There’s no clear path to building a successful business — just a never-ending series of challenges, choices, and pivots. As an entrepreneur, surprises knock you off course constantly, even as your customers expect the best experience every time. It'd be nice to have a playbook to help you get ahead, right?

That’s why we created “The Way Up,” a video series presented by Square and acclaimed podcaster Guy Raz that explores the journeys of six complex businesses, including how they operate, their trajectory-changing moments, and how community powers their successes.

This eBook goes beyond their inspiring stories to underline the business lessons you can act on now, from boosting the customer experience, turning data into action, capitalizing on new opportunities, outside-the-box marketing ideas, the truth about finding financing, and thoughts on reinvesting in both your operations and your employees' futures.