20 Solo Founders On The Benefits And Pitfalls Of Going It Alone

business entrepreneurship

There's certainly an allure to navigating the rocky waters of business entrepreneurship as a solo founder. There is undeniable freedom, an opportunity to quickly implement ideas, and perhaps even a particular recognition that comes with being the only founder at your company. Yet for every potential benefit of steering a company without co-founders, there are also unavoidable pitfalls.

To get a look behind the curtain of what it's truly like to be a solo founder, we tapped into the experiences of 20 women from the Dreamers & Doers collective who run their companies without fellow co-founders at the helm. Their reflections on the benefits and pitfalls they've experienced reinforce that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to entrepreneurship, including whether or not a co-founder is part of the fiber of your company.

As you'll see in this piece, being a solo founder is not easy, but it's certainly not without reward. If you've been thinking about going at it alone, perhaps this is your sign to take the leap. If you've been going it alone for a while, this may be what you needed to read to continue full steam ahead on your journey.

Find Joy In The Journey

Nics Asawasudsakorn, Founder of LOVANIE

My experience as a solo founder: Being a solo founder in a creative industry such as fashion has the main benefit of you being able to own the full vision and aesthetics of what you want the brand to represent. You can also take actions faster and make decisions faster, rather than being stuck in trying to find a consensus with your co-founder. That said, you wear all the hats of running the business, including some aspects that you may not like as much or be less skilled at.

My advice: Continue carving out time for the aspects of the business that you truly enjoy. For me, that's designing and developing new clothing pieces. I outsource other areas of business such as social media


- Nics Asawasudsakorn, Founder of LOVANIE, a sustainable fashion brand for petite women 5'4" and under.

Aura Telman, Founder and CEO of 13thrive

My experience as a solo founder: A surprising benefit of being a solo founder is the empowerment that comes from bringing your own ideas and vision to life. You're the visionary, the decision maker, and the person who gets to sit back and say, "Wow, I did this on my own." It gives you the type of empowerment and confidence that no one could ever take away from you.

My advice: Solo entrepreneurship is like taking a hike up to a mountain top for the first time. There will be rocky terrain, muddy paths, and a sense that you don't know if you'll ever make it. But there will also be beauty, calm, a sense of accomplishment, and a pure feeling of joy when you get to the top and look at all you've accomplished.

- Aura Telman, Founder and CEO of 13thrive, a mindfulness rooted leadership and human resources consulting firm.

Teresa Bigelow, Founder of Spiral5

My experience as a solo founder: One really cool benefit I've experienced as a solo founder is an opportunity to connect more securely with my intuition and instincts. When I'm making key decisions, I have a clean slate from which to ideate and execute based on what I feel is the best approach. And that's how true innovation happens! This can also be a challenge, of course, because I don't always trust my intuition. It's a work in progress.

My advice: I'd say the solo founder path is especially valuable for anyone who has a lot of conviction for their ideas—even and especially when they're unique and quirky. If you enjoy independence, freedom, and prefer to stay nimble, it's definitely worth trying out the solopreneur path. You can always bring on co-founders later on!

- Teresa Bigelow, Founder of Spiral5, a company that facilitates community, mentorship, and income opportunities for women looking to grow PR careers.

Dina Kaplan, Founder and CEO of The Path

My experience as a solo founder: As a solo founder, I love that I can take action on new products and don't have to win approval from anyone else to greenlight new offerings. In this way, I can let the market decide what works and is helpful for users.

My advice: I think it's important to know that, at the beginning especially, you will have a lot on your plate—marketing, product development, selling, and all of the administrative aspects of running a startup.


- Dina Kaplan, Founder and CEO of The Path, a community dedicated to bringing meditation into the mainstream.

Find Support

Ada Chen, Founder and CEO of Chuan Skincare

My experience as a solo founder: A surprising benefit of being a solo founder is that I've been able to cultivate my own network of experts and advisers. These experts share their thoughts and experience on various topics and have helped me learn and grow. Having this network has helped me gain the knowledge and skills I need to continue to elevate my business.

My advice: Know your strengths and weaknesses, and know when to ask for help. It's OK to not do it all yourself. Recognizing when you need assistance will make you a more effective solo founder.

- Ada Chen, Founder and CEO of Chuan Skincare, an affordable, handcrafted natural skincare line.

Danielle Letayf, CEO and Founder of Badassery

My experience as a solo founder: I've learned to be really decisive. Being indecisive was one of my weaknesses before I became a founder. When running an entire company on my own, my indecisiveness had to change to move my business forward quickly. I learned to fully trust myself and forgive myself for the less-than-ideal decisions I've made.

My advice: Remember: solo doesn't mean alone. Make sure you have an official or unofficial crew supporting you every step of the way.


- Danielle Letayf, CEO and Founder of Badassery, a platform for event organizers to find their perfect public speaker.

Alison Gilbert, Founder of The Big Whisper

My experience as a solo founder: A benefit of being a solo founder is that I'm able to set the pace of how my business evolves and allow my ideas the space and time they need to ripen organically. And the surprising benefit of waiting for ideas to ripen is that it also creates space for me to grow and evolve personally. I find that waiting for ideas to be ready grows my capacity for patience and trust—in myself, the process, and the unknown.

My advice: While there can be benefits of being a solo founder, we can go farther together. Be intentional about nurturing a "co-building" team who will hold space for you to talk things out, provide resources and guidance, and be a source of inspiration and motivation.


- Alison Gilbert, Founder of The Big Whisper, a platform dedicated to helping women build healthy businesses.

Get Involved In A Community

Lauren Foundos, CEO of FORTË

My experience as a solo founder: A huge benefit to being a solo founder is that it's easy to make hard decisions because you are the sole decider of the company's fate. A major pitfall to this benefit is that founding a company is a marathon and not a sprint—meaning you have to navigate a very long journey on your own, which at times is difficult and can be lonely.

My advice: Surround yourself with support ranging from family and friends to mentors, and other founders who can relate to you. Until you have a great team to work with, you should have a strong support network while you embark on the journey of a lifetime.

- Lauren Foundos, CEO of FORTË, an end-to-end live and on-demand streaming solution for gyms and fitness studios.

Lis Best, Founder and CEO of Lis Best Coaching for Impact

My experience as a solo founder: It can be challenging to remember to celebrate all the wins and milestones that are happening in my business when I don't have people to share them with. Entrepreneurship can be a bumpy ride, and sometimes you can only truly see your success when you zoom out and look at where you were last month or last year.

My advice: Find ways to create community and accountability. Entrepreneurship can be lonely, and it can be so helpful to have standing commitments to connect with other people. I've joined masterminds, standing group calls, and even a coven to give myself some structure and expand my extended team.

- Lis Best, Founder and CEO of Lis Best Coaching for Impact, executive coaching for women

Take Risks

Yewande Faloyin, Founder and CEO of OTITỌ Leadership Coaching & Consulting

My experience as a solo founder: The most surprising benefit of being a solo founder is being able to create what I want, how I want it—not just in my business but in my life.

My advice: Throw out the rule book. As with everything in life, there will be moments of triumph and moments of difficulty. But ultimately, it's all in your hands.

- Yewande Faloyin, Founder and CEO of OTITỌ Leadership Coaching & Consulting, an organization that coaches high-achievers and ambitious entrepreneurial leaders.

Kristine Locker, Founder of LOCKER

My experience as a solo founder: I started LOCKER with the intention and hopefulness of finding that person who would be a perfect fit as my co-founder. As I began to build LOCKER, I realized not having a co-founder allowed me the flexibility to create the exact product I envisioned and pivot quickly.

My advice: Going at it alone is better than not going at it at all. It's also better than going at it with a bad co-founder, so don't be afraid of starting your dream company solo.

- Kristine Locker, Founder of LOCKER, a Chrome extension and social shopping platform.

Get Feedback

Rachel Berkey, Founder and CEO of Thimble Collection

My experience as a solo founder: It can be really difficult to not have a built-in sounding board as you think through decisions and challenges, particularly if you're someone who likes to talk things out. You have to go out of your way to create a community of trusted advisors who you can turn to, both for the big and small things.

My advice: Get as much feedback as possible from those who know what your blind spots and weaknesses are, so you can work around them through hiring and outsourcing.

- Rachel Berkey, Founder and CEO of Thimble Collection, a children's clothing company.

Sydney Petite, Chief Strategy Officer at Royal Street Agency

My experience as a solo founder: The solo route guarantees that your vision will be executed with you in the driver's seat. Of course, that comes with isolation at times, and it can be lonely. There is also an energy that comes with collaboration that extroverted solo founders will need to seek elsewhere.

My advice: Be very conscious about who you share your ideas with in the beginning. Make sure they are mentors or professionals who can offer constructive advice to help you navigate those early stages and flush out your ideas.


- Sydney Petite, Chief Strategy Officer at Royal Street Agency, a diverse team of professionals focused on elevating brands.

Trust Yourself

Kimone Napier, Founder of Kimone Napier Consulting

My experience as a solo founder: As a solo founder, you have total control over your business, which means you don't have to run your decisions by anyone. There is a beauty in truly being answerable only to yourself.

My advice: Get immediately clear on your company mission and purpose. It can be easy to second guess all your ideas and thoughts. Making sure they relate back to your purpose will help you avoid a lot of pitfalls.

- Kimone Napier, Founder of Kimone Napier Consulting, an organization that helps business owners hire their dream team.

Ashli Weiss, Attorney at Weiss Law LLP,

My experience as a solo founder: A surprising benefit of being a solo founder is having the ability to create a workplace culture. The emotions and behaviors I portray shape the cultural characteristics of my practice. With client service permeating everything I do, I am able to bolster client happiness, productivity, and retention rate.

My advice: You are your company's leader. Emotions are contagious. This is especially true when the culture is coming from leadership.

- Ashli Weiss, Attorney at Weiss Law LLP, a law firm helping companies propel their businesses.

Chithra Durgam, Founder of Blue Check Skill

My experience as a solo founder: When I initiated my business as a solo founder, trying to manage being a mother with my responsibilities at work was a huge challenge. There were times I brought my children to work and felt extremely guilty. I realized over time that being a mother allowed me to better manage my time and provide empathy to my patients when they were facing hardship.

My advice: Remember your work purpose. Stay focused and don't be afraid to ask for help. The greatest rewards from work come from staying focused on work-life harmony, not work-life balance.

- Chithra Durgam, Founder of Blue Check Skill, a company that works with celebrities and large brands to monetize their owned content through Amazon Alexa voice skills.

Katherine Sprung, Host of Sprung On Food

My experience as a solo founder: A benefit to being a solo founder is that you're in charge of getting to make the decisions. A pitfall is that you're in charge of getting to make the decisions. It can be challenging not having a business partner to consult with and to be the one responsible for all the high-level decisions in your business. But you'll also never have an argument or disagreement when it comes to the decision-making.

My advice: Being a solo founder requires an elevated level of independence and self-motivation. You need to be able to hold yourself accountable and work well independently.


- Katherine Sprung, Host of Sprung On Food, a web series highlighting food and beverage businesses.

Morgaine Trine, Owner of Honestly Bookkeeping

My experience as a solo founder: The surprising benefit of being a solo founder is that my confidence has grown exponentially. When you don't have anyone else making the important decisions, all the success is because of you. It's incredibly gratifying to know your decisions were the right move.

My advice: Trust your gut. You know more than you think you do.


- Morgaine Trine, Owner of Honestly Bookkeeping, allowing owners to make informed decisions about their business and build security.

Katharine McKee, Founder and CEO of Morphology Consulting

My experience as a solo founder: There is something freeing about having all of the bucks stop with you. Any decision, good or bad, falls to you. That is, of course, a double-edged sword. If you have no one to double-check with, you may be sprinting in the wrong direction.

My advice: Confidence is key here. You need to be deep in the details of your idea to be able to make good decisions quickly without subject matter experts around you. Get very close to your data. Then take several steps back and get familiar with the broad landscape. Most of us are naturally better at one way of thinking, but you need both to get your idea off the ground.


- Katharine McKee, Founder and CEO of Morphology Consulting, a digital commerce consultancy.

Lauren Richardson, Founder and CEO of Radiance & Romance

My experience as a solo founder: A surprising benefit of being a solo founder is that I've learned to take better care of myself. Going at it alone is overwhelming, to say the least. There's no one to ask for advice and any failure feels personal. Being a perfectionist and my harshest critic means nothing is ever good enough. But with this attitude, I could always feel myself burning out to the point of not being able to function. I've had to learn to make smaller, more realistic goals and prioritize not just the most important tasks for growth, but also my own mental health.

My advice: You have to shift your mindset from feeling like you have to do it all to determining the most important areas to focus on. Finding the balance between what you and your business needs will allow you to find success as a solo founder.

- Lauren Richardson, Founder and CEO of Radiance & Romance, a line of custom art jewelry.

What advice for business entrepreneurship resonates most for you? Do you have advice you want to share? Tweet us @BritandCo and tell us!

All individuals featured in this article are members of Dreamers & Doers, an award-winning community and diverse ecosystem amplifying extraordinary entrepreneurial women through PR opportunities, authentic connection, and high-impact resources. Learn more about Dreamers & Doers and subscribe to its monthly The Digest for top entrepreneurial and career resources.

An Aldi fan on Reddit recently compared the cost of their grocery list at Aldi to several major stores, and we’re absolutely floored by the results. One of our favorite places to go even ended up being 71% more expensive than Aldi – yikes!But in this economy, we can believe it.

Of course, if we're talking about grocery stores, we can’t forget to mention Trader Joe’s! Not only do we love TJ’s for their notoriously quirky vibe and fun new finds, we opt to shop there because it’s seemingly affordable (keyword here being seemingly).

We calculated the cost of a similar grocery list at Trader Joe’s to the Aldi’s one on Reddit, and the final tally was a bit… shocking.

Scroll on to see which retailer wins for affordability in the Trader Joe’s vs. Aldi debate!

Aldi

The original poster on Reddit, an Aldi fan for sure, totaled up a basic grocery list consisting of 22 items from Aldi and concluded: “All I can say is, wow. I know I’m preaching to the choir here but these savings are insane.”

Whole Foods

The Redditor also provided grocery list totals for several other popular grocery stores to compare the Aldi list to. They also made sure to note that they get their grocery shopping done in the Chicagoland area, so that could definitely explain why the numbers may be a little different where you live. Knowing that, here’s what they came up with:

  • Aldi: $60.40
  • Walmart: $74.80 (24% higher)
  • Jewel: $83.90 (39% higher)
  • Whole Foods: $103.51 (71% higher)

Reddit

We did the heavy lifting and concocted a similar grocery list for Trader Joe’s. For reference, see the Aldi bill above, and the TJ’s bill in the bullet points below:

The Trader Joe's List

  1. Tiny Fruity Cuties Cereal (like Fruit Loops) $3.99
  2. Everything but the Bagel Seasoned Crackers (This was the most similar TJ’s product to Aldi’s cheese crackers we could find, plus most of TJ’s crackers average around $2.99 anyways.) $2.99
  3. Saltines (TJ’s no longer sells their version of saltines, but according to one Redditor, they were $1.99.) $1.99
  4. Avocado oil$7.99 (Two more dollars than Aldi!)
  5. Organic black beans $1.19
  6. Unscented deodorant $4.99
  7. Brownie Truffle Baking Mix $3.97 (Two more dollars than Aldi!)
  8. Romaine hearts (We weren't able to find an organic option listed on TJ’s site.) $2.99
  9. Large eggs $4.99
  10. Multicolor peppers (Only organic is listed on TJ’s site.) $2.99
  11. Green peppers (Only red organic peppers are listed on TJ’s site.) $3.99
  12. Seedless cucumber (The only comparable option TJ’s has for the Aldi’s list above is the Persian cucumbers.) $2.49
  13. Mild cheddar cheese (The only comparable option TJ’s has for the Aldi list above is the Shredded Unexpected Cheddar Cheese.) $4.99
  14. Cilantro (This isn’t listed on TJ’s site, but they do sell it in-store. Various sources report different prices for cilantro. Abillion forums say it’s $1.29, but Taste of Home reports $1.99. We're averaging the two for a final item price.) $1.64
  15. Tuna pouch $1.79
  16. Hummus (Only organic is listed on TJ’s site.) $2.99
  17. Yellow onion (Assuming 1 since the quantity isn't clear in the Aldi list above.) $0.99
  18. Red onion (Assuming 1 since the quantity isn't clear in the Aldi list above. TJ’s doesn’t have red onion listed on their site, so we're also assuming it’s a similar price to their yellow onion.) $0.99
  19. Carrots (Assuming 1 since the quantity isn't clear in the Aldi list above. Only organic is listed on TJ’s site.) $2.49
  20. Avocados(Pack of 4, like Aldi.) $5.99
  21. Celery (TJ’s doesn't have celery listed on their site, but they do sell it in-store. For this comparison, we're assuming it’s the same price as Aldi’s celery.) $1.69
  22. Potato chips (TJ’s doesn't have baked chips like Aldi does, so we went with the most basic potato chip option to compare, the Ridge Cut Potato Chips with Sea Salt.) $3.99

Aldi vs. Trader Joe's: The Price Comparison

Trader Joe's

Aldi’s total came to $58.75 without tax, while the Trader Joe’s total ended up clocking in at $68.14 without tax for (mostly) similar items on the Aldi list. That means that TJ’s only came to cost $9.39 more than Aldi for a very comparable haul. 🤔

Aldi

So, who really wins the Aldi vs. Trader Joe’s debate? If you were to measure it solely by the numbers, it’d be Aldi – though the margins aren’t as big as they are at, say, Whole Foods (71% more, remember?!) or drastically big in general.

Aldi vs. Trader Joe's: Who's The Winner?

Trader Joe's

Both Aldi and Trader Joe's definitely have their respective charms. While Aldi boasts a fan-favorite ‘aisle of shame’ and a streamlined store design, Trader Joe’s never stops the flow of fun, new products that keep fans in a chokehold. If you’re set on choosing a clear winner, we say go with your heart – going off of this basic comparison, you’ll honestly end up spending a similar amount of money shopping at Aldi vs. Trader Joe’s.

Do you have a favorite grocery store? Let us know in the comments and make sure to subscribe to our newsletter for more news from your go-to grocery stores!

Looks like it's time for a Dunkin' run, because the chain just added even more goodies to their spring menu! The first part of the Dunkin' spring menu dropped last month with the “highly requested” return of both the Dunkalatte and Pistachio Coffee. This time around, Dunkin's introducing a brand-new energy drink flavor (that truly rivals one of Starbucks' new items) alongside three sweet bites.

Scroll on to see the full Dunkin’ spring menu, including the new 'part 2' drop!

Surprise! Here's What's On 'The Part 2' Dunkin' Spring Menu

Dunkin'

NEW! Arctic Cherry Dunkin’ Energy

Coming up on the first anniversary of Dunkin's energy drinks, this new flavor brings forth sweet and tart notes of cherry alongside blueberry and grapefruit. Each sip is slightly sparkling and said to supply a "revitalizing burst" of energy. Per the name, this drink also comes complete with a kick of caffeine!

Dunkin'

NEW! Blueberry Sprinkle MUNCHKINS

These lil' donut hole treats are dotted with blueberries on the inside and coated with some bright blue sprinkles on the outside, which taste just as good as they look.

Dunkin'

NEW! Spring MUNCHKINS Bucket

You'll be able to order this big bucket full of Dunkin' MUNCHKINS starting April 2, too. It comes with a 50-count assortment of flavors, including the all-new Blueberry Sprinkle option.

Dunkin'

NEW! Cotton Candy Specialty Donut

Sweet on sweet! This new donut from Dunkin features a cotton candy-flavored buttercreme filling, a strawberry icing on top, and plenty of blue sprinkles to go around.

2 "Fan-Fave" Drinks Return To The Dunkin' Spring Menu

Dunkin'

Dunkalatte

After selling out last fall, the "highly-requested" Dunkalatte returned to the Dunkin' spring menu! Crafted with rich coffee milk, the latte (that truly tastes like a milkshake) also boasts shots of espresso that make it totally charged with caffeine. Dunkin' called it an "instant sellout," which is all the more reason to give it a try. You can order this baby iced or hot.

Dunkin'

Pistachio Coffee

Another Dunkin' fan-favorite, the Pistachio Coffee, has also made its return to the spring menu! This nutty coffee flavor first debuted in 2018, and I've been dreaming about it ever since. It's made with a "subtly sweet" pistachio syrup and Dunkin's Original Blend coffee for a satisfying sip. It's also orderable iced or hot.

More Drinks On The Dunkin' Spring Menu

Dunkin'

Brown Sugar Shakin’ Espresso

This Sabrina Carpenter-approved sip will thankfully stay on the Dunkin' menu. It boasts an icy, shaken mix of "bold" espresso, brown sugar, and oat milk.

Dunkin'

Raspberry Watermelon Dunkin’ Refresher

With notes of raspberry and watermelon, this Refresher is the perfect springtime sipper! You'll have a choice of mixing it with either green tea or lemonade this season.

New Dunkin' Snack Alert!

Dunkin'

Ham & Swiss Pretzel Sliders

Sound the alarms! There's an all-new breakfast snack on the Dunkin' spring menu this go-around. Featuring King's Hawaiian Pretzel Slider Buns, these sliders are stacked up with Black Forest ham, honey mustard, and Swiss cheese. There are two sliders per box, so you can easily snack away.

Dunkin' Snacks Returning (For A Limited Time!)

Dunkin'

Sweet Black Pepper Bacon

The Sweet Black Pepper Bacon will also be available at Dunkin' (for a limited time!) this season, available as a Breakfast Sandwich, Wake Up Wrap, or just the plain Snackin’ Bacon.

Dunkin'

Chicken & Bacon Croissant Stuffer

Just when I was missing chicken-filled breakfast options at Dunkin', the Chicken & Bacon Croissant Stuffer returns to the spring menu! Available for a limited time, this flaky pastry is stuffed with chicken, bacon, and Colby Jack cheese.

Don't Miss Out On The $6 Meal Deal

Dunkin'

The greatness of the famed Dunkin' $6 Meal Deal continues! For just $6, this bundle includes a medium (14-ounces) hot or iced coffee, a Sausage, Egg & Cheese breakfast sandwich, and hash browns. Deal? More like a steal!

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This post has been updated.

Millions of people are painfully aware of the struggles that come with being an adult in today's economy (hello, cost of eggs?!).

The average salary in the United States is just over $66,600, according to data from the Social Security Administration. Meanwhile, mortgage rates are still above 6%, and food prices have risen a whopping 31% since 2019.

Being able to afford outings like date nights or brand-name clothing, let alone going on family vacations or buying a home, has become a privilege. But, for people who grew up in affluent households that didn't have to worry about finances, privilege can be an invisible force that shapes their lives in ways they don't even realize.

When you grow up surrounded by other individuals just like you, it's easy to assume that everyone has the same opportunities. However, once you venture outside your "bubble," you might experience a wake-up call or a defining moment that opens your eyes to the disparities that exist beyond your own upbringing.

So, people who grew up wealthy recently took to Reddit to share their own personal wake-up calls, which made them realize just how privileged they were compared to others. Here are 10 of the most intriguing revelations.

Scroll to see the wake-up calls that made these wealthy people finally see the real world...

1. Not everyone's parents can put them through college. 

"My parents are wealthy, but I grew up in a place where many of my peers' parents were super, duper, crazy wealthy, so I had a skewed understanding of wealth," shared one user.

"It was really eye-opening for me when I went to college. I didn't have to take out student loans; my parents were able to just pay for it. But I had friends who, even with financial aid, had to work their [behinds] off year-round to cover the cost of school. I realized pretty quickly just how privileged I was and that I did, in fact, grow up with wealth."

2. Country clubs aren't the only kind of "clubs" out there. 

"When I was confused about people on Maury complaining their spouse was at 'the club,' and I couldn't figure out what type of country club would let people like that through the front security gate," admitted another user.

3. Not everyone views their parents as good role models. 

"Becoming an adult and realizing that I have extremely good role models as parents because when they have disagreements, they talk them out, and I have never, ever, heard them argue or badmouth each other," one user revealed.

"I also realized that as a kid, my parents got me mental health help that I needed even though it was expensive and continued that care for as long as I have needed it," they added.

"A third [wake-up call] that doesn't seem like much but has had a huge impact was being taught financial literacy from a young age; to budget my money and only buy the things I really, really want."

4. Many people have never left the country.  

"My parents loved to travel. By the time I was 16, I had been to every continent aside from Antarctica. I didn't realize that this was privileged behavior until I went to university, and most of the guys I met had never left the country," a user shared.

"In fact, I grew up thinking I was less privileged because everyone at my school was just obscenely rich. Like, all their stuff was high-end designer stuff while I was in Converse."

5. Some families cannot afford to have pets. 

"My dad was an engineer, so professional wealth, but... probably hearing about a kid whose family had to give his dog away due to the cost in elementary school," another user remembered.

"Giving away our dog wasn't on the radar or even on the table. But it was only out of the question because my parents had the money for it to be out of the question."

6. Owning multiple properties is not the norm. 

"When I learned that not everyone has a summer cottage or trust fund, and not all grandparents have weekend and summer homes," a user noted.

7. Exposure to cultural education isn't a given. 

"I didn't think I grew up in a wealthy family, but when I started high school, I was part of a group of girls who became close friends with me. Apparently, they thought it was very weird that I knew things that I considered cultural knowledge, like the history of some important building in the city or the fact that I actually knew about art and went to museums quite often," detailed a user.

"All this because my parents made me go to museums and theaters my whole life growing up. Apparently, that's not a normal thing for normal parents to do with their kids, and asking your parents if they can take you to the ballet is not something a teenager would normally ask."

8. Some people have never been able to fill up their tanks at the gas station. 

"In college, I went on a road trip with friends, and one asked how much money he should put in the gas tank. I told him to fill it up," recalled a user.

"He kept asking, 'Okay, how much should I pay?' and I kept saying, 'Fill it up!' It turned out he had only ever put $10 to $15 at a time, and it had never occurred to me that some people never fill their gas tanks to the top."

9. Seeing how families abroad make do.

"I realized how privileged I was when I spent a summer with my great-grandmother in a small village in rural Hungary. No indoor running water, the only phone was at the church, and everyone came out to touch the rental car we drove there in. This was in the late 1980s," recalled a user.

10. Learning that not everyone takes their first flight as a child.

"I have been flying around the world since I was 4 months old. When I was 16, my friend told me she'd fly for the first time in an airplane, and I was shocked," said another user.

"I told my dad that I couldn't believe it took her 16 years to fly! I got a stern talk after; my dad is very humble despite it all."

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This post was updated.

No films today can quite measure up to old school Western movies, which transport audiences back to a time of dusty plains, rugged landscapes, and larger-than-life heroes.

These timeless classics, which were often set in the wild frontier of the American West, have helped shape much of modern filmmaking and continue to influence storytelling today.

That's why old school Western movies are more than just a genre; they're a piece of Hollywood history. Here are eight of the most iconic films that still deserve to be rewatched today.

Scroll to see all the old school Western movies you should definitely watch!

Stanley Cramer Productions

1. High Noon (1952)

High Noon, which came out in 1952, depicted themes of duty, loneliness, and moral courage. It followed lawman Will Kane, played by Gary Cooper, who intends to retire and start a new life after tying the knot with his wife, Amy.

However, his plans are derailed when he learns that a dangerous outlaw named Frank Miller is returning to town to get revenge. Will has to decide whether to flee or face Frank himself.

The movie builds a sense of urgency and isolation, as well as provides commentary on the nature of heroism, showing how even people who claim they stand for justice can fold when confronted with personal risk.

Warner Brothers Entertainment

2. The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948)

In 1948, The Treasure of the Sierra Madre followed two down-on-their-luck oil workers, Dobbs and Curtin, who team up with a miner named Howard to search for gold in the Sierra Madre mountains. Yet, after they literally strike gold, paranoia creeps in, and the group's bond starts to unravel.

While this film is a classic Western, it also doubles as a psychological thriller and features a lot of unexpected twists that will capture the attention of even modern viewers.

20th Century Studios

3. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)

Paul Newman plays Butch Cassidy in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, the leader of a group of bank robbers. Meanwhile, the Sundance Kid, portrayed by Robert Redford, is Butch's loyal partner, and together, their lives get tougher as banks become increasingly harder to rob.

So, they turn to train heists, but even though the new scheme is successful at first, it soon leads to deadly consequences. They become the most wanted men in the West and get caught up in thrilling escapes and shootouts.

20th Century Fox

4. The Gunfighter (1950)

Released in 1950, The Gunfighter provided a fresh take on the classic Western hero. Gregory Peck starred as Jimmy Ringo, a notorious gunfighter who returned to the town of Cayenne to reconnect with his estranged wife and son.

But since his reputation precedes him, Ringo finds himself facing some people who want revenge and others who wish to make a name for themselves by killing him.

The plotline offers a more somber view of the consequences of being a gunfighter, which challenges the glorified image of the Western hero.

United Artists

5. Stagecoach (1939)

Stagecoach follows a group of passengers aboard a stagecoach, one of whom is Ringo Kid, played by John Wayne. Ringo is an escaped convict who wants revenge for the murders of his family members.

It's true that the movie's portrayal of Native Americans is outdated today. Nonetheless, Stagecoach marked a significant moment in John Wayne's career and remains a popular favorite among Western enthusiasts.

Paramount Pictures

6. Shane (1953)

Shane tells the story of a mysterious drifter named Shane, played by Alan Ladd, who gets involved with two homesteaders, Joe and Marian, as they face harassment from a land developer. After the developer's intimidation tactics get more violent, Shane decides to stay with Joe and Marian's family to protect them.

This film defined the archetype of a strong anti-hero, with a main conflict of violence versus the desire for peace. It also has beautiful cinematography.

United Artists

7. The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (1966)

Unfolding against the backdrop of the American Civil War, The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly follows three men who get tied up in a race to discover $200,000 buried in gold.

A bounty hunter, a convict, and a mercenary each hold a piece of the puzzle, but none of them has all the information they need to pinpoint the treasure. So, despite their ruthlessness, there are some moments of cooperation that arise out of necessity and set the stage for a showdown.

Clint Eastwood, who portrays the bounty hunter, delivered a poignant performance, as did Eli Wallach and Lee Van Cleef.

20th Century Fox

8. My Darling Clementine (1946)

Finally, My Darling Clementine, directed by John Ford, portrays the famous events surrounding the O.K. Corral shootout. It centers on Wyatt Earp, played by Henry Fonda, who becomes the Marshal after the brutal killing of his younger brother James.

Spoiler alert: Wyatt ultimately learns that one of the Clanton brothers was responsible for James' death. This leads to the legendary gunfight at the O.K. Corral.

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The Summer I Turned Pretty fans, we finally have an update on our favorite show! Prime Video just announced that season 3, starring Lola Tung, Christopher Briney, and Gavin Casalegno will be coming in July — and that this season (which has 3 extra episodes, FYI!) will be the show's final season. But while fans weren't too surprised by the announcement (Jenny Han only wrote three books, after all), there's one detail of the official season 3 poster that has TV fans in a tizzy.

Keep reading for a breakdown of the craziest The Summer I Turned Pretty season 3 theory yet — and don't forget to check out the first look images!

'The Summer I Turned Pretty' fans can't wait to return to Cousins

The official TSITP account posted the poster for season 3 on March 7, confirming the next episodes were dropping in July. "Summer is just a season away," the caption reads. "The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3 premieres this July on Prime Video."

And fans immediately flooded the comments cheering for Team Conrad or Team Jeremiah. While some users admitted they were already "crying," others range from "Prepares to defend Conrad for one last summer" to "WHERE ARE ALL THE JELLY SUPPORTERS COME ON GUYS WE NEED TO STAND UP FOR WHATS RIGHT." And even a very passionate, "If she doesn’t end up with Conrad this will go down as the worst show ever because I’LL NEVER GET OVER IT."

Even Spotify's Instagram picked a side by commenting, "team conrad we have WAITED for this day."

But some eagle-eyed fans picked up on one detail about the poster that's different than season 1 and 2: Belly's by herself.

@thesummeriturnedpretty

We'll always have summer ☀️

♬ original sound - the summer i turned pretty

While the poster for The Summer I Turned Pretty season 1 features Belly, Conrad, and Jeremiah with the summer house in the background, and the main poster for season 2 features the trio sitting on the beach, The Summer I Turned Pretty season 3 poster features Belly standing by herself in front of a bush of hydrangeas. Because, y'all, Belly is in bloom.

She's not the same girl she was at the start of the series — and even if she still has a ton of questions about life (don't we all?) she has way more confidence. She's not lost.

And could the fact Belly stands alone on the poster be a clue to the end of the series? "this poster screams belly choosing herself in the end and I’m all here for it!" one X user tweeted.

@_cooper_koch_ The summer I turned pretty season 3 Belly and Conrad 😍 #foryou#pourtoi#fyp#edit#tiktok#viral#thesummeriturnedpretty#belly#conradfisher @Christopher Briney ♬ Gorgeous - Taylor Swift

Although I will point out Belly's yellow dress actually made its rounds on social media last year when videos of Lola Tung and Christopher Briney filming together went viral. So we'll have to tune in this July to figure out who Belly ends up with for sure ;).

Meet The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3 Cast before it premieres on Prime Video in July 2025!