Exploring Opportunities in the Polysilicon Market Latest Trends, Technological Advancement, Driving Factors and Forecast – Technology Today – EIN Presswire
MAYVILLE, N.Y. — Rebecca Magnuson started playing piano at age 3 and shares that love of music with her guests as the owner of She Sings Cafe in Mayville, Chautauqua County, which opened a little more than a year ago.”To me, piano is my therapy. And it just calms my mind,” said Rebecca.
What You Need To Know
Upstate restaurant owner Rebecca Magnuson won the state Phoenix Entrepreneur of the Year award
Not only does she own a restaurant, but she is also looking to help women who are victims of abuse
The owner writes music and is also looking to release a documentary about her life
She also wrote the song that bears the cafe’s name.
“And when I sing the lyrics, it really is the reason that I started this restaurant,” said Magnuson.
Magnuson is a domestic abuse survivor, even dating back to her childhood.
“I determined that I wasn’t going to let this break me,” said Magnuson.
She has since started a nonprofit, She is Safe of Chautauqua County, to help build a safe house for women who are victims of physical, mental or financial abuse.
“I’ve just seen so many different stories and lived different stories. There’s just not enough assistance to help women and the restaurant is really a safe place as well,” said Magnuson.
Magnuson recently won the New York State Phoenix Entrepreneur of the Year award from the state Small Business Development Center in recognition of those efforts.
“It’s just a huge honor. A surprise as well. And it just shows that we can do anything as women if we set our minds to it. We can make it happen and this is just a tribute to that for us,” said Magnuson.
To help make it happen, Magnuson worked with her local Small Business Development Center.
“Very deserving. Very talented. Smart, savvy. Very proud of Rebecca and thrilled that we could be an assist in her process,” said Beth Reed, senior business advisor for the Small Business Development Center.
The center helps business owners like Rebecca with organizational structure, finance opportunities, business plans and promotions.
“We just try and make the good stories happen. Explore their dreams and what they want to do and help them determine ahead of time perhaps if it’s right for them,” said Reed.
State leaders handed out 10 different awards across the state. They say the recognition gives owners like Magnuson a voice and platform.
“I think there’s so many good things going on across the state and this was one of the opportunities to help recognize what’s available in people’s backyards and what’s going on in their backyards,” said Sonya Smith, state director of the Small Business Development Center.
For Rebecca, it’s about healing, educating, and empowering women.
“You can be down but I feel like it’s the perfect word, that Phoenix because I’ve been put down, crushed, literally, and I have just learned how to soar,” said Magnuson.
Magnuson’s story doesn’t end there. She also worked more than 20 years in Washington, D.C., with other victims of abuse at a safe house and was most recently employed as a delivery service partner with Amazon, hiring women drivers from that safe house.
She has also toured across the country with her one-woman show and has produced a yet-to-be-released five-part documentary about her life story.
Share to FacebookShare to TwitterShare to LinkedinOvertourism has reached a critical point, leading to overcrowded hotspots and a strain on local communities. There have been reports of locals throwing water at tourists in Barcelona, and Venice can be more cruise ships than culture.
Intrepid Travel has released its annual ‘Not Hot’ list, a refreshing take on the ‘where to go’ lists, spotlighting destinations that are underrated and underappreciated. The list addresses the need for more responsible travel practices and to help reduce the pressure on popular destinations. It inspires worldly travelers to discover different and unique experiences throughout the globe, with communities that can truly benefit from having more visitors.
Statistics reveal that 80% of travelers visit 10% of the world. So basically, the majority of travelers are mostly going to the same spots at the same times of year. It doesn’t need to be this way. The destinations on the Not Hot list are alternatives to the places with tourist taxes, and frustrated locals. They help you go beyond the typical tourist traps, appealing to those eager for new experiences and more meaningful adventures.
This year marks Intrepid’s most comprehensive ‘Not Hot’ list to date, including third-party stats, trends and local insight in regions that are seeking to encourage travel in 2025. The list includes alternative regions in popular countries like Morocco, where the Anti-Atlas Mountains are often missed by visitors, and emerging destinations like Pakistan, where neighboring countries have commanded most of the spotlight. In contrast to tourist taxes, crowded viewpoints and frustrated locals, travelers to these ‘Not Hot’ list destinations can expect trips that forge meaningful connections far beyond the typical tourist experience.
Not Hot list of 10 Underrated Gems for 2025 Nature is breathtaking, surrounded by icebergs and whales.AFP via Getty Images
Disko Island, Greenland (over Iceland)
While Iceland drew over 2 million visitors last year, Greenland welcomed under 150,000. With new tours and an international airport coming in 2025, Greenland is becoming more accessible. Located off the west coast of Greenland, Disko Island is itself is a volcanic Island (the youngest in Greenland) with wonderful mountains. Some of the nature is breathtaking. Surrounded by icebergs and whales, visitors can hike glaciers by day and unwind in a local lodge overlooking Disko Bay at night.Ghana is a rich blend of dramatic landscapes.De Agostini via Getty Images
Accra, Ghana (over South Africa)
Despite its rich culture and stunning scenery, less than one million people visit Ghana every year, less than half of that of South Africa. The Eastern Region of Ghana is a rich blend of dramatic landscape, historical relics and traditional cultures.Visitors can experience local culture first-hand.Getty Images
Sainshand, Mongolia (over taking flights)
Tourist itineraries in Mongolia mainly go to the Southern and Middle Gobi provinces to visit the just the touristy highlights. Eastern Gobi offers unique insight into true Mongolian Buddhism. Visitors can stay in locally-owned accommodations, sample regional specialties, such as buuz (steamed dumplings) and Zagsgal tea. If you have time on your hands, locals recommend the two-to-three-hour hike out to Khar Uul (Black Mountains), south-west of town.Australia’s northern frontier is widely undiscovered by travelers.Intrepid Travel
Cape York, Australia (over Syndey)
The journey to Cape York (Pajinka), at the tip of Australia’s northern frontier is widely undiscovered by domestic and international travelers, with untouched landscapes and endless outdoor adventures such as fishing and camping. Home to more national parks than anywhere else in Queensland, the peninsula houses a variety of landscapes, from lush rainforests to tropical savannas and vibrant coral reefs.A mountaineer’s paradise awaits in the Baltistan region.Intrepid Travel
Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan (over Nepal)
While Nepal attracts around two million trekkers each year, fewer than 20,000 people come to Pakistan for adventure tourism, despite having three of the world’s great mountain ranges – Himalayas, Karakoram and Hindu Kush. A mountaineer’s paradise awaits in the Baltistan region, often called Little Tibet. Trekkers follow well-marked trails crossing glacial streams and pastures, staying at guesthouses and receiving full support from local porters, guides and camp cooks.The Adirondacks boast charming towns and breathtaking mountains.Intrepid Travel
The Adirondacks (over the Smokies)
This vast six-million-acre gem isn’t a national park but boasts charming towns and breathtaking mountains set to become particularly magical for peak fall. In 2025, a new rail trail will connect Lake Placid, Saranac Lake and Tupper Lake, perfect for cross-country skiing in winter and biking in summer. Charming small towns dot the landscape, each with its own unique character and attractions – from craft studios and caving adventures to museums and farm-to-table restaurants.The country is home to stunning landscapes.AFP via Getty Images
Anti-Atlas, Morocco (over Marrakech)
Over seven million tourists traveled to Morocco during the first half of 2024, but unlike well-known areas, the Anti-Atlas region remains one of the least-visited parts of the country. Home to picturesque villages and lush oasis valleys, its unique landscape features granite boulders, red-lava flows and stunning palm groves make it a hidden treasure worth exploring.Ghana is home to some stunning scenery.AFP via Getty Images
Rupununi Savannah, Guyana (over Costa Rica)
Despite its natural attractions and unique cultural heritage, Guyana remains one of South America’s least visited countries. A vast grassland region in the southwestern part of the country. Safaris offer the chance to spot iconic species such as jaguars, giant anteaters and harpy eagles or explore the complex network of lakes and rivers that are home to giant river otters.Oslo is a must see destination for visitors to Norway.Getty Images
Oslo, Norway (over Stockholm)
Most travelers to the Nordics miss Oslo, the capital of Norway, on their way to its famous Scandinavian siblings. Dubbed the ‘Newest Capital of Nordic Cool’, the quirky city offers unique character with floating saunas, green spaces, museums, artsy communities, diverse architecture, international cuisine, wild swimming spots and a dynamic nightlife scene. Just 30 minutes from the city, travelers can reach the Nordmarka forest, offering opportunities for great hiking, biking, skiing and sailing.Rolling hills are lined with olive groves and vineyards.AFP via Getty Images
Maldonado, Uruguay (over Portugal or Mexico)
The City of Maldonado presents one of the most varied and beautiful geographies in Uruguay. Artists, restaurateurs and winemakers are transforming the streets of Garzón, a once-forgotten village. Beyond the dunes toward Garzón, 30 minutes by car north of José Ignacio, lies a flourishing new wine region whose rolling hills are lined with olive groves and vineyards that hint at Tuscany. The Dragons’ Headquarters is another important building everyone should see. Its construction was completed in 1797 and it houses historic-cultural vestiges that take visitors on a journey back in time.
To support the development of tourism in these destinations, Intrepid has launched brand-new trips in four of the Not Hot locations featured, a 10-Day Intrepid Greenland Expedition, a 15-Day Benin, Togo and Ghana Adventure, an 11-Day Trans-Mongolian Railway Adventure, and an 11-Day Cape York & Torres Strait Explorer. These are all in addition to Intrepid’s 10-Day Pakistan trekking trip which first ran in 2024.
MORE FROM FORBES
Thomas Cook was agreed a deal with Poland’s eSky Group last month The deal sees eSky buy the iconic brand from China’s Fosun Tourism Group after five years of ownership following Cook’s collapse in September 2019.
It was confirmed earlier this month Cook had more than doubled the size of its Atol to 215,000 authorisations.
eSky said its existing technology “will allow Thomas Cook to significantly expand its flying capabilities, leading to the integration of 560 airlines, enhancing the available travel options for customers and strengthening the company’s competitive pricing position”. Co-founded by chief executive Lukasz Habaj some 20 years ago, the eSky Group travel platform is now operating in 50 countries worldwide.
Based in Katowice, it has the eDestinos brand and operates in Central and Eastern Europe and South America. The company offers flights, hotels, packages and ancillaries.
In 2023, eSky recorded pre-tax profit of more than €18.7 million and served 3.3 million customers. The company is part-owned by private equity fund MCI. The deal means synergies for both brands across Central and Eastern Europe coupled with Thomas Cook’s UK, Dutch and Belgian operations. This will allow eSky to offer more packages and Cook to gain an inventory of 560 potential airline partners. Habaj said: “Adding Thomas Cook to the eSky and eDestinos family of brands is a key part of our group’s transformation from primarily a flight platform to an online travel agency.
“It is our ambition to become one of the leading dynamic package sellers in Europe, as well as more firmly establishing ourselves in the minds of Western European travellers.” Cook chief Alan French will become eSky’s chief holidays officer Cook chief executive Alan French, who spoke to TTG about the brand’s future last month, becomes eSky Group chief holidays officer.
“The opportunity for us to use our holidays expertise combined with eSky’s technology will help us to realise our ambitions of re-establishing Thomas Cook as a leading holiday company once again,” said French. Habaj added: “The objective is to deliver strong growth into 2025 while maintaining the company’s profitability achieved, in part, by streamlining processes and enhancing margins through the introduction of a comprehensive range of additional services tailored to the eSky customer base.
“Furthermore, the implementation of our tech solutions will result in considerable savings, thereby significantly improving profitability.” Cook’s UK store network was acquired by Hays Travel shortly after the brand collapsed in September 2019 eSky Group anticipates turnover in the tour operator segment will reach £250 million by the end of 2024, with a customer base of approximately 300,000. “By 2025, we anticipate that these figures will reach £290 million and 640,000,” it said.
The deal marks an end to Fosun Tourism Group’s bid to enter the UK mainstream travel sector. Fosun was the biggest shareholder in Cook with an 18% stake when it collapsed in 2019 and later paid £11 million to buy the brand and assets, relaunching it as an OTA.
Fosun said in September that Cook did not meet its strategic goals and that eSky would pay up to £30 million for it. Fosun added Cook had lost £15 million in the 2022 calendar year and £4.2 million in 2023. However, the brand is said to have made a small profit in the first half of this year.
French added: “The new Thomas Cook has enjoyed considerable success in a relatively short period of time. We are on track to end the year on a turnover of almost £115 million without additional investment and having already started to build our market share in this highly competitive sector.”
Rayburn Electric Defies Industry Norms Under David A. Naylor’s Leadership – Book Publishing Industry Today – EIN Presswire
Have YOU got a story? Email [email protected] Ruth Francis For Mailonline Published: 07:51 EDT, 22 October 2024 | Updated: 08:04 EDT, 22 October 2024
A paragliding instructor fell more than 300ft to his death after mysteriously detaching himself from his harness during a tandem leisure flight. Vali Cîrlan and a tourist took off from an altitude of about 1,200m (3,937ft) on Sunday in Romania. After they had covered almost 1.2 miles, Cîrlan, 47, detached from his harness for reasons…
These restrictions stem from an executive order signed by President Joe Biden in August 2023, in order to to prevent American expertise from contributing to China’s military advancement
read moreThe United States is preparing to roll out new rules aimed at limiting American investments in artificial intelligence (AI) firms in China. The rules, now under final review by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), are expected to be announced soon, marking a significant move in the US-China tech rivalry.These restrictions stem from an executive order signed by President Joe Biden in August 2023, in order to to prevent American expertise from contributing to China’s military advancementAdvertisementThe upcoming regulations will focus on curbing outbound investments in sectors which are considered very sensitive, such as AI, semiconductors, microelectronics, and quantum computing.In addition to restricting certain transactions, the rules will require US investors to notify the Treasury Department about investments in these areas. Officials expect the final version of the regulations to bring more clarity on what will fall under these restrictions, particularly regarding AI use cases and investor obligations.Laura Black, a former Treasury official and current lawyer at Akin Gump in Washington, noted that the timing suggests the rules might be published ahead of the US presidential election on 5 November.She explained that regulations of this kind usually offer at least 30 days before taking effect, giving businesses time to adjust.The Treasury Department initially shared a draft version of the rules in June, inviting public feedback.Those draft regulations placed the burden on US companies and individuals to determine whether their transactions would be restricted. They also highlighted specific scenarios in which AI investments would be banned, including projects involving certain levels of computing power or those linked to military applications.However, some exceptions were included in the proposals, such as investments through mutual funds, index funds, or certain types of syndicated debt financing. Limited partnerships and other financial structures are expected to receive further clarification in the final version.These new restrictions reflect growing US concerns about China’s advancements in cutting-edge technologies and efforts to limit the flow of capital and knowledge that could bolster its military capabilities.AdvertisementAs tensions between the two countries continue to simmer, the move signals a broader strategy by the US to protect its technological edge while tightening controls on critical industries.With the rules expected to be published in the coming days, the focus will soon shift to how these new restrictions will be enforced and what impact they will have on the flow of investments between the US and China.
Argument
An expert’s point of view on a current event.
The United States Owes Its Edge in AI to a London Landmark
Innovation happens through international networks like the one running through Queen Square.
By Nicholas Wright, a neuroscientist affiliated with University College London, Georgetown University, and the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
A view of multiple buildings in Queen Square in London, circa 1910.
A view of Queen Square in London, circa 1910. The Print Collector via Getty Images
When it comes to choosing local businesses, 93% of the customers read reviews to check their quality before deciding which one they should buy from. So, if you know how to collect more reviews for your glass business, it will help you draw more eyes and attention to your services.
Initially, you can consider buying Google reviews to accelerate the process of getting more reviews.
And if you don’t have the budget for that yet, don’t worry because, in this blog, we are going to help you with 8 ways to get more reviews for your glass business. Let’s start.
8 Actionable Tips To Get More Reviews For Your Glass Business
Get ready to read the eight actionable ways that will help you get more reviews for your glass business below:
1. Ask For Reviews Immediately After A Service
The best time to ask for reviews is immediately after a successful and satisfactory service from your end. Leverage the time when the experience is still afresh in the mind of your customer.
It increases the chances of getting feedback from them. To put this into action, train your team to politely request reviews once the job is completed. It can be for glass installation, repair or auto glass work.
Make a friendly approach by saying- “We’d love to hear your feedback—can you take a minute to leave us a review on Google?”
2. Leverage Follow Up E-mails
Make the most of follow-up e-mails. These automated reminders help you make sure that customers don’t forget to leave a review. And the best part is these e-mails get the job done without disrupting your customer’s day.
To bring it into action, set up an e-mail campaign that sends a message to the customer 1-2 days after your service. Thank them for choosing your glass business, and include a direct link to your Google review page.
Personalize your e-mail with specific details of the services you provided to the customer. You can include what was repaired or installed to make the request feel more genuine and relevant.
3. Offer Excellent Customer Service
You know, what is the one guaranteed way that will get you more reviews? Going above and beyond in your customer service. When your customer service stands out, it acts as a push for customers to share their experiences with your glass business online.
Focus on strong and transparent communication, punctuality and attention to detail on every job. A satisfied customer can become your best promoter.
Train your staff to exceed your customers’ expectations. Cleaning up after the glass installation or going the extra mile for customer satisfaction will create an impact, getting you more and more reviews.
4. Use SMS Review Requests
Text messages have a higher open rate than e-mails. Use it to your advantage by starting to send SMS review requests to your customers. By sending SMS review requests, you are making it convenient for customers to take further action.
Invest in an SMS marketing software that can automatically send review requests with a direct link to your Google review page after a service. Keep your message short, clear and mobile friendly.
As they can respond with minimal effort on their part, it increases your chances of getting reviews from them for your glass business.
5. Add A Google Review Link To Your Website
Add a Google review link to your website as soon as possible. This way, you simplify the process of leaving reviews fro your customers.
You can feature the link on your homepage, service pages, or a dedicated “reviews” page. Include a clear call to action (CTA), such as “Leave Us A Review.”
It acts as nudge for your customers to take action. Make the review process easy and accessible and increase your chances of getting more reviews for your glass business.
6. Provide A Review QR Code For In-Store Customers
Provide a review QR code for your in-store customers. This effective strategy will get you more reviews as it allows customers to leave reviews quickly and effortlessly.
Display your QR codes at checkout, on receipts, and on business cards. It helps you direct customers straight to your Google review page.
This simple trick makes it easy for your customers to share their experiences with your glass business on the spot.
7. Incentivize Reviews Legally
To increase the number of reviews, you can consider incentivizing reviews legally complying with Google’s guidelines. If providing discounts is what comes to your mind then please avoid it.
Instead, you can offer rewards after customers complete a review. You can give them entry into a random drawing or coupon for future services.
This way, you are encouraging feedback without pressuring the customers to leave positive comments only. Remember that your goal in incentivizing review is getting honest feedback rather than false, mushy, positive reviews.
8. Respond To Existing Reviews
Last but not least, it is very important that you respond to the existing reviews for your glass business. It shows your potential customers that you value feedback and are open to constructive criticism.
This, in turn, increases your chances of getting more reviews. Be prompt in your response to all the reviews.
When the reviews are positive, express gratitude by thanking the customers and inviting them to take your services in the future as well.
In case of negative reviews, approach them with calm and professionalism and try to resolve the issue at hand.
Conclusion: Start Getting More Google Reviews Today!
What are you waiting for now? Start using the tips and tricks mentioned in this blog and get more Google reviews for your glass business.
You can also purchase reviews to accelerate this process. Use the tips given in this blog, and let us know how it worked out for you.