Small Business

Business News & Bruce Tretter from Breitz! 7 September 2021

Feels like a Monday for many of us...right? Welcome to the business news headlines for Tuesday the 7th of September. Our host, Michael Libbie, has the day off so we're trying something a bit different. Rather than voicing the stories we're delivering the top business news in written form. Michael will be back tomorrow. And, make sure you listen in to our business interview featuring Bruce Tretter from Breitz active wear that let's you be seen.  Here's what we have for you:
The Housing Market - When the pandemic was in full swing more than 7 million homeowners were in a program of forbearance which allowed them to pause their mortgage payments. That number is now down to 1.7 million borrowers. Fortune in reporting that  The Biden-Harris administration has made it clear there are no plans for an extension which is set to lapse on 30 September.  Borrowers won’t all get removed at once, instead they’ll be phased out over a period of several months. We've reported in the past how the lack of homes for sale has impacted pricing. Should even one-half of borrowers decide to sell, rather than catch up on their payments that would mean hundreds of thousands of homes would be on the market and that could drop prices. Stay tuned.
Americans & Canada - Crossing data shows that travel to Canada by American businesses and tourists has dropped. The reason? Stiff restrictions for entry into Canada. Business Insider is reporting that Vaccinated American citizens looking to travel north need a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken no more than 72 hours from a flight's scheduled departure or arrival at a land border crossing. Travelers that have recently recovered from COVID-19 can show a positive test from between 14 and 180 days prior to entry.  And before arriving in Canada - whether by air, land, or sea - travelers must have completed an online form called "ArriveCan." Its requirements include providing an address in Canada at which visitors could quarantine should they test positive and providing the exact dates of a traveler's vaccination. So, yes, visits north have dropped.
But, It's Good for Business -  Mike Lindell the "My Pillow Guy" who is being sued by Dominion Voting Systems says telling lies about the 2020 election and that President Trump really won but Dominion switched votes is, wait for it, good for business. Salon is reporting that he said business is so good he has had to hire 200 more workers.  So, it's a jobs program?
Wall Street - The day after Labor Day was not a good day for the markets. The Dow tanked by 269 points to settle at 35,100 while the S&P 500 lost 15 points ending the trade at 4,520. The Nasdaq outperformed picking up 10 points (and change) to finish at 15,374 which is a new record close.  The weak jobs report and fears of rising COVID cases kept Wall Street in check.
Open Houses - They were once the prime way to get people into houses for sale...and nosey neighbors could also come by for a peek. But COVID has changed that age-old way of putting buyers and sellers together. Realtors are now turning to high-tech ways to show off homes from virtual tours  to live video tours where potential buyers can communicate directly with the realtor. 
$100,000 Sign On Bonuses - Not long ago we shared the story about some trucking firms giving out $50,000 sign on bonuses. That was so...yesterday. Market Watch is reporting that according to research firm Global Data Sign-on bonus have increased across all sectors by 454%, rising to 57,123 advertised positions in August 2021 from 10,312 in August 2020.  Data says the health-care field has the most expensive bonus offers. An advertisement for a “physician of neurology multiple sclerosis” and also for a “general dentist” last month both had a sign-on bonus of up to $100,000. 
Returning to the Office - How about next year? Uber is the latest company to push back office time.  The New York Times is reporting more firms are pushing their returns out as far as next September in efforts to keep employees safe and mitigate whiplash from anticipated return dates and further delays. But that’s not stopping everyone — Wall Street is still  "limping ahead  with plans to bring back more bank employees this week.
For the Interview - Here you'll meet entrepreneur Bruce Tretter who several years ago started "Gotta Eat, Can't Cook". It was all about simple ways to make food and he did it with books and video.  Fast forward several years and he has recently launched Breitz a company that produces high quality cycling and running gear.  He has married social distancing with colorful bright gear...pushing a "six foot" distance to keep runners and cyclists safe.  Here he visits with Michael at an event earlier in the week.  You should know that while Michael and Bruce have been friends for well over a decade this is a first time...face to face meeting.  Enjoy.
Thanks for reading and for listening! Michael will be back in studio tomorrow.  Have a great evening! 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The Business News Headlines 18 August 2021

As much of the world focuses on what is happening in Afghanistan we're focused on what's going on in the business world and away from politics.  Here's what we've got for you today: 
Garth Brooks makes a business & health decision;
The White House says booster shots on the way;
The world's largest retailer is....
Experts said you would be spending less on your home;
Communities fighting back against dollar stores;
Rents, sad to say, are going up...like way up;
The Wall Street Report;
Do we really, really need the 40 hour work week?
Thanks for listening! 
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour.
 
 
 

The Business News Headlines 12 August 2021

It's our second day of remote work...no internet at the studio so today we took it on the road to a great little coffee shop, Grounds for Celebration, in the Village of Windsor Heights, Iowa.  Good stuff!  Here's what we've got for you today:
They say inflation is transitory, but...
The Bundling War and cell phones;
The "My Pillow Guy" dashes off the stage;
The least trusted retailers are;
Evictions, Renters and Landlords;
President Biden and prescription drug prices;
The Wall Street Report;
Hollywood: Not all glitz and glamor.
For the interview you'll meet entrepreneur and cyber security expert Greg Edwards in this captivating conversation about ransomware. Who it impacts, who should be concerned, what to do and more.  Greg Edwards from CryproStopper is right here and it's a must listen. 
Thanks for listening! 
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour.
 

The Business News Headlines 11 August 2021

A big THANK YOU to our friends at Gilroy's Kitchen, Pub & Patio where we produced the news headlines today. The reason? No internet at our studio. The crew here in West Des Moines, Iowa came to the rescue.  Thanks!  In the news:
The "Word of the Day is...Moderate;
So angry they are ditching Prime;
Big news about Kentucky and...Amazon;
Some new headlines about vaccinations;
A BIG Social Security COLA could be coming;
The Wall Street Report;
What? Even bias about working from home?
Thanks for listening! 
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour.
 

The Business News Headlines 28 July 2021

It's the final Wednesday of July 2021...time moves on...right? Stay with us after the news and check out the interesting story of Iowan Dave Miglin who, in five years, has visited each of the 942 incorporated communities in the Hawkeye State...why and what's next? We asked...but first the news:
Ice Crème and Israel, both hot;
Hey, good news! "We're in the money!"
No layoff for you they said;
Wanna work here? Get vaccinated;
The Fed and the Economy;
Masks, Retail and Actors;
The Wall Street Report;
Buy American! Says the U.S. government to the U.S. government.
Now the story of Dave Miglin who, five years ago on a whim, decided he would travel to every one of the then 955 incorporated communities in Iowa. Why? What did he learn? What's coming up next?  Click here as we name names...and ask those questions.
Thanks for listening! 
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour.
 
 
 
 

Visiting Iowa's 942 Incorporated Communities with Dave Miglin

Five years ago, on a whim, Dave Miglin the Vice President of Media & Digital Services at Strategic America, a marketing & advertising agency, thought up the idea of visiting every one of the then 955 Incorporated Communities in Iowa.  Recently he finished that project and now wants to find ways to go back and help these towns find ways to capitalize on what they have.  From the tiny community of Le Roy to the redemption at West Bend. Listen as we name names and Dave shares some interesting stories about his journeys. 
Thanks for listening! 
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour.

The Business News Headlines 1 July 2021

Welcome to a brand new month and the start of the second half of 2021.  Glad you're with us again today. Here's what we've got for you and remember to click through to learn more about the Two Lane Rambler, Roger Sanders from Illinois.
The Pandemic was good for them but now?
Robinhood fined $70 million and why;
Commodities are up and oil at $100?;
Let's chat about nude pool parties;
The Wall Street Report;
Jobless rate dips;
The Robinhood IPO explained.
For the interview you'll meet writer Roger Sanders who just kicked off his travel blog the Two Lane Rambler. It's a neat story about the hidden treasurers we can find if we get off the interstate and ramble down the two lane roads in Rural America. To hear about his startup click here.
Thanks for listening! 
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour.
 
 

The Business News Headlines 21 June 2021

Forget everything about the massive sell off on Wall Street last week. Today things turned around and we'll share the numbers in just a bit. Welcome to the Monday Edition of the Business News Headlines. Here's what we've got for you today:
American Airlines cuts hundreds of flights and why;
They sold millions in stock before reporting money issues;
Today is Amazon Prime Day but...those prices?
Jeep is looking at a major PR issue;
The Wall Street Report;
Thieves and catalytic converters...it's a story!
For the interview you'll meet a returning guest, Jayne Armstrong a District Director for the Small Business Administration who is here to do a victory lap of sorts and take a peek at the future of small businesses everywhere.  To listen, click here. 
 

The SBA Takes A Victory Lap with Jayne Armstrong

She is a returning visitor to the Business News Hour, Jayne Armstrong is the District Director for the Small Business Administration. She's here to update all of us on a remarkable year on the national and the regional front. Trillions of dollars were poured into the national economy to keep small businesses afloat and even in Iowa there were 173,000 loans totaling eight billion dollars.  A massive effort and we'll also take a peek at what she believes is in the future for Main Street.
Thanks for listening!
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour.

The Business News Headlines 15 June 2021

Today, along with the business news headlines a conversation about the importance of refugees for not only businesses but also many rural communities. You'll meet Stephanie Moris and we'll also talk about World Refugee Day happening on the 20th of June. But, first these news stories:
Spying on employees is...costly;
Easing of trade tensions think U.S. and EU;
A new chair for the FTC and she's 32;
More news out of Lordstown, Ohio;
Short sellers lose plenty betting against AMC;
She is giving away a fortune...no, really;
The Wall Street Report;
Retail sales go south in May...and why;
What? We may have a "New Facebook"?
Those stories plus this interesting conversation about refugees, business, communities and how they contribute to the economy.  From creating new businesses to bolstering the population of small towns. You'll meet Stephanie Moris from the Refugee Alliance of Central Iowa.  To listen, click right here.
Thanks for listening!
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour.