whether you're hopping on Instagram Live or prepping for a live interview, the right mindset and a few smart techniques can help you stay calm, confident and truly connect with your audience. To help you make the most of every live moment, Rolling Stone Culture Council members share their top tips for shining when you're on the air.

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You can often tell early on whether a candidate will thrive on your team or throw off the rhythm entirely. Finding the right team member takes more than a polished résumé; it’s about whether someone shows up with the mindset, energy and instincts that align with your culture. While certain skills or habits may only reveal themselves over time, overall alignment often shows up in subtle but unmistakable ways. These early cues — from the questions they ask to the way they talk about your company’s mission — can reveal more than any job history ever could. Below, members of Rolling Stone Culture Council share the immediate signals they look for when bringing someone new onto the team, and why those "green flags" are such powerful indicators about a candidate's potential.

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Want to stand out as more than just someone who is qualified? Start by owning what makes your perspective impossible to ignore. Being great at what you do isn’t enough to set you apart — what makes people remember you is how clearly and confidently you express what you believe and why it matters. That doesn’t mean chasing attention or copying what others are doing. The leaders who stand out are the ones who show up with purpose, speak with clarity and let their values lead the way. Whether it’s through storytelling, education, media coverage or simply walking the walk, how you show up matters. Below, Rolling Stone Culture Council members share what it really takes to build a personal brand that rises above the noise and earns lasting credibility.

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In the culture space, a growth mindset means seeing challenges as fuel for creativity, not roadblocks to it. In culture-driven industries, staying creative and relevant requires a willingness to learn and adapt. Whether you’re leading a team, launching ideas or shaping creative work, a growth mindset gives you the flexibility to adapt, take risks and keep pushing forward. Building that mindset means leaning into curiosity, learning from failure and making room for experimentation — even when it’s uncomfortable. Below, the members of Rolling Stone Culture Council explain why a growth mindset matters and how you can start cultivating one, even if it doesn’t come naturally.

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A brand misstep doesn’t have to define you. Here’s how to move forward with intention. Public criticism of a brand can surface for many reasons — a misjudged campaign, a leadership misstep or a broader reputational issue. In these moments, how a business responds is critical in shaping public perception moving forward. A thoughtful, transparent approach can begin to restore trust, while missteps in the recovery phase can intensify the backlash and reputational damage. Below, the members of Rolling Stone Culture Council share the best ways brands can rebuild credibility and strengthen their image after public criticism.

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If you want to appreciate other people, to connect with what is beautiful about them, one must learn to listen in this same way.

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Learning to slow down amid so much momentum can be a challenge in and of itself. The world of entertainment, media, fashion, the arts and more can be an exhilarating place to start a business. But owning a business in such a fast-moving, innovative industry can also come with its own set of challenges, and startups can often find themselves navigating a complex web of trends, gatekeepers and shifting audience expectations.  To survive, it can help to consider the paths of the businesses that have already made it, having successfully overcome the struggles many entrepreneurs find themselves grappling with each day. Here, nine Rolling Stone Culture Council business leaders discuss some of the most common obstacles new businesses in their fields face and how they recommend leaping successfully to the other side.

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Many of today's most successful leaders got to where they are thanks to words of wisdom they received early in their career journeys. The lessons we carry from early in our careers often shape how we lead, create and collaborate in the present. Whether it was advice about trusting your instincts, staying true to your voice or learning from failure, the right words at the right time can echo for decades. Below, members of Rolling Stone Culture Council share the formative advice they received early on and how it continues to influence their work and perspectives today. Read on for their inspiring insights that you can take into your own professional journey.

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Being a great leader doesn’t necessarily mean being the loudest one in the room. When many people think of great leaders, they may think about the way they were able to command a room or take decisive action amid chaos or struggle. And while these traits are certainly worth highlighting, there are also other, more underrated qualities that can make leaders truly great.  Here, the members of Rolling Stone Culture Council draw on their own experiences as business leaders to spotlight nine qualities they believe are vital to becoming an effective, efficient and well-respected leader. Whether you’re currently leading a team or are just looking to grow as a professional, consider their advice for how to cultivate some of these key leadership qualities.

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The right advice from the right source can propel your business toward success. As an entrepreneur or business leader, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by advice from others (who may or may not be qualified to give it). Too many opinions can often leave you feeling confused and unsure if the choices you’re making are the right ones or if they’ll turn into mistakes you’ll later regret. And this uncertainty can be devastating to leaders who need to feel confident in the decisions they make for their company and their team. This is why it can be so helpful to have a resource to turn to when you need reliable advice on leadership or business decisions. Whether you’re a seasoned business pro or a new leader just dipping their toes in the industry, the business leaders of Rolling Stone Culture Council have eight tried-and-true places you can look for guidance on your leadership journey.

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Think you're ready to lead? These real-world lessons might surprise you. Stepping into a leadership role for the first time can be as daunting as it is exciting. While many new leaders focus on achieving results, the most impactful lessons often come from what isn’t in the handbook — like how to build trust, recover from failure and communicate with clarity. Knowing these lessons from day one can make the difference between simply managing and truly leading. To that end, Rolling Stone Culture Council members share the leadership tips they wish they had known from the beginning, and why those lessons would have made all the difference to how they lead now.

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Discover the most impactful strategies for empowering your employees. Empowered employees are more engaged, more creative and more committed to your company's mission — but that culture rarely builds itself. It often stems from small, yet intentional leadership habits that signal trust, encourage professional growth and make room for employees' ideas. Below, the members of Rolling Stone Culture Council share the actions they've taken that have had the greatest positive impact on their employees. From conducting regular "heart checks" to leading from behind, here are their secrets to success and why they've worked so well.

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Presenting your business to an audience can feel intimidating, but the right mindset and preparation can make all the difference. Whether you're delivering a keynote speech, joining a panel or meeting potential clients face-to-face, confidence when speaking isn't necessarily something you're born with — it's something you build. And when you understand your audience, believe in your message and allow your passion to guide you, your delivery becomes more natural and impactful. To help you improve, Rolling Stone Culture Council members share their top tips for becoming a more engaging and self-assured speaker in any setting. From leaning into your passion to mastering your elevator pitch, these insights can help you connect authentically and speak with greater impact.

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If you’re struggling to regain momentum in a tough market, these expert insights can help you turn things around. In a year marked by continued business closures and shrinking profit margins, declining sales remain one of the toughest challenges for companies trying to stay afloat. To regain stability, businesses must move beyond surface-level fixes and focus on proven strategies that drive revenue and strengthen customer loyalty. That includes reevaluating outdated tactics, doubling down on high-value relationships and aligning offerings with what today’s buyers actually need. Below, Rolling Stone Culture Council members share clear, actionable steps businesses can take right now to increase sales and keep customers coming back.

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Want your brand to stand for something real and be taken seriously? Start here. A strong cause can give your brand meaning beyond products or services — but aligning with that cause in a way that feels credible, not performative, takes more than good intentions. Consumers are increasingly discerning, and cause-based branding that lacks follow-through can do more harm than good. So how do you build something that resonates with your audience, earns their trust and stands up to scrutiny? To answer this question, Rolling Stone Culture Council members share their top strategies for building a brand around a cause and how these decisions can shape your reputation and long-term success.

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The right words can be a powerful motivator for employees. At a time when so many are unhappy in their careers or roles, fostering a culture of empowerment is crucial to employee success, satisfaction and retention. One of the most effective ways to achieve this is through feedback, which not only helps individuals grow professionally but also strengthens team dynamics.  However, feedback can be difficult to get right, especially when you’re attempting to critique or offer up suggestions for improvement. Done the wrong way, feedback can end up discouraging an employee from taking chances or sharing ideas for future projects.  According to the business leaders of Rolling Stone Culture Council, encouraging employees begins with these eight tips. Consider the following advice to hear how encouraging, constructive feedback can play an important role in empowering your employees — and how you can learn to give it.

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Inspiration may not always come from the most obvious of places. Creative inspiration can sometimes be a difficult resource to come by. It’s often difficult to think of ways to innovate, navigate challenges or simply make needed decisions when your creative well has run dry. And those in naturally creative industries such as art, music, film and more can also struggle with the constant need for new ideas.  At times like these, savvy business leaders will often have places they can turn to to spark ideas and out-of-the-box thinking — but these places may not always seem the most obvious places to start. Here, nine members of Rolling Stone Culture Council share the unique places they find inspiration and how that helps them lead — and create — in a positive way.

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How do we choose an advisor, and then get quality advice from them?
I suggest considering three key questions.

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Being intentional with social media can help you build the connections you need to succeed. With professional platforms like LinkedIn — and even more casual ones like Instagram and X — offering a vast pool of potential collaborators, clients and industry influencers, it’s never been easier to reach a wide audience and build your network. However, it takes more than just a well-maintained profile to leverage these platforms effectively. Understanding how to engage authentically and strategically can be the key to transforming virtual interactions into real-world opportunities. Whether you’re a casual social media user or are looking for simple ways to refine your approach, the business leaders of Rolling Stone Culture Council have key advice for any professional in the culture space looking to use social media to supercharge their networking efforts. Discover how to strengthen vital network connections and advance your career by being more intentional with your social media presence.

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To unleash their creativity, you have to give them the right environment to do so. Culture, trends, music, art — all exist because of the creative efforts of those passionate about pursuing them. When harnessing this creativity for business, you may need to approach management in a different way. Whether it’s giving them the space they need to exercise that creativity or balancing that with the right rules and restrictions, leading creative talent should be given special thought if you want them to achieve their best work. Whether it's marketers, musical artists or any role in between, the business leaders of Rolling Stone Culture Council know not only what it means to be creatives but what it means to manage them as well. Consider their best advice below to lead creative talent well and unlock all the talent these employees have to offer.

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Artificial intelligence can change the way people lead teams and organizations, but it's important to maintain a uniquely human approach to leadership. The impact of AI in business extends beyond automation and efficiency — it’s also influencing leadership and mentorship. As AI tools become more integrated into decision-making, workflow management and strategic planning, leaders must consider how to balance technology with human connection. Below, the members of Rolling Stone Culture Council share their perspectives on technology's evolving role in leadership, as well as key considerations leaders should be mindful of in the age of AI. Their insights highlight the opportunities AI presents, the risks of overreliance on it and the human qualities that will always be essential for guiding teams.

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Growing your business shouldn’t come at the expense of your current customers. In business, increasing sales — and, thereby, your customer base — is a natural goal for any entrepreneur. However, scaling too quickly or expanding into the wrong areas can risk alienating the niche market that helped establish your business in the first place. Losing these key customers could mean losing the stability, trust and feedback that acts as the backbone of your current success. For this reason, it's essential to find a balance between reaching new audiences and preserving the unique value proposition that attracted your target market to begin with. To help, experienced business leaders from Rolling Stone Culture Council share their insights on scaling the right way — a way that allows for healthy growth and expansion without losing sight of the niche market that made your business success possible.

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Honoring "where you came from" can be the key to your business expansion success. As businesses expand beyond their hometown markets, maintaining an authentic connection to their local roots can become a challenge. Growth — especially on a national or global scale — often brings pressure to standardize messaging, streamline operations and appeal to a broader audience.  Staying true to the community that shaped your brand’s identity can be the key to deeper customer loyalty and differentiating your business from competitors. Below, Rolling Stone Culture Council members share strategies for businesses looking to scale while preserving their hometown authenticity.

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Feedback can be hard to listen to, but it’s almost always valuable. Whether it's from fans, critics or team members, criticism is unavoidable as a business leader. Especially in the culture space where so many businesses are built around trending interests and tastes, receiving feedback on your business or yourself as a leader is understandably inevitable. However, learning to handle criticism with grace is a learned skill that's not always easy to do when you’re passionate about your project. Here, the business leaders of Rolling Stone Culture Council reflect on their experiences with criticism and offer up 12 tips you can use to better handle criticism as a leader while staying grounded in your vision.

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Mentorship can improve you as a leader as well — not just your mentee. Especially in creative-led industries such as music, art and even just general business, having a mentor can ensure someone starts on the path to success. A mentor can guide someone through the decision-making process, encourage a clever idea (or discourage a bad one) and help introduce them to other people and opportunities that could help define their career. However, mentorship is also leadership and, like any skill, can take time and intention to master. It may not come naturally to everyone, and those interested in taking on a mentorship role will need to first look at themselves if they want to later help others. Below, eight business leaders from Rolling Stone Culture Council share their insights on mentorship in the culture space and offer up their best advice for becoming a better mentor for any current or future mentees you may take on.

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Embracing these technologies can strengthen your bond with your audience. In 2025, digital platforms are nothing new. Individual users and businesses alike have grown accustomed to the nature of social media and how it has revolutionized culture and the way customers interact with and purchase from brands. However, these platforms have not only continued to evolve, adding new ways of shopping, streaming and consuming, but they’ve also multiplied in number, meaning businesses must always stay up to date on the latest innovations and how they must respond if they want to stay relevant to their customers. So how can brands keep up? The answer may lie in how brands have evolved their communications thus far. Thinking about the rise of digital platforms like TikTok, Instagram or even streaming platforms, the business leaders of Rolling Stone Culture Council discuss their experiences with digital platforms over the years and how they have changed the ways in which their brands interact with their audiences now and will continue to do so into the future.

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Learn how to spot toxic patterns and find ways to approach work with a better mindset. The pursuit of success often comes with the pressure to constantly hustle. However, when you continuously push forward without balancing your own needs, ambition can lead to burnout.  Striking the right equilibrium between drive and downtime is essential for maintaining long-term productivity and well-being. To help you do this, the members of Rolling Stone Culture Council share strategies for balancing motivation with rest to ensure you create a sustainable and healthy approach to work.

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Take your team to the next level with these expert-approved motivation strategies. Great managers know that bringing out the best in their teams requires more than just setting expectations. Your employees have to feel motivated, supported and empowered to excel — and that all starts with the work environment. Whether through fostering open communication or aligning employee strengths with responsibilities, the right strategies can unlock your team’s full potential. Read on for advice from Rolling Stone Culture Council business leaders about effective management approaches that drive performance and boost morale.

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If you want to retain more customers, take the time to listen to their opinions. When you’re trying to build a brand, it’s all about getting your messaging right. What type of reputation do you want to build for your business? What do customers need to know about your brand and the services or product you provide? How do you stand up to your competition? These are all important questions business leaders can ask themselves to help ensure the messages they are communicating to current and potential customers align with their mission and goals.  And while it’s vital to spend time generating ideas for and actually crafting these messages, it’s equally important to measure the impact of these messages. What do customers think of the messages you’re putting out? What actions (if any) do they feel persuaded to take? Without answers to these questions, business leaders likely won’t be as effective in their communications, meaning they could be missing the mark without even realizing it. In the culture space, connecting with your audience in the right way is key. Here, seven leaders from Rolling Stone Culture Council discuss some of the ways in which businesses can measure the impact of their messaging, and how doing so not only helps them improve customer retention but sales as well.

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Let's look at a roadmap for artists and creatives to consider in crafting media that audience members will consider indispensable and irreplaceable.

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Choosing the wrong one could be detrimental to your company’s credibility. One of the best ways to get your business in front of more potential customers is to work with or be featured by a media outlet. Whether it's on an influencer’s social media page, a podcast or on a more traditional media platform, leveraging the opportunity to amplify your message and promote your product or service is essential for businesses looking to scale and succeed in their industry.  However, not every media outlet is created equal, and the platform that might work for one industry or business may not be the best choice for another. So what does a business leader need to consider before selecting a media outlet to work with? Here, eight members of Rolling Stone Culture Council share their insights and the top questions they ask themselves when determining who to work with and the impact it will have on their brand’s image.

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While some challenges may seem insurmountable, there are always steps you can take to get on the right track. With an uncertain economy and various social and political changes, many businesses have been facing incredibly challenging times. While some have been forced to shut down, others have managed to survive by making difficult operational decisions or pivoting in a new direction.  But, even in the most ideal times, challenges are never too far away from an entrepreneur. Whether it’s trouble with financing, unmet audience expectations, managing employees who rely on you, or even just your own mental health as the leader who has to cope with these challenges, being a business leader means you’ll likely face some sort of obstacle during your career. The key is knowing how to overcome it. As leaders themselves, the members of Rolling Stone Culture Council have faced their own trials and tribulations over the years and have learned lessons along the way that have helped them get back on their feet. Below, they share how they've navigated through tough times and failure in business, and what other struggling leaders can learn from their example.

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You’ll need more than a clever idea to draw in repeat customers. First impressions matter — especially when you’re trying to sell something. How someone views your business, interprets your message or desires your product all play a big role in how likely they are to become a customer. Often, the first time a potential customer may come in contact with your brand is when viewing an ad. This means that, no matter the format of the ad or the platform it is presented on, your ad must be attention-grabbing and informative if you want it to be effective. But what exactly makes an ad effective? And what elements should be included when trying to design the perfect advertisement for your business? The business leaders of Rolling Stone Culture Council suggest starting with the following six ingredients. From a strong call to action to a good reason to stop “scrolling,” these key elements will help any business draw in more customers.

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Is your audience excited about what your company is doing? When it comes to planning an event or product launch, there are a lot of moving parts. Logistics around planning the occasion itself, getting the word out and ensuring you have all the resources you need for it to go smoothly can be a complex puzzle to solve — but one of the most important aspects of planning is getting people excited. Building “hype” around your big event or announcement is key to generating customer interest and buy-in for what you’re offering. Without it, you may not achieve the end result you were after. Building excitement isn’t always easy, so to help, the members of Rolling Stone Culture Council offer 10 of their best tips — including insights into what’s worked well for them — for generating hype around a company event, product launch, piece of news and more below.

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Here's how to manage stress and burnout even when you're thriving. Success in business often comes at a cost to the people who achieve it. Long hours, high stakes and relentless pressure can take a toll on even the most driven entrepreneurs and leaders. Because burnout and stress can significantly impact decision-making, team dynamics and the future of your business, it's important to proactively address these feelings and manage them effectively. To help you do this, the members of Rolling Stone Culture Council share their tried-and-true tips for dealing with the stress that can come with success.

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How do we learn to tune into the kind offers others are making?

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Without a focused approach, it can be all too easy to get lost in a sea of useless information. With new platforms, a multitude of media options and endless content being produced each day, those hoping to keep up with the latest trends or news may have a difficult time finding a single source they can rely on. This is especially true of business leaders in the culture space, who must not only keep up with the trends but stay ahead of them to better target and influence their customers. While simply hopping on social media or your chosen news outlet is one way to stay in the know, the members of Rolling Stone Culture Council have a more focused approach. Here, they each offer up one specific resource they turn to to help them keep up with industry trends, news and updates and why it’s so useful to their business.

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Making a few small changes can have a big impact on employee happiness overall. With employee retention at the forefront of many leaders’ minds this year, finding ways to ensure their teams are happy, healthy and heard is likely on the top of their to-do lists for 2025. One of the most effective ways to improve employee retention is to create a better work environment for them to thrive in. Whether that means better lines of communication, increased flexibility or a more supportive atmosphere, there are a multitude of ways to create a space where employees want to work. As business leaders themselves, the members of Rolling Stone Culture Council have cultivated work environments all their own, and below, they discuss what’s worked well for them as well as ways any business leader can create a better environment for their employees in the new year.

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No business is ever a total failure if you’ve learned something from it. It’s a sad reality that many businesses will fail — in fact, around 18 percent of businesses tend to fail within their first year of operation. However, a failing business doesn’t have to be a total loss for an entrepreneur. There are often many valuable lessons to be learned from a failed business — whether it’s your own or another brand’s. The key is figuring out what those lessons are and how you can apply them to your next business venture. As leaders in the culture space, the members of Rolling Stone Culture Council have seen many businesses come and go. Below, they share the notable lessons they've learned from the failure of a business and how that has impacted how they lead now.

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Industry leaders share the top business goals your company should implement in the new year. As another new year approaches, businesses in every industry are reevaluating their priorities to adapt to evolving market demands and consumer expectations. From sustainability initiatives to embracing technological advancements, the goals companies choose to pursue will shape their success and impact. But what are the most important things for businesses to focus on, and are those goals universal? Here, Rolling Stone Culture Council members weigh in on the key objectives they believe more organizations should aim for in 2025 and why these goals can make such a difference in your success next year.

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When business passion fades, these strategies can provide some much-needed inspiration. When you’re a leader in the culture space, it's easy to get burned out when trends change as quickly as they emerge. The constant pressure to innovate and adapt can make it challenging to stay connected to the passion that drives your work. To help you keep that spark alive, the members of Rolling Stone Culture Council offer their tried-and-true strategies for reigniting your enthusiasm. From focusing on your mission to seeking out new challenges, these approaches can help you maintain your passion and avoid burnout in this fast-paced industry.

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Discover how you can foster a diverse and inclusive network of peers to drive inspiration and growth. In the culture space, diverse perspectives are more than a "nice to have" — they’re essential for fostering continuous innovation that resonates with your audience. Building an inclusive network of peers can guarantee access to a wide range of ideas, experiences and viewpoints to enrich your work and inspire growth. However, creating such a network doesn't happen without intentionality and effort. To help, the members of Rolling Stone Culture Council share their expert tips on developing a diverse network to help broaden your perspectives and impact.

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Employees who take ownership often feel more valued, motivated and connected to company goals. Many companies often struggle with employee engagement. Employees may be “phoning it in,” not taking initiative or failing to do more than is required of them, and company leaders can’t figure out how to get them more invested not only in their own success, but in the success of the company as well.  One solution is to build a culture of ownership. When employees feel they have control over their work and their future, they’re more likely to be productive and step up with ideas to benefit their team, as well as feel generally happier about their work. So what’s the key to creating such a company culture, and what steps can leaders take to build one? Here, business leaders from Rolling Stone Culture Council draw on their own experience improving employee engagement and offer up 10 strategies they’ve found to be most effective in empowering employees to take ownership of their roles and future success. 

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You don’t necessarily have to sacrifice one to achieve the other. All companies must eventually make sales if they want to last as a business. And to make sales, you need to work on marketing — or getting your brand and products in front of potential customers and detailing the reasons why they should pass their hard-earned cash off to you. But while earning sales is one of the main goals of good marketing, some efforts can sometimes come off too “salesy,” turning off customers with far too insistent and persistent language and messaging. Today’s consumers crave more transparency from brands, so marketers must work to balance their sales pitch with their brand’s authentic voice. Drawing on their own experiences as business leaders, the members of Rolling Stone Culture Council weigh in below on how brands can balance authenticity and marketing when developing their unique brand story and why it’s so important to do so.

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Sometimes, breaking the rules leads to the biggest breakthroughs. For many entrepreneurs, taking an unconventional approach — whether in strategy, hiring or growth tactics — has led to invaluable lessons and unique successes in their businesses. But choosing to go against the grain isn’t without risk, as each choice shapes the path forward in surprising ways. Below, Rolling Stone Culture Council members share moments when they challenged traditional advice. Through the lessons they learned along the way, they offer practical insights to inspire bold steps on your own entrepreneurial path.

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To market to a younger audience, you first have to get to know them on a deeper level. Culture is rapidly changing, with influencer-recommended shopping and rapid content consumption becoming the norm. And as younger generations not only embrace this new culture but lead it, companies are finding themselves targeting a new demographic of consumers. However, taking the same-old approach won’t be effective if you want to gain the interest of young consumers. From marketing on the right platforms to supporting their favorite social causes, companies will need to consider younger generations’ differing preferences. Here, the business leaders of Rolling Stone Culture Council offer up nine ways companies can better engage younger consumers and the methods that have worked well for them. 

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Watch out for these telltale signs that your brand may need some fine-tuning. Brand alignment is crucial to any business's success, both on an initial and ongoing basis. If your brand doesn't deliver on its mission and value proposition — or communicate this information in a way that resonates with your target audience — you might find yourself with decreased engagement, fewer sales and a lack of clarity on how to move forward. But how do you know if your brand is misaligned, and what can you do to fix the problem? Here, the members of Rolling Stone Culture Council share some red flags that your brand needs realignment, along with actionable steps to get things back on track.

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As you consider the big-picture possibilities in your life and career, what successes might wait for you on the other side of admitting what you don’t know?

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If you want to convince someone to buy from you, first you have to understand the value you’re offering. When you run a business in a creative industry, it might not always be clear how to monetize your work. Whether you’re an independent artist, a freelance creator or any other form of solopreneur, one of the first steps on your road to success is managing to land your first sale — and that can be a tricky endeavor on your own. Having each worked in the culture space for some time, the members of Rolling Stone Culture Council know what it takes to run successful businesses in creative industries. Here, they weigh in with words of wisdom for aspiring or current entrepreneurs on how to land that elusive first sale, and what it takes to keep your business going even after you’ve earned your first customer.

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Don’t let a few roadblocks keep you from trying your hand at business ownership. No business is without its challenges. Even the most successful of companies today started out as simple ideas that had to be worked on and evolved over time. And with about 20 percent of businesses failing to make it past their first year, it’s not uncommon for the obstacles in the way of entrepreneurial success to become too difficult for aspiring business owners to overcome. In the culture space, where so much of a company’s success depends upon the trends and desires of the day, carving out a secure space in the market can be an even greater challenge. For those entrepreneurs willing to take the leap, the business leaders of Rolling Stone Culture Council discuss 10 key hurdles aspiring business owners will need to overcome if they want to succeed in the culture space today — and why doing so will make them stronger over time.

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When you're managing a distributed team, a little intention goes a long way. Both remote and hybrid work environments have proven to be smart solutions for those companies looking to give their employees greater freedom and control over their work-life balance. However, this doesn’t mean they don’t come with their own set of cons. Relationship-building and peer-to-peer connections, while certainly possible, can be more challenging for remote and hybrid teams who aren’t physically in the same place at once. This can leave some employees feeling isolated if there is no plan to address it. Thankfully, managers can utilize plenty of strategies, tips and tricks to keep their teams connected and communicating well. With the recent surge in popularity for remote and hybrid workspaces, the business leaders of Rolling Stone Culture Council have become well-acquainted with these strategies. Below, they discuss their top tips for those struggling to manage their teams in a hybrid or remote workplace and share how to connect with and manage employees well in these types of environments.

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Learn what it takes to turn your workplace into an environment where employees want to grow their careers. As new generations enter the workforce, a shift in employee expectations has challenged traditional approaches to retention. Offering competitive salaries is no longer enough — today’s employees want more from their workplace experience. This changing environment has made long-term employee retention feel increasingly difficult for many businesses.  To help, Rolling Stone Culture Council members share what it takes to build a workplace where people want to stay and grow. Follow their recommendations to make your workplace a destination employees won’t want to leave.

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Business may be changing, but certain leadership traits are timeless. At a time of economic uncertainty, social media and a tug-of-war between at-home and in-office work, running a business means taking on entirely new challenges current business leaders may not have ever experienced. To succeed, leaders will need to develop new skill sets and cultivate or improve certain traits that will allow them to confidently lead now and as the business landscape continues to change.  Here, the business leaders of Rolling Stone Culture Council discuss 11 of those traits, sharing why they believe all leaders need to cultivate them in order to succeed in today’s market.

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If your employees feel uncertain about how AI will impact their roles, here's how to frame communications to alleviate their concerns. In the last few years, AI has taken off in unexpected ways that have changed the way today's workforce operates. As a result, the fear of automation replacing tasks or entire jobs has become common among employees.  However, automation doesn't remove the need for the human touch — and, in fact, can be used to support employees in their day-to-day workflows. Below, Rolling Stone Culture Council members share reassuring messages that can help calm employees navigating these changes. With the right communications, employees can view AI not as a threat but as a tool to advance their careers and embrace new possibilities.

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These strategies can make it easier to break through productivity blocks and accomplish more during your workday. With the constant barrage of emails, meetings and distractions, finding real focus and productivity in your workday can be challenging. Many professionals struggle to maintain momentum long enough to finish a project. However, the right techniques can help boost concentration and productivity on even the busiest of workdays. Here, 15 Rolling Stone Culture Council members share their favorite techniques for staying on track and explain why these strategies work so well in a busy work environment. From using time-blocking methods to taking strategic breaks, these tactics can help boost focus and efficiency, even when you're in a productivity slump.

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The best version of your story for each of these goals is probably going to be a bit different.

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Just because you've fallen out of contact doesn't mean you can't reach out and pick up where you left off. Reconnecting with someone in your professional network after time apart can feel a bit awkward, but it’s also a valuable opportunity. Rekindling these relationships can open doors to new opportunities, collaborations and insights while strengthening your professional connection for the future. According to members of Rolling Stone Culture Council, reaching out in a thoughtful, genuine way can help you meaningfully rebuild those connections. If you’re looking to reestablish relationships within your network, these expert strategies can guide you toward doing so with authenticity and impact.

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Become a recognized expert in your field with these effective thought leadership strategies. As an entrepreneur or business leader, building influence in your chosen niche can cement your status as a credible industry thought leader. Being influential requires strategic actions that establish your expertise and encourage relationships with key players in your field. To help you do this, Rolling Stone Culture Council members share their top recommended strategies for elevating your influence within your industry. These strategies can make all the difference when you are trying to establish your reputation as a sought-after and respected expert.

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Proper training can ensure reps are prepared to handle any problem that comes their way. Because they have direct interactions with customers on a daily basis, a company’s customer service team plays a large role in that organization’s success. Quality customer service will not only impress new customers but will also be a key motivator in their decision to stick around for the long term. This means that training customer service reps on how to do their job efficiently and with quality and positivity in mind is an important task that leaders shouldn’t take lightly.  As business leaders themselves, the members of Rolling Stone Culture Council know what it takes to provide great customer service. Below, they each detail one area they believe more customer service teams should be trained on in order to be successful and the impact that has on a company’s bottom line.

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To persuade a brand to work with you, first think about how you can help them. In a saturated market, it can be difficult to stand out — especially on your own. A great way to reach new audiences and leverage resources that may not normally be available to you, however, is to collaborate with another business in, or even outside of, your industry. A product or campaign that takes advantage of both teams’ strengths may be just what you need to get you both noticed by potential customers. However, approaching another company can feel intimidating, especially if you’re a small business and unsure of what you might bring to the table. According to the business leaders of Rolling Stone Culture Council, taking the following eight steps can help boost your confidence. Here, they offer up their best tips for approaching another brand or business about a collaborative partnership and what you can do to guarantee their interest.

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If your employees have checked out, you should first take a close look at your company culture. Many employees seek fulfillment in their careers, hoping to be seen and understood by their employers, and given a chance to show off their skills and grow within their companies. However, many employees don’t feel they’re receiving this kind of treatment. In fact, “quiet quitters,” or those who are simply doing the bare minimum it takes to get by in their jobs, could make up around half of the U.S. workforce—a response that signals widespread issues with employee recognition and engagement.  According to the business leaders of Rolling Stone Culture Council, the solution lies in treating your employees like the valuable team members they are, ensuring they have the opportunities and resources they need to succeed. To do so, they recommend following these 11 tips for reengaging employees and reigniting their passion for their careers.

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When it comes to human-to-human connection, AI can be a valuable tool. As AI becomes more and more commonplace in business, there are some leaders who worry about it replacing the human element of customer service and engagement. Will customers really be happy talking to AI over another human being? Will business lose its personal touch? While AI is certainly poised to change the way business is currently conducted, many leaders believe that technology can be used as a key tool for bettering relationships between customers and companies — not replacing them. Below, 10 business leaders from Rolling Stone Culture Council weigh in with their thoughts on technology in business, each discussing one way a business can leverage technology to build better relationships with its customers and what's worked well for them.

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The principles that allow these songs to be heard as fresh several decades later are yours for the taking.

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Here are a few ways to track success you may not have thought of. When it comes to meeting your customers where they are, getting on social media is likely a good place to start. But while more and more customers are shifting their browsing and shopping habits to social media, tracking the effectiveness and ROI of a social media campaign can be tricky. Attempting to determine how much money was made from “likes” or “comments” isn’t as straightforward as other forms of marketing, and this can be a major struggle for social media teams trying to prove their success.  However, money made isn’t the only way to define “success,” and there are other goals or milestones that may indicate customers are getting value from what you’re offering. If you’re struggling to find a return on one of your social media campaigns, consider tracking one of the following metrics, as suggested by the business leaders of Rolling Stone Culture Council. These key performance indicators may help you see your campaign in a whole new light.

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The key is to focus on your cause and not your business. Whether it’s donating to a cause, giving their time and resources to those in need or partnering with a nonprofit organization, there are many ways for businesses to get involved in philanthropy. But while the main motivation behind doing good in their community may not have anything to do with scaling their business, telling stories of impact and philanthropy can be a great strategy for boosting business growth.  The trick lies in how to tell these stories thoughtfully and sensitively in a way that will resonate with consumers across the board. As business leaders and master storytellers themselves, the members of Rolling Stone Culture Council have a few tips for getting it right. Below, they offer up their best advice for telling compelling stories of impact that will lead to enhanced growth.

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Here's how to strategically create and follow through on your most important business goals. No matter what industry you're in, business success starts with identifying short- and long-term goals. However, it can be tricky to figure out exactly how to set and achieve those objectives. To help, Rolling Stone Culture Council business leaders share their goal-setting strategies and why these methods are effective. Follow their recommendations to help you refine your approach to achieving your business goals.

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The best way to negotiate is to ensure both parties win. Whether you’re attempting to settle on a price with an important client or trying to reach an agreement with a potential business partner, negotiation plays an important role in business. However, it isn't a skill that comes naturally to everyone, and some may struggle to find a balance between achieving what they want and ensuring the other party does too. Mastering the art of negotiation takes practice, but keeping the following tips in mind can help you improve your skills faster and achieve the best outcomes. Below, the business leaders of  Rolling Stone Culture Council draw on their years of experience closing deals to share their best advice on becoming a master negotiator, no matter your industry.

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Expressing gratitude is just one way a leader can show they care. One of the many jobs of an effective leader is to inspire and motivate their teams to put forth their best effort and do good work. However, inspiring and motivating are made much more difficult when you aren’t sure exactly what to say. What words will lead your team to solve problems? Find their creativity? Nurture relationships with clients?  According to the business leaders of Rolling Stone Culture Council, it’s not necessarily about the exact words you say so much as their meaning and your genuine feelings behind them. From acknowledging employee contributions to offering more autonomy, your words and their intent can have a powerful impact on your employees and the way they work. Try out the following nine suggestions and see what you can inspire your team to do.

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Experimenting with a new product or service shouldn’t come at the expense of your core business. It can be said that all businesses are in the business of making money. Regardless of what product they sell or what service they provide, all businesses need to make money in order to survive and, hopefully, thrive. But there’s another component businesses need in order to thrive, at least in the long term: innovation. If businesses don’t innovate or improve upon their current offerings, they may not ever grow or reach their true potential. However, innovation can be risky, as not all ideas will be profitable or accepted by customers. To find that balance between making money in order to survive and making room for innovation, business leaders should consider the following eight tips from the experts of Rolling Stone Culture Council. Here, they discuss the key to balancing innovation with the financial need to stick with what works, ensuring business leaders can still pay the bills.

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To get customers excited about your event, you’ll have to think like them first. With the weather warming up and summer just getting started, people are eager to spend more time outdoors and attend various summer events and activities. But concerts and festivals aren’t the only events on the agenda — plenty of businesses host events in the summer, or year-round, to help promote their goods or services and to connect with their customers in fun, unique ways.  However, with so many other events taking place, it can be difficult for businesses to ensure theirs will be guaranteed a spot on customers’ calendars. Thankfully, the business leaders of Rolling Stone Culture Council have a few suggestions for how to resolve this dilemma. Below, they discuss seven actions businesses can take to ensure their event is not only well-attended but thoroughly enjoyed by all.

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Your willingness to learn and grow has a major impact on your ability to win in business. The business world is full of ups and downs. One day you’re succeeding, and the next day you’re not. This can be especially true of the culture space, where trends can change daily and consumers’ opinions evolve equally as fast. Entrepreneurs who develop a growth mindset — or the belief that persistence and effort lead to success — are more likely to thrive in this type of environment, making it an essential trait to cultivate for culture space leaders. As leaders in the culture space themselves, the members of Rolling Stone Culture Council know what it takes to succeed in today’s marketplace. Here, they discuss the top reasons why business leaders need a growth mindset and the impact that mindset has on their ability to lead well.

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In my experience, global talent sourcing presents a unique opportunity for creative endeavors to get great results and good value at the same time.

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Cut through the noise by amplifying your unique story. Today, it seems that nearly everyone is on social media — and that includes businesses. With the majority of small businesses using social media to reach their audience, there’s a lot of competition when it comes to earning the attention of potential customers. This is why it’s so vital to find a way to stand out and cut through the digital noise. However, beyond creating viral videos or following the latest social media trend, there are a number of other, more meaningful ways to set your business apart. Here, nine business leaders from Rolling Stone Culture Council weigh in on some of the steps a business can take to ensure their social media presence stands out from the competition and engages their followers in a meaningful way.

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Building the brand image you want starts with smart PR moves. In business — and especially the culture space — what the public thinks of your brand is everything. Do they find you trustworthy and reliable? Do they think of you as innovative, cool or luxurious? Controlling the narrative around your brand is key to ensuring you create the image you’re after — and to ensuring you’re reaching your desired target audience.  However, public relations is an art as much as it is a science, and many businesses that don’t have experience in this particular area can end up making mistakes that could damage their reputation in the short and long term. To avoid these same blunders, consider this list of common mistakes as outlined by the business leaders of Rolling Stone Culture Council. Below, they detail why these mistakes can be detrimental to your brand goals and advise what actions you should take instead.

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You may have to adapt your current business plan. Much like technology, culture can change at the drop of a hat. People’s tastes, what’s “in” and “the next big thing” are constantly evolving, whether in reaction to current events or the latest innovation in a particular industry. Those entrepreneurs hoping to make it in this space must be able to thrive in a changing environment, adapting their business when it’s needed and sticking to the plan when it’s not.  But this isn’t the only way to get ahead in the culture space. According to the business leaders of Rolling Stone Culture Council, embracing the following habits can give hopeful entrepreneurs a leg up on the competition and ensure they find true success in the culture space and their overall careers.

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Taking care of yourself first ensures you can take care of your company better. Leading a business can be exhausting, but part of being a leader is showing up and giving your all each day, even when things aren’t going how you planned. Finding ways to increase your efficiency without creating more mental work for yourself can be a helpful way of lessening the mental strain that comes with being the boss. When it comes to decision fatigue, for example, there are specific strategies you can use to ensure you never cross that line of exhaustion, even on a busy day. Below, the business leaders of Rolling Stone Culture Council share some of those strategies, elaborating on how they go about making good decisions as leaders while protecting their mental well-being at the same time.

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The first step to reengaging a customer is to remember that they’re human. Whether it’s due to a lack of perceived value or just a lack of time and money, customers can often fall off the wagon when it comes to interacting with and purchasing from brands. And while some customers disengaging can be normal, companies may begin to worry once a pattern starts to emerge.  So what can they do to reengage those customers they seem to have lost? What’s the most effective method? Below, 10 business leaders of Rolling Stone Culture Council share their insights on the marketing “hacks” or strategies companies can use to boost engagement among disengaged customers and pique their interest once again.

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To impress potential investors, put yourself in their shoes. One of the most difficult aspects of getting a business off the ground is finding the money to be able to do so. While there are a number of ways to fund a business — crowdsourcing, family and friends, investors, bootstrapping and more — each comes with their own pros and cons, benefits and challenges, meaning no one business will likely follow the same financial path.  However, there are a number of similar struggles you may face when trying to raise capital for your business that other seasoned entrepreneurs have also experienced. To share their own stories and advice, eight business leaders of Rolling Stone Culture Council weigh in on common fundraising challenges and what they would advise others do to avoid or overcome the same obstacles they faced themselves.

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An experience with students in Dubai led to finding five ways we can all push past uncertainty to reach out and share our talents.

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Be yourself and be curious, and the right people will find you. In business, who you know is everything. That means building real connections — ones you can count on, that go beyond surface-level acquaintances — should be a high priority for professionals looking to advance in their careers or business. However, just networking likely won’t get you the kind of relationships you’ll need to succeed. To build real connections, follow the 16 tips outlined by the culture and business experts of Rolling Stone Culture Council and see why being intentional about your relationships can propel you forward far faster than just networking alone.

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Building a successful brand means understanding who you are and staying true to it. In so many areas of culture, building a successful personal brand is key to getting ahead. Who you are, what you’re known for and what value you provide to others all play a role in creating your brand, and those who create positive ones are likely to find more opportunities coming their way. But creating a personal brand isn’t as simple as some may think. It requires intentionality and a deep understanding of self to get started. Here, 14 leaders of Rolling Stone Culture Council share some of the other steps you’ll need to take if you want to build a successful personal brand, in life and in business.