Before someone calls your business, visits your store, books an appointment, or sends you an email, there’s a very good chance they do one thing first: They Google you. And in a matter of seconds, they’re forming an opinion. Is this business legitimate? Do people like them? Are they active? Can I trust them? Do they look better than the competition? That means your Google search results have quietly become your digital storefront. And I want that first page working for me. 1. Start With My Google Business Profile For a local business, this may be the most valuable piece of online real estate you have. Make sure your hours are correct. Add fresh photos. Respond to reviews. Update services. Post occasionally. An abandoned Google profile can make an active business look strangely inactive. 2. Pay Attention to What Shows Up First Google your business name. Seriously. What appears? Your website? Facebook page? LinkedIn? Reviews? An old directory listing from 2017 with the wrong phone number? That first page tells you what potential customers are seeing. If something is outdated, fix it. If your best content is buried, create more of it. 3. Treat Reviews Like Marketing Reviews aren’t just feedback anymore. They’re sales copy written by your customers. A collection of recent, specific reviews can answer questions a customer hasn’t even asked you yet: “They responded quickly.” “The staff was incredibly helpful.” “Worth the drive.” “I’ll definitely be back.” That’s powerful stuff. Ask happy customers to leave reviews and, just as importantly, respond to them. 4. Give Google Fresh Things to Find You don’t need to become a full-time content creator. But you do want Google to keep discovering signs that your business is alive and relevant. Post a new project. Share an announcement. Write a short article. Update your website. Get featured in local news. Add new photos. Every little breadcrumb helps build the story of your business online. 5. Make Sure the Website Passes the 10-Second Test When someone lands on your site, they should immediately understand: Who you are. What you do. Where you are. How to contact or buy from you. If visitors have to play detective, you’re making them work too hard. And the internet has trained all of us to have the patience of a caffeinated squirrel. Google Yourself Before Your Customers Do Small businesses spend a lot of time thinking about advertising. But sometimes the biggest marketing opportunity is already sitting on Google’s first page. Search your business. Look at it through the eyes of someone who has never met you. Then ask one simple question: Does this page make me want to do business with this company? If the answer is yes, fantastic. If the answer is “ehhh…” You just found your next marketing project.

There is a fragrant new reason to visit northeast Indiana, and it comes wrapped in shades of purple. My husband, daughter and I decided to turn a lazy Saturday into a lovely little adventure at Lake James Lavender Company, a new destination near Angola. The farm has transformed a once-empty property overlooking Lake James into a charming lavender farm, apothecary and gathering place. Created by husband-and-wife team Jamie and Darian Stein, the property features more than 6,500 lavender plants representing seven different varieties. A Roadside Idea That Took Root The idea began after Jamie and Darian encountered lavender farms during their travels. What started as inspiration slowly grew into a full-scale destination where visitors can wander among thousands of plants, enjoy the lake views and shop for products made with lavender grown on the property. The dream appears to be catching on quickly. More than 500 people reportedly visited during the farm’s grand-opening weekend, proving that people are hungry for experiences that help them slow down, explore and discover something different. (Apple Podcasts) And honestly, lavender fields overlooking a lake? That is practically a postcard waiting to happen. Lake James Lavender Field More Than a Pretty Field The farm’s new lifestyle boutique is filled with candles, soaps, bath and body products, whipped tallow crème, home fragrances, culinary lavender treats, local artwork and distinctive gifts. Many of the offerings are handcrafted, small-batch or locally inspired. The Steins also envision the property as a place for workshops and seasonal gatherings. Future possibilities include distilling lavender oil, candle-making classes and peaceful tea parties among the blooms. (Apple Podcasts) That combination is important. Lake James Lavender Company is not simply selling a plant or a product. It is selling an experience: the scent of lavender, the beauty of the countryside, the lake views and the feeling of stepping away from the daily scramble for an hour. A Smart Small-Town Tourism Idea This is destination development in its most charming form. Small towns do not always need massive attractions to draw visitors. Sometimes, they need one memorable business that gives people a reason to take a country-road detour. Farms can become destinations by pairing agriculture with retail, classes, photo opportunities, seasonal events and locally made products. Visitors who come for the lavender may also buy lunch in Angola (And that's exactly what we did! We also visited the Boathouse Boutique. One creative rural business can send economic ripples far beyond its own front gate. Plan Your Visit Lake James Lavender Company is located at 3515 North Bay View Road in Angola, just minutes from downtown and overlooking Lake James. The company has announced summer hours of Wednesday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., through Labor Day. Visitors should check the farm’s social media before traveling for current hours, bloom conditions and upcoming events. Lake James Lavender Company has turned a field of purple blooms into something much bigger: a gathering place, a retail experience and a fresh tourism attraction for Steuben County. Sometimes, the best small-town business ideas do not arrive with flashing lights. Sometimes, they arrive quietly, smelling like lavender and overlooking the lake. 💜 - Erika Willitzer

For years, Mike Rowe has been telling Americans something many students rarely hear in a guidance counselor’s office. Photo from: https://mikeroweworks.org/ A four-year degree is one path to success, but it is not the only one. Now, as artificial intelligence reshapes entry-level office work, Rowe is ramping up his efforts to help a new generation prepare for careers in welding, plumbing, electrical work, manufacturing, HVAC, construction and other skilled fields that cannot easily be replaced by a chatbot. Through the mikeroweWORKS Foundation, Rowe says $10 million in Work Ethic Scholarships will be awarded this year to people pursuing skilled-trade training. It is a major investment in what the foundation describes as “AI-proof, six-figure jobs.” Photo from https://mikeroweworks.org/ Preparing Young People for a Changing Job Market AI can already draft reports, analyze data, create marketing content and perform parts of many entry-level professional jobs. That does not mean every office job is disappearing. It does mean younger workers may enter a much different job market than previous generations did. Skilled trades will use AI, too. Technology can help companies create estimates, manage inventory, diagnose equipment problems and schedule crews. But AI still cannot climb onto a roof, install an electrical panel, weld a critical component or repair a furnace during a January cold snap. Rowe’s message is not that technology should be feared. It is that America has spent decades encouraging students to pursue certain careers while overlooking the people who build, repair and maintain nearly everything around us. Photo from: https://mikeroweworks.org/ A New $10 Million Workforce Push That message received another boost in July 2026 with the launch of BuildFreedom.US, a national workforce initiative supporting skilled careers and America’s defense industrial base. The initiative announced a $10 million investment supporting the mikeroweWORKS Foundation’s scholarship efforts. The goal is to help students, young adults, veterans and transitioning service members train for careers in manufacturing, welding, construction, electrical work and other essential fields. Rowe has argued that the skilled-labor shortage is no longer just an employment issue. It is becoming a national-security concern as manufacturers and defense contractors struggle to fill critical positions. The campaign is designed to connect people with apprenticeships, scholarships and training programs that can often be completed in months or a few years rather than through a traditional four-year degree. Scholarships That Reward Work Ethic The Work Ethic Scholarship Program takes a different approach from many traditional scholarships. Instead of focusing mainly on grades or test scores, mikeroweWORKS emphasizes responsibility, preparation, attitude and a willingness to work hard. Eligible training programs include: Welding Plumbing Electrical technology HVAC and refrigeration Construction Machining and manufacturing Automotive and diesel technology Industrial maintenance Agriculture The foundation says it has awarded more than $16 million to over 2,600 scholarship recipients across 48 states since 2008. Applications and scholarship details are available through the mikeroweWORKS Foundation. The Demand Is Already There The need for skilled workers is not theoretical. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects about 81,000 electrician openings annually between 2024 and 2034. HVAC careers are expected to produce roughly 40,100 openings each year, while plumbing occupations are projected to have about 44,000 annual openings. Many of those opportunities will result from experienced workers retiring. The demand also stretches beyond residential service companies. America needs skilled people to build factories, maintain machinery, upgrade infrastructure and support growing manufacturing operations. These jobs may not come with trendy office perks. They often come with something more durable: a skill that employers and customers urgently need. AI-Proof Does Not Mean AI-Free No career is completely insulated from technology. The most successful skilled workers and trade businesses will likely be those that combine hands-on expertise with modern tools. AI can help a technician prepare proposals, document repairs, order parts or communicate with customers. It can help a contractor improve scheduling or help a manufacturer predict equipment maintenance. But the technology remains a tool. The person who understands the building, the machinery, the safety requirements and the real-world problem remains essential. Small Town WOW Sidenote: Young Adults Are Not Just Entering the Trades. They’re Buying Them. There is another sign that younger generations are recognizing the value of skilled work. Millennials and other younger entrepreneurs are increasingly purchasing plumbing, HVAC, construction, manufacturing and home-service companies from retiring baby boomers. BizBuySell reports that Gen X and millennials now account for more than 80% of prospective small-business buyers. It also found that 44% of buyers identify as “corporate refugees” leaving traditional employment for business ownership. For some buyers, these companies represent a hedge against AI disruption. People may delay buying new software. They are less likely to ignore a broken furnace, failed electrical system or water pouring through the ceiling. That creates a powerful generational opportunity. Mike Rowe is helping more young people enter the skilled trades. At the same time, retiring owners are creating pathways for those workers to eventually own the companies that employ them. The next generation may not simply become America’s electricians, welders, plumbers and technicians. They may become the business owners who lead those industries into the future.

Being busy can feel productive. Your calendar is packed, your inbox is overflowing, and your to-do list has developed its own ecosystem. But here is the uncomfortable truth: not every project deserves your time. Some projects create revenue, solve meaningful problems, strengthen relationships, or move an important goal forward. Others simply consume hours while wearing a convincing little “urgent” costume. Learning to say no is not about being difficult or unhelpful. It is about protecting your limited time for work that actually matters. Before You Say Yes, Ask Better Questions A project may sound exciting during the first conversation. Before committing, pause and ask: Does this support one of my current priorities? What measurable result will this create? Am I the right person to handle it? What will I have to delay or abandon to make room for it? Would I still say yes if the deadline were tomorrow? That final question is particularly revealing. Projects become less dazzling when you imagine them arriving with an immediate invoice for your time. Watch for “Busywork in a Blazer” Some projects look important because they involve meetings, documents, committees, and impressive vocabulary. But activity is not the same as progress. Warning signs include: No clear goal or definition of success Too many decision-makers and no real owner Endless meetings without action A vague promise that the project may become valuable someday Work that could be simplified, delegated, automated, or eliminated A project without a clear destination can become a treadmill with a conference agenda. Calculate the Real Cost Every yes contains a hidden no. Saying yes to an unnecessary meeting may mean saying no to strategic planning. Accepting a low-value project may leave less time for your best customers, employees, family, health, or next big opportunity. Do not evaluate a project based only on how many hours it requires. Consider the mental energy, interruptions, follow-up work, travel, meetings, and recovery time it will consume. The true cost is often much larger than the calendar entry suggests. Say No Without Writing a Novel You do not need to deliver a courtroom defense every time you decline something. A clear, respectful response is enough. Try: “Thank you for thinking of me. I’m focusing on a few key priorities right now, so I’m not able to take this on.” Or: “I’m not the best person to lead this, but I may be able to suggest another resource.” Clear communication is kinder than a reluctant yes followed by delays, frustration, and mediocre work. Create a “Not Now” List Not every no needs to be permanent. Keep a list of interesting ideas that do not fit your current priorities. Review it quarterly. Some opportunities will become more relevant later. Others will lose their sparkle once the initial excitement fades. This prevents you from turning every good idea into an immediate obligation. Protect the Work That Creates Real Value Your time is not an empty shelf waiting to be filled. It is a limited resource that should be invested with intention. The goal is not to do more projects. It is to choose the projects that create the greatest impact. Sometimes the most productive sentence you can say is simply: “That sounds interesting, but it is not where I need to focus right now.” Because success is not built by squeezing everything into your schedule. It is built by making room for the right things.

Running a small business can feel like a daily game of financial Tetris. Just when payroll, marketing and equipment expenses finally fit together, another surprise drops from the sky. That is where grants can help. Unlike loans, grant funds generally do not have to be repaid. The catch? Competition can be fierce, deadlines arrive quickly and every program comes with its own eligibility maze. The good news is that several legitimate small-business grants are still accepting applications in 2026. Some offer serious cash, others combine funding with coaching or technical assistance, and several reopen every month. Grab your calendar. Here are 11 opportunities worth investigating before the year disappears in a puff of receipts. 1. Santander Cultivate Small Business Program Deadline: July 21, 2026 Food entrepreneurs should move this opportunity to the top of the menu. Santander’s Cultivate Small Business program is a free, 12-week virtual program for early-stage food businesses. Participants receive instruction, business-planning support and access to industry experts. Every participant who successfully completes the program receives a $2,500 grant, while exemplary graduates may qualify for awards of up to $20,000. Applicants must operate a U.S.-based food business that has been open for at least one year, employs between one and 10 full-time-equivalent employees and generated between $25,000 and $1 million during the previous calendar year. Apply for the Santander Cultivate Small Business Program 2. AT&T Small Business Contest Deadline: July 31, 2026 AT&T is offering one of the largest prizes on this list: a $50,000 small-business grant. The winner will also receive a year of AT&T service, a new device, mentorship resources and an opportunity to share the business’s story through AT&T content. Four runners-up will receive $5,000 each. Eligible businesses generally must have between one and five locations and no more than 99 full- or part-time employees. Only one entry may be submitted per business. Apply for the AT&T Small Business Contest 3. Melissa Washington Small Business Award Deadline: July 31, 2026 Women veterans can apply for up to $5,000 through the Melissa Washington Small Business Award. The annual award helps a woman veteran start or expand a business. The recipient may also receive coaching, a business assessment and additional recognition. Applicants must upload supporting materials, including a recent profit-and-loss statement or tax return and a professional headshot. Three finalists are expected to be announced in September. Apply for the Melissa Washington Small Business Award 4. Shophand Small Business Boost Grant Current deadline: August 1, 2026 Next application cycle: August 15 through December 1, 2026 The Shophand Small Business Boost Grant provides $5,000 in combined support: $2,500 in unrestricted cash and $2,500 in technical services. Those services may include help with artificial intelligence tools, automation, marketing, software setup, operations and creative projects. In other words, Shophand does not simply hand over a check and vanish into the entrepreneurial fog. Applicants must operate an active, U.S.-based for-profit business with fewer than 50 employees and less than $5 million in annual revenue. Solopreneurs may apply, and there is no application fee. Apply for the Shophand Small Business Boost Grant 5. Her Agenda Breakthrough Grant Deadline: September 18, 2026 The Her Agenda Breakthrough Grant will award $5,000 to a woman entrepreneur who is ready to move her operating business to its next major stage. The strongest applicants will be able to clearly explain the barrier standing between where their business is today and its next breakthrough. Applicants must also be active subscribers to the Her Agenda newsletter. The winner is scheduled to be announced in November 2026. Apply for the Her Agenda Breakthrough Grant 6. Secretsos Small Business Grant Current deadline: September 30, 2026Final 2026 deadline: December 31, 2026 Secretsos awards one $2,500 small-business grant each quarter. Applicants must be at least 21 years old and operate an active business registered within an eligible U.S. state or territory. The application asks owners to explain their business story, the need their company fills and exactly how the grant would support growth. Applications do not automatically carry forward. Businesses that are not selected must submit a new application during the next quarter. A $15 application fee applies. Apply for the Secretsos Small Business Grant 7. Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Grant Applications accepted throughout 2026 Verizon and the Local Initiatives Support Corporation are selecting 10 businesses each month to receive $10,000 grants from June through December 2026. To unlock the application, business owners must register for Verizon Small Business Digital Ready and complete any combination of two eligible courses or events. The training and application are free. Once submitted, the application remains eligible for future monthly selections through the end of the year. The program is open to eligible for-profit small businesses based in the United States, Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands. Eligible training must be completed by December 7, 2026. Register and apply for the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Grant 8. NASE Growth Grants Applications accepted throughout the year Members of the National Association for the Self-Employed can apply for grants of up to $4,000. The funding may be used for marketing, advertising, hiring, employee training, equipment, software, facility expansion and other defined business needs. Applications are reviewed quarterly. NASE membership is required, and monthly members generally must remain members for 90 days before applying. Certain annual membership levels may apply immediately. Apply for an NASE Growth Grant 9. Amber Grants for Women Deadline: Last day of each month WomensNet awards multiple $10,000 grants every month to women-owned businesses. The opportunities include a general Amber Grant, a Startup Grant and a rotating Business Category Grant. One application places an entrepreneur into consideration for every grant category that fits her business. Monthly recipients may also become eligible for one of three $50,000 year-end grants. Startups and established businesses may apply. WomensNet defines a startup as a business in the idea stage or one that has generated less than $10,000 in sales. A $15 application fee applies. Apply for an Amber Grant 10. HerRise MicroGrant Deadline: Last day of each month The HerRise MicroGrant provides financial assistance to women entrepreneurs creating innovative solutions that positively affect their communities. Applicants must operate a women-owned business registered in the United States with less than $1 million in gross revenue. Nonprofits, franchises, direct sellers, authorized resellers and independent consultants are not eligible. Applications close on the final day of each month, and a $15 administrative fee applies. Only selected recipients are notified. Apply for the HerRise MicroGrant 11. Freed Fellowship Grant Deadline: Last day of each month The Freed Fellowship selects one U.S. small-business owner each month to receive a $500 unrestricted grant. Monthly recipients also receive business feedback, strategy support, access to the Freed Studio business community and consideration for an additional $2,500 year-end grant. The opportunity is open to U.S. microbusiness and small-business owners, with a particular emphasis on entrepreneurs who have traditionally been underrepresented or overlooked. Applications must be received by midnight Eastern Time on the final day of the month. A $19 application fee applies. Apply for the Freed Fellowship Grant Before You Hit Submit Do not apply for every grant simply because it exists. Grant applications are not lottery tickets wearing business casual. Start with the opportunities that most closely match your industry, ownership background, business stage and current financial need. Then explain exactly what the funding will accomplish. Instead of writing, “This money will help us grow,” offer something concrete: “We will purchase a commercial freezer that increases production capacity by 40 percent.” “We will launch a six-month marketing campaign designed to attract 200 new customers.” “We will replace outdated software and save approximately 15 staff hours each week.” Specificity makes an application feel credible. It shows that you are not simply chasing money. You have a plan ready to put that money to work. Grant providers can change deadlines, funding amounts and eligibility rules, so review each program’s official application page before submitting. Then gather your numbers, polish your story and apply. Your business may not need a fairy godmother, but a well-timed $5,000 or $10,000 certainly would not hurt.

Being comfortably stuck is sneaky. It does not look like a crisis. It looks like a reliable paycheck, familiar coworkers, predictable responsibilities, and a job you no longer love but have become very good at tolerating. Nothing is technically wrong. You are simply bored, underused, and slowly becoming the human version of office furniture. The real danger is not that your career suddenly collapses. It is that it quietly shrinks while you keep telling yourself, “Maybe next year.” Career Regret Compounds Over Time A few months of playing it safe may not seem like a big deal. But months become years, and years have a funny way of collecting interest. While you stay comfortable: Your skills stop growing. Your confidence gets rusty. Your professional network stays small. New opportunities feel increasingly intimidating. People with less experience begin passing you. Then one day, someone announces a promotion, starts a business, or lands a role you once considered, and you think, “I could have done that.” You probably could have. Career regret rarely arrives with flashing lights. It sneaks in through Sunday-night dread, endless scrolling through job postings, and the sinking realization that you have been waiting for motivation instead of creating momentum. Comfort Is Not the Same as Fulfillment There is nothing wrong with stability. Stability pays the mortgage, keeps the lights on, and helps everyone sleep better. But comfort becomes a problem when it is really fear wearing sensible shoes. Ask yourself: Am I staying because this job supports the life I want, or because leaving feels uncomfortable? Those are very different answers. Fear is an excellent salesperson. It will convince you that applying for a new position is risky, asking for more responsibility is pushy, and pursuing something exciting should wait until you feel completely ready. Unfortunately, Completely Ready has left the building. You Do Not Have to Blow Up Your Life Getting unstuck does not require dramatically quitting, storming out of the office, or announcing that you are moving to Bali to sell handmade candles. Start smaller. Update your résumé. Take one course. Attend one networking event. Ask for a stretch assignment. Schedule a conversation about advancement. Apply for one job that makes you nervous in a good way. Then make another move next week. Small actions create evidence that you are capable of change. That evidence builds confidence. Confidence creates momentum. Also, stop waiting for someone else to discover your potential. Your boss may be wonderful, but they are not your career fairy godmother. Speak up. Ask questions. Share your goals. Tell people what you want to learn, lead, or build. Closed mouths rarely get promotions. Give Your Future Self Better Options You do not need to have your entire career mapped out. You only need to stop pretending that standing still is the same as being satisfied. Your next move may not be perfect. It may feel awkward. You may question whether you are qualified. Move anyway. Because the biggest career risk is not always leaving a comfortable position. Sometimes, it is staying so long that comfort becomes resentment, confidence becomes doubt, and “someday” quietly turns into “I wish I had.” Your career does not need a dramatic reinvention today. It just needs one honest step in the right direction.

You subscribed because the newsletters looked useful. Then they multiplied. Now your inbox is packed with business tips, industry updates, economic news, AI trends and articles you fully intended to read three Tuesdays ago. Instead of opening every email, you can turn Claude into your personal newsletter editor. What This Claude Hack Does Using Claude Cowork, you can connect your Gmail account and ask Claude to: Find newsletters received during the past 24 hours Summarize the most important stories Include headlines, publications and original links Organize everything into an easy-to-scan dashboard Automatically refresh the briefing each morning Claude’s Gmail connector can search and read emails using natural-language instructions. Claude Cowork can also run recurring tasks automatically, which is what transforms this from a one-time summary into a daily news briefing. How to Set It Up 1. Open Claude Cowork Sign in to Claude and select Cowork instead of starting a regular chat. Cowork is currently available with Claude’s paid plans, although availability across web and mobile may still be rolling out to some users. 2. Connect Your Email Open Customize, select Connectors and connect Gmail. You will be asked to sign in and approve Claude’s access. Once connected, Claude can search your newsletters, identify senders and read the email content needed to create your briefing. 3. Give Claude This Prompt Create a daily newsletter briefing using emails received during the past 24 hours. Include each publication’s name, headline, a two-sentence summary, the original email or article link and one key takeaway. Organize the briefing by topic and create a clean dashboard that can be filtered by publication. Schedule it to update every day at 9 a.m. Search complete email threads when necessary and confirm that current newsletters appear before finishing. You can also tell Claude which publications to include, which subjects matter most and how detailed you want each summary to be. For example, a small business owner might request categories such as: AI and technology Marketing ideas Small business news Grants and funding Leadership Local economic trends Claude can create the briefing as an interactive artifact, or simply deliver the summaries inside your chat. Inc.’s test of the workflow found that Claude could identify newsletter senders, build the dashboard, schedule its updates and verify the results. Make the Briefing More Useful Do not stop at “summarize my newsletters.” Ask Claude to flag: Stories that could affect your industry Ideas you could use in your business Deadlines or opportunities requiring action Trends appearing across multiple publications Articles worth reading in full That small change turns your briefing from a pile of miniature summaries into an intelligence report you can actually use. One Important Caution Connecting your inbox gives Claude access to information stored there, so review the permissions carefully and consider whether the account contains confidential business, financial or personal information. Anthropic says Claude accesses connected Google data when a request requires it, retrieves the information needed for that request and requires approval for actions. Retrieved connector data may remain associated with the Claude conversation until that chat is deleted. You may also need to fine-tune the prompt. Large inboxes, complicated searches or newsletters filed under unexpected Gmail categories can occasionally produce missing or incorrect results. Your Inbox Just Got an Editor Newsletters are supposed to keep you informed, not become a digital guilt collection. With one connector, a detailed prompt and a scheduled task, Claude can turn that cluttered inbox into a focused morning briefing. You get the ideas, opportunities and headlines worth knowing, without beginning every day on an email scavenger hunt.

You may not need a new wellness routine, expensive supplement or silent retreat to feel better. You may just need to help someone. A major meta-analysis examining 201 research samples from 126 studies found that helping others is linked to greater personal well-being. Even better, small, informal acts of kindness may deliver more benefits than scheduled or organized volunteering. Think simple: Buy someone a coffee. Compliment an employee. Check on a neighbor. Share a local business’s post. Send a quick “I appreciate you” message. Research suggests generosity activates areas of the brain associated with reward, connection and emotional processing. Kindness may also help reduce stress and strengthen resilience. Translation? Your brain likes being helpful. For business owners and community leaders, kindness is more than a feel-good gesture. It builds trust, boosts morale and makes people feel seen. And in a small town, one good deed rarely stays small. It travels through workplaces, storefronts, neighborhoods and conversations. So, the next time you need a mood boost, ask one question: Whose day can I make a little easier? You might improve two days at once.

Americans may be skipping the passport line this summer, but they are not skipping vacation. More travelers are trading expensive international trips for weekend getaways, day trips and destinations within driving distance. According to the Associated Press, small businesses in tourist communities are seeing more Americans vacation closer to home, although many are also watching their budgets by shortening trips, choosing affordable activities and occasionally cooking instead of dining out.

AI can write emails, analyze spreadsheets, create marketing campaigns and summarize a three-hour meeting before everyone has finished their coffee. But according to recent research from Microsoft and LinkedIn, the most valuable workers of the future may not be the people who act the most like machines. They will be the people who are exceptionally good at being human. The Future of Work Is Already Changing LinkedIn predicts that by 2030, approximately 70% of the skills used in most jobs will change, with AI acting as one of the biggest catalysts. The shift is already underway: Since 2022, the rate at which LinkedIn members add new skills to their profiles has increased by 140%. That sounds intimidating, but it does not necessarily mean every worker must suddenly become a programmer or AI engineer. Microsoft’s 2026 Work Trend Index found that AI is increasingly handling parts of the execution process, giving employees more room to direct projects, make decisions and take responsibility for outcomes. Microsoft calls this the “new agency equation”: As AI takes on more execution, people gain more capacity to shape the work. In other words, AI may help produce the work, but humans still need to decide: What problem should we solve? Is the information accurate? Does this recommendation make sense? How will this decision affect customers, employees and the community? What should happen next? Those questions require judgment, clarity and human understanding. The New Must-Have Skill Set Is Surprisingly Human LinkedIn CEO Ryan Roslansky has identified four human-centered abilities that are becoming more important as AI automates routine tasks: Curiosity. Courage. Communication. Compassion. These qualities have traditionally been called “soft skills,” but there is nothing soft about them. They help people navigate uncertainty, introduce new ideas, resolve conflict, earn trust and lead teams through change. Microsoft’s broader research supports the same conclusion. Job postings that mention AI skills are nearly twice as likely to also emphasize analytical thinking, resilience and digital literacy. As AI becomes more capable, human judgment becomes increasingly valuable, especially when people must work through ambiguity, evaluate different options or recognize opportunities that technology may overlook. The future-ready employee, then, is not simply someone who knows how to prompt an AI tool. It is someone who knows how to think, question, connect and lead while using that tool. What This Means for Small Businesses Small businesses may actually have an advantage in this new environment. Large companies can purchase sophisticated AI systems, but technology alone cannot manufacture a trusted reputation, a loyal team or a genuine relationship with customers. A local business owner who remembers a customer’s name, listens carefully to an employee’s concern or understands the personality of a community is using knowledge that cannot easily be downloaded into software. AI can draft a customer response. A person must decide whether it sounds sincere. AI can analyze sales data. A business owner must determine what the numbers mean for the company. AI can generate a strategic plan. A leader must inspire people to believe in it. That is where the human advantage lives. How Leaders Can Prepare Their Teams Businesses should absolutely teach employees how to use AI responsibly. But AI training should not stop with prompts, tools and automation. Leaders should also create opportunities for employees to strengthen critical thinking, communication, emotional intelligence and decision-making. Encourage team members to question AI-generated answers rather than accepting them automatically. Give employees opportunities to solve unfamiliar problems, lead conversations, present ideas and work across departments. Microsoft’s findings also show that individual effort is not enough. Organizational factors such as culture, manager support and talent practices account for twice the reported AI impact of individual effort alone. That means businesses cannot simply give employees an AI subscription and declare themselves transformed. They must build a culture where people are encouraged to experiment, learn, ask questions and share what works. The Most Human Businesses May Win the AI Era AI will continue to become faster, smarter and more capable. Businesses should embrace that progress. But as digital content becomes easier to create and routine tasks become easier to automate, trust, judgment and authentic connection may become even more valuable. The winning formula will not be humans versus AI. It will be humans who understand AI, use it confidently and bring something to the table that technology cannot replicate: curiosity, courage, communication and compassion. The tools may be artificial. The competitive advantage will remain unmistakably human.

Your morning yogurt may be doing more than helping your gut. A new Japanese study found that older men who ate plain probiotic yogurt daily, improved their diets and exercised moderately showed signs of slower biological aging after just 12 weeks. Researchers studied 48 overweight men between ages 50 and 74. One group followed a lifestyle program that included healthier eating, about 30 minutes of moderate exercise at least three times a week and 100 grams of yogurt containing the probiotic Bifidobacterium longum BB536 each day. The result? Their biological aging rate slowed by an estimated 2.2%, according to a DNA-based measurement called DunedinPACE. (Read the study) But before declaring yogurt the fountain of youth, there are a few caveats. The study was small, lasted only 12 weeks and combined yogurt with diet and exercise, so researchers cannot say yogurt alone caused the change. The study was also funded by Morinaga Milk Industry, and its authors worked for the company. Still, the takeaway is refreshingly simple: healthy aging may not require expensive supplements or complicated routines. Plain probiotic yogurt, better food choices and a regular walk could be a surprisingly powerful trio.

Your daily walk is already good for your heart, mood and overall health. But one small adjustment could make it even better for your brain: Walk a little faster. A long-term study published in the medical journal Neurology examined nearly 4,000 adults age 80 and older. Researchers found that the fastest walkers, nicknamed “super movers,” were about 50 percent less likely to develop cognitive decline than slower walkers of the same age and sex. Walking may look simple, but it requires your brain to coordinate balance, vision, attention, movement and muscle strength. That is why researchers increasingly view walking speed as an important clue about a person’s overall physical and neurological health. The findings do not prove that walking faster prevents dementia. Faster walkers may already have healthier hearts, stronger muscles or better brain health. Still, the research adds to growing evidence that regular aerobic activity can support memory and cognitive function. No Speed-Walking Medal Required You do not have to turn your neighborhood stroll into an Olympic event. Try walking at your normal pace for a few minutes, then pick up the speed for 30 to 60 seconds. Return to your usual pace and repeat the pattern a few times. A brisk pace should increase your breathing and heart rate while still allowing you to carry on a conversation. Researchers also recommend tracking changes in your own walking speed over time instead of comparing yourself with other people. A noticeable slowdown could be connected to changes in balance, strength, mobility or overall health. One Small Change, Big Potential Protecting your brain does not always require expensive supplements or complicated routines. Sometimes, it may begin with the walking shoes already sitting by your door. Take the walk. Enjoy the fresh air. And when it feels safe and comfortable, add a little more pep to your step. Your brain may thank you for it.