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From the Ground Up

From the Ground Up

Written by: Inc. Magazine
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It takes audacity to start a company, grit to grow it, and community to survive the ordeal. From the Ground Up features frank and unfiltered conversations—with some of the most successful founders in the world—about navigating the role of the founder, the tips and tricks entrepreneurs need to know to be successful, and the secrets that nobody really tells you before you start a business.© Inc. Business Media Economics Leadership Management Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • The PR Playbook Founders Actually Need
    Jun 2 2026
    In this episode of Your Next Move: Audio Edition, recorded live at the Inc. 5000 Conference, Inc. staff reporter Chloe Aiello sits down with Ronica Cleary, founder and CEO of Cleary Strategies, an award-winning public relations firm specializing in earned media. Cleary breaks down what “earned media” really means—and why credibility, not clicks, remains the most powerful currency for growing companies. Drawing on her background as a former journalist, she explains how brands can position themselves as truly newsworthy, navigate an increasingly complex media landscape, and measure ROI in a space where impact isn’t always easy to quantify. The conversation also explores how AI is reshaping PR workflows and newsrooms, why SEO and generative search are becoming essential growth drivers, and how Cleary has evolved her go-to-market strategy beyond traditional networking. She shares candid insights on scaling a service business, building a strong remote culture, and adapting to the shift from traditional media toward podcasts and digital platforms. Looking ahead, Cleary outlines her vision for growth—doubling revenue while staying laser-focused on delivering high-impact earned media—and reflects on what it takes to remain indispensable in a rapidly changing communications industry.
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    2 mins
  • 1 Smart Business Story: How to Optimize Your Sleep Like an Olympian
    Mar 2 2026
    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.
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    24 mins
  • Building the Future of Work
    Dec 22 2025
    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.
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    19 mins
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