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Missouri officials discussing ways to prevent personal property tax spikes

2 years 1 month ago
If you live in Missouri and you've got a car, then you're likely feeling a bigger strain on your bank account. Kevin McCauley is paying about $124 more in personal property taxes for the three cars he had last year. Count the car he recently replaced with a newer one, his bill went up by about $1,100. "We still have three kids in college," he said.  He said taxes on his cars have never been higher. "We've cut back on Christmas, dining out…investing in our home," he said.  It's why Steve…
Paula Vasan, KSDK

Build-A-Bear Workshop says it's on track for most profitable year ever

2 years 1 month ago
Build-A-Bear Workshop (NYSE: BBW), the St. Louis-based retailer that lets customers build their own stuffed toys, says it's on track for the most profitable year in its 25-year history. The company reported Wednesday that in its fiscal third quarter ended Oct. 29, net income grew 27.1% to $7.5 million from net income of $5.9 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2021. Build-A-Bear's total revenue in the recent quarter was $104.5 million, up 9.9% from last year's quarter despite the negative impact…
Diana Barr

Are online platforms killing your favorite brands?

2 years 1 month ago
Business consultants have long proclaimed that online platforms such as Amazon ultimately destroy brands. These concerns are not unwarranted, as 78% of Amazon searches are unbranded, seeking generic products rather than name brands. On Amazon, consumers are searching for “running shoes women” or “tennis shoes for men” rather than asking specifically for Nike, Adidas or Puma shoes. Meanwhile, online platforms such as Amazon tend to commoditize brands by stripping them of every differentiator…
Julien Bei

Could social media be an answer for advancing downtown St. Louis?

2 years 1 month ago
I am 65 years old and not an active social media user. Although I understand traditional marketing and communications, I admit that I don’t really know how social media works, or exactly why it works to drive awareness and build brands, but it obviously does. In recent years, I have been involved in a number of new commercial developments that have opened my eyes to the importance and impact of social media. I was also amazed to find out, when applying for a loan recently, that the lender had…
Larry Chapman

Disability inclusion in the workplace is critical to building a sense of belonging for all

2 years 1 month ago
I’m proud to work at a firm that believes every person deserves the opportunity to thrive. Our purpose at Edward Jones is to partner for positive impact to improve the lives of our clients and colleagues and better our communities and society. One of the ways we accomplish this is by advancing inclusive growth. Our work to advance diversity, equity and inclusion includes intentional investments to lift all our communities, neighbors and colleagues – including people with disabilities. Disability…
Monica Reha

STLCC enabled veteran to find the right fit for new career

2 years 1 month ago
The Army ROTC paid for veteran Will Gunn to attend college at Washington University in St. Louis and paved the way to a career in education. He worked as an admissions officer at WUSTL, college counselor at De Smet Jesuit High School and social studies teacher for Saint Louis Public Schools. Gunn joined the military as a freshman at WUSTL in response to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States. “I figured military service might present a chance for adventure and to serve our…
St. Louis Community College

Police: 'One of the main actors' in string of St. Louis business burglaries in custody

2 years 1 month ago
A man is under arrest for being involved in a recent spree of burglaries in St. Louis. Wednesday morning, in a virtual news briefing, police confirmed a suspect was taken into custody on Tuesday. St. Louis Police Captain Donnell Moore from District 6 told reporters, "We feel one of the main actors in these burglaries, we currently have in custody." Moore shared several pieces of evidence linked this person to several recent burglaries.  "He is a part of a group and the number of burglaries…
Justina Coronel

How Illinois businesses will benefit from deal to pay off $1.8 billion in unemployment debt

2 years 1 month ago
Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Illinois businesses will not face tax increases next year to provide unemployment insurance for employees who lose their jobs. That’s because a $1.3 billion deficit that the Illinois Department of Employment Security incurred due to the Covid-19 pandemic was wiped out after the state reached an agreement this week with business and labor leaders and state lawmakers. "This agreement will ease that pressure and provide greater stability for our system, while also ensuring…
Wendell Hutson