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

Contrary to the common assumption that hackers only target large organizations, small firms often find themselves under attack with limited resources or inadequate security practices.A breach can result in financial loss, damage to reputation, and legal consequences. In some cases, it can even lead to bankruptcy.So, as a small biz, it’s crucial to invest in the right cybersecurity tools and practices. Today we outline five areas where small businesses can take steps to protect themselves from cyber threats without breaking the bank.

1. Employee TrainingBy far the weakest link in any organization is the human layer. Phishing – the leading attack vector in cyberattacks on companies – takes advantage of human error, making it easy for threat actors to get in. Many breaches also result from weak passwords. In a sense, your employees can either be you…

This article was authored by Stand Out Online Member Jen Bennett, Get Desky

Why Cold Pitching is Dead: Building Authentic Connections in the Digital Age

As a third-generation woman entrepreneur and mother of two, I've seen countless business trends come and go. But there's one "strategy" that needs to be permanently retired: cold pitching. Here's why.I remember when I first started in business, everyone pushed the idea that success meant aggressively pursuing leads through cold outreach. "It's just a numbers game," they said. But after helping over 5,000 clients generate leads and seeing the real impact of different strategies, I've learned that authentic connection always wins.

Here's the truth: Cold pitching isn't just ineffective—it's damaging to your brand and your soul. Every time you send an unsolicited pitch, you're essentially saying, "My desire to sell is more important than respecting your time and sp…

This article is brought to you by Stand Out Online Member Rushka Lee, Devol Leef

Enter at your own risk!

If you’re a busy businesswoman, you’re probably juggling a hundred different things, tasks, meetings, deadlines, emails, not to mention the expectations from others (and let’s not forget those from yourself). It’s exhausting, isn’t it!? You’re trying to keep your career moving, maintain relationships, and somehow carve out time for yourself. But here’s the thing: you’re running on empty, and it’s starting to show…The stress, burnout, and overwhelm? It’s not your fault. The world demands so much of us, and it's easy to get lost in the hustle. But what if I told you the key to handling it all, with a little more grace and ease, lies in one simple thing?

Knowing yourself a little better…

It’s not rocket science, ladies, it’s neuroscience! (Sorry, don’t cancel me…)When you understand your own patterns,…

This article is brought to you by Stand Out Online Member Nikki Keskula, Girl Boss Collective

Facebook Groups might just be the unsung heroes of the social media world, offering brands a unique way to connect deeply with their audience. These groups foster vibrant communities built around shared interests, creating a space where your customers do more than just engage with your brand—they connect with each other. This sense of community is something you don't often see in traditional marketing channels, and it can forge a loyal customer base that truly resonates with your brand’s values.

In these groups, interactions aren’t just about broadcasting messages; they're about engaging in real-time. Live discussions, polls, and feedback sessions provide immediate insights directly from your audience. This kind of direct engagement is invaluable, allowing you to quickly adapt strategies and tailor products to better meet market…

This article is brought to you by Stand Out Online Member Anna Love, Anna Love Coaching

As the clock ticks down and we prepare to ring in another New Year, there’s an undeniable magic in the air. It’s a time of reflection, hope, and fresh beginnings—a blank page ready to be filled with the next chapter of your story.

But let’s be honest: how many times have you set lofty resolutions on New Year’s Eve, only to feel stuck or discouraged weeks later?

Here’s the truth: the problem isn’t your goals. It’s not your ambition. It’s the way you’ve been taught to approach change.

This year, let’s do it differently. Let’s toss out the perfectionism, ditch the pressure to get it all right, and instead focus on small, intentional steps that bring you closer to a life you love.

Here are 5 powerful ways to align with your purpose, step into your confidence, and create a life that feels as good as it looks.<…

This article is authored by Stand Out Online Member Jen Bennett, Get Desky

We've all heard it: "Rise and grind." "Sleep when you're dead." "If you're not working 24/7, someone else will take your spot."

After three generations of entrepreneurship and helping over 5,000 businesses grow, I've watched this mindset destroy more dreams than it's built. Here's why:

When we glorify constant hustle, we're not just sacrificing our wellbeing – we're compromising the very foundations of sustainable success. I've seen it firsthand: entrepreneurs burning through their resources, relationships, and resilience, all in pursuit of someone else's definition of success.The real cost isn't measured in dollars. It's measured in missed moments, strained relationships, and the quiet erosion of what matters most. It's the bedtime stories not read, the family dinners missed, the relationships that slowly drift apart.

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This blog post is authored by Cathy Orten, Quantum Breakthrough by Cathy Orten

From Thought to Reality: Understanding and Clearing Energy BlocksEvery block we experience in life—whether it's around emotional eating, relationships, or money—starts as a tiny seed: a thought. Thoughts hold powerful energy. When left unexamined, a thought can trigger an emotional response. Over time, this emotion becomes a pattern, and that pattern begins to solidify, eventually showing up as a challenge in the physical world.

This progression, from thought to reality, is what I call the quantum blueprint of manifestation. It happens whether the energy behind the thought is positive or negative. In other words, the universe doesn’t distinguish between what you want and what you don’t want—it simply reflects the energetic patterns you hold within.

How Blocks Manifest in the Physical WorldHere’s an example: Imagine you’ve been thinki…

This article is authored by Stand Out Online Member Jen Bennett, Get Desky

Breaking Through: The Real Talk About Women's EntrepreneurshipAs a third-generation woman entrepreneur, I've learned that success isn't just about following the traditional playbook—it's about rewriting it entirely. The landscape of entrepreneurship is changing, and women are at the forefront of this transformation, bringing new perspectives and innovative approaches to business leadership.

The Myth of "Having It All"Let's be honest: the notion that we need to perfectly balance everything is both exhausting and unrealistic. Instead of trying to compartmentalize our lives into neat little boxes, I've discovered the power of integration. Your children can be part of your business journey. Your passion can fuel your profit. Your challenges can become your unique selling proposition.

Building Success on Your Own TermsThe traditional business…

This article has been authored by Stand Out Online Member Alyssa Mak Joseph, Grace Flow Institute

You’re an ambitious woman. You’ve built a career you’re proud of, you know how to make decisions, and you probably feel most at home when you’re in charge. Yet when it comes to relationships, you’ve noticed a frustrating pattern: you keep attracting men who seem, well… passive. They don’t match your drive or step up in the way you hoped they would.

What gives? Are there no ambitious, take-charge men out there? Or is something else at play?

The answer isn’t about what’s wrong with men. It’s about understanding how energy dynamics work and why being in “go mode” all the time might be working against you when it comes to love.

Masculine and Feminine Energy 101:

Let’s start with the basics. Every person, regardless of gender, has both masculine and feminine energy. Masculine energy is about structur…

This article is authored by Stand Out Online Member Jen Bennett, Get Desky

In a world that glorifies hustle culture and constant productivity, there's a quiet revolution brewing among successful women: the art of strategic pausing. While it might seem counterintuitive, incorporating deliberate breaks into your daily routine could be the game-changer you've been searching for.

I discovered this truth the hard way, after years of running on empty and wearing my exhaustion like a badge of honor. The turning point came during a particularly grueling month when my body finally forced me to stop. What started as a dreaded pause became an unexpected gateway to greater clarity and creativity.

Here's what research tells us: our brains actually do their best work when we step back. Those "aha moments" rarely come when we're staring intensely at a problem. Instead, they emerge during walks, showers, or quiet moments with …