A blog that explores life and society. Mostly pieces on business, economics, arts and other interests. A place to showcase activities and explore ideas.
Saturday mornings in Escanaba. A quiet beach. Almost isolated but just a mile or do from downtown.
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| I can print most pictures up to poster size for $50 Frame or Unframed. I do this as a hobby so 50% for charity and 50% for me. Send me a message to the right or my email. You may check out My Gallery and Art Page muradabel@gmail.com |
The labor market appears stronger than initially expected. Employment growth remained solid, and wage gains continued at a moderate pace. The upward revisions to previous months' employment estimates are particularly encouraging, as the original projections suggested slower growth than what was ultimately reported.
Key Numbers
| Indicator | May 2026 |
|---|---|
| Nonfarm Payroll Growth | +172,000 jobs |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% |
| Average Hourly Earnings (Month-over-Month) | +0.3% |
| Average Hourly Earnings (Year-over-Year) | +3.4% |
U.S. Employment Situation Report – May 2026 (Released June 5, 2026)
APA Reference
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2026, June 5). Employment situation summary—May 2026. U.S. Department of Labor. https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm
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| (Ilustrative Only) Johan starts his potato chip business in Escanaba because he loves the entrepreneurial environment on Ludington. He plans on exporting regionally and internationally. |
This perspective is particularly important when considering economic transformation through business clusters and anchor institutions. Clusters create environments where businesses, entrepreneurs, and supporting organizations interact through countless formal and informal exchanges. These interactions foster innovation, reduce barriers to entry, and create conditions that encourage investment. When investors perceive a business environment as stable, collaborative, and supportive, perceived risk often declines, making investment more attractive and helping stimulate economic growth.
Anchor businesses play an important role in this process by creating demand for supporting enterprises and services. At the same time, entrepreneurial activity can generate entirely new businesses that strengthen and diversify the local economy. In this way, businesses within a cluster support one another, creating a network of mutually reinforcing relationships that contribute to long-term economic development.
Entrepreneurs frequently benefit from incubator environments that provide access to resources, mentorship, networking opportunities, and financing. An incubator, however, is not limited to a single building or program. A downtown district, commercial corridor, or designated development area can be intentionally structured to function as an entrepreneurial incubator. Communities can encourage this development through grants, improved access to financing, coordinated marketing efforts, and policies designed to attract individuals interested in starting and growing businesses.
When developed strategically, a business cluster should include a strong entrepreneurial component that encourages collaboration, innovation, and business formation. Such an environment can help attract new residents, revitalize commercial districts, and create a culture where businesses work together to achieve shared economic goals. The key lesson is that entrepreneurs thrive within networks and communities, and successful economic development strategies recognize and strengthen these connections.
Business-Incubation as a Catalyst for Start-Up Success in Emerging Markets: Entrepreneurial Bricolage versus Dynamic Capabilities
• The study examines how business incubators support start-ups in emerging markets where entrepreneurs often face significant resource constraints.
• The researchers compare two approaches to overcoming resource limitations: entrepreneurial bricolage (making do with available resources) and the development of dynamic capabilities (building adaptable organizational skills for long-term growth).
• Using data from 403 start-ups, the study investigates how incubator support influences the relationship between these approaches and venture performance.
• Findings indicate that business incubators significantly strengthen the positive impact of dynamic capabilities on start-up performance.
• While entrepreneurial bricolage can help firms survive in the short term, incubators are more effective at helping start-ups develop capabilities that support long-term adaptation, growth, and competitiveness.
• The results suggest that incubators play a critical role in moving entrepreneurs beyond reactive problem-solving toward strategic capability development.
• The study offers practical implications for policymakers, incubator managers, and entrepreneurs seeking to foster sustainable start-up growth in emerging-market environments.
Yoruk, E., Paramba, J. N., Jones, P., & Salamzadeh, A. (2026). Business-incubation as a catalyst for start-up success in emerging markets: Entrepreneurial bricolage versus dynamic capabilities. Journal of Small Business Management. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/00472778.2026.2645919
The Point Loma Assembly does an outstanding job supporting its local community. Its efforts are focused on literary, social, educational, philanthropic, civic, and artistic initiatives that help preserve not only its historic building but also strengthen the community around it.
One example of this community engagement is its support of local organizations such as Cabrillo Elementary School, where many volunteers contribute their time and effort. As highlighted below, the Point Loma Assembly has awarded grants to a variety of organizations, demonstrating its ongoing commitment to civic involvement and public service.
Many of these grants support programs and activities that benefit children and families, reflecting the organization's dedication to investing in future generations. The Assembly also hosts a variety of events that bring people together and foster community connections.
If you are in the Point Loma CA area, you are welcome to become involved and participate in its activities. If not, consider supporting one of the organizations listed below. Many would gladly welcome donations and community support to continue their valuable work.
Point Loma Assembly awarded 12 community grants in 2026, increasing total funding from $15,000 to $19,500 as part of its third annual formal grant program. Funding came from membership dues, fundraising activities, donations, and rental revenues.
You can learn about Point Loma Assembly at Point Loma Assembly Webpage
| Organization | Award Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Point Loma Summer Concerts | $2,500 | Support for the 2026 concert season |
| Classics 4 Kids | $1,500 | Transportation and concert tickets for Title I Peninsula elementary students |
| The EcoLogik Institute | $2,000 | STEAM Leadership Academy for female students |
| Point Loma High School Music Boosters | $1,000 | Marching band music and choreography support |
| Visions Museum of Textile Art | $1,500 | Expansion of textile art education programs |
| Ryan YMCA | $2,500 | Learn-to-Swim classes for Dewey Elementary students |
| Peninsula Community Senior Center | $2,000 | Community connection programs for homebound seniors |
| Correia Instrumental Music Association | $500 | Music tutors for student ensembles |
| My Good Brain | $500 | Art therapy and mental wellness toolkits |
| San Diego Craft Collective | $1,000 | Fiber Festival celebrating fiber arts and sheep farming |
| Cygnet Theatre | $2,000 | Educational outreach programs for Point Loma students |
| Apt 4 Music | $2,500 | Continuation of the Music Makers Program at Cabrillo Elementary School |
Justice is a cornerstone of a healthy society. It is not simply a privilege that can be granted or denied; it is fundamental to how we govern ourselves and uphold fairness, rights, and accountability. While justice systems are designed to serve the public good, they are ultimately operated by people, making them both capable of great success and vulnerable to shortcomings. The justice system is a pillar of democracy and has a significant influence on outcomes so enhancing it also enhances the whole.
The vast majority of those who serve within these systems strive to do what is right and fair. However, no system is perfect. There are times when individuals make poor decisions, abuse authority, or allow bias to influence outcomes. When these problems go unaddressed, public trust declines, civic engagement weakens, and the effectiveness of institutions suffers. The consequences extend beyond the justice system itself, affecting social cohesion, economic development, and confidence in government.
Addressing these challenges benefits everyone. Strong, fair, and accountable institutions create conditions that encourage participation, investment, innovation, and community well-being. Improving justice is not only a moral responsibility but also a practical one that strengthens society as a whole. It can be a hard well when there are entrenched and often self-seeking opinions.
We should recognize and support those who demonstrate integrity, fairness, and public service. At the same time, we should encourage the next generation to pursue careers in policing, law, public administration, and the judiciary. Future leaders will inherit systems that are still evolving, and they will have the opportunity to shape them to meet the needs and values of their time. Improvement is needed.
Meaningful progress requires engagement and not disengagement. Disengagement leads to system insulation from people's needs while engagement opens communication and feedback for improvement (It applies to any system with social characteristics.). When wrongdoing occurs, it should be reported and addressed. The outcome may not always be immediate or ideal, but taking action is part of strengthening the system. It is a duty and oath to strengthen institutions in a meaningful and thoughtful way because they are not created for their own existence (self-confirming), the "connected" (chasing influence) or certain unwritten bias of value or belongingness (unwritten second class citizen) but to serve the whole society. Fairness, wisdom, and a long-term perspective are essential to building institutions that serve everyone effectively.
By celebrating good work, encouraging ethical leadership, and remaining committed to continuous improvement, we can help create a society where justice is stronger, trust is higher, and the benefits are shared by all. That indivisible all engaged fully in self and societal development is a underlining catalyst to remarkable growth economically and socially.
*This is part of some of the conclusions from the Allegory of the Clan (designed around the Allegory of the Cave) which is a philosophical thought experiment on an initial justice default and how extremism and hate impact systems and the type of outcomes through a clan narrative. The story was designed to challenge assumptions. i.e. indicating a people don't belong based on perceive racial, religiouis, etc. value even if their histories go back to the earliest days of society formation. Manipulation, defamation of character, putting kids at risk, undermining rights, retaliation against whistleblowers, religious hate, misuse of taxpayer resources to target others, blocking victims from recourse, etc. have been noralized. Despite the behaviors the outcomes of the story are somewhat mixed but helped highlight some positives and areas of improvement. If anything we can learn...and if not then we should elect the best and brightest that can learn. The learning story continues to evolve....
Justice: Criminal, Civil, and Social Dimensions of Society
Bessette, J. M. (2024). Justice. EBSCO Research Starters. EBSCO Information Services. https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/religion-and-philosophy/justice
Let us take a moment to consider the global labor market and employee engagement. Current data suggests that employee engagement remains relatively low worldwide. While polling data may not fully explain the reasons behind this trend, there are likely many contributing factors, including concerns about compensation, workplace satisfaction, career opportunities, and whether employees feel their needs are being met.
From one perspective, disengagement may create opportunities for entrepreneurship and innovation as individuals seek alternative ways to find purpose and fulfillment. However, when only about one-fifth of employees are actively engaged at work, regardless of how the data is interpreted, it represents a significant loss of human potential and organizational effectiveness.
The challenge cannot be viewed solely through an economic lens. The goal should not simply be to increase engagement to improve profits. Most people are motivated by more than financial outcomes alone. A more sustainable approach is to foster meaningful connections between employees and their organizations. People are more likely to be engaged when they feel a sense of purpose, believe their work matters, have strong relationships with colleagues, receive fair compensation, and see opportunities for personal and professional growth.
This widespread disconnect may be as much a social and psychological issue as an economic one. When large numbers of people feel disconnected from their work, especially amid other societal challenges, organizations should pay close attention. For business leaders, the question becomes: How can we attract, retain, and engage talented people in ways that encourage innovation, creativity, and long-term success? Addressing that question may be one of the most important leadership challenges of our time. It may also require new ways of thinking of things, how society functions (it may be part of the same problem) and how to draw talent not only for the organization but for society's development as well. People are only partially motivated by money so low engagement has another root cause (s). Do you have an idea of what might be some of the contributing factors?
State of the Global Workplace: Employee Engagement, Wellbeing, and Organizational Performance
• Gallup's State of the Global Workplace report is based on one of the world's largest ongoing studies of employee experiences, examining engagement, wellbeing, workplace emotions, and job climate across more than 140 countries.
• Global employee engagement remains low, with only about one-fifth of employees reporting that they are engaged at work, while most employees are either not engaged or actively disengaged.
• Low employee engagement has substantial economic consequences, costing the global economy billions of dollars annually through lost productivity and reduced organizational performance.
• Employee wellbeing and engagement are closely connected. Workers who find their jobs meaningful, rewarding, and beneficial to others report higher levels of wellbeing and stronger workplace engagement.
• Managers play a critical role in organizational success, but declining manager engagement has emerged as a significant concern because manager engagement strongly influences the engagement and productivity of their teams.
Gallup. (2026). State of the global workplace: 2026 report. Gallup, Inc. https://www.gallup.com/workplace/349484/state-of-the-global-workplace.aspx
The Escanaba Marina is one of the premier marinas in the region and has experienced steady growth year after year. This year is starting a little slow. As a major tourism asset, it attracts visitors who also contribute to the success of local businesses, downtown attractions, arts organizations, beaches, and community events. Thinking holistically about the entire local offerings helps put the Marina in perspective. We are a Great Lakes community with an amazing history.
