Shirin Etessam

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The best advice often comes from those who have walked the same path. New businesses are opening all the time, often by first-time entrepreneurs. And while thorough research, planning and thoughtful decision-making can give you a good start in your entrepreneurial journey, nothing can prepare you for the true journey that lies ahead.  With business experience comes a great deal of wisdom, and those who have been in business for any length of time can tell you that learning always comes before success. So, to help get the next generation of business leaders set on the right path, the members of Rolling Stone Culture Council consider their own unique perspectives and share their best advice for those just starting out.

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Diversity isn't always visible, but the way you support it should be. Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) has always been a topic of concern in the world of work, but it has recently become a major priority for many organizations, with about 79% of them stating they’re planning to dedicate more of their budgets to DEI efforts in 2022. However, it’s likely that these companies will approach DEI in different ways. There are a myriad of ways to support diversity, equity and inclusion in business — especially as a business leader. To help give you some ideas of where you can start, 11 members of Rolling Stone Culture Council share the ways in which they’re working to create and encourage more diversity in their particular business niche or industry and why that’s so important to do.

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Why are our identities — and subsequently our self-worth — so wrapped up in what we do, produce and earn? 

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What if we showed up as who we want to be?

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Your employees can have valuable insights, so it’s important they have an opportunity to share them. As the ones who are deeply involved in the day-to-day running of a business, employees often have the best insights about what does and doesn't work in a company. When you’re a leader, figuring out what employees think about how operations could be improved can be a vital part of ensuring your business’s success. Ingraining employee feedback as part of your company’s culture, therefore, can ensure you hear your team’s opinions on a regular basis. To help you accomplish that, a panel of Rolling Stone Culture Council members offered their own opinions on how you can make feedback a part of your company culture and make sure everyone is heard.

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In order to appease their customers, company leaders will need to shift their mindsets. The demand is clear: The next generation of consumers wants more eco-friendly businesses. And yet, not every business is on board, continuing to roll out products made with nonbiodegradable materials destined for landfill or approving unsustainable supply chain practices that hurt more than just the environment. So what’s keeping current businesses from implementing more sustainable, eco-friendly practices and products? To shed some light on the issue, a panel of Rolling Stone Culture Council members each share one factor they believe is holding many company leaders back from developing a more earth-conscious approach to business.

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In order to engage your viewers, you have to first create something worth watching. As more and more people turn to video as their choice format for content consumption, an increasing number of businesses are jumping on the video bandwagon as well. But savvy marketers should know that it isn’t enough to simply create video content in order to gain the attention of your customers — your videos have to be truly worth watching. To share their insights into creating engaging videos, a panel of Rolling Stone Culture Council members each detail their top tip below.

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To find the right match, you’ll need to look beyond their technical skills. When it comes to finding the right business partner, not just anyone will do. However, they also may not be the type of person you think you need at first. While many entrepreneurs will assume they need to find someone with superior technical skills like marketing or sales to help drive their business forward, it may be the nontechnical skills that make all the difference. Below, a panel of Rolling Stone Culture Council leaders share 15 nontechnical skills you may not realize you should be looking for in a business partner, and why having these qualities at your side could make for the perfect match.

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When you’re caring for your company, it can be hard to take care of yourself as well. For better or worse, "hustle culture" has become popular among the entrepreneurial community. It's sometimes viewed as a badge of honor to be constantly busy and "hustling" to grow your business. However, when you don’t take time away from work, you run the risk of inducing health- and emotional-related issues that could set you back. That’s why it’s important to take time for self-care, especially if you’re always on the go or constantly feel the need to be productive. To help you find balance, 13 members of Rolling Stone Culture Council give their best tips for busy leaders who may have to "force" themselves to step away from their jobs.

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The demand for content has never been higher, but to stand out, you need to provide real value to your audience. The adage "content is king" exists for a reason, and nearly every modern business has taken it to heart. It's easier than ever to publish your thoughts and perspectives on multiple online channels. However, with the sheer volume of content, it's hard to break through the noise and get your voice heard. So how do you accomplish this feat as a business? Follow the advice of these Rolling Stone Culture Council members who shared their tips for creating content that stands out from the crowd.

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To build a positive business network, you need to quickly identify the right people to connect with. It's often said that you are the sum total of the people around you. Your network matters, so when you're trying to build up your entrepreneurial connections, you’ll want to choose individuals who align with your business values and morals.  However, this can be easier said than done. That's why a panel of Rolling Stone Culture Council members shared specific qualities you should look for in a person that will help you determine if they're the "right" person to connect with. Here are 13 characteristics they recommend and why each is so important.

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When your usual outlets aren't available to you, it's important to find alternate coping mechanisms. It’s no question that the last year has been challenging for everyone. Even with the hope of "normalcy" on the horizon, people are finding it difficult to cope with the ongoing pandemic on top of the challenging social and political climate. With many outlets and resources inaccessible at this time, it’s even harder to find ways to de-stress. To help, a panel of Rolling Stone Culture Council members shared activities and methods that can aid in coping with burnout during multiple crises. Follow their advice to find healthy ways to deal with the stress of the modern world.