Happy 250th America!

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Let's celebrate America's birthday!

This July 4th Could Be the Hottest Ever In Parts of U.S.

©iStock/Sabine Hortebusch

This July Fourth could be the hottest on record for millions of Americans as a massive heat wave traps more than half of the United States under a heat dome through the holiday weekend.

Dangerously high temperatures ramped up Wednesday (7/1/26) from the Midwest to the East Coast, forecasters said. Between daily high temperatures and warm overnight lows – which won't be low enough to offer much relief – more than 300 records are expected to be set by Saturday, July 4, 2026.

Where Food Is Exported From and Where It Goes

©iStock/FabrikaCr

Our food systems have become incredibly globalized.  Which countries do we depend on for this wide range of foods?

See how and where food is traded across the world, by viewing this interactive visualization that shows the flow of different types of food from producer to consumer.

The authors provide a walkthrough on how to use the tool with using soybeans as an example.

Fascinating!

Celebrating 4th of July Fireworks (video)

The Small Businesses That Built America

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Let's welcome the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's year‑long series celebrating the entrepreneurs and enterprises that have shaped the nation’s economy over 250 years. 

From colonial‑era craftsmen to today’s tech innovators, U.S. small businesses have fueled growth, creativity, and community across every generation of American life.

Throughout the year, the CoC spotlights historic companies, iconic brands that started small, and the modern founders carrying that legacy forward. 

Join them as we all honor the small businesses that built America – and continue to build its future.

Today in Global Small Business: International Growth Is Being Driven By a New Breed of Business

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

• International growth is being driven by a new breed of business: the emerging multinational.
• How the Shiga Bank is driving regional growth through global strategy, sustainability and SME support.
• How businesses can leverage Hong Kong’s advantages to expand overseas.
• Quote of the week:  “These guys have shut down the Straits of Hormuz.  This is what Iran is saying:  We will shut down the straits, no one can go through, no country in the world can go through unless we allow you to go through, and you have to pay us, but our ships can go through – meaning the Iranian ships – as much as they want.  That’s crazy.  Who would agree to that?" – Secretary of State Marco Rubio (5/5/26)
• Updates from the NY Times on the war in the Middle East.
• Iran asserts sole control of Hormuz, warns challenges will bring more violence.

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! 

Chicago: The Most Beautiful Great City Left in the World

©2026 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

"Eventually, I think Chicago will be the most beautiful great city left in the world." – Frank Lloyd Wright, architect and Oak Park resident

How to Successfully Bring Overseas Brands into the U.S. Market With Top Expert Yvette Laugier

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

What's the trick to bringing products into the USA market?  Find out during Yvette Laugier's (LIVE) talk – wegginar® – on July 1st at 11 AM CT, "How To Successfully Bring Overseas Brands into the U.S. Market."  Here's a snippet of what she will discuss:

• Understand why the U.S. is not one market and how to identify the right entry point for your brand.
• Learn the five essential pillars every overseas brand must master before launching in the United States.
• Discover how pricing, packaging, and positioning must shift for U.S. consumers and retailers. 

About Yvette Laugier, Founder, YL Advisory

Yvette Laugier has been appointed as Vice President of North America for Dualit Ltd. She is a veteran of the housewares industry, having worked with well-known consumer brands. She opened the North American headquarters of a European manufacturer in 2013 as its Managing Director. and is well-versed in retail distribution across the U.S. and Canada, in both B2B and B2C channels.

She has served on the International Housewares Association’s Board of Directors and remains active with the IHA as a past Chairman. The association is a not-for-profit trade association, based in Rosemont, Illinois, dedicated to maximizing the success of the home products industry with a world class international trade show (The Inspired Home Show held annually in Chicago in March), global e-commerce and a myriad of business development tools for the trade.

She is also a member of IHA’s Government Affairs Committee, Exhibitor Trade Show Advisory Committee and Key Retailer Advisory Committee, and a regular participant in IHA’s regional CORE (Chief Officers Reaching Excellence) meetings across the country.

To learn more and to register free of charge for Yvette's talk, visit:  https://womenentrepreneursgrowglobal.org/2026/06/12/how-to-successfully-bring-overseas-brands-into-the-u-s-market/

Global Economic Uncertainty: Unlocking SME Finance for Investment and Productivity

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While economies have demonstrated resilience over the past several years, economic uncertainty is weighing on the small businesses which are driving our economies. The cost of finance for SMEs remains high, despite recent decreases in SME interest rates, and banks continue to apply stringent lending terms and conditions to mitigate risk.  

Read the full report here that discusses questions such as:  how ongoing economic and policy uncertainty is affecting SME financing and investment decisions; what policy approaches and market-based solutions can help SMEs invest in productivity-enhancing assets; and, how we can strengthen uptake of digital solutions to enhance access to finance and boost SME productivity.

Costco's CEO Ron Vachris Views AI As a Supplement to Human Value

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As executives name AI as one of many reasons for mass layoffs, Costco’s CEO Ron Vachris views AI as a supplement to human value.

Last month Vachris spoke at the Economic Club of Chicago about how AI is—and isn’t—changing Costco’s workforce of 341,000. 

“AI has been extremely good for our company in an assistive nature,” Vachris said. “What we found is, it has worked very well, complementing our employees and the systems that we put in place in the pharmacy, in our gas stations, and in the accounting department that we have. And also in some of our IT. It was writing some code.”

Discover how Costco is using AI to empower its employees rather than replace them.

Architect of the Modern American Economy Dies: Alan Greenspan

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Former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan, once hailed as a maestro for directing a booming economy but who later received some of the blame for the housing bust and financial meltdown that occurred after he left office, has died [6/22/26], according to his wife, Andrea Mitchell. He was 100.

Greenspan served five terms as Fed chairman under four presidents.

Today in Global Small Business: Uncertainty Over the Strait of Hormuz

©iStock/PeterHermesFurian

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

• The United States and Iranian militaries have offered conflicting accounts over whether the crucial waterway is open, which impacts business owners who import with continued supply chain shocks, skyrocketing freight and fuel costs, and complex contract disputes.
• We've got a problem ... Iranian state media said 6/21/26 that Trump’s comments violated the preliminary peace deal signed Wednesday, which bars the two sides from attacking or threatening each other.
• Trump threatens fresh attacks on Iran.
• Quote of the week:  “You close it, and you won’t have a country,” Trump said of the Strait of Hormuz (6/21/26)
• Deal or no deal?
• Trump warns Tehran "we will take over your country if the Strait of Hormuz is closed."

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! 

Love Is Never Wrong

©2026 Laurel Delaney.  All rights reserved.

"Love is never wrong." – Melissa Etheridge

50 Promising Business Ideas for 2026 and Beyond

©iStock/Natalya Kosarevich

If you think you have a great business idea that needs to be shared with the world, you’re in good company. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows that more than 5 million new business applications have been filed every year since 2021, and entrepreneurs are on track to continue that trend. 

What are the best ideas for 2026?  They are ones that have clear market demand, the potential for scalability and profit, and the ability to adapt to changing technologies and customer demands.

Find out what those are here.

Meanwhile, celebrate Juneteenth!

We Are Going to Start Using the T

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The rise of the world's first trillionaire.  The initial public offering for SpaceX crowned Elon Musk the world’s first trillionaire. WSJ’s Theo Francis takes us inside the staggering finances of the world’s richest man, and explores what the impact of his new status might be. 

Elon Musk:  And let me tell you, if people had told me this was going to happen, I was like, "Man, you must be smoking some really good crack." 

Theo Francis:  It's pretty striking. I do our annual ranking of executive pay of CEO pay and every year there's a few CEOs who make a hundred million or more. A hundred million. That's a lot of money. And yet I have to remember to use an M and say million instead of B for billion when you're talking about the wealth of people like Zuckerberg and Bezos and Allison and of course Musk when we're going to have to start using the T. It's a really remarkable moment in terms of individual wealth, and I think the real question is: how far does it go?

Listen to or read the entire interview.

The Global Order Has Been Altered

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The global order has been altered, and economies are unlikely to simply pick up where they left off before the U.S. and Israel began bombing Iran.

The framework deal between the United States and Iran sets the stage for an end to the bursts of violence and debilitating disruption of energy deliveries and trade in the Persian Gulf. But don’t expect economies around the globe to simply pick up where they left off before the United States and Israel began bombing Iran on Feb. 28.

The war has set in motion changes that will be hard to reverse.

India's May Trade Gap Narrows as Exports Rise

©iStock/ADITCHAROENKUL 

India's merchandise trade ⁠deficit ⁠narrowed marginally in May as higher exports ⁠offset part of the import bill, while firms navigated volatile energy prices, Middle East disruptions and ​ongoing trade negotiations with the United States.

The data underscores pressure on India to sustain exports and contain import costs as ​it seeks greater U.S. market access, with April-May goods exports nearly flat at $17.29 billion versus $17.21 billion a year earlier.

Today in Global Small Business: The Global Women Presidents Organization

©2026 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

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

• Making sure the world knows about the global peer advisory group the Women Presidents Organization for women business owners generating $2 million (USD) in gross annual sales for a product-based business or $1 million for a service-based business.  If that is you, discover what a WPO membership could mean for your business.  Note: I ([Laurel Delaney] have been a WPO Chicago Chapter Chair since 2003 so I know first hand how exceptional the organization is.
• IMF Chief:  We can't repeat the mistakes of globalization with AI.
• Alternatives to the major powers must play a larger role, no matter if the aim is preservation of the existing global order, reform of its institutions, or transformation into a new model of governance.
• Quote of the week:  “These incredible women [business owners] have inspired me every single day. Their drive, resilience, and impact have shaped not only the economy but also communities and generations to come. It has been the honor of my life to help support this global movement for women’s economic development and leadership." – Camille Burns (second from left in photo), CEO, at the Women Presidents Organization
• The Qatar lesson:  In the age of globalization, new tools of influence have entered the arena. In the past, a country’s power was measured by the number of tanks, aircraft, and soldiers at its disposal.
• According to the World Economic Forum, globalization isn’t over. It’s being rebuilt around resilience, regions and intelligence.

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! 

Swimmers On Parade on the Mag Mile in Chicago

©2026 Laurel Delaney.  All rights reserved.

In the tradition of the legendary “Cows on Parade” installation, “Monuments of Stillness” consists of 10 sculptures of swimmers along Michigan Avenue by New York artist Carole A. Feuerman.

Cool App: Bouncy Calm Smileys

©2026 Studio B42.  All rights reserved.

This global app is designed to bring smiles to your day and rest to your night.  It's called Bouncy Calm Smileys.

Bouncy Calm Smileys is designed with humanity and kindness in mind with easy to use selections of mindfulness objects that bounce dance play on screen to help bring a playful peaceful mood. Bouncy Calm Smileys is a friendly retro lo-fi affirmation mindfulness app. Choose circles, marbles, raindrops, emojis, affirmations to lighten the day or find rest at night. You choose whether the circle (ball), marble, raindrop, emoji or affirmation solos around the screen or has object friends join in. You can turn on tranquil music or nature soundscape by SoundSei to find a personal sensory meditation. The exclusively built for iOS app's goal is for calm, comfort, ease sleep, find focus, help in relaxation or rejuvenation.

Bouncy Calm Smileys offers full access during the trial, so you can explore all features before deciding whether to purchase it for just $0.99.

Check it out here and bounce your way to smiley play.

The Global Trade Effects of the AI Infrastructure Boom

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According to the Federal Reserve, artificial intelligence (AI) has become a key driver of the global economic outlook, underscored by the unprecedented scale of announced investment commitments aimed at expanding AI-related infrastructure. The AI boom is also increasingly influencing international trade by boosting demand for critical inputs and intermediate goods needed to build data centers. This surge in AI-related investment has already supported international trade since early 2025, with strong demand for critical components boosting exports in key supplier economies.

Looking ahead, AI-related trade is likely to remain an important feature of the global trade landscape as investment in AI infrastructure continues to scale.

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. 

Not Her Mother's Cookies

©iStock/VeselovaElena

Meet Ashley Fields. She is one of the five daughters of Debbi Fields, the founder of the namesake cookie brand, has all of the family’s sweet treat recipes memorized by heart.

But those classic recipes are of little use in her very own baking journey. With her college roommate, Kimberly Anderson, she has co-founded Fields Good cookies, which are slightly healthier than her mother’s and contain ingredients that appeal to wellness-focused consumers.  One variety contains protein, and others claim to boost brain performance or aid sleep.

She's on to something because a recent McKinsey report found that two-thirds of global consumers were willing to pay 10 percent more for healthier alternatives to their regular snacks.

Your next favorite (global) cookies just found you.

Touch the Sky with The Himalayas (Video)

Today in Global Small Business: Iran War Disrupts US Global Small Businesses

©iStock/Tatiana rico

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

• Iran war disrupts US small businesses with shipping complications and higher costs.
• The seven OPEC+ countries, which previously announced additional voluntary adjustments in April and November 2023, namely Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria, and Oman met virtually on June 7, 2026, to review global market conditions and outlook.
• 6 ecommerce trends that are reshaping online store performance.
• Quote of the week:  “We sought repeatedly to make a deal. We tried. They wanted to do it. They didn't want to do it again. They wanted to do it. They didn't want to do it." – a statement from Trump on Iran strikes
• Global economy in the shadow of the war (April, 2026).
• How SMEs are struggling with new trade restrictions in 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. 

See the Sunset

©2026 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

"That was her magic – she could still see the sunset, even on the darkest days.” – Atticus 

EXIM Bank's Key Priorities: U.S. Small Businesses and Exporters

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EXIM equips American exporters with the financing tools necessary to compete for global sales. Whether you need protection from commercial or political risks, access to cash flow, or help with credit terms, EXIM has you covered.

Are you ready to begin your export journey?  Then explore EXIM's offerings.

Space X, The World's Largest IPO Is Coming Up. Champagne's On Ice – Now What?

©iStock/Walter Cicchetti

SpaceX, the rocket maker and artificial intelligence company, set a price for its initial public offering on Wednesday of $135, which would value it at $1.77 trillion and crown it the largest I.P.O. ever – which is poised to exceed the 2019 initial public offering of Saudi Aramco in both valuation and money raised.

At that price, SpaceX would raise $74.4 billion from the offering, and its valuation would be more than 40 percent higher than the $1.25 trillion that it valued itself at in February.

Champagne's on ice – now what?

If you're sitting on a windfall from today's historic SpaceX IPO filing, first: congratulations. Second: we have a thought.

Put some of that rocket fuel to work for women.

Women Entrepreneurs Grow Global (wegg®) educates women business owners worldwide on how to take their companies global – because economic opportunity shouldn't stop at any border.

A gift to wegg® (a nonprofit organization) is the kind of investment that pays forward. Smart money knows that.

👉 Donate at wegg®:  https://womenentrepreneursgrowglobal.org/donate/

Expand Your Business Reach Through Smart Translation With Susanne Evens (wegginar® 6/3/26)

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

What makes an overseas visitor buy when they visit your website? Does your messaging resonate across cultures?  Is your design offering a seamless experience for your international customers?  Find out the answers to all these questions and more at Women Entrepreneurs Grow Global's upcoming wegginar® with Susanne Evens, Founder & CEO, AAA Translation on Wednesday, June 3rd at 11 AM CT (LIVE).

Susanne will be discussing – Going Global:  How Smart Translation Expands Your Business Reach

To learn more (Susanne's bio and expected takeaways) and to register (free of charge thanks to wegg's generous sponsors), visit:  https://womenentrepreneursgrowglobal.org/2026/05/13/going-global-how-smart-translation-expands-your-business-reach/.

McDonald's Accelerates Its Global Expansion

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International growth has become a strategic priority for McDonald’s, especially in regions where the brand’s penetration still has room for expansion.

That said, McDonald’s intensified its global growth strategy in 2025 with the opening of nearly 2,300 new restaurants, strengthening its international presence and moving closer to its ambitious goal of reaching 50,000 locations worldwide by 2027.  

Find out what this global growth does for McDonald's.

Today in Global Small Business: World's Most Admired Man's Image Is Cracking

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

• Bill Gates spent years crafting his image.  Now it's cracking.
• What to pay attention to: Trump hits the stalemate phase of his international interventions, and it stings.
• What are frontier markets – and what do they matter for the global economy.
• Quote of the week:  “It's fine to celebrate success but it is more important to heed the lessons of failure." – Bill Gates
• A good data center by the International Trade Administration – from automotive industry to aluminum to energy.  Check it out. 
• Chief economists' outlook: May, 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 February 1, 2026, we average between 700,000-900,000 readers a month.

Outside of a Dog

©2026 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

"Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read." – Groucho Marx

Heal Mind, Body and Soul

AI Prompts to Help Grow Your Global Business

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ChatGPT has quickly become a household name, with businesses of all sizes leveraging the AI-powered tool to automate tasks and advance their workflows. While its adoption has been rapid, understanding the best practices to maximize its benefits takes time.

Here are 13 useful prompts for ChatGPT, along with methods for fine-tuning them to get high-quality results that help grow your business.

Note from Laurel:  I imagine you can use these same prompts with Claude.  Just insert 'global' in some of your prompts to think beyond your own borders. 

Global-e Acquires Passport Shipping (5/26/26)

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Global-e Online Ltd., the platform powering global direct-to-consumer e-commerce, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Passport Global Inc., a US-based cross-border e-commerce logistics and solutions company.

The acquisition expected to deepen Global-e’s standard logistics capabilities and improve the post-purchase experience for merchants and shoppers.

Read the news release.

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.  In April, 2026, we had more than 2,920,000 – yes, 2.9 million – readers visit our blog.

Pope Leo XIV is Safeguarding Humanity

©iStock/Antonio Ernesto Martilotti

Pope Leo XIV’s major new teaching on safeguarding humanity in the age of artificial intelligence is a forward-looking document, arriving at the precipice of what many see as a new technological age that will profoundly reshape human life.

In his letter, the first American pontiff called for putting care for humans at the heart of technological change.

“Magnifica Humanitas,” or “Magnificent Humanity,” is the American pope’s first encyclical, a document that is considered one of the most significant papal teachings. 

May We Always Remember Them

©iStock/pamelasphotopoetry

"Their sacrifice was the ultimate act of love for their country.  May we always remember them.” – Unknown 

With Freedom Comes Responsibility

©2026 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

“Freedom makes a huge requirement of every human being. With freedom comes responsibility." –  Eleanor Roosevelt 

Decide On Your Waterfront Getaway This Memorial Day Weekend

©iStock/StockStudios

If you’re still deciding which waterfront getaway is right for you this Memorial Day weekend, we’re here to help.  From the Pacific to the Atlantic, the Great Lakes to the Gulf, millions of Americans will head to the beach this weekend, the unofficial start of summer.

Here are six of the NY Times' favorite U.S. beaches to explore this weekend, from a pristine white-sand stretch of the Hawaiian coast to gently rolling dunes along Lake Michigan and a wild barrier island in Georgia.

How AI Will Transform Marketing

©iStock/HAKINMHAN

Artificial intelligence can automate and streamline many basic marketing functions, but the real opportunity lies in AI's ability to help CMOs reinvent their entire operating model.

• Although AI can automate basic marketing processes, CMOs who focus exclusively on productivity gains are missing the bigger picture.
• Marketing leaders who fully embrace AI can transform their entire operating model in ways that were previously impossible.
• The challenge for CMOs is to sell their marketing vision to the C-suite and to their own teams while forging new partnerships with outside agencies.

Read more here.

Claude For Small Businesses

©iStock/Robert Way

Small businesses make up nearly half the American economy, but they've never had the resources of bigger companies. AI is the first technology that can finally close that gap, which is why Claude is launching Claude for Small Business, alongside training and partnerships to make sure AI shows up for the entrepreneurs and communities who need it most.

Grievances and Drama On the World Stage in Artificial Intelligence

©iStock/pingingz

A jury rejected Elon Musk’s claims against OpenAI, finding that he brought his lawsuit against the company and Chief Executive Sam Altman after the statute of limitations expired.

The verdict brings to a close a case that fixated the tech world on the grievances and drama of some of the most powerful personalities in artificial intelligence. 

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 February 1, 2026, we average more than 900,000 readers on a monthly basis.

Today in Global Small Business: A Christmas Carol Can Never Come Too Early

©iStock/RockingStock

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

• Ferrell, the “Saturday Night Live” alum, appears 5/16/26 with James Austin Johnson as President Trump in a sendup of “A Christmas Carol.” Paul McCartney provides the music.
• Search LIVE goes global.
• Exposing marketing tactics and strategies driving the global growth of nicotine pouches.
• Quote of the week:  “There is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humor.” – Charles Dickens
• HEINEKEN appoints new global marketing agencies to drive next phase of brand growth.
• If AI can translate instantly, why learn another language?

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 February 1, 2026, we average more than 900,000 readers on a monthly basis.

Keep Calm, Head to Key West

©2026 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

"Keep calm, head to Key West." – Unknown

Accelerated Global Growth

©iStock/Robert Way

Roblox is announcing five new roles to position the company for accelerated global growth. John Ciancutti is joining as Roblox’s first Chief Growth Officer (CGO). Also joining are four regional General Managers (GMs): Joost Hagesteijn for Europe, Sunil Rao for India, Diego Dzodan for Latin America, and Mohamed El Sheakh for the Middle East, North Africa, and Türkiye. 

Read more here. 

Dear U.S.A. Government, Please Return the $160 Billion ASAP

©iStock/thitivong

The government must return about $160 billion, plus interest, collected from duties deemed illegal and potentially more if it loses a related tariff case.

The money is reserved largely for businesses that imported goods, not for American families, though both have faced rising costs as a result of Mr. Trump’s trade war. 

The refund process comes at a difficult political moment for Mr. Trump, who arrived in China on Wednesday, 5/13/26, for high-stakes trade talks. Just last week, a panel of federal judges found that the president broke the law when he replaced his illegal duties with a 10 percent tax on nearly all imports.

Customs officials indicated in a court filing on Tuesday that they had taken steps toward sending billions of dollars in additional, approved refunds to the Treasury Department for payment. The Trump administration has said it is still working to expand its system for processing refund requests.

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 February 1, 2026, we have more than 900,000 readers on a monthly basis.

A Fast-Melting Antarctic Glacier at the End of the Earth

©iStock/staphy

Ten people.  Eight weeks.  Three-thousand feet to pierce a fast-moving Antarctic glacier.  The hole in the ice at the end of the earth.

How to Prepare, Approach, and Sell Your Products to the World's Leading Retailers with Jim Debetta

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

Up next, 5/13/26 at 11:00 AM CT – free of charge wegginar® with Jim Debetta, President of DeBetta Enterprises, "How to Prepare, Approach, and Sell Your Products to the World's Leading Retailers." 

To learn more and to register visit here.

Today in Global Small Business: How Starbucks Is Turning Around

©iStock/M. Suhail

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

• Here’s what most turnaround stories get wrong: They focus on the result and skip the method.  Not Starbucks.  They did things differently.  See how.
• Key US export controls considerations for global data center projects.
• State of US tariffs (as of 4/8/26).
• Quote of the week:  “Growth doesn't require us to become something new, it requires us to be exceptionally good at who we already are." – Mike Grams, Chief Operations Officer, Starbucks, on the focus of the turnaround
• AI and the self you left behind.
• Advancing communications skills in the age of AI.

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.  In April, 2026, we had more than 2,920,000 – yes, 2.9 million – readers visit our blog.

Everything Has Beauty

©2026 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

"Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it." –  Confucius

Find Your Calm

Global Expansion Simplified

©iStock/peshkov

“Internationalization” can seem an overwhelming concept for SMEs, but the relationship between the two has never been so significant. In the face of worldwide economic disruptions, SMEs’ role in the global trade ecosystem has remained resilient, contributing significantly to economic growth, innovation, and job creation.

In this article, find out:

• How to develop a structured pathway for business growth
• Nine key building blocks for international expansion
• Free whitepaper: Global Expansion Simplified: The Ultimate Guide for SMEs

It's all here.