Lift&Co. Expo 2021 Delivers Exciting, High-Energy Opening Day
Toronto’s must-go show runs through Nov. 21 with the new Lift Psychedelics Business Summit & more still to come!
Toronto, Ontario, Nov. 19, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lift&Co. Expo debuted a whiz-bang opening day at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre on November 18, 2021. After an anticipation-building hiatus, Canada’s no. 1 cannabis conference and trade show did not disappoint on Day 1 of its triumphant return. In addition to an exceptional, forward-thinking conference, hundreds of attendees were treated to many of the signature surprises hinted in pre-show announcements.
Highlights included:
Lift Cannabis Business Conference Day 1 of Lift&Co. Expo 2021 featured the event’s exclusive, fan favorite full-day conference, which gathered Canada’s top cannabis business leaders, innovators, and policymakers. Topics added up to a veritable master class in the modern cannabis industry: Economics, Regulations & Legislation, Marketing, Retail, Risk Management, Testing, Financials, and Fundraising.
High Profile Speakers Following opening remarks from Shawn Pierce (President, MCI Group) and conference chair Trina Fraser (Partner, Brazeau Seller Law), industry leaders filled the packed Lift Cannabis Business Conference agenda, including Alison Gordon (founder 48North), Bruce Linton (Chair, Advisory Board, Red Light Holland) Mark Ware (Chief Medical Officer, Canopy Growth Corp), Ross Lipson (CEO, Dutchie), Ashley Chui (Strategy and Transactions, EY-Partheon), John Fowler (President, Muskoka Grown), Abi Roach (Senior Category Manager, OCS), and Nathaniel Erskine-Smith MP (Beaches-East York), and so many more.
Prize Giveaways & Live Entertainment - Several attendees were the lucky winners of coveted Golden Tickets to the Lift After Party at El Mocambo, and as guests posed and snapped at irresistible photo opps throughout the venue, they enjoyed energizing music by Corporation Vibrations!
Missed Day 1? Never fear. There’s plenty of excitement still to come!
Day 2 | Lift Psychedelics Business Summit How can you not be curious? Feed that need with fascinating speakers from the world of today’s modern psychedelics renaissance.
Day 2 | Lift&Co. Expo Industry Day Trust us to serve up a day of totally-not-stuffy networking and learning opportunities exclusive to the cannabis and psychedelics industries.
Days 3 - 4 | Lift&Co. Expo Consumer Days Two full days for recreational and medical consumers to connect with over 200+ cannabis and psychedelics exhibitors from Canada and around the world.
Lift&Co. Expo After Party Saturday night’s celebration will be presented by Hawthorne™ at Toronto’s iconic El Mocambo. The twist? Only those with a Golden Ticket may attend the After Party; Golden Tickets will be given away and raffled off on Friday and Saturday at Lift&Co. Expo by exhibitors, ambassadors, and event staff.
A full agenda, speakers, and exhibitors can be found here.
ABOUT MCI
MCI is the global leader in engaging and activating audiences. Our business is founded on a simple human insight: When people come together, magic happens. Since 1987, we have been bringing people together through inspiring meetings, events, congresses and association or community management. MCI helps organizations harness the power of community by applying our strategic engagement and activation solutions to build unforgettable online and offline experiences that foster change, inspire, educate and enhance business performance. MCI is an independently owned company headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, and boasts a global presence with 2,500+ professionals in 61 offices and 31 countries, who work with clients across Europe, the Americas, Asia-Pacific, India, and the Middle East. Visit us at http://www.mci-group.com or Twitter,LinkedIn, Facebook.
ABOUT MVP EDUCATION, LLC
MVP Education, LLC is an equity investor who partners with associations, event owners and license owners to accelerate the growth, innovation, and impact of your events.
Athleta Opens Second Company-Operated Canadian Store in Toronto
Reinforces commitment to empowerment with sponsorship of the Toronto Six, Canada’s only professional women’s sports team
Toronto, Nov. 19, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Athleta, part of San Francisco-based Gap Inc. (NYSE: GPS), opened a new 4,800-square-foot retail store today at Yorkdale Shopping Centre in Toronto. The new Yorkdale store is Athleta’s second company-operated Canadian location opened over the past two months, advancing the brand towards its goal to reach two billion dollars in net sales by 2023.
Athleta first expanded into Canada with the launch of e-commerce in August, followed by the debut of its first company-operated store outside of the United States in September at Park Royal Shopping Centre in West Vancouver, British Columbia.
“As part of our strategic growth plan, Athleta is investing in new access points to reach new customers and expand our community of empowered women and girls,” said Mary Beth Laughton, president and CEO, Athleta. “We know Canadian women are engaging with our brand, with results showing high in-store traffic and strong demand for our versatile lifestyle product since launching e-commerce and our first store earlier this year. This underscores our continued commitment to prioritizing growth in the Canadian market.”
Stores remain an important part of the customer journey and serve as a stop on her path as she completes her daily activities, like going to a workout class or shopping for groceries. The brand has a fleet of approximately 200 stores throughout North America and is on track to open 20-30 additional stores by the end of 2021.
Athleta’s new Yorkdale store features 3,000 square feet of dedicated retail space, showcasing the brand’s full selection of versatile, on-trend performance lifestyle products, including its Athleta Girl and sleep collections. The store will also feature size-inclusive mannequins and inclusive sizing in more than 500 styles ranging from XXS-3X, in-store styling appointments, free alterations and wellness-focused community events.
In support of the brand’s commitment to the empowerment of women and girls, Athleta is partnering with the Toronto Six hockey team, Canada’s only women’s professional sports team, marking the team’s largest sponsorship to date.
“Our brand is driven by our mission to empower women and girls in every community we serve,” said Kyle Andrew, Chief Brand Officer, Athleta. “Athleta is proud to continue building our Canadian community through our new partnership with the Toronto Six, Canada’s only professional women’s sports team. We were inspired by the team’s dedication, their vision of a platform for gender equity in sports and beyond and creating opportunity for the next generation of athletes on and off the ice, and we look forward to bringing more visibility to these role models through this new partnership.”
“Our mission at the Toronto Six is to drive change for women in professional sports by fostering an environment where our players are supported holistically as players and role models for the community. Athleta and the Toronto Six share the same values rooted in empowering women and girls at the community level, and we could not be more excited to partner with them,” said Digit Murphy, President, Toronto Six. “We are thrilled to include the Athleta logo on our team jerseys and look forward to a prosperous season with Athleta by our side.”
To celebrate the brand’s first international partnership and Yorkdale store opening, Athleta invited hockey lovers to the Toronto Six’s first home game by offering complimentary tickets to the sold-out game on Saturday, Nov. 20. For more information on the Toronto Six 2021-2022 season and schedule, please visit https://toronto.premierhockeyfederation.com/.
Athleta at Yorkdale Shopping Centre is located at 3401 Dufferin Street in Toronto, Ontario. For updated store hours, please visit athleta.ca/stores.
For Athleta media materials, including images and b-roll, please contact press@gap.com or visit their media center here.
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Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than those that are purely historical are forward-looking statements. Words such as "expect," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "intend," "plan," "project," and similar expressions also identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding store openings in Canada and across North America, and growing sales to two billion dollars by 2023.
Because these forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, there are important factors that could cause the company's actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Information regarding factors that could cause results to differ can be found in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 16, 2021, as well as the company's subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements are based on information as of August 31, 2021. The company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements even if experience or future changes make it clear that any projected results expressed or implied therein will not be realized.
About Athleta A certified B Corporation, Athleta is a performance lifestyle brand with a mission of empowering a community of active women and girls. Athleta's versatile premium performance lifestyle apparel is designed by women for women with inclusivity at its core. Founded in 1998, Athleta integrates performance and technical features across its collection to support women across their entire lifestyle – from yoga and training to travel and sleep. In 2016, the company launched Athleta Girl mirroring its signature performance in styles for the next generation. Based in San Francisco, CA and a Gap Inc. brand (NYSE: GPS), Athleta apparel is available at its over 200 retail stores across the United States, through its catalog, and at Athleta.com.
About Gap Inc. Gap Inc., a collection of purpose-led lifestyle brands, is the largest American specialty apparel company offering clothing, accessories, and personal care products for men, women, and children under the Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic and Athleta brands. The company uses omni-channel capabilities to bridge the digital world and physical stores to further enhance its shopping experience. Gap Inc. is guided by its purpose, Inclusive, by Design, and takes pride in creating products and experiences its customers love while doing right by its employees, communities, and planet. Gap Inc. products are available for purchase worldwide through company-operated stores, franchise stores, and e-commerce sites. Fiscal year 2020 net sales were $13.8 billion. For more information, please visit www.gapinc.com.
Tis the Season to Overcome Crises of Faith
Tacoma, WA, November 19, 2021 — Is Jesus a man or a god? Did God create us? Is it true that we evolved? These uncertainties, among many others, plagued a young Roland G. Williams. When it came to spirituality, he had more questions than answers — a common denominator among those struggling with crises of faith.
“We have five major religions (Trinitarians, Unitarians, Oneness, Muslims and Jews) that set up a wall between one another, with all reading the same bible and coming up with five different gods,” Williams said.
In his quest to bring clarity, Williams spent 23 years researching and documenting the powerful messages he shares in his new book, God's Me, Myself, and I: The Truth and Ultimate Truth about the Trinity Conspiracy (written under the penname God’s Sheepdog). In it,Williams delivers a spectrum of insights, aimed at explaining — and thereby conferring a deeper understanding — of many often-questioned biblical concepts.
In this book, Williams presents:
• Some of his own crises of faith. • The prevalent theme of faith in the One God, from Genesis to Revelation. • Scientific proof that God created prehistoric man, albeit not “in the likeness or image of God.”
• Compelling biblical reasons why keeping one’s faith is so difficult — yet so imperative. • Compelling proof of the many major differences between God’s Spirit
Produced Son and God’s Begotten Son. • That God is male and female, as referenced multiple times throughout scripture.
• That many bibles have changed and/or omitted God’s Word.
• How to genuinely increase one’s faith … for life.
Everyone has or will face crises of life and faith, Williams adds. These pivotal times are part of everyone’s spiritual journey. Why then do some people emerge from the crisis with their faith intact while others give up on God, the church and holy living?
“Walking through each crisis — while purposefully maintaining our faith — is the key to emerging from the crisis with our faith still vibrant and alive,” Williams said. “God’s Me, Myself, and I offers the key components to maintain one’s faith when going through crises.”
Roland Williams is originally from Mississippi. He is a former Trinitarian pastor, adult Sunday school teacher, retired chef, abstract artist, publisher and author. He believes in the Father, The Word, the Holy Spirit and the Begotten Son, but through research, understands that God is not a Triune God as the Trinity theology teaches Him to be.
He has studied scholars from Theophilus of Antioch to Tertullian; the Christian Theology of Dr. R. C. Sproul to Dr. James White; and Dr. David Bernard to Dr. Nathaniel Urshan; as well as Dr. Shabir Ally to Dr. Zakir Naik and others.
The University of Chicago History of Religions Journal Scholars Paul Copp, Matthew T. Kapstein and Christian Wedemeyer called Williams’ book “a solid piece of scholarship.”
Connect with Williams on LinkedIn @Roland Williams; Facebook (@Roland Williams) or Twitter (@rwilliams548).
God’s Me, Myself, and I: The Truth and Ultimate Truth about the Trinity Conspiracy
Toronto, Canada/Boca Raton, FL, Nov. 19, 2021 — Like a fragile flower emerging from a crack in the sidewalk, professor and trained psychotherapist Laura Berg pushed aside personal setbacks and found a way to be better in spite of them — or maybe even because of them.
In her new book, Thriving Life: How to Live Your Best Life No Matter the Cards You’re Dealt, Berg blends the knowledge she gained from her own experiences with her education in psychotherapy to build strategies that she hopes will resonate and help heal.
“For most of my life I felt stuck, as though I was just trying to survive life one day at a time,” Berg said. “I found it difficult to move beyond the traumas in my past to live the life I deserved. I wrote this book to share with others my experiences and the lessons I learned that helped me overcome the obstacles in my life that were holding me back. I’m hoping that these stories and the advice I share in this book will help the reader live a more joyful and thriving life.”
Chapter by chapter, Berg takes a deep dive into specific issues that many people struggle with, such as defining your own happiness, making good relationships last, dealing with toxic relationships, how to stop comparing yourself to others and overcoming rejection. With practical tips and a step-by-step approach to help you find what makes you happy, Berg teaches readers how to stop victimizing themselves and find strength in asking for help.
About the Author Laura Berg is a professor, author, entrepreneur, trained therapist and award-winning parenting expert. Among her many accolades, she has been named one of the Top 10 Mom Entrepreneurs, Savvy Mom of the Year, and was awarded YouTube’s Silver Play Button.
For more information, please visit her website: lauraberginc.com.
Thriving Life: How to Live Your Best Life No Matter the Cards You’re Dealt Publisher: HCI Books Release Date: November 2, 2021 ISBN-10: 0757323960 ISBN-13: 978-0757323966 Trade Paperback, 256 pages Available for pre-order wherever books are sold
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PHOTO RELEASE: ATHLETA OPENS SECOND COMPANY-OPERATED CANADIAN STORE IN TORONTO
BRAND ANNOUNCES TORONTO SIX AS FIRST TEAM SPONSORSHIP IN CANADA
Toronto, Nov. 19, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WHAT:Athleta, part of San Francisco-based Gap Inc.(NYSE: GPS), held a ribbon cutting ceremony to unveil its new 4,800-square-foot retail store at Yorkdale Shopping Centre in Toronto. The new Yorkdale store is Athleta’s second company-operated Canadian location opened over the past two months, advancing the brand towards its goal to reach two billion dollars in net sales by 2023.
In alignment with the brand’s mission to empower women and girls, Athleta will also announce its new partnership with the Toronto Six, Canada’s only professional women’s sports team, at the grand opening event.
WHO: The grand opening was hosted by:
MB Laughton, Athleta President & CEO
Kyle Andrew, Athleta Chief Brand Officer
Digit Murphy, Toronto Six President
Saroya Tinker & Taylor Woods, Toronto Six players
Jane McKenna, MPP, Associate Minister of Children and Women’s Issues
WHEN: Occurred Friday, Nov. 19, 2021, 10:00 a.m. ET
WHERE: Athleta, Yorkdale Shopping Centre, 3401 Dufferin St., Toronto
ABOUT ATHLETA: A certified B Corporation, Athleta is a performance lifestyle brand with a mission of empowering a community of active women and girls. Athleta's versatile premium performance lifestyle apparel is designed by women for women with inclusivity at its core. Founded in 1998, Athleta integrates performance and technical features across its collection to support women across their entire lifestyle – from yoga and training to travel and sleep. In 2016, the company launched Athleta Girl mirroring its signature performance in styles for the next generation. Based in San Francisco, CA and a Gap Inc. brand (NYSE: GPS), Athleta apparel is available at its over 200 retail stores across the United States, through its catalog, and at Athleta.com.
Sun Life donates $1 million to Kids Help Phone to support Indigenous youth mental health
Funding will help bring life-saving mental health programming to Indigenous youth
TORONTO, Nov. 18, 2021 /CNW/ - To combat the growing mental health crisis and challenges young people face, Sun Life is donating $1 million to Kids Help Phone. This milestone investment will bring life-saving mental health support to Indigenous youth across Canada. Together, Sun Life and Kids Help Phone will expand Brighter Days, an Indigenous Wellness Program, across the country. Over the next three years, Sun Life's support of the Brighter Days Program will help reach 4,500 youth through the delivery of 300 mental health sessions. The sessions aim to empower youth with skills, tools and resources to support their mental health and well-being.
"At Sun Life, we believe mental health is health. Our goal is to ensure every person has access to the resources and support they need to live their healthiest life," said Jacques Goulet, President, Sun Life Canada. "Funding mental health programs designed with Indigenous youth, for Indigenous youth, is an important step to ensure everyone who lives in Canada has access to the support they need. We are committed to building a more resilient country."
Access to mental health support can be the difference between life and death. For Indigenous youth, the need is critical, and services are limited and underfunded. Brighter Days: An Indigenous Wellness Program by Kids Help Phone, teaches youth how to manage mental health and wellness. It aims to destigmatize conversations around mental health and encourage youth to ask for help.
"As we reflect on the past, present and future experiences, challenges and opportunities of Indigenous youth in this country, Sun Life's immense support will drive transformational change for how we are able to create impact with purpose," said Katherine Hay, President and CEO, Kids Help Phone. "We are incredibly grateful for Sun Life's donation, which continues to support our commitment to reaching more Indigenous youth by investing in the accessibility of our Brighter Days Program across Canada."
Brighter Days Program supported by Sun Life Kids Help Phone launched Brighter Days: An Indigenous Wellness Program in early 2021. It equips youth with skills, tools and resources to support their mental health and well-being. It begins with a session to increase awareness of Kids Help Phone services. Then through a series of modules participants learn about wellness and self-care, healthy domestic relationships, and managing stress and anxiety. With Sun Life's support, the program will:
Expand nationally to deliver 300 sessions to 4,500 youth, ages 6-29. Sessions will be offered in schools, group homes, youth and community centres.
Recruit and train 60 community-based youth and adult volunteers into the Weaving Threads: An Indigenous Engagement Program across Canada. These trusted leaders will promote the Brighter Days Program and support the mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being of the community.
Increase awareness and access to Kids Help Phone's life-saving mental health supports, including phone counselling, texting support, and local mental health resources.
Investing in mental health programming for Indigenous youth supports Sun Life's Purpose of helping people in Canada live healthier lives and its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion commitments. This partnership is aligned to Sun Life's increased focus on physical and mental health with the creation of Sun Life Health. To learn more about how Sun Life is making a difference in the community, read their 2020 Sustainability Report.
Sun Life in the community Sun Life is committed to building sustainable, healthier communities for life. Community wellness is an important part of its sustainability commitment. By actively supporting the communities in which Sun Life lives and works, the organization can help build a positive environment for Clients, employees, advisors and shareholders. Its philanthropic support focuses on health, with an emphasis on diabetes awareness, prevention, and care initiatives. Mental health is also a key priority, with support for programs and organizations with an emphasis on building resilience and coping skills.
Sun Life also partners with sports properties in key markets to further its commitment to healthy and active living. Its employees and advisors take great pride in volunteering close to 12,000 hours each year and contribute to making life brighter for individuals and families across Canada.
Kids Help Phone Kids Help Phone is Canada's only 24/7 e-mental health service offering free, confidential support in English, French and Arabic to young people. As the country's virtual care expert, we give millions of youth a safe, trusted space to talk over phone or through text or in self-directed supports in any moment of crisis or need. Through our digital transformation, we envision a future where every person in Canada is able to get the support they need, when they need it most, however they need it. Kids Help Phone gratefully relies on the generosity of donors, volunteers, stakeholder partners, corporate partners and governments to fuel and fund our programs. Learn more at KidsHelpPhone.ca.
How to Know if You Have ED and When You Should Tell Your Doctor
If you’re experiencing erectile dysfunction, it can be hard to know whether you should tell your doctor or not. On one hand, it’s important to seek help if you suspect an underlying medical issue, but on the other hand, there’s no guarantee that your doctor will be able to help or that they’ll find anything wrong with you at all. When should you tell your doctor about erectile dysfunction? Let’s take a look at some of the common causes of ED and when they should be addressed by your doctor.
Has It Lasted Longer Than Four Months?
It's tough to say for sure how long erectile dysfunction lasts without visiting a doctor, but most sources agree that it can last anywhere from one month to forever. ED doesn't have to be a permanent problem, though. If you have gone longer than four months without any improvement, there is still hope for you. Talk with your doctor about what steps you can take to start having a fulfilling sex life again. They will have some ideas about what could be causing your ED and ways you can work on improving it.
Is Your Penis Plumping Up Less Than Usual?
According to a study in The Journal of Sexual Medicine, nearly half of men with erectile dysfunction report experiencing premature ejaculation. This makes sense: premature ejaculation often stems from anxiety or emotional issues, and many people see their penises as a reflection of their sexual confidence. If you notice that your penis isn’t plumping up quite like it used to, visit your doctor to get a proper diagnosis—and be sure to ask about other possible causes for your symptoms.
Are You Experiencing Slower Or Fewer Orgasms?
Another important question to ask yourself is if you are experiencing slower or fewer orgasms than usual. If so, you might need to get checked out by a doctor. If things really aren’t feeling right, you might be suffering from some kind of medical condition that is causing your orgasm difficulty. Examples of conditions that could cause you to lose your orgasmic mojo include hypothyroidism and diabetes. Get an evaluation with your doctor to find out if there’s an underlying reason for your sexual difficulties.
Have you had Four Or Less Sexual Encounters Over the Past Three Months?
If you’re hoping to be sexually active and can’t remember the last time you could perform during sex, chances are good that you might have a problem. It can be hard to admit that you need help, but it’s important to take these things seriously, especially since erectile dysfunction is often tied to heart disease. If your doctor does recommend that you seek help for your ED, they should also discuss ways for you to reduce your risk of heart problems. There are many types of effective treatments for erectile dysfunction available today, so if you find yourself in need of them don’t feel ashamed or embarrassed about asking your doctor about what’s best for your health.
Erectile dysfunction can be an embarrassing topic to discuss with your doctor, but if you’re experiencing issues in the bedroom, it’s important to talk to your physician about how to treat ED. Keep these signs in mind if you think it might be time to talk to your doctor about ED.
Network of Untapped Entrepreneurs commits $5 million for next generation of Canadian Black entrepreneurs
Ex-Raptor Jerome Williams supports Canadian organization BETA-i in removing barriers to success
TORONTO, Nov. 16, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Helping aspiring BIPOC entrepreneurs overcome barriers to success, the Black Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition Incubator (BETA-i) has partnered with former Toronto Raptor and founder of Alumni Pro Global Sports, Jerome “JYD” Williams, and the Network of Untapped Entrepreneurs (NUE).
“Today we are pleased to announce NUE has committed $5 million in funding for BETA-i’s Canadian entrepreneurship-in-residence program. This funding announcement kicks off a five-year joint venture with BETA-i and NUE,” said Jerome Williams, who is a BETA-i Ambassador.
NUE’s mission is to invest in and grow the network of untapped BIPOC entrepreneurs to support the growth of BIPOC-owned businesses and push the economic growth engine for BIPOC communities. In addition to expanding BETA-i’s Canadian program, with today’s funding announcement, NUE will bring the BETA-i program to BIPOC entrepreneurs in the United States. In addition to private investors, NUE is also supported by Alumni Pro Global Sports (APGS). APGS advisors and investors include NBA Hall of Famers Julius “Dr. J” Erving, George Gervin, Spencer Haywood, Allen Iverson, Dikembe Mutombo, and Mitch Richmond, and NFL Hall of Famer Ray Lewis.
“While inroads have been made in the last year to foster a more inclusive environment for business and entrepreneurship, there is more work to be done in addressing the systemic barriers that disproportionately affect Black business owners. BETA-i is creating a foundation for future generations of BIPOC entrepreneurs to thrive and I am happy to do my part to support Canadian business owners in fulfilling their dreams,” Williams added.
BETA-i is the first Canadian, non-profit organization to use the Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA) model and adapt it to meet the needs of BIPOC entrepreneurs. Headquartered in Toronto, the organization’s entrepreneurship-in-residence program equips aspiring business owners with the tools to locate, acquire, manage and grow a privately held company. It is working with its inaugural cohort of five participants to provide one-on-one mentorship and coaching as they actively pursue business acquisitions, along with connecting them to industry professionals with the necessary business expertise. Among its partner roster is McMillan LLP, a leading business law firm serving public, private and not-for-profit clients globally and the Business Development Bank of Canada the financial institution devoted to supporting Canadian entrepreneurs.
“We know more work needs to be done to drive equity and diversity in the business world, and that’s why we’re inspired to support the BETA-i initiative. McMillan’s commitment is more than financial. We will help BETA-i’s Black and IPOC entrepreneurs navigate the legal and regulatory challenges they face and offer training and mentorship. Our contribution is one small way our firm can work to remove the barriers that disproportionately affect BIPOC entrepreneurs,” said Paul Davis, a partner with McMillan LLP.
“BDC is committed to addressing the long-standing inequalities holding Black businesses owners back and we are excited to work with BETA-i on this program because it addresses a unique gap in the Black business community: business acquisition,” said Chelsea Prescod, Regional Manager, Client Diversity, BDC. “We look forward to providing mentorship and resources to help the first cohort on their journey and inspiring others to consider different paths to entrepreneurship.”
“Creating inclusive opportunities is integral to the growth of the Canadian entrepreneurship space and the national economy as a whole,” says Joe Halstead, Board Chair at BETA-i. “BIPOC entrepreneurs continue to be impacted by systemic barriers that impede their opportunities for success and are difficult to navigate alone. BETA-i aims to level the playing field by mitigating entrepreneurship risks and providing business owners with the tools, knowledge and access to services to support their opportunities for success.”
To learn more about the organization and its program, visit betaicanada.org. If you’re interested in getting involved as a mentor, volunteer, supporter or applicant, contact info@betaicanada.org.
About BETA-i Founded in 2020, BETA-i is the first Black-focused incubator in the world and the first search incubator in Canada. It leverages the Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA) model while addressing the barriers that have traditionally hindered Black and IPOC entrepreneurial success. BETA-i offers exclusive training, coaching, resources, support in financing, and world-class expertise in search funding as a proud member of the global search fund community. To apply to BETA-i or to financially support the evolution of Black entrepreneurship, visit betaicanada.org.
About NUE Network of Untapped Entrepreneurs (NUE) is an impact investment initiative focused on closing economic wealth gaps by supporting BIPOC entrepreneurs with a Shared Platform of resources necessary to accelerate the growth of their enterprises. For more information, please visit nue.fund.
Train Fitness Launches World’s First App That Can Detect Exercises and Track Reps
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Nov. 16, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Train Fitness is transforming the way we track our workouts. Today the Vancouver-based company announced the first-ever hands-free workout-tracking app, which uses artificial intelligence (AI) to detect exercises and track reps as users go through their workout.
For the millions of gym-goers who currently use spreadsheets, their phone, or pen and paper to track workouts, Train Fitness is a complete game-changer. The company recently finished second at New Venture BC’s annual tech startup competition, earning a $60,000 prize.
Technology has made it much easier for people to track their aerobic exercises like running and biking, but there has been a huge gap in the market for anaerobic exercise tracking like weightlifting. For Train, the launch of their new Apple Watch app is the first step towards a world where your daily workout can be tracked just as effortlessly as your daily run.
Co-founders Antoine Neidecker and Andrew Just have been working tirelessly to get the AI technology to automatically detect 82 of the most common exercises and counting, from free weight exercises like pushups and pullups to more traditional lifts like bench press and squats. Their current road map has them set to have over 400 trackable exercises by the end of next year.
“Every gym-goer we know is tired of bringing their phone with them to their workout, so we knew a hands-free workout tracker would be a hit,” said Just. “Once you begin your workout on your watch with Train, there’s really nothing to do but focus on your session. In an age when everything is getting more complicated, Train is giving time and energy back to our users when they need it most.”
User feedback for the product suggests that one workout is often enough to convince users that this is the best way to track their workout and monitor their progress at the gym. Along with exercise detection and rep tracking, Train’s mobile app also allows users to monitor their stats and analytics and share workouts with friends and followers in the Train community.
About Train Fitness: Train Fitness is a platform where fitness enthusiasts motivate one another to push past their limits. The company uses AI to analyze motion data from your watch to derive expertise-level analysis of your workout. Train Fitness combines powerful AI to tell you how to improve your gains with our social platform to keep you motivated to hit the gym daily.
10 QUESTIONS ABOUT COSMETIC SURGERY YOU HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO KNOW- ANSWERED BY A BOARD- CERTIFIED PLASTIC SURGEON
There is a plethora of information on the internet about plastic surgery. Much of it is intended to promote a particular surgeon or highlight a procedure as being the next “miracle.” When people have questions and want honest answers, unless they have a plastic surgeon the family, it is often hard to find “real” answers to some very common questions. We turned to Chicago Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Michael Horn for some honest answers that are likely “Googled” every day.
Q and A With Dr. Horn:
How long do breast implants last until they have to be removed and done again? Although the implants themselves last forever, their structural integrity does not. Over time, the average wear and tear could cause a rupture or leak. In general, saline or silicone implants should be replaced or removed every 10 to 15 years if you notice any changes. A rupture in a saline implant tends to be more noticeable, as the deflation is visible. While that may sound scary, it’s actually quite harmless, as the saline is just absorbed by the body. However, it is not as easy to notice if a silicone implant has ruptured. For this reason, most doctors will recommend an MRI every 2 years for their patients with silicone implants to check for leaks. Implants may need to be removed or replaced for other reasons too, but in general, should last from 10 to 25 years.
If I have fat removed through liposuction, will it reappear elsewhere? Technically, yes, it is possible for the fat to return, but only if you let it come back. If the patient maintains their weight, the fat will not return or appear somewhere else on your body. A little bit of weight gain is fine, such as 5 to 10 pounds, as long as patients stay close to their “post-lipo weight”. Because fat cells accumulate in an evenly distributed manner, weight gain tends to be more noticeable in areas that are untreated than treated. So, even patients who gained a considerable amount of weight post-lipo look better than they did if they had not undergone surgery.
After repeated Botox injections, will facial muscles ever lose the ability to frown? Even though one of the side effects of Botox is difficulty smiling or frowning, the effects of Botox wear off in 3 to 4 months. Repeated use of Botox causes the muscles treated to atrophy and thin out. When they "wake" back up they tend to be weaker and less likely to make wrinkles. This is why many consider Botox a great anti-aging treatment. Botox can be administered in a way in which it does not freeze the muscle completely. This is something you would discuss with your injector.
Discuss with the injector what your goals are. Some people such as actors need to be able to express themselves. In this case, Botox can be administered so as not to freeze the muscle completely. Others want certain muscles not to move at all. An experienced injector has the knowledge to make adjustments. We also have the ability to combine Botox with other treatments to assist your goals.
I thought silicone breast implants can rupture, so why are they still used? Both saline and silicone implants can leak. But, it is much harder to tell when a silicone implant has ruptured over a saline implant. Someone with silicone implants may go months or even years without noticing. This is due to the very thick and viscous silicone filling, moving only at very slow rates. It will generally stay within the capsule of breast tissue surrounding your implant, which makes for a simple replacement. Additionally, silicone is the gold standard against which other implantable materials get compared. It is a safe material when used in the human body.
Will liposuction eliminate cellulite? Although patients used to think liposuction could eliminate cellulite, today doctors are not recommending it for that use. In some cases, liposuction can actually make the cellulite worse by creating more dimples in the skin. While it is true that excess fat can make cellulite worse, it’s not the real cause. Liposuction on the thighs and butt only marginally improves the appearance of cellulite. On the contrary, thin skin in these areas can exacerbate the problem, especially in older women where the skin tends to be less elastic.
Doctors have found that ultrasound and laser-assisted liposuction can effectively reduce cellulite because it tightens the skin as it removes fat. But again, these alone will not rid you of cellulite.
Will I have to wear my hair over my ears to cover face-lift scars? On average, face-lift scars around the ears take about six months to fade and become almost invisible. You probably are going to want to wear your hair down for the first month for recovery purposes. It’s best to choose a hairstyle within this time that will not apply added pressure to the area of the incision while still helping to cover up the scar at the same time. Ask your doctor how soon it is safe for you to wear makeup over the scar as a cover up option until they fully fade.
Can my breast implants pop? Unfortunately, yes breast implants can “pop”, but it is rare and easily treatable. Both saline and silicone implants have an outer shell that can potentially develop a tear, called a rupture. The rupture could be caused by a variety of things such as normal aging of the implant, trauma caused by a car accident, a needle insertion during a biopsy, or other factors. If you experience any changes in breast shape and size, and increased pain, firmness, and swelling over a period of weeks, these may be signs that your implant has ruptured. Most corrective surgeries include removing both implants and replacing them in the same surgery. Your surgeon might also recommend that you switch to a different type of implant. In any case, discuss with your doctor in detail the best option to avoid the risk of rupture in the future.
What happens if I’m not happy with my surgical results? The first step is to be patient. Some patients look good in as fast as three weeks, others three months, and, for some, the full results aren’t apparent until six months after surgery. You should wait for all the post-surgical swelling and bruising to go away completely before fretting over the end result.
With that being said, speak up if you are feeling anxious. At your follow-up appointment, it is perfectly fine to voice to your surgeon that you are feeling disappointed. A good doctor will address your concerns, walk you through the recovery process, and if necessary, talk about the next steps.
How soon after my lipo can I have sex? After having a procedure like liposuction or a tummy tuck, you will definitely feel some moderate soreness and swelling. It’s normal. When it comes to resuming sexual activity, your personal level of comfort plays a large factor as there is no specific body structure you can damage after liposuction. This means your soreness or the healing process of your incisions may be the only thing stopping you from being intimate. As soon as you feel both physically and emotionally ready, you are safe to resume having sex. For most patients, it takes about a week. But if we removed excess fat on large areas of your thighs, belly, and/or buttocks, you might have to wait a week to ten days. Before then, your body will be tender and that could make the experience painful.
What is the youngest age you would consider performing a facelift?
When evaluating a patient for facelift surgery, age is only a relative consideration. I've performed facelifts on patients under 40 years of age who lost a lot of weight causing their face to deflate and sag. That being said, most facelift or neck lift procedures are performed on patients between 45-70 years old. If the volume loss can be managed by treatments other than facelift surgery, patients will opt for them. However, once those minimally invasive or noninvasive treatments no longer cut it, a patient can choose to have a facelift. For some patients that may be in their early 40's.
What is “better” – Liposuction or non-invasive techniques such as Coolsculpting?
Liposuction is an excellent option for reducing larger deposits of excess fat. It can significantly improve your body in several areas at once. Some downsides include a higher cost and greater risk for health complications than noninvasive techniques.
Nonsurgical fat reduction may be a better fit if you are already at your ideal weight, have good skin elasticity, and want to target smaller, stubborn trouble spots. However, the results will not be as dramatic as liposuction and multiple treatments may be necessary over a longer period of time than one liposuction surgery takes.
With more than 10,000 breast augmentation surgeries performed during his career of more than 23 years, Dr. Horn is known in the Chicago land area as the authority on breast augmentation. His artistic eye, mastery and surgical skill in performing various face and body procedures, his dedication to patients’ safety, combined with his focus on unparalleled care and attention, make him one of the most sought-after surgeons in the Midwest.
Dr. Horn earned his medical degree at Loyola University in Chicago. He completed a general surgery residency with the Medical College of Wisconsin, as well as a sub-specialty training in plastic surgery with a second residency at Loyola University. Dr. Michael Horn is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the Chicago Society of Plastic Surgeons.
Dr. Horn is a frequent lecturer on the subject of plastic surgery and his work has been featured in several professional publications. He frequently attends national meetings to continue developing innovative plastic surgery techniques. His ongoing commitment to patient safety and satisfaction is evident in the personal attention and care he provides to each of his plastic surgery clients. From the initial consultation to the final follow-up exam, Dr. Horn provides compassionate treatment tailored to the specific needs and goals of each individual.
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