Guest commentary: A smarter approach to retirement plans
By Ana Ake For many business owners, offering a 401(k) or 403(b) plan is part of the benefits package — a necessary tool to attract and retain talent. What often gets overlooked is that sponsoring a retirement plan comes with significant fiduciary and regulatory responsibility. In today’s environment, that responsibility carries real risk. But it Read More →
Guest commentary: The AI jobs debate is missing the point
By Vlad Vaiman The conversation about artificial intelligence and employment has hardened into two opposing camps. Optimists promise a productivity renaissance — a future where AI handles the drudgework and humans are freed to do their best thinking. Pessimists warn of mass displacement, of entire professions rendered obsolete, of an economy that simply stops needing Read More →
Guest commentary: How small businesses build stronger, more scalable operations in a digital-first economy
By Jodi Duva National Small Business Week is an opportunity to celebrate the resilience and impact of small businesses in our Santa Barbara community. It’s also a moment to pause and reflect on the realities these businesses face as they grow in an increasingly digital-first economy Today’s small businesses — 36.2 million strong by U.S. Read More →
Guest commentary: Working while grieving
By Gerhard Apfelthaler I have recently lost a son in a car accident, and — naturally — I was quickly faced with a few harsh realities. While this is not the place to share personal pain, I have started to deal with questions about being a grieving father while also having responsibilities as a leader Read More →
Guest commentary: Why most family businesses aren’t prepared for transition
By Bryan Esarco Nearly six million small to midsize businesses will be ready for transfer by 2035, according to Forbes. Being prepared is the first part of the sale process; are you and your family ready? Here, I share what can create roadblocks to the transition and provide an action plan to mitigate them. WHAT DOES Read More →
Guest commentary: There’s always a bull market somewhere
By John Grace For years, investors were told one simple story: own U.S. stocks, add bonds, and relax. That worked, until leadership changed and the script flipped. In 2025, U.S. equities delivered solid gains, with the S&P 500 up in the mid-to-high teens. Not bad. But international markets didn’t just participate, they outperformed. The MSCI Read More →
Guest commentary: Tips for navigating Middle Market M&A in 2026
By Greg Bland & Luiz Vilera Anticipation is building for another dynamic year in global mergers and acquisitions (M&A). According to a January 2026 Boston Consulting Group report, global M&A values climbed 31% between 2024 and 2025 to reach $3 trillion, with 33,000 majority M&A deals closing last year. Much of that activity occurred in the second Read More →
