American Dream

Statement by SBA Administrator Guzman on President Biden’s State of the Union Address

Retrieved on: 
Friday, March 8, 2024

The President’s leadership on an unrivaled economic recovery and investments in America’s entrepreneurs have delivered the three strongest years of new business applications on record.

Key Points: 
  • The President’s leadership on an unrivaled economic recovery and investments in America’s entrepreneurs have delivered the three strongest years of new business applications on record.
  • “A central tenet of this Administration’s Investing in America agenda is its commitment to investing in all of America’s entrepreneurs.
  • Small businesses like those owned by two of the First Lady’s guests, entrepreneurs Rashawn Spivey and Natalie King, are the heartbeat of our communities.
  • They create two-thirds of net new jobs and generate 40 percent of our nation’s economic output.

Racial Minority Groups Increased Their Homeownership Rates While Still Facing Significant Homebuying Challenges

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 20, 2024

While homeownership rates improved across all racial and ethnic groups over the past decade, the homeownership rate among Black individuals continues to trail at 44.1%.

Key Points: 
  • While homeownership rates improved across all racial and ethnic groups over the past decade, the homeownership rate among Black individuals continues to trail at 44.1%.
  • Homeownership rates for racial minorities increased in 2022, with Asian and Hispanic Americans achieving historic peaks.
  • Despite these advancements, disparities persist among racial and ethnic groups, notably with Black homeownership lagging.
  • Despite fast-rising mortgage rates, minority groups saw increased homeownership rates in 2022.

Sunstone, ALC Launch Dream Run, Moving Irvine Forward

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, March 5, 2024

It’s called the Dream Run – Moving Irvine Forward.

Key Points: 
  • It’s called the Dream Run – Moving Irvine Forward.
  • The first is the Irvine Tech Week 5K, followed by the FirstGen Color Run.
  • The second annual Irvine Tech Week, April 16-21, brings together entrepreneurs, investors, accelerators and other experts to showcase the thriving ecosystem of Irvine.
  • The FirstGen Color Run, a concept created by John Shen, celebrates the Irvine Dream.

Wendy and Erik Skaalerud of Big Blue Swim School Awarded Franchisee of the Year by International Franchise Association

Retrieved on: 
Monday, February 19, 2024

The International Franchise Association (IFA) named Wendy and Erik Skaalerud, franchise partners of Big Blue Swim School in Centennial, Colorado, as 2023 Franchisees of the Year.

Key Points: 
  • The International Franchise Association (IFA) named Wendy and Erik Skaalerud, franchise partners of Big Blue Swim School in Centennial, Colorado, as 2023 Franchisees of the Year.
  • The Skaaleruds were honored at the 64th IFA Annual Convention in Phoenix, Ariz., for being outstanding franchise establishment owner-operators.
  • “From pioneering the way as our very first franchisees in a challenging market to nurturing a vibrant workforce rooted in shared values, Wendy and Erik truly exemplify entrepreneurial spirit at its finest,” says Chris DeJong, President and Founder of Big Blue Swim School.
  • At Big Blue, its people make a big difference, and leaders like Wendy and Erik are crucial for serving as ambassadors of the brand’s mission and values in each of its communities.

Our nation must advance industries of the future or risk losing the race for the 21st century

Retrieved on: 
Friday, March 8, 2024

Today, the U.S. risks losing the race in global competitiveness, innovation and national security if we fail to double down in our commitment to accelerating technological innovation for a strong future.

Key Points: 
  • Today, the U.S. risks losing the race in global competitiveness, innovation and national security if we fail to double down in our commitment to accelerating technological innovation for a strong future.
  • It's also a once-in-a-generation workforce development opportunity for the nation's advanced industries to address their glaring needs for STEM and technician talent.
  • Of unfilled new positions, a sizeable portion are skilled technicians with two-year degrees and additional on-the-job "earn and learn" training such as apprenticeships.
  • If we don't leverage this landmark opportunity, we will lose the race for the 21st century.

FGA Launches "Trashed Ballots" Video Highlighting How Ranked-choice Voting Threatens Election Integrity

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, March 7, 2024

NAPLES, Fla., March 7, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The Foundation for Government Accountability (FGA) launched a new explainer video as part of a nationwide effort to educate voters and policymakers about ranked-choice voting and the voter confusion, disenfranchisement, and errors that come with it.

Key Points: 
  • The Foundation for Government Accountability (FGA) launched a new explainer video as part of a nationwide effort to educate voters and policymakers about the negative effects of ranked-choice voting.
  • "Ranked-choice voting is the Left's latest scheme to undermine election integrity, and it's part of an accelerating, coordinated push to remake the American voting system into something more easily manipulated and abused," said Victoria Eardley , Marketing Director at the Foundation for Government Accountability.
  • "We need to make sure that voters and policymakers understand how this unAmerican voting scheme really works so it doesn't spread any further."
  • To learn more about FGA's solutions to stop ranked-choice voting, visit our ranked-choice voting microsite .

Shawna Hicks-Cranston of PostNet Lakewood Ranch Awarded Franchisee of the Year by International Franchise Association

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 6, 2024

DENVER, March 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- PostNet , a global leader in high-quality printing and shipping solutions, announced today that the International Franchise Association (IFA) named its franchisee, Shawna Hicks-Cranston, owner of PostNet of Lakewood Ranch in Lakewood Ranch, Florida, as a 2023 Franchisee of the Year.

Key Points: 
  • DENVER, March 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- PostNet , a global leader in high-quality printing and shipping solutions, announced today that the International Franchise Association (IFA) named its franchisee, Shawna Hicks-Cranston, owner of PostNet of Lakewood Ranch in Lakewood Ranch, Florida, as a 2023 Franchisee of the Year.
  • "Franchisees of the Year exemplify what franchising is all about – providing opportunity, serving others, and fulfilling the American Dream," said Matthew Haller, President and CEO of the International Franchise Association.
  • PostNet was a perfect fit, and Shawna now runs the PostNet of Lakewood Ranch with her amazing team.
  • "Shawna has also personally been influential in the strategic growth of the PostNet brand serving as chair for our Franchise Advisory Committee.

Rich Schepler of AlphaGraphics South Charlotte Awarded Franchisee of the Year by International Franchise Association

Retrieved on: 
Monday, March 4, 2024

DENVER, March 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- AlphaGraphics , a leading franchisor of printing and marketing solutions, proudly announces that its South Charlotte, North Carolina franchisee, Rich Schepler, was named 2023 Franchisee of the Year by the International Franchise Association (IFA).

Key Points: 
  • DENVER, March 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- AlphaGraphics , a leading franchisor of printing and marketing solutions, proudly announces that its South Charlotte, North Carolina franchisee, Rich Schepler, was named 2023 Franchisee of the Year by the International Franchise Association (IFA).
  • Schepler was honored at the 64th IFA Annual Convention in Phoenix, Arizona for being an outstanding franchise establishment owner-operator.
  • "Franchisees of the Year exemplify what franchising is all about – providing opportunity, serving others, and fulfilling the American Dream," said Matthew Haller, President and CEO of the International Franchise Association.
  • The Franchisee of the Year Award recognizes leading franchise owners from IFA member brands whose outstanding performance and contributions help protect, enhance, and promote the franchise business model.

RackNerd Named Among Fastest-Growing Companies in 2024 Inc. 5000 Regionals Pacific List

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 29, 2024

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif., Feb. 28, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Inc. magazine today revealed that RackNerd LLC is No. 58 on its fourth annual Inc. 5000 Regionals: Pacific list, the most prestigious ranking of the fastest-growing Pacific private companies, based in California, Oregon, Washington, Hawaii, Alaska. Born of the annual Inc. 5000 franchise, this regional list represents a unique look at the most successful companies within the Pacific economy's most dynamic segment – its independent small businesses.

Key Points: 
  • Companies on the 2024 Inc. 5000 Regionals: Pacific list had an average growth rate of 162.77 percent.
  • 58 on its fourth annual Inc. 5000 Regionals: Pacific list, the most prestigious ranking of the fastest-growing Pacific private companies, based in California, Oregon, Washington, Hawaii, Alaska.
  • "Distinguishing ourselves as one of the fastest growing companies on the Inc. 5000 Regionals 2024 list is a significant milestone that showcases our rapid growth and dedication to excellence within the IaaS industry," said Dustin B. Cisneros, CEO of RackNerd.
  • Complete results of the Inc. 5000 Regionals: Pacific, including company profiles, can be found at inc.com/Pacific starting February 27, 2024.

U.S. Presidential Hopeful Jason Palmer Becomes First Candidate to Release Talking AI-Powered Version of Himself

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, February 28, 2024

The Palmer for President campaign's immersive, interactive, visual, and audio-powered AI is on Palmer's campaign's website at https://palmerforpresident.us .

Key Points: 
  • The Palmer for President campaign's immersive, interactive, visual, and audio-powered AI is on Palmer's campaign's website at https://palmerforpresident.us .
  • This cutting-edge experience allows voters to engage directly with the candidate's opinions and ideas in a unique and personalized way.
  • The Palmer For President campaign also launched a compelling new video highlighting the importance and risks of AI, and showcasing Jason Palmer's extensive digital pedigree.
  • The Palmer for President campaign invites voters, supporters, and the media to explore https://palmerforpresident.us and experience a new era of political engagement.