Guest commentary: The AI jobs debate is missing the point
By Vlad Vaiman The conversation about artificial intelligence and employment has hardened into two opposing camps. Optimists promise a productivity renaissance — a future where AI handles the drudgework and humans are freed to do their best thinking. Pessimists warn of mass displacement, of entire professions rendered obsolete, of an economy that simply stops needing Read More →
Guest commentary: How small businesses build stronger, more scalable operations in a digital-first economy
By Jodi Duva National Small Business Week is an opportunity to celebrate the resilience and impact of small businesses in our Santa Barbara community. It’s also a moment to pause and reflect on the realities these businesses face as they grow in an increasingly digital-first economy Today’s small businesses — 36.2 million strong by U.S. Read More →
Our view: Ventura Fire gets kudos for Sandy Fire response
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Guest commentary: Working while grieving
By Gerhard Apfelthaler I have recently lost a son in a car accident, and — naturally — I was quickly faced with a few harsh realities. While this is not the place to share personal pain, I have started to deal with questions about being a grieving father while also having responsibilities as a leader Read More →
Guest commentary: Why most family businesses aren’t prepared for transition
By Bryan Esarco Nearly six million small to midsize businesses will be ready for transfer by 2035, according to Forbes. Being prepared is the first part of the sale process; are you and your family ready? Here, I share what can create roadblocks to the transition and provide an action plan to mitigate them. WHAT DOES Read More →
Our view: Family business values drive regional economy
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Guest commentary: There’s always a bull market somewhere
By John Grace For years, investors were told one simple story: own U.S. stocks, add bonds, and relax. That worked, until leadership changed and the script flipped. In 2025, U.S. equities delivered solid gains, with the S&P 500 up in the mid-to-high teens. Not bad. But international markets didn’t just participate, they outperformed. The MSCI Read More →
