Business
Looking for positive and inspiring business stories? From green operations to employee rights, from innovative corporate structures to diversity and inclusion, the Business section at The Optimist Daily has got the latest innovative solutions from the corporate sector.
Apple co-founder advocates for right to repair policies
In Europe, right to repair laws are ensuring that customers don’t have to buy new goods when something breaks 一 saving them money and reducing waste. Many environmentalists and consumer advocates are urging the US and other countries to adopt similar measures, and want companies to step up to Read More...
This startup makes petrochemicals from captured CO2
Petrochemicals, chemicals made from fossil fuels, are present in an estimated 6,000 products (and probably more), but Bay Area startup Twelve thinks there is a better way to produce these chemicals. And maybe even help the planet while they’re at it. Rather than sourcing petrochemicals from Read More...
This simple app supports both local restaurants and food insecure individuals
You may have never heard of Bento, but you might have seen it in action at a local restaurant without even realizing it. Created during the pandemic by Not Impossible Labs, Bento is a program that pulls together restaurants, individuals who are food insecure, and those wishing to make a difference Read More...
Study: Unions play a big role in reducing poverty
Labor unions changed the landscape of the American workplace at the height of industrialization. Collective action offered fair wages, safe working conditions, and the 40-hour workweek, but how do labor unions affect workers in the 21st century? Researchers from the University of Minnesota and the Read More...
IMO moves to make shipping companies pay a price for emissions
As the volume of goods traded across the world continues to increase, emissions from container ships are becoming a more prevalent source of pollution. In an effort to transition to industry towards a greener future, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has proposed a regulation that would Read More...
This organization in California gives cash directly to crime victims in need
Victims of crime, such as those of domestic abuse or those who experience the loss of a loved one to gun violence, are often faced with unexpected expenses on top of healing from their trauma. In California, the state has a victim compensation fund to cover expenses such as mental health services Read More...
New York introduces mandatory racial impact studies for large developments
New development projects are a fact of life in urban areas, but unfortunately, these developments displace marginalized communities and families of color at a disproportionate rate. Communities that developers feel do not have the resources to advocate for themselves are taken advantage of and Read More...
The Optimist View: The Doughnut Economy
“Don’t wait for economic growth to reduce inequality—because it won’t. Instead, create an economy that is distributive by design.” - Kate Raworth BY Amelia Buckley Years ago, before I decided that my writing skills were far stronger than my calculus abilities, I sat in an Read More...
Aiming for economic growth? Invest in transportation, not tax cuts
Cities are working hard to kickstart a post-pandemic economic recovery, and a big part of this effort is retaining existing businesses and recruiting new ones. Economic development expert David Zipper writes for Bloomberg that while many cities focus on tax breaks to attract new companies, Read More...
Mother-daughter duo opens first menstrual hub in the US
Back in 2012, Lynette Medley founded a nonprofit sexuality awareness and a consultative organization called No More Secrets: Mind, Body, Spirit. Her goal was to cover topics such as consent, bodily autonomy, and navigating healthy relationships. Through this work, she realized that many of the Read More...