News U.S. Tariff Changes Coming This August: Who, What & Why As of early August 2025, the U.S. is enacting major new tariffs across dozens of countries and commodity sectors. These changes stem from a broad shift toward "reciprocal" tariffs under the Trump administration and Section 232 national security actions. Key Tariffs Taking Effect August 1–7, 2025
News The RV Reality: Why Transitioning LA’s Vehicular Homeless Into Housing Requires More Than Just Shelter Los Angeles has long wrestled with its homelessness crisis, and one of the most visible faces of this struggle is the rise of RV and vehicle encampments across the city. Rows of aging trailers and vans line industrial blocks, often home to individuals and families who once had steady lives
Paid-members only Small Business Resources What Is a Capability Statement — And What Should Be On It?
Paid-members only logistics Why You Need a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Medical Courier Work
logistics Step by Step Guide on How to Become a Medical Courier STEP 1: Understand What Medical Couriers Do Medical couriers specialize in transporting time-sensitive, often biohazardous materials, including: * Lab specimens * Blood and plasma * Pharmaceuticals * Medical records * Surgical tools * Durable medical equipment (DME) This niche pays better than standard courier work but has stricter requirements around chain of custody, temperature control, and
makerssystem Understanding Fragrance Notes — And Why You Should Break the Rules A Maker's Guide to Creative Blending (With a Little Science, Too) One of the most common questions I get from new candle makers is: "How do I know which scents go together?" The truth is: there are no hard and fast rules. Fragrance blending is just
Small Business Resources Why Boundaries Are a Business Strategy, Not Just a Buzzword We hear it all the time: Set boundaries. Protect your peace. Say no more often. It’s popular advice, but when you’re running a business, especially as a solopreneur or founder, the idea of setting boundaries can feel like a luxury you can’t afford. But here’s the
Small Business Resources Emergency Planning for Small Businesses: Are You Really Prepared? If a flood hit your city tomorrow, a fire swept through your building, or your inventory was stolen overnight, how would your business respond? Most small business owners are laser-focused on day-to-day operations: fulfilling orders, managing staff, hitting revenue goals. But one thing too many overlook? Emergency preparedness. And in
Small Business Resources Protecting Your Business: Why Commercial and Flood Insurance Are No Longer Optional Recent natural disasters like the devastating floods in Central Texas serve as a wake-up call to business owners everywhere: if you’re running a business without the proper insurance, you’re gambling with your livelihood. Commercial Insurance: Your First Line of Defense Whether you’re operating out of a storefront,
Small Business Resources How the BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL could wipe out 1099 logistics work and what you can do about it There’s a bill making its way through Congress with a pretty name but some ugly consequences for the logistics world. It’s called the PRO Act, nicknamed the Big Beautiful Bill, and if you’re a cargo van owner, box truck driver, or final-mile courier, you need to understand
Paid-members only Small Business Resources How to License Your Book to Schools and Educational Groups
Paid-members only Small Business Resources “TSA Certified” Courier? Here’s What That Really Means (and What It Doesn’t)
Small Business Resources Why Your Business Needs a Capability Statement - Even If You’re Just Starting Out If you’re serious about landing government contracts, corporate partnerships, or B2B deals, there’s one document you must have in your toolkit: The Capability Statement. Think of it as your business résumé. It’s a concise, professionally formatted document that tells decision-makers exactly who you are, what you do,
Small Business Resources Featured Introducing Our New Loan Partnership: Couvent Collective x Lendflow/Lightbox Fueling Growth for Underserved Entrepreneurs We’re excited to announce a new partnership that will make accessing capital even easier for the communities we serve! The Couvent Collective has officially partnered with Lendflow and Lightbox to provide fast, flexible loan solutions designed specifically for women, reentry citizens, minority-owned businesses, and
Small Business Resources Introducing The Maker's System - A Marketing Platform Built for Candle Makers For years, I’ve watched candle makers do it all, hand-pour perfection, design stunning labels, show up at markets, and hustle on Instagram, all while trying to figure out marketing on their own. And if you’re a chandler, you know exactly what I’m talking about. Creating a beautiful
Paid-members only Small Business Resources Planning Ahead: What Product-Based Business Owners Need to Know About Tariffs and Rising Costs
Small Business Resources The Power of Strategic Planning: Why Every Successful Business Starts with a Plan Running a business without a plan is like driving to a destination you've never been to, without a map, GPS, or even a sense of direction. It might seem exciting at first, but at some point, you’ll get lost, run out of fuel, or realize you’ve
Small Business Resources How Small Businesses Can Make Their Voices Heard in Government Small businesses are the backbone of the economy, but far too often, they’re left out of the conversations that shape policies, funding opportunities, and economic development. At Couvent Collective, we believe that it’s not enough to just build a business, you have to advocate for your business too.
