The 21 Hats Morning Report

Good morning! Here are today’s highlights: Who has it better, U.K. business owners or U.S. business owners? Let’s talk about taxes! And employee tribunals! Your website was designed for humans. Gene Marks explains why it has to be redesigned for agents. A small town fell for a phishing scam, and so far, at least, a family-owned contractor is out half a million dollars. Brandon Gray reports that profits are up for the Simple Numbers 100 businesses.

Good morning! Here are today’s highlights: The World Cup’s biggest winner was Main Street, USA. Business owners face no shortage of challenges, and yet, people keep starting new businesses at unprecedented rates. Gene Marks suggests two ways to save on taxes when selling a business. Even as TikTok Shop sparks a wave of side hustles, AI videos threaten to undermine its credibility. President Trump’s second round of tariffs expires this week.

I’ve decided to make two changes that I think will make the first Succession Solutions cohort considerably stronger. When I announced the workshop a few weeks ago, I heard from a number of owners who loved the idea but simply couldn’t make eight two-hour sessions work on short notice. Others said succession planning was absolutely something they wanted to do—but they hadn’t planned for it in this year’s budget. The more I thought about it, the more I realized they had a point.

Good morning! Here are today’s highlights: There’s a growing wave of “searchers” looking to buy small businesses. Ami Kassar warns against making a common mistake when financing growth. The head of the SBA is defending a proposed budget cut of 67 percent. Businesses are preparing to fight the whole tariff battle all over again. Why Do People Keep Starting Businesses? Small business owners have plenty to worry about these days.

Good morning! Here are today’s highlights: What are you supposed to do when your employees keep starting side hustles? (Nothing!) There has to be a better way to enforce ADA compliance. Even in the South, businesses are trying to lure customers by installing EV chargers. Retailers are trying everything to stick to the most compelling price point in retail.

Good morning! Here are today’s highlights: Some family farms are suddenly worth a lot more than the farmers thought. Alan Pentz says most small businesses still aren’t spending enough on AI. Even manufacturers are finding that offering flexible hours can attract job candidates. A survey indicates that businesses are operating under the assumption that inflation is here to stay.

Good morning! Here are today’s highlights: Business owners say they are still struggling to hire good people. An expert on hiring explains why it took four tries to hire the right marketing leader. AI is forcing professional-services firms to change the way they charge clients. Retailers are already rushing to stock up for the holiday season. You’re Probably Not Spending Enough on AI: There have been a lot of stories lately about companies getting hit with surprisingly large AI bills.

Good morning! Here are today’s highlights: With the cost soaring, more small businesses are giving up on offering health insurance. As many as 1.5 million viable businesses will disappear over the next 10 years. Kiva offers zero-interest business loans of up to $15,000 regardless of credit score. Private equity firms are probably going to have to buy fewer businesses going forward. Most business owners hope to reach the day when someone offers to buy their business.

Good morning! Here are today’s highlights: The Harvard Business Review says your marketing should focus on answering customer questions. Millennials looking to avoid the AI job apocalypse are buying blue-collar businesses. Your overly ambitious job descriptions may be turning off potential candidates. This year’s hot summer trend is renting out swimming pools Airbnb-style.

Good morning! Here are today’s highlights: Corporations are developing strategies to rein in the cost of using AI. Ford has hired back a bunch of “gray beard” engineers to solve problems created by AI. Gene Marks says most users of Google Workspace are paying for capabilities they aren’t using. Small business bankruptcies were up 67 percent in the first quarter. In observance of July 4th, neither this newsletter nor the Dashboard podcast will be published on Friday.