AmiSights

I swear—time is moving faster every year. And in a world that feels more confusing, louder, and more unpredictable by the day, that speed can feel overwhelming. As we head into Christmas (if you celebrate) and the holiday season, my hope is that everyone takes a moment to breathe. To recalibrate. To disconnect from the noise and reconnect with the people who matter most—family, friends, and the parts of ourselves we often put on pause. One of the hardest things for entreprene

"Fear has two meanings: forget everything and run — or face everything and rise. The choice is yours" F.E.A.R. gets a bad reputation, but it’s not the enemy. It’s the signal. The crossroads. The moment that asks you a question. F.E.A.R. can mean “Forget Everything And Run.”  And sometimes, that’s exactly what we do. We tell ourselves we’re “not ready,” “not qualified,” or “not the type of person who does that.” We convince ourselves safety lives in staying put, even when stay

“f**k it, I’m happy being different” At some point, most of us realize that fitting in is exhausting. We try to smooth the edges. Say the expected thing. Want the “right” things. Follow the version of success that looks good on paper but feels oddly hollow in real life. And then, quietly or all at once, something clicks. F**k it. Not in a reckless way. In a liberating one. Being different doesn’t mean being difficult. It means being honest. It means choosing what actually wor

As the year comes to a close, I’ve been thinking about the unexpected lessons that shaped my work—and my company—over the past 12 months. Near the top of the list is something I never imagined I’d say publicly, let alone write a column about: manifestation. For years, I listened to my friends speak about manifestation. If I visualize what I want, they’d say, the universe will deliver it. To me, manifestation always felt like peak woo-woo—an excuse to wish for outcomes instead

As local retailers have been reporting slumping sales and profits, the stakes are even higher to succeed this holiday season. The Wall Street Journal reports  on small businesses that have been trying new strategies which have already seen surprisingly good early results. Fewer holiday-themed items, more festive decorations and lower-priced gifts have all been a recipe for success. But the biggest ingredient has been bringing the fun and joy back into the holidays. A more fes

The short answer is: sometimes, yes—it can make sense. I spoke with a client this week who has a $350,000 EIDL loan on his business. As many borrowers know, an EIDL of that size means the SBA has a lien on the company. That lien creates a very real constraint: if the business needs new financing, the borrower must obtain the SBA's subordination. In theory, that’s manageable. In practice, SBA subordinations are becoming increasingly difficult and time-consuming to obtain, and

What would it be like to unplug for three days, cover up the clocks and gather your thoughts? Stacker co-founder and CEO Noah Greenberg, who has been taking a 3-day silent retreat every year during the week between Christmas and New Year’s since 2020, told his story to Business Insider . His checklist includes journals, comfy clothes, running shoes, and groceries. It doesn’t include his computer, books, podcasts, or anything else that would distract him from his thoughts. It

"I may not always ask for help, but I’ll never forget who quietly showed up and checked on me." Life gets heavy, and even the strongest people struggle to say, “I need support.” That’s why the quiet check-ins matter.  Be the friend who texts out of nowhere, the coworker who notices your silence, the person who shows up without needing an invitation. Those small gestures stay with you. They remind you that you’re not carrying everything alone. And the people who offer that kin

Last week, in a rare moment of unity (yes, you read that right), the House unanimously agreed to increase the SBA 7(a) loan limit for manufacturing companies from $5 million to $10 million. If you just checked the sky for flying pigs, you’re not alone. This change would be a tremendous boost for manufacturers who need real capital to grow, modernize, and stay competitive. The next step is for the Senate to approve it—and if they manage to agree, we may witness two miracles in