Category Archives: Business

Path Forward for the United States of America 2022

Posted on June 29, 2022 | Leave a comment

Our political party leanings should not keep law breakers and violence promoters from being held accountable for their actions.

May our US laws hold true, may there be accountability, and may we as a nation clean up this mess and build a better future. May our focus be on creating health and building up our people and infrastructure, harnessing the wind/sun/water for energy.

May we value our children by giving their parents/teachers/health providers the education/tools/infrastructure to keep them healthy and growing into caring citizens for OUR future.

May we support liberty, justice, and freedom with accountability for all our businesses, citizens and guests.

May we continue this experiment known as the United States and continue to work towards a more perfect union.

May ALL citizens and guests be given autonomy and rights over their OWN bodies, and accountability to realize their personal rights do not include access to other peoples’ bodies.

May ALL US citizens be free to practice (or not practice) any faith they feel called towards.

May ALL US citizens and guests be held accountable for their individual actions – from the white/black hooded characters bashing business windows in the dead of night, to the president of the US inciting his followers to violence against the vice president and our constitution.

May ALL businesses in US jurisdiction be part of the solution of economic stability by paying their employees a living wage in the area of the country in which they are employed, providing working conditions and benefits that they as owners would be happy to work in.

Our service members know that with great freedom comes great responsibility. May we as a nation push through the growing pains of our (seemingly) teenage rebellious years, and move on towards maturity as a nation, becoming a leader in thought and in deed.

Barb Hughes

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Barb Hughes Presented with the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award by Marquis Who’s Who

Posted on September 19, 2021 | 2 comments

https://www.24-7pressrelease.com/press-release-service/484495

Barb Hughes Presented with the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award by Marquis Who’s Who

Ms. Hughes has been endorsed by Marquis Who’s Who as a leader in the fields of radio broadcasting, modeling, voice talent and writing

Barb Hughes, Albert Nelson Marquise Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient

    PORTLAND, OR, September 01, 2021 /24-7PressRelease/ — Marquis Who’s Who, the world’s premier publisher of biographical profiles, is proud to present Barb Hughes with the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award. An accomplished listee, Ms. Hughes celebrates many years’ experience in her professional network, and has been noted for achievements, leadership qualities, and the credentials and successes she has accrued in her field. As in all Marquis Who’s Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Ms. Hughes has devoted her entire career to the very competitive field of journalism and broadcasting. Making her mark in the industry, she has excelled as a feature writer for Star News since 2020, where she notably contributes many of her own photographs for her stories. She has been active as a longtime co-founder and voice talent for Hughes/Taylor Company since 1990. A voice over and digital audio production company headquartered in Portland, Ms. Hughes works with clients to provide various types of services ranging from radio and television commercials to narrations, message-on-hold and voicemail.

Ms. Hughes began her career as a broadcasting announcer in 1979 at KWWW radio and in 1981 with KSLM Radio before accepting a position with Salem Media Group from 1985 to 1991. She further flourished with iHeart Media/Z100 on a part-time basis as a broadcaster, producer, music director and promoter from 1992 to 1995. A few years later, Ms. Hughes thrived with the Lighthouse Radio Group as a radio broadcaster and morning co-host from 2001 to 2010, with which she was responsible for much of the research that went into the program and was involved in writing and voicing weekly features.

Ms. Hughes was also recruited as a commercial model, voice talent and print model in a freelance capacity in Portland between 1995 and 2011 for Cusick’s Talent Agency, Erhart Talent and Ryan Artists. Earlier in her career, she garnered an impressive reputation in communications as an announcer for Station KWWW-AM in Wenatchee, Washington in 1979 as well as an announcer, religious editor and music director for Station KSLM-AM in Salem, Oregon, from 1981 to 1983. Prior to entering the field, Ms. Hughes taught piano in East Wenatchee from 1976 to 1979 and music with Kinder College Inc. in Portland from 1983 to 1985.

Taking advantage of every opportunity, Ms. Hughes was appointed as the music director for the radio show “Rock of Ages” in Portland. A writer and contributing editor for various publications, including The Beat, she was invited as a guest talk show host and guest editorialist for several other leaders in the industry. Ms. Hughes was even credited as a volunteer reader for an international Peabody Award-winning radio program “Open Door” and a master of ceremonies for national music acts in the Portland area on occasion.

Born in Washington, Ms. Hughes later studied at Western Baptist College, from which she earned an Associate of Arts in 1981. She recently obtained a positive psychology certification in 2015 as well. Supporting her professional endeavors, Ms. Hughes has been a member of Women in Communications, the Northwest Area Music Association, the Publishers Marketing Association, the Portland Music Association and Willamette Writers.

Lending support to her community, Ms. Hughes has found much success as the founder, executive director, and volunteer coordinator of Swap Positive, a business that supports community free-swap events of various types of second-hand clothing, accessories and household items, since 2011. She was recognized as a Western Baptist Music scholar and Eagles Past President scholar in 1979. A celebrated Marquis listee, Ms. Hughes has been cited in the second and third editions of Who’s Who in Entertainment, the 16th edition of Who’s Who of American Women, and the third edition of Who’s Who of Emerging Leaders in America.

About Marquis Who’s Who®
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who’s Who in America®, Marquis Who’s Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Today, Who’s Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. Marquis® now publishes many Who’s Who titles, including Who’s Who in America®, Who’s Who in the World®, Who’s Who in American Law®, Who’s Who in Medicine and Healthcare®, Who’s Who in Science and Engineering®, and Who’s Who in Asia®. Marquis® publications may be visited at the official Marquis Who’s Who® website at www.marquiswhoswho.com.

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Encourage Gun Ownership, Teach Empathy, Implement Resource Matching

Posted on February 17, 2018 | Leave a comment

A few practical steps to create a safer, happier, more productive community (both by community building and workforce building):

 

  1. Ban sale of assault rifles to civilians – however encourage and reward responsible gun ownership by treating gun ownership, registration, training, etc. the same way we treat the responsibility and privilege of car ownership. Also suggest/encourage concerned citizens to join the NRA so they can influence from the inside empathic and sensible accountability and responsibility of gun ownership and handling.

 

    2. Teach/include practical empathy classes in all classroom curriculum – not only would this be FUN, it would be helpful for student mental health by allowing them to see the humanity in those smaller and weaker…thus help them appreciate and be empathic to their own vulnerability and value:     

 

  1. Create a job dating game where job seekers of all ages, sexes, and abilities could input their transferable skills and passions as well as their past job experience and education. Business could input the transferable skills and passions needed for their particular job openings – including the ‘worst’ things about their jobs and the ‘benefits’ of the jobs. Because one person’s worst job is the next person’s best job – you could match what the employer and employee both want from the relationship. Since this game would be blind to age, sex, race, etc. it would naturally help diversify a workforce. This dating game would focus on passion, for example: the person who loved playing in the mud as a kid would get matched up to outdoor jobs with real mud, science jobs working with goey stuff, baking jobs working with dough, manufacturing jobs working with chemicals and more…so the future employee gets to choose from a wide variety of interesting and diverse jobs/career paths, while the employer gets someone passionate about their industry (an industry the prospective employee may have never thought to apply to). (Idea by Barb Hughes)

 

  1. Create a resource matching game. Non-profit organizations, government organizations, businesses, housing, universities, police, realtors, churches, individuals, etc. input what resources they have to offer. Individuals looking for a new house, apartment to rent, stores that deliver organic food, Tool libraries that loan out items for temporary use, non-profits or senior centers who can loan a wheelchair or crutches short term, local government agencies, schools that have a program in the field they want to study (and scholarships/bank financing), – the resources to match are endless. The difference between a resource matching game and just using google, is the individual playing the game can enter in their yearly income or explain they temporarily need resources for free. This allows non-profits and helping organizations to step in to assist people. It also allows individuals to offer to help – such as a hair stylist may input into the game that he/she is willing to give free haircuts to someone who is below the poverty line, or looking for a new job, or just got out of prison, or just graduated from college. It allows people and organizations to play a game to ‘match up’ what they have to offer, both for profit and for community building. And it allows the person playing the game to play both sides of the game – as a resource provider and a resource receiver. (Idea by Barb Hughes) Other ideas at https://betterideasnow.com/

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Three Simple Ideas To Solve Our Biggest Problems

Posted on December 17, 2017 | Leave a comment

Reading Bill Nye’s book Everything All At Once, I’m inspired to share three of my ideas that would immediately change the world for the better using simple, doable processes that would solve multiple problems simultaneously. These three ideas would partner business, government, nonprofits, and community members to work together for good:

1. A job matching game focused on employee passions and transferable skills that matches the best employee to your business with the least amount of work and the most mutual satisfaction. Businesses that offer living wages, benefits, and respect their employees will be included…and job seekers of all abilities, education, and background can play.

2. A resources matching game that helps solve the multiple challenges of homelessness, poverty, addiction, and personal hopelessness. This game would be open for ALL to play so that there is no stigma.

3. A free sharing model that has worked for 12+ years that combines bringing new customers into businesses, community building, keeping items out of landfills, and free fun for all players.

I want access to partner with those who have the connections and resources to bring these ideas into reality (actually the third idea I’ve already created into reality at https://swappositive.wordpress.com/about , but need a bigger team to expand it).

These three ideas are practical and doable. I want to join a successful team to help create and implement these ideas in the spirit of the Bill Nye lifestyle philosophy. Please contact me at barbtalks22@gmail.com.

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Respecting Workers Means Better Business

Posted on February 24, 2017 | Leave a comment

This article from the Portland Business Journal says the greatest number of undocumented workers are employed in leisure and hospitality, followed by the construction sector and professional/business services, but the biggest hit on the overall economy by deporting undocumented workers would be in manufacturing.

The article states, “How could these sectors move forward following mass deportations? It’s difficult to say, but employers may be left in the lurch as native-born American workers increasingly turn away from low-skill, labor-intensive jobs.” A farm industry study released in 2013 indicated American workers were not compelled to take up farm labor positions even during high unemployment.

Let’s break that down.

Most farms are not inside a big city, where most workers reside. So if a farm wants to hire workers, they need to hire local, or provide enough money for workers to move to the area and pay for housing and relocation costs.

Labeling farm, manufacturing, and hospitality work ‘low skill’ by pundits shows disrespect for the work. For example farm work needs to be taught and learned, just like any other job. Cherries need to be picked with the stem intact because they stay fresher longer thus can be sold for more money. There are techniques how to effectively and efficiently pick fruit – it is a skill. So job training of workers is important. When is the last time you saw a class on how to pick fruit? How about the physics and science safety of ladder placement?

“Americans turn away from labor-intensive jobs” is also a half-truth. Some people LIKE the idea of getting paid to work out. Some people LIKE to work outside and not be trapped in a stuffy office. But they haven’t been given the opportunity to learn, and have been told that this type of work is beneath them. (So – eating good food, being outside in the fresh air, and being paid to exercise is beneath you?  Some people would LOVE to do those things and get paid!)

Americans have also been led to believe that physical labor, farm labor, manufacturing, and hospitality labor is paid at a starvation wage. Business and industry can change this image by advertising and paying living wages, as well as providing benefits, training and/or mentoring to make these jobs attractive to quality workers of all ages.

So how do you get Americans to apply for jobs in agriculture, construction, hospitality, professional, business, and manufacturing?

  1. Respect the job
  2. Provide training
  3. Pay a living wage (where the worker can afford a home, food, transportation, etc.).
  4. Offer to relocate city workers if your job site is out in the middle of nowhere.

Business: you can’t get something for nothing. Pay your employees a living wage and respect them and the job they were hired to do.

Educators: we need food and plumbers, as well as teachers and doctors. Encourage kids to explore.

Everyone: don’t talk down a job and treat workers badly… and then expect people to seek out that job.

And finally, ponder this:  What does it say about all of us when we label certain necessary jobs only fit for “undocumented” workers? Why do we disrespect these necessary jobs AND the people who do them gratefully and well?  How can we take responsibility and provide leadership?

By Barb Hughes

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Bank helps customers find jobs and love

Posted on February 14, 2017 | Leave a comment

A bank has found a unique way to help their customers create more wealth financially and socially, thus creating more money for customers to invest in houses, finance new business, and more.  An ingenious ‘love story’ idea mix where both business and customer are enriched.

Lender retains customers by finding them jobs and life partners

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“Updating my resume. Plz kill me.”

Posted on February 14, 2017 | Leave a comment

“I’ve been playing with my Jobs Dating App idea. Here’s a conversation I had a few days ago on facebook when a friend mentioned they are begrudgingly looking for a new job.  I changed the names (other than my own) to protect privacy, and did light editing for clarification :

______________________________________________________________

Carl:  Updating my resume. Plz kill me.

Lynn: I did update mine recently and it suuuuuucked

Carl: Few things make me feel like more of a loser / impostor / slacker / etc.

Jeanie: I feel your pain. Doing that myself. Oh, and the job search itself. If I get so bored just reading a job description, how can I possibly imagine actually working there! Egads.

Carl: Right? Or finding the perfect job that you know you’ll love but realizing you’re not qualified. 

Jeanie: Right? Because somehow when it’s time to hire, all of a sudden HR and hiring managers seems to think that if you haven’t done that exact thing already, you can’t possibly be acceptable. You know, because once we start looking for a job, it’s impossible for us to ever learn a new thing ever again.

Carl: EXACTLY

Jeanie: I once got a rejection letter to my resume submission that actually said, “…you’re not a perfect fit.” Perfect. Who the hell would ever be a PERFECT fit? Except for the person who previously had the job but even that person would not be PERFECT because if they were, they’d still be in the job. Ugh.

Carl: No such thing as perfect. Sorry you’re job hunting, too.

Barb Hughes: I want to be on a team to design a job dating app. Where you fill out all the things you think are FUN, and then the algorithms find jobs that have similar things to what you like. It would make job-hunting entertaining, and bring up all kinds of new jobs that we’d never have thought to apply for. It would also be a great game for grade school, middle, and high school kids to get an idea of what current jobs out there they would actually be compatible for, so they can take classes that feed that interest…I mean they’ve already listed things they like to do (or want to try doing) so what better way to choose a career path?

Jeanie: Great idea! Except that I don’t think there’s a big market for someone who excels at reading books, binge watching Madame Secretary, snorkeling and frosting cupcakes. 😉

Barb Hughes:  Jeanie HA! That would be where the questions would be broken down and crafted in such a way that they would apply to job interests. For example, binge watching could be a transferable skill of “able to sit for long periods of time staring at a screen totally focused on watching something I find interesting.” Other questions would ferret out what those interests are.

Carl: ^^^Going through surveillance footage like those poor guys on legal dramas. 🙂

Barb Hughes: Frosting Cupcakes might be listed under several categories (depending on which actually brings you joy) such as ‘creating masterpieces with food, clay, or art’ or ‘repetitive hand motions that create a product such as knitting, frosting cupcakes, or painting’.

Barb Hughes: And then if a business has similar activities, such as assembling widgets,  bread making, painting clay figurines, etc. you might be paired up with possible jobs in anything from manufacturing to pharmacy work to watch repair. See how much fun this would be? Jobs you never would have thought of would be offered as possibilities of transferable skills to the things you ACTUALLY enjoy doing.

Barb Hughes: Carl, concerning surveillance footage – my daughter has a friend who would get in trouble as a kid for sneaking around listening in on people…and now he works as head security at a department store and gets to watch people on security cameras and then confront them. He loves his job.

Carl: I’ve made peace with the reality that not all jobs must be work one loves. That whole “do what you love and the money will follow” is nonsense. Someone has to do unpleasant jobs and that’s okay.

Jeanie: Carl I actually agree. I’m totally fine working at a job I’m not “passionate” about, as long as it’s fairly decent and the pay is sufficient. There was this great article I came across a few years ago about how the idea of “following your passion” is overrated. I’ll see if I can find it–you may like it.

Jeanie: I think that whole passion following thing has created a lot of disappointed young people. But maybe Barb can crack the code…

Barb Hughes: I would also like to add in – for the business offering the job – for them to fill out what benefits they offer. Free clothes (radio stations have lots of promotional t-shirts and stuff that they give to staff -radio outfitted me for awhile there; and  I’ve heard people at Nordstrom et all have nice employee discounts on clothes). Free Food (when I worked at a restaurant you could have one free meal each shift you worked; at New Seasons Market they offer employees 20% off everything in the store AND they give you free food through the blue slip program). Businesses would also fill out what kinds of health care they offered, if they give out free bus passes/pay for a car or your gas money etc. So not only would the prospective employee fill out the game to match, but the employer would fill out what that actual job does and what perks the company offers, so you get a *real* match. I’d also like google maps included in the game so you can see which jobs are closest to you via walk/bike/public transportation/driving/work from home so you can choose a short commute if you want (saving the city in gridlock and pollution).  I’ve been working on gamified questions, but of course this would take a lot more input and  research as well (which I enjoy doing).

Jeanie:  Barb these are all great ideas! Maybe you should develop the app!

Barb Hughes: Jeanie I’m looking into how to do that!

Barb Hughes:  I think gamifying it in a way that hasn’t been done before would at least give options we don’t currently have. I mean, it seems like all jobs ask for is what degree/how much college you have, and if you’ve done *that* particular job before. And  how many jobs are not even around anymore (book binder? radio disc jockey? all the things people over 40 went to college for?) It really doesn’t make sense to NOT have companies look for transferable skills, and what actions/opportunities brings an employee individual joy…and then for those same companies to offer to pay for any upgraded training an employee might need. Not only are there community colleges and tech/trade schools available for company paid training, there are also tons of free online classes, as well as free classes through public libraries, so an employer may not even have to PAY to train the employee…just give them a website and paid time to learn. And since the employee has already listed their interests, they will be thrilled that you are investing in them so they can invest in the company.

_____________________________________________________________

I’m interested in being on a team to develop this web app.  Please contact me at urbanfarmer pdx1 (at)  yahoo . com  and include what organization, skill, or financial backing you would contribute to make this job dating web app a reality.

By Barb Hughes

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Job Matching Of The Future

Posted on November 13, 2016 | Leave a comment

People are scared because the future is unknown and moving so quickly.   They feel economically left behind. We could start to turn this paradigm on it’s head and take out the fear, take out the us/them thinking, by applying the following ideas and principles.

  1. We need an easier way for people to find living wage jobs.  I propose apps/websites/videos that gamify matching people’s skills and loves with today’s jobs, found in one easy to use place.  A combination of aptitude tests like Strong Interest Inventory, online games to find your emotional likes (similar to facebook games), and list any degrees, certifications, and skills you might have (including how many pounds you can lift, if you like to drive a vehicle, etc.)  These games need to be accessible online, searchable, and shareable on social media so they are easy to use.
  2. The ruling class needs a new game, too, because “who can make the most money and have the most toys” is old, stale and boring. Gamify the 1% and ruling class to see who’s employees/businesses/towns/states can create the best new ways to provide and process clean water, whole fresh food techniques, ways to improve health, etc. – and then implement those ideas through living wage jobs found on easily accessible apps/games that can be found on websites/facebook pages so people in all areas of the US can find out about them (see #1).
  3. B Corps are a new way to do business, with a people/profit/planet focus, thus creating a cradle to cradle loop which is more fun, cost effective, and a better (and cheaper) use of resources for business.
  4. And we need new training/education – sponsored by the industry/new industries, ruling class, and 1%ers themselves, as well as government and possibly other creative inputs – to give people hands-on training in the new job skills needed. Putting people to work in living wage jobs by matching their interests, skills, ability, and vision, will unite us socially by allowing us all the dignity of feeling a productive member of society and making life better for ourselves, our families, our communities…plus we’ll be creating goods and services right here in America that we can use ourselves and export for profit. We’ll all be part of a team again – with the ruling class actually leading the way to sustainability and honor, by simplifying and gamifying the process of creating new industries, jobs, and opportunities for all, no matter where you live or what your current skill set.

Let’s replace fear with practical fun and hard work.   I’d like to be on a working team to bring America together using simple, practical solutions to equip all Americans – city/country, colored/white, male/female, ruling class/working class, etc. – with successful tools/skills.  I have some templates to help get this started.  Contact me if interested.

Barb Hughes, Better Ideas Now blog founder

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Telsa Unveils Solar Roof Shingles

Posted on November 1, 2016 | Leave a comment

Tesla is coming out with a solar roof that is compatible with their updated battery that can then charge their car. The cost of the roof is supposedly comparable to the cost of a roof plus your current electricity bill. Telsa has recently purchased Solar City as it’s distribution channel.  I look forward to see how this technology unfolds.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-10-31/no-one-saw-tesla-s-solar-roof-coming

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Finding a Job/Career Fit for the Future

Posted on August 31, 2016 | Leave a comment

With the job market changing people aren’t sure what jobs are even available now, what skills are needed, or where to look for living wage work. Students, laid off workers, management, and people starting or re-entering the job force are frustrated, confused, and feel beaten down.

Companies/employers seek quality, diverse, happy employees with a variety of skill sets. They want to get the right employee fit the first time, saving time, energy, and money.

I recently put some thought into workable and doable solutions for homelessness. Now here’s my ideas to better address matching people and jobs/careers:

  1. (YouTube) series highlighting new and established quality jobs available right now
  2. (Online) job matching game with searchable data base/website

The YouTube Job Series/Channel would feature new and established jobs that are available right now. Each job/segment would highlight job responsibilities, company benefits, what the company/job is looking for socially/motivationally in an employee, short interviews of people who LIKE their job saying why they like it, what training is provided, the future the company offers to employees, and how/where to apply for the job. This series could be used not only by individuals doing job searches at home, but also by human resource departments, public relations teams, schools, re-training centers, prisons, and more. Being that it is public and on YouTube it can be accessed by those searching at home, in libraries, and can be shared on social networks. Workers could better self-select jobs they will personally enjoy, and feel confident applying for jobs and industries they – after watching the video(s) – now better understand. Employers who create videos of each type of job can easily share job openings, giving an easy and shareable way to attract the right person for their job. In one step the un/under-employed job seekers’ stress level is eased…and employers have better access to a quality job force of interested and qualified people. I would love to help craft the over-all template/questions/content that can be replicated by organizations big and small (possibly using iphones and desktop publishing to make it cost effective). Completed videos and job opening information could be emailed to the channel for upload and inclusion to their jobs database/website.

The Online Job Matching Game could be similar to current facebook games (i.e. the Disney Princess match ups), but instead of only focusing on job history and education, the jobs game could also have questions that help focus your social/psychographic interests. Let’s say you are an extrovert – you may thrive as a cashier or in direct sales because you get to talk to different people all day long. If you are an introvert you might thrive stocking shelves or working in close-knit small teams. The game could help suggest options where you would socially and emotionally thrive, and then match you with videos that show what a person does on the job(s) suggested, the personality traits that work well with this job, the benefits and training offered, etc. So the online jobs game would help you see how your current and past skills could cross over into other/new jobs. If you had the option to save each search, then try again and add new skills to this same online game, you could re-play it and get more options for jobs in the future…plus it would sure be nice to only have ONE resume/portfolio/game to fill out, and let the algorithms figure out what information is needed to apply to each job.

By Barb Hughes

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Call 911, text for help, with the touch of a button

Posted on June 13, 2016 | Leave a comment

I just discovered this safety jewelry that sets off a loud alarm, texts friends/family/contacts of your location, and dials 911 all at the touch of a button.  It’s called Roar Jewelry. Part of the purchase price goes to educating children in empathy, so that the rape and violence culture cycle ends.

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Edible Cutlery

Posted on March 17, 2016 | Leave a comment

Don’t throw away your disposable silverware – eat it!  This innovative ‘silverware’ is a food item that is baked, and comes in various flavors to go with whatever you are eating – sweet, savory, etc.  Disposable environmentally destructive plastic was ‘innovative’ in it’s day, but we’ve learned now that it’s harmful to the planet and to our health.  With todays technology and understanding we can do better!  (Plus the edible cutlery is nutritious and delicious according to those who’ve tried it.) What a great new business model.

 

The above story is from The Better India a news source featuring innovation for positive and practical change. I’ve just discovered it and bookmarked it.  Good stuff!

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Affordable Housing for Seniors and Young Adults

Posted on March 15, 2016 | Leave a comment

Finland leads the way with another innovative idea: seniors and young adults enjoy affordable housing  – and an enriching community experience.

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Four Steps To Economic Recovery

Posted on March 4, 2016 | 2 comments

The news is full of articles trying to figure out a way to save America:  how to bring back the middle class, create jobs, help stop the disparity between the few rich at the top and the majority falling (or fearful of falling) toward poverty, and what to do about increasing homelessness and food insecurity.  American society seems gripped in fear, as many young people wrestle with college debt and little or no living wage work prospects.  Middle managers in their 40’s/50’s/60’s have been downsized/laid off, and haunt monthly job fairs featuring door-t0-door commission sales work (to try to reach those who don’t want to open their doors to strangers and/or don’t have money/need to purchase their products anyway).  An undergirding of fear is sweeping our nation just under the surface for those of wealth (and those hanging on by their fingernails to their wealth), a daily reality for many more.

The conversation is here.  People are awake and aware that this growing soup of problems are encroaching on us as a society, not just ‘the fringe others’.  This involves all of us.  Some of us who have not yet lost our job/home/health respond with self-protective denial.  Some of us in frustration and fear blame the ‘other’.  Some of us become clinically depressed and use pain medication/drink/drugs to hide.

I believe there is a practical way to turn this poverty of economy and spirit around. Here’s my idea outline for a Four Step Plan To Economic Recovery:

  1.  Living wage jobs provided by the very corporations and businesses that have taken living wage jobs away, as well as innovative business models such as B-Corporations and worker cooperatives that balance wages, community building, and benefits with profits.
  2. Mortgage companies/banks/developers et all to sell/rent housing that is affordable to wages earned in area said housing/businesses reside.  Seed Seattle is an example of an organization creating partnerships and inspiring investments in affordable housing, arts, and economic development.
  3. Medical health care that actually provides health benefit – not high priced/high deductible insurance that doesn’t cover any type of actual care.
  4. Education tied with industry jobs, so instead of graduating with a 4 year degree and $30,000-$200,000 of debt and no income/job in sight, the education/training is included in most businesses/jobs as part of the training package of said business/job. This would also be helpful for those re-entering the workforce and those who’s jobs have changed/no longer exist.

These four steps would in practical ways help turn the economy around with innovative business and industry leading the way by creating living wage jobs and incorporating training and benefits back into the business model.  Add to that affordable housing, fanning innovation, creating community building opportunities, rebuilding a middle class and giving tangible tools to bring disenfranchised into the middle class, and the result would be uplifting all of American society for a better future.

Barb Hughes 2013    Barb Hughes

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Tiny Banks – A return to traditional banking (Plus, how to start your own bank!)

Posted on May 18, 2015 | Leave a comment

Tired of the hassles of big banks? Dave Fishwick brought banking back to its roots:  local banks for local people, by the community for the community.

If you’re interested in making a positive difference in your community, Dave Fishwick shows you how to open your own bank:

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Utopia for those with Dementia

Posted on June 12, 2014 | Leave a comment

The Netherlands has a unique eldercare community built specifically for dementia patients, called Dementia Village.  Dementia Village is a safe 4 acre indoor/outdoor community where residents can enjoy the seasons, visit a restaurant, drink a cup of tea, get their hair done, go shopping, and are free to go wherever they want (within the save indoor/outdoor village with a ratio of 2 staff per resident).

This 4 acre complex is home to 23 housing units with 7 different ‘lifestyle themes’, the goal being to create a space where each resident can enjoy life and feel welcome.  On a physical level people here require fewer medications, eat better, live longer.  On a mental level they also seem to experience more joy.

Thanks to CNN’s World’s Untold Stories for this video.

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Indoor forts just got a whole lot more fun

Posted on May 27, 2014 | Leave a comment

Indoor forts for kids (and adults) just got a whole lot easier – and more fun. Made from recycled cardboard, these lay flat for storage, but can be folded into lego-like blocks for easy stacking.  But the genius is the ‘mortar’ that holds the blocks together, and the easy-on roofs.  Take a look – and be a part of the kick starter program if you like what you see.

This is a possible step towards an outdoor building system for reusable small buildings as well.

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Solar Roadways Are A Reality

Posted on May 24, 2014 | Leave a comment

Solar roadways do more than just create abundant electricity and green jobs – they also can:

1. Melt snow in the northern climates so you can drive cars and ride bikes safely year ’round

2.  Be programmed with signage  – so as traffic patterns change you don’t have to repaint the roadway stripes – just reprogram the configuration

3.  Help keep the air and water shed cleaner

4. And a whole bunch of other amazing things.

The technology prototype has already been proven, and the technology is ready to launch commercially  –  starting with parking lots and private driveways and eventually leading to roads worldwide (if we cover the roads in America, we’ll have 3 times more energy than we need).  If you’re a business or an eco friendly early adapter check out the indiegogo campaign.

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Posted in Business, Health, Heroes, Stewardship, Tech

Ikea leads the way in system to stabilize refugee families

Posted on May 23, 2014 | Leave a comment

Ikea is developing a prototype of refugee shelter that is easy to put together, is insulated, has a solar light so people can cook/sew/do homework when it gets dark, and other simple yet practical features.

Ikea is getting feedback from refugees to improve upon the concept before they roll out the final design.  They also plan to include a system of health care, education, and more so refugee families can not only get stabilized physically, but get all members of a family back on their feet in body/mind/spirit as quickly and respectfully as possible.

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Good News Network gets a fantastic make-over

Posted on May 18, 2014 | Leave a comment

The Good News Network was started by Geri Weis-Corbley in 1997, and I’ve enjoyed the little encouraging stories sent to my email inbox for many years.  Recently the Good News Network went through a transformation, and is now a free and easily navigated news service. The insight and direction of Geri’s work and attitude are cutting edge cultural creative.  Check out more information about what she’s doing, why, the history, how you can get involved by sending in your own stories, and more here.  Now you can start and end your day with GOOD news from the Good News Network  – rated #1 on Google.

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