September 19, 2024
UConn Today – Niko Zurita ’10 (BUS) remembers how, during the COVID-19 pandemic, almost every human resource executive in America tried to arrange a “Virtual Happy Hour” in an effort to keep employees connected.
And while it was better than nothing, those end-of-the-workday gatherings, conducted through a computer monitor, were clearly no substitute for an in-person event, Zurita says.
September 17, 2024
UConn Today – As a UConn student, Lyla Andrick ’24 (CAHNR) created about 2,000 brightly colored dinosaur stuffed animals in her dorm room, while also juggling schoolwork and a job at a veterinary clinic.
The plush animals have become so popular that the small New England boutiques where they are sold can’t keep them on the shelves.
September 13, 2024
UConn Today – Brianna Linehan, a senior majoring in marketing, came to the Business Career Expo on Wednesday ready to impress employers.
Linehan was eager to talk to recruiters about her course work, leadership experiences and her recent internship at Equitable in New York, where she helped create a website.
“I love these fairs and all the networking opportunities they offer,’’ said Linehan of Southington, Conn. “I’m excited to talk about my experiences and to look for a job where that I can grow and further develop my skills.’’
September 10, 2024
UConn Today – Who hasn’t purchased a pint of mouthwatering strawberries and two days later had to toss it in the trash because the berries became mushy and moldy?
A staggering one of every three pieces of fresh produce ends up in the garbage, a frustration for farmers, grocers, and consumers alike.
But a team of UConn scientists think they have a solution. Their startup, Atlantic Sea Solutions, is using seaweed extracts as a coating for peaches, berries and other fresh produce. They believe the natural ingredient can double the shelf-life of perishable foods by reducing shrinkage and spoilage. The seaweed-coating can be applied without changing the flavor or texture of the food.
September 6, 2024
UConn Today – Timothy B. Folta, professor of management and entrepreneurship, is leading a National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine committee investigating the success and impact of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs at the U.S. Department of Energy.
September 5, 2024
UConn Today – Whether they expanded their skills on a U.S. Navy submarine at sea, in a healthcare facility at the height of the pandemic, or by growing career programs at their alma mater, four members of the UConn Business community have been selected as among the most inspiring young leaders in Greater Hartford.
September 4, 2024
murphy.senate.gov – HARTFORD–U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) announced on Wednesday that the Connecticut Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CCEI), the University of Connecticut’s entrepreneurship center, was named “Innovator of the Month” for its work to advance entrepreneurship in Connecticut. The center provides students, faculty, alumni, and military veterans with the necessary resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities to scale up their ideas, empowering entrepreneurs across the state to build sustainable businesses and make a positive impact.
August 14, 2024
Wallethub – Q: Do you think credit unions and online lenders can compete with the best banks for personal loans?
Credit unions often offer better terms on all of those collateralized loans. I do not know how competitive they are on unsecured loans. Without researching it, I assume they do not offer such loans or limit them. The risk on unsecured loans is quite high, regardless of credit ratings. Large banks have the reserves and the legal teams to take on that risk; I suspect—but do not know—that credit unions are reluctant to take those risks. They do not have the reserves and the legal teams.
While credit unions vary widely in how they are run, I know that my credit union offers car loans three points or more lower than banks and some other credit unions. I also know that its equity lines and mortgages are lower than those of major banks. My bank offers equity loans fully four points higher than the rate on those from my credit union.
On the other hand, I have higher returns on a savings account (at 4.65%) at a commercial bank with no minimum level, much higher than returns offered at any credit union of which I am aware.
The simple reality is that people have to spend some time looking around and considering the options. As my personal experience outlined above suggests, credit unions often offer very competitive rates and services, including credit cards, but for specific products some banks or other credit unions will offer superior terms. However, it is almost always the case that the major banks offer the lowest rates on savings and CDs and insist on the highest rates for loans of any sort. They have the market power so long as people are not willing to invest the time to find better deals.
August 9, 2024
Slate – I love stuff, especially stuff that feels like it might add an element of personalization in a society that so often subscribes to materialistic monoculture. It’s evident from the trinkets that live on my desk, in the depths of my closet, and in my childhood bedroom. But lately I’ve been wondering if accessorizing has gone too far.
August 5, 2024
UConn Today – The Cecchini family’s entrepreneurship story began with an extraordinary love for their English Bulldog, Tank.
Unlike his two canine brothers, Tank suffered from unrelenting food allergies and painful ear infections. The South Windsor family developed a healthy, all-natural, grain-free dog biscuit just for him. When friends and family kept asking for samples, they recognized they were onto something big. They created their business, The Dog Bone LLC, in 2016.