The What-Were-You-Thinking?! Machine

©iStock/laflor

Stephen Witt wrote the biography of Jensen Huang, “The Thinking Machine.”  The name referred to the microchips that powered A.I., but also to Mr. Huang’s marauding, relentless intellect, which never slowed down or turned off.  In the wake of his stunning departure, spurred by revelations that he carried on at least two affairs, one with a woman whom U.S. intelligence determined is a Chinese spy, and another with one of his direct reports, Witt suggested he should write a sequel: “The What-Were-You-Thinking?! Machine.”

Here’s what Stephen Witt thinks led to Huang's downfall.

Bringing Jobs Back to USA Didn't Work For This Furniture Maker

©iStock/HAKINMHAN

TOV Furniture co-founder Bruce Krinsky closed a North Carolina factory after 10 months and cut about 45 jobs, returning production to Asia.

Krinsky lost $3 million trying to run the High Point plant, where high labor costs and lower efficiency made his $1,500 sofa unprofitable.

U.S. customs officials flagged 17 shipments from Krinsky’s Vietnam factory, demanding $135,000 in tariffs by claiming the goods should be considered made in China.

Key moment:  Around 2023, he sat down with his most important supplier, a husband-and-wife team in China producing 35% of his inventory.  Krinsky said that if Trump won again and tariffs on China skyrocketed, TOV Furniture would be screwed.

Great statement by Bruce:  “I came in really hoping that this administration would be really positive for business,” Krinsky said. “I wish they were more in touch with the reality of what is happening on the ground and what people really want.”

Read the entire article.  What a story!

Failure is Life's Greatest Teacher

©iStock/EtiAmmos

Many of us avoid the prospect of failure.  In fact, we’re so focused on not failing that we don’t aim for success, settling instead for a life of mediocrity. When we do make missteps, we gloss over them, selectively editing out the miscalculations or mistakes in our life’s résumé. 

Yet failure is life's greatest teacher.  When we take a closer look at the great thinkers throughout history, a willingness to take on failure isn’t a new or extraordinary thought at all. From the likes of Augustine, Darwin and Freud to the business mavericks and sports legends of today, failure is as powerful a tool as any in reaching great success. 

Keep finding better ways to run your life.

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. In October 2026, we crossed over 1.4 million readers! Thank you for your engagement! We offer all the global small business news fit to blog about.

Exports by Global Small Business Development Program Participants Up 56%

©iStock/vadishzainer

The Ministry of SMEs and Startups found that exports by companies participating in the Global Small Business Development Program, launched for the first time this year, rose 56% from a year earlier. The number of export destinations also increased.

The program provided small businesses with high export potential in the consumer goods sector with phased support, including education to strengthen their export capabilities, development and commercialization of export-ready products, and participation in overseas consumer goods exhibitions.

To learn more, visit here.

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. In October 2026, we crossed over 1.4 million readers! Thank you for your engagement! We offer all the global small business news fit to blog about.

Today in Global Small Business: Sony is Betting on Global Fandom Through Anime

©iStock/Taka Iqbal Prakasa

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

• The world is hooked on anime. Japan, its creative homeland, could use the win, and Sony is attempting to build the empire.
• In the episode of Take on Tomorrow, PwC explores what it takes to build momentum around agentic AI – from employees’ first experiments with new tools to a fundamental rethinking of how work gets done.
• Seven skills for success, particularly for young people.
• Quote of the week: “With great power... comes great need to take a nap. Wake me up later." – Nico di Angelo
• Here are 7 fixes you can make to make sure your business is found by AI.
• A $1.95 billion exit wasn’t enough. Poppi’s founder, Allison Ellsworth, is trying to build another breakout brand.

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. In October 2026, we crossed over 1.4 million readers! Thank you for your engagement! All the global business news fit to blog about.

Grateful Heart

©2026 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

"Nothing is more honorable than a grateful heart.” – Seneca 

Kristi Ross on Billion-Dollar Exits: The Thrill Is in the Building

©2026 Women Entrepreneurs Grow Global®.  All rights reserved.

Kristi Ross spent 30 years in fintech. She built and sold a company for $1 billion, and before that was part of a $750M sale. Then she entered an entirely different industry, because she’s an entrepreneur by nature.

She sees opportunity around every corner she turns, embraces risk, and enjoys building businesses.

Today she’s Co-Founder and Co-Owner of U3 COFFEE.

Join Women Entrepreneurs Grow Global® Tuesday, November 10 at 11 AM CT for Success On Her Terms: “Billion-Dollar Exits: The Thrill Is in the Building,” hosted by Women Entrepreneurs Grow Global® with Merrill Lynch's Baldwin Marcovici Group. 

Kristi Ross will sit down with Alexandra Didac, CPWA®, CRPC™, CEPA®, for a candid conversation.

Register to save your spot and hear Kristi’s journey: https://womenentrepreneursgrowglobal.org/2026/10/27/success-on-her-terms-wegginar-billion-dollar-exits/

See you there!

Tax and Tariff Relief Top Small Businesses' Wish List for Budget 2026

©iStock/Skyisme

Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is calling for lower tax rate for small businesses, lower EI payments and tariff support.

"Canada is facing an entrepreneurial drought, meaning that at the moment, more small businesses are closing than opening in this country," says Jasmin Guénette, vice-president of federal affairs at CFIB.

Read on.

The Day After: What the U.S. Midterms Mean for Global Business

©iStock/saicle

Yesterday, Americans voted in the first national referendum on President Trump’s second-term agenda. That agenda includes sweeping tariffs, an unpopular war with Iran and an aggressive immigration crackdown. 

The outcome matters far beyond U.S. borders.  Four foreign policy issues—the Iran war, U.S. trade policy, artificial intelligence (AI), and immigration shaped how voters judged the economy.  Those same forces drive supply chains, energy prices and market access for small businesses worldwide. Trade policy hits home: the Tax Policy Center estimated in September that tariffs under current law will impose an average burden of about $920 per U.S. household in 2026. 

American politics rarely goes as predicted.  Republicans underperformed in both earlier midterms of the Trump era, but the president has shown he can turn out his most loyal voters. He has also raised doubts about the U.S. election system without evidence, which has led to concerns about federal interference in the results.

For global entrepreneurs, the key question is whether the new Congress will push back on tariffs. That will tell you a great deal about the trading environment in 2027.

There's still time to register for, "Reading the Tax Tea Leaves:  A Post-Midterm Forecast For Small Business Owners," today, 11/4/26 at 11 AM CT.  Register for free: https://womenentrepreneursgrowglobal.org/2026/10/07/reading-the-tax-tea-leaves-a-post-midterm-forecast-for-small-business-owners/

Midterm Elections 2026: Shape the Change You Want for American Business at Home and Abroad

©iStock/Jehan-Jehan

Turn up at the ballot box.  Every vote counts.  Shape the change you want for American business at home and abroad.

Today in Global Small Business: Day of the Dead — Día de los Muertos

©2026 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

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

• Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos) is the Mexican festival merging pre-Columbian Aztec rituals honoring the dead with Catholic observances of All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days — observed with elaborate ofrendas (altars), sugar skulls, marigolds, and family gatherings at gravesites to welcome the spirits of the departed.
• All Saints' Day we remember those have lived and died in the faith,” says the Rev. Patrick Williams, associate director, Pastoral Care. “Saints not because of perfection or fearlessness, but because by faith they were able to persevere through the fears and the challenges in their own times — and bear witness to the power of Christ working in them.”
• Ancestors all around – millions of dead people linger in Americans' memories.
• Quote of the week: “Day of the Dead contrasts with dark views of death by using skeletons, humor, music, and dancing as a positive celebration of life." – Tim Burton
• How to celebrate Day of the Dead. Hint: It’s all about the joy of living.
• Communities around Central California are hosting several events to celebrate Día de los Muertos this year.

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. In October 2026, we crossed over 1.4 million readers! Thank you for your engagement! All the global business news fit to blog about.

Boo from the Global Small Business Blog!