BEGINNINGS are celebrated and endings are often avoided. If we really think about it, however, it is not the end of one thing that we veer away from but the fear of the unknown that an ending or start of something brings. It may sound cliché but the ultimate panacea is hope, the belief that the end will harken a more colorful beginning.

We have welcomed another year and there are several reasons to remain optimistic about things to come. From an economist's or business owner's perspective, the outlook for 2023 looks rosy and bright with the global economy and firms well on their way toward a continued recovery from the pandemic.