Guest commentary: Excessive regulations a threat to California’s family businesses
By Ken Monroe Family businesses are the backbone of California’s economy. From family farms to shops and restaurants to manufacturing companies, our businesses don’t just provide goods and services; we create jobs, support communities and carry on legacies built over generations. How important are family businesses to the state’s economy? Our state’s 1.4 million family businesses employ Read More →
Guest commentary: Navigating the recent surge in refinance activity
By Sergio Gonzalez Recently, the Federal Reserve’s decision to cut interest rates for the first time since March 2020, has sparked a surge in refinance activity, which should come as no surprise to those who track market trends. When rates drop, homeowners naturally begin to consider refinancing their mortgages to secure a lower rate, reduce monthly payments, or even Read More →
Relying on hope is not a strategy for continued success
By Gerhard Apfelthaler Few phrases are as iconic, cautionary, and maybe overused as “hope is not a strategy.” Popularized by a book published in 2003, it is a reminder that while optimism is important, success ultimately hinges on other things — understanding your environment, setting your goals, charting a course, and then executing, executing, executing. Too Read More →
Guest commentary: Four strategies to maximize your charitable giving as holiday season approaches
By Sarah Reznick There is nothing like the feeling of giving during the holidays — the simple act of giving fosters a sense of connection with others and a sense of fulfillment. Spreading kindness has been clinically proven to have a positive impact on our mood and our self-esteem. So, as the year begins to wind down, the Read More →
Guest commentary: Low-income students, military households are most at risk in the digital divide
By Chanelle Hawken As local students have settled back into school, a recent report from the Benton Institute on Broadband & Society highlighted the potential impacts that the end of the federal government’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) willhave on bridging the digital divide with lower-income households that relied on ACP monthly subsidies. Nearly 1 in 5 Read More →
The new unemployables: Navigating the future job market
By Vlad Vaiman In a fast-changing labor market, a concerning trend has emerged — an increasing proportion of highly skilled professionals are finding themselves out of work. This rather interesting, but disturbing conundrum, underlined in a recent Korn Ferry study, emphasizes the difficulties experienced by skilled professionals in a number of industries as they struggle to find Read More →
Guest commentary: Early childhood investment helps the tri-county community thrive
By First 5 Ventura County, First 5 San Luis Obispo County & First 5 Santa Barbara County Our community’s well-being and economy improve when we invest in early childhood. Economists and brain researchers alike agree the prenatal period and first five years of a child’s life are critical for developing lifelong social, emotional, and learning Read More →
