Posts by Doug Hughes

Arizona Small Businesses Grapple with Tariffs, Labor Shortages, and Water Woes Small businesses in Arizona, from family-run shops to tech startups, are hitting roadblocks that threaten their bottom lines. Owners face a tangle of challenges: looming tariffs, stubborn labor shortages, and a worsening water crisis, all while navigating a shifting regulatory landscape. Despite pockets of…

Small Business Challenges Solutions: Breaking the Pain Point Cycle for Sustainable Growth Every small business owner knows the feeling: just when you solve one problem, three more pop up. What many don’t realize is that their biggest challenges aren’t isolated issues—they’re part of an interconnected web that can either trap businesses in a cycle of…

The Ultimate Guide to Influencer Marketing How to Find, Connect With, and Partner With Influencers to Grow Your Small Business Table of Contents 1. What is Influencer Marketing and Why It Works 2. Types of Influencers and What They Cost 3. Finding the Right Influencers for Your Business 4. How to Approach and Connect With…

The Small Business Partnership Advantage: How Strategic Alliances Drive Growth When Aileen’s bakery was struggling to compete with chain stores in her neighborhood, she made a decision that transformed her business overnight. Instead of trying to outspend the big players on marketing, she partnered with three local businesses: a coffee roaster, an event planner, and…

Chamber Membership: Community Impact Beyond Profit The Power of Giving Without Expecting Why do people volunteer? Across the globe, volunteers give their time, energy, and even their own money—whether it’s for missionary work, international service programs, or local causes. There’s no paycheck, no financial windfall, yet they return year after year, some for decades. Why?…

How to transform seasonal slumps and weather woes into your biggest competitive advantages The Sedona Paradox: Paradise with a Profit Problem You know the drill. Spring and fall bring the crowds, the cash, and the chaos. Summer scorches your hiking tours into dust, while winter turns your jeep adventures into frozen misery. Meanwhile, your fixed…