The idea of “zombie squirrels” may seem a bit nuts to you. But that’s the term that people have been using to describe what they’ve been seeing in the U.S. and Canada— squirrels with strange, at times bleeding, lumps all over their bodies. These lumps can make them look a bit like the characters seen on the TV series Walking Dead—the undead ones without speaking parts, that is. Except these squirrels aren’t actually undead. They’re very much alive but probably suffering from what’s called squirrel fibromatosis. Zombie Squirrels Are Actually Squirrels With Tumors It’s called fibromatosis because the lumps are…
Among the nearly 850,000 franchise establishments in the U.S., almost half are operated by owners with more than one location – multi-unit franchisees. These individuals have had to invest significant capital, go through comprehensive training, launch the business, endure the growing pains that inevitably come with expansion and growth and…
Last month, WIRED reported that the investment banking arm of Cantor Fitzgerald, a financial services company led by the sons of US commerce secretary Howard Lutnick, was exploring creating a financial product for clients to bet on whether President Donald Trump’s signature tariffs would be struck down in court.In response…
We’ve come to the end of the road. This is my last NYT Mini Guide for the next couple of weeks. I pass the baton to my colleagues, Kris Holt and Paul Tassi, who will guide you along your crossword path until I return. Let’s dive right in! Looking for…
In private equity, the smartest general partners (GPs) are realizing that co-investments aren’t just a fundraising sweetener; they’re a strategic lever. Done right, they strengthen the portfolio, deepen LP relationships and reduce overall risk exposure. Yet many GPs still treat co-investing as an afterthought rather than a core element of…
If you’ve ever responded to an email at 9:00 pm on a Sunday, waived a late fee to “be nice,” or bent your availability to fit a client’s changing schedule (again), you’re not alone. Setting boundaries as a business owner can feel genuinely impossible.You want to be helpful, responsive and…
We hear it all the time: work hard, chip away a little at a time, take the first step. But when the rubber meets the road, do people actually do this? Lately, it seems like procrastination has become a more and more relevant issue. Is it that we are stretched…
John Borthwick, CEO of the venture capital firm Betaworks, tells WIRED that he is skeptical about the feasibility and potential effectiveness of many Mamdani campaign proposals—like free buses, or a city-owned grocery store pilot program—and felt his answers tended to be “very general and nonspecific.” But Borthwick adds that he…
The start of the academic year is often a peak time for many student counseling centers. Not surprisingly, many first-year/incoming students seek counseling due to anxiety about moving away from home and being in a new environment. A 2024 report on Frobes.com discussed the importance of understanding homesickness in college…
There’s no age limit when it comes to achieving significant financial milestones, but many people envision checking them off their list by a certain point in their lives.Unfortunately, these days, amid high costs of living and economic uncertainty, most U.S. adults fall short of wealth-building goals: 77% say they aren’t…
In an effort to help employers avoid violations of workplace regulations, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) is encouraging the use of several voluntary “self-audit” programs. These tools are designed to help businesses proactively identify and correct compliance issues — often reducing the risk of costly fines, penalties and lawsuits.…
The journey from a corporate cubicle to the helm of a startup is a well-trodden path. Many successful entrepreneurs, from Elon Musk to Sara Blakely, cut their teeth in corporate environments before launching their ventures.But what drives this trend? Why do so many entrepreneurs emerge from the structured world of…
Akkaraju and Parker wasted no time in taking over Stability, installing Akkaraju as CEO and Parker as chairman of the board. They never spoke to Mostaque, although the former CEO says he reached out to offer his support.The pair set about trying to remake Stability AI for the moment. Not…
When most of us think about online shopping, we picture secondhand clothes, the latest fad (ahem, Labubus), household gadgets, or maybe a rare collectible. But the same digital tools that connect us to everyday goods are also quietly fueling a darker industry: the trade of endangered species. From the comfort…
In today’s increasingly interconnected world, it can be difficult for businesses and organizations to cut through the massive amount of noise and marketing clutter vying for people’s attention. Not only are consumers exposed to more information than ever before, but businesses are being extremely creative and adaptive in how they…
Spotlight
This Side Hustle Spotlight Q&A features Scott Hattis, 41, of Brooklyn, New…
Welcome back! Louise here. On Friday, President Trump fired one of the…
Should AI-created content be labeled in social feeds? TikTok and Reels know…
Franchise leaders know what it takes to build something that lasts.So we…
