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My Economy

My Economy tells the story of the new economic normal through the eyes of people trying to make it, because we know the only numbers that really matter are the ones in your economy.
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From This Collection

My Economy

How a pandemic layoff and career pivot made this Buffalonian "the happiest I've ever been"

by Andie Corban
Nov 1, 2022
A few months into the pandemic, Sam Heansel was laid off from her graphic design job. She's been working at a pet store for two years.
Sam Heansel during her shift at Elmwood Pet Supplies.
Brandon Watson
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My Economy

How twin sisters launched an artisanal Cuban cigar shop in Miami

by Anais Amin
Oct 25, 2022
"Sharing a room with another alpha female is not easy. [...] We know how to work with each other at this point," says Yvette Rodriguez.
Yvette and Yvonne Rodriguez, owners of Tres Lindas Cubanas Cigars.
Courtesy Tres Lindas Cubanas Cigars
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My Economy

An older worker tries to rediscover his place in a changing media industry

by Richard Cunningham
Oct 13, 2022
After taking personal time, Dan Lamont talks about finding work in editorial photography while dealing with ageism and a changing labor market.
"Creators are making peanuts compared to what they used to," said photojournalist Dan Lamont.
CatEyePerspective/Getty Images
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My Economy

When you find your calling late in life, retirement can wait

by Sarah Leeson
Oct 11, 2022
Susan Labarthe didn't start medical school until her 50s. Her 80th is around the corner, but she's not done practicing medicine yet.
Philippe Huguen/AFP/GettyImages
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My Economy

Running a fair trade business means investing in both people and products

by Anais Amin
Oct 10, 2022
“Your purchasing power is really a force for positive change," says Julio Zegarra-Ballon, owner of Zee Bee Market in St. Louis.
Julio Zegarra-Ballon holds a fleur-de-lis wall hanging made in Haiti of a recycled oil drum.
Courtesy Zee Bee Market
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My Economy

How inflation and "wild weather" are affecting one family farm

by Andie Corban
Sep 27, 2022
Anne Schwagerl, co-owns and operates Prairie Point Farm in Minnesota, where she's experimenting with new crops.
At Prairie Point Farm, Anne Schwagerl says they'll harvest soybeans, then corn. Above, soybeans are planted on a farm.
Phill Magakoe/AFP via Getty Images
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My Economy

The buzz behind TikTok's viral beekeeping and bee removal business

by Anais Amin
Sep 16, 2022
Erika Thompson owns Texas Bee Works, a beekeeping and bee removal company. Like other small businesses, inflation is adding new challenges.
"I had a [TikTok] video of me doing a bee removal that went viral," says beekeeper Erika Thompson. "And that was the first time my life sort of changed."
Aimee Aubin
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My Economy

A veteran navigates life amid job loss and high inflation

by Sarah Leeson
Sep 13, 2022
After being laid off, marketing professional Collin Cook has been pitching himself as a "Swiss Army knife." He's had mixed results.
"You literally go through the five stages of grief" after being laid off, said Collin Cook, who's had trouble finding the right job as a generalist in the marketing field.
David McNew/Getty Images
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My Economy

Like Willy Wonka, this Memphis chocolatier wants his sweets to tell stories

by Sarah Leeson
Sep 5, 2022
With flavors like barbecue, cornbread and banana pudding, Phillip Ashley Rix found an unfilled niche in the luxury chocolate world.
A box of luxury chocolates from Phillip Ashley Rix.
(Courtesy Rix)
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My Economy

Dry cleaner makes the rounds to keep business going

by Anais Amin
Aug 30, 2022
Hangers Cleaners, a Missouri pickup and delivery service, is trying to find the right employees and stay competitive with pay.
"It feels like a family here, but there are limits as far as what we can pay and still have a viable business," said Joe Runyan, co-owner of Hangers Cleaners.
Courtesy Runyan
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