Month: May 2025

Now in its sixth year, the INCubatoredu program at Lewisville High School, located in Lewisville, Texas, sponsored by Mary Kay Inc. in collaboration with City of Lewisville and Lewisville ISD Education Foundation, continues to inspire bright entrepreneurial minds. The year-long curriculum culminates each spring with a high-stakes Final Pitch Night. Students plan, prepare, pivot, and pitch their budding business ideas in hopes of receiving real investments in their business proposals. 

With $7,500 on the line this year, the student presentations on April 24^th did not disappoint. From a local bakery bringing authentic Mexican heritage and flavors to the people of Lewisville to a car enthusiast turned entrepreneur hosting car rallies around town – the ideas were inspiring. 

2025 INCubatoredu Final Pitch Winners

• Sa’Nyia Martin, Gospel Girl Fortunes – $500 (Fan Favorite)
  • Subscription service to daily devotional concealed in a homemade fortune cookie delivered to your door.
• Josh Chon, NTX Rally Group – $1,500
  • NTX Rally Group is a fast-growing community bringing car enthusiasts together for car shows and bimonthly car cruises.
• Lisandro Giordanella, GIODE3D – $2,500
  • GIODE3D is a 3D printing company offering marketing materials and services for businesses.
• Lizy Castro, Lizys.weets – $3,000
  • Lizys.weets is an authentic, Mexican bakery designed to serve Lewisville’s need for fresh, culturally relevant pastries.

“Seeing the growth, progress, and lightbulb moments for my students as they approach their business ideas, work alongside their mentors, and ultimately build a business from scratch is what continues to inspire me,” said Nicole Franczvai, INCubatoredu Instructor. “It also allows them to test their ideas without fear of failing. There are no failures, only pivots.” 

About the Partnership and Program
The City of Lewisville, Lewisville ISD Education Foundation and Mary Kay, Inc., established this unique 10-year partnership in 2019 to bring the entrepreneurial spirit to the halls of Lewisville High School (Lewisville, Texas). 

The curriculum, based on the nationally renowned INCubatoredu, encourages students to develop their own businesses with the help of local professionals serving as mentors. The funding from Mary Kay covers the annual dues of the INCubatoredu program as well as the seed money for students to start their businesses awarded at Final Pitch Night. 

The course uses lean startup methodology to teach business concepts, favoring shortened product development cycles to rapidly discover if a business model is viable. Students learn by using a hands-on approach while business leaders provide coaching. It’s a win-win for the students and community. 

“These students are bubbling with creativity, brilliant ideas, and some are even working their profitable businesses before completing the course,” said Lindsay Ayers, Director of Business Partnerships at Lewisville Independent School District. “We are so grateful to Mary Kay for funding this curriculum and instilling the values of entrepreneurship in these young people’s minds; it will serve their goals long after graduation.”

About Mary Kay
One of the original glass ceiling breakers, Mary Kay Ash founded her dream beauty brand in Texas in 1963 with one goal: to enrich women’s lives. That dream has blossomed into a global company with millions of independent sales force members in more than 40 markets. For over 60 years, the Mary Kay opportunity has empowered women to define their own futures through education, mentorship, advocacy, and innovation. Mary Kay is dedicated to investing in the science behind beauty and manufacturing cutting-edge skincare, color cosmetics, nutritional supplements, and fragrances. Mary Kay believes in preserving our planet for future generations, protecting women impacted by cancer and domestic abuse, and encouraging youth to follow their dreams. Learn more at marykayglobal.com, find us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, or follow us on X.

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May 20, 2025 /3BL/ – AEG’s ticketing platform, AXS Europe was named “Best Ticketing Company” at the 2025 Music Week Awards and “Ticketing Business of the Year” at the Ticketing Business Awards 2025, two of Europe’s most prestigious industry events.

The awards recognize AXS’ innovative ticketing platform and reflect the company’s long-standing commitment to providing the best consumer ticketing experience for the sports and music industry.

In 2024, AXS saw significant global growth, with expansion across Japan and bringing its operations into France and Germany while adding major new partners like JOY Entertainment in Brighton, U.K., events such as ABBA Voyage in London and state of the art venues including AO Arena in Manchester, U.K. In Europe, AXS also increased the number tickets sold, client revenues generated, tickets scanned, and events created. AXS continues to seek strategic partners in new territories who are looking to bring their award-winning ticketing services to their fans.

The 2025 Music Week Awards, which were held on May 8 in London, brought together top names across the UK music industry, celebrating achievements in labels, publishing, management, live events, radio, and more. The recognition highlights AXS Europe’s ongoing innovation and excellence in ticketing operations, technology, and service.

The Ticketing Business Awards 2025 were held on April 29, at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester in front of an audience of senior industry figures.

“Being recognized by the industry for our work with some of the most iconic venues and events around the world underscores that AXS’ white-glove service, relationships and innovative technology are true differentiators,” said Bryan Perez, CEO, AXS. “We are proud of these accolades and grateful to our many partners around the world.”

AXS is a global ticketing platform, offering best-in-class ticketing, marketing, and data technology in a single platform to suit every client size and type, from the most intimate music clubs to world championship sporting events. AXS, a wholly owned subsidiary of AEG, is the ticketing partner for over 500 premier venues, sports teams, and event organizers across North America, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. Clients include the USGA, Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Crypto.com Arena, Coachella, Stagecoach, The O2, Stockholm Live and B.League (Japan). AXS powers both primary and resale marketplaces, leveraging integrated technology and analytics to enable our partners to sell the right ticket to the right fan at the right price. For more information, visit axs.com.

Originally published on U.S. Bank company blog

Small businesses across the U.S. celebrate National Small Business Week, held annually in May for more than 60 years, and this year, a seller of rare books in California and a State Farm Insurance business owner in Idaho have extra reasons to feel festive.

Abdullah Akturk, owner of Silk Road bookstore, was named Startup Small Business of the Year in the Sacramento area, and the State Farm representative, Patrick Buchanan, was named Small Businessperson of the year in the Boise region in the U.S. Small Business Administration’s annual National Small Business Week awards.

Buchanan and Akturk have both grown their businesses in part with help from SBA loans obtained through U.S. Bank.

A rare book expert

Silk Road is not Akturk’s first venture as an entrepreneur, he said. After moving to the U.S. from Turkey in 1999, he started a science-focused school in Reno, Nevada, then a science academy in Las Vegas. He moved to Sacramento in 2016 and opened a pizza business, which he sold in early 2020 – just before the pandemic hit – so he could spend more time with his young children.

Because his parents, who lived with him, were at risk due to their age during the pandemic, Akturk needed to find a job he could do from home.

“Education was always part of my life, and I had friends who used to sell books and told me it was a good business,” he said. “I knew I could do it online, so that’s how I started.”

Akturk gets inventory for his store in part by visiting small bookstores across California and buying mostly rare, out-of-print titles that he knows are in demand online.

“You have to put in the effort and visit the bookstores and find their books. It’s not that easy,” he said. “The hardest part is to find the right books.”

Akturk sells his books online through Amazon, eBay and Walmart, with 10,000 different books currently listed on Amazon, he said.

Akturk has been a U.S. Bank client since 2021, when the bank helped him get an SBA loan to buy inventory and other needs for his business, said Peter Kim, the SBA business development officer with U.S. Bank who nominated Akturk for his award.

“I also have my business accounts with U.S. Bank,” Akturk said. “I’m really happy with it.”

Four locations built from scratch

When Patrick Buchanan opened his first State Farm location in Ketchum, Idaho, in 2009, he didn’t have any experience in the insurance industry, he said. He had previously spent eight years doing three tours of duty as an Army officer, then used his engineering background to work in construction project management, which went well until the financial crisis hit in 2007 and 2008.

“Long story short, my mom’s State Farm agent told me I should become one,” he said. “I talked to a recruiter and there was the opportunity to start an office in Ketchum. I just jumped in with both feet and went for it, knocking on doors, making cold calls, buying leads.”

His business has since grown to four Idaho locations, with a total of 16 employees, and provides retirement advice in addition to insurance.

Buchanan has also focused on community involvement, being a member and former president of the Hailey Chamber of Commerce as well as serving on boards of directors and providing other support for charitable organizations. He also provides his employees with paid time off to do volunteer work, he said.

“My team goes out on the clock during business hours to help with the hunger coalition, the ski team, the local housing authority, Habitat for Humanity and other organizations,” Buchanan said. “It’s valuable for the community and gets the team members out of the office.”

“Not a lot of small businesses let their employees do that,” said Ben Mitchum, the U.S. Bank SBA business development officer who nominated Buchanan for the award.

Buchanan is a longtime U.S. Bank client, having received two SBA loans through the bank as well as his business and personal accounts.

“I’m super appreciative to be able to represent U.S. Bank, the SBA, my team of employees, our clients and the community who support us,” Buchanan said.

Originally published on IEC Newsroom

by IEC

For years, the IEC Foundation has provided financial assistance to individuals seeking to become electricians through the IEC Apprenticeship Program. In 2025, the Foundation took its support to the next level and introduced the EmpowerHER Scholarship.

Congratulations to Maria Cera Martinez and Isabella Sherwood — the Foundation’s first EmpowerHER Scholarship winners!

Applicants had to meet IEC Foundation’s scholarship requirements, and demonstrate academic excellence, financial need, and a commitment to advancing opportunities for women in the field. The EmpowerHER Scholarship aims to support women pursuing careers in the electrical industry by promoting inclusion and professional growth. This fits perfectly with the mission of the scholarship’s inaugural year sponsor, the Wesco Women’s Impact Network (WIN).

“WIN is a global resource and support network aimed at creating a space where women, allies, and the wider Wesco community feel valued, heard, and encouraged to have an impact,” says Shaunda Cohen, Wesco manager of supplier relations and WIN board member. “Through WIN, we have professional development opportunities and personal empowerment opportunities for our members.”

Shaunda says one of the goals for WIN was to award scholarships to deserving and qualified students who have demonstrated drive, dedication, and leadership as they pursue a career in the electrical industry. The EmpowerHER Scholarship encourages continued education and recognizes women’s contributions and helps advance their role in shaping the future of the electrical and construction industries.

“We congratulate Maria and Isabella for being the first recipients of the EmpowerHER Scholarship and we look forward to the contributions that they’re going to make in the electrical field,” Shaunda says. “We’re excited to watch them grow and develop into future leaders and role models.”

Maria

While Maria is just completing her first year in the IEC Rocky Mountain Apprenticeship Program, she is no stranger to electrical work. That’s because her husband, Erick Cabrera, is a journeyman electrician about a year away from obtaining his masters. Maria became interested in the field through him and, in fact, started off at the same company he works for, GTD Electric, based in Littleton, CO, as an electrical apprentice.

“There is a lot of opportunity and growth in this industry,” says Maria. “Other than GTD’s owner, I haven’t seen many other women in the field. When I can figure out a tough math problem and have a solution, it motivates me and makes me realize that, yes, I can do this. There are endless opportunities for everyone in this field.”

Maria is a student in the first IECRM apprentice class taught in Spanish and the only woman in that class. She says her apprenticeship class has been a good experience where she’s met many good and respectful peers and instructors alike.

“The teaching is in Spanish but the textbook is still in English,” Maria adds. “We have a great instructor, Ubaldo Perez, who interprets what is in the textbook and helps us to understand. He explains everything so well, especially when it comes to theory and code.”

Maria says the most challenging part of her apprenticeship is finding the time to do her homework. She’s juggling roles of mom, wife, worker, and student. The whole family is supportive and encouraging. Maria’s husband and her older daughter were extremely helpful during the EmpowerHER Scholarship process by interpreting communications, working on practice interviews, and watching her younger daughter on Maria’s school night.

Maria appreciates being awarded the EmpowerHER Scholarship as it eases the financial burden on her family and helps her to move along in her journey to become a licensed electrician. She also feels it helps paves a path for encouraging more women to enter the industry.

“First and foremost, I want to thank the IEC Foundation and Wesco and be sure they know how appreciative I am,” Maria says. “I want them to continue the push to motivate women to enter the industry and help all to understand that men and women alike can be successful in the electrical field. The IEC Apprenticeship Program is very doable and great at supporting women in the industry.”

Isabella

Isabella’s career path is a bit different than Maria’s. She was in college out of state but a heart condition brought her back home to complete an associates degree at a local community college.

“I didn’t exactly choose to be in the electrical field but I have chosen to continue and I have gained a respect for the trade,” Isabella says. “When my mom (Natasha Sherwood, now with IEC National as the director of workforce and chapter development) was executive director for the Florida West Coast IEC chapter, she needed some help with little things in the office which was how I started working with IEC. While working there, I was presented with an opportunity to help coordinate a pre-apprenticeship program. At first, I thought that I was unqualified for the position and also was not fully sure that I wanted to take the job because it was not what I originally was planning to do as a career. But now since I have been running the program and been able to meet all of the students that I am helping, I love the job and learned that it is necessary to start kids in this field at a young age so that they are able to gain a full understanding of all of their opportunities for the future and that college is not the only one.”

As the chapter’s pre-apprenticeship program coordinator, Isabella is responsible for enrolling students in the program, tracking and collecting all official paperwork, scheduling CPR and OSHA training for the students, and planning a hiring event to help students acquire summer internships / jobs. She also runs manpower for the chapter which entails reaching out to all potential apprenticeship candidates, reviewing their submitted materials, and then sending them out to chapter contractors and companies. 

Isabella continues her college classes to earn her bachelor’s degree in business management and masters in construction management.

“I am sincerely honored and grateful to be selected as one of the scholarship recipients,” Isabella says. “IEC Foundation and Wesco generosity and support mean so much to me and will significantly ease the financial burden of my education. This scholarship allows me to focus more on my studies and pursue my academic and career goals with greater confidence. I truly appreciate your investment in my future, and I am committed to making the most of this opportunity. Thank you for believing in me and for your generosity — I hope to one day give back and help others, just as you have helped me.”

CHICAGO, May 20, 2025 /3BL/ – The third annual Professionalizing Law Enforcement-Community Engagement Training (PLECET) Conference will gather approximately 1,000 law enforcement professionals from across the nation in Chicago. Hosted at the McCormick Place Convention Center from June 4 to June 8, 2025, the event focuses on training, networking and professional development for personnel assigned to community engagement roles within law enforcement agencies.

The conference is led by Atlanta-based MovementForward, Inc., a national civil and human rights organization, with the support of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, organizations and senior officials.

“We are thrilled to host the PLECET Conference in Chicago for the first time,” said Reverend Markel Hutchins, chairman and CEO of MovementForward, Inc. “This event will provide a platform for law enforcement personnel to gain valuable knowledge, share their experiences and contribute to building stronger, more trusting relationships between police and the communities they serve. The conference will equip community engagement officers with best-in-class competencies to maximize their potential impact in local communities.”

The conference offers public safety community engagement practitioners a structured program including seminars, workshops, caucuses and plenary sessions. Attendees will learn about effective community outreach practices and resources, network with law enforcement peers nationwide and participate in eight specialized training courses. The curriculum aims to equip community engagement officers with advanced skills for greater local impact and ongoing professional growth. The conference will commence with an opening plenary featuring national leaders.

“Serving as co-chair for this vital conference for public safety is an honor, especially in our hometown of Chicago,” said Greg Brown, chairman and CEO, Motorola Solutions. “This event will provide an invaluable opportunity to share best practices and advance community engagement strategies that strengthen relationships and enhance safety nationwide.”

Motorola Solutions, a global leader in safety and security, is the Presenting Sponsor of PLECET and the Motorola Solutions Foundation is proud to support their Community Service Project initiative on Saturday, June 7. Conference attendees will collaborate to benefit various Chicago nonprofits across each of the police district areas. Participating organizations include Greater Chicago Food Depository, Chicago Parks Foundation, Chicago Austin Youth Travel Adventures, Cradles to Crayons, The DuSable Museum, BACE, Chicago Dreams Center, and My Block, My Hood, My City, among others.

For more information about the conference program, registration details and accommodation options, please visit the official conference website at https://plecetconference2025.org/.

About MovementForward

MovementForward, Inc. is a modern, inclusive social change organization working to protect, promote, and advance the civil and human rights of all people. The organization, led by noted human and civil rights leader, the Rev. Markel Hutchins, works to build a multiracial, multifaceted, and intergenerational movement for social justice, economic parity, educational equity, racial reconciliation, and global peace by bringing diverse people together to solve problems in innovative, inclusive, and solution-driven ways.

About Motorola Solutions | Solving for safer

Safety and security are at the heart of everything we do at Motorola Solutions. We build and connect technologies to help protect people, property and places. Our technologies support public safety agencies and enterprises alike, enabling the collaboration that’s critical for safer communities, safer schools, safer hospitals and safer businesses. Learn more about our commitment to innovating for a safer future for us all at www.motorolasolutions.com.

Yum! Brands

Since its founding in 1997, Yum! and its brands have Served Up Good by investing in initiatives that enable our team members, employees, and communities to thrive. The company remains committed to using its capital – financial and human – to reduce food insecurity and to help individuals gain the skills and capabilities they need to build meaningful careers. This series highlights both the stories of leaders within Yum! who are driving meaningful change and shaping a better future for all, and the beneficiaries of the many community impact programs Yum! leads around the world.

At Habit Burger & Grill, giving back is a way of life. The Habit Caring Hearts and Relief (CHAR) Fund provides grants up to $2,500 to colleagues facing unexpected hardships. In 2024, the CHAR Fund granted over $58,000 to 29 team members in need. Whether facing an illness, injury or personal loss, the CHAR Fund offers critical financial assistance, ensuring team members receive the support they need during life’s toughest moments.

Habit Burger Franchise Sales Associate, Samantha Mannes, has been with the brand for 12 years and now serves as the CHAR Fund Committee chairperson. Below, she discusses the profound impact of the fund.

What does the CHAR Fund mean to you?

It’s more than just providing financial assistance — it’s about creating a sense of community, showing compassion and standing by our people during their toughest moments. Being able to contribute to something that directly supports our team members in such meaningful ways is truly fulfilling. It reminds me why programs like this are so important and why I’m proud to be part of a company that values its people so deeply.

What have you learned since serving as the CHAR Fund chairperson?

I never realized how difficult it can be for our team members to ask for help. It’s an act of courage and requires trust in those around you. When you work for a company that genuinely values and supports its team members, reaching out becomes easier because you know your organization is there for you, just as you would be there for a colleague in need. The CHAR Fund reminds me daily that no one has to face hardships alone, and it has strengthened my belief in the importance of lifting each other up during challenging times.

What are you looking forward to this year?

Every year, our goal is to support more team members than the year before, and I’m excited to continue to work toward that. Our most recent focus has been supporting team members that were impacted by the California wildfires. My goal is to ensure that every eligible team member feels supported and has meaningful resources during their time of need. I’m committed to improving processes, raising awareness about the program and encouraging team members to apply when they need help. 

How does the CHAR Fund connect to Habit Burger & Grill as a business?

The CHAR Fund embodies the values that define who we are as a brand — integrity, teamwork, and commitment to our people. It’s a testament to the kind of company we’ve all chosen to be part of — one that cares for its people and encourages us to support one another. Our team members are the heart of our business, and by supporting them during times of unexpected hardship, we reinforce the trust and loyalty that are foundational to our success. This, in turn, leads to stronger engagement, higher morale, and a workforce that feels truly valued and supported. The CHAR Fund reminds us that together, we can make a meaningful difference in each other’s lives.

Our commitment to advancing climate solutions is evident in our desire to collaborate and drive real changes in the communities we serve around the world. From cutting-edge carbon capture research at the Yale Center for Natural Carbon Capture to transforming transportation networks globally, FedEx is dedicated to making a positive impact. Here are five impactful initiatives aimed at delivering a more sustainable future.

First, consider the Mobility and Accessibility Program (MAP), a 15-year collaboration between FedEx and WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities, focused on improving urban transport. WRI and FedEx began working together in Mexico to help improve public transit via the expansion of bus rapid transit, reducing both congestion and emissions. Today, MAP has expanded to Brazil, India, and China, helping over 23 million people access better economic and educational opportunities while preventing over one million metric tons of CO2 emissions.

Additionally, the Sustainable Cities Mobility Challenge supports innovative projects that reimagine mobility across Europe. With climate projections indicating an increase in extreme heat, many of the projects establish water stations, shaded benches, or safe travel corridors for active mobility, including pedestrians, cyclists, and scooters. Since the challenge began in 2023, Climate-KIC has provided $640,000 (USD) to support nine initiatives across six countries.

Our commitment to local community action continues with Picture Proof of Planting. At FedEx, we show customers when their package has arrived via Picture Proof of Delivery. In the same way, we invite our team members to capture their conservation efforts via photos to win $10,000 for the conservation group of their choosing. Last year, over 2,000 FedEx team members from across six continents helped improve their local climate by planting trees, restoring habitats for urban wildlife, or cleaning up beaches and parks.

While bringing climate innovations to market is often complex and costly, FedEx is working with key stakeholders to identify and scale future climate solutions:

• FedEx helped establish the Yale Center for Natural Carbon Capture in 2021, where globally acclaimed faculty members are developing long-term carbon removal solutions based on the Earth’s natural processes. Today, our $100 million commitment has helped fuel a pipeline of groundbreaking research, like enhanced rock weathering, for capturing carbon at scale.
• FedEx helped RMI launch Third Derivative (D3),an18-month accelerator program run by RMI for climate tech entrepreneurs to deliver breakthrough solutions for the climate. Today, 260+ start-ups have raised $2.6 billion in private capital to launch endeavors in battery technology, clean fuels, electric mobility, and power generation.
• FedEx also invested in GridUp, a state-of-the-art grid planning tool developed by RMI to help utilities identify needed grid infrastructure to support electrifying fleets and charging hubs.

Finally, FedEx and Pyxera Global recently announced the creation of the Circular Supply Chain Coalition. The goal is to transform how critical minerals are sourced by utilizing urban mining, a process of recovering valuable materials from discarded products that are then reused and reintegrated into the economy with the goals of reducing waste, strengthening domestic supply chains, and creating new economic opportunities for local circular enterprises and entrepreneurs who are creating high-skill jobs.

All five examples underscore that meaningful progress FedEx is helping to deliver through intentional collaboration. By bringing together expertise, resources, and perspectives from around the globe, these initiatives move beyond aspirational goals towards the practical implementation of solutions with measurable impacts.

Click here to learn about FedEx Cares, our global community engagement program.