Lenore's Bagels, a pandemic-era pop-up started by former hospitality veterans Seth and Jessica Brammer, is opening its first storefront in Farmers Branch, Texas, in the spring. The bakery has set itself apart from other North Texas bagel shops by using organic flour from nearby Barton Springs Mill, and will also offer other baked goods such as cookies, banana bread, challah and rye bread, as well as natural wines and other food products.
Social media trends for 2025 include the rise of AI and automation in content creation, the growing importance of user-generated content and the emergence of platforms like Threads and Bluesky, writes Susan Ganeshan, chief marketing officer for Emplifi. Augmented and virtual reality also are expected to gain traction, offering new opportunities for immersive marketing, as zero- and first-party data drive marketing personalization, Ganeshan writes.
Each month, at least 25 million people engage with Bluesky, which is gaining traction with millennials and members of Generation Z. The platform's appeal is further enhanced by its association with cultural moments, such as the Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul fight, and its potential for authentic engagement, especially in gaming and tech industries.
Avoid "ethical fade" in your organization by emphasizing doing the right thing even when it is challenging or costly, writes leadership expert Gregg Vanourek, who urges leaders to ask themselves, "Is this a good organization?" and "Would this serve us all well over time?" to ensure their actions align with ethical standards. Ethics also demands that leaders make a stand by saying, "We're not doing that," when faced with unethical or illegal actions.
Workplace happiness is crucial for a thriving work culture, driving performance, engagement and job satisfaction, says S. Chris Edmonds, an executive consultant with The Purposeful Culture Group. Leaders can achieve this by defining, aligning and refining their organizational culture, ensuring it is lived and embraced by all members, thus embedding happiness into daily operations, Edmonds notes.
Bags, a startup founded in 2020, aims to bridge the capital gap for small businesses, especially those owned by minorities and women, by facilitating low-interest loans and helping businesses achieve significant growth. The company has raised $5 million to develop an AI-powered financial-management platform that connects businesses with more than 60 alternative lenders.
Rick Robinson of Franchise Genesis outlines key steps for small-business owners considering franchising, emphasizing profitability, replicable operations and market demand. Robinson clears up common misconceptions and notes that "franchising is a process that requires careful planning and execution."
Google Workspace is launching its first Super Bowl campaign, "50 States, 50 Stories," featuring small businesses from each state and highlighting how they enhance operations with AI through Google Workspace. The campaign aims to showcase the role of AI in supporting small-business innovation and will be broadcast during the Super Bowl.
Former Sen. Kelly Loeffler, President Donald Trump's nominee to head the Small Business Administration, emphasized her small-business background and commitment to entrepreneurship in her Senate confirmation hearing. Loeffler, who grew up on a family farm in Illinois and has extensive business experience, including co-owning the startup-turned-Fortune 500 company, Atlanta Dream, and founding fintech company Bakkt, pledged to cut red tape, modernize the SBA and donate her salary to charity if confirmed.
UPS plans to reduce Amazon deliveries by more than 50% by the second half of next year to focus on more profitable segments, such as health care shippers and small businesses. The two companies reached an agreement in principle to implement the change.
