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Friday, April 18, 2025
Solemn Reflection and Remembrance
Thursday, April 17, 2025
The Effect of Owning a Pet On Life Satisfaction
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©2025 Laurel J. Delaney. All rights reserved. |
A new study examines the impact of owning a pet on life satisfaction.
The study was conducted by two UK researchers, Michael W. Gmeiner from the London School of Economics and Adelina Gschwandtner from the University of Kent. The scientists analyzed data from the so-called Innovation Panel, a survey from the UK that contained various information on pet ownership and life satisfaction. Overall, data from 2600 households were included in the study, making the sample quite large and the results statistically robust.
The good news (spoiler alert) for all cat and dog owners: Owning a pet clearly makes its owner happier and more satisfied with their lives in the long run!
I know for me [Laurel Delaney] it does. Pictured is my Wellington. Learn more about the results of the study here.
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
Tulips in The Netherlands
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©iStock/Olena_Z |
If only all of us could tiptoe through the tulips in The Netherlands right now to break away from all the stress in our world. So if you can't get away, take a remote break to learn the history of tulips in The Netherlands, when is the best time to visit, what is the top sight during tulip season and more.

Tuesday, April 15, 2025
Leadership Lessons from Dr. Adam Grant
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©iStock/fongleon356 |
As an organizational psychologist, I’ve long admired the boldness of Mr. Musk’s vision, the intensity of his drive and the impact of his innovations in cars and rockets. But the way he deals with people would fail the leadership class I teach at his alma mater.
Read the entire Opinion in The New York Times here.
Monday, April 14, 2025
Today in Global Small Business: Honoring Passover
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©iStock/Elena Senyakaeva |
- Honoring Passover.
- How Easter is celebrated around the world.
- Exploring Easter around the world.
- Quote of the week: “Easter is meant to be a symbol of hope, renewal, and new life." – Janine di Giovanni
- The world's craziest Easter traditions.
- The origin and history of the Easter egg hunt.
Saturday, April 12, 2025
Egomaniac or Crazy?
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©2025 Laurel J. Delaney. All rights reserved. |
Friday, April 11, 2025
Many Are Questioning the Wisdom of Tariffs
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©iStock/LunaKate |
“Trump’s tariffs are the most expensive and masochistic the U.S. has pursued in decades. A very crude estimate of Trump’s tariffs puts the projected loss at US$20 trillion dollars, or well over US$200,000 per family of four.” — Larry Summers, former U.S. Treasury secretary, on X.
Thursday, April 10, 2025
Costco Rocks and For a Good Reason
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©iStock/jetcityimage |
At the company's second-quarter earnings call in March, CEO Ron Vachris spoke to reassure investors and customers at the same time, even as he acknowledged that it's difficult to predict the impact of tariffs.
"Our team remains agile and our goal will be to minimize the impact of related cost increases to our members," he said, adding that only around one-third of Costco products sold in the U.S. are imported from other countries, and less than half of those are items coming from China, Mexico, and Canada.
By the end of the year, Costco will have more than 900 locations worldwide. Here is a list of the locations opening soon:
- Stuart, FL, April 2025
- Ardeer, Australia, April 2025
- Minami Alps, Japan, April 2025
- Pyeongtaek, Korea, June 2025
- Malmo, Sweden, July 2025
- Midland, TX, July 2025

Wednesday, April 09, 2025
Global Small Businesses Are Feeling the Greatest Pain Right Now From Tariffs
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©iStock/TatyanaGI |
Ackman, who runs the New York City-based hedge fund Pershing Square, suggested that President Trump consider a 90-day pause of the policy to allow time for negotiations, and he underscored how the country’s [global] small businesses “will experience much greater pain” compared with larger companies.
Tuesday, April 08, 2025
It's Not Candy Land, It's Game of Chicken
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©iStock/ptasha |
Some nations labelled "worst offenders" are scrambling to make nice with the White House to end this game before it reaches a potentially devastating climax. China, in contrast, is playing a different game, one of retaliation and resistance.
Meanwhile, Trump has pressed ahead, even as some allies – in Congress and on Wall Street – wonder if he's going too far.
Monday, April 07, 2025
Today in Global Small Business: SNL's Latest Episode Where Trump Provides an Update On His Recent Tariffs
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©iStock/Ray Orton |
- Oh, have some fun with SNL's latest episode where Trump provides an update on his recent tariffs.
- Trade.gov is still up and running. Here's the part I like best: Are you experiencing a trade barrier? Go here. Is there anyone who is NOT experiencing a trade barrier right now?
- EXIM is still up and running – doing its best to keep America strong.
- Quote of the week: “There is one and only one social responsibility of business—to use its resources and engage in activities designed to increase its profits.” – Milton Friedman
- SBA's Office of International Trade is still up and running.
- Defiant Trump vows to stay the course as countries scramble over tariffs.
Saturday, April 05, 2025
Winter Hibernation is Over
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©2025 Laurel J. Delaney. All rights reserved. |
