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Comcast Plans Major Network Expansion in Texas

Comcast Houston

Comcast announced today it will significantly expand its next-generation network, the Xfinity 10G Network, in a major way across several southeast Texas counties in 2023. The media and technology company said it will invest more than $100 million to install at least one thousand miles of new fiber-rich highways that will reach up to 80,000 homes and businesses by the end of this year. The planned expansions add to Comcast’s ongoing $2.8 billion investment in Texas over the last three years. Network expansion efforts will begin in Kingwood, Pinehurst, Prairie View, Waller, New Caney and Conroe. Construction will continue in other communities that have ongoing network infrastructure builds in the Houston area. Construction has started in Kingwood, which will be the largest expansion of the year; it is expected to be complete by the end of 2023 and will reach nearly 24,000 Kingwood homes and businesses. These locations will have the foundational next-generation network in place to begin deploying DOCSIS 4.0, setting the stage for the introduction of new symmetrical multi-gigabit Internet options. “We will bring our fiber-rich network to twice the number of homes and businesses this year compared to the number we passed last year,” said Ralph Martinez, Senior Regional Vice President of Comcast’s Texas Region. “Southeast Texas’ rural and suburban communities have been growing fast, and we are building out our next-generation Comcast network in tandem with the growth. We will continue to expand to even more rural communities in the next few years.” Once complete, Comcast, the nation’s largest provider of 1.2 Gigabit per second speeds, will give consumers access to reliable and fast Xfinity Internet and Xfinity Mobile service that outperforms its competitors. Comcast engineers have also developed multiple artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies that make the network faster and more reliable while delivering up to 100 Gbps for Comcast Business customers. In addition, Comcast’s next-generation technology provides multiple layers of security that automatically detect and block hundreds of thousands of cyber events every second, and a Smart Network that automates many core network functions and dramatically reduces the number of outages. “Access to reliable internet and telecommunications services is something that we cannot go without in our day-to-day activities,” said Houston Mayor Pro-Tem and Kingwood resident, Dave Martin. “Comcast and their new construction project in Kingwood is a perfect example of a business working to bridge the gap to connect more people to much-needed services while increasing accessibility to much-needed services and their dependability. I appreciate Comcast’s partnership and commitment to District E.” Comcast is also committed to addressing digital equity in communities we serve, through Project UP, the company’s $1 billion dollar commitment to help tens of millions of people connect to the internet and build futures of unlimited possibilities. Last year, Comcast Texas invested more than one million dollars to help local community organizations provide personalized digital skills training, offer workforce development/readiness workshops and other tech education to students, adults, and people with disabilities. The funding also supports ongoing efforts to build awareness about connectivity programs like Internet Essentials and the federal government’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which offers eligible households up to $30/month credit, or up to $75 for households on tribal lands, for home Internet. Comcast proudly participates in the Affordable Connectivity Program, and offers Internet Essentials Plus, a $29.95/month home Internet service that is effectively free for eligible households, once the ACP credit is applied. Interested customers can visit Xfinity.com/ACP or call 1-800-Xfinity to learn more about this program and find out if they qualify. For more construction details and updates, visit ComcastTexas.com/Expansion. Powered by the Xfinity 10G Network Comcast’s next-generation network and Internet experience are powering homes today and into the future: · Ultimate Capacity: Xfinity customers connect nearly 1 billion devices across the company’s network annually. The Xfinity 10G Network with the next-generation Xfinity gateways deliver the most advanced WiFi technology carrying three times more bandwidth to power streaming, gaming, videoconferencing, and more, simultaneously. · Fastest Internet: 10 million+ Xfinity Internet customers subscribe to gigabit speed products, and Ookla rated Xfinity the fastest Internet provider at the end of 2022*. Symmetrical gig speeds to the first homes are planned for later this year. · Unprecedented Coverage: The latest Xfinity Gateway provides a more reliable connection throughout the home. Customers can get wall-to-wall WiFi coverage with a powerful xFi Pod that extends coverage to hard-to-reach areas, with plans for an offering of increased support for in-home WiFi through a “boost guarantee” later this year. · Most Reliable Connection: Comcast is scaling the nation’s largest and most reliable network – the Xfinity 10G Network – that passes 60 million homes and business and counting. The company plans to launch a new device that is “storm-ready” with cellular and battery backup to help keep customers connected even when the power goes out. · Ultra-Low Latency: The Xfinity 10G Network and the latest xFi Gateway are a powerful combination that deliver ultra-low latency for those moments when response times matter most like video games, a fast-growing category with Xfinity households averaging more than one gaming console per home. For local businesses, Comcast Business offers a suite of connectivity, communications, networking, cybersecurity, wireless, and managed solutions to help organizations of different sizes prepare for what’s next. Powered by the nation’s largest Gig-speed broadband network, and backed by 24/7 customer support, Comcast Business is the nation’s largest cable provider to small and mid-size businesses and one of the leading service providers to the Enterprise market. Comcast Business has been consistently recognized by industry analysts and associations as a leader and innovator, and one of the fastest-growing providers of Ethernet services. Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company that connects people to moments that matter. We are principally focused on connectivity, aggregation, and streaming with 57 million customer relationships across the United States and Europe. We deliver broadband, wireless, and video through our Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky brands; create, distribute, and stream leading entertainment, sports, and news through Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, Universal Studio Group, Sky Studios, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, multiple cable networks, Peacock, NBCUniversal News Group, NBC Sports, Sky News, and Sky Sports; and provide memorable experiences at Universal Parks and Resorts in the United States and Asia. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information. Ookla’s SpeedtestTM Market Index report shows that Xfinity delivered the fastest median download speeds to its Internet customers in the United States for the final quarter of 2022. Contact Details Comcast Steve Campion +1 832-920-2001 Steve_Campion@Comcast.com Company Website https://houston.comcast.com/

February 20, 2023 10:08 AM Central Standard Time

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Hollywood Star Cuts is in the Black!

All American Gold Corp.

McapMediaWire -- All American Gold Corp. (OTC Pink: AAGC ) is excited to disclose that Hollywood Star Cuts, AAGC’s Operating Company, is now conducting business in an operating profit. Hollywood Star Cuts, a rapidly growing chain of Hollywood Themed Family Hair Salons, has accomplished the objective of reaching operational profitability quicker than previously anticipated. Throughout 2021 and 2022, Hollywood Star Cuts has been concentrating on creating, developing and growing Company owned Hair Salons in the greater Boise area. As of the beginning of February 2023, Hollywood Star Cuts is operating three locations in the Boise area with a fourth “Mega Production Studio” set to open the first week of March 2023. Hollywood Star Cuts had previously anticipated reaching profitability after the first calendar quarter of 2023. The feat of reaching profitability has been accomplished months earlier than expected. Hollywood Star Cuts will no longer be utilizing the majority of the Company’s resources to develop more Company-owned locations for the remainder of 2023. Instead, the Company will be focusing its efforts on the development of a franchise model Nationally, creating flourishing revenues without the massive expenditure of Company funds. Hollywood Star Cuts has already begun the build-out of franchise locations in rapidly growing areas such as Florida and Texas. AAGC and Hollywood Star Cuts intend to conserve revenues and profits accrued throughout 2023 and develop a “War Chest” for accelerated growth in the future and eliminating the future need for outside financing and potentially toxic financing. On February 2nd, 2023, Hollywood Star Cuts conducted a Shareholder Conference Call to discuss the accomplishments of 2022 and the outlook for 2023 and beyond. There were 177 people listening live. The call included a Question-and-Answer period after the Company remarks. Hollywood Star Cuts would like to thank all who attended the live call and those who asked fantastic questions. Topics discussed: Accomplishments 2022 Mission of Hollywood Star Cuts Vision for 2023 and beyond Growth for 2023 and beyond Challenges for Growth (Immediate and Long Term) Hollywood Star Cuts invites everyone to listen to the playback and hear the accomplishments in detail at their leisure. The call-in number is: (267) 807-9603 Access Code: 526-855-601. The growth model for Hollywood Star Cuts includes both Corporate-owned stores as well as Franchise stores in specific markets. Updates and reminders will be posted on Twitter, as well as periodic public Press Releases. Hollywood Star Cuts is dedicated to offering the very best in service and experience and is committed to becoming a leader in the multi-billion-dollar and recession-resilient Haircare and Beauty industry. Hollywood Star Cuts would like to thank all their loyal customers, their hard-working staff members, and all who support the Company. Hollywood Star Cuts is committed to expand through organic growth with Company-owned stores as well as utilizing franchise partners nationally. All American Gold Corp. invites the public to follow us on Twitter @HStarcuts as most updates, and communication will be conducted there. The public is also invited to follow us on Facebook and online at www.hollywoodstarcuts.com. Forward-Looking Statement Any statements made in this press release which are not historical facts contain certain forward-looking statements; as such term is defined in the Private Security Litigation Reform Act of 1995, concerning potential developments affecting the business, prospects, financial condition and other aspects of the company to which this release pertains. The actual results of the specific items described in this release, and the company's operations generally, may differ materially from what is projected in such forward-looking statements. The company disclaims any obligation to update information contained in any forward-looking statement. This press release shall not be deemed a general solicitation. Twitter: @HStarcuts www.hollywoodstarcuts.com (760) 525-7411 Contact Details Lawrence Twombly +1 760-525-7411 Company Website http://www.hollywoodstarcuts.com/

February 16, 2023 09:15 AM Eastern Standard Time

HIBBETT SMALL-TOWN SNEAKERHEAD FEATURES NON-PROFIT YOUTH BASKETBALL MENTOR & TRAINER FROM ST GEORGE, UTAH

Hibbett, Inc.

Hibbett, Inc. (NASDAQ:HIBB), an athletic-inspired fashion retailer with more than 1,100 Hibbett and City Gear specialty stores nationwide, today announced the latest release of exclusive Small-Town Sneakerhead (STSH) series celebrating sneaker culture and Jordan. STSH follows Utah man as he shares his love of family, youth sports including basketball and football and making a difference in his community. In the new episode of STSH, Long who has been collecting since he was 13 years old, takes viewers to see his collection of more than 150 pairs of coveted sneakers, with a few custom pairs on display. “We are excited to be featuring someone with such passion for Jordan sneakers to kick off our first episode of the year, while honoring number 23 and celebrating All-Star weekend,” said Sarah Sharp-Wangaard, VP Marketing, Hibbett. “In Small-Town Sneakerhead we love to showcase people like JJ, who are using both their affinity for sneakers and basketball to positively impact youth in their community.” Jonathan Long, @jjlong_ a 29 year-old graduate of Utah Tech University, former college basketball coach at Utah Tech (previously called Dixie State University) and youth trainer and event coordinator for a nonprofit, was selected for the newest STSH episode launching at Hibbett today. Long, a married father of two graduated with a degree in accounting, coached college basketball for five years and now helps local youth at nonprofit, Nets on Fire. In his current role, Long and the team at Nets on Fire, train and mentor children from K – 12 through sport while teaching important life skills and character building through service. “Michael Jordan has influenced me in many positive ways, showing me what traits successful people have in common and in particular, how they understand and cope with setbacks and failure. Learning to trust the game, the process, understanding what you put in is what you get out. Failure should not be the option to quit but should make you work harder each time you fail. So by understanding these things, it has helped me understand myself and keep working hard no matter what may arise.” “My love of basketball started with Mike and how the Jordan Brand took over pop culture. I style myself with maybe some that swag in mind more than the classics. Though I love older Jordans with means, I have OG mustards not because they just released but the deeper meaning in that those are the shoes Mike wore in the All Star Game.” On their visit to Utah, Long took the STSH crew by Nets on Fire where he works in St. George while he coached some local youth in basketball. “With the All Star Game in Utah this year, everyone’s really excited, especially the kids.” Later they visited Sugar Loaf which is also known as Dixie Rock to get a view of St. George from a steep vantage point. “It’s a little scary to come up here but in the morning it wakes you up with the view. It’s a little space in town to get away from town.” “Sneaker culture to me is a lifestyle and wearing what you like, not because its hot right now, but wearing the wild and crazy shoes,” said Jonathan Long. “If I’m going somewhere with heavy traffic, people repping kicks, I’ll throw some customs on, so I know they’re one of one. I look for a colorway that is different, I like a shoe that is crazy that other people might not wear and I like exclusivity, like if the shoe is wild and has some rarity to it, but I also like OG styles. ” “Jordan brand means so much to me because it is so iconic. When you get your first pair of Jordans it’s a special feeling that comes upon you and makes you feel like Mike. I have a large range of new to old Jordan’s and one of my favorite pairs are the Brisk Blue Jordan 3. The Last Shot might be the most iconic Jordan here, since he hit that shot over Utah.” "Jonathan's story highlights how much one can appreciate the character, charm, and way of life of living in a small town while still having such a profound love of Air Jordans,” said Matt Halfhill, Founder and CEO, Nice Kicks. About Small-Town Sneakerhead In 2020, Hibbett launched the Small-Town Sneakerhead project to provide sneakerheads from all walks of life the platform to share their personal sneaker narrative. Produced in partnership with Nike and Nice Kicks, the series highlights the evolving sneaker scene and enthusiasts from across the country. Hibbett has featured collectors from East Buffalo, NY, Cheyenne, WY, Hampton, VA, Cape Girardeau, MO, Murphy, TX, Hopkinsville, KY, Lafayette, LA, Crosby, TX, and Sandy Springs, GA with more coming soon. About Hibbett, Inc. Hibbett, headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, is a leading athletic-inspired fashion retailer with 1126 Hibbett and City Gear specialty stores, located in 36 states nationwide. Hibbett has a rich history of convenient locations, personalized customer service and access to coveted footwear, apparel and equipment from top brands like Nike, Jordan, and adidas. Consumers can browse styles, find new releases, shop looks and make purchases online or in their nearest store by visiting www.hibbett.com. Follow us @hibbettsports and @citygear on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Contact Details Wendy Yellin pr@hibbett.com Company Website https://www.Hibbett.com

February 15, 2023 01:05 PM Eastern Standard Time

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Sharon Personal Care Adds Leading Botaneco Technology to its Line of Personal Care Products

Sharon Personal Care

Sharon Personal Care, a global supplier of ingredient solutions for a broad range of personal care products, has signed an agreement with Calgary, Alberta Canada-based Botaneco to add its portfolio of natural, multifunctional oleosome products, Hydresia® and CapSol™ to Sharon Personal Care’s line. This is a strategic addition to Sharon Personal Care’s product portfolio of preservatives, building blocks, functional chemistries and active ingredients, including SharoSun™, an innovative preservative system for sunscreen products and RESCONCEPT™ Sun, sun care smart solutions. "This exclusive partnership with Botaneco is an important step in expanding our capabilities with green and sustainable technologies, as well as our presence in the global sun care market,” says Naama Eylon, CEO of Sharon Personal Care. “We are thrilled to bring Botaneco’s innovative natural skin hydration and multifunctional solutions to consumers. At Sharon Personal Care, we understand the importance of providing high-quality sustainable solutions and effective sun protection, and this agreement underscores our commitment to this growing market. We are excited to leverage our expertise and resources to bring these products to the global market.” Hydresia oleosomes are all natural, micron-sized spheres of emollient plant oils and vitamin E, found in plant seeds, where oleosomes serve as the natural storehouse of oil. They enhance formulations with multifunctional benefits and provide a perfect balance between natural authenticity and real performance. They boast a unique, continuous moisture delivery system that is an all-natural alternative to chemical emulsifiers and irritating ingredients with its microparticles of skin-softening oils and vitamins. CapSol sunscreen oleosomes make it easy to produce trend-forward creams and lotions. Sourced from safflower seed oleosomes, CapSol is a breakthrough in sun care product formulation technology. It has the unique ability to load sunscreen filters in a way that dramatically reduces UV filter levels required for targeted SPF levels enabling a superior consumer experience and reduced environmental load. “Sharon Personal Care has a proven track record in delivering high-quality solutions for the cosmetics market. This partnership is strategic for us as it provides customers with synergistic offerings with Sharon’s technology in addition to more global customer support. We are confident that Hydresia and CapSol will thrive under their expertise and will drive further growth in the industry. Botaneco will continue to produce Hydresia and CapSol oleosomes and support Sharon with technology development,” said James Szarko, President and CEO of Botaneco. For more information, visit the Sharon Personal Care website at: https://sharonpc.com About Sharon Personal Care Headquartered in Ashdod, Israel, Sharon Personal Care is a global supplier of innovative ingredient solutions for a broad range of personal care products – with specialized expertise in trending market segments. The company’s product portfolio includes unique preservatives, building blocks, and functional chemistries and active ingredients. Today’s Sharon has a proven track record of innovation combined with the ability to provide comprehensive solutions at light speed. With a solid foundation in environmentally sustainable chemistry, Sharon delivers multifunctional ingredient solutions that help differentiate personal care products in a fast-changing market. Established in 1977 by Dr. Danny Sommerfeld, the company employs more than 200 people worldwide, with manufacturing and scientific facilities on three continents. Sharon Personal Care is owned primarily by Tene Investment Funds (Tel Aviv), an Israeli private equity growth fund focused on the industrial and technology sectors. About Botaneco Botaneco® Inc. is an innovative ingredients manufacturer located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Our novel water-based processing technology uniquely separates intact oleosomes and proteins from oilseeds, creating new solutions for personal care, plant-based foods and high-value aquaculture. At Botaneco, our novel processing platform enables a whole seed utilization approach that reflects our culture of sustainability and value creation. For more information, visit the Botaneco website at: www.Botaneco.com. Contact Details Resource Advantage Dan Green +1 973-882-1313 dgreen@resourceadvantage.com Sharon Personal Care Laura Mills, Business Development Manager laura@sharonpc.com Botaneco Inc, James Szarko, CEO jszarko@botaneco.com Company Website https://sharonpc.com/

February 15, 2023 09:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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1010data Enters New Strategic Partnership with Colateral

1010data

1010data, a leading provider of enterprise analytics solutions for retail and consumer brands, and Colateral, a global leader in enterprise in-store marketing platforms, today announced a strategic partnership to integrate their respective industry-leading platforms. The joint offerings, powered by SaaS workflows and enterprise analytics, are designed to optimize physical marketing performance. Marketing is a critical strategic pillar of retail success; however, most retailers lack the digital tools to measure and optimize performance where most of the business happens - in their physical stores. Colateral automates campaign management processes for multi-site retailers allowing marketers to focus on driving increased revenue in every location. Colateral’s SaaS platform expedites campaign management while giving marketers the tools to elevate performance through developing targeted marketing strategies, localizing creative for each store, and optimizing execution. 1010data’s powerful analytics platform captures myriad retail data across store execution performance, including product, pricing, sales and promotions. Using a combination of fact-based data checks and Machine-learning/AI-derived validations against promotional forecasts, 1010data helps retailers better monitor compliance, enhance campaign performance and drive higher revenues. Jonah Ellin, Chief Product Officer of 1010data, notes: “The seamless integration of Colateral’s industry-leading marketing capabilities with 1010data's powerful analytics platform gives retailers a major advantage in the execution of promotions and marketing initiatives while also identifying new promotional opportunities. These offerings further demonstrate our deep commitment both to the retail industry and our relentless drive to innovate. We are delighted to partner with Colateral, setting the mark as being the only firm in the industry to provide such a comprehensive marketing solution.” Dorian Spackman, founder and CEO of Colateral, shares, “The role of marketing is making a profit. Unfortunately, retail marketers often aren’t equipped with the right tools, so they get stuck in tactically executing marketing. Colateral moves marketers from focusing on process through accurate data and automation, allowing them to focus on outcomes instead. This partnership with 1010data will give our customers more insight and opportunity to evaluate marketing performance more effectively, use predictive data to drive best campaign planning, and utilize the arsenal within Colateral to unlock revenues.” Additionally, the integrated solutions ensure store execution is made easier, and compliance issues are identified sooner enabling course correction and minimizing lost sales. When promotions are executed properly, customers, retailers and suppliers all win. About Colateral Colateral Ltd. enables multi-location retailers and brands to deliver localized on-brand marketing campaigns in every store. Our SaaS platform automates in-store marketing processes, aligns disparate teams, and equips marketers with a toolkit to run more impactful campaigns that drive revenues. Founded in 2015, we support over 10,000 stores for leading retailers, brands, and financial services companies across the U.K., Europe, and North America 1010data provides decision science and data management solutions that empower companies to identify the insights needed to make timely and accurate business decisions. For over 20 years, we have helped retailers and brands “see what they need” in their sales and operational performance to optimize for today, while being responsive for tomorrow. To learn more, visit www.1010data.com. Contact Details MKPR Meir Kahtan +1 917-864-0800 mkahtan@rcn.com 1010data Frank Riva, VP of Marketing Frank.Riva@1010data.com Colateral Alex Knight, Marketing Manager alex@colateral.io Company Website https://www.1010data.com

February 15, 2023 08:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

Minuteman Press International Founder & CEO Bob Titus Reflects on 50 Years in Business

Minuteman Press International Inc

In 2023, Minuteman Press International is proud to celebrate 50 years in business! The first Minuteman Press center opened in Plainview, NY in 1973. Roy Titus, founder of Minuteman Press along with his son Bob Titus, decided to open the shop after running a successful operation for Parent’s Magazine. While working with other printers for Parent’s Magazine, Roy realized that the printing industry was a huge market that had untapped potential. In 1973, that first Plainview shop served as a quick printing operation that filled the need for 1-color, short-run orders that needed to be done fast. From there, Roy tapped into the potential of the industry, creating the first one-stop Minuteman Press design, marketing, and printing center. Products and capabilities expanded, and over the past 50 years, Minuteman Press has continued to be at the forefront of the printing industry as leaders and innovators. It all started with that first Plainview shop in 1973, where Roy, along with his son Bob and childhood friends Jim Galasso and Dave Scadin, laid the foundation for the worldwide franchisor that Minuteman Press International is today. Bob Titus, who remains our CEO today, shares his thoughts, experiences, and memories of what it was like laying the groundwork in 1973. What was it like working in the Plainview shop in 1973? Bob Titus: “Jimmy Galasso and I ran the shop together, and a couple of months later we brought in Dave Scadin. I have known both of them since I was 6-years-old. I came home from college, and Jimmy was working at a sporting goods store. He came to our house and when my dad offered him the job, he said yes. We needed someone else down the road, and that’s when Dave joined us after working for the Town of Oyster Bay. Originally, Dave was making deliveries for us, but one day our press broke. Dave came into the shop and told us to get out of the way. He fixed the press and from that point forward he was our press operator. Over the years, we’ve had 36 people from Oyster Bay High School and St. Dominic’s High School work with us. It all stemmed from us as childhood friends working together and then expanding from there. It’s been an incredible ride.” What was it like working with your dad Roy Titus? How did you get started running the shop? Bob Titus: “My dad and I didn’t work in the shop together but he would come in and give us great ideas. He was really smart, and did things like start our marketing program and add pickup and delivery as a service to our customers. For me, this all started with my dad hiring an old-time printer named Tom, who taught me and Jimmy Galasso how to run the press and do bindery work. One day, a real estate customer came into the Plainview shop and my dad happened to be there. They wanted flyers printed and delivered down the street to their office once the job was done. Tom said we don’t do delivery, and my dad stepped in and said that yes, we’ll deliver the job once it’s finished. Tom said we wouldn’t want to get into delivery, and Roy disagreed. My dad saw this as a great service we could provide that would make it easy for customers to do business with us. He also decided that we don’t have to wait for customers to come in, and that we can go to the customers ourselves. At the time, the huge commercial printers were looking for home run clients, and they were not going door to door. We started going door to door, starting in the retail area, and we were picking up business.” “The two biggest things we did to really get the shop going strong were: Marketing to the customers, going to them and not waiting for them to come to us; Adding pickup and delivery options at a time where others just weren’t doing that. My dad always told us to never say no to the customer. No matter what the customer wants, get it for them.” -Bob Titus How did Minuteman Press originally grow from there into a franchise? Bob Titus: “First, our Plainview shop went from an AB Dick 1-color press to an older Multi-Graphic Press that really improved the quality of the work we were doing. When we opened the second Farmingdale store, we purchased a new Multi-Graphic Press along with our first 3M camera that lead to us implementing the franchise model for other shops. We found that the 3M company invented a plastic plate camera where the plastic plates would cost about the same as a paper platemaker. The plastic plates allowed for metal plate quality that wouldn’t stretch and allowed for 2-color printing. The salesman told us the camera could help us produce 2, 3, and 4-color printing with plastic plates that don’t stretch like paper plates, and he was right. The cameras did everything the salesman said they could do. We first hired Mike Jutt as our press operator for the Farmingdale shop, where we first used the press with the 3M camera. He did a great job and the Farmingdale center became the prototype for the Minuteman Press franchise. When we started franchising, we asked Mike to create the training program to teach the owners our system. He created and implemented the training program, and he’s done an absolutely fabulous job for 50 years. Mike ultimately became our Executive VP & Director of Training, and is still going strong today.” “I want to share one quick story from our Farmingdale shop. This speaks to the importance of being involved in the community and joining local clubs and organizations. At that time, Farmingdale merchants held their Hardscrabble Day. Families would come to the event and one year, they needed to hire a clown at the last minute. My dad volunteered to pay for the clown, who would blow up balloons for the kids and put smiles on their faces. The families were happy, the merchants saw us as saviors for stepping in to help, and many of them started using us for their printing. That $50 investment and ‘saving the day’ lead to a lot of business.” -Bob Titus “Because the press and camera worked so well in Farmingdale, my dad ordered another one for our Plainview shop, and then a third one. When the head honchos at 3M saw that we had purchased 3 cameras in 6 months, they paid us a visit to see what we were doing. On their end, they were having trouble selling the cameras because other printers were reluctant to change. They said we had a terrific idea for using these cameras and suggested we franchise. 3M really believed in our concept and our program, and so they offered financing to new owners. They allowed the owners to form a shell corporation so that they wouldn’t have personal liability. We then went to a franchise show at the NY Coliseum, just looking to put people into business in the Tri-State Area, and we would support those owners. At that show, we had one prospect who wanted to open in Boston, and another one who wanted to open in Los Angeles. At first, we said no to going out of state, but they were persistent. At that point, my dad reached out to six quality people who had worked for him in the past, who had sons that were around my age. My dad felt this would be a great business for a father and son, and he was able to hire them. He had them go to six different cities - Boston, Cleveland, Chicago, Atlanta, Denver, and Los Angeles – and hire a press operator. They ran these Minuteman Press shops with the press and 3M cameras, and followed our business model. Then, they franchised and supported the new stores that opened around them while also working in their own shops. As these cities expanded with more franchises, we could no longer run our own stores while supporting the new owners. That is when we made the decision to sell those original shops we owned and support the owners full-time. We had the press operator, the marketing person, and the regional vice president for those locations, and that’s how our local support teams were originally formed. Ultimately, we sold hundreds of 3M cameras, and they also were able to sell the ancillary materials needed for those cameras. This really helped us get going as a franchise, and the company-owned stores became profitable very quickly because of the new marketing program we introduced. As we generated more and more business and sold those satellite stores, that’s how we created the support teams that laid the groundwork for our regional teams today.” What are some the key ways that Minuteman Press has evolved over the years? Bob Titus: “One of the biggest changes we’ve ever made was when my dad introduced the royalty cap to our owners around 1977-78. The owners thought we were crazy, but what happened is that this really incentivized our owners to sell more and more. At the time, we saw owners who were making 15K/month at the time start selling 20, 30, 40K, 50K. My dad sent them a letter and told them to act as if you’re paying the full royalties, and use that money to reinvest and build the business. Many of our owners bought into this idea. They appreciated the royalty cap but also understood how important it was to hire that extra marketing person, or add that piece of equipment, etc.” Other key changes Bob noted are: We originally created manual price lists that went from 50 to 1,000 copies, for 1-color printing on 8.5 x 11, 8.5 x 14, or 11 x 17. Eventually, we decided to develop pricing software. Our original pricing software was on a Tandy 1000 from Radio Shack. It was developed by an owner in Dallas, Texas, who had a computer background and previously worked for EDS (Electronic Data Systems). We then hired IT people to create our first software program. This laid the groundwork and planted the seeds to what is the incredibly dynamic FLEX pricing and management software today. When copiers were invented in the 1970s, people wrongly predicted that all of the printers would go out of business. Instead, when Xerox machines were introduced, printers bought the machines and grew their sales. To this day, our partnerships with Xerox and Konica-Minolta have been a tremendous asset to our owners. Everything we’ve done / added from a products and services standpoint has worked. We would add new products based on what our owners would be farming out. That’s how we added apparel and promotional products, as it just made sense to add those based on what they were selling. Other key changes and points of growth include direct mail / EDDM, digital printing, wide format printing. “We started this business by filling a void for our clients. To this day, we continue to fill that void in different areas that make sense and meet their needs.” -Bob Titus Is there anything else you’d like to share? Bob Titus: “My dad was president of Minuteman Press for the first 20 years, and we were in pure growth mode in terms of opening new franchise locations. We expanded from the USA into Canada, and I even ran the Toronto office for two years. For the next 25 years of our history, I was president of the company. We expanded even further internationally to the UK, Australia, and South Africa. I felt that my job was to improve on existing services and add services that made the most sense for our owners. We would conduct studies and see what’s next, then implement new items to benefit our owners. Everything we did and still do, we always try to think of how we can best help them. For over 3 years now, my son Nick has been president of the company. He took over for me just 3 months before the pandemic. Looking back on it now, this is one of the best decisions we made to elevate him to president when we did. There is no way I could have carried us through the way he did. Everything he did and everything our team did was just tremendous. There were daily communications, the Bounce Back program, and so much hard work and dedication. His vision helped all of us adapt. Even though I already knew this, it just assured me that everybody’s in great hands.” Bob concludes: “Looking back, I think of the longtime owners that helped us build the company. And then I think of every owner out there who has since helped us build, whether they realize it or not. We are all like family, and we’re in this together. Let me also say that what makes me feel so gratified is when the business is turned over from parents to their kids. It’s always such a great feeling to see a business that people worked really hard to build carry through to the next generation. I know that from experience, as both a son and as a dad. Over 50 years… it’s certainly been an incredible ride.” For more information on Minuteman Press products and services and to find your local Minuteman Press franchise, visit https://minuteman.com. To learn more about #1 rated Minuteman Press franchise opportunities, visit https://minutemanpressfranchise.com. Contact Details Minuteman Press International Chris Biscuiti +1 631-249-1370 cbiscuiti@mpihq.com Company Website https://minutemanpressfranchise.com

February 14, 2023 10:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Leaders from Retail and Facilities Management Industries Converge on Las Vegas for First Annual NEST Summit

NEST

NEST, the pioneers of integrated facilities management (IFM), hosted its first annual NEST IFM Summit in Las Vegas this week. Leaders in facilities management, retail, and operators of multi-site organizations attended the summit to discuss the state of retail, the future of the skilled trades, today’s work environment, finance, and supply chain management. It concluded with a NEST Nurtures charitable event that supported the local Ronald McDonald House. “Our first annual NEST IFM Summit was an incredible mix of networking, education, philanthropy, and inspiration,” said Rob Almond, CEO of NEST. “In-person collaboration is critical in our industry, and I’m thankful to our team, partners, and speakers who made the event a success. We look forward to building on the energy of the summit throughout 2023 and making it an annual event for years to come.” The NEST IFM Summit featured keynote speakers from multiple industries, including UFC Champion Miesha Tate, female fighter pilot Michelle “MACE” Curran, and retail industry expert Lee Peterson of WD Partners. Lee discussed the current state of retail and how the physical retail space is evolving. Tate and Curran revealed stories about overcoming obstacles and succeeding in male-dominated industries. They drew parallels between trends in mixed martial arts and fighter pilots to the skilled trades and construction, where women make up roughly 10% of the workforce. “I appreciated the opportunity to collaborate with so many amazing minds from our industries,” said Peterson. “Retail is quickly evolving following the pandemic, and organizing this summit to share ideas and strategies will only help the industry as a whole.” Also in attendance were Kate Cinnamo of the nonprofit Explore the Trades and Sarah Hammond from Women in HVACR. They represent two organizations doing vital work to grow the skilled trades in America. During the summit, NEST Nurtures donated $5,000 to each organization to help them continue their efforts to inspire the next generation of skilled tradespeople. Top-tiered sponsors of the first NEST IFM Summit included Sunbelt Rentals, Facility Plus, and Lightserve Corporation. The events took place at the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas. About NEST Nurtures As the charitable arm of NEST, NEST Nurtures focuses on supporting nonprofits and improving communities throughout North America. Founded in 2020, NEST Nurtures aims to expand the company’s longtime philanthropic endeavors that have been part of NEST’s core values since its inception in 1994. Employees and partners often nominate NEST Nurtures’ beneficiaries. To learn more, go to enternest.com/our-company/nest-nurtures. About NEST NEST is the pioneer of the Integrated Facilities Management (IFM) industry in the United States and Canada. Founded in 1994, NEST delivers day-to-day tactical management of facilities, financial consulting, analytics, project management, and construction for major multi-site brands across North America. NEST provides 360° support 24 hours a day through one comprehensive facilities management solution that drives cost savings while maintaining an exceptional customer experience. To learn more about NEST, visit enterNEST.com or follow NEST on LinkedIn. Contact Details Eric Nemeth +1 602-502-2793 nemeth@ericpr.com Company Website https://www.enternest.com/

February 13, 2023 08:57 AM Eastern Standard Time

FINISH, Green Bay Packer AJ Dillon and Gabrielle Dillon Help You Clean Up After the Big Game

YourUpdateTV

A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/aVgKV8xLI6A It’s the most hard-pressed 24 hours of the year – Monday the 13th. It’s the one day between the Big Game and Valentine’s Day. It’s between friends and lovers. It’s the war between helmets and teddy bears. It’s the day of clean up. To address the insight that consumers loath the pile of dishes after the big game, Finish is continuing its 24-hour consumer promotion challenge by leveraging the special Monday between the Big Game and Valentine’s Day in order to elevate a key benefit of Finish Quantum. If Finish Quantum doesn’t remove dried-on stains from your game day chicken wings, artichoke dip or nachos, the meal is on Finish! Finish will refund up to $20 of the meal. Visit Finish24HourChallenge.com. Because, those dishes must get done before Valentine’s Day. Green Bay Packer, AJ Dillon and his wife, Gabrielle Dillon, partnered with Finish on a nationwide media tour to discuss the Finish24HourChallenge. Topics that AJ and Gabrielle discussed included: Their go to party dishes and best ways to enjoy the big game. Tips to tackle Monday the 13 th to make sure the pile of dishes gets cleaned after the big game in time for Valentine’s Day How to take part in the Finish 24 Hour Challenge For more information, visit finish24hrchallenge.com FINISH is not affiliated, associated, authorized, endorsed by or in any way officially connected with the NFL or the Super Bowl. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

February 10, 2023 03:05 PM Eastern Standard Time

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Award-Winning Beauty Company, The Lip Bar, Expands Footprint By 700% In Target Stores Nationwide

The Lip Bar

Pioneering vegan cosmetics and skincare brand TLB announces its expansion with long-standing retail partner Target. TLB’s expansion in Target will see the beauty disruptor leap from 3 shelves to 24 - increasing its footprint by 700%. Additionally, for the first time ever, TLB will offer its new TLB Skincare collection, the award-winning Just a Tint 3-in-1 Tinted Skin Conditioner, the Quick Conceal Liquid Caffeine Concealer and the Set The Tone Finishing Powder, alongside existing cosmetics lines. Customers will now be able to purchase everything they need for a show stopping ‘Fast Face’, to ultra-hydrated and nourished skin. Frustrated with the beauty industry’s lack of diversity, excessive chemicals and high price points, TLB ’s CEO and Founder, Melissa Butler began trialing and testing lipsticks in her kitchen, developing her own formulations while working on Wall Street. Butler launched TLB in 2012 as a maximum impact, minimal effort vegan and non-toxic beauty brand. Since its development, TLB has become a pioneer in clean beauty and inclusion, proudly founded and owned by self-made Women of Color. “ TLB is about celebrating, encouraging, and providing effortless solutions to women to bring ease to their routines, without compromise. Every product developed by TLB is thoughtfully designed and developed to give women effective products with safe, gentle formulas.” said TLB Founder and CEO Melissa Butler. Since the brand’s launch, Butler has been on a mission to change the way people think about beauty, believing that all beauty brands have the capacity to represent all beauty lovers, while creating innovative, clean, and exciting products. Aligned on tapping into their customer needs, and created solution-orientated products for all, TLB launched in select Target stores in 2018. Since its launch in stores, TLB’s matte liquid lipstick Bawse Lady has grown to be the retailer’s #1 red lipstick across all multicultural color cosmetics brands, and TLB has consistently remained the #1 independent, black-owned beauty brand amongst all multicultural color cosmetics. In September 2022, TLB’s parent company, The Lip Bar Inc. announced that it had raised an oversubscribed $6.7M fundraising round to further grow its house of brands including TLB. The funding positioned TLB for growth in both existing and new retail channels over the next few years. Butler plans to scale and grow her business while continuing to disrupt the beauty industry, challenge societal norms of the past continuously and engage with TLB’s core consumer. For all TLB media inquiries, please contact thelipbar@firstandlastpr.com About The Lip Bar TLB is a beauty brand started in the kitchen of Founder and CEO, Melissa Butler while working on Wall Street. Since her early days of developing formulations, The Lip Bar has become a pioneer on clean beauty and inclusion, proudly founded and owned by a self-made Woman of Color. Since its launch in 2012, Butler has been on a mission to change the way people think about beauty. Believing that all beauty brands have the capacity to represent all beauty lovers, while creating clean and exciting products. Instagram: @thelipbar Website: www.thelipbar.com Contact Details The Lip Bar First and Last PR +1 201-569-2080 thelipbar@firstandlastpr.com Company Website http://www.thelipbar.com

February 10, 2023 08:03 AM Eastern Standard Time

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