Men Wear Pink: Strength in Action
In business, leaders are often expected to be the rock—the problem solver, the anchor. But some challenges can’t be fixed. Some moments demand presence, empathy, and relentless follow-through instead of a quick solution. That’s exactly the space occupied by the men of Men Wear Pink, the American Cancer Society initiative giving men a visible role in the fight against breast cancer.
For these 11 local leaders, the campaign is more than charity—it’s leadership in action: advocating, organizing, and supporting families when the stakes are human, personal, and urgent. Together, they’ve already raised $104,159 through the Men Wear Pink campaign—a powerful show of what leadership looks like in action.In the West Orange community, Alan Delahunt, managing partner of Crooked Can Brewing Company, has been the top fundraiser, raising $9,000. Crooked Can brewed a special pink beer, donating $1 from every Florida Sunshine sold back to the American Cancer Society.
Dennis Jones, owner of Winter Garden WheelWorks, turned grief into action after his mother passed from breast cancer. For 12 years, he organized charity cycling events that raised tens of thousands for research. Today, he channels the same dedication through Men Wear Pink, proving that leadership can be about creating impact even from loss.
Andy Raphael, owner of Big Boards Charcuterie and Catering, leads in a quieter way—but no less powerfully. His wife, Teresa Raphael, who owns My Favorite Tutor, is a 15-year colon cancer survivor. For Andy, the campaign isn’t about wearing a color; it’s about honoring resilience, hope, and the importance of showing up. “I’m proud to wear pink for her—and for all of us still fighting,” he says.
For business leaders, there’s a lesson here: true leadership isn’t only strategy, execution, and profit. It’s showing up when it’s hardest, holding space for others, and driving meaningful impact beyond the boardroom.
45,000+ participants walked in the Lake Eola Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk in October 2025.
1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime.
+297,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer are projected in 2025.
2,800 cases are expected in men.
Make a tax deductible donation through December 31 at
www.menwearpink.org
By the Numbers
AI Utilization
53%
of small businesses have integrated AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants for customer service.
Cybersecurity Upgrades
43%
of small and midsize businesses have enhanced their cybersecurity systems in the past year.
Inflation Concerns
46%
of small businesses identify inflation as their primary challenge, affecting costs and pricing strategies
Access to Capital
81%
of small businesses report difficulties in securing affordable capital, hindering growth and investment.
Tariff Impacts
36%
of small businesses that become victims of a cyber attack are forced to go out of business because of loss of revenue and security.
Take Back Your Vacay
Why more professionals are using PTO to catch up on sleep—not flights.
When it comes to paid time off, the new luxury isn’t a passport stamp—it’s eight hours of uninterrupted sleep.
A recent Amerisleep survey of 1,200 U.S. workers found that 37% are using vacation days just to rest, not to travel. Millennials led the trend at 43%, followed by Gen X (34%), Gen Z (33%), and Boomers (20%). Interestingly, higher earners were 26% more likely to spend their PTO on recovery, often taking two to three full days simply to sleep.
Sleep experts say it’s a telling sign of the times: burnout is so widespread that people are using their breaks for “basic recovery instead of new experiences.” And with 67% of Americans reporting symptoms of burnout, the rise of the sleepcation might be less about indulgence—and more about survival.
Analysts predict that “rest-first” time off will continue to grow, especially as hybrid work blurs boundaries and downtime becomes harder to protect.
The takeaway for leaders? Rest isn’t laziness—it’s maintenance. And if your team needs a vacation just to feel human again, it might be time to rethink what balance really looks like.
Would You Fly Windowless?
Flexjet bets on a digital-first future for business aviation
Imagine boarding a private jet without windows—but still feeling like you’re soaring above the clouds. That’s the vision behind Otto Aerospace’s Phantom 3500, and Flexjet just became its first fleet customer.
On Monday, Flexjet signed a $5.85 billion agreement to purchase 300 of the nine-passenger, fully windowless jets. Instead of traditional windows, the cabin features 6-foot-wide digital displays powered by exterior cameras, creating panoramic virtual views for passengers.
Otto touts a major upside beyond aesthetics: the windowless design is projected to cut fuel burn by 60% compared with comparable aircraft. The company recently raised $250 million in funding and secured $515 million in Florida state incentives to support development.
The first flight is slated for 2027, with deliveries expected by 2030. Flexjet, based in Ohio, currently operates roughly 340 jets and recently closed $800 million in private equity funding, signaling serious growth ambitions.
For business leaders and fleet managers, the Phantom 3500 offers more than futuristic flair—it’s a glimpse at how sustainability, innovation, and luxury could reshape executive travel in the next decade.
SEASON’S KINDNESS
When Kindness Looks Like Leadership
Supporting your people—and yourself—when the season feels heavy.
The holidays are often billed as the most wonderful time of the year. But for many, they can be complicated—especially when grief, exhaustion, or quiet sadness sneak in beneath the tinsel.
This is where real leadership shows up. Not with a grand gesture or a corporate initiative, but in small, human moments that remind someone they’re seen. The best kind of kindness doesn’t announce itself—it just quietly says, “You’re not alone, and you don’t need to be OK for me to stay.”
If someone on your team—or in your life—seems to be struggling, try something more specific than “Let me know if you need anything.”
“I’m running errands later. Can I grab you something?”
“I made extra food. Can I drop some off tomorrow?”
“Want company? Or just someone to sit with?”
“Can I take [specific thing] off your plate this week?”
“No pressure to reply. Just thinking of you.”
“I’m coming over Saturday. I’ll do your laundry.”
“I know calls can be draining—want me to text instead?”
“I’m grabbing coffee later—can I drop one at your door?”
These aren’t grand gestures—they’re real ones. The kind that build trust, loyalty, and connection far beyond the season. Because kindness, especially when things feel heavy, is still one of the most powerful leadership tools we have.
Get In the Game
Plan, Pivot, Prosper
SMART STRATEGY ISN’T JUST ABOUT NUMBERS–IT’S ABOUT BUILDING A BUSINESS THAT WORKS FOR YOU
These anonymous client wins highlight what’s possible when guidance meets execution:
From stressed to secure: One client, for the first time, was able to pay taxes on time without a payment plan—and has continued to do so every year since.
Scaling with confidence: Another client doubled their team, moved into a new office, funded the buildout in cash, eliminated all debt except a mortgage, and even started building personal wealth—pool included.
Launching smart: A third client, starting from scratch, hit nearly $1M in sales in their first year, consistently paid themselves, and made strategic decisions with expert guidance.
Across industries and stages, these stories share a common thread: structured planning enables measurable growth and peace of mind. Leaders who invest in strategy—not just hustle—unlock opportunities to expand, stabilize, and create long-term wealth for both business and personal life.
Behind every number is a business leader empowered to make confident choices.
Quick Tip for Leaders: Schedule quarterly financial check-ins instead of waiting for year-end. Regular reflection gives you the ability to pivot quickly, make smart decisions, and turn potential risks into growth opportunities.
BRAIN BOOSTERS HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT
YOUR MORNING COFFEE ISN’T THE ONLT THING SHARPENING YOUR FOCUS
What if a small shift in your environment could change how you think, focus, or even lead? It might be as simple as what you smell.
The olfactory nerve—the one responsible for scent—connects directly to the brain’s memory and emotion centers. That means certain aromas can trigger measurable cognitive and emotional effects within seconds. In other words, what’s in the air around you can influence how your brain performs.
Here’s what the research s ays about a few familiar scents worth keeping in your workspace:
Rosemary for recall: A Northumbria University study found participants exposed to rosemary aroma performed better on memory-based tasks.
Lavender for calm: Multiple sleep studies show lavender promotes relaxation and reduces anxiety—ideal for decompressing between meetings.
Pine for stress relief: Japanese forest-therapy research links pine scent to lower blood pressure and decreased cortisol within minutes.
Cinnamon for focus: Experiments at Wheeling Jesuit University found the scent improved attention and working memory.
Rose for mindfulness: Driving simulations suggest rose aroma encourages more cautious, deliberate behavior—great for emotional regulation in high-stakes moments.
Citrus for energy: Bergamot and lemon oils have been shown to elevate mood, increase alertness, and reduce fatigue.
Eucalyptus for clarity: Studies associate the cooling scent with improved mental focus and easier breathing, both of which can clear cognitive fog.
Emerging research even links changes in scent processing to early cognitive decline, underscoring just how tightly smell and memory are connected.
So whether it’s a diffuser on your desk or a quick scent break between Zoom calls, consider this your simplest productivity tool: a breath of something that helps your brain work better.
