AOL's Armstrong: Patch isn't dead, it's resting

When it comes to Patch, AOL’s troubled network hyperlocal news sites, CEO Tim Armstrong is sounding a bit a like the pet shop owner in the famous Monty Python sketch: “It’s not dead. It’s resting.”

The imminent future for Patch looks grim, even after attempts to right the ship earlier this year, which included layoffs for about 40 percent of the Patch workforce (about 500 people).

In  ...

Dangers of sudden success sink in for MyPillow founder on eve of new infomercial

On a mission to build a business out of a pillow he swore to be the most comfortable in the world, Mike Lindell made a bet in October 2011 to join the ranks of the ThighMaster, MagicBullet and the Snuggie as a best-selling infomercial product of all time.

He’d spent six years trying to sell MyPillows at mall kiosks, state fairs and trade shows. He’d gone broke and foreclosed on his house,  ...

Duck Dynasty a $400M merchandise brand as adults clamor for TV toys

Toys and games related to children’s shows are always hot gifts, but adults will be having their fun, too, thanks to a growing supply of licensed merchandise that capitalizes on TV favorites such as Duck Dynasty and The Big Bang Theory.

Industry sources suggest that Duck Dynasty merchandise will hit a whopping $400 million in retail sales this year, making it one of the most successful TV  ...

11 ways to manage startup stress

Startups are tough, whether you work for one or work on one. What's your favorite strategy to manage stress while in the office?

Remove Distractions

"For me, stress builds up quickly when I'm not accomplishing as much as I should or could. That usually means I'm getting distracted by emails, phone calls, unnecessary meetings, or in-office visits. Luckily, this can be somewhat controlled if you  ...

When the cheerleader and the 'Project Runway' finalist joined forces

Two Dayton, Ohio natives—one, an NFL cheerleader; the other, a finalist on Project Runway—have founded a niche clothing line that looks to fill a gap in the market.

Juetta West, a former Cincinnati Bengals cheerleader with 30 years experience in the fashion industry, grew up just north of Dayton in Phillipsburg. She has teamed up with business partner Althea Harper, an Oakwood native who was  ...

Millennial web developer sees business in aging Baby Boomers

A Northern California technology startup is poised to kick off an online network early next year that connects patients and their families with in-home caregivers—and vice-versa.

CareMonk LLC, in the Sacramento suburb of Roseville, offers a bridge that lets caregivers find a job and families to hire a caregiver without using traditional home-care agencies.

The idea—conceived by a 24-year-old  ...

D.C's Fortify Ventures shuts down its accelerator program

The Fort has struck its colors.

Fortify Ventures launched what at the time was Washington D.C.'s only true startup accelerator in early 2012, the first since LaunchBox Digital left town. This week, the early-stage venture firm announced the Fort's closure, saying it would continue operating without an accelerator.

I spoke with founder and managing director Jonathon Perrelli to explain the  ...