Latest news with #PublicSquare
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Does Ryan Walters need a history refresher? Many Oklahomans say yes
For years, Oklahoma state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters has had many missions on reforming the education system. Here's the latest on recent Oklahoma initiatives. WRONG AGENDA: Oklahomans aren't willing to sit idly by while Ryan Walters rides off into the sunset chasing his political dreams at the expense of taxpayers, writes former legislator Mark McBride. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Our kids deserve better than Ryan Walters' disguised political agenda, David L. Myers, of Oklahoma City, writes in a letter to the editor. FORCED UPON: Christian nationalism is being pushed in public schools, guest columnist writes, and secular students made to feel "less American" in violation of church/state separation. MISPLACED PRIORITIES: There's no money in the new state budget for higher teacher pay, but the Legislature may authorize more inexperienced "adjunct" teachers in classrooms. WHAT'S THE PLAN?: A new classroom cell phone ban law will be futile unless Ryan Walters' Oklahoma agency steps up to provide direction. Sign up for the Public Square newsletter here. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Social studies rules show Walters needs history refresher | Cartoon
Business Wire
23-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
PublicSquare Announces CFO Transition
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--PSQ Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: PSQH) ('PublicSquare,' or the 'Company'), America's leading marketplace and payments ecosystem valuing life, family, and liberty, today announced that James Rinn has been appointed Chief Financial Officer, effective June 1, 2025. Mr. Rinn, who has served as a board member and chair of the PublicSquare Audit Committee since July 2023, will succeed Brad Searle, who will transition to Senior Vice President of Finance for the Company's Brands Division. Mr. Rinn brings over 30 years of accounting leadership at public and private companies, having held multiple CFO roles throughout his career. 'The PublicSquare team and I could not be more enthusiastic for James to step into the CFO role,' remarked Michael Seifert, Chairman and CEO of PublicSquare. 'I am convinced that this move will strategically position our Company for significant success as we demonstrate our capabilities, meet ambitious targets, attain profitability, and lay a solid foundation for a thriving business. James possesses a tremendous skill set from decades of financial experience, integrity, alignment with our mission, relational equity with the team, and existing context for the company. Finally, I'm especially grateful for Brad's help and support since the beginning of the PublicSquare journey. I'm incredibly excited for his next chapter, which will bring his full focus and value for excellence to the Brands Division.' 'I am honored to assume the Chief Financial Officer role at PublicSquare during such a crucial period," commented James Rinn. 'As a Board member, having observed the Company's remarkable culture and the team's commitment, I am eager to partner with the leadership team and our skilled finance group. I will emphasize promoting ongoing growth and securing long-term financial stability.' Transition Plan Following Mr. Rinn's appointment as CFO, he will step down from his role as Audit Committee chair but will continue to serve on the Company's Board of Directors. Willie Langston will assume the role of Audit Committee Chair. Nick Ayers has been appointed to the Compensation Committee and will fill the vacancy opened by Mr. Rinn's appointment as CFO. Mr. Searle will remain an employee of PublicSquare but will no longer be considered an executive officer. About James Rinn James Rinn, 56, has served as a member of the PublicSquare Board of Directors and as Audit Committee Chair since the Company's IPO in July 2023. Mr. Rinn serves as the Chief Financial Officer to Sedera, Inc., a service provider to medical cost-sharing communities, a position he has held since February 2023. From 2015 to 2023, Mr. Rinn was the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of Maxwell Locke & Ritter LLP, an accounting, tax and consulting firm, where he was responsible for overseeing all financial and operational details of the partnership and other related legal entities, and managed risk management activities. From 2013 to 2015, Mr. Rinn was the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of Five Stone Tax Advisers LLC, a financial and tax advisory firm, where he was responsible for overseeing all financial and operational details of various service lines. From 2011 to 2013, Mr. Rinn was the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of SmithCo Investments and the E3 Foundation, where he was responsible for overseeing all financial and operational segments of the company. Mr. Rinn was also the Vice President of Finance at First American Flood Data Services, Inc., a subsidiary of First American Financial Corporation (NYSE: FAF) from 2000 to 2011, where he was responsible for financial reporting and coordinated internal audit, financial audit and Sarbanes-Oxley related audit activities. From 1999 to 2000, Mr. Rinn was the internal audit director at National Instruments Corporation (Nasdaq: NATI), a producer of automated test equipment and virtual instrumentation software. Mr. Rinn has held positions on various boards of directors and has over 30 years of finance experience. Mr. Rinn holds a Bachelor's in Business Administration from the University of Texas, Austin. About PublicSquare PublicSquare is a marketplace and payments ecosystem, valuing life, family, and liberty. PublicSquare operates under three segments: Financial Technology, Marketplace and Brands. PublicSquare's Financial Technology segment includes Credova, a consumer financing and payments company. The primary mission of the Marketplace segment is to help consumers 'shop their values' and put purpose behind their purchases. PublicSquare leverages data and insights from the Marketplace to assess its customers' needs and provide wholly-owned quality financial products and brands. PublicSquare's Brands segment comprises EveryLife, a premium D2C life-affirming baby products company. The PublicSquare Marketplace is free to join for both consumers and business owners. Download the app on the App Store or Google Play, or visit to learn more. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and for purposes of the 'safe harbor' provisions under the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statements other than statements of historical fact contained herein are forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions, plans, prospects, financial results or strategies regarding PublicSquare, anticipated product launches, our products and markets, future financial condition, expected future performance and market opportunities of PublicSquare. Forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words 'anticipate,' 'believe,' 'could,' 'expect,' 'estimate,' 'future,' 'intend,' 'may,' 'might,' 'strategy,' 'opportunity,' 'plan,' 'project,' 'possible,' 'potential,' 'project,' 'predict,' 'scales,' 'representative of,' 'valuation,' 'should,' 'will,' 'would,' 'will be,' 'will continue,' 'will likely result,' and similar expressions, and in this press release, include statements about our expected revenue, revenue growth, operating expenses, anticipated growth, ability to achieve profitability, and our outlook; however, the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this communication, including, without limitation: (i) unforeseen liabilities, future capital expenditures, revenues, expenses, earnings, synergies, economic performance, indebtedness, financial condition, losses, future prospects, business and management strategies for the management, expansion and growth of our operations, including the possibility that any of the anticipated benefits of the Credova transaction will not be realized or will not be realized within the expected time period, (ii) changes in the competitive industries and markets in which PublicSquare operates, variations in performance across competitors, changes in laws and regulations affecting PublicSquare's business and changes in the combined capital structure, (iii) the ability to implement business plans, growth, marketplace and other expectations, and identify and realize additional opportunities, (iv) risks related to PublicSquare's limited operating history, the rollout and/or expansion of its business and the timing of expected business milestones, (v) risks related to PublicSquare's potential inability to achieve or maintain profitability and generate significant revenue, (vi) the ability to raise capital on reasonable terms as necessary to develop its products in the timeframe contemplated by PublicSquare's business plan, (vii) the ability to execute PublicSquare's anticipated business plans and strategy, (viii) the ability of PublicSquare to enforce its current or future intellectual property, including patents and trademarks, along with potential claims of infringement by PublicSquare of the intellectual property rights of others, (ix) actual or potential loss of key influencers, media outlets and promoters of PublicSquare's business or a loss of reputation of PublicSquare or reduced interest in the mission and values of PublicSquare and the segment of the consumer marketplace it intends to serve, (x) because the payment processing and credit agreements are terminable at will without notice, merchants that have signed agreements to use PublicSquare's payment processing services may terminate those services or otherwise fail to utilize the services at the expected volume, and (xi) the risk of economic downturn, increased competition, a changing regulatory landscape and related impacts that could occur in the highly competitive consumer marketplace, both online and through 'bricks and mortar' operations. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. Recipients should carefully consider such factors and the other risks and uncertainties described and to be described in PublicSquare's public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Recipients are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and PublicSquare does not assume any obligation to, nor does it intend to, update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law. PublicSquare gives no assurance that PublicSquare will achieve its expectations.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Rent tactic allows Aussie to buy $435,000 property with tiny deposit: ‘Ground-breaking'
Rent-to-buy schemes have emerged as a new pathway for Aussies to escape the rental rat race and get onto the property ladder. But finance experts have warned there are major risks to be aware of. Jude Healey purchased a two-bedroom Toowong apartment for his family through the rent-to-buy company PublicSquare. The 44-year-old dad of two told Yahoo Finance he was looking to move into the Brisbane suburb quickly so his family was within the school catchment area, but didn't have enough cash to take out a traditional mortgage. 'I had money tied up elsewhere and I could not come up with a deposit, but I needed to move pretty quickly to make sure [my son] had the opportunity,' he said. 'The requirement for me to pay rent [in the area] would have been maybe $800 or $900, which would have been tighter for me to be able to achieve.' RELATED Landlord's 'greedy' question prompts explanation of what happens when a tenant dies: 'Will I keep getting rent?' Homebuyers warned over 'magical phrase' used by Australian agents to increase prices Accountant's ATO warning as $5,000 expenses you can claim on tax without receipts revealed Healey, a HR professional who already owned property, said the rent-to-buy model offered an alternative way for him to get into the market when and where he needed to. He was able to secure his property with a $13,000 deposit, known as a "kickstarter fee". Rent was set at $412 per week, plus an extra 50 per cent on top of that, which went towards building up his deposit. After three years, he switched from the rental arrangement to a mortgage and completed the purchase with a final value of $435,000. Healey said he was 'really happy' with his decision in hindsight, and it had been an "absolute boon" for his sons. PublicSquare has described itself as a 'groundbreaking' rent-to-buy scheme that allows prospective home-buyers to secure properties with a deposit of 1.1 per cent. 'Customers can choose from the properties listed on the website and our building panel,' PublicSquare CEO Dean Arnold told Yahoo Finance. 'The stock we list on our website is around 30 per cent of the stock we have access to. We work with a builder panel of around 35 different builders across Australia.' Homebuyers then pay weekly rent, plus an extra 50 per cent on top, which accumulates in a deposit fund. Once the homebuyer builds up enough of a deposit, they can complete the purchase by switching to a mortgage. The home can be purchased for its initial value, plus a 4 to 7 per cent compound annual growth rate, with the amount range to be determined by an independent valuer. If you're unable to obtain a home loan, PublicSquare said they can sell the property and this can allow you to recover the contributions you've already made. While there will be no sales commission charged to you, you will have to pay a $3,300 marketing fee and your initial 1.1 per cent deposit fee won't be refunded. University of Queensland finance professor Dr Shaun Bond said it was great to see companies offering different homeownership pathways, given how challenging it is right now for first-home buyers and young people to get a foot in. 'The standard 20 per cent down payment, or less down payment but mortgage insurance, doesn't suit everyone and companies that have tried to innovate are something that should be encouraged,' he told Yahoo Finance. 'The downside is that there is no perfect solution here, and this type of approach clearly has downsides.' On top of the initial deposit being non-refundable, Bond noted that saving an extra 50 per cent on top of weekly rent just wouldn't be affordable for lower-income earners. 'It may be better that some of those individuals delay the potential for homeownership but really focus on their savings," he said. "Then they are going to have a lot more options when it comes time to buy, they're not locking in." Bond said the scheme also baked in increases to home prices. 'You're not really gaining the equity that you would with a more standard purchase arrangement,' he said. Bond noted you also would miss out on the consumer protections given to traditional mortgage holders during the rental phase, including protections around missing payments. Another risk was if the rent-to-buy provider runs into financial difficulties, which has happened in the United States. In overseas cases, properties have been foreclosed by the borrower and the renter who was set to purchase the home has been left with no claim. PublicSquare said it had a three-month waitlist for investors wanting to participate in the program, along with thousands of pre-approved homebuyers. While Bond said he would be 'reluctant' for individuals on very low incomes to enter rent-to-buy schemes, there are some individuals who the scheme may suit as long as they understand the risks involved. 'Sometimes we see workers coming from overseas and it might be hard for you to access a traditional mortgage right from the beginning of your time here because you don't have that credit history in Australia,' he said. 'But maybe you've got a good income, perhaps you've got some savings already. Individuals who are skilled workers and maybe will be able to access a traditional mortgage in another year or two.' Bond recommended getting professional legal and financial advice if you were considering entering a rent-to-buy scheme. 'You need to be very clear about the risks and what would happen in certain situations, if you missed a payment, for instance, or if you change your mind,' he said. 'As a renter, you can just hand the keys back and leave. But in one of these arrangements, you have to think about what you will lose. "You potentially lose a lot of the upfront fees that you've paid. There's a lot less flexibility here."Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data
Business Wire
01-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
PublicSquare Announces First Marketplace Merchant to Successfully Migrate to PSQ Payments: Yonder Integrates Directly via Shopify
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--PublicSquare (NYSE: PSQH), developer of the cancel-proof payment platform PSQ Payments, today announced a major milestone in its fintech expansion: Yonder, a popular food and wellness brand, has become the first merchant from the PublicSquare Marketplace to seamlessly integrate PSQ Payments via the recently announced Shopify integration. This marks a strategic step forward in PublicSquare's mission to equip its values-aligned marketplace with the resilient financial infrastructure of its wholly owned payments platform. Sheri Geoffreys, Founder and CEO of Yonder, shared: 'We've always believed in serving our customers with integrity and purpose. PublicSquare brings that same spirit to every aspect of their business, which is why we're so pleased to not only sell on their marketplace but now be protected by their payments solution.' With over 80% of PublicSquare sellers operating on the Shopify platform, the opportunity to scale PSQ Payments across the marketplace with no friction is substantial. The integration unlocks a seamless path for merchants to process transactions in alignment with their values, powered by a tech stack purpose-built to resist cancellation. Michael Seifert, Founder and CEO of PublicSquare, added: 'From the moment we acquired Credova and began building out our fintech division, this was the vision – uniting world-class payment infrastructure with our rapidly growing network of values-aligned businesses. Yonder is a shining example of the kind of brand we're proud to serve. The future of PSQ Payments is bright, and we look forward to welcoming many more sellers from our Marketplace into our financial ecosystem.' This announcement follows last week's launch of PSQ Payments in the Shopify App Store, enabling thousands of Shopify merchants to adopt cancel-proof payments in just a few clicks. To learn more about PSQ Payments or to integrate today, visit About PSQ Payments PSQ Payments, developed by PublicSquare, is a fully cancel-proof payment platform designed to provide businesses and consumers with uncompromising security and reliability. Leveraging advanced tokenization and secure wallet technology, PSQ Payments ensures that sensitive transactional data remains encrypted and protected. With a triple redundancy system in place, PSQ Payments reinforces its commitment to stability, making it a trusted solution for business owners who want to ensure their economic liberty is protected in every transaction. About PublicSquare PublicSquare is a technology-enabled marketplace and payments ecosystem serving consumers and merchants who value life, family, and liberty. PublicSquare operates three segments: Marketplace, Financial Technology, and Brands. The mission of the Marketplace is to help consumers "shop their values" and put purpose behind their purchases. PublicSquare leverages data and insights from the Marketplace to assess its customers' needs and provide wholly-owned quality financial products and brands. PublicSquare's Financial Technology division comprises Credova, a consumer financing company, and PSQ Payments, a "cancel-proof" payments company. PublicSquare's Brands division comprises EveryLife, a premium D2C life-affirming baby products company. Visit to learn more.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
PublicSquare Announces First Marketplace Merchant to Successfully Migrate to PSQ Payments: Yonder Integrates Directly via Shopify
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., May 01, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--PublicSquare (NYSE: PSQH), developer of the cancel-proof payment platform PSQ Payments, today announced a major milestone in its fintech expansion: Yonder, a popular food and wellness brand, has become the first merchant from the PublicSquare Marketplace to seamlessly integrate PSQ Payments via the recently announced Shopify integration. This marks a strategic step forward in PublicSquare's mission to equip its values-aligned marketplace with the resilient financial infrastructure of its wholly owned payments platform. Sheri Geoffreys, Founder and CEO of Yonder, shared: "We've always believed in serving our customers with integrity and purpose. PublicSquare brings that same spirit to every aspect of their business, which is why we're so pleased to not only sell on their marketplace but now be protected by their payments solution." With over 80% of PublicSquare sellers operating on the Shopify platform, the opportunity to scale PSQ Payments across the marketplace with no friction is substantial. The integration unlocks a seamless path for merchants to process transactions in alignment with their values, powered by a tech stack purpose-built to resist cancellation. Michael Seifert, Founder and CEO of PublicSquare, added: "From the moment we acquired Credova and began building out our fintech division, this was the vision – uniting world-class payment infrastructure with our rapidly growing network of values-aligned businesses. Yonder is a shining example of the kind of brand we're proud to serve. The future of PSQ Payments is bright, and we look forward to welcoming many more sellers from our Marketplace into our financial ecosystem." This announcement follows last week's launch of PSQ Payments in the Shopify App Store, enabling thousands of Shopify merchants to adopt cancel-proof payments in just a few clicks. To learn more about PSQ Payments or to integrate today, visit About PSQ Payments PSQ Payments, developed by PublicSquare, is a fully cancel-proof payment platform designed to provide businesses and consumers with uncompromising security and reliability. Leveraging advanced tokenization and secure wallet technology, PSQ Payments ensures that sensitive transactional data remains encrypted and protected. With a triple redundancy system in place, PSQ Payments reinforces its commitment to stability, making it a trusted solution for business owners who want to ensure their economic liberty is protected in every transaction. About PublicSquare PublicSquare is a technology-enabled marketplace and payments ecosystem serving consumers and merchants who value life, family, and liberty. PublicSquare operates three segments: Marketplace, Financial Technology, and Brands. The mission of the Marketplace is to help consumers "shop their values" and put purpose behind their purchases. PublicSquare leverages data and insights from the Marketplace to assess its customers' needs and provide wholly-owned quality financial products and brands. PublicSquare's Financial Technology division comprises Credova, a consumer financing company, and PSQ Payments, a "cancel-proof" payments company. PublicSquare's Brands division comprises EveryLife, a premium D2C life-affirming baby products company. Visit to learn more. View source version on Contacts Investors Contact: investment@ Media Contact: pr@ Sign in to access your portfolio
