Main Street Mindset

Why Almost Winning Feels Better Than Losing (and Why That’s Dangerous)

There’s a reason casinos tend to make a lot of money.

Mar 31 • Alan Bass

Why Stubborn Ideas Outlive Failed Results

Failure is a teaching tool, but a wrong premise misleads.

Mar 17 • Alan Bass

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Why Hiring Feels Impossible (Even When You’re Doing Everything Right)

Domestic migration has quietly reshaped the labor market and small businesses are paying the price.

Mar 3 • Alan Bass

February 2026

The Supreme Court’s Opinion on Tariffs Leaves a Major Question Unanswered

The Court struck down the policy, but the money is still missing

Feb 21 • Alan Bass

What Small Businesses Miss About Disney’s Staying Power

Behind the parks and characters is a company built for reuse, resilience, and survival

Feb 17 • Alan Bass

How AI is Distorting Our View of the Economy

AI may be driving real growth. But it’s also making it harder to see where growth isn’t happening

Feb 3 • Alan Bass

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January 2026

Why Good Leadership Often Feels Unsatisfying

Life isn’t a movie or a TV show. Good leadership happens over time, not in big, climactic moments.

Jan 20 • Alan Bass

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The Quiet Collapse of the Small Business Advantage

The data show a growing gap between Main Street and corporate America – and it’s unlikely small businesses can keep up.

Jan 7 • Alan Bass

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December 2025

The Power of “Enough”

It’s incredibly difficult to know when you have “enough.” But pinpointing that moment can be your ticket to freedom.

Dec 30, 2025 • Alan Bass

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November 2025

Why You Sometimes Need to Just Pull the Goalie

Just because something has always been done a certain way doesn’t mean that it’s the best way.

Nov 4, 2025 • Alan Bass

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October 2025

The Small Business Trolley Problem

Errors of omission are often treated differently than errors of commission. It’s how small businesses usually end up falling behind.

Oct 21, 2025 • Alan Bass

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You Don’t Show Power By Using It

From the NHL to the business world, the strongest leaders are the ones who don’t have to remind you who’s in charge.

Oct 9, 2025 • Alan Bass

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