Located in Aurora, Colorado, The Conservatory at the Plains is a well-maintained community offering residents access to various amenities and services. It provides trash and recycling collection, snow removal, and maintains common areas such as parks and trails. Residents can utilize the online portal for payments, clubhouse reservations, and submitting improvement requests.
According to the World Economic Forum (WEF), we’re living in an era marked by declining trust. This lack of trust isn’t specific to one industry or arena; generally, the average person’s trust in any kind of leadership – in business and other areas of life – has been declining since 2019. In fact, a 2025 study found that 68% percent of individuals find business leaders, specifically, untrustworthy.
This is a crisis that businesses are facing right now. Trust is tantamount to good business leadership; from attracting and retaining clients, to creating brand power that people believe in, to employee retention.
So how do you lead and build trust in a world where trust is generally declining? Whether you’re engaging with your clients, employees, or any sort of audience, in this issue of the Pulse, we take a look.
Studies have found that trust in a business is important for as much as 80% of consumers. Likewise, 71% of consumers say they are unlikely to buy from a company they no longer trust, while 73% confirmed they would spend much less. Those numbers are significant. Up to 80% of your customer base is not worth putting in jeopardy by not prioritizing building trust in your business strategy.
Leaders who inspire trust in others are often well-regarded for their ability to listen critically and thoughtfully.
As the WEF puts it, “listening leaders can collect perspectives and data from different actors and points of view to inform their strategies and decisions, and are able to create inclusive cultures that enable even further trust-building.”
Honing your listening skills, and processes that allow you to listen and gather feedback, will help your foster trust.
If you expect everyone to agree with your point of view all the time, even when you’re really sure you’re right, you’re never going to be satisfied. Good leadership involves navigating different views and interests and finding practical ways forward. Showing an aptitude for doing this, rather than demanding consensus or conformity, helps build trust with people of varying perspectives, not just yours.
Whether it’s the team beneath you, your clients, or those you’re looking to for referrals, learning what matters to people builds and maintains trust. It’s as simple as asking questions, paying attention, and even taking notes – bringing it back to those listening skills we mentioned. When you show an interest in what matters to others, they trust you more.
Leading with consistent trustworthy principles and traits will build a strong foundation of trust over time.
How we represent ourselves, and how sincere that comes across, matters a lot in business. Your employees, clients, and network more generally will respond to what is engaging, personal, memorable – and above all, authentic. If they view you as fake, trust will be damaged.
Think about your business, your brand, and your processes critically. Is there anything that would cause you to lose trust in a leader or a company? If so, it might be worth reassessing.
Trust in business leadership is in a recession of sorts. In these circumstances, focusing on trust-building as a leader and a brand is more important than ever. If you don’t, it could cost you.
To whom it may concern,
I am pleased to write this letter of recommendation for Delightful Plans, located in Sterling, Virginia. Founded by Tonia Chagnon, it is a marketing and events firm recognized for its creativity, professionalism, and attention to detail. Over the years, it has earned a strong reputation for planning and executing memorable events across the United States and beyond.
Delightful Plans specializes in corporate, community, and association events of all sizes. It has successfully managed more than 400 events across nearly 20 states and three countries, ranging from intimate dinners and large-scale conferences to festive parades and celebrations. Every occasion is approached with care, precision, and a deep understanding of the client’s vision.
At the heart of its success is Tonia and her dedicated team, whose combined experience of more than 25 years in the industry ensures every detail is handled with expertise. They take pride in creating fresh, personalized experiences that leave a lasting impression, incorporating thoughtful touches that elevate every event.
I highly recommend Delightful Plans to anyone seeking an exceptional event partner. Its commitment to creativity, organization, and client satisfaction ensures that every event is seamless, distinctive, and truly unforgettable.
Sincerely,
Marty Thomas
Business Optimization Specialist
Schooley Mitchell
To whom it may concern,
I am pleased to write this letter of recommendation on behalf of The Alexandria Chamber of Commerce, known locally as The Chamber ALX. Located in Alexandria, Virginia, it is an advocacy-based nonprofit and a cornerstone of the local business community, recognized for its commitment to supporting growth, connection, and collaboration among area businesses.
The Chamber ALX proudly supports more than 875 member businesses, from one-of-a-kind small enterprises to global organizations. It offers a variety of programs and events designed to promote economic development, foster professional relationships, and strengthen the local business environment. Through its initiatives, it continues to serve as a trusted resource and voice for the Alexandria business community.
At the foundation of its success is a dedicated and highly skilled team that exemplifies professionalism and passion. Each member is committed to serving the community with excellence, whether advocating for business-friendly policies, hosting impactful events, or providing members with meaningful visibility and support. Their enthusiasm and dedication are reflected in every aspect of their work.
I highly recommend The Chamber ALX to anyone seeking to connect, collaborate, and grow within the Alexandria business community. Membership provides valuable resources and opportunities while contributing to the continued vitality and success of local commerce.
Sincerely,
Marty Thomas
Business Optimization Specialist
Schooley Mitchell
To whom it may concern,
I am pleased to recommend Active Wellness, a respected company based in San Francisco that manages fitness centers and wellness programs. It is known for helping people lead healthier lives through thoughtful, engaging, and well-run fitness facilities.
Active Wellness oversees a variety of fitness centers, providing top-quality programs and services tailored to the needs of each community it serves. From personal training and group classes to wellness coaching and facility management, it focuses on creating welcoming environments where people can achieve their health and fitness goals.
What truly stands out about Active Wellness is its dedicated team. It brings together experienced professionals who care deeply about supporting members and creating positive, motivating spaces. Their expertise and friendly approach make a real difference in how clients experience fitness and wellness.
I highly recommend Active Wellness to organizations looking for a trusted partner to manage fitness centers or develop wellness programs. With its strong commitment to quality, community, and client success, it is a company you can count on.
Sincerely,
Marty Thomas
Business Optimization Specialist
Schooley Mitchell
Are you looking to support an organization that truly transforms lives? Gospel Center Rescue Mission provides hope, healing, and opportunity to those in need. It is dedicated to restoring independence and building stronger communities through compassion and care.
If your business operates a fleet that is subject to electronic logging device (ELD) usage, it’s important to keep an eye on regulatory updates and changes that may impact the solutions you’re using. To ensure you remain compliant with federal law, staying on top of all changes, or working with a third-party expert who can keep track for you, is key.
In September, 2025 alone, The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) removed four ELDs from its list of approved devices. Fleets were given a tight window of sixty days, during which time they were instructed to “discontinue using the revoked ELD and revert to paper logs or logging software to record required hours of service data,” and “replace the revoked ELD with a compliant ELD from the Registered Devices list.”
Sixty days may seem like a big window, but for large fleets and when approaching a busy season for many operations, this is a huge change that needs to be made quickly. Changing devices, contacting your provider, educating drivers, and potentially sorting through paper logs – these are all time-consuming feats. And that’s if you’re made aware of the device revocation right away. If you miss the memo, you might be racing to implement the necessary changes in time.
The FMCSA doesn’t revoke devices to make life difficult for fleets. In September, the four devices removed – Robinhood ELD, TT ELD PT30, ELOG42 and RENAISSANCE ELD – were done so because they failed to meet technical requirements. They’re not the only devices to face this penalty. Eight other ELDs have also been revoked in 2025. The technical requirements are extensive but readily available, and all the device developers will have the opportunity to revise their ELDs to meet standards. However, that could be a time-consuming fix, and in the meantime, fleets must switch ELDs – and potentially service providers – to remain compliant.
As a fleet manager, you have to be on top of current ELD regulations. Revoked devices can have a real consequence for your operations, and there may be less time than you’d like to make any changes. Working with an expert on current regulations can save a lot of headaches and buy you time when facing this sort of challenge.
Schooley Mitchell’s Robyn Bowles was recently featured on Ian Garlic’s podcast – The Garlic Marketing Show. Robyn and Ian sit down as she pulls back the curtain on the hidden expenses draining your profits. She also shares how to reclaim them risk-free. Robyn reveals how she helps companies uncover hidden savings in shipping, credit card processing, telecom, and more, often slashing costs by 26–30%.
From busting the “best price” myth to showing why loyalty to a vendor can cost you, Robyn shares real client stories (including shipping cost reduction and credit card processing savings) and explains her zero-risk approach to cost optimization.
Whether you’re a small business owner, entrepreneur, or marketing professional looking to free up budget, this conversation will change how you think about expenses. It will also show you how to keep more of your hard-earned revenue starting today.
Schooley Mitchell’s Robyn Bowles was recently featured on Tiffany Alexander’s podcast – Unveiling Journeys. Tiffany and Robyn discuss how she helps companies find money they didn’t even know they were losing—without sacrificing people or culture. Key points include:
• Why traditional corporate loyalty is broken
• What it really takes to walk away from a 25-year career
• The truth about business expenses most leaders overlook
• How cost-saving strategies can protect jobs and fuel growth
• Why community and purpose matter more than ever
Schooley Mitchell’s Robyn Bowles was recently featured on Rick McPartlin’s podcast – The Revenue Game. Many businesses try to DIY their way to success, but as Robyn explains, that approach often leads to wasted money, inefficiencies, and missed opportunities. From overpaying for services to duplicate expenses and ineffective strategies, this episode is packed with real-world insights on how to stop leaking revenue and start scaling smart.
