You Better Watch Out, You Better Not Cry…

...You better not pout, I'm telling you why. After Santa Claus pays a visit and the ball drops, we have an eventful January ahead. The USMX-ILA contract expires on the 15th, followed by the presidential inauguration on the 20th and potentially "Trump tariffs" shortly thereafter. Finally, the Lunar New Year is on January 29th which is why ocean freight rates will be going up on January 1st. We may all want to join the groundhog on February 2nd and just stay in a hole.

Since there is nothing definitive yet on the first two January "events" let's focus on spreading some holiday cheer.

I am happy to report that a spirited Thanksgiving table discussion regarding an updated logo to celebrate our 160th anniversary was averted as nearly 85% of survey respondents chose the above logo as their favorite. Next is an updated email banner and headshot although if you ask my family and co-workers they suggest an updated head for me.

JW Hampton kicked off December at the Queens Chamber Business Persons of the Year Awards Gala and we are confident that our journal ad is what convinced Juan Soto to become a Metropolitan. Now if we could just get George Costanza's eyes on the ad we would be all set.

The other thing I would like to get eyes on is Read Together Books which is the book company I started when my children were born. The goal is to help strengthen the bond between Dads and their children by writing books about the things we love to do together with our children. Rooting for our favorite college football team was near the top of my list with going to the zoo a close second and thus the below collection of My Daddy Loves…Football board books and the I Love Going to the Bronx Zoo paperback which are available online continues to grow. My thought was that by reading about something and then doing it and then rinsing and repeating would reinforce and grow (I think brainwashing might be too harsh but may be appropriate) a shared love for doing things together and in particular their alma mater/team.

Wishing you and your families and friends many blessings this holiday season and throughout the year ahead. Thank you for your friendship and continued business.