In search of a creative outlet beyond her corporate career, marketing consultant Erica Goldstein launched The Blank Canvas Company in 2014 — sharing and selling her colorful, hand-painted designs on Instagram. What started as a passion project soon gained traction, and Erica started selling at local markets and pop-up events in 2018, steadily growing her…
WASHINGTON (April 17, 2025) — Connected Commerce Council (3C) Executive Director Rob Retzlaff today issued the following statement in response to Judge Leonie M. Brinkema’s ruling in the U.S. v. Google LLC “ad tech” trial. “While we’re relieved by the Court’s ruling on Google’s status in the market for ad-purchasing tools, we’re concerned by its…
(April 17, 2025) — Small Texas online sellers today held a press conference urging Texas lawmakers to pass legislation (HB 1681/SB 265) ensuring online sellers won’t have to pay taxes on fees they pay digital marketplaces like Amazon, eBay, and Walmart. The press conference came as the House Ways and Means Committee plans to hold…
“Mompreneur” Pallavi Pande founded her Portland-based business, DTOCS (pronounced “detox: echoing with the meaning cleansing journey but with leaves”), to help replace single-use tableware with a chemical-free biodegradable alternative. Inspired by memories of meals served on banana leaves in India, Pallavi decided to source and process Areca palm leaves to offer elegant, all-natural, compostable tableware…
In 2019, longtime politics and policy enthusiast Pat Utz started his AI-powered firm, Abstract, to help people understand how complex legislative changes could impact their businesses. Today, Abstract uses advanced AI to analyze proposed legislative and regulatory changes, helping clients better prepare for likely risks and opportunities. With a growing roster of clients, the company…
Sharon Nguyen and Prisha Punjwani, 3C’s Tech Policy Fellows Recent trade policy changes have created serious challenges for small businesses. Most notably, steep new tariffs are driving up the costs of imported goods and materials, forcing small businesses to choose between two bad options: They can either absorb the higher costs and accept pared-down margins,…
For Addie Ajayi, fashion is more than just clothing — it’s a way to celebrate culture and identity. After immigrating to the U.S. from Nigeria, Addie found herself searching for modern, ready-to-wear African-inspired fashion that reflected her heritage. When she couldn’t find it, she decided to create it. Working from her small studio apartment, Addie…
March 15, 2025 Thank you for the opportunity to offer comments on the development of a national artificial intelligence (AI) action plan. On behalf of the Connected Commerce Council (3C) — a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring small businesses have the digital tools they need to thrive in today’s economy — I urge you to…