One of the most important things we think the media can do is connect small business owners and creatives across industries and markets to give them an opportunity to learn form each other. The insights on trends in particular can be transformative if our communities were better connected and so we’ve tried to create a space where folks can share the trends they are seeing and read about trends other sharp entrepreneurs are seeing.

Becky Baumwoll

The theater industry has overgone tremendous change in the last few years. Like in so many other parts of our lives, the pandemic was a *great revealer,* forcing the public to face that which was broken in the system. The #MeToo and Black Lives Matter movements revealed aspects of the Theater that were broken, but then — as the Theater is prone to do — our community took action. (Theater has been leading societal change for centuries.) What has resulted is swift and meaningful shifts in our leadership, our practices, and our discourse country-wide. Read more>>

Grant Meyer

As digital technology has developed over the last 20 years recording has become more accessible and democratized. This is easy to witness with the rise of “creators” and DIY home video and audio recording. You can also think of the “bedroom pop” aesthetic in music, which often features a restrained vocal style reminiscent of singing in a bedroom rather than on stage in front of an audience. Read more>>

Courtney Paige

Skills-based hiring has gained prominence due to its focus on specific abilities rather than traditional credentials. Employers are switching to non traditional hiring practices that include: Read more>>

 Julia Garcia

As a working actress in Hollywood who recently started producing, trends in recent years have been social media followings, an increase in film festival circuits, and accessibility of having your work viewed by the public. Understanding social media and using platforms for growth is obviously a necessity for growing your audience and building your brand. Although, now that I’m a producer, I really see the importance of hiring the right actors for the job that also has a built-in audience aka a following. Read more>>

Drake Jimenez

The biggest trend we are seeing in the marketing industry is around how consumers relate to brands. This has changed profoundly in the last 18 months! What people are looking for right now is a lifestyle brand. This is the difference of a company that sells a product/service and a company that sells a better lifestyle. Businesses are learning that in order to win their customers over they have to connect their product/service with a solution to the customer’s vision of their life. Read more>>

Derek Caffe

I don’t know if I’d consider it a trend, but absolutely the biggest news in the real estate brokerage business today is the Sitzer/ Burnett case verdict. This was a case that challenged the long held tradition of the seller paying the commission for both the listing agent (the listing agent is the name given to the real estate agent representing the seller of a home) and buyer’s agent. Anyone who has purchased a home or worked with a real estate agent to purchase a home prior to the verdict, may have heard their real estate agent state that their services were free. Read more>>

Donna Taliercio

People are tired of overly posed images. They are looking for more natural, authentic pictures of their family They wan imagery that will capture their true personalities. I know that in mychildhood, my happiest memories were not necessarily posing for a camera. It was probably making pasta sauce on a Sunday morning. Or playing catch with dad in the backyard. Or dressing up and playing pretend with your sister and brother. Learning to ride a bike or running around the beach. T Read more>>

Monique Chawora

The biggest trend in travel I am seeing is that in an era dominated by technology, the new generation of travelers are rediscovering the value of utilizing travel advisors over self booking. Despite the abundance of online resources, travelers are recognizing the irreplaceable expertise and personalized service that we offer as agents. With a desire for unique experiences and insider knowledge, the new generation appreciates the tailored itineraries, exclusive deals, and destination insights that we offer. Read more>>

Jillian Holt

Independent film is in its “wild wild west,” stage. With the advancement of software and the affordability of cameras, the art of filmmaking has become more accessible to the masses. People are shooting feature films for under 60K. The biggest trend right now in independent film is to go with an AVOD (advertising-based video-on-demand) streaming service. It’s easier than ever to get your independent film to the masses. Read more>>

Kimberly Randell

Interior design, much like fashion, is in a constant state of evolution. Year after year, we witness the resurgence of old styles reimagined in a modern context, creating a beautifully classic and updated appeal. We’re seeing classic design elements making a comeback, but they’re not isolated in a time capsule. Instead, they’re merging with newer trends, creating this timeless modern appeal-the signature look at Kimberly Elizabeth Interiors. Read more>>

Gary Brown

For almost 30 years Talent Dynamics has coached talent in local and network tv news, along with executive coaching. With the proliferation of video in so many industries as a marketing tool, more and more people are doing on camera work for their company, with very little training or direction. Look at real estate, agents are doing on camera work for their listings using their cell phones and may times shooting the video themselves, some of it is great! Read more>>