It’s cliché to say Kim Robinson’s life has gone to the dogs, but it is true. Robinson, 55, spent a majority of her professional life working as a graphics designer. But, in early 2017, her Columbus, Ohio employer was closing shop, forcing Robinson to reassess her future. Did she want to continue toiling in graphic design or try her hand at something new, she wondered. It wasn’t that she didn’t still enjoy graphic design, but soulful pondering fueled a desire to focus her energies on an entirely new pursuit. 

The future looks bright for small businesses, according to the recently released  MetLife & U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Index. Two groups expressing the greatest confidence in the economy are female entrepreneurs and business owners in the Midwest.

Last December, the Communication Workers of America and three others sued numerous big corporations, such as Amazon, Ikea and the University of Maryland Medical Center, alleging the defendants discriminate against older job applicants by advertising the open positions on Facebook. In turn, the plaintiffs allege, Facebook’s algorithms target younger applicants, thereby discriminating against older people who might want to apply. Neither Facebook nor any employment agencies are named as defendants in the lawsuit.