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.
By helping people find friendly company for a meal out, the app is suitable for solo travelers, newcomers to town, and locals who are open to sharing a meal with someone new
United States, 18th Jun 2026 —OpenToBites has launched its mobile app, which enables diners to find company by sharing tables at restaurants. Available on iOS and Android, OpenToBites lets users open a table for others to request, or request to join an open table. The app is suitable for solo travelers who may not want every meal to be a solo meal, people who are new in town and want a low-pressure way to meet others, and locals who might be open to sharing a table with someone new.
“We built OpenToBites in response to several trends, including the rise of solo travel and the demand for social experiences without romantic expectations, networking, or large organized events,” explained a spokesperson for OpenToBites. “We are offering shared food and conversation for people who want simple, in-person meal company in a public setting.”
OpenToBites is for people who want to share a meal with someone new in a low-pressure, public, friendly setting. The app provides two user functions. The “host path” involves the user opening a table on the app. They can choose a time, place, and meal style. The app tells potential guests how many seats are available.
The “guest path” shows open tables and allows users to send a request to join. The host can review requests and accept who joins them at their table. Guests can browse open meals by city, time, cuisine, and meal style. If the offer is accepted, the host and guest meet at the chosen place and share the meal.
The app keeps things small by design. Hosts can only invite a limited number of guests. The goal is to keep the table manageable, comfortable, and conversation-friendly. Meals are limited to the next 72 hours. This way, plans stay fresh, realistic, and easy to act on.
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PsychiCare highlights the key factors couples should consider when selecting an online marriage counselling platform, from therapist qualifications and cultural understanding to confidentiality, continuity of care, and evidence-based support.
Dubai, U.A.E, Jun 18, 2026, ZEX PR WIRE — The growing acceptance of online therapy has transformed how couples access professional relationship support. From busy professionals and multicultural couples to those navigating long-distance relationships and family pressures, teletherapy has become an increasingly preferred option for individuals seeking marriage and relationship counselling.
Mental health experts note that while online counselling has improved accessibility, choosing the right teletherapy platform remains one of the most important decisions couples can make. Not all platforms offer the same level of clinical expertise, ethical standards, or specialized relationship support.
According to relationship experts at PsychiCare, couples should evaluate several important factors before beginning online marriage counselling.
Qualified and Experienced Relationship Specialists Matter
One of the most important considerations is the qualification and experience of the therapists providing care. Couples are encouraged to seek professionals who are formally trained in relationship, marital, and family therapy and who have substantial clinical experience working with a wide range of relationship concerns.
“Many couples assume that all counselling services provide the same level of expertise, but relationship therapy requires specialized training and clinical experience,” said a spokesperson from PsychiCare. “The quality of the therapeutic relationship and the therapist’s ability to understand complex interpersonal dynamics can significantly influence outcomes.”
PsychiCare provides access to a team of highly qualified mental health professionals, including PhD-level psychologists, senior therapists, and experienced counselling professionals with 15–20 years of clinical practice. Several team members have specialized training in Marital and Family Therapy, helping couples navigate communication challenges, conflict resolution, trust concerns, emotional disconnection, intimacy difficulties, family conflicts, and long-distance relationship stress.
Cultural Understanding Can Improve Therapeutic Outcomes
For many couples, cultural context plays an important role in relationship challenges. Expectations around marriage, family involvement, finances, parenting, gender roles, and communication styles often influence relationship dynamics in ways that generic counselling approaches may overlook.
Experts recommend choosing therapists who understand diverse cultural backgrounds and family systems, allowing therapy to be both relevant and practical for the couple’s circumstances.
A culturally informed therapist can help couples address challenges while remaining sensitive to personal values, traditions, and family expectations, creating a more meaningful and productive counselling experience.
Accessibility and Flexible Scheduling Are Essential
One of the key advantages of teletherapy is convenience. However, experts suggest that accessibility should extend beyond simply offering virtual sessions.
Couples should look for platforms that provide flexible appointment options, convenient scheduling systems, and support across multiple time zones. This is particularly important for partners managing demanding careers, travel schedules, or living in different locations.
Online counselling can make it easier for couples to attend sessions consistently, reducing common barriers such as commuting, scheduling conflicts, and geographical distance.
Confidentiality and Data Security Should Never Be Overlooked
Privacy remains one of the most important concerns when seeking mental health support online.
Mental health professionals advise couples to verify that any teletherapy platform follows appropriate confidentiality standards, secure communication protocols, and professional ethical guidelines designed to protect client information.
Trust is a fundamental component of effective therapy, and maintaining confidentiality helps create a safe environment where couples can openly discuss sensitive concerns.
Evidence-Based Therapy Delivers Better Results
Experts also encourage couples to evaluate whether a platform uses evidence-based therapeutic approaches rather than relying solely on general advice or informal coaching methods.
Established approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Gottman Method interventions, and other research-backed relationship counselling frameworks provide structured strategies that help couples improve communication, strengthen emotional connection, and address recurring relationship patterns.
Evidence-based therapy focuses on measurable progress and practical skill-building rather than offering temporary solutions to deeper relationship concerns.
Continuity of Care Supports Long-Term Progress
Consistency is another factor often overlooked when selecting an online counselling platform.
Relationship experts recommend choosing services that allow couples to work with the same therapist throughout their counselling journey whenever possible. Therapist continuity helps build trust, improves therapeutic understanding, and enables more meaningful long-term progress.
When couples repeatedly switch providers, valuable therapeutic context can be lost, potentially slowing the counselling process.
Support for a Wide Range of Relationship Concerns
Every relationship is unique, and counselling needs often extend beyond conflict resolution.
Couples may seek professional support for premarital counselling, communication difficulties, rebuilding trust after betrayal, intercultural relationship challenges, emotional intimacy concerns, long-distance relationships, parenting disagreements, family conflicts, and major life transitions.
Experts suggest choosing platforms that offer specialized relationship services tailored to diverse relationship stages and concerns.
Looking Beyond Convenience
As online marriage counselling continues to gain acceptance, mental health professionals emphasize that convenience alone should not be the deciding factor when selecting a teletherapy platform.
The qualifications of the therapist, ethical standards, confidentiality practices, cultural understanding, evidence-based methodologies, and continuity of care all contribute to the quality of the therapeutic experience.
By carefully evaluating these factors, couples can make informed decisions and access professional support that promotes healthier communication, stronger emotional connections, and long-term relationship wellbeing.
Resources for Couples Seeking Support
Couples seeking professional relationship support can learn more through PsychiCare’s dedicated counselling services:
PsychiCare is an online mental health and relationship counselling platform providing evidence-based support for individuals, couples, and families. The platform connects clients with experienced psychologists, relationship specialists, and mental health professionals trained in addressing communication challenges, relationship conflict, trust issues, family dynamics, premarital concerns, intercultural relationships, and emotional wellbeing through secure online counselling services.
The upgraded intelligent packaging equipment integrates high-speed servo and vision inspection technologies to boost production efficiency for FMCG producers worldwide.
Xiamen, China, 18th Jun 2026 – XIAMEN GACHN TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD (GACHN), a manufacturer of intelligent end-of-line packaging equipment, has rolled out its updated lineup of hygiene products packaging machines targeting global FMCG and daily necessities producers. The new equipment adopts high-speed servo synchronous control and intelligent vision inspection systems, supporting flexible production and reducing operational downtime. Backed by the company’s 25,000-square-meter manufacturing base and mature R&D system, the products can fulfill both standard orders and customized packaging line demands. The full product range is now available for global inquiry and order placement to serve packaging automation needs across 26 countries and regions.
Core Technology and Product Highlights
GACHN’s new packaging machines combine proven mechanical design and digital technologies to address common challenges in post-production packaging.
High-Speed Servo Synchronous Packaging Technology: Multi-servo control systems coordinate arranging, feeding, packaging and sealing processes. The structure runs more steadily than traditional mechanical setups and allows faster product changeovers, cutting material waste and unplanned downtime.
Intelligent Inspection & Flexible Production Technology: Built-in vision and sensing modules automatically detect product position and packaging defects. Operators can switch between different product specifications quickly, lowering manual adjustment time and keeping consistent packaging quality.
End-of-Line Full Line Integration: The equipment connects product handling, packaging, case packing, palletizing and AGV logistics. The integrated workflow minimizes manual work and streamlines the whole production process for unmanned factory construction.
Modular Equipment Structure: Standardized modular design improves equipment stability and maintainability. Components can be replaced or upgraded conveniently, helping clients cut long-term operation and maintenance costs.
Global Compliance and Certifications
All updated packaging machines comply with CE standards for the European market. The company has obtained ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001 and ISO 50001 management system certifications, as well as 150 national patents. These qualifications meet market access requirements in Europe, North America, Southeast Asia and other major regions, ensuring stable operation under diverse industrial environments.
Supply and Customization Services
The new hygiene products packaging machine series accepts global orders starting June 10, 2026. Mass production and delivery will begin in July 2026. GACHN provides tailored solutions for global clients. The team adjusts machine parameters, production speed and line layouts based on client product sizes, factory space and capacity goals. It also offers on-site training and long-term technical support for overseas part.
“Launching the upgraded packaging machine series marks a solid step for us to expand global market influence.” said Dai Zhaohui, Chief Executive Officer of XIAMEN GACHN TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD “We stick to continuous R&D investment and focus on solving practical production problems for global manufacturers.”
According to Market Research Intellect, the global smart packaging equipment market reached USD 3.74 billion in 2025. It is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 8.5 percent from 2027 to 2035, driven by manufacturing automation and rising demand for flexible production . More FMCG and hygiene product manufacturers are replacing manual packaging with automated lines to lift productivity. GACHN’s new product launch aligns with this trend. The company leverages its expertise in post-line packaging to deliver reliable automation equipment and customized solutions for global clients.
Future Plans
Looking ahead, XIAMEN GACHN TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD will keep investing over 10 percent of annual revenue in R&D. The company will iterate high-speed packaging and intelligent detection technologies and expand its product portfolio covering food, medical and textile packaging equipment. It will also strengthen overseas after-sales service networks to deliver timely technical assistance to clients in more regions.
About XIAMEN GACHN TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD
XIAMEN GACHN TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD was founded in 2011 and listed on the National Equities Exchange and Quotations with stock code 832368. The company focuses on the R&D, production and service of intelligent packaging equipment for hygiene products, FMCG and other sectors. It has 162 employees, including 53 R&D and technical staff. The firm owns a 25,000-square-meter intelligent manufacturing plant with an annual production capacity of 500 sets of packaging equipment. Recognized as a National High-Tech Enterprise and a Fujian Specialized and Sophisticated SME, Jiahchuang Technoloogy serves clients in 26 countries and regions, providing advanced solutions for automated production. The company aims to become a trusted service provider for unmanned manufacturing solutions.
