Commentary: North Charleston should seize an opportunity it might not see again

Commentary: North Charleston should seize an opportunity it might not see again

State Rep. Marvin Pendarvis. (Provided) The city of North Charleston should be proud of everything Mayor Keith Summey mentioned in his recent State of the City address. In many ways, the city has transformed greatly. Through Summey’s deft and wise guidance, North Charleston has become an attractive destination for industry, tourism and young families. He deserves much adulation for his work. I am proud to have benefited from the city that he helped build. Only 5 years old when he was elected, I owe the successes of my personal story, in large part, to the polity he ran. I am, in part, a product of his administration. If last month’s address was indeed his swan song, history will view him as the most transformative figure in the city’s first 50 years. For all his optimism, Mayor Summey acknowledges there are many suffering families, men, women and children who call this city home. So the city’s next leader will be tasked with ensuring that North Charleston’s prosperity is enjoyed by everyone. When I drive along the thoroughfares of this fair city, I see parking lots, low-density commercial strips and a commuter infrastructure that overwhelmingly favor cars over bikes, pedestrians and […]

Business Connect

Business Connect

Apple Business Connect makes it easy for customers to find your business using Apple Maps. Take control of how your business is seen. Create a place card that is accessible to everyone around the world who uses Apple devices and built-in apps — with directions, contact information, and actions built right in. Everything your customers need. At a glance. Apple Business Connect helps you build and claim your place card and keep it up to date. Add photos, header images, logos, hours, and more. Share limited-time offers and announcements. Tell customers about timely offers, promotions, and seasonal products. Showcases can include quick actions like ordering delivery or booking a reservation. Customers can easily engage with your business using quick actions. Invite them to order food, book a reservation, schedule an appointment, purchase tickets, and more with just a tap. Understand your impact. Optimize your reach. Learn how customers find and interact with your place cards, showcases, and actions with insights from Apple. And make adjustments for a bigger impact. Join these businesses that use Apple Business Connect. Apple Maps provides more than simple, reliable navigation. It’s the ultimate guide to exploring the world around you. Interact with landmarks across […]

Walmart Announces Launch of Walmart Business To Save Business and Nonprofit Customers Time, Money and Hassle

Walmart Announces Launch of Walmart Business To Save Business and Nonprofit Customers Time, Money and Hassle

We know millions of small and medium businesses (SMBs) and nonprofits utilize Walmart’s stores and website to purchase supplies to support their day-to-day operations. These customers are under more pressure than ever due to inflation and supply chain issues, adapting to a hybrid workforce and post-pandemic behavioral shifts. For months, we’ve been working with SMBs and nonprofits to build solutions just for them, with tools tailored to help teams run smoother, have the right items on hand and easily find products to meet their needs. These organizations want to: Save money and spend less time on business purchases Stay in control and in stock with more time to focus on their operations and staff Create efficiencies to operate and grow Today, we’re excited to announce the launch of Walmart Business as an eCommerce site and customer experience designed to empower SMB and nonprofit customers. Our focus is to remove complexity in purchasing, lower costs and give our customers more opportunities to serve their customers and communities. Walmart Business is built to leverage the very best of Walmart — our unmatched operating scale, our proximity within 10 miles of 90% of the U.S. population and the very best of our […]

DoD Releases Small Business Strategy

DoD Releases Small Business Strategy

The Department of Defense (DoD) released its Small Business Strategy today. The strategy promotes a strong, dynamic, and robust small business industrial base by focusing on reducing barriers to entry, increasing set-aside competitions, and leveraging programs to grow the industrial base. “From manufacturers providing the critical parts that we need for our arsenal – to technology companies developing innovative systems and capabilities – small businesses are vital along the entire spectrum of the Department’s needs,” Deputy Secretary of Defense Dr. Kathleen Hicks said. “Reducing barriers and creating more opportunities for small businesses will allow us to expand, innovate, and diversify, increasing our warfighter advantage, strengthening our supply chains, increasing competition in our marketplace, and growing our economy here at home.” Small businesses make up 99.9 percent of all U.S. businesses as well as 73 percent of companies in the defense industrial base, and last year small businesses were awarded over 25 percent of all DoD prime contracts. As the economic engine of our nation, small businesses create jobs, generate innovation, and are essential, daily contributors to national security and the defense mission. This strategy will help DoD harness the full potential of small businesses through three objectives: implement a […]

UPS revenue falls short of expectations despite growth in U.S. business

UPS revenue falls short of expectations despite growth in U.S. business

In this article UPS electric vehicle delivery van on 2nd December 2022 in London, United Kingdom. UPS electric vehicle delivery van on 2nd December 2022 in London, United Kingdom. Mike Kemp | In Pictures | Getty Images United Parcel Service on Tuesday reported fourth-quarter revenue that missed Wall Street’s expectations and declined from last year, as the company continues to see volume fall amid cooling demand. The shipping and delivery company on Tuesday offered full-year guidance that fell below analyst’s expectations. It is projecting revenue between $97 billion and $99.4 billion, versus analysts’ estimates of $99.98 billion. Still, UPS expects the second half of the year to be better than the first. related investing news Citi upgrades FedEx to a buy as shipping giant focuses on controlling costs Samantha Subin 10 hours ago Shares of the company closed over 4% higher in Tuesday trading. Here’s how UPS performed in the fourth quarter , compared with what Wall Street anticipated, based on an average of analysts’ estimates compiled by Refinitiv: Adjusted earnings per share: $3.62 vs $3.59. Total revenue: $27.03 billion vs $28.09 billion. For the three-month period ended Dec. 31, the company reported adjusted net income of $3.15 billion, […]

The 5 easiest vending-machine businesses to start that can earn entrepreneurs 6 figures or more

The 5 easiest vending-machine businesses to start that can earn entrepreneurs 6 figures or more

Jaime Ibanez’s vending-machine business was a launching-off point for his YouTube career. Vending-machine businesses are gaining popularity because they require minimal overhead. The success of your business can depend on the products you sell and where you place the machine. Here are five vending-machine businesses that are relatively easy to start. Sign up for our weekday newsletter, packed with original analysis, news, and trends — delivered right to your inbox. Something is loading. Thanks for signing up! Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you’re on the go. Email address By clicking ‘Sign up’, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider as well as other partner offers and accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . Starting a business isn’t easy — it takes a lot of hard work and can be a huge time commitment — but some ventures don’t require as much funding, resources, or employees as others. Vending-machine businesses are gaining popularity because they require minimal investment to get started, are low maintenance, and can eventually generate passive income if you outsource the daily upkeep. Some vending-machine entrepreneurs have started businesses for between $1,500 and $3,000. What you sell in the vending […]

Blackstone Shakes Up Leadership at a Key Real Estate Business

Blackstone Shakes Up Leadership at a Key Real Estate Business

Heather Von Zuben, A.J. Murphy, Wesley LePatner Blackstone Inc. is reshuffling the leadership of a key real estate business as the private equity giant navigates one of the most challenging property markets in years. Frank Cohen, a nearly three-decade firm veteran, will cede leadership of Blackstone’s “Core+” real estate business to Wesley LePatner, the group’s global chief operating officer, according to Blackstone executives. LePatner’s promotion puts her in charge of a more than $140 billion business that focuses on long-term real estate bets on properties ranging from industrial warehouses to life-sciences buildings. The “Core+” strategy also includes Blackstone Real Estate Income Trust, the $69 billion vehicle aimed at wealthy individuals. It’s been a critical past few months for BREIT as Blackstone looks to stabilize flows and shore up investors’ confidence in that crown jewel. The personnel changes were part of long-term management planning, according to people familiar with the matter, who asked not to be identified citing private information. Cohen will remain chairman and chief executive officer of BREIT. For years, BREIT benefited from a retail boom, attracting wealthy investors who flocked to private markets in search of higher returns. Now, rising rates and a rockier real estate market […]

Portside lands $50M to help manage business aviation

Portside lands $50M to help manage business aviation

Business aviation operators are often challenged with crew and aircraft shortages as they look to scale and meet the growing post-pandemic demand for air travel. With industry-wide staffing shortages, operators need to figure out how to attract pilots and other crew members — whether it be to fill full-time vacancies or add temp positions to meet urgent scheduling needs. Inspired to build a tech-forward solution, Alek Vernitsky and Alek Strygin co-founded Portside , which allows aircraft operators to share schedules, financial and maintenance data, and other key aircraft information with owners, banks and insurance companies through a web-based portal. Portside today announced that it raised $50 million in a Series B funding round led by Insight Partners, with participation from existing investors including I2BF Global Ventures, bringing the company’s total raised to more than $70 million. Portside is Vernitsky and Strygin’s second venture after tour agency startup GetGoing, which they sold to business travel management firm BCD Travel in 2016. Vernitsky was previously head of product at thredUp and for years was an SVP at BCD Travel (as was Strygin) following the GetGoing acquisition. “Portside provides an integrated platform and strives to be a one-stop shop for flight departments,” […]

Bed Bath and Beyond is closing 87 more stores. See the list

Bed Bath and Beyond is closing 87 more stores. See the list

New York CNN — Bed Bath and Beyond is closing another 87 stores as the struggling retailer barrels toward bankruptcy. These closures are in addition to the 150 closures Bed Bath and Beyond announced last August. Included in the new list are 5 buybuy Baby locations and all 49 remaining Harmon Face Value stores, which sold cosmetics, plus several of the retailer’s flagship-brand stores across the country. “As we continue to work with our advisors to consider multiple paths, we are implementing actions to manage our business as efficiently as possible,” a Bed Bath and Beyond spokesperson told CNN. “This store fleet reduction expands the company’s ongoing closure program.” A company spokesperson also confirmed Wednesday night that it missed a bond payment on February 1, and that it entered a month-long grace period. Debtors will often have a 30-day grace period to make payments before they enter default. “We are committed to updating all stakeholders on our plans as they develop and finalize,” the spokesperson said. The spokesperson did not confirm the amount Bed Bath and Beyond owes. However, the Wall Street Journal reported Bed Bath and Beyond “failed to pay more than $28 million on three tranches of […]

Swiss Re to split Reinsurance Business Unit in streamlining move

Swiss Re to split Reinsurance Business Unit in streamlining move

BERLIN, Feb 2 (Reuters) – Switzerland’s Swiss Re (SRENH.S) announced a reorganisation on Thursday that will split its reinsurance business into two parts that will operate with greater independence, which it said would improve efficiency. The division will see the property and casualty reinsurance business on the one hand and the life and health reinsurance operations on the other hand become independent units with full authority over their respective underwriting and claims management. "The planned changes will emphasise performance accountabilities and bring clear efficiencies. The simpler set-up with shorter decision paths will also result in enhanced client focus," Chief Executive Christian Mumenthaler said. Swiss Re will transfer the responsibilities of the group Chief Underwriting Officer (CUO) to the CUOs of the two businesses as well as to the group risk management division, it said. The announcement comes a week after news that Swiss Re’s CUO Thierry Leger was stepping down to become CEO of rival Scor (SCOR.PA) . The reorganization will be effective from April 3, subject to regulatory approvals, according to the company.