Personal care brand Curie started out as a direct-to-consumer seller, then Shark Tank exposure pushed the company to expand distribution to retailers, including Anthropologie and Bloomingdale's, and led to appearances by founder Sarah Moret on QVC. Moret talks about the boost from her Shark Tank appearance, shifting the brand's marketing strategy and learning the skills needed to sell on QVC.

Diversity within startups and at venture capital firms tends to outperform, says Kapor Capital founders Freada Kapor Klein and Mitchell Kapor. "It works to understand the circumstances in which one began life, and where they got to on their own steam," Klein says, which "tells you a lot more about who they are going to be in a downturn than where they got a degree."

A report from research firm Gen Z Planet finds that Generation Z beauty consumers, unlike their predecessors, are driven by a need for self-expression versus peer acceptance. "Brands will have to innovate on all fronts: product development, go-to-market strategies, marketing and communication," said Hana Ben-Shabat, the firm's founder.

Salt & Straw co-founder Kim Malek says a supportive network and willingness to adapt led to the success for her business in Portland, Ore., and beyond. The ice cream company, now delivering nationwide, stands out for its range of flavors from classic choices to more unusual options, such as Pear & Blue Cheese.

The new Ocala Mall in Ocala, Fla., is home to nearly 160 new small-business vendors, including E'lore Boutique and Thingz, which sells gowns, and Jo'Carms, which carries luxury jewelry. The vendors "all complement each other," said Johanna Marrero Diaz, owner of Jo'Carms.

Facebook remains one of the most highly used social-media platform and a powerful tool for connecting small businesses with customers, writes Kenneth Nzeogu. Steps for small businesses to set up an effective Facebook business page include adjusting settings to enable two-factor authentication, using the drop-down menus on the privacy button to control page access, selecting a professional profile picture and cover photo, writing a profile and making use of functions and features such as messaging, insights and calls to action.

Join NAWBO before May 31 and save during the Annual Spring Membership Drive. Take advantage of special pricing and events at the local chapters -- no promo codes needed! The membership includes local events, programming and virtual education. NAWBO is a one-stop resource for women to grow and collaborate across all industries and backgrounds. Visit the NAWBO website for more information!

Moving to digital banking may make sense for some small business owners, writes Deanna Ritchie, who discusses considerations related to time savings, security and other factors.

Operating a business involves a significant learning experience for new entrepreneurs, writes Meeky Hwang of Ndevr, who shares lessons from experience. Hwang emphasizes the importance of execution, adaptability and learning from mistakes.

Entrepreneurs should avoid key time wasters in their processes, writes Calendar's Max Palmer, including unnecessary work, long meetings and delegatable tasks. Other time-saving tips include avoiding perfectionism and completing small tasks instead of delaying, Palmer writes.

Loan rates for loans backed by the Small Business Administration have increased along with rising interest rates, but they remain "the holy grail for many business owners," writes Randa Kriss. Here is a rundown of the different types of SBA-backed loans and rates to expect for small-business borrowers.

Does your schedule feel overwhelming? Entrepreneurs and other leaders can do a better job of accomplishing tasks with one of these 19 time-management apps reviewed by Hubspot's "Hustle."