IMF: Sharp Spikes in Food and Energy Prices Will Likely Become More Common

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Sharp spikes in food and energy prices will likely become more common, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said, warning such crises drive inflation expectations higher for longer, worsen poverty and threaten economic stability.

IMF research recently released examined three decades of strategies used by governments to mitigate price surges, as well as a new economic model that accounts for the higher inflation experienced by poorer households, which spend a higher share of their budgets on daily necessities. 

Read the article, which is part of the World Economic Outlook report, October, 2026.

Note:  The Global Small Business Blog has been in operation since 2004 and is ranked number one in the world for entrepreneurs and small businesses interested in going global.  As of May, 2026, we average between 700,000-900,000 readers a month.  Thank you for your engagement!

Globalization Continues to Expand Despite a Decade of Populist Policies

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Globalization has continued to expand despite a decade of populist policies, tariffs and efforts to reshape international trade following Brexit and President Donald Trump's first election victory. Speaking with hosts David Gura and Christina Ruffini, [Bloomberg news Senior Economics Writer] Shawn Donnan says growing cross-border investment, global supply chains and digital technology demonstrate that the world economy remains increasingly interconnected despite political resistance.

Demystifying Global Trade (and Exporting)

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As a business owner, finding the best opportunities at the right time is critical. Staying profitable, growth, and building a sustainable business are a few of the important elements of owning a business. Exporting complements all those activities and if you aren’t already exporting, here are a few findings that might encourage you consider it. 

Follow along as we demystify global trade!

No Country is a Non-Country

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Just like no president is a non-president.  No country is a non-country.

“The Trump administration’s raid on Congresswoman Ilhan Omar’s home is deeply disturbing and raises serious questions about the continued corrupt weaponization of the federal government against Donald Trump’s adversaries,” they [read the article] said.

Today in Global Small Business: Columbus Day 2026 – What's Open and What's Closed

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What's affecting me, my clients, my colleagues and other global small business owners:

• Columbus Day 2026 – what's open and what's closed.
• She once was a global star.  Later, many promises were not kept.
• Serving in public office in the United States is dangerous. From state and local government to Congress, an unending river of violent threats is washing through the mailboxes, offices, voice mail and texts of those who govern the nation.
• Register for the Global Small Business Forum 10/23 at 9:00 AM CT to learn about AI-powered exports and ecommerce. Discover how to create extra value at your global small business (free of charge). Sign up here. I [Laurel Delaney] will be there!
• Quote of the week:  "Every ship that comes to America got its chart from Columbus." – Ralph Waldo Emerson
• Air travel emerges as dangerous front line in global conflicts.
• Buy American, build the future – that's Exim Bank's claim.
• Note:  The Global Small Business Blog has been in operation since 2004 and is ranked number one in the world for entrepreneurs and small businesses interested in going global.  As of May, 2026, we average between 700,000-900,000 readers a month.  Thank you for your engagement!    

A Witch In All of Us

©2026 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

“There’s a little witch in all of us.” – Alice Hoffman, “Practical Magic”

Helping Small Businesses Put AI To Work

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Small businesses are built on a craft you’ve perfected, a skill to share, a better way to serve a community. But turning expertise into a business also means finding customers, managing finances, and handling marketing, often with a small team and little time to spare. 

AI can extend a team’s capacity, but figuring out where to start takes time too. A trusted advisor can make that first step easier.

OpenAI announced a partnership with America’s SBDC⁠, the national network of small business development centers serving 1 million entrepreneurs each year, to help more small businesses use AI at work.

Unlocking Global Philippine Export Markets by DHL's GoTrade Program

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Philippine small businesses have enormous economic weight but remain underrepresented in international trade, a gap DHL Express wants to narrow by giving export-ready enterprises the knowledge and logistics support to sell abroad.

Highlights

DHL’s GoTrade program targets export-ready SMEs, helping them overcome gaps in trade knowledge, logistics, technology and access to finance.

Around 900 to 1,000 Philippine MSMEs have opened DHL accounts and shipped internationally for the first time over the past two to three years.

GoTrade has trained almost 200 Philippine businesses this year, with more training sessions planned with public- and private-sector partners.

Steve Sullivan's New Book: "Finding Purpose and Passion in Small Business"

©2026 Stephen Sullivan.  All rights reserved.

GREAT news! Steve Sullivan's new book, "Finding Purpose and Passion in Small Business," is published!

Steve spent years at the SBA working side by side with business owners. He has seen what it takes to build something from scratch, and what keeps owners going when it gets hard. This book puts that experience into words.

What moves me most is that he chose to feature women business owners I [Laurel Delaney] know and admire, each of whom took her business global:  Debra Dudley, President of Oscarware and Joan Laureano, President of Nosotras Boutique Fashion Group.

Their stories show that purpose and passion don't stop at the border.  I was honored to write the endorsement on the cover, and I meant every word.

If you own a small business, or dream of starting one, this book belongs on your desk. 

To learn more and to purchase the book, visit:  https://www.amazon.com/Finding-Purpose-Passion-Small-Business/dp/B0HLNQPLZX/

America.gov

©2026 Laurel Delaney.  Screenshot of website.

Try America.gov out and see what you think.  I [Laurel Delaney] did a test with "What do I need to get started in exporting?"  Here's what the chatbot said:

Getting started with U.S. exports

U.S. government help is aimed at goods and services produced in the United States. Start with a plan, then check licenses, paperwork, and payment risk.

Plan and get counseling

• Decide if you are ready, write an export plan, and research markets. Official starting point: Learn How To Export.
• Free or low-cost help: U.S. Commercial Service (International Trade Administration), local offices, and SBA export counseling.
• Financing and insurance options include SBA export programs and Export-Import Bank.

Check U.S. rules before you ship

You are responsible for whether a license is needed, the end use, and the buyer. Most shipments do not need a license, but some do.

• Overview: U.S. Export Regulations and export licenses.
• Dual-use items: Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) and the Export Administration Regulations.
• Defense items: State Department Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (ITAR).
• Sanctions and restricted parties: Treasury OFAC and the Consolidated Screening List.
• How to get a license or permit: USAGov.

Paperwork and filing

• File Electronic Export Information in the Automated Export System for many shipments valued at $2,500 or more per commodity classification, or any value if a license is required (Canada has different rules). See reporting export sales.
• Typical documents include a commercial invoice. Put classification and any license numbers on the invoice and AES filing. Carriers may use NLR (No License Required) when that applies.
• Meet foreign product standards and import rules as well as U.S. rules.

Next step

Contact a U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist with your product type and destination country. Rules depend on the item, buyer, and country; I cannot verify your specific case without that detail.

Today in Global Small Business: The Race Is For the Future of Space Exploration

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What's affecting me, my clients, my colleagues and other global small business owners:

• Superpowers race to put nuclear reactors on the moon.
• FedEx, which has released hundreds of millions of dollars already from tariff refunds, has taken steps to improve its process for small businesses.
• Register for the Global Small Business Forum 10/23 at 9:00 AM CT to learn about AI-powered exports and ecommerce. Discover how to create extra value at your global small business (free of charge). Sign up here. I [Laurel Delaney] will be there!
• Quote of the week:  "We are just an advanced breed of monkeys on a minor planet of a very average star. But we can understand the Universe. That makes us something very special." – Stephen Hawking
• Why Canada is wargaming a (long shot) US invasion.
• Breakfast around the world.
• Note:  The Global Small Business Blog has been in operation since 2004 and is ranked number one in the world for entrepreneurs and small businesses interested in going global.  As of May, 2026, we average between 700,000-900,000 readers a month.  Thank you for your engagement!    

Starting a Little Free Library

©2026 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

If you want to start a Little Free Library book exchange, you’re in the right place.  See how Little Free Libraries work and learn how you can start a little library, too.