Author: sHq_LoGiNz

TOKYO, July 9, 2025 /3BL/ – Federal Express Corporation, one of the world’s largest express transportation companies, announced the six winners of the 2025 FedEx/Junior Achievement International Trade Challenge (FedEx/JA ITC) Japan Finals. These talented individuals will move forward to compete in the FedEx/JA ITC Asia Pacific regional finals, scheduled for August 2025.

For 17 years, FedEx has partnered with JA Japan to nurture the future leaders of Japan’s business community. The ITC program involves students in team-based activities and specialized workshops, focusing on global trade, and facilitated by FedEx and JA Japan. This initiative aims to provide young entrepreneurs with essential skills for their future success.

This year, the students were challenged to develop a market entry strategy targeting China for a sustainable product that reduces fast fashion waste from returns. Their ideas showcased critical thinking, creativity, and a deep understanding of sustainable business solutions relevant to today’s global landscape.

The six students who will represent Japan at the regionals are:
Names of students: Miki Kamochi, Haruki Kawamata
School location: Tokyo, Japan
Product: DimensionView
Product presented: A compact stick device that connects to monitors to display clothing images in actual, real-world sizes on screens. This allows online shoppers to view garments in true scale, minimizing sizing errors and contributing to lower return rates.

Names of students: Tomoharu Hayakawa, Yui Motoishi
School location: Tokyo, Japan
Product: SnapFit
Product presented: An app-enabled solution that captures body measurements and applies them to a personalized avatar, allowing users to try on clothing virtually. This tool is designed to reduce return rates caused by inaccurate sizing or mismatched style preferences.

Names of students: Sumire Yamamoto, Riyo Shimizu
School location: Tokyo, Japan
Product: StitchSnap
Product presented: A service that prints photos onto fabric using images submitted by users. Inspired by the fan culture boom in China, users can create customized items like t-shirts and bags with their favorite photos. By utilizing fabric from discarded clothing, this solution also helps reduce textile waste resulting from product returns.

At the regional finals in Singapore, the winners from Japan will be paired with students from other markets and compete against finalists from Hong Kong, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. This offers a unique opportunity for Japanese students to collaborate, exchange ideas, and engage in constructive discussions with peers from diverse cultural backgrounds.

“We are truly impressed by the creativity and dedication displayed by all of the ITC student participants this year. Their critical thinking skills and ability to develop innovative solutions highlight their potential as future business leaders for Japan and the global community,” said Ken McMahon, Managing Director, Asia-Pacific Customer Solutions & Special Services, FedEx. “The FedEx/JA ITC program is an important step in helping students develop the skills and confidence needed to navigate the complexities of the global marketplace and an increasingly uncertain future.”

Since its introduction to Japan in 2008, FedEx/JA ITC has continued to strengthen its commitment to helping students better understand the nuances of international trade. So far, the program has attracted over 2,400 high school students.

More information about the 2025 FedEx/JA ITC can be found on the JA Japan website https://www.ja-japan.org/contests/ITC.html.

Click here to learn about FedEx Cares, our global community engagement program.

Cascale was proud to join global apparel leaders in London for the official launch of the Apparel and Textile Transformation Initiative (ATTI) – a manufacturer-led, nationally grounded, and globally coordinated effort to accelerate environmental transformation across the apparel and textile sector.

Convened by the International Apparel Federation (IAF) and the International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF), the event drew manufacturers, brands, federations, and civil society into a unified call for bold, localized action and a rebalancing of industry systems to better support those driving production.

Opening remarks from Matthijs Crietee (IAF secretary general) and Cem Altan (IAF president) laid the foundation for a day focused on structural change, while Christian Schindler (ITMF director general) emphasized that ATTI is designed not to compete with existing initiatives but to fill a critical gap; centering manufacturers in transformation efforts that have often been brand-led or fragmented.

Lindita Xhaferi-Salihu, business engagement lead for global climate action at UN Climate Change, spoke to the complexity of the current moment, urging the industry to move beyond isolated efforts and toward truly collaborative models that include policy, finance, and operational stakeholders. She emphasized that the pressure cannot fall solely on sustainability teams, and that systems change demands cross-functional and cross-sector alignment.

The core focus of the event was unpacking the ATTI model, which first prioritizes a needs assessments and collaborative solution design. From there, implementation can expand toward national chapters, which are to be decided. Speakers such as Miran Ali (ATTI global council, Bangladesh) and Selçuk Mehmet Kaya (İHKİB sustainability committee president) spoke candidly about the ongoing mismatch between brand expectations and manufacturer realities, citing rising demands with little corresponding support. Both emphasized the need for greater accountability from brands and a commitment to shared investment in decarbonization.

From the brand side, Fernando de Bunes (Inditex’s chief risk officer) and Felicity Tapsell (BESTSELLER’s head of responsible sourcing) affirmed their support for ATTI’s practical, country-focused structure. They stressed the importance of building transformation plans that respond to the national context and working directly with manufacturers to identify systemic barriers.

Later in the program, Eva von Alvensleben, executive director of The Fashion Pact, framed ATTI as a much-needed mechanism to connect initiatives, scale impact, and ensure manufacturers have a seat at the table. She highlighted the role of coalition-building to unlock industry-wide transformation, even when the path is complex and sometimes messy.

Andrew Martin, executive vice president at Cascale, highlighted the alignment between ATTI and the Industry Decarbonization Roadmap (IDR), a collaborative, industry-wide initiative to accelerate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions across the textile, apparel, and footwear value chain, aiming for a 45 percent reduction by 2030. It moves the industry from ambition to measurable action — prioritizing high-impact facilities while supporting scalable, inclusive, and commercially viable pathways to decarbonization. Initially catalyzed by Cascale and the Apparel Impact Institute (Aii), the IDR is now designed as an open, evolving platform for collective industry leadership and action.

Martin described ATTI as a natural complement to the IDR’s goals of supporting national transformation pathways with global coordination: “Manufacturers know what needs to be done. What they’re asking for is alignment. Not ten different targets and twenty different timelines from brands. Brand alignment came out as the top barrier in our recent polling of manufacturers at our Cascale Forum event in Ho Chi Minh City – not finance, not tech. Alignment.”

He also emphasized the importance of avoiding duplication and building trust through meaningful support. “We’re bringing what we can — harmonized data, brand engagement, and credible partnerships. But this only works if manufacturers are the ones leading the agenda.”

Andres Bragagnini, senior manager of strategic engagement at Aii, underscored the need for coordinated action that integrates technical solutions, financing mechanisms, and manufacturer-led planning. He outlined how ATTI complements the IDR’s intent to focus action in high-impact production countries by putting solutions directly into manufacturers’ hands.

As the event concluded, speakers and participants agreed that ATTI represents a fresh opportunity to address climate targets through grounded, practical collaboration. With manufacturers leading, brands aligning, and organizations like Cascale and Aii providing trusted support, the industry has a clearer path to deliver on its 2030 climate goals.

“This is a dream come true,” Martin concluded. “For years, we’ve been trying to connect the dots – harmonizing data, aligning with brand expectations, and localizing implementation. ATTI brings all of that together, but crucially, it puts manufacturers in the driver’s seat.”

We explore why packaging matters—how cartons ensure food safety, what happens after they’re used, and how we can keep their materials in circulation.

Most of us don’t often consider what happens to our milk or juice cartons once they’re empty. But the truth is, cartons do more than just contain food and drink—they protect it. Through a combination of aseptic technology and packaging-material structure, they help preserve the colour, texture, and taste of perishable food, keeping it safe for longer without the need for refrigeration or preservatives.

By extending shelf-life and allowing perishable food to be transported and stored without cooling, cartons help increase food accessibility while reducing food waste—a win for both people and the planet.

“People tend to take food packaging for granted,” says Lars Holmquist, Executive Vice President Sustainability at Tetra Pak. “But as the global population grows and pressures on resources increase, it is crucial to view food packaging in a holistic way. Packaging must provide better access to perishable food while protecting people and the planet.”

A circular future for materials

Unlike fossil fuel-based single-use packaging, cartons are primarily made from paperboard sourced from FSC™-certified forests and other controlled sources. This means they come from renewable materials that can be replenished, when sourced responsibly. It also gives them a lower carbon footprint compared to single-use packaging made primarily from fossil fuel-based materials in the dairy and juice categories¹—a small switch that can make a big difference.

“As the global population grows and pressures on resources increase, it is crucial to view food packaging in a holistic way. Packaging must provide better access to perishable food while protecting people and the planet.” 

A carton’s value doesn’t end after it is used. Where collection, sorting, and recycling infrastructure exists at scale, cartons can be recycled. When repurposed, their high-quality paper fibres can be transformed into new products like boxes and shopping bags, while non-fibre materials can find new life in warehouse pallets, crates, outdoor furniture, floor panels, and even car parts.

The power of collective action

The challenge of transforming an empty carton into something else of value requires more than just infrastructure—it demands awareness, participation, and collective action.

“As a world leader in food processing and packaging solutions, we are in a unique position to drive the sustainability transformation of food systems,” says Lars Holmquist. “We are constantly working with stakeholders across the recycling value chain to strengthen carton-recycling infrastructure as well, making it more efficient and widely available.”

Governments, businesses, and consumers must work together to ensure that recycling systems are efficient, accessible, and widely adopted. Investments in sorting and collection technology are critical, and so is fostering a culture where recycling is second nature.

The power of the carton

Sustainability is not a destination, but a journey—one that evolves with innovation, collaboration, and a shared commitment. By continuously developing new materials, helping to improve recycling processes, and working alongside communities and policymakers, leaders in the packaging industry are shaping the future of the food system for generations to come.

Because when you recycle a carton, you’re not just disposing of something you no longer need: you’re actively keeping valuable materials in use and contributing to a more resilient and sustainable world. And that’s a simple choice that makes a lasting impact.

Originally published on GoDaddy LinkedIn

GoDaddy Small Business Research Lab

Welcome to the latest edition of the GoDaddy Small Business Research Lab update! First – the name change: GoDaddy Small Business Research Lab is the new name for Venture Forward. What began in 2018 as Venture Forward in the U.S. only has grown into a global research effort with tracking the rise and impact of online small and microbusinesses. Since 2018, we’ve also surveyed more than 60,000 entrepreneurs to better understand how they’re shaping local economies. If you are new to our work, we define microbusinesses as ventures with a unique GoDaddy domain, an active website, and typically fewer than 10 employees.

The new name reflects the evolution and growth of our research program, aligning more closely with GoDaddy’s strength as a partner to small businesses everywhere. The name change was also driven by the expanding scope of our analysis.

What’s not changing is our mission: our research, partnerships, and resources will remain focused on empowering others with fresh insights that matter most – in a way that uniquely blends granular and big-picture insights. Whether you’re a policymaker, entrepreneur, academic, journalist or just curious about small business trends, you’re in the right place.

Now, this edition features updated Q1 numbers, the 2025 economic impact of microbusinesses updated, insights on small business owner outlooks, and more!

Finally, we always welcome your feedback. If something in this issue sparks a thought, please share it. And if you haven’t subscribed yet, join us on LinkedIn to get new insights as soon as they’re live quarterly.

Warmly,

Alexandra Rosen 

Global Head of the GoDaddy Small Business Research Lab

Microbusiness Data Hub: Latest Updates Now Live

Our Data Hub is refreshed through Q1/March 2025 across the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Australia. The update includes:

• Monthly microbusiness density trends
• The latest U.S. Microbusiness Activity Index
• Global e-commerce sector rankings by country

Below, you’ll also find:

• The top five e-commerce industries by country

COUNTRY	TOP	2ND	3RD	4TH	5TH
U.S.	Beauty	Health/Medical	Retail	Fitness/Wellness	Fashion
U.K.	Beauty	Health/Medical	Pets	Fitness/Wellness	Retail
Canada	Beauty	Health/Medical	Fitness/Wellness	Sports	Professional Services
Australia	Health/Medical	Beauty	Sports	Fitness/Wellness Education

Source: GoDaddy Small Business Research Lab, Q1 2025

• The areas with the highest microbusiness density (microbusinesses per 100 people)

COUNTRY	TOP	2ND	3RD	4TH	5TH
U.S. (Metros > 400K Pop.)	Ft Lauderdale, FL	Las Vegas, NV	Ventura, CA	Tulsa, OK	Provo, UT
Microbusiness Density	21	20	17	17	17
U.K (Constituencies)	Cities of London and Westminster	Holborn and St Pancras	St Albans	Stoke-on-Trent South	Hackney South and Shoreditch
Microbusiness Density	26	10	19		9
Canada (Provinces/Territories)	British Columbia	Ontario	Alberta	Quebec	Yukon
Microbusiness Density	3	3	2	2	2
Australia (SA3)	Canberra East	Sydney Inner City	Adelaide City	Port Phillip	Melbourne City
Microbusiness Density	13	12	6	5	6

Source: GoDaddy Small Business Research Lab, Q1 2025

To take a look at the newest findings and see what’s shifting:

Download the full dataset

2025 Economic Impact: How Microbusinesses Move Local Economies

New findings from our ongoing partnership with UCLA Anderson Forecast economists show just how impactful microbusinesses are at the local level:

1. Job creation grows: Each additional microbusiness owner adds over seven jobs in their county up from last year, and from just two back in 2018.
2. Median household income is up: A 1% increase in the number of online microbusinesses is associated with a 6% increase in median household income (county-level) and 1% increase in entrepreneurs lifts median household income by 2% (county-level)
3. Unemployment decreases: Adding ew microbusinesses continues to lower local unemployment at the county-level

U.S. National Survey – May 2025: Optimism and Caution

Our latest U.S. national survey reveals both resilience and recalibration:

• 49% of owners expect the U.S. economy to weaken, and that’s up 17 points from last year
• 60% still report positive outlooks about their business’ revenue over the next 6 months
• 40% say they’ll remain solo entrepreneurs, up from 36%, signalling a lifestyle-first mindset
• Financial concerns is the primary headache/stressor for business owners (80%), followed by work-life balance (58%) and competition (37%)
• Only 8% cite capital access as their biggest barrier, down from 10%, suggesting a slightly improved funding landscape

Get the full picture.

Most Entrepreneurial Cities of 2025: Is Your Hometown On the List?

We’ve released our annual rankings spotlighting where entrepreneurship is booming in the U.S., U.K., and Australia. The data points to a diverse set of cities fueling new business creation with many of them well outside the usual hotspots.

A few standout takeaways:

• San Francisco saw a 122% spike in new microbusinesses
• Katy, TX; Wilmington, NC; and Alameda, CA joined the top 10
• In the U.K., London remains a leader, but Aberdeen and Brighton are climbing fast
• In Australia, Bundaberg outpaced Sydney with a 178% surge

This campaign celebrates the builders behind the boom, and the places making it possible. Explore the full rankings and download official city seals

GoDaddy Data Featured in the U.S. Chamber’s Forecast Update

GoDaddy’s data was cited in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business Weekly Forecast, a trusted source for tracking trends in American entrepreneurship.

See the insights informing national conversations on Small Business topics

In the News

United States Microbusiness Owners Remain Optimistic – Entrepreneur GoDaddy’s latest survey shows that most U.S. microbusiness owners are expecting revenue growth despite broader economic concerns. Many are choosing to stay small by design; prioritizing freedom, flexibility, and fit. Explore the full story at Entrepreneur

United Kingdom Startup Growth Booming Across the North – Evening Standard New GoDaddy data reveals that 40% of the U.K.’s fastest-growing startup areas are in the North with towns like Barrow-in-Furness, Burnley, and Birkenhead seeing more than 70% year-over-year growth. See the regional breakdown in the Evening Standard

Australia Bundaberg Tops List for Startup Growth – IT Brief / Courier Mail Bundaberg led Australia with a remarkable 178% increase in new small businesses in 2024. That is more than doubling Sydney’s growth rate. Local registrations and regional investment data tell the story of a rising entrepreneurial hub. Catch the full report from IT Brief and Courier Mail

Canada Canadian Entrepreneurs Turning to AI for a Competitive Edge – Canadian Manufacturing According to GoDaddy research, 28% of Canadian microbusiness owners are already using AI for content creation, summarization, and automation. These AI adopters are also more likely to project revenue growth and hiring plans. Dig into the findings at Canadian Manufacturing

Got feedback? A story to share? Leave a comment below!

Until next time,

The GoDaddy Small Business Research Lab Team

 

 

 

 

 

Source: GoDaddy Small Business Research Lab, Q1 2025

We’re honored to share that Workiva was named a “leader” in the Verdantix 2025 Green Quadrant for ESG & Sustainability Reporting Software.

This is the second time in a row that Workiva earned a leadership position in the Verdantix Green Quadrant on ESG and sustainability reporting. It’s the third time this year that an industry analyst firm named Workiva a leader for its sustainability products, including the IDC MarketScape: Worldwide ESG Reporting and Compliance Management Applications 2025 Vendor Assessment.

The Green Quadrant noted the following strengths for Workiva:

Integrated reporting 

“The Workiva platform’s integrated reporting capabilities include a Designed Reporting suite and ICML export for downstream formatting, with live data linking ensuring source updates are reflected in disclosures in real time.“

Market-leading auditability

“The Workiva platform’s collaborative model enables geographically dispersed teams to collect, review and consolidate data efficiently, with real-time co-authoring, version control and group-based permissions.”

Sustainability management 

“Workiva offers a mature solution for organizations aiming to produce investor-grade sustainability disclosures.”

Strategic alignment in a single platform

“With its background in financial reporting and governance, risk and compliance (GRC), Workiva offers a strong fit for organizations looking to unify these reporting domains under one roof.”

Criteria evaluated in the Green Quadrant 

The Green Quadrant measures the depth and breadth of offerings that are most important to customers, some of which include:

• Data management: “What functionality is available to facilitate data acquisition across E, S and G metrics internal to the organization? How is AI being used for internal data acquisition?”
• Data quality control and enhancement: “How does your software facilitate the identification of missing or incorrect input data? How is AI being used within the platform to identify missing data?”
• Engagement tools: “What tools does your software have to support team collaboration (e.g., across geographies, business functions)? What tools does the software have to engage with employees who are not the primary users of the software?”
• Workflows and auditability: “What tools does the software have to configure workflows and escalation pathways? What functionality is available to manage the approval process for ESG data and disclosures?”

We invite you to explore the Verdantix Green Quadrant report. If you’d like to see the Workiva platform in action, request a demo.

Cummins

Vignesh V.’s path to Cummins is rooted in a lifelong curiosity about how things work, particularly in the world of automobiles. “I was always fascinated by airplanes and automobiles while growing up. I was always curious about how they worked,” he recalls. “My interest in automobiles piqued during my graduate studies. I took part in an exciting inter-university competition. This experience solidified my interest in automobiles, and since then, I’ve been pursuing a career in the automotive sector.”

Vignesh joined Cummins in 2012, contributing to software deliverables for programs in India and Brazil. In 2020, he transitioned to the role of Electronic Controls Specialist within the Engine Business Unit, where he specializes in developing interface specifications for cutting-edge electronic features, including Adaptive Cruise Control and Maintenance Monitor. He says the work allows customers to configure their truck’s sophisticated diagnostics in a user-friendly way, ultimately making for a better customer experience. “

A strong team dynamic has been integral to Vignesh’s experience at Cummins. Collaboration plays a vital role in his work, as weekly peer review meetings offer opportunities to refine ideas and enhance project outcomes. “I’m fortunate to be part of a very supportive team that collaborates seamlessly. Our weekly peer review meetings allow us to offer and receive constructive feedback on our work.” He also recalls how his manager made a conscious effort to keep the team connected during the early days of the pandemic by organizing virtual games and team-building activities. “These initiatives proved effective in keeping us connected.”

While Vignesh has adapted well to remote work, he acknowledges the benefits of a hybrid approach. “The remote work environment has proven particularly advantageous for me in this position, as it significantly reduces the time spent transitioning between meetings. Additionally, the design aspect of our work sometimes requires creativity, which I find working from home is more productive. However, I also feel it is important to have face-to-face interactions with colleagues. In-person meetings facilitate faster learning through direct engagement with experts, allowing for immediate clarification on any design questions as they come up.”

The impact of Vignesh’s work extends beyond his team and the company. Through Cummins INSITE, the tools and interfaces he helps develop have received positive feedback from OEM service managers, who appreciate how the technology simplifies service processes. “Yes, in my current role, the work we do is published via Cummins INSITE, and I have received positive feedback from OEM service managers about the ease of using the tool, accessing features, and being able to run service tests with a single click of a button.”

For those considering a career at Cummins, Vignesh offers valuable insights. “Cummins is a great place to start your career. There are various avenues for professional development such as rotational programs for new hires where you get to work in various departments exploring different business segments over a period. There are opportunities for internal job changes and global assignments, and you get friendly and supportive coworkers and a diverse and inclusive environment where you can work with people from across the world.”

Throughout his time at Cummins, Vignesh has remained driven by curiosity and a passion for innovation. His journey reflects a blend of technical expertise, collaboration, and a deep commitment to making an impact. As he continues to embrace new challenges and explore emerging technologies, his contributions will undoubtedly play a role in shaping the future of automotive engineering at Cummins and beyond.

By Candace Higginbotham

Owning a home has long been associated with the American Dream and is an important financial milestone for many people.

Homeownership offers many benefits, both practical and personal. It provides the opportunity to build equity, make use of tax advantages and boost credit scores, and it can be a significant investment opportunity when home values increase.

But for many in our communities, this dream is only a distant hope. Factors such as rising housing costs, limited supply, access to credit and difficulty saving for a down payment can create barriers to homeownership.

“At Regions, promoting and enabling homeownership is part of our community engagement strategy to foster inclusive prosperity,” said Leroy Abrahams, head of Regions Bank Community Engagement.

“Buying a home is an important step toward building generational wealth. Beyond the immediate benefits to families, homeownership also has far-reaching advantages by creating more stable communities and boosting the economies of our neighborhoods and cities. Regions is committed to helping more people reach the goal of owning a home and we have many resources available to assist current and future homeowners.”

Each June, National Homeownership Month offers a platform for Regions Bank associates to educate prospective buyers about homeownership opportunities and share advice, guidance, products and services to help those who may be interested in entering the market.

Regions Bank and the Regions Foundation^® observed National Homeownership Month in a variety of ways this year, including hosting volunteer activities, sponsoring community events and providing support for organizations that help individuals and families purchase a home.

The Regions Foundation is a nonprofit funded primarily by Regions Bank and supports community investments that positively impact communities served by the bank. The foundation engages in a grantmaking program focused on economic and community development, education and workforce readiness, and financial wellness.

Building a Bright Future

On June 5, Regions Bank’s Enterprise Compliance Fair and Responsible Banking team spearheaded a Habitat for Humanity build in Bessemer, Alabama.

Team members assisted with the installation of cabinets, application of siding and exterior trim, and removal of sheetrock dust from walls, windows and the floors. The experience was especially meaningful for this Compliance team whose careers are dedicated to promoting equitable access to credit and advancing community development.

“Supporting affordable housing initiatives helps lay the groundwork for long-term financial stability, generational wealth and personal dignity,” said Shontá Ezell, Fair Lending Compliance team lead.

“Contributing to this effort firsthand was a powerful reminder of the important role we can play—both inside and outside the office—in strengthening the communities we are privileged to serve.”
Shontá Ezell, Fair Lending Compliance team lead

A few weeks later, 20 Nashville associates from Consumer Banking, Commercial Banking, Commercial Credit Products and Enterprise Solutions gathered for a homebuilding project benefiting Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville. The Regions team spent the day building interior and exterior walls that will soon be part of a newly constructed home for a family of six.

Jonathan Tamminga, Commercial Credit Products leader, is no stranger to these kinds of volunteer homebuilding projects and speaks passionately about their impact to the community.

“Homeownership remains an important goal for individuals working to gain greater financial security and Habitat works to make this goal a reality for many deserving families,” Tamminga said. “I especially appreciate supporting their work in Nashville, given our ever-increasing need for affordable and secure housing.”

Tamminga noted that Habitat also provides classes and training to prepare families for the reality of homeownership and equip them with the tools to establish and maintain financial stability.

Sharing Knowledge and Resources

Regions’ Baton Rouge Mortgage Loan Officer Deeann Polk and Branch Manager Melita Hatch didn’t wield hammers and saws, but they had their own special toolkit handy for the June 24 Own It! A Homeownership Forum, hosted by Bank On Baton Rouge. Polk and Hatch, along with realtors, inspectors and other specialists, were on hand to talk with prospective homebuyers about navigating the buying process.

“Our homeownership forum was created to reach the unbanked and underbanked communities, or anyone who has a goal of homeownership,” said Crystal Ward, community impact senior operations director at Capital Area United Way. “Experienced professionals were on hand to provide education and answer questions from potential homeowners. We were so proud to have Regions Bank as a community partner in this successful event.”

Marching For Mortgages

What better way to celebrate National Homeownership Month than a Homeownership Parade?

The Regions St. Louis-area Mortgage team will be participating in the Black Wall Street 314 Festival on June 28. The event is dedicated to uplifting the community through cultural celebration, economic empowerment and educational initiatives. It commemorates the once-vibrant economic activity of the Historic Wellston Loop in North St. Louis and brings more than 5,000 attendees to the area to encourage business activity and economic development.

“Regions is proud to be a supporter of this historic area and a sponsor of the festival” said Jeff Fothergill, Mortgage Production manager in Clayton, Missouri. “Our branch in Wellston delivers advice, guidance and education that helps families get ahead financially, while our financial support of local initiatives like the Gateway Neighborhood Fund helps homeowners realize their dreams.”

“Our branch in Wellston delivers advice, guidance and education that helps families get ahead financially, while our financial support of local initiatives like the Gateway Neighborhood Fund helps homeowners realize their dreams.”
Jeff Fothergill, Mortgage Production manager in Clayton, Missouri

Opening Up Opportunities through Lending and Investment

A snapshot of Regions’ National Homeownership Month activities would not be complete without a nod to the ongoing work of Regions Community Development Corporation^® (RCDC). This wholly owned subsidiary of Regions Bank provides financing for projects, initiatives and organizations that serve community development purposes, which includes loans and investments for programs that are economically viable but may not qualify for conventional commercial bank underwriting.

Recently, the RCDC finalized a $5 million loan to the Housing Assistance Council, a community development financial institution that supports affordable housing efforts in rural America. Rural communities face unique challenges when it comes to housing, with potential homeowners often experiencing higher construction costs and fewer opportunities to access credit.

“The Regions Bank footprint covers a significant number of rural communities, and we are keenly aware of the unique needs that many people in those areas face when it comes to affordable housing,” said David Christian, chief operating officer of RCDC. “I’m pleased that we can collaborate with organizations such as the Housing Assistance Council to help increase homeownership opportunities in less populated areas.”

Conversely, RCDC understands homeownership challenges in urban areas, as well. It recently increased an existing commitment to the Atlanta Neighborhood Development Partnership (ANDP), a nonprofit that acquires and rehabs single family homes in the metro Atlanta area and sells them back to community residents.

The Regions Foundation is also a supporter of ANDP, as well as many other community organizations that enable homeownership. Recently the foundation finalized a $200,000 grant for Navigate Affordable Housing Partners, specifically their Fortis Program, which creates homeownership opportunities in low- and moderate-income neighborhoods. This funding will create new high-quality, energy efficient homes for four families in Birmingham’s Woodlawn neighborhood.

Another organization in Regions’ headquarters city, Neighborhood Housing Services of Birmingham, is leveraging Regions Foundation funding to assist homeowners. A recent $150,000 grant will allow the organization’s Healthy Housing Initiative to provide housing rehabilitation, energy-related upgrades and weatherization repairs and improvements for low-income homeowners, many who are seniors.

National Homeownership Month is a great opportunity to highlight this important investment, but Regions is committed to supporting and empowering homeowners throughout the year. Free guidance, tools and resources are available at the Regions Next Step^® Homeownership Resource Center.

Find more National Homeownership Month articles on Doing More Today:

• Home is Where the Wealth is: While there is uncertainty on a host of fronts, Pete Boomer, head of Regions Mortgage, shares why homeownership remains a fundamental part of building financial health — and wealth.
• In the Limelight: Moses Henry. Regions Community Mortgage Loan Officer recognized for role pioneering lending program for Habitat for Humanity in Jacksonville to increase access to homeownership.
• Back in the Family — and Just in Time with Regions Mortgage. Joe Miller had just about given up on the chance to buy his great grandparent’s home to give newborn son, Dakota, room to grow and make memories. But then he met Regions Mortgage Loan Officer JK Keasler.
• Best Remedy for Mortgage Fraud: Stop, Call and Confirm. Be wary of urgent requests and consult professionals before sending money.

Originally published by Mastercard
By Sophie Hares

When the pandemic upended cities and forced thousands of businesses to close in 2020, Daria and Oksana Kulachek bucked the trend. Armed with flaky pistachio croissants and creamy gateaux, they launched Defidu Bakery in downtown Prague.

It was the start of a rollercoaster ride for the Ukrainian-born pair, with Oksana baking coconut rolls from dawn while her daughter Daria covered everything from dishwashing to accounts. But their bet paid off, and with some guidance and tools from the Mastercard Strive Czechia program, the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth’s joint initiative with CARE to help entrepreneurs thrive in the digital economy, within just a few months their business began to boom.

Now, five years later, they have an ambitious plan to find Californian franchise partners who share their passion for pastry and can carve out a niche for the European café among Los Angeles’ food trucks and high-end eateries.

Despite the initial rocky start, Daria credits the pandemic with shaping Defidu into a resilient business by forcing it to focus from the outset on building its social media profile and creating a robust e-commerce site to take orders.

“I don’t know if there have been worse conditions for business, before or after that,” Daria says. “Adopting or building the systems early on is really helpful for small businesses because it is way harder to relearn than to learn from the beginning.”

Rock-bottom pandemic-era rents also played into their hands. They were able to snare a coveted storefront in the heart of the city to sell cakes and pastries Oksana had perfected at cooking schools in Barcelona and Paris.

When Daria sent pictures of her mom’s cakes to DesignBlok, the Prague International Design Festival, orders suddenly took off, and they were able to open their second venue in a more touristy area at the start of 2021. 

Fast forward to franchise efforts

Defidu, which now employees a team of eight additional staff (including Daria’s younger brother), has also parlayed its popularity into a profitable business-to-business catering venture. Defidu catering supplies large orders of sweet and savory items for company parties and events across the city — and has boosted their investments in vans and cooking equipment upgrades.

Focusing on building a new e-commerce platform that works better for its catering clients, Daria is increasingly relying to AI to streamline Defidu’s ordering processes, automate invoices and analyze product performance and pricing. While the Czech language is similar to Ukrainian, AI tools are useful to fine-tune local language marketing materials for Daria, who moved to Prague to study architecture in 2014 (her mother followed a few years later).

Today, Daria is focused on paying forward the digital support and mentorship she received from Mastercard Strive — which is aims to help at least 10,000 Ukrainian entrepreneurs displaced by the war — by helping other displaced Ukrainians get ventures off the ground. She encourages them to tap into AI as it provides a quick way for entrepreneurs to build their own apps and cheaply test drive their ideas.

“It’s way faster,” she says. “You don’t need to build all those imaginary castles in your head, invest all this effort, if not money, to develop something, and then to realize that nobody actually wants it.”

“Defidu Bakery shows us what’s possible when talent meets the right tools,” says Payal Dalal, the Center’s executive vice president. “With digital solutions and expert mentorship, a mother and daughter turned a single cake into a thriving business that inspires others. Their success is a powerful reminder that when we equip entrepreneurs for the digital economy, we don’t just support small businesses — we spark transformation.”

The hunt for franchise partners has forced Daria to carefully write down each stage of her family’s recipes and streamline Defidu’s business to make it easier to potential investors to understand. More than building a successful family business, she wants to create a legacy based on Oksana’s recipes that could be passed down to future generations.

“We don’t want a franchise just to simply make money and profit from it,” she says. “There’s a lot of people who have money in this world, but there’s not many people who have the same values.”

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