O'Leary's modern money-making idea is to "sell customer acquisition with social media." In essence, he said he would create video content for a business and ask for $100 for every paying customer he earned them. "You'd be amazed at how many business owners have no idea how to use social media, and if you've grown up with a phone in your hand, you do," he said. "It's the best side hustle there is: understanding how to make content for social media."
If Kevin O'Leary woke up broke tomorrow, he wouldn't panic, pout, or panic-buy a lottery ticket. He'd do what millions of people are already trying to do every day-turn their phone into a paycheck. Because in a world where everyone's trying to become a content creator, monetize their Facebook page, or figure out what exactly "engagement" means, O'Leary says there's a better, faster way to make real money.
Social media has become an essential marketing channel for entrepreneurs, yet finding time to maintain an active presence remains a major challenge. For busy business owners, the constant pressure to create engaging content, respond to comments, and stay visible across multiple platforms can feel overwhelming. The reality is that effective social media engagement requires strategy, not just sporadic posting. Many entrepreneurs struggle to balance social media management with their core business responsibilities.
"To everyone who started using Meltdown and suddenly stopped cancelling plans because of a breakout - we owe you an apology," Blume Skincare wrote on Instagram earlier this month. "Our Drying Lotion is causing breakouts to pack their bags and leave overnight, which has reportedly caused shock, awe, and an unreasonable amount of compliments," Mario Badescu said. "We are truly sorry that our candy tastes so good. But we can't help it," low-sugar gummy brand SmartSweets chimed in.
But move over, Chick-fil-A and KFC, because there's another chicken joint on the block. It's Dave's Hot Chicken, a company that's exploded over the past few years. Chances are, if you're on foodie social media, you've seen a lot about the company. But whether you've tasted the chain's chicken yet or not, there's probably some things you still don't know about the brand.
The Mandai Wildlife Reserve, a tourist park in Singapore, posted a video late last year that became a viral hit: two of its millennial-age employees, wearing staff uniforms, described the park using Generation Z lingo. "Pop off, queen," one of them dryly intones. "Slay," says another. "We let our Gen Z intern write the marketing script," was the video's headline -- which quickly became a meme across social media, with dozens of brands offering their own spin.
Trends can make or break a brand. One viral post can put a business in front of millions overnight. But as quickly as the views rise, they can fall. The real skill isn't going viral; it's staying relevant once the noise fades. The brands that last are the ones that see trends early, act fast, and know how to turn fleeting attention into lasting connections.
The spidonut first appeared innocently enough, as part of a rather generic Halloween menu rolloutlast October. "No tricks, just treats" the brand posted with a series of ghost emojis, promoting its spider confection on Instagram alongside a purple trick-or-treat tub of munchkins. (Honestly, it was meh at best.) The spider doughnut wasn't even new - since 2017 Dunkin's Halloween lineup has included a similar treat with an orange coat of frosting. But apparently the new purple hue unleashed some evil inside that munchkin center.
"It just kind of snowballed almost out of my control," she said. "I would drive by this little shop here, and it was just a dark hole on this side of School Street, and I just visualized and felt like I needed to be here inside this building, and it just worked out in the most wonderful way."
JoAnna Garcia Swisher will play the guest character of Kenzie and her character description, as reported by Deadline, reads as follows: ''A local Knoxville influencer who has been hired to represent Happy's Place for their upcoming social media marketing campaign and all of it is much to Bobbie's chagrin.'' JoAnna Garcia Swisher is the next Reba alumna to join the NBC sitcom after McEntire, Peterman, Steve Howey and Christopher Rich. Both Rich and Howey appeared as guest characters in Happy's Place Season 1.
The night is young in Flatiron. Finance bros with gray vests and backpacks and women in jeans and sweaters are still walking home from work. In the middle of 25th St, a man opens a red stanchion and ushers us toward a guard who stamps invisible ink on our wrists. We're each given a black plastic bag with a tear tab to lock our phones in for the night. We enter a silvery elevator, which takes us to the 38th floor.
Laura Hiros, Sales Education Manager at Mary Kay Inc. for the Latin America region (LATAM) recently spoke at a major direct selling conference to showcase how millions of Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultants have embraced a "phygital" strategy. Whether in-person or online, Laura and her team empower Mary Kay small business owners to expand their reach and engage with confidence in a new era of social connection.
Mary Kay Inc., a global beauty powerhouse with 60+ years of innovation, is furthering its mission of enriching the lives of women worldwide with the launch of Miss Conceptions. This bold new social media series leans into "real talk" to address longstanding myths about the brand with humor, authenticity, and cultural relevance. Through short-form, shareable content, Miss Conceptions introduces a fresh digital persona that empowers the next generation of beauty lovers and aspiring entrepreneurs while sharing facts about the company.
