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Tag: Small business

  • A guide to

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    ‘Tis the season for holiday gift guides. You know, the ones that suggest 31 fish gifts for your fish-obsessed friends. They’re everywhere this time of year, though nowhere quite as surprising as a seemingly run-of-the-mill office in Washington, D.C.

    “I will candidly admit that when we started this a dozen years ago, I thought it was a fun thing to do,” said Scott Paul, president of the Alliance for American Manufacturing, a trade advocacy and lobbying group that works to strengthen manufacturing in the U.S. “It’s just a break from talking about tariffs and policy and regulation. And so, the gift guide was kind of like a whimsical thing. It’s grown into something much larger than that.”

    Unlike other holiday gift guides, theirs features only products made in America, from cowboy hat racks made in Wyoming, to giant stuffed animals from South Carolina. The list includes more than 150 companies from all 50 states.

    And it’s a very big deal for the companies included. “It can be very uplifting to some of these companies, because some are like, how did you find us?” Paul laughed. 

    As a proud Marylander, Shelby Blondell dreamed of a better way to dig into the state’s official unofficial cuisine. The result? The Sheller. Her small business, in a quiet Baltimore suburb, is a labor of love that is keeping manufacturing close to home.

    “All along, I even had a lot of people when I was, you know, creating it saying like, ‘You should just be making this overseas, you’ll make so much more money,’” Blondell said. “And money’s great. We need money to live. But you know, the cost of what that would’ve been didn’t seem to outweigh kind of that value in my mind of wanting to have this be made here.”

    The Sheller, produced by Shelby Blondell in her Baltimore suburb, is a multi-purpose tool for digging into shellfish.

    CBS News


    Value like partnering with a local fabricator that uses American steel, which means the Sheller has avoided the sting of recent tariffs. “If I would’ve been hit with tariffs of making this overseas somewhere right now, I don’t know that I could still be in business,” Blondell said.

    This gift guide knows that your pets, of course, deserve stocking stuffers as well, and it suggests Cycle Dog in Portland, Oregon. For 16 years, founder Lynette Fidrych and her team have been recycling bicycle tire inner tubes to make leashes and collars. And yes, this collar does have a bottle opener. “Portland is known for biking, beer, sustainability, and dogs,” Fidrych laughed.

    A former Nike employee, Fidrych now employs about 30 workers at her Portland factory. “Made in America” means higher labor cost, and sometimes higher price tags. But to her, it also means higher quality. “We make a product and we put it in the dog run and have a hundred dogs play with it,” she said. “And so, when we sell this toy, we’re like, yeah, it’s gonna last.

    “Most people assume that plush toys are made in China, even my retailers,” she said. “And I’m like, ‘No, we hand-make these here in the U.S. There’s a flag on the tag.”

    cycle-dog.jpg

    Cycle Dog, in Portland, Ore., recycles bicycle tire inner tubes to make leashes and collars. And yes, the collar does feature a handy bottle opener. 

    CBS News


    Meanwhile, back in D.C., Scott Paul is actually pretty easy to shop for: his shirt, made in New Jersey; his belt, made out of American leather; his shoes, from Meridian, Mississippi. 

    For those of us still scrambling for a last-minute gift, Paul says to look close to home, and to start with the guide that brings not just holiday cheer, but maybe a little American pride.

    “No one needs to say, ‘Everything I have to own or buy has to be made in the United States’; that doesn’t do anybody any favors, and it’s really hard to pull off,” he said. However, “If you can’t find one thing that looks really cool and is also affordable on our gift guide, I would be shocked. Try it once, the odds are you’re gonna come back and want more.”

         
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    Story produced by David Rothman. Editor: Jason Schmidt. 

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  • Twin Cities Latino, Somali businesses struggling amid ICE’s Operation Metro Surge: “What did we do?”

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    Some members of the Twin Cities’ immigrant community say Operation Metro Surge is not only striking fear in the Latino and Somali communities, but it’s also harming their small businesses.

    At Plaza Mexico on Lake Street, the tables are empty and certain stalls are closed. There are businesses with the lights off because employees were detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in just the past few weeks. 

    “Why do they hate us so much?” Gladys Ramos asked through tears. 

    Ramos is one of several store operators inside the sprawling Plaza Mexico on East Lake Street and Fifth Avenue. She sells everything from teddy bears to speakers. As she showed WCCO her inventory, she could barely keep from crying, concerned that she was going to lose her business as people stayed home to avoid getting swept up in the operation. 

    “What did I do to deserve so much hate to us? What did we do? We just work, we just contribute to this country. What did we do?” Ramos said. 

    Daniel Hernandez, who owns and operates Colonial Market and Restaurant on East Lake Street and 21st Avenue South, said that there are hundreds of stories similar to his along Lake Street. The corridor is enriched by both Latino and Somali businesses, communities that share concerns about the operation. 

    While there have been high-profile clashes with protesters, Daniel Hernandez said that many people are getting detained quickly and somewhat quietly on the sidewalk on Lake Street. 

    “They are snatching people from the streets,” he said. “Many people say, ‘Oh, they’re fearful because they don’t have papers.’ That is not correct. They’re fearful because they are Latinos being targeted by ICE.” 

    Data shows that from Jan. 20 to Oct. 15, ICE arrested 1,694 people in Minnesota. Since the federal agency’s escalated operation began last week, the agency said its arrested more than 400 people.

    WCCO has reached out to ICE for comment on recent operations and has not heard back.     

    Daniel Hernandez said that the struggle on Lake Street will soon have ripple effects. He said that business owners and employees in the area are not only paying taxes, they’re also paying other businesses throughout Minnesota to supply them with meat and other products. 

    “It’s not so much about getting the worst of the worst. They are getting anybody. They are grabbing anybody who doesn’t look white,” Daniel Hernandez said. 

    The Colonial owner said he’s preparing to deliver groceries to people afraid to leave their homes. Ramiro Hernandez, the owner of Bymore Supermercado in St. Paul, Minnesota, is doing the same, free of charge. 

    “This is not a time to make money, this is a time just to survive,” Ramiro Hernandez said. “There are a lot of stories, painful ones that hurt my heart.”

    The St. Paul store is delivering to dozens of people per day.



    St. Pau business owner delivers food amid fears of ICE operations

    02:23

    Bymore Supermercado has been around for 25 years, and has been a regular spot for residents in the area. On Dec. 5, store employees noticed a sharp drop in foot traffic. 

    “A quarter of people came out to shop,” Vanessa Machuca said. “The fear is real. It feels unreal, but it’s real. People are really scared.”

    Bymore Supermercado is open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. 

    The Minnesota chapter of the Council for American-Islamic Relations has organized a day of action on Saturday for Somali businesses in Minneapolis’ Cedar-Riverside neighborhood.

    “We encourage folks to patronize the business, to learn about the community,” Jaylani Hussein, the council’s executive director, said. “And this will send a strong message to Minnesotans and all of us that our neighbors are going to come visit us, our neighbors are going to be available, and most importantly, to also help the businesses that have been significantly impacted.”

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    Conor Wight

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  • Making the most of Small Business Saturday

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    Making the most of Small Business Saturday – CBS News









































    Watch CBS News



    Black Friday may be over, but the great deals are continuing on Small Business Saturday. “CBS Saturday Morning” explores how you can save money while supporting small brands.

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  • How to transform burnout to breakthrough

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    The modern workplace runs on a dangerous myth: that constant motion equals maximum productivity. We’ve built entire corporate cultures around this fallacy, glorifying the “always on” mentality while our teams quietly unravel. The result? A burnout crisis that’s costing companies billions in turnover, absenteeism, and lost innovation.

    But here’s what the data—and our own exhausted bodies—are trying to tell us: emotional recovery isn’t a luxury. It’s the most strategic investment a leader can make.

    The Real Cost of Running on Empty

    Burnout isn’t just about feeling tired. It’s a systematic depletion that manifests as cynicism, detachment, and plummeting professional efficacy. When leaders and teams operate without adequate recovery, they’re not just less productive—they’re fundamentally less capable of the creative thinking and empathetic connection that drives innovation.

    The science is clear: failing to detach from work triggers rumination, which prevents the replenishment of our cognitive and emotional resources. It’s like trying to run a marathon on an empty tank—eventually, the system fails. And when it does, the costs are staggering: disengaged teams, toxic cultures, and the loss of top talent who refuse to sacrifice their well-being for outdated notions of “commitment.”

    Enter Move. Think. Rest: Your Operating System for Human Sustainability

    The move, think, rest, or MTR framework I developed—pronounced “motor”—offers a refreshingly simple yet scientifically grounded approach to emotional recovery. The MTR framework recognizes that our bodies and minds operate as an integrated system, where physical movement, cognitive engagement, and intentional rest work together to create resilience.

    Here’s how each element powers recovery:

    Movement recalibrates your system. Physical activity doesn’t just burn off stress—it fundamentally changes your biochemistry. Exercise reduces cortisol while flooding your system with mood-enhancing endorphins. But this isn’t about mandatory gym memberships or corporate fitness challenges. It’s about recognizing that even simple movement—a walk around the block, stretching between meetings, taking the stairs instead of the elevator—helps reset our nervous system and prepares us for deeper rest.

    Thought creates internal space. Reflection and mindfulness aren’t just wellness buzzwords—they’re tools for strengthening attention and emotional regulation. When we create space for intentional thinking, we develop the self-awareness needed to recognize depletion before it becomes a crisis. This cognitive recovery is where insights emerge and where we reconnect with the purpose that initially drew us to our work.

    Rest is where integration happens. Here’s the counterintuitive truth: some of our most productive work happens when we’re doing nothing. Rest provides the liminal space where our minds process, integrate, and make connections that conscious effort can’t force. It’s not laziness—it’s essential maintenance. Sometimes doing less really is doing better.

    From Surviving to Flourishing

    The goal of MTR isn’t just to prevent burnout—it’s to enable flourishing. This is the state where productivity becomes a natural byproduct of being fully engaged and authentically yourself. It’s where innovation thrives, where teams genuinely collaborate, and where the “unlimited potential of the Imagination Era” actually becomes accessible.

    This shift from survival to flourishing isn’t just good for employees, it’s also a competitive advantage. In an AI-driven economy where routine tasks are increasingly automated, the uniquely human capacities for creativity, empathy, and strategic thinking become paramount. But these capacities only emerge when people have the emotional bandwidth to access them.

    Making Recovery Real: Your Action Plan

    If you are ready to transform your organization’s approach to emotional recovery, here’s where to start. Keep in mind that it’s not a linear process—it is situational and integrated throughout the work day, week, and year.:

    1. Institute Strategic Microbreaks Build recovery into the rhythm of the workday, not just the weekend. Implement 15-minute “reset breaks” between back-to-back meetings. Create “No Meeting Thursday Mornings” to give teams uninterrupted time for deep work—and genuine rest. Research shows these small reprieves sustain performance far better than pushing through exhaustion.

    2. Lead with Visible Vulnerability Recovery will only become culturally acceptable when leaders model it. Take your vacation days—all of them! Talk openly about your own emotional recovery practices in team meetings. Share when you’re taking a walk to clear your head or blocking time for reflection. When senior leaders demonstrate that recovery is valued, not penalized, it gives everyone permission to prioritize their well-being.

    3. Measure What Matters Beyond Output Expand your performance metrics to include recovery indicators. Track when teams are taking breaks, using PTO, and maintaining sustainable work rhythms. Celebrate leaders who help their teams achieve results while maintaining healthy boundaries. What gets measured gets managed—so start measuring recovery as rigorously as you measure revenue.

    The Bottom Line

    The organizations that will thrive in the coming decades won’t be those that extract the most from their people—they’ll be those that invest most wisely in their people’s capacity to think, create, and connect. MTR isn’t just a framework for emotional recovery; it’s a blueprint for building companies where human potential can actually flourish.

    The hustle culture isn’t just outdated, it’s actively undermining your most valuable asset: the full humanity of your workforce. It’s time to build a new model, one that recognizes that our best work emerges not from relentless grinding, but from the dynamic interplay of movement, thought, and rest.

    The recovery revolution starts now. Are you ready to power down so you can truly power up?

    By Natalie Nixon

    This article originally appeared in Inc.’s sister publication, Fast Company.

    Fast Company is the world’s leading business media brand, with an editorial focus on innovation in technology, leadership, world changing ideas, creativity, and design. Written for and about the most progressive business leaders, Fast Company inspires readers to think expansively, lead with purpose, embrace change, and shape the future of business.

    The final deadline for the 2026 Inc. Regionals Awards is Friday, December 12, at 11:59 p.m. PT. Apply now.

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    Fast Company

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  • Tea Tariffs Once Sparked a Revolution. Now They Are Creating Angst

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    A tax on tea once sparked rebellion. This time, it’s just causing headaches.

    Importers of the prized leaves have watched costs climb, orders stall and margins shrink under the weight of President Donald Trump’s tariffs. Now, even after Trump has given them a reprieve, tea traders say it won’t immediately undo the damage.

    “It took a while to work its way through the system, these tariffs, and it will take a while for it to work its way out of the system,” says Bruce Richardson, a celebrated tea master, tea historian and purveyor of teas at his shop, Elmwood Inn Fine Teas, in Danville, Kentucky. “That tariffed tea is still working its way out of our warehouses.”

    While a handful of bigger firms are behind the biggest supermarket brands, the premium tea market is largely the work of smaller businesses, from family farms to specialty importers to a web of little tea shops, tea rooms and tea cafes across the U.S. Amid an onslaught of tariffs, they have become showcases for the levies’ effects.

    On their shelves, selection has narrowed, with some teas now missing because they’re no longer viable products to stock with steep levies on top. In their warehouses, managers are consumed with uncertainty and operational headaches, including calculating what a blend really costs, with ingredients from multiple countries on a roller coaster of tariffs. And in backrooms where the wafting scent of fresh tea permeates, owners have been forced to put off job postings, raises, advertising and other investments so they can have cash available to pay duties when their containers arrive at U.S. ports.

    “If I were to add up all the money I’ve spent on tariffs that weren’t there a year ago, it could equal a new employee,” says Hartley Johnson, who owns the Mark T. Wendell Tea Company in Acton, Massachusetts.

    Johnson’s prices used to stay static for a year or longer. He ate the tariff costs before being forced to respond. His most popular tea, a smoky Taiwanese one called Hu-Kwa, has steadily risen from $26 to $46 a pound.

    He knows some customers are reconsidering.

    “Where is that tipping point?” Johnson asks. “I’m kind of finding that tipping point is happening now.”

    Though Trump backed off some tariffs on agricultural products last week, many in the tea trade are wary of celebrating too soon and caution tea drinkers shouldn’t either. Much of next year’s supply has already been imported and tariffed and the full impact of those duties may not have fully spilled downhill.

    Meantime, other tariff-driven price hikes persist. All sorts of other products tea businesses import, from teapots to infusers, remain subject to levies, and costs for some American-made items, like tins for packaging, have spiked because they rely on foreign materials.

    “The canisters, the bamboo boxes, the matcha whisks, everything that we import, everything that we sell has been affected by tariffs,” says Gilbert Tsang, owner of MEM Tea Imports in Wakefield, Massachusetts.

    Though globally, tea reigns supreme, imbibed more than anything but water, it has long been overshadowed by coffee in the U.S. Still, tea is entwined in American history from the very beginning, even before colonists angry with tariffs dumped tons of it in Boston Harbor.

    Boston may run on Dunkin’ today, but it was born on tea.

    The 1773 revolt that became known as the Boston Tea Party rose out of the British Parliament’s implementation of tea tariffs on colonists, who rejected taxation without representation in government. After an independent United States was born, one of the new government’s first major acts, the Tariff Act of 1789, ironically set in law import taxes on a range of products including tea. In time, though, trade policy came to include carve-outs for many products Americans rely on but don’t produce.

    For more than 150 years, most tea has passed through U.S. ports with little to no duties.

    That began to change in Trump’s first term with his hardline approach to China. But nothing compared to what came with his return to the White House.

    In July, the most recent month for which the U.S. International Trade Commission has tallied tariff numbers, tea was taxed at an average rate of over 12 percent, a huge increase from a year earlier when it was just under one-tenth of a percent. In that single month, American businesses and consumers paid more than $6 million in tea import taxes, amassing in just 31 days more tariffs than any previous full year on record.

    “All over again, taxation without representation,” says Richardson, an adviser to the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum. “Our wants and needs and our voices are not being represented because Congress is avoiding the issue by simply allowing the president to act like George III.”

    All told, tea importers paid about $19.6 million in tariffs in the first seven months of 2025, nearly seven times as much as the same period last year.

    It’s all been confounding to those steeped in the world of tea, on which the U.S. depends on foreign countries for nearly all of the billions of pounds Americans brew each year. Though a number of small tea farms exist in the U.S., they can’t fill Americans’ cups for more than a few hours of the year.

    “We don’t have an industry and we can’t produce one overnight,” says Angela McDonald, president of the United States League of Tea Growers.

    Trump’s suspension of tea tariffs came too late for some businesses, including Los Angeles-based International Tea Importers Inc., for which tariffs created an untenable cash-flow crunch.

    “We just became over-leveraged financing not just the inventory, but also the tariffs,” says the company’s CEO, Brendan Shah.

    Tariffs weren’t the only thing the 35-year-old business was facing, but without them, Shah says it may have survived.

    “Unpredictable tariff policies,” he wrote to customers in announcing the company’s closure, “have created the final, insurmountable barrier.”

    Copyright 2025. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

    The final deadline for the 2026 Inc. Regionals Awards is Friday, December 12, at 11:59 p.m. PT. Apply now.

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    Associated Press

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  • Black Friday Puts Focus on Consumer Spending for Rocky Markets

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    With U.S. stocks in the midst of a grim month, investors will look in the coming week for signs of strength in the U.S. consumer with Black Friday putting the spotlight on the holiday shopping season.

    The rally in stocks has stalled in November, with the benchmark S&P 500 declining more than 4 percent so far during the month. Strong quarterly results from semiconductor giant Nvidia Corp failed on Thursday to calm markets, which have been rattled by concerns about elevated valuations and questions about returns on massive corporate investments in artificial intelligence infrastructure.

    Consumer spending, which accounts for more than two-thirds of U.S. economic activity, will now come under Wall Street’s microscope.

    The trading week will be interrupted by the Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday, followed by Black Friday, known for ushering in discounts, then Cyber Monday and holiday shopping promotions heading into year end.

    Recent readings have shown a slump in consumer sentiment, while other data has been missing due to the government shutdown. This could make any signals about holiday spending more significant than usual.

    “From a sentiment standpoint, the early reads we get on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, due to the lack of data we have, will be important,” said Chris Fasciano, chief market strategist at Commonwealth Financial Network.

    “The entirety of the holiday shopping period will be an important read for where we are with the consumer and what that means for the economy.”

    While the S&P 500 remains up 11 percent year-to-date, it has declined just over 5 percent from its late October all-time high. The Cboe Volatility index on Thursday posted its highest closing level since April.

    Stock market performance could factor into how consumers spend over the holidays, particularly those with higher incomes who are more invested in equities. Despite the recent wobble, the S&P 500 has soared over 80 percent since its latest bull market began just over three years ago.

    “If you get a pullback there, a lot of the wealth in the upper income is in the stock market … so it will be interesting to see if they spend like they have in the past,” said Doug Beath, global equity strategist at the Wells Fargo Investment Institute.

    This month, the National Retail Federation said it expected U.S. holiday sales to surpass $1 trillion for the first time. Still, that November-December forecast equated to growth of between 3.7 percent and 4.2 percent from the year-earlier period, slower than the 4.3 percent growth in 2024.

    Household balance sheets are “in a very strong place,” yet slowing employment growth could pressure holiday spending, said Michael Pearce, deputy chief U.S. economist at Oxford Economics.

    “The most important factor for consumer spending is the health of the labor market,” Pearce said.

    Data from the delayed monthly employment report released on Thursday showed U.S. job growth accelerated in September. But the unemployment rate increased to a four-year high of 4.4 percent.

    Persistently firm inflation, with import tariffs contributing to higher prices, also could weigh on spending, Pearce said.

    Holiday shopping is critical for retailers. Walmart on Thursday raised its annual forecasts in a signal of confidence heading into year end. Reports from other retailers during the week were mixed.

    Another read on the consumer will come with Tuesday’s release of U.S. retail sales for September. That report has been delayed along with other government releases because of the 43-day federal shutdown that ended earlier this month.

    The influx of pent-up data in the coming weeks could further ramp up volatility for investors as they assess the economy’s health and prospects that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates at its December 9-10 meeting.

    Following the September jobs report, which will be the last monthly employment release before the next Fed meeting, Fed funds futures late on Thursday reflected a 67 percent chance the central bank would hold rates steady in December after quarter-point cuts in each of the prior two meetings.

    Morgan Stanley economists said on Thursday they no longer expected the Fed to ease in December but they project three cuts in 2026.

    “The policy rate path remains highly data-dependent,” the Morgan Stanley economists said in a note. “In our view, a mixed report means the committee will want to see more data before taking another step.”

    Reporting by Lewis Krauskopf; Editing by Alden Bentley and David Gregorio

    The final deadline for the 2026 Inc. Regionals Awards is Friday, December 12, at 11:59 p.m. PT. Apply now.

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    Reuters

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  • Former bike builder’s ring business goes from side job to seven-figure sales

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    Elk antlers. Obsidian. Foil from the Apollo 11 spacecraft.

    Ben Bosworth has made wedding rings out of them.

    “If we can get our hands on the material,” the Conifer resident said, “we can figure it out.”

    His jewelry outfit, Honest Hands Ring Co., is having its biggest year since launching in 2018. What started as a garage side gig seven years ago has blossomed into a seven-figure business this year, Bosworth said.

    Honest Hands manufactures and ships out of Morrison. Bosworth started with 700 square feet at 4285 S. Eldridge St., which records show he purchased for $275,000 in September 2023.

    At that time, Bosworth was making 35 to 40 rings a month, not long after beginning to work full time on Honest Hands.

    He bought an additional 1,400 square feet next door in June, paying $550,000, records show. And he’s grown the company from two to six people this year.

    Last month, Bosworth said, Honest Hands made 266 rings. He’s aiming to triple Honest Hand’s output and staff size within the next three years.

    “I think alternative jewelry and the fact that not everyone has to have a gold ring has just been primarily the thing,” Bosworth said. “In the last 10 to 15 years, it’s starting to become more like you can have a titanium ring, you can have a tungsten ring, you can have a silicone ring.”

    About half the business comes from custom orders, where customers can send in anything they want inlaid or fused into a ring, although Bosworth draws the line at human teeth and cremated remains.

    The other 50% of orders are for the company’s own line of rings, like ones engraved with the San Juan Mountains or a customer’s fingerprint.

    The average ring costs $500, Bosworth said, but ranges from about $200 to $5,000, depending on material.

    “The rule of thumb is you have to spend three months’ salary on an engagement ring for your fiancée and then the guy goes on Amazon and buys a $25 tungsten ring or something,” Bosworth said. “I think there’s a really nice place for a business to be in between the two.”

    Bosworth and ring-making weren’t a fated couple.

    The Michigan native wanted to be a mechanical engineer from a young age. During his time at Michigan State University, he built “super-fast go-karts” and parlayed that into a job with a firm that specialized in racing and military vehicles.

    While working there, he started a bicycle business on the side with a friend. He also got married around the same time in 2016, but he didn’t want to deal with the hassle of going out and buying his ring.

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    Max Scheinblum

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  • Your Employees’ Health Insurance is in Jeopardy. Here’s What to Do About It

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    The longest government shutdown in U.S. history is finally over after President Donald Trump signed a stopgap spending bill narrowly approved by the House last week, but your employees’ healthcare is still in trouble.

    Tax credits that give entrepreneurs and their employees — and even solopreneurs — access to affordable healthcare through the ACA marketplace are set to expire at the end of this year. A study by the Kaiser Family Foundation estimates costs will soar by 26 percent — a combination of the projected loss of federal subsidies and the general increase of healthcare costs.

    Democrats, and even some Republicans, are working to extend the benefit before rates skyrocket in January, but the House won’t vote on it until mid-December. Open enrollment began on Nov. 1 and ends in mid- to late January, depending on the state. The timing is less than ideal, but states are reassuring consumers that the plans they choose now are not “final.” They’ll have the option to change plans once the House votes in December. Anyone who doesn’t want to pay higher rates or choose a plan with less coverage has the option to wait until January to sign up for a new plan, but that means their insurance won’t kick in until February, Politico reported.

    “We are hearing folks who simply cannot believe what they are looking at,” said Audrey Gasteier, executive director of the Massachusetts Health Connector, told the publication. “Folks who have surgery scheduled in the new year [say those plans are] in question now because they are not sure if they can stay covered.”

    If the subsidies are approved without changes, ACA plans will be updated with the new rates. However, things could get complicated if Republicans successfully impose income caps and “fraud guardrails” on people’s eligibility for the subsidy. President Donald Trump has also floated the idea of issuing the subsidies as a “direct payment” to consumers, bypassing the insurers — a move policy experts told Politico would “lead to the collapse of the exchanges.”

    Some state exchanges now require insurers to generate two rates — with and without the subsidies — to show consumers what they could be paying. These states say they’re working to get pricing information out to consumers as soon as possible.  

    “State marketplaces will all do whatever needs to be done to get those tax credits out to our consumers,” Michele Eberle, executive director of Maryland Health Benefit Exchange, told Politico. “We are ready to do it and poised to do it. We will make it happen.”

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    Kayla Webster

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  • 9 Common Behaviors of Bad Bosses, According to the Harris Poll

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    It’s hard not to notice when a toxic coworker comes barreling through the office door. However, that’s the least frequent part of a workplace dynamic. Bad boss behavior is much more common than you might realize. According to a survey conducted by the Harris Poll, 71% of American workers report that they have had at least one toxic boss during their career. Another 31% report that they have a toxic boss right now. 

    When bosses break the rules 

    Despite keeping a confident professional veneer, even high-level leaders are guilty of straying from the line of acceptable workplace behavior from time to time. Due to their positional power, bosses can be more comfortable breaking the rules—a practice undoubtedly frustrating for the employees who report to them. 

    The truth is, bosses should be setting an example, not displaying bad behavior themselves. If you’re a boss, you should be acting as a role model for your employees. But what if you’re not? And if you’re not, how can you be sure?  

    The most common behaviors of bad bosses 

    According to the Harris Poll survey, these are the most common bad boss behaviors. Do you recognize any in yourself? 

    1. Sets unreasonable expectations – 51% 
    2. Gets too involved in the details of an employee’s job when it isn’t necessary – 49% 
    3. Gives unfair preferential treatment to certain team members – 49% 
    4. Gives an impression of being unapproachable – 49% 
    5. Does not give credit to team members when appropriate – 48% 
    6. Takes credit for the ideas of others – 45% 
    7. Engages in unprofessional behavior, e.g., inappropriate language – 45% 
    8. Assigns blame to others to protect themselves – 43% 
    9. Discriminates against employees for specific characteristics – 33% 

    What this means for leaders 

    To the chagrin of workers everywhere, it seems that the individuals in positions of authority are—more often than you might like to think—guilty of not always behaving well themselves. Unfortunately, if you engage in any of these behaviors as a leader, you’re being more than a minor annoyance to your people—you’re chipping away at the trust and respect they have for you. 

    If you’re a leader, this list should serve as a bit of a mirror. Employees notice everything. When you set the standard high for others, you need to practice what you preach. Remember: Just because you see your own boss doing something, it doesn’t mean it’s OK for you to do it too. Your integrity is what will keep people following you in the long run. 

    The opinions expressed here by Inc.com columnists are their own, not those of Inc.com.

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    Peter Economy

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  • If You Want a Business That’s Built to Last, Start With Your ‘Why’

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    Is it time for you to find a heroic mission? Do you want to create and lead a business worth fighting for—one that’s built to last? I’m for any entrepreneur, the answer is an emphatic yes! However, while it’s easy to write your business’s mission statement, finding one that will actually move the needle on performance takes some work. Here’s how to figure out the “why” behind your business and why that matters. 

    Start with your ‘why.’ 

    When you’re buried in the day-to-day of running a business, it’s easy to get lost in the weeds. However, to build a remarkable business, you need to work backward. You need to find the unifying emotion that underpins everything you do. 

    Your “why” isn’t your product, your service, or your brand. It’s the higher purpose that gets you up at 5 a.m. when everyone else is still in bed. It’s the thing that will keep you going when the chips are down, when everyone else is ready to throw in the towel. 

    As the leader of your business, finding your “why” means having a direct line of sight to your reason for being. You wake up every day believing that the business you’re building is important and worthwhile. That belief guides how you think, how you act, how you move through the world. 

    Make yourself essential. 

    Here’s a simple test I would like you to consider: If you shut your doors tomorrow, then would anyone really miss you? The answer must be an unequivocal “yes.” 

    To build a business that people miss, you have to deliver something special. You have to offer them something unique, unlike what everyone else is offering. It has to be something that they literally cannot get anywhere else. 

    You don’t need to be different for the sake of being different. You need to be special and become a category of one. Your business must be so good at something and uncommon that your customers don’t just become buyers. Instead, they become raving fans. 

    Before every day begins, ask yourself, “Why do I do what I do?” Don’t just think it. Own it. Anchor yourself in it. Then, make everything else you do roll off that rock-solid foundation. 

    Beyond the job description 

    In a fast-moving world of exponentially increasing complexity, you need to focus on where people will want to work, where they will want to spend their money, and where they will want to put their energy. Your “why” is an answer to the question of what you do and why you do it. It’s powerful because it’s simple. 

    The most remarkable businesses are not necessarily the ones with the largest budgets or the most innovative marketing. The ones that really stand out are built by people who aren’t willing to compromise on their mission. That conviction becomes a magnet that attracts customers who don’t just buy from you—they believe in what you’re building. 

    In a sea of sameness, your “why” is your greatest competitive advantage. 

    The opinions expressed here by Inc.com columnists are their own, not those of Inc.com.

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    Peter Economy

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  • Small business owners in Washington state forced to shut down after tax increases

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    REDMOND, Wash. – FOX 13 is hearing from another small business owner who says he’s been forced to shut down over big state tax increases. 

    Business owner Nikhil Singhal is calling it quits over the state’s new $9 billion tax package passed earlier this year by lawmakers in Olympia.

    “The math simply doesn’t add up for us to continue doing this business,” Om Spark owner Nikhil Singhal said.

    Singhal has operated Om Spark, an online marketing company based out of Redmond, for 13 years. His online company has tailored their services to small businesses to advertise and elevate their brand. Singhal says the latest increase in taxes is hitting him in several different new ways, including an increase in the business and occupation tax and an expansion of the retail sales tax that now captures online digital ads.

    “It’s really hard, if you think about it, it’s a self-created crisis in my opinion by the government,” Singhal said.

    Singhal says he finds it incredulous over how quickly lawmakers passed the massive tax increase.

    “People take more time to buy a car, the state actually took more time discussing the state bird than they spent time discussing a $9 billion state tax increase,” Singhal said.

    He says many small business owners do not feel heard, and that lawmakers need to research and hear from small business owners before making sweeping taxes or changes.

    “What I want to tell them is talk to the people who will be impacted by this, let’s figure out a solution,” Singhal said.

    Singhal is the latest to share his frustration over the state’s business climate. Back in October, FOX 13 spoke with Josh Dirks, who shut down Project Bionic in Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood. Dirks was forced to lay off his staff at his social media digital ad agency after 16 years in business. 

    'Seattle News Weekly S1E9': Controversial new taxes take effect in WA

    ‘Seattle News Weekly S1E9’: Controversial new taxes take effect in WA

    On the ninth episode of the “Seattle News Weekly” podcast, FOX 13 Seattle anchor Hana Kim talks about a suite of controversial new taxes that took effect this month, pushed by the state’s Democratic-majority Legislature. Joining Hana to discuss the effect of these recent taxes is Joshua Dirks, team lead of Seattle-based advertising company Project Bionic.

    He says the latest tax increase was the last straw and he could not keep his business viable.

    MORE NEWS FROM FOX 13 SEATTLE

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    To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter.

    Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.

    The Source: Information in this story came from original FOX 13 Seattle reporting and interviews.

    Small BusinessWashingtonWashington State PoliticsNews

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    Will.Wixey@fox.com (Will Wixey)

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  • Keith Lee visited a west Fort Worth restaurant ahead of Small Business Saturday

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    Keith Lee, an online food critic with over 17.3 million followers on TikTok, visited a restaurant in west Fort Worth as part of an American Express small business initiative.

    Lee, whose viral TikTok videos of him sampling food and bringing attention to small businesses, came to Drew’s Place Restaurant in the Como neighborhood on Monday, Nov. 3.

    Drew’s Place, located at 5701 Curzon Ave,. is owned and operated by Drew and Stephanie Thomas and their daughter, Krystal. They were recently chosen as one of 50 U.S. historic small restaurants that will receive $50,000 from American Express and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The grants are given as part of the organization’s Backing Historic Small Restaurants program, which invests in small, independent restaurants that serve as cultural and culinary landmarks across the U.S.

    Yesterday, Lee released a new TikTok video where he is partnering with American Express to support small businesses for Small Business Saturday on Nov. 29. In partnership with Main Street America, the Amex Shop Small Grant Program is a partnership with Main Street America to provide $20,000 grant to support small businesses across the country.

    @keith_lee125 Supporting small businesses made me who I am today. This year, I’m tapping in #withAmex to back small businesses for #SmallBusinessSaturday — starting with Drew’s Place, a 2025 Backing Historic Small Restaurants grantee that’s been serving up good food and community for decades. They’re proof of how a little support can make a big difference. @American Express ♬ original sound – Keith Lee

    “He’s kind of like his videos that we see, the same person, very genuine, very focused on giving back to some of the places that may get overlooked like the smaller businesses.,” said Krystal Thomas.

    Lee didn’t try out their food like he usually does in his videos, but was there to shine a light on the restaurant and its recent award.

    The family plans to use the money it won from the grant for new exterior paint, an expanded outdoor patio seating area, a mural on the wall facing their parking lot, a covered area for their walk-up customers, new lighting and a remodeled sign.

    Stephanie Thomas was thankful for Lee’s visit, as small businesses like theirs depend on their customers and have little marketing, so opportunities like this are worthwhile.

    “You typically won’t see us on TV ads, radio, if we’re lucky, and newspaper print, billboards, and a lot of times those are struggles for us,” Stephanie Thomas said. “ We understand the importance of advertising, so anytime you get a Keith Lee and American Express that can bring awareness to your small business, it’s amazing.“

    Kamal Morgan

    Fort Worth Star-Telegram

    Kamal Morgan covers racial equity issues for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. He came to Texas from the Pensacola News Journal in Florida. Send tips to his email or Twitter.

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    Kamal Morgan

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  • Keith Lee visited this Fort Worth restaurant ahead of Small Business Saturday

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    Keith Lee, an online food critic with over 17.3 million followers on TikTok, visited a restaurant in west Fort Worth as part of an American Express small business initiative.

    Lee, whose viral TikTok videos of him sampling food and bringing attention to small businesses, came to Drew’s Place Restaurant in the Como neighborhood on Monday, Nov. 3.

    Drew’s Place, located at 5701 Curzon Ave., is owned and operated by Drew and Stephanie Thomas and their daughter, Krystal. It was recently chosen as one of 50 U.S. historic small restaurants that will receive $50,000 from American Express and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The grants are given as part of the organization’s Backing Historic Small Restaurants program, which invests in small, independent restaurants that serve as cultural and culinary landmarks across the U.S.

    Yesterday, Lee released a new TikTok video where he is partnering with American Express to support small businesses for Small Business Saturday on Nov. 29. In partnership with Main Street America, the Amex Shop Small Grant Program is a partnership with Main Street America to provide $20,000 grant to support small businesses across the country.

    @keith_lee125 Supporting small businesses made me who I am today. This year, I’m tapping in #withAmex to back small businesses for #SmallBusinessSaturday — starting with Drew’s Place, a 2025 Backing Historic Small Restaurants grantee that’s been serving up good food and community for decades. They’re proof of how a little support can make a big difference. @American Express ♬ original sound – Keith Lee

    “He’s kind of like his videos that we see, the same person, very genuine, very focused on giving back to some of the places that may get overlooked like the smaller businesses.,” said Krystal Thomas.

    Lee didn’t try out their food like he usually does in his videos, but was there to shine a light on the restaurant and its recent award.

    The family plans to use the money it won from the grant for new exterior paint, an expanded outdoor patio seating area, a mural on the wall facing their parking lot, a covered area for their walk-up customers, new lighting and a remodeled sign.

    Stephanie Thomas was thankful for Lee’s visit, as small businesses like theirs depend on their customers and have little marketing, so opportunities like this are worthwhile.

    “You typically won’t see us on TV ads, radio, if we’re lucky, and newspaper print, billboards, and a lot of times those are struggles for us,” Stephanie Thomas said. “ We understand the importance of advertising, so anytime you get a Keith Lee and American Express that can bring awareness to your small business, it’s amazing.“

    This story was originally published November 13, 2025 at 6:34 PM.

    Kamal Morgan

    Fort Worth Star-Telegram

    Kamal Morgan covers racial equity issues for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. He came to Texas from the Pensacola News Journal in Florida. Send tips to his email or Twitter.

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    Kamal Morgan

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  • For DMV Chocolate and Coffee Festival, closure of Dulles Expo Center is bittersweet goodbye – WTOP News

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    This weekend, the DMV Chocolate and Coffee Festival says a bittersweet goodbye to the Dulles Expo Center, which will close to make way for an Ikea.

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    What the Dulles Expo Center’s closure means for small businesses

    The DMV Chocolate and Coffee Festival is taking place this weekend in Chantilly, Virginia, giving a platform for 200 small businesses to show off what they have to offer to thousands of people.

    But this year’s chocolatey festival is bittersweet.

    It’s the last time the event will be held at the Dulles Expo Center, which is closing next month to make way for a new IKEA store.

    “We use over 100,000 square feet of space there, and that’s how we’re able to house over 200 local small business owners all in the building at the same time, and over 12,000 attendees to sip, sample and shop from all of them,” said John Hill, a co-founder of the festival.

    Hill co-founded DMV Chocolate and Coffee Festival with his wife in 2022. He said the pair initially picked the Dulles Expo Center for its name-recognition in the area and massive event space — this year’s festival will be the largest one yet.

    “We want to bring out all these local business owners so that the local community can come out and support them, meet them face to face, family to family,” he said.

    Searching for a new home

    The Dulles Expo Center has 138,845 total square feet and is located right off Route 28 in Fairfax County. It’s long been a hub for events.

    There are currently few venues of its type and size in Northern Virginia.

    “I know growing up, my parents would take me there for various festivals, like the boat show back when they used to also have the other building, which is now a Walmart,” Hill said. “It’s been a part of the community for over 25 years. I grew up with it as a kid, and now my wife and I run a festival there.”

    Hill is among dozens of festival organizers who are looking for alternative spaces to host future events.

    “I know just from our one show, the economic impact in a single weekend is pretty significant,” Hill said. “So when you take that and combine it with all the other events that happen in the expo center every single weekend, it’s definitely a loss to the local business community.”

    The Washington Business Journal reported two vacant big-box stores elsewhere in Northern Virginia have emerged as possible replacements for the Dulles Expo Center.

    “We’re really hopeful that somebody comes in and fills the gap,” Hill said.

    Hill said he’s optimistic about those potential new options and hopes to find a way to stay in Virginia.

    “We love the community here,” Hill said. “We’re from here. We hope to continue growing here in the future.”

    Dulles Expo Center provides space for small businesses to grow

    This weekend’s festival connects the community with coffee farmers, local coffee roasters, chocolate makers and artisans. There will also be educational stations, including one about how professionals taste and judge coffee.

    “It’s not often where you can sample from over 40 specialty coffee roasters and find your favorite and learn so much right on the spot, and same with the chocolate makers,” Hill said.

    Past festivals have acted as a stepping stone for vendors to grow their businesses.

    This weekend, the DMV Chocolate and Coffee Festival will host its last event at the Dulles Expo Center.
    (Courtesy DMV Chocolate and Coffee Festival)

    Courtesy DMV Chocolate and Coffee Festival

    an attendee gets a free sample cup from a vendor at the DMV Chocolate and Coffee Festival
    The Dulles Expo Center is closing to make way for an Ikea. The closure has left festival organizers in a lurch, searching for a new space to hold events such as the DMV Chocolate and Coffee Festival.
    (Courtesy DMV Chocolate and Coffee Festival)

    Courtesy DMV Chocolate and Coffee Festival

    a group poses with a poster at the DMV Chocolate and Coffee Festival
    A co-founder of the DMV Chocolate and Coffee Festival says the closure impacts small businesses, who were able to connect with the community at the Dulles Expo Center.
    (Courtesy DMV Chocolate and Coffee Festival)

    Courtesy DMV Chocolate and Coffee Festival

    a painter at an Art festival
    The Dulles Expo Center houses several events that prop up small businesses, including the Capital Art & Craft Festivals. That event is held three times a year and features work from 300 artists.
    (Courtesy Capital Art and Craft Festivals)

    Courtesy Capital Art and Craft Festivals

    “A lot of our vendors have come from farmers markets to our festival, and that’s kind of their next step of growth,” Hill said. “We’ve seen many … go from being vendors at our festival and other events at the expo center to now having their own storefronts.”

    Some of those businesses that have grown and opened their own storefronts include Neighbors Barista and Hypergoat Coffee Roasters.

    The DMV Chocolate and Coffee Festival is one of many events hosted at the expo center that prop up small businesses. The Capital Art and Craft Festival holds three shows a year at the Dulles Expo Center.

    “We have more than 300 artists from throughout the country who exhibit and sell at our shows,” said Judy Spargo, the art festival’s director, in a statement to WTOP. “These are independent business people who make their living creating their art. Our events at Dulles Expo Center bring these artists to DMV buyers but, more importantly, the thousands of customers who attend the shows are keeping these craft artisans in business.”

    Hill is adamant that having an expo center in the Northern Virginia region boosts small businesses and helps customers learn about what’s out there.

    “In person, experiences and events are not going away,” Hill said. “They’re only becoming more important as the world goes more and more online.”

    WTOP has reached out to the Dulles Expo Center for comment.

    Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.

    © 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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    Jessica Kronzer

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  • Government shutdown costing the economy billions of dollars each week

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    With bipartisan congressional talks to end the U.S. government shutdown bogging down on Friday, the hit to the national economy is growing, experts said.

    “Even if there is a reopening of the government in the next couple of weeks, you’re going to see a visible and permanent loss of economic activity as a result of the government shutdown,” Greg Daco, chief economist at consulting firm EY-Parthenon, told CBS News. 

    Estimates of the economic impact range from $7 billion to $16 billion per week, with the White House’s Council of Economic Advisers, a U.S. government agency, forecasting a weekly loss of $15 billion. A recent CBS News poll found that 54% of Americans said they are “very concerned” about how the shutdown is affecting the economy.

    Here’s where the shutdown, now on Day 38, is hitting the economy hardest.

    Federal workers

    Hundreds of thousands of government employees are going without pay during the shutdown, forcing many to take out loans or seek out temporary jobs to make ends meet.

    The Bipartisan Policy Center, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank, estimates that at least 670,000 federal workers are furloughed and roughly 730,000 are working without pay. 

    The Congressional Budget Office, a nonpartisan federal agency that provides analysis to lawmakers, said in a letter last month that the reduction in hours worked by furloughed federal employees alone could end up costing the economy $14 billion by year-end if the shutdown stretches to Thanksgiving. 

    Although government workers are expected to receive back pay once the stalemate ends, some employees are likely to start to pull back on spending, which could ripple through the economy, said Mark Zandi, chief economist at financial research firm Moody’s Analytics.

    Consumers

    The interruption in food-stamp benefits during the shutdown for the more than 40 million Americans enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is also temporarily sapping consumer spending, Zandi said. 

    Spending could soon rebound after a federal judge ordered the Trump administration to provide full federal benefits to states by Friday. Still, the suspension of food stamps comes as many low- and middle-income Americans face other financial strains, including a spike in Affordable Care Act health insurance rates. 

    “There’s all kinds of funding that’s not getting paid out, and that will impact the ability and willingness of these households to spend,” Zandi said.

    Small businesses

    One key sector of the economy feeling the pinch is small businesses, many of which rely on government loans and business from federal agencies to stay afloat.

    For example, the shutdown is preventing the Small Business Administration from distributing $170 million in federally guaranteed loans per day to hundreds of smaller employers, an agency spokesperson told CBS News. As of Wednesday, that amounted to a total loss of $4.5 billion in capital for more than 8,300 small businesses, according to SBA.

    Federal contractors

    The government employs millions of contract workers in custodial, information technology and other roles. However, that activity has stopped during the shutdown, depriving many private businesses of revenue. 

    Grace Zwemmer, an associate economist at Oxford Economics, said the investment advisory firm estimates that roughly $800 million in federal awards are at risk of disruption each week the shutdown drags on. Around 5.2 million federal contractor workers stand to be impacted, according to unofficial estimates, she added.

    “A prolonged shutdown could significantly impact these individuals by impacting the cash flow for the contractors, potentially leading to furloughs, pay cuts or layoffs, with the risks greater for small business contractors,” Zwemmer said.

    An Oxford Economics report this week noted that recent jobless claims data point to a rise in private-sector layoffs in states most exposed to the shutdown.

    Travel companies

    The travel industry is feeling the impact after the Federal Aviation Administration ordered airlines to cut thousands of flights across the U.S. starting Friday.

    As of Wednesday, the industry had already lost roughly $5 billion in travel spending, according to Erik Hansen, head of government relations at the U.S. Travel Association.

    “The timing couldn’t be worse-just weeks before the busiest travel period of the year,” he said.

    Economic growth

    Overall, the government shutdown is expected to take a toll on U.S. gross domestic product, the total output of goods and services. 

    The CBO estimates that the drag on economic activity from the government closure will reduce annualized GDP growth in the final three months of the year by 1 to 2 percentage points, depending on how long the shutdown lasts.

    While economists expect most of the decline in growth to be recovered when the government reopens and as spending and commercial activity ramp back up, the CBO forecasts a permanent economic loss of $7 billion to $14 billion. Still, that is a tiny fraction of the $30 trillion economy.

    Edited by

    Alain Sherter and

    Aimee Picchi

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  • Supreme Court justices sound skeptical of Trump’s tariffs

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    WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court justices sounded skeptical Wednesday of President Trump’s claim that he has the power to set large tariffs on products coming from countries around the world.

    Most of the justices, both conservative and liberal, said Congress, not the president, had the power to impose taxes and tariffs. And they agreed Congress did not authorize tariffs in an emergency powers law adopted in 1977.

    It has “never before been used to justify tariffs, and no one had argued it before this case,” Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. told Trump’s top courtroom attorney. “The imposition of taxes on Americans … has always been a core power of Congress.”

    Solicitor Gen. D. John Sauer argued that tariffs involve the president’s power over foreign affairs. They are “regulatory tariffs, not taxes,” he said.

    Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan disagreed.

    Imposing a tariff “is a taxing power which is delegated by the Constitution to Congress,” Kagan said.

    Justice Neil M. Gorsuch said he too was skeptical of the claim the president had the power to impose taxes based on his belief that the nation faces a global emergency.

    If so, could a future president acting on his own impose a 50% tax on cars because of climate change? he asked.

    Gorsuch said the court has recently blocked far-reaching presidential regulations by Democratic presidents that went beyond an old and vague law, and the same may be called for here.

    Otherwise, presidents may feel free to take away the taxing power “from the people’s representatives,” he said.

    But Justices Brett M. Kavanaugh and Samuel A. Alito Jr. questioned the challenge to the president’s tariffs.

    Kavanaugh pointed to a round of tariffs imposed by President Nixon in 1971, and he said Congress later adopted its emergency powers act without clearly rejecting that authority.

    Justice Amy Coney Barrett said she was struggling to understand what Congress meant in the emergency powers law when it said the president may “regulate” importation.

    She agreed the law did not mention taxes and tariffs that would raise revenue, but some judges then saw it as allowing the authority to impose duties or tariffs.

    The tariffs case heard Wednesday is the first major challenge to Trump’s presidential power to be heard by the court. It is also a test of whether the court’s conservative majority is willing to set legal limits on Trump’s executive authority.

    Trump has touted these import taxes as crucial to reviving American manufacturing.

    But owners of small businesses, farmers and economists are among the critics who say the on-again, off-again import taxes are disrupting business and damaging the economy.

    Since Trump returned to the White House in January, the court’s six Republican appointees have voted repeatedly to set aside orders from judges who had temporarily blocked the president’s policies and initiatives.

    While they have not explained most of their temporary emergency rulings, the conservatives have said the president has broad executive authority over federal agencies and on matters of foreign affairs.

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    David G. Savage

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  • Champion of Dollar Slices and Rent Freezes: Small Businesses React To Mamdani Win in NYC Mayoral Race

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    New York assemblyman Zohran Mamdani seamlessly clinched the win Tuesday evening in New York City’s mayoral election in what has become the latest David and Goliath political tale.

    Mamdani defeated his opponents, former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who ran as an independent, and Curtis Sliwa, who ran as the Republican nominee, with Mamdani grabbing more than 50 percent of votes. Mamdani, 34, largely mobilized young voters who turned out in hoards and were excited by a fresh, progressive face to enter politics. Mamdani defeated Cuomo back in July in the Democratic primary as well, with 56.4 percent of the vote, while Cuomo nabbed 43.6 percent.

    Tackling affordability was a staple of Mamdani’s campaign and likely helped deliver his win in America’s most expensive city, one that continues to grapple with rising costs. Among other things, he’s promised to freeze the rent for rent-stabilized tenants, roll out a free childcare program, raise the minimum wage to $30 by 2030, and even resurrect the $1 slice. 

    For small businesses specifically, Mamdani wants to slash small business fines, inject $25 million in an underutilized small business financing program, and appoint a dedicated “Mom & Pops Czar.” But Mamdani’s tax policy has drawn fire from political opponents. He seeks to raise the corporate tax rate from 8.85 percent to 11.5 (matching New Jersey’s rate), and impose a two percent flat tax on high-earners, defined as those making $1 million or more each year. Critics warn that if these are enacted, the city could see an exodus of the wealthy. 

    Now begins the next step: Getting to work and delivering on the campaign promises he made. So are business owners ready? Inc. spoke with four entrepreneurs to see what they’re monitoring closely. 

    Affordable housing

    As New York City contends with a housing shortage and steep rent increases, local business owners like Josue Pierre, co-founder of Rogers Burgers in New York City, is hopeful that Mamdani will deliver on his promise of constructing 200,000 affordable housing units within the next 10 years. 

    “It’s great for the city as a whole because if our customer base can no longer afford to live in the city, then we will not be able to stay open,” Pierre says. “So seeing a Mamdani win is great for the average New Yorker, but it’s great for small businesses like mine.”

    Nelson Chu, the founder of the private credit platform Percent, anticipates that Mamdani will take a tougher posture on some sectors, like finance and real estate, but companies aren’t going to pack up and relocate overnight.

    “Finance folks may brace for more scrutiny in the short term; upside could be momentum on housing, transit, and small-biz support that broadens who can start and scale here,” Chu says. 

    At the end of the day, Chu says that most founders simply want faster rules, quicker permits, and streets that are safe and hygienic. He adds: “The real test is which proposals actually get implemented versus which stall out; that’s when you’ll see hiring, investment, and office decisions move.”

    Access to capital

    Chat Joglekar, the CEO and co-founder of the small business acquisition marketplace Baton, predicts that Mamdani will likely tighten financial and real estate regulations, but could also expand certain capital opportunities for businesses.

    While it does not appear that Mamdani has outlined specific capital access goals, he does want to invest $25 million in New York City’s Business Express Service Teams. The program connects business owners with city workers tasked with helping businesses apply for permits and abide by local regulations. 

    “We’d likely see renewed focus on equitable entrepreneurship and local reinvestment, which could broaden who gets to buy, build, and scale a business in New York,” Joglekar says. “The city’s next chapter will hinge on how well its leaders balance ambition with execution, turning promises into practical improvements that keep the country’s small business capital open for business.”

    The $30 minimum wage

    The general minimum wage in New York City sits at $16.50. Mamdani is proposing to effectively double it within four years. This concerns Aron Boxer, the CEO and founder of Diversified Education Services, a tutoring service. Boxer, who also partially owns the Tipsy Turtle, a sports bar nestled in Manhattan’s Turtle Bay, says the wage hike would be devastating. 

    “In California, when they jacked up minimum wage, kiosks and automation replaced workers to offset rising costs (causing mass layoffs), but New York’s hospitality industry doesn’t have that luxury,” Boxer says.

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    Melissa Angell

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  • American toymaker says Trump tariffs on China have been

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    President Trump has agreed to lower tariffs on all Chinese imports to 47%. While that may be good news for some Americans, it’s still a relatively high levy for those who rely on manufacturing in China. Elenor Mak, an American toymaker, joins “The Daily Report” to discuss.

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  • The New Map of Influence: How Small Businesses Can Compete Like Creators

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    We just mapped the entire creator economy, and what it reveals isn’t just about influencers. It’s a blueprint for how small businesses can grow, build trust, and stay relevant in a rapidly changing world.

    The Creator Ecosphere Map, a collaboration between What’s Trending, Evan Shapiro (ESHAP), and Filmhub, visualizes the platforms, studios, tools, and creators shaping global culture today. It also highlights a truth that every entrepreneur should pay attention to: Success now depends less on size and more on engagement quality.

    In this new era, creators and small businesses are playing the same game. Both are competing for attention, building audiences, and finding ways to monetize trust.

    The new map of influence doesn’t just show who moves culture online. It shows what kind of mindset will keep your business relevant.

    1. Trust beats scale

    The creators leading today’s platforms aren’t necessarily the ones with the most followers. They are the ones who know their audience and show up for them consistently.

    For small businesses, that’s a reminder that you don’t need millions of customers to build something meaningful. You need loyal ones who believe in your story, your product, and your purpose.

    It’s tempting to chase growth through paid ads or trending content, but long-term loyalty comes from being real and reliable. In a world where people are skeptical of big brands, smaller voices often feel more authentic.

    2. Find your niche and own it

    Creators thrive by going deep, not wide. They speak to specific communities, share niche interests, and cultivate culture around shared values.

    Small businesses can win the same way. Whether you sell products, run a service, or build a community, narrow your focus and serve a group that truly resonates with what you offer.

    The Creator Ecosphere Map shows this pattern again and again. The most engaged audiences aren’t gathered around celebrities. They are built around shared experiences, identity, and trust.

    3. Diversify your ecosystem

    Top creators don’t depend on one platform or revenue stream. They post on YouTube, connect on Instagram, monetize through Patreon, and sell directly through Shopify or Linktree. They’ve built ecosystems, not just audiences.

    Small businesses should think the same way. Don’t rely on a single channel like Instagram or Amazon. Build an email list, experiment with video, explore partnerships, and own your customer relationships. The more direct your connection, the more resilient your business.

    The tools that power the creator economy are now available to everyone. Platforms like Canva, CapCut, and Descript make professional storytelling accessible to anyone with a smartphone. Tools like Circle, Mighty Networks, and Collective Voice let you build communities and manage partnerships at scale.

    Technology has leveled the playing field. Creativity, not budget, is now the biggest advantage.

    5. Engagement is the real growth metric

    The Creator Ecosphere Map introduces a metric called Engagement Quality which measures how deeply audiences interact with content, not how many followers someone has.

    For small businesses, that principle applies directly. The number of people who see your posts or visit your site matters far less than the number who actually care, click, comment, or convert. Engagement is proof of relationship. Relationships drive revenue.

    The creator economy isn’t separate from small business. It is small business, reinvented for the digital age. Creators are entrepreneurs who build audiences, products, and teams around what they love. They experiment, adapt quickly, and grow through connection rather than scale.

    The lesson for every founder and small-business owner is clear. The future belongs to those who know their audience, stay consistent, and treat creativity as a business asset.

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    Shira Lazar

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  • 7 Networking Mistakes That Undermine Your Professional Success

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    In business and in life, your network is an asset. According to a study of University of Chicago alumni, “Entrepreneurs and investors found their professional networks to be most effective in helping them do due diligence on a market or opportunity, get management advice, learn about a new industry, find professional service providers, and identify best practices.” So why do so many businesspeople ignore their network or let it wither away? Here are seven habits that kill your network—and how to avoid them. 

    1. Meeting only when you need something 

    A huge networking faux pas is to contact someone for help only when you need a job or a favor. It sends a clear message that, “I only remember you when I want something.” You know how people say that your network is your net worth? Guess what? The only net worth you have is the people you’re helping. Genuine networking is not transactional. It’s a two-way street. 

    2. Rejecting virtual substitutes 

    While I’m sure you’ll agree that face-to-face interactions are best, there are a wide variety of virtual ways to meet that are almost as good. If you’re “too busy” to meet, message, or email anyone, you’re essentially telling the world, “I’m self-important, unavailable, and out of touch.” If you must skip social meetups, at least check in from time to time. 

    3. Treating networking as peripheral to your work 

    In my experience, successful networking is neither a hobby nor a sideline. It’s part of your career, pure and simple. It’s the activity that most differentiates the “making it” from the “trying to.” Think of your network as the oxygen tank that keeps your personal brand alive. 

    4. Using your network for gossip 

    It’s never a good idea to use any relationship as a platform for idle chitchat or to badmouth anyone. Word will get around about your own lack of trustworthiness and loyalty. Your network may be powerful, but silence about others’ reputations is golden. 

    5. Ignoring people you deem “unimportant”

    You may feel you have to interact with the “right” people to get the right opportunities—but how do you know who’s right for you? The person who ends up hiring you or giving you an opportunity might be the person you just met or the person you least expect. Ignore someone in a meeting, and everyone will notice. Treat everyone with respect, and no one will. 

    6. Trying to impress instead of being yourself 

    Think credibility instead of flash. Authenticity, respect, warmth, and good listening skills will bring you 100 times more mileage than your shiny résumé or self-promotion ever will. Put your network at the center of your interactions by making their lives better. Then, your life will get better, too. 

    7. Assuming you don’t have a large enough network 

    Chances are you know between 500 and 1,000 people in your personal and professional networks from all walks of life. They include former classmates, acquaintances, business and community contacts, and friends and family. But don’t forget that it’s not the size of your network that matters. Instead, it’s the quality. 

    The opinions expressed here by Inc.com columnists are their own, not those of Inc.com.

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    Peter Economy

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