STAY SHARP AS YOU AGE
By Going Back to School
While you may be happy for the years of wisdom you’ve gained since being in your 20s and 30s, you might be missing the mental sharpness you once had. Why not have the best of both worlds? Scientists have found that the human brain changes with age — neurons fire more slowly, for example, and short-term memory recall can be more challenging — but that we often underestimate our capacity to continue learning as we grow older. Negative stereotypes about aging can reinforce these beliefs. However, new research is showing that older adults who’ve committed to immersive study of a new subject show brain function akin to someone 30 years younger. This goes beyond the tired advice to do a crossword puzzle or work a sudoku puzzle every day. The participants in this research study were learning entirely new-to-them subjects, like how to speak a foreign language, use a new piece of technology, or make art.
to an older crowd with lifelong learning programs. One example is the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Washington (UW). UW’s program offers a full course schedule on subjects in the arts, sciences, and current events taught by qualified faculty and provided at an affordable rate. There are over 100 such programs at universities across the U.S. Have a longtime dream to write children’s books? UC San Diego Extension has a certificate program for that! If you’re looking to dive into a single subject or perhaps you’d like to continue working in retirement or shift gears later in your career, certificate programs are a great option. No previous education is required. Most certificate programs are open to all, typically run for less than a year, and easily accommodate part-time learners.
CONVINCED OF THE BENEFITS BUT NOT SURE WHERE TO TURN TO LEARN? TRY THESE TWO SOURCES.
Most colleges are designed with the traditional, 20-something college student in mind, which may not appeal or be a great fit for adults in their 50s, 60s, and beyond. But many universities are starting to cater
Celebrate your years of hard-earned wisdom but commit to keeping your brain young by going back to school this fall.
The Brick-and-Mortar Champion of the Pandemic
How JOANN Fabrics and Crafts Grew
When the pandemic first hit, most brick-and-mortar stores were required to shut down. The unfortunate truth was that many of these stores would never open their doors again. Even giant chains like Macy’s were closing their stores in bulk before the pandemic was even a thought. Yet, JOANN Fabrics and Crafts not only found a way to stay afloat during the pandemic but also thrive. As of Oct. 31, 2020, JOANN was reporting a 24.3% increase in sales to around $1.92 billion, a net income of $174 million. That’s an incredible turnaround, particularly since JOANN was on a watchlist for potential bankruptcy a year prior to the pandemic. While they still retain a massive amount of debt, their recent success puts them on track to be around well into the near future.
to buy and sell unique homemade crafts. During the pandemic, Etsy became a hotspot to buy and sell custom masks and other crafts or accessories. Many of the sellers on Etsy relied on JOANN for their fabric since they knew they were getting a quality product. As the Etsy sellers’ businesses grew, JOANN grew with them. Don’t be fooled; JOANN did not hit that level of growth by depending on Etsy customers. Before the pandemic hit, JOANN created a niche market for their products and became the go-to destination for sewers, tailors, and clothing designers. While these customers could get their fabric from competitors like Michaels, Target, or Walmart, none of these stores can match JOANN’s quality. This is why JOANN grew by 24% while Michaels, a rival craft retailer, grew by less than 1%. By taking a deep dive into a niche market, JOANN developed an extremely successful business model. This is something large and small businesses are beginning to adopt to try to stay ahead of Amazon and other internet behemoths. Time will tell if these other retailers can continue the trend JOANN started.
You’re probably wondering how a company facing bankruptcy turned around during the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression.
Surprisingly enough, Etsy played a substantial role in JOANN’s turnaround. Etsy is a global online marketplace that allows its users
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