Exploring Inspiration: Insights From Our Archives for Inc. and Fast Company

WHO:

Fast Company - Stephanie Mehta is the CEO and chief content officer of Mansueto Ventures.

Fast Company - David Lidsky is the head of editorial strategy for Mansueto Ventures.

Inc. - Mike Hofman is the editor in chief of Inc.

WHAT:

Fast Company - Two recent projects, Personal Brand Special Report and Managing a Personal Brand: Fast Company’s 196-Point Guide for Leaders, were inspired by the 1997 cover story "The Brand Called You" by Tom Peters.

Inc. - In August, Inc. published the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing privately held companies in America.

Inc. - The Inc. 5000 evolved from the original Inc. 100 list established in the 1980s.

HOW:

Fast Company - The archives of Inc. and Fast Company serve as a starting point for determining current reader needs.

Inc. - The process of compiling the Inc. 5000 has transitioned from a manual operation with paper tax returns to a fully digital process.

WHY:

Fast Company - The motivation behind the projects is to provide modern personal brand builders and their leaders with applicable advice and insights.

Inc. - The evolution of the Inc. 5000 reflects a commitment to spotlighting the contributions of growth companies while maintaining its original purpose.

(UPDATED October 12, 2026 12:01 UTC)

Stephanie Mehta serves as the CEO and chief content officer of Mansueto Ventures, while David Lidsky leads the editorial strategy for the company, and Mike Hofman is the editor in chief of Inc. Recent projects from Fast Company, including the Personal Brand Special Report and a comprehensive guide for leaders, draw inspiration from Tom Peters' influential 1997 cover story, "The Brand Called You." Meanwhile, Inc. has transitioned the compilation of its Inc. 5000 list from a manual process to a fully digital operation, showcasing the growth of privately held companies in America while staying true to its original mission.