WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Independent Women Features (IW Features), the grassroots storytelling and original journalism arm of Independent Women, released a new documentary highlighting how tax cuts from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act helped the Cangiolosi family launch and expand a thriving pastry business in Michigan. 

For the Cangiolosi family, entrepreneurship is fueled by two essential ingredients: their tight-knit, family-owned business model—and pro-growth tax policies like those championed in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Those same policies, now at risk of expiring, could be made permanent under the proposed One, Big Beautiful Bill Act currently before Congress. 

WATCH: How 2017 Tax Cuts Helped This Michigan Family Business Become an American Success Story 

In an exclusive interview with IW Features, Anthony Cangiolosi, one of Joe Cangiolosi’s three sons and a partner in the family business, explained the real-world impact of the TCJA: 

“When we save money in regards to a simple thing like tax cuts, we’re able to give that money back to our employees, and also grow our business and allow us to employ more people as well. We have employees that started with us five, six years ago. And when we first started, they were making a minimal amount. Now they’re making great money. They’re able to do way more for their families, and it’s just helped them tremendously.”

Anthony said two TCJA provisions in particular led to the success of their pastry shops: Section 199A, which allows small business owners to deduct up to 20% of qualified income, and expanded bonus depreciation, which made it possible for businesses to write off 100% of any necessary equipment purchased between September 2017 and January 2023.

As the “One, Big Beautiful Bill” Act awaits final passage in Congress, the Cangiolosi’s story is a reminder of the importance of tax cuts. Unless Congress acts, many of the TCJA provisions will expire at the end of this year, jeopardizing small businesses like Cangiolosi’s. 

“If the 2017 tax cuts were to expire, at the end of the day we would see less cash. We would have to pay more in taxes. And so what that does is it restricts our cash flow. And when our cash flow is restricted, we’re not able to grow as rapidly as we have been the last few years,” Anthony Cangiolosi said.

Kaylee McGhee White, editor-in-chief for IW Features, underscored the stakes: “As Congress debates the final version of the ‘One Big, Beautiful Bill’ this week, lawmakers ought to keep stories like the Cangiolosi’s in mind. The tax cuts at the center of this legislation have been vitally important in helping small entrepreneurs like them achieve success. In the Cangiolosi’s case, they’ve used that success to give back to their employees and improve their community. That’s the American dream—and it’s Washington, D.C.’s job to make sure families and business owners across the country have a shot at attaining it.”

Patrice Onwuka, director of Independent Women’s Center for Economic Opportunity, added: “The Cangiolosi’s story is not just an American dream story, it’s a smart policy story. Too often, policymakers find ways to quench the entrepreneurial spirit, strangle dreams in red tape, and financially penalize risk-takers. Conversely, the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act–or Trump tax cuts—spurred an economic revolution that created nearly 4.7 million new jobs within the first two years of its passage. Tax policies such as full expensing incentivized small businesses to invest and grow their businesses. Millions of women and workers reaped the benefits of higher pay, bonuses, new workplace benefits, and economic mobility. Congress has an opportunity to make these policies permanent. Stories like this illustrate that the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ is imperative to pass if we want the American dream to be attainable for more individuals and families.”

IW Features has highlighted the stories of other American entrepreneurs who benefit from economic policies that promote freedom, flexibility, and give small businesses room for growth. 

See More IW Features Stories:

Direct media inquiries and booking requests to [email protected]. 

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