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Telos' Decentralization Rivals that of Bitcoin and Ethereum

Telos Foundation

Telos Blockchain (ticker: TLOS), the world’s most robust and decentralized ESG compliant layer 1 platform and home to the world's fastest, highest capacity EVM (tEVM), derives credible neutrality and decentralization from at least 42 equally distinct validating nodes compared to the much smaller number of major mining pools securing Bitcoin and Ethereum. After a thorough competitive analysis comparing Telos’ decentralization to the decentralization of many of the other top Layer 1 chains, the Foundation has confirmed its assumptions. Based on validator equality and crucial factors regarding architecture and finances, the team confirmed that Telos is indeed one of the leading chains regarding credible neutrality and decentralization. As mining pools lack equality, massive node counts become irrelevant: As depicted in the pie charts above, Telos, via its governance, has maintained an equitable distribution amongst all its active validators and Bitcoin and Ethereum have not. Instead, the mining pools of both Bitcoin and Ethereum have now become centralized. The hypothesis is that over the years the well-funded pools have overtaken the little ones. Despite the substantial number of nodes, to be a credibly neutral peer-to-peer network, the network must also sustain even splits in validator power / responsibilities. Without this equality, the insulating strengths of decentralized peer-to-peer networking becomes significantly degraded. A decentralized network made up of equitable validators adds a powerful layer of insulation against multiple scenarios. For example, a multi-government coalition could potentially implement disruptive regulations or restrictions on blockchain. If only a handful of validators / mining pools need to be targeted, it becomes much easier for those governments to impose their will and degrade the insulation that a peer-to-peer network is supposed to provide. In fact, an event far smaller than this could instantly interrupt some chains from operating as they intended. However, the problem is not just limited to government interference. It is also the potential of a coalition amongst the validator majority that threatens the decentralization and stability of a chain. Despite having many nodes, it appears that for Bitcoin it would take only ~5 large mining pools to form a majority, only ~4 for Ethereum and 22 for Telos (as depicted in the pie charts above). Aside from this significant (4x to 5x) difference, it is also worth noting that the community fairly votes the Telos validators into active slots vs Bitcoin / Ethereum in which the mining pool’s principles are anonymous and can simply buy their way into a majority position. Hence, the centralization and lack of credible neutrality that has now formed. Credible neutrality cannot exist in an environment in which control and influence is exerted by small groups of well-funded people. This move towards validator centralization also leads to neutrality questions that are impossible to answer. For example, are the validator majorities' ambitions in line with what is best for the chain or themselves? To put the potential gravity of this into perspective one needs to understand that the principal/s of a majority sized mining pool can easily be a crime syndicate, and no one would know about it due to the anonymity. In fact, all the major mining pools can hypothetically be owned by crime syndicates, and no one would ever know. In contrast to this, with chain-governed validator equality and ongoing fair community voting, these credibility and neutrality questions are simply non-existing issues. In fact, all these chain degrading scenarios are exactly what the Telos architecture and governance have insulated against. As a chain’s validator network becomes unequal in size; the more it will move towards centralization, the more its neutrality will become biased and the more these chain breakdown scenarios may become a reality. Insider allocation cost blockchain’s their credible neutrality: Being that Telos was a 100% bootstrap project (95% of the coins airdropped to the community, 5% were used as equal pay to the almost 150 contributors, no insider handouts, and no ICO), the team already knew that its insider allocation was at the same level as Bitcoin’s beginnings, zero. Telos is the only L1 chain besides Bitcoin to have ever reached this stage of maturity while still maintaining zero insider allocation. All the other L1 chains are believed to be centralized and unable to become credibly neutral public infrastructure due to their insider allocation (click here to see). With this being noted, these chains will most likely never be utilized by governments as a legal tender and dApps depending on this infrastructure will never be 100% insulated by the full power of credible neutrality and decentralization. Telos Decentralization: Since its inception, the validators of the Telos Blockchain are both equally sized and regionally / globally diversified. Plus, no ungoverned wallet is known to hold more than 2% of the chain. From chain architecture to finances, decentralization and neutrality are of the highest priority for the chain. Over the last 4 years, Telos has grown into a truly utopian blockchain option for both private and public infrastructure. It is ludicrously fast, very inexpensive, extremely energy efficient, credibly neutral, non-congested, super easy to deploy on and the only chain that fully insulates the public from the front running / MEV that is plaguing Ethereum. Decentralization Highlights: Telos is the only third generation layer 1 blockchain to have never done an ICO [initial coin offering] and this non-action alone insulates the chain greatly regarding insider collusion and the SEC security law suits. Telos, at its inception, electively chose to stay a bootstrap project and rise in the same fashion as Bitcoin. All other third generation layer 1 chains (including Ethereum) have done ICOs and will more than likely be forced to file with the SEC as securities. The former and current SEC Chairman have both expressed that every ICO [initial coin offering] they have seen are indeed securities, that they have jurisdiction, and that federal securities laws apply. The validating architecture of other networks might be structured via peer-to-peer architecture, but they are not credibly decentralized due to the distribution of monetary / voting / validating power. Again, insider allocation is non-existent and as you can see above in the pie charts depicting validator decentralization, Telos Validators are proportionally equal. Telos governance has the fairest voting system in existence, called Telos Decide. It is tamper-proof and secured by the Tlos coins that investors own. A coin holder can vote on behalf of the coins they hold and rely on outcomes that do not require any further human involvement. No other Layer 1 offers this level of automated community fairness. Especially because the Telos governance documents may be dynamically amended by the votes of the coin holders in a process that is entirely controlled by on-chain smart contracts. Governments, investors, dApp creators, and end users need not forget that the fundamental features which bring the most value to blockchain are credible neutrality and decentralization. With credible neutrality and decentralization the following attributes are all significantly enhanced: Utility Redundancy Security / Trust Individual Financial Independence dApp Sovereignty Fair Voting Legal Tender The actions and inactions of Telos are driven by the belief that the public and private sectors require credibly neutral blockchain infrastructure in a third-generation capable format. Credible neutrality, ludicrously fast speeds, energy efficiency, and super low-cost transactions make Telos the perfect crypto currency for the global internet and for the people. About Telos Live since 2018, Telos Blockchain (ticker: Tlos) is a third-generation smart contract platform that offers compatibility with Solidity, Vyper and Native C++ smart contracts. Telos provides full EVM/Solidity support with fixed low-cost gas fees and no front running. Uniquely, Telos also offers a path to fee-less transactions via its robust native C++ smart contract support. Utilizing less than 0.000002 kWh per transaction, the chain can sustainably support hundreds of millions of transactions per day, produce blocks in 0.5 second intervals on a first-in-first-out basis (eliminating front running on the network) and securely validate transactions via a credibly neutral and globally decentralized block producer network. The Telos Blockchain has the throughput needed to facilitate and scale the thriving Metaverse / Web 3.0 better than any other blockchain. Its performance is unrivaled in the industry and was purpose-built to offer speed, scalability, cost-effectiveness, credible decentralization, and end-user fairness. Telos, harnesses its power by utilizing tight C++ on the frontend and a custom WASM runtime environment on the backend. About The Foundation The Telos Foundation is a Decentralized Autonomous Organization established as a promotional and funding body to advance the Telos Blockchain Network and provide support to network applications. Contact Details The Team hello@telosfoundation.io Company Website https://www.telos.net/

April 20, 2022 10:07 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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38-Year Printing Business Avante Print Center Converts to International Minute Press Franchise in Mesa, Arizona

Minuteman Press International Inc

For nearly 38 years, Carl Denti and his family operated their independent print shop Avante Print Center. In Feb. 2022, Carl sold the business to new owners Devin and John Weiss through Minuteman Press International’s conversion program, which connects sellers with qualified buyers. Carl says, “It was time for me to join my wife Patricia in retirement and I think the transition to International Minute Press has gone very well. I needed to like the people who bought the business and Devin and John are great. My daughter Renee has stayed on working in the business and we also have employees with 25 years of tenure, so it was important for us to be comfortable with everything.” Devin and John have rebranded as International Minute Press in Mesa, AZ, and are operating out of the same location at 218 West Hampton Avenue, Unit 13 that was home to Avante Print Center. Devin says, “We believe owning a business gives us a real sense of pride. By purchasing this established business, we strive to honor our clients, our community, and our staff with continued personalized service and outstanding support.” History of the Business On March 27 th, 1984, Carl Denti and his wife Patricia opened Avante Print Center in Mesa. Carl shares, “I had owned a previous business in Kansas City that I sold. We moved to Arizona and at that time I decided to invest in another business. I told my accountant I didn’t want anything in credit collections (which I did for 15 years) and I didn’t want to own a food-related business. One of the things he came up with was printing.” He adds, “Patricia was very influential in having us go into the printing industry as well. She previously had worked for Hallmark in Kansas City doing calligraphy, and she wanted something we could do together. In our first full year in business together, we made a 39.8% profit.” While printing proved to be a viable business for Carl and Patricia, he also appreciated the freedom it afforded him to pursue other passions. Carl says, “From 1992 – 2021, I also served as the pastor of a church in Arizona, which I never really considered to be work plus it didn’t really pay the bills. Printing was an easy business to market and sell, and I felt it had easier customer acquisition than other industries.” Over the years, Avante Print Center became a second-generation family business. Carl explains, “Patricia and I worked together in the business until she retired a few years ago, and my daughter Renee also worked with us and is still working in the business today even after it was sold.” Growing the Business For the 37-plus years he was in business, Carl operated on four key principles. He says, “No matter what business you own, for me the principles never change. We built Avante Print Center following these principles: Customer service was the apex. We decided that no one would out-service us. When we said we were going to do something, we did it. My goal was to get at least 98% (if not 100%) of all jobs out on time and done right. My definition of quality is that the job has to be accepted by the customer, that they will be happy with it and order it again, and that they will tell someone about the work that we did and refer our business. You have to be able to go after the market and you have to sell. One of the problems people run into when starting a business is that their goal is to simply unlock their doors. Instead, your goal needs to be to make a profit, which takes a lot more than turning the key and turning on lights. Know your numbers and live by your numbers. It’s as simple as that.” Selling the Business While Carl was thinking of retiring at some point, he actually wasn’t actively pursuing a sale of his printing business. He explains, “I did not have the business listed for sale but I’ve known Jack Panzer (Minuteman Press International Regional Vice President) for approximately eight years. When I received a letter and flyer in the mail that Jack could help sell my business, I thought that was very smart of Minuteman Press International do reach out. Jack was very laid back whenever we spoke, and he was always open and honest along with being knowledgeable about the industry.” At the beginning of 2021, the timing was right. Carl shares, “In January 2021, Jack approached me with a qualified buyer that he thought could be a fit for my shop. I told him what it would cost if someone wants to buy our business. I also consulted with my daughter Renee, who decided she didn’t want to take over the business. We started the sales process in March 2021 and it was finished by Feb. 2022.” As for the transition to the new owners, Carl says, “I think the transition has gone very well. I needed to like the people who bought the business and Devin and John Weiss are great. Renee has stayed on working in the business and we also have employees with 25 years of tenure, so it was important for us to be comfortable with everything.” “Jack Panzer is a terrific guy from top to bottom. He’s very transparent and open as is the team at Minuteman Press International. I don’t think there’s a better way to sell your business and here’s why: 1. You’re not paying any commission; 2. You’re working with a well-established 45-year company in Minuteman Press International; and 3. Your buyer is going to have a much better chance of succeeding with the support they are getting. If they succeed, then your employees will be taken care of… and that really means a lot to us.” -Carl Denti, Retiring Owner, Avante Print Center (now International Minute Press, Mesa, AZ Meet the New Owners Devin and John Weiss are no strangers to owning a business. Devin says, “ John and I have owned several diverse businesses but most recently I owned a dance studio for 25 years. When John and I met approximately 10 years ago, we started a business together shortly after, that we continue to operate.” When the opportunity came to buy an established business while also receiving additional support, Devin says, “Honestly, it was a no brainer. We had planned to open an International Minute Press in the area in 2020, just before the pandemic hit. A year and a half later, our Regional VP Jack Panzer, reached out with this opportunity to buy Avante Print Center and convert it to International Minute Press. It was such a great opportunity that we couldn’t pass it up!” When asked why they chose franchising, Devin answers, “We have looked at other businesses and franchises, and were completely impressed with Minuteman Press International by comparison. The amount of hands-on guidance and support are second-to-none. In the past, we have always done businesses independently, and having the support of this franchise in particular was a great draw.” “Jack Panzer and his team were with us every step of the way; they made the sale as easy as it could be. Since buying the business, the support has been great. From the training to the in-store training with the local field staff, it has superseded our expectations in every way. Their patience and knowledge gave us the confidence we needed to enter a new industry for us.” -Devin Weiss, Owner, International Minute Press, Mesa, AZ (formerly Avante Print Center) Entering the Printing Industry Now that Devin and John are operating their business, they are excited to hit the ground running and continue the legacy that Carl and family started. Devin says, “We believe owning a business gives you a sense of pride. By purchasing an established business, we strive to honor our clients, our community, and our staff with continued outstanding service and support.” As a full-service printing and marketing services provider, Devin and John are excited to help other local businesses and organizations with virtually everything they need to operate and promote themselves. Devin says, “Wide format printing is especially exciting right now. There is such a wide variety of custom printed products that we can provide to our clients – we haven’t found anything we can’t do yet in-house or with the help of our franchisor and vendors.” As she reflects on owning a business vs. having a job, one word comes to mind for Devin: “Freedom!” She elaborates, While you have to put in many hours as the owner of a business, they are on your own schedule and with your own priorities. You decide what your life entails every day, and we wouldn’t trade that for the world! We love to travel and the freedom makes that possible.” Advice for Others Devin shares this advice for others who are looking to buy a business right now: “Do your due diligence. A positive attitude is a must. Survey other business owners about their experiences, both good and bad. There is a lot of preparation that goes into buying a business, and having a successful franchise to guide you is a great option. Ultimately, no matter how prepared you are, it is a learning experience!” International Minute Press is located at 218 West Hampton Avenue, Unit 13; Mesa, AZ 85210. For more information, call 480-969-4888 or visit https://minuteman.com/us/locations/az/mesa21. Learn more about #1 rated Minuteman Press International franchise opportunities at https://minutemanpressfranchise.com. To find out how to sell your printing business through Minuteman Press International, visit https://bit.ly/minutemanpressconversions. Contact Details Minuteman Press International Chris Biscuiti +1 631-249-1370 cbiscuiti@mpihq.com Company Website https://minutemanpressfranchise.com

April 19, 2022 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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With a Two-Year Revenue Growth of 1,853%, Le Prunier Ranks No. 7 on Inc. Magazine’s List of the Pacific Region’s Fastest-Growing Private Companies

Le Prunier

Inc. Magazine recently named Le Prunier as No. 7 on its third annual Inc. 5000 Regionals: Pacific list, the most prestigious ranking of the fastest-growing private companies based in Alaska, Hawaii, California, Oregon, and Washington. Born of the annual Inc. 5000 franchise, this regional list represents a unique look at the most successful private companies within the Pacific region economy generating sustainable growth and jobs. “We are so excited and grateful that Le Prunier has achieved this amazing milestone. We certainly couldn’t have done it without our amazing customers who have supported us during a phase of rapid growth and our talented, hardworking team,” shared Co-Founders Jacqueline, Allison and Elaine Taylor. Since its 2018 debut, Le Prunier has undergone dramatic year over year growth, built on its loyal customer base, strong innovation, and solid retail strategy. Customers seek out the brand for its efficacious products built on the Power Of Plum, and commitment to organic and sustainable practices. In 2021, the brand experienced an over 25,000 person wait list for their cult-classic Plum Beauty Oil. Expanding upon their offerings, patented Plumscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 31 was introduced this past year; an innovative sunscreen that pairs skincare and sun protection without leaving a white residue typical of many mineral sunscreens. Today, Le Prunier can be found at Credo Beauty, The Detox Market, Goop, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Aillea, Verishop, Petit Vour, Niche Beauty, Luisa Via Roma, Le Bon Marche and QVC. Le Prunier also has a strong international presence due to distribution partnerships in Europe and Asia. The companies on this Inc. list show a remarkable rate of growth across all industries in the Pacific. Between 2018 and 2020, these 150 private companies had an average growth rate of 195% percent and, in 2020 alone, they added 10,252 jobs and $5.1 billion to the Pacific region’s economy. Companies based in the Irvine, Santa Monica, and Venice, California, areas had the highest growth rate overall. Complete results of the Inc. 5000 Regionals Pacific, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, metro area, and other criteria, can be found at inc.com/pacific. This acknowledgement by Inc. is aligned with the other accolades and recognition shared by some of the most prominent media and industry leaders for Le Prunier including, 2022 Elle Magazine’s Green Beauty Star Award for Plumscreen SPF 31, 2022 Allure Readers’ Choice Award Nominee for Best Clean Facial Moisturizer, 2021 Oprah Daily O-Ward for Best SPF for Combination Skin, 2021 Shape Magazine for Best Face Sunscreen, and 2021 QVC and HSN Winner of “The Big Find”. In 2021, Cosmetify and WWD announced Le Prunier as the “No. 3 Rising Beauty Star” with an 866% brand increase after carefully analyzing the most searched beauty brands in the world, ranked via Instagram followers, Instagram engagement, Instagram mentions, Google search volume, and change in search volume. “This year’s Inc. 5000 Regional winners represent one of the most exceptional and exciting lists of America’s off-the-charts growth companies. They are disruptors and job creators, and all delivered an outsize impact on the economy. Remember their names and follow their lead. These are the companies you’ll be hearing about for years to come,” says Scott Omelianuk, Editor-In-Chief of Inc. About Le Prunier: In September 2017, siblings Jacqueline, Allison and Elaine Taylor collectively founded Le Prunier, an organic beauty line based on The Power of Plum®. The sisters built Le Prunier from an ancestral legacy that began in 1916 with their great grandfather who farmed the rich soils of Northern California, laying the seeds for four generations of family-operated farming. While maintaining the family’s sustainable, organic farming practices, the Taylor sisters unlocked the extraordinary beauty benefits of this powerful fruit. Today, the sisters carry on the farm’s legacy with a 4th generation perspective—Tradition Meets Innovation®. More about Inc. and the Inc. 5000 Regionals Methodology The 2022 Inc. 5000 Regionals are ranked according to percentage revenue growth when comparing 2018 and 2020. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2018. They had to be U.S.-based, privately held, for-profit, and independent—not subsidiaries or divisions of other companies—as of December 31, 2019. (Since then, a number of companies on the list have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2018 is $100,000; the minimum for 2020 is $1 million. As always, Inc. reserves the right to decline applicants for subjective reasons. About Inc. Media The world’s most trusted business-media brand, Inc. offers entrepreneurs the knowledge, tools, connections, and community to build great companies. Its award-winning multiplatform content reaches more than 50 million people each month across a variety of channels including websites, newsletters, social media, podcasts, and print. Its prestigious Inc. 5000 list, produced every year since 1982, analyzes company data to recognize the fastest-growing privately held businesses in the United States. The global recognition that comes with inclusion in the 5000 gives the founders of the best businesses an opportunity to engage with an exclusive community of their peers and the credibility that helps them drive sales and recruit talent. The associated Inc. 5000 Conference is part of a highly acclaimed portfolio of bespoke events produced by Inc. For more information, visit www.inc.com. Contact Details General Inquiries info@leprunier.com Company Website https://leprunier.com

April 19, 2022 08:03 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Velocity Global adds tech revenue and marketing leaders Wade Burgess and Greg Brauner to drive continued growth

Velocity Global

Burgess joins as Chief Revenue Officer Brauner serves as Chief Marketing Officer Adds 35 years of combined experience growing tech companies Velocity Global, the leading provider of global talent solutions to work with anyone, anywhere, announced today it bolstered its leadership team with the addition of two experienced tech growth executives. Wade Burgess serves as chief revenue officer and brings more than 20 years of experience driving growth at digital and Software as a Service (SaaS) platforms. Greg Brauner joins the company as chief marketing officer to apply his 15 years of tech marketing leadership experience. “Our growth hits new scale coming off a triple-digit jump over the past year, and Wade and Greg bring experience and knowledge to take us to the next level,” said Ben Wright, Velocity Global founder and CEO. “They have experience scaling businesses and their significant contributions led to the successful IPO and ultimate sale of LinkedIn. Wade and Greg bring to the company significant domain expertise in the Future of Work industry. They’ve done it before, know what success looks like, and I’m ecstatic they saw our trajectory and want to go for that ride again.” Burgess joins Velocity Global to lead the worldwide Sales organization. He spent a decade at LinkedIn and was the global leader of LinkedIn Talent Solutions, growing the segment’s revenue from less than $50 million to $3 billion. He most recently served as chief revenue officer at Rev.com, and is an investor and advisor at several future of work and fintech startups including Karat, Gig Wage, and Wedge. "The results this team has delivered, and the pace at which it’s currently adding value caught my attention quickly,” said Burgess. “I’m inspired by the opportunity to accelerate that pace and scope to meet the demands of a truly global economy to work with anyone, anywhere." Brauner leads Velocity Global’s Marketing team and joins from the digital marketing company, Emotive. His career includes revenue leadership roles at successful SaaS and digital platforms including LinkedIn and Twilio, both of which he helped to take public. “Velocity Global is at the forefront of changing how the world works. The team is focused on building world-class solutions for employers and talent,” said Brauner.” I am extremely impressed by the team we have at Velocity Global and I’m excited to continue the mission of enabling employers and talent to connect and work from anywhere.” The company’s Global Work Platform TM seamlessly connects employers and talent worldwide through proprietary cloud-based talent management technology, personalized expertise, and unmatched global scale. Clients use its global Employer of Record (EoR) and Contractor Management solutions to onboard, manage, and pay talent with in-country and in-state compliance, payroll, and benefits. Both Burgess and Brauner are based in Austin, Texas as part of Velocity Global’s work from anywhere culture with employees in almost 50 countries across six continents. View Velocity Global’s leadership team here. About Velocity Global Velocity Global accelerates the future of work for anyone, anywhere, anyhow. Its Global Work PlatformTM simplifies the employer and talent experience through its proprietary cloud-based talent management technology, backed by personalized expertise and unmatched global scale. With talent solutions in more than 185 countries and all 50 United States, the platform combines global Employer of Record and Contractor Management to onboard, manage, and pay talent worldwide. Thousands of brands rely on Velocity Global to build global teams without the cost or complexity of setting up foreign legal entities or state registrations. Velocity Global was named a “Leader” in Global Employer of Record services by prominent analyst firm NelsonHall. Founded in 2014, the company has hundreds of employees across six continents. For more information visit velocityglobal.com. Contact Details Velocity Global John Hall +1 720-650-4348 news@velocityglobal.com Company Website https://velocityglobal.com/

April 14, 2022 07:01 AM Mountain Daylight Time

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Spiceology Welcomes Charlie’s Produce as a Distribution Partner to Provide Pacific Northwest Chefs and Restaurants Access to Next-Day Fresh Spices

Spiceology

Spiceology, the fastest-growing spice company in America, today announced its partnership with Charlie’s Produce, an independent, full-service produce company. By adding Spiceology products to their category lineup, Charlie’s Produce is now providing local chefs and grocery stores in Washington, Montana, Idaho, Alaska and Oregon with next-day access to the highest quality, freshly-ground, grade-A spices and blends. “As a partner of Spiceology and a Spokane native, it’s great to have my blends with Spiceology, as well as their entire spice and ingredient line, available through a local produce distributor like Charlie’s Produce,” said Chef Chad White, a Pacific Northwest-based chef and James Beard Awards Semifinalist. “I know how crucial it is to have a distributor in the area to get fresh ingredients that you can trust, and, similar to Spiceology, Charlie’s has a history of being a dedicated partner to the foodservice industry.” Charlie’s Spokane location, which services North Idaho and Montana, as well, was the first to offer Spiceology, and the company’s footprint has now expanded to Seattle, Anchorage and Portland. “As a produce distributor, our priority is to provide our clients with the freshest ingredients possible,” said Tygann Billow, Division President, Charlie’s Seattle. “We are excited to work with Spiceology and bring premium spices to chefs and grocery stores in the Northwest, and eventually expand into the west coast. Working with their team will ensure that we not only have the freshest produce, but also the freshest spices and seasonings.” Professional chefs and grocery stores look to Spiceology for its selection of 400+ spices, blends, chiles, salts, confections, and more. As a chef-owned and operated company, Spiceology’s Periodic Table of Flavor™ was designed to keep chefs organized with identifiable packaging that will ensure easy access to each ingredient. “It’s been a tough couple of years for the foodservice industry, and we are grateful to have partners like Charlie’s Produce, a leader in the industry, believe in us to help them move forward,” said Darby McLean, Spiceology’s Vice President of Channels and Distribution. “Spiceology is chef-owned and chef-operated, and we strive to be a good partner within the foodservice industry by offering chefs streamlined access to the most fresh and high-quality ingredients. We’re excited to partner with Charlie’s Produce, and continue to partner with more locations.” Charlie’s customers can add Spiceology ingredients to their next Charlie’s Produce order through their normal ordering process. To sign up as a Charlie’s customer or for more information, please visit https://www.charliesproduce.com/order/. ABOUT SPICEOLOGY Founded in 2013, Spiceology is the fastest-growing spice company in America and is on a mission to bring the magic back to spices, the world’s first currency. The chef-owned and operated, one-stop spice shop develops innovative blends and offers over 400 ingredients that are ground fresh in small-batches and shipped fresh to consumers and chefs. Spiceology’s “experiment with flavor” ethos is not only embraced through excellent ingredients and unique combinations, but also through responsible business practices designed to create a better world with diversity, equity and inclusion at the heart of the workforce. Spiceology products can be found on spiceology.com, in specialty retailers and grocers, in restaurants around the US, and as far away as Australia and Dubai. Visit spiceology.com for more information or to place an order, or follow Spiceology on Facebook and Instagram. For recipe inspiration, visit here. ABOUT CHARLIE’S PRODUCE The Charlie’s story begins in 1978 with a truck and three guys who thought they could do better. They were smart, hard-working and had a passion for produce. They had some ideas on how they could raise the bar on quality, inventory and the logistics of how produce moves from where it’s grown to where it’s enjoyed. Today, with innovation and technology woven into everything we do, Charlie’s has evolved into an independent, full-service produce company with 7 distributions centers throughout the west coast. We supply restaurants, grocery stores, institutions, wholesalers, the marine industry, and more with a full range of services. We offer conventional, organic, specialty produce, floral items, and a full line of fresh processed solutions for the retail and food service industries. We believe that forging rich, meaningful partnerships fosters success, from our employees, to our growers, to our customers and consumers, and ultimately, to the communities in which we live and work. Our aim is to nurture our partners so that together, we can nourish consumers and sustain communities. Learn more about Charlie’s Produce here. Contact Details Spiceology Cassidy Levine +1 908-770-7880 cassidy@spiceology.com Company Website https://spiceology.com/

April 14, 2022 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

NAMEPA receives grant from Cargill to implement program for educating students to become Marine Environment Protectors

North American Marine Environment Protection Association

The North American Marine Environmental Protection Association (NAMEPA) has received funding from Cargill to implement an afterschool enrichment program for youth in grades 6-8 in underserved communities in the greater Miami area with a goal to educate and activate students to be “Marine Environment Protectors”. The project will help “Save Our Seas” by encouraging this generation to become responsible stewards of the marine environment through hands-on educational programs and projects. NAMEPA’s Marine Environment Protectors program increases ocean literacy among underrepresented youth, highlights workforce development in marine fields, allows for long-term scientific research, and creates a framework for similar projects to expand across North America. “Cargill believes in being strong community partners and actively supports valuable programs that protect and promote our planet,” explained Jan-Willem van den Dijssel, Cargill’s Americas Lead for Ocean Transportation. “We are partnering with NAMEPA to help foster ocean literacy amongst students of today and steer them to become ocean ambassadors of tomorrow. This program supports this goal and will drive lasting positive change.” NAMEPA Co-Founder and Executive Director Carleen Lyden Walker commented, “ NAMEPA is grateful to Cargill Cares Community Fund for providing opportunities for organizations such as NAMEPA to engage with students in local communities to be better overall stewards. Marine Environment Protectors will provide hands-on educational programming by utilizing the natural environment, scientific instrumentation, and immersive classroom instruction. This funding allows NAMEPA to continue our educational outreach toward the goal of activating communities to ‘Save Our Seas’.” CARGILL - Cargill’s 155,000 employees across 70 countries work relentlessly to achieve our purpose of nourishing the world in a safe, responsible and sustainable way. Every day, we connect farmers with markets, customers with ingredients, and people and animals with the food they need to thrive. We combine 157 years of experience with new technologies and insights to serve as a trusted partner for food, agriculture, financial and industrial customers in more than 125 countries. Side-by-side, we are building a stronger, sustainable future for agriculture. NAMEPA - The North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA) is a marine industry-led organization of environmental stewards preserving the marine environment by promoting sustainable marine industry best practices and educating seafarers, students and the public about the need and strategies for protecting global ocean, lake and river resources. Visit us at www.namepa.net. Contact Details NAMEPA Carleen Lyden Walker +1 203-260-0480 executivedirector@namepa.net Company Website https://namepa.net/

April 12, 2022 03:47 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Toy Trends & Top Picks For The Children In Your Life

YourUpdateTV

A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/1cFzvKKiSB8 Active play helps with a child’s physical, emotional, social, and cognitive development. Additionally, toys often provide an opportunity for youngsters to learn by engaging their senses, sparking their imaginations, and encouraging them to interact with others. A recent Toy Association-commissioned survey revealed that most parents (82%) believe that toys are important for supporting imaginative play and discovery.Toy Trends Specialist with The Toy Association, Jennifer Lynch, says whether it is a stuffed animal, action figure, puzzle, or doll, toys help encourage play, which is important for healthy brain development. With that in mind, she highlights a few of this year’s top toys. TOP TOYS: LITTLE LIVE PETS CHAMELEON, MOOSE TOYS Lynch says one of the newest youth electronic offerings from Little Live Pets, Sunny the Bright Light Chameleon is a one-of-a-kind interactive light up pet that is packed with personality and full of features and surprises. She points out that it’s “Soft, squishy and fun to hold, Sunny responds to love and attention with more than 30 sounds and reactions along with a full body of coloring changing rainbow lights that reflect Sunny’s mood — from happy to super happy, full to sleepy and warm to cold and more. Kids will be delighted when they hear Sunny repeat back what they say.” Like a true chameleon, Lynch adds, “Sunny blends in everywhere. Switch to party mode and Sunny flashes to the beat of the music, and when the party really gets going Sunny sings. Get Sunny dancing on the ceiling, walls, windows – wherever – with the suction feet feature of this one-in-a-chameleon pet.” Direct link: https://www.moosetoys.com/our-toys/little-live-pets/bright-light-chameleon-sunny/ VTECH® KICK & SCORE PLAYGYM™, VTECH Babies are able to achieve motor-skill milestones with this multi-stage, developmental play mat that includes a detachable plush soccer ball, learning panels and gym pieces. Lynch says babies start with floor play by kicking the ball or swatting the giraffe, flip to tummy time to strengthen core muscles, and parents can engage kids during seated play with the interactive, detachable learning panel that reinforces language skills and provides on-the-go play and exploration. Direct link: https://www.vtechkids.com/product/detail/20258/Kick_and_Score_Playgym GABBY’S DOLLHOUSE FAIRY KITTY GARDEN, SPIN MASTER Inspired by the enchanted Cotton Candy Tree from the show, Lynch says, “This treehouse playset features lights, a transforming canopy, secret room, vine zipline, swing, figures, accessories and furniture pieces to play out exciting adventures!” Fans are able to explore the treehouse’s two floors with Kitty Fairy and an exclusive 3.5-inch-tall Gabby Girl figure. They can also discover a tree canopy that opens up to reveal a play area. After exploring all the features, youngsters can unbox their special Dollhouse Delivery, just like Gabby does in the show, and find a surprise watering-can accessory to use in their storytelling. Lynch highlights that there’s also a thumbwheel built into the floor. Kids can spin it to find a secret room in the trunk of the tree and watch as the trunk and table light up (batteries included)! For one last surprise, she says fans can scan the QR code inside the Dollhouse Delivery to unlock a special reward in the free Gabby’s Dollhouse App (available on iOS and Android). Direct link: https://www.spinmaster.com/brands/gabbys-dollhouse/gabby-s-dollhouse-transforming-garden-treehouse-playset-with-lights-2-figures-5-accessories-1-delivery-3-furniture-kids-toys-for-ages-3-and-up SONIC SPEED RC, JAKKS PACIFIC Lynch concludes with the world’s favorite blue hedgehog that’s back for a next-level adventure. The latest offering allows fans to recreate the action from the Sonic the Hedgehog 2 movie with this RC. She points out it includes an iconic ring-shaped controller allowing for forward motion, turns and spinning action. The toy trends specialist adds that the RC lights up when fans select Turbo mode for that extra boost. For convenience and additional fun, the six-inch scale articulated Sonic figure is removeable. Direct link: https://www.jakks.com/sonic-the-movie/sonic-the-hedgehog-2-sonic-speed-rc/ For more information, go to thegeniusofplay.org. Facebook: Facebook Instagram: Instagram Twitter: Twitter Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

April 12, 2022 02:15 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Fine Fragrance House LilaNur Parfums Finalists at 2022 US Fragrance Foundation Awards

LilaNur Parfums

India's luxury fragrance brand, LilaNur Parfums has been shortlisted for two of the most prestigious categories in the Fragrance Foundation Awards during their first year in the market. Davana Cèdre Eau de Parfum, created by Firmenich Master Perfumer, Honorine Blanc, was recognized for the Perfume Extraordinaire category for its olfactory innovation. Additionally, Rose Attar Absolu was recognized in the Fragrance Innovative Product of the Year for its unique product formulation and for utilizing pure Indian-grown Rose Centifolia in an international fragrance for the first time ever. LilaNur Parfums was created by Anita Lal, Founder and Creative Director of Good Earth India, and Paul Austin, former Senior Vice President for the Global Fine Fragrances division at Givaudan. LilaNur Parfums ’ mission is to inspire the world with India’s rich fragrance culture, build awareness around its array of natural perfumery ingredients, and to drive opportunities to the thousands of rural workers whose livelihoods depend upon India’s floriculture economy. From its inception, LilaNur Parfums forged partnerships with Jasmine C.E. in Madurai - the country’s leading supplier of floral absolutes to the fragrance industry - and the Firmenich Naturals Innovation Group in Grasse to create fully traceable and innovative scents from field to flacon. For Davana Cèdre, the idea was to harmonize the balsamic fruitiness of Davana - an herbaceous Indian plant used in worship - with something elemental and androgynous. “Davana Cèdre really took me out of my comfort zone” said Honorine Blanc. Master Perfumer at Firmenich. “I wanted to capture a sense of unexpected contrasts - between the spirituality of the Davana and the strength of the Cedarwood”. The Rose Attar Absolu is an alcohol-free, perfume oil infusion which delivers a singular, vivid true-to-flower bloom and luxurious skin feel. Absolutes of pure Indian-grown Rose Centifolia - cultivated exclusively for LilaNur Parfums in India and used for the first time in international perfumery - are macerated for over 100 days with pure, ethically sourced Sandalwood. “I’ve always had a desire to create a modern fragrance line that reflected the true essence of India’s majestic flora and to reintroduce the traditions of attars to the world,” said Anita Lal, co-creator of LilaNur Parfums, “I’m happy to see this innovation be recognized within the prestigious US fragrance community.” “These nominations attest to India’s incredible fragrance story and its ability to inspire so much creativity and imagination - from the jasmine fields of Madurai to the perfumery ateliers of Grasse.” said Paul Austin, co-creator of LilaNur Parfums. The Fragrance Foundation will officially announce the award winners on June 9, 2022, at their annual awards ceremony in New York City. About LilaNur Parfums LilaNur Parfums, which launched October 2021, is India’s first luxury fragrance house, celebrating the country’s abundant flora and olfactory riches, expressed through the lens of French master perfumery. Born in the fragrant fields of Madurai in Southern India and crafted in Grasse, each of the 7 Eau de Parfums and 3 Attar Absolus have been composed around India’s iconic flowers, spices, herbs and woods. LilaNur Parfums was created by Anita Lal, Founder and Creative Director of Good Earth India, and Paul Austin, former Senior Vice President for the Global Fine Fragrances division at Givaudan. For the launch collection, four of France's most revered perfumers - Honorine Blanc, Olivier Cresp, Fabrice Pellegrin, and Clément Gavarry - each with a shared passion for the rich fragrance culture of India - were invited to compose a scent using iconic Indian ingredients as their muse as a starting point. Many of these ingredients were borne from the joint venture between Jasmine C.E and Firmenich. aimed at developing unique and innovative extractions of Indian flora. LilaNur Parfums launched in October 2021 and is available exclusively at Bergdorf Goodman and lilanur.com. www.LilaNur.com @lilanurparfums Contact Details BPCM Laura Schroeder +1 631-885-2464 lschroeder@bpcm.com Company Website https://www.lilanur.com/

April 12, 2022 09:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Minuteman Press Franchise in Welshpool, Perth, Western Australia Celebrates 17 Years, Shares Growth Strategies

Minuteman Press International Inc

Rod Hambley has owned his Minuteman Press printing franchise in Welshpool since March of 2005. In May of 2021, Rod purchased 15-year independent print shop Images on Paper. Following the acquisition, Rod merged staff from both businesses and has been producing more in-house orders with the equipment that was added. The result has been doubling and even tripling monthly sales in the months following the acquisition. This includes a record sales month for his 17-year business, Rod says, “We’ve clearly had sustained business growth since the acquisition. Sales for both new and existing clients are in line with past turnover for both.” Welcome to Minuteman Press in Welshpool Prior to buying Minuteman Press in Welshpool, Rod worked in the banking industry. He shares, “I was in banking for 25 years and worked as Branch Manager for several banks. I found Minuteman Press at a franchise show and in gaining a rapport with the Regional Vice President, I saw this as a viable option I could venture to when finished at the bank.” Under Rod’s leadership and following the acquisition of Images on Paper, Minuteman Press in Welshpool has continued to grow its core business. Rod says, “Our core business is always in high demand. We offer our clients high quality printing from our wide format machine which produces posters, signage, and stickers of all shapes and sizes. Our digital machine prints booklets, flyers, business cards, and much more. We also still run an offset machine for NCR Books, envelopes, and spot colour work that are all still in demand.” “It is important for local businesses to market and promote themselves. We are able to design and produce the items they need for those purposes and they also need printing of workbooks, forms, and plenty of other items for their operations as well.” -Rod Hambley, owner, Minuteman Press, Welshpool Acquiring Images on Paper As for how the acquisition of Images on Paper came about, it was a combination of Rod being proactive in looking at local acquisition targets in his area as well as the local Minuteman Press outreach campaign initiated by Regional Vice President Glenn Coyle. Rod says, “We have had our eye on this business in the area for a number of years among others. I have done smaller acquisitions over the years that were successful as I still have some clients from those. I saw Images on Paper as a good prospect where the owner might be looking to retire, and Glenn Coyle also identified them through an acquisition campaign.” Glenn Coyle says, “I reached out to Images on Paper and set up a confidential meeting with the owner Harry and his wife Robyn. We chatted for a while and after we got to know each other and I learned about their business, we all moved forward with a plan for Rod to acquire the business if all went well so Harry and Robyn could sell the business and retire.” Glenn adds, “Once I looked over the paperwork they provided, I met with Harry and Robyn again and told them my plan to introduce their business to Rod. They were happy for me to do this. After Rod met with Harry and Robyn, things went well, and they ultimately came to an agreement on price, terms, equipment, staff, and changeover date.” Rod shares, “The benefit to the seller was to save on brokerage costs, and the benefit to me was the increased sales as well as merging staff and added equipment for in-house jobs.” Advice for Others When asked what advice he would give to others looking to own a business, Rod answers, “Be prepared to work hard and find good staff. Also, you should ensure that you have steady cash flow and enough for a rainy day or two.” Minuteman Press in Welshpool is located at U2 119 Welshpool Rd., Welshpool, WA 6106. For more information, visit their website: https://www.welshpool.minutemanpress.com.au. Learn more about Minuteman Press franchise opportunities in Australia at https://minutemanpressfranchise.com.au. Contact Details Minuteman Press International Chris Biscuiti +1 631-249-1370 cbiscuiti@mpihq.com Company Website https://minutemanpressfranchise.com

April 11, 2022 10:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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