Square Teams Up with Guy Raz to Launch "The Way Up," A New Series Celebrating Local Business Innovation and Hard-Earned Wisdom
Award-winning podcast host Guy Raz partners with Square to spotlight journeys and lessons from growing, thriving businesses across America
OAKLAND, Calif., April 30, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, Square announced the launch of "The Way Up," a new video series hosted by Guy Raz that celebrates the entrepreneurial spirit and showcases the real stories of grit, vision, growth, and heart behind some of America's most innovative local businesses. The series features in-depth conversations with business owners who have transformed their dreams into thriving enterprises, sharing their pivotal moments and the lessons learned along the way.
Made in collaboration with Guy Raz, the acclaimed interviewer and creator of "How I Built This," the series features six remarkable Square-powered businesses that represent the diversity and resilience of American business ownership as they use technology and ingenuity to grow:
Nixta Taqueria, featuring Chef Edgar Rico and Sara Mardanbigi, evolved from a pop-up to a James Beard Award-winning 50-seat restaurant in Austin, Texas, showcasing the power of culinary innovation.
Charles Pan-Fried Chicken, helmed by two-time James Beard Award nominee Chef Charles Gabriel and Chef Quie Slobert, brings Harlem's soul food legacy to new audiences across their three locations.
The Sports Bra in Portland, Oregon, founded by Jenny Nguyen and the first-ever sports bar dedicated to women's sports, is expanding its footprint and giving back to advance future generations of women athletes.
Vala's Pumpkin Patch, featuring Tim and Kelsey Vala, has grown from a modest 17-acre rental to a 450-acre cultural landmark in Gretna, Nebraska, with 20,000 people visiting per day during peak season, run by the Vala family for over 40 years.
Green Apple Books, a San Francisco institution since 1967 owned by Pete Mulvihill, demonstrates how independent bookstores can adapt and thrive in the digital age.
Rustler Hat Co., founded by Alex Samuels in Nashville, Tennessee, transforms hat-making into an experience, crafting up to 200 custom hats daily.
"Throughout my career, I've been drawn to the human stories behind successful businesses – the moments of truth, the critical decisions, and the community connections that shape their journeys," said Guy Raz. "With 'The Way Up,' we're going deeper into these stories, showing how local businesses across America are reimagining their industries and using technology to bring their unique visions to life. These aren't just business stories – they're stories about human ingenuity, perseverance, and the transformative power of successful businesses on their broader communities."
"At Square, we're proud to support the millions of bold, imaginative sellers redefining what local business looks like today," said Lindsey Irvine, Head of Marketing at Square. "'The Way Up' shines a light on their stories – of resilience, reinvention, and impact. Through Guy Raz's lens, we see how empowered business owners don't just build successful companies – they shape the future of their communities."
The series will be distributed across multiple platforms, including full episodes on Square's YouTube channel, audio versions on Raz's "Wisdom From the Top" podcast, and exclusive content through The Bottom Line, Square's publication for business owners and operators. Each episode explores how these businesses navigate change and challenge, implement solutions, and scale their operations using Square.
The first episode of "The Way Up" launches today on The Bottom Line. Learn more about how Square can power your growth at www.squareup.com.
About Square
Square makes commerce and financial services easy and accessible with its integrated ecosystem of commerce solutions. Square offers purpose-built software to run complex restaurant, retail, and professional services operations, versatile e-commerce tools, embedded financial services and banking products, buy now, pay later functionality through Afterpay, staff management and payroll capabilities, and much more – all of which work together to save sellers time and effort. Millions of sellers across the globe trust Square to power their business and help them thrive in the economy. For more information, visit www.squareup.com.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250430605108/en/
Contacts
press@squareup.com
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Wire
8 minutes ago
- Business Wire
CEA Opens Shanghai–Auckland–Buenos Aires "New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor" to First Bridge China and South America
SHANGHAI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--On June 18, 2025, China Eastern Airlines (CEA) and Auckland Airport signed a cooperation agreement in Shanghai. According to the plan, CEA will launch commercial flights in December 2025 from Shanghai Pudong International Airport to Ministro Pistarini International Airport via Auckland Airport. The signing ceremony was attended by government officials, corporate representatives, and heads from relevant departments. New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon highlighted that the new route will enhance global connectivity by linking Auckland with the dynamic economies of Asia and South America. He also announced that New Zealand will implement a visa-free transit policy for Chinese travelers passing through Auckland. Since the opening of the route to Auckland in 2014, CEA has shown strong growth. Chairman Wang Zhiqing stated that the airline will leverage its Shanghai hub to accelerate the construction of its global route network. The new route will serve as a vital bridge among New Zealand, China, the Asia-Pacific region, and South America, supporting the Belt and Road Initiative. Auckland Airport expressed satisfaction with the imminent realization of the jointly envisioned " New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor". CEA, Auckland Airport's key partner and now the leading carrier on the China–New Zealand route, has maintained steady operations and consistently expanded capacity. The new service, to be operated twice weekly by Boeing 777, will be the only direct air link between Argentina and China, filling the gap in direct air services between the two nations. The "New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor" shortens travel time by 4–5 hours versus European or North American routes and offers direct flights, while also reducing jet lag—passengers only face a 4-hour time difference when transiting through Auckland, as opposed to 12 hours via traditional Western routes. CEA plans to apply for fifth freedom for this route, enabling passenger and cargo transport in Auckland, boosting economic, trade, and people-to-people exchanges among New Zealand, China, and Argentina. Currently, CEA operates flights from Auckland to both Shanghai Pudong and Hangzhou Xiaoshan. Following the new route launch, CEA will boost New Zealand–China capacity deployment, increasing Auckland–Shanghai flights from 7 to 9 weekly. Note: The new route remains subject to final regulatory approval.
Business Journals
an hour ago
- Business Journals
3 simple steps for employers to lower health care costs and ensure better employee care
It's no secret that the current health care system is unsustainable. Nearly half of Americans receive health care coverage through their employer and over the past two decades, employer-sponsored health care costs have risen by over 200%. Many businesses can no longer front the costs — and the burden is being shifted onto employees. The result? Health care has become unaffordable for many working Americans — for some employees cost shifting has made engaging care unaffordable and 40% of American adults are struggling with medical debt — a shockingly high number. Despite this astronomical rise in cost, most brokers and benefits consultants haven't changed the solutions they present to clients in decades. In our experience, only about 5-10% of brokers are offering their clients innovative alternatives and even fewer have fully embraced a different approach, leading to poor implementation and support when they do try something new. The reality is that health care operates as an inefficient market. Unlike most industries, higher costs do not necessarily equate to higher quality care — in fact, it can often be the opposite. We believe that by being proactive, transparent and strategic, employers can reverse this trend by reducing costs while ensuring their employees receive top-quality care. However, achieving transformational results demands a completely different approach. The four of us have spent years in this industry and have tailored a unique approach that enables us to achieve superior results. We've seen what works and what doesn't and the ineffective options continually peddled to employers. That's why we've joined forces to help employers to take control of their health care spend and save real money. Our approach We don't believe in a one-size-fits all health plans and we partner with HR leaders to bring their health care strategy to life while directly administering the change. This includes educating employees on what they need to know to make the most of their benefits. When you show people exactly how they can receive better care at a lower price, everyone wins. Our model is built on three pillars: education, pharmacy platform and Medicare Plus. Education: We empower members to navigate the health care system effectively and steer them towards high quality and cost-effective options. Navigating the health care system is hard and we take a hands-on approach, which helps members understand their choices and make informed decisions. This extra effort improves health outcomes while ensuring the best experience possible. According to publicly available data compiled by Image360, CT scans in Tampa, Florida, are typically billed between $4,500 and $9,700. Even after PPO discounts, health plan members and businesses still pay $2,200 to $4,800. The problem is, there's little transparency in pricing and high cost doesn't guarantee high quality. Imagine360 changes that. With Imagine360, the average cost for the same CT scan at the same facility drops to under $200. This translates to significant savings for the employee and the business. Pharmacy platform: Pharmacy spend is the fastest-growing expense when it comes to a health plan. Traditional solutions often lack transparency and instead function as profit centers. We craft innovative solutions to manage pharmacy costs, ensuring that members have access to affordable medications without compromising on quality. Medicare Plus: We provide a thoughtful alternative to conventional PPOs. This model offers robust coverage at significantly lower costs by anchoring reimbursements to fair, Medicare-based rates. The above approach collectively has proven to cut costs by nearly 25% on average. Through this approach, we've reduced the cost of health care so drastically that some clients now offer no-cost health care to all of their employees. At a time when most companies are forcing employees to pay upwards of thousands of dollars per month on health insurance premiums, our clients pick up the full cost of premiums for their employees. This difference is life-changing for many families. By adopting a three-pillar approach to health care benefits, these businesses have become highly sought-after employers in their communities. And it's not just beneficial for employees — it's advantageous for the health plan as well. When health care premiums are overpriced, only the highest utilizers enroll, which makes sense; you would only pay thousands of dollars a month in premiums if you anticipated high health care expenses. However, when coverage is affordable and well-structured, everyone participates, creating a healthier, more predictable and sustainable plan. If this sounds too good to be true, you're not alone. One employer came to us frustrated and skeptical. Every broker had pitched the same traditional solutions, none of which solved their problem. Their chief financial officer knew that if they could not control hospital claims costs, the business would be in trouble. We introduced Medicare Plus pricing as a strategic solution. We helped manage the learning curve for the first few months — but once leadership committed to the solution, the plan started working. Three years in, premiums, deductibles and copays have all dropped. Employees are getting better coverage, and the company has even added new benefits — while most of their peers are cutting back. Using an independent TPA Working with an independent third-party administrator (TPA) opens the door to a different and better playbook. Yes, it takes more work upfront — more education, communication, teamwork — but the payoff is worth it: a more flexible employee benefits solution that can lead to better care, lower costs, and long-term consistency. No more carrier swaps or yearly overhauls. We currently support 25 clients on this platform. With dedicated service teams, personalized enrollment education and long-term strategies, we help employers innovate — without impacting employee satisfaction. The result is a smoother, more positive experience. The road ahead We're all fighting the same fight: pushing back against a system that hides cost, limits choices, wastes money and is driving people to choose little or no coverage due to cost. But it doesn't have to be this way. With a three-pronged approach including employee education, pharmacy and Medicare Plus pricing, we're helping employers take back control of their health care costs. By putting people first and staying committed to value-based solutions, employers and brokers can finally break free from the old playbook — and build something better. McGriff is a Marsh & McLennan Agency LLC Company. Our solutions include commercial property and casualty, corporate bonding and surety, cyber, executive risk, management and professional liability, captives and alternative risk transfer programs, employee benefits, small business and personal lines insurance.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
GOP tax bill would ease regulations on gun silencers and some rifles and shotguns
WASHINGTON (AP) — The massive tax and spending cuts package that President Donald Trump wants on his desk by July 4 would loosen regulations on gun silencers and certain types of rifles and shotguns, advancing a longtime priority of the gun industry as Republican leaders in the House and Senate try to win enough votes to pass the bill. The guns provision was first requested in the House by Georgia Rep. Andrew Clyde, a Republican gun store owner who had initially opposed the larger tax package. The House bill would remove silencers — called 'suppressors' by the gun industry — from a 1930s law that regulates firearms that are considered the most dangerous, eliminating a $200 tax while removing a layer of background checks. The Senate kept the provision on silencers in its version of the bill and expanded upon it, adding short-barreled, or sawed-off, rifles and shotguns. Republicans who have long supported the changes, along with the gun industry, say the tax infringes on Second Amendment rights. They say silencers are mostly used by hunters and target shooters for sport. 'Burdensome regulations and unconstitutional taxes shouldn't stand in the way of protecting American gun owners' hearing,' said Clyde, who owns two gun stores in Georgia and often wears a pin shaped like an assault rifle on his suit lapel. Democrats are fighting to stop the provision, which was unveiled days after two Minnesota state legislators were shot in their homes, as the bill speeds through the Senate. They argue that loosening regulations on silencers could make it easier for criminals and active shooters to conceal their weapons. 'Parents don't want silencers on their streets, police don't want silencers on their streets,' said Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. The gun language has broad support among Republicans and has received little attention as House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., work to settle differences within the party on cuts to Medicaid and energy tax credits, among other issues. But it is just one of hundreds of policy and spending items included to entice members to vote for the legislation that could have broad implications if the bill is enacted within weeks, as Trump wants. Inclusion of the provision is also a sharp turn from the climate in Washington just three years ago when Democrats, like Republicans now, controlled Congress and the White House and pushed through bipartisan gun legislation. The bill increased background checks for some buyers under the age of 21, made it easier to take firearms from potentially dangerous people and sent millions of dollars to mental health services in schools. Passed in the summer of 2022, just weeks after the shooting of 19 children and two adults at a school in Uvalde, Texas, it was the most significant legislative response to gun violence in decades. Three years later, as they try to take advantage of their consolidated power in Washington, Republicans are packing as many of their longtime priorities as possible, including the gun legislation, into the massive, wide-ranging bill that Trump has called 'beautiful." 'I'm glad the Senate is joining the House to stand up for the Second Amendment and our Constitution, and I will continue to fight for these priorities as the Senate works to pass President Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill,' said Texas Sen. John Cornyn, who was one of the lead negotiators on the bipartisan gun bill in 2022 but is now facing a primary challenge from the right in his bid for reelection next year. If the gun provisions remain in the larger legislation and it is passed, silencers and the short-barrel rifles and shotguns would lose an extra layer of regulation that they are subject to under the National Firearms Act, passed in the 1930s in response to concerns about mafia violence. They would still be subject to the same regulations that apply to most other guns — and that includes possible loopholes that allow some gun buyers to avoid background checks when guns are sold privately or online. Larry Keane of the National Shooting Sports Foundation, who supports the legislation, says changes are aimed at helping target shooters and hunters protect their hearing. He argues that the use of silencers in violent crimes is rare. 'All it's ever intended to do is to reduce the report of the firearm to hearing safe levels,' Keane says. Speaking on the floor before the bill passed the House, Rep. Clyde said the bill restores Second Amendment rights from 'over 90 years of draconian taxes.' Clyde said Johnson included his legislation in the larger bill 'with the purest of motive.' 'Who asked for it? I asked,' said Clyde, who ultimately voted for the bill after the gun silencer provision was added. Clyde was responding to Rep. Maxwell Frost, a 28-year-old Florida Democrat, who went to the floor and demanded to know who was responsible for the gun provision. Frost, who was a gun-control activist before being elected to Congress, called himself a member of the 'mass shooting generation' and said the bill would help 'gun manufacturers make more money off the death of children and our people.' Among other concerns, control advocates say less regulation for silencers could make it harder for law enforcement to stop an active shooter. 'There's a reason silencers have been regulated for nearly a century: They make it much harder for law enforcement and bystanders to react quickly to gunshots,' said John Feinblatt, president of Everytown for Gun Safety. Schumer and other Democrats are trying to convince the Senate parliamentarian to drop the language as she reviews the bill for policy provisions that aren't budget-related. 'Senate Democrats will fight this provision at the parliamentary level and every other level with everything we've got,' Schumer said earlier this month.
