Solemn Reflection and Remembrance

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Good Friday is a day of solemn reflection and remembrance of Jesus' crucifixion. Activities include attending church services, praying, fasting, and engaging in acts of charity. Many also choose to observe silence (turning off phones, TV, and other devices), particularly between 12 pm and 3 pm, when Jesus was on the cross.

The Effect of Owning a Pet On Life Satisfaction

©2025 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

People all around the world have pets, and it has been shown in many studies that having a pet can have a positive effect on various aspects of health.

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.

Tulips in The Netherlands

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During tulip season, the national flower splashes color through Amsterdam’s parks, canals and city streets, with magnificent displays further afield including the spectacle at Keukenhof Gardens, along with cycling routes through the bulb fields, and events including a flower-festooned Bloemencorso (Flower Parade).

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.

Leadership Lessons from Dr. Adam Grant

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Last December, I [Dr. Adam Grant] asked my students at Wharton to nominate and vote on topics for our final class. The runaway top choice was leadership lessons from Elon Musk. It’s become a hot topic among the corporate elite, too. 

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.

Today in Global Small Business: Honoring Passover

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

• 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.

Egomaniac or Crazy?

©2025 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

"Any man who wants to be president is either an egomaniac or crazy." – Dwight D. Eisenhower

Many Are Questioning the Wisdom of Tariffs

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A little late to the table here ... major figures in the investing world are questioning the wisdom of Trump's tariffs.  Some say it is "a mistake" and "masochistic," as Larry Summers says below.

“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.

Costco Rocks and For a Good Reason

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With all the recent news about tariffs, members can't help but wonder if they will see prices at Costco go up.

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

Global Small Businesses Are Feeling the Greatest Pain Right Now From Tariffs

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Bill Ackman wrote in a Sunday post on X that the U.S. risks fueling an “economic nuclear war” should the administration’s onslaught of tariffs proceed against dozens of countries.

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.

It's Not Candy Land, It's Game of Chicken

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A day before Donald Trump's "reciprocal" tariffs are scheduled to kick in, the US president appears locked in a high-stakes game of chicken [or maybe Candy Land?], with the world's economy hanging in the balance.

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.

Today in Global Small Business: SNL's Latest Episode Where Trump Provides an Update On His Recent Tariffs

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

• 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.

Winter Hibernation is Over

©2025 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

"Winter hibernation is over – let's catch up!" – common informal expression, not attributed to a specific person