Podcasts about Commerce

Despite some tech snafus, DXP is back with a single episode this week. We revisit the topic of artificial intelligence, suggesting that at the rate things are progressing, the entire paradigm of how we get money to pay for things (or just how we pay for things) is likely to change drastically, despite there being seemingly no plan to address this until it's too late. Also, would you allow Grok to control your car?

We begin on a positive note by welcoming a “doer,” citizen extraordinaire, Jon Merryman, who couldn't stand the trash, especially old tires, being dumped in his neighborhood. So, he took it upon himself to clean it up and has now expanded his efforts across the country. Then co-president of Public Citizen, Robert Weissman, joins us to explain how spending in the recent bill passed by the Republican controlled Congress prioritizes the Pentagon and deportation enforcement at the expense of the social safety net, essentially trading life for death.Jon Merryman was a software designer at Lockheed Martin, who after retiring found his true calling, cleaning up trash in every county in America.When I first started looking at the environment next to my place of work, one of the things I did uncover was tires. And they were definitely there from the '20s, the '30s, and the '40s, they've been there for decades. And then just after a while, the soil and the erosion just covers them up. And you just discover them, and you realize this has been going on forever.Jon MerrymanNature is innocent. It really doesn't deserve what we've given it. And I feel like someone's got to step up to undo what we've done.Jon MerrymanRobert Weissman is a staunch public interest advocate and activist, as well as an expert on a wide variety of issues ranging from corporate accountability and government transparency to trade and globalization, to economic and regulatory policy. As the Co-President of Public Citizen, he has spearheaded the effort to loosen the chokehold corporations, and the wealthy have over our democracy.The best estimates are that the loss of insurance and measures in this bill will cost 40,000 lives every year. Not once. Every year.Robert Weissman co-president of Public Citizen on the Budget BillPeople understand there's a rigged system. They understand that generally. They understand that with healthcare. But if you (the Democrats) don't name the health insurance companies as an enemy, as a barrier towards moving forward. You don't say United Health; you don't go after a Big Pharma, which is probably the most despised health sector in the economy, people don't think you're serious. And partially it's because you're not.Robert WeissmanNews 7/11/251. This week, the Financial Times published a stunning story showing the Tony Blair Institute – founded by the former New Labour British Prime Minister and Iraq War accomplice Tony Blair – “participated” in a project to “reimagine Gaza as a thriving trading hub.” This project would include a “Trump Riviera” and an “Elon Musk Smart Manufacturing Zone”. To accomplish this, the investors would pay half a million Palestinians to leave Gaza to open the enclave up for development – and that is just the tip of the harebrained iceberg. This scheme would also involve creating “artificial islands off the coast akin to those in Dubai, blockchain-based trade initiatives…and low-tax ‘special economic zones'.” The development of this plot is somewhat shadowy. The FT story names a, “group of Israeli businessmen…including tech investor Liran Tancman and venture capitalist Michael Eisenberg,” who helped establish the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation in February 2025. GHF has been accused of using supposed aid distribution sites as “death traps,” per France 24. Boston Consulting Group, also named in the FT story, strongly disavowed the project, as did the Tony Blair Institute.2. In more positive news related to Gaza, the National Education Association – the largest labor union in the United States – voted this week to sever ties with the Anti-Defamation League. The ADL, once an important group safeguarding the civil rights and wellbeing of American Jews, has completely abandoned its historic mission and has instead devoted its considerable resources to trying to crush the anti-Zionist movement. The NEA passed a resolution stating that the NEA “will not use, endorse, or publicize materials from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), such as its curricular materials or statistics,” because, “Despite its reputation as a civil rights organization, the ADL is not the social justice educational partner it claims to be.” Labor Notes writes that the ADL “has been a ubiquitous presence in U.S. schools for forty years, pushing curriculum, direct programming, and teacher training into K-12 schools and increasingly into universities.” One NEA delegate, Stephen Siegel, said from the assembly floor, “Allowing the ADL to determine what constitutes antisemitism would be like allowing the fossil fuel industry to determine what constitutes climate change.”3. Another major labor story from this week concerns sanitation workers in Philadelphia. According to the Delaware News Journal, AFSCME District Council 33 has reached a deal with the city to raise wages for their 9,000 workers by 9% over three years. The union went on strike July 1st, resulting in, “massive piles of trash piling up on city streets and around trash drop-off sites designated by the city,” and “changes to the city's annual Fourth of July concert with headliner LL Cool J and city native Jazmine Sullivan both dropping out,” in solidarity with the striking workers, per WHYY. The deal reached is a major compromise for the union, which was seeking a 32% total pay increase, but they held off on an extended trash pickup strike equivalent to 1986 strike, which went on for three weeks and left 45,000 tons of rotting garbage in the streets, per ABC.4. Yet another labor story brings us to New York City. ABC7 reports the United Federation of Teachers has endorsed Democratic Socialist – and Democratic Party nominee – Zohran Mamdani for mayor. This report notes “UFT is the city's second largest union…[with] 200,000 members.” Announcing the endorsement, UFT President Michael Mulgrew stated, “This is a real crisis and it's a moment for our city, and our city is starting to speak out very loudly…The voters are saying the same thing, 'enough is enough.' The income gap disparity is above…that which we saw during the Gilded Age." All eyes now turn to District Council 37, which ABC7 notes “endorsed Council speaker Adrienne Adams in the primary and has yet to endorse in the general election.”5. The margin of Mamdani's victory, meanwhile, continues to grow as the Board of Elections updates its ranked choice voting tallies. According to the conservative New York Post, Zohran has “won more votes than any other mayoral candidate in New York City primary election history.” Mamdani can now boast having won over 565,000 votes after 102,000 votes were transferred from other candidates. Not only that, “Mamdani's totals are expected to grow as…a small percent of ballots are still being counted.”6. Meanwhile, scandal-ridden incumbent New York City Mayor Eric Adams has yet another scandal on his hands. The New York Daily News reports, “Four high-ranking former NYPD chiefs are suing Mayor Adams, claiming they were forced to retire from the department after complaining that his ‘unqualified' friends were being placed in prestigious police positions, sometimes after allegedly bribing their way into the jobs.” Former Police Commissioner Edward Caban, who was already forced to resign in disgrace amidst a federal corruption investigation, features prominently in this new lawsuit. Among other things, Caban is alleged to have been “selling promotions” to cops for up to $15,000. Adams is running for reelection as an independent, but trails Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani and disgraced former Governor Andrew Cuomo.7. Turning to the federal government, as the U.S. disinvests in science and technology, a new report published in the Financial Times finds that, “Almost three-quarters of all solar and wind power projects being built globally are in China.” According to the data, gathered by Global Energy Monitor, “China is building 510 gigawatts of utility-scale solar and wind projects… [out of] 689GW under construction globally.” As this report notes, one gigawatt can potentially supply electricity for about one million homes. This report goes on to say that, “China is expected to add at least 246.5GW of solar and 97.7GW of wind this year,” on top of the “1.5 terawatts of solar and wind power capacity up and running as of the end of March.” In the first quarter of 2025, solar and wind accounted for 22.5% of China's total electricity consumption; in 2023, solar and wind accounted for around 14% of electricity consumption in the United States, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.8. Developments this week put two key rules promulgated by the Federal Trade Commission under former Chair Lina Khan in jeopardy. First and worse, NPR reports the Republican-controlled FTC is abandoning a rule which would have banned non-compete clauses in employment contracts. These anti-worker provisions “trap workers and depress wages,” according to Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy, who has introduced legislation to ban them by statute. Perhaps more irritatingly however, Reuters reports the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Louis has blocked the so-called “click to cancel” rule just days before it was set to take effect. This rule would have, “required retailers, gyms and other businesses to provide cancellation methods for subscriptions, auto-renewals and free trials that convert to paid memberships that are ‘at least as easy to use' as the sign up process.” A coalition of corporate interests sued to block the rule, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and a trade group representing major cable and internet providers such as Charter Communications, Comcast and Cox Communications along with media companies like Disney and Warner Bros. Discovery. Lina Khan decried “Firms…making people jump through endless hoops just to cancel a subscription, trapping Americans in needless bureaucracy and wasting their time & money.”9. In another betrayal of consumers, Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. continues to break promises and speak out of both sides of his mouth. A new report in NPR documents RFK Jr. speaking at a conference in April, where he “spoke about the health effects of exposure to harmful chemicals in our food, air and water…[and] cited recent research on microplastics from researchers in Oregon, finding these tiny particles had shown up in 99% of the seafood they sampled.” Yet Susanne Brander, the author of the study, had gotten word just an hour earlier that “a federal grant she'd relied on to fund her research for years…was being terminated.” Brander is quoted saying "It feels like they are promoting the field while ripping out the foundation." Ripping out the foundation of this research is felt acutely, as “regulators are weakening safeguards that limit pollution and other toxic chemicals.” So Mr. Secretary, which is more important – stopping the proliferation of microplastics or slashing funding for the very scientists studying the issue?10. Finally, in Los Angeles masked federal troops are marauding through the streets on horseback, sowing terror through immigrant communities, per the New York Times. President Trump mobilized approximately 4,000 National Guard members – putting them under federal control – alongside 700 Marines in response to protests against immigration raids in June. As the Times notes, “It has been more than three weeks since the last major demonstration in downtown Los Angeles,” but the federal forces have not been demobilized. While some have dismissed the shows of force as nothing more than stunts designed to fire up the president's base, Gregory Bovino, a Customs and Border Protection chief in Southern California told Fox News “[LA] Better get used to us now, cause this is going to be normal very soon.” As LA Mayor Karen Bass put it, “What I saw…looked like a city under siege, under armed occupation…It's the way a city looks before a coup.”This has been Francesco DeSantis, with In Case You Haven't Heard. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

In this special episode of the Greater Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce podcast, Karen Storey welcomes Nancy Fredenburg, President of the Brighton Area Historical Society, for a warm and insightful conversation about the upcoming Mellus Hospital Heritage Day. Karen and Nancy reflect on the legacy of Mellus Hospital, Brighton's first official hospital founded in 1931 by Dr. Horace Mellus, and explore how this iconic Georgian-style building became a symbol of care, community, and progress. Together, they preview the upcoming celebration—complete with guided tours, local history, and stories from the past. They also highlight the day's special guests, including Dave LewAllen, retired Channel 7 News anchor and Mellus Hospital baby, who will deliver the keynote, and John O'Malley, President of Trinity Health Livingston, who will speak to the ongoing legacy of healthcare in the region. Tune in to learn more about this heartfelt community event, and how you can take part in honoring the past while celebrating Brighton's enduring spirit.   Want to learn more about the Mellus Hospital Heritage Day? Click Here Date and Time: Saturday Jul 19, 2025 10:30 AM - 1:30 PM EDT   01:10 Mellus Hospital Heritage Day 04:40 The Building's Rich History 06:30 Honoring the Legacy of Mellus Hospital 09:00 Ghost Stories and Historical Anecdotes 12:00 Trinity Health's New Hospital 14:00 Transitioning from Hospital to Chamber 17:00 Community Engagement and Special Guests   Show Links Learn more about the Brighton Chamber by visiting our website. Website: https://www.brightoncoc.org/   Guest Links Nancy Fredenburg, President of the Brighton Area Historical Society. Website: https://www.brightonareahistorical.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrightonAreaHistoricalSociety Email: info@Brighton Area Historical Society

Send us a textWelcome to the July 11th edition of the Daily Drop, where the Pentagon plays Monopoly with rare earth minerals, drones become the new IEDs, and Trump hands out Patriot missiles like party favors—with NATO picking up the tab (allegedly). Jared unpacks the latest military madness with his usual blend of sarcasm, side-eyes, and straight-up disbelief. From AI drone swarms to banned eyelash extensions, from therapy dogs saving morale to space lasers tracking Chinese satellites—this one's got it all. Oh, and apparently we bombed Iran's nuclear sites… but maybe didn't hit anything? It's like a military-themed episode of “Nailed It!”

Philip dials in from London to chat with “marketing mercenary” Michael Miraflor, who's fresh off his eighth year at Cannes Lions. And after the LinkedIn Thought Leader Industrial Complex weighed in on this year's event, he is ready to share some thoughts. In this episode, we dissect how the prestigious festival has fractured into three simultaneous conferences, each serving different masters in an industry grappling with AI anxiety, platform consolidation, and the eternal tension between craft and commercialism. Listen now if you're also wondering, what does creativity even mean anymore?French Riviera Dreams vs. Silicon Valley AnxietyKey takeaways:Cannes Lions 2025 operated as three distinct conferences simultaneously, reflecting the industry's cultural fragmentation between traditional creativity, advertising channels and platforms, and bougie networking events.AI seemingly dominated every conversation, with industry professionals making dark jokes about replacement theory.Retail media networks and tech platforms have fundamentally altered the festival's ecosystem and vibe, creating productive tension between creative celebration and commercial necessity.Post-festival controversies surrounding AI usage highlight our industry's evolving discourse over the role of authenticity and efficiency in creative work.“If you took away all of the tech companies and platforms and big agencies from the beach, what would Cannes Lions be reduced to? I don't know if it would even make enough money to sustain still having that award ceremony in 2025." – Michael Miraflor"It was inevitable that every other conversation that you would have would become one about AI replacement theory to a certain extent. Or, you know, jokes about how this year feels like we're all on the Titanic." – Michael Miraflor"I find it interesting that a lot of the criticism comes from people who have jobs in creativity that I think are quite elite jobs. In my field, I feel like we're all quite lucky to be where we are…We can be critical, and I think my job has been to be critical... But I also think that we all have some element of privilege to be able to do that kind of work." – Phillip JacksonIn-Show Mentions:The Cannes Lions AI ControversiesMrBeast thumbnail app controversyAssociated Links:Check out Future Commerce on YouTubeCheck out Future Commerce+ for exclusive content and save on merch and printSubscribe to Insiders and The Senses to read more about what we are witnessing in the commerce worldListen to our other episodes of Future CommerceHave any questions or comments about the show? Let us know on futurecommerce.com, or reach out to us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn. We love hearing from our listeners!

L'épisode que vous allez écouter est une rediffusion d'un épisode initialement sorti le 4 octobre 2024.“On fournit des prestations de communication hyper fortes aux marques. On est capable de mettre leur hero product dans la main d'une cliente qui aura toute son attention dessus”.Laurent Kretz rencontre Quentin Reygrobellet, cofondateur et président de Blissim (anciennement JolieBox et BirchBox). Il nous partage les coulisses de cette aventure entrepreneuriale qui s'étale sur 13 années (rachats, LBO, rebranding). Quentin nous explique aussi comment il s'est imposé comme la première offre de beauty discovery par abonnement en France et en Europe. Avec lui, on décrypte aussi la force de sa plateforme dans le retail media pour aider les marques à gagner en notoriété, lancer de nouveaux produits et collecter des avis qualifiés.Dans ce nouvel épisode du Panier, vous trouverez des clés pour :00:00:00 - Intro00:07:00 - Collecter des avis qualifiés de ses abonnés et aider les marques à capitaliser dessus ; 00:12:15 - Nouer un partenariat avec le leader américain pour toucher plus facilement les US ;00:20:15 - Racheter et rebrander sa propre marque ; 00:34:55 - Se transformer en retail media pour aider les marques partenaires à gagner en notoriété ; 00:46:40 - Expériencialiser la découverte de chaque box pour générer du contenu sur les réseaux sociaux ; 00:57:00 - Offrir le meilleur ROI de tous les médias confondus pour les marques beauté ; 01:01:20 - Travailler sa base de clients pour réactiver ceux qui se sont désabonnés ; 01:10:00 - Ouvrir sa propre boutique pour pouvoir travailler avec de grandes marques en s'adaptant à leurs exigences de distribution. Et quelques dernières infos à vous partager : Suivez Le Panier sur Instagram lepanier.podcast !Inscrivez- vous à la newsletter sur lepanier.io pour cartonner en e-comm ! Écoutez les épisodes sur Apple Podcasts, Spotify ou encore Podcast AddictLe Panier est un podcast produit par Cosa, du label Orso Media.Distribué par Audiomeans. Visitez audiomeans.fr/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.

Previous episodes in our AI series have focused on the evolving features of artificial intelligence itself: its potential to democratize education and to improve city planning and weather forecasting. In this final installment, we examine its costs: the accelerating resource demands of AI and other data-intensive technologies.  Maya Chari, this year's Ten Across + APM Research Lab data journalism fellow, recently investigated the true water and energy costs associated with data center facilities in the Phoenix metro area— now on track to become the second largest market in the U.S. Though granular industrial data can be difficult to come by, Maya located a report submitted by Microsoft to City of Goodyear officials, stating that one of their proposed data centers would use as much potable water each year as 670 homes. Amplified across the 140 other data centers currently dotting the state of Arizona alone, the scale of such consumption becomes clearer.  As data centers rapidly multiply in response to market demand around the world—often preferring arid places like the water-stressed U.S. Southwest—critical questions are pressed about whether and how such development can be sustained.    In back-to-back conversations in this episode, we'll hear from experts involved in managing and reducing the impact of the physical infrastructure behind our digitized lives. Bobby Olsen, chief planning, strategy, and sustainability executive at the Arizona electric and water utility Salt River Project, describes planning to meet staggering levels of projected energy demand. And Dr. Kerri Hickenbottom, principal investigator at University of Arizona's Hickenbottom Environmental Research Lab, discusses working in concert with the public and private sectors to improve water reuse strategies and overall efficiency of data center operations.  To support our I-10 neighbors' disaster recovery in Central Texas this week:  Kerr County Flood Relief Fund  Related articles and resources:  “At Amazon's Biggest Data Center, Everything is Supersized for A.I.” (The New York Times, June 2025)  “Are Data Centers Depleting the Southwest's Water and Energy Resources?” (American Public Media Research Lab, February 2025) “Thirst for power and water, AI-crunching data centers sprout across the West” (Stanford University, April 2025)  “'I can't drink the water' —life next to a US data center” (BBC, July 2025)  “Meta is building a new data center in Louisiana—and this Senate committee wants to know why it's being powered by gas (exclusive)” (Fast Company, May 2025)  “Phoenix ranks as the second-largest data center market in the U.S.” (AZ Big Media, March 2024)  Credits:  Host: Duke Reiter  Producer and editor: Taylor Griffith  Music by: Curved Mirror, Hushed, and From Now On  Research and support provided by: Kate Carefoot, Rae Ulrich, and Sabine Butler  About our guests:Bobby Olsen is associate general manager and chief planning, strategy and sustainability executive at the Salt River Project, a public power and water utility in Arizona. Bobby has more than 20 years' experience in energy planning. He also serves on the board of Arizona Forward, a non-profit leading the charge for sustainability in Arizona.  Kerri Hickenbottom is an associate professor in the Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering at the University of Arizona and is principal investigator in the Hickenbottom Environmental Research Lab. Her research focuses on investigating the technical, environmental, and economic potential of novel, engineered systems for resource recovery and reclamation of waste streams.

Stuart Pollington was born in the United Kingdom and grew up there. After college he began working and along the way he decided he wanted to travel a bit. He worked in Las Vegas for six months and then had the opportunity to work for a year in Australia. He then ended up doing some work in Asia and fell in love with Thailand. For the past 20 years he has lived in Thailand where he helped start several entrepreneurial endeavors and he began two companies which are quite alive and well.   My discussion with Stuart gave us the opportunity to explore his ideas of leadership and entrepreneurial progress including what makes a good entrepreneur. He says, for example, that anyone who wishes to grow and be successful should be willing to ask many questions and always be willing to learn. Stuart's insights are quite valuable and worth your time. I believe you will find most useful Stuart's thoughts and ideas.     About the Guest:   Stuart Pollington is a seasoned entrepreneur and digital strategist who has spent over two decades building businesses across the ASEAN region. Originally from the UK, Stuart relocated to Thailand more than 20 years ago and has since co-founded and led multiple ventures, including Easson Energy and Smart Digital Group. His experience spans digital marketing, AI, and sustainability, but at the heart of it all is his passion for building ideas from the ground up—and helping others do the same.   Throughout his career, Stuart has worn many hats: Sales Director, CTO, Founder, Digital Marketer and growth consultant. He thrives in that messy, unpredictable space where innovation meets real-world execution, often working closely with new businesses to help them launch, grow, and adapt in challenging environments. From Bangkok boardrooms to late-night brainstorms, he's seen firsthand how persistence and curiosity can turn setbacks into springboards.   Stuart's journey hasn't always been smooth—and that's exactly the point. He's a firm believer that failure is an essential part of the learning process. Whether it's a marketing campaign that flopped or a business idea that never got off the ground, each misstep has helped shape his approach and fueled his drive to keep moving forward. Ways to connect with Stuart:   https://www.linkedin.com/in/stuartpollington/ www.smart-digital.co.th www.smart-traffic.com.au www.evodigital.com.au https://easson.energy     About the Host:   Michael Hingson is a New York Times best-selling author, international lecturer, and Chief Vision Officer for accessiBe. Michael, blind since birth, survived the 9/11 attacks with the help of his guide dog Roselle. This story is the subject of his best-selling book, Thunder Dog.   Michael gives over 100 presentations around the world each year speaking to influential groups such as Exxon Mobile, AT&T, Federal Express, Scripps College, Rutgers University, Children's Hospital, and the American Red Cross just to name a few. He is Ambassador for the National Braille Literacy Campaign for the National Federation of the Blind and also serves as Ambassador for the American Humane Association's 2012 Hero Dog Awards.   https://michaelhingson.com https://www.facebook.com/michael.hingson.author.speaker/ https://twitter.com/mhingson https://www.youtube.com/user/mhingson https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelhingson/   accessiBe Links https://accessibe.com/ https://www.youtube.com/c/accessiBe https://www.linkedin.com/company/accessibe/mycompany/ https://www.facebook.com/accessibe/       Thanks for listening!   Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!   Subscribe to the podcast   If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can subscribe in your favorite podcast app. You can also support our podcast through our tip jar https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/unstoppable-mindset .   Leave us an Apple Podcasts review   Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.       Transcription Notes:   Michael Hingson ** 00:00 Access Cast and accessiBe Initiative presents Unstoppable Mindset. The podcast where inclusion, diversity and the unexpected meet. Hi, I'm Michael Hingson, Chief Vision Officer for accessiBe and the author of the number one New York Times bestselling book, Thunder dog, the story of a blind man, his guide dog and the triumph of trust. Thanks for joining me on my podcast as we explore our own blinding fears of inclusion unacceptance and our resistance to change. We will discover the idea that no matter the situation, or the people we encounter, our own fears, and prejudices often are our strongest barriers to moving forward. The unstoppable mindset podcast is sponsored by accessiBe, that's a c c e s s i capital B e. Visit www.accessibe.com to learn how you can make your website accessible for persons with disabilities. And to help make the internet fully inclusive by the year 2025. Glad you dropped by we're happy to meet you and to have you here with us.   Michael Hingson ** 01:21 Well, hello, everyone. Once again, it is time for an episode of unstoppable mindset. And today we have a guest, Stuart pullington, who is in Thailand, so that is a little bit of a distance away, but be due to the magic of science and technology, we get to have a real, live, immediate conversation without any delay or anything like that, just because science is a beautiful thing. So Stuart is an entrepreneur. He's been very much involved in helping other people. He's formed companies, but he likes to help other entrepreneurs grow and do the same things that he has been doing. So I am really glad that he consented to be on unstoppable mindset. And Stuart, I want to welcome you to unstoppable mindset. And thank you for being here,   Stuart Pollington ** 02:14 Ryan, thank you for the invitation, Michael, I'm looking forward to it.   Michael Hingson ** 02:18 And Stuart is originally from the United Kingdom, and now for the past, what 20 years you've been in Thailand? Yes, over   Stuart Pollington ** 02:27 a bit over 20 years now. So I think I worked out the other day. I'm 47 in a couple of weeks, and I've spent more than half of my life now over in Asia.   Michael Hingson ** 02:39 So why do you like Thailand so much as opposed to being in England?   Stuart Pollington ** 02:46 It's a good question. I mean, don't get me wrong, I do, I do like the UK. And I really, I really like where I came, where I'm from. I'm from the south coast, southeast, a place called Brighton. So, you know, pretty good, popular place in the UK because of where we're situated, by the, you know, on the on the sea, we get a lot of, you know, foreign tourists and students that come over, etc. I mean, Asia. Why? Why Asia? I mean, I originally went traveling. I did six months in America, actually, first in Las Vegas, which was a good experience, and then I did a bit of traveling in America, from the West Coast over to the East Coast. I did a year in Australia, like a working holiday. And then on my way back to the UK, I had a two week stop over in Thailand, and I went down to the beaches, really enjoyed kind of the culture and the way of life here, if you like. And ended up staying for a year the first time. And then after that year, went back to the UK for a little bit and decided that actually, no, I kind of liked the I liked the lifestyle, I liked the people, I liked the culture in Thailand, and decided that was where I wanted to kind of be, and made my way back   Michael Hingson ** 04:13 there you are. Well, I can tell you, Las Vegas isn't anything like it was 20 years ago. It is. It is totally different. It's evolved. It's very expensive today compared to the way it used to be. You can't, for example, go into a hotel and get an inexpensive buffet or anything like that anymore. Drinks at the hum on the on the casino floors are not like they used to be, or any of that. It's it's definitely a much higher profit, higher cost. Kind of a place to go. I've never been that needy to go to Las Vegas and spend a lot of time. I've been there for some meetings, but I've never really spent a lot of time in Las Vegas. It's a fascinating town. Um. One of my favorite barbecue places in New York, opened up a branch in Las Vegas, a place called Virgil's best barbecue in the country. And when they opened the restaurant, the Virgil's restaurant in Las Vegas, my understanding is that the people who opened it for Virgil's had to first spend six months in New York to make sure that they did it exactly the same way. And I'll tell you, the food tastes the same. It's just as good as New York. So that that would draw me to Las Vegas just to go to Virgil's. That's kind of fun. Well, tell us a little about the early Stuart kind of growing up and all that, and what led you to do the kinds of things you do, and so on. But tell us about the early Stuart, if you would.   Stuart Pollington ** 05:47 Yeah, no problem. I mean, was quite sporty, very sporty. When I was younger, used to play a lot of what we call football, which would be soccer over, over your way. So, you know, very big, younger into, like the the team sports and things like that, did well at school, absolutely in the lessons, not so great when it came to kind of exams and things like that. So I, you know, I learned a lot from school, but I don't think especially back then, and I think potentially the same in other countries. I don't think that the the education system was set up to cater for everyone, and obviously that's difficult. I do feel that. I do feel that maybe now people are a bit more aware of how individual, different individuals perform under different circumstances and need different kind of ways to motivate, etc. So, yeah, I mean, I that that was kind of me at school. Did a lot of sport that, you know was good in the lessons, but maybe not so good at the PAM studying, if you like, you know the studying that you need to do for exams where you really have to kind of cram and remember all that knowledge. And I also found with school that it was interesting in the lessons, but I never really felt that there was any kind of, well, we're learning this, but, and this is how you kind of utilize it, or this is the practical use of what we're learning for life, if that, if that makes sense. Yeah. So, you know, like when we were learning, and I was always very good at maths, and I love numbers, and you know, when we were learning things in maths and things like that, I just never felt that it was explained clearly what you would actually use that for. So when you're learning different equations, it wasn't really well explained how you would then utilize that later in life, which I think, for me personally, I think that would have made things more interesting, and would have helped to kind of understand which areas you should focus on. And, you know, maybe more time could have been spent understanding what an individual is good at, and then kind of explaining, well, if you're good at this, or passionate with this, then this is what you could do with it. I think I remember sitting down with our I can't they would have been our advisors at the time, where you sit down and talk about what you want to do after school, and the question was always, what do you want to be? Whereas, you know, for me personally, I think it would have been more useful to understand, what are your passion you know? What are you passionate about? What are you good at? What do you enjoy doing? And then saying, Well, you know, you could actually do this. This is something you could do, you know. So you could take that and you could become, this could be the sort of career you could do, if that makes sense. So anyway, that that was kind of like, like school and everything like that. And then after school, you know, I didn't, I worked for a couple of years. I didn't really know what I wanted to do. Funnily enough, there was actually a Toys R Us opening in Brighton in one of the summers she went and got, I got a summer job there at Toys R Us. And I really enjoyed that. Actually, that was my first step into actually doing a bit of sales. I worked on the computers. So we were, you know, selling the computers to people coming in. And when we opened the store, it's a brand new store. You know, it was just when the pay as you go. Mobile phones were kind of just coming out. We had Vodafone analog, but it was the non contract where you could just buy top up cards when they first came out, and I remember we were the first store, because we were a new store. We were the first store to have those phones for sale. And I remember just being really determined to just try and be the first person to just sell the first ever mobile phone within Toys R Us. And I remember I started in the morning, and I think my lunch was at, say, 12, but I missed my lunch, and I think I was up till about one, one or 2pm until finally I managed to find someone who, who was, who me, had that need or wanted the phone, and so I made that first sale for toys r us in the UK with the mobile phone, and that that, in itself, taught me a lot about, you know, not giving up and kind of pushing through and persevering a bit. So yeah, that that was kind of my, my early part. I was always interested in other cultures, though. I was always interested at school, you know, I do projects on Australia, Egypt and things like that. And, you know, in the UK, when you get to about, I think similar, similar to America, but, you know, in the UK, where you either before or after uni, it's quite usual to do, like, a gap year or do a bit of traveling. And I just kind of never got round to it. And I had friends that went and did a gap year or years working holiday in Australia, and I remember when they came back, and I was like, Yeah, you know, that's that's actually what I want to do. So when I was about 22 it was at that point, and I'd worked my way up by them from Toys R Us, I'd already moved around the country, helped them open new stores in different locations in the UK. Was working in their busiest story of in Europe, which was in London. But I decided I wanted to kind of I wanted to go and travel. So I remember talking to my area manager at the time and saying, Look, this is what I want to do. I had a friend who was traveling, and he was meeting up with his sister, and his sister happened to be in Las Vegas, which is how we, we kind of ended up there. And I remember talking to my area manager at the time and saying that I want to leave, I want to go and do this. And I remember him sat down just trying to kind of kind of talk me out of it, because they obviously saw something in me. They wanted me to continue on the path I was doing with them, which was going, you know, towards the management, the leadership kind of roles. And I remember the conversation because I was saying to him, Look, I want, I want to, I want to go and travel. I really want to go. I'm going to go to Las Vegas or to travel America. And his response to me was, well, you know, if you stay here for another x years, you can get to this position, then you can go and have a holiday in America, and you could, you can get a helicopter, you can fly over the Grand Canyon, and kind of really trying to sell me into staying in that path that they wanted me to go on. And I thought about that, and I just said, No, I don't want to just go on a holiday. I really just want to immerse myself, and I just want to go there, and I want to live the experience. And so yeah, I I left that position, went to Las Vegas, ended up staying six months. I did three months. Did a bit in Mexico, came back for another three months. And that's where I met a lot of different people from different countries. And I really kind of got that initial early bug of wanting to go out and seeing a bit more of the world. And it was at that point in my life where I was in between, kind of the end of education, beginning of my business career, I guess, and I had that gap where it was the opportunity to do it. So I did, so yeah, I did that time in America, then back to the UK, then a year in Australia, which was great. And then, yeah, like I said, on the way home, is where I did my stop over. And then just obviously fell in love with Thailand and Asia, and that became my mindset after that year going back to the UK. My mindset was, how do I get back to Thailand? You know, how do I get back to Asia? I also spent a bit of time, about five years in the Philippines as well. So, you know, I like, I like, I like the region, I like the people, I like the kind of way of life, if you like.   Michael Hingson ** 14:23 So when you were working in the Philippines, and then when you got to Thailand, what did you do?   Stuart Pollington ** 14:30 Yeah, so I mean, it all starts with Thailand, really. So I mean, originally, when I first came over, I was, I was teaching and doing, trying to kind of some teaching and voluntary stuff. When I came back, I did a similar thing, and then I got, I get, I wouldn't say lucky, I guess I had an opportunity to work for a company that was, we were, we were basically selling laptop. Laptops in the UK, student laptops, they were refurbished like your IBM or your Dell, and we they would be refurbished and resold normally, to students. And we also, we also used to sell the the laptop batteries. So we would sell like the IBM or Dell laptop batteries, but we sell the OEM, you know, so we would get them direct from, from from China, so like third party batteries, if you like. And back in the day, this is just over 20 years ago, but back then, early days of what we would call digital marketing and online marketing. And you know, our website in the UK, we used to rank, you know, number one for keywords like IBM, refurb, refurbished. IBM, laptop Dell, laptop battery, IBM battery. So we used to rank above the brands, and that was my introduction, if you like, to digital marketing and how it's possible to make money online. And then that kind of just morphed into, well, you know, if we're able to do this for our own business, why can't we do this for other businesses? And that would have been the, you know, the early owners and founders of the of smart digital and smart traffic seeing that opportunity and transitioning from running one business and doing well to helping multiple businesses do well online and that, that was the bit I really enjoy. You know, talking to different business owners in different industries. A lot of what we do is very similar, but then you have slightly different approaches, depending on them, the location and the type of business that people are in.   Michael Hingson ** 16:47 Well, you, you have certainly been been around. You formed your own or you formed countries along the way, like Eastern energy and smart digital group. What were they? Right?   Stuart Pollington ** 16:59 Yeah. So, so yeah, going back to the computer website. Out of that came a company called smart traffic that was put together by the free original founders, guy called Simon, guy called Ben, and a guy called Andy. And so they originally came together and put and had created, if you like, smart traffic. And smart traffic is a digital marketing agency originally started with SEO, the organic, you know, so when someone's searching for something in Google, we help get websites to the top of that page so that people can then click on them, and hopefully they get a lead or a sale, or whatever they're they're trying to do with that, with that traffic. So, yeah, they originally put that together. I being here and on the ground. I then started working within the business. So I was running the student website, if you like, the laptop website, and then got the opportunity from very early on to work within the Digital Marketing Company. I've got a sales background, but I'm also quite technical, and I would say I'm good with numbers, so a little bit analytical as well. So the opportunity came. We had opened an office in the Philippines, and it had been open for about, I think, 18 months or two years, and it was growing quite big, and they wanted someone else to go over there to support Simon, who was one of the founders who opened the office over there. And that's when I got the opportunity. So I was over in Cebu for what, five, five and a half years. At one point, we had an office there with maybe 120 staff, and we did a lot of the technical SEO, and we were delivering campaigns for the UK. So we had a company in the UK. We had one in Australia, and then also locally, within the kind of Thai market. And that was fantastic. I really enjoyed working over in the Philippines again. Culture enjoyed the culture enjoyed the people. Really enjoyed, you know, just getting stuck in and working on different client campaigns. And then eventually that brought me back to Thailand. There was a restructure of the company we, you know, we moved a lot of the a lot of the deliverables around. So I was then brought back to Thailand, which suited me, because I wanted to come back to Thailand at that point. And then I had the opportunity. So the previous owners, they, they created a couple of other businesses in Thailand. They're one that very big one that went really well, called dot property, so they ended up moving back to the UK. Long story short, about maybe 10 years ago, I got the opportunity to take over smart digital in Thailand and smart traffic in Australia, which are both the. Marketing agencies that I'd been helping to run. So I had the opportunity to take those over and assume ownership of those, which was fantastic. And then I've obviously been successfully running those for the last 10 years, both here and and in Australia, we do a lot of SEO. We do a lot of Google ads and social campaigns and web design, and we do a lot of white label. So we we sit in the background for other agencies around the world. So there'll be agencies in, you know, maybe Australia, the UK, America, some in Thailand as well, who are very strong at maybe social or very strong ads, but maybe not as strong on the SEO so we, we just become their SEO team. We'll run and manage the campaigns for them, and then we'll deliver all the reporting with their branding on so that they can then plug that into what they do for their clients and deliver to their clients. So that's all fantastic. I mean, I love, I love digital marketing. I love, I love looking at the data and, you know, working out how things work. And we've been very successful over the years, which then led on to that opportunity that you mentioned and you asked about with Eastern energy. So that was about three and a half years ago, right right around the COVID time, I had a meeting, if you like, in in Bangkok, with a guy called Robert Eason. He was actually on his way to the UK with his family, and kind of got stuck in Bangkok with all the lockdowns, and he was actually on his way to the UK to start Eastern energy there. And Eastern energy is basically, it's an energy monitoring and energy efficiency company. It's basically a UK design solution where we have a hardware technology that we retrofit, which is connects, like to the MDB, and then we have sensors that we place around the location, and for every piece of equipment that we connect to this solution, we can see in real time, second by second, the energy being used. We can then take that data, and we use machine learning and AI to actually work with our clients to identify where their energy wastage is, and then work with them to try and reduce that energy wastage, and that reduces the amount of energy they're using, which reduces their cost, but also, very importantly, reduces the CO two emissions. And so I had this chance encounter with Robert, and I remember, at the time I was we were talking about how this solution worked, and I was like, oh, that's quite interesting. You know, I've I, you know, the the digital marketing is going quite well. Could be time to maybe look at another kind of opportunity, if you like. So I had a look at how it worked. I looked at the kind of ideal clients and what sort of other projects were being delivered by the group around the world. And there were a couple of big name brands over in there. So because it works quite well with qsrs, like quick service restaurant, so like your fast food chains, where you have multiple locations. And it just so happened that one of the in case studies they'd had, I just through my networking, I do a lot of networking with the chambers in Bangkok. Through my networking, I actually happened to know some of the people in the right positions at some of these companies. I'd never had the opportunity to work with them, with the digital marketing because most of them would have their own in house teams, and I just saw it as an opportunity to maybe do something with this here. So I, you know, I said to Robert, give me a week. And then a week later, I said, right, we've got a meeting with this company. It's international fast food brand. They've got 1700 locations in Thailand. So when ended that meeting, very, very positive. And after that meeting, I think Robert and I just I said to Robert, you know, currently you have a plan to go to the UK. Currently you're stuck in Thailand with lockdown, with COVID. We don't know what's going to happen and where everything's going to go. Why don't we do it here? And that's where it originally came from. We decided, let's, you know, let's, let's give that a shot over here. Since then, we've brought in two other partners. There's now four of us, a guy called Gary and a guy called Patrick. And yeah, I mean, it's a bit slower than I thought it would be, but it's in the last. Six months, it's really kind of picked up, which has been fantastic. And for me, it was, for me, it was just two things that made sense. One, I love I love data, and I love the technology. So I love the fact that we're now helping businesses by giving them data that they don't currently have the access to, you know. So when you get, you know, when you when you get your electricity bill, you get it the month after you've used everything, don't you, and it just tells you how much you've got to pay. And there's not really much choice. So what we're doing is giving them the visibility in real time to see where their energy is going and be able to make changes in real time to reduce that energy wastage. And I just thought, Well, look, this is great. It's very techie. It's using, you know, date big data, which I love, using machine learning and AI, which is great. And then I also, you know, I do care about the environment. I got two young kids, so I do care about what's happening around the world. And for me, that was a win, win. You know, I got to, I got to do something with tech that was new and exciting. It's definitely new to this region, even though it's been new to the same sort of technology has been utilized in Europe and America for a number of years. So it felt new, it felt exciting. And it's also good, you know, because we are helping people on the path to net zero. You know, how can we get to net zero? How can we reduce these emissions? So, yeah, I mean that that, for me, is   Stuart Pollington ** 26:40 two different types of, in my opinion, entrepreneurial kind of journeys. One is that the with the digital marketing is, is all it's a story of working my way up to then reach the top, if you like. And whereas Eastern energy is more of a traditional kind of as an entrepreneur, this is, this is an idea. Let's do something with it and get an exciting about it. So two kind of, two different approaches to get to the ownership stage, if you like.   Michael Hingson ** 27:14 I have an interesting story. I appreciate what you're saying. The whole entrepreneurial spirit is so important in what we do, and I wish more people had it. But years ago, one of my first jobs out of college was working for a company in Massachusetts, Kurzweil Computer Products. Ray Kurzweil, who developed, originally a reading machine for the blind, and then later a more commercial version of it. And there's somebody that I had met when I was a student at UC Irvine who ended up being back in Massachusetts working for at that time, a think tank consulting company called Bolt Beranek and Newman. I don't know whether you're familiar with them. They changed their name to, I think it was CLOUD NINE or Planet Nine. But Dick was telling me one day that, and this is when mainframe computers were so large and there was a lot needed to keep them cool and so on. Anyway, he was telling me that one day the gas utility came in because the total heating bill for the six story building was like $10 and they wanted to know how BBN bolt, brannic and Newman was stealing energy and and making it so that they didn't pay very much money. And the the president of the company said, let me show you. They went down to the basement, and there they had two PDP 20s, which are like dual PDP 10s. And they put out a lot of heat, needless to say, to run them. And what BBN did was to take all of that heat and pipe it through the building to keep the building warm in the winter. Rather than paying all the gas bills, they were using something that they already had, the entrepreneurial spirit liveth well. And the bottom line is they, they kept the building well heated. And I don't know what they did in the summer, but during the winter it was, it was pretty cool, and they were able to have $10 gas bills for the six story building, which was kind of fun. No,   Stuart Pollington ** 29:39 that's brilliant, yeah, and that just goes to show me, that is what a large part of this, you know, energy efficiency and things like that, is, it's, it's, it's not about just completely replacing or stopping something. It's about better utilizing it. Isn't it? So they, you know the example you just gave there, with the heat and the wasted energy of being lost in that heat release they've used and utilized, which is brilliant.   Michael Hingson ** 30:12 I a couple of years ago. So my wife passed away in 2022 and we have a furnace and so on here, and we had gas bills that were up in the $200 a month or more up as much as $300 a month in the winter to keep the house at a temperature that we could stand. And two years ago, I thought about, how do we lower that? And I was never a great fan of space heaters, but I decided to try something. We got a couple of space heaters, and we put them out in the living room, and we have ceiling fans. So turned on the space heaters and turned on the ceiling fans, and it did a pretty decent job of keeping the temperature down, such that for most months, I didn't even have to turn the furnace on at all, and our heating bill went down to like $39 a month. Then last year, we got an additional heater that was a little bit larger, and added that to the mix. And again, the bottom line is that if I start all of that early in the morning, our heating bill is like 30 $35 a month. Now I do cheat occasionally, and I'll turn the furnace on for about 45 minutes or 50 minutes in the morning with the ceiling fans to help distribute the warmer air, and I can get the house up to 75 degrees, or almost 30 Celsius, in in a very quick time. And then with the other two space heaters running, I don't have to use furnaces or anything for the rest of the day. So I think this year, the most expensive heating bill we had was like $80 because I did occasionally run the the the heaters or the furnace, and when I was traveling, I would turn the furnace on for the cat a little bit. But the bottom line is, there's so many things that we can do to be creative, if we think about it, to make things run more efficiently and not use as much energy and eliminate a lot of the waste that that we have, and so that that has worked out pretty well, and I have solar on the house. So in the summer, when most people around here are paying four and $500 a month for their electric bills to run the air conditioning. My electric bill year round, is $168 a month, which is   Stuart Pollington ** 32:47 cool. Yeah, no, that's great that you've and you've that is a great example there of kind of how you know our approach to energy efficiency. You know what? What are you currently doing? Is there a more efficient way of doing it? Which is exactly what you found, yeah,   Michael Hingson ** 33:07 yeah, and it works really well. So I can't complain it's warming up now. So in fact, we're not I haven't turned the furnace or anything on at all this week. This is the first week it's really been warm at night. In fact, it was 75 degrees Fahrenheit last night. I actually had to turn the air conditioner on and lower the house to 70 degrees, and then turned it off because I don't need to keep it on, and made it easier to sleep. But it's it's amazing, if we think about it, what the things that we can do to make our energy lives more efficient, lower the carbon footprint, and all those kinds of things. So I hear what you're saying, and it's and it's important, I think that we all think about as many ways as we can of doing that. I   Stuart Pollington ** 33:56 think one of the biggest problems with energy is just invisible. You don't, you know, you don't really see it. No. So just, it's just one of those. You just don't really think about it. And again, you only get, you only get told what you've used once you've used it. Yeah, so it's too late by then. And then you go, Oh, you know, you might get an expensive bill. And go, oh, I need to be careful. And then you're careful for a few days or a week, and then again, you don't see it until you get your next bill. Yeah, it's really hard as with anything. I mean, it's a bit like going to the gym. If you go to the gym or the fitness and you just do it sporadically. You don't really have a routine, or, you know, it's gonna be very hard to achieve anything. But then if you, if you set your mind to it, if you maybe get a trainer, and you get a you go onto a better diet, and you follow your routine, you can you will see the results. And it's very similar to what we do. If you've once you've got the data, and you can actually see what. Happening, you can make proper, informed and educated business decisions, and that's what we're trying to do with that is to help businesses make the right decision on the path to net zero   Michael Hingson ** 35:11 well, and you have to develop the mindset as the consumer to bring in a company like yours, or at least think about yourself. What can I do consistently to have a better energy pattern? And I think that's what most people tend not to do a lot, and the result of that is that they pay more than they need to. The power companies like it, the gas companies like it. But still, there are better ways to do it so. So tell me you have been in business and been an entrepreneur for a long time. What is maybe an example of some major crisis or thing that happened to you that you you regard as a failure or a setback that you have had to deal with and that taught you something crucial about business or life.   Stuart Pollington ** 36:08 Brilliant question. I mean, I would, I would guess, over 20 years, there's been a lot of different, sorry, a lot of different things that have happened. I think probably, probably an impactful one would have been. And this taught me a lot about my team, and, you know, their approach and how everyone can pull together. So it would have been, I think it was about, it was when I was in the Philippines. So it would have been about maybe 1212, years ago, we're in Cebu, and there was a big earthquake, and when it hit Cebu, I think it was quite early in the morning. It was like 6am and I remember the whole bed was kind of shaking and rocking, and we, you know, had to get out of the condo. And we're, at the time, living in a place called it Park. And in the Philippines, there's a lot of cool centers, so it's very much 24/7 with an office environment. So as we're coming out of the condo, in literally pants, as in, when I say pants, I mean underwear, because you literally jump out of bed and run. And they were like 1000s, 1000s of all the local Filipinos all all in their normal clothes, because they've all doing the call center work. And I remember just, you know, sitting out on the ground as the aftershocks and whole grounds moving and and, and that that was a very, you know, personal experience. But then on top of that, I've then got over 100 staff in in Cebu at the time that I then have to think about. And, you know, is everyone okay? And then, because of the time it happened, Luckily no one was in the office because it was early, yeah, but it all but it also meant that everything we needed   Michael Hingson ** 38:08 was in the office. Was in the office. Yeah, yeah. So,   Stuart Pollington ** 38:10 so I remember Matt, you know, I remember getting a group of us there, was myself and maybe three or four others from the office, and I remember getting in my car, drove to the office. We were on, I think it's like the eighth or ninth floor, and they didn't want to let us in because of, obviously, the earthquake, and it was a, it was a couple of hours later, and you've got to be obviously, you know, everything needs checking. You still got all the aftershocks, but we managed to let them allow us to run up the fire exit to the office so we could grab, you know, I think we were grabbing, like, 1520, laptops and screens to put in the car so that we could then, and we had to do that of the fire exit, so running up, running down, and that was all into The car so we could then drive to a location where I could get some of my team together remote and to work in this. I think we ended up in some coffee shop we found that was open, and we had the old free G boost kind of the Wi Fi dongles, dongles. And I just remember having to get, like, 1015, of my team, and we're all sat around there in the coffee shop in the morning. You know, there's still the after shops going on the I remember the office building being a mess, and, you know, the tiles had come in and everything, and it was all a bit crazy, but we had to find a way to keep the business running. So we were in the Philippines, we were the support team. We did all of the delivery of the work, but we also worked with the account managers in the UK and Australia as their technical liaisons, if you like. So we. Helped do the strategy. We did everything. And so with us out of action, the whole of Australia and of the whole of the UK team were kind of in a limbo, so we really had to pull together as a team. It taught me a lot about my staff and my team, but it also kind of it taught me about, no matter what does happen, you know, you can find a way through things, you know. So at the time that it happened, it felt like, you know, that's it, what we're going to do, but we had to turn that around and find the way to keep everything going. And yeah, that, that that just taught me a lot of you know, you can't give up. You've got to find a way to kind of push on through. And yeah, we did a fantastic job. Everyone was safe. Sorry. I probably should have said that. You know, no one, none of my team, were affected directly from the from the earthquake, which was great, and we found a way to keep things going so that the business, if you like, didn't fall apart. We,   Michael Hingson ** 41:09 you know, I guess, in our own way, had a similar thing, of course, with September 11, having our office on the 78th floor of Tower One, the difference is that that my staff was out that day working. They weren't going to be in the office. One person was going to be because he had an appointment at Cantor Fitzgerald up on the 96th floor of Tower One for 10 o'clock in the morning, and came in on one of the trains. But just as it arrived at the station tower two was hit, and everything shook, and the engineer said, don't even leave. We're going back out. And they left. But we lost everything in the office that day, and there was, of course, no way to get that. And I realized the next day, and my wife helped me start to work through it, that we had a whole team that had no office, had nothing to go to, so we did a variety of things to help them deal with it. Most of them had their computers because we had laptops by that time, and I had taken my laptop home the previous night and backed up all of my data onto my computer at home, so I was able to work from home, and other people had their computers with them. The reason I didn't have my laptop after September 11 is that I took it in that day to do some work. But needless to say, when we evacuated, it was heavy enough that going down 1463 stairs, 78 floors, that would have been a challenge with the laptop, so we left it, but it worked out. But I hear what you're saying, and the reality is that you got to keep the team going. And even if you can't necessarily do the work that you normally would do you still have to keep everyone's spirits up, and you have to do what needs to be done to keep everybody motivated and be able to function. So I think I learned the same lessons as you and value, of course, not that it all happened, but what I learned from it, because it's so important to be able to persevere and move forward, which, which is something that we don't see nearly as much as sometimes we really should.   Stuart Pollington ** 43:34 Yeah, no, no, definitely. I mean the other thing, and I think you you just mentioned there actually is it. You know, it was also good to see afterwards how everyone kind of pulls together. And, you know, we had a lot of support, not just in the Philippines, but from the UK and the Australia teams. I mean, we had a, we had a bit of an incident, you know, may have seen on the news two weeks ago, I think now, we had an incident in Bangkok where there was a earthquake in Myanmar, and then the all the buildings are shaking in Bangkok, yeah, 7.9 Yeah, that's it. And just, but just to see everyone come together was, was it's just amazing. You know? It's a shame, sometimes it takes something big to happen for people to come together and support each other.   Michael Hingson ** 44:27 We saw so much of that after September 11. For a while, everyone pulled together, everyone was supporting each other. But then over time, people forgot, and we ended up as a as a country, in some ways, being very fractured. Some political decisions were made that shouldn't have been, and that didn't help, but it was unfortunate that after a while, people started to forget, in fact, I went to work for an organization out in California in 2002 in addition to. To taking on a career of public speaking, and in 2008 the president of the organization said, we're changing and eliminating your job because nobody's interested in September 11 anymore, which was just crazy, but those are the kinds of attitudes that some people have, well, yeah, there was so little interest in September 11 anymore that when my first book, thunderdog was published, it became a number one New York Times bestseller. Yeah, there was no interest. It's   Stuart Pollington ** 45:31 just, I hope you sent him a signed copy and said, There you go.   Michael Hingson ** 45:35 Noah was even more fun than that, because this person had been hired in late 2007 and she did such a great job that after about 18 months, the board told her to go away, because she had so demoralized the organization that some of the departments were investigating forming unions, you know. So I didn't need to do anything. Wow, so, you know, but it, it's crazy, the attitudes that people have. Well, you have it is, it's it's really sad. Well, you have done a couple of things that I think are very interesting. You have moved to other countries, and you've also started businesses in unfamiliar markets. What advice? What advice would you give to someone who you learn about who's doing that today, starting a business in an unfamiliar market, or in a foreign country, or someplace where they've never been?   Stuart Pollington ** 46:34 Yeah, again, good questions. I looking back and then so and seeing what I'm doing now, and looking back to when I first came over, I think chambers, I think if I have one, you know, obviously you need to understand the market you want. You need to understand, like the labor laws, the tax laws and, you know, the business laws and things like that. But I think, I think the best thing you could do in any country is to check out the chambers. You know, I'm heavily involved and active with aus Jam, which is the Australian Chamber of Commerce, because of the connection with smart traffic in Australia, in Sydney, the digital marketing. I'm also involved with bcct, the British chamber as British Chamber of Commerce Thailand as well, that there's a very big AmCham American Chamber over here as well. And I just think that the chambers can help a lot. You know, they're good for the networking. Through the networking, you can meet the different types of people you need to know, connections with visas, with, you know, work permits, how to set up the business, recruiting everything. So everything I need, I can actually find within this ecosphere of the chambers. And the chambers in Thailand and Bangkok, specifically, they're very active, lots of regular networking, which brings, you know, introductions, new leads to the business, new connections. And then on top of that, we've had, we've had a lot of support from the British Embassy over in in Thailand, especially with the Eastern energy, because it is tech based, because it is UK Tech, and because it is obviously something that's good for the environment and what everyone's trying to push towards. So I think the two key areas for me, if you are starting a business in an unfamiliar area, is one. Check out the chambers. So obviously the first one you'd look at is your own nationality. But don't stress too much about that. I mean, the chambers over here will welcome anyone from any nationality. So, you know, utilize the chambers because it's through that that you're going to get to speak to people, expats, already running businesses. You'll hear the horror stories. You'll hear the tips. It will save you some time, it will save you some money, and it will save you from making similar mistakes. And then also talk to your embassy and how they can maybe support you. We've had, again, some great support from the British Embassy. They've witnessed demo use. They've helped us with introductions. On the energy efficiency side,   Michael Hingson ** 49:26 one of the things that clearly happens though, with you is that you also spend time establishing relationships with people, so you talk about the chamber and so on. But it also has to be that you've established and developed trusting relationships, so that you are able to learn the things that you learned, and that people are willing to help teach you. And I suspect that they also realize that you would be willing to help others as well.   Stuart Pollington ** 49:55 Yeah, and I think I mean yes, and I'm talking about. And I mentioned, sorry, networking and the changes. But with networking, you know, you don't, you shouldn't go in there with the mindset of, I'm going into networking. I want to make as many sales as I can. Whatever you go into the networking. Is an opportunity to meet people, to learn from people you then some of those people, or most of those people, may not even be the right fit for you, but it's about making those relationships and then helping each other and making introductions. So you know, a lot of what I do with the chambers, I run a lot of webinars. I do workshops where I do free training on digital marketing, on AI, on SEO, on ads, on social. I use that as my lead gen, if you like. So I spend a lot of time doing this educationally and helping people. And then the offshot of that is that some of those will come and talk to me and ask me to how I can help them, or they will recommend me to someone else. And you know, we all know in business, referrals are some of the best leads you can get.   Michael Hingson ** 51:11 Yeah, by any, by any definition, one of, one of the things that I tell every sales person that I've ever hired is you are a student, at least for your first year, don't hesitate to ask questions, because in reality, in general, people are going to be perfectly willing to help you. They're not going to look down on you if you ask questions and legitimately are looking for guidance and information. Again, it's not about you, it's about what you learn, and it's about how you then are able to use that knowledge to help other people, and the people and the individuals who recognize that do really well.   Stuart Pollington ** 51:50 No, exactly, and I don't know about you, Michael, but I like, I like helping people. Yeah, I like, it makes me feel good. And, yeah, that's, that's a big part of it as well. You know   Michael Hingson ** 52:01 it is and, and that's the way it ought to be. It's, that's the other thing that I tell them. I said, once you have learned a great deal, first of all, don't forget that you're always going to be a student. And second of all, don't hesitate to be a teacher and help other people as well.   Speaker 1 ** 52:16 Man, that's really important. Yeah, brilliant.   Michael Hingson ** 52:20 Now you have worked across a number of sectors and market, marketing, tech, sales, energy and so on. How did how do you do that? You You've clearly not necessarily been an expert in those right at the beginning. So how do you learn and grow and adapt to be able to to work in those various industries.   Stuart Pollington ** 52:41 Yeah, I mean, for the marketing, for the marketing, it helps that I really was interested in it. So there was a good there was a good interest. And if you're interested in something, then you get excited about it, and you have the motivation and the willingness to learn and ask the questions, like you said, and then that is where you can take that kind of passion and interest and turn it into something a bit more constructive. It's a bit like I was saying at the beginning. It's the sort of thing I wish they'd done a bit maybe with me at school, was understand what I was good at and what I liked. But yeah, so with the marketing, I mean, very similar to what you've said, I asked questions. I see it just seems to click in my head on how it worked. And it kind of made sense to me. It was just one of these things that clicked, yeah. And so for the marketing, I just found it personally quite interesting, but interesting, but also found it quite easy. It just made sense to me, you know. And similar, you know, using computers and technology, I think it just makes sense. It doesn't to everyone. And other people have their strengths in other areas, but, you know, for me, it made sense. So, you know that that was the easy part. Same with Eastern energy, it's technology. It makes sense. I love it, but at the end of the day, it's all about it's all about people, really business, and you've got your people and your team, and how you motivate them is going to be similar. It's going to be slightly different depending on culture and where you're based, in the type of industry you're in, but also very similar. You know, people want praise, they want constructive feedback. They want to know where they're gonna be in a year or five years. All of that's very similar. So you people within the business, and then your customers are just people as well, aren't they? Well, customers, partners, clients, you know that they are just people. So it's all, it's all, it's all about people, regardless of what we're doing. And because it's all very similar with tech and that, it just, yeah, I don't know. It just makes sense to me. Michael, I mean, it's different. It's funny, because when I do do network and I talk to people, I say, Well, I've got this digital marketing agency here. Work, and then I've got this energy efficiency business here. And the question is always, wow, they sound really different. How did you how did you get into them? But when, again, when I look at it, it's not it's it's tech, it's tech, it's data, it's people. That's how I look at it,   Michael Hingson ** 55:16 right? And a lot of the same rules apply across the board. Yes, there are specific things about each industry that are different, but the basics are the same.   Stuart Pollington ** 55:28 That's it. I, in fact, I that isn't almost, there's almost word for word. What I use when I'm explaining our approach to SEO, I just say, Look, you know, there's, there's three core areas with SEO, it's the tech, the on site, it's the content, and it's the off site signals, or the link building. I said they're the three core areas for Google. They've been the same for, you know, 20 years. Within those areas, there's lots of individual things you need to look at, and that changes a lot. And there's 1000s of things that go into the algorithm, but the basics are the same. Sort your tech, sort the text, sort the tech of it out, the speed of the site and the usability. Make sure your content is good and relevant and authoritative, and then get other sites to recommend you and reference you, you know So, but, yeah, that's very similar to how I try and explain SEO. Yeah, you know all this stuff going on, but you still got the core basics of the same.   Michael Hingson ** 56:29 It is the same as it has always been, absolutely. So what do you do? Or how do you deal with a situation when plans necessarily don't go like you think they should, and and all that. How do you stay motivated?   Stuart Pollington ** 56:45 I mean, it depends, it depends what's gone wrong. But, I mean, I'm, I'm, I'm a big believer in, you know, learning from your mistakes and then learning also learning from what went wrong. Because sometimes you don't make a mistake and something goes wrong, but something still goes wrong. I think it helps. It helps to have a good team around you and have a good support team that you can talk to. It's good to be able to work through issues. But, I mean, for me, I think the main thing is, you know, every like you were saying earlier, about asking questions and being a student for a year. You know everything that happens in business, good or bad, is a lesson that should help you be better in the future. So you know the first thing, when something goes wrong, understand what's gone wrong first. Why did it go wrong? How did it go wrong? How do we resolve this, if we need to resolve something for the client or us, and then how do we try and limit that happening in the future? And then what do we learn from that? And how do we make sure we can improve and be better? And I think, you know, it's not always easy when things go wrong, but I think I'm long enough in the tooth now that I understand that, you know, the bad days don't last. There's always a good day around the corner, and it's about, you know, working out how you get through   Michael Hingson ** 58:10 it. And that's the issue, is working it out. And you have to have the tenacity and, well, the interest and the desire to work it out, rather than letting it overwhelm you and beat you down, you learn how to move forward.   Stuart Pollington ** 58:25 Yeah, and that's not easy, is it? I mean, let's be honest. I mean, even, even being when we were younger and kids, you know, things happen. It does. We're just human, aren't we? We have emotions. We have certain feelings. But if you can just deal with that and then constructively and critically look at the problem, you can normally find a solution.   Michael Hingson ** 58:46 Yeah, exactly. What's one piece of advice you wished you had learned earlier in your entrepreneurial career?   Stuart Pollington ** 58:56 Um, I Yeah. I mean, for this one. I think, I think what you said earlier, actually, it got me thinking during wise we've been talking because I was kind of, I would say, don't be afraid to ask questions just based on what we've been talking about. It's changed a little bit because I was going to say, well, you know, one of the things I really wish I'd learned or known earlier was, you know, about the value of mentorship and kind of finding the the right people who can almost show you where you need to be, but you could, you know, but when people hear the word mentor, they think of either or, you know, someone really, yeah, high up who I could I'm too afraid to ask them, or someone who's going to cost you 1000s of dollars a month. So actually, I'm going to change that to don't be afraid to ask questions, because that's basically what you'd expect from a mentor, is to be able to ask. Questions, run ideas. And I think, I think, yeah, I think thinking back now, understanding that the more questions you ask, the more information you have, the better your decisions you can make. And obviously, don't be afraid to learn from other people's experience, because they've been through it, and potentially they could have the right way for you to get through it as well.   Michael Hingson ** 1:00:24 And you never know where you're going to find a mentor. Exactly,   Stuart Pollington ** 1:00:28 yeah, no, exactly. I think again, you hear the word mentor, and you think people have this diff, a certain perception of it, but it can be anyone. I mean, you know, if I my mom could be my mentor, for, for, for her great, you know, cooking and things that she would do in her roast dinners. You know that that's kind of a mentor, isn't it making a better roast dinner? So I think, yeah, I think, I   Michael Hingson ** 1:00:54 think, but it all gets back to being willing to ask questions and to listen,   Stuart Pollington ** 1:01:02 and then I would add one more thing. So ask the questions, listen and then take action. And that's where that unstoppable mindset, I think, comes in, because I think people do ask questions, people can listen, but it's the taking action. It's that final step of having the courage to say, I'm going to do this, I'm going to go for   Michael Hingson ** 1:01:23 it. And you may find out that what was advised to you may not be the exact thing that works for you, but if you start working at it, and you start trying it, you will figure out what works   Stuart Pollington ** 1:01:37 exactly. Yeah, no, exactly. That's it, yeah.   Michael Hingson ** 1:01:41 Well, what a great place to actually end this. We've been doing this now over an hour, and I know, can you believe it? And I have a puppy dog who probably says, If you don't feed me dinner soon, you're going to be my dinner. So I should probably go do that. That's   Stuart Pollington ** 1:01:57 all good. So for me, I'm going to go and get my breakfast coffee. Now it's 7am now, five past seven in the morning.   Michael Hingson ** 1:02:03 There you are. Well, this is my day. This has been a lot of fun. I really appreciate you being here, and I want to say to everyone listening and watching, we really appreciate you being here with us as well. Tell others about unstoppable mindset. We really appreciate that. Love to hear your thoughts and get your thoughts, so feel free to email me with any of your ideas and your your conceptions of all of this. Feel free to email me at Michael H, I m, I C, H, A, E, L, H, I at accessibe, A, C, C, E, S, S, I B, e.com, you can also go to our podcast page. There's a contact form there, and my podcast page is www dot Michael hingson.com/podcast, and Michael hingson is spelled M, I, C, H, A, E, L, H, I N, G, s, O N. Love to hear from you. Would really appreciate it if you'll give us a five star rating wherever you're watching or listening to the podcast today, if you know anyone and steward as well for you, if any one of you listening or participating knows anyone else that you think ought to be a guest on unstoppable mindset, we'd love to hear from you. We'd love introductions, always looking for more people to tell their stories. So that's what this is really all about. So I really appreciate you all taking the time to be here, and Stuart, especially you. Thank you for being here. This has been a lot of fun, and we really appreciate you taking your time.   Stuart Pollington ** 1:03:26 Thank you, Michael. Thank you everyone. I really enjoyed that. And you know, in the spirit of everything, you know, if, if anyone does have any questions for me, just feel free to reach out. I'm happy to chat.   Michael Hingson ** 1:03:39 How do they do that? What's the best way, I   Stuart Pollington ** 1:03:41 think probably the LinkedIn so I think on when you post and share this, you will have the link. I think   Michael Hingson ** 1:03:49 we will. But why don't you go ahead and say your LinkedIn info anyway? Okay, yeah.   Stuart Pollington ** 1:03:53 I mean, the easiest thing to do would just be the Google search for my name on LinkedIn. So Stuart pollington, it's S, T, U, a, r, t, and then P, O, L, L, I N, G, T, O, N, and if you go to LinkedIn, that is my I think I got lucky. I've got the actual LinkedIn URL, LinkedIn, forward slash, I N, forward slash. Stuart pollington, so it should be nice and easy.   Michael Hingson ** 1:04:19 Yeah, I think I got that with Michael hingson. I was very fortunate for that as well. Got lucky with   Stuart Pollington ** 1:04:23 that. Yeah, they've got numbers and everything. And I'm like, Yes, yeah.   Michael Hingson ** 1:04:30 Well, thank you again. This has been a lot of fun, hasn't   Stuart Pollington ** 1:04:33 it? He has. I've really enjoyed it. So thank you for the invitation, Michael.   **Michael Hingson ** 1:04:42 You have been listening to the Unstoppable Mindset podcast. Thanks for dropping by. I hope that you'll join us again next week, and in future weeks for upcoming episodes. To subscribe to our podcast and to learn about upcoming episodes, please visit www dot Michael hingson.com slash podcast. Michael Hingson is spelled m i c h a e l h i n g s o n. While you're on the site., please use the form there to recommend people who we ought to interview in upcoming editions of the show. And also, we ask you and urge you to invite your friends to join us in the future. If you know of any one or any organization needing a speaker for an event, please email me at speaker at Michael hingson.com. I appreciate it very much. To learn more about the concept of blinded by fear, please visit www dot Michael hingson.com forward slash blinded by fear and while you're there, feel free to pick up a copy of my free eBook entitled blinded by fear. The unstoppable mindset podcast is provided by access cast an initiative of accessiBe and is sponsored by accessiBe. Please visit www.accessibe.com . AccessiBe is spelled a c c e s s i b e. There you can learn all about how you can make your website inclusive for all persons with disabilities and how you can help make the internet fully inclusive by 2025. Thanks again for Listening. Please come back and visit us again next week.

This Day in Legal History: Richard and Mildred Loving ArrestedOn this day in legal history, July 11, 1958, Richard and Mildred Loving were arrested in Central Point, Virginia, for violating the state's Racial Integrity Act, which banned interracial marriage. The couple had legally wed in Washington, D.C., but upon returning to Virginia, they were charged with "cohabiting as man and wife, against the peace and dignity of the Commonwealth." Richard, a white man, and Mildred, a Black and Indigenous woman, pled guilty and were sentenced to one year in prison, suspended on the condition that they leave the state for 25 years.The Lovings relocated to Washington, D.C., but their desire to return home ultimately led to a pivotal civil rights case. In 1963, they wrote to Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, who referred them to the ACLU. Attorneys Bernard Cohen and Philip Hirschkop took up their case, arguing that Virginia's law violated the Equal Protection and Due Process Clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment. After years of legal battles, the case reached the U.S. Supreme Court.In Loving v. Virginia (1967), the Court unanimously struck down laws banning interracial marriage, declaring that "the freedom to marry… may not be infringed by the State." Chief Justice Earl Warren wrote that Virginia's law served no legitimate purpose "independent of invidious racial discrimination." The decision invalidated similar laws in 15 other states.The Lovings never sought to become civil rights icons—they simply wanted to live as a married couple in their home state. Their quiet determination reshaped American constitutional law, affirming marriage as a fundamental right and setting a legal precedent that continues to influence equal protection jurisprudence.The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals temporarily paused a lower court ruling that had blocked President Donald Trump's executive order removing collective bargaining rights for large segments of the federal workforce. U.S. District Judge James Donato had issued the initial injunction in June, finding the executive order likely violated federal employees' First Amendment rights and targeted unions viewed as adversarial to Trump. The appeals court's administrative stay keeps the order in limbo while it considers the administration's appeal, with oral arguments scheduled for July 17.Trump's order affects 21 federal agencies and would make it easier to discipline or fire employees while restricting union challenges. The order notably broadened national security exceptions to collective bargaining beyond intelligence agencies like the CIA and FBI. Unions argue the move is retaliatory and affects many workers who don't handle national security matters.Earlier, a Washington, D.C. judge blocked the same order at seven agencies, including the DOJ and Treasury, but that ruling is also stayed pending appeal. The Trump administration has also filed lawsuits to void existing union contracts, though one such suit by the Treasury was dismissed for lack of standing. A related case remains pending in Texas.US court pauses block on Trump eliminating union bargaining for federal workers | ReutersThe White House is currently reviewing federal agency layoff plans following a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision that permits large-scale downsizing of the government workforce. Two senior officials confirmed the review is aimed at minimizing future legal challenges by ensuring all plans comply with congressional rules and civil service regulations. Coordination is being handled through the White House Counsel's Office and the Office of Personnel Management. Although no specific timeline has been announced, officials say the layoffs are an "immediate priority," with a goal to reduce the size of government swiftly.The ruling, welcomed by the Trump administration, allows agencies to act on plans developed earlier this year under the guidance of the Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk. However, the administration acknowledged that labor contracts and due process protections still apply, and lawsuits are expected even if legal thresholds are met.The State Department has already confirmed it will begin issuing termination notices imminently, having proposed nearly 2,000 job cuts in May. Overall, about 260,000 federal employees have already exited through firings, resignations, or early retirements since January. The layoffs are expected to affect more than a dozen departments, including Agriculture, Commerce, and Veterans Affairs.White House reviews mass federal layoff plans, aims for swift action | ReutersMahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University student and permanent U.S. resident, has filed a $20 million claim against the Trump administration, alleging false imprisonment and malicious prosecution. Khalil, a pro-Palestinian activist, was detained for over 100 days by immigration authorities who accused him of undermining U.S.–Israel relations. His legal team submitted the claim under federal rules requiring damages claims to be filed before a lawsuit. Homeland Security dismissed the claim as "absurd," defending its actions as lawful.Khalil argues his arrest was politically motivated, targeting him for his pro-Palestinian speech, and says he would accept an official apology and a policy change as an alternative to monetary compensation. He was released on bail in June after a federal judge ruled his detention violated his First Amendment rights. The case has drawn widespread attention from civil rights and Palestinian advocacy groups, who accuse the administration of equating criticism of Israel with antisemitism.Trump has publicly pledged to deport foreign students participating in anti-Israel protests, and Khalil was the first high-profile detainee under this initiative. His lawyers continue to challenge his deportation, and the administration has six months to respond to his compensation claim.Mahmoud Khalil seeks $20 million from Trump administration over immigration arrest | ReutersThis week's closing theme is by George Gershwin.This week's closing theme is dedicated to one of America's most iconic composers—George Gershwin, who died on July 11, 1937, at just 38 years old. Though his life was short, Gershwin's musical legacy is vast, bridging the worlds of classical music and jazz with unprecedented flair. His compositions resonate with a distinctively American voice, and no piece captures that better than Rhapsody in Blue. Premiered in 1924, the work opens with a now-famous clarinet glissando and bursts into a vibrant, restless energy that seems to embody the optimism and chaos of early 20th-century New York.Commissioned by bandleader Paul Whiteman, Rhapsody in Blue was Gershwin's first major attempt to merge classical form with jazz idioms. What emerged was a concerto-like work that thrilled audiences and critics alike and marked the beginning of serious recognition for jazz as a concert-hall art form. Gershwin performed the piano solo himself at the premiere, having written much of it in a hurry and leaving some sections to be improvised on the spot.His sudden death from a brain tumor shocked the music world. It cut short the career of a composer who had already revolutionized American music and was poised to do much more. In works like Porgy and Bess and An American in Paris, Gershwin demonstrated a rare ability to synthesize European traditions with American vernacular music. But Rhapsody in Blue remains his most enduring testament—a collision of elegance, innovation, and vitality.As we reflect on Gershwin's passing this week, we close with Rhapsody in Blue, a work that continues to pulse with life nearly a century after its premiere. Its blend of bluesy lyricism and orchestral sweep makes it a fitting tribute to a composer whose voice was silenced too soon.Without further ado, George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue, enjoy! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.minimumcomp.com/subscribe

Three years ago, Congress appropriated over 42 billion dollars to build out the nation's broadband system so that every one could have access to internet resources. In mid June, the Commerce department announced it was revamping the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment or BEAD program to focus on outcomes and not process and finally get the money flowing to projects. Here with insight on what that means for citizens and network providers is the CEO of the trade group U.S. Telecom, Jonathan Spalter.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today’s Peoples Bank Let’s Talk Indianola features Linda Frazier with Rate after the Indianola Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting ceremony.

Bonjour et bienvenue dans la revue de presse hebdo et audio du secteur retail / e-commerce en France proposée par Les Digital Doers en partenariat avec le One to One Expérience Client de Biarritz.

In this episode, I sit down with Isaac LeKach and Lillian Shalom, the creative and entrepreneurial duo behind Flower Shop Perfumes Co., a brand that's blurring the lines between scent, art, and emotion.  What struck me most about our conversation is how personal their approach to fragrance is. For them, perfume isn't just about smelling good; it's about storytelling, self-expression, and creating a deeply emotional, almost spiritual experience for the wearer. We talk about everything from product innovation to packaging inspired by sculpture, as well as what it's like to build a fragrance brand with no roadmap, just instinct and intention.   Whether it's through bold scent choices or unconventional bottle design, Flower Shop is rewriting the rules of what a fragrance brand can be—and why the industry needed a shake-up. Here are a few highlights from our conversation:   * How a chance conversation led to the birth of a fragrance line rooted in nostalgia and artistry   * Why the brand isn't chasing mass appeal—and why that's a strength   * Lillian's take on perfume as wearable sculpture and emotional trigger   * The role of risk-taking and gut decisions in building a disruptive brand   * Why authenticity and creative freedom are their North Star   Join me, Ramon Vela, as I listen to the episode and explore how Flower Shop Perfumes Co. is redefining modern fragrance—one story, one scent, one sculpture at a time. If you're a fan of art, beauty, or brand building, you'll find this episode rich with inspiration. For more on Parfum Cirque Du Soleil, visit: https://parfumcirquedusoleil.com/ For more on Flower Shop Perfumes Co., visit: https://flower-shop.co/ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave The Story of a Brand Show a rating and review.  Plus, don't forget to follow us on Apple and Spotify.  Your support helps us bring you more content like this! * Today's Sponsors: Saral - The Influencer OS: https://www.getsaral.com/demo SARAL is the all-in-one influencer platform that finds brand-aligned creators, automates outreach, and manages everything in one place. Request a live demo today. Let the SARAL team know you're a The Story of a Brand Show podcast listener to get an extended free trial! Visit the link above.    1 Commerce: https://1-commerce.com/story-of-a-brand Scaling a DTC brand gets harder the bigger you grow, especially when you're stuck selling on just one channel.  While you're focused on day-to-day ops, your competitors are unlocking marketplaces like Amazon, Walmart, and even retail shelf space—and capturing customers you're missing. That's where 1-Commerce comes in.  They help high-growth brands expand beyond their sites, handle end-to-end fulfillment, and scale through a revenue-share model that means they only win when you do.  As a Story of a Brand listener, you'll get one month of free storage and a strategy session with their CEO, Eric Kasper. 

Join Mary Crafts and Brenda Betteridge for a lively chat about why lifelong learning is a game-changer, especially after hitting the big 5-0. They dive into how everyday moments can teach us something new, the perks of going back to school as an adult, and how tech, like AI, is shaking up the way we learn. It's all about staying curious, bouncing back from life's curveballs, and chasing knowledge to live a life full of meaning, even when things get tough.   About the Guest: Brenda Betteridge is a dedicated lifelong learner who currently works at Utah Valley University (UVU) in the department of Executive and Professional Education. With a passion for continuous growth and education, Brenda is enrolled in college, pursuing knowledge beyond her initial explorations in speed writing back in 1979. Her commitment to education shines through her involvement in developing programs that foster skill development for professionals, including AI for professionals. Brenda is also an active member of the Women's Business Network with the Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce.  Key Takeaways: Lifelong learning can significantly enhance the quality of life, offering fulfillment and keeping individuals engaged, especially post-50. Brenda Betteridge showcases the transformative potential of AI for personal and professional growth, emphasizing the accessibility and benefits of learning new technologies. Curiosity is a cornerstone of learning; it propels individuals to embrace new experiences, whether it's picking up hobbies like Zentangle or exploring digital tools. Emotional resilience and growth can emerge from life challenges, as illustrated by Brenda's personal narratives of grief and recovery. Educational opportunities abound beyond traditional schooling, with avenues like online courses, professional training, and creative exploration paving the way for continuous learning. Resources: Follow Brenda on Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/brenda-betteridge-salem  Email Brenda: bbetteridge@uvu.edu Mary Crafts: MaryCraftsInc.com  

In episode 208, Coffey talks with David Miklas about the Department of Labor's evolving definitions and interpretations of independent contractor classification under the Fair Labor Standards Act.  They discuss why DOL interpretations matter for FLSA compliance and overtime requirements; the shift from Biden administration's six-factor economic reality test back to Trump administration's emphasis on control and profit/loss opportunity; the six key factors including nature and degree of control, opportunity for profit and loss, permanence of relationship, worker investments, skill and initiative requirements, and how integral the work is to the principal business; common classification mistakes across industries including misunderstanding IRS versus DOL tests; the risks of supervision and control over workers classified as contractors; how technology can demonstrate control in gig economy situations; the financial consequences of misclassification including unpaid overtime, liquidated damages, and attorney fees; and the importance of proper written agreements and immediate legal consultation when classification issues arise. Good Morning, HR is brought to you by Imperative—Bulletproof Background Checks. For more information about our commitment to quality and excellent customer service, visit us at https://imperativeinfo.com.  If you are an HRCI or SHRM-certified professional, this episode of Good Morning, HR has been pre-approved for half a recertification credit. To obtain the recertification information for this episode, visit https://goodmorninghr.com.  About our Guest: David Miklas owns a Labor & Employment law firm and for 26 years he has practiced all types of labor and employment law exclusively representing Florida employers. He has written hundreds of employment law articles, is the co-author for the premier legal textbook used by lawyers for Florida employment law, is a frequent employment law presenter and is a nationally recognized speaker and an invited guest lecturer addressing employment law and human resource issues with over thirty universities, including Harvard. Mr. Miklas graduated from the University of Florida College of Law. David Miklas can be reached athttps://www.miklasemploymentlaw.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-miklas-301861121/  About Mike Coffey: Mike Coffey is an entrepreneur, licensed private investigator, business strategist, HR consultant, and registered yoga teacher.In 1999, he founded Imperative, a background investigations and due diligence firm helping risk-averse clients make well-informed decisions about the people they involve in their business.Imperative delivers in-depth employment background investigations, know-your-customer and anti-money laundering compliance, and due diligence investigations to more than 300 risk-averse corporate clients across the US, and, through its PFC Caregiver & Household Screening brand, many more private estates, family offices, and personal service agencies.Imperative has been named a Best Places to Work, the Texas Association of Business' small business of the year, and is accredited by the Professional Background Screening Association.Mike shares his insight from 25+ years of HR-entrepreneurship on the Good Morning, HR podcast, where each week he talks to business leaders about bringing people together to create value for customers, shareholders, and community.Mike has been recognized as an Entrepreneur of Excellence by FW, Inc. and has twice been recognized as the North Texas HR Professional of the Year. Mike serves as a board member of a number of organizations, including the Texas State Council, where he serves Texas' 31 SHRM chapters as State Director-Elect; Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County; the Texas Association of Business; and the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, where he is chair of the Talent Committee.Mike is a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) through the HR Certification Institute and a SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP). He is also a Yoga Alliance registered yoga teacher (RYT-200) and teaches multiple times each week. Mike and his very patient wife of 28 years are empty nesters in Fort Worth.   Learning Objectives: 1.       Evaluate worker relationships using the Trump Administration's six-factor economic reality test.2.       Differentiate between US Department of Labor independent contractor definitions and those of the and IRS and state regulators.3.       Respond appropriately to classification concerns to avoid liability.

With the economic realities of Hurricane Helene recovery coupled with the uncertain nature of the overall economy these days, many people have been asking, "How is business in Boone?"On this week's Mind Your Business, we answer that complex question from a variety of perspectives. We hear from Chris Burns, Senior Vice President, Relationship Manager for the Boone Branch of Mountain Community Bank. He shares a look at the business landscape from the seat of a local banker, while also highlighting some of the trends the industry monitors as they work with personal and commercial banking customers. To get the latest from local businesses themselves, we asked three of our members: How is the summer unfolding for your business and What have your interactions with customers been like this summer? We get those answers and perspectives from Talia Freeman (Beech Mountain Resort), Lucas Underwood (L&N Performance Automotive & Mystery Hill), and Megan Kevorkian (South End Brewing Company).Finally -- we address the rumor of the week in Boone -- YES, that was a double-decker AppalCART you saw the earlier this week. Find out when it's coming back!Mind Your Business is written and produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. This podcast is made possible thanks to the sponsorship support of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate.Catch the show each Thursday morning at 9AM on WATA (1450AM & 96.5FM) in Boone.Support the show

Mesa District 2 Councilmember Julie Spilsbury joins Mesa Chamber President and CEO Sally Harrison in discussing Councilmember's valuable experience in her roles, significant achievements, and passion for helping the Mesa community. The Mesa Chamber of Commerce Inside Business Podcast is a production of the Mesa Chamber of Commerce. Inquiries regarding the MCIBP can be made via email to info@mesachamber.org.  The Podcast interviews members and individuals/organizations on topics of interest to Mesa Chamber members. Learn more at mesachamber.org. ©2025 Mesa Chamber of Commerce

In episode 100 of The ROCC Pod, we celebrate a major milestone by revisiting some of our most memorable and impactful moments from the past five and a half (!) years. We kick things off by honoring the co-hosts who helped launch the show, Andrea Arndt and Trish Carruth, and by thanking the Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce and its leaders for their continued support.From there, we relive powerful moments of resilience and entrepreneurship. Mo and Erin of Home Turf Gym share the emotional journey of opening their dream gym, while Siri from Kacha Thai Market explains how she brought authentic Thai cuisine to our community. Jill Gleba (from Episode 1) helps us rethink money as a tool for freedom, not fear. And Jill Plamper at Distinctive Framing inspires with her creativity—turning a wedding gown into a custom art piece.We hear marketing wisdom from Davaughnu Banks, who reminds us that knowing your brand internally is essential before taking it to the world. Terry Poduska walks us through the legacy of the Royal Oak Women's Club and their historical contributions to the city. We also reflect on our shared love for pets, with touching stories from Jennifer McCallum of Firefly Pet Photography and Jill Valuet of Radiant Paws, who helped rejuvenate a senior dog's life with massage therapy.Kurt Pfister offers a peek behind the curtain of Michigan's rock history with his work printing for Bob Seger and others, while Jordan Burns gives us relationship advice by advocating for “overnight dating” to keep the spark alive with his wife. Christine Scott's grit in becoming a licensed plumber after her husband's illness shows us what determination really looks like. Lindsay Madison's yoga journey, inspired by her mother's lung cancer recovery, reveals how inclusivity can reshape wellness spaces.We're deeply moved by Bryce Sherman's story of surviving a traumatic brain injury, defying all odds, and coming back stronger for his family. And Paige Robnett reframes DEI as a “rising tide” that benefits everyone, using powerful example. These were originally intended for specific groups—that now help all of us.Finally, we end with laughter, thanks to Matthew Stransky's unforgettable story of walking in on a naked homeowner during a showing—a reminder of the unpredictable realities of real estate.Through 100 episodes, we've spotlighted grit, growth, community, and humor. To all our guests and listeners—thank you. If you're a Royal Oak Chamber member and haven't yet been on the show, we want to hear your story next.  Lisa and Jon's contact info is below.Chapters:(00:00:00) - Welcome to Episode 100(00:01:23) - The Dream Behind Home Turf Gym(00:03:00) - Authentic Thai Cuisine with Siri(00:04:06) - Redefining Money with Jill Gleba(00:05:24) - Creative Framing with Jill Plamper(00:07:06) - Building a Brand with Davaughnu Banks(00:08:45) - Legacy of the Royal Oak Women's Club(00:10:20) - Firefly Pet Photography's Origin Story(00:12:38) - Pet Massage Success with Radiant Paws(00:13:46) - Kurt Pfister's Rock & Roll Print Shop(00:14:56) - “Overnight Dating” with Jordan Burns(00:16:09) - Plumbing Against the Odds with Christine Scott(00:17:27) - Making Yoga Inclusive with Lindsay Madison(00:18:27) - Bryce Sherman's Recovery Journey(00:21:22) - The Truth About DEI with Paige Robnett(00:24:10) - Naked Encounters in Real Estate(00:26:20) - Final Thanks and Reflections Learn more about the Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce: https://www.royaloakchamber.com/Connect with our hosts:Jon Gay from JAG in Detroit Podcasts - http://www.jagindetroit.com/Lisa Bibbee from Century 21 Northland - http://soldbylisab.com/

Julie's brand new Big Gorgeous Goals: Official Workbook can be ordered now! Grab your copy.Shari Cedar's remarkable career pivot reveals how seemingly unrelated skills can become your greatest business assets. In this episode of Figure 8, we discover the unconventional journey from TV production to becoming CEO of AK Building Services-- a major commercial janitorial company in Florida that Shari co-owns with her husband Mark.For 25+ years, Shari Cedar has been leading with purpose and passion. Whether in TV production, where she spent her first chapter, or commercial cleaning, where she has fully dedicated her second chapter to creating growth opportunities for AK Building Services, Shari's presence is felt by all. As CEO and Co-Owner of AK Building Services, an industry-leading family owned and operated commercial janitorial services provider in Florida that Shari owns with her husband, Mark, Shari is laser-focused on leadership and growing the organization for the team. Shari is an active participant in the industry representing the company as a member of Building Owners and Managers Association International (BOMA), CREW (Commercial Real Estate Women) Network, BSCAI and the Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce. When Shari is not serving her clients and teammates, she can be found supporting her community. She is a board member for the Pace Center for Girls, an active member of Women United, and a member of the Nova Southeastern University Ambassador Board. As a working mom of two boys, Shari hopes to pass on her commitment to making a difference, both in business and in the community.You can connect with Shari on LinkedIn. You can also learn more about AK Building Services on their website.Love the show or want to request a topic? Send us a text! (All submissions are anonymous, so if you'd like a reply, please include your email address!)You can connect with Julie on LinkedIn or Instagram. Find Julie's writing at her blog or by ordering her book Big Gorgeous Goals and the brand new official companion workbook! What did you think of this conversation? We'd love if you'd rate or review our show!

Russellville man given maximum sentence for negligent homicide; AGFC reports fewer holiday arrests, but two deaths on Arkansas waterways; UACCM registration pacing toward another strong enrollment year; Nemo Vista librarian honored; Governor joins other national leaders in farm security efforts; we visit with Hanna Jones and Amanda Jones about the Chamber of Commerce's upcoming lunch and learn program on home buying.

Rollin' Down the River. From Headwaters to Heartland: Missouri River History, Communities, and Outdoor Wonders.On today's episode of the Outdoor Adventure Series, we chat with Larry N. Campbell, retired math professor and author of Rollin' Down the River: Discovering People and Places along the Mighty Missouri.After decades in the classroom, Larry embarked on a journey that would take him along the entire length of the Missouri River, tracing its path from its headwaters in Montana to its confluence with the Mississippi. DISCUSSION1. Spark Behind the Missouri River Journey and the BookRetirement and the search for new adventures.Inspiration from a friend's recommendation about an author who journeyed the Mississippi.2. Planning the Missouri River AdventureReaching out to Chambers of Commerce and Rotary Clubs.Getting local support from communities along the river.3. Personal Connection to the Missouri RiverGrowing up near Kansas City and proximity to the river.How the desire to explore the river emerged organically.4. Trip PreparationAssembling stops along the river.Balancing pre-planning with a sense of exploration.5. Starting Point and Geography of the Missouri RiverThe official versus the “real” source of the Missouri at Three Forks, Montana.Lewis and Clark's expedition and naming the river tributaries—Jefferson, Madison, and Gallatin.6. Experiences Along the JourneyThe physical beauty and character of Montana's landscapes and skies.Local wildlife, unique people, and ferry operators (“human treasures”).7. The Evolution and Scale of the Missouri RiverFrom a mountain stream to a muddy river.Fascination with river confluences.8. Memorable Experiences and ReflectionsNavigating moments of doubt and homesickness.The diversity and similarity of river towns9. Encounters with Communities and IndividualsStories about local generosity.Time zones and town splits along the river (e.g., Pierre, SD).10. River Activities and WildlifeCanoe trip on the Jefferson River.Observing anglers and wildlife (including a beaver sighting).LEARN MORETo learn more about Larry, visit his website at https://larryncampbell.com/ and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LarryCampbellAuthorNEXT STEPSIf you enjoy outdoor adventure podcasts, find us online at https://outdooradventureseries.com.KEYWORDSLarry N. Campbell, Rollin' Down the River, Outdoor Adventure Series, Podcast Interview, PodMatch#OutdoorAdventureSeries #Podcast #PodcastInterview #PodmatchMy Favorite Podcast Tools: Production by Descript Hosting Buzzsprout Show Notes by Castmagic Website powered by Podpage Be a Podcast Guest by PodMatch

⚢ Le Café des Femmes de l'E-Commerce, c'est le podcast qui donne enfin la parole aux femmes du digital, de la tech, du retail : bref, des femmes qui font du e-commerce et qui osent se livrer, partager, émouvoir et surtout apporter un éclairage différent sur la startup nation, les internets et les licornes.Dans cet épisode, le premier de la série, on part à la rencontre de trois dirigeantes qui réinventent la tech de l'intérieur, depuis Toulouse : Emmanuelle Ghara, Clothilde Leclerc et Aurélie Tible – toutes trois membres du comité de direction de Lyra, un acteur incontournable du paiement.Avec elles, on parle sans filtre de :La réalité d'un CODIR composé à 75 % de femmes : ce que ça change (ou pas) dans la prise de décisionLes parcours singuliers de femmes venues du sport, de la finance ou de l'agronomieLe pouvoir de la diversité dans les profils pour faire émerger une culture d'entreprise solideL'art de diriger avec exigence, écoute et congruence➡️ Quand la Tech se conjugue au féminin, parcours croisés de dirigeantes qui façonnent l'avenir de LYRA (1/2)– avec Emmanuelle Ghara, Clothilde Leclerc & Aurélie Tible, c'est l'épisode 26 du Café des Femmes de l'E-Commerce.

In this episode, we sit down with Sam Reed, an AlphaGraphics franchisee in Irving, Texas with over 13 years in the system. Sam went from a 26-year PepsiCo corporate career to owning his own franchise—and he's revealing everything you need to know:✅ Real startup costs✅ Actual earnings potential (six-figure income)✅ The big surprises of buying an existing franchise✅ How he built local customers with Chamber of Commerce networking✅ His #1 advice for first-time franchise buyers⏱️ Timestamps00:00 – Welcome to Franchise Envy – AlphaGraphics Spotlight01:12 – Meet Sam Reed: From PepsiCo Executive to Franchisee02:47 – Is This Your First Business? Corporate to Entrepreneur04:04 – Biggest Surprise Owning an AlphaGraphics Franchise06:05 – Buying an Existing Location: Customer Relationship Pitfalls08:12 – Why Sam Chose AlphaGraphics vs Chick-fil-A or State Farm11:42 – The Difference: True Business Ownership vs. Operator Model13:24 – Franchise Startup Costs: Fees and Investment Details15:45 – How Much Money Can You Make? Six-Figure Potential Explained18:12 – Work-Life Balance: Operating Hours & Lifestyle20:02 – Craziest Print Job Sam Has Ever Done22:30 – Family Reactions to Buying a Franchise25:10 – Why Irving, TX Is a Great Market for Printing27:00 – Hardest Parts of Owning the Business: Staffing & Customers30:32 – #1 Mistake New Franchise Owners Make34:10 – How Chambers of Commerce Grew His Sales37:40 – The “Mayor of the Town” Story40:22 – Outrageous Print Jobs They Refused42:20 – Sam's Best Advice for Aspiring Franchise Buyers45:00 – Wrap-Up & Final Thoughts

On this special episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Karen Kuhl (Executive Director, Tour Cayuga, NY), Lauren Sackett (CEO, Rhinelander Chamber of Commerce, WI), and Roni Weiss (Executive Director, Travel Unity) all about the nuances of inclusivity in the travel and tourism industry. We discuss how destinations can actively create environments where every traveler and resident feels a sense of belonging. Discover the landscape of DEAI (Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion) and gain practical advice on how to make tourism more accessible and authentic. What You Will Learn in This Episode: Implementing DEAI initiatives in rural and small-town tourism communities, and the impact these efforts have on both residents and visitors Why transparency, community input, and vulnerability are critical in making a destination truly welcoming for all, not just in intention but in actionable practice What social impact means through a tourism lens, and how prioritizing inclusivity supports both the local community and the visitor experience How organizations can start with small, meaningful steps—such as improving website accessibility or forming advisory groups—to advance DEAI practices, even with limited resources and staffing What practical strategies destinations can use to measure the success and ROI of their inclusion initiatives How empathy, humility, and realistic goal-setting play a fundamental role in sustaining progress on DEAI efforts, even when facing criticism or limited momentum Shifting from Intentions to Actions Travel professionals often assume they are, by default, welcoming, but wanting to welcome everyone and actually creating a place where everyone feels welcome are two very different things. My guests emphasize that building an authentically inclusive environment requires deep listening, transparency, and sometimes vulnerability. Roni Weiss outlined Travel Unity's perspective, explaining that inclusion isn't just aspirational—it's measurable. He described public standards focusing on three levels: leadership and workforce, community engagement, and the traveler's experience. The overarching message? DEAI isn't merely about not excluding—it's proactive work that touches every level of an organization. Social Impact Beyond the Tourist While tourism is often measured by economic indicators, genuine social impact weaves together the needs of visitors and residents alike. Karen Kuhl stressed that her work in Cayuga County, home to Harriet Tubman's legacy, is community-centric: tourism isn't just for visitors, after all, but for all the residents who live in a destination too. DEAI initiatives must ripple inward before they shine outward. Working in rural northern Wisconsin, Lauren Sackett shared that enhancing accessibility, like mapping out trail accessibility and filtering for diverse-owned businesses, is as much about serving aging and differently abled residents as it is about attracting new visitor demographics. Tourism isn't just about bringing travelers in; it's about the community as a whole. Practical Steps for Small Towns and Rural Destinations Even if you're a limited-budget organization, you can meaningfully implement DEAI. My guests' advice is to start small, but start now. Identify community values, tap into available grants, and build from within—embedding inclusive principles into staff roles, outreach, and even RFPs for outside vendors. DEAI principles should be everybody's work and on everybody's task list, which is why advisory boards are a resourceful way to bring diverse voices into decision-making without overhauling governance structures. Authentic inclusion is a journey, not a checkbox. Be humble, honest, kind, and patient, my guests recommend leading with empathy and listening to those with lived experience. Resources: Karen Kuhl: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-kuhl/ Lauren Sackett: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-sackett-iom-b2a5a59a/ Roni Weiss: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roniweiss/ We value your thoughts and feedback and would love to hear from you. Leave us a review on your favorite streaming platform to let us know what you want to hear more o​f. Here is a quick tutorial on how to leave us a rating and review on iTunes!

In the rapidly evolving landscape of digital commerce, staying ahead of technological advancements is important for businesses seeking to deliver seamless and efficient customer experiences. This discussion explores the future of commerce innovation, featuring expert perspectives from Kchitij Kumar (KK) of Tumi, Kieran Lane of Amplience, and Becky Simmons from CONA Services. They address topics such as the dismantling of technology silos, the role of composable architecture, and the power of AI and metadata.  KK offers a glimpse into Tumi's strategic use of AI-driven customer segmentation to foster loyalty through personalized experiences. The episode also covers the integration of human capital with technology, the rise of retail media for omnichannel experiences, and the role of emotional loyalty in consumer decision-making. Show Highlights: Discussion on breaking down technology and process silos to enhance efficiency in commerce. The evolution of Salesforce Commerce Cloud and Amplience's role in composable architecture. Use of AI and metadata in asset management to save time and resources. Tumi's retail strategy evolution and AI-driven personalized customer experiences. Examination of B2B commerce strategies and e-commerce storefronts. Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review,” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second, and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Supporting Resources: Kchitij Kumar - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kchitij/ | Tumi: https://www.tumi.com/  Kieran Lane - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kieranlane/ | Amplience: https://amplience.com/  Becky Simmons - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beckygranato/ | CONA: https://www.conaservices.com/  Learn more about Agentforce for Commerce: https://www.salesforce.com/commerce/ai/  Join the Commerce Cloud Community Unofficial Slack: https://sforce.co/commercecrew *** Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com. Let them know I sent you.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday lifted a district court order that prevented multiple federal agencies from carrying out reductions-in-force, clearing the way for those actions to resume. In an unsigned opinion, a majority of the justices granted the government's request for a stay of the lower court ruling, concluding that it will likely be successful on its argument that President Donald Trump's executive order directing agencies to make plans for RIFs and corresponding guidance from the White House were lawful. The justices, however, also emphasized that their ruling doesn't express a view on the legality of RIF or reorganization plans under that order and memo. The district court's preliminary injunction hinged on that court's view that Trump's order and the Office of Management and Budget's memo were unlawful and not on any of the plans specifically. Under the injunction from the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, a wide array of federal agencies were required to halt their RIF plans — which included the Department of Health and Human Services, Department of State, Department of Commerce, and many more. It also prompted OMB to pause reviewing or discussing those plans with agencies, per FedScoop reporting. While other legal challenges are moving forward on agency RIFs, the Supreme Court's ruling, at least for now, means they can begin those actions again. Anthropic is making the enterprise version of its chatbot Claude available to the entire staff of the Lawrence Livermore National Lab, the artificial intelligence company announced Wednesday. The expansion comes as generative AI companies look to deepen their relationship with the federal government's national lab system — and amid growing interest in agencies' use of the technology. Anthropic said the expansion comes after a pilot, as well as an event in March that allowed thousands of scientists based at the California lab to learn about the technology. The company said the program, which involves its Claude for Enterprise product, constitutes one of the most significant lab deployments of AI at the Energy Department. As many as ten thousand national lab employees will now be able to use generative AI for their work. Lawrence Livermore will eventually have access to a forthcoming FedRAMP High service, once it's approved and accredited, meaning lab scientists will be able to use Claude on unclassified data that requires that level of accreditation. The Daily Scoop Podcast is available every Monday-Friday afternoon. If you want to hear more of the latest from Washington, subscribe to The Daily Scoop Podcast  on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Spotify and YouTube.

In an era defined by unpredictable trade tensions, the semiconductor industry finds itself at the epicenter of economic and geopolitical uncertainty. This episode unpacks insights from The Future of Commerce, exploring why traditional manufacturing strategies are no longer enough—and how leading firms are responding.From multi-tiered supplier networks to AI-driven modeling tools, companies are rethinking how they build, plan, and respond. And it's not just about survival. With the right tech stack and strategic foresight, some firms are turning disruption into competitive advantage.What You'll Learn in This Episode:Why Tariff Strategies Alone Fall ShortWhy moving chip production isn't fast or simpleHow geopolitical volatility outpaces long-term planningThe Case for Flexible, Multi-Path Supply ChainsBuilding diverse supplier ecosystems beyond single-threaded modelsUsing predictive tools to identify optimal sourcing routesThe Role of Data Integration and AIConnecting finance, procurement, planning, and logistics for real-time agilityHow generative AI helps generate adaptive strategies, not just dashboardsHow Scenario Modeling Guides Strategic Capacity InvestmentsWeighing factory builds, incentives, and tariff scenarios in places like India and the U.S.When doing nothing—or delaying—might actually be the smartest moveKey Takeaways:Tariff uncertainty is now a constant—not an exceptionSupply chain resilience is built on optionality, not just redundancyIntegrated systems and predictive analytics give companies speed, visibility, and confidenceAI and scenario modeling help firms shift from reactive decisions to proactive strategyIn today's global economy, preparation is power—and data is the advantageSubscribe to our podcast for expert insights on supply chain resilience, global trade trends, and intelligent commerce. Visit The Future of Commerce for data-backed research on how businesses can adapt to disruption and thrive. Share this episode with business strategists, procurement teams, and anyone navigating complexity in global manufacturing.

From candy aisles to cereal shelves, the bright reds, blues, and yellows in processed foods are undergoing a transformation. This episode, based on the recent Future of Commerce article, investigates the impending phaseout of synthetic food dyes like Red 40 and the operational tsunami it's creating for CPG manufacturers.As the FDA pulls key artificial dyes from the market and consumers demand cleaner labels, major brands like Kraft Heinz, PepsiCo, and General Mills are adapting with speed. But swapping synthetics for natural alternatives isn't just a simple ingredient change—it impacts everything from global agriculture to ERP systems.What You'll Learn in This Episode:What's Fueling the Phaseout of Synthetic DyesHealth concerns linked to ingredients like Red 40 and Yellow 5Regulatory crackdowns and voluntary industry commitmentsWhy Natural Alternatives Are Logistically ComplexStability challenges from light, heat, pH, and shelf lifeCost increases—up to 10x more expensive than syntheticsSupply constraints for ingredients like beet powder and spirulinaThe Ripple Effects on CPG OperationsFactory retooling to accommodate new viscosities and shelf-life constraintsThe impact on inventory, packaging, cold chains, and product formulationHow Technology Is Powering the TransitionSupplier management systems for new ingredient sourcingRecipe and product lifecycle management toolsReal-time workspaces connected to ERP for accelerated R&D-to-market turnaroundTraceability systems for consumer transparency and regulatory complianceKey Takeaways:The synthetic dye phaseout is being driven by both consumer demand and regulatory policyNatural colorants are chemically different—and operationally harder to manageCost, supply, stability, and compliance are all major hurdlesIntegrated digital systems give CPG companies the agility to adapt quicklyThe transition is as much a story about tech infrastructure as it is about food reformulationSubscribe to our podcast for expert insights on food industry innovation, CPG transformation, and regulatory disruption. Visit The Future of Commerce for data-driven coverage of how companies are responding to consumer and policy shifts. Share this episode with supply chain leaders, food technologists, and anyone invested in building a cleaner, smarter food system.

On this episode, I'm talking about the pace of the AI economy, who's driving it, who's struggling to keep up, and what it means for brands, with Luke Hodgson, co-founder of Commerce Thinking and High Cohesion.We explore whether the AI economy is moving too fast, and what “too fast” even means. Is AI solving the right problems? Is it driving real progress, or just creating a new layer of complexity?We also discuss how brands can make smart, steady bets rather than chasing hype, why AI isn't just about conversion but retention, and how the post-purchase space is ripe for innovation.If you're building a brand, navigating automation, or wondering how to keep your business human while embracing AI, this one's for you.This episode is brought to you by Reveni. Reveni helps eCommerce brands turn refunds into retained revenue, by making instant exchanges the default, not the exception. Learn more at Reveni.Checkout Factory here.Sign up to our newsletter here.

As CEO of Sun Valley Landscaping, Paul Fraynd leads the company's growth and strategy while maintaining their core values and operating in a way that would make his Mom proud. Starting his business while completing his business degree at Creighton University, Paul purchased a $50 garage sale mower and employed his Mother as one of his first part-time employees. He takes these early lessons and now applies them to grow his team of 70 landscape professionals. Over his 22 years in the industry, Paul has been a part of hiring hundreds of people from all backgrounds. He is passionate about giving opportunities to others and influencing them to do things “The Sun Valley Way”. Paul has been recognized as Midlands Business Journal's 40 under 40 and has served on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Landscape Professionals. Sun Valley Landscaping has been recognized locally and nationally for their community outreach efforts by the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, Nebraska Statewide Arboretum, Landscape Management, and Lawn and Landscape magazines, and most recently, the National Association of Landscape Professionals. From the beginning, Paul has looked for ways to help the community while being a role model for his industry and the city he loves – Omaha.

Today at 11:11 am CST, on the Flyover Conservatives show we are tackling the most important things going on RIGHT NOW from a Conservative Christian perspective! Today at 11:11 am CST, on the Flyover Conservatives show we are tackling the most important things going on RIGHT NOW from a Conservative Christian perspective! TO WATCH ALL FLYOVER CONTENT: www.theflyoverapp.com TO WATCH ALL FLYOVER CONTENT: www.theflyoverapp.com To Schedule A Time To Talk To Dr. Dr. Kirk Elliott Go To To Schedule A Time To Talk To Dr. Dr. Kirk Elliott Go To ▶ https://flyovergold.com▶ https://flyovergold.comOr Call 720-605-3900 Or Call 720-605-3900 ► Receive your FREE 52 Date Night Ideas Playbook to make date night more exciting, go to www.prosperousmarriage.com► Receive your FREE 52 Date Night Ideas Playbook to make date night more exciting, go to www.prosperousmarriage.comChris MoritzChris MoritzTWITTER: https://x.com/chrisgmoritz TWITTER: https://x.com/chrisgmoritzhttps://x.com/chrisgmoritz BOOK: https://a.co/d/0KOosrk BOOK: https://a.co/d/0KOosrkhttps://a.co/d/0KOosrk Chris Moritz is a strategist, author, and policy analyst with a background in law, finance, and government. He served as a senior advisor at the U.S. Department of Commerce, shaping policy on foreign investment and tech security. A former corporate attorney and investment banker, he brings global experience to his work on economic and geopolitical trends. Chris is the author of Failed State, examining California's decline and its lessons for America. He shares sharp, deeply researched commentary on markets, governance, and national security.Chris Moritz is a strategist, author, and policy analyst with a background in law, finance, and government. He servedSend us a message... we can't reply, but we read them all!Support the show► ReAwaken America- text the word FLYOVER to 918-851-0102 (Message and data rates may apply. Terms/privacy: 40509-info.com) ► Kirk Elliott PHD - http://FlyoverGold.com ► My Pillow - https://MyPillow.com/Flyover ► ALL LINKS: https://sociatap.com/FlyoverConservatives

Amit Gupta is the CEO of Cardlytics (NASDAQ: CDLX), a global commerce media platform that powers rewards programs with card-linked offers and enables brands to strengthen customer loyalty.In this episode of World of DaaS, Amit and Auren discuss:How card-linked offers strengthen customer loyalty Identity resolution and retail mediaCardlytics' view into $5.8 trillion of annual consumer spendingThe limitations of traditional loyalty programsLooking for more tech, data and venture capital intel? Head to worldofdaas.com for our podcast, newsletter and events, and follow us on X @worldofdaas.  You can find Auren Hoffman on X at @auren and Amit Gupta on LinkedIn. Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com)

The Berkley Street Art Fest transforms downtown Berkley into a vibrant celebration of creativity and community. This annual summer event features impressive chalk art competitions where artists create stunning 3D street murals. Visitors can enjoy a variety of food from local vendors and food trucks in the Culinary Corridor, shop from artisan vendors, and participate in family-friendly activities in the designated Fun Zone. I talk with Darline Rothman of the Berkley Area Chamber of Commerce all about it! Berkley Street Art Fest info: https://www.berkleychamber.com/berkley-street-art-fest Sign up for our Studio open house Saturday, July 19: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1445019344759?aff=oddtdtcreator Feedback as always - dailydetroit -at- gmail -dot- com or leave a voicemail 313-789-3211. Follow Daily Detroit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/daily-detroit/id1220563942 Or sign up for our newsletter: https://www.dailydetroit.com/newsletter/  

Next in Media discusses the evolving role of influencers in marketing with Megan Pagliuca, Chief Product Officer at Omnicom Media Group, and Khurrum Malik, Head of Marketing for Walmart Connect, focusing on how data and new strategies are integrating influencers into broader media plans to drive sales and brand building.

Kelly talks to Lori Rosenkopf, Vice-Dean of Entrepreneurship at the Wharton School of Business. Her new book is called, Unstoppable Entrepreneurs: 7 Paths for Unleashing Successful Startups and Creating Value through Innovation.  “I think we've all watched too much Shark Tank.” “My definition of entrepreneurship is value creation through innovation.” “I think to be a great entrepreneur, you have […]

Superpowers for Good should not be considered investment advice. Seek counsel before making investment decisions. When you purchase an item, launch a campaign or create an investment account after clicking a link here, we may earn a fee. Engage to support our work.Watch the show on television by downloading the e360tv channel app to your Roku, AppleTV or AmazonFireTV. You can also see it on YouTube.Devin: What is your superpower?Matt: Turning passion into purpose.Emerald Prairie is on a mission to revolutionize home care with products that are not only safe for people and pets but also environmentally beneficial. At the heart of its innovation is hypochlorous acid (HOCL), a powerful yet natural disinfectant that Matt Condon, Founder of Emerald Prairie, describes as “nature's disinfectant.” In today's episode, Matt shared how his company is challenging the status quo with products that are effective, safe, and eco-friendly.HOCL isn't new. In fact, it has been around since World War I when it was used to treat soldiers. “It is an incredibly powerful antibacterial disinfectant,” Matt explained. “It would be ubiquitous throughout the country and the world if not for the way the chemical industrial complex evolved.” Emerald Prairie has found a way to scale the production of HOCL, offering a solution that's “made by your body” and safe enough to spray on your hands or even in your mouth.What makes Emerald Prairie stand out isn't just HOCL's effectiveness; it's the company's commitment to transparency and environmental impact. “All of our ingredients are on every label—nothing hidden,” Matt said. He added that the products not only avoid harming the environment but actually benefit it. “The best thing that can happen to hypochlorous acid is it gets to the water system because it kills the biofilm.”Emerald Prairie's business is thriving. The company has seen a surge in subscriptions, which Matt described as resembling the “proverbial hockey stick.” This growth, he believes, reflects customer trust and satisfaction. Emerald Prairie's solutions are produced in Kansas, reflecting the company's commitment to local manufacturing.To scale its impact and reach, Emerald Prairie is raising capital via a regulated investment crowdfunding campaign on Wefunder. This approach aligns with Matt's mission to connect directly with customers and investors who share his vision.Emerald Prairie isn't just selling safe cleaning products; it's starting a movement. By replacing toxic chemicals with solutions that are safe for families and the environment, Matt and his team are proving that you don't have to compromise safety for effectiveness. This is your chance to join a revolution in home care—by supporting Emerald Prairie, you can help make the world a cleaner, safer place.tl;dr:Matt Condon explained how Emerald Prairie's products use hypochlorous acid to deliver safe, effective cleaning.The company's all-natural solutions are environmentally beneficial, improving ecosystems instead of harming them.Emerald Prairie is scaling operations with local production and growing customer subscriptions rapidly.Matt revealed his passion for building purpose-driven ventures that align with his values and mission.The company is raising funds via regulated crowdfunding, inviting supporters to invest in its growth.How to Develop Turning Passion Into Purpose As a SuperpowerMatt Condon's superpower is his ability to transform passion into purpose-driven business ventures. He explained, “I've been so fortunate in my career to go through…efforts where I wasn't really focused on the sales revenue as much as doing something…that the world needed.” This approach, he shared, reflects a belief that “capitalism is the most powerful engine of good in the world.” For Matt, success comes from aligning his passions with businesses that create meaningful impact while maintaining financial viability.Matt shared how his passion for solving real-world problems led him to create a network of clinics providing top-tier healthcare to workers like farmers, firefighters, and police officers. Drawing inspiration from his roots in a farming community, Matt realized that the quality of care available to professional athletes could and should be extended to laborers. He built clinics that offered advanced healthcare solutions, improving outcomes for countless individuals in physically demanding jobs. This venture not only succeeded financially but also changed lives, exemplifying how passion-driven businesses can create profound impact.Tips for Developing This Superpower:Identify Problems You're Passionate About Solving: Focus on challenges that resonate with your values and experiences.Take Calculated Risks: Embrace risk as part of the journey to create meaningful impact.Build Around a Mission: Ensure your business aligns with a core purpose beyond profitability.Engage Support Systems: Surround yourself with people who believe in your vision and can provide encouragement.Stay Focused Amid Noise: Cut out distractions to concentrate on what truly matters.By following Matt's example and advice, you can make turning passion into purpose a skill. With practice and effort, you could make it a superpower that enables you to do more good in the world.Remember, however, that research into success suggests that building on your own superpowers is more important than creating new ones or overcoming weaknesses. You do you!Guest ProfileMatthew (Matt) Condon (he/him):Founder, Emerald Prairie HealthAbout Emerald Prairie Health: At Emerald Prairie Health, our mission began with a discovery—not of a new chemistry, but of how to finally unlock one that scientists have trusted for over a century. Despite its unmatched safety and proven performance, this powerful solution was kept on the sidelines—overlooked or suppressed by chemical giants who saw HOCl as a threat to their legacy products. We saw something different at EPH. Using our proprietary water purification process, we developed a way to produce this chemistry in its purest, most stable, and effective form—and bring it to market at scale. Today, we're helping families protect their loved ones and lead the next generation of wellness—through cleaner, safer, and more sustainable alternatives for home and body.Website: emeraldprairiehome.comCompany Facebook Page: facebook.com/emeraldprairiehomeBiographical Information: Matthew J. Condon is a nationally recognized healthcare entrepreneur, thought leader, and advocate for transparency and innovation in the healthcare system. As the Founder and former CEO of Bardavon Health Innovations—a leading healthcare data analytics company transforming Workers' Compensation—Matt combined his deep industry insight with a passion for disrupting outdated care models. Prior to Bardavon, he founded ARC Physical Therapy+ in 2003, growing it into one of the Midwest's largest PT networks with over 100,000 annual patient visits. In June 2024, Matt stepped down as CEO of Bardavon and began his transition into founding Emerald Prairie Health, a consumer health company delivering safe, science-backed alternatives for home and body care. He was the youngest Chair in the 120+ year history of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and has been honored as a regional Ernst & Young “Entrepreneur of the Year” finalist, named to Ingram's “40 Under 40” and “Rainmakers” lists, and featured on the Kansas City Business Journal's “Power 100” list of the region's most influential business leaders.X/Twitter Handle: @theMattCondon Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/matthew-condon-86905412Instagram Handle: @mcondon0730Support Our SponsorsOur generous sponsors make our work possible, serving impact investors, social entrepreneurs, community builders and diverse founders. Today's advertisers include FundingHope, DealMaker, DNA, Proactive-Rancho. Learn more about advertising with us here.Max-Impact MembersThe following Max-Impact Members provide valuable financial support:Carol Fineagan, Independent Consultant | Hiten Sonpal, RISE Robotics | Lory Moore, Lory Moore Law | Marcia Brinton, High Desert Gear |  Matthew Mead, Hempitecture |  Michael Pratt, Qnetic | Dr. Nicole Paulk, Siren Biotechnology | Paul Lovejoy, Stakeholder Enterprise | Pearl Wright, Global Changemaker | Ralf Mandt, Next Pitch | Scott Thorpe, Philanthropist | Sharon Samjitsingh, Health Care Originals | Add Your Name HereUpcoming SuperCrowd Event CalendarIf a location is not noted, the events below are virtual.Impact Cherub Club Meeting hosted by The Super Crowd, Inc., a public benefit corporation, on July 15, 2025, at 1:00 PM Eastern. Each month, the Club meets to review new offerings for investment consideration and to conduct due diligence on previously screened deals. To join the Impact Cherub Club, become an Impact Member of the SuperCrowd.SuperCrowdHour, July 16, 2025, at 1:00 PM Eastern. Devin Thorpe, CEO and Founder of The Super Crowd, Inc., will lead a session on "Balance Sheets & Beyond: The Impact Investor's Guide to Financials." If terms like “income statement” and “cash flow” make your eyes glaze over, this session is for you. Devin will break down the fundamentals of financial statements in clear, simple language—perfect for beginners who want to better understand the numbers behind the businesses they support. Whether you're a new investor, a founder navigating financials, or simply curious about how money moves through mission-driven companies, you'll leave this session more confident and informed. Don't miss it!SuperCrowd25, August 21st and 22nd: This two-day virtual event is an annual tradition, but with big upgrades for 2025! We'll be streaming live across the web and on TV via e360tv. VIP's get access to our better-than-in-person networking! Get your VIP access for just $25. A select group of affordable sponsorship opportunities is still available. Learn more here.Community Event CalendarSuccessful Funding with Karl Dakin, Tuesdays at 10:00 AM ET - Click on Events.Devin Thorpe is featured in a free virtual masterclass series hosted by Irina Portnova titled Break Free, Elevate Your Money Mindset & Call In Overflow, focused on transforming your relationship with money through personal stories and practical insights. June 8-21, 2025.Join Dorian Dickinson, founder & CEO of FundingHope, for Startup.com's monthly crowdfunding workshop, where he'll dive into strategies for successfully raising capital through investment crowdfunding. June 24 at noon Eastern.Future Forward Summit: San Francisco, Wednesday, June 25 · 3:30 - 8:30 pm PDT.Regulated Investment Crowdfunding Summit 2025, Crowdfunding Professional Association, Washington DC, October 21-22, 2025.Impact Accelerator Summit is a live in-person event taking place in Austin, Texas, from October 23–25, 2025. This exclusive gathering brings together 100 heart-centered, conscious entrepreneurs generating $1M+ in revenue with 20–30 family offices and venture funds actively seeking to invest in world-changing businesses. Referred by Michael Dash, participants can expect an inspiring, high-impact experience focused on capital connection, growth, and global impact.Call for community action:Please show your support for a tax credit for investments made via Regulation Crowdfunding, benefiting both the investors and the small businesses that receive the investments. Learn more here.If you would like to submit an event for us to share with the 9,000+ changemakers, investors and entrepreneurs who are members of the SuperCrowd, click here.We use AI to help us write compelling recaps of each episode. Get full access to Superpowers for Good at www.superpowers4good.com/subscribe

 David Woll sits down with local resident known as "The Rock Father," to discuss his fascinating career in the toy, film, and music industries. Together, they celebrate Grayslake's vibrant community, favorite local events, and beloved businesses. James shares insights into the toy industry, his family's involvement in local arts, and his commitment to giving back through Avon Township. The episode highlights the importance of community connections, supporting local businesses, and fostering kindness, offering listeners a warm, hometown perspective on life in Grayslake. Certainly! Here's your revised text, keeping the same format, content, and context, but changing the name from Jameson to James: Discovering Grayslake: Lessons in Creativity, Community, and the Toy Industry with “The Rock Father” Welcome to another in-depth exploration of “Discovering Grayslake,” where host David Wohl sits down with local luminaries to uncover the stories that make Grayslake a vibrant hometown. In this episode, David welcomes James—better known as “The Rock Father”—whose journey from the film and music industries to the heart of the toy world offers a masterclass in creativity, resilience, and community engagement. Whether you're a local business owner, a creative professional, or simply someone who loves a good story, this episode is packed with actionable insights and expert advice. Let's break down the main themes and tips from the conversation, offering you a comprehensive guide to building a meaningful career and community presence—right here in Grayslake or wherever you call home. Table of Contents The Power of Community Connections Building a Creative Career: Lessons from “The Rock Father” Navigating the Toy Industry: Trends, Challenges, and Opportunities Balancing Digital and Physical Play for Kids Giving Back: Leveraging Your Platform for Community Good Celebrating Grayslake: Local Favorites and Family Life Actionable Takeaways for Listeners 1. The Power of Community Connections  Key Insight:   Even in a small town, it's easy to miss out on knowing everyone. But the magic of Grayslake lies in the connections you make—whether at the farmers market, a local restaurant, or through shared community projects. Actionable Advice: Attend Local Events:**     James and David both highlight the importance of participating in community events like the farmers market, holiday tree lighting, and pride parade. These gatherings are not just fun—they're opportunities to meet neighbors, support local businesses, and build lasting relationships. Join Local Organizations:**     Bill Mack's mention of the Grayslake Chamber of Commerce underscores the value of joining local groups. Membership offers networking, support, and a platform to amplify your business or cause. Support Local Businesses:**     Frequenting spots like Cinco Hermanos, Bake Share, Tony's Butcher Shop, and Andy's Records not only enriches your own experience but strengthens the local economy. Expert Tip:   If you're new to town or looking to expand your network, start by volunteering at community events or joining a committee. You'll quickly find your place in the fabric of Grayslake. 2. Building a Creative Career: Lessons from “The Rock Father”  Key Insight:   James's journey from a young writer in the Chicago suburbs to a leading voice in the toy industry is a testament to perseverance, adaptability, and the courage to take risks. Actionable Advice: Embrace Your Passions Early:**     James's first writing award in 1987 set the stage for a lifetime of storytelling. Don't underestimate the power of early interests—they can shape your career trajectory. Diversify Your Skills:**     From cable access TV in high school to interviewing major bands and working in retail, James's varied experiences gave him a broad skill set. Be open to learning in unexpected places. Take Calculated Risks:**     Leaving established companies to start his own platform was a leap of faith. While not every risk pays off, each one offers valuable lessons and new opportunities. Learn from Failure:**     James is candid about setbacks, emphasizing that failures are stepping stones to growth. Reflect on what didn't work, adjust your approach, and keep moving forward. Expert Tip:   Document your journey—whether through blogging, social media, or a personal journal. Not only does this help you track progress, but it can also inspire others and open doors to new collaborations. 3. Navigating the Toy Industry: Trends, Challenges, and Opportunities  Key Insight:   The toy industry is a microcosm of global trends—shaped by manufacturing shifts, tariffs, technological innovation, and changing play patterns. Actionable Advice: Understand the Manufacturing Landscape:**     Most iconic toys have always been made overseas (e.g., Barbie in Japan, G.I. Joe in Hong Kong/Vietnam, Hot Wheels in Malaysia).   Offshoring since the 1970s means U.S. manufacturing infrastructure is limited; reshoring requires massive investment and time. Monitor Tariff Impacts:**     Current tariffs on Chinese imports are around 30%, affecting prices for both businesses and consumers.   Small business owners often absorb these costs, but ultimately, higher prices reach the end user. Stay Ahead of Technology:**     AI and digital integration are reshaping toys (e.g., Mattel's partnership with OpenAI).   Not all tech-enabled toys succeed—2023 saw several underperforming launches, showing the need for thoughtful innovation. Engage with Industry Resources:**     Publications like The Toy Book (trade-focused) and The Toy Insider (consumer-focused) offer valuable insights, gift guides, and trend analysis. Expert Tip:   If you're a business owner or creative in the toy space, attend trade shows (like Toy Fair or Comic-Con) to network, spot trends, and build relationships with industry leaders. 4. Balancing Digital and Physical Play for Kids  Key Insight:   Children's play is evolving, with digital experiences increasingly competing with traditional toys. The challenge—and opportunity—is to find a healthy balance. Actionable Advice: Encourage Hybrid Play:**     Look for toys that merge physical and digital elements, such as those that interact with platforms like Roblox or offer augmented reality features. Be Mindful of Screen Time:**     James advocates for a measured approach—introduce technology thoughtfully and ensure kids have plenty of hands-on, imaginative play. Evaluate Play Value:**     When choosing toys, consider not just the initial excitement but the potential for long-term engagement and developmental benefits. Expert Tip:   Use resources like The Toy Insider's website to filter toys by play duration and developmental focus, helping you make informed choices for your family. 5. Giving Back: Leveraging Your Platform for Community Good  Key Insight:   True community spirit means using your resources and connections to lift others up—especially those in need. Actionable Advice: Partner with Local Organizations:**     James's work with Avon Township to provide holiday gifts for families in need is a model for impactful giving. Find local groups that align with your values and offer your support. Leverage Industry Connections:**     If you have access to products, services, or expertise, consider how you can channel these to benefit local schools, community centers, or families. Be Proactive:**     Don't wait for the holidays—needs exist year-round. Reach out to community leaders to identify ongoing opportunities to help. Expert Tip:   If you're in Grayslake and need toys or support for a community project, don't hesitate to contact James or similar local advocates. Building a network of helpers multiplies your impact. 6. Celebrating Grayslake: Local Favorites and Family Life  Key Insight:   Grayslake's charm lies in its blend of small-town warmth, diverse events, and family-friendly amenities. Actionable Advice: Explore Local Events:**     From the farmers market to Central Park concerts and the holiday tree lighting, there's always something happening. Make it a family tradition to attend together. Support Local Dining:**     Favorites like First Draft, Sammy's, Cinco Hermanos, and Bake Share offer not just great food but a sense of belonging. Get Involved in the Arts:**     With opportunities for kids in theater, dance, and music, Grayslake nurtures creativity at every age. Expert Tip:   If you're new to town, ask neighbors or local business owners for their favorite spots and events. You'll quickly feel at home. 7. Actionable Takeaways for Listeners  Network Locally:**     Attend events, join organizations, and support local businesses to build meaningful connections. Pursue Your Passions:**     Don't be afraid to take risks, diversify your skills, and learn from setbacks. Stay Informed:**     Use industry resources to keep up with trends, especially if you're in a fast-changing field like toys or media. Balance Technology:**     Encourage both digital and physical play for kids, and be mindful of screen time. Give Back:**     Use your platform, however big or small, to support those in need in your community. Celebrate Your Hometown:**     Embrace the unique events, businesses, and people that make your town special. Final Thoughts James's story is a reminder that every path—no matter how winding—can lead to fulfillment when rooted in passion, resilience, and community. Whether you're Let me know if you need the rest of the article or any further adjustments!

From 2003-2025 Tamra Ryan was the CEO of Women's Bean Project, a social enterprise providing transitional employment in its food manufacturing business to women attempting to break the cycle of chronic unemployment and poverty. She serves as the Coors Economic Mobility Fellow for Common Sense Institute Colorado.Named as Most Influential CEO and Ten Most Influential Women in Business 2023, Tamra is a former partner and board member for Social Venture Partners-Denver and Social Enterprise Alliance. Congressman Mike Coffman (R-CO) recognized Tamra's servant leadership and entered it into the Congressional Record of the 115th Congress, Second Session in May 2018. She was honored by the Colorado Women's Chamber of Commerce as one of the Top 25 Most Powerful Women in Colorado, and in 2022 and 2023 as a Titan100 CEO and Social Entrepreneur of the year by the Colorado Institute for SocialImpact. She was a presenter at TEDxMilehigh and is a highly sought-after speaker for topics such as compassionate leadership and social enterprise.Tamra is the author of The Third Law, a book which highlights the societal obstacles and internal demons that must be overcome for marginalized women to change their lives. The Third Law has won eight awards for women/minorities in business and social activism. Tamra's latest book is Followship: 16 Lessons to Become a Leader Worth Following.Tamra received her undergraduate degree from University of Colorado Boulder and her Master of Arts and Sciences from Adelphi University. She lives in Denver, Colorado with her husband, two teenage children and two goldendoodles.https://www.tamraryan.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamraryan/**********************************************************Judy Carlson is the CEO and Founder of the Judy Carlson Financial Group, where she helps couples create personalized, coordinated financial plans that support the life they want to live – now and in the future.As an Independent Fiduciary and Comprehensive Financial Planner, Judy specializes in retirement income and wealth decumulation strategies. She is a CPA, Investment Advisor Representative, licensed in life and health insurance, and certified in long-term care planning.Judy's mission is to help guide clients with clarity and care, building financial plans that focus on real planning built around real lives.Learn More: https://judycarlson.com/Investment Adviser Representative of and advisory services offered through Royal Fund Management, LLC, a SEC Registered Adviser.The Inspired Impact Podcasthttps://businessinnovatorsradio.com/the-inspired-impact-podcast/Source: https://businessinnovatorsradio.com/the-inspired-impact-podcast-with-judy-carlson-interview-with-tamra-ryan-ceo-tamra-ryan

We Mean Business: The Official Podcast of the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of CommerceWelcome to We Mean Business, where we spotlight the people, stories, and momentum shaping the Fredericksburg region's thriving business community. Produced by the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce, this podcast is for our members, by our members—offering insights, conversations, and real-world perspectives from leaders across every industry.From award-winning entrepreneurs and innovative small businesses to long-standing community pillars, each episode gives you a front-row seat to the region's economic heartbeat. Whether you're looking to connect, learn, or stay in the know, We Mean Business is your place for all things business in the Fredericksburg region.Today's Guests: Al Fagan, President & CEO, The Oberle Academy and Terri Rinko, Work-Based Learning and Career Readiness Leader, King George County Schools

In this episode of Talk Commerce, Michael von Bodungen, the General Manager of VTEX North America, discusses the evolution and unique offerings of VTEX, including its order management and marketplace capabilities. He shares insights on the MACH Alliance, the importance of simplicity in enterprise e-commerce, and predictions for the future of commerce, particularly regarding agentic buyers and B2B transactions. The conversation emphasizes the need for businesses to focus on outcomes rather than complex architectures.TakeawaysMichael von Bodungen is the General Manager for VTEX in North America.VTEX has a unique offering with both OMS and marketplace capabilities.The MACH Alliance focuses too much on architecture rather than business outcomes.Simplicity is key in enterprise e-commerce solutions.Not all businesses need a headless solution.VTEX aims to provide a comprehensive platform for digital commerce.The future of commerce may involve AI and agentic buyers.B2B transactions are likely to see significant changes with technology advancements.Businesses should focus on the total cost of ownership when choosing platforms.VTEX is open to partnerships and collaborations with other systems.Chapters00:00Introduction to VTEX and Michael von Bodungen02:17The History and Growth of VTEX04:43Insights on the Mock Alliance and Business Outcomes09:03Simplifying Complexity in Enterprise Solutions15:14Unique Features of VTECS: OMS and Marketplace17:58Future Trends in Commerce and Agentic Technology

Hey there, hero!Sometimes, it's not just A or B, one or the other.You can often be presented with and virtually frozen in place by a stunning and varied array of options in life, and if you're confused by all the choices, that overwhelm can be paralyzing.We can spend so much time trying to be safe…to be correct…to make no mistakes. And that can lead to not making any choice at all.Think of all the things you might have missed in life by inaction, the interesting twists and turns your life has had, and remember that when you feel frozen by the overwhelm.And know that very few choices are permanent - almost all can be adjusted, changed, reviewed and improved.But only if you take action. Only if you actually make a choice.How do you overcome the need to be sure? How do you choose when the choices are overwhelming? Let me know in the comments below.REQUEST: Please join this video's conversation and see the full episode on VOHeroes, where the comments are moderated and civil, at https://voheroes.com/just-pick-one/#Acting #Voice #VoiceOver #Performance #Productivity #Tips #Art #Commerce #Science #Mindset #Success #Process #Options #BestPractices #MarketingWant to be a better VO talent, actor or author? Here's how I can help you......become a VO talent (or a more successful one): https://voheroes.com/start ...become an audiobook narrator on ACX (if you're an actor or VO talent): https://acxmasterclass.com/ ...narrate your own book (if you're an author): https://narrateyourownbook.com/ ...have the most effective pop filter (especially for VO talent): https://mikesock.com/ ...be off-book faster for on-camera auditions and work (memorize your lines): https://rehearsal.pro/...master beautiful audiobook and podcast audio in one drag and drop move on your Mac: https://audiocupcake.com/ The VOHeroes Podcast is heroically built with: BuddyBoss | LearnDash | DreamHost | SamCart | TextExpander | BuzzSprout ...

Interesting baby naming laws. Landon's ear problems. Difficult parenting decisions. Pain that you should not ignore. B/CS Chamber of Commerce update. Hot new dating trend. Khloe Kardashian reveals the work she's had done. Stop working out with your rings. A really expensive martini in Miami.

Créer un produit n'a jamais été aussi simple. Ni aussi complexe.Entre l'idée de départ et la mise sur le marché, le parcours est semé d'embûches : sourcing, prototypage, industrialisation, distribution, promotion… Ce long chemin, souvent méconnu, suppose de maîtriser des compétences variées, tout en jonglant avec les contraintes de temps, de coût et de qualité.Dans cet épisode, nous prenons de la hauteur pour comprendre comment la tech et l'intelligence artificielle transforment ce parcours. Comment elles permettent d'innover plus vite, d'optimiser les choix de conception, de fluidifier les échanges avec les fabricants ou encore de mieux tester le potentiel d'un produit avant même sa création.Pour en parler, j'ai le plaisir de recevoir Michelle Lau, Managing Director France de Alibaba.com. Forte d'un parcours hybride entre retail, marques premium et marketplaces digitales, elle partage avec clarté les évolutions du secteur et la manière dont Alibaba.com accompagne aujourd'hui les entreprises françaises dans leurs projets de création produit.Au programme :Les grandes étapes du développement d'un produit et leurs pièges cachésLes outils technologiques d'Alibaba.com, notamment le recours à l'IA générative pour formuler un cahier des charges, évaluer un potentiel marché ou identifier un fabricantComment Alibaba digitalise aussi… la confiance, à travers un système de notation, de certification et d'intermédiation entre acheteurs et fournisseursEt enfin, un aperçu de l'initiative CoCreate, lancée pour soutenir les porteurs de projets innovants, en Europe comme ailleursUn épisode qui intéressera autant les entrepreneurs que les professionnels de l'innovation produit, du retail ou de la tech.Bonne écoute, toujours sans coupure !Hébergé par Ausha. Visitez ausha.co/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.

As the nation focuses on the Big Beautiful Bill, Linda and her guest, Jonathan Williams, President and Chief Economist at the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), discuss the importance of federalism and the freedom for states to innovate and exchange best-practice ideas for human flourishing and economic prosperity. Data from our 50 laboratories of democracy provides real-life examples of effects of government policies on businesses and families across the country, which can then help to shape policy in other states and across the nation. Policies involving energy, education, parental rights, regulations, taxation, and more can be evaluated by examining their effects. This episode provides relevant information and resources to help every citizen be a better advocate for the policies that will improve their own life and future.  ©Copyright 2025, Prosperity 101, LLC __________________________________________________________ Visit www.ALEC.org for information. For information about our online course and other resources visit: https://prosperity101.com To order a copy of Prosperity 101 – Job Security Through Business Prosperity® by Linda J. Hansen, click here: https://prosperity101.com/products/ Become a Prosperity Partner: https://prosperity101.com/partner-contribution/ If you would like to be an episode sponsor, please contact us directly at https://prosperity101.com. You can also support this podcast by engaging with our Strategic Partners using the promo codes listed below. Be free to work and free to hire by joining RedBalloon, America's #1 non-woke job board and talent connector. Use Promo Code P101 or go to RedBalloon.work/p101 to join Red Balloon and support Prosperity 101®. Connect with other Kingdom minded business owners by joining the US Christian Chamber of Commerce. Support both organizations by mentioning Prosperity 101, LLC or using code P101 to join. https://uschristianchamber.com Mother Nature's Trading Company®, providing natural products for your health, all Powered by Cranology®. Use this link to explore Buy One Get One Free product options and special discounts: https://mntc.shop/prosperity101/ Unite for impact by joining Christian Employers Alliance at www.ChristianEmployersAlliance.org and use Promo Code P101. Support Pro-Life Payments and help save babies with every swipe. Visit www.prolifepayments.com/life/p101 for more information. Maximize your podcast by contacting Podcast Town. Contact them today: https://podcasttown.zohothrive.com/affiliateportal/podcasttown/login Check out VAUSA, America's choice for virtual assistants- https://hirevausa.com/connect" Thank you to all our guests, listeners, Prosperity Partners, and Strategic Partners. You are appreciated!   The opinions expressed by guests on this podcast do not necessarily represent those held or promoted by Linda J. Hansen or Prosperity 101, LLC.

(0:00) Intro(1:30) About the podcast sponsor: The American College of Governance Counsel(2:16) Start of interview(3:09) Jack's origin story(4:11) The Accounting Foundation. His time at PriceWaterhouse (1987-1992)(5:45) His Startup/Executive Journey. Electronics for Imaging => Apptitude => NetRatings => Atheros => Qualcomm(12:15) Transitioning to Board Service. His start with Silicon Labs (2013)(12:26) His time as CFO at GoPro (2014-2016)(13:55) His focus on boards since 2016 (~10 public boards, ~15 overall since)(14:41) Differences between public and private company board service.(18:55) The Current IPO Landscape plus staying private for longer vs going public.(24:45) Founder Dynamics in Governance and the Dual-Class Share Debate. "In general, I don't like dual-class shares (...) I blame the banks for this." His experience at Casper and ThredUp. "I don't believe in sunset provisions above 7 years. Frankly, I think 3 years is long enough"(32:10) Navigating Shareholder Activism. His experience with Mellanox (sold to NVIDIA for $6.9B) and Box (won proxy fight).(37:27) His support for Classified Boards(40:27) AI and Semiconductor Future. His board position at NatCast, a non-profit entity designated to operate the National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC) by the Department of Commerce. Reference to his TEDx talk: "Why Technology is Not Silicon Valley's Real Innovation" (2016)(48:40) Geopolitical Challenges in Tech(53:04) The Importance of Risk Planning by the board (downside plans, "defcon processes", etc)(54:54) Books that have greatly influenced his life:The Goal, by Eliyahu M. Goldratt (1984)Good to Great, by Jim Collins (2001) (55:49) His mentors:Chuck Robel, from Price WaterhouseIrwin Federman, the Chairman of MellanoxBill Elmore, Founder Foundation CapitalAndy Rappaport, August Capital(57:39) Quotes that he thinks of often or lives his life by.(59:12) An unusual habit or an absurd thing that he loves.(01:00:41) The living person he most admires.Jack Lazar has more than 30 years of Silicon Valley experience with a focus on finance and operations. He currently serves on the boards of Astera Labs (ALAB), Box (BOX), GlobalFoundries (GFS), and Resideo (REZI). He also consults with a variety of private companies, including Tonal, where he is chair of the board.  You can follow Evan on social media at:X: @evanepsteinLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/epsteinevan/ Substack: https://evanepstein.substack.com/__To support this podcast you can join as a subscriber of the Boardroom Governance Newsletter at https://evanepstein.substack.com/__Music/Soundtrack (found via Free Music Archive): Seeing The Future by Dexter Britain is licensed under a Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License

We talk Alaska moose hunting with Luke Williams, whose favorite cartridge is the 338 Remington Ultra Magnum stoked with Nosler Partitions. We also talk about the 17 HMR and shooting rats, chucks and pigeons. Williams is one of the owners of 7C Cattle Company providing top quality locally grown exquisitely finished beef. You can find them at https://7ccattlecompany.com/If you want to support free speech and good hunting content in the Internet Age, look for our coffee and books and wildlife forage blends at https://www.garylewisoutdoors.com/Shop/This episode is sponsored by West Coast Floats, of Philomath, Oregon, made in the USA since 1982 for steelhead and salmon fishermen. Visit https://westcoastfloats.com/Our TV sponsors include: Nosler, Camp Chef, Warne Scope Mounts, Carson, ProCure Bait Scents, Sullivan Glove Company, The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce, Madras Ford, Bailey Seed and Smartz.Watch select episodes of Frontier Unlimited on our network of affiliates around the U.S. or click https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=gary+lewis+outdoors+frontier+unlimited

I would very like to get a review from you. Please send a note to me. Thanks, Peter! like to much appreciate a review from you!! Thank you!Communication strategy has evolved dramatically in recent years, requiring professionals to understand not just how to craft messages, but how those messages are received by diverse audiences. Joshua Altman, Managing Director of Beltway Media in Washington DC, takes us on a fascinating journey through modern strategic communications, sharing invaluable insights from his experience working with both government agencies and private sector clients.At the heart of effective communication lies understanding what people "read, see, hear, and experience." Altman explains to host Peter Woolfolk how behavioral science principles reveal that audiences need to encounter messages 7-14 times before truly internalizing them, making strategic repetition across multiple touchpoints essential. The conversation examines how dramatically communication approaches must differ when targeting 100 key decision-makers versus 330 million Americans, illustrating the importance of tailoring strategies to specific audience parameters.Having worked as a contractor for the Department of Justice and Department of Commerce, Altman offers rare insights into the unique challenges of government communications. He describes the evolution from expensive satellite systems to modern digital platforms, highlighting how technology has democratized access while reducing costs. When working with clients starting from what they perceive as a "blank slate," Altman demonstrates how identifying and leveraging existing assets—from email lists to professional networks—can build confidence and create foundations for effective communication programs.Throughout the discussion, Altman emphasizes his role as a "fractional Chief Communications Officer" rather than simply a task vendor, integrating deeply with clients to shape perception and build trust over the long term. The conversation also explores open-source tools that can compete with expensive platforms, making sophisticated communication possible even with limited budgets. As Altman summarizes with his guiding principle: "Communicate strategically, not voluminously"—quality messaging will always triumph over sheer volume.Ready to transform your organization's communication strategy? Subscribe to the Public Relations Review Podcast for more expert insights, and visit publicrelationsreviewpodcast.com to share your thoughts on this episode. Information on NEW podcast website.Real Talk About MarketingAn Acxiom podcast where we discuss marketing made better, bringing you real...Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showNewsletter link: https://www.publicrelationsreviewpodcast.com

Droits de douane : les taxes alourdies s'appliqueront à partir du 1er août pour les pays sans accord avec les États-Unis. Ecoutez Laurent Saint-Martin, ministre délégué chargé du Commerce extérieur et des Français de l'étranger. Ecoutez L'invité RTL de 7h40 avec Olivier Bost du 07 juillet 2025.Distribué par Audiomeans. Visitez audiomeans.fr/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.

Dan Nathan and Joe Marchese, General Partner at Human Ventures, discuss the implications of AI on the media and advertising industries. Joe reflects on his trip to Cannes, highlighting the dominance of tech giants like Meta, Amazon, Google, and YouTube in the creative space and the shifting media landscape due to AI. They explore the challenges publishers face with AI-induced content scraping and the potential for toll booths to manage bot traffic. Furthermore, they consider the future of search advertising, e-commerce, and retail media in an AI-influenced world. The conversation also touches on the strategies of major tech companies like Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and Meta, and their varying degrees of risk and opportunity in the face of AI advancements. Joe also shares insights on his new board role at Breakaway, a leading touring music festival, emphasizing the importance of real-world experiences in an increasingly digital age. —FOLLOW USYouTube: @RiskReversalMediaInstagram: @riskreversalmediaTwitter: @RiskReversalLinkedIn: RiskReversal Media

Watch The X22 Report On Video No videos found (function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:17532056201798502,size:[0, 0],id:"ld-9437-3289"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src="https://cdn2.decide.dev/_js/ajs.js";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,"script","ld-ajs");pt> Click On Picture To See Larger PictureCanada tried to put pressure on Trump and the US, it backfired, and Canada has now bowed to Trump. If they followed through Canada would have been a disaster. Inflation is not showing up in the tariffs, Powell running out of time. BBB is on its way, and once the President signs it, the economy is going to take off.Stage is set for the Federal Reserve.The [DS] is panicking, they thought they would be able to start WWIII, strings were cut and now their power is lost. CISA has now issued a cyber attack warning, right on schedule. The stage is set. All roads lead to Obama and Trump and team are bringing the [DS] down the path they want them to follow. This will not end well for the [DS].   Economy    are hereby terminating ALL discussions on Trade with Canada, effective immediately. We will let Canada know the Tariff that they will be paying to do business with the United States of America within the next seven day period. Thank you for your attention to this matter! https://twitter.com/disclosetv/status/1939522597550518357 If Canada had kept the Digital Services Tax (DST) in place, the financial and economic consequences would have been significant, primarily due to potential U.S. retaliation and disruptions to the Canada-U.S. trade relationship.   Lost Tax Revenue vs. Retaliatory Tariffs: The DST was projected to generate approximately C$5.9 billion (about US$4.3 billion) over five years, or roughly C$1.2 billion (US$870 million) annually, according to Canada's 2024 federal budget However, U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to impose new tariffs on Canadian goods in response to the DST, which could have far exceeded the tax revenue. For context, Canada exports over US$400 billion in goods annually to the U.S., representing 75% of its total goods exports. If the U.S. imposed tariffs (e.g., 10-50% as suggested by Trump's April 2025 tariff levels), the cost to Canadian exporters could have ranged from US$40 billion to US$200 billion annually, depending on the tariff rate and scope. Specific sectors like automobiles, energy, steel, and aluminum (already facing 50% U.S. tariffs) would have been hit hardest, with ripple effects across supply chains. Increased Costs for Canadian Consumers and Businesses: The DST would have imposed a 3% tax on digital services revenue from Canadian users, affecting U.S. tech giants like Amazon, Google, Meta, and Apple. Some companies, like Google, had already introduced surcharges (e.g., a 2.5% “Canada DST Fee” on ads starting October 2024) to offset compliance costs, which would have raised prices for Canadian consumers and businesses reliant on digital services. Canadian business groups warned that these costs would be passed on, increasing the price of digital subscriptions, online marketing, and e-commerce. Economic Impact of Retaliation: The U.S. could have targeted Canadian pension funds and investments through retaliatory measures, as warned by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. A trade war could have exacerbated Canada's economic slowdown, with unemployment already at 7% in 2025, potentially leading to job losses in export-dependent industries like manufacturing and energy.   Sector-Specific Impacts: Automotive and Manufacturing: Tariffs on automobiles and parts would have disrupted integrated North American supply chains, increasing costs for Canadian manufacturers and potentially le...