American inventor Thomas Edison coined the phrase “Genius is 1 percent inspiration and 99 perspiration.” I’m not sure the percentages are always the same, but Edison stated an undeniable principle: Nothing happens without a good idea and a lot of hard work. There are some very good idea people and there are a lot of […]
A monthly measure of optimism among small business owners edged up a bit in August, but still reflects a mostly pessimistic outlook. The National Federation of Independent Business reported that its Index of Small business Optimism rose seven-tenths to 88.8. The index, based on the results of monthly surveys of small business owners across the […]
Mike Moran Business Times Kevin and Tanya Wold say they’re not opposed to government-backed programs that help people live in homes they otherwise might not be able to afford. But the Wolds are concerned about being caught off guard when they bought an above average priced home in the Wine Valley Estates and Housing Resources […]
Mike Moran Business Times The devil is often in the details. And when it comes to health insurance, the details of national health care reform are difficult to pin down. But two large issues seem certain — the effects of reform already are trickling down to Mesa County and more effects are on the way […]
Mike Moran Business Times Amid the push to cover every U.S. citizen with health insurance, average insurance premiums continue to increase. The trend continues during an economic downturn that has many clients opting for lower monthly premiums and higher deductibles. When people face deductibles that amount to hundreds and even thousands of dollars, they also […]
Mike Moran Business Times Life insurance, as they say, actually concerns the alternative to life. And in the case of business partnerships or corporations, what happens to the business after one of the principals dies can be covered by a policy that ensures assets go where the deceased intended. Such agreements also can ensure that […]
Phil Castle Business Times Real estate activity in Mesa County slowed further in August, dragging sales and dollar volume levels so far this year to below those of last year. Given that the real estate market typically heats up in the summer and cools in the fall and winter, the prospects don’t appear good for […]
Phil Castle Business Times As a participant in a group researching public education and educational reform, Diane Schwenke said she experienced two “aha” moments. One moment occurred when she discovered the differences in the amount of instructional time students in the United States receive compared to students in other countries with far longer school years. […]
Phil Castle Business Times Even as thousands of people look for work in Mesa County, employers still face challenges in finding the right person for the job. Sometimes, other options offer advantages over direct hiring, according to a panel presentation at the Business Incubator Center in Grand Junction. Virtual assistants, contractors and staffing services all […]
Phil Castle Business Times Apartment vacancy rates continue to decline in Grand Junction as hiring in the energy and health care sectors as well as home foreclosures bring more people to the rental market. According to the latest results of a quarterly survey conducted for the Colorado Division of Housing, the average apartment vacancy rate […]