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.
Coal mine finds new life as “farm to bottle” distillery
When the Landree Coal Mine in Jasonville, Indiana went under, its owners planned to leave it sitting abandoned. Two Indiana University graduates had more ambitious plans for the site and have purchased it to turn it into a “farm to bottle’ distillery. The company, Land Betterment Corp, Read More...
Los Angeles hotels open their doors to the homeless during COVID-19
Communities around the world are under shelter in place orders, but staying home is not an option for homeless populations. A Los Angeles hotel is hoping to protect the health of its community’s most vulnerable residents by opening their doors to those living on the streets. The hotel, which Read More...
This app is helping local bookstores stay afloat
Last week we shared a story about how Powell’s Books is scraping by and rehiring employees with the support of online book sales. A new app called “Save Your Bookstore” is helping other independent sellers stay in business to make it easier for people to locate and support their local Read More...
Toymaker Lego is making face visors for frontline medical workers
Following in the steps of other major manufacturers from different industries, toymaker Lego, famous for its multi-colored plastic building bricks, is using its resources to build protective gear for healthcare workers on the frontlines of the coronavirus pandemic. The Denmark-based toy company Read More...
To help small restaurants, delivery service DoorDash is slashing fees
DoorDash is reducing commissions for local restaurant partners by 50 percent in an effort to help businesses survive the COVID-19 crisis. The food delivery service says the program will benefit over 150,000 restaurants in the US, Canada, and Australia on both DoorDash and Caviar, the rival Read More...
Microsoft will grant parents 12 weeks paid parental leave during COVID-19
Washington announced this week that schools across the state will stay closed for the remainder of the academic year, leaving parents with the daunting prospect of keeping kids entertained at home for at least two more months. After watching employees juggle work and childcare during the COVID-19 Read More...
The clever strategies small businesses are using to survive quarantine
To find out how small businesses are surviving in the age of coronavirus, Fast Company spoke to a variety of small businesses around the world to find out what they’re doing to get through this uncharted territory. The main takeaway from all of them: flexibility. If you need some inspiration for Read More...
A wave of online orders allowed Powell’s Books to rehire 100 employees
The famous Powell’s Books in Portland, Oregon is a book lover’s dream and local institution. In the face of COVID-19, the store was forced to close its doors and lay off 300 employees, but now, thanks to a wave of online orders, they have hired back 100 staff members. The rehiring process Read More...
How to show commitment to the mental health of your employees
If you’re a leader at your workplace, then you have the obligation to demonstrate compassion and make time for people when they need it. That’s especially the case today at this time of great uncertainty. To help you connect more meaningfully with team members, here are a few simple tips from Read More...
“Hospitality for Hope” connects medical workers with free hotel lodging
Medical staff working to treat COVID-19 patients often have to make the difficult decision of whether or not to sleep at home with their families given their high risk of exposure to the virus. Fortunately, the “Hospitality for Hope” gives these doctors and nurses a comfortable and safe Read More...