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Kulfi Beauty Experiences Significant Retail and Category Growth

Kulfi Beauty

Starting September 1st, Kulfi Beauty is launching exclusively into Sephora brick-and-mortar locations, approximately 281 in the United States and 59 in Canada, marking the first time the brand has physical retail presence. With a blockbuster launch online at the beauty specialty retailer only a year ago, and the first South Asian inspired makeup brand to be carried at Sephora, Kulfi will officially be introduced in-stores via "The Next Big Thing" section, an end cap display in the store that highlights today’s most promising up-and-coming indie brands. Since its February 2021 debut, Kulfi Beauty has experienced exponential growth, with sales increasing fourfold last year. The brand’s growth can be attributed to its partnership with Sephora in tandem with the introduction of key new product categories that serve the brand’s customers. But it’s Kulfi’s continued ability to foster a community of brand loyalists eager to weigh in and contribute to the brand that has propelled their success. The new in-store launch serves to bring all these factors together allowing fans of the brand and new customers to experience Kulfi Beauty first-hand and interact by way of real life activations. “From our inception, we have always looked to Sephora as a strong brand partner - from the earlier stages as a graduate of Sephora Accelerate 2021 program to our intentional expansion fueled by an enthusiastic customer community. Our community has been demanding us to be present in-store and we’re excited to meet them in real life with this launch. ” - Priyanka Ganjoo, Founder of Kulfi Beauty. The in-store Sephora display will carry a selection of best-selling shades that represent the brand’s offerings including all 5 core colors of the award-winning Underlined Kajal Eyeliner; 3 shades of Mehndi Moment Blush, including Lucky Lotus, a purple hue that went viral on TikTok; 3 shades of Zari Eyes Eyeshadow, including a bronze, rose gold, and Chammak Challo, their bright chartreuse; 10 of 21 shades of their award-winning Main Match Concealer, one to represent every shade family starting from rich deep to very light; and 4 shades of Heirloom Satin Lipstick. In August 2023, Heirloom Satin Lipsticks debuted as the brand’s newest launch. These hydrating lipsticks, boasting a balm-like texture and infused with Vitamin E, present a range of neutral colors designed to suit a variety of skin tones and undertones. Recognizing that not every shade is universal, Kulfi’s goal is to provide a diverse selection that caters to different individuals. The brand worked closely with their community through focus groups to develop custom shades that can become your everyday go-to neutral lip color. Kulfi is especially attentive to the needs of people with olive undertones & brown skin tones, significantly underrepresented groups when it comes to shade research in product development. In the same vein and also in response to the feedback of their community, last month Kulfi expanded the shade range of their cult-favorite Main Match Concealer, introducing 9 new shades and bringing the total to 21. This expansion further underscores the brand's commitment to providing options for everyone. Priding itself on its community-driven movement, Kulfi looks to engage Gen Z and Millennial consumers who value self-expression and culturally rooted conversations to actively participate in building the brand through shared experiences. Presently the brand is going "on the road" through their “Color Me Kulfi” campaign, with community pop-up experiences in multiple cities across the nation celebrating its launch in Sephora stores with activations in key cities: New York, Los Angeles, Dallas, and Miami. The events kick off September 20th and amongst which will include an action packed flagship event on September 30th in partnership with the iconic NYC Meatpacking District featuring a vibrant pop-up right in the heart of Gansevoort Plaza, and will extend through the months of September and October. Throughout the tour Kulfi will offer up a variety of activities to engage their community, including meeting expert make-up artists, indulging in the delightful flavors of kulfi ice cream, providing aura readings, mingling with fellow beauty enthusiasts, and experiencing the magic of Kulfi Beauty firsthand. “It’s been a dream of mine to bring forward a brand that centers joy through playful colors and innovative textures, making beauty more approachable and inclusive. I look forward to personally meeting our Kulfi community IRL over the next few months at Sephora and sharing our newest innovations.” - Ganjoo About Kulfi Beauty: Kulfi Beauty is a celebration of culture and beauty with makeup that’s vegan, clean, and cruelty-free. Creating space for joy and self-expression, Kulfi offers the highest quality of product innovation using boldly pigmented formulas that were designed as a medium for inspiring creativity. Kulfi is inspired by South Asian culture and is a platform for empowering the community through representation and support for mental health. As a forward-thinking brand, Kulfi champions diversity, representation, and empowerment. By offering inclusive beauty solutions and engaging with its community, Kulfi seeks to redefine beauty standards and inspire individuals to express themselves. Named after the iconic ice cream, Kulfi is a reflection of the brand’s South Asian heritage and a tribute to the unique experiences and memories we cherish. For More Information on Kulfi Beauty: Website: kulfibeauty.com Instagram: @kulfi.beauty TikTok: @kulfi.beauty Contact Details Amanda Smeal amanda@amandasmeal.com

August 30, 2023 08:11 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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QYOU Media’s Q TV Launches New Original Series Deploying AI Anchor

QYOU Media

Contact Details Doug Barker +1 437-992-4814 shareholder@qyoutv.com Company Website https://www.quoumedia.com

August 25, 2023 07:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Video

Comcast and Pikes Peak Library District Partner to Boost Library Wi-Fi

Comcast Colorado

Comcast in Colorado is partnering with Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) to bring Comcast Lift Zone connectivity centers to four Library locations in Colorado Springs: Library 21c, as well as Penrose, East, and Ruth Holley libraries. Comcast Lift Zones provide an additional free Wi-Fi network that will increase the number of Internet users the Library can support at once without compromising quality of service. Comcast started Lift Zones as part of its ongoing commitment to connect low-income families to the Internet so they can fully participate in educational opportunities and the digital economy (called digital equity). The COVID-19 pandemic revealed disparities in digital equity, and Comcast responded by bringing Lift Zones to education and community centers. “Access to high-speed internet and digital skills training is no longer a luxury, but a necessity, making connectivity more important than ever. We are honored to partner with Pikes Peak Library District to ensure more people in the Colorado Springs area have access to fast, reliable, and secure connectivity year-round,” said J.D. Keller, Sr. Vice President, Comcast Mountain West Region. “From doing homework, searching for jobs, accessing healthcare services and so much more, partnerships like the one with Pikes Peak Library District are important to make sustainable progress to advancing economic mobility and promoting digital equity in our communities.” “Lift Zones at these libraries will be valuable assets for our whole community, especially for people who don’t have access to Wi-Fi at home. It will be easier to do things like search and apply for jobs, download documents for work and school, meet virtually, collaborate virtually on large creative projects, or enjoy leisure activities like downloading games or streaming shows,” said Lance James, chief development officer and foundation executive officer of the PPLD Foundation. “Access to high-speed internet and digital skills training is no longer a luxury, but a necessity, making connectivity more important than ever. We are honored to partner with Pikes Peak Library District to ensure more people in the Colorado Springs area have access to fast, reliable, and secure connectivity year-round,” said J.D. Keller, Sr. Vice President, Comcast Mountain West Region. “From doing homework, searching for jobs, accessing healthcare services and so much more, partnerships like the one with Pikes Peak Library District are important to make sustainable progress to advancing economic mobility and promoting digital equity in our communities.” Pikes Peak Library District Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) provides everyone with access to resources and opportunities so people can thrive and connect. The Library cultivates spaces for belonging, personal growth, and strong communities via 16 facilities, mobile library services, and a large online hub of resources. It is an internationally recognized system of public libraries serving a population of nearly 700,000 across 2,070 square miles in El Paso County, Colo. Learn more at ppld.org. Comcast – Internet Essentials For over a decade, Comcast has been on the forefront of closing the digital divide. The I nternet Essentials program is the largest and most successful broadband adoption initiative in the industry. Since 2011, Comcast has connected more than 600,000 Coloradans through Internet Essentials, many for the first time. About Comcast Corporation Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company that connects people to moments that matter. We are principally focused on broadband, aggregation, and streaming with over 56 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. Contact Details Leslie Oliver +1 303-810-6326 leslie_oliver@comcast.com Company Website https://colorado.comcast.com/

August 24, 2023 02:24 PM Mountain Daylight Time

Shareholders Called Upon to Nix Mark Parker, Tim Cook as Top-Level Directors for Nike

National Legal & Policy Center

Ahead of the company’s annual meeting next month, National Legal and Policy Center is asking its fellow investors to vote against the re-elections of Mark Parker, the executive chairman, and Tim Cook, the lead independent director, as members of the board at Nike, Inc. The nonprofit shareholder, in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, argues that both Parker and Cook have never been held accountable for human rights and sexual harassment scandals on their watches, and are also overcommitted with major responsibilities as top executives at other corporations. Parker is also executive chairman for The Walt Disney Company, and Cook is chief executive officer for Apple Inc. “Mark Parker is now double-dipping on ‘woke’ as the top dog at two Left Coast-based, extremist companies – Nike and Disney,” said Paul Chesser, director of the Corporate Integrity Project for NLPC. “And Tim Cook was caught with his pants down in China late last year during its Zero COVID phase, costing Apple millions of dollars in sales due to production shutdowns. Both Mr. Parker and Mr. Cook should not have such significant roles at Nike when they have major responsibilities elsewhere.” As executive chairman of both Nike and Disney, Parker is tasked with leading both boards of directors to set the companies’ priorities and goals, while holding executive staff accountable. As Nike’s lead independent director, Cook is responsible to guide the board in Parker’s absence, to serve as his top outside advisor, and to act as an intermediary between the chairman, the board, and management. Parker’s track record of late is anything but stellar – both Nike and Disney have underperformed the S&P 500 index in recent years. Disney is embroiled in several controversies, conflicts and business challenges, including: a failed CEO succession; media, streaming and entertainment industry headwinds; foolish forays into divisive political issues; off-putting, anti-family social stances; and a host of other problems that Parker is expected to help resolve. Meanwhile Nike has been challenged about its alleged use of forced labor in China, and widespread sexual harassment allegations which led to the departure of several executives – all on Parker’s watch when he was CEO. Cook leads the largest corporation in the world, Apple, which has an estimated $3 trillion-plus market capitalization. The tech giant has had its own accusations regarding coerced labor in its China-dependent supply chain, as well as sexual harassment allegations. Does he really have time to keep an eye on the performance and decision-making at the global athleticwear leader? “Mr. Parker and Mr. Cook bear material responsibility for Nike’s lagging stock price,” said Luke Perlot, associate director of NLPC’s Corporate Integrity Project. “Nike shareholders should expect underperformance when management alienates a large portion of its customer base with ‘woke’ policies, allows a culture of sexual harassment, and lends brand credibility to a genocidal regime.” ### For more information or to schedule an interview with the Corporate Integrity Project’s Luke Perlot or Paul Chesser, contact Dan Rene at 202-329-8357 or drene@nlpc.org. Please visit http://www.nlpc.org. Founded in 1991, NLPC promotes ethics in public life and government accountability through research, investigation, education, and legal action. Contact Details National Legal and Policy Center Dan Rene +1 202-329-8357 drene@nlpc.org Company Website http://www.nlpc.org

August 24, 2023 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Goodway Cares Donated Over $27K to Local Salt Lake City Charities During Bi-Annual Off-Site

Goodway Group

Goodway Cares, a Goodway Group 501©(3) charity, donated $27,282 to local charities following Goodway Group’s bi-annual all-company summit in Salt Lake City. During the summit, Goodway Cares hosted the Circle of Gratitude, where Goodway employees gathered to share gratitude toward each other and provide support to local organizations within Salt Lake City. Through votes, the Circle of Gratitude made donations to Canines With a Cause ($10,094), The Road Home ($9,094), and Special Olympics of Utah ($8,094). The incremental $94, is a hat-tip to Goodway Group’s 94-year history. Canines With a Cause - The mission of Canines With a Cause is to unite veterans and rescued dogs to heal emotional and psychological wounds. They train dogs from high-kill shelters as cost-effective service, emotional therapy and companion dogs. Special Olympics of Utah - Special Olympics Utah provides year-round sports training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Through sports, athletes discover new strengths and abilities, develop greater skills and confidence, and experience added joy and fulfillment in their lives. The Road Home - The Road Home provides emergency shelter, supportive services, and housing assistance that help individuals and families step out of homelessness. For more information about Goodway Cares, please visit goodwaygroup.com/goodway-cares. About Goodway Cares Goodway Cares, a 501©(3) charity arm of Goodway Group, provides business support to budding non-profit organizations who are helping shape a brighter tomorrow. Goodway Cares provides support to non-profits in varying methodologies including strategy, consultation, media activation, and financial donations. Goodway Cares is funded through Goodway Group employee contributions and employee’s volunteering their time for non-profit support. About Goodway Group Goodway Group is a leading data-driven and technology-enabled digital media and marketing services firm with offices in the U.S. and the UK. Our diverse team of digital strategists, media practitioners, technologists, and data scientists have won the most prestigious awards for innovative marketing technology, impactful work, and inclusive remote-first places to work including being honored as a multi-year Ad Age Best Places to Work, Ad Exchanger’s Best Use of Technology by an Agency Award, and two MarTech Breakthrough Awards. The firm deploys deep expertise across both consumer and B2B marketing, including brand-performance advertising, retail media and commerce, and advanced analytics using proprietary digital programmatic technologies, data, analytics methodologies, and consultation. Goodway Group is an independent and remote-first media and marketing services firm with a 90+ year history. Find Goodway Group online at goodwaygroup.com or follow us on Facebook, X or LinkedIn. Contact Details Kite Hill PR Julia Worthington +1 973-722-7881 julia@kitehillpr.com Amy Burrows +1 407-252-6917 aburrows@goodwaygroup.com Company Website https://www.goodwaygroup.com/goodway-cares

August 23, 2023 01:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Logitix Names former Amazon Web Services Executive Michael Ramirez as Vice President of Business Operations

Logitix

Logitix, the leader in live event ticketing technology and analytics, announced they have named Michael Ramirez as Vice President of Business Operations. Ramirez most recently worked with Amazon Web Services (AWS) as their Head of Worldwide Sales Strategy & Operations for Microsoft Workloads. As a result of Logitix's recent growth into more markets with broader offerings, Ramirez will focus on streamlining processes and workflows to maximize efficiencies and establishing KPIs that drive results for clients. Logitix manages millions of tickets for teams and properties from the MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL, and NCAA, plus live event properties across the music, performing arts, and entertainment industries. Its unique platform analyzes millions of real-time data points, providing up-to-the-minute insights within the live event marketplace. Logitix optimizes ticket sales outcomes for all partners through proprietary dynamic pricing and distribution. “As our operation at Logitix continues to expand, we are recruiting talented leaders from in and out of our direct industries,” said Logitix CEO Stu Halberg. “Michael enters the live event industry as one of the most respected leaders in business operations for technology giants. He will play an important role in helping our team sell more tickets in more places while optimizing ticketing revenue for our diverse portfolio of clients.” Before AWS, Ramirez built his career in technology and telecommunications, working with brands like Advanced Media Technologies, Inc., Deluxe Corporation, and AT&T (formerly BellSouth Corporation). He graduated from the University of Florida. About Logitix Logitix is the preeminent monetization engine and ticketing platform for the live event industry, combining optimized pricing, distribution, and inventory management with real-time insights to help sellers and buyers respond to a rapidly changing market environment. The Logitix vision is to automate the entire ticket life cycle and provide data-driven insights to serve the diverse needs of its clients. The company is backed by ZMC and is privately held. For more information about Logitix, visit Logitix.com or find them on LinkedIn. Contact Details Eric PR & Marketing, LLC Eric Nemeth nemeth@ericpr.com Company Website https://logitix.com/

August 23, 2023 08:20 AM Eastern Daylight Time

News Release

Wishpond shares 2Q financials including a healthy jump in quarterly revenue year-over-year

Wishpond Technologies Ltd.

Wishpond Technologies CEO Ali Tajskandar and CFO David Pais joined Steve Darling from Proactive to discuss the company's second-quarter financial results, which reveal notable growth in revenue attributed to various factors, including increased product demand, expanded sales and marketing efforts, and the introduction of new products. Pais informed Proactive that during 2Q 2023, the company achieved revenue of $5,639,417, marking a 13% increase from the $5,007,343 generated in the corresponding period of 2022. Notably, Wishpond also achieved a positive adjusted EBITDA of $215,926, signifying a substantial 212% increase from the previous year. Tajskandar added that in this quarter, the company successfully finalized the acquisition of Essential Studio Manager (ESM), a significant addition to its portfolio and the sixth acquisition in the company's history. The integration of ESM broadened Wishpond's offerings to include features like invoicing, customer relationship management, and business management functionalities. Moreover, Wishpond has been diligently working on the development of additional AI-powered marketing tools, set to be launched in the upcoming quarters. He also touched on a game-changing AI product, Sales Closer AI, capable of autonomously handling sales calls, which could revolutionize the sales industry. Tajskandar also emphasized the growing popularity of the company's flagship Propel IQ platform, which has been gaining traction in the market. Early indicators point to improved margins and increased customer retention for this platform, reflecting its robust value proposition. Contact Details Proactive Canada +1 604-688-8158 na-editorial@proactiveinvestors.com

August 22, 2023 01:27 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Video

Media and Democracy Project Debunks FOX Opposition in Broadcast License Challenge; Highlights ‘Overwhelming, Uncontested, and Irrefutable’ Evidence of Character Violations

Raynor Ave.

Founding President of Fox Broadcasting Company, Jamie Kellner, Joins Growing Coalition Seeking FCC Hearing into FOX Broadcast License New filings argue FOX cannot be relied upon to deal truthfully with the public, election lies “shock the conscience,” and Murdochs lack character to remain public interest broadcast licensees MAD Reply (PDF) | Duggan-Kristol Supplement (PDF) | Kellner Informal Objection (PDF) Today, three blockbuster filings were submitted to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in support of the Media and Democracy Project’s (MAD) petition challenging the broadcast license renewal application for FOX Corp-owned television station FOX 29 Philadelphia (WTXF). The filings include MAD’s formal reply to Fox Television Stations (FTS) opposition submitted earlier this month. MAD is joined by a growing bipartisan coalition filing informal objections calling for an FCC hearing to fully consider the fitness of FOX Corporation (FOX) and the Murdochs to continue as licensees of the public airwaves. Informal objections were filed by former PBS President and FCC Commissioner Ervin S. Duggan, former Weekly Standard Editor William Kristol, and founding President of Fox Broadcasting Company Jamie Kellner. Media and Democracy Project Formal Reply The lies about the 2020 election that aired on Fox News, authorized at the highest levels of FOX’s corporate structure to retain FOX’s conservative viewer base and reverse failing ratings, represent a severe breach of the FCC policy on licensee character qualifications, MAD reaffirmed today in a legal response to their effort to call for an evidentiary hearing into the matter. In the reply, MAD took the opportunity to fact check and debunk various “strawman” arguments made by FTS in defense of WTXF. MAD argues that not only does the FCC have the authority to convene a hearing, but it has an obligation to do so built on decades of precedent. According to MAD, “Never in the history of the Commission has the agency been confronted with a license renewal applicant whose parent was found by a court of law to have repeatedly presented false news.” On whether MAD has made the case that FOX is not qualified to be an FCC licensee and the policy violations are sufficient to require an evidentiary hearing, the filing stated: “FOX knew – from the Murdochs on down – that Fox News was reporting false and dangerous misinformation about the 2020 Presidential election, but FOX was more concerned about short-term ratings and market share than the long-term damage caused by its spreading disinformation.” “What is astounding is the Opposition’s [FOX’s] utter failure to reckon with the findings of false statements in Dominion that raise substantial and material questions of FOX’s character qualifications to be an FCC licensee.” "FOX has demonstrated a willingness to lie to preserve its corporate profits. FOX’s lies concerning the outcome of the 2020 election caused a great injury to the American people and the institutions of our democracy. FOX’s willingness to lie demonstrates a fatal character flaw." Responding to accusations that holding FOX accountable violates the First Amendment, MAD writes: “This is not a First Amendment case. Rather the issue here concerns a corporation that, with the full knowledge and approval of its management, lied to millions of Americans. The question before the Commission is not whether FOX had a right to lie, rather it is about the consequences of those lies and the impact on FOX’s qualifications to remain an FCC licensee.” Beyond citing FOX’s willingness to lie as demonstrating a fatal character flaw, MAD highlights numerous instances of “material misrepresentations” in the WTXF renewal application itself. These violations and the station’s false certifications in FCC licensee records are “further evidenc[e of] its propensity for untruthfulness and FOX’s poor character.” MAD ends its filing by saying, “[a]s such, the Communications Act obligates the Commission to designate these vital questions to be answered in an evidentiary hearing.” A copy of the MAD’s formal reply to FOX’s opposition is available here. Duggan-Kristol Informal Objection Supplement Ervin S. Duggan and William Kristol joined MAD in responding to the “gaping holes” found throughout FOX’s opposition. The media veterans reiterate their call for an evidentiary hearing, saying: “Every application for a broadcast license renewal is not only a test for the applicant, but also for the FCC itself. In considering this application, the Commission inevitably will reveal whether it is serious about its regulations, or merely pretending; whether its standards are genuine, or mere shibboleths; whether its regulatory spine is strong, or made of mush.” The filing points out that the FCC Media Bureau already refuted FOX’s argument in 2012 that the parent company has no involvement in a station’s operations: “During the last television renewal cycle in 2012, FTS argued that the conduct of its parent company and of affiliates not directly involved in station operations cannot impact a station’s license renewal application, even if that conduct violates the FCC’s policy statements on licensee character. The Fox Reply takes essentially the same tack. But since the Media Bureau went out of its way to say that it did not endorse that position ten years ago, FTS now clothes its position in a new cloak of legalisms and technicalities that have no more merit than its previous bald assertion.” On FOX’s First Amendment defense, the pair said: “[D]espite the Fox Reply’s strenuous efforts to obscure the point through First Amendment rhetoric, the character and public-interest standards of the FCC are in fact standards of behavior, not speech. And in invoking the Commission’s character standards, MAD through its petition is asking the FCC to weigh FOX’s behavior, not asking the Commission to evaluate or sanction the content of its speech.” Duggan and Kristol say this of FOX’s claim that Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch’s role in perpetuating election falsehoods has no bearings over their ownership of WTXF: “If a broadcast licensee shows poor judgment or questionable character in managing a business that -- but for FCC licensure -- is identical in core objectives and operational particulars to the operation of a broadcast station, that bad judgment and suspect character should speak loudly to the Commission. In fact, it should speak much louder than the direct licensee misconduct in more attenuated contexts, or employees’ misconduct in unrelated businesses, that have provoked the FCC to designate hearings or seek to deny license renewals in the past.” A copy of the Duggan-Kristol informal objection supplemental is available here. Jamie Kellner Informal Objection Former Fox Broadcasting Company (FBC) President Jamie Kellner joined others in calling on the FCC to designate a hearing. Kellner is a well-respected former television executive who was present at the creation of Fox Broadcasting Company. He was hired by Rupert Murdoch in 1986 to serve as the broadcasting arm’s founding president and chief operating officer and helped FOX establish a foothold as America’s long-sought fourth over-the-air broadcast television network. In his filing Kellner says, “[m]y amazing colleagues and I worked hard to establish the Fox brand in television and to help Rupert Murdoch become an established force in American Network television.” He goes on to say: “While I was President of FBC we started a news division that provided daily feeds of national and international news stories for the Fox-owned and affiliated television stations for inclusion in their locally produced newscasts. Unlike the news feeds provided today by Fox News Channel, our news feeds did not prominently feature advocates like Rudy Giuliani and Sidney Powell spouting nonsensical lies about a Presidential election.” A copy of the Kellner informal objection is available here. The Media and Democracy Project: MAD is a non-partisan, all-volunteer, grassroots civic membership organization fighting for a more informative and pro-democracy media operating in the public interest. MAD aims to improve our national discourse so that American voters can engage in informed decision-making. As part of that goal, MAD has an interest in the responsibility of journalists and media to report fully, accurately, and fairly on the electoral process and the outcome of elections. Additional information is available at www.MediaAndDemocracyProject.org. Ervin S. Duggan is a veteran of the Lyndon Johnson White House, a former Commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission, and former President of PBS. William Kristol is a veteran political analyst and commentator. He served in senior positions in the Ronald Reagan administration and the George H.W. Bush White House. For two decades, he edited The Weekly Standard magazine, and is now editor at large of The Bulwark and a director of the educational and advocacy group, Defending Democracy Together. Jamie Kellner was the Founding President of Fox Broadcasting Company, having also founded The WB Network and served as CEO of Turner Broadcasting System, overseeing networks like CNN, TNT, and TBS. Contact Details Raynor Ave. Aaron Alberico +1 202-744-0786 aalberico@raynoravenue.com Company Website https://www.raynoravenue.com/

August 22, 2023 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Minuteman Press Franchise Review: Jim Sweeney ‘Talks Shop’ on Growing Sales With Booming Apparel Business in Houston, Texas

Minuteman Press International Inc.

Jim and Jane Sweeney are the owners of the Minuteman Press franchise in Houston, Texas for the last 29 years; they first joined Minuteman Press in June of 1994. Jim and Jane have done a tremendous job building their business over the years. Most recently, they have truly excelled in growing their apparel sales. Jim summarizes: “ The past 2 years have certainly been interesting. We are currently (as of July of 2023) running 30.5% ahead of 2022 sales, which was up 35% over 2021. It seems like the world (or our world anyway) came out of its 2-year long malaise in 2022.” In the below interview, Jim shares more specific details about his center’s booming apparel business and how he and Jane’s Minuteman Press franchise in Houston have accomplished such strong growth in their apparel sales. Their center is located at 1040 Hercules Ave (Clear Lake City); Houston - Clear Lake City, TX 77058. How have you grown your business in general over the past two years? Jim Sweeney: “During the early pandemic we pivoted to personal protection products, which naturally led to custom face masks. While Jane was busy actually sewing 1000 face masks, I was providing custom logo cloth masks to hospitals, medical offices, service providers, and schools. We sold about 40,000 custom masks during that time, and we either heat pressed them or sent them to a local screen print vendor. We also donated a lot of masks to schools, non-profits, etc. Finally, in 2022, our traditional printing was finally starting to climb back to pre-pandemic levels. Promotional products also grew as trade shows and marketing calls became more the norm. We also had a big spurt of large format work, but that actually slowed down a bit after that initial spurt. EDDM printing has also become a larger portion of our print sales. Once we registered as EDDM providers on the USPS website, we definitely saw a very large increase in direct mail in general. Business Card printing has always been big for us, and the addition of the Graphic Whizard slitter, cutter, creaser has made it even more profitable. Our marketing efforts consists of: heavy community involvement; direct mail postcards, especially this year with the Deal of the Month art provided by MMP corporate; SEO/SEM on the Minuteman.com website, and social media, specifically as it relates to Direct to Film Transfer sales.” How have you grown your apparel business? What have you done to get your apparel sales going? Jim Sweeney: “We really started getting serious about apparel about 8 years ago when we purchased a commercial embroidery machine. Then, about 5 years ago, Jane put together a great lobby presentation. This area features apparel, large format, and promotional items of interest. We added dye sublimation capabilities with the Epson F570, and then we added DTG printing for one- offs (we eventually sold the DTG printer). During this time, we were using a lot of screen printed transfers, mostly from 613 originals or FM expressions. The issue became turnaround time. It would take up to 2 weeks to receive those transfers, and then of course we had to press them. We purchased a second, and then a third Stahls’ heat press during this time. That is when we decided to move in to the Direct to Film (DTF) printing business. After going through several desktop converted printers to try to print our own transfers, about 2.5 years ago we purchased our first large format, dual printhead DTF printer and finisher. In addition to producing transfers for our in-house use, we have enough capacity that we sell transfers to other printers, screen printers, sign shops and Facebook Group/Etsy owners. We added additional capacity with a 4 head DTF printer in January of this year (we will most likely be adding a third printer in the third quarter this year).” Jim continues: “Wholesale Transfer printing is now approximately 20% of our monthly sales; we ship all over the country, with a daily capacity for printing thousands of transfers. Adding embroidery and our in-house t-shirt sales makes apparel approximately 30% of our monthly revenue.” “Concurrently with this growth in transfer sales, the embroidery business was taking off. We regularly receive orders for 10-50 polos or button-down shirts for embroidery. We landed a grocery store chain and 2 local hospitals, and the orders became 150-200 shirts at a time. This past fall we completed a $24,000 jacket embroidery order, and we just delivered $32,000 jacket order to that same client, a hospital. Of course, we use a trusted local vendor for larger quantities of jackets.” Jim adds: “Our apparel business continues to grow weekly with more, and larger, in-house turn-key t-shirt sales really ramping up.” What are 3 tips for other owners on growing their apparel business? Jim Sweeney: “1. We feel that the #1 thing that is continuing to drive our apparel sales, in addition to the wholesale transfer sales, is our lobby display. Several years ago, we put this display of apparel samples, promotional items, and some of our large format samples in our shop. Whenever a new, or even an existing customer comes into the shop, invariably they are drawn to this display. About 1 in 5 people who walk into the shop asks about something that they see on that display. We turn about 85% of those inquiries into sales. 2. It also helps that our CSR is very knowledgeable about all aspects of apparel, as she is about all of our products and services. Our CSR/production manager, our daughter Allison, was the store manager at our Galveston location (which we sold in August of 2022), and has worked in every aspect of our business over the years. I realize that not everyone can be this lucky, however, that does not stop you from training and providing your staff with the tools that they need to do their jobs well. SanMar has great apparel catalogs with swatch samples, and you can put together a simple apparel website using their marketing tools. Of course, it also goes without saying that everyone on your staff should be wearing logo shirts, to further showcase your capabilities. 3. If you have the opportunity, attend a local apparel industry trade show, an ASI show, and most especially the MMP International World Expo. Educate yourself, request samples, purchase a good heat press, start small, with your own shirts, then visit your current clients to show them your new capabilities. Apparel is a perfect tie in to all of the other services that our shops provide to our clients. Apparel sales spur printing sales, just like printing sales should spur apparel sales.” At least once or twice a year, this hospital does a bulk purchase of 430 t-shirts for all the staff members. The purchase might include jackets, rain jackets, backpacks, other specialty items, or t-shirts. We’ve provided $200,000 or more in just apparel and high-end promo items to the hospital in the last 3 years. This hospital then referred us to the hospital Can you provide an example of a client who has used you for apparel? Jim Sweeney: “One of our regular ordering apparel clients is a local specialty hospital. In addition to their hospital facility, they also own or partner with 15 other physical therapy centers in the Houston region. We started out providing them with the usual printing and large format products, then contracted with them to provide new building signage for each of the outlying offices, and then grew into apparel with them. We have them set up on 2 Stahl’s Spirit Sale websites. One of them is for employees to purchase branded apparel, and the other is for the hospital to purchase apparel for new employees. In addition to standard corporate apparel, each department has their own branded t-shirt. Is there anything else you’d like to share? Jim Sweeney: “Apparel is an easy sell. Wear your logo. Talk it up. Ask for referrals. Don’t be afraid of it just because you haven’t done it before.” For more information on Jim and Jane Sweeney’s Minuteman Press franchise in Houston/Clear Lake, visit https://minuteman.com/us/locations/tx/houston27/ Learn more about #1 rated Minuteman Press franchise opportunities and read Minuteman Press franchise reviews at https://minutemanpressfranchise.com Contact Details Minuteman Press International Chris Biscuiti +1 631-249-1370 cbiscuiti@mpihq.com Company Website https://minutemanpressfranchise.com

August 22, 2023 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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