Daily Business Report-Jan. 2, 2020
Business.org graphic
Best places for women-owned businesses
California had the most cities making Business.org’s list of the best places for women-owned businesses, with five metro areas appearing in the top 50. But the Sunshine State gave California a run for its money, with four Florida metro areas making the list.
So there’s no need to choose a best coast—both the East Coast and West Coast have great options for female entrepreneurs.
They might want to avoid Tennessee, though. Memphis came dead last in Business.org’s rankings, thanks to it low percentage of existing women-owned businesses and its high unemployment rates for women.
But what about the middle of the country? The St. Louis, Mo., area has the highest percent of female-owned businesses (30 percent), while the Minneapolis-St. Paul area has the lowest percentage of female unemployment (just 3.5 percent)—making them both great options for aspiring entrepreneurs.
And if you’re more of a New England person? Then get used to saying, “Good morning, Baltimore!” because it was the top New England city in Business.org’s ranking, in position 13.
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Making a Statemint
SDSU alumnus Brandon Maskell is combining sustainability with entrepreneurship to help fight plastic pollution in our oceans
It started with a plastic water bottle – floating, polluting, disrupting.
As San Diego State University alumnus Brandon Maskell(’07, ’09) was swimming in the ocean off the shore of Pacific Beach, he had an unexpected brush with that plastic water bottle.
“I hit it without knowing what it was,” said Maskell. “After that, I started researching plastic pollution in the ocean and the effects on not just marine life but also humans. That connected the dots for me.”
About eight million metric tons of plastics enter our oceans every year, according to Ocean Conservancy. This is in addition to the estimated 150 million metric tons that already circulate in our marine environments.
Maskell thought: how could he build a business with a social cause to help clean the world’s oceans and stop plastic pollution?
Enter Statemint.
Statemint, a purpose-driven lifestyle brand, turns 100 percent recycled plastic into wallets using sustainable materials and processes.
You may ask how a wallet can be made out of disposable plastic. After plastic bottles have been collected, they are washed and chopped into flakes. The flakes are then melted and turned into chips, which are once again melted and made into yarn. The yarn is finally woven into finished fabric. Using this recycled material requires less energy, reduces CO2 emissions and saves oil.
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California to cap rent hikes
for millions of tenants
A new California law will protect about 8 million Californians from dramatic rent hikes, and from certain evictions that lack “just cause” when a lease is no longer in effect.
As of Jan. 1, some landlords will be able to increase rents by 5 percent plus the rate of inflation (typically 2 percent -3 percent). They also will have to provide a “just cause” for evicting tenants and, in some circumstances, pay for tenants to relocate.
California’s version of “rent control lite” is modeled after a measure Oregon adopted earlier this year. It is not as expansive as rent control recently enacted in New York.
Gov. Gavin Newsom lobbied for the new measure, arguing that it is necessary to respond to rapid gentrification, soaring rents and an epidemic of homelessness.
The new law has some important exemptions. It doesn’t apply to single-family home rentals, unless they are owned by investment firms.
In this video, CalMatters’ housing and data reporter Matt Levin breaks down the California rent control law in a minute.
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Cal State San Marcos offering
Specialized MBA program in the evenings
Cal State San Marcos’ College of Business Administration is now offering its Specialized MBA program in the evenings. Working professionals can finish their MBA on a part-time basis in 24 months, and full-time students can complete their MBA in 12 months.
This unique program structure consists of three phases: the Foundation, the Core and the Specialization. Upon satisfactory completion of each phase of the program, students will receive a certificate, and upon completion of the master’s experience, an MBA degree.
The Specialized MBA will prepare students to advance their careers in one of the available areas of specializations:
These specializations are designed for candidates with a career focus. The program offers exposure to core business knowledge as well as focused specialties through an accessible and convenient schedule, and relevant and rigorous course work.
Visit csusm.edu/MBA/SMBA for more information.
