Small Businesses... Chock-Full of Optimism

According to a recent Allstate/ USA Today survey, US small businesses are bursting with confidence touting 64% saying their businesses are doing well. This study, conducted with just shy of 3,000 small businesses (firms with 100 or fewer employees), also indicates an overwhelming sense of positive outlooks being anticipated for the year ahead, showing small businesses to be more upbeat than they have been in decades!

“While the business owners’ perceptions appear to have been brightened by the election of President Trump, who has vowed to cut taxes and regulations, they’re also rooted in improved sales and the fading of economic headwinds that lingered long after the Great Recession ended in 2009.”

All of this is an extremely encouraging economic position for businesses, allowing for more hiring and spending, making this notably a great time to own a small business. The percentage of those feeling more hopeful of the prospect of leaving their business to their children had also risen since last year as well.

“These enterprises aren’t just talking a good game; they’re opening their wallets. Thirty-four percent of those polled said they added at least one new employee in the previous three months, compared to 22% in late 2015.”

Lower taxes and fewer regulations are also helping with this latest optimism, largely in part to the assertions of President Trump and his administration. Even though there is also a lack of predictability surrounding the administration, this survey shows that small businesses continue to move forward while keeping them bright-eyed and bushy tailed for what’s to come.

All in all, we’ve been highly encouraged by studies like this showing a continually optimistic vantage-point. We also can’t help but find these views to be somewhat “contagious” in that many of our clients who leverage our strategies and mindsets of the small business owner are prospering from it all too!

If you want to hear more about the strategies the team at Tardus has collected over the years and how they can benefit both individuals AND small businesses, be sure to attend the Small Business Expo in Honolulu on May 18th where Tanisha Souza, CEO and Chief Wealth Coach, will be speaking on the topic.

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Karen Machida - Coach's Corner | Tardus Reviews

Karen Machida

Karen has been with Tardus since 2004. She joined at a time when she was done with college and had saved a little, but still knew there was more for her to learn when it came to finances. She knew other people let their money work for them but she did not know how and it sounded like Tardus could help her learn. It took a year from joining for her to truly change the way she managed money but it was really worth it. She knew where her money was and where it was going. The greatest success, so far, is she was able to buy another house here in Honolulu!

Her main goal in becoming a wealth coach is to bring people to Tardus so she can help as many as possible to become financially intelligent with their money. She’s been a wealth coach for over a year and knew that with teaching others about the program, she would also be learning more – and that’s proven to be very true.

For her, the most important part of being a Tardus wealth coach is to make sure this knowledge passes down to her family and future generations and has even referred many family members: her daughter, her son and his wife, and her sister have all joined, as well as another good friend. Her sister even said that she wishes she would have started 10 years ago!

Her main interests right now aside from Tardus are her grandkids: ages 8, 6, and 4, since they are at an age where they are such a joy to be around. They do a lot of hiking and swimming together and visiting the Bishop museum.
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“I am so grateful to Tardus and feel so blessed to have found them when I did. I would not have this freedom that I feel. It was just the right time.”
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6 Simple Ideas for an Unforgettable Valentine's Day - Tardus Reviews | Financial Independence

So often, with our worlds revolving at the speed of life, we find ourselves guilty of pushing the limits on our personal lives which, if not careful, can lead to utter chaos. Valentine’s Day, in turn, creates the perfect time to slow down, take some time, and let those that you love, know it. Notice we didn’t say to “tell” them, but rather to make sure they truly know how much they are loved. And while this may seem fairly obvious, we thought we’d share some simple ideas for celebrating Valentine’s Day with your special someone, the whole family, or even beyond...

1.Write a Love NoteTrust me when I say that it is the words that YOU write that are so much more meaningful than any fluffy puff-speak that could ever be written by a card designer. Take the time to think through all the reasons you love someone and simply write them out. Even if your handwriting is atrocious, your loved one will appreciate the time spent knowing the words came from your heart and not just plucked off the shelf.

2.Make Dinner Together5-star restaurants are not the only place you can find fancy meals anymore in this age of the internet where just about every recipe under the sun (or at least a million great ones) now can be found with a quick search. Plus, setting aside the time to make dinner together gives you both the ability to connect and enjoy the fruits of your labors, turning the evening into your own private experience.

3. Spread the Love
Romantic dinners for 2 not your thing? Try adopting your single friends for the evening and making it a special night for them, too! You and yours can put a smile on the faces of those who might not have found their true love yet by simply inviting them to celebrate your friendship. No matter what you choose to do, I'm sure everyone will have a great time and love you for the gesture.

4. Date Night In
Why go out when your cable box probably already has plenty of movies you haven’t seen yet and the popcorn doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. Better yet, set aside the powered devices and play a game! Use the holiday as a great excuse to power down and reconnect. Healthy competition can also be a lot of fun too as you don’t take it too seriously, so perhaps avoid the urge to play monopoly!

5. Experience Something New
Look in your local newspaper and you’ll see that seemingly everyone with a business is having some sort of Valentine’s Day event. And just because you may be avoiding expensive meals or pricey flowers doesn’t mean you can’t spend a little money to explore something you’ve never done before. Planetariums, museums, arts and crafts, nature walks, even amusement parks can all make for an exciting and unforgettable day; it’s just a matter of looking for the hidden gems in your community.

6. Get the Kids involved
​Instead of dropping the kids off at the sitter's house, share the love and get them involved. Everything on this list so far is also kid friendly, so there’s no need to ditch the kids (unless you could really use the break). Getting them involved with making cards, helping with dinner, unplugging the tech, and having some family fun can all be great ways to teach them young that the holiday is not about the money or the traditions - it's about LOVE.

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