Issue 11.47

December 5, 2025

SUPERSTARS IN BUSINESS

BOULDEN BROTHERS | FOUR GENERATIONS STRONG

In 1943, brothers Urie Sr. and Omar Boulden set up shop in Newark, Del., and began delivering coal to the community. Just a year later, Omar bought out his brother and expanded into heating oil delivery, laying the foundation for what would become a growing enterprise. The next generation soon followed, with Urie Jr. merging his own heating oil business with his uncle’s in 1963, rebranding as Boulden Oil Company and steadily adding new services like propane, plumbing, HVAC, and electrical.

As markets shifted, the business adapted. In 2014, brothers Tim and Mike Boulden took the reins and reintroduced the company’s original name: Boulden Brothers. Read more >

WATCH THEIR VIDEO:

POSITION YOUR BUSINESS FOR SUCCESS

IN THE NEW YEAR

For many entrepreneurs, the final months of the year mark a key transition point that can set the tone for next year’s growth. It’s a crucial time for business owners to assess their finances and prepare to capitalize on upcoming opportunities and new cycles of customer engagement. Read more >

SOLVING FOR SPEED

AND SECURITY

In today's changing financial landscape, midsize companies are navigating a complex mix of payment technologies, fraud risks, and operational demands. Citizens’ fourth annual Payment Trends Survey reveals that while the shift toward real-time and digital payments continues, many businesses still rely on traditional methods — highlighting both opportunity and inertia in the market. Read more >

TWO DECADES OF PARTNERSHIP, GROWTH, AND COMMUNITY

With an enduring commitment to partnership and innovation, Barclays has spent the last 20 years etching its legacy into the fabric of the First State. Our journey began when UK-based Barclays PLC made a decisive entry into the U.S. credit card market by acquiring Juniper Financial Corporation, a startup online bank headquartered along Wilmington’s riverfront. Read more >

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Black Friday retail sales have evolved over the years, and 2025 is no exception. Going into the busiest season for retail were inflation numbers and consumer sentiment figures that gave retail businesses pause. The big splash of one day of shopping has stretched into several days. Early results point to a mixed bag, according to Retail Dive. They report that “AI traffic to U.S. retail websites grew 805% compared to 2024 on Black Friday, per Adobe’s data. AI tools were used the most for video games, appliances, electronics, toys, personal care, and baby product categories. Adobe also found that shoppers who landed on a U.S. retail site from an AI service were 38% more likely to convert to a sale than those coming from a non-AI traffic source.” Read more >

FAST FACT: A record 202.9 million consumers shopped during the five-day holiday weekend from Thanksgiving Day through Cyber Monday, according to the annual consumer survey released by the National Retail Federation. Read more >

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK

Wednesday was our Photography and Communications Intern Hannah Paliath’s last day at the State Chamber. During her time with us this semester, Hannah authored several articles in Delaware Business magazine, photographed our events, and assisted the communications team with a diverse range of projects. She is a senior at the University of Delaware, and we wish her the best of luck in her final semester!