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In the heart of Aceh province in northwestern Sumatra, the Ketiara Cooperative, led by the remarkable Ibu Rahmah, is facing a crisis unfolding as we speak. This community of women-led farmers was devastated by the rare Cyclone Senyar over the Thanksgiving weekend, which caused catastrophic mudslides. Farms have been decimated, homes destroyed, and two vital bridges have been washed away, isolating entire villages and cutting off access to essentials like food, clean water, and electricity. Hundreds of people have died and hundreds more are still missing in their worst natural disaster since the 2004 tsunami. Grace Farms, a cultural and humanitarian center in New Canaan, Connecticut, is the home of Grace Farms Tea & Coffee, a nonprofit-owned Certified B-Corp dedicated to ethical sourcing and giving back 100% of profits to end forced and child labor. Right now, were turning that mission into immediate action through the Sumatra Resilience and Rebuilding Fund. Our partnership with the Ketiara Cooperative goes beyond procurement; it is a promise of mutual support. For now, each bag of Ketiara coffee sold provides $5 for essential relief: generators to restore electricity, Starlink internet access to break the isolation, and essential food supplies to sustain the most affected. COFFEE LINKS THE COMMUNITY But as we look ahead, this is not just an investment in resilience; its an acknowledgment that the road to recovery will be long. Within that journey, there lies an opportunity. Its a chance for all of us to be part of rebuilding not just what was lost, but what can be stronger and more sustainable. This is where we can reimagine recovery as rebuilding the future, deeply connected to community values. We often forget that a simple cup of coffee links us all. That cup is a bridge from our lives to the hands of farmers like these women in Sumatra, who cultivate the beans we enjoy every day. In moments of crisis, were reminded that were all connected by these global threads of community and care. Every contribution is not just about aidits about honoring the human connections that sustain us and using this moment to build a future that reflects our shared values. We invite everyone to be part of this model of micro-philanthropy. With every cup of coffee, youre contributing not just to immediate relief, but to a vision of a world where rebuilding means innovating for a better future. This is the essence of Grace Farms Tea & Coffee: a commitment to support our partners and to help reimagine how we all come together to create lasting change. Adam Thatcher is CEO and cofounder of Grace Farms Tea & Coffee.
Category:
E-Commerce
President Donald Trumps handpicked board voted Thursday to rename Washingtons leading performing arts center as the Trump-Kennedy Center, the White House said. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced the vote on social media, saying it was because of the unbelievable work President Trump has done over the last year in saving the building. Not only from the standpoint of its reconstruction, but also financially, and its reputation. Trump, a Republican who’s chairman of the board, often refers to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, which is named for a Democratic predecessor, as the Trump Kennedy Center. Asked on Dec. 7 as he walked the red carpet for the Kennedy Center Honors program whether he would rename the venue after himself, Trump said such a decision would be up to the board. Earlier this month, Trump talked about a big event on Friday at the Trump Kennedy Center before saying, excuse me, at the Kennedy Center, as his audience laughed. He was referring to the FIFA World Cup soccer draw for 2026, in which he participated. A name change wont sit well with some Kennedy family members. Maria Shriver, a niece of John F. Kennedy, referred to the legislation introduced in Congress to rebrand the Kennedy Center as the Donald J. Trump Center for the Performing Arts as insane in a social media post in July. It makes my blood boil. Its so ridiculous, so petty, so small minded, she wrote. Truly, what is this about? Its always about something. Lets get rid of the Rose Garden. Lets rename the Kennedy Center. Whats next? Trump earlier this year turned the Kennedy-era Rose Garden at the White House into a patio by removing the lawn and laying down paving stones. Another Kennedy family member, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., serves in Trumps Cabinet as secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. Darlene Superville, Associated Press
Category:
E-Commerce
Americas small businesses are the backbone of our economy. They create two-thirds of new jobs, power innovation, and anchor communities across the country. But that backbone is under real strain. Rising healthcare costs dominate the headlines, but whats missing from the conversation is how deeply they impact the small businesses that keep our economy running. At Gusto, we see this strain firsthand. Our latest Small Business Jobs Report showed hiring slowed in November as owners continue to navigate higher costs and uncertainty. Rising healthcare premiums arent the only challenge, but theyre making it that much harder to grow and hire with confidence. Since 2022, small business health insurance costs have climbed 23% since 2022far faster than inflation or wage growth. For the smallest employers, those with just two to five employees, the increase is even steeper: up 18%, reaching nearly $8,500 per worker. Looking ahead to 2026, premiums are projected to rise another 9.5%, the sharpest jump in 15 years. Those numbers have real consequences. They show up in delayed hires, scaled-back hours, or founders skipping their own coverage to keep their team insured. SMALL BUSINESSES ARE HOLDING THE LINE Despite the pressure, small businesses are doing everything they can to support their people. More than one in five small employers still offer health insurance. This is a clear reflection of how much they value their teams. That investment pays off. Gustos data shows that employees with health coverage are 25% less likely to quit in their first year, and businesses that offer it are 13% more likely to report no difficulty hiring. Healthcare isnt just a benefitits a competitive advantage and retention tool for these small businesses. That said, its also becoming unsustainable. Every year, more small business owners are forced into impossible choices. They can keep offering coverage and absorb higher costs, drop it and risk losing the people who make their business work, or pass more of the expense on to employees, who may already be feeling stretched. A HIDDEN HEADWIND FOR ENTREPRENEURS Entrepreneurship in America is thriving. More people are starting businesses now than at any point in recent history. But rising healthcare costs are creating a new kind of barrier: They make it harder to start, grow, or hire. For many would-be founders, leaving a traditional job means losing access to affordable coverage. That doesnt always stop them, but it adds risk and limits what they can do once they start. Some stay solo longer than they want to. Others delay hiring. Some take on extra work to cover premiums. In other words, healthcare isnt necessarily halting entrepreneurship, but its most certainly holding it back. Its keeping too many small business owners from growing to their full potential. HOW SMALL BUSINESSES ARE ADAPTING The good news is that small business owners are incredibly resourceful. Theyre rethinking what benefits look like and finding creative ways to offer support. Many are experimenting with level-funded plans, high-deductible options paired with Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), and Health Reimbursement Arrangements that let employees choose coverage that fits their needs. Others are expanding voluntary benefits like dental, vision, or mental health programs that provide real value without breaking the bank. At Gusto, we help small employers find the right mixbecause the best benefits strategy isnt one-size-fits-all. Flexibility and innovation are key. THE SOLUTION: FLEXIBILITY, POLICY, AND INNOVATION Small businesses cant solve this challenge on their own. The U.S. healthcare system was built around large employers, not the millions of small business owners and self-employed workers who drive todays economy. Its time to modernize that system so healthcare is portable, affordable, and built to support entrepreneurship. Congress already has practical solutions within reach. Lawmakers can codify and strengthen Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements, which give employers flexibility to help workers buy their own coverage. A temporary tax credit for small businesses offering these plans for the first time would make coverage more affordable and expand access quickly. Congress can also expand HSA eligibility to include Affordable Care Act Bronze and catastrophic plans, giving small employers and their teams the same tax advantages that large companies enjoy. If we want small businesses to keep creating jobs, serving their communities, and fueling our economy, we need to make healthcare affordable for the people behind them. Tomer London is cofounder and chief product officer of Gusto.
Category:
E-Commerce
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