• Jennifer Lemcke started working in the same business as her dad when she was 21.
• They scaled quickly, all while Lemcke was raising three children.
• Lemcke says she’s always been driven by money — and that’s not a bad thing.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Jennifer Lemcke, CEO of Weed Man. It has been edited for length and clarity.

I was not happy when my dad decided to purchase a Weed Man lawn care franchise. At the time, I was in 10th grade. It was difficult to accept that we were moving from our home near Toronto to Ottawa, just to pull weeds. To this day, my dad swears there was a family meeting about it, but I don’t think there was.

Despite my reluctance, I made friends in Ottawa and settled in quickly. I’ve always been very money-motivated, so I would pick up shifts and odd jobs for my dad. That helped me earn money to buy a car and cover my insurance, but I didn’t have much interest in joining the family business. Instead, I went to college to study political science.

I was drawn by my dad’s financial success

During school, I worked full-time in telecommunications at the university. My boss was a great mentor. Although he was working for the school, he was very entrepreneurial-minded, and he encouraged me to think that way, too.

My dad was buying up more and more Weed Man franchise territories. I was seeing him purchasing nicer cars and bigger houses. That really attracted me to the business.

When I was 21, my now-husband and I decided to purchase our own franchise, while also becoming investors with my dad. Other family and friends followed us, including my uncle, the best man at our wedding, and that friend’s brothers.

Really, Weed Man was a big family business to its core. Because of that, I’m motivated to make money not only for myself, but for my franchisees and employees, many of whom are family.

I worked extra hard to prove myself in my dad’s business

Working with my dad wasn’t easy. I joke that I experienced reverse nepotism, but there’s some truth to that. There were times when I worked more hours but earned less than my colleagues.

I may not be the smartest person in the room, but I’ll work harder than anyone else. In my soul, I needed to work extra to prove myself to my dad and our franchisees. I wanted them to know that I was there alongside them, feeling any pain they were feeling.

My kids were forced to be independent

Around 2000, my dad’s ownership group purchased the American rights to Weed Man. I was the chief operating officer, so I traveled often while we expanded into the US.

I had three kids at home, so that wasn’t easy. Sometimes, I had to give the kids Tylenol and send them to school when they weren’t feeling well, because I couldn’t miss an important meeting. If they wanted to play sports, they had to organize their own rides. I had a nanny even when they were in high school, and she was a lifesaver, but I still questioned whether I was doing the right thing as a working mom.

During that period, work came first, the kids came second, and my husband was third. I was further down the list, after the pets. There was no work-life balance or harmony, but I was motivated by the idea of making this business a success for the people who had been alongside me for decades.

In the end, it all turned out OK. My kids — who are now 26, 28, 31 — are incredibly hard workers. Their dad and I instilled that in them. My daughter and her husband work for the business.

My desire to make money isn’t a bad thing

I became the CEO of Weed Man in 2020, replacing my dad. Last year, the business did more than $426 million in revenue. My dad is the chairman of the board, so we still work together frequently. Our relationship feels more balanced these days, and we’re often aligned on our thinking.

My career has never been selfish: at my core, I’m driven by the desire to make money for my franchisees and my family. There’s nothing bad about that. Money allows you to do things that matter to you (like, for me, supporting youth sports).

I’m grateful I’ve been able to help facilitate that for myself and my family, as well as for the families we’ve touched through franchising.

• We toured United Airlines’ new ultra-premium Airbus A321XLR at the UK’s Farnborough airshow in July.
• The jet has doors in business class, privacy dividers in premium economy, and a snack bar in coach.
• It’s refreshing to see an airline add premium perks to the economy section.

United Airlines’ newest Airbus jet is easily the airline’s fanciest narrowbody yet.

Adorned in a special blue-and-white livery and packed with 150 luxe new seats, the Airbus A321XLR underscores United’s continued push to court higher-paying travelers as demand for more comforts grows.

Most notably, sliding doors are now a feature in Polaris business class — an increasingly common feature in newer premium cabins and something long requested by many of United’s most valuable flyers.

Meanwhile, Premium Plus, United’s version of premium economy that sits between business and coach, has new privacy dividers.

During a tour of the jet at the Farnborough International Airshow near London last week, Peter Wolkowski, United’s director of onboard products and partnerships, told Business Insider that the middle-ground section is particularly popular.

“It’s that nice buy-up from economy, where you can get more space and nicer amenities, as well as that opportunity to rest,” he said. “We are making a conscious effort to increase the size of the new Premium Plus.”

Coach also got upgrades, including a self-service snack bar and “extra elbow room” seats for an added fee, a sign the airline is investing in economy, not just its highest-paying customers.

United hasn’t said where its A321XLR will fly first, but it’s expected to launch later this year and replace aging Boeing 757s, mostly flying routes across the Atlantic. The plane can fly 11 hours nonstop.

Think far-flung destinations like northern Italy and West Africa — places that don’t have enough demand for a widebody but are too far for most other narrowbody jets.

The cabin-wide upgrades may make those long journeys more bearable. Here’s what passengers can expect.

Polaris is essentially a mini living room.

The 20 large business-class loungers each convert into an up to 78-inch-long lie-flat bed with a 19-inch television, a remote control, several charging ports, a cubby, and Bluetooth connectivity.

Closing the door cocoons the seat into a cozy, private little suite.

Wolkowski said the design underwent two rounds of overnight sleep trials, with customers spending the night in a mockup of the new seat while experiencing simulated service from flight attendants.

“Every part of the layout, the detail, everything you see, is very thought out and intentional,” he said. “From the labeling to the control panel being right at your fingertips.”

The privacy doors weren’t easy to certify.

The doors’ added complexity during emergency evacuations created certification challenges, and the A321XLR requires an additional flight attendant.

Wolkowski said that the A321XLR doors are fully certified and will not be locked open at launch.

Unlike on the A321XLR, United’s new Boeing 787 Polaris privacy doors remain locked open as it completes certification. Wolkowski said they’re expected to be usable by the end of the summer.

Premium Plus is now more private.

United added a large privacy divider between the window and aisle seats in its upgraded premium economy cabin, and there are no middle seats on the narrowbody A321XLR.

The 12 plush, deep-reclining loungers also have a 16-inch seatback screen, a footrest and legrest, extra table space, and elevated linens and meals.

Premium economy demand is booming.

Wolkowski said premium economy is increasingly popular with flyers as a cheaper yet amenity-rich middle ground between coach and lie-flat business.

He said Premium Plus is the fastest-growing cabin on the company’s 787s.

Coach has Bluetooth connectivity and Starlink.

United has been offering Bluetooth on select planes for years, so it’s no surprise the A321XLR got the feature.

The airline is also rolling out Starlink across its fleet; it has launched on regional jets and some 737s and 777s.

You can pay extra for more elbow room in coach.

One row of United’s Economy Plus extra-legroom cabin will have the middle seat blocked, giving aisle and window passengers extra table space and more elbow room.

The extra-fee seat is similar to the “Eurobusiness” seat on European carriers such as Finnair and KLM.

Economy has a self-serve snack bar.

United removed several rows of coach seats to add a snack bar in the back galley.

The walk-up perk, already on the airline’s CRJ550 and A321neo, will be available to all passengers, who can expect complimentary items like water, soda, and chips.

The entire cabin has custom mood lighting.

Wolkowski said United developed custom lighting scenes to help passengers combat jet lag by illuminating the cabin in specific hues during specific phases of flight.

For example, a blue-and-white scene, intended to resemble shooting stars, is for boarding. There are also darker hues for bedtime, and orange and pink hues for daytime and meals.

Bigger overhead bins mean fewer gate checks.

United said its A321XLR will feature larger overhead bins designed by Airbus as part of its Airspace XL cabin. These will accommodate more roller bags and reduce gate-checking during boarding.

The same bin design is already in service on United’s A321neo aircraft.

• I’m recently retired and on a budget, so I rely on Trader Joe’s for meals that last weeks.
• For quick dinners, I love the store’s kung pao chicken and cheese-filled fiocchetti.
• I always stock up on easy breakfast options like the spicy spuds or baingan bharta.

Cooking used to be one of my favorite activities. However, now that I’m newly retired, single, and living on my own, making intricate and time-consuming dishes is too much for me to do every day.

Lucky, shopping at Trader Joe’s is the best hack for newly retired seniors like me, and is a great way to have delicious meals in a flash — without breaking the bank.

With a little planning and strategy before hitting the store, I’m able to squeeze out multiple meals from any of Trader Joe’s frozen items. Here are the products I always grab from the store.

Prices may vary depending on location.

I think Trader Joe’s kung pao chicken is better than takeout.

A bag of Trader Joe’s kung pao chicken costs roughly $5.50 and is one of my go-to weeknight meals.

The chicken comes with an enclosed packet of chiles and peanuts, but I also love adding some garlic, cilantro, peppers, and green onions to create a delicious stir-fry.

I typically serve it with Trader Joe’s organic brown rice, resulting in a filling meal that lasts for days.

Trader Joe’s Mandarin orange chicken is easy to make.

Trader Joe’s Mandarin orange chicken, which costs just under $6, is another one of my favorite quick meals that tastes amazing.

All I do is bake the chicken in the oven, stir-fry some vegetables on the stovetop, and add some frozen ginger, fresh garlic, and green onions on top before serving.

I love pairing it with Trader Joe’s brown or jasmine rice, both of which can be heated up in the microwave.

Dinners are easy when I have Trader Joe’s frozen bagged pasta on hand.

Whenever I heat up one of Trader Joe’s frozen pastas, I know I’ll have leftovers for the rest of the week.

Right now, I love the cheese-filled fiocchetti, which is only $4.80. I like to cook it with some fresh shallots and Trader Joe’s organic baby spinach to add some color to the dish.

When I need an effortless breakfast, I reach for Trader Joe’s spicy spuds.

Trader Joe’s spicy spuds, priced at $4.50 a bag, are always in my freezer for quick weekday breakfasts at home.

To elevate these potatoes even more, I like to add some green onions or top them with Trader Joe’s cheddar Gruyère melange.

I also love Trader Joe’s baingan bharta in the morning.

Another one of my go-to breakfast items is Trader Joe’s baingan bharta.

This roasted eggplant curry, which only costs $3.50, heats up quickly in the microwave and tastes great poured over some toasted bread and a fried egg.

I love Trader Joe’s take on an ice-cream sandwich.

Trader Joe’s brownie-crisp coffee-ice-cream sandwiches are so delicious and always end up in my cart.

In my opinion, the flavors of the espresso grounds in the ice cream and the crispy texture of the brownies pair so well together.

Plus, each box of these sandwiches only costs $4.80, satisfying both my wallet and my sweet tooth.

Want to know what other shoppers purchased? Keep reading our Trader Joe’s diaries here.

• Starbuck is testing new carbonated versions of its popular refresher drinks in select markets.
• Non-coffee drinks are playing a key role in Starbucks growth, especially among younger customers.
• The company said its refreshers line is delivering double-digit year-over-year growth.

Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol is ready for some fizz.

The company is testing a carbonated version of its Refreshers, which are iced juice and tea drinks often mixed with fruit pieces, that have become one of Starbucks’ biggest beverage businesses since launching in 2012.

“I’m really excited that we’re getting ready to go test sparkling. We’re calling it Spritzers,” he told investors on the company’s third quarter earnings call Wednesday. The company delivered net sales of $9.3 billion for the period, with global comparable sales growth of 7.9%.

Of course, sparkling drinks have been a fast food chain staple since the beginning of the industry. After all, what’s a Big Mac without a Coke?

But lest you think the Seattle coffee giant is apparently just now getting the memo on soda, Niccol says his baristas are taking a distinctive approach to bubbles.

“Our team does a great job on getting to the delicious flavors that are relevant for the customer. So it’s been a really strong platform for us, and over the last quarter, really continued to perform,” he said.

Starting this week, the company said it was testing out the spritz concept at about 100 stores in Austin, San Antonio, and St. Louis.

The category expansion for Starbucks follows new Energy refreshers and Blended refreshers options rolled out earlier this summer. It also comes after nearly two years of a Niccol-led focus on fundamentals, like craft coffee and quicker, friendlier service.

One goal of the change is to increase business during the afternoon, once the morning coffee rush has subsided. The non-coffee flavors also help attract younger customers to the brand.

The sparkling flavor lineup includes a coffee and citrus combo, a peach and passion fruit tea, and a strawberry matcha mashup.

“It’s been a platform, frankly, that we kind of got a little complacent on in the past, and now we are reinvigorating,” Niccol said on the earnings call. “Whether it’s fully decaffeinated or whether it’s fully boosted, those are the different occasions that people want Refreshers, whether it’s in the morning or the afternoon, and whether you’re young or old, the platform is resonating.”

• I booked a 225-square-foot sea terrace room on an adults-only Virgin Voyages cruise in 2023.
• For $844 a night, the room had a queen-size bed that transformed into a couch and a balcony.
• It had luxury details like a rainfall shower and smart controls for mood lighting and entertainment.

My 225-square-foot home for seven days of cruising the Mediterranean Sea felt bigger than I expected.

When I booked the sea terrace room with the adults-only cruise line Virgin Voyages in 2023, I was prepared to feel cramped in the tiny space, especially since I was traveling with someone else.

I’m glad I was wrong.

My cabin on Virgin Voyages’ Valiant Lady ship had a starting rate of $5,910 for a weeklong stay for two people, though Business Insider paid a media rate for the cruise.

The cruise sailed round-trip from Barcelona to ports in Italy and France, including one overnight stay in Ibiza. I spent more time in my room than I thought I would because it was so comfortable and luxurious. Here’s a look at every detail that made it worth the price.

Virgin Voyages’ Valiant Lady ship has 1,408 cabins and suites. My room was toward the back of deck 12.

I booked a third-tier stateroom with a balcony — a step above sea-view cabins, which have only a window, and two steps above an interior room with no view.

The room was 225 square feet, including the balcony. I thought the cabin efficiently used the tiny space without sacrificing luxury details.

Inside was a queen-size bed, a desk, a bathroom, and plenty of hidden storage compartments. Considering the room’s small size, I was surprised by the ample floor space. I never felt too confined in my cabin.

At the front of the cabin, the bathroom was stocked with toiletries and storage spaces to keep the counter clutter-free.

The bathroom felt luxurious thanks to a rainfall showerhead. Wall shelving made it easy to keep the space looking tidy.

Across from the bathroom, an iridescent curtain hid the closet.

Inside, I spotted a shelf with two empty bins for extra storage and a cabinet holding emergency life vests, towels, a safe, and drawers I filled with clothing.

Next to the closet, the desk against the wall had an ottoman tucked underneath it. I thought this made the room feel bigger.

Beneath the desk, I spotted a hidden mini fridge, which I used to keep my drinks cold.

I thought the vibrant, round mirror above the desk added a unique touch of luxury.

At the back of the room, there was a comfortable queen-size bed. Next to it, a thin nightstand was light enough to move around the room as needed.

I learned from the Virgin Voyages app that crew members could transform the bed into a couch upon request. This made the cabin feel more like a living room during the day.

The cabin also had an in-room tablet with entertainment and smart controls.

I didn’t have to leave my bed to change the lighting or close the curtains.

From “hangover” to “photo shoot,” different tablet settings changed the mood lighting throughout the room.

The best part of the cabin was the balcony. It had a table, chairs, and a large, netted hammock.

I spent a lot of time on my balcony during the voyage. With the fresh air and sunset views, I thought it was worth the upgrade for a private outdoor space.

With multipurpose furniture and plenty of storage, I thought the 225-square-foot room was big enough to keep two people comfortable.

I’d definitely book a sea terrace cabin with Virgin Voyages again. And I’d recommend it to adult travelers who want to feel wrapped in luxury at sea.

• Anne Hathaway announced on Instagram in June that she’s pregnant with her third child.
• She’s since worn an array of stunning maternity looks, including minidresses and multi-piece sets.
• The actor first showed her strong maternity style in 2016 and 2019.

You can call her Andy Sachs, the princess of Genovia, or a soon-to-be mom of three.

Anne Hathaway announced on Instagram in June that she and her husband are expecting their third child.

Since then, “The Odyssey” actor has graced red carpets, photo shoots, and the streets of New York with glamorous fashion.

Here are the best maternity looks she’s ever worn, from a ruffled minidress to showstopping event gowns.

Anne Hathaway glimmered in gold at the 2016 Vanity Fair Oscars party.

Naeem Khan designed her two-piece gown, which featured a strapless black garment that hugged her body beneath a mesh overlay.

The latter was embellished with gold beads and sequins in asymmetrical stripes.

The outfit was memorable and styled perfectly with gold earrings, dramatic makeup, an updo, and a gold clutch.

Hathaway was pregnant with her first child at the time.

While pregnant with her second child, Hathaway wore a fuchsia midi dress.

The Brandon Maxwell design was as fun as it was daring, with a sleeveless bodice and waist cutouts. Inside the dress was a custom tag that read “Anne + 1.”

She wore it to attend the opening night of “Sea Wall/A Life” on Broadway.

This year, after announcing her latest pregnancy, the actor stepped out in red.

She was photographed in Tribeca wearing a red jumpsuit from the New York fashion label Ashlyn.

The long-sleeved piece had a peplum waist, flowing capris, and a scoop neckline. Vogue later reported that Hathaway had worn the outfit backward, as the latter was meant to be scooped at the back.

Hathaway completed the vibrant outfit with red peep-toe heels from Aquazzura, thick gold Bvlgari jewelry, and statement Krewe sunglasses.

She then showed off her maternity street style.

For another New York City outing, Hathaway paired oversize blue trousers from La Ligne with a black ATM shirt and a knit Brunello Cucinelli blazer.

The variety of textures made for an eye-catching outfit. Her accessories, which included mesh Alaïa flats, a black Ferragamo purse, and Bvlgari sunglasses, tied it all together.

The actor embraced summer fashion with a yellow, floral gown.

Her stunning, strapless dress was designed by Lela Rose. It was made from vibrant velvet and stamped with floral shapes across its bodice.

Hathaway wore it with gold Bvlgari bracelets, a matching choker necklace, and brown-tinted Krewe sunglasses.

Hathaway later proved that you can never have too many accessories.

Ahead of a photocall, the actor was photographed leaving a hotel in a ruffled white minidress by Blumarine.

It was a statement on its own, but Hathaway made it look even better with suede Gianvito Rossi knee-high boots, a heart-shaped Chanel handbag, Bvlgari jewelry, and white Trussardi sunglasses.

She looked like a princess at “The Odyssey” premiere in London.

Her strapless, blue gown was custom-made by Jonathan Anderson for Dior. It had delicate pleats, a floor-length skirt, and a floral appliqué attached at the waist.

Hathaway wore it with simple jewelry, her hair down, and a red lip.

The same could be said when she attended a photocall in Paris.

Still on “The Odyssey” press tour, Hathaway stepped out in Paris for a photo event wearing a custom Prada look.

The navy-blue dress had a strapless neckline, a floor-length skirt, and a dark tulle cape that extended across the front of Hathaway.

The latter also extended to the floor and was decorated with gold pieces.

Hathaway stunned at the New York City premiere of “The Odyssey” in a pleated and sequined gown.

Once again, Prada designed her custom look. Its halter top was decorated with silver sequins and a triangle cutout. Its lengthy skirt, on the other hand, was pleated and made from silk.

Hathaway completed the look with an updo hairstyle and diamond jewelry.

She looked like she was ready for a summer in Greece while visiting New York City.

She was photographed walking around town in a blue Alaïa dress. It had straps in place of sleeves, a rounded neckline, and a pleated skirt that ended just above her gold sandals.

She also wore a thick gold choker necklace, a matching bracelet, and dark sunglasses.