Search here...
Home Blog

Capital One Offers/Shopping, Up to 39% Back on Klook Bookings

globalinvestmentstrategy.com
-
0
Capital One Offers/Shopping, Up to 39% Back on Klook Bookings


Capital One Offers/Shopping, Up to 39% Back at Klook

Capital One Offers and Capital One Shopping are offering some great rates for those planning trips through Klook. This is an online travel company and app that offers booking services for travel experiences, tours, local transportation, and attractions, particularly in Asia.

Many users are reporting targeted emails for up to 39% back through the Capital One Shopping platform. Simultaneously, the Capital One Offers portal which is linked directly to your Capital One account, is showing targeted offers reaching as high as 25% back. The rates vary based on what you boo, so make sure to carefully check the details in your own offers.

It is important to remember that these are two separate programs. Capital One Shopping is a public portal accessible to anyone, and rewards are typically redeemed for gift cards. In contrast, Capital One Offers are found within your specific credit card account and usually pay out as a statement credit or miles depending on what card you have.

If you do not see this offer yet, it doesn’t mean you’re out of luck. Log into Capital One Shopping, search for Klook, and browse a few activities or add them to your cart before closing the window. Within a day or two, or even within minutes, the platform often sends a targeted email with a significantly higher percentage to encourage you to finish the purchase.

Keep in mind that these offers almost always have a reward cap. Additionally, Capital One is notoriously strict about tracking. To ensure you get your credit, you should disable other browser extensions, avoid using external promo codes, and complete the purchase after clicking the activation button. 

Let me know in the comments if you see these offers in your accounts!

U.S. household delinquencies improve: NY Fed quarterly report

globalinvestmentstrategy.com
-
0
U.S. household delinquencies improve: NY Fed quarterly report




The share of overdue consumer loans fell slightly in the second quarter, and so did some measures of newly delinquent debt, pointing to improvements for the U.S. consumer.  

Root’s 2026 Outlook: AI-Driven Telematics Model Gains Scale Through Embedded Growth Partnerships

globalinvestmentstrategy.com
-
0


When a driver gets behind the wheel, their behavior generates a stream of data points that most traditional insurers simply ignore. Root (ROOT -3.18%) turns this information into an advantage, using telematics to price auto insurance based on how people actually drive rather than static demographic assumptions.

The company operates as a full-stack, tech-native insurance carrier, reaching customers primarily through its mobile app and embedded partnerships with platforms like Carvana. With the stock priced at $52.60 as of Aug. 11, 2026, it has seen a volatile year, falling 40% over the last 12 months as the market weighed the company’s aggressive pivot toward profitability against broader industry headwinds.

Our proprietary Hidden Gems scoring system assigns Root an overall Superscore of 74 out of 100, placing it in the Above Average category. The Superscore is an AI-powered score that evaluates a company’s overall strength by combining financial performance, product market position, technological capabilities, leadership quality, and relative valuation. It represents the unification of all our scores into a single score for public companies, with five rating bands: Exceptional (90-100), Strong (75-89), Above Average (60-74), Average (40-59), and Cautious (0-39). This score places Root in the Top ~21% of all companies we track, ahead of roughly 79 out of every 100 companies in our database. The Superscore acts as a starting point for your research, and this piece breaks down the specific operational realities that hold it in this position so you can weigh the company’s path to maturity against its lingering risks.

Why Root Has a 74 Superscore

  • Profitable pivot: After years of heavy cash burn, the company successfully transitioned to profitability, reporting $40 million in net income for fiscal 2025.
  • Embedded growth: Partnerships with major platforms like Carvana (CVNA -3.63%) act as a cost-efficient distribution engine that drives steady policy growth.
  • Underwriting discipline: The company reduced its gross loss ratio to 58% in 2025, proving its telematics-based pricing models can accurately segment risk.
  • Data-driven moat: Over 36 billion miles of driving data trains its proprietary AI models to price risks more accurately than traditional carriers can.
  • Capital optimization: Management strategically refinanced its debt and optimized its reinsurance structures to reduce interest costs and boost cash flow.

Why Is Root’s Superscore Not Higher?

  • Competitive intensity: The U.S. personal auto insurance market is dominated by massive, well-capitalized incumbents that can engage in protracted price wars.
  • Customer friction: Significant user feedback highlights ongoing frustrations with premium adjustments and claims processing, which could dampen long-term retention.
  • Regulatory hurdles: State-level insurance commissions occasionally limit the use of certain telematics data, curbing the company’s ability to apply its pricing model uniformly.
  • Valuation sensitivity: Trading at a trailing P/E of 15.7, the stock requires consistent double-digit earnings growth to justify its current price, leaving little room for error if expansion slows. Many leading property insurers trade at single-digit P/E ratios.

Hidden Gems Database Scores at a Glance

Score Score (out of 100) Rank Supporting Data Point
Product (1Y) 76 Top ~20% Strong execution in embedded partnerships and profitability mark a clear inflection point.
Product (5Y) 56 Bottom ~44% Historical volatility and high early losses weigh down long-term averages.
Financial (1Y) 83 Top ~9% Achieved consistent GAAP profitability and robust cash flow in fiscal 2025.
Financial (5Y) 66 Top ~30% Transitioned from extreme startup losses to a self-funding business model.
Leaders 67 Bottom ~43% Management displays disciplined capital allocation but faces governance questions from a dual-class share structure.
AI 78 Top ~8% Proprietary telematics dataset provides a structural pricing advantage that is difficult for rivals to replicate.
Valuation Risk 67 Top ~22% The company trades at a P/S ratio of 0.51 and an EV/EBITDA of 4.28.

Is Root Right For Your Portfolio?

This stock warrants a closer look if…

  • You are interested in companies leveraging AI to disrupt legacy sectors, potentially offering exposure similar to bank ETFs that track tech-enabled financial services.
  • You believe that data-driven, telematics-based insurance pricing will continue to gain market share from legacy providers.

You may want to keep researching before buying if…

  • You are risk-averse and prefer insurers with decades of stable underwriting history and predictable dividend distributions.
  • You are concerned that aggressive competition from well-funded legacy carriers could compress margins as the company scales.

The Superscore is one data-driven signal worth investigating, and you should weigh it against your own financial goals and risk tolerance before making any investment decision.

My 5-year prediction for Root stock

There’s a lot to like about this data-driven insurer. Root has turned an unadjusted net profit in each of the last three quarters, the balance sheet holds more cash than debt, and the net combined ratio dropped from 103% to 92% over the last two years. Anything below 100% on that efficiency metric means the company runs a profitable insurance business.

Investors have noticed, of course. Root’s stock is up more than fivefold over the past three years, despite a steep drop year-to-date. Automated insurance services such as Root and Lemonade (LMND +0.08%) appear poised to disrupt the trillion-dollar insurance industry with fast, efficient, and customer-friendly offerings.

Now, the company has a lot of growing and learning to do. Its insurance plans are only as effective as the underlying artificial intelligence systems, which learn the ropes from Root’s real-world data collection.

At the same time, Root may have turned the corner into profitability a bit too quickly. The company has focused on profit margins over customer growth in recent quarters, leaving potential sales on the table and slowing its top-line growth.

I expect the slowdown to be temporary. Root needs to get back to market expansion while AI-powered insurance models are still rule-breaking upstarts. Otherwise, more aggressive rivals like Lemonade could dominate this sub-industry.

Five years from now, I expect Root to be a larger and more profitable business, but not necessarily a market leader. The company has proven its model works; now it needs to prove it can scale. If Root can do that, early investors will look like geniuses in 2031.

The Hidden Gems Superscore reflects The Motley Fool’s proprietary AI-driven evaluation of a company across product, financial, leadership, and valuation pillars as of the article date and may change over time. Performance figures are point-in-time. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Global Music Rights and Music Choice settle 95-song copyright case

globalinvestmentstrategy.com
-
0


Global Music Rights (GMR) has settled its copyright infringement lawsuit against Music Choice.

The case was dismissed with prejudice on Friday (August 7), according to a joint stipulation filed in the US District Court for the Central District of California, which you can read here.

It closes the dispute two months after GMR sued the music service over the alleged unauthorized performance of 95 songs.

The four-page filing states that “the Parties have entered into a settlement agreement to dispose of this action in its entirety.”

The action was dismissed “with prejudice in its entirety, with each party bearing its own attorneys’ fees, costs, and expenses,” barring GMR from bringing the same claims again.

Neither the financial terms of the settlement nor any licensing arrangement between the two companies is disclosed in the document, which was signed by counsel for both sides on August 7.

The court had twice approved extensions to Music Choice‘s deadline to respond to the complaint, first to July 27 and then to August 10, the stipulation notes.

The stipulation was filed three days before that second deadline expired, and no response to the complaint appears on the docket.

GMR filed the complaint on June 8, alleging that Music Choice continued performing songs from its catalog after the companies’ license agreement lapsed on December 31, 2025.

The PRO sought maximum statutory damages of USD $150,000 for each of the 95 compositions, a ceiling of roughly USD $14.25 million, plus a permanent injunction, attorneys’ fees and costs.

Works named in an exhibit to the complaint included Bruce Springsteen‘s Born to Run and Dancing in the Dark, plus Bad Guy and What Was I Made For? by Billie Eilish and Finneas, as MBW reported at the time.

The complaint described the alleged infringement as “willful, intentional, purposeful, and in disregard of and indifferent to the rights of Global Music Rights.”

“Music Choice made the strategic decision not to pay Global Music Rights for these uses and hoped to get away with it,” it read.

“But Music Choice did not get away with it. Music Choice has been caught red handed.”

Announcing the suit in June, GMR General Counsel Emio Zizza said: “We only turn to litigation as a last resort. But it’s well-established law that our clients’ copyrighted works can’t be publicly performed without a license.”

Added Zizza: “The many, many services that have entered into a GMR license and are paying their fees deserve the benefit of that license.

“Services that don’t want to pay for a GMR license don’t get to use our catalog and deprive our clients of their due.”

Music Choice is the target of the fifth infringement case GMR has filed in federal court since October 2022.

Not one of those four earlier cases reached trial, and every one of the actions sought the same statutory maximum of USD $150,000 per work.

That figure is the ceiling set by US copyright law for willful infringement, and a rightsholder claiming statutory damages does not have to demonstrate what it actually lost.

In October 2022, GMR filed three cases on the same basis: against Red Wolf Broadcasting, against One Putt Broadcasting, and against Southern Stone Communications and Black Crow Media Group jointly.

It settled with Red Wolf and One Putt on January 20, 2023, with both companies entering long-term licenses on undisclosed terms.

“We are dedicated to protecting the rights of GMR songwriters and composers, and ensuring entities publicly performing their works are appropriately licensed,” Zizza said of that agreement.

“Through this lawsuit, we have accomplished those endeavors, and look forward to our go-forward licensing relationship with Red Wolf.”

GMR then sued Vermont Broadcast Associates in January 2024 over 66 songs, and settled three months later on terms that again included a long-term GMR license and a resolution of past alleged infringements.

The Music Choice stipulation does not say whether that pattern held a fifth time.

Music Choice is based in Horsham, Pennsylvania, and has operated in the music industry for close to four decades, according to GMR‘s complaint.

The company says it has been a staple in the home for more than 35 years, growing out of cable television into what it calls “a multi-platform experience built for how people listen today.”

Its channels come with most cable packages, and Music Choice also sells a standalone subscription for mobile devices and select smart TVs.

A separate arm, Music Choice for Business, supplies music to commercial premises.

The company is owned by a consortium that includes Sony Corporation of America, Charter Communications, Comcast Corporation, Cox Communications and Microsoft, according to the complaint.

Music Choice‘s business establishment service has attracted litigation before.

SoundExchange sued Music Choice in April 2019, alleging that an audit had found the company underreporting the gross proceeds on which its statutory sound recording royalties were calculated.

A federal judge referred that dispute to the Copyright Royalty Board in December 2021, finding the Board better placed to interpret its own rate regulation.

The lawyer who acted for Music Choice in that defense turns up again in the GMR stipulation.

Music Choice was represented in the GMR case by Kelly Perigoe of King & Spalding in Los Angeles, and by Paul Fakler, a partner in the firm’s New York office, listed in the filing with his pro hac vice application still to come.

King & Spalding says Fakler acted for Music Choice in the SoundExchange litigation.

The firm says he has also handled Music Choice‘s Preexisting Subscription Service rate case before the Copyright Royalty Board, along with “every prior rate proceeding for Music Choice since the creation of the CRB.”

Fakler‘s clients have included Sirius XM, Pandora and Google, and he joined King & Spalding from Mayer Brown in January 2026.

Acting for GMR were Daniel Petrocelli and David Marroso of O’Melveny & Myers.

Petrocelli has been GMR‘s lead counsel since its December 2016 antitrust countersuit against the Radio Music License Committee, and O’Melveny has acted on the PRO’s infringement suits ever since.

GMR was founded in 2013 by Irving Azoff and Randy Grimmett, and represents just over 175 songwriters and their publishers, according to its complaint.

It is one of four PROs operating in the United States, alongside ASCAP, BMI and SESAC.

MBW revealed in September 2024 that GMR had struck a deal with private equity firm Hellman & Friedman valuing the company at USD $3.3 billion.

Jeff Toig was promoted from Chief Business Officer to CEO in January 2026, with Grimmett moving up to Executive Chairman.

Enforcement across the wider PRO sector has been active this year: ASCAP announced infringement suits against four US radio groups on June 9, the day after GMR sued Music Choice.Music Business Worldwide

14 principles of management by Henri fayol #business #management #businessmanagement #viral #shorts

globalinvestmentstrategy.com
-
15
14 principles of management by Henri fayol #business #management #businessmanagement #viral #shorts

source

Free Whopper When You Text SEND-THIS-TEXT-FOR-FREE-WHOPPER To 250783

globalinvestmentstrategy.com
-
0
Free Whopper When You Text SEND-THIS-TEXT-FOR-FREE-WHOPPER To 250783


Update 8/11/26: Reader orin says ‘you can just click don’t have receipt and then chat with AI for a bit keep saying whatever and u can get free code still’. Obviously only do this if you can’t find your transaction ID.

Update 8/9/26: Looks like it now requires a transaction ID to be able to complete this deal.

The Offer

  • Burger King is offering a free whopper when you text SEND-THIS-TEXT-FOR-FREE-WHOPPER To 250783

Our Verdict

They will send you a link with a way to claim the whopper tomorrow. You can send the text multiple times, not sure if it’ll work to get multiple whoppers tomorrow or not (update the code is the same each time so it won’t work unless you use a different number). Free is free. 

F.A.Q’s

I received a 403 error, why!?

Make sure you’re not using a VPN

Is it just a regular Whopper?

No, you should be given the choice between these three:

  • Whopper
  • Whopper with cheese
  • Whopper with bacon and cheese

YMMV on store.

How long do I have to wait after sending the text message?

One day

Hat tip to Glitched Deals

Six Risks Private Equity Investors Should Consider in a Buy-and-Build Strategy

globalinvestmentstrategy.com
-
0



Six Risks Private Equity Investors Should Consider in a Buy-and-Build Strategy

Differences Between Gift Funds, Grants, and Loans

globalinvestmentstrategy.com
-
0
Differences Between Gift Funds, Grants, and Loans


Down payments can be one of the most daunting parts of the homebuying process. We all know that buying a home costs money! Thankfully, you don’t necessarily have to drain your savings account to come up with the sum. There are other ways to secure a down payment, including gift funds, grants, and down payment assistance programs.

We’ve laid out all three so you can determine if any of these options are right for your financial situation as you navigate buying a house. It’s important to understand that the rules for these forms of down payment assistance vary by state, region, and even city and are subject to change at any time.

What Is Down Payment Assistance?

Down payment assistance (DPA) refers to a variety of programs designed to help qualified homebuyers cover some or all of the upfront costs associated with purchasing a home. Depending on the program, assistance may come in the form of grants, forgivable loans, deferred-payment loans, low-interest loans, or other financial assistance.

These programs are often offered through federal, state, local, nonprofit, or housing finance agencies and are intended to make homeownership more accessible for qualified borrowers. Program availability, eligibility requirements, and benefits vary based on where you’re buying a home and the mortgage program you choose.

Before we dive into the details, there are a couple of things you should know:

  • Not all loan programs allow down payment assistance, gift funds, or grants. You’ll need to consult with your mortgage loan officer regarding loan programs.
  • Down payment assistance typically applies only to a primary residence. Although there are some exceptions to this rule, generally speaking, you cannot buy a second home or investment property with down payment assistance programs.

You Don’t Always Need 20% Down

One of the biggest homebuying myths is that you need a 20% down payment. Many qualified homebuyers purchase a home with significantly less, and down payment assistance programs may help reduce upfront costs even further. The right mortgage solution depends on your financial situation and the loan program you choose.

How Do Down Payment Assistance Programs Work?

Most down payment assistance programs work alongside your mortgage rather than replacing it. Once you’ve qualified for a mortgage, your Loan Advisor can help determine whether you’re also eligible for one or more down payment assistance programs.

Depending on the program, the assistance may help cover:

  • Your down payment
  • Closing costs
  • Both

Some programs provide funds that never have to be repaid if certain requirements are met, while others are structured as second mortgages with deferred or low-interest repayment terms.

Because every program is different, reviewing your options with an experienced Loan Advisor is one of the best ways to determine which solutions fit your financial goals.

Each option has different eligibility requirements, documentation standards, and program guidelines. Your APM Loan Advisor can help determine which solutions may be available based on your financial situation and where you’re purchasing a home.

Gift Funds

“Gift” is one of the best four-letter words out there—and for good reason! We all love receiving money for special occasions like weddings, graduations, birthdays…or maybe simply because we’re first-time homebuyers and a loved one wants to help us out.

Either way, gift funds are a wonderful way to take some of the pressure off first-time homebuyers. However, there are a few steps you need to follow if you plan to use a significant monetary gift toward your down payment.

Let’s start with what “significant monetary gift” really means. For conventional loans, it’s typically defined as any amount that equates to more than half of your total monthly qualifying income. For example, if you make $3,800 a month, a significant monetary gift would be any single deposit of $1,900 or more. The gift standard for FHA or USDA loans is anything over 1% of the home’s purchase price, sale price, or appraisal value, whichever is lower.

The mortgage loan application process typically includes 60 days’ worth of bank statements, which means that a mortgage lender or underwriter will want to understand the origin of any large sums that aren’t accounted for in your history of assets and income.

Not to worry—these gift funds can be easily acknowledged through a gift letter that indicates that this money is, in fact, a gift and not a loan. The letter should contain the gifter’s name, address, phone number, relation to you, dollar amount gifted, and date of the gift. You may be required to show a paper trail of the gift, so be sure to keep receipts and statements.

There are some parameters on who can give you money for a down payment. For conventional loans, this gift needs to come from a family member, which can include anyone from spouses and domestic partners to step-aunts, adopted cousins, or grandfathers-in-law.

In addition to gifts from family members, FHA loans also allow you to receive gift funds from a close friend, your employer, a labor union, or a charitable organization. USDA and VA loans allow you to receive gift funds from just about anyone—as long as that person isn’t involved in the home transaction. This disqualifies the home’s seller, builder, developer, or either party’s real estate agent.

Keep in mind that although you don’t have to pay taxes on the gift funds, the person giving you the gift might, so it’s always wise to talk to a tax professional. Your loan officer will be happy to explain more about gift fund requirements anytime.

Grants

Down payment grants can help bridge the gap between the money first-time homebuyers can put toward a down payment and the remaining balance. Down payment assistance grants are offered through government agencies like the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and through nonprofits like the National Homebuyers Fund.

Who Qualifies for Down Payment Assistance Grants?

Eligibility varies by program, but many grants consider factors such as:

  • Household income
  • Credit profile
  • First-time homebuyer status (when applicable)
  • Property location
  • Occupancy requirements
  • Purchase price limits

Some assistance programs are also available for repeat homebuyers or individuals working in professions such as education, healthcare, law enforcement, firefighting, or emergency medical services.

Not every program requires you to be a first-time homebuyer, so it’s worth exploring all available options.

Though these mortgage programs can vary by state, amount, and requirements, they typically take into account the home price and geographic area, as well as your income and credit score.

Your loan officer will also know what these programs require, so be sure to ask them if you’re interested in more information.

Generally speaking, grant programs offer down payment assistance free and clear, meaning you don’t have to pay the money back (though you’ll want to read the fine print). Some programs require stipulations like a recapture period, which means the money is free and clear only if you stay in the home for a specific number of years.

Loans

Down payment assistance loans are a broad category that can mean different things. They can range from interest-free, forgivable loans to interest-free deferred-payment loans and even low-interest-rate loans. Some of these programs have eligibility requirements. These can include income limits, approved geographic locations, purchasing a home below the given median home price for that area, how much money you can put toward your down payment, and more.

Down payment assistance homebuyer programs can come from:

  • Federal agencies
  • State agencies
  • Regional organizations
  • Community organizations
  • Charitable funds

Many people are surprised to learn that “down payment assistance” doesn’t always mean free money. Some programs are structured as loans that may:

  • Be completely forgivable after a certain number of years
  • Require no monthly payments until the home is sold or refinanced
  • Offer below-market interest rates
  • Help cover both the down payment and eligible closing costs

Understanding how each program works is important before deciding which option best fits your long-term financial goals.

In addition, some programs offer multiple options, including using these funds as a payment for closing costs. For a breakdown of what these types of programs are and how to find them, visit our blog.

How to Apply for Down Payment Assistance

The application process for down payment assistance typically begins with getting pre-approved for a mortgage.

Your APM Loan Advisor can help you:

  • Review available assistance programs
  • Determine your eligibility
  • Gather required documentation
  • Complete any program-specific applications
  • Coordinate your mortgage and assistance program throughout the homebuying process

Because eligibility requirements and available funding can change, starting early gives you the best opportunity to explore all available options.

APM Can Help You Navigate Down Payment Assistance Options

Though not every first-time homebuyer will qualify for down payment assistance—or be lucky enough to have a generous relative—they’re worth looking into. Examining all your options before plunking down your hard-earned cash is a great way to put your mind at ease when it comes to down payments.

A trusted APM Loan Officer is ready to help you find solutions that get you into your dream home. Click here to locate an APM Loan Advisor near you.

Frequently Asked Questions About Down Payment Assistance

What is down payment assistance?

Down payment assistance refers to financial programs that help qualified homebuyers cover some or all of their down payment and, in some cases, closing costs. Assistance may be provided through grants, forgivable loans, deferred-payment loans, or other housing assistance programs.

How do down payment assistance programs work?

Most programs work alongside your mortgage. Eligible buyers receive financial assistance to help reduce upfront costs, making homeownership more affordable.

What is the difference between a first-time homebuyer grant and a loan?

A grant generally does not require repayment if program requirements are met. A down payment assistance loan may require repayment immediately, over time, when the home is sold, or may be forgiven after meeting specific occupancy requirements.

What are the eligibility requirements for down payment assistance?

Requirements vary by program but often include income limits, property location, occupancy requirements, purchase price limits, and minimum credit guidelines. Some programs are available only to first-time homebuyers, while others are open to repeat buyers.

What types of down payment assistance programs are available?

Programs may include:

  • Down payment assistance grants
  • Forgivable loans
  • Deferred-payment loans
  • Low-interest second mortgages
  • Closing cost assistance
  • Employer-sponsored homebuyer programs

How do I apply for down payment assistance through my mortgage lender?

The first step is speaking with an experienced Loan Advisor. They can help identify available programs, determine eligibility, complete the required documentation, and coordinate your mortgage application with the appropriate assistance program.

*Refinancing may result in finance charges that may be higher over the life of the loan. Consult with your loan advisor for details.



What You Can Learn from a Competitor’s Job Postings

globalinvestmentstrategy.com
-
0


Most companies spend enormous resources trying to anticipate what competitors will do next. They analyze earnings calls, track press releases, commission market research, and interview customers. Yet many overlook one of the clearest and most accessible signals of strategic intent: the jobs their competitors are trying to fill.



Arianna Huffington says CEOs are trapped in jobs they no longer love: ‘Success can be a trap’

globalinvestmentstrategy.com
-
0
Arianna Huffington says CEOs are trapped in jobs they no longer love: ‘Success can be a trap’



It’s every worker’s dream: You work hard and climb the ladder until eventually you’re rewarded with an executive title and cushy salary to go with it. But according to Huffington Post founder Arianna Huffington, the reality isn’t quite as glamorous as it looks—and plenty of CEOs, she says, are desperate to quit, despite seemingly having it all. 

“Success can be a trap,” Huffington told Fortune, adding that once you’ve dedicated years of your life to honing your craft and gaining recognition, it can feel impossible to leave it all behind and start something new. Even if you’re miserable where you’re at.

“It’s a trap because a lot of very successful people have a hard time leaving,” she explained. “I have CEO friends who’ve stopped loving their jobs, but they’re afraid to leave.” 

And it’s not just the huge mortgages, private school fees and luxury first-class vacations they’ve become accustomed to bankrolling with their multi-million dollar pay packages keeping them stuck. 

“The financial trap is much easier to see, while the identity trap is less tangible but no less real,” Huffington added. “They’re so identified with the CEO role, or the anchor of an evening show, or whatever big job comes with a lot of recognition—it’s become their identity.”

Huffington could have stayed at the top of Huffington Post. She walked away instead.

Huffington spent a grueling 11 years building Huffington Post into one of the biggest names in digital media, growing its newsroom to more than 850 journalists and becoming the first digital-native outlet to win a Pulitzer Prize. She graced the covers of magazines, made Time’s list of most influential people and was a regular at the likes of Davos. 

By any measure, she’d made it. Walking away from that to start over would have made no sense to many people—and yet that’s exactly what she did in 2016 to found her new wellness venture, Thrive Global. 

“There are no guarantees anytime you start a new company,” the 76-year-old multimillionaire said. “But I was ready to throw myself into health, and if I hadn’t done it, I would have kind of betrayed myself.”

At the time, when she was weighing up whether to hold onto what she had built or walk away, Huffington said that her mother’s voice was in her head.

“She brought me up not to be afraid of failing,” she said, adding that women in particular are hit harder by perfectionism and therefore more likely to remain stuck and not take that leap of faith in case it doesn’t work out. “My mother used to say failure is not the opposite of success, it’s a stepping stone to success.”

It’s why, for Huffington, how a role makes you feel matters more than what it looks like from the outside.

“I’ve always believed that there is no job that defines us, no success that defines us,” she added. “If we are able to follow our heart, it means we can keep growing and evolving.”

From Airbnb’s CEO to Wingstop’s cofounder: These leaders say success felt hollow

Huffington’s far from the first person to admit that reaching the top can leave you feeling empty rather than fulfilled. After cofounding Wingstop UK and selling a majority stake for £400 million (around $540 million), Tom Grogan should have been ecstatic. Instead, he felt hollow.

“For seven years, your whole mind is occupied on making a success of this business,” Grogan told Fortune.  “It’s all you think about. And then when you get there, it’s just a bit surreal. It’s like, Okay, it’s done now. Now what? And money doesn’t necessarily fill that void either.”

Growing up, Brian Chesky, the cofounder and CEO of Airbnb, said he “desperately wanted to be successful” because he thought it would bring him adoration. Plus, having social worker parents who were by no standards rich, he also thought a large sum of money could “solve every problem.” But actually, he said the company’s blockbuster 2020 IPO—despite making him a billionaire—was “one of the saddest periods” of his life. 

Loom cofounder Vinay Hiremath hit a similar wall after selling his company to Atlassian for $975 million. In a blog post candidly titled “I am rich and have no idea what to do with my life,” he described the identity collapse that followed the company’s rapid rise and eventual sale. “I lost myself,” he wrote, adding that the windfall left him with “infinite freedom” but no idea what to do with it.  

It’s why, despite having no current plans to step down, TIAA’s CEO Thasunda Duckett is already thinking about who she is outside of her job.

“I rent my title. I own my character,” Duckett recently told Fortune, noting that a job title is never permanent—and therefore shouldn’t be mistaken for who you actually are. “I own my intellectual curiosity. I own my grit. I own my perseverance. I own my compass.”

123...898Page 1 of 898

About Us

Get the Latest Insights based on: business, finance, mortgage, credit cards, Investments and better Ways to Make Money Online

Categories

Latest news

Capital One Offers/Shopping, Up to 39% Back on Klook Bookings

Credit Card 0
Capital One Offers/Shopping, Up to 39% Back at...

U.S. household delinquencies improve: NY Fed quarterly report

Mortgage 0
The share of overdue consumer loans fell slightly...

Root’s 2026 Outlook: AI-Driven Telematics Model Gains Scale Through Embedded Growth Partnerships

Finance 0
When a driver gets behind the wheel, their...

Popular news

Capital One Offers/Shopping, Up to 39% Back on Klook Bookings

Credit Card 0
Capital One Offers/Shopping, Up to 39% Back at...

U.S. household delinquencies improve: NY Fed quarterly report

Mortgage 0
The share of overdue consumer loans fell slightly...

Root’s 2026 Outlook: AI-Driven Telematics Model Gains Scale Through Embedded Growth Partnerships

Finance 0
When a driver gets behind the wheel, their...

© 2024. All Rights Reserved.