Selling your business is a milestone, both personally and financially—but it also takes a well thought out plan to maximize the sale proceeds and to prepare yourself personally for the business exit. The more time the business owners have in crafting and executing their business exit plan will result in a higher probability of them to achieve their desired outcomes. … [More]
Their Take: Q2 Economic Check-In – We’re in a Fiscal Pickle
As we have been expecting, 2025 is indeed proving to be the year of uncertainty and volatility. The global tariff storm is building with new developments almost daily. We’re calling Q2 ‘the fiscal pickle’ as the Fed grapples with high and increasing Inflation, while simultaneously dealing with a decelerating economy. Here’s What’s Happening Interest rates pushed steadily … [More]
Construction Safety Week: Prioritizing Safety on Megaprojects
The greater Phoenix Metro area is a growing destination for large-scale megaprojects, many of which are focused on technology-driven growth like data centers and colocation facilities. JLL’s North America Year-end 2024 report indicates that data center/colocation construction in Phoenix alone has grown nearly 200% since 2020. JE Dunn, ranked ninth for semiconductor … [More]
Small Business Week (This Week) Puts Digital Innovation Front and Center
Small Business Week (May 4–10) is the perfect opportunity to highlight how small businesses across Greater Phoenix are turning technology challenges into growth opportunities. Whether it’s a local restaurant embracing online ordering or a professional office moving operations to cloud-based collaboration platforms, technology is no longer just about keeping things running — … [More]
Jobs Report: Labor Shortages Continue to Constrain Small Business Job Growth
NFIB’s April jobs report found that 34% (seasonally adjusted) of small business owners reported job openings they could not fill in April, down six points from March, the lowest since January 2021. “Small business owners remained open to hire and grow their workforce in April,” said Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg. “While the percent of open positions decreased a bit, Main … [More]
Their Take: Leadership Is a Long Game
ESPN hot take veteran Stephen A. Smith says Mat Ishbia is on the verge of being the “worst owner in NBA history.” Here in Arizona, we see something different: an owner who’s invested more in his teams, his players, and his city in two years than most do in a lifetime. Let’s be clear: the Suns didn’t fall apart overnight, and no one’s above criticism — not even Mat. But to … [More]
Their Take: Powering the Future of the West Valley
The West Valley is booming. Our growing population and major economic drivers like TSMC, tech companies and data centers are fueling this expansion, requiring thoughtful planning to ensure we have the infrastructure to support it. WESTMARC recently revised our strategic plan to prepare for the next decade of economic growth with advanced industries and new companies and … [More]
Their Take: Economic Uncertainty Is the Time to ‘Prepare for the Best’
On April 5, 2025, the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRED) Economic Policy Uncertainty Index, which provides a daily uncertainty index based on news, forecasting, and tax codes for the United States, reported its1 highest score (992.75) in the past 12 months. In this context, uncertainty means a situation where the outcomes are increasingly hard to measure. Since that time, … [More]
7 Reasons Why Optimal Health Matters More than “Normal” Health
Most people want to be healthy, but one of the issues they face is what it means to reach that status. If they follow the typical advice, they will strive for what is considered "normal" health. Instead, they must strive for “optimal health” to get the most out of their lives and careers. It's optimal health that will help people in all facets of their lives and help them reach … [More]
Mastering the Ultimate Leadership Skill – Coaching
In today’s complex, fast-paced, multigenerational workplace, one leadership skill stands above the rest - coaching. In their new book Coaching Power, Tom Preston and Luciana Nunez, partners at the renowned executive coaching firm The Preston Associates, argue that a leader’s ability to coach—not just command—is the key to unlocking potential, navigating change, and supporting … [More]
Average Property Tax Amounts on Single-Family Homes Is Up, Not in Arizona
ATTOM, a leading curator of land, property data, and real estate analytics, released its 2024 property tax analysis for 85.7 million U.S. single-family homes, which shows that $357.5 billion in property taxes were levied on single-family homes in 2024, down 1.6 percent from 2023. Eight of the 10 states, including Arizona, with the lowest effective tax rates for … [More]
Leadership and the Challenges of New Technology, Global Teams, and Hybrid Work
In an era where traditional leadership models are crumbling under the weight of technological change, remote work, and global competition, leaders need a new playbook. In the groundbreaking, Leading in the Age of Digital Disruption, author Mike Peterson delivers exactly that — combining powerful storytelling with battle-tested strategies for building resilient, high-performing … [More]
Their Take: Report Addresses Consequences of Potential Small Business Tax Hike in Arizona
The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), the nation’s leading small business advocacy organization, released a new report outlining the benefits the 20% Small Business Tax Deduction will bring to Arizona if made permanent. The report also spotlights that the 678,000+ small businesses in Arizona could face significantly higher taxes if Congress does not make … [More]
5 Ways to Improve Your Leadership and Embrace Introspection
Elevating your leadership skills is a powerful and crucial step in career advancement. However, outstanding leadership is not just about guiding others but also about using self-reflection and self-leadership to guide yourself. In the 2024 Harvard Business Global Leadership Development Study, a Senior Director at a Global Health Care Company says it succinctly, “The number … [More]
From Turbulence to Traction: How to Parlay Market Volatility into Industry Dominance
The financial markets today are a swirling vortex of uncertainty. Inflationary pressures, geopolitical tensions, and the lingering echoes of recent economic shifts have cast a long shadow over consequential sectors. Even the private credit landscape—once a haven of relative stability—is increasingly suffering the winds of market volatility. For institutional investors … [More]
Phoenix’s Build-to-Rent Surge: A 309% Increase over the Last 5 Years
Phoenix, Arizona, has emerged as a national leader in the build-to-rent (BTR) housing sector, reflecting a significant shift in the local real estate landscape. In 2023, the Phoenix metropolitan area completed over 4,000 BTR units, marking a 10-year high and solidifying its position at the forefront of this trend. Here, we highlight some of the key findings from the latest … [More]
NFIB Poll Shows Strong Support for 20% Small Business Deduction
A new poll released yesterday by the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), the nation’s leading small business advocacy organization, shows broad, bipartisan support for America’s small businesses along with overwhelming support for keeping the 20% Small Business Tax Deduction in the tax code. ““Small businesses account for 99.5% of all businesses in Arizona … [More]
In the Business of Happiness: Expert Explores How Personal Fulfillment Boosts Workplace Innovation and Productivity
Happy employees are more productive, more engaged, less likely to be absent, make fewer mistakes, and tend to be more creative — all of which contributes to a more stable and more profitable workplace, explains Psychology Today contributor and internationally known happiness expert Dr. Alphonsus Obayuwana. His new book, The Happiness Formula, contains the first of its kind … [More]
