UBCNews - Business

The countdown to the family holiday party is on. Unfortunately, you're also counting down the number of occasions your worn dining chair cushions are going to last. Aunt Betty had enough snide comments last year. Unless you can arrange for her to be a part of their inevitable collapse, it's probably time to take action.

But prices to replace the set climb every time you check - not exactly compatible with your Christmas budget. You're running out of time - and options. But have you considered reupholstery?

Reupholstery is a trend that many are embracing...

Welcome back, everyone! Today we're getting into something that's really transforming how marketers think about audience growth - AI-powered viral lead campaigns. And I've got to say, the potential here is pretty exciting for anyone starting from zero. MunchEye City: London Address: London Office 15 Harwood Road, , London, England United Kingdom Website: https://muncheye.com/

Most people saving for retirement rely on a traditional IRA because it is straightforward: you invest in stocks, bonds, and mutual funds, let the account grow tax-deferred, and hope the market cooperates over the long haul.

A gold IRA, on the other hand, lets you hold physical precious metals inside a self-directed account. Instead of relying entirely on paper assets, you own something tangible that has historically held value through wars, recessions, inflation spikes, and currency fluctuations.

Both types of IRAs come with distinct strengths. Traditional IRAs can grow quickly in strong markets, while gold...

Warren Buffett has never been shy about his distaste for gold. The Oracle of Omaha has called it an unproductive asset that "won't do anything between now and then except look at you." His reasoning is straightforward: gold does not generate earnings, pay dividends, or produce anything of value. It just sits there, accumulating storage fees.

For decades, Buffett has built his fortune by investing in businesses that create something, companies that innovate, hire people, and generate profits year after year. In his view, the metal does not produce anything but requires insurance and storage costs. That...

Running a small business means wearing too many hats. You’re managing sales, marketing, operations, and customer service all at once. The average entrepreneur spends 16 hours weekly on repetitive tasks, which equals two full workdays not spent growing your business. Business automation isn’t a luxury for big companies anymore, it’s a survival tool for small businesses drowning in daily operations.

The challenge isn’t finding automation tools, it’s figuring out what actually needs automating. Most small businesses jump into solutions without understanding their problems. Strategic business optimization means identifying your actual time and money leaks firs...

Whether you're moving down the street or upstate, there’s one universal truth: relocation is never restful. In an age where wellness is king and our well-being is at the front and center of our lives (or should be), nobody would recommend moving home as a means of reducing your stress.

But is moving the same for everyone? Not at all. For seniors, relocation is an even more overwhelming process, if that were possible. Nashville experts explain what makes moving a marathon for the elderly among us.

Physical Limitations. Knees bent, back straight! Easy for yo...

"Then, problem solved. Chandler will be running our office in Tulsa!"

Oh, how poor Chandler's face was red! And who would blame him? After all, could corporate relocations BE any more stressful? That’s true wherever you go - whether it’s Tulsa, Tampa, or Timbuktu, being moved with little notice from one office to another is never easy. But the Nashville crew at True Friends Moving Company say that professional movers can make a big difference in making such moves much less bothersome.

Here’s how.

For Employees: De-Stress Through Services. The logist...

Think you’ve got relocation all figured out? True, a lot of professional moving is self-explanatory. Movers will come to your home, pack up your stuff, load it into their trucks, and take everything to your new home. But there’s another stop along the way, if you need it. Did you know that Nashville movers can also provide temporary storage options? Such facilities are space-savers and time-savers all at once.

Here’s why storage is the service you didn’t know you needed.

Storage: Who Needs It? (a lot of people, actually) Make no mistake...

Break is a good word to hear when playing pool - not so much when you’re trying to move your pool table to your new home. But you’re very likely to hear it if you try to save money by opting for DIY moving, experts warn. Instead, they recommend that you turn to those with the requisite experience to handle pool tables safely. In other words, professional movers. Here’s why.

Safer Disassembly. As a pool table owner, you know there’s only one thing harder than sinking a rail shot: disassembling the table. Not generall...

Even those who can play Moonlight Sonata and Nocturne in E flat major like a virtuoso might be stumped by one piano challenge. That’s moving their piano from their old house to their new property. One look at the instrument is usually enough to cross off “DIY moving” from your list of considerations.

That only leaves professional help. So how do the professionals deal with pianos?

Special Surroundings. Most moving companies describe pianos as items that warrant “specialized” care. No wonder, given their expensive parts and complex disassembly process. And it’s not just about evalua...

Throwing your stuff haphazardly into some boxes and calling it a day? No, no, no. Following expert-backed tips to achieve true packing perfection? Yes, yes, yes. Industry experts say there’s a lot more to packing than meets the eye, especially if you want your move to be stress-free. And the professionals at True Friends Moving Company are sharing their own strategies as you look for a move that’s truly smooth.

Customize Your Planning. Your packing project will differ based on your unique possessions and priorities. That means a one-size-fits-all approach just won’t do. Instead, your p...

Moving to Murfreesboro? You’re not alone. It’s the sixth-largest city in Tennessee - which means others have noticed its thriving job market and access to major highways. However, before you can start your new life in your new community, you have to pack up and move - and you have a choice to make. Will you rent a truck and do it yourself, or reach out for hired help?

According to Nashville-area moving experts, there’s only one real choice.

Part of the appeal of DIY moving is the freedom and flexibility it offers...

You reap what you sow… a saying that works in all walks of life. But especially moving home. Experts say that preparation is the key to a successful move - in other words, a less stressful move. Even if you’re planning to hire a moving company to do all the hard work (good choice), there are still certain things you can do that your future self will thank you for.

Nashville professionals agree, which is why they’re sharing their tricks of the trade.

The best pre-move timeline isn’t likely to start the day of t...

The data speaks for itself: people are flocking to Nashville. In fact, the Music City saw its population grow by more than double the national average between 2020 and 2024 alone - and many of its nearby suburbs are almost as popular.

Take Springfield, for instance. A place like this offers a more affordable cost of living and a quieter lifestyle than Nashville - but it’s still close enough for residents to commute to the Music City easily. But, before you can worry about that, you have to get there first. And moving is like math - despite wh...

Hey everyone, welcome back! Today we're talking about something that could literally be costing you hundreds of dollars a year without you even knowing it. We're discussing leaky ducts and a pretty incredible solution called Aeroseal. Have you ever noticed some rooms in your house are just… never the right temperature? Engle Services City: Sylacauga Address: 40300 U.S. 280 Website: https://engleservicesheatingandair.com/

Welcome back, everyone! Today we're tackling something that honestly, a lot of homeowners just push to the back burner - annual HVAC maintenance. I mean, if it's working fine, why bother, right? Engle Services City: Sylacauga Address: 40300 U.S. 280 Website: https://engleservicesheatingandair.com/

Welcome back, everyone. So, have you noticed any weird noises coming from your heating system lately? Maybe it's not keeping your home as warm as it used to? Today we're talking about something every Birmingham homeowner should know about – those warning signs that your heating system might be crying out for help. Engle Services City: Sylacauga Address: 40300 U.S. 280 Website: https://engleservicesheatingandair.com/

So, have you ever had someone knock on your door right after a big storm, claiming they can fix your roof for a suspiciously low price? Galveston County Roofing City: Kemah Address: 808 Anders Ln Website: https://galvestoncountyroofing.com/

So, here's something I think a lot of Texas homeowners wrestle with: you want your driveway or patio to look amazing, maybe like natural stone or brick, but when you get those quotes, the numbers are just... wow. Today we're tackling how stamped and resurfaced concrete can give you that high-end look without emptying your wallet. I'm really excited to unpack this. Concrete Trends and Innovations City: El Lago Address: 400 Lakeshore Drive Website: https://concrete-setx.com

So, if you're a tech founder or hiring manager in Orange County, you've probably felt this pain: you find the perfect engineer, extend an offer, and then... they take a job in San Francisco or go fully remote with a company halfway across the country. Today we're looking at how OC startups are actually winning that battle for engineering talent, despite all the headwinds. I'm here with someone who's been in the trenches on this. Welcome! Spotlight on Startups City: Laguna Niguel Address: 110 Chandon Website: https://spotlightonstartups.com

Hey everyone, welcome back! Today, we're getting into something that's been on my mind: what makes Milwaukee cordless tools the go-to choice for so many professionals? I mean, you walk onto any job site, and it's almost guaranteed you'll see that red and black. Genuine Tools City: Beaverton Address: 1500 NW Bethany Blvd. Website: https://genuinetools.com/

Hey everyone, welcome back! So here's a question for you - have you ever started typing something into Google and noticed those suggestions that pop up before you even finish? Well, today we're unpacking why businesses are ditching traditional SEO for something called Search Box Optimization, or SBO. And honestly, it's really changing how brands approach visibility. MaxDRIVE City: Georgetown Address: 8691 Cooks Mill Road Website: https://www.maxdrivemarketing.com/

So, you wake up after a big storm rolls through, and everything looks fine from your driveway. Your roof seems intact. But here's the thing - is it really? Today we're talking about why a professional roof inspection after storm damage is absolutely critical, especially for filing insurance claims. Galveston County Roofing City: Kemah Address: 808 Anders Ln Website: https://galvestoncountyroofing.com/

Welcome back, everyone! Today we're talking about something that probably affects a lot of you listening right now - that driveway sitting outside your home. You know, the one with the cracks spreading like spider webs? Concrete Trends and Innovations City: El Lago Address: 400 Lakeshore Drive Website: https://concrete-setx.com

Welcome back, everyone! Today we're exploring something that's top of mind for so many Gulf Coast homeowners - how to protect your property from flooding and standing water. And if you've been watching the weather patterns lately, you know this isn't just a theoretical problem anymore. League City Drainage and Irrigation City: El Lago Address: 400 Lakeshore Dr. Website: https://drainmyyardleaguecity.com

So, have you ever found yourself struggling to plan your outfit in the morning, or maybe dry cleaning ends up draped over the bed because you have nowhere else to put it? John Louis Home City: Fenton Address: 1305 North Highway Drive Website: https://www.johnlouishome.com/

Hello and welcome. This week we're examining what can happen when Patient Care Meets Financial Constraints. What can we as physicians do to save our practices?

Many physician practices are balancing increasingly complex patient needs with shrinking reimbursements, rising overheads, and administrative burdens. This tension has real consequences: staff burnout, delayed care, and financial instability can all threaten the sustainability of independent clinics. As chronic conditions — diabetes, hypertension, heart failure, COPD — continue to climb, traditional models of periodic in-person visits struggle to deliver both quality care and stable revenue. The result: patient care suffers.

Remote Pati...

If you run a business in New Jersey, you've probably noticed something painful on your electricity bills since June. For most businesses, costs jumped somewhere between 10% and 29%. That's not a small blip. We're talking about a massive increase that's eating into already tight margins, and it's not going away anytime soon.

What's behind this mess? Back in July 2024, something called the PJM capacity auction happened. Without getting too deep into the weeds, this auction determines how much suppliers pay for capacity on the electrical grid. That auction saw prices spike by 833% compared to the year before. New...

The AI boom is changing everything. Smart home devices are changing how we interact with our appliances. It's changing how we navigate our cities. It's even changing how we search online.

Google searches are expected to decrease 25 percent by 2026, according to the industry experts at Gartner. Likewise, searches on AI platforms are up 300 percent. While search engines could be influenced by keywords, SEO, and paid ads, AI searches prioritize authority and trusted content.

If AI is rising and Google is falling, is there any point to business owners investing in their Google Business Profiles? Digital...

That beautiful armchair from grandma’s house has seen better days. The fabric is faded, maybe there’s a tear in the arm, and it’s looking decidedly tired in the corner of the living room. But when reupholstery quotes start rolling in at $800, $1,200, or more, the question becomes, is this piece actually worth saving?

Each year, Americans toss more than 12 million tons of furniture; many of these discarded pieces have solid bones that could serve families for decades more. The challenge lies in knowing which ones deserve a second chance and which should head to the donati...

So, winter in New Jersey. You're probably thinking about snow removal and keeping your heating bills down, right? But here's something that might surprise you - winter is actually one of the best times to install a retaining wall on your property. Sage Landscape Contractors and Tree Experts City: Plainfield Address: 16 Driftway Ln Website: https://www.sagelandscaping.com/

So, let's just jump right in. If you're a small business owner feeling completely swamped by marketing, I think you're gonna love what we're talking about today. We're discussing how content marketing can actually bring customers to your door instead of you chasing them down. Media Blaze City: St Albans Address: 7 Firwood Avenue Website: https://mediablaze.clientcabin.com

So, have you noticed how finding local businesses online feels completely different lately? Like, you ask a question and suddenly you're getting direct answers instead of just a list of links? Media Blaze City: St Albans Address: 7 Firwood Avenue Website: https://mediablaze.clientcabin.com

So, have you heard the news? Netflix has agreed to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery for 72 billion dollars. The deal still needs regulatory approval and is expected to close in 12 to 18 months, but it's already making a lot of small business owners sweat because this potential mega-merger could reshape the entire advertising ecosystem. Ethos Media & Marketing LLC City: Washington Address: DC - MD - VA - LA - FL Website: https://www.ethosm2.com

12amagency has published a new article entitled Why Local Businesses Are Being Erased by AI Search — And Don’t Even Know It, which sheds light on the most important aspects of AI Visibillity for Lcoal business owners or small business owners. As AI assistants reshape how consumers find service providers, most local businesses are silently disappearing from search — and the consequences are already showing in 2025 revenue trends for local business owners and other interested individuals can view the full article at https://12amagency.com/ai-visibility/

The article includes several interesting pieces of information, one in particular is AI did...

So here's a question for everyone listening - if organic traffic costs less, why are so many home services contractors still burning through cash on PPC ads? Have you ever wondered why that is? It's a puzzle we're tackling today. Criterion SEO City: Bowie Address: 12530 Fairwood Parkway, Ste. 102 #237 Website: https://criterion.clientcabin.com

So, have you noticed how many roofing companies are still dumping money into the same old marketing playbook? Yellow Pages ads, direct mail, maybe some local radio spots? Criterion SEO City: Bowie Address: 12530 Fairwood Parkway, Ste. 102 #237 Website: https://criterion.clientcabin.com

If you've been feeling like everyone else is creating amazing video content while you're still stuck with basic social media posts, you're definitely not imagining things. Video and podcast content really has taken over, and there's a good reason why - it works incredibly well for connecting with customers and driving sales.

The challenge is that most small business owners look at video content creation and think it's way too complicated or expensive. Between buying equipment, learning editing software, and finding time to actually produce content, it can feel completely overwhelming.

You've probably watched other...

So you're thinking about redoing your bathroom, and suddenly you're staring at about a million different tile options, wondering which one won't turn into a nightmare three years from now. You've got ceramic over here, porcelain over there, natural stone looking all fancy, and someone's probably telling you about glass tiles that cost as much as your car payment. The team at All Star Tile Setter in New Jersey deals with confused homeowners every single week who picked tiles based on how pretty they looked in the store, only to deal with cracks, water damage, or grout that looks...

OK, let's jump right in with something that's hitting a lot of business owners hard right now. Health insurance premiums are climbing at a pace we haven't seen in decades. In 2024, the average family premium hit twenty-five thousand, five hundred seventy-two dollars. By 2025, that jumped about six percent to nearly twenty-seven thousand. That's way faster than wage growth or inflation. What's driving employers to finally say enough is enough? TelehealthWatch City: Miami Address: 8345 Northwest 66th Street Website: http://telehealthwatch.com