(Erin Culek, Head of Financial Protection and Retirement Solutions, Guardian) - For many Americans, the traditional picture of retirement is no longer. Gone is the long-viewed notion of retirement being about reaching a milestone birthday or a defined transition out of the workforce. Rather, today’s retirement is flexible and personal.

While exciting, a redefined retirement has led to some surprises and challenges for Americans. Many subsequently feel unprepared. With the support of a financial consultant, however, individuals can navigate this new retirement landscape with confidence, defining retirement on their own terms and in a way that accounts for their unique financial, health, and lifestyle needs.

Here’s what you need to know.

How longevity is impacting retirement

As Americans live longer, they are eager to make the most of their retirement years. At the same time, however, longevity and an extended retirement are impacting Americans’ mental, physical, and financial health.

According to a new report from Guardian, 54% of retirees say they are in good financial health, providing them with the financial freedom to pursue passions, travel to dream destinations, or spend quality time with family. To fund a longer retirement, however, 73% of people say they plan to continue working part-time in retirement.

Enjoying a longer retirement also means staying physically healthy. Unfortunately, only 39% of current workers and 40% of retirees rate their health as very good or excellent. Overall, 47% of retirees thought they’d be in better health in retirement.

Longevity also impacts Americans’ mental and emotional wellness. Although 60% of retirees say they have good mental health, 34% said they didn’t expect to feel so bored or miss their careers. Additionally, 27% were surprised by how lonely they feel or by how little time they are spending with family in retirement.

Getting the guidance you need

To support their well-being in retirement, many retirees and workers are taking a close look at their planning strategies. One in five retirees have regrets about how they’ve prepared for retirement. With future lifespan anticipated to increase, today’s workers are even more concerned—40% say they have regrets about how they’ve prepared financially for retirement.

As Americans live and work longer, more education about retirement income sources is needed. For example, despite Americans saying their top financial concerns are not having enough money to last through retirement and not having a source of guaranteed income in retirement, just 30% of workers know that annuities can provide guaranteed income for life. Younger workers face similar education gaps. Despite a steep decline in the number of workers with access to a pension, 55% of Gen Z expect to use a pension in retirement.

Despite the complexity of modern retirement, fewer than half of retirees (48%) and current workers (40%) have sought guidance from a financial consultant. When workers and retirees did work with a financial consultant, research showed they were much more likely to say they are on track for retirement than those who don’t.

Connecting with a financial consultant can help Americans take charge of their retirement—no matter how long it lasts. Financial consultants can provide support in countless ways, including:

• Exploring multiple retirement scenarios: Eighty-four percent of people expect to retire at a specific age, but only 52% actually retired when they thought they would. A financial consultant can help you understand potential retirement timelines and how to plan for various scenarios.
• Evaluating retirement income options: With almost half of Americans worried about having a guaranteed source of income in retirement, a financial consultant can help you assess options such as annuities that can play an important role in retirement planning. The only product on the private marketplace that can provide guaranteed income for life, annuities can help diversify a retirement portfolio and offer a range of potential benefits, from protection against market loss to tax-deferred growth.
• Considering future mental and physical health needs: Given that nearly half of retirees said they thought they would be healthier than they actually are in retirement, a financial consultant can offer insight on how to help address these factors through planning, particularly amid rising healthcare costs.

The bottom line

In the years to come, what it means to be retired—and how to prepare for this chapter—is only going to continue to evolve. Whether your retirement is on the horizon or still decades away, working with a financial consultant can help you approach the planning journey with confidence to support your mental, physical, and financial wellness over the long term.

To learn more, visit http://www.guardianlife.com/reports/retirement-redefined.

8468243.1 (10/27)

All guarantees are backed exclusively by the strength and claims paying ability of the issuing insurance company.

(NewsUSA) - As the first signs of the holiday season appear across America, the Marine Toys for Tots Program is rallying the Nation’s compassion. With the launch of its 78th annual Holiday Campaign, this cherished tradition renews its mission to deliver not just gifts, but hope, dignity, and joy to millions of children living in poverty.

From October 1st through December 25th, U.S. Marines, Local Community Organizations (LCOs), and thousands of dedicated volunteers will unite in nearly 880 local Toys for Tots chapters across all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Their shared goal is simple yet profound: to ensure that no child wakes up forgotten on Christmas morning.

When nearly 40% of American children live in households struggling to make ends meet, holiday joy can feel heartbreakingly out of reach. For many families, warmth, stability, and even play have become luxuries. Toys for Tots stands ready to provide holiday hope—one toy, one book, one act of kindness at a time.

Toys for Tots recognized National Child Poverty Day on October 17th, a day to remember that behind every statistic is a child who deserves to feel seen and valued. Through the collective generosity of communities nationwide, Toys for Tots delivers far more than toys—together with our donors and volunteers, we deliver hope, emotional relief, and a belief in a brighter future.

“Bringing the magic of Christmas to children in need takes a united effort,” says LtGen James B. Laster, USMC (Retired), CEO of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. “When we hear of a family facing hardship, our Marines and volunteers rise to the occasion—working tirelessly to make sure no child is left without hope and joy during Christmastime.”

Last year alone, Toys for Tots distributed more than 30 million toys, books, and gifts to nearly 13 million children—the largest outreach in the Program’s history, but the need remains urgent. More families are reaching out, with parents working multiple jobs just to put food on the table and praying for a Christmas miracle. That’s when the spirit of Toys for Tots comes alive—when ordinary people transform hardship into holiday magic.

That magic found its way to three-year-old Nico, who had one simple wish: a “doggy.” After losing their home, Nico and his mother, Mira, were living out of a car. “I felt like the world’s worst mom,” Mira said. “We had no home, no presents—how could I possibly give him a dog?”

Thanks to the compassion of donors and the swift efforts of local volunteers, Nico awoke on Christmas morning to find a walkable toy dog and a book about dog breeds. “I hadn’t seen him smile like that since we lost our home,” Mira recalled. “That night, he fell asleep holding the toy in his arms.”

For a child in crisis, a toy isn’t just a gift—it’s a message that says you are loved and remembered, and that your dreams matter.

Throughout this holiday season, Toys for Tots reminds every American that the smallest act of giving can change a life. You can help create more moments like Nico’s—where a child’s smile says everything.

To learn more or make a donation, visit toysfortots.org.

(NewsUSA) - Commercial auto insurance and fleet safety are meeting the demands of modern-day risk management by analyzing telematics, but more work is needed to optimize this information and put it into action in the industry, according to results of a new report from SambaSafety, the leading provider of cloud-based driver risk management solutions.

Telematics is used by commercial insurers to capture driving patterns from telematics devices their fleet customer use, such as visibility into riskier driving such as speed, mileage, and braking— empowering insurers to collaborate with fleets on tailored coverage and proactive risk consulting strategies.

The 2025 SambaSafety Telematics Report: Uncovering Market Dynamics and Technology Trends, shows that telematics is front and center in the risk and safety ecosystem, according to SambaSafety CEO Matt Scheuing.

“The current state of commercial auto reflects an industry under strain, but also one on the edge of transformation, with telematics at the center,” said Matt Scheuing, CEO of SambaSafety. “When fleets and insurers connect through shared data and trust, we move closer to a market that prevents losses instead of reacting to them. 

“At SambaSafety, we’re closing that gap for millions of drivers through our Risk Cloud, integrating telematics, court, DOT and claims data to deliver actionable insights and targeted training—through our newly enhanced driver app. With our SambaSafety Verified program, we’re also helping insurers identify and reward fleets that actively manage risk. Together, these advancements represent the next step in connecting our customers through shared data, smarter insights and measurable safety outcomes.” 

The new report includes survey responses from industries including trucking & transportation, construction, energy, utilities, government, and healthcare. SambaSafety collected responses from 152 individuals from fleets, 180 insurance brokers and 70 insurance carriers, all based in North America, in June and July 2025.

Overall, 88% of fleets reported using telematics for safety reasons, and 95% considered driver training important.

However, the complexity of the data and technical challenges of integration were mentioned often as barriers to using telematics more widely in optimizing insurance.

Nearly two-thirds (66%) of fleets said that “interpreting or acting on the data” was a challenge, and 58% of fleet drivers said that linking drivers to their data remains an operational concern.

Telematics data is reshaping relationships between commercial fleets and insurers, but there is room for improvement in collaboration, according to the SambaSafety survey. Although 41% of fleets reported that use of telematics lowered their insurance premiums, 70% of fleets rarely interact with insurers around telematics, creating a gap in shared innovation and risk reduction. When insurers initiate telematics discussions, fleets report strong partnership in risk reduction—yet 79% of non-engaged fleets say that outreach never happens.

The 2025 SambaSafety Telematics Report: Uncovering Market Dynamics and Technology Trends is available for download. For more information and to access the report, visit sambasafety.com.

(NewsUSA) - A Michigan university unveils SOAR^™, a new smartphone-based degree program that brings college within reach for busy adults — at half the cost.

For millions of adults, finishing college was never about ability — it was about circumstances. Jobs, family responsibilities and rising tuition costs often forced higher education onto the back burner.

About 750 adults leave college every day in the United States. Most don’t fail academically; they simply run out of time, money, or both. For those who still dream of completing their degrees, the barriers can feel insurmountable.

That’s where the SOAR™ by Cornerstone University app comes in. 

Launched in 2025, SOAR is the nation’s first fully accredited bachelor’s degree designed to be completed entirely on a smartphone. The program currently offers a Bachelor of Science in strategic business management, preparing students with leadership and business skills employers consistently demand.

SOAR stands out for three reasons. It’s half the cost of the average accredited business degree, making it one of the most affordable in the nation. It’s flexible, with new classes starting every two weeks and lessons delivered in short, smartphone-ready modules so students can learn on the go. And it’s respected, carrying full accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission.

For adults in the workforce, that means finishing a degree without stepping away from their jobs or families. For many parents, SOAR also removes the difficult choice between investing in their children’s tuition and finally finishing their own. With radically affordable tuition, both become possible.

“For too long, adults who wanted to go back to school were forced to choose between their education and their responsibilities,” said Dr. Gerson Moreno-Riaño, president of Cornerstone University. “SOAR was built to remove those barriers — it’s a degree that works with your life, not against it.”

Take Alicia, a single mom in Michigan who enrolled this year. “I like to SOAR when I’m getting ready in the morning and driving to work,” she said. “I often log into the SOAR app after dinner when my little one is settled or in bed.”

Her story reflects the core mission of SOAR. It makes higher education accessible to those who thought the door had closed.

With looming retirements creating leadership gaps in the workforce, programs like SOAR aren’t just helping individuals — they’re preparing the next generation of business leaders. And this is just the start. New disciplines and advanced degrees are already in development, expanding options for learners who wish to continue their studies beyond a bachelor’s degree.

For adults ready to reclaim their dream of finishing college, SOAR offers a path forward: half the cost, fully accredited, and designed for real life.

Learn more about SOAR^™ by Cornerstone University at go.cornerstone.edu/SOAR1.

(NewsUSA) - Over the next two decades, more than $84 trillion in wealth is expected to transfer from Baby Boomers to younger generations.

This so-called "Great Wealth Transfer" marks the largest intergenerational handoff of wealth in history. The question is: are families truly prepared?

Without proper planning, this wealth can be lost in a generation. Data shows 70 percent of families lose a portion of their wealth due to interfamilial conflict, with nearly 60 percent of estates ending up under court control because of improper estate planning. 

This intergenerational wealth transfer puts familial relationships under unprecedented strain, heightened in today's globalized and blended family structures, where cross-border assets and multiple marriages add new legal and emotional elements.

Blended families and ones with estranged members face particularly challenges, with inheritance issues often magnified in households with ex-spouses, new partners, or children from previous marriages. 

More than half of wills are contested among these families. Disputes can arise when surviving spouses are granted significant control or perceived favoritism creates resentment among heirs.

Inheritance battles among heirs aren't the only risk. Older, high-net-worth individuals may find themselves vulnerable to manipulation. Potential heirs may exploit weakened relationships or unclear succession plans to access wealth prematurely – or even take control of family businesses.

While Rupert Murdoch's high-profile legal dispute with his children ended well for him in protecting his empire and succession plan, the ongoing legal case involving another media mogul, Polish billionaire Zygmunt Solorz illustrates the complexities at play. Solorz is entangled in a dispute with his three children over control of his media empire. 

Court filings suggest that the billionaire was manipulated by his children into initiating a premature succession process, exploiting the company's financial holdings in Liechtenstein and engaging in a hostile takeover of his business - leading to a continuous decline in stock prices and harming shareholders.

While these two examples involve ultra wealthy individuals, the cases serve as a warning to baby boomers on the importance of wealth management and asset protection to prevent interfamilial conflict especially for family businesses from Wall Street to Main Street.

Improper handling can fracture families, derail business empires, and lead to significant loss in generational wealth. 

With the Great Wealth Transfer underway, thoughtful, professional, and forward-looking preparation is needed to protect assets, preserve relationships and legacies across generations. 

(NewsUSA) - One in four students in the United States today is Hispanic. Yet, despite this growing presence, Latino families are still underrepresented in many states' public and private school choice programs. In most cases, we don’t even know by how much.

From the limited demographic data available, including a recent analysis by Conoce tus Opciones Escolares and Child Trends, we can see one clear trend: where states do report, Hispanic families are often underrepresented. When it comes to private school scholarships and education savings accounts, Hispanic students typically participate at lower rates than their share of the overall student population. But in most states, demographic breakdowns don’t exist. The data are incomplete, outdated, or never collected, leaving us with only a partial picture.

That lack of reporting is the real issue. Without consistent state-level data, we can’t know whether programs are reaching Hispanic families fairly, or whether barriers like language access, outreach, or eligibility rules are keeping them out. The gaps we do see suggest inequities, and the gaps in the data itself make it impossible to know the full story.

Still, we know Hispanic families are exploring their options. Today, one in three charter school students nationwide is Hispanic. At the same time, families are turning to homeschooling in new ways. About 18% of families who reported homeschooling in 2023-2024 were Hispanic. Those are not small numbers; they show that Latino families are active participants in school choice, even if official reporting doesn’t fully capture them.

In a national survey conducted in June, nearly three out of four Hispanic parents surveyed (73%) said they had considered a new school for their child last year, and more than half said they expect to do so again this year. The reasons were familiar: moving to a new community, children entering school for the first time, or transitioning between grade levels; others pointed to dissatisfaction with their child’s current school, but the results make clear that Hispanic parents are engaged in exploring school choices for their children.

But when participation data are missing, the story told to the public is incomplete.

As a Latina, I know how much families sacrifice to give their children opportunities they never had. My parents believed education could change the course of our lives, and they showed me that school could open doors that once seemed out of reach. Today, I see that same determination in Hispanic families across the country. Parents are making tough choices and searching for schools where their children will be safe, supported, and inspired. The least the system can do is make sure those opportunities are visible and that participation is reported effectively.

Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to honor the contributions of Latino communities. It should also be a time to recognize how much families are shaping the future of American education. Every parent wants the same thing: to see their children grow, succeed, and dream bigger. That means making sure programs are not only available but understandable to the families who need them.

Free resources are available to help parents explore their options in Spanish through Conoce tus Opciones Escolares at opcionesescolares.com, and in English at myschoolchoice.com. Sometimes one of the most powerful things we can do is share those resources with a neighbor, a friend, or a family member. For many Latino families, simply having access to clear, trusted information in Spanish can change the path their children take in school.

The next step is simple: states must report participation clearly and consistently. Until they do, the full role of Hispanic families in shaping education will remain underestimated and unseen.

Krissia Campos Spivey is the senior director of navigation programs and partnerships at Conoce tus Opciones Escolares, a National School Choice Awareness Foundation project that helps U.S. families who speak Spanish explore their K-12 education options and choose a great school for their children. Krissia is Salvadoran-American and lives in Wake Forest, North Carolina.

(NewsUSA) - Kingfish Bay, an exclusive gated waterfront community in Calabash, North Carolina, has launched the final phase of development just as the Carolina Bays Parkway Extension is officially announced, opening new possibilities for buyers seeking luxury coastal living near Myrtle Beach, Sunset Beach, and Wilmington.

Rare Opportunity for Waterfront Living

Kingfish Bay offers discerning home buyers a limited chance to secure new waterfront homesites along the tranquil Calabash River, within a private gated Calabash North Carolina community. Homes feature Caribbean-inspired architecture and resort-style amenities, ideal for vacation homes, retirement, or year-round living.

Residents enjoy exceptional amenities including a riverfront park, fishing piers, fire pits, a modern clubhouse with fitness center and cinema lounge, tropical pool complex, and exclusive beach access at a private Sunset Beach clubhouse. Homes range from $499,000 to $3,000,000 luxury waterfront estates, with custom designs available up to 4,000+ sq. ft. and prime waterfront lots with private docks.

Announced Parkway Extension Promises New Connectivity

The Carolina Bays Parkway Extension, newly announced for the region, is set to transform future access to Myrtle Beach, Wilmington, and the greater coastal North Carolina area. This major infrastructure project will eventually provide a safer, faster alternative to US-17 and is expected to increase property value and visibility in the Brunswick County real estate market. For future and current Kingfish Bay residents, the extension means upcoming benefits including easier commutes, enhanced investment potential, and increased visibility for new retail, dining, and cultural options, all while maintaining the peace and exclusivity of the community.

Coastal Wellness & Resort-Style Amenities

Living at Kingfish Bay means embracing a wellness-focused lifestyle. Residents enjoy morning walks by the water, evening gatherings at the private beach clubhouse on Sunset Beach, and a vibrant social atmosphere that supports long-term health, relaxation, and connection.

Key Advantages of Kingfish Bay, Calabash NC

• Waterfront homes for sale in coastal North Carolina
• Last available prime gated homesites with dock options
• Announced Carolina Bays Parkway Extension for improved future access
• Exclusive Sunset Beach private clubhouse
• New homes close to Myrtle Beach, Wilmington, and Ocean Isle Beach
• Custom home designs for every lifestyle
• Resort-style amenities for wellness and social connection
• High-demand Brunswick County real estate market

With its final phase now underway, Kingfish Bay stands as Brunswick County’s premier address for luxury waterfront living in Calabash, NC. To schedule a tour or learn more about available waterfront homes for sale, visit: www.kingfishbaydevelopment.com

(Diane Mulligan) - Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is among the most aggressive, deadliest forms of lung cancer, yet it’s still too often overlooked. For decades, treatment options were limited, offering little hope to those diagnosed with SCLC, until now.

In 2013, Congress passed legislation that mandated the National Cancer Institute create a scientific plan for treating patients with less than a 50% chance of surviving 5 years. This included SCLC. With this focus on research, SCLC, once considered a hopeless diagnosis because of its swift spread and resistance to standard treatment, is now seeing real momentum. Breakthrough research has increased the number of treatment options by 67% giving doctors new tools and patients new reasons to hope.

Because of research, treatments like the recently FDA-approved Tarlatamab belong to a class of drugs called bispecific T-cell engagers (BiTEs), which harness the immune system to combat cancer. Another treatment, Lurbinectedin, slows or stops the growth of cancer cells in your body.  There are also next-generation approaches, such as CAR T-cell therapy and antibody-drug conjugates, and many others, now in clinical trials. Clinical trials, once a last resort, are rapidly becoming a front door to tomorrow’s breakthroughs.

Early detection is critical. Screening is the best way to find SCLC early.

Wendy Brooks knows this firsthand. Wendy had a history of lung cancer in her family. She pushed hard to get screened, and her cancer was caught early, rare for this disease. Through two clinical trials, Wendy has kept the cancer confined to her lung and is living fully. She credits screening and participating in clinical trials with saving her life.

“I’m here today because of research,” Wendy says. “I want others to know there’s hope, and clinical trials can be a lifeline.”

Thoracic oncologist Dr. Jacob Sands echoes that optimism: “I have patients more than five years out from that initial diagnosis doing great, living their lives and not on treatment. And I’ll go as far as to say that I think some patients are cured of their incurable disease.”

Lung Cancer Foundation of America (LCFA) is raising awareness of the lifesaving power of early screening, new treatments, and the growing promise of clinical trials for people facing SCLC.

LCFA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to eradicating lung cancer through research, education, and awareness programs. Committed to improving patient outcomes, donations to LCFA fund innovative research projects, educational initiatives, and advocacy for increased resources for lung cancer research.

Donate today to fight Lung Cancer at LCFAmerica.org

**Image Captions: 
Wendy Brooks, Lung Cancer Patient (header image)
Dr. Jacob Sands, Thoracic Oncologist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

(NewsUSA) - Young children are naturally curious, and an innovative program from BrightPath Early Learning and Child Care puts this curiosity center stage. The BrightPath curriculum, BeeCurious, involves guided exploration and multiple forms of expression while offering preschoolers autonomy and choices and celebrating learning as a joyful experience.  

The BeeCurious Curriculum takes a holistic approach to learning that taps into children’s natural curiosity. Multidisciplinary approaches are part of daily activities in a range of areas including:  

-Math Discovery. BeeCurious teaches math concepts based on developmental scope and sequence of skills, with material that may be swapped out to engage with children’s interests and better align with skill development.  

-Creative Discovery. An open-ended component of the curriculum supports joyful self-expression with a full range of artistic materials to support process-driven creativity. 

-Language and Literacy. Decoding sounds, building an awareness of print concepts and nurturing a love of language are essential elements for developing and increasing literacy. 

-Physical Literacy. The physical literacy curriculum engages children’s curiosity with time spent outdoors and the development of a love of being active. This segment combines standardized content and content developed by the children through inquiry. 

-Building Connections.  The development of social-emotional skills to become part of a learning community is key to the BeeCurious program. Cooperation, uniting for common goals, and interacting with peers are incorporated into this topic.

Additional enrichment programs featured throughout each week include:  

-Global Citizenship: Children’s curiosity extends to other cultures, and the BeeCurious program fosters the importance of kindness and respect for all people, starting with their peers. The program introduces the concept of contributing to a society that welcomes all. Children develop curiosity about other cultures, a respect for differences, and a willingness to engage with new ideas. For example, after a Jaipur market activity, children continued to incorporate elements of that play into their daily routines, setting up mini markets and using new words they had learned.

-Environmental Stewardship: Children not only explore the wonders of nature and the environment, but also learn how to keep it safe for future generations. 

-STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math are incorporated into weekly hands-on projects that engage children’s curiosity and guiding them to becoming critical thinkers and innovators.  

“Through the BeeCurious Curriculum, inquiry learning is nurtured,” according to Samaya Khattak, Chief Education Officer at BrightPath. “The new Learning Framework allows children to explore the world around them, examining their environments and fostering their innate curiosity through hands-on interactions of their individual journey of learning,” she said.  

The BeeCurious program also integrates essential skills of self-care, self-regulation, and problem-solving into the rhythm of activity, as well as sign language and featured artists of the month. 

Overall, children thrive when they feel connected and valued. One parent noted how their child began using the phrase "BeeKind" at home, reminding siblings and friends to show empathy and patience. These early lessons, not only in math and language, but also in cultural awareness and kindness, help lay the groundwork for children to become thoughtful, inclusive members of their communities.

Visit brightpathkids.com for more information and book a tour today!

(Victor Hwang and John Bridgeland) - America’s story has been written by those bold enough to begin. The revolutionaries who founded a new nation, the farmer who moved west to claim and seed land, the inventor who built a new machine, and the newcomer who opened a small shop on Main Street were all pioneers. Each had no guarantee of success. Each carried the promise of progress.

Today’s entrepreneurs are America’s new pioneers. They do not ask for certainty or wait for permission. They see a gap, an unmet need, a better way—and they act. In garages, kitchens, and co-working spaces, they envision and build with a spirit of possibility. 

But courage and risk-taking are not enough. We know the path to starting a business is full of obstacles – complicated rules, high fees, scarce capital, and limited networks.  Good ideas are shut down by red tape, hardworking dreamers rarely find access to funding, and our education system does too little to cultivate the knowledge and skills to invent.

It’s no surprise then that while more than 60 percent of Americans want to start their own enterprise, only 9 percent actually do. That’s wasted human potential and lost economic opportunity.

To meet the demand, America needs to innovate to fix the very systems inhibiting the creation of new businesses. Fortunately, there is a plan called America the Entrepreneurial, covering a range of issues to strengthen entrepreneurship in America. 

Entrepreneurs want freedom to innovate. No lengthy forms, filing fees, or non-compete restrictions would enable them to focus on translating ideas into business ventures, not on burdensome compliance.  It’s possible -- in Colorado, the Governor reduced the fee for starting a new business to one dollar.

They also need access to capital. Establishing new development banks for entrepreneurs, waiving taxes on early revenue, and enabling new businesses to compete fairly for public contracts would be a good start. Innovative financing models are emerging, such as Collab Capital in Atlanta, Novel Growth Partners in Kansas City and Founders First in San Diego. 

Starting a business can strain families and households, but policy can help. Tax deductions or credits could minimize childcare costs, health insurance can be made more accessible and affordable, and mortgage lenders should treat entrepreneurs the same way they treat employees.

AI and technologies are changing our world and displacing our workforce.  Our educational system needs to keep pace by equipping students with entrepreneurial inspiration and skills with courses of study and degrees that reward innovation, so everyone has the ability to start enterprises that meet the demands of an increasingly complex age. 

Such efforts take leadership from Governors, Mayors and others.  They also need focused attention – such as an Office of Entrepreneurship for every state, city and county. Nevada was the first state to pass a Right to Start Act, establishing such an office. Missouri, Indiana, New Mexico, and Kansas followed with similar legislation or executive action.

This plan is not charity.  It is strategy. New businesses create nearly all net new jobs in America. They fuel competition, drive productivity, boost household incomes, and renew communities. Every thriving business today—Ford, Apple, Amazon—was once a fragile new idea. Somewhere in America, the next idea waits for its chance.

America the Entrepreneurial is a movement to support today’s pioneers and bring needed change in communities and states -- an invitation to enlist 250,000 Americans to help clear the ground for millions of Americans to start their own enterprises.

As America – a startup nation -- celebrates its 250^th birthday in the coming year, let’s remember that to support entrepreneurs is to support America itself.  For in every entrepreneur lives the promise of our nation’s next chapter. And in supporting them, we write the story of our future together.

Victor Hwang is CEO of Right to Start.  John Bridgeland is CEO of More Perfect.  They are Co-Chairs of America the Entrepreneurial.