From the Ground Up

Whether you’re an Olympic athlete or a business leader, sleep optimization is key to improving performance. Inc. staff reporter Chloe Aiello recently spoke with performance coach Sam Neame, who shared six strategies for sleep optimization. “Something I found interesting about Sam’s recommendations [was] that your best night of sleep actually starts first thing in the morning,” says Chloe. Chloe weighs in on unexpected practices that could lead to better rest. On this episode of The Business Model, she shares with Inc. senior editor Rebecca Deczynski why this topic resonated with her, what business leaders can learn from Olympic athletes about sleep for peak performance, and how they can apply these strategies in their business.

On today's episode, Josh Christensen talks with Room’s managing director Thierry Ondet about the company's line of soundproofed, sleekly designed meeting pods and easy-to-assemble phone booths. They discuss designing the modern office, meeting the needs of employees in 2025 and beyond, and how ROOM thinks about sustainability.

In 2026, brands must contend with a lot: AI slop. Copycats. A sea of influencers and content and competitors. Breaking through to consumers has always been a struggle for every company, but the ever-changing media landscape makes it even tougher. So how can brands win in the year to come? On this episode of The Business Model by Inc., deputy editor Michelle Legro kicks off a new Founder Group Chat with experts in brand building: Tyler Fish, co-founder of Sun Home Saunas Sanja Komljenovic, CEO of ONA Creative Tyler has built a brand that has broken through. Sanja helps companies get there. And they’re sharing their insights with you.

In this special episode of From the Ground Up, we sit down with Rica and Tasha Kendrick-Palmer, co-founders of Black Phlox, to hear how they’ve navigated the intertwined dynamics of partnership in both business and life. They share candid insights on dividing responsibilities, making tough decisions together, and maintaining a strong personal connection as their company grows. Robert Hines, South Region Area Manager at Chase, also joins the conversation to discuss how Chase for Business resources and mentorship help co-founders like Rica and Tasha stay collaborative, resilient, and focused on long-term growth—even when facing the unique challenges of entrepreneurship as a couple.

The mere idea of selling or exiting their businesses can bring out all kinds of reactions in founders. Some don’t want to even think about it. Others are putting a target sale price into their launch plans — the exit is the goal. Wherever you fall on the exit-strategy spectrum, this Founder Group Chat has something for you. On this episode, Inc.’s Graham Winfrey finishes his conversation with three founders: Fany Gerson, founder of Mexican ice cream and sweets brand La Newyorkina, Sarah LaFleur, CEO of women’s clothing company M.M. LaFleur, and Ariela Safira, founder of recently acquired mental health startup Zeera. Watch and listen for their thoughts on exits. The Business Model will be back on Monday, and we’ll start another Founder Group Chat series next Friday with a new group of business leaders.

Launched during the pandemic to bring people together outdoors, Toss & Spin is now scaling across the U.S. through smart growth decisions, strategic partnerships, and strong financial discipline supported by Chase for Business