Inc. Magazine

Founded in 1979 and acquired in 2005 by Mansueto Ventures LLC, Inc. is the only major brand dedicated exclusively to owners and managers of growing private companies, with the aim to deliver real solutions for today’s innovative company builders.

WE’RE NOT GOING TO BE SHORT ON CHALLENGES

HOW TO SPY ON YOUR RIVALS

EXPERT ADVICE FROM INC.’S INNER CIRCLE

MY MENTOR TAUGHT ME: KEEP TAKING RISKS

HOW I GOT THE IDEA

IS THIS A BUSINESS?

PLEASE TAKE OUR MONEY!

I WAS WRONG: NO MORE MR. NICE GUY

THE BEST PART

HOW TO BUILD A BRAND WITH WATERMELON

HOW BORING BENEFITS CAN PAY OFF

HR Technology Adapts to Remote Work’s Permanence • From social issues to virtual collaboration, HR technology is evolving to meet the needs of future employment models.

YOU NEED AN ORG CHART • Your startup just hit 20 employees. Great, but now you have to take the keys away from some early hires as your needs get more focused. Be careful and caring—but unyielding.

MAKE YOUR TEAM BIGGER • You don’t have to hire more bodie s. But you do need to get beyond your direct reports. You need to reach across your organization and your supply chain for solutions.

KEYS TO HISTORIC LEADERSHIP • After decades studying the world’s most effective leaders, Fawn Weaver relies on these three truths while running the fastest-growing independent whiskey brand in U.S. history.

Cybercriminals Target SMBs, But New Technology Helps Fight Them Off • Contrary to popular belief, big companies are not the only favored targets of cybercriminals. SMBs are just as attractive.

HIS STARTUP IS ABOUT TO DOUBLE IN SIZE • Richie Serna, co-founder and CEO of the payments startup Finix, talks rapid growth and changing the face of tech with venture capitalist Theresia Gouw, co-founder of the VC firm Acrew Capital.

Theresia Gouw’s 7 Key Ingredients of a Successful Company • Having supported talented founders for more than 20 years, Gouw can see clear patterns. Here’s her list of attributes shared by the successful businesses she’s backed as a venture investor.

INVITATION TO A CRISIS • Sometimes, a little added pressure can help your team scale new heights.

HOW TO HAVE A CRISIS • Reap the benefits of adrenaline without the agita.

AND TO TAKE IT FURTHER STILL... • ... you can roast the goose that laid your golden egg.

SHOULD YOU BE MORE LIKE BEZOS? • As the Amazon founder exits the CEO role, he leaves his successor a set of rules that might be helpful to any entrepreneur bent on conquering the known universe.

STARS RISING • The leaders of our Inc. 5000 Regional honorees are hungry, optimistic, and ready to change everything.

HIS APP WAS GOOD, HIS MISSION BETTER • Ojo Labs uses artificial intelligence to help first-time home buyers—particularly people who are more likely to get shut out by the traditional process.

Inc. 5000 Regionals — DC. METRO —

IT’S AS CLEAR AS ALUMINUM • Two college students spotted a market for sustainably produced bottled H2O—and made Open Water a must-have for green-friendly hotels, gyms, and museums.

Stepping up employee swag

A HOME FOR REGGAETON ROYALTY • After a family tragedy, Camille Soto teamed up with Alberto Mendoza Nieves to design Get Low Records for Latin musicians overlooked by big labels.

WINNING WITH A HIVE MENTALITY • Human Bees raced to 22,000 percent growth by providing turnkey talent at scale for the likes of Tesla and FedEx.

MAY THE BEST BRAND WIN! • Zico founder Mark Rampolla recently bought back his coconut water company after a sale that decimated the brand. Now he’s rebuilding it with a new team, but facing fierce competition from an old rival.

FOUNDER BUYBACKS HAPPEN—AND CAN LEAD TO A BETTER...