You know you need media coverage. You know a press release is part of the process. But you are already running a business, managing a team, serving clients, and trying to grow — and writing is not exactly on your list of strengths.

So do you hire someone to do it or figure it out yourself?

In my experience working with entrepreneurs on media placements, the answer depends less on budget and more on what stage your business is at and what you are actually trying to achieve. I have seen business owners spend $2,000 on a PR writer and get nothing from it — and others write their own press release in an afternoon and land coverage in three publications.

This guide breaks down exactly when PR writing services are worth it, when they are not, and what the smartest options are in 2026 for every budget.

What Are PR Writing Services?

PR writing services cover a range of professional writing support for businesses looking to get media coverage. They include:

Press release writing. A professional writer crafts your press release from scratch based on information you provide. This is the most common PR writing service and ranges from budget freelancers to specialized PR agencies.

Media pitch writing. A writer crafts personalized pitches to specific journalists and editors on your behalf. More targeted and often more effective than a generic press release but requires more upfront research.

Feature story writing. A writer interviews you and crafts a full narrative feature about your business — the kind of long-form story that publications use as dedicated articles rather than brief news items.

PR agency retainers. Full-service PR agencies handle everything — strategy, writing, distribution, journalist relationships, and media monitoring — for a monthly retainer typically starting at $3,000 to $10,000 per month.

The Case for Hiring PR Writing Services

You Get Professional Quality Immediately

An experienced PR writer knows how to structure a press release that journalists actually read, craft a headline that gets opened, and frame your story in a way that resonates with media. If writing is not your strength, hiring a professional eliminates the learning curve entirely.

You Save Time

Writing a strong press release takes most business owners 3 to 5 hours — longer if it is their first one. A professional writer can produce the same output in a fraction of the time. For business owners whose time is genuinely worth more than the cost of the service, outsourcing makes clear financial sense.

You Get an Outside Perspective

One of the biggest challenges business owners face when writing their own press releases is being too close to the story. What seems obviously important to you may not be the most compelling angle for media. A good PR writer brings an outsider’s perspective and identifies the story angle that journalists will actually care about.

The Case for Doing It Yourself

Nobody Knows Your Story Better Than You

The most compelling business stories come from the person who lived them. No PR writer, no matter how skilled, can replicate the authenticity and specific detail that comes from you telling your own story. For businesses where the founder’s personal journey is central to the brand, DIY writing often produces better results.

The Cost Savings Are Significant

Professional press release writing services range from $200 for a freelancer on Fiverr to $2,000+ for a specialized PR writer. For small businesses doing multiple releases per year, those costs add up quickly. Learning to write your own press releases is a skill that pays dividends indefinitely.

AI Tools Have Leveled the Playing Field

In 2026, business owners have access to AI writing tools that can produce a solid first draft press release in minutes. Tools like Claude, ChatGPT, and Jasper can generate a structured press release from a few bullet points — which you then refine and personalize with your own voice and specific details. This hybrid approach gives you the speed of professional writing at a fraction of the cost.

What PR Writing Services Actually Cost in 2026

Understanding the market rates helps you evaluate whether any given service is worth the investment:

The Problem With Most PR Writing Services

Here is what the industry rarely tells you upfront:

Writing the press release is the easy part. Getting it covered is the hard part.

Most PR writing services deliver a document. That document still needs to be distributed, pitched, and followed up on before it generates any actual media coverage. You can pay $1,000 for a beautifully written press release and still get zero coverage if it never reaches the right journalists or fails to connect with a timely story angle.

This is the fundamental limitation of PR writing as a standalone service. It solves the writing problem without solving the coverage problem.

A Smarter Alternative: Direct Feature Placement

Rather than paying for writing services and then separately worrying about distribution and pickup, some businesses choose a more direct path — working with a publication that handles both the writing and the publishing in a single package.

This is exactly what CEO Medium offers. Rather than delivering a press release document that you then have to distribute and hope gets picked up, CEO Medium writes and publishes a dedicated feature story about your business directly on the platform — permanently indexed on Google, written by experienced writers, and syndicated to additional outlets depending on your package.

The key difference is guaranteed placement. You are not paying for a document. You are paying for a published article about your business that is live, indexed, and working for you from day one.

When to Hire PR Writing Services vs. Each Alternative

Hire a PR writer if:

• You have a significant one-time announcement — funding round, major launch, acquisition
• You are targeting top-tier national media and need a polished, professional release
• Writing is genuinely not your strength and you have the budget

Do it yourself if:

• You are just getting started and need to learn the basics
• Your budget is limited and you are willing to invest time instead of money
• Your story is deeply personal and you want to tell it in your own voice

Use AI tools if:

• You need to produce multiple press releases regularly
• You want professional quality without professional cost
• You are comfortable editing and personalizing AI-generated drafts

Use direct feature placement if:

• You want guaranteed published coverage rather than a document that may or may not get picked up
• You want a permanent SEO-indexed article about your business on Google, the kind that top business magazines publish about entrepreneurs every day
• You want your story told in depth rather than summarized in a 400-word press release

How to Evaluate Any PR Writing Service Before You Pay

Before hiring any PR writing service, ask these five questions:

1. Do they have samples of press releases that generated actual coverage? Anyone can write a press release. Ask for examples where their writing led to measurable media pickup. If they cannot provide examples, that is a red flag.
2. Do they understand your industry? A writer who covers technology startups may not understand the nuances of real estate, healthcare, or financial services. Industry knowledge matters because journalists can spot generic, uninformed pitches immediately.
3. What is included beyond the writing? Does the service include distribution? Follow-up pitching? Revisions? Understanding the full scope of what you are paying for prevents surprises later.
4. What is their revision policy? Your story needs to sound like your business. A good PR writer should be willing to revise until the tone, facts, and angle are right.
5. Can they guarantee anything? Most PR writing services cannot — and will tell you so honestly. If a service promises guaranteed coverage from a press release alone, approach with caution. The only way to guarantee coverage is to work directly with a publication.

Building Your Own PR Writing Capability

If budget is a constraint and you are committed to handling PR in-house, here is a practical path to building the skill yourself:

Start with the basics. Read our guide on how to write a press release — it covers the exact format, structure, and common mistakes that kill your chances of getting covered.

Use AI as your first draft tool. Feed your key facts into an AI writing tool and let it generate a structured first draft. Then rewrite the opening paragraph in your own voice, add specific data points, and insert a genuine quote from yourself or a client.

Study what gets covered. Spend 20 minutes a week reading the business section of your target publications. Notice what kinds of stories they run, what angles they favor, and what their readers care about. The more you understand the publication, the better you can tailor your pitches.

Write one press release a month. Like any skill, PR writing improves with practice. Commit to writing and distributing one press release per month regardless of how polished you think it is. The learning compounds quickly.

Final Thoughts

PR writing services are a legitimate investment for businesses with the budget and the right announcement to justify them. But they are not magic — and they are not the only path to getting your business covered in media.

Whether you hire a professional writer, use AI tools to produce your own releases, or work directly with a publication for guaranteed placement, the most important factor is consistency. Businesses that show up in media consistently are the ones that get remembered, trusted, and chosen.

If you are ready to skip the uncertainty and get a dedicated feature story published about your business today, CEO Medium works with entrepreneurs and small business owners across the US to make that happen — starting at $999.

Ready for guaranteed coverage? CEO Medium publishes dedicated feature stories for entrepreneurs and business owners. Get Featured Today or email info@ceomedium.com.

The post PR Writing Services: When to Hire One vs. Do It Yourself (2026 Guide) appeared first on CEO Medium.

You can have the best product, the most dedicated team, and a track record that speaks for itself — and still lose clients to a competitor who is simply more visible. More talked about. More featured.

Business magazines are one of the most powerful visibility tools available to entrepreneurs today. A single feature in the right publication can do more for your credibility than a year of social media posts, paid ads, or cold outreach combined.

In my experience placing business owners in publications across the US, the entrepreneurs who get featured are not always the most successful ones in their industry. They are the ones who understand which publications matter, what those publications look for, and how to position their story to get noticed.

This guide covers the best business magazines for entrepreneurs in 2026 and gives you a practical roadmap for getting featured in them.

Why Getting Featured in a Business Magazine Still Matters

Before diving into the list, it is worth understanding what a magazine feature actually does for your business in 2026.

It builds credibility that money cannot buy. Anyone can run an ad. Not everyone gets featured in a publication with editorial standards. When a business magazine chooses to feature your story, it signals to your market that an independent third party found your work worthy of attention.

It ranks on Google. A well-written feature about your business published on a high-authority magazine website can rank on the first page of Google when someone searches your name or company. That is permanent, compounding visibility that works 24 hours a day.

It creates a credibility asset you can use everywhere. Once you are featured, that logo goes on your website, your email signature, your LinkedIn profile, and your pitch deck. “As featured in…” is one of the most powerful trust signals in business.

It attracts the right clients. The readers of business magazines are business owners, decision makers, and executives — exactly the people most entrepreneurs are trying to reach.

The Best Business Magazines for Entrepreneurs in 2026

1. Forbes

Forbes is the most recognized business publication in the world and being featured carries enormous credibility weight. Forbes covers entrepreneurship, leadership, technology, finance, and business strategy across every industry.

Best for: Established entrepreneurs with a strong track record, unique business insights, or a compelling personal story.

How to get featured: Forbes has a contributor network where approved writers pitch stories. The best path for most entrepreneurs is to be quoted as an expert source in an existing article rather than pitching a feature directly. Building a relationship with a Forbes contributor in your industry is the most reliable route.

Difficulty: High — Forbes receives thousands of pitches and the bar for coverage is significant.

2. Entrepreneur Magazine

Entrepreneur is one of the most widely read publications for small business owners and founders. It covers startups, growth strategies, franchise opportunities, leadership, and business culture.

Best for: Small business owners, franchise operators, startup founders, and entrepreneurs at any stage of growth.

How to get featured: Entrepreneur actively looks for real business stories with lessons other entrepreneurs can apply. Pitching a story about a challenge you overcame, an unconventional strategy that worked, or a milestone worth noting are all strong angles.

Difficulty: Medium — more accessible than Forbes but still competitive.

3. Inc. Magazine

Inc. focuses on fast-growing companies and the entrepreneurs building them. It is known for lists like the Inc. 5000 — the definitive ranking of the fastest-growing private companies in America.

Best for: High-growth businesses, tech startups, and entrepreneurs with strong revenue growth stories.

How to get featured: The Inc. 5000 application is the most direct path to Inc. coverage. Beyond that, Inc. writers actively seek sources and experts through platforms like HARO. Being consistently helpful as a source builds relationships that lead to features.

Difficulty: Medium to high — growth metrics matter significantly to Inc. editors.

4. Fast Company

Fast Company covers innovation, business, and the intersection of technology and entrepreneurship. It has a strong focus on companies doing things differently — disrupting industries, building purpose-driven businesses, or solving problems in unconventional ways.

Best for: Tech entrepreneurs, innovators, purpose-driven businesses, and founders with a unique approach to their industry.

How to get featured: Fast Company responds well to pitches that connect your business to a broader trend or cultural moment. The angle needs to be forward-looking — what does your business say about where the industry is going?

Difficulty: High — Fast Company is selective and trend-focused.

5. Bloomberg Businessweek

Bloomberg Businessweek is one of the most respected business publications in the world, with deep coverage of finance, economics, technology, and global business strategy.

Best for: Businesses with financial or economic angles, companies operating at scale, and entrepreneurs with insights on market trends.

How to get featured: Bloomberg is primarily journalist-driven — they find their stories rather than accepting pitches from entrepreneurs directly. Being visible as an expert in your field through other publications, HARO, and LinkedIn increases the chances of a Bloomberg journalist finding you.

Difficulty: Very high — primarily for established businesses with significant scale.

6. CEO Medium

CEO Medium is a digital business magazine dedicated specifically to entrepreneurs, founders, and business leaders across the US. Unlike traditional publications that rely on journalists to find your story, CEO Medium works directly with business owners to craft and publish dedicated feature stories.

Best for: Entrepreneurs, small business owners, realtors, consultants, and founders at any stage who want guaranteed media coverage with a permanent, SEO-indexed article about their business.

How to get featured: CEO Medium offers feature placement packages starting at $999. You get a dedicated article written and published about your business, permanent indexing on Google, and syndication to additional outlets depending on your package.

Difficulty: Accessible — designed specifically for entrepreneurs who want coverage without the uncertainty of traditional pitching.

How to Get Featured in a Business Magazine: A Step-by-Step Approach

Step 1: Choose the Right Publication for Your Stage

Not every magazine is right for every business. Match your pitch to where you are:

• Early stage or local business: Start with regional business journals, industry trade publications, and digital magazines like CEO Medium where the barrier to entry is lower and the audience is targeted.
• Growth stage: Target Entrepreneur and Inc. where mid-sized business stories get regular coverage.
• Established business with scale: Go after Forbes, Fast Company, and Bloomberg Businessweek where the bar is high but the credibility payoff is enormous.

Step 2: Craft a Story, Not a Profile

Magazines do not publish profiles of businesses. They publish stories about people building businesses. The difference is critical.

A profile says: “Here is what our company does and how successful we are.”

A story says: “Here is a challenge we faced, how we approached it differently, what we learned, and what that means for other entrepreneurs in our space.”

Before you pitch any publication, identify the story angle — the conflict, the turning point, the lesson, the unexpected result. That is what editors are looking for.

Step 3: Research the Right Contact

Every major publication has editors and writers who cover specific beats. Pitching the wrong person is as bad as not pitching at all.

Spend 20 minutes on LinkedIn and the publication’s website identifying:

• Who covers your industry or business type
• What stories they have published recently
• What angles they seem to favor

Then personalize your pitch to that specific person and reference their recent work.

Step 4: Write a One-Paragraph Pitch

Your initial pitch should be one paragraph maximum. Include:

• Who you are and what your business does in one sentence
• The story angle in one sentence
• Why their readers would care in one sentence
• A soft ask — “Would you be open to hearing more?”

Do not send a full press release as your first contact. Send a pitch. If they are interested, they will ask for more.

Step 5: Follow Up Once

If you do not hear back within 7 days, send one follow-up email. Keep it short — one sentence reminding them of your pitch and asking if they had a chance to consider it.

If you still do not hear back, move on to the next contact. Persistence is good. Repeated follow-ups to the same person are not.

The Fastest Path to Getting Featured in 2026

If you want guaranteed coverage without the uncertainty of pitching editors who may never respond, working directly with a business publication is the most efficient path.

CEO Medium works with entrepreneurs and small business owners to publish dedicated feature stories that are permanently indexed on Google, written to tell your story the way it deserves to be told, and syndicated to additional outlets to maximize reach.

Once your feature is live, combining it with a press release distribution service can extend your reach even further.

Rather than spending months pitching editors with no guarantee of coverage, you get a published feature that builds your credibility from day one.

Final Thoughts

Business magazines remain one of the most powerful visibility tools available to entrepreneurs in 2026. A single feature in the right publication builds credibility, drives compounding traffic, and positions you as a recognized voice in your industry.

Start with publications that match your current stage. Build your story before you pitch. Personalize every outreach. Follow up once and move on.

And if you want to shortcut the process entirely, CEO Medium is here to make sure your story gets told.

Ready to get your business featured? CEO Medium publishes dedicated feature stories for entrepreneurs and business owners across the US. Packages start at $999. Get Featured Today or email info@ceomedium.com.

The post The Best Business Magazines for Entrepreneurs in 2026 (And How to Get Featured in Them) appeared first on CEO Medium.

They picture a Fortune 500 brand hiring a $10,000-a-month agency, sending press releases to hundreds of journalists, and landing features in major publications through sheer spending power.

That picture is outdated.

In my experience working with entrepreneurs and business owners on media placements, the ones who get covered consistently are not always the biggest or best-funded. They are the ones who understand how media works and position themselves accordingly.

This guide breaks down exactly how to get media coverage for your small business in 2026 – without an agency, without a massive budget, and without wasting months chasing journalists who will never respond.

Why Media Coverage Still Matters in 2026

Before diving into strategy, it is worth understanding why media coverage is worth pursuing in the first place.

A single feature in the right publication can do more for your business than months of paid advertising. Here is why:

It builds permanent credibility. A published article about your business lives on Google indefinitely. When a potential client searches your name, they find proof that a real publication thought your story was worth telling.

It drives compounding traffic. Unlike an ad that disappears the moment you stop paying, an article keeps sending readers to your website for years.

It creates a trust shortcut. Customers trust businesses that have been featured in media more than businesses that have not. Being featured in even one credible publication changes how people perceive you.

It opens doors. Media coverage leads to speaking invitations, partnership opportunities, podcast appearances, and more coverage. One feature often leads to five more.

The 5 Most Effective Ways to Get Media Coverage in 2026

1. Build a Targeted Media List

The biggest mistake small business owners make with PR is sending the same pitch to every journalist they can find. This approach wastes time and burns bridges.

Instead, build a targeted list of 20 to 30 journalists and editors who specifically cover your industry, your region, or your type of business story.

To find the right contacts:

• Search Google for recent articles about businesses like yours and note the journalist’s name
• Follow industry publications and identify their regular contributors
• Use LinkedIn to find editors at local business journals and trade publications
• Check the masthead of publications you want to be featured in

A targeted list of 25 journalists who actually cover your space will outperform a blasted list of 500 every single time.

2. Write a Newsworthy Pitch

Journalists do not cover businesses. They cover stories. Your pitch needs to answer one question immediately: why should their readers care about this right now?

A strong pitch has three elements:

A clear news hook. What is happening that makes this timely? A product launch, a milestone, a trend you are responding to, a problem you are solving.

A specific angle. Not “my business is growing” but “my business grew 300% by doing the opposite of what every expert recommended.”

A short ask. One paragraph. Tell them who you are, what the story is, and why their audience would care. Do not attach a press release to the first email. Just pitch the idea.

3. Use HARO and Similar Platforms

Help a Reporter Out (HARO) is a free service where journalists post requests for sources and experts to quote in their articles. You sign up, receive daily emails with journalist requests, and respond to the ones relevant to your business.

This is one of the fastest ways to get quoted in major publications as a small business owner. A single good HARO response can land you a mention in Forbes, Entrepreneur, or Inc. without ever sending a cold pitch.

Other platforms that work similarly:

• Qwoted — newer alternative to HARO with higher quality requests
• SourceBottle — good for lifestyle and consumer brands
• ProfNet — more suited to established experts and academics

Check HARO requests every morning and respond within the first two hours. Journalists work on tight deadlines and the first good response usually wins.

4. Leverage Local Media First

National coverage is the goal for many business owners but local media is often the fastest and most impactful starting point.

Local newspapers, regional business journals, local TV news, and community blogs are all actively looking for stories about businesses in their area. The competition for coverage is far lower and the relationships you build with local journalists often lead to national introductions over time.

Start by pitching your local business journal or newspaper. Frame your story around a local angle — job creation, community impact, a local problem you are solving. Once you have local coverage, use that as proof of credibility when pitching national outlets.

5. Get Featured in a Business Publication Directly

Rather than chasing journalists and hoping they pick up your story, you can work directly with business publications that feature entrepreneurs and business owners as part of their editorial model.

This approach gives you:

• Control over how your story is told
• A guaranteed published feature rather than a maybe
• A permanent, SEO-indexed article that ranks on Google
• Syndication to additional outlets depending on the publication

At CEO Medium, we work with entrepreneurs and small business owners to craft and publish dedicated feature stories that reach thousands of readers in their target market. Rather than spending months pitching journalists with no guarantee of coverage, you get a published feature that works for your business 24 hours a day.

What Makes a Business Story Worth Covering

Whether you are pitching a journalist or working with a publication directly, your story needs one of these elements to be worth covering:

Conflict or challenge. You faced a serious obstacle and overcame it. Readers connect with struggle and resilience more than smooth success stories.

Surprising data or results. You achieved something unusual — grew faster than expected, found a counterintuitive solution, reached a milestone that defies the norm.

A clear human angle. There is a real person behind the business with a real reason for building it. Personal motivation is one of the most compelling story elements in business journalism.

Timely relevance. Your story connects to something happening in the world right now — a trend, a shift in consumer behavior, a market change.

A local or community angle. You are creating jobs, solving a local problem, or building something that your community can be proud of.

If your story has at least one of these elements, it is worth pitching.

Common Mistakes That Kill Your Chances of Getting Covered

Pitching too broadly. Sending the same generic pitch to 500 journalists signals that you have not done your homework. Personalize every pitch to the specific journalist and publication.

Making it about you, not the reader. Journalists write for their audience, not for your business. Every pitch needs to lead with why their readers will care, not why the story matters to you.

Following up too aggressively. One follow-up email after 5 to 7 days is acceptable. Multiple follow-ups within a week will get you blacklisted.

No visuals or assets. Make it easy for journalists to say yes. Have a high-quality headshot, company photos, and a one-page media kit ready to send the moment someone shows interest.

Giving up too soon. Most business owners pitch once or twice and quit when they do not hear back. Consistent, strategic outreach over months is how small businesses build real media presence.

Building a Long-Term Media Presence

Getting one feature is good. Building a media presence that consistently generates coverage is what actually moves the needle for your business.

To do that, think of PR as a habit rather than a one-time effort:

• Pitch at least 5 journalists or publications every month
• Respond to HARO requests every morning
• Publish content on your own platform that journalists can reference
• Build genuine relationships with 3 to 5 journalists in your space over time
• Document your business milestones so you always have something newsworthy to pitch

Over 12 months of consistent effort, a small business can build the kind of media presence that most people assume only large companies can achieve.

Final Thoughts

Media coverage is not reserved for big companies with big budgets. It is available to any business owner who understands how to tell a compelling story and gets it in front of the right people.

Start with a targeted media list. Write pitches that lead with the story, not the product. Use free tools like HARO to get quoted in major publications. Build local coverage first and use it as a springboard to national outlets.

And if you want to shortcut the process and get a guaranteed feature story published and indexed on Google, CEO Medium works directly with business owners to make that happen.

Your story is worth telling. The question is whether you are going to tell it or keep waiting for someone else to notice.

Ready to get your business featured? CEO Medium publishes dedicated feature stories for entrepreneurs and small business owners across the US. Get Featured Today or email info@ceomedium.com

The post How to Get Media Coverage for Your Small Business in 2026 appeared first on CEO Medium.

Beyond business, Brent Polischuk has also spent many years involved in competitive hockey as a player, coach, and operations volunteer. Those experiences, along with his community work, have helped shape a leadership style that values preparation, accountability, and steady performance over time. In this interview, he discusses the concepts of responsibility, the art of decision-making, and explores what it takes to run reliable systems behind the scenes.

Q: You manage a delivery business that requires attention to logistics, people, and finances. What does responsibility mean to you in that kind of role?

BRENT POLISCHUK: Responsibility starts with recognizing that other people rely on the work you do, even if they never see it directly. In a delivery operation, customers expect their shipments to arrive safely and on schedule. Drivers need clear routes and reliable vehicles. Vendors expect communication to be straightforward. All of that creates a chain of expectations.

My job is to make sure those pieces work together smoothly. That means planning routes carefully, maintaining the vehicles, and staying organized with scheduling and finances. A lot of the work happens before the day even begins. When preparation is done properly, most problems never reach the customer. That’s really the goal: to handle issues early so the service itself feels simple and reliable.

Q: Running a fleet of vehicles can involve many moving parts. How do you keep operations running efficiently day after day?

BRENT POLISCHUK: Consistency and attention to detail make the biggest difference. Every vehicle in the fleet has to be maintained, because small mechanical issues can turn into major delays if they’re ignored. I try to stay very hands-on with maintenance schedules so that downtime is minimized.

Route planning is another key piece. If drivers know where they’re going and the schedule is realistic, the day runs more smoothly. That also means listening to feedback from the people on the road. They often see things that can improve efficiency.

At the same time, I monitor costs closely. Fuel, maintenance, insurance, and equipment all affect the financial health of the business. When you track those numbers consistently, it becomes easier to make practical decisions that keep the operation sustainable.

Q: Your background includes many years in competitive hockey. How has that experience influenced the way you run a business?

BRENT POLISCHUK: Sports teach you discipline and structure. When you’re involved in competitive hockey, preparation becomes part of everyday life. Practices, game planning, and team roles all require organization. Those same habits carry over into business.

In both settings, teamwork is essential. When people understand their responsibilities and trust each other to do their part, performance improves. Communication is also very important. Whether it’s on a team or in a business operation, clear expectations help everyone stay focused.

Another lesson from sports is learning to stay calm under pressure. Games can change quickly, and reacting emotionally usually doesn’t help. The same thing applies in business. Unexpected situations come up, but if you stay composed and focus on solutions, you can usually work through them.

Q: Financial management is a large part of your work as an owner-operator. How do you approach that responsibility?

BRENT POLISCHUK: Financial oversight is something that needs regular attention. You can’t just review numbers once in a while and hope everything works out. I track expenses closely and try to understand where money is being spent and how those costs affect long-term planning.

For example, maintaining vehicles properly may seem expensive in the short term, but it usually prevents larger repairs later. The same idea applies to budgeting and cost control. If you stay disciplined and plan ahead, the business becomes more stable.

Financial awareness also helps with decision-making. When you know your numbers, you can evaluate opportunities more carefully and avoid taking unnecessary risks. Over time, that kind of steady financial management builds resilience.

Q: You’ve also taken on roles supporting hockey programs and events. What did those experiences teach you about leadership?

BRENT POLISCHUK: Leadership often involves supporting others rather than seeking attention. In sports environments, there are many people working behind the scenes to make things run smoothly. Everyone from coaches and evaluators to volunteers and coordinators. Their work allows athletes to focus on performing.

I’ve learned that leadership sometimes means noticing small problems early and solving them quietly. When systems work properly, people may not even realize the effort that went into organizing them. But that preparation makes a real difference.

I think respect is also important. Everyone involved in a project or team contributes something valuable. When people feel respected and supported, they usually perform better and take pride in their work.

Q: What advice would you give to people who want to build dependable operations in their own work or businesses?

BRENT POLISCHUK: Focus on preparation and consistency. It’s easy to get caught up in trying to move quickly, but strong systems are built step by step. Take the time to organize your processes, maintain your equipment, and understand your finances.

Also remember that trust is earned over time. When people see that you follow through on your commitments, they become more confident working with you. Reliability may not always attract attention, but it creates lasting relationships.

Finally, stay open to learning. Every challenge teaches you something about how to improve your systems. If you approach your work with patience and accountability, progress usually follows.

The post Victoria’s Brent Polischuk on Leadership, Logistics, and Financial Discipline appeared first on CEO Medium.

That means a commitment not just to your business idea, which obviously matters, but to the process of building a business from the ground up. It means committing to being held accountable when things don’t go as planned. Without a deep-rooted commitment, even the smartest business plan can collapse under pressure.

For many entrepreneurs, maintaining this commitment is the biggest challenge they face. Among those who have had success, many point to the importance of a strong support system as a crucial factor in keeping their commitment strong. 

Entrepreneur and educator Reza Satchu knows this firsthand. He and his brother Asif have co-founded and built six businesses between them, with exits ranging from $100 million to $2 billion. But when Reza brought his brother and sister-in-law into his Harvard Business School classroom recently, it wasn’t the billion-dollar wins that grabbed students’ attention—it was the strength of their relationship.

“The answer always came back to one word: commitment,” Reza wrote on social media after the class. “We weren’t just committed to our ventures but to each other.” That bond, forged through shared struggle and honest dissent, gave them an edge. As Asif put it, “Find someone that cares enough about you to dissent with you.”

Founders live in a world of uncertainty, where blind spots and ego can kill a business before it even gets off the ground. A co-founder, advisor, or even a sibling who’s willing to call you out can be a lifeline.

But commitment goes beyond personal relationships. It shows up in how entrepreneurs handle adversity. Do you pivot the moment something gets hard? Or do you stay grounded in your mission long enough to learn from the challenge and adapt? As Reza explained in an interview with Exeleon Magazine, “Committing with uncertainty is not easy. But you must commit, and that takes belief in both yourself and the idea. You simply can’t compete with someone who is committed. Because that’s where the magic happens.” 

Commitment means sacrificing comfort, absorbing failure, and staying the course even when the outcome is unclear. It means sticking with a product during its awkward adolescent phase and showing up when motivation starts to fizzle. And it often means doing the boring, unsexy work—again and again.

Too many founders chase external validation like investors, press, and user numbers, without first building internal clarity and long-haul resilience. But business isn’t just about being first to market; it’s about lasting long enough to matter.

So here’s the real advice: Before you pitch anyone else, commit to yourself. Commit to the uncomfortable truths, the slow growth, the tension of receiving feedback. Surround yourself with people who believe in your potential enough to challenge you. Not cheerleaders, but the kind of allies who, like the Satchu brothers, can stand beside you and say, “You’re wrong—and I’m still here.”

In the end, great companies aren’t just built on ideas. They’re built on people willing to stay in the fight. Commitment is what keeps them there.

The post What Reza Satchu Teaches Us About Commitment in Entrepreneurship  appeared first on CEO Medium.

Remain Flexible in the Market

Embracing strategic flexibility is another key resolution to drive your business forward. In today’s rapidly changing market, adapting is essential for overcoming unforeseen challenges and capitalizing on new opportunities. By fostering a culture of adaptability, your organization can remain competitive and resilient. This approach mitigates risks and positions your business for long-term success.  

Equip Your Team with Financial Literacy

Investing in financial literacy for your team is a strategic resolution that can drive business growth and success. Enhancing your employees’ understanding of economic principles aligns their decision-making with your business goals. Collaborating with organizations can help you develop tailored training programs, particularly benefiting women and employees in emerging markets. This approach fosters inclusivity and equips your team to balance profitability with sustainability, a key aspect of achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

Boost Your Business with a Strategic Online Degree

One powerful resolution is to enhance your skills through an online degree. Exploring the benefits of an online computer science degree can significantly elevate your technological proficiency, a vital asset in today’s digital market. The flexibility of online learning allows you to seamlessly integrate your studies with business operations, applying new knowledge in real-time. This approach helps address technical challenges and empowers you to leverage digital tools effectively, a key to thriving in remote work environments.

Leverage Strategic Partnerships for Business Growth

Strategic partnerships are a powerful tool for expanding your business’s market reach and fostering innovation. By collaborating with other organizations, you can tap into their strengths and resources, creating a synergy that enhances your market presence. This approach not only helps in sharing risks and costs but also accelerates growth. Focusing on several strategic partners allows you to drive adoption and gradually scale your business, ensuring sustainable market expansion.

Enhance Business Security with Blockchain

Leveraging blockchain technology can significantly boost the security and transparency of your transactions. Blockchain’s structure ensures that it cannot be altered without detection once information is added. This immutability fosters trust among participants, as anyone can verify the integrity of the data. Moreover, advanced cryptographic techniques enable private transactions without exposing sensitive information. By adopting blockchain, you protect your business from cyber threats and align with emerging regulatory frameworks that support innovation and consumer protection.

Increase Employee Engagement with Defined Career Paths

Creating clear career paths within your organization is a powerful strategy to boost employee motivation and reduce turnover. Employees who understand the skills and experiences needed for advancement feel more valued and engaged in their roles. This clarity aligns with their personal growth aspirations and fosters a sense of purpose. Investing in structured career development opportunities, such as training programs and mentorship, can enhance your team’s commitment to the company.

Harness Circular Economy for Business Success

Embracing the principles of a circular economy can be a transformative New Year’s resolution for your business, driving growth and sustainability. By designing durable and easy-to-dissemble products, you can extend their lifecycle through reuse, repair, and recycling, reducing the need for new resources. This approach conserves natural resources and aligns with sustainable materials management strategies. By adopting these strategies, your business can gain a competitive edge while contributing to environmental sustainability.

Strategic resolutions pave the way for growth and innovation. Businesses can thrive in competitive markets by prioritizing skill enhancement, adaptability, team empowerment, and sustainable practices. These initiatives not only streamline operations but also support broader sustainability and innovation goals. This balanced approach ensures long-term success while fostering a culture of continuous improvement and resilience, keeping businesses well-positioned for future challenges and opportunities.

Discover the insights and strategies you need to succeed in business and beyond at CEO Medium — your go-to resource for entrepreneurial growth and innovation.

The post Game-Changing Resolutions to Supercharge Your Business Growth This New Year appeared first on CEO Medium.

Can you share more about your educational and professional background, and how have these experiences contributed to your success in the real estate development sector?

I grew up in an architectural and design-oriented family in Stuttgart, Germany. I began working at the age of 13 in a German architecture office for residential housing and new developments. In 2011, I was recruited as a 400m and 400m Hurdle Track athlete to a D1 school in the Nashville area. I studied finance and international management in college and have won financial awards. I quickly began to focus on real estate investments upon graduation. I have prior work experience in the European M&A group at Deloitte and in Equity Research of a $1.3bn fund at an Asset Management firm in Franklin, TN. Coming out of college and taking a real estate development and investment firm from essentially scratch to multi-millions has been a big personal accomplishment. I live for improving the lives of others and increasing safety in our neighborhoods.

How does Sapphire Development Group’s vertically integrated business model operate, and what strategies have propelled your rapid growth within the real estate industry?

I built Sapphire Development Group to be a vertically integrated real estate development and investment firm because I believe that the investor and client experience is much better when the same trusted team can assist all around with their real estate investment needs. My team delivers a one-stop-shop experience, from offering off-market deals and developing ground-up residential to helping others build and sell real estate portfolios. This means we provide our investors with a hands-on deal experience that includes access to off-market deals that can yield better returns, and also protect development investments as our Realtor Team, Your Sapphire Team, handles the sales aspect. Sapphire & Co. handles much of the real estate cycle in-house, which has helped the company grow quickly.

Based on your experiences, what key lessons would you share with aspiring entrepreneurs, especially in navigating challenges and building character?

Don’t ever quit. No matter how difficult something may seem, it’s worth the undertaking. Character is built during persevering tough times, and character is what will make all the difference in the world. I believe the saying, “When the going gets tough, the tough get going,” is what makes for successful entrepreneurship.

In what ways do you believe your vision for architecture and design, combined with an understanding of urban planning and human trends, has made Sapphire Development Group successful?

I believe it’s my vision for architecture and design that meets a deep understanding of urban planning and understanding human trends that have been inspired by having lived abroad in various cultures from Germany to China, as well as in metropolitan areas such as NYC.

What have you learned about the importance of communication and authenticity in business, and how has this understanding shaped your entrepreneurial journey?

I’ve learned that communication in business is everything. It’s vital as an entrepreneur to be able to communicate during great as well as during difficult times, whether that’s with investors, clients, or employees. I also have come to the realization that most people don’t know what they’re doing and that we all are just trying to figure things out as we go. We’re all in this human experience together looking for opportunities to grow, unfold, and be. The more authentic we are, and the more we feel connected within our community, the more successful our journey will feel as an entrepreneur.

What personal skills and attributes do you consider critical for your success, and how have they helped you adapt and thrive in various circumstances?

As a person, I’m very adaptable, open-minded, and durable. I’ve had to pivot and restart several times which has built character and perseverance. I love learning and get bored easily so I try to stay super active in whatever I do. I’m just a generally curious person; curious to learn about others and curious to figure out how to unfold my full potential in building businesses.

Why do you believe mastering online marketing and diversifying business models is crucial for entrepreneurs today and in the future?

I believe that attention is the new currency and that we, as entrepreneurs whether digital or more traditional entrepreneurs, need to learn how to market online well in order to stay relevant over the next 10+ years. I also love the diversification of business models within a business umbrella.

Can you tell us more about the Sapphire Developer Academy and how it aims to empower real estate professionals with the knowledge to succeed in development?

I recently launched “Sapphire Developer Academy” in which I coach Realtors, Wholesalers, and Investors on how to break into real estate development. In this program, I share the exact strategies that I’ve used to build a multi-million dollar company and how they can too.

To discover more about Joséphine Saffert’s journey and Sapphire Development Group’s projects, explore these links:

Company Website: https://sapphiredevelop.com

LinkedIn & Instagram Handles:

– LinkedIn: @josephinesaffert https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephinesaffert

– Instagram: @josephinesaffert https://www.instagram.com/josephinesaffert/

 & @sapphirdevelop https://www.instagram.com/sapphirdevelop/

More on Sapphire Developer Academy: 

Sapphire Developer Academy

https://academy.sapphiredevelop.com/developer-academy

Podcasts Joséphine has been featured on:

-Spotify Episode

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5vU2QrsBYqVsTlXmo0nhGW?si=BDwXOiSbQMSh6GE0YduZTA

– Spotify Show

https://open.spotify.com/show/3p1JTW0mx9auFQxns4vL7Z?si=lKEeBfBqQO6BbqPkvn1jew

The post Sapphire Development Group: Joséphine Saffert’s Blueprint for Success appeared first on CEO Medium.

And with only one-fifth of IT budgets allocated to digitalisation, with no dedicated digital transformation budget, most financial organisations won’t have the right level of investment to see a real difference. 

Chris Weston, CDIO at Jumar, says: “Focusing on your technology and systems and partnering with a trusted end-to-end provider could speed up processes, giving more time for your staff to do what they love, and even encourage skilled jobseekers. 

In a sector where data protection is essential, ensuring you aren’t spending time fixing problems caused by inadequate systems is important. Undergoing a digital transformation can improve operations to align with your business needs, ensuring your customers and clients aren’t being left wanting. For financial organisations, digital transformation is no longer merely an option , but a necessity, especially if you want to keep up with industry standards and your competition.”

Human-centric approaches

Business growth cannot happen in the financial sector if the infrastructure isn’t in place to support users. By focusing on developing your technology and systems, you can enhance the accessibility of your financial services  and more effectively appeal to the general public. Attracting a wider audience is essential for business growth as it can encourage them away from your competitors, giving you the edge. 

Adopting a human-centric approach is essential for banking as financial services rely heavily on user input and interaction. Through a digital transformation, you can adopt a more human-centric approach, making your websites, systems, and processes more user-friendly. 

The digital divide is a real issue which affects many across the UK. Digital exclusion is inextricably linked to broader societal inequalities; isolating those on lower incomes or limited technological access might mean excluding the very customers you’re seeking to assist. 

It is crucial to modernise your systems so that they are user-friendly, including improving accessibility, creating a user interface that is easily navigable, and making sure there is adequate information and educational resources for users to readily access your services. 

Chris says: “A digital transformation isn’t simply about upgrading your technology, but it can be a great tool to open accessibility to your services and products. By investing in a digital transformation with a human-centric approach, you can ensure that your user interfaces are accessible to your customers, resources are available to educate new customers, and even draw customers away from competitors with overly complex systems. The financial sector relies heavily on your customer involvement, so your technology should work for a wide audience.”

Personalisation

Chris continues: “Another way the financial sector can open itself up through digital transformation is by providing personalised messaging. Given its customer-centric nature, it is important that you’re able to communicate efficiently with diverse audiences. This involves ensuring the availability of pertinent information for various people.”

With the advancements of technologies such as AI, the potential for tailoring your messaging and resources to cater to each audience you engage with is much improved. Whether you’re reaching out to marginalised groups, people with disabilities, or low-income families, it is important you’re making your content and resources as accessible as possible. 

AI can be pivotal in collecting and processing data, including demographics, socioeconomic factors, and user preferences, to create a personalised user experience. This can also be maintained and refined as the users engage with your platform, providing essential information and tailored service recommendations.  

Automating manual processes

One problem which might be holding your business back from growing is the time spent on manual processes that have the potential to be automated. By manually performing these tasks, your staff have less time to provide vital financial aid, advice, or services, potentially resulting in prolonged waiting times, or even lost or delayed transactions. 

The efficient delivery of services is essential and so ensuring your technology isn’t preventing you from providing to your customers is key.

Chris says: “A digital transformation isn’t only about improving your customer’s experiences through more accessible resources, but it also ensures your staff have more time to assist with queries and provide their services. By implementing AI to perform manual administrative tasks, productivity can be improved and delays can be reduced. In an industry where fast transactions are paramount, ensuring that your users receive the services they need can help customer loyalty and prevent them from moving to a faster, more efficient, competitor.”

Data protection

Not only should your service offerings be designed with a customer-centric approach, but you can expect the data you collect to be key indicators for understanding your customers – giving you an insight into their needs, requirements, and even trends in financial gain or debt. Ensuring your system infrastructure is developed to manage sensitive information securely, and to visualise the data with your customer’s needs in mind, can enable you to make evidence-based decisions about the services you offer. 

Automated processes can lead to fewer errors. Human error is a considerable challenge for many organisations, and when it comes to financial services, it could mean violating your customer’s privacy if the integrity and safety of your data aren’t properly maintained.  Ensuring you’re updating legacy systems can assist in keeping your customers’ data secure and accurate. This also improves your ability to analyse and visualise data, meaning that you can target prospective customers from trends identified in your historical data.

Chris says: “A benefit of digital transformation is the ability to conduct insightful data analysis . Through your data, you can identify high-risk areas susceptible to debt or delayed payments. You can also identify affluent audience segments for targeted marketing and personalised service offerings to attractnew customers to your business.”

Attract jobseekers

The financial sector requires high-skilled recruits, but finding candidates that fit the requirements can be a struggle. From fluctuating vacancies to increased workload pressure, retaining and attaining staff, and attracting job seekers with the right technological experience, is important for the best outcomes for your services. 

Not only can a poor digital profile make it more difficult for established workers to perform their jobs, but it can also be off-putting for a younger workforce to join. Skilled talent acquisition can be achieved through a digital transformation as workers require high-performing technology to prevent delays in their work. Making sure your organisation removes inefficient systems and provides accessible hardware and software is crucial.  

Chris continues: “Bringing in new highly skilled workers requires having the right systems in place. No skilled worker wants to come into a workplace notorious for difficult system handling. Growing your business requires a strong workforce who are supported by systems and processes which work well for them. Ensuring you have the right digital infrastructure to support your employees is key to seeing the great work they can do without disruption.”

The financial sector relies on technology now more than ever, with faster transactions and cashless payment solutions becoming main methods of payment. But if your digital infrastructure is inaccessible to your customers and staff, you will experience a breakdown in the services you can provide. By modernising your systems and technologies, you will be better able to offer tailored services, reach the right audiences, and secure data effectively – helping to grow your business and achieve a competitive edge.

Sources:

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-reduce-human-error-operations-automation

https://www.bankingsupervision.europa.eu/press/publications/newsletter/2023/html/ssm.nl230215_2.en.html 

https://www.ukfinance.org.uk/news-and-insight/blogs/skills-and-talent-financial-services-impact-pandemic#:~:text=Firms%20are%20struggling%20to%20recruit,talent%20pools%20they%20recruit%20from. 

https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/industries/financial-services/publications/financial-services-in-2025/payments-in-2025.html 

The post How a Digital Transformation Encourages Business Growth in the Financial Services Industry appeared first on CEO Medium.

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And with important social-media-based partnerships appearing, such as through the online platform, Tiktok, it is no wonder that SMEs are looking into branching out and connecting with other businesses and their audience in new ways. 

Importance of events for building business communities

Business communities are a necessity for many smaller businesses. By connecting with other businesses, whether in the same local community or the same business area, you can further your outreach to new and established audiences. 

And for many, business partnerships (and so a strong business community) are necessary for creating new ideas and insights – giving you a better understanding of the market and what your business can offer new and loyal customers. In fact, 44% of businesses seek partnerships for the purpose of innovation. 

What events can you host?

Markets

Attending seasonal markets is necessary for many small businesses wanting to branch out into the local community. Small weekend markets are a great place to expand your network, keeping you in the loop with new and emerging businesses. 

Whether hiring commercial slush machines for a summer market or catering food for the local fair, ensuring your business is involved in summer events is crucial. At the same time, other seasonal markets might be just as effective for craft businesses selling jewellery, clothing, or pottery – for example. 

Not only do you get to connect with customers first-hand, but you will also be surrounded by like-minded businesses. This can be a great networking opportunity to get your name and brand recognised within a local space. 

Networking

Hosting your networking events can also be a great way to connect with businesses without the interruption of daily work. Specific business networking events can facilitate easy and effective communication with business owners, marketing departments, and other professionals. 

These events let you connect better and find companies which align with your values. By building strategic partnerships, you can benefit your business while helping others; if your business is strong in IT, whereas another company has great customer after-care, cross-training and outsourcing might benefit both. 

In fact, partnerships actually provide better growth than paid searches for business. So instead of wasting your time and money, you can be putting that additional energy into making connections in the industry and gaining better organic traffic. 

Workshops

Another way you can connect with local and industry businesses is by hosting workshops. 

Whether these are industry specific and discuss upcoming market trends, feature guest speakers from varying companies, or introduce local businesses to different industries, these can place your company in a thought leadership position and make your business a go-to for local and industry knowledge. 

These workshops aren’t only opportunities for networking, but they also allow businesses to benefit each other. By exploring your business strengths and offering other companies a knowledge share, you can help encourage growth within the local community. 

Business-to-business communication is key when it comes to developing SMEs. There are many benefits to collaborating and meeting other businesses in multiple settings, including networking and skill sharing. Whether you are meeting at local markets and encouraging shared customers or workshopping skills that can transfer across industries, connecting with businesses and creating a community of companies can help grow any industry. 

Sources:

https://fitsmallbusiness.com/business-networking-statistics/ https://newsroom.tiktok.com/en-us/tiktok-small-business-week-2023 

https://www.bpinetwork.org/grow-from-the-right-intro-infographic 

https://breezy.io/blog/strategic-partnership-stats 

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