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Tired of showing up with wrinkled clothes, two college friends came up with their own fix. What started as a side hustle went on to make $1 million in nine months. Here’s how they pulled it off.

Mehek Khera was burnt out and grappling with health issues when inspiration struck. Khera is the founder and CEO of Niramaya Foods, a snack brand offering Naan pretzels and dips. She used $50,000 in personal savings to fund the business that's seeing seven figures this year. Her advice: Get feedback constantly, especially from your customers. Don't be afraid to ask dumb questions. And remember — relationships will carry you farther than any marketing campaign. Be generous, be honest and follow through. Let us know what you think in the comments.

Why are reputations important for a CEO? Reputation management for CEOs is absolutely critical. As one of the most visible faces of your business, anything you say or do that's unpopular can — and likely will — harm not just your personal reputation but also your company's brand and revenue. A CEO’s public image directly affects customer trust, investor confidence and brand value. CEOs who align their personal brand with their company’s mission are more trusted and more resilient in times of public scrutiny. Let us know what you think in the comments.

If at first you don't succeed, try, try again.

How do you prioritize what's important to your business? Rochelle Hendricks moves fast. After opening her own insurance brokerage, she decided to try her hand at the siding business — fast-tracking the purchase of an Ideal Siding franchise in Ontario in less than two months. Over the next two years, she opened three more locations and has now surpassed $1 million in annual sales. But what's most important to her? It isn't just the numbers. It's the way her business benefits her family. She's transformed her Ideal Siding franchises into a true family operation, including immediate and extended relatives. Let us know what you think in the comments.

In just its second season, E1 is already making a name for itself as a global brand with far-reaching popularity. E1 is an all-electric powerboat racing league that combines environmental consciousness with technological innovation and marine stewardship. High-profile team owners like Tom Brady, Will Smith and LeBron James give E1 global visibility, helping it reach over 1.1 billion people through their social media followings. CEO Rodi Basso fuses his engineering background with his passion for marine life and unique leadership philosophy to run E1 like a startup.

What does financial freedom mean to you? Most entrepreneurs mistake hustle for progress and end up trapped in businesses that can’t run without them. A five-level framework helps founders move from survival to true financial and operational freedom. 1. Start by stabilizing your finances 2. Establish consistent systems and pay yourself 3. Build a business that doesn't rely on you 4. Use business profits to build personal wealth 5. Design a company that gives you true optionality Let us know what you think in the comments.

Don't just talk about it, be about it!

This week on Entrepreneur's News Roundup: AI talent poaching, X's former CEO and new tracking devices.

How do you manage conflict? Most entrepreneurs want to avoid conflict at all costs, but it can actually be a catalyst for growth. Web3 companies like Binance, Coinbase and Gemini succeeded by embracing conflict — using regulatory challenges and scrutiny to improve and build trust. Understand that conflict reveals where your brand needs improvement, use conflict to actively engage your community, and embrace the long-term value of conflict-driven resilience. Let us know what you think in the comments.