Beauty News

Image of sprayer and concentrate LAS VEGAS, February 4, 2023 (Newswire.com) - Super Soaper, a new player in the pet grooming industry, has just launche...

AUSTIN, Texas, February 3, 2023 (Newswire.com) - PaddleSmash fans can now get the popular game at two popular retail sporting goods stores, Scheels and Dick's Sporting Goods. The recently launched game that combines elements of the popular Pickleball and Spikeball experienced such a spike in holiday demand that co-founders Tim Swindle and Scott Brown had to quadruple inventory, resulting in record holiday sales for the young company. 

• PaddleSmash is a combination of the popular Pickleball and Spikeball.
• Company co-founders had to quadruple inventory of recently launched game to meet holiday demand.
• Portability and ease of use has made the family-friendly PaddleSmash a new backyard game sensation.

"We are thrilled to see the success and popularity of PaddleSmash," said Swindle. "It's amazing to see how many people are enjoying the game, and we look forward to introducing it to even more people this year." 

Both Scott and Brown are veteran entrepreneurs in the toy and game space. Co-founder Scott Brown said that the company experienced 500 percent growth month-over-month, and they are on track to quadruple their revenue in 2023. The game is now selling in 47 states.

"We tested the game over several years before our launch, and while we instinctively believed in its appeal, the rapid success has exceeded our high expectations," said Brown. "I believe the game is seeing such success because in addition to combining the fun and competitive elements of Pickleball and Spikeball, it brings people together in a fun and safe atmosphere. In a world where distance is easy to accomplish, and not that long ago was necessary, it has become far too easy to maintain that distance. But what society and families really need is personal interaction."

In addition to the game now being available at Dick's Sporting Goods and Scheels, PaddleSmash is still available for online purchase at PaddleSmash.com. 

About PaddleSmash 

Launched in 2021, PaddleSmash combines the elements of Pickleball and Spikeball. The portable game is played in teams of two who play opposite one another across a central hexagonal court with a net. The brainchild of structural engineer Joe Bingham, veteran game and toy entrepreneurs licensed the game and re-engineered it for mass production, structural soundness, and portability. The game is currently patent pending. For more information, go to https://paddlesmash.com/. 

Contact Information:
Christine Haas
[email protected]
512 751-1592


Original Source: PaddleSmash Now Available in Scheels and Dick's Sporting Goods, Following Record Holiday Online Sales

NEW YORK, February 3, 2023 (Newswire.com) - iQuanti: When you need a substantial amount of money for a household renovation or a new business venture but don'...

Jim Ellis Automotive Group's annual holiday giving campaign raised $65,000 to assist the Family Support Team at the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.

ATLANTA, February 3, 2023 (Newswire.com) -  With the support of customers, Jim Ellis Automotive Group closed out the sixth annual Holiday Giving Campaign with a $65,000 donation to the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. A portion of the profit for each new or used vehicle sold at all of the 20 Jim Ellis Automotive dealerships between Dec. 1 and Dec. 31, 2022, contributed to the donation.

Jim Ellis Automotive Group selects a different Atlanta-area charity to support through their annual holiday giving campaign. Over the last five years, Jim Ellis Automotive has donated over $250,000 to groups serving women and children in need across the Atlanta area from the holiday giving campaigns alone. 

Established in 1995, the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta cares for more than 2,400 children with cancer and more than 5,800 children with blood disorders annually. The Holiday Giving Campaign donation will be directed to the Family Support Team, a team of 35 individuals who help provide for the emotional and spiritual needs of the patients in the form of child life, psychology, chaplaincy and social work positions.

"We are proud to partner with the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta," said Jim Ellis Automotive Group Vice President Stacey Ellis Hodges. "We hope our donation can give a child the gift of growing up."

"We are incredibly grateful to the Jim Ellis family for their long-standing commitment to the thousands of children cared for at Children's and the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center," said Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center Development Director Sara Orton. "Their support is invaluable as we continue to provide the best care for the kids of Georgia and beyond."

About Jim Ellis Automotive Group

Jim Ellis Automotive Group has been serving the Atlanta area since 1971, starting with Volkswagen as the flagship brand. The group has expanded to 17 brands and 20 dealerships, covering Atlanta, Buford, Kennesaw, McDonough, Marietta, Sandy Springs and South Fulton. Brands include Alfa Romeo, Audi, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Ford, GMC, Genesis, Hyundai, Kia, Maserati, Mazda, Mercedes, Porsche, Toyota, Volkswagen and Volvo. Visit in stores or shop from the comfort of your home at jimellis.com.

For more information, please visit https://www.jimellis.com/ 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JimEllisAuto/ 
Instagram: @jimellisauto 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Jimellisautomotive/videos?app=desktop

Contact Information:
Loren Roberts
Associate Director of Marketing
[email protected]
770-234-8157


Original Source: Jim Ellis Automotive Donates $65,000 to Help Fight Pediatric Cancer

Stouffer Legal Brings Expert Estate Planning Services to Annapolis Community Attorneys of Stouffer Legal Legal Team together from Stouffer Legal ...

NEW YORK, February 3, 2023 (Newswire.com) - iQuanti: Like it or not, the financial world judges you based on your credit score. Your FICO credit score is a number (ranging between 300 and 850) that represents your creditworthiness, or how likely you'll be able to repay the lender. Read on to learn what a FICO score is, what factors can influence it, and how you can improve yours.

How your FICO score works

A FICO score is the credit rating determined by the Fair Isaac Corporation, a data analytics company that originally developed credit scores. FICO uses credit history reported to the major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion) to determine how reliable of a borrower you'll be. 

You may be wondering if there's a difference between a FICO score vs. credit score. Your FICO score is a specific type of credit score. It's the most widely recognized and used by many lenders in their application decisions.

However, FICO is not the only type of credit score. Competitors such as VantageScore can also be used to determine your creditworthiness. When checking your credit score, it's important to know whether the number being reported is your FICO score, VantageScore, or some other variation.

What factors affect my FICO score?

FICO's website makes it clear what data from your credit history is used when calculating your credit rating. This can be summarized into five major categories:

• Payment history (35%) - Were your payments on time and meeting the minimum requirements?
• Amounts owed (30%) - How much of your total available credit are you using?
• Length of credit history (15%) - How old is your oldest active credit line?
• New credit (10%) - How often have you applied for new lines of credit?
• Credit mix (10%) - How many different types of credit do you have (credit cards, retail cards, a mortgage, other installment loans)?

How to improve your FICO score

Raising your credit score is rooted in practicing good, responsible financial habits. Here are a few tips you could use to increase yours.

• Set your payments up for autopay. That way they'll always be paid on time and in full.
• Use your credit modestly. Many experts recommend keeping your credit utilization ratio, the amount of credit that you've used divided by your credit limit, to 30 percent or less.
• Don't cancel old credit cards. Though it can seem counterintuitive, leaving old credit cards open that don't have an annual fee will actually add to your length of credit history and positively impact your credit score.
• Apply for new credit sparingly. Each new credit inquiry will count against your credit score. Only apply when it's necessary.
• Maintain a mixture of credit lines. It's okay to have multiple loans and credit cards. Lenders like to see that you can manage multiple lines of credit.

The bottom line

FICO scores are the most recognized and widely used type of credit score. They're calculated by taking input from your credit history and using it to determine your creditworthiness. You can improve your credit score by practicing good financial habits, such as paying your bills on time and using your credit lines moderately.

Contact Information:
Keyonda Goosby
Public Relations Specialist
[email protected]
(201) 633-2125


Original Source: A Beginner's Guide to Your FICO Score

NEW YORK, February 3, 2023 (Newswire.com) - iQuanti: Moving is a big deal, and with a thousand moving parts, it's easy for the stress to begin pouring in. Whi...

California Skateparks-designed Aljada Skatepark hosts world's best on their road to Paris.

VISTA, Calif., February 3, 2023 (Newswire.com) - The world's best skateboarders are performing their newest tricks this week at the massive Aljada Skatepark in Sharjah, UAE. Designed and built by California Skateparks, Aljada is hosting the World Skate 2022 World Championships for both Street and Park disciplines. After the new Champions are named next week, Aljada will remain as a permanent skatepark serving local youth.

"The facility is unique and has beginner, intermediate, and elite competition-level Street and Park courses and covers almost 90,000 square feet (8,360 square meters)," said California Skateparks VP Bill Minadeo. "This is an amazing opportunity for local youth to interact with the world's best skaters and host incredible events, like the World Championships."

The World Skate 2022 World Championships is a key qualifying event for the Paris 2024 Olympics. While the Street skaters have already competed in one qualifier in Rome last Summer, Sharjah will be the first chance for the Park skaters to earn important points to qualify for Paris.

This weekend the Street skaters have their chance to earn the World title, with the Finals in the Men's and Women's competition taking place. The Street course at Aljada features a mirrored core section, with identical elements such as stairs and rails providing equal opportunity for both goofy- and regular-stance skaters to perform. The outer perimeter of the course includes more free-form features, allowing skaters to explore opportunities for unique tricks and combinations.

Next week, the Park competitors have their turn and attention will shift to the massive bowl, which differs from recent competition bowl designs. The traditional single deep end is replaced by two nearly 10-foot (3-meter) deep ends on opposite sides of the bowl. To take full advantage of that, a long, sloping channel flows into the bowl from the deck, allowing skaters to begin their routines with maximum speed. The volcano flyover feature included in the Olympic Park course has been replaced by a hip/transfer section extending into the bowl from the side, instead of being the bowl's centerpiece.

Both the street course and competition bowl are the result of the California Skateparks design team's nearly two-decades experience creating elite competition courses. In consultation with many athletes competing in Sharjah, the designers modified traditional contest elements and complemented them with new features that match the skaters' growing level of competitiveness and evolving style of tricks. From early practice footage seen from Sharjah, evidence suggests that the California Skateparks design team got it right, including social-media posts showing how much fun visiting pros are having at Aljada. Which is great news for Sharjah's local skaters.

For more information about the World Skate 2022 World Championships, visit www.worldskate.org/skateboarding.

To learn more about California Skateparks, visit www.californiaskateparks.com or contact Bill Minadeo: [email protected]

Contact Information:
Bill Minadeo
Vice President
[email protected]


Original Source: Top Skateboarders Converge on Sharjah UAE for World Championships

NEW YORK, February 2, 2023 (Newswire.com) - iQuanti: Cashier's checks and money orders are certified funds — payment guaranteed to clear when you use it. You can pay for the cashier's check or money order ahead of time and get a piece of paper representing the payment. You then pay with the cashier's check or money order. Then, the company that sold you the cashier's check or money order transfers the money. Doing this prevents bounced checks and insufficient funds since you already paid.

All that said, cashier's checks and money orders differ in several ways. These differences make each one suitable for distinct situations. This article will compare a cashier's check vs. money order by defining each and looking at their benefits and drawbacks.

How do cashier's checks work?

Cashier's checks are a type of official check issued by banks and credit unions. When you buy a cashier's check, the institution draws funds from your savings or checking account to cover the amount plus the issuing fee and then signs and issues you a check. You can then use the cashier's check for your purchase.

Pro: Available in large amounts

Policies differ between banks, but cashier's checks generally don't have a limit on the amount you can get one for. As a result, cashier's checks can often be used for larger purchases.

Pro: More secure

In general, cashier's checks are considered to be more secure than money orders. They are offered only by banks and are used for large purchases, so they come with additional security features to guard against fraud.

Con: Only available at banks and credit unions

You can get cashier's checks at banks and credit unions, but you also must have an account with that bank or credit union to do so. You can visit a bank branch to get a cashier's check or go on their online website to order one.

Con: More expensive

Many banks sell cashier's checks for no lower than $10. Some may sell them for even more. This is a substantial fee simply for accessing your money, so make sure you must use a cashier's check for the specific expense.

How do money orders work?

Money orders are another form of certified payment available at banks and credit unions, but also supermarkets, convenience stores, and several other locations. You can purchase a money order by paying the amount you want plus an issuing fee with cash, debit card, or traveler's check. You generally can't use credit cards since those are forms of debt. If you do, it may be treated as a cash advance. Upon purchase, the issuer hands you a check representing that money order. When you pay someone with the money order, the issuer transfers funds to the payee.

Pro: Widespread availability

Money orders are sold at many locations that you might visit regularly. Some places you can purchase a money order include:

• Western Union
• Banks/credit unions
• Convenience stores
• Gas stations
• Post offices
• Supermarkets

Pro: Cheaper

Money orders tend to cost no more than $2 to $3. This makes them more affordable than cashier's checks. Plus, since they're available at more locations, you have more room to compare costs and find the cheapest money order provider.

Con: Lower limits

Money orders are generally available for up to $1,000. Many money order providers won't let you purchase a money order larger than this. For larger purchases, you'll have to buy multiple money orders and pay the fee each time.

Con: Must be bought in person

Money order issuers must verify your identity, which can be hard to do over the Internet. So, keep in mind that money orders are rarely, if ever, available online. On the other hand, cashier's checks are only available at banks and credit unions, but you can often buy them online since you'll have a bank account with the bank already.

The bottom line

Both cashier's checks and money orders are certified funds. Each one's specific features suit them for different situations. Cashier's checks generally offer large amounts and higher security but cost more and are only available at banks and credit unions. So, cashier's checks can be excellent tools for putting a down payment on a home or car.

Meanwhile, money orders are cheaper and available at numerous locations. However, they're only available for up to $1,000 in most cases. As a result, money orders can be helpful for paying bills or placing a deposit on an apartment. Make sure to weigh these features against your specific expense to decide whether a cashier's check or money order fits your needs best.

Contact Information:
Keyonda Goosby
Public Relations Specialist
[email protected]
(201) 633-2125


Original Source: Cashier's Check vs. Money Order: Pros and Cons

NEW YORK, February 2, 2023 (Newswire.com) - iQuanti: There are certain times in life when waiting for your next payday just isn't possible. If you need extra ...