In summer 2002 Laura and Carter Dalton joined GNC as franchisee partners in the Raleigh, North Carolina area because of the company’s mission to Live Well. And for the past 20 years, they have embodied that motto while also establishing themselves as well-regarded advocates for wellness and community investment. Together these efforts have culminated in Laura’s selection as the 2022 International Franchise Association’s Franchisee of the Year.

“Laura was nominated by GNC for the 2022 IFA Franchisee of the Year Award because of her commitment to the GNC brand and to the communities in which she and her staff live and operate, as well as her concern for other GNC franchisees,” said Maureen DiStefano, Vice President, Franchise Operations, GNC. “In their 20-year partnership with GNC, the Dalton Franchise of Raleigh has embodied the best of us and we’re ecstatic to see Laura earn recognition on a national scale.”

A recognized leader within the GNC franchise network, Dalton’s influence is apparent. Whether it’s building connections with other operators to drive success, creating camaraderie among her associates, or leading the charge through regular donations of nutritious products to WakeMed Health & Hospitals, The Green Chair Project, and The Pretty in Pink Foundation, Dalton is the epitome of a GNC franchisee.

“I love to help people, I love to serve, I love to learn. Hopefully, more stores are in the future; GNC is an amazing company,” Dalton reiterated. “At your core, you have to love to help. That’s just what we do.”

Today the Dalton Franchise Group operates seven locations in and around Raleigh.

“Franchisees like Laura play a critical role in GNC’s success together with our corporate stores and online shopping experience at GNC.com,” said Nate Frazier, Chief Operating Officer, GNC. “The energy, optimism and connection Laura has forged in her community is impressive and is setting a new standard for all of our franchise partners.”

GNC currently has 279 successful franchise groups, across almost 800 locations, with nearly 50 percent of all GNC franchisees operating in more than one store. GNC has been a member of the IFA community since 2017 and continues to be a strong supporter. Dalton is GNC’s first-ever Franchisee of the Year since the company began offering franchise opportunities.

“Franchisee of the Year Awards are the highest honours presented to individual franchisees,” said Matthew Haller, President, CEO, International Franchise Association. “These local business owners, like Laura, represent some of the best entrepreneurs in the country, and we are proud to recognize her contributions to her community, employees, and all those she serves.” 

Hapbee Technologies, Inc. a leading provider of wellness wearable technology, is pleased to announce that CEO Yona Shtern has been appointed as the Company’s new Chairman of the Board (“Chairman”).

Yona will succeed Chris Rivera, the founder who served as Chairman since Hapbee’s inception. Mr. Rivera will continue to provide guidance on key strategic initiatives and remain a valuable asset to the Company as a member of the Board of Directors.

While Chairman, Mr. Rivera played an instrumental role in guiding Hapbee to its current stage of development, having helped structure the Company’s licensing deal with EMulate Therapeutics, Inc. Among other leadership responsibilities during his tenure as Chairman, Mr. Rivera spearheaded the assembly of Hapbee’s board and executive teams, while overseeing signal R&D initiatives.

“Thanks to our dedicated shareholder base and leadership team, Hapbee has advanced rapidly over the last two years,” stated Chris Rivera. “I am proud of where the Company stands today and excited at the opportunity which lies ahead for our one-of-a-kind wellness platform. In his role as CEO, Yona has demonstrated excellent leadership and an acute understanding of what is required to successfully commercialize a cutting-edge wellness product. He will make a fantastic Chairman of the Board, and I look forward to working with him and other board members in implementing our aggressive growth strategy.”

“I would like to thank Chris for serving as the Company’s founding Chairman of the Board and helping to guide it through critical stages,” said Yona Shtern, CEO of Hapbee. “He will remain an invaluable member of our board. In addition to my role as CEO, I’m honoured to accept the position as Chairman of Hapbee.”

With several initiatives underway, the Company expects to provide business development updates in the coming weeks.

Hapbee’s Board of Directors

●     Yona Shtern – Chairman, Director
●     Chris Rivera – Director
●     Charles McNerney – Director
●     Robert Dzisiak – Director
●     Michael Matysik – Director
●     Mark Timm – Director

GoodLife Fitness is stepping into the boxing ring with the launch of Craft Boxing Clubs at its gyms, starting in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Developed by entrepreneur and former professional boxer George Foreman III, Craft Boxing delivers a premium authentic boxing experience that uses the physical, mental, and spiritual tenets of boxing as a platform to develop courage, discipline, and self-belief people need to achieve the best versions of themselves. GoodLife has acquired the exclusive Canadian rights to the program.

“When we met George Foreman III, we knew right away that he would be an amazing asset to our team and that Craft Boxing would be an incredible fit for GoodLife. George’s depth of experience with boxing, his dedication and entrepreneurial approach, and the company’s larger purpose to change lives by delivering a real, authentic boxing experience made it an easy decision. Craft Boxing complements our other group fitness and team training classes and delivers an incredible workout for the body and the mind,” said David ‘Patch’ Patchell-Evans, founder and CEO of GoodLife Fitness.

As the son of legendary heavyweight boxer George Foreman, George Foreman III spent his childhood absorbing the art of boxing and the science of boxing training. After working in business, he started training in his mid-20s to get into better shape, but soon developed an appetite to box professionally. When that time came, George Foreman Senior stepped up to guide him in his training, and Foreman III went on to fight in the professional circuit in 2009, finishing with a perfect 16-0 record.

Soon, George Foreman III switched to training others and developed a passion for what authentic and safe boxing can do to promote physical and mental health. He started Craft Boxing with a mission to keep the traditional, authentic experience of boxing alive and, as a result, created a community of boxers – seasoned pros and beginners alike – who use boxing as an outlet for mental health support, fitness and personal development. The company aims to help others become better versions of themselves under pressure, providing the tools, community and encouragement to get them there. Craft Boxing is hyper-focused on the details and authentic elements of boxing, from the space and equipment they use to the programs and the techniques they teach. At its core, Craft Boxing is the result of a collective love affair with boxing – the art, intensity, history, culture and people.

“Every punch combination we teach in our classes comes from a real boxing match. The ring feels like a professional boxing ring. The bags are stitched leather like the ones boxers used in the old days. We believe boxing helps build character and confidence to do the hard things in life,” said George Foreman III. “When you come to a Craft Boxing session, you get technique and conditioning, but it’s more than that – it’s a transformation to a stronger, more confident version of yourself. It makes you walk taller and feel more accomplished.”

GoodLife will open its first Craft Boxing studio at the 58,000-square-foot newly built Winnipeg Refinery club in the first half of 2022.  The 2,800-square-foot Craft Boxing studio, which can hold up to 60 people, will feature all of the bags expected of a traditional boxing gym, a boxing ring, and functional training equipment, equipping the trainers to deliver high-energy group classes, small-group sessions, and personal training.

George Foreman III and the Craft Boxing team will be in Winnipeg in early 2022 to train coaches for the Winnipeg Refinery GoodLife location. After passing their audition, the trainers will study remotely for six weeks, then work with George in person for the entire week leading up to the official club opening.

“The training to be a Craft Boxing coach is challenging and incredibly thorough, emphasizing the importance of authentic details and moves. Craft Boxing-certified coaches are trained to deliver a challenging, engaging workout while coaching proper boxing form and skills. The result is that you feel stronger and more self confident, ready to take on all aspects of life. And we have fun doing it.” Foreman III said.

Watch the video here.