AUGUST 2022 ISSUE

Sustaining Profits: The Environment and Its Challenges Are Driving Business Success
From an overabundance of sun to an underabundance of water, the natural environment has become the elephant in the room for the business community. But many see it as big opportunity. “Like many regions in the Southwest, Greater Phoenix is addressing environmental issues from water and drought to urban heat,” says Chris Camacho, president and CEO of Greater Phoenix … [More]

Joy E. Seitz, American Solar & Roofing
Is it business vs. Mother Nature? The better question is, “What are the new pathways to economic success?” Turns out, Mother Nature offers an abundance of opportunities for businesses innovative enough to recognize appropriate prospects. For example, as a national leader in solar power, Arizona has the potential to become one of the country’s largest exporters of … [More]
TOP STORIES
Small Business Owners Reporting Inflation as Top Business Problem, Reaches Highest Level since 1979
NFIB’s Small Business Optimism Index rose 0.4 points in July to 89.9, however, it is the sixth consecutive month below the 48-year average of 98. Thirty-seven percent of small business owners reported that inflation was their single most important problem in operating their business, an increase of three points from June and the highest level since the fourth quarter … [More]
Nearly Half of Small Business Owners Still Can’t Fill Job Openings, Says Report
Small businesses across the country continue to raise wages to keep employees and fill a historically high level of open positions, according to NFIB’s monthly jobs report. Seasonally adjusted, 49% of all owners reported job openings they could not fill in the current period, down one point from June and down two points from May’s 48-year record … [More]
Hiring Continued in July as Employers Added 528,000 New Jobs, Beating Expectations
Total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 528,000 in July, and the unemployment rate edged down to 3.5 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Job growth was widespread, led by gains in leisure and hospitality, professional and business services, and health care. Both total nonfarm employment and the unemployment rate have returned to their … [More]
Small Business Job Growth Slows in July, Hourly Earnings Growth Moderates Slightly
Hiring at U.S. small businesses slowed for the fifth consecutive month, according to the latest Paychex | IHS Markit Small Business Employment Watch. The Small Business Jobs Index moderated -0.66 percent from the previous month and stands at 100.14. The pace of wage increases slowed slightly from the previous month, with average hourly earnings growth at 5.08 percent … [More]
FEATURED STORIES
EN NEGOCIOS: 8 formas de diferenciar su pequeña empresa en la economía actual
Destacar en un mercado ruidoso puede ser una tarea abrumadora para los empresarios nuevos y experimentados. Afortunadamente, existen muchas estrategias comprobadas que nunca pasarán de moda entre los consumidores y lo ayudarán a diferenciar su negocio en el mercado. Para poner a su pequeña empresa en el camino correcto, puede comenzar haciéndose algunas preguntas. … [More]
8 Ways to Differentiate Your Small Business in Today’s Economy
Standing out in a noisy market can be a daunting task for new and seasoned entrepreneurs. Luckily, there are many proven strategies that will never go out of style with consumers and help you differentiate your business in the market. To put your small business on the right track, you can start by asking yourself a few questions. When a customer asks you what makes … [More]
Overcoming Lack of Support Contacting the Right Person and Other Ideas
No single person, no matter how intelligent or experienced, can understand everything there is to know about a given job. Questions will come up, and when they do, the individual — whether a software developer, project manager, sales engineer or any other title — needs to have a handle on the specific support that is needed, and how to ask for it. With more people … [More]
New Details Emerge about How AZ Businesses Can Win Fed Infrastructure Funds
New details have emerged regarding how small businesses might be able to win some of the federal dollars flowing to the State of Arizona as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The bill, signed into law by President Biden in November of 2021, allocates funds to states and businesses by means of grants and specialized programs. Both delivery methods have … [More]
HOT TOPICS
National Mobile Grooming Co. Launches in Phoenix
Furry Land Mobile Grooming, America’s No. 1 provider of professional mobile grooming services, is bringing its team to the Greater Phoenix area. Owner … [More]
A Growing Share of Home Listings Are Stale as Market Cools, Says Report
The share of U.S. homes that were listed for 30 days or longer without going under contract increased 12.5% in July from a year earlier, according to … [More]
FedEx Expands in Phoenix to Meet Market Demand
FedEx Freight recently celebrated the opening of a new, 218-door facility in Phoenix, Ariz., this summer. “The continued growth in the Phoenix … [More]

Fast-Food Mexican to Open 25th Location, New Design for Tolleson Space
The West Valley just got even more delicious with the opening of a new Federico’s Mexican Food location at 220 N 83rd Ave on the corner of 83rd Ave … [More]
New Funding for Bioscience Program Expansion at Maricopa County Community Colleges
Congressman Greg Stanton (AZ-9) and Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) leaders gathered at the Center for Entrepreneurial Innovation … [More]
Locally Owned Coffee Shop to Open 10th Valley Location, ImPRESSive
PRESS Coffee is excited to announce it will open the tenth Valley location inside 100 Mill this August. Located conveniently at 100 S. Mill Ave., with … [More]
LIVE AND LEARN

SRP Resurrecting Forgotten Fine Art Collection
While not generally known as a collector of fine art, Salt River Project (SRP) actually boasts an impressive collection with dozens of important pieces. Over the past several decades, SRP, the nation’s third-largest not-for-profit utility, has purchased artwork that helps tell the story of power and water. Until recently however, much of the collected works sat in … [More]

Events Happening Around Town This Weekend at ‘The Districts’
With summer quickly coming to a close and the return of school, events are still happening around town. From North Phoenix to Tempe, don’t miss these upcoming events at Tempe Marketplace and Desert Ridge Marketplace. Photo Experience with Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live – This Friday, Aug. 5, a Hot Wheels Monster Truck is coming to Desert Ridge Marketplace for the … [More]

Eight of the Valley’s Most Popular Podcasts in Front of a Live Audience, Aug 2
PodPopuli, the full-service retail podcast experience located in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale, is thrilled to be presenting its second Pod-A-Palooza, a unique live event featuring 8 popular locally-based podcasts. The show - which kicks off at 6pm on Tuesday, August 2 - will be held at Social Tap located at 4312 N Brown Ave in Scottsdale. "Podcasting is such a … [More]
POSITIONS
Kevin Kinross to join CopperPoint as General Counsel
CopperPoint Insurance Companies, a western-based super regional commercial insurance company, announced today that Kevin Kinross will be joining CopperPoint on September 12, 2022 … [More]
Law Firm Bolsters Depth of Health Care Group with New Counsel
Spencer Fane LLP is pleased to announce Beth Nillen has joined the Health Care Practice Group as an of counsel attorney in the firm’s Phoenix office. Most recently in her legal … [More]

Arizona Attorney Confirmed as 9th Circuit U.S. Appeals Judge
The Senate voted 67-29 Thursday to confirm Arizonan Roopali Desai as a federal judge for the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. In July, Senator Kyrsten Sinema introduced … [More]
PHILANTHROPY
Super Bowl Host Committee Seeking Volunteers
The Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee recently launched its volunteer program, TEAM AZ, presented by Avnet and PetSmart. The Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee is seeking 5,000 … [More]
PetSmart Charities Announces $15 Million Commitment to Improve Access to Veterinary Care
More than 70% of homes in the U.S. now include a pet. While pets improve the lives of their people, some 50 million pets lack access to even the standard veterinary care needed to … [More]
Healthcare Foundation Grants More Than $1.3M to Organizations Addressing Mental Health
The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Foundation for Community & Health Advancement is awarding more than $1.3 million to 19 organizations throughout Arizona to address mental … [More]
ACHIEVEMENTS
Tempe Chamber Names Top Businesses at Business Excellence Awards
The Tempe Chamber of Commerce held the 22nd Annual State of the Chamber and Business Excellence Awards, presented by Southwest Airlines, on June 30 at the Embassy Suites Hotel. … [More]
SRP Gets Climate Registered™ Platinum Status Distinction, First Named for 2020 Reporting Year
Salt River Project (SRP) has been awarded Climate Registered™ Platinum Status for the 2020 reporting year. The Climate Registry, a nonprofit organization, is North America’s … [More]
Local Blockchain Solutions Co. Named ‘Ten Most Influential’
ZorroSign, Inc., a global leader in blockchain-based digital signature solutions, announced an Insights Success cover story lauding the company as one of the “Ten Most Innovative … [More]