CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA – Local digital marketing powerhouse, Stingray Branding, has acquired netGalaxy Studios, the premier full-service mobile app development company based in Charleston, SC. Founded by Larry Collet
in 2010, netGalaxy Studios has served a wide clientele ranging from
local startups to regional public entities such as schools and police
departments, and even large enterprises such as the U.S. Chamber of
Commerce and Berkshire Hathaway, Inc.
The acquisition combines the
digital marketing expertise of Stingray Branding with the native app
design capability and proprietary web design
of netGalaxy Studios. Additionally, both companies have, traditionally,
been very connected and involved with the local community, something
that is sure to continue as they work together. With this merger, Larry
Collet will be transitioning to a full-time role; managing Charleston Leaders alongside Ruthann Hipps, while netGalaxy Studios will become part of Stingray Branding.
Alan Thompson,
Founder, and CEO of Stingray Branding, now the owner of netGalaxy
Studios as well, is looking forward to a continuance of the history of
excellence and service that has been the core of both of these great
companies.
The Stingray Team;
Jennifer Thompson, COO
Ambrya Baldwin, Marketing Director
Mia Pingatore, Project Manager/Graphic Designer
Megan Evanosky, Digital Marketing Executive
James Getches, Web Developer,
Matt Hampton, Copywriter
Kaprice Dyson, Social Media Manager
Want to welcome netGalaxy Studios to the Stingray Team! They are eager to begin working on building an amazing future together.
Stingray Branding is a full-service marketing and branding agency
dedicated to serving entrepreneurs and small businesses that want
high-quality internet marketing at a reasonable price. Utilizing a team
of subject matter experts from a diverse set of marketing specialties,
Stingray offers a unique approach to building your ideal brand without
compromising the quality of function or design.
You can learn more about Stingray Branding, their team, and their services at www.stingraybranding.com.
Two familiar lovers find refuge in euphoric haven of one another In the near distance, rain pours from the evening sky Crashing into the window A sound so comforting
Outside the patter of raindrops, an infrequent silence void of the chaos of life dawdles
Soothing sounds of heaven’s shower slipping into the pull of gravity
Only our breath fills the crisp air
The resistance to leave the soft fragrant sheets clinging to the pours and hugging every curve is powerful
With effortless spooning, our bodies draw near
Your timeless beauty and natural skin caress this weary soul
This morning will wait
For just a little longer
Closer I pull until we are one
Safe from a work of responsibility
Safe from the dangers and risks
Bound by a love, pure as the blue skies
One more moment
Just a few more hours to embrace the night
With you, effortless
A whisper in your ear “Close your eyes my dear and let one more dream fill your mind with lemon drops and cotton candy”
CHARLESTON, S.C., Aug. 21, 2019
/PRNewswire/ — Viking Mergers & Acquisitions, a well-known
business brokerage firm serving businesses in the Southeast, has
officially announced the expansion of their Charleston, South Carolina office. Ben Knight,
Managing Partner of Viking Mergers & Acquisitions Charleston,
recently announced the expansion. “As we continue to build on the
success we have experienced since entering the Charleston
market 18 months ago, we recognized the need for more space. A larger
office, approximately three times the size of our current office,
recently became available in the eWall Street complex, so we responded
accordingly.”
Knight continued, “This expansion aligns perfectly with our goal to
provide the most professional representation to business owners seeking
to exit their business in the Low Country. In addition, we will soon
announce the addition of a least one more broker to our staff.”
About Viking Mergers & Acquisitions
Founded in 1996, Viking Mergers & Acquisitions was established
with the vision of providing customized exit strategies and M&A
mitigation to small and middle market business owners. Since their
inception, Viking Mergers & Acquisitions has sold over 500
businesses across the Southeast. Their intermediaries have hundreds of
years of collective experience in business transactions and over 50%
have owned a business of their own. Viking proudly boasts a closing rate
that is 3x the national average and businesses that sell for 96% of
their asking price.
To learn more about Viking Mergers & Acquisitions Charleston,
please contact their office today at (843) 405-8575 or visit their
website www.vikingmergers.com to see active business listings or request a valuation for your business.
At the Dance Conservatory of Charleston, the mission is simple:
“Our mission is to combine the elite technical training of a preeminent American dance academy with the heart of a community dance center.” — Lindy Mandradjieff, founder and owner, Dance Conservatory of Charleston”
The conservatory offers:
Dance Classes – Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop and Modern
Master Classes
Visiting Artists
Summer Programs
Performances
Competitions
Follow the Journey and Be Part of Something Special
Meet Lindy Mandradjieff – Founder and talented inspiration behind this vision in personifying dance and helping others find courage, poise, confidence and excellence on the dance floor and life.
Born in Pittsburgh, PA, Lindy received the majority of her training on full scholarship at the School of American Ballet (SAB), the official school of New York City Ballet. At age 17, Lindy began her professional career with the San Francisco Ballet before joining The New York City Ballet, where she was regarded by critics as one of the hardest working dancers of her time.
Professional Achievements
While at the New York City Ballet, Ms. Mandradjieff danced featured
roles in David Allan’s Reunions; George Balanchine’s Coppélia (Waltz),
George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker (Marzipan and Dolls), Raymonda
Variations, La Sonnambula, and Walpurgisnacht Ballet; Peter
Martins’ Eight Easy Pieces, The Sleeping Beauty (Eloquence and Ruby),
and Swan Lake (Pas de Trois and Pas de Quatre); Jerome
Robbins’ Interplay; Richard Tanner’s Soirée; Helgi Tomasson’s Prism; and
Christopher Wheeldon’s Mercurial Manoeuvres and Polyphonia. She also
originated a featured role in Peter Martins’ Viva Verdi and corps roles
in Melissa Barak’s Telemann Overture Suite in E Minor, Susan
Stroman’s Double Feature, and Christopher Wheeldon’s Carnival of the
Animals. In 2002, Ms. Mandradjieff appeared in the nationally
televised Live From Lincoln Center broadcast New York City Ballet’s
Diamond Project: Ten Years of New Choreography on PBS, dancing
in Mercurial Manoeuvres.
Education and Instruction
A dancer as well as a scholar of dance, Lindy graduated with a B.A.
in Dance from St. Mary’s College in California and obtained a Public and
Professional Writing Certificate from the University of Pittsburgh. She
has nearly 15 years of teaching experience at the community and
university level, including at the prestigious Point Park
University. Ms. Mandradjieff was also the private ballet instructor for
the dancers on the Lifetime’s hit show, “Dance Moms.” In addition to
teaching, she has the rare privilege to stage works from both the George
Balanchine Trust and the Peter Martins Trust. Her students have been
accepted into the top training programs, universities, and professional
companies in the country and internationally.
Family Life
Ms. Mandradjieff is married to Matt Fabyanic. Together they have three young boys, Mason, Parker and Hudson. As a mother herself, one of Lindy’s most important roles is as a mentor to a whole new generation of dancers and art enthusiasts.
Ceterus Appears on the Inc. 5000 list for 4th Consecutive Year
CHARLESTON, S.C., Aug. 19, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Inc. magazine today revealed that Ceterus is No. 2110 on its annual Inc. 5000 list, the most prestigious ranking of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies. The list represents a unique look at the most successful companies within the American economy’s most dynamic segment—its independent small businesses. Microsoft, Dell, Domino’s Pizza, Pandora, Timberland, LinkedIn, Yelp, Zillow, and many other well-known names gained their first national exposure as honorees on the Inc. 5000.
(PRNewsfoto/Ceterus)
Ceterus provides a done-for-you accounting and
benchmarked reporting solution for entrepreneurs as well as an
accounting technology solution for CPA firms.
“Empowering entrepreneurs to realize their potential by
providing them with an accounting solution that provides financial
insights is why we do what we do. To continue our growth trajectory and
be recognized a 4th time by Inc. 5000, moving up each year, is a great
bonus,” said Levi Morehouse, Ceterus Founder and CEO.
Over the past three years, Ceterus has experienced 191%
revenue growth. Other notable achievements include recognition as one
of the 40 fastest-growing companies in South Carolina
by SC Biz News, one of the best tech start-ups by Tech Tribune, and
Ceterus Edge, a mobile app, won the 2019 Mobile Star Awards in three
separate categories.
“The companies on this year’s Inc. 5000 have followed so many different paths to success,” says Inc. editor in chief James Ledbetter.
“There’s no single course you can follow or investment you can take
that will guarantee this kind of spectacular growth. But what they have
in common is persistence and seizing opportunities.”
Complete
results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive
database that can be sorted by industry, region, and other criteria, can
be found at www.inc.com/inc5000.
Ceterus Quick Links:
Check out the ongoingCeterus podcast series featuring entrepreneurs
Browse the Ceterus Entrepreneur Resource Center for useful articles and tips on multi-unit franchising, accounting, and small business.
Headquartered in Charleston, SC,
Ceterus empowers entrepreneurs with done-for-you accounting and
benchmarked reporting and provides CPA firms powerful technology to fuel
their firms. Ceterus pairs technology with people to deliver a one-stop
solution for entrepreneurs and the CPA firms that support them. For
more information, visit http://www.ceterus.com.
787-10 is the most efficient twin-aisle jet flying today and can cover more than 95 percent of twin-aisle routes
NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C., Aug. 15, 2019
/PRNewswire/ — Boeing [NYSE: BA] delivered the first of eight 787-10
Dreamliner airplanes to Vietnam Airlines today via lease from Air Lease
Corporation [NYSE: AL]. The Vietnamese flag carrier plans to put the
787-10 – the most fuel-efficient twin-aisle airplane in the industry –
on the busiest routes in its expanding network.
“Welcoming
the largest member of the 787 family to our growing fleet ensures we
continue to boast one of the youngest and most modern fleets in Asia
and also adds a competitive edge to Vietnam Airlines’ operations. We
appreciate the unbeatable efficiency performance with reduced fuel burn
and outstanding passenger comfort and amenities,” said Pham Ngoc Minh,
Chairman of the Board of Directors of Vietnam Airlines. “On our journey
to become a 5-star airline, we are confident that the Boeing 787-10
fleet will further elevate the customer experience on the Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh route as well as many international routes.”
The
new 787-10 will complement Vietnam Airlines’ existing fleet of 787-9
jets. Both feature the Dreamliner’s ultra-efficient technology and
passenger-pleasing comforts. The 787-10 is longer than the 787-9,
providing the space to carry 40 more passengers and more cargo and
helping it offer the lowest operating costs per seat of any twin-aisle
jet in service today. Vietnam Airlines is outfitting its 787-10 models
with 367 seats (24 in business class and 343 in economy class). In
addition to its size and fuel efficiency, the 787-10 can cover long
distances. With a published range of 6,430 nautical miles (11,910 km),
the 787-10 can fly more than 95 percent of the world’s twin-aisle
routes.
“ALC is extremely pleased to announce this important first 787-10 delivery to Vietnam Airlines with Boeing and be the first lessor to introduce the airline to the -10,” said Steven F. Udvar-Házy, Executive Chairman of Air Lease Corporation. “This first of eight 787-10s from ALC will significantly contribute to Vietnam Airlines’ ongoing major widebody fleet upgrade with the latest technology. ALC values our long-time role as an advisor when planning the growth and replacement of Vietnam Airlines’ fleet to maintain the airline’s leading position in Southeast Asia and worldwide.”
With
the delivery to Vietnam Airlines, the 787-10 continues to expand its
global presence. More than 30 of this Dreamliner model have been
delivered to six operators since the airplane entered commercial service
last year. Airlines are deploying the 787-10 around the world,
especially in Asia as it is home to more than half of all 787-10 destinations.
“Vietnam Airlines has achieved impressive growth in recent years and helped power the rapid rise of commercial aviation in Southeast Asia.
We see even greater potential ahead and the 787-10 brings the perfect
combination of size and efficiency for Vietnam Airlines to serve
high-demand routes, while the longer-range 787-9 delivers the
flexibility to connect the world’s major cities with popular
destinations in Vietnam and surrounding countries,” said Ihssane Mounir,
senior vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing of The Boeing
Company. “We are excited to partner once again with ALC to bring a
state-of-the-art airplane to a valued customer. We are confident the
787-10 will help Vietnam Airlines continue to grow its regional and
international network and improve its award-winning service.”
To optimize the performance of its 787 fleet, Vietnam Airlines uses Boeing Global Services solutions such as Airplane Health Management (AHM) to capture real-time flight data and enable predictive maintenance. AHM is powered by Boeing AnalytX, a collection of software and consulting services that transform raw data into greater efficiency during every phase of flight.
About Vietnam Airlines: Vietnam Airlines – a member of SkyTeam Alliance – is the flag carrier of Vietnam and the major carrier in the South East Asia, operating 95 routes to 22 domestic and 29 international destinations with an average of 400 flights per day. Skytrax – the world’s leading airline and airport rating organization – has ranked Vietnam Airlines as a 4-Star Airline for four consecutive years. Positioning itself as a modern carrier with an internationally recognisable brand characterised by Vietnamese traditional culture, Vietnam Airlines aims to achieve 5-star status and become a major airline in Asia.
Charleston, S.C.—Today, the city of Charleston joined other South Carolina jurisdictions in filing a complaint (attached) in the Court of Common Pleas Ninth Judicial Circuit against manufacturers and distributors of opioids, seeking to end the destructive effects the opioid epidemic has had on the Charleston community and to recoup tax dollars spent as a result of the defendants’ illegal marketing, sales, and distribution of opioids. According to data from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, an average of 248 pain pills was distributed for every Charleston County resident each year from 2006 to 2012.
Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg said, “We have seen far too many cases of overdose, addiction, hospitalization and other devastating effects of the opioid epidemic here in Charleston. Put simply, enough is enough. By bringing action against those who have contributed to this problem, we hope not just to recover the costs of our ongoing response to this crisis, but to help our citizens whose lives have been damaged by opioid use and to prevent this epidemic from wreaking further havoc on our community.”
CHARLESTON, S.C., Aug. 14, 2019
/PRNewswire/ — Accountfully has announced its placement on the
prestigious 2019 Inc. 5000 list. The company has redefined outsourced
accounting by trading in long days in stuffy suits to airy, paperless
offices, serving clients accounting needs nationally. The Accountfully
way has caught on; the company has experienced massive growth in the
past three years, hitting the 2019 Inc. 5000 list at number 1736.
Co-founder and Managing Partner, Brad Ebenhoeh
attributes Accountfully’s success to its unique business model. “We do
the day-to-day work of professional accountants and bookkeepers while
also serving as a CFO and strategic partner. It’s a different approach
that gives owners the support they need to grow their business without
investing in an in-house team before it’s really necessary,” says
Ebenhoeh. “We are honored to be on such an impressive list. This
confirms the demand for the services we provide.”
The annual Inc. 5000 list, is the most prestigious ranking of the
nation’s fastest-growing private companies. The list represents a unique
look at the most successful companies within the American economy’s
most dynamic segment—its independent small businesses. Microsoft, Dell,
Domino’s Pizza, Pandora, Timberland, LinkedIn, Yelp, Zillow, and many
other well-known names gained their first national exposure as honorees
on the Inc. 5000.
Not only have the companies on the 2019 Inc. 5000 been very
competitive within their markets, but the list as a whole shows
staggering growth compared with prior lists. The 2019 Inc. 5000 achieved
an astounding three-year average growth of 454 percent, and a median
rate of 157 percent. The Inc. 5000’s aggregate revenue was $237.7 billion in 2018, accounting for 1,216,308 jobs over the past three years.
“The companies on this year’s Inc. 5000 have followed so many different paths to success,” says Inc. editor in chief James Ledbetter.
“There’s no single course you can follow or investment you can take
that will guarantee this kind of spectacular growth. But what they have
in common is persistence and seizing opportunities.”
Accountfully expanded its offices in Charleston, South Carolina to include a Nashville, Tennessee
location to support its growth over the previous years. Clients span
the nation and come from many industries, including food and drink,
digital agencies, and even rocket manufacturers. The enterprise plans on
continuing its growth, reaching more clients across the country and
helping small businesses grow by keeping them focused on their craft and
out of the books.
About Accountfully
Accountfully was
founded in 2012 to support small businesses and growing brands with
their bookkeeping and accounting needs. It is a fully outsourced
accounting team, working as bookkeepers, accountants, CFOs, controllers,
and CPAs. More than just the day-to-day accounting tasks, they also
serve as a long-term strategic partner to help businesses navigate
complex financial challenges and opportunities. Accountfully prides
itself on doing good work for good people.
The Town of Mount Pleasant is accepting
submissions for phase five of the Culture, Arts & Pride Commission’s
Traffic Box Art project until September 9. Open to residents of the
tri-county area, selected artists will have their artwork displayed
publicly at various intersections in Mount Pleasant.
The artwork
must reflect the community and culture of Mount Pleasant. To apply, the
artist must submit renditions of his or her work via email or in person.
A high-resolution image will be required if the art is selected for the
program. Selected designs will be awarded a $250 honorarium.
Presented
by the Town of Mount Pleasant Culture, Arts & Pride Commission,
this program aims to promote local artists and to encourage interaction
between the creative community, local businesses and residents.
“The
CAP Commissioners have been incredibly pleased with all of the positive
feedback we’ve received for this program from residents, visitors and
businesses,” said Special Events Manager Nicole Harvey. “We are excited
to have finished all the signal boxes on Highway 17 and to see the new
ones in the Coleman Boulevard area.”
The program, which won a Gold Hermes Creative Award last year, now has a total of 22 boxes wrapped. The application and guidelines are available at tompsc.com under the Recreation Department’s Special Events Office. To submit artwork, email cap@tompsc.com or drop off the proposal at the R.L. Jones Center at 391 Egypt Road.
CHARLESTON, S.C., Aug. 12, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Benefitfocus, Inc. (NASDAQ: BNFT), a leading cloud-based benefits management platform and services provider, today announced that Misty Guinn, director of benefits and wellness, was named the Judge’s Choice winner of the Benny Awards, presented by Employee Benefit News. Guinn is one of four recipients of Employee Benefit News‘ Benny Awards, which recognize individuals for excellence in the employee benefits and human resources field.
Misty Guinn, Director of Benefits & Wellness, Benefitfocus
Awards are granted to employee benefit or human resource
practitioners directly involved in the management of employee benefit
programs. The Judges’ Choice winner is drawn from a wider spectrum of
benefit programs and areas of professional responsibility.
“Over the past year and a half, Misty has made a
significant and positive impact on the company’s benefit programs,
improving our associates’ lives,” said Benefitfocus President and CEO Ray August.
“She is a transformative leader and for Misty to be recognized in this
fashion for her hard work and efforts on behalf of our associates makes
this award especially meaningful to us.”
Guinn was cited for revamping and branding Benefitfocus’
Benefits and Wellness Program to deliver one of the industry’s most
holistic benefits offerings and putting associates first as “Customer
#1.” The objective of Benefitfocus’ Total Well-Being strategy is to
create an environment that allows the total well-being of associates to
flourish through programs, products, and policies, while striving to
embrace all pillars of well-being: physical, mental/emotional, financial
and social/purpose.
As a result of her efforts, Benefitfocus saw a
72 percent adoption rate into its High Deductible health Plans during
the 2019 Open Enrollment period, well above the average of between 25-35
percent. It also saw a 27 percent increase in employee contributions to
Health Savings Accounts and significant growth in enrollment in
voluntary income protection products – 31 percent enrolled in an
Accident plan, 36 percent in a Critical Illness plan and a 40% growth in
hospital indemnity plans. This level of activity clearly demonstrated
Benefitfocus associates’ positive view of the perceived value of a
comprehensive benefit package.
As the director of benefits and
wellness at Benefitfocus, Guinn works closely with suppliers and
carriers to create and manage innovative health plan designs for
associates. She works to help improve their total well-being through
education, relationships and a supportive environment that includes
innovative employee benefits strategies and well-being programs that
foster foundations of a healthier workforce and community. Guinn is a
certified worksite wellness specialist with the National Wellness
Institute and a Franklin Covey Facilitator in the 7 Habits of Highly
Effective People.
EBN‘s Benny Award winners will be recognized at the 2019 Benefits Forum and Expo, which will be held Sept. 25-27 in Las Vegas. Winners will be profiled online and in the magazine’s September issue.
About Benefitfocus Benefitfocus (NASDAQ: BNFT)
unifies the entire U.S. benefits industry on a single technology
platform to protect consumers’ health, wealth, property and lifestyle.
Our powerful cloud-based software, data-driven insights and
thoughtfully-designed services, enable employers, insurance brokers,
carriers and suppliers to simplify the complexity of benefits
administration and deliver a world-class benefits experience. Learn more
at www.benefitfocus.com,LinkedIn and Twitter.
Except
for historical information, all of the statements, expectations, and
assumptions contained in this press release are forward-looking
statements. Actual results or performance might differ materially from
those explicit or implicit in the forward-looking statements. Important
factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include:
our ability to maintain our culture and recruit and retain qualified
personnel; the need to innovate and provide useful products and
services; our ability to compete effectively; management of growth; the
immature and volatile nature of the market for our products and
services; risks related to changing healthcare and other applicable
regulations; privacy; security and other risks associated with our
business; and the other risk factors set forth from time to time in our
SEC filings, copies of which are available free of charge within the
Investor Relations section of the Benefitfocus website at http://investor.benefitfocus.com/sec-filings or
upon request from our investor relations department. Benefitfocus
assumes no obligation and does not intend to update these
forward-looking statements, except as required by law.
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