Category: Brandpoint Business & Finance

2023-03-15T10:01:00

(BPT) – In the wake of many global changes post-pandemic, most communities are facing changed populations and economies and new, unexpected challenges.

Funding gaps have put important community projects on hold and nonprofits struggle to balance financial strain while demand grows. There’s no easy solution, but some are finding relief from unexpected sources — private companies dedicated to investing in America.

Twofold challenges

The pandemic brought sudden change to communities of all sizes across the country. Hardest-hit were small and rural communities but all experienced shifted budgets to combat COVID-19 and related issues. Meanwhile, more people decided to leave cities for suburbs and rural areas due to the growth in remote work, increasing populations and demand on local resources.

At the same time, communities continue to be tasked with doing more with less and are striving to find innovative ways to bridge funding gaps so their residents — both new and existing — can thrive. Fortunately, some private companies with ties to rural communities are stepping up and showing they care about more than business by helping fund a variety of needs.

“Our local Kubota dealers are uniquely connected to the communities they serve and are keenly aware of local challenges people face. They aren’t just serving customers, they are helping friends, family and neighbors. It’s important for us to bridge funding and resources to our local dealers so they can make a difference in their community in ways that matter most,” said Todd Stucke, Kubota North America, and Kubota Tractor Corporation’s Senior Vice President.

Bridging funding gaps

Projects put on hold. Programs cut indefinitely. Nonprofit organizations continue to face increased demand without increased budget as a result of funding gaps.

One example of a rural organization making a difference despite challenges is Homesteads for Hope, a 55-acre community farm located along the Historic Erie Canal in Rochester, New York. The nonprofit is an inclusive community farm for individuals with and without disabilities to learn, work, live and grow in nature’s classroom.

While many nonprofits in the special needs community did not survive the pandemic, Homesteads grew over the last few years and needed to take in people who had nowhere else to go. This growth required increased funding for expansion and the organization decided to look at financial awards from private national companies with local relationships.

Funding from unlikely sources

That’s right, private companies are coming to the rescue for many in the form of private grants and charitable giving.

Homesteads for Hope, for example, applied for the 2022 Kubota Hometown Proud™ grant and received $100,000 in funding which will be used to expand their Social Garden Program for those with more challenging needs and mobility-based disabilities; double their 80-plot community garden and the program’s impact; and renovate the estate home with new doors and windows to weatherproof the main program spaces for year-round use.

This project was also awarded the 2022 Kubota Community Choice Award, which is an additional grant that will enable the organization to finish the renovation of their 18th century historic barns. Together, the funding from Kubota will allow Homesteads to triple the number of people they serve and move closer toward their goal of creating an inclusive housing village, which will give 250-300 people of all abilities a place to call home. So, even though some of the communities they help might be “small,” there is nothing small about the impact of these private grants.

Continue the momentum in 2023

Need continues to grow in many rural communities, and private companies like Kubota can use their local ties to make a big impact and strengthen the fabric that makes small towns and rural counties so special. In fact, the company recently announced the third year of the Kubota Hometown Proud community grant program, which invests five $100,000 grants (with the Community Choice Award, a total of $600,000) to help local organizations make an impact in their own communities and not only survive but thrive.

“We are grateful for the important part our iconic Kubota equipment plays in farming and food production, in building and maintaining our communities, and in enhancing our overall way of life,” said Stucke. “We continue to build out our network, invest in our dealers, equipment and our employees, while also giving back to America’s small towns to share our thanks for allowing us to be part of our customers’ lives, doing more to grow together for today and well beyond.”

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. Open only to legal residents of the 50 United States (D.C.) 18 years and older. Void where prohibited by law. Sweepstakes begins on or about 12:00 AM CT on March 1, 2023, and ends at 11:59 PM CT on September 6, 2023. For Official Rules visit KubotaHometownProud.com.

2023-03-08T15:01:00

(BPT) – Shopping for a car is exciting, but inflation and rising interest rates are top of mind for many consumers considering a vehicle purchase.

In 2021, pandemic-related supply chain issues, including a shortage of microchips, made it difficult for car manufacturers to keep up with the demand for new vehicles and drove consumers to used cars, causing a significant increase in prices across the industry. Fortunately, according to the Consumer Price Index, the used car industry is seeing a drop in prices. According to the December 2022 report, the cost of a new car increased 8.9% over the 12-month period, while used cars and trucks decreased 8.8%.

How to find a car that fits your budget and lifestyle

While vehicle prices may be decreasing across the used car industry, rising interest rates can still have an impact on monthly payments. That’s why it’s important to take time to understand your budget before shopping for a car, and research what vehicle features and functionality will best fit your needs.

Once you have an idea of your budget and what kind of car you want, it’s time to find a financing option and determine what you can afford.

Upfront, transparent financing terms will save you time when searching for a car you can afford. CarMax, the nation’s largest used car retailer, offers pre-qualification online, allowing you to shop for a car nationwide across CarMax’s inventory with personalized financing terms, with no impact to your credit score.

Within minutes, you can get pre-qualification results with your budget in mind at the beginning of your shopping journey and feel confident you are on track to find the right car.

Unlike a credit application, the pre-qualification process uses a soft credit inquiry to build upfront financing terms across multiple lenders without impacting your credit score. Best of all, this pre-qualification capability is integrated with CarMax’s “Compare Feature,” allowing you to compare car features, monthly payments, and personalized APRs of your favorite vehicles that you’re pre-qualified for, all in one place. “We continue to elevate the used car buying experience by building tools that help improve the car shopping and financing process and make it easier and more efficient for our customers,” said Bill Nash, CEO of CarMax. “Our industry-leading online finance experience and pre-qualification capability, that leverages multiple lenders, saves customers time and provides an added layer of confidence in their journey to find their perfect vehicle that fits both their lifestyle and budget.”

Buying a used car in the current economy has its challenges, but consumers have options that can help them take control of their financing. To learn more about how you can finance your next car at a price you can afford, visit CarMax.com.

2023-03-07T08:01:00

(BPT) – The last few years have been a rollercoaster for workers in the U.S. The country saw its greatest job loss since the Great Depression and almost a year later faced the challenge of not having enough workers to fill job openings. It’s an experience experts say has changed the American workforce and workers.

As a result, 45% of employers are shifting their hiring practices and focusing more on skills and competencies versus degrees. So what jobs can help build the right kind of skills that will open more doors? Try roofing.

Whether the interest is in finding a side hustle, a fresh start or learning about different career paths, roofing helps build skills that translate across industries and sectors from building and construction to manufacturing, human resources, sales and more.

From side hustle to business owner

Erasmo “Mitos” Fuentes started his career as a teacher and got into roofing as a way to bring in extra money — but after his first day on a roof, he knew he could grow it into a full-time job. He made his way up from roofer to business owner and now works for the largest roofing manufacturer in North America.

It all started when Fuentes was purchasing roofing materials and met a representative from a manufacturer whose expertise helped open new doors. “He explained the differences between shingles without dismissing any brands; he was just there to help me,” said Fuentes, who found a mentor in his fellow roofing professional as he built his business.

Passionate about sharing his knowledge with others, Fuentes later became a trainer at GAF’s Center for the Advancement of Roofing Excellence (CARE) where he teaches courses in Spanish to roofing contractors. He and other industry experts guide more than 364,000 professionals across North America, teaching them everything in roofing — from installation to sales techniques. The courses are provided in both English and Spanish and range from live, hands-on training in centers across the country, in locations such as Minneapolis, MN, Michigan City, IN, Dallas, TX, Parsippany, NJ and more, to virtual seminars that cover the industry’s best practices and trends.

Today, Fuentes is referred to by his peers as The Maestro because of the way he’s helped and impacted others through roofing. A teacher, roofer, business owner and CARE trainer, he represents the roofing community’s passion for lifting others up.

No formal education? No problem, in roofing it’s all about the training!

Roofers are among the construction industry’s unsung heroes — they help families and communities protect what matters most, starting with the roof over their head. There’s a need for skilled roofers and demand for 19,000 new jobs is expected by 2028.

Roofing is a profession with few barriers — no degree or schooling required and national programs like GAF Roofing Academy help people of all backgrounds get into the field. The free course combines classroom and on-the-roof training in residential, commercial and solar roofing, led by expert instructors that prepare students for an entry-level position. After completing the program, graduates have access to job opportunities from thousands of certified contractors in the company’s network nationwide.

The program has trained over 2,000 graduates to date and more than 20 trainings are expected across the country in 2023 from Baltimore, MD, to Kansas City, MO, and beyond.

Roofing teaches you skills in construction — and beyond.

The roofing industry opens the door to multiple career paths — some don’t even require you to get up on a roof every day. Kelvin Thomas, for example, got his start at a GAF manufacturing facility in his hometown of Tuscaloosa, AL. He has enjoyed a 44-year career in roofing operations and held 16 different positions that helped expose him to opportunities in manufacturing, maintenance, quality, supply chain and human resources in multiple cities.

“Sometimes our qualifications don’t check all the boxes, but if you keep trying and have faith in yourself, someone will be willing to take a chance on you,” explains Thomas.

Roofing is an often-overlooked opportunity for anyone interested in starting a career with endless opportunities for professional and personal growth. It’s also a chance to make a meaningful impact on communities, helping neighbors to protect their homes and build resilience that can have a lasting impact on their families and lives.

More information about roofing programs and opportunities can be found at www.gaf.com/LearnToRoof.

2023-03-06T12:11:00

(BPT) – Consumers are more anxious about tax time than in past years, according to a new survey by OnePoll for Straight Talk Wireless — not surprising given the financial challenges so many are facing. Read on to learn practical ways to make the most out of your refund.

2023-02-28T04:01:00

(BPT) – By Peter Taunton

Owning and operating a franchise isn’t for everyone, but for ambitious, hard-working entrepreneurs, it can be a sound investment. I’ve spent more than 35 years working in the franchise and business space creating, founding and innovating the franchises of three brands to over 6,000 locations in 28 countries. Today nothing brings me more joy than to see my business partners thrive and succeed when given the opportunity.

I’m always looking for new business concepts that are relevant, scalable and profitable. That’s why when I was introduced to Nautical Bowls, I saw that with some modifications it had the potential to be a new and exciting franchise opportunity in the untapped acai market.

Without having franchise experience, Bryant and Rachel Amundson looked to me to create the necessary systems, processes and modeling to introduce Nautical Bowls as a franchise concept. In just 18 short months, we have awarded 155 territories, have 40+ locations open, with another 50 locations actively in the real estate and build-out process.

When considering a new franchise, I look for simple, effective concepts with potential growth and success. What makes a franchise opportunity successful? Here are a few key components I look for in a business concept that Nautical Bowls has in spades.

1. Low cash investment

It can be expensive to start a franchise, but Nautical Bowls is an accessible, affordable option for would-be entrepreneurs. You can get started with just a $100,000 cash investment and financing is also available. Also, the small footprint (600-1,200 square feet) makes finding a space for your franchise easy and fast. Low overhead and strong net profits make it a sound investment for first-time or seasoned owners.

2. Simple business concept

You don’t need restaurant experience to be a franchise owner. This simple business concept doesn’t require advanced culinary skills, cooktops or exhaust hoods. All you need is one full-time manager and about 15 part-time employees to operate a store. This means you can be a semi-absent owner, so you can work full time while enjoying another stream of income.

3. Product relevance

Healthy fast-casual food is a hot and rapidly growing market segment. People are actively seeking healthy meals on the go, making Nautical Bowls a strong leader in the healthy fast-casual industry.

Our acai superfood bowls are all-natural, plant-based, gluten- and dairy-free, complete meals packed with essential vitamins and nutrients. In two minutes or less, guests can walk out of the store with a customized tasty treat that travels well and can be stored at home in the freezer for later.

4. Diversity portfolio

A healthy investment portfolio is a diverse one. Adding a food franchise to your existing investments can help stabilize your portfolio while increasing your income. By owning a franchise in a rapidly growing segment of the food industry, you can reap the benefits now while securing your future.

5. Lots of territories

There are hundreds of ideal markets excited for our product! We pride ourselves in holding your hand through the entire process; financing, site selection, lease negotiations, permitting, construction and training for you and your team.

If you feel you’re an ideal Nautical Bowls franchise partner we want to hear from you! We are looking for individuals who are passionate about health and wellness with an ambitious entrepreneurial spirit. If you believe you’re a great fit, visit NauticalBowls.com/Franchise to learn how you can become part of this successful team.

2023-02-21T11:31:00

(BPT) – Consumer expectations are shifting — and many companies aren’t prepared to meet rapidly changing customer needs. With rising inflation and costs, apparel brands struggle more than ever to satisfy customers — and their bottom line — with the traditional retail model. Since its founding just over a decade ago, SHEIN has operated a unique, on-demand business model that solves for many of the issues now facing the retail industry: instead of telling customers what to wear, SHEIN responds to what they want to wear.

SHEIN is a global leader in fashion, beauty and lifestyle products that serves millions of customers in more than 150 countries — but while its peers create thousands of products in each style, SHEIN initially produces as few as 100 pieces for each SKU. How is it possible to serve a global customer base with so few items at a time? The company has built a fully digital supply chain with proprietary software that tracks customer interest and communicates market feedback with its supplier factories in real-time. This digital supply chain is the core of SHEIN’s business model, empowering the company to offer a wide range of current styles without creating excessive inventory waste.

In a traditional retail model, trend strategists and designers predict what customers will want to wear up to a year in advance and stock their shelves according to those predictions. The ever-increasing pace of trends means those predictions are further and further from actual demand by the time that season rolls around.

SHEIN’s on-demand business model offers a lower cost and lower waste solution to this problem because:

• Production is totally guided by actual demand
  • After starting with as few as 100 SKUs in a new style, SHEIN turns to algorithms to gauge real-time customer interest, empowering supplier factories to increase or stop production based directly on market demand. This data-driven test-and-learn approach improves efficiency and minimizes production waste.
• They’re e-commerce only
  • SHEIN avoids the need for overproduction typically associated with filling physical storefronts and prevents much of the waste and environmental impacts associated with running a traditional retail store. This unique on-demand business model consistently limits excess inventory to single digits while the rest of the industry struggles with 30% overstock on average.
• Their supply chain evolves with them
  • SHEIN does not own or operate any manufacturing facilities. Instead, they source from a network of third-party suppliers. They support supplier factories with physical facility enhancements, innovative technology and training.

Apparel brands looking to set themselves up for success in the future must think smaller before they think bigger: SHEIN’s small batch, on-demand production business model is the blueprint for serving tomorrow’s customers.

2023-02-17T10:21:00

(BPT) – Building savings for retirement isn’t easy, and it’s only become more difficult with rising inflation and public market volatility. According to a report by Vanguard,¹ retirement account balances decreased by 20% in 2022 alone due to economic challenges. This news may sound grim, but investment alternatives may provide some promising options to help individuals plan and save for retirement.

Recent data from a study by Bank of America shows that investors 43+ allocate about 55% of their portfolio in stocks and bonds.² However, younger investors are skeptical of traditional investments, with 73% believing that it’s not possible to achieve above-average returns by exclusively investing in stock and bonds. Instead, younger investors are allocating three times more to alternative investments and half as much to stocks and bonds.

Of those alternative investments, commercial real estate (CRE) has become an emerging option for investors looking to diversify. By investing in projects such as apartment buildings, offices or industrial buildings, investors can better insulate their portfolios and potentially find opportunities in growing markets beyond their neighborhood.

Of course, CRE has historically required a significant amount of capital that can be a barrier to entry for many. However, platforms like Cadre allow investors to have a stake in commercial properties alongside some of the world’s largest institutions like Goldman Sachs and the MacArthur Foundation.

For those rethinking their retirement savings plan and looking for more options, here are five of the potential benefits of CRE investing:

1. Accessibility

Fractional stake investments in CRE have made the asset class more accessible and lowered the minimum investment for real estate investment. While CRE has been used as an investment tool by the world’s largest institutions and the uber-wealthy to build wealth over time, new investment platforms have made CRE available to more individuals than ever before.

2. Passive income

With the ability to generate income through rent, CRE is often considered an attractive source of passive income. Investors in CRE typically benefit from quarterly dividends that may be used as an additional source of income or to reinvest and compound potential earnings over the long term.

3. Reap stable returns

In contrast with the ups and downs of the stock market, CRE tends to be relatively stable. According to Investopedia, private commercial properties outperformed the S&P 500, offering investors an average annual return of 10.3% over a 25-year period.³ CRE’s stability comes from the fact that the price of real estate isn’t tied to the stock market’s performance. Even in a volatile market, CRE provides stability.

4. Hedge against inflation

One of the attractive aspects of CRE investments is that they can weather the long-term impact of inflation. Among stocks and bonds, inflation often can directly diminish returns. Through active management, CRE investors often raise the income of their properties to keep pace with inflation and generate more attractive returns over time.

5. Leverage tax advantages

Some traditional asset class options require investors to set aside funds to pay personal income taxes, which can create a significant drag on income and retirement savings. Typically, investors in CRE are able to benefit from lower tax rates than traditional investment options, as well as depreciation deductions, interest expenses and more.

Investors that are new to CRE typically prefer to partner with professionals. Since its inception, Cadre has been helping individuals navigate their first ventures into CRE through an experienced team and easy-to-use platform. Using a high-tech/high-touch approach, the firm uses proprietary models to review thousands of data points that help novice investors invest with confidence.

For many, this is a time to rethink retirement investments. To learn more about CRE and other ways to invest in your future, visit Cadre.com.

¹ Source: Vanguard, Perspectives: DC Retirement analysis, 2023.

² Source: Bank of America, Study of Wealthy Americans, 2022.

³ Source: NCREIF, First Quarter NCREIF Indices Review, 2021.

2023-02-17T08:01:00

(BPT) – By John Simmons, Head of Middle Market Banking & Specialized Industries, JPMorgan Chase Commercial Banking & Ben Walter, CEO, Chase Business Banking

No matter their size, location or industry, businesses across the country have been hit by inflation in the last year, forcing leaders to use a variety of creative strategies to combat rising costs. While these inflationary pressures show some signs of easing, business leaders’ sentiment around recession expectations raises important questions for businesses on whether they’re prepared for the next big economic challenge.

In the JPMorgan Chase 2023 Business Leaders Outlook survey, we uncovered just how widespread inflation’s impact has been for business owners nationwide and how it and other pressures have contributed to a challenging business outlook. Unsurprisingly, the vast majority of small (94%) and midsize (91%) businesses are experiencing pricing pressures that are affecting their bottom line, while the majority of small (61%) and midsize (65%) business leaders anticipate a recession some time in 2023.

The good news is that despite these expectations, most midsize (66%) and small business (72%) leaders remain upbeat about their own company’s performance, and are focused on growth, hiring plans and other elements within their control. We are encouraged by the optimism and resilience of business leaders after a tough few years, and we know that time and again their mettle has delivered the economy through lean times to propel our economy and communities forward.

As we talk with business leaders about the challenges ahead, there are three main approaches they should consider this year in their preparations for the next economic cycle:

1. Consider Non-Traditional Strategies to Combat Inflation

Small and midsize businesses have had to find ways to meet challenges brought by inflation. Traditional responses, such as raising prices on products and services, have been augmented by some non-traditional strategies. For example, nearly half of midsize businesses have made changes to their purchasing habits, including strategic stockpiling, and more than one-third have turned to automation.

Among small businesses, more than half have said honest and transparent communication with customers is a top tactic for coping with inflation. Because consumers still demonstrate a willingness to shop local, honesty and transparency can help strike the right tone to balance price increases with customer loyalty.

2. Invest in Prospective and Current Employees

The tight U.S. job market presents a challenge for small and midsize businesses; however, economic data show the worst may be behind them. More than half of small business leaders (55%) anticipate hiring full- and part-time staff and 50% of midsize business leaders expect to increase headcount in the next 12 months.

Employee retention and development — always important priorities for business owners — are emerging as even more important in the current economic environment. In fact, more than half (55%) of small business leaders cited retaining top employees as a critical factor for business survival, especially because they operate with less slack from the start.

Likewise, nearly half (43%) of midsize businesses plan to invest in talent development by offering upskilling and training opportunities that increase productivity, improve the quality of work and enhance problem-solving abilities. These programs are hugely important for small and midsize businesses looking to improve retention, limit turnover, boost morale and attract new talent.

3. Optimize Working Capital

Working capital is a key indicator of small and midsize businesses’ financial health, and maintaining it during times of economic volatility is important for long-term prospects. Despite a tough year, the majority of small (69%) and midsize (63%) businesses expect increased revenue and sales in the year ahead, making it important for them to have a corresponding capital plan.

Business leaders are optimizing working capital to finance inventory and accounts receivable through supply chain finance, which helps them move to extended payment terms with suppliers including the option to get paid earlier in their working capital cycle, and dynamic discounting, which enables owners to receive discounted prices in exchange for paying vendors early. They are also investing heavily in inventory management, reworking current debt and securing working capital financing to maintain and even grow their balance sheets.

To learn more about how JPMorgan Chase is helping business leaders build for the future, view the full Business Leaders Outlook survey results for small and midsize businesses.

2023-02-16T07:01:01

(BPT) – The number of natural disasters has increased five-fold in the past 50 years, driven by population growth, climate change, and improved reporting. As the number of disasters continues to rise, so do their associated costs. In 2022, over 29 weather-related events caused damage worth more than $29 billion. The Global Humanitarian Overview predicts that the number of people in need will jump to 339 million in 2023, an increase of over 23% from 2022, and that the estimated cost of the humanitarian response will be $51.5 billion, a 25% increase compared to 2022. To meet this growing challenge, organizations around the world are collaborating and developing new solutions to help communities better prepare for, and recover from, natural disasters and other events.

In 2017, Amazon saw an opportunity to apply its operational expertise, technology, and worldwide logistics network to provide fast and effective support to organizations fighting large-scale natural disasters. Since that time, Amazon and its cloud computing business, Amazon Web Services (AWS), have stepped in to help communities recover from 99 weather-related disasters, donating 22 million items over the course of these efforts.

Amazon’s global distribution network, paired with cloud technologies, can be an important component to address global disasters, as well as large-scale crises like the war in Ukraine. AWS’s Disaster Preparedness and Response team works together with Disaster Relief by Amazon during these events deploying cloud technology to help with critical functions like communications, situational awareness, and humanitarian mapping — all of them essential in the wake of natural disasters.

“The humanitarian crises we face today are increasingly global and complex,” said David Zapolsky, senior vice president and general counsel, Amazon. “We believe the private and public sectors can work together to address these difficult challenges by deploying resources where they are most needed. Whether it’s using our global logistics network to distribute aid more quickly, donating goods, or providing financial donations, Amazon will continue working to improve the lives of communities in need and people impacted by natural disasters to make a positive and meaningful difference.”

As part of these efforts, the company has committed more than $75 million in support to help the people of Ukraine to date. This support during the war in Ukraine includes the donation of 2 million critical relief products — from medical supplies for Ukraine hospitals to blankets, food, toys, and books for refugees crossing the border. AWS provided cloud computing support to help the government preserve vital Ukrainian government, education, and banking institution data.

“We are just beginning to realize the power that cloud technologies can have in humanitarian efforts, from natural disasters to driving more equitable health outcomes,” said Maggie Carter, director of AWS Global Social Impact. “By applying the cloud to these problems, we can innovate and scale at a speed previously unimaginable to drive real, measurable impact.”

That impact was evident during Hurricane Ian in October 2022 as the AWS Disaster Preparedness and Response team deployed volunteers and AWS technology alongside relief organization Help.NGO. Starting in Cape Coral, Florida, AWS helped with activities including establishing internet connectivity for community centers like firehouses to help first responders, relief organizations, and impacted individuals who are relying on these centers for support. Simultaneously, Amazon activated its Atlanta Relief Hub and donated $1 million to the Florida Disaster Fund to help communities impacted by Hurricane Ian. Amazon teams secured 10 trucks with over 360,000 bottles of water and strategically positioned vehicles around Florida and in nearby states, so they could quickly deliver clean water to impacted communities.

When Hurricane Fiona made landfall in Puerto Rico in September 2022, Amazon employed its Amazon Air 737 to ship hundreds of thousands of supplies for Puerto Rican residents, including water filters, tarps, medical supplies, hygiene kits, and food items. Once there, the dozens of pallets of donated products were distributed by partners like the International Medical Corps, SBPUSA and Feeding America to ensure that supplies made it to the people who needed them most as quickly as possible. In the months following, Disaster Relief by Amazon continued supplying much needed relief as part of continued flights to the island. Amazon also expanded their Atlanta Amazon Relief Hub to double its size during the 2022 hurricane season, distributing 1 million critical relief supplies in and outside the U.S. in the wake of natural disasters.

When floods ravaged Kentucky and Missouri in the summer, Disaster Relief by Amazon quickly reached out to support the relief efforts. Responding to requests from Save the Children, Feeding America, the American Red Cross, and local organizations, the team donated over 580,000 relief items, including ready-to-eat meals, water, shelter items, solar chargers and lights, backpacks, pack and plays, strollers, baby tubs, baby carriers, and more than 265,000 diapers and training pants. In Mississippi, Amazon used its logistics and delivery expertise to quickly secure bottles of water for Jackson residents. On September 3, just four days after the city’s emergency declaration, the company held its first water distribution event, handing out 72,000 bottles of water. Amazon also provided 72 pallets of water to support the Jackson School District’s 54 school sites.

Amazon and AWS continue to work backwards to help communities impacted by disasters through expertise, volunteer support, technology and beyond. To learn more about how Amazon and AWS provide support to communities impacted by global events, visit: https://www.aboutamazon.com/impact/community/disaster-relief.

2023-02-15T08:01:00

(BPT) – Now that the new year is underway, it’s time to dream even bigger. Maybe you want to change your unique talent into a side hustle. Perhaps you have a passion that you want to pursue full-time. No matter what it is, there’s a market for different ideas and products — you just need to figure out how to bring it to life and position it to make money.

The key? A custom website. The problem? Most people don’t have extensive website design experience or the finances to hire someone who does.

Monetizing your idea starts with having a high-quality website to market and sell your product or services. Fortunately, even if you’re not trained in technology or web design, you can still build a website exactly how you want and get a custom domain to attract customers and build your brand.

The easy way to build your own site

Universe is an app that allows anyone to create bold, unique, fully featured websites using a grid-based editor and modular, drag-and-drop building blocks. While most website creation tools originated for desktop computers, this one empowers anyone to build, manage and update their sites on their phone, tablet or computer — wherever they are.

The app incorporates everything from a domain to design and commerce tools, and is essentially a business in a box. Creators can use pre-fabricated templates, but don’t have to if they don’t want to feel constrained in their creative process. Whatever your vision, you can bring it to life. You can even create and launch your website for free!

Universe couples ease-of-use with flexibility to empower creators and help them achieve their business goals. Just some of the noteworthy features:

1. Easily customize your layout
2. Link to your other online/social profiles
3. Embed playlists and other media
4. Customize your background and even include a video background

Finding and affording a custom domain

If you want to really brand your business and have a professional appearance, you need a custom domain name. A domain is an integral part of a website: It’s how you find a site, what you call it and what locks your brand into your customers’ memories. A custom domain is a unique expression of who you are.

Once you’ve got a domain, you’re established. Your project’s real. It’s got momentum. Even if no one else knows about it, you made the first move, you put yourself out there on the internet.

Some companies let you build sites and give you a URL that’s a subdomain or subdirectory off their main domain. This option restricts SEO, making it harder for people to find your site on search engines.

Other companies let you add a custom domain to the site you build on their platform, but you have to go to some other service to buy and register your domain. Then you have to link everything together. This is a lot of work across multiple tools, so be informed.

Some other companies let you connect a custom domain to your site for free for your first year, but look at the price in that second year and beyond to ensure the cost is within your budget. Do you really want to invest in making a gorgeous site just to be priced out of maintaining it on its custom, branded domain in the future?

With Universe Domain+, you can host your site on a custom domain for $11.99 per year, which equates to less than $1 per month. If it’s important enough to put on the internet, it’s probably important enough to give it a custom domain. A website isn’t a website without a domain. Do your research and make a decision that makes sense in the long term since your goal is to create a successful business both now and in the future.

Monetizing your business on your website

Universe is continually releasing new updates to their commerce and design tools to empower creatives everywhere to build amazing sites and monetize their passions. These features include updates to make text-styling and color palette selections more intuitive for everyone — not just designers!

There’s also the “Group Block” feature to combine and repeat combinations of site components, push notifications to let merchants know when they’ve made a sale, and the ability to leverage e-commerce and marketing tools like Discounts, Google Analytics and the Meta Pixel natively in sites built on Universe.

The Universe platform helps creators take credit card and Apple Pay payments, sell products, manage inventory and print shipping labels all in one place. If you upgrade to Universe Pro, you’ll also get site analytics, custom domain and email support, mailing list features and so much more to help businesses grow online.

Dream big and set goals for success

Resolutions are hard to stick to, but with a website designer as intuitive as Universe, you’re sure to stick to your goal of finally starting the business you’ve always wanted. Start for free and see what you’re really capable of.