FOX Business is celebrating small businesses that have been the backbone of American excellence with a campaign in honor of America’s 250th anniversary that will award three winners $25,000 each, the network announced Thursday. 

FOX Business’ “Made in America” contest participants can apply online with a video or written entry at SmallBusinessAwards2026.com. Submissions and nominations will be taken on the website until March 30. 

The three winners will also be featured in a Fox Nation special. 

Fans will participate in their first round of voting for their favorite small businesses beginning on April 13, after the initial submissions are narrowed down to 10 finalists.

MILLIONS OF JOBS VULNERABLE AS ‘SILVER TSUNAMI’ LOOMS OVER US SMALL BUSINESSES, EXPERTS WARN

FOX Business is launching its “Made in America” campaign to give back to small businesses on Thursday, March 12, 2026. (FOX Business)

A panel of judges, which will include FOX Business hosts and executives, will determine the three winners of the “Made in America” contest.

The winners of the campaign will be announced on air and receive an award for their businesses, as well as an oversized check.

The contest victors will be announced during Small Business Week starting on Monday, May 4.

RARE AND ORIGINAL AMERICAN FOUNDING DOCUMENTS TO FLY ON FREEDOM PLANE ACROSS NATION

The U.S. flag waves in front of the White House on April 30, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (J. David Ake/Getty Images)

A plethora of FOX Business hosts and anchors appeared in a promo announcing the campaign. 

“For 250 years, small businesses have been the backbone of America,” “Mornings with Maria” and “Sunday Morning Futures” host Maria Bartiromo said. 

“Built by people who took a chance on themselves and their communities,” “Kudlow” namesake Larry Kudlow added. 

“These are the places where the American story is written,” “Making Money” host Charles Payne said. 

“The Bottom Line” and “The Big Money Show” co-host Brian Brenberg said, “FOX Business is shining a light on the independent hops that keep our country moving,” and his co-host and founding FOX Business anchor Dagen McDowell provided details on the campaign. 

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FOX Business is celebrating small businesses that have been the backbone of American excellence by awarding three with $25,000 each and a feature in a FOX Nation special. (FOX News Media)

The FOX Business “Made in America” campaign is sponsored by Comcast Business and JP Morgan Chase.

America is celebrating its 250th anniversary on July 4, 2026.

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President Donald Trump previewed his “Freedom 250” campaign in December, announcing a series of celebrations to mark the milestone anniversary of the country’s independence. 

The escalating conflict in Iran may no longer be contained to the Middle East, as it threatens to deliver a direct hit to the American pocketbook.

As oil prices surge and global flight paths are redrawn, international carriers are already raising fares. While U.S. airlines have not yet raised prices, a new analysis warns a double-digit fare increase could be imminent for domestic flyers.

With jet fuel one of the largest expenses for airlines, domestic flight prices would need to increase by at least 11% to offset current fuel costs, according to Skift Research. Higher fuel costs could translate into higher fares for U.S. travelers.

Global benchmark Brent crude topped $100 per barrel late Thursday morning, marking a more than 60% increase since the start of the year. The market continues to react to halted oil shipments in the Strait of Hormuz and multiple strikes on Middle Eastern oil facilities and tankers as U.S. military forces continue Operation Epic Fury.

AMERICAN AIRLINES BECOMES FIRST U.S. CARRIER TO RESTORE VENEZUELA FLIGHTS SINCE 2019 SHUTDOWN

Qantas and Scandinavian Airlines announced earlier this week that they would raise fares in direct response to rising fuel prices, Reuters reported.

Travelers at William P. Hobby Airport in Houston, Texas, on Monday, March 9, 2026.  (Getty Images)

Air New Zealand said it plans to cancel 1,100 flights, impacting more than 44,000 passengers, between now and early May.

“It’s an unprecedented issue as far as fuel price is concerned, but managing fuel spikes is a well-trodden path if you’re running an airline,” CEO Nikhil Ravishankar said on Radio New Zealand.

Multiple outlets reported Wednesday that Thai Airways plans to raise ticket prices by 10% to 15% due to demand and rising fuel costs, with CFO Cherdchom Therdthirasak saying during an investor meeting this week that “passengers planning to travel should secure their tickets as soon as possible before fares rise further.”

The CEO of Hong Kong’s primary carrier, Cathay Pacific, said at a press conference that with fuel prices as high as they are, price surges are being considered.

“In March, like ever since the Middle East episode began, the costs of our fuel already doubled,” CEO Ronald Lam said, the AFP reported. “So we are going to announce [a surcharge] very soon.”

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby spoke at a Harvard University event Thursday and said high oil prices will have a “meaningful” effect and could extend into the second quarter if the war continues, adding that the impact on fares will “probably start quick,” according to Forbes.

Most U.S. carriers, including United, Delta, Southwest and American, stopped hedging fuel decades ago, Forbes said, and there is no protection contract with the U.S. government that fixes fuel prices for commercial companies.

Delta, however, is partially insulated due to its ownership of the Trainer refinery in Pennsylvania, allowing them to avoid refining margins, though they still pay market rates for raw crude oil.

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Popular travel guide The Points Guy recommends not waiting to book flights amid the conflict — or risk paying more.

“If you’re planning to fly this summer, go ahead and lock in your airfare now. As experts noted, prices could surge any day now,” The Points Guy wrote. “That’s especially true if you’re hoping to fly in June or July, which in recent years have been the busiest and most expensive months of the summer to travel.”

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President Donald Trump has reportedly been gifting Florsheim dress shoes to top administration officials, turning the 134-year-old brand into an unexpected status symbol inside the White House.

Trump has surprised some Cabinet members, White House advisors and members of Congress with the shoes – sometimes even guessing their sizes and instructing staff to place the orders. The president personally pays for the footwear, The Wall Street Journal reported.

At Cabinet meetings, Trump has reportedly even asked recipients, “Did you get the shoes?”

Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, War Secretary Pete Hegseth and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick are among those who have received pairs, according to the Journal.

‘HAPPY TRUMP’ PINS AVAILABLE, AMONG OTHER COLLECTIBLES, AFTER PRESIDENT DONS NEW ACCESSORY

President Donald Trump alongside Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, Energy Secretary Chris Wright and U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff at the World Economic Forum (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

“All the boys have them,” one White House official said.

Trump recently began looking for footwear for long workdays and chose Florsheim, whose shoes typically sell for about $145.

Some officials now wear the shoes when they are around the president, and in some cases reluctantly, the Journal reported.

TRUMP STORE SPARKS BUZZ AND DEBATE WITH NEW TRUMP 2028 MERCHANDISE

Founded in Chicago in 1892, Florsheim supplied U.S. troops during both World Wars and was once worn by President Harry Truman. (Tim Boyle/Getty Images)

During a December Oval Office meeting, Trump reportedly noticed Vance and Rubio’s footwear, suggested they needed an upgrade and asked for their sizes, the Journal reported.

“You know, you can tell a lot about a man by his shoe size,” Vance later recalled Trump saying.

A photo of Rubio’s shoes has since gone viral, with some online critics speculating that his pair appeared too large.

Founded in Chicago in 1892, Florsheim supplied U.S. troops during both World Wars and was once worn by President Harry Truman. The company is now part of Wisconsin-based Weyco Group.

TRUMP SAYS HIS TARIFFS AIM TO PROMOTE US PRODUCTION OF TANKS, NOT T-SHIRTS: ‘WE WANT TO MAKE BIG THINGS’

President Donald Trump gestures as he prepares to board Air Force One to depart for South Korea at Haneda Airport on Oct. 29, 2025, in Tokyo, Japan. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

Thomas Florsheim Jr., CEO of Weyco Group and a fifth-generation family member, told the Journal he was unaware of the president’s purchases.

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The White House and Florsheim did not respond to FOX Business’ request for comment.

Shipping often feels simple when you first launch an online shop. You print labels, pack orders, and hand parcels over to a private courier.

At first, the process seems manageable, and you may even feel proud of handling everything yourself. Yet as orders grow, the hidden costs of do‑it‑yourself shipping begin to appear.

Time starts to disappear, mistakes become more frequent, and customer expectations continue to rise. What once felt like a practical solution gradually turns into a bottleneck for your business. Instead of supporting growth, DIY shipping begins to hold you back, making it harder to scale without chaos.

Time Becomes Your Most Expensive Resource

Packing and shipping orders takes longer than most shop owners expect. You must compare carrier prices, prepare parcel documentation, update tracking details, and answer delivery questions. Each task looks small on its own, yet together they consume hours every week.

As your order volume grows, this routine becomes overwhelming. Instead of focusing on marketing, product development, or customer experience, you spend your day managing parcels.

Established shipping platforms for ecommerce change this dynamic. They handle order processing, simplify tracking updates, and compare carriers instantly. You regain control of your time. More importantly, you can focus on the activities that actually grow your business.

Manual Processes Increase the Risk of Errors

Human error becomes unavoidable when you handle shipping manually. A mistyped address, the wrong shipping label, or a missed tracking update can quickly lead to delivery issues. Customers expect accuracy and speed. Even small mistakes can damage their trust.

These problems also cost money. Resending orders, issuing refunds, and managing complaints add unexpected expenses. Each error forces you to spend more time resolving issues that could have been prevented in the first place.

Shipping platforms reduce this risk by standardising your workflow. Address validation tools catch errors early, and built-in label generation removes repetitive tasks. As a result, you ship orders with greater confidence and fewer costly mistakes.

Carrier Costs Are Higher Than You Think

Many small businesses assume they’re paying standard shipping rates. However, carriers usually offer better discounts to companies that ship in higher volumes. Without access to those negotiated rates, DIY shippers often pay more than necessary.

The difference may look small on a single parcel. Yet over hundreds or thousands of shipments, the costs add up quickly. You might be losing significant profit without realising it.

Ecommerce shipping platforms often provide access to discounted carrier rates. Since they manage large shipping volumes across many merchants, they can negotiate better pricing. For businesses handling international shipping, these savings are even more critical, since cross‑border costs rise quickly without platform support. When you tap into those discounts, your margins improve without raising product prices.

Customer Expectations Continue to Rise

Online shoppers now expect fast and transparent delivery. They want accurate tracking updates and clear delivery promises. If they cannot see where their order is, they become anxious. Soon they contact your support team for answers.

Handling these enquiries manually drains your energy. You search for tracking numbers, send updates, and reassure customers. Meanwhile, new orders continue to arrive.

A shipping platform solves this problem by streamlining communication. Customers receive real-time tracking updates and delivery notifications. They stay informed without contacting you. That reduces support requests and improves their overall experience.

Scaling Becomes Difficult Without Automation

DIY shipping may work when you process ten orders a day. It becomes stressful at fifty. At one hundred, the system often breaks down. The same manual workflow simply cannot keep up with growing demand.

This pressure leads to rushed packing, delayed shipments, and overwhelmed staff. Instead of celebrating growth, you struggle to maintain order fulfilment. That frustration signals a need for change.

Automation allows your shipping process to scale smoothly. Orders sync directly from your ecommerce store. Fulfilment tasks are managed in bulk, tracking information updates automatically, and staff spend less time on repetitive tasks.

Data and Insights Remain Hidden

Shipping generates valuable data. You can learn which carriers perform best, which routes cause delays, and which shipping options customers prefer. These insights help you improve efficiency and customer satisfaction.

However, DIY shipping rarely provides clear visibility into this information. Records are scattered across spreadsheets, emails, and carrier websites. Analysing performance becomes difficult.

Shipping platforms bring everything into one dashboard. You can monitor delivery performance, spot recurring issues, and identify trends quickly. With this visibility, you make smarter operational decisions that strengthen your fulfilment process.

Final Thoughts

DIY shipping often begins as a practical choice. It keeps costs low and gives you direct control over order fulfilment, but as your business grows, the hidden expenses become clear. Time loss, costly errors, limited carrier discounts, and rising customer expectations slowly erode your efficiency.

Recognising these signals helps you make a smarter transition. When shipping starts consuming too much time and energy, an ecommerce shipping platform becomes more than a convenience. It becomes the system that supports your next stage of growth.

Costco is facing a proposed nationwide class action lawsuit seeking refunds for customers over higher prices charged by the company due to the Trump administration’s tariffs that were subsequently ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.

The lawsuit was filed by a Costco shopper in federal court in Illinois on Wednesday and seeks a declaration that the company must return to customers any refunds it receives for tariffs Costco paid under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).

The suit follows the Supreme Court’s ruling on Feb. 20 which held that President Donald Trump overstepped his authority in imposing tariffs under IEEPA, as the law doesn’t grant tariff authority to the president.

Costco is among the more than 2,000 companies that have filed suits in the U.S. Court of International Trade seeking to recover tariffs they paid for imported goods. If the company receives those funds back through a refund, the lawsuit seeks to ensure those refunds are provided to customers who faced higher prices because of tariffs.

FOX Business reached out to Costco for comment.

FEDEX SAYS IT WILL RETURN ANY TARIFF REFUNDS TO CUSTOMERS, SHIPPERS WHO PAID THEM

Costco said it plans to return tariff refunds to consumers through lower prices and additional value, though the suit seeks to require consumer compensation. (David Paul Morris/Bloomberg)

“This lawsuit seeks to prevent Costco, the third-largest retailer in the world, from double recovery,” the lawsuit said. “Costco has made no commitment to return any portion of anticipated tariff refunds to the consumers who bore those costs.”

The suit added that the company has only promised “a possible future benefit to an indeterminate group of future shoppers.”

Costco CEO Ron Vachris told analysts last week that it was still unclear if or when businesses will get refunds for the IEEPA tariffs they previously paid.

Vachris indicated that if Costco does receive the funds, the company plans to channel them into lower prices and improved value for shoppers.

FEDEX SUES TRUMP ADMINISTRATION FOR FULL TARIFF REFUNDS AFTER SUPREME COURT RULING ON IEEPA

FedEx, which has also filed suit in the Court of International Trade to recover tariff refunds, is facing a similar class action lawsuit that was filed in late February by shippers who paid higher prices due to the tariffs.

Before the class action lawsuit was filed, the company said in a statement that, “If refunds are issued to FedEx, we will issue refunds to the shippers and consumers who originally bore those charges. When that will happen and the exact process for requesting and issuing refunds will depend in part on future guidance from the government and the court.”

The class action lawsuit claims that FedEx’s promise wasn’t legally enforceable and seeks to ensure shippers and consumers receive the additional funds they paid due to the tariffs.

HOW SHOULD BUSINESSES APPROACH TARIFF REFUNDS?

Tariffs are taxes on imports paid by the importer, who often passes on some or all of the higher cost onto consumers through higher prices. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

The Supreme Court’s ruling sent the case back to lower courts, where it’s possible that the government could reach an agreement with the courts over a format for providing refunds to tariff payers.

Existing avenues to pursue tariff refunds exist through the U.S. Court of International Trade, where thousands of companies have filed suit to recover those funds.

A recent study by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York found that U.S. businesses and consumers bore 86% of the tariff burden, while foreign exporters bore 14% as of November 2025. 

The New York Fed’s researchers found that the share borne by U.S. businesses and consumers declined over the year from 94% in the January through August period to 92% in September and October.

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Those findings are similar to those contained in another analysis by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO), which noted in its 10-year budget and economic outlook that foreign exporters were absorbing about 5% of the tariff costs with the remaining 95% falling on U.S. firms and consumers.

Reuters contributed to this report.