Today in Global Small Business: Pumpkin Export Season Is in Full Swing

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What's affecting me, my clients, my colleagues and other global small business owners:

• Who knew?  The South African pumpkin season is now in full swing at Q-Cape—a Netherlands-based company that has spent the last decade cultivating organic pumpkins and sweet potatoes in South Africa for the European market.
• How this small Australian player in a $600 million industry is changing hundreds of women's lives.
• Quote of the week: "I would rather sit on a pumpkin and have it all to myself, than be crowded on a velvet cushion." – Henry David Thoreau
• "It's my second day here at the SBA," [Kelly] Loeffler [head of SBA] said. "I could not be more excited to be here. So, I thought I'd take a walk. And what I found is that exactly what's been said is true. About 90% of our employees are working from home. Well, that ends Monday with President Trump's order to return to work."
• China sees robust growth in loans to small, micro firms.
• Alabama exports total $26.8 bilion in 2024, reaching over 200 countries.