My father-in-law was a union meat packer back in the 50s when working conditions were truly deplorable and wages were far below what we would consider “liveable.”  From his stories I came to understand that unions could serve a vital need for laborers. But today’s headlines involving unions – whether it’s the “Right to Work” [...]

When I set out to launch a career in the health and beauty industry 12 years ago, I never thought about being a small business owner.  Yet in my 7th year in the industry, I saw a hole in the marketplace that I could fill.  With extremely hard work and risk, I entered the free [...]

This summer has been warmer than average.  Midwesterners are known for having to tolerate all kinds of weather, but this summer has been unique due to the severe drought.  One of the hardest-hit commodities, corn, plays a critical role in our food supply, and now, even more so in our pocket books. I am a [...]

We’ve all heard the phrase, “friends in all the right places.” It helps when you are looking for a job, trying to get into a select college, or vying for the fraternity or sorority house. Many of us have taken advantage of this system. It often times is not “what you know, but who you know.” [...]

That favorite time of year is here and I’m not talking about Christmas, but rather tax season. These words are enough to send shivers down our spines, especially with the ever-expanding, ever-changing, complex tax rules. Most of us know from personal experience that completing our taxes is burdensome, time consuming, frustrating and we just wish [...]

The school gymnasium was brimming with energetic grade school students waiting for the end of the year program to begin.  This event was specifically held to celebrate the 6th graders graduating from elementary school and to reward them for their hard work and achievements in various school activities over the year. I will never forget [...]

As a child, I used to play the board game of Monopoly. I still vividly remember the excitement of a “Get out of Jail Free” card and the royal blue of Boardwalk and Park Place. My brothers would be angry when I’d start using the pink pastel colored dollars for imaginary scenarios in make-believe businesses. [...]

While the unemployed American workers continue to look for a beacon of hope in this abysmal economy, another Solyndra like corporation, Beacon Power Corporation, has filed for bankruptcy. Both of these companies have received taxpayer money in the form of federal loans, $535 million by Solyndra and $43 million by Beacon Power.[1]  Not only are [...]