Shopify

Founded by Luke Schneider, a retired firefighter and U.S. Navy veteran, Fire Department Coffee demonstrates the profound impact entrepreneurship can have on communities. Certified by NaVOBA and National Veteran Business Development Council - NVBDC, this veteran-owned company does more than just brew coffee; it creates jobs and vigorously supports injured firefighters, underscoring its deep commitment to first responders. At its core, Fire Department Coffee embodies the incredible power of entrepreneurship to foster community service and inspire positive change.

Entrepreneurship isn't something you have to dive head first into on day one. Today's entrepreneurs are making their businesses fit their lives, not the other way around. → 35% of entrepreneurs around the world run their businesses on the side of 9-to-5 jobs. → 18% of entrepreneurs started their business as a side hustle before going full-time. → 50% of young entrepreneurs, ages 16–24, balance a business with school or another job. So why do they do it? The opportunity to earn more money, according to 66% of US merchants with side hustles. This differs from full-time entrepreneurs who cite being their own boss as one of the most important reasons for starting a business. Entrepreneurship has never been an all-or-nothing game. You can grow at your own speed. Madison Stefanis, Domonique Brown, MBA, and Christy Dawn and Aras B. epitomize the duality of the side-hustle. Check out their stories: https://lnkd.in/gbKWYrpQ

Manage your money where you make it. Introducing Shopify Finance, a new home in the Shopify admin to access earnings, pay bills, and secure funding. All the financial tools merchants need are now built directly into their business. The suite includes: ✔️ Shopify Balance: a free business account that allows merchants to get paid as soon as the next business day and earn APY rewards on every dollar ✔️ Shopify Credit: a pay-in-full Visa card offering up to 3% cashback on eligible business purchases ✔️ Shopify Capital: funding offers up to $2M, with flexible repayments from daily sales and no impact on personal credit score ✔️ Shopify Bill Pay: schedule and pay bills using credit cards—even if vendors don’t accept them ✔️ Shopify Tax: automated sales tax calculations, tax liability insights, and filing Entrepreneurs innovate at warp speed, but traditional financial systems haven’t kept up. Shopify Finance is changing that: https://lnkd.in/gfK7YGuQ

The power of small businesses cannot be overstated. Small business owners employ 56 million people in the US and bring in over $16 trillion in revenue. Far beyond that, small businesses are what define a small town. In an increasing world of uniformity, they make a place unique. Outside of their economic impact, small businesses are vital to our communities for social reasons. Our team looked at the impact small businesses are having on towns across the United States. ‘Third spaces’, a sociology term for social environments outside of home or work, are rapidly evaporating, but small businesses are changing that. They are creating places for people to gather, connect and engage with their community. And the one thing these small businesses have in common? Shopify. How has a small business changed or defined where you live? https://lnkd.in/ecZVFtpb

At just 16 with a modest $3,000 grant, Ameen Fadel launched Cedar Valley. What began with his mother’s homemade pita chips is now a thriving snack brand that produces 60,000 bags daily and is available in over 1,300 stores across Canada. Cedar Valley is a testament to youthful entrepreneurship, family support, and relentless focus.

Melanie Van Sistine dusted off her dormant Cricut machine and transformed it into Mel's Crafty Corner, a thriving nurse owned business empowering front line workers. Despite her initial lack of business knowledge, Melanie boldly ventured into entrepreneurship. Drawing on her nursing background, she wove her business together with empathy, emphasizing comfort and community. Today, Mel's Crafty Corner is more than just a store; it's a vibrant community that celebrates personal stories and victories, showcasing how creativity and resilience can turn challenges into meaningful impact.

For the first time ever, not only can merchants acquire new customers with Shop Campaigns, but they can also win back previous customers. Shop Campaigns' new audience targeting allows merchants to target lapsed shoppers with exclusive offers on their next purchase in the Shop app. Find new customers, win back the old, and only pay when it works. It’s a win-win-win.

No hardware. No problem. Tap to Pay on Android is here.  Now, more merchants using Shopify POS can make sales with just the phone in their hand. Accept secure, contactless payments from credit cards, smartwatches, and digital wallets anywhere in store or on the go. In-person payments are more flexible than ever: https://lnkd.in/gRKVxf7E

Entrepreneurs don’t always take the time to look back at all they've accomplished, but here’s a story worth pausing for. Frustrated by rampant single-use plastics, Katie Gamble envisioned sustainable alternatives to replace harmful kitchen wraps. She began experimenting with beeswax in her parents' basement, creating the first Nature Bee wraps. From a college project to a growing eco-brand, Nature Bee exemplifies how a single, well-nurtured idea can lead to substantial environmental and social impact.

This business blossomed from 80 to 1,200 orders a month. After 16 years in the mortgage industry, Sonja launched Partly Sunny Projects. Fueled by a deep-rooted love for plants and cherished childhood memories of lush gardens tended by her grandmother and mother, she ventured into the entrepreneurial world of selling plants. Although initially unfamiliar with the field, her passion guided each step. Sonja’s journey underscores that it’s never too late to pursue a passion and transform it into a thriving business. Her story is a true testament to the possibilities of change and new beginnings in entrepreneurship.