Small businesses understand relationships differently. When you are building something from the ground up, relationships are not just part of the business, they are often the reason the business grows in the first place. You remember the people who took a chance on you, the client who referred someone and the person who opened a door for you early on. Those experiences and … [More]
Farm Losses Mount as Natural Disasters Impact Key Regions
A new study on behalf of Trace One has identified the U.S. counties and states with the largest agricultural losses due to natural disasters. High grocery prices have been a defining economic story in recent years, driven by a combination of factors including pandemic-related supply chain breakdowns and labor shortages. However, an increasingly critical driver of food price … [More]
Federal Reclassification Reshapes Risks for Medical Marijuana Businesses
Through June 22, 2026, state-licensed medical marijuana licensees have a short window to register with the DEA to handle medical marijuana under the new federal Schedule III framework. To register or not to register? That is the question. Following the April 23, 2026, federal rescheduling order, DEA is calling on state-licensed medical marijuana cultivators, producers, … [More]
Small Business Lending: A Guide to Applying for a Loan
The truth about bankers is that we love nothing more than helping people turn their dreams into reality. We entered this line of work to help others reach their financial goals and find their individual path to success. For many, that means opening and running a successful business. For business owners who are ready to take their company to the next level, we’ve provided … [More]
The Hidden Cost of ‘Making Do’ with Legacy Systems
Despite the positive influence technology can have on business, many delay technology upgrades to manage costs. But outdated systems often create hidden or unexpected expenses that are far more disruptive than the investment required to modernize. These costs can show up as downtime that interrupts customer interactions, missed sales opportunities caused by slow or … [More]
As Small Businesses Grow, Brand Risk Grows Too
As Chief Marketing Officer at Fennemore, I spend a great deal of time thinking about brands. Not just how they look or sound, but how they accumulate value over time. And sitting alongside our attorneys, I’ve picked up a few things about what it actually means to protect that value. (Not legal advice—just lessons learned from being in the room.) May is Small Business Month, a … [More]
Turning Tax Season into a Strategic Reset for Your Business
Once tax filings are complete, many business owners are ready to move on, close the books on last year and refocusing on day-to-day operations. But this window right after tax season is one of the most valuable times of year to step back and evaluate the financial health of a business with fresh, accurate data in hand. Rather than treating tax season as an endpoint, it can … [More]
Teaching Digital Citizenship in the Age of AI
When people imagine artificial intelligence in schools, they often picture students using it to write essays or finish homework faster. However, in my online classroom, the conversation around AI and its use is nuanced. Increasingly, the most important lesson is focused on the responsible and ethical use of AI. Digital citizenship has been part of education since computers and … [More]
Smarter Inboxes Raise Stakes for Email Marketers
Google is not just helping users search email. It is teaching the inbox to rank, summarize, and prioritize it. Following updates that began in March 2025, Google introduced AI-powered search that factors in recency, most-clicked emails, and frequent contacts instead of simply returning results in chronological order. In January 2026, the company stated that Gmail’s 3 billion … [More]
Paste, Prompt, Regret: The IP Risks of Everyday AI
AI tools like ChatGPT have become the new Swiss Army knife for business: They can draft a pitch deck, brainstorm a product name, write a sales email, and pressure-test a marketing strategy. The temptation is obvious. If the tool can help you think faster, why not feed it the key details? Because some “details” aren’t just information. They’re assets. And the way you handle … [More]
The Stability Problem Behind Phoenix’s Workforce
On the surface, the national workforce appears to be on the mend after a significant dip in February. March’s national jobs report showed payroll gains of 178,000 and a slight drop (-.1%) in unemployment to 4.3%. On paper, those numbers suggest a strengthening labor market. However, wage growth continues to slow, and workforce participation has declined. At the same time, … [More]
Why Volunteering Is Your Company’s Secret Retention Strategy
Picture this: a strong company that's starting to crack from the inside. Productivity is slipping. Top performers have quietly begun looking elsewhere. Leadership is wondering where they went wrong. Compensation is competitive. The benefits are solid. The work is meaningful. So, what's missing? For a growing number of organizations, the answer is showing up in an unexpected … [More]
AI Scams Force Businesses to Rethink Fraud Defenses
AI doesn’t just offer opportunities for businesses to defend themselves against fraudulent schemes. As adoption among businesses grows, bad actors also have the ability to change up operations and tactics, using AI to sharpen schemes and make scams faster, more convincing and harder to spot. In addition to creating greater vulnerability for businesses using AI, these … [More]
Demand for AI Skills Outpaces Tech Talent Supply
Talent shortages are the single biggest challenge facing technology leaders in 2026, as artificial intelligence rapidly reshapes hiring priorities, according to the new Reveal 2026 IT Talent Survey, released today by global software leader Infragistics. Eighty percent (80%) of technology leaders reported using AI in software development in 2025, and 77% named expanding AI … [More]
Greater Phoenix Housing Market Gains Ground in March
Greater Phoenix home sales posted a notable increase in March, signaling continued market resilience, even as broader economic and geopolitical uncertainty persisted. Phoenix REALTORS data shows closed sales rose 10% month over month and 4.6% year to date compared to 2025. “The March data reflects a market where buyers and sellers are still finding ways to get deals done,” … [More]
Arizona Small Businesses Gain Permanent 20% Tax Deduction
The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), the nation’s leading small business advocacy organization, released a new report outlining the economic benefits and massive tax savings the 20% Small Business Tax Deduction will bring to the 706,640 small businesses in Arizona now that it has been made permanent. The report also details several other federal tax relief … [More]
Small Business Optimism Dips in March
The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index fell 3.0 points in March to 95.8, leaving it below its 52-year average of 98.0. The last time the Optimism Index fell below its historical average was April 2025. The Uncertainty Index rose 4 points from February to 92, well above its historical average of 68. “The 20% Small Business Deduction and other supportive small business tax … [More]
Corporate Giving Takes Spotlight as BestCompaniesAZ Marks 25 Years
As BestCompaniesAZ celebrates its 25th anniversary, we are reflecting on the partnerships, people, and purpose that have defined our journey as a leader in recognizing Arizona’s best employers and workplace cultures. For 25 years, BestCompaniesAZ has had the privilege of honoring organizations that lead with integrity, invest in their employees, and give back to the … [More]
