Explore these stories to learn more about the power of capitalism and innovation.
Jackie Robinson: No. 42 Was No. 1 – On the Field and Off
Learn how Jackie Robinson's groundbreaking actions went beyond the baseball field in this article on This Is Capitalism.
Ron Popeil, a 20th – and 21st Century Capitalist
Beyond Barbie: The Legacy of Mattel Founder Ruth Handler
Remembering the “Mother” of Monopoly
The Entrepreneurial Type
John H. Johnson: Changing Publishing – and History
Charles and Ray Eames: A Design for Working
Bacon, Eggs, and Public Relations: How PR Pioneer Edward L. Bernays Changed America
Milton Hershey: Sweet Dreams of Helping Others
Curt Bradbury, chief operating officer of Stephens Inc., writes about how Jack Stephens changed not only Stephens Inc. but the entire banking industry in Arkansas. As Stephens’ second CEO, he led the rescue of Worthen, the state’s largest bank. Jack’s decision reflected his belief that Arkansas needed a vital banking system.
Learn how Frechka stumbled upon a method for transforming cellulose from fallen leaves into paper during a high school experiment.
Learn about what young people really think about capitalism based on a recent survey by Wake Forest University.
Learn how Jackie Robinson's groundbreaking actions went beyond the baseball field in this article on This Is Capitalism.
Curt Bradbury, chief operating officer of Stephens Inc., writes about how Jack Stephens changed not only Stephens Inc. but the entire banking industry in Arkansas. As Stephens’ second CEO, he led the rescue of Worthen, the state’s largest bank. Jack’s decision reflected his belief that Arkansas needed a vital banking system.
Emily Roebling, an unsung heroine of the Brooklyn Bridge, oversaw its construction from 1872 to 1883 while her husband received credit. Despite lacking formal engineering training, her pivotal role was obscured by societal norms. Her legacy highlights gender disparities in STEM fields, persisting to this day.
Struggling single mother Adrienne Bowling credits her transformation to Corner to Corner's entrepreneurial program in Nashville, where community-focused initiatives have empowered hundreds to start businesses and contribute to the local economy.
From the labor movement to climate control, women have been at the forefront of so many important social and political changes.
Learn about Isabelle Simi, generally considered to be the first female commercial winemaker in the U.S., ran California’s SIMI Winery.
Learn about what young people really think about capitalism based on a recent survey by Wake Forest University.
Learn how The Supplant Company is revolutionizing the culinary industry with their sugar substitute on This Is Capitalism.
Learn how Bizstarters helps people start over by starting up on This Is Capitalism.
Pringles and The Caviar Company, Nike and Tiffany, and Balenciaga and The Simpsons exemplify the growing trend of unlikely collaborations, where diverse brands join forces for mutual publicity and profit, leveraging their combined appeal.
More states are mandating financial literacy education in high schools, with 70% requiring personal finance classes. Read how advocacy from nonprofits, public demand, and proven benefits of financial education are driving this trend.
Music festivals have connected legendary artists across time, from Handel to Hendrix, and fueled local economies in ways concerts can’t. Discover how these vibrant gatherings shape culture, boost tourism, and drive billions in revenue worldwide.
Toys date back thousands of years, evolving from primitive homemade objects to modern mass-produced creations like Crayola crayons, LEGOs, Hot Wheels, and Squishmallows, blending fun with education and creativity.
The 2024 back-to-class season sees parents tightening budgets, embracing second-hand shopping, and even reviving mall trips. Generative AI is stepping into classrooms, helping kids and saving time.
Entrepreneurial success is part great idea, part hard work, part lining up the resources you need, and part knowing that even if you do all that, there is no sure thing in life.
Olympic athletes use the Games to attract sponsorships, with top athletes securing major deals while lesser-known ones struggle. Diverse partnerships, strong social media presence, and authentic storytelling help athletes gain brand attention.
How small businesses in the fragrance and aromatherapy industries are navigating a crowded, but growing marketplace
Between efforts to reduce environmental footprints and looking for a one-of-kind outfit, consumers are flocking to the resale market. Can the demand last?
The rise of independent content creators in children’s programs, such as Blippi, Ms. Rachel, and Ryan Kaji, highlights the shift from traditional networks to platforms like YouTube and Instagram. The demand for the content has proved to be lucrative.
Navigating the world of personal finances can be daunting, especially as a young adult.
Summer 2024 is approaching and U.S. consumers are gearing up. Vacations, music festivals, and major sports events are just a few of what U.S. consumers are planning to spend big on.
Mother’s Day is a popular holiday for retailers, particularly florists and jewelers. It ranks second in gift spending after Christmas. However, the holiday’s founder, Anna Jarvis, later opposed its commercialization. Read how she fought to have the holiday canceled.
Unless you found yourself in dire need of one, it’s likely you haven’t given much thought to rubber bands of late.
Learn how corporations are driving change for a financially educated America. From sweepstakes with T-Pain to youth contests and free resources, discover how you can level up your financial knowledge.
Nick Loper left his corporate job to focus on Side Hustle Nation, supporting entrepreneurs. Andy LaPointe's post-9/11 venture, Traverse Bay Farms, offers gourmet products. Michael Nova transitioned from musician to CEO. Wether you’ve started a side hustle or want to begin one, here are some key considerations.
Family businesses, from small stores to global giants like Walmart and Ford, face common challenges in transferring to the next generation. With immense economic impact, successful transitions require clarity on family purpose, education for successors, and structures for governance and strategy.
Emily Roebling, an unsung heroine of the Brooklyn Bridge, oversaw its construction from 1872 to 1883 while her husband received credit. Despite lacking formal engineering training, her pivotal role was obscured by societal norms. Her legacy highlights gender disparities in STEM fields, persisting to this day.
Black-owned banks and credit unions provide vital financial services to predominantly Black communities in the US, aiming to empower through education and access to accounts, mortgages, and loans. Despite historical challenges, institutions like Freedman’s Bank and St. Luke Penny Savings Bank showcase resilience, contributing to community prosperity and empowerment.
Ann Lowe, a Black couturier from Alabama, designed Jacqueline Bouvier's iconic 1953 wedding dress to John F. Kennedy. Despite her talent and prior recognition among high society, Lowe remained uncredited for the dress. Lowe's legacy lies in breaking barriers for Black designers, despite her own struggles, and paving the way for later fashion icons.
Generative AI has rapidly become a global disruptor across industries, driving significant increases in productivity and efficiency, albeit with challenges hindering widespread adoption.
Stanley's Quenchers, initially overlooked, became a cultural phenomenon through strategic partnerships, targeted marketing, and innovative product diversification, revolutionizing the company's sales trajectory and sparking widespread consumer enthusiasm despite facing occasional controversies.
Deciding to form a board and selecting the right members can significantly impact the survival and growth of an early-stage company, with the addition of independent directors offering guidance on critical matters such as investment, regulation, strategy, and growth.
AI adoption in businesses is reshaping work environments, raising concerns about job displacement, but industry leaders foresee AI empowering and creating new jobs, emphasizing the importance of governance, regulation, and workforce training for a balanced future.
The vinyl resurgence, responsible for over a billion dollars in annual sales, defies digital trends as Gen Z embraces the tactile experience, with enthusiasts like Turner Sato and Hayley Ringle celebrating the physicality, mindfulness, and authenticity of vinyl records.
Adaptive reuse presents a potential solution to the U.S. real estate imbalance, with the conversion of underutilized office spaces into housing units, addressing both high office vacancy rates and the demand for housing.
Learn more about the relationship between retail and the Internet of Things in this article from This Is Capitalism.
Community
Women in Business
Emily Roebling, an unsung heroine of the Brooklyn Bridge, oversaw its construction from 1872 to 1883 while her husband received credit. Despite lacking formal engineering training, her pivotal role was obscured by societal norms. Her legacy highlights gender disparities in STEM fields, persisting to this day.
Black-owned banks and credit unions provide vital financial services to predominantly Black communities in the US, aiming to empower through education and access to accounts, mortgages, and loans. Despite historical challenges, institutions like Freedman’s Bank and St. Luke Penny Savings Bank showcase resilience, contributing to community prosperity and empowerment.
Struggling single mother Adrienne Bowling credits her transformation to Corner to Corner's entrepreneurial program in Nashville, where community-focused initiatives have empowered hundreds to start businesses and contribute to the local economy.
Editor’s spotlight
Consumers navigated challenges from the global pandemic and inflation, adapting shopping habits in 2023 for Back-to-School (BTS) needs, prioritizing budgeting, seeking bargains, and emphasizing financial protection while balancing in-store and online preferences.
Struggling single mother Adrienne Bowling credits her transformation to Corner to Corner's entrepreneurial program in Nashville, where community-focused initiatives have empowered hundreds to start businesses and contribute to the local economy.
“This Is Capitalism” defines capitalism through the stories of individuals whose business success embodies the spirit of the American dream. The multimedia platform includes original films, articles, and podcasts.