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Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
What Trump Knows About Branding That Most Business Owners Get Wrong
Love him or loathe him, President Donald Trump knows branding. From his real estate empire to his 15-season TV show, 'The Apprentice' and ultimately the presidency, Trump has maintained a strong, consistent brand message — building recognition, loyalty and influence among his followers. GoBankingRates reached out to branding experts to pinpoint what Trump knows about brand positioning that many business owners overlook — below is what they shared. Also here are Trump's most valuable ventures outside of the White House. Read Next: Trending Now: Having a distinct and authentic brand identity that creates an emotional connection with target audiences is more critical than ever, according to Forbes. The brand's identity is the key to marketing success, said Kevin Mercuri, executive in residence at Emerson College. '[Trump] may be positioned as a billionaire business mogul, but he allows enough room within the Trump persona for his followers to see a little of themselves in him.' Check Out: Bold and memorable messaging makes brands stand out, enhance recall and spark conversation. When the tone is bold and emotionally consistent across touch points, it stays top of mind and Trump relies on this strategy. 'Whether he's in the Oval Office, the debate stage or sending a late-night post, his message doesn't bend; his brand is built on emotional consistency, not factual accuracy — and love it or hate it, it works and that's why it sticks,' explained Toni Harrison, founder and CEO of Etched Communication. 'Most business owners get this wrong; they change their messaging to fit trends, worry about being liked by everyone or shy away from controversy.' By doubling down on simplicity, repetition and tribal alignment, the Trump brand remains solid even under legal scrutiny and unrest, Harrison added. President Trump is successful in positioning his brand with consistency and frequency, said Jennifer Thomas, adjunct instructor at Virginia Commonwealth University's School of Communication and founder of FSR Ventures. 'He capitalizes on shock value, knowing it will rile up his opposition while simultaneously heaving up his loyal supporters; he is not afraid to be challenged on his personal branding; rather, in fact, I believe he thrives off it,' she said. 'In any branding campaign, it is important to know your audience and craft messages that will resonate with this segment [to cultivate a loyal audience].' Presidents have historically used catchy slogans as strategic branding tools in politics — John F. Kennedy's 'It's Time for Greatness,' Joe Biden's 'Let's Finish the Job' and Barack Obama's 'Change We Can Believe In' have been the driving force of political campaigns that reinforced their brand long after the ballots were counted. Slogans, symbols and soundbites are repeated so often they become muscle memory to audiences; similarly, Donald Trump's 'Make America Great Again' isn't just a tagline, it's a call to identity,' Thomas said. Editor's note on political coverage: GOBankingRates is nonpartisan and strives to cover all aspects of the economy objectively and present balanced reports on politically focused finance stories. You can find more coverage of this topic on More From GOBankingRates 3 Luxury SUVs That Will Have Massive Price Drops in Summer 2025 Warren Buffett: 10 Things Poor People Waste Money On Here's the Minimum Salary Required To Be Considered Upper Class in 2025 This article originally appeared on What Trump Knows About Branding That Most Business Owners Get Wrong Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Study shows how far a $100K salary stretches in US cities
A six-figure salary was once considered the benchmark of a comfortable lifestyle, but new research suggests it depends exactly where you live. A report by GoBankingRates analyzed how far a $100,000 annual wage would stretch in America's 50 biggest cities. It found that while workers could save $40,000 a year in Memphis, Tennessee , they would be left $6,209 in debt in New York. Researchers assessed taxes and living costs in each city then worked out how much money an individual would have after these expenses. While New York came out as the most expensive city, it was followed by San Francisco where a $100,000 salary would leave workers $1,342 in debt. It was followed by San Antonio, Tulsa and Oklahoma City where the income after expenses topped $37,081, $35,696 and $35,609 respectively. The findings lay bare just how widely the cost of living varies in America as households across the board grapple with the soaring price of groceries, homeownership and utilities. Living costs have been pushed up predominantly by inflation which peaked at 9.1 percent in June 2022. Figures from December show the annual rate of inflation was hovering at 3.4 percent. In a bid to tame inflation, the Federal Reserve embarked on a campaign to hike rates to their current 44-year high of between 5.25 and 5.5 percent. In theory, higher interest rates are intended to curb consumer spending and in turn bring inflation down. But such rates have a knock-on effect on loans such as credit cards and mortgages. The average 30-year mortgage rate peaked at nearly 8 percent last year before falling to their current rate of 6.69 percent, according to data from Government-backed lender Freddie Mac. It is little wonder then that households are struggling. Earlier this month a report found the number of people falling behind on their credit card bills increased in 49 out of 50 states last year. According to analysis by WalletHub , the number of borrowers struggling to keep on track of their credit card bills has risen the fastest in Oregon. Between September 2022 and September 2023, delinquencies in the state soared by 51 percent. Generally payments are reported to the credit bureaus as delinquent once they are 30 days past due. Being delinquent on a credit card is damaging for your credit score and late payments remain on your credit report for seven years, experts warn. 'When you are delinquent on credit card debt, it is important to make a game plan to get your account current as soon as possible, as long-term delinquency can lead to severe credit score damage,' said WalletHub editor John Kiernan. 'If you're late on your payment by fewer than 30 days, paying before the 30th day will keep your delinquency from being reported to the credit bureaus.'
New York Post
14-06-2025
- Business
- New York Post
Here's how much money you now need to make to be considered upper-middle class in New York
An annual household income of at least $131,566 is now needed to qualify as upper-middle class in New York state — but you need even more money in neighboring New Jersey and Connecticut According to Pew Research, America's middle class is defined as households earning between two-thirds and twice their state's median income. GoBankingRates conducted the new study, using 2023 Census data to calculate the middle-class income range for each state. They subsequently used the top third of that range as the qualifier for being upper-middle class. Advertisement 3 living expenses range wildly within and between states, so many who make an upper-middle salary may still feel squeezed depending on where they live. Iona – In New York, the annual middle-class income ranged from $56,385 to $168,156, meaning $131,566 was the minimum needed to be considered upper-middle class. In Connecticut, the figure was slightly higher, with a minimum annual household income of $145,849 needed to qualify. Advertisement In New Jersey, the experts calculated that a household needs to make at least $157,189 to qualify as upper-middle class. Of course, living expenses range wildly within and between states, so many who make an upper-middle salary may still feel squeezed depending on where they live. For instance, Big Apple denizens need to make much more money to feel comfortable than those living in a small town upstate. 3 The city of Rochester is pictured. On average, you need to make more money in New Jersey and Connecticut than you do in New York state to be qualify as upper-middle class. SeanPavonePhoto – Advertisement However, the tri-state area isn't the only part of the country where you need to make considerable cash to qualify as upper-middle class. Indeed, there are other states where earnings must be even higher. In Massachusetts, you need a minimum annual household income of $157,642 to meet the threshold, while in Maryland you need a sizable $158,125. That state has the highest minimum needed to qualify, which is perhaps no surprise given that it's a relatively small state home to many high-end suburbs in commuting distance to Washington, DC. Advertisement 3 Maryland has the highest annual income needed to qualify as upper-middle class. Cavan Images – Conversely, Mississippi is the state with the lowest annual income needed to qualify as upper-middle class. There, a household needs to earn an annual minimum of $85,423 to make the cut.
Time of India
09-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Robert Kiyosaki claims the poor stay poor for ignoring 2 crucial money laws — here's what he says you must follow
Robert Kiyosaki, author of the best-selling personal finance book ' Rich Dad Poor Dad ', has spent decades exploring what separates the rich from the poor, and now in a recent post on social media platfom X (formerly Twitter), Kiyosaki revealed that people remain poor because they ignore two fundamental 'laws of money,' as per a GoBankingRates report. As he explained, here are the two laws of money that one shouldn't break if they want to be rich, according to the report. Bad Money Drives Out Good Money Gresham's Law is the first important law, an economic theory which says, 'bad money drives out good money,' as per GoBankingRates. Kiyosaki has explained it as 'When bad money enters a system….good money goes into hiding,' as quoted in the report. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Top 25 Most Beautiful Women In The World Articles Vally ALSO READ: Juneteenth 2025 is near: What this historic holiday means and how U.S is honoring the end of slavery With reference to the currency markets, the law means that legally overvalued currency will drive legally undervalued currency out of circulation and according to Kiyosaki's interpretation, people should focus more on obtaining assets like precious metals and cryptocurrency instead of stockpiling cash, reported GoBankingRates. Live Events Kiyosaki wrote in his X post that, 'In 'Rich Dad Poor Dad' I stated, 'Savers are losers', in 2025, poor people are working for and saving fake money and not saving real money … gold, silver, bitcoin,' as quoted in the report. The Power of Networks The second law Kiyosaki cites is Metcalfe's Law, which says, 'the value of a network grows as the square of the number of its users,' quoted GoBankingRates. Kiyosaki explained by giving this example on X, 'McDonald's is a franchise network. Mom Pop burgers is not. That's why they're poor. FedEx is a network. Joe's one truck package delivery is not,' as quoted in the report. He applies the same logic while investing in cryptocurrencies, as, according to him, the cryptocurrencies that have a larger network behind them are also the most valuable, reported GoBankingRates. The author said, 'I invest in bitcoin because [it] is a network,' adding, 'Most cryptos are not,' as quoted in the report. Why These Laws Are Important To Get Rich Kiyosaki says these two laws guide how he manages his own money. He wrote on X, 'If you want to be rich, obey the laws,' adding, 'Michael Saylor's rich man's words of wisdom are: 'Only invest in things … a rich person will buy from you.' Think about that," as quoted by GoBankingRates. He also revealed that 'I do not save U.S. dollars because the U.S. dollar violates Gresham's Law,' as quoted in the report. Kiyosaki pointed out that, 'I do not invest in … coins without networks, because they violate [Metcalfe's] Law. That's why I save gold, silver and acquire bitcoin. They obey the laws,' quoted GoBankingRates. FAQs Why does Kiyosaki invest in bitcoin over other cryptos? Because Bitcoin has a large, established network behind it, and most other cryptocurrencies don't follow Metcalfe's Law. What's the biggest money mistake people make, according to Kiyosaki? Ignoring the two laws of money, which is not understanding Gresham's Law and Metcalfe's Law.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Pinot's Palette Franchisee Turned Corporate Burnout Into Booming Business
In 2022, GoBankingRates conducted a survey revealing that 8% of Americans quit their jobs to start a business, and just last week, Allwork. Justeir's nationwide survey found that nearly 8 in 10 employed individuals expressed interest in launching their own businesses. What this tells us is that there are far more employees considering leaving to become their own boss than actually leaping. Meet Shaquanna West, who purchased an existing Pinot's Palette franchise in Summit, New Jersey, in July 2024, and in less than one year has driven a 60% increase in revenue and acquired a second location in February of this year. BLACK ENTERPRISE caught up with West to learn more about what led her from corporate 'golden handcuffs' to successful franchise owner, and what advice she has for others on leaving an unhealthy work environment to become your own boss. BLACK ENTERPRISE: Give us a little background on how you got to the 'burnout' stage in your corporate career, which ultimately led you to franchise ownership. Shaquanna West: I reached the burnout stage after years of climbing the ladder in nonprofit, corporate, and association roles– giving my all in operations, governance, and member engagement. I hold a Bachelor's degree in Business Management and a Master's degree in Journalism, and I have consistently held leadership roles throughout my career. But over time, I found myself constantly overextended, micromanaged, and emotionally drained. Despite my qualifications, I was overlooked, my ideas were presented without credit, and the environments I worked in weren't set up to support my growth. That's when the burnout set in. I realized I couldn't keep on pouring into a system that wasn't pouring back into me. I didn't give up; I published two children's books that encourage confidence, diversity, and creativity. The third book took much longer to finish— I had writer's block because I was simply drained from my job. Writing became one of the first steps in reclaiming my voice and building something of my own. It also gave me a way to utilize my journalism degree in a manner that felt meaningful and aligned with my values. What surprises me is that I now run two thriving art studios, despite not being an artist myself or having any background in painting. I stepped into this industry with zero art experience, but brought prior strong leaders, a clear vision, and operational discipline to the table. That's what's helping me turn both studios around within my first year. BE: Before reaching burnout, had you considered business ownership before? Did you have mentors to help guide you? West: I've always wanted to own a business. Even when I didn't know exactly what it would be — and franchise ownership wasn't originally on my radar– but when the opportunity came up, I leaned in. I didn't have anyone in my immediate circle who had gone this route, so I was very much stepping into new territory. What gave me confidence was a deep understanding that , not just in terms of income, but in terms of peace, flexibility, and stability. I didn't want to spend decades building someone else's dream, only to retire and realize I never truly lived my own. I didn't have a roadmap or mentors in the franchise space, but I had faith, discipline, and a strong sense of purpose. My biggest fear wasn't failure— it was regret. I was afraid of looking back and knowing I stayed in situations that didn't serve me out of comfort or fear. So, I , even without a clear map. And I've grown tremendously because of it. Every day, I realize I am finally living my purpose— I have an opportunity to give back, offer a service to the public, and learn, grow, and inspire others daily. BE: You have purchased two existing units with the Pinot's Palette franchise, which were not profitable. What gave you the confidence to buy businesses that weren't performing? West: The studios I purchased were not financially strong at the time. One had almost no recurring revenue, and the other had inconsistent performance. But I saw potential, both in the brand and in what I knew I could bring to the table. I understood operations, people, and culture. I believed that with the right strategy, structure, and leadership, I could turn things around. And I did. The support from the franchise's operations and marketing teams was also a major part of that process. They've been a tremendous resource and sounding board throughout my journey. I also have some incredibly talented artists on my team, and I truly couldn't do this without them. Especially since I'm not an artist myself and don't teach the classes, it's their creativity and connection with guests that help bring the vision to life. BE: How did you fund your business, and how are you adjusting to the shift from a steady paycheck? West: I used a mix of personal savings and retirement savings to fund the business. It was a bold decision, but after years of building other people's visions, I knew it was time to invest in my own. I met with financial advisors and [got] feedback from my circle to make informed choices. My business hasn't fully replaced my corporate salary yet, as I'm currently focused on building the long game. I know the rewards are coming. In the meantime, I've gained something even more valuable: time, peace, and the freedom to grow something that reflects my values. BE: What has your experience as a Black woman-owned franchise been, and why do you think representation is important? West: It's been empowering and enlightening. I've had great support, but I've also had to prove myself in ways others might not. I've learned how to advocate for myself and others—and how to lead with both strength and intention. Representation is everything. When people see a Black woman owning, leading, and building with excellence, it expands their understanding of what is possible for themselves. That visibility matters—especially in spaces where we're still underrepresented. It's not just about being seen. It's about being a mirror for someone else's breakthrough. BE: What advice do you have for a corporate employee who is unhappy in their role and feels stuck? West: You don't have to stay where you are. You don't need permission to pivot. Get clear on what kind of life you want to live—and take one intentional step toward it. Whether that's starting a business, finding a healthier workplace, or just reclaiming your peace, it's valid. You're allowed to choose yourself. I've done that through business—and also through storytelling. I've authored three children's books because I believe in building a life that reflects all parts of who I am. RELATED CONTENT: Sign in to access your portfolio
