Topic
small business
Business As More US Business Owners Retire, Many Are Selling Up to Their Staff in Employee Ownership Deals
A wave of baby boomer retirements is prompting US business owners to sell their companies to employees, rather than to outside buyers. The trend is supported by rising investment funds and research showing employee-owned firms are more productive and pay higher wages. Examples include Softstar Shoes in Oregon and Stockwell Elastomerics in Philadelphia.
Supply Chain Long Beach Port Awards $54M in Small Business Contracts, Exceeding Goals
The Port of Long Beach awarded $54.4 million in services and materials contracts to small businesses in the 2025 fiscal year, achieving a 44.6% utilization rate — well above its 27% goal. The port's Small Business Enterprise Program, one of the most ambitious among California ports, is designed to prepare local firms for the port's plan to double cargo handling capacity to 20 million containers annually by 2050.
Logistics He Walked Away From Barber Chair for Box Truck: Lessons for Logistics Operators
Victor Newton left a 28-year barber career to become a box truck owner-operator after a YouTube headline claimed $20,000 in a month. Five years in, he discusses the 90% failure rate, the difference between truck ownership and business ownership, and niche strategies like partial loads that can change the math for small carriers.
Business Cake Sheds Face Licensing Threat Amid Growing Popularity
Cake sheds, a burgeoning trend in the UK, allow bakers to earn up to £1,000 weekly. However, potential licensing regulations could threaten this business model, impacting bakers like Danielle Edgington.