Retail

Bridal Cosmetics E-Commerce Luxury Office Products Supply Chain Management
News Release Digital Asset Direct

SKEEPERS Enters US Market to Strengthen Brand and Customer Experience with Unique Consumer UGC Platform TEESTER

SKEEPERS

NEW YORK, NY & BOSTON, MA – JUNE 21, 2021 – Fast-growing tech company SKEEPERS, provider of people-smart SaaS solutions that enable brands to generate value for and from their customers, has announced its expansion and launch of its platform solution, TEESTER to the US market. With 384% company growth, over $20M in revenue in 2020 and $41M in funding to-date, SKEEPERS is on a mission to strengthen the brand and customer relationship through innovative SaaS solutions. TEESTER is an end-to-end solution for brands to easily create and broadcast user generated videos. Through authentic, relevant and high quality videos made directly by their customers, brands are able to tackle four main challenges: conversion rates, customer acquisition, SEO and loyalty. As an ROI-driven solution, TEESTER provides brands with: Community-created (employees and consumers) video content optimized for different formats and shareability across social media, marketing channels and product pages; Automated post-production capabilities to quickly generate videos at scale with an immediate and measurable impact on sales; A tailor-made video player dedicated to e-commerce with in-video shoppable capabilities. Following international success with 100+ brands including Disney, Weber and MAC Cosmetics, TEESTER was found to boost sales and conversion rates by +68%. "We know our consumers are craving authentic storytelling, and are content creators in their own right. With Teester, we love how we are able to scale video production and empower our communities to create content with us that we can amplify across all our channels,” said Sabrina Herlory Rouget, Executive Director, MAC Cosmetics France. “Teester is a cost-effective way to outsource our video production, provide parents and shoppers with answers, and show off our products using a more authentic and less 'salesy' approach. In fact, when parents have a question about a product, they often find the answer in the videos made by other parents," said Sandrine Roucheray, Digital Marketing & Customer Relationships Manager, VTech France. “Leveraging Teester to create user-generated videos allow us to achieve three strategic goals: improve the user experience on our digital platforms, automate large-scale video creation, and give our customers a new way of sharing their experience with our brand,” said Benjamin Boulic, International eCommerce Director, Petit Bateau. “The power of video and authentic consumer experiences is unequivocal. 96% of consumers find videos useful to make an informed purchase decision and 88% trust customer videos as much as word of mouth. TEESTER allows brands to enlist their most powerful ambassadors: their customers,” said Julien Chevalier, CEO at Teester. Other solutions in the SKEEPERS product suite include MyFeelBack and Verified Reviews (Avis Vérifiés, Opiniones Verificadas) which are enlisted by over 6,500 brands worldwide including MAC Cosmetics, Disney, Air France, Franklin Sport, Kaporal, Weber, Lacoste, Salomon, BMW, Cash for Cars and Hilti. With machine learning and blockchain at the heart of its data management system, SKEEPERS is helping brands to increase sales and engage consumers by encompassing three pillars: Engage – Generate ratings reviews and user generated video content to enhance brand advocacy; Improve – Manage the continuous improvement of the customer experience (CX) via an omnichannel CX management and customizable surveys platform; Activate – Automate brand interactions based on relevance, recognition and reward. “There is true cohesion across our product suite – enhancing the customer experience without eliminating human interaction. Technology helps to bridge the connections but humans are necessary for authenticity. This helps make the customer and brand relationship stronger,” said Pascal Lannoo, Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Experience Officer at SKEEPERS. SKEEPERS is a fast growing scaleup, recently recognized by the French government’s award, La French Tech as a top 40/120 late-stage startup company. SKEEPERS has plans to expand its product suite through mergers and acquisitions. For more information, please visit https://www.skeepers.io/. About SKEEPERS SKEEPERS is a fast growing scaleup that provides people-smart SaaS solutions that enable brands to generate value for and from their customers. We help brands build a new balanced relationship to grow in a context where consumers have taken the lead. With machine learning and blockchain at the heart of our data management systems, we arm brands with innovative solutions that increase brand sales and engage consumers. The SKEEPERS product suite includes MyFeelBack, Teester and Verified Reviews (Avis Vérifiés, Opiniones Verificadas) which are enlisted by over 6,500 brands worldwide including MAC Cosmetics, Disney, Air France, Franklin Sport, Kaporal, Weber, Lacoste, Salomon, BMW, Cash for Cars and Hilti. SKEEPERS is based in France with offices all over the world. For more information, go to skeepers.io. Contact Details Kite Hill Shania Roper +1 843-693-7161 shania@kitehillpr.com

June 21, 2021 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Osmo Announces Amazon Prime Day Sale: Up to 40% Off Select Kits, Games, Bundles and More

Osmo

Award-winning STEAM brand Osmo announces it will offer up to 40% off select kits, games, bundles and more for Amazon Prime Day, June 21 and 22. All Prime Day deals can be viewed at Osmo’s Amazon store. Save 30% on these Osmo kits, games, and bundles at Amazon.com: Little Genius Starter Kit for iPad (base included) Little Genius Starter Kit for Fire Tablet (base included) Little Genius Starter Kit for iPad + Grab & Go Small Storage Case Bundle (for iPad Starter Kits) (base included) Little Genius Starter Kit for iPad + Grab & Go Large Storage Case for iPad Bundle (base included) Little Genius Starter Kit + Early Math Adventure for iPad (base included) Genius Starter Kit for Fire Tablet (base included) Genius Starter Kit + Family Game Night for iPad (base included) Creative Starter Kit for iPad (base included) Creative Starter Kit for iPad + Super Studio Disney Princess Bundle (base included) Creative Starter Kit for iPad + Little Genius Starter Kit for iPad (base included) Creative Starter Kit for iPad + Detective Agency Bundle (base included) Creative Starter Kit for iPad + Pizza Co. Bundle (base included) Math Wizard and the Secrets of the Dragons for iPad & Fire Tablet (base required) Math Wizard and the Magical Workshop for iPad & Fire Tablet (base required) Math Wizard and The Secrets of The Dragons & Magical Workshop for iPad & Fire Tablet Bundle (base required) Math Wizard and The Secrets of The Dragons & Magical Workshop for iPad Bundle (base included) Coding Family Bundle for iPad & Fire Tablet + Base for iPad (base included) Coding Family Bundle for iPad & Fire Tablet + Base for Fire Tablet (base included) Coding Family Bundle for iPad & Fire Tablet (base required) Super Studio Disney Mickey Mouse & Friends for iPad & Fire Tablet (base required) Super Studio Disney Princess + iPad Base Bundle (base included) Super Studio Disney Princess + Fire Tablet Base Bundle (base included) Super Studio Disney Frozen 2 + iPad Base Bundle (base included) Super Studio Disney Frozen 2 + Fire Tablet Base Bundle (base included) Super Studio Disney Princess Game + iPad Base Bundle (base included) Super Studio Disney Princess Game + Fire Tablet Base Bundle (base included) Osmo offers up to 30% off all kits and games at Target.com during Target Deal Days, which continues through June 22. The full list of Target deals can be viewed here. About Osmo Osmo is an award-winning STEAM brand whose products are used in over 50,000 classrooms and 2.5 million homes. It is building a universe of hands-on play experiences that nourish the minds of children by unleashing the power of imagination. The company brings physical tools into the digital world through augmented reality and its proprietary reflective artificial intelligence. Founded in 2013 by ex-Google engineers Pramod Sharma and Jerome Scholler, the Osmo Play System fuses digital gameplay and physical interaction to create fun and nutritious play experiences designed for all kids. Osmo is headquartered in Palo Alto, California. Learn more at playosmo.com. For information about its educational division, Osmo for Schools, visit schools.playosmo.com. Contact Details Carolyn Kamii PR Carolyn Kamii +1 310-251-0550 carolynkpr@gmail.com Osmo Karen O'Dell karen@playosmo.com Company Website http://www.playosmo.com

June 21, 2021 12:01 AM Pacific Daylight Time

Code 1 Supply Named Distributor for SCoV-2 Ag Detect™ Rapid Test for COVID-19 from InBios

Code 1 Supply

Code 1 Supply, a leading distributor of best-in-class medical diagnostics, brand-name supplies and equipment and provider of CPR training equipment and student materials, has been named distributor of an innovative new point-of-care COVID-19 test, the SCoV-2 Ag Detect ™ Rapid Test from InBios International, Inc. The SCoV-2 Ag Detect ™ Rapid Test is a patent-pending lateral flow immunoassay intended for the qualitative detection of SARS-CoV-2 nucleoprotein antigen in direct nasal swab specimens. The point-of-care test can be used to evaluate both symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals. The test can be used for those who are suspected of COVID-19 by their healthcare provider within five days of symptom onset or for individuals without symptoms or other epidemiological reasons to suspect COVID-19 when tested twice over two or three days with at least 24 hours and no more than 48 hours between tests. The kit contains 50 tests and swabs, positive and negative controls and can be stored at room temperature. “As more Americans receive their COVID-19 vaccine, we are seeing a return to normalcy, which must still be supported by testing,” said Matt Regan, CEO at Code 1 Supply. “We are proud to partner with InBios to supply the SCoV-2 Ag Detect ™ Rapid Test nationwide to quickly and easily detect proteins from COVID-19 infection.” Code 1 Supply delivers best-in-class medical diagnostics and brand-name supplies and equipment when and where they are needed most. Code 1 Supply carries innovative next-generation rapid diagnostics for accurate, low-cost, high volume COVID-19 testing and provides exceptional customer service and expertise. They have been a leader in COVID-19 testing since the beginning of the pandemic, helping to supply medical professionals with sufficient testing supplies and equipment worldwide. Now, with FDA Emergency Use Authorization of the SCoV-2 Ag Detect ™ Rapid Test, Code 1 Supply is prepared to ship millions of tests to fulfill ongoing needs. “We are pleased to collaborate with Code 1 Supply as our e-commerce distribution partner to quickly expand accessibility and extend our reach to POC providers with a much simpler option for rapid antigen detection than they may have had access to previously,” said Estela Raychaudhuri, President, at InBios. “Code 1 Supply’s superior customer service and easy to navigate ordering process is an important part of providing access to incredibly accurate diagnostic tests that make a meaningful difference in people’s lives as they return to their jobs, schools and other ways of life.” The point-of-care SCoV-2 Ag Detect ™ Rapid Test is available through Code 1 Supply. To learn more about how Code 1 Supply can support your COVID-19 testing needs, please visit www.code1supply.com/inbiosagdetect. The SCoV-2 Ag Detect ™ Rapid Test has not been FDA cleared or approved, but has been authorized by FDA under an EUA for use by authorized laboratories. This product has been authorized only for the detection of proteins from SARS-CoV-2, not for any other viruses or pathogens. The emergency use of this product is only authorized for the duration of the declaration that circumstances exist justifying the authorization of emergency use of in vitro diagnostics for detection and/or diagnosis of COVID-19 under Section 564(b)(1) of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, 21 U.S.C. § 360bbb-3(b)(1), unless the declaration is terminated or authorization is revoked sooner. About Code 1 Supply Code 1 Supply is an international distributor of best-in-class medical diagnostics, brand-name supplies, and equipment, and a leading provider of CPR training equipment and student materials. Representing the most trusted and respected manufacturers of medical diagnostics, supplies and equipment, Code 1 Supply is committed to providing innovative products and outstanding services at the best prices. We are proud to be the medical supply partner for healthcare providers, hospitals, urgent care centers, businesses and communities worldwide. For more information, visit www.code1supply.com. About InBios InBios International Inc. specializes in the design, development and manufacture of diagnostic assays for emerging infectious diseases and biothreats. Located in Seattle, WA, InBios offers superior quality products which are accurate, easy to use and cost effective. InBios is GMP compliant, FDA registered, USDA licensed and ISO 13485:2016 certified. For more information, visit http://www.inbios.com. # # # Contact Details SVM PR and Marketing Rita Murphy +1 774-454-1516 rita.murphy@svmpr.com Company Website https://www.code1supply.com/

June 17, 2021 10:42 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Cyvatar Raises an Additional $9 Million in Series A Round

Cyvatar

Cyvatar today announced that it has raised $9 million as part of its Series A financing to help scale and serve its rapidly growing customer base and continue to drive the adoption of its innovative cybersecurity-as-a-service (CSaaS) model. Escalating cybersecurity breaches and the need to address vulnerabilities across systems, networks, and apps fuel the security services market, expected to reach $193 billion by 2028. Additionally, the growth in hybrid and remote workers coupled with unsecured and unpatched BYOD devices further underscores the need for on-demand cybersecurity resources that include human talent, proven processes, and best-of-breed technology delivered from a single intuitive platform. Cyvatar has grown more than 200% since its debut in October. ATX Venture Partners led the round with additional participation from existing customer CORTEC and longtime Cyvatar investor Bill Wood Ventures. Cyvatar closed a $3 million seed round late last year, bringing the total amount raised over the last eight months to $12 million. “We’ve seen fundraising explode in the security space, in part as a result of the raft of ransomware, email compromise, and phishing attacks that have made people more aware of the problem and increased the need to fix it quickly and effectively,” said Chris Shonk, partner at ATX Venture Partners. “Cyvatar is an exciting addition to our dynamic portfolio and a natural fit alongside our other rapidly growing organizations. No other company we evaluated solves the problems of cybersecurity like Cyvatar. With Cyvatar CSaaS, security becomes as effortless as turning on the lights. There’s no better value for customers.” Cyvatar CSaaS offers security in a box for organizations of any size and any level of cybersecurity expertise--already more than 150 platform members have started the security journey with Cyvatar. Its mature sales and marketing engine makes it easy for new members to join and offers ongoing education and support for existing customers to continuously remediate evolving threats, safeguard critical systems, and boost compliance scores. "I can tell you that after implementing just three Cyvatar solutions, our security confidence is a lot stronger than it was before and our company as a whole is far more secure,” said Brent Fanguy, vice president of technology at CORTEC. “We applaud Cyvatar for pricing by employee count because it’s so easy to calculate and fit into our budget -- no counting servers or workstations, which is a nightmare. Cyvatar has delivered consistent value from our security spend, and we look forward to continuing to grow our partnership with them.” Whether customers need to speed their sales cycles, remediate after a breach, prevent future incursions, or respond to a third-party risk assessment, Cyvatar helps them achieve superior business outcomes every day. Click HERE to get started free and learn more about how Cyvatar is making cybersecurity effortless for every business. About Cyvatar Cyvatar is committed to effortless cybersecurity for everyone. As the industry’s first subscription-based, cybersecurity-as-a-service (CSaaS) company, it’s our mission to transform the way the security industry builds, sells, and supports cyber solutions. We empower our members to achieve successful outcomes by providing expert advisors, proven technologies, and a strategic process roadmap to guarantee results that map to their business drivers. Our approach is rooted in proprietary ICARM (installation, configuration, assessment, remediation, maintenance) methodology that delivers smarter, measurable security solutions for superior compliance and cyber-attack protection faster and more efficiently, all at a fixed monthly price. And because we’re a subscription, members can cancel anytime. Cyvatar is a global organization with operations around the world. Begin your journey to security confidence at cyvatar.ai and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube. About ATX Venture Partners ATX Venture Partners is an early-stage venture capital firm specializing in the South-Central US. The firm’s seed and Series A investments focus on software-as-a-service, IoT, e-commerce, AI, frontier commercial technologies and mobile applications. ATX Venture Partners brings institutional-grade funding, process and rigor to early-stage venture capital investments, and is the partner to propel portfolio companies forward to larger growth capital. The firm was founded in 2014 and is based in Austin, Texas. Visit www.atxventurepartners.com, and follow them on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Contact Details Cyvatar KC Higgins +1 303-434-8163 kc@cyvatar.ai ATX Ventures Meg Brigman +15127666462 meg@atxventurepartners.com Company Website https://cyvatar.ai/

June 17, 2021 07:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Image

NHS Test and Trace strengthen their cyber defences with Risk Ledger

Stockwood Strategy

NHS Test and Trace has selected British cyber security company Risk Ledger to manage cyber security risks in their supply chain as a proactive measure to mitigate the increasing risks the NHS and other critical national infrastructure organisations face from supply chain cyber-attacks. The Risk Ledger platform will give the UK government funded service all the tools they need to manage cyber security risks in their supply chain at speed for a low per-supplier cost - at least 60% cheaper than traditional solutions. Cyber security risks in the supply chain can include third parties failing to encrypt sensitive data when it is being transferred. NHS Test and Trace, established to track and help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus in England, will take advantage of Risk Ledger's key innovation which is its secure 'social network' allowing organisations to connect and share risk data securely, quickly, and easily. This gives organisations like NHS Test and Trace unparalleled visibility of their supply chain and a comprehensive set of data to identify, measure and mitigate supply chain security risks at scale. Major supply chain cyber security breaches at Solarwinds and Microsoft in recent months have put the challenge of securing supply chains at the top of the agenda for organisations around the world. Minister for Digital Infrastructure, Matt Warman MP said: “The government is working tirelessly to secure the nation online and grow the UK's £8.9 billion cyber security industry as we build back better from the pandemic. We're helping SMEs develop innovative products and services and it's great to see Risk Ledger, one of the firms we've supported, win this contract to protect the Test and Trace system and support the national effort against coronavirus.” Risk Ledger's client base includes organisations like BAE AI, City of London Police, Telenor, Schroder's Personal Wealth and ASOS. Risk Ledger CEO and Co-Founder Haydn Brooks said: "NHS Test and Trace is essentially the biggest new start-up in the UK healthcare market so we are delighted they have chosen to take advantage of our ability to provide enhanced visibility of their supply chain risks. I am proud we will be part of the effort to secure this incredibly important supply chain. "Healthcare organisations and their supply chains handle lots of highly sensitive data and have a high rate of data breaches. We have already seen during the COVID-19 pandemic that bad actors are actively targeting supply chains to access data and cause disruption” added Haydn Brooks. Risk Ledger is a rising star of the UK's growing cyber security scene having won competitions run by the UK Government's National Cyber Security Centre, the tech industry body TechUK and most recently a winner in the Department for Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport’s ‘Most Innovative UK Cyber SME of the Year’ competition in May. The company is also a member of the UK Government backed LORCA programme (London Office of Rapid Cybersecurity Advancement). About Risk Ledger Risk Ledger is a British company that manages cyber security risks in supply chains. Th process of supply chain security risk management ensures third parties who deliver critical services, have access to data, corporate networks, or any other status of business trust, maintain a good base level of cyber security controls to prevent bad actors using the third party as an attack vector. In 2019, Risk Ledger won the ‘Cyber Den’ competition at the 2019 CyberUK event run by the UK Government’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). At the time, Ian Levy, Technical Director at the NCSC said: ‘Our mission is to make the UK the safest place to do business online. We run the Cyber Den competition with DCMS to identify and provide a springboard for the most promising cyber security start-ups in the UK. Risk Ledger beat some excellent competition at this year’s Cyber Den event because their platform approaches supply chain security in a novel way that could revolutionise the way organisations understand the cybersecurity of their supply chains which is at the root of so many security incidents.’ Notable achievements - Risk Ledger was a finalist in the 'Most Innovative New Technology Award' category at the 2021 Water Industry Awards. - In March 2021, Risk Ledger won the South Summit Industry 4.0 innovation competition. - In May 2021, Risk Ledger was announced as a runner up in the Department for Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport’s ‘Most Innovative UK Cyber SME of the Year’ competition. Contact Details Risk Ledger Bilal Mahmood +44 7714 007257 b.mahmood@stockwoodstrategy.com Company Website https://riskledger.com/

June 16, 2021 05:15 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Image

ForwardPMX Expands Agency Consultancy Solutions and Appoints Femi Taiwo as New Head of Consultancy for Europe

ForwardPMX

ForwardPMX, the global data and technology-driven marketing services company, has announced the appointment of Femi Taiwo as Head of Consultancy for Europe. Taiwo joins ForwardPMX from a previous leadership position at OMD, bringing over 10 years of experience in digital marketing and consultancy solutions, as well as significant industry thought leadership and participation across a number of global award programs including the AOP Digital Publishing Awards and the M&M Global Awards. In the new role, Taiwo will drive the wider business strategy for consultancy services within ForwardPMX, with a focus on key areas such as in-housing media, data ownership and strategy, including international growth and expansion. Additionally, he will support the business across new and existing client accounts, creating opportunities for ForwardPMX to deliver products that answer clients’ more complex business challenges. ForwardPMX Global Head of Consultancy, Tom Manning, commented, “Consultancy is one of the fastest growing areas of our business, and that’s a huge testament to our teams. It’s fantastic to bring in such an incredible talent as Femi into this leadership role to collaborate and lead across the business to take our consultancy engagements to the next level.” ForwardPMX continues to grow its strong presence internationally with over 1,000 experts across more than 15 countries worldwide. Moving with the changing market, the agency has built up its Consultancy capabilities over the last several years and continues to embed them within the business to help clients identify strategic areas of growth. With the accelerated shift to digital and e-commerce through COVID-19, ForwardPMX was able to aid clients globally in pivoting to new routes to market and developing a deeper understanding of the changes in their customers’ behavior to impact their decision making. Manning added, “More than ever, brands are looking to us as growth partners who can push beyond media to help them digitally accelerate and find new revenue streams. By adding Femi to the team, we’re furthering our commitment and confidence in this space, allowing us to deliver more innovative solutions for our clients.” On joining ForwardPMX, Taiwo said, “I’m thrilled to be joining this dynamic team. ForwardPMX has not only achieved significant growth over the last several years, but they also have a strong proposition that has evolved to answer the needs of senior level stakeholders within client businesses. I share a common vision with the leadership team at ForwardPMX about where we need to go as a business to continue to be the partner that brands need in today’s complex digital, data and technology-led environment.” About ForwardPMX: ForwardPMX is a global data and technology driven marketing services company, designed to help brands find the change that delivers meaningful growth to their businesses. With over 20 offices worldwide and 1,000 of the industry's most distinguished talent, ForwardPMX brings a unified global vision, with local depth and expertise across a comprehensive set of data, technology, consultancy and performance solutions that reach people all over the world. By pairing people with data-led process and powerful technology capabilities, ForwardPMX is uniquely positioned to deliver scale and accelerate problem solving. ForwardPMX is a proud member of The Stagwell Group. About The Stagwell Group: The Stagwell Group is the first and only independent, digital-first, and fully integrated organization of size & scale servicing global brands across the continuum of marketing services. The group includes over 9000 employees operating in more than 25 offices around the world. Collaborative by design, The Stagwell Group is not weighed down by legacy points of view and its people are united in their desire to innovate, evolve, grow and deliver superior results for their clients. Stagwell’s high growth brands include experts in four categories: digital transformation and marketing, research and insights, marketing communications, and content and media. For more information go to: www.stagwellgroup.com Contact Details ForwardPMX Dammi Afolabi - Marketing Communications Manager (EMEA) +44 7958 069108 dammi.afolabi@forwardpmx.com Company Website https://www.forwardpmx.com/

June 16, 2021 05:04 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Image

Increase In Early Retirement Forcing Americans to Collect Permanently Reduced Social Security.

Jennifer Lang Financial Services, LLC

Contact Details Jennifer Lang Financial Services, LLC. Jennifer Lang +1 870-413-6993 mail@jenniferlangfinancialservices.com Company Website https://www.jenniferlangfinancialservices.com

June 15, 2021 10:05 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Video

Minuteman Press Printing Franchise in Bethesda, MD Celebrates Grand Reopening

Minuteman Press International Inc

Located at 8210 Wisconsin Avenue, Minuteman Press in Bethesda held its grand reopening event on May 15 th in conjunction with the Rockville Chamber of Commerce. Owner Leslie Klein was excited to celebrate the renovations of her center as well as the return of local community events to Bethesda. She says, “We redid our lobby, added a new envelope printer, and rearranged our layout to optimize our production and best serve our clients. It feels fantastic to celebrate our grand reopening!” As she reflects on her grand reopening as well as the past year, Leslie says, “The pandemic took its toll on everyone and we are just thrilled to be able to move forward. Last year, we remained open as an essential business and continued to support and serve our community in any way we could. For example, I reached out to all of the local school districts and we ended up printing and distributing 3,000 graduation yard signs, which was really gratifying.” Today, Leslie is happy to get back to business. “As soon as networking events opened back up, I jumped on board and attended all sorts of networking and speed networking sessions. This past week alone, I received two jobs for orders from people who referred me from those events. It feels great to get back out there and let people know what Minuteman Press in Bethesda is all about.” Some of the popular high-demand items that Leslie’s team provides to clients right now include bulk mailings, banners and signs (large format printing), promotional products, and custom printing for events and trade shows. Leslie says, “Community events are coming back and this summer is already heating up for us. We have already been selected to be the print supplier for two golf tournaments. For one of the upcoming golf outings, we are producing 60 double-sided yard signs, retractable banners, table tents, and promotional magnets.” Leslie adds, “As for bulk mailings, I’ve done my research on direct mail and I’ve really made it a point of focus at networking events. I talk about direct mail in Chamber groups, my BNI group, and to my customers. We are able to help them market themselves and our ability to design, print, and do the mailings for them makes it easy for our clients.” “Our clients will give us an idea of what they want and as marketing and printing professionals we’re able to help them figure out what they really need. We are a small business with a team that works really well together. What I’ve learned is that print is here to stay and we can assist our clients with customized products and services that make sense for their needs and their bottom lines.” -Leslie Klein, owner, Minuteman Press franchise, Bethesda, Maryland From Nursing to Printing Prior to buying Minuteman Press in Bethesda in November 2019, Leslie Klein worked 25 years as a nurse and also spent time raising her three children. She says, “I loved being a nurse but I always wanted to do something entrepreneurial for myself. My husband and I decided to go to the local franchise show in April 2019 because it was fun to see what opportunities were out there. I always thought I might end up with a business related to gardening since it’s a hobby of mine, and I also looked at other options such as an eyelash/cosmetics franchise. I met Minuteman Press Regional Vice President Bob Heimbuch at the show and learned about printing. We did our research, the price was right, and by the middle of May we put down a deposit for Minuteman Press in Bethesda.” “Minuteman Press provided me with a turnkey business where I didn’t have to reinvent the wheel. I love everything about the ongoing local support Minuteman Press provides as well as the business model where I have nights, weekends, and holidays off. I enjoyed being a nurse but the hours were hard and I left the field to raise my kids. I love what I am doing now and I feel my quality of life and work-life balance are far superior than when I was working in hospitals.” -Leslie Klein When asked about the rewards of owning her own business, Leslie answers, “My staff is absolutely amazing and we work well together to best serve our customers.” She concludes, “Being able to fulfill custom orders and keeping my clients happy is such a great feeling. Being able to learn and grow with them is my ultimate reward.” Minuteman Press in Bethesda has been awarded the 2021 Best of Bethesda Award in the Commercial Printers, Designers & Marketers category. The award from the Bethesda Award Program recognizes Leslie and her team for working to “enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and our community.” For more information on Minuteman Press in Bethesda, call (301) 656-1188 or visit https://www.mmpbethesda.com. Learn more about #1 rated Minuteman Press franchise opportunities at https://minutemanpressfranchise.com. Contact Details Minuteman Press International Chris Biscuiti +1 631-249-1370 cbiscuiti@mpihq.com Company Website https://minutemanpressfranchise.com

June 15, 2021 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Image

Velocity Global commits $1M to First Descents to expand adventure programs for young adults coping with multiple sclerosis

Velocity Global

First Descents (FD) has announced a transformative $1 million contribution from Velocity Global to support the expansion of adventure programs for young adults living with multiple sclerosis (MS). Funds will support program development and help reach more than 1,000 MS participants over the next 5 years. “First Descents serves people first to fill a gap in psychosocial supportive care for young adults living with MS. Velocity Global is honored to support the expansion of these programs through this donation and volunteer efforts from our global team,” said Ben Wright, founder and CEO of Velocity Global. “I have witnessed the healing impact of First Descents programs firsthand, and am proud our company is in a position to advance this important work.” Velocity Global and First Descents share a special partnership that transcends financial support. The two Colorado-based companies began as office neighbors at INDUSTRY Denver in 2014. Over the years, Velocity Global employees have volunteered on First Descents programs and fundraised while competing in the Ragnar Snowmass Relay and the TransRockies Run. In 2018, Velocity Global contributed $150,000 to pilot MS programming which began with a whitewater kayaking experience in Tarkio, Montana. “Velocity Global’s support will help us to serve more than 1,000 young adults living with MS in the coming years while investing in vital partnerships with patient advocacy groups and neurology clinics nationwide,” observes Ryan O’Donoghue, CEO, First Descents. “We want MS patients to learn about First Descents closer to the time of diagnosis and know that we are here for them. Velocity Global’s leadership support will make this vision a reality.” The National MS Society indicates there are approximately 1 million people living with multiple sclerosis in the United States with approximately 10,000 new cases diagnosed each year. Typically, MS is diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, with a median age of diagnosis at 34. Young adults living with MS can experience significant physical, neurological and psychosocial changes that often disrupt important developmental milestones. In addition to the complexities of clinical treatments and lifestyle implications, the relapsing and progressive nature of MS can be daunting, and can result in significant psychosocial distress. According to the National MS Society, clinical depression ranks among the most common comorbidities associated with MS. These realities have been further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic where prolonged social isolation and apprehension for the future have taken a significant toll. First Descents is working with several renowned patient advocacy groups, including the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA) to reach more people coping with MS. “There is an important need to support young adult MS patients with age appropriate programming that can improve their outlook and quality of life,” observes Gina Ross Murdoch, CEO, Multiple Sclerosis Association of America. “Staying fit and active - especially with peers living with MS - can greatly benefit patients’ mental and physical health. We are excited to work with First Descents and Velocity Global on the launch of these programs.” First Descents’ all-inclusive programs are free of charge to participants. All programs ensure ADA lodging compliance, a tailored Wahls protocol nutrition program, and fully-accessible outdoor activities. Further, programs are designed with careful consideration to mitigate heat sensitivity, balance issues, and fatigue. Ultimately, First Descents creates an environment where young adults with MS can reclaim their physical agency, explore new activities, and nurture lifelong supportive peer relationships. ### ABOUT VELOCITY GLOBAL Velocity Global accelerates the future of work beyond borders. Its platform enables businesses to employ remote teams and expand internationally through global expertise, best-in-breed technology, and scale. More than 700 brands rely on its Employer of Record model and infrastructure, also called an International PEO (Professional Employer Organization), in 185 countries and all 50 United States to compliantly employ thousands of supported employees, access global talent, and grow revenue. Named a “Leader” in Global Employer of Record services by prominent analyst firm NelsonHall, Velocity Global is a strategic partner to its clients through additional comprehensive services including Immigration, Independent Contractor Compliance to assess a workforce, and Agent of Record (AoR) to streamline payments to contractors globally. Founded in 2014, the company is headquartered in Denver, Colorado, with regional headquarters in Amsterdam, Bogotá, and Singapore, with local employees in 16 countries. ABOUT FIRST DESCENTS First Descents (FD) is a leader in adventure-based healing. Through outdoor adventure, community building, and lifestyle development, FD improves long-term survivorship and quality of life for young adults impacted by cancer, multiple sclerosis, and other serious health conditions. Headquartered in Denver, First Descents has served more than 10,000 participants over the last 20 years. Beginning in 2020, First Descents launched programs for healthcare workers on the frontlines of COVID-19. All services are fully-adaptive and free of charge. A Guidestar Platinum-ranked nonprofit, First Descents has been recognized on CNN Heroes and Outside Magazine's Best Places to Work. RESOURCES: First Descents MS Program Page Contact Details Velocity Global John Hall +1 720-650-4348 johnhall@velocityglobal.com First Descents Ray Shedd +12034999633 ray.shedd@firstdescents.org Company Website https://velocityglobal.com/

June 15, 2021 07:02 AM Mountain Daylight Time

Video

1 ... 224 225 226 227 228 ... 248