Source: Outstanding Foods LOS ANGELES — Outstanding Foods, the maker of plant-based takes on pork rinds and cheese puffs, has plans to expand beyond the salty snack category. The Los Angeles-based business, whose high-profile investors include Snoop Dogg and Dierks Bentley, is set to debut soft-baked, gluten-free cookies soon and is developing egg substitutes. “Ultimately, we expect to be a company that consumers can rely on from morning ‘til night, in all meals and snacking occasions,” said Bill Glaser, co-founder and chief executive officer. A self-described serial entrepreneur and longtime vegan, Mr. Glaser partnered with chef and product developer Dave Anderson, previously of Beyond Meat and Eat Just, Inc., to launch the company five years ago. The first product offering was a bacon-inspired, mushroom-based snack. “We intentionally had the plan to be a platform food company with an ethos that everything led with great taste and indulgence … but with nutrition and cleaner, health-inspiring ingredients,” Mr. Glaser said. “We chose to go with the snacking category initially, even though we have plans for other product lines in other categories, because we wanted to meet mainstream consumers where they shop.” Today, Outstanding Foods markets and distributes three product lines — […]

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Erica Brinker, CCO and Head of ESG at Array Technologies , has over 20 years of marketing, branding, and corporate communications experience. getty As interest in expanding environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiatives grows across sectors, so do the questions surrounding ESG frameworks and best practices. Over a year and a half ago, I launched our first efforts around ESG, starting with a strategy for Array Technologies, a global renewable energy company. Having just gone public in October 2020, the idea of launching a new program seemed daunting—it was a challenge to know where to start because it was all new. Bringing together your board of directors, your CEO, the executive leadership team and working groups is a heavy lift all on its own. Add to it that you are working to orchestrate your supply chain, human resources, legal, finance, safety and so much more and you have a huge task on your hands. In our case, I’ve been fortunate to have the strong support from my CEO, the executive team and board of directors. If you find yourself like me, leading ESG efforts at your company, here are the answers to a few questions I get frequently. If […]

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Business students engaged in team presentations in Dr. Nachiket Bhawe’s class at the Thomas School of Business. The Thomas School of Business at UNC Pembroke has been granted an extension of accreditation of its undergraduate and graduate programs––a distinction obtained by less than 6% of business schools worldwide. The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) recently announced that UNCP is among 45 business schools that have extended their global accreditation. Achieving accreditation is a process of rigorous internal review, evaluation and modifications and is concluded after an external review. "We are thrilled and honored to receive a full extension of accreditation by the leading global accreditor of business schools," said Dr. Mohamed Djerdjouri, dean of the Thomas School of Business. "It’s a fantastic distinction and a testament to the outstanding caliber of our program, faculty, staff and students." The recognition places the Thomas School of Business among a select group of business schools that uphold the highest standards in business education and shows that students receive the same quality education offered at the country’s top business schools like Harvard, UNC Chapel Hill and Dartmouth. The school earned its initial accreditation in 2013. AACSB-accredited institutions must pass a […]

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David SolomonPhotographer: Stefan Wermuth/Bloomberg Goldman Sachs Group Inc. expects to put a tighter leash on hiring this year after embarking on one of the firm’s biggest rounds of job cuts ever, Chief Executive Officer David Solomon said. “We have a much tighter hiring plan in 2023,” Solomon said at a Credit Suisse Group AG conference Tuesday. “We’re very focused on expenses.” Goldman last month began implementing a plan to eliminate about 3,200 positions, or 6.5% of the bank’s headcount. The move was meant to address rising expenses and falling revenue and profit. Slowdowns in various business lines, an expensive consumer-banking foray and an uncertain outlook for markets and the economy are prompting the bank to rein in costs. Merger activity and fees from raising money for companies have taken a hit across Wall Street, and a slump in asset prices has crimped another source of gains for the New York-based company. But Solomon said sentiment among chief executive officers has improved in recent months after predictions last year that the US economy was headed toward a possible recession. “The consensus has shifted to be a little bit more dovish in the CEO community that we can navigate through this […]

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Credit: dicus63 / Getty Images The Flight Safety Foundation (FSF), a nonprofit organization focusing on research, education, advocacy and communications for aviation safety, is seeking nominations for its 2023 FSF Business Aviation Meritorious Service Award. The award, which has been presented since 1975, recognizes individuals whose work enhances safety in the business aviation sector. Deadline for nominations is Feb. 28. Past recipients have included the likes of industry leaders, government officials, researchers and members of the press. All nominations must be accompanied with a one-page document of supporting material. The online nomination form mentions that any nominations without supporting materials may not be considered by the selection committee. An award ceremony will be held at the 68th Business Aviation Safety Summit, from May 8-9 at the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel in New Orleans, Louisiana. The nomination form, along with a list of past recipients can be found at https://flightsafety.org/foundation/aviation-awards/fsf-business-aviati… . For questions or to receive more information, contact Frank Jackman jackman@flightsafety.org .

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Old Town Business Association Hopes to Rally Support for a Business Service District. (Photo: K_Summerer_for_Visit_Alexandria) ALEXANDRIA, VA – Old Town’s oldest business organization, Old Town Business (OTB) is leading the renewed efforts to establish a business improvement service district in Old Town Alexandria. The organization, which has been advocating and hosting programs and events that benefit the community and independent businesses for over 40 years, has been preparing a detailed plan for the business improvement service district, including the district’s boundaries, the service offerings and the governance mechanisms. Business improvement service districts (BISD) are defined areas in a city or county in which property owners pay an additional, annual special tax (on top of the standard real property taxes) which is utilized to promote and improve the business environment within the BISD. BISD are typically governed by a dedicated board of directors and led by an executive director and key staff. BISDs organize and manage services, activities, and events in the BISD, as well as arrange amenities above and beyond what a city or county would typically provide. The proposed BISD (to be named the Old Town Business – Business Improvement Service District, or OTB-BISD) focuses on improving the […]

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Pressmaster / Urban planners and architects discussing a model It’s time to embark on an entrepreneurial consulting endeavor within urban planning . Urban planners seeking independence through consultancy have an equal likelihood of success as a longstanding business. Every sector is laden with wishful individuals wanting to be their own boss and to have complete autonomy over their professional advancement. All planners must do is plan thoroughly and have realistic expectations to draft the ideal urban planning consulting firm. Outline the Brand Using Market Analysis You may have a company name and urban planning and business licenses at the ready, but these are merely foundational cogs in the consultancy machine. Independent consultants in the modern era, including urban planners, depend on online presence and brand identity for successful advertising. Traditional advertising methods also require brands to stand out among competitors. To ensure your brand is distinctive, perform competitive research to understand the market. Analyze other urban planning consultants’ websites and advertising campaigns, and ask yourself: What are their services areas, and how could I reach more customers? What does their brand image, including colors and imagery, consist of, so my designs stand apart? What is the extent of their […]

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Following the Monday announcement of our latest Power 50 leaders, Louisville Business First is announcing our 5 on the Rise, a recognition of a handful of the city’s emerging influencers. These are the business and community leaders we believe will make waves in the coming year. Some are new to their position — and one is new to town — but they all share in common a talent and drive to make Greater Louisville a more vibrant community. Here are our 5 on the Rise for 2023, in alphabetical order: Ryan Bridgeman, president and CEO, Manna Inc. — LBF recently reported how he led the company, which franchises for brands like Wendy’s, Fazoli’s, Blaze Pizza, Mark’s Feed Store, through the uncertainty of the coronavirus pandemic . Kristen Byrd, regional president, PNC Bank — She succeeded Chuck Denny in the top local leadership position for PNC just about a year ago. Chris Jackson, president, Dan Cristiani Excavating Inc. — His company is leading the charge in developing two adjacent sites totaling about 600 acres in Charlestown, Indiana . Kish Cumi Price, president and CEO, Louisville Urban League — She succeeded former LUL leader Sadiqa Reynolds on Nov. 1, after more […]

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The broking and risk advisory giant WTW has revealed its appointment of Wendy Crosley to the role of global director of underwriting transformation and automation within the firm’s Insurance Consulting and Technology (ICT) business. In her new role, Chicago-based Crosley will report to Taffy Jo Mayers, global proposition leader, commercial P&C and specialty lines, ICT at WTW. She joins WTW from Zurich North America where she most recently served as underwriting solutions director, operations and technology, and brings a wealth of experience in transformation projects and underwriting operations. In a Press release, WTW noted that Crosley has successfully led underwriting landscape transformation projects across both commercial and specialty insurance business units. Commenting on the appointment , Mayers said: “Wendy is a well-known industry professional with a reputation for effectively delivering company-wide transformations, generating more efficient, targeted underwriting results. Her talent and experience will help us to evolve our underwriting and automation propositions. I am delighted to welcome her to WTW.” Among the responsibilities of her new role, Crosley will lead digital underwriting transformation projects for global commercial lines insurance clients. In addition, she will manage the design, development, and implementation of market-leading technology propositions to underwriting companies around the […]

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American ingenuity and innovation is back in businesses. Entrepreneurship is booming in the United States. According to the World Economic Forum , total U.S. Business applications doubled in 2020 compared to recent years. In 2021 alone, a record breaking 5.4 million new business applications were filed, and nearly as many 5.1 million were filed in 2022. For each state the interactive map below tracks: The increase in new business applications since 2019 State’s ranking of business applications per capita in each state Number of new business applications filed in 2022 The projected business formations within four quarters Percentage of applications projected to become employer businesses New Business Applications by State Click on a state for more details. The Census Bureau’s projected business formations are based on a forward-looking econometric model . This model estimates the likelihood a business application turns into a full-fledged business utilizing data and trends from the preceding four quarters and eight quarters from the month of application. A complete list of the Bureau’s business formation statistics definitions can be viewed here . Download the national, state, and county business formation data here . Where did this spike in new businesses originate? Entrepreneurs solve problems, and […]

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