The financial consultant’s upbringing across Norway, the United States, Germany, Scotland, and Australia underpins a global, long-horizon view of markets
United States, 18th Jun 2026 — Long before he managed institutional portfolios, Austin Glenn Smith, Ph.D., was learning to read the world. Born in Oslo, Norway, in 1958 to a Norwegian father and a New Zealand–born mother, Smith spent his formative years moving across continents, an upbringing he says taught him the single discipline that would define his career in finance: perspective.
Smith’s family relocated to the United States when he was six. At sixteen, he left for Hamburg, Germany, where he studied for six years. He went on to earn a Master’s degree from Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen, Scotland, and later a Ph.D. in Australia, an academic path spanning four countries and as many cultures.
“Growing up across four countries teaches you that no single market, and no single moment, tells the whole story,” said Smith. “Perspective is the most undervalued asset in finance.”
That globally formed outlook became the foundation of a 30-year career in institutional investment. After entering finance in the early 1990s, working for a time alongside renowned author and investor Robert Kiyosaki, Smith held senior fund and portfolio management roles with the Vanguard Management Group and Expert Edge Investments, with work that carried him repeatedly between the United States and Canada.
Where some investors anchor to a single home market, Smith built a practice of weighing decisions against a wider field of view, across regions, currencies, and economic cycles. He argues that the discipline of seeing beyond one’s immediate vantage point is exactly what protects long-term capital.
“Markets are local in their noise and global in their lessons,” he said. “The investor who can hold both views at once is far harder to surprise.”
In 2020, after decades of trans-continental travel, Smith settled in Washington. In 2026 he transitioned from full-time fund management to private financial consulting, advising a select group of clients across the United States and Canada. He says his international background is not a biographical footnote but a working method, one he now brings to individuals and families planning for the long term.
“Every place I lived added a lens,” Smith said. “Clients don’t just get my opinion; they get decades of watching how markets behave in very different worlds.”
Austin Glenn Smith, Ph.D., is a financial consultant and former senior fund and portfolio manager with more than 30 years of experience in institutional investment and portfolio strategy. Born in Oslo, Norway, and educated across the United States, Germany, Scotland, and Australia, he held senior roles with the Vanguard Management Group and Expert Edge Investments before transitioning, in 2026, to private financial consulting. He advises a select group of clients across the United States and Canada on portfolio strategy, retirement, and wealth planning. Learn more at austinglennsmith.com.
The rigorous certification validates Sihoo’s proprietary DynaCore System, proving its ability to eliminate support loss and intuitively adapt to human movement.
Shenzhen, China, 18th Jun 2026 – Sihoo, a global leader in ergonomic seating, today announced that its flagship Doro C300 Pro V2 has officially been certified by the esteemed German Institute for Health and Ergonomics (IGR). Meeting the uncompromising standards of DIN EN ISO 26800, this certification serves as an independent validation of the chair’s breakthrough approach to human-centric comfort.
Comfort isn’t just a feeling. It’s a science.
For years, the modern workforce has had to adapt to their chairs, battling support loss the moment they shift focus or change posture. The Doro C300 Pro V2 was engineered to rewrite this reality. Now, the IGR certification officially verifies that Sihoo’s proprietary DynaCore Full-Body Support System performs exactly as designed: intuitively synchronizing the backrest, lumbar support, headrest, and armrests to respond seamlessly to natural human movement.
Whether leaning forward into a demanding project or reclining to recharge, the IGR testing confirms that the Doro C300 Pro V2 maintains ideal, continuous balance. The result is an end to support loss.
Empowered Movement. Backed by German Engineering.
Earning the IGR seal isn’t just about passing a static test; it requires proving a tangible improvement to health, posture, and daily focus. The Doro C300 Pro V2 delivers on this promise through intuitive, user-first engineering:
Adaptive comfort response: The IGR-validated SyncroFlex Backrest automatically maps the natural curvature of the spine the second a user sits down. No levers. No dials. Just an immediate, highly tailored experience.
Zero gaps. Zero fatigue: The Self-Adaptive Dynamic Lumbar Support 2.0 actively tracks and cradles the lower back. By eliminating the “sacrum gap,” it directly prevents the physical fatigue that disrupts deep work.
Multi-directional ergonomic support: From typing to mobile scrolling, the 8D Bionic Armrests and Ultra-Wide 3D Headrest provide precise, pressure-relieving support that glides with the user’s natural workflow.
Availability
The IGR-certified Sihoo Doro C300 Pro V2 is now officially available in major global markets, including the United States, Germany, and France.
Founded in 2011, Sihoo is driven by a core mission: to create seating solutions that seamlessly combine comfort, robust support, and cutting-edge ergonomic innovation. With 15 years of dedicated expertise in biomechanics and engineering, Sihoo has become a globally recognized brand trusted by modern businesses, remote workers, and households in more than 100 countries.
The Brisbane Plumbers, a respected provider of residential and commercial plumbing services, has announced an expansion of its hot water capabilities in response to rising interest in solar hot water systems across the Brisbane region. The company reports a steady increase in enquiries from households and businesses seeking guidance on solar hot water installation, maintenance, and repair, prompting a broader focus on this area of work.
The shift reflects a wider trend across South East Queensland, where property owners are weighing energy costs and considering alternatives to conventional gas and electric hot water units. The Brisbane Plumbers state that the local climate, with its consistent sunlight throughout much of the year, has contributed to growing attention on solar-powered options for domestic and commercial water heating.
Solar hot water systems use roof-mounted collectors to capture heat from the sun, transferring that energy to stored water for everyday use. The technology has been available in Australia for several decades, though demand has fluctuated alongside changes in energy pricing, rebate schemes, and consumer awareness. The Brisbane Plumbers note that recent enquiries have included questions about system suitability, roof orientation, tank capacity, and integration with existing plumbing arrangements.
As part of the expanded focus, the company has aligned its existing hot water diagnostics, repair, and maintenance services to cover solar configurations alongside gas and electric systems. Technicians assess each property individually, taking into account factors such as household size, available roof space, and current hot water usage. The Brisbane Plumbers also provide servicing for components, including pumps, valves, and booster elements that support solar units during periods of reduced sunlight.
“The number of property owners asking about solar hot water in Brisbane has grown noticeably over the past year, and the company has adjusted its services to meet that interest,” said Joseph, Director of The Brisbane Plumbers. “Each property is different, so the focus is on assessing what suits a particular home or business rather than applying a single approach across the board.”
The company’s broader plumbing operations continue alongside the expanded hot water work. The Brisbane Plumbers offer 24/7 emergency plumbing for situations such as burst pipes, gas leaks, and water leaks, along with pipe relining that repairs damaged pipes without excavation. Blocked drain services make use of CCTV drain inspections to identify the location and cause of obstructions, while general plumbing repairs and maintenance support ongoing property upkeep.
Gas fitting also forms part of the company’s service range, which the business notes is relevant to households that operate hybrid or booster-assisted hot water arrangements. The Brisbane Plumbers state that combining these capabilities under a single provider allows property owners to address hot water and general plumbing matters without engaging multiple contractors.
Industry observers have noted that interest in solar hot water tends to align with periods of rising electricity costs and increased public discussion of household energy efficiency. The Brisbane Plumbers indicate that recent enquiries have come from both new property owners planning installations and existing owners seeking to repair or replace ageing systems.
“The expectation is that interest in solar hot water will continue at a steady pace as more households review their energy use,” Joseph said. “The company plans to maintain its training and keep technicians familiar with current systems so that customers receive accurate advice as the technology and available products develop.”
The Brisbane Plumbers operate across the Brisbane metropolitan area from a base in Geebung, Queensland. The company provides a range of plumbing services to residential and commercial clients, with an emphasis on emergency response, hot water systems, drainage, and gas fitting. The recent focus on solar configurations reflects ongoing adjustments to its service offering in line with local demand.
For additional information about solar hot water Brisbane and related industry developments, contact The Brisbane Plumbers at 2/187 Murphy Road, Geebung, QLD 4034. Enquiries regarding the company’s products, services, and installation support can be directed to 1300 847 094 or by email at info@thebrisbaneplumbers.com.au.
The post The Brisbane Plumbers Respond to Growing Demand for Solar Hot Water in Brisbane appeared first on King Newswire. This content is provided by a third-party source.. King Newswire makes no warranties or representations in connection with it. King Newswire is a press release distribution agency and does not endorse or verify the claims made in this release. If you have any complaints or copyright concerns related to this article, please contact the company listed in the ‘Media Contact’ section
Bratislava, Slovakia, June 18th, 2026, FinanceWire
The new online service from a securities broker licensed in Slovakia makes investing simpler. ETFobchodník provides a platform for investing in the world’s largest funds with zero fees and interest on cash balances.
ETFobchodník has introduced an investment service that enables users to invest regularly in exchange-traded funds (ETFs) without account management fees. The service is designed to provide access to ETF-based investing through a simplified investment process.
The new service responds to a situation in which money held in ordinary bank accounts is rapidly losing its purchasing power due to inflation, while traditional financial institutions offer people products with complex and hidden fees that deprive them of a large part of their returns. ETFobchodník therefore brings a solution based on so-called ETF funds, or Exchange Traded Funds. These work very simply: they represent a kind of “shopping basket” filled with the world’s most successful stocks. Instead of having to choose individual companies in a complicated way, by buying a single fund, an investor gains exposure to hundreds of major companies, such as Apple, Microsoft or Amazon, all at once. This also reduces the risk of sharp fluctuations in the value of their invested assets.
Why ETFobchodník is changing the investment landscape:
No fees, including hidden costs: Traditional mutual funds offered by banks charge high fees for their managers to manually select stocks, which in the vast majority of cases does not lead to higher returns. ETFobchodník uses passive investing, where purchases are managed by an automated computer system. Thanks to this, fees can be zero.
Cash balances earn interest: ETFobchodník’s rate is up to 3.75% per year. Interest is calculated daily and credited once a month.
Money works on its own through automatic reinvestment: The platform exclusively uses so-called accumulating ETFs. This means that if companies in the basket pay out a dividend, meaning a share of profit, this money is immediately and automatically used to buy additional shares. This maximizes the power of compounding and helps savings grow faster.
Training and tools for beginners: The product also includes a free demo account, through which every beginner can try investing without using real money. ETFobchodník also offers other practical visual tools, such as an inflation calculator or a savings calculator.
High security: Clients’ assets are under strict supervision and protected by European consumer protection rules. ETFobchodník buys only real securities of the world’s largest companies and tracks proven global indices, such as the American S&P 500. The service completely avoids risky and speculative financial instruments.
Simplicity first
The entire process, from opening an account to monitoring how the money grows, takes place fully online via computer or mobile phone. People have a constant overview of their money and can change or pause their monthly deposits at any time free of charge or withdraw their money if needed without any penalties. The service thus brings complete freedom and fair conditions for everyone who wants to protect their savings and let them grow safely and intelligently.
About the ETFobchodník project
ETFobchodník is a modern product whose goal is to make simple, safe and low-cost investing accessible to the general public. Thanks to full digitalization without the need for in-person meetings, it enables ordinary savers to conveniently build long-term wealth through global index funds, or ETFs. The operator of the service is a duly licensed and regulated entity supervised by the National Bank of Slovakia. More about the company here: https://etfobchodnik.com/en/about-us
Contact
Support ETFobchodnik support@etfobchodnik.com +421 222 200 936
B2PRIME, a global financial services provider, has launched an AI Assistant directly inside B2TRADER, its flagship trading platform. The tool delivers real-time market analysis, sentiment signals, and price outlooks without requiring traders to leave their workspace or consult a separate analytics service. It is the first public step in B2PRIME’s strategy to become a fully AI-native brokerage.
Moving Towards Market Interpretation
As financial markets become increasingly data-driven, traders are expected to process vast amounts of information across multiple sources while making decisions in real time. B2PRIME believes the next generation of trading technology will also help users understand them, going far beyond providing simple access to markets.
Instead of adding AI as a standalone feature, B2PRIME is going further by embedding intelligence directly into the trading workflow, creating a more connected and context-aware trading environment.
This way, the company is changing the very role of the trading platform: from a transaction-execution environment to an intelligent workspace that helps the user interpret the market directly at the time of analysis.
What the AI Assistant Does
The AI Assistant sits directly inside the B2TRADER interface and automatically adapts to whichever market a user is viewing at any given moment. Rather than requiring traders to switch between countless charts, research portals, news feeds, and analytics tools, it brings multiple layers of market intelligence into a single workspace. No tab-switching, no external subscriptions, no separate logins necessary.
The Assistant continuously analyses the selected market and presents a consolidated view of the factors shaping current conditions. Within one interface, users can access:
An AI Score reflecting the system’s current assessment of the selected market
A model-generated 12-month price outlook
Bullish and bearish sentiment insights
Technical, on-chain, and sentiment signal drivers
Informational suggested actions
Key market metrics, including trading volume, market capitalisation, and historical price levels
By combining these elements, the AI Assistant helps traders understand not only what is happening in the market but also the signals and data points influencing current conditions.
Why It Matters for Traders
Market analysis has historically required either expensive professional tools or significant time investment in self-education. Traders relying on instinct or fragmented information sources often face a structural disadvantage when navigating fast-moving markets.
The B2PRIME AI Assistant is designed to address this challenge on multiple levels.
Lower Barrier to Entry
Traditionally, accessing structured market analysis — sentiment breakdowns, technical signal aggregation, price outlooks — required either professional-grade subscriptions or building the analysis yourself.
The AI Assistant brings institutional-quality context in front of any trader, at the moment they need it, and regardless of their level of experience. Someone opening a position on a crypto asset or FX pair can see immediately what the signals say before they act, without needing to spend hours doing preliminary research.
A Practical Starting Point for Self-Education
For traders looking to build their market knowledge, the AI Assistant serves as a reference point rather than a replacement for independent thinking. By exposing users to sentiment analysis, technical indicators, and broader market signals within their normal workflow, it helps them better understand how different factors contribute to market behaviour over time.
What’s Next
“We are building infrastructure for the way professional traders actually work — under time pressure, with too much fragmented information and not enough contextual clarity,” said Eugenia Mykuliak, Founder and Executive Director of B2PRIME Group. “Embedding AI into B2TRADER is the first step in a longer journey toward a fully AI-native brokerage.”
The AI integration is available to B2PRIME clients via B2TRADER across web, iOS, and Android.
About B2PRIME
B2PRIME Group is a global financial services provider for institutional, professional and retail clients. Regulated by reputable authorities — including CySEC, SFSA, FSCA, FSC Mauritius, and DFSA (Dubai), and SCB (The Bahamas) — the group of companies offers access to competitive liquidity across multiple asset classes. Committed to the highest compliance standards, B2PRIME provides institutional-grade trading solutions with a focus on reliability, transparency, and operational excellence.
With 23 years of rubber manufacturing heritage, 8 million annual capacity and 3,000+ ready molds, the Huizhou factory records zero safety failures across 142 overseas shipments in 2026
Huizhou, China, 18th Jun 2026 – Huizhou Yikai Rubber Technology Co., Ltd., a vertically integrated OEM/ODM manufacturer of custom TPR stress relievers and TPU bouncy balls, today highlighted its 2026 Disney FAMA and SMETA certifications as validation of its zero-defect production record. With 142 shipments to the EU, U.S., and Japan passing safety inspections without a single non-conformance in 2026, the company is positioning its 10,000-square-meter Huizhou facility as a low-risk, high-compliance sourcing partner for global brands and cross-border e-commerce sellers.
Backed by a 23-year manufacturing heritage since 2003 via its predecessor factory, Shenzhen Qimeng Toys Co., Ltd., the company directly addresses three core procurement challenges frequently encountered by overseas buyers: cross-border multi-regional compliance risks, unstable batch-to-batch material quality, and extended lead times caused by third-party subcontracting dependencies.
All self-produced TPR, TPU and TPE raw materials fully comply with mainstream global safety standards, including EU REACH (240 SVHCs as of June 2026), US ASTM F963-23 (mandatory U.S. toy safety standard effective April 2024), and Japan ST 2022 Food Sanitation Law. Equipped with over 3,000 ready-made molds — three times the industry average — and 30% faster mold development speed than regional peers, the factory supports low MOQ and rapid sample customization for global buyers.
Addressing Global Sourcing Compliance and Efficiency
For global brand owners, promotional product distributors, and cross-border e-commerce sellers sourcing TPR and TPU products from China, Huizhou Yikai Rubber Technology Co., Ltd. provides three quantifiable competitive advantages backed by performance data.
Compliance-Integrated Production Cuts Supplier Audit Time by 30-45 Days
The factory holds valid 2026 Disney FAMA Certification — the essential “birth certificate” for Disney-licensed production, valid for three years with annual renewal — along with the March 2026 SMETA Social Compliance Audit Report, ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System and ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management System certifications. These active certifications allow buyers to bypass redundant supplier audits, accelerating time-to-market by 30 to 45 days.
Vertically Integrated Operations Ensure Batch-to-Batch Material Consistency
The company adopts a full industrial chain in-house production model, covering raw material compounding, custom mold fabrication, precision injection molding, pad printing, spray coating and finished product packaging. Without trading intermediaries, cross-contamination of raw material batches, operations under expired certifications, or offshore subcontracting…, the company ensures 100% quality traceability and consistent batch performance for all orders.
3,000+ Standard Molds Enable Low MOQ and 10-Day Sampling Lead Time
With over 3,000 in-stock ready molds (three times the industry average), buyers can directly select existing mature designs and skip the 15-25 day custom mold development cycle. MOQ is only 3,000 units per color/style, significantly lower than the industry standard of 10,000-25,000 units, greatly lowering the procurement threshold for small and medium-sized global buyers and brand start-ups.
2026 Verified Global Compliance Certifications & Material Safety Standards
Disney FAMA (Facility and Merchandise Authorization) – Active, verified 2026
SMETA Social Compliance Audit – Passed March 2026 (SMETA 7.0 framework)
ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System – Active
ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management System – Active
For material safety, all TPR, TPU, and TPE compounds comply with four international standards within a single production line:
EU REACH – ECHA Candidate List June 2026 (240 SVHCs)
EU RoHS 3 – Directive 2015/863/EU
US ASTM F963-23 – Mandatory U.S. toy safety standard effective April 20, 2024
Japan ST 2022 – Food Sanitation Law compliance
Every outbound shipment includes material certificates, test reports, and a digital traceability record. Third-party inspection from SGS, TÜV, or Intertek is available upon request.
As a professional TPR/TPU/TPE rubber product manufacturer based in China’s Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, the company offers three categories of customized products covering global mainstream market demands.
TPR Slow-Rise Stress Relievers
The company’s TPR slow-rise stress relievers cover three high-growth global application scenarios: medical and rehabilitation ADHD sensory therapy tools and occupational therapy aids; corporate promotional branded giveaways and wellness merchandise; and entertainment licensed character collectibles.
With flexible technical customization, product hardness can be adjusted from 00-Shore 10 to Shore A 50 by area, and slow rebound time can be customized from 2 to 10 seconds. The company supports multiple special effects: fluorescent glow, microcapsule long-lasting fragrance and thermochromic temperature color change. For branding customization, the company provides 4-color pad printing, gradient and metallic spray coating, and concave-convex mold engraving for permanent logo marking. Sample lead time is 10 working days, and custom mold production takes 15-25 working days.
TPU High-Rebound Bouncy Balls
Custom TPU high-rebound bouncy balls are widely used in durable chew-proof pet toys, sports promotional gifts and retail novelty products. Product diameter ranges from 25mm to 80mm, with rebound rate over 80% on standard concrete surfaces, maintaining stable performance without cracking or deformation at -10°C to 50°C. Customizable options include solid color, marbled effect, translucent finish, built-in rattles/LEDs/printed inserts, and diverse surface textures (smooth, matte, anti-slip).
Industrial & Special Elastomer Parts
The company also produces customized industrial rubber parts such as gaskets, bumpers and non-slip grips, as well as functional prototypes for industrial equipment manufacturers. MOQ for industrial elastomer parts is 5,000 units, with flexible tooling cost settlement based on production volume.
OEM/ODM Procurement Workflow | Full-Cycle Service From Inquiry to Shipment
The company provides standardized one-stop OEM/ODM customization services for global buyers. The complete procurement process includes six transparent and efficient stages:
Design Feasibility Review – The professional engineering team evaluates manufacturability of customers’ 2D drawings, 3D files (STP/IGS format) or physical samples, and provides professional feedback within 48 hours.
Custom Mold Fabrication – Prototype single-cavity molds take 7-10 working days, and mass-production multi-cavity molds take 15-20 working days.
Sample Production – The company produces 10-50 test samples for appearance, touch and functional verification, with three free revision rounds included in the standard service.
Mass Production – According to product design complexity, mass production for 50,000-200,000 units takes 15-30 working days.
Packaging & Shipping – The company supports diversified packaging solutions: bulk packing, polybag with header card, custom blister pack and retail gift box. FOB Shenzhen and CIF shipping terms are acceptable.
Delivery & Complete Certification Documents – Every shipment is equipped with full material certificates, safety test reports and digital traceability records. SGS, TÜV, Intertek third-party inspection services are available on demand.
Clear MOQ Rules: 10,000 units per design for new custom molds; only 3,000 units per color/style for existing ready molds. Custom Logo Service: Support 4-color pad printing (minimum 5mm×5mm printing area) and concave-convex mold engraving for permanent brand logo. The company provides official quotations within 2 working days, and welcomes qualified global buyers to visit the Huizhou factory by appointment.
“Global buyers now prioritize full cross-border compliance over low unit prices. Our vertically integrated in-house production eliminates third-party subcontracting risks, letting brand owners streamline their supply chain while meeting EU, U.S. and Japanese toy safety rules at once. Benefiting from 23 years of mature rubber product manufacturing experience, our factory holds valid 2026 Disney FAMA and SMETA compliance qualifications. In 2026, we have achieved zero safety non-conformities in 142 batch shipments to EU, US and Japanese markets. Regardless of order volume, all customized TPR stress relievers and rubber products strictly comply with EU REACH, EU RoHS 3, US ASTM F963-23 and Japan ST 2022 global safety standards. Our complete compliance system is not only a qualification certificate set, but also a core guarantee to reduce procurement risks and shorten market launch cycle for global buyers.” said Tu Bin, General Manager of Huizhou Yikai Rubber Technology Co., Ltd.
Industry Analysis: Compliance & Quality Consistency Become Core Sourcing Standards
The global stress toy market size has grown strongly, from $5.88 billion in 2025 to a projected $6.26 billion in 2026 at a CAGR of 6.5%. The decompression toys market is expected to grow from $2.8 billion in 2025 to $3 billion in 2026 at a CAGR of 7%. The TPR stress reliever market alone was valued at approximately $500 million in 2025 and is projected to reach $1.8 billion by 2033 at a CAGR of 15%.
Global B2B sourcing data shows that for custom stress relief toys and rubber products, cross-border safety compliance and stable batch quality have surpassed unit price as the top two purchasing standards for overseas buyers. More global merchants tend to choose factories with one-stop multi-region compliance capabilities.
As a professional Greater Bay Area rubber manufacturer, Huizhou Yikai realizes synchronous compliance with EU, US and Japanese safety standards in one production line, enabling buyers to complete all compliance certification procedures with a single supplier, greatly simplifying the sourcing process. Supported by 3,000+ ready molds, the company provides lower MOQ and faster sampling services than most industry peers. Located in Huizhou, 60km from Shenzhen Port, the core hub of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, the factory enjoys complete raw material supply chains and skilled industrial workers, effectively reducing logistics costs and supporting flexible, rapid production adjustment.
Future Development & Upgrade Plans
To better serve global market demands, Huizhou Yikai Rubber Technology is actively planning production capacity expansion, including adding new precision injection molding equipment. Meanwhile, the company is independently developing a digital mold library and intelligent online quotation system, scheduled for pilot launch in late 2026. In terms of qualification upgrading, the company plans to obtain BSCI certification to further enrich its global compliance system and provide more comprehensive compliance guarantees for global buyers.
About Huizhou Yikai Rubber Technology Co., Ltd.
Huizhou Yikai Rubber Technology Co., Ltd. was established in 2023, backed by a 23-year manufacturing heritage since 2003 via its predecessor factory, Shenzhen Qimeng Toys Co., Ltd. The company is based in Huiyang District, Huizhou City, Guangdong Province, within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
The company operates a 10,000-square-meter self-owned integrated facility with annual production capacity of 8 million units and a ready mold inventory of more than 3,000 designs. Active certifications include ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, SMETA (passed March 2026), and Disney FAMA (active 2026). All standard production materials comply with EU REACH, EU RoHS 3, US ASTM F963-23, and Japan ST 2022 standards. The company specializes in TPR (00-Shore 10 to Shore A 50), TPU, and TPE materials with special effects including fluorescent, scented, and thermochromic finishes. Its vertically integrated model — from material compounding and mold fabrication to injection molding, printing, and packaging — ensures full quality control and supply chain transparency.
Special Panel Stage Confirmed for AnimagiC 2026 Featuring the World Premiere of the Main Cast and The First Trailer
An anime adaptation of Just Like Mona Lisa (Original Title: Seibetsu “Mona Lisa” no Kimi e), the project previously unveiled under the codename “Project M,” has officially been announced, with the teaser visual released alongside the announcement. The upcoming series is set to portray the story’s sensitive emotions and vivid world through expressive new animation.
Furthermore, to commemorate this milestone, author Tsumuji Yoshimura, has shared an exclusive newly drawn celebratory illustration alongside an official comment.
Introduction to Just Like Mona Lisa What if everyone were born genderless, who would you fall in love with? The highly anticipated TV anime adaptation of Just Like Mona Lisa by Tsumuji Yoshimura, a series that has surpassed a cumulative 1 million copies sold, is finally here.
Hinase, the main character who continues to live genderless. Childhood friends Ritsu and Shiori, who have already chosen theirs. What is “love”? What does it mean to have something you want to cherish above all else? Their classmates and the adults around them struggle and hesitate alongside them, weaving the story together. What choice will Hinase make? A breathtaking triangle of first love and youth, now brought to life in beautiful animation by SHAFT, one of Japan’s leading animation studios.
Special Comment & Illustration from Author Tsumuji Yoshimura
Story In a world where everyone is born genderless. Their bodies shift toward their desired gender when they reach around twelve years old. Yet Hinase alone had not changed at all and had now reached the age of eighteen. Arima Hinase, a third-year high school student, carries the quiet unease of being the only one around them genderless, yet simply spends unchanged days with childhood friends Ritsu Kaga and Shiori Takayama, and that alone had been enough. Then one day, when Ritsu and Shiori confess their feelings towards Hinease, their everyday life begins to change. “Something is about to change. Their eighteenth spring has arrived.”
Tsumuji Yoshimura / SQUARE ENIX, “Just Like Mona Lisa” Project
Tsumuji Yoshimura / SQUARE ENIX, “Just Like Mona Lisa” Project
Tsumuji Yoshimura / SQUARE ENIX, “Just Like Mona Lisa” Project
Tsumuji Yoshimura / SQUARE ENIX, “Just Like Mona Lisa” Project
Staff – Original Story: Tsumuji Yoshimura’s “Just Like Mona Lisa” (Published by Square Enix “Gangan Comics ONLINE”) – Animation Production: SHAFT Inc.
Original Manga Information ・Publisher: Square Enix Co., Ltd. ・Author: Tsumuji Yoshimura ・Volumes: Volumes 1–8, along with spin-off volumes “X” and “Y,” totaling 10 volumes now available.
Media & Press Inquiries CyberAgent, Inc. Corporate Communications / PR Team: Mika
Raleigh business leader Michael A. Griffin says the best leaders are built through experience, not titles, and encourages young professionals to focus on learning before leading.
RALEIGH, N.C. Jun 18, 2026, ZEX PR WIRE— Michael A. Griffin, CEO and Chairman of National Business Center, Inc., is encouraging young professionals to resist the pressure to rush into leadership positions and instead focus on understanding the work, the people, and the processes that make organizations successful.
Griffin’s message comes from personal experience. Before becoming a CEO, he spent years working in customer service and learning different aspects of business operations. He believes those experiences provided lessons that continue to shape his leadership approach today.
“Everybody wants the title,” Griffin said. “Not everybody wants to learn what the people doing the work deal with every day. That’s where the real education happens.”
According to a recent Gallup workplace report, managers account for as much as 70% of the variation in employee engagement. Despite that impact, many professionals enter leadership roles without first gaining experience across different functions within an organization.
Griffin believes that creates challenges for both leaders and teams.
“When I first started, I paid attention to how customers reacted, how employees solved problems, and where processes broke down,” he said. “Those observations taught me more about leadership than any management title could have.”
Research from the Center for Creative Leadership has found that experience-based learning is one of the most significant drivers of leadership development. Exposure to different responsibilities helps future leaders understand how decisions affect employees, customers, and operations.
For Griffin, some of the most valuable lessons came from working closest to customers.
“I remember seeing situations where a policy looked good on paper but created confusion in practice,” he said. “If you’ve never been the person dealing directly with that confusion, it’s easy to make decisions that create more problems.”
He believes young professionals should actively seek opportunities to learn beyond the boundaries of their current role.
That could mean spending time with different departments, volunteering for new projects, observing experienced colleagues, or simply asking more questions.
“The people who grow the fastest are usually the people who stay curious,” Griffin said. “They want to understand how everything connects.”
Griffin also draws leadership lessons from his background in baseball and football. Growing up in Eastern North Carolina, he learned that successful teams depend on every player understanding their role and how it contributes to the larger goal.
“In sports, you learn pretty quickly that one person can’t do everything,” he said. “You also learn that every position matters. Business works the same way.”
He believes those lessons are particularly important in an era where career advancement often feels accelerated.
Social media and professional networking platforms can create the impression that leadership is something people achieve quickly. Griffin argues that the strongest leaders are often the ones who spend years building knowledge and credibility before taking on greater responsibility.
“People see the promotion,” he said. “They don’t always see the years of learning that came before it.”
His advice to young professionals is straightforward: focus less on managing people and more on understanding how the work gets done.
“Learn the customer side. Learn the operational side. Learn where problems start and how they get solved,” Griffin said. “The more perspectives you understand, the better decisions you’ll make later.”
He believes that leadership is ultimately about serving others and helping teams perform at their best. That becomes easier when leaders understand the challenges their employees face.
“When people know you’ve done the work or taken the time to understand it, trust comes faster,” he said. “Trust is one of the most important things a leader can earn.”
As organizations continue to navigate change and workforce development challenges, Griffin hopes more young professionals will view learning as an investment rather than a delay.
“Leadership isn’t a destination,” he said. “It’s the result of experiences, lessons, mistakes, and growth. The more you learn before you lead, the better prepared you’ll be when the opportunity comes.”
About Michael A. Griffin
Michael A. Griffin is the CEO and Chairman of National Business Center, Inc., based in Raleigh, North Carolina. He oversees Vegas-Style Skill Games and Blue Bull Gaming and has spent years working in customer service, operations, and executive leadership. Raised in Eastern North Carolina, Griffin played baseball and football growing up and credits many of his leadership principles to lessons learned through sports, teamwork, and hands-on experience. He frequently writes and speaks about leadership, operational discipline, customer behavior, and professional development.
Special Panel Stage Confirmed for AnimagiC 2026 Featuring the World Premiere of the Main Cast and The First Trailer
An anime adaptation of Just Like Mona Lisa (Original Title: Seibetsu “Mona Lisa” no Kimi e), the project previously unveiled under the codename “Project M,” has officially been announced, with the teaser visual released alongside the announcement. The upcoming series is set to portray the story’s sensitive emotions and vivid world through expressive new animation.
Furthermore, to commemorate this milestone, author Tsumuji Yoshimura, has shared an exclusive newly drawn celebratory illustration alongside an official comment.
Introduction to Just Like Mona Lisa What if everyone were born genderless, who would you fall in love with? The highly anticipated TV anime adaptation of Just Like Mona Lisa by Tsumuji Yoshimura, a series that has surpassed a cumulative 1 million copies sold, is finally here.
Hinase, the main character who continues to live genderless. Childhood friends Ritsu and Shiori, who have already chosen theirs. What is “love”? What does it mean to have something you want to cherish above all else? Their classmates and the adults around them struggle and hesitate alongside them, weaving the story together. What choice will Hinase make? A breathtaking triangle of first love and youth, now brought to life in beautiful animation by SHAFT, one of Japan’s leading animation studios.
Special Comment & Illustration from Author Tsumuji Yoshimura
Story In a world where everyone is born genderless. Their bodies shift toward their desired gender when they reach around twelve years old. Yet Hinase alone had not changed at all and had now reached the age of eighteen. Arima Hinase, a third-year high school student, carries the quiet unease of being the only one around them genderless, yet simply spends unchanged days with childhood friends Ritsu Kaga and Shiori Takayama, and that alone had been enough. Then one day, when Ritsu and Shiori confess their feelings towards Hinease, their everyday life begins to change. “Something is about to change. Their eighteenth spring has arrived.”
Tsumuji Yoshimura / SQUARE ENIX, “Just Like Mona Lisa” Project
Tsumuji Yoshimura / SQUARE ENIX, “Just Like Mona Lisa” Project
Tsumuji Yoshimura / SQUARE ENIX, “Just Like Mona Lisa” Project
Tsumuji Yoshimura / SQUARE ENIX, “Just Like Mona Lisa” Project
Staff – Original Story: Tsumuji Yoshimura’s “Just Like Mona Lisa” (Published by Square Enix “Gangan Comics ONLINE”) – Animation Production: SHAFT Inc.
Original Manga Information ・Publisher: Square Enix Co., Ltd. ・Author: Tsumuji Yoshimura ・Volumes: Volumes 1–8, along with spin-off volumes “X” and “Y,” totaling 10 volumes now available.
Media & Press Inquiries CyberAgent, Inc. Corporate Communications / PR Team: Mika
Raleigh business leader Michael A. Griffin says the best leaders are built through experience, not titles, and encourages young professionals to focus on learning before leading.
RALEIGH, N.C. Jun 18, 2026, ZEX PR WIRE— Michael A. Griffin, CEO and Chairman of National Business Center, Inc., is encouraging young professionals to resist the pressure to rush into leadership positions and instead focus on understanding the work, the people, and the processes that make organizations successful.
Griffin’s message comes from personal experience. Before becoming a CEO, he spent years working in customer service and learning different aspects of business operations. He believes those experiences provided lessons that continue to shape his leadership approach today.
“Everybody wants the title,” Griffin said. “Not everybody wants to learn what the people doing the work deal with every day. That’s where the real education happens.”
According to a recent Gallup workplace report, managers account for as much as 70% of the variation in employee engagement. Despite that impact, many professionals enter leadership roles without first gaining experience across different functions within an organization.
Griffin believes that creates challenges for both leaders and teams.
“When I first started, I paid attention to how customers reacted, how employees solved problems, and where processes broke down,” he said. “Those observations taught me more about leadership than any management title could have.”
Research from the Center for Creative Leadership has found that experience-based learning is one of the most significant drivers of leadership development. Exposure to different responsibilities helps future leaders understand how decisions affect employees, customers, and operations.
For Griffin, some of the most valuable lessons came from working closest to customers.
“I remember seeing situations where a policy looked good on paper but created confusion in practice,” he said. “If you’ve never been the person dealing directly with that confusion, it’s easy to make decisions that create more problems.”
He believes young professionals should actively seek opportunities to learn beyond the boundaries of their current role.
That could mean spending time with different departments, volunteering for new projects, observing experienced colleagues, or simply asking more questions.
“The people who grow the fastest are usually the people who stay curious,” Griffin said. “They want to understand how everything connects.”
Griffin also draws leadership lessons from his background in baseball and football. Growing up in Eastern North Carolina, he learned that successful teams depend on every player understanding their role and how it contributes to the larger goal.
“In sports, you learn pretty quickly that one person can’t do everything,” he said. “You also learn that every position matters. Business works the same way.”
He believes those lessons are particularly important in an era where career advancement often feels accelerated.
Social media and professional networking platforms can create the impression that leadership is something people achieve quickly. Griffin argues that the strongest leaders are often the ones who spend years building knowledge and credibility before taking on greater responsibility.
“People see the promotion,” he said. “They don’t always see the years of learning that came before it.”
His advice to young professionals is straightforward: focus less on managing people and more on understanding how the work gets done.
“Learn the customer side. Learn the operational side. Learn where problems start and how they get solved,” Griffin said. “The more perspectives you understand, the better decisions you’ll make later.”
He believes that leadership is ultimately about serving others and helping teams perform at their best. That becomes easier when leaders understand the challenges their employees face.
“When people know you’ve done the work or taken the time to understand it, trust comes faster,” he said. “Trust is one of the most important things a leader can earn.”
As organizations continue to navigate change and workforce development challenges, Griffin hopes more young professionals will view learning as an investment rather than a delay.
“Leadership isn’t a destination,” he said. “It’s the result of experiences, lessons, mistakes, and growth. The more you learn before you lead, the better prepared you’ll be when the opportunity comes.”
About Michael A. Griffin
Michael A. Griffin is the CEO and Chairman of National Business Center, Inc., based in Raleigh, North Carolina. He oversees Vegas-Style Skill Games and Blue Bull Gaming and has spent years working in customer service, operations, and executive leadership. Raised in Eastern North Carolina, Griffin played baseball and football growing up and credits many of his leadership principles to lessons learned through sports, teamwork, and hands-on experience. He frequently writes and speaks about leadership, operational discipline, customer behavior, and professional development.
