This article is authored by Stand Out Online Member Denisa Pop, Bitdefender

A Nigerian national has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for robbing people of their life’s savings by hacking the emails of their real estate agents and swapping bank accounts. The story offers a clear example why small firms should take cybersecurity seriously. 

33-year-old Babatunde Francis Ayeni, a citizen of Nigeria living in the United Kingdom at the time of his arrest, used a sophisticated business e-mail compromise (BEC) scheme targeting real estate transactions in the United States.

Ayeni and at least two other associates operating out of Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates would send phishing e-mails with tainted attachments and links to title companies, real estate agents, and real estate attorneys across the US.

Captured login credentials

“If an employee at a targeted real estate business clicke…

This article was authored by Stand Out Online Member Allix Rawls, Bravely Forward

Marketing shouldn’t feel like throwing spaghetti at the wall and hoping something sticks. But for so many women entrepreneurs, that’s exactly what it feels like. You’re showing up, posting like crazy, trying to do all the things—and yet, you’re still not seeing the steady stream of clients you were hoping for.

If that’s you, let me start by saying this: You’re not alone. You’re not bad at marketing. You just haven’t been given the right framework yet. The problem isn’t that you’re not working hard enough—it’s that you’re working without a clear system.

Marketing doesn’t work when it’s just a collection of random efforts. It works when it’s structured, intentional, and repeatable. So let’s break down the biggest mistakes keeping women entrepreneurs stuck and, more importantly, how to fix them.

Mistake #1: Trying to Be Eve…

This article was authored by Stand Out Online Member Romie Montpeirous, Leadership From The Heart

As a leadership coach, I've seen countless leaders struggle with the same challenge: trying to drive results through control and intimidation rather than trust and empowerment.

Today, I want to share why this approach fails and how to transform your leadership style for better outcomes.

The Warning Signs of Fear-Based Leadership

Let's be honest – you might be leading with fear without even realizing it. Here are the telltale signs:

If any of these resonate, it's time for a leadership reset.

The Real Cost of Fear

Fear-based leadership might get short-term compliance, …