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Expert Reveals A Growing Number of People Are Forgoing Buying Their Own Home Due To Housing Affordability Crisis

Posted on September 29, 2022 by admin

Earlier this month, the Reserve Bank of Australia announced that interest rates would once again be rising by 0.5 percent, making the new cash rate 1.85 percent. This recent hike marks the historic fourth month in a row that the RBA has raised interest rates- increasing the pressure on homeowners already struggling under mortgage stress due to the recession and rising cost of living.

The interest rate hikes are also putting a hold on the plans of many aspiring first home buyers, who will no longer qualify for the loans they need to buy houses in the areas in which they want to live. After being priced out of the property market in major capital cities, one option which many Aussies are considering is ‘rentvesting’- the trend of renting where you want to live (to be close to work, family, and the lifestyle you like) and buying an investment property in an area where you can afford to purchase a property.

Lloyd Edge, Founder and Director of Aus Property Professionals, says that “Today if you’re making the average Australian wage of $78,000 a year and you decide to buy a $1.2 million house, that’s 15 times your salary. This shows the difference in scale between incomes and house prices in the 2020s compared to the eighties or nineties when the average house price was only four times the average yearly salary. Skyrocketing house prices and inflation have really changed things, so if you’re an average income earner and your big goal is to buy your dream home, you’re going to have work up to it through savvy investments.”

Adding, “Many of my clients come to me initially looking for their first home, however, after we have a strategy session and assess the full range of options available, often they’ll choose to keep renting and buy and investment property instead. With interest rate hikes and no foreseeable end to the housing affordability issue, rentvesting is a good choice for many people. A positively geared or cashflow positive investment property has multiple benefits, like helping you build wealth, generate income, and increase your borrowing capacity. With interest rates going up, it’s important to make sure you’re borrowing under your maximum capacity, leaving yourself a buffer for when rates rise even higher. You need to make sure you’re assessing your borrowing capacity each month, as your circumstances will change depending on what the RBA decides.”

Lloyd is also the author of the best-selling property book Buy Now: The Ultimate Guide to Owning and Investing in Property. In the book, he lays out the strategy for utilising rentvesting to grow your property portfolio and buy your dream home. Below are some of Lloyd’s top tips for rentvesting:

Target high-growth regional areas: Regional areas are great for rentvesting, as the property prices are usually cheaper than the major capital cities, and the rental yields are higher. Look for areas that have a growing population and are supported by multiple industries. Other key things to note is whether there’s any increase in government spending in that area, any major transport or infrastructure being developed, or any universities or hospitals. All these factors will add value to your investment property and ensure the likelihood of capital growth.

Have an exit strategy: To secure your dream home in the 2020s, you will probably need to build an investment portfolio and set an exit strategy, which will mean selling some of your properties to pay down the debt on others. Ultimately it will be your exit strategy that helps you secure your dream home.

Look for a value-add opportunities: The trifecta we look for in investment properties is equity, cashflow and growth. To achieve this, we often recommend that our clients buy a property with some value-add opportunity, like a subdivision, development, or renovation. Buying an investment property with this sort of potential will help you build up your equity and afford a better home down the track.

Clarify your goals: Investing without clear goals or a strategy is pointless, as different tactics will give you different results so it’s important to specify what you’re aiming for. Think not only about the short-term, but also the long-term and where you’d like to be in 5, 10 or 20-years time. This will influence where you buy and what your strategy is. For example, if your long-term goal is financial security when you retire, it makes more sense to invest in a number of properties than to spend all your money on one property, so you don’t put all your eggs in one basket.

Lloyd concludes “Many people are being scared off buying a property right now due to the current market, however with the right strategy it can be the perfect time to get your foot onto the property ladder through rentvesting, and use that as a way to purchase your dream home sooner.”

This article was sourced from a media release sent by Kathleen Quere of Agent 99 PR

Is 2022 The BEST Or WORST Time To Buy Property?

Posted on September 22, 2022 by admin

Justin Wang is the embodiment of a self-made entrepreneur. From unassuming beginnings to life as a property giant – he now personifies the paradigm for financial freedom. It always comes down to abundance as generated by collaboration.

Wang built PIA (Property Investors Alliance) when he realized the profitability of the Sydney residential property. His considerable charisma would spearhead a veritable empire of altruistic financial freedom.

Global Millionaire magazine recently caught up with Justin to ask him about the rising interest rates and whether now is an excellent time to get into the property market or not; here’s what went down:

How does the interest rate hike affect the housing market?

Now that the interest rate keeps increasing, there’s fear among first home buyers and potential investors because they’re not sure how this interest rate hike will affect the property market. Because of the interest rate hike, the price of properties has dramatically dropped, so if there’s a dip in the property price – should we buy now or wait?

Firstly, I believe the interest rate hike will not cause a dip in property prices – some people even predict the decrease to be as low as 20%. Keep in mind that the Reserve Bank is very cautious regarding the interest rate hike or how it can affect the property market. That’s because the property market, particularly Sydney Residential properties, involves a lot of families since many people, particularly parents, owe money to the bank.

But guess what? Despite the interest rate hike, people are still spending! So how can people keep spending even though there’s an increase in the interest rate?

Firstly, tourism is back – tourism is bringing money again to Australia. Secondly, there’s actually a low unemployment rate since people still have jobs. There’s also what I can refer to as “pandemic savings;” People still have savings because, for the past two years, people haven’t been spending that much due to the Covid restrictions. The government has given out over $200 billion in support to Australians due to the Covid situation, and this money is still sitting in people’s savings or offset accounts. This massive amount of money is definitely good enough to cope with the interest rate hike.

So for those who still believe that most people will end up selling their property for less than 20% of the actual price is wrong; they should not be worried at all due to the above reasons.

Buy or rent, which one is good for us at the moment?

Rent may be increasing at the moment, but I believe it’s still okay to get into the property market. Right now, the interest rate is going up faster than the rent is going up, so it might seem like it’s not a good idea to buy a property at this stage. For example, if you buy a $600k property, the mortgage repayments plus the ongoing costs to run the property will be much higher than what the rent can achieve – possibly 20% or even 25% or higher. Even if you use PIA’s buy and rent model, the rent might not be enough to cover mortgage repayments plus all of the ongoing costs.

So what’s the best thing to do? If you buy an off-the-plan property that will settle in 2-3 years, you’ll be able to secure today’s low price. We’re currently in the middle of a “buyer’s market,” which means that if you buy a property now that is due to settle in 2-3 years, you’ll skip over the high-interest rate period because, in 2-3 years, the interest rate will eventually decrease. You’ll be able to settle your property because your borrowing capacity should have increased by then. The rent may be able to cover your outgoing costs.

How should I act as a first home buyer in the current market?

If you’re a first home buyer, the best time to buy is now because the properties are cheaper, and due to the current interest rate climate, you’ll get special deals, rebates, and discounts from the vendors and developers. You just need to pay a 10% deposit for an off-the-plan property that’s due to be completed in 2 to 3 yrs, and this will enable you to secure today’s low price and skip over the current high-interest rate period. Your borrowability will increase when you eventually settle, and your rent may be enough to pay most of your outgoing costs.

When will the interest rate stop increasing?

I believe in 2-3 years’ time, the interest rate will stop increasing, and Inflation will also slow down – roughly around 2024.

Should we buy a property now or should we wait for a while?

If you’re smart, the best time to buy is now.

Right now, people are not buying properties because of the interest rate hike. If you buy later, when the interest rates are decreasing, you’ll struggle to secure a property because other people will also be rushing to buy properties. This demand will, of course, cause the price of the properties to be much higher. Therefore, getting into the property market now, while we’re in the middle of a “buyer’s market,” is the best way to go.

Meet The Entrepreneur Behind The Cover Of The September 2022 Issue Of Global Millionaire: Elton A. Hollis, III

Posted on September 7, 2022 by admin

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A veteran entrepreneur, Elton A. Hollis, III helps businesses succeed by utilizing his 25 years of experience in the Oil and Gas Construction field – he provides consulting, training, executive coaching, and all facets of safety management and compliance services to clients in the industrial, commercial and small business industries. In fact, he’s the co-founder of Small Business Friday! video podcast with his partner Joe Tant. It’s a podcast that helps small businesses to get their names out there at no cost. They currently stream on Spotify, Apple Podcast, TikTok, and YouTube.

Elton is the owner of Hol-Tech Resources, LLC – a full-service consulting service that provides guidance and training in the Safety, Quality, and Compliance realms. He also happens to be the General Manager of RT Technical Solutions LLC, where he helps lead their team to the forefront of the Industrial Electrical and Instrumentation fields. Besides his executive work, Elton is a Golden Triangle Industrial Group co-founder and Vice Chairperson for the Contractors Business Development Group.

A multifaceted business leader, Elton has held a wide range of titles, from Field Laborer to Executive Ownership, during the course of his career. His diligent work attitude combined with creative critical enables him to problem solve for his clients. He is well-regarded in the Safety and Training field for his Small Business training grant work in collaboration with Lamar Institute of Technology. Hence we’re not surprised he has been featured in several magazine articles such as VT Post (named in the Top 100 Entrepreneurs in Texas), Elitepedia, The Los Angelers, Refine Post, and The Global Celebrity. He is also a proud recipient of the 2022 BBB Torch Awards for Ethics Award for Microbusiness.

Elton is a highly sought-after mentor who coaches entrepreneurs across the country – he teaches and encourages entrepreneurship by conducting marketing meetings, events, and numerous mentor speaking engagements. He is also an author – in late 2021, he published his first book, “Creative Problem Solving,” and he has now published his second book, “Buy Into Yourself First,” which outlines successful business development tactics.

Global Millionaire recently caught up with Elton to discuss his journey to entrepreneurship, and here’s what went down:

When did your entrepreneurial flair first reveal itself?

I had the opportunity to be involved in starting a company early in my career, at age 26. I can’t lie; I was scared to death. I almost turned the opportunity down and talked myself out of it. Instead, I took a chance, and from that first day and all the brainstorming we did, I was hooked!

How did your life look like before being an entrepreneur?

The complete opposite of an entrepreneur, or so I thought. I was concentrating on just learning crafts in the field, making money, and raising my kids. I had no clue these basic things would be immensely important in forming a solid foundation for starting several companies.

As an entrepreneur, what is it that motivates and drives you?

I enjoy the new challenges every day. It’s never melancholy or boring; always a new problem to solve. Also, there is just something exhilarating and sometimes stressful about building a work family and watching it grow at your company.

What do you put your success down to?

Without a doubt, it’s been because I was taught to help people – even people I didn’t like or agree with. I learned from working with my dad that there is an art and satisfaction to making the person above you look like a superstar, even if they are not. People recognize that , maybe not a first, but always eventually.

What would you say are the key elements for starting and running a successful business?

Hard work, forgiveness, and thick skin. Hard work is the foundation for anything you do in life. Forgiveness, because you will be done wrong somewhere along the way and because you will also mess up, and both parties deserve forgiveness. Thick skin, because being offended or constantly feeling you are attacked keeps you on the defensive. Defensive units are built to stop things; Offensive units are built to advance. Entrepreneurship is all about advancing.

As you grew the business, what have been some of the most important leadership lessons you have learned?

The top two business lessons I have learned are:

1. It doesn’t take a big person to carry a grudge. It really doesn’t pay to be offended in life, especially in business. I’ve learned the best thing to do is to really try and understand the situation and see if it may apply to you, no matter how it feels at the time.

2. Tough or difficult advice is sometimes just what you need. I call this “Brahma Bull Advice” because, just like a Brahma bull, it is usually:

a. Not always pretty.
b. Usually right up in your face.
c. Hardy and can withstand anything.

What do you hope to see happen in the near future for small businesses all over the world?

I hope this trend of blossoming small businesses will continue to succeed. Seeing these owners take full advantage of state and federal resources is awesome. Also, I’m highly optimistic to see these owners reaching for any type of higher education they can find. Hard work and common sense have always been needed in small businesses, and I love seeing them become popular again these days.

Is It A Good Time To Buy A Property Now In Australia?

Posted on August 25, 2022 by admin

How does the interest rate hike affect the housing market?

But guess what? Despite the interest rate hike, people are still spending! So how can people keep spending even though there’s an increase in the interest rate?

Firstly, tourism is back – tourism is bringing money again to Australia. Secondly, there’s actually a low unemployment rate since people still have jobs. There’s also what I can refer to as “pandemic savings;” People still have savings because, for the past two years, people haven’t been spending that much due to the Covid restrictions. The government has given out over $260 billion of extra pandemic savings sitting in people’s deposit and mortgage offset accounts in support of Australians due to the Covid situation. This massive amount of money is definitely good enough to cope with the interest rate hike.

So for those who still believe that most people will end up selling their property for less than 20% of the actual price is wrong; they should not be worried at all due to the above reasons.

Buy or rent, which one is good for us at the moment?

How should I act as a first home buyer in the current market?

When will the interest rate stop increasing?

I believe in 2-3 years’ time, the interest rate will stop increasing, and Inflation will also slow down – roughly around 2024.

Should we buy a property now or should we wait for a while?

If you’re smart, the best time to buy is now.

Meet The Entrepreneur Behind The Cover Of The August 2022 Issue Of Global Millionaire: Tel K. Ganesan

Posted on August 18, 2022 by admin

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A serial entrepreneur, sought-after speaker, and mentor for young entrepreneurs, Tel K. Ganesan single-handedly built a multi-million dollar IT company expanding it into an empire that now encompasses film, music, wellness, and more.

Ganesan’s enterprises include Kyyba, Inc., Kyyba Films, Kyyba Wellness, Kyyba Fashions, and Kyyba Music. He is the founder of two non-profits, including TieCon (Talent, Ideas, Enterprise) Detroit – the global organization behind TiECon, the world’s largest entrepreneurial conference – and Kyyba Kidz, dedicated to uplifting underprivileged women and orphans. Throughout every venture, his guiding principle centers on entrepreneurship as an effort to make people happy by solving their problems. And according to Ganesan, “Only a truly happy person can spread happiness to others.”

While happiness is an emotion-based state of being, Ganesan is not advocating building one’s business based solely on emotions. Instead, he maintains that healthy growth is balancing happiness with self-control. In this paradigm, decisions are made during moments of composure rather than in the adrenaline rush of initial excitement. To help guide the introspective process, Ganesan asks himself three key questions: Will this make me happy in the long run? Am I helping others through my activity or task? What would be the aftermath of my decision?

Ganesan’s success philosophy is less about immediate gratification than long-term satisfaction. And just because an opportunity passes the happiness test does not necessarily mean it will be easy to achieve. In Ganesan’s view, the yin and yang of business are balancing happiness with aspects like hard work, strategic planning, knowledge acquisition, and surrounding yourself with the right team. (Then, making sure to empower your team to derive happiness from the process, as well).

Following this approach, Ganesan finds a powerful rush in doing things that others are afraid to attempt. But striving to achieve difficult goals means that setbacks are bound to happen even when all elements are in order. Earlier in his career, Ganesan purchased a handful of companies without proper due diligence and experienced a financial tsunami when the 2008 recession hit. What did he do? He leaned into more of what made him happy, managing his responsibilities while continuing to pursue creative ventures. In every setback, there is a lesson or two. And each challenge taught Ganesan to seriously consider the “worst case scenario” before making big decisions. That way, he could plan for any unwanted outcome while working toward the most desirable.

Global Millionaire Magazine caught up with Tel to discuss his journey as an entrepreneur, and here’s what went down:

Could you please tell our readers a brief background about yourself and how you started your business?

As a serial entrepreneur and movie producer, my closet is filled with many hats — all fun to wear. My journey started in the US when I came to pursue my master’s in mechanical engineering and landed at Chrysler in Motor City after that. With vast experience gained by working for over a decade, entrepreneurship stood as the guiding light.

At that point, it was a major life-changing decision to quit my well-paying job and secure life starting from scratch with me at the helm. I somehow managed to convince myself that the risk would pay off, and with all-encompassing enthusiasm, I dove head first into becoming my own boss. I took the initiative to invest in myself and all the knowledge, skills, and foresight learned from personal and professional teachings to kickstart the venture.

Kyyba Inc, a Michigan-headquartered IT company, became my launchpad with industry verticals in automotive, education, public services, financial services, aerospace and defense, insurance, transportation, technology, government, healthcare, and medical, manufacturing services, and oil and energy. Kyyba has newly adopted health and wellness through Kyyba Wellness and entertainment, giving way to Kyyba Films, a global film production, and distribution company. Portfolio expansion has grown my business to now having 700 employees plus working across the globe.

What are you currently doing to maintain/grow your business?

I love the quote, “don’t put all your eggs in one basket.” My businesses are highly diversified, and I believe that networking, upskilling, and keeping up with current trends and industry developments are essential to pack a punch. I consciously employ and surround myself with highly talented people to which I can help guide and empower them to own their lanes of expertise. This methodology allows less intervention round the clock and enables them to become better decision-makers.

I always emphasize the importance of networking, as it helps everyone to sprout new ideas, gain valuable insight, and analyze newer market trends. I make it a habit to evolve my contacts, submerge myself in new business circles, and travel to new places that help me to think differently and spark fresh ideas.

I am also a firm believer in maintaining a strict diet of primarily vegetarian/pescatarian and intermittent fasting, prioritizing meditation, and taking an East meets West approach to whole body health that combines the best of both worlds. Good thoughts and positivity attract blessings and catalyze the perfect body/mind/spirit connection.

What social media platforms do you usually use to increase your brand’s awareness?

I maintain a healthy mix of social media platforms to promote my brand and various businesses. Facebook owns a significant audience share and is best for promotion across geographies. Nothing outperforms LinkedIn when it comes to concentration on organic, professional connections. Twitter is quick, convenient, and gains faster reach, while our Instagram accounts are rapid-fire and often go viral. We have just begun integrating TikTok as Kyyba’s film, and music legs have taken off. Those audiences appreciate the fun factor and a less corporate feel to overall brand messaging.

What form of marketing has worked well for your business throughout the years?

When I started my business, much of our communication streamed through the formula funnel of emails, calls, and meetings. Today, our in-house team for traditional and digital lead generation is heavily vested in email outreach, web apps, mobile marketing, content marketing, ongoing SEO/SEM campaigns, and other proprietary tricks of the trade. Also, social media is a must for any business wanting to compete in today’s working environment. I am very proud of our well-equipped, global team who initiates and handles most of our necessary tasks online. However, we schedule in person when it’s time to close the deal. Hands down, my vote goes to digital marketing! Brand awareness (marketing + public relations + social media) = sales.

What is the most challenging decision you had to make in the last few months?

Heading a company requires a lot of ongoing, strategic decisions of risk/reward evaluation. One such important one of last was implementing a hybrid working model with flexible working hours. We at Kyyba have employees working worldwide in different time zones, continents, and capacities. Earlier in my ventures, we had fixed office hours and centralized operations with weekly meetings and team discussions.

While analyzing worldwide, the trend of great resignation was peaking globally, and it was essential for all entrepreneurs to retain solid talent. It is also important to change the organizational policy to be decentralized. We continued the meetings online, allocated tasks, and supported them remotely.

This paid off for Kyyba as we have now connected all our team members through cloud activity. This flexibility has led to better team spirit and motivated Kyyba members to achieve their goals. The company is now in growth mode, expanding into more dimensions. My employees are happy with this model, and so am I.

What do you think you came into this life to learn, and what do you think you came here to teach?

I believe “there is light at the end of the tunnel.” One has to be very patient when going through difficult times. The testing period is the best teacher you could ask for, as it will impart a depth of knowledge. It strengthens, liberates one from fears, builds character, and provokes the courage to try new things. My life was no different. I have run into many challenges and gained insights into every one of those bumps in the road. Today I implement the education and growth I’ve experienced along the way into my personal and professional life.

I would teach that the pursuit of life is happiness and to lead each day with self-confidence. If you do anything wholeheartedly, the result will be fantastic. When you love what you do, you can ensure that you are investing yourself entirely! Happiness is contagious, and as a leader, I want my employees to feel good about coming to work every day. I want those who meet with me to expand my business to walk away feeling my authenticity and appreciation for our shared time. You will achieve greater heights of success, too.

How different is it to have a business within the IT and film industries? And which one do you prefer?

In terms of creativity, dedication, and work, both industries are time-bound and require tunnel-vision, resiliency, and steadfast commitment to succeed. IT is exciting because of continuous technological advances, but it carries more of a traditional work environment feel. The film industry is by far edgier and more glamorous, with exclusive access where one can gain fame, exposure, and stardom quickly. My popularity meter began to rise after becoming a movie producer. My likeness is better now as a film personality than a techie, thanks to Kyyba Films’ success. Honestly, I enjoy working in both industries as they offer unique opportunities. I appreciate the different people and personalities attached, too. It’s always a win when I can combine my right and left brains.

If someone is going to make your life into a movie, who would play you?

Hands down, I would cast Regé-Jean Page to star as me. His body language, smile, and overall appearance share similarities. His aura is impressive, and I appreciate his on-screen presence. I’ve enjoyed many of his roles and OTT series.

What is the best advice you have ever been given by someone?

The best advice of my life came from a well-respected entrepreneur when I first opened my company. He emphasized the importance of investing the soul to the cause we believe in and leaving a legacy behind. And once we find our passion, we must work toward reaching the goals of success despite whatever hurdles are standing in the way. Entrepreneurship is like a ride on a catamaran on a mammoth, stormy ocean — the more significant the risk, the better the reward. We also must give back to society and shine our skills and knowledge on a good cause to support underprivileged people who are desperate for support.

What advice would you give to a newbie Entrepreneur setting up their first business?

Entrepreneurship is about adding values and finding solutions for challenges people wish to do away with altogether. It is essential to research the field of interest and gain insight before diving deep. You must constantly be in tune with your industry’s advancements and stay at the forefront of its trends.

Discover and decode your keys to happiness. Follow your passion and seek joy in all pursuits. Make resilience and patience your best of friends, as there may be some rainy days that require a healthy blend of peace and perseverance. Once you find happiness in your work will feed your passion and zeal, allowing you to become your best self.

5 Ways To Take Advantage Of A Bust Property Market

Posted on August 10, 2022August 10, 2022 by admin

Challenging economic circumstances, including rising inflation, steep interest rate hikes, and a looming recession ahead, have caused the property market to decline. The buying ‘frenzy’ of the pandemic property boom is over, and home buyers and investors alike are feeling wary about making the life-changing decision to purchase property in this economic climate.

Lloyd Edge, Founder and Managing Director of Aus Property Professionals, says, “Already property prices have fallen in major capital cities like Sydney and Melbourne, and we should expect to see the market slow by a further 10 percent to 15 percent in the next few months. For savvy property investors and home buyers, the declining market presents an opportunity to get better value for their money.”

Lloyd has recently launched his second best-selling property book Buy Now: The Ultimate Guide to Owning and Investing in Property, which includes practical tips for people looking to buy a house, whether in a boom or bust market and strategies for how to make the best of the economic circumstances that you’re in and use it your advantage.

Lloyd says, “I began my own property journey at the age of 28, buying a one-bedroom flat on a teacher’s salary of no more than $70,000 per year. At the time, I had no idea I was going to become a serious property investor. Fast-forward almost two decades later and I’ve grown my portfolio to 18 properties worth $15 million. I had to persevere and learn a lot of hard lessons along the way, and now I want to share my knowledge and help people find the same success in property as I have.”

For prospective buyers, particularly first home buyers or aspiring property investors, Lloyd shares his top advice from Buy Now that will help you to break into the market and get better value for your deposit:

Look for below-market value properties: A buyer who pays under the perceived market value of a property will have made instant equity on the property, meaning that they’ve made a profit from day one and can use this equity to keep building their property portfolio. One way to find a below-market value property is to use a buyer’s agent. A buyer’s agent can help you buy under market value because of their negotiation skills, contacts with local real estate agents in their areas of expertise, and their ability to uncover off-market gems. However, you can also do it yourself by researching the recent sales of similar properties in the same area and seeing if you can negotiate a better deal with the real estate agent.

Motivated sellers: So, how do you find a below-market value property and snap it up quickly for a bargain price? One way is to buy a property from someone in need of a quick sale. It could be because they’ve bought another house and need to close the sale on their current property quickly, or they could be a developer looking for a quick sale to pay off outstanding debts. However, this advice comes with a word of warning, as some sellers may want to sell fast because there is something wrong with the property, so it’s always advisable to do an in-person inspection and commission a full property report and pest inspection.

Be willing to negotiate terms: In cases of motivated sellers, if you can be flexible on the settlement terms of your contract, this can put you a head above other potential buyers, as flexibility is a strong negotiation tool to bring to the table. Suppose you are able to settle in as little as 21 days instead of the standard 35 or 42 days or offer an unconditional offer with no cooling-off period at all. In that case, you could find yourself getting a much better deal on a property, and it will make your offer look far more attractive, even if you’re not necessarily the highest bidder.

Be proactive with finances: Before you begin your property hunt, a mortgage broker is the first person you should speak to. A mortgage broker will be able to tell you what your borrowing capacity is and help you secure pre-approval on your loan- this will ensure you don’t miss out on properties while submitting your paperwork and waiting for the banks or brokers to get back to you. If your finance is ready to go, you’ll have the option of making an unconditional offer. You’ll also be aware of any other conditions the seller has included in the contract, so you can accommodate these for a greater chance of success.

Be known to local agents: If you’re ready to go, reach out and get in touch with local real estate agents. Let them know your buying criteria and budget, and ask to be contacted with off-market opportunities and when new properties are listed. Ask to be added to their mailing list so you’re one of the first to know about new listings and to inspect a suitable property when it becomes available.

Lloyd says, “One of my favourite mantras is ‘No-one ever got ahead by waiting.’ Too often I’ll meet people who say they’re not quite ready to buy just yet, they’re waiting for property prices to drop or interest rates to go down. Meanwhile, while they’re waiting property prices start to rise again, and they’ve missed out on the opportunity to get better value for their money. My advice to people in this situation would be buy when you can afford to, when your finances are in order, and ultimately, you’ll be better off in the long run.”

This article was sourced from a media release sent by Kathleen Quere @agent99pr.com

Meet Lindsey Carnett, The CEO & President of Marketing Maven

Posted on August 5, 2022 by admin

Lindsey Cartnett started Marketing Maven after working at a public relations firm in Los Angeles, being the Marketing Director for a Scandinavian publicly-listed biosciences company, and starting a PR division for a multi-million-dollar advertising agency in Los Angeles. After many hours on the road commuting, at 26 years old, she was fearless and started Marketing Maven at the beginning of the Recession. She wanted to bring accountability to the public relations industry the same way that direct response advertisers brought attribution to their media dollars spend. She announced that she was doing PR for DR, meaning Public Relations for Direct Response, and launched into the direct-to-consumer marketing world, which had been her work experience from the early part of her career.

Global Millionaire recently caught up with Lindsey to discuss her journey as an entrepreneur and here’s what went down:

What are you currently doing to maintain/grow your business?

Today, Marketing Maven looks very different than it did in 2009. When Marketing Maven was born, the service offerings included Public Relations only. We have since added social media marketing, digital advertising, influencer marketing, email marketing, event support, market research, and creative services, including copywriting, graphic design, and website development. Marketing Maven is now bicoastal, with its headquarters in the Greater Los Angeles area and offices in New York City.

Marketing Maven continues to grow because we practice what we preach. We contribute articles to noteworthy media outlets, speak at conferences, have award-winning campaigns, announce significant agency news, and establish strategic partnerships that allow us to advance.

We also put our money where our mouth is in terms of having the core value of a growth mindset. This means being lifelong learners- something of paramount importance in a constantly evolving industry. Marketing Maven allows for education time for each employee and even sponsors it, so we are investing in employee education to improve our skill sets, learn more about the industries our clients work in, and cross-train our fellow staff. Our emerging leaders are strategically placed in leadership development programs and acquire new skills that they bring back to Marketing Maven.

What social media platforms do you usually use to increase your brand’s awareness?

Marketing Maven uses LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram to increase brand awareness. Each platform is important for current and prospective clients, new hire recruiting, and employee engagement.

What is your experience with paid advertising, like PPC or sponsored content campaigns? Does it work?

Paid advertising only works if you have a solid strategy and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that you’ve established to gauge success. It’s important to start with a competitive analysis, understand your target audience and know what’s going to drive them to convert into qualified prospects. It’s more than getting a lead to your website. You must have a plan to keep them, as a nurture campaign with a series of relevant emails that have a substance of value to ultimately convert them into a valuable client.

What is your main tactic when it comes to making more people aware of your brand and engaging your customers? How did your business stand out?

Pre-pandemic, we’d walk tradeshows with clients, and they would do all of the selling for us. The best advocates are your existing clients who can show others the great work you’ve done for them. Today, we are working with our clients on case studies they are proud of that we can share with prospects to showcase our work. We are also submitting case studies for awards so we can highlight award-winning campaigns in our marketing efforts. It’s great for our clients and for us!

What form of marketing has worked well for your business throughout the years?

Word of mouth is the best form of marketing that has worked well for Marketing Maven throughout the years. Most of our business comes via referrals, so LinkedIn connections, one-on-one consultations, and a customized approach have proven successful year after year. We often do unique direct mailers before trade shows to request appointments and express our interest in working with specific brands.

What is the toughest decision you had to make in the last few months?

The toughest decision I had to make in the last few months was about office space. It’s hard to predict the post-pandemic office environment, but I think the hybrid office is here to stay, at least during the next 5 years.

What money mistakes have you made along the way that others can learn from (or something you’d do differently)?

When I started Marketing Maven at age 26, I thought it was bad to get a business loan, so I put all my expenses on my personal credit cards. It wasn’t until I got more education about business financing that I realized that was a big mistake. I received an excellent education about business finances through the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program.

What new business would you love to start?

I have many ideas for new businesses in many industries. Some are service-based and others are product-focused.

If you could go back in a time machine to when you were just starting, what would you do differently?

I would have invested more money in seasoned industry veterans with proven success in my industry who weren’t already from my existing network. I think that would have accelerated our growth even more meaningfully. The flip side is I have many great memories with people who I know, love, and trust. And to know I helped them get started and trained in their careers is very rewarding.

What is the best advice you have ever been given?

The best advice I received was from my first PR boss. He told me that to be successful in this industry, I needed to have tough skin. I couldn’t let the little stuff get to me or it could eat me alive. I was to think of oil and water and just let anything negative roll off me. I still remember the pep talk to this day!

What advice would you give to a newbie Entrepreneur setting up their first business?

My biggest advice to a newbie entrepreneur setting up their first business is to ask for help. I didn’t realize the number of free resources for entrepreneurs until I was years into my business. There’s SCORE, SBDC, WEV, and the list goes on! Many entrepreneurs are too proud to ask for help, but I will assure you that there are many blind spots along the journey, and being humble will get you a lot farther than being proud. Sometimes you don’t know what you don’t know. And to sit with that thought and being okay with it is the first step to seeking help from someone more seasoned with your best interest in mind.

Meet The Star Behind The Cover Of The July 2022 Issue Of Global Millionaire: Wu-Tang Clan’s RZA

Posted on July 26, 2022July 26, 2022 by admin

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By Allison Kugel

As the leader of the legendary multi-platinum selling rap group, The Wu-Tang Clan, RZA, or Bobby, as he is known to close friends and colleagues, had a particular way of putting beats to razor-sharp lyrics that made you feel part of a song’s creative process. Fans feel RZA’s music, both from Wu-Tang and his solo and collaborative efforts, on a cellular level.

An urban-bred intellectual who expresses through a mic or camera lens, RZA is considered prophetic to his community and perhaps a unicorn to mainstream culture. With a penchant for Eastern philosophy, as is evident in the name Wu-Tang Clan and lyrical nods to Shaolin Kung Fu, RZA shared, “One thing I’m looking forward to doing in the near future… I’ve never been to India, and I have to check that one off,” referring to the top item on his bucket list. I recommended he connect with Indian author and yogi, Jaggi Vasudev, also known as Sadhguru, when he makes the trip. RZA is so well-read and well-versed; it felt novel giving him someone and something beyond his scope to Google.

As a film director, RZA paints complex portraits with colorful, multi-faceted characters that inspire engagement and empathy. His latest directorial effort, the allegorical Cut Throat City (streaming on Netflix) features an all-star cast. It examines the lives of people living in New Orleans’ economically depressed Lower Ninth Ward in the aftermath of 2005’s Hurricane Katrina. The historically disastrous storm broke through poorly constructed levees, flooding out the city’s most vulnerable residents and leaving them with little hope or help from FEMA. Much like our current pandemic, Katrina shone a light on shameful racial and economic inequities. Though the film’s story is sobering and the lead character’s decisions are morally ambiguous, he insists the film portrays “a story of redemption,” with parallels to his own life.

“No one [in this film] is completely bad, and no one is completely good. They were all flawed. It exemplified their humanity, and it comes down to a choice. The theme of [Cut Throat City] examines the importance of dreams against a backdrop of survival.”

Reflecting on his early days in the spotlight, RZA denounces some of his youthful bravado as he recites a trademark Wu-Tang lyric for me, “Wu-Yang Clan ain’t nuthing ta fuck wit,” and laughs out loud at an ego-driven existence that took center stage early on. It’s now tempered, he says, by a need to serve something greater than himself. Throughout our conversation, RZA’s words are prophetic, culturally provocative, and spiritually centered. We talked about a life lived outside the matrix of material trappings; a topic he initiated and encouraged me.

Allison Kugel: Do you believe anything is possible or that circumstances dictate our destiny?

RZA: Wow, that’s a strong question. I think that persistence overcomes resistance. Therefore, every possibility is actually expressed in our children’s wishes. The things we wish for as young minds and things we thrive in our spirits for, I think they make that which seems impossible, possible. The whole Greek study of Icarus and the idea of men flying… that seems like it would be magic or some other thing. We fly every day now in many different variations of flight, for example, flights that leave our basic atmosphere and travel across the whole world. So, what seems impossible, I think positivity and possibilities are probably boundless.

Allison Kugel: What lessons can be learned from poverty, and what lessons can be learned from wealth?

RZA: Poverty and wealth are two very different circumstances, but those are physical circumstances. I think we have to be conscious to not have the physical circumstance truly shake our spiritual and our personality. I grew up in poverty, but I was never unhappy. Joy and love were in our household. My mother was a single mother, but joy and love made up for the lack of food and shelter. The point I make in saying that is, of course, in a capitalist society our freedoms are compartmentalized. Therefore, you could be physically free and not spiritually free. You can be spiritually and physically free, and not economically free. Since economic freedom is a requirement for proper food, clothing, and shelter, it can become something that transcends the physical, and bleeds into the spiritual. If life was simple, everything we want is already provided for us by the planet. There is nothing on this planet that we eat, ingest, take, dance with, fly with, that is not from the planet. It’s just that when you are dealing with certain [economic] systems, they take control over us. Even in some religious traditions they have ways of controlling what is naturally ours. I’m out here in New Jersey in the woods right now, and I just saw some deer walk by. A whole family [of deer] eating whatever they ate and they keep walking.

Allison Kugel: I had a similar moment when I looked at a family of birds outside my house, and they don’t need anything. They’ve figured all of it out for free, on their own.

RZA: Yes! There is a beautiful verse in the Holy Quran that speaks on that. I’ll paraphrase it. It says something like, “The birds and the bees are taking care of every day with no worries. Do you think Allah would do less for man, his greatest creation?” Everything they have access to, we have access to. It’s that we grabbed control over it and denied access to certain people. That’s playing into the theme of my film (RZA’s latest directorial effort, Cut Throat City, streaming on Netflix).

Allison Kugel: Yup! That’s why I’m asking about it…

RZA: One of the biggest issues of the situation in this film that I hope the audience catches is that Blink (played by Shameik Moore) goes in with his wife (played by Kat Graham) and child for help from FEMA and they ask, “What is your salary?” She says, “About $32,000.” Not a bad salary and not a great salary…

Allison Kugel: It’s a hard salary. It’s a salary that would be very challenging to raise a family on. Would you agree?

RZA: Yes, I would agree. And within that salary she’s paying a third of that in taxes. Her tax money is paid into a system to protect her when the time comes that you need the protection. Now here it is, I’m in need of what I paid into and I’m being denied because of my community or because of my race. That is the equation we overlook in our capitalist society. The money that they spend every year is not their money, it’s our money that they are controlling.

Allison Kugel: After watching your film, Cut Throat City, which depicts the lives of people living in New Orleans’ Lower Ninth Ward in 2005, post-Hurricane Katrina, I researched and read that in 1965 there was also a catastrophic hurricane in the area. Same thing happened, where the levees were not maintained properly and they broke. They already knew there was a strong possibility it could happen again, and yet they did nothing to protect these people.

RZA: The line that Ethan Hawke gives in the film, he talks about how it also happened in the early 1900s, but it was more intentional. They let the levees break so the water could flood the lower land and it wouldn’t spread up to the white districts. The thing about separation of people who are of color or [lower] economics, it has existed for a long time in our country and there is no relief and no delivery from the situation. Even if the Lower Ninth was built to be low income, as your city is growing and your tax dollars are coming into your city, those resources should be used to ensure everyone’s safety and security. In the beginning of the city’s history, I understand. I started in a small apartment when I left my house. I was nineteen years old and my mother said the time had come to go. I started in a small apartment and (Wu-Tang Clan member) Ghostface [Killah] was my roommate. We had another roommate, my cousin Rob. We lived there, three guys in a one bedroom, and we stayed there until we raised enough money to get a two bedroom (laugh). You know what I mean?

Allison Kugel: (Laughs) Yes! I do know what you mean.

RZA: We kept going, and it even got to the point where one of us could move out and one of us still stayed, and that lasted until we hit it big. The point is, it’s okay to start at the bottom and struggle, but when there is no relief from the struggle, that is when it becomes insidious, evil, and oppressive. Like I said, the money that FEMA was giving in 2005 for Hurricane Katrina Relief was the money that came from the people. It wasn’t [FEMA’s] money.

Allison Kugel: I’m assuming you spent time in New Orleans prior to directing Cut Throat City?

RZA: I traveled there many times and spent three weeks studying the city. This film wasn’t just about these four guys in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. It was the fact that this was a story about what happens when your aspirations turn into desperation. That I know, that I’ve felt, and that I’ve lived. I come from a single mother household and so does my whole crew. Seven of the nine members [of Wu-Tang Clan] are that. In this film, Blink (the film’s lead character) was a nerd, in all reality. He was an academic and went to college. He had a talent, you know?

Allison Kugel: That is what is so heartbreaking about this story. Here is a guy who went to Tulane University, who has extraordinary talent for drawing and storytelling, and it’s wasted talent. It’s a squandered life. But then at the end of the film, there are two different endings. Explain that…

RZA: A lot of people have been tweeting about that and asking what’s going on. The artist in me left it up for interpretation. If you go back and look at the film closely, you’ll see that there is an egg in there that should answer the questions. Maybe people missed it, but the reason why I did that is because in life, very few of us get second chances. But, what happens if you give a man a second chance? I, myself, am a second chance-er. When I read this story, I felt the character Blink all in my system. I felt his pain. Then I realized I actually was an artist and a smart guy who got caught up in gangs and the streets, and ended up facing eight years in jail, but I won my trial. When I won my trial, I changed my life. I focused on study and making myself better, looking at my creativity, and I formed The Wu-Tang Clan. I became a success story, because I was given a second chance.

Allison Kugel: Sometimes a single decision can change everything…

RZA: And I wasn’t bad. A lot of people are not bad, they just made a bad decision. [I wish] the criminal justice system could look at it that way. Most of the guys in the Wu were the same. We were all arrested felons or something like that, and we had a second chance. I wanted to express that in this film. In the original screenplay, though, I have to be honest, he dies. But as a director I get to tell the story and I get to shape it. I wanted to shape it with optimism. I said, “I’m going to leave some optimism there and let the people who watch it decide, which pill would they take?” In the film the detective tells him, “A pen will get you further than a gun.” I’m living proof. It was a pen that got me further than anytime I was trying to do something foolish with a gun.

Allison Kugel: Speaking of which pill to take. You strike me as a guy who operates outside the matrix. I know you’re part of the Five Percent Nation. Do you sometimes feel like you don’t quite sync up with the everyday person?

RZA: No. I don’t feel like I don’t sync up. I feel blessed that I see the beauty of what I see. Whether anybody else sees it or not, it’s okay. It’s not like, “Man, wow, they’re missing it.” Even as a vegan and never having a yearning for steak, never having the idea in the back of my head of the pain I’m inflicting on someone else; it’s a very liberating feeling to not be the cause of pain and turmoil to any living thing. I actually feel more required to do what I’m supposed to do, so that if there is positivity in what I’m doing, may others see it. They’ll see it in their own given time, and I’m okay with that.

Allison Kugel: Do you want to explain what the Five Percent Nation is?

RZA: I’m going to tell you something they taught us in studying the lessons of The Five Percent, and it is sometimes misunderstood. What they are trying to say when they say, “Five Percent,” is they took a number of 100% and they separated it into the different types of people in the world. They say that 10% of the people know the same things that the five percent know, but the 10% use it to control other people. They know that there’s falsehood. They know it’s a game, they know the rules of the game. They aren’t playing it, but they’re making everybody else play it. They say 85% of people are easily led in the wrong direction. The 10% will lead them in the wrong direction even though they know the right direction. Then there’s 5% of the people who know the right direction and they strive to teach it. Scientists who deal with quantum physics and the measurement of space, they say all the atoms in the entire universe only represent five percent of the universe.

Allison Kugel: And the rest is space.

RZA: The rest is space. It’s a mathematical equation. They taught us that we should all strive for the Twelve Jewels of Life which is: knowledge, wisdom, understanding, freedom, justice, equality, food, clothing, shelter, love, peace, and happiness. If you have that, you’re rich. I honestly feel I have that, and to me, that is more valuable than anything that is out there. In my art, I try to express those qualities.

Allison Kugel: In the film who would you say was the most fun to direct, who was the most challenging, and who did you vibe with artistically?

RZA: Wow, it’s hard to separate such a great cast and great talents. Every one of us had our moments, like an all-star team. I can say that Kat Graham really shows that it’s not just beauty in her, but it’s her strength and expression. I’m glad that she became the anchor of that family, and she did it beautifully. She could have played it pretty and sexy. Even though she was beautiful on screen, it was natural. She was strong to go and fight for her man. Ethan Hawke, I felt like we were on a natural high working together with the way the ideas were flowing back and forth, and his choices of emotions. And as a fan, it was a joy to have Terrence Howard, Wesley Snipes and Isaiah Washington come and work in my film.

Allison Kugel: Did you originally think Kat Graham was too pretty for this role?

RZA: No, that wasn’t a thought. I got lucky to get Kat. We had developed her role for another actress who became unavailable about two weeks before we were shooting. Then our agent said that Kat Graham read the script and was interested, and would I be interested to talk with her? We did a FaceTime and she said exactly what I needed to hear.

Allison Kugel: Which was?

RZA: She said to me, “The strength of this woman is in the pages, Bobby, and I want to bring you that strength.” It wasn’t about bringing beauty; it was about bringing me strength. Then when you look at T.I., he totally shocked me and blew my mind. T.I. also came into the cast late. I had been developing the film for five years, and I always wanted Method Man to play the role of Cousin, but he told me he wasn’t into the bad guy roles right now.

Allison Kugel: What do you want people to take away from the film, Cut Throat City, beyond being entertained?

RZA: I would like to think the people who see these four main characters in the film as criminals can now understand that they are a victim of circumstance. If we can walk away and understand that some people who are in bad situations are victims of circumstances, we can prevent the circumstances. I don’t know if that makes sense to you.

Allison Kugel: That makes sense.

RZA: How do we prevent the circumstances? Before I started the movie, I met with a guy who was locked up and he told me he read an article about me and he agreed with what he read about me. I asked him, “Which article was that?” He said it was an article where I said I was a nerd. And I was like, “Yes, I am. I like comic books. I like video games. I like chess.” He said, “I loved reading that about you, because I’m a nerd too!” This guy was serving 15 years for armed robbery. He was saying that really, he is also a creator, but there was no outlet for him. So he got caught up in a hustle. There was another guy that was in the cell with him who ended up fixing all the computers inside the jail, but he’s in for murder. I’m not justifying a murder, but he said that he was bullied and bullied and bullied. He was forced to fight, and once he fought it was like he became a cowboy.

Allison Kugel: Here is the question I ask everybody. What do you think you came into this world to learn, and what do you think you came here to teach in this lifetime?

RZA: Wow, that is a beautiful question. What did I come to learn? One thing I am learning is humility. Even though I may appeared, on the surface, to have it, it was something that I think I lacked. I was pretty conceited, really coming up. If you listen to my old music, I acted like, “I’m the greatest and everybody else is beneath me (laughs).”

Allison Kugel: Well, you were in your twenties, right?

RZA: Yes..

Allison Kugel: Hello! (laugh)

RZA: Exactly. But it’s good to understand that there is a universe out there. You can be a sun, but there’s other suns. But I do think what I’m destined to teach, if anything, is that you can be a living example of your own ideas. Through my art, I’ll be able to inspire and that’s the best thing. I think I was brought her to inspire. I was born to inspire.

RZA Photos Courtesy of CAA, Film Stills Courtesy of Well Go USA Entertainment/Netflix

Cut Throat City is currently streaming on Netflix. Follow RZA on Facebook and Instagram.

Allison Kugel is a syndicated entertainment and pop culture columnist and author of the book Journaling Fame: A memoir of a life unhinged and on the record. Follow her on Instagram @theallisonkugel and at AllisonKugel.com.

5 Surefire Tips To Become A Top-Notch Content Creator In 2022

Posted on July 20, 2022 by admin

Every day, new digital content creators are popping up on our social media timelines. As the online sphere continues to grow, anyone with an internet connection can easily venture into content creation and share their ideas and talents with the world with just a click of a button. The challenge, however, is how to stand out among the rest.

For prominent social media personalities Phillip Hernandez (popularly known as the CEO of “smooth promotions” Davao Conyo) and Yumi (one of TikTok’s biggest bird moms), anyone can be a successful content creator like them as long as they put in the work and build a strong connection with their audience. After all, they did not gain millions of followers overnight.

Here are five tips they shared to help content creators unleash their creativity and discover their passion in the online space:

1. Start now and don’t be afraid.

Yumi didn’t take too long to post videos when she made her TikTok account. When she discovered the potential of the platform to grow, coupled with her interest in joining the vlogging community, she took the opportunity immediately. She said, “If you already know you want to start creating content, take action now. You are the only one who can make it happen.”

Phillip also jumped in, saying that people shouldn’t be afraid to try creating content even if they feel they don’t have the talent for it. “On the internet, there is a space for everyone,” he added, believing that every person has something valuable to share.

2. Observe trends and people to craft relatable content.

Creativity is necessary if you want to create content regularly. Yumi, who is followed by over 4.2 million people, shares her life as a K-Pop stan, casual gamer, and mother of six pet birds. Even if she simply shows a glimpse of her daily experiences, she tries to keep it fresh and exciting by using trending topics and challenges to incorporate into her videos.

Phillip, whose hilarious dubs and skits are loved by 3.9 million people on Facebook and TikTok, likes to observe people and real-life situations so that his viewers can recognize themselves or their friends and family in his characters. He always tells people, “Your content should be relatable. No matter how funny a joke is, if it’s an inside joke that not everyone will get, then it’s useless.”

3. Find meaning and passion in what you are doing.

According to Phillip, making content is more than just a job for him because telling stories and making others laugh is his passion. This passion of his inspires him to execute better outputs for his audiences.

Yumi has also grown to love sharing her stories and views her platform as a chance to make others smile and feel inspired. “I want to be an inspiration to the youth and show them that they can have bigger dreams. I had people I looked up to when I was young, and I want to be like that for them too,” she shared the big dream motivating her every day.

4. If you want to work with brands, show them that you are easy to work with.

Some content creators have made a career out of their talent, and brands reach out to them so they can help promote the brand’s products and services. Phillip has worked with several brands over the years, especially since he’s famous for his skits’ unexpected yet amusing brand intrusions.

One of Phillip’s main pieces of advice is to understand your audience and the brands you work with. “If you want to make a living out of content creation, you have to show companies and brands that you are easy to work with, and they can incorporate their brand in your content,” he said.

Aside from attitude and creative ideas, content creators need to show brands that they are capable and equipped with the essentials needed for them to deliver the brand content in the best quality possible.

Watch Davao Conyo, and Yumi’s SKY Fiber branded TikTok videos for a guide on how they create content for brands.

5. Subscribe to an internet plan that fits your lifestyle as a content creator.

An online content creator’s schedule requires them to stay connected with their clients and audiences virtually. Given that it’s also a work-from-home set-up for most, a good quality internet connection helps them keep up with the job’s daily demands.

For Yumi, having a WiFi signal anywhere in the house is essential for content creators since they usually shoot videos and work in different parts of the house. Phillip added that affordability is also important. While they may earn from their online content, they are still budget-conscious consumers.

It’s Official: Rihanna Is Now The Youngest Female Self-Made Billionaire

Posted on July 14, 2022 by admin

Rihanna is now officially the youngest person at 34 years old on Forbes’ 2022 list of self-made female billionaires in the United States amassing a whopping net worth of $1.4 billion.

Back in March 2019, Kylie Jenner held the title of youngest self-made billionaire after signing a distribution deal with beauty retailer Ulta for Kylie Cosmetics products. Forbes reported that this move helped increase Kylie Cosmetics’ estimated worth to “at least” $900 million, making Kylie a billionaire. However, in May 2020, Forbes published an article saying that their staff “recalculated Kylie’s net worth and concluded that she is not a billionaire,” but rather a “more realistic accounting of her personal fortune puts it at just under $900 million.”

Rihanna⁠ (co-owner of Fenty Beauty and holder of a 30 percent stake in her Savage x Fenty lingerie line⁠) also happens to be Barbados’ first billionaire, according to Forbes, as well as the only woman under 40 on this year’s list of female billionaires in the U.S.

Rihanna⁠ has been teasing that she has new music in the works, so her net worth may soon go up once her new music hits the music scene.

“I’m looking at my next project completely differently from the way I had wanted to put it out before. I think this way suits me better, a lot better,” she told Vogue. “It’s authentic, it’ll be fun for me, and it takes a lot of the pressure off.”

Editorial credit: Andrea Raffin / Shutterstock.com

The World’s First Trillionaires… REVEALED

Posted on July 1, 2022 by admin

In light of reports stating Elon Musk may pull out of the $44bn Twitter deal, new research reveals that Elon Musk is set to be the world’s first trillionaire by 2024.

A new study from Approve has predicted the world’s first trillionaires by comparing the annual net worths of the top 30 richest people and their annual growth rate to estimate how soon each of them will reach one trillion dollars.

You can view the full study here: https://www.approve.com/the-trillion-dollar-club/

Potential rank for the world’s first trillionaires:

Rank	Name	Industry	Current age	Average annual net worth growth	Estimated year of trillion dollar valuation	Estimated age at trillion dollar valuation
1	Elon Musk	Automotive & Aerospace	50	129%	2024	52
2	Gautam Adani & Family	Diversified	59	121%	2025	62
3	Zhang Yiming	Technology	38	123%	2026	42
4	Mukesh Ambani	Diversified	64	43%	2029	71
4	Bernard Arnault	Fashion & Retail	72	27%	2029	79
6	Jeff Bezos	Technology	57	24%	2030	65

The world’s richest person, Elon Musk, who could possibly be purchasing Twitter, has an estimated net worth of $263 billion with an average annual net growth of 129%. This means his net worth can potentially hit a trillion dollars in as little as two years, at the age of 52.

Gautam Adani & family own the commodity trading business Adani Group (one of India’s most profitable companies). Adani would be a year behind Musk, reaching trillionaire status in 2025, at the age of 62 at his current rate of 121% growth.

At just 38 years old, Zhang Yiming is the founder and chairman of Beijing ByteDance Technology Co, which is considered to be one of the world’s most valuable start-ups. The business is predicted to make Zhang Yiming a trillionaire in 2026, at the age of 42.

Further Findings

Zhang Yiming is set to be the youngest trillionaire, potentially reaching trillionaire status by 2026 when he is just 42, with a 123% average annual net growth.

The technology sector is set to produce the most trillionaires, with six of the top ten trillionaires working in the sector. For example, Amazon’s founder, Jeff Bezos ranks in sixth place, potentially reaching trillionaire status by 2030.
Bernard Arnault, chairman, and chief executive of luxury goods company Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH), is the only trillionaire in the top ten from the fashion industry, predicted to reach trillionaire status in 2029.

You can view the full research here: https://www.approve.com/the-trillion-dollar-club/

This press release was sourced from Fay McFarlane of Digitaloft

10 Surefire Strategies That’ll Help You Create A Profitable Facebook Page

Posted on June 23, 2022 by admin

What began as a way for Harvard college students to connect with each other has now grown into one of the world’s biggest social networks and the best marketing resource out of all the other social media platforms.

Facebook currently has over 200 billion active users.

Yes, you read that correctly, 200 BILLION users.

Hence the reason why Facebook remains ahead of other social media platforms when it comes to social media marketing. This is also the main reason why I highly recommend all entrepreneurs to get serious about promoting their businesses on Facebook by creating highly engaging Facebook business pages because that will translate to money in your pocket.

So how can you make your Facebook page more profitable?

Simple, you need to attract potential customers by engaging them first on your Facebook page and then eventually driving them to your website. But here’s the thing, you have to do it organically though. Doing this organically won’t cost you anything besides your time and effort. You need your customers to engage with your content because the more organic reach you have, the better your chances are of converting potential buyers into actual buyers.

So the big question is: how can you engage potential buyers? How can you get organic reach?

Well, first we need to take a look at how Facebook’s news feed algorithm actually works first. Then we can take a look at some practical strategies we can implement to increase your business page’s organic reach.

There are a ton of factors that decide which posts eventually show up in a user’s news feed. Adam Mosseri, the VP of News Feed at Facebook, explained in detail how the algorithm works by presenting a real-world problem – he compared it to ordering something for his wife at a restaurant as an example.

Adam broke the explanation down into four steps:

1. He goes over the menu to determine what his options are.

2. He takes into account all of the information that is at his disposal (for example, what does his wife like to eat, is it lunch or dinner time, what’s good at the restaurant?)

3. He then comes up with predictions in his head (for example, would his wife enjoy having salmon for lunch today or would it be weird if he ordered her a chocolate soufflé for breakfast?).

4. After considering all of this information, he’ll be able to then place his wife’s order.

Here’s a quick summary of his explanation:

Inventory – What’s on the menu?

When you first open your news feed, Facebook’s algorithm immediately takes an inventory by reviewing all of the stories posted by your friends as well as the pages you follow which is similar to Adam reviewing the menu.

Signals – Is it lunch or dinner time?

Facebook then reviews all the available data and tries to decide how interested you may be in a particular story. Facebook refers to this information as “Signals”. This is what Facebook uses to rank your content. Facebook takes into account things like who posted the story? What’s the frequency of posts from that person? What’s the average time spent on the content? What phone is the user on? What time was the content posted? What’s the overall engagement the post already has? When was the story posted? Facebook even takes into account your friend’s tags or even recent comments from a friend.

Predictions – Would she enjoy the salmon?

Facebook then uses these signals to create predictions and calculate the probability of specific outcomes; for example, how likely are you to click or comment on a story? How likely are you to spend time or share a story?

Score – Place an order.

After coming up with predictions and calculating the probabilities, Facebook combines all the information it has gathered to calculate a “relevance score,” an actual number that represents how interested Facebook thinks you may be in a particular story.

Adam eventually pointed out that Facebook doesn’t really know how interested you are in a specific story – it’s an educated guess at best. In a nutshell, Facebook’s algorithm uses these four steps to help it decide as to how to rank your content in the news feed.

So what’s Facebook’s ultimate goal for its News Feeds?

Just like Google, Facebook cares the most about its users. Facebook only wants its users to experience high-quality and relevant content.

So how can you boost your Facebook organic reach taking into account its constant algorithmic changes? Below are ten effective strategies.

1. Focus on providing valuable content rather than reach

Going after Facebook’s organic reach can only get you so far. In hindsight, it should just come secondary to providing valuable content because your audience should come first.

When you post Status updates – your primary focus should be engaging your followers and getting likes and comments. When you post links – your primary objective should be driving traffic to your website.

So how do you do that?

Simple, you need an attention-grabbing headline as well as an attention-grabbing photo. The post should also be short; it should just be around 40 characters or less for maximum engagement. Here’s a perfect example from Buzzfeed.

2. Find out what your audience wants

What better way to gain engagement than by finding out what your audience actually wants?

Maybe they want to see photos? Or perhaps they want links or videos?

The best way to find out is through your Facebook Insights which I will explain in more detail later. You need to keep a sharp eye out and figure out which content gets more likes and shares.

Another way is to conduct a voting poll on your Facebook page to figure out what content appeals to them the most. You can create a Facebook voting poll by clicking this link on your page.

3. Build authority

It’s nowhere near enough to just focus on increasing your business page likes because realistically, the number of likes on your page gives no indication as to how the content you post will perform.

What really matters is building authority and a strong presence online because by being an authority in your field, you’ll be able to command your audience to respond favourably to your posts. Therefore, they will be more likely to positively engage with your content.

If you want to increase engagement on your page here’s what you can do:

– Only post content that is relevant to your business and make sure that you post consistently.

Posting about a cute cat video on a business page that sells plumbing tools is just plain dumb and will get you 0% engagement because you’re just posting irrelevant content.

– Promote your Facebook page on your other social media platforms.

If you have a huge following on other social media channels such as Instagram, Snapchat or Twitter, you can leave a link of your Facebook page in their bio section.

– Use your audience insights to track and analyze your organic search.

You need to identify where your weaknesses are by gathering significant metrics to measure your page’s performance. Without this data, you won’t know where to focus your efforts on.

4. Publish compelling content

You need to publish “evergreen content” if you want to engage your followers – a type of content that is always relevant to readers and highly unlikely to become immediately dated.

The word “evergreen” is usually used by editors referring to the type of stories that are always interesting to readers. The idea behind this kind of post is to write compelling stories that can be easily found by search engines while making sure they are always fresh (forever green) without needing to be updated so that your followers engage with your content.

Once you’ve found a compelling post that has gone viral, you can always repurpose that post by taking note of this content and approaching that piece of content and putting a new spin on it, or changing the context. Make sure you publish your repurposed content at different times. This guarantees that there always be some fresh eyes that get to see and engage with this “new” content.

5. Share other people’s compelling content on your page

Another smart way of getting your followers to engage in your page is to look at other similar Facebook pages from across the internet and share their viral content on your page.

Here’s the thing, you can’t just press the share button, and that’s it. Instead, you need to put a different spin on it. A great example is Problogger’s reading roundup of posts related to blogging. It’s a great way of putting a new spin on other people’s engaging content.

6. Post content when it’s the best time to post on Facebook

The best time to post on your Facebook page is when your followers are active on the network. This data garnered by Optimal times shows 20 studies that prove that posting at the best days and times will help you get more traffic, more engagement, and of course, more followers.

This data taken from 20 studies proves that posting at the best times will help you get more traffic, more engagement, and more followers.

Of course, I don’t recommend that you blindly follow this post because every Facebook page is different, I live in Australia, and I find that for my pages, the best time to post is past 5 pm on a weekday as most of my audience are on their phones on the train on the way home and around 3 pm on weekends.

But to make it easier for you, I suggest that you take a look at your Facebook Insights to find out exactly when your fans are online.

You go to your Facebook Insights and go to post, and you’ll see the most popular times your audience visited your page. You can even monitor the social media marketing posting strategies of your competitors by visiting Fan Page Karma if you want to take a peek how your competitors are going.

7. Keep an eye out for the latest Facebook app updates

Just like Google, the Facebook app gets updates all the time. You need to be on top of these updates because there’s always a new feature released and you need to take advantage of these updates so you can master it faster than anyone and be ahead of the game.

Here are some updates worth noting:

Facebook stories: Similar to Snapchat and Instagram stories, Facebook stories are short user-generated photo and video collections that can be viewed up to two times and disappear after 24 hours.

360-degree photos and videos: this feature gives you the ability to capture a 360, panoramic view of pretty much anything you want.

Video autoplay: Facebook users no longer have to manually tap the play button to play a video. You can now watch a video while still scrolling through your news feed.

Facebook offers: This feature enables you to create and share coupons, discounts, and other promotional offers on your Facebook business page.

8. Share your content on your Facebook Profile

If you want to boost post views on your latest post, then you need to first share a post on your Facebook page then share it from the page on your personal Facebook profile.

This is a useful technique for posts that you feel would resonate well with your Facebook friends. There’s also that chance for them to share your content if they like it so your brand will be exposed to a new crowd.

9. Use hashtags effectively

If you’re always on Facebook, then you’ll surely be familiar with hashtags and how they actually work.

But do you know how to use them efficiently for maximum engagement?

After analysing more than 1 billion Facebook posts from over 30 million pages, BuzzSumo discovered that Facebook users are in fact prone to hashtag fatigue. Posts with a lot of hashtags shockingly performed worse than those without.

Therefore, hashtags should be used in moderation – according to online marketing guru Neil Patel only two hashtags maximum should be used in any given post.

Why only two?

After analyzing 200,000 brand posts on Facebook, SurePayroll discovered that interactions were highest when only one-two hashtags were used that’s why.

To make the most of hashtags, your hashtags need to be unique so that it doesn’t get confused with anyone else’s. You can also use your hashtags to search for your content. This way, you’re enabling your users to continue to refer to your past content by carrying out a hashtag search.

10. Run a competition

Facebook contests are an excellent way to establish brand presence quickly.

First, you need to determine the reason for the poll, are you looking to generate more fans or more leads? The answer to this question will decide what you’ll do next.

Next, you need to figure out what sort of competition you need to run. If your goal is to get more emails then you need to establish an email grab system, if your goal is to get more followers on your Facebook page, you can require willing people to follow and like your page before they can enter the competition. Just make sure you have a decent price for the winner of the contest, offering something silly like “exposure” on your Facebook page is not going to get you anywhere.

Don’t forget to review Facebook’s guidelines when it comes to running contests and challenges before you start any contest – you don’t want Facebook to shut down your Facebook page for not following instructions.

Let’s face it, Facebook is an incredible marketing tool.

As long as you put into practice the ten strategies that I’ve enumerated above, you’ll definitely be well on your way to improving your organic reach and generating more income for your business.

5 Surefire Tips That Can Help Businesses Thrive In The New Normal

Posted on June 16, 2022 by admin

Successful business professionals presenting analytical report while working together with colleagues in the modern office

SKYBIZ, the business solutions arm of SKY Cable Corporation, partners with Microsoft’s Crayon Software Experts Philippines, Inc. to help entrepreneurs and enterprise owners shift and grow amid today’s digital age of doing business as it conducted a special webinar event, showcasing the features of the all-in-one business suite Microsoft 365.

Alongside the introduction and demonstration on how to use Microsoft 365 to help in aiding business operations in today’s times, the event, in line with SKYBIZ’s ongoing Grow Together campaign, shared business tips and factors to consider to sustain work progress and productivity.

Here are some key takeaways from the webinar hosted by SKYBIZ and Crayon Software Experts Philippines, Inc. that would help small, medium, and large enterprises grow their ventures to new heights in today’s age of digital transformation:

1) Business alteration and reset

Indeed the pandemic has changed our way of living, including how we do business.

According to Crayon Philippines’ solutions architect Danica Francisco, many businesses are finding ways to make their businesses thrive amid these uncertain times, ushering the new normal in how we communicate and transact with our clientele.

“We’ve seen how businesses changed and shifted focus on making their ventures thrive. I’m not only talking about the large enterprises, even the small businesses. Here, we could see the resiliency of these businesses, some didn’t make it, but others thrived in today’s times,” Francisco shared.

Shifting to digital could be beneficial for many business owners in order to cope with the ongoing new normal set-up and make operations accessible and run more smoothly.

2) People are the driving force behind progress

Despite the ongoing shift in today’s digital transformation, people are still pivotal in driving success for all businesses.

With this in mind, companies and smaller businesses alike should continue addressing the needs of their employees to establish trust and bolster rapport in boosting work productivity.

Plus, considering a more work-friendly set-up for workers, including the implementations of work-from-home or hybrid arrangements, would be beneficial in promoting work productivity and safety.

“It is important for organizations and companies to address their current needs. We know that it is difficult to go to work due to these uncertain times with COVID affecting the transport sector. We need to think of how we can help our people to stay motivated at work,” Francisco added.

3) Real-time collaboration

One of the worries of business owners is how flexible working set-ups would hamper real-time collaboration, with employees now working apart from one another to maintain their safety.

But with the help of modern technology, including the Microsoft 365 business suite, businesses can run smoothly as usual with real-time collaboration applications that would help them interact with one another and continue doing their work together virtually.

Another vital factor to note in virtual real-time collaboration is to introduce a user-friendly interface so all employees, whether tech-savvy or not, can seamlessly conduct business activities without the worry of being left behind.

4) Strengthening digital security

Going digital may also introduce new risks, including cyber threats that would potentially affect one’s business.

From stealing personal information to breaching bank funds, investing in additional digital security measures is key to protecting all crucial data from hackers and other digital perpetrators alike.

5) Taking note of costs

Shifting to digital may also be heavy on the pockets of most businesses.

With costs in the equation, it is apt to find an all-in-one solution to cut costs while enjoying the benefits of virtual real-time collaboration and digital security.

This is where Microsoft 365 enters, providing a business suite for collaborating through its Teams app with access to all of the essential Microsoft Office applications, which is helpful in documenting and presenting their day-to-day progress.

Plus, its security features also ensure companies and business ventures that their vital information is locked in within their system to avoid potential digital threats, whether on mobile or on their computers.

Together with SKYBIZ’ reliable internet connectivity, users can fully utilize Microsoft 365 and integrate it in their day-to-day activities at ease.

Upon subscribing to SKYBIZ’s BIZBB PRO Fiber, it comes with speeds of up to 200 Mbps and free access to Microsoft 365, plus gift vouchers from Grab or ABS-CBN Dash to help in sustaining business growth in today’s digital age.

Business owners can also subscribe to SKYBIZ’s BIZTastic Bundeals, which also come with fiber business internet connectivity, plus access to Microsoft 365 and a free ABS-CBN Dash voucher. Promo is extended until June 30, 2022.

To know more about SKYBIZ’s internet plans and promo updates, visit www.skybiz.com.ph.

Meet The Entrepreneur Behind The Cover Of The June 2022 Issue Of Global Millionaire: Anouk Brumfield

Posted on June 7, 2022 by admin

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Having worked with teams for over thirty years, including C-suite managers, she brings deep experience from many industries to the consulting arena. With a track record for driving successful and efficient large enterprise initiatives, the people she works with are assured of a dynamic outcome, leading to profitable growth, transformation, or product innovation.

Anouk is also a highly sought-after motivational speaker who coaches entrepreneurs where she teaches and encourages entrepreneurship through a unique blend of mindfulness and strategy. By helping aspiring and experienced business leaders gain a greater perspective, she inspires them to get the job done efficiently, get it done right and assume a positive outlook. This doesn’t just help productivity; it improves morale throughout the organization. Over the years, it’s been evident to Anouk that people respond best to those who work hard, get things done and take a task from beginning to end efficiently – which is something she prides herself on doing. Besides working with Fortune 500 companies, Anouk works with colleges, universities, non-profit organizations, and her community as well to help more people reach their potential.

Global Millionaire Magazine recently caught up with Anouk to discuss her journey in the industry, and here’s what went down:

Could you please tell our readers a brief background about yourself and how you started?

My grandparents reared me in Shreveport, Louisiana. My grandmother was a very strong and wise lady who taught me the value of hard work and the importance of building, nurturing, and sustaining relationships. She also instilled in me that I can do ANYTHING. Early on, I cherished learning new things. I love a good challenge, and I establish short-term and long-term goals. I started my professional career in the oil and gas industry. Now, 30 years later, I have been afforded the opportunity to work across several different industries and perform in various capacities. My focus has been on building a diverse background and being a flexible asset. There have been several times that I had to reinvent myself. I have an accounting degree, and I started my corporate career in accounting.

I now work as a VP/Senior Partner for IBM, where I am responsible for the global strategy, organization, and business performance of Blockchain Services. In this Executive role, I partner with client and industry leaders, global consortia, and venture firms. I am focused on delivering accelerated client value in the advisory and creation of new business models coupled with intelligent workflows powered by blockchain AI and hybrid cloud. As a proven COO and serial innovator, I am known for driving global businesses and strategic growth initiatives in a profitable and scalable way, inspiring change, and delivering brand breakthroughs for clients. I have significant experience helping teams and people reach their full potential, creating a growth culture with delivery excellence. I have successfully created, led, transformed, and delivered various CEO-focused programs and businesses across my previous executive and leadership roles in sales, delivery, operations, consulting, account management, and business transformation. I have built winning and empowered teams whose results are recognized by analysts as market-leading and market-making. I am active in various global diversity initiatives and mentor a large talent population.

I help businesses grow with my cross-industry and cross-domain background. I thrive off of starting and recovering organizations and businesses. I am most passionate about helping others; therefore, I spend a lot of time mentoring and coaching people. I also do a lot of community service and participate in various nonprofit organizations.

How would you describe your leadership style?

That is a very good question because I have to admit that my leadership style is different now than it was 20-25 years ago. My current leadership style prioritizes focusing on people since they are our biggest asset. I spend time getting to know my employees so that they can see I sincerely care about them as individuals. I drive with simplicity and clarity and empower people to do their job responsibilities without micromanaging. I challenge people to be the best, and I have high expectations.

What factors do you consider when defining long-term goals?

I have ‘personally’ learned it is important to ensure goals should not conflict with your values. And throughout life and life’s seasons, your values may change, so it is important to know that you can adjust your goals along the way.

So the key factor I consider when defining my long-term goals is my values.

What is your method for shaping a company culture?

I bring my authentic self to work every day. It is important that everyone brings his/her authentic self to work every day. We each must strive to be our best version of ourselves. We should all come to work as an original. Be ourselves because everyone else is taken anyway. If we all do this, we help build the culture. We help build a diverse and inclusive environment. We help to be the catalyst for the change.

What is the most difficult decision you had to make in your position?

Companies are around to drive profitable revenue growth and to serve their clients and their employees. I had faced times when I had to be bold and take risks to ensure my employees were being treated fairly. I have had to stand up for them. I had to be their voice. I had to speak up in some very sensitive situations. I had to be an upstander. I had to do the unpopular thing at times and be willing to be misunderstood, but I was okay with that when I knew in my heart of hearts that I had to do what was right by my employee at all costs.

Secondly, I also have had to be an advocate for my clients at times to make sure we are listening to what they wanted and/or needed and not trying to sell them something that they did not want or need.

What do you like to do outside of work?

I really love spending quality time with my family and friends. I love to laugh and have fun. I really enjoy reading, traveling , and exploring new and different things. I am recently engaged to be married and love spending time with my finance’ and am looking forward to building a life with him.

What are your greatest professional strengths as a senior partner?

Building meaningful relationships with the team and our clients is my biggest strength. I have also mastered how to keep things simple while staying focused and driving client outcomes to obtain strong business results.

It is all about serving. I pride myself on being an outstanding servant leader.

What does success mean to you?

Helping others. Paying it forward is success to me. I have benefited from so many great mentors and sponsors along the way that I feel compelled to make sure I am benefiting others as well. At this juncture in my career, I am most concerned about helping others obtain their goals… which is success to me when I can pay it forward and help the next person.

What motivates you to succeed?

I feel very motivated when I think of all of the sacrifices my grandmother made for me. She is my driving force. She passed away some time ago, but I want her to look down and take pride in the little girl she reared. I know that I can, I will, and I must, which is something that I keep at the forefront of my mind. I have a saying posted in my room that says, “This Girl can DO IT.”

How do you deal with conflicts in your workplace as a senior partner?

It is important to pick your battles. Not every battle is worth fighting. Not every battle is worth fighting immediately. When there is a battle I determine that must be addressed; I address it directly with facts and without emotions.

What would you consider your biggest achievement?

My biggest achievement is that I have the privilege to be in a position to help my family, friends, and community.

What advice would you give someone who wants to follow your footsteps?

Know yourself, Be Your Self, and Surround Yourself. Let me dive into each of these. Know yourself is where you make sure you align to your values. Be Yourself is about being authentic. Surround Yourself is to remember that no one gets there alone, so build your network of mentors and sponsors and ask for help when needed.

Know that you can do it. When I was little, one of my favorite quotes was, “Shoot for the moon, and if you miss, you will be amongst the stars.” Set goals, and then just do it and breathe and enjoy the journey. And on the journey, give grace to others as God gives it to us!

Five Key Reasons To Invest In Real Estate Right NOW

Posted on June 2, 2022 by admin

Investing in real estate can have several benefits because you can leverage real estate to build wealth. You can enjoy passive income, excellent returns, and even tax advantages. If you’re thinking about investing in real estate, here are five reasons why Sydney property investment makes sense.

1. It’s a more stable investment

When you invest in property, you can expect that your return on investment will be more predictable than it would be if you invested in the share market. Sydney property investment is one of the most stable investments you could explore. People always need houses, and it’s an asset that is more likely to appreciate in value as regions experience growth over the years – just make sure you research your suburbs carefully when deciding on a location.

2. An investment for every budget

Despite the common belief that Sydney’s housing market has become saturated with demand and is increasingly unaffordable, investors would be interested to know that there is still a lot to gain from more affordable suburbs. Suburbs in Sydney that are a little further away from the CBD have a lot to offer for investors when getting your foot in the door.

3. It’s an asset you can use

An investment property is an asset that you can make practical use of. It’s a very tangible asset. If you change your mind and decide that you’d like to move into your investment property, you can. If you choose to use it as an investment again later on, you can do that too. Other investments don’t offer the same level of flexibility, but with a Sydney property investment, it’s part of the package.

4. Other people pay for your investment

Having an investment property means that you can rent it out and have that income go directly towards paying off your investment. This is a reliable, regular payment that offers the stability and frequency that you wouldn’t get with most other investments. When you rent out your investment property, you can enjoy the peace of mind that your investment is paying itself off.

5. Leverage

You can use investment property to gain access to leverage. This is an investment strategy where you use debt to bring in greater returns and ultimately pay off that debt. Using your property as security means you can borrow more money than you would with a share portfolio. Lenders will let you borrow up to 90-95% of the property’s value, but typically 50-60% of a share portfolio’s value. In addition to this, this allows you to benefit from the growth of a larger asset because you have significantly greater borrowing power.

This article was sourced from the Property Investors Alliance.

Meet The Entrepreneurs Behind The Cover Of The May 2022 Issue Of Global Millionaire: Solar Energy Partners

Posted on May 26, 2022June 1, 2022 by admin

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In 2017, brothers Alex and Clint Williams and Founding Partner Dave Madrid poured their skills and entrepreneurial drive into starting Solar Energy Partners, also known as SEP. After developing their business model around the philosophy that “more options means more deals, which means more savings,” the trio went to work partnering with many of the largest, highest-rated companies in the solar industry. From there, SEP began to take off.

This growth coincided with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, which limited social interactions and meant salespeople could no longer work on their original direct-to-home, door-to-door sales model. Additionally, tariffs implemented on solar panel imports made the challenge of staying operational even more monumental. However, Alex, Clint, and Dave stepped up to the challenge and approached it with innovation and proactivity, pivoting their operations and bringing their business to fruition during a time when many were struggling. During this period, SEP experienced such high growth that it provided employment opportunities for more than 1000 new representatives, including many struggling musicians, actors, and others in creative industries across Southern California.

The Global Millionaire magazine recently caught up with the Solar Energy Partners Founders to discuss their journey in starting and growing SEP, and here’s what went down.

Could you please tell our readers a brief background about your company and how your company started?

Our organizaton has evolved signiﬁcantly from when we originally launched to where we are today. We started with the same mission: to oﬀer the best customer and consultant experience in the solar industry; that hasn’t changed. The most endearing aspect of building a business is that, at some point, the business takes on a life of its own – today, our purpose is to spread that message and reinforce positive change in every community we touch.

Clint, Alex, and I founded the company after crossing paths in the solar ecosphere multiple times. Eventually, we were able to ﬁnd common ground, and it only made sense to work together. From the moment we were able to actually sit down and start discussing our perspectives on the current and future shape of the solar industry, I think we all looked at each other and said, “how have we not had this conversation sooner?”- I love the moment when something symbiotic just ‘clicks.’

From that moment, as previously mentioned, we’ve grown from that existential vision that we all shared into something capable of growing. At this point, I think we’re looking at things on more of a universal scale.

How does your company approach recruiting a new person?

We always approach recruiting with an open mind. We want to keep the doors open to those who want to pursue a new career path with their inherent talents and skills while providing the knowledge to pave the way for success in a new career. Of course, we’re interested in working with people that are self-starters, but what’s unique about the experience is that we oﬀer the scholarship opportunity to pursue the industry from start to ﬁnish; novice to master.

Most companies generally look for individuals with outright solar experience – we’ve always believed that everyone is born with the same potential; it’s just a matter of one having the right opportunity and mindset to foster success… that’s what we’re all about: fostering success.

What are some signiﬁcant events that have made your company the company what it is today?

There have been so many, but walking away from a high-level corporate position at a billion-dollar company to pursue my own business, realizing I could make a bigger diﬀerence on a smaller scale, is probably where it started. It really came to fruition when we noticed the business snowballing, not just in sales but also in the quality of people joining our ranks. I think that all comes down to the culture we’ve developed from the ground up. We genuinely wanted to change things; we had a mission to ﬁll the void in solar where so many customers were let down and consultants felt abandoned; we aimed to be the solution. Once we noticed that our dreams were starting to lean closer and closer to reality, we knew this was real.

Do you think the solar industry is mobilizing in this day and age?

That’s a great question. I believe it’s moving and becoming more eﬃcient. Still, the truth is it’s still the wild wild west in the solar industry – with all of the growth; it feels like the industry has to capitulate at some point to remain healthy. I think that it will be the entities that provide the best, most authentic service that will inevitably stand the test of time.

How is your company adapting to the Coronavirus in its daily operating model? What has it been like for your employees?

COVID was inevitably a game-changer for any business. We had to pivot to stay aﬂoat, and ultimately we found that it served us well. We were able to utilize our knowledge from door-knocking in the past and translating that information over to a more virtual model, which we’re still using today. Even as COVID becomes more endemic, we’ve noticed that the business has forever changed – we’re now perpetually thinking outside the box.

How do you balance the need to respond to a crisis like COVID-19 rapidly while at the same time keeping a long-term, resilient course?

With an anomalous situation that rocks the world as COVID-19 did, the only option was to stagnate or progress. Given that the renewable industry is a constantly revolving door in terms of information, litigation, adoption, etc., it seems like we’re generally used to swimming upstream in one way or another. When the pandemic became tangible, we did what we do best: evolve.

How has your company gone about the arduous task of engineering a change in company mindset?

Personal and professional development are two things we’re perpetually ﬁxated on; we’re constantly engineering change in mindset across our business. We want to unlock our consultant’s innate potential so they can make legitimate changes in their lives and the lives of others. When someone is brought into the fold working here, they have the opportunity to grow without fear of a ceiling progressively. One of the critical factors of succeeding in entrepreneurship is the never-ending belief in yourself- sometimes that ﬁre requires a little tinder, though. Through our scholarship, we provide constant motivation and dedication, which we’ve found has fortiﬁed our purpose as an organization: to make a positive diﬀerence.

What are your company’s main priorities, hopes, and aspirations looking ahead?

We’ve always had big dreams. We’re looking forward to further expansion on a national scale as well as fostering new and exciting partnerships in the next year. Ultimately, everything we do is in the best interest of the people we work with, as well as the people we work for.

We’re looking forward to 10,000 installs per year in our future and taking our organization international. As far as the immediate future, stay posted for all of the news and updates via our Instagram @solarenergypartners.

Where do you see the most growth opportunities in the solar industry right now?

Another great question… all I can say is that the company that gets creative with ﬁnancing as more liquidity enters the renewable market in the United States will make serious waves.

What advice would you give to those hoping to follow in your company’s footsteps?

Work hard, play harder, and never lose track of your dreams.

Elon Musk Reveals He Doesn’t Even Own A Home Despite His Billionaire Status… Yes, You Read Right.

Posted on May 19, 2022 by admin

Screenshot from TED’s YouTube account

Elon Musk has decided to finally address the ongoing issue about his billionaire status in a new interview with the head of TED, Chris Anderson.

As most people would know, Elon was recently declared by Forbes magazine the richest person on the planet, with an estimated net worth of more than $200 billion. He’s the CEO of Tesla and the founder of the rocket company SpaceX. Elon is also the founder of an infrastructure and tunnel construction services company called the Boring Company and co-founder of a neurotechnology company called Neuralink.

In the interview, Chris pointed out the criticisms surrounding Elon’s massive wealth. Many people seem to believe that billionaires are “unethical” given the fact that a massive chunk of the global population are living paycheck to paycheck, and homelessness is still a major issue across the globe.

“There are many other people out there who can’t stand this world of billionaires,” Chris stated. “They are hugely offended by the notion that an individual can have the same wealth as, say, a billion or more of the world’s poorest people.”

To which Elon responded, “I think there are some axiomatic flaws that are leading them to that conclusion.”

“For sure, it would be very problematic if I was consuming billions of dollars a year in personal consumption. But that is not the case.

“In fact, I don’t even own a home right now,” he surprisingly revealed. “I’m literally staying at friends’ places — if I travel to the Bay Area, which is where most of Tesla engineering is, I basically rotate through friends’ spare bedrooms.”

Elon further revealed that he doesn’t even make any massive luxurious expenses. “I don’t have a yacht, I really don’t take vacations, so it’s not as though my personal consumption is high,” he added. “I mean, the one exception is a plane, but if I don’t use the plane, then I have less hours to work.”

Chris further asked how Elon feels about criticism of his and other billionaires’ status in this day and age. “How upsetting is it to you to hear this constant drumbeat of, ‘Billionaires, my god. Elon Musk, oh my god.’ Do you just shrug that off, or does it actually hurt?”

Elon simply responded, “I mean, at this point, it’s water off a duck’s back.”

5 Essential Must-Have Skills To Succeed As An Entrepreneur

Posted on May 12, 2022 by admin

Any entrepreneur can earn considerably well from owning a firm if things go well. Still, they also take on a significant level of risk—far more than a typical employee of the business. This entrepreneurial risk can take many forms, including financial risk, career risk, emotional risk, and overall business risk.

Because there is so much at risk when it comes to the beginning and maintaining a successful business. There are very particular talents that every entrepreneur should have to be successful. We’ve highlighted five of them below.

1. Communication

Every entrepreneur must have excellent communication abilities. Whether a person is a lone founder or the CEO of a Fortune 500 company, they must be able to communicate effectively with all stakeholders and potential stakeholders who have an impact on the company. An entrepreneur must communicate effectively with workers, investors, customers, creditors, colleagues, and mentors.

If an entrepreneur cannot explain the value of their product, it is doubtful that the business will be successful. They must also be proficient in all modes of communication, such as one-on-one and in-person interactions, group discussions, written communication, and email or internet messaging.

2. Sales

Develop entrepreneur skills in sales. The soft skill of sales is inextricably linked to the communication skills necessary for success. As an entrepreneur, a person must be able to sell everything and anything. A business person must have the skills to sell the idea to potential investors, the product or service to customers, and oneself to employees.

An entrepreneur who can effectively communicate is better positioned to promote their original ideas and products. Entrepreneurs are accustomed to being the first salespeople at their numerous businesses. These selling skills are necessary to demonstrate value to all stakeholders, both inside and outside the company.

3. Focus

Attention is a crucial one among the numerous must-have characteristics for an entrepreneur. The road to success as an entrepreneur is fraught with ups and downs. There are highs from triumphs and lows from disappointments. A successful entrepreneur must be able to focus on staying on track when things become difficult.

This skill is also known as thinking with the end in mind. Regardless of the difficulties an entrepreneur faces, a successful entrepreneur has the attention required to keep steadfast sight of the final objective and drive himself to achieve it.

4. Curiosity

A healthy curiosity has always been the most exemplary business talent. This will prompt you to investigate what your rivals are doing and use new technology to simplify your business and even reach out to new clients. When your only limitation is what you can envision and apply, almost anything is conceivable.

5. Strategy For Business

While a competent and successful entrepreneur must have developed a successful firm, business planning is the fifth most essential talent that every entrepreneur should have. Entrepreneurs frequently attain success in their firms by sheer force of will.

An entrepreneur may develop a company plan on the fly by using good communication skills, sales abilities, a keen focus, and a sense of curiosity. However, while establishing and expanding a firm, the structure and development plan must be founded on strong business sense and talents. Among the traits of successful entrepreneurs, business strategy is a must.

Final Words

These are the top qualities of a successful entrepreneur. While there is no perfect formula for becoming a successful entrepreneur, those who do tend to have mastered the following set of skills: excellent and effective communication; the ability to sell both themselves and their idea or product; strong focus; curiosity to learn, and be flexible; and a solid business plan.

Billionaire Elon Musk Reaches Game-Changing $44 Billion Deal To Buy Twitter

Posted on May 5, 2022June 1, 2022 by admin

CNN confirms that Twitter has decided to sell itself to Elon Musk, the world’s richest man in a whopping $44 billion deal.

Musk apparently made an offer to buy Twitter (TWTR) and take it private, believing that the company needs to be “transformed.” He recently purchased 9.2% of Twitter stock making him the largest shareholder in the company.

The mega-deal, which was reportedly approved by Twitter’s board, is expected to get finalised this year. Musk revealed last week that he has $46.5 billion in financing to acquire one of the world’s most influential social networks, which apparently forced Twitter’s board to seriously consider the offer. T

CNN confirms that under the terms of the deal, shareholders will receive $54.20 in cash for each share of Twitter stock they own, matching Musk’s original offer and marking a 38% premium over the stock price the day before Musk revealed his position in the company.

“Free speech is the bedrock of a functioning democracy, and Twitter is the digital town square where matters vital to the future of humanity are debated,” Musk said in a recent statement. “Twitter has tremendous potential — I look forward to working with the company and the community of users to unlock it.”

Twitter stock was reportedly up by nearly 6% following the announcement of the mega-deal, floating around $51.84. The deal is pending approval from shareholders and regulators.

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Netflix Loses A Massive $50 Billion In Value After A Massive Stock Drop

Posted on April 28, 2022 by admin

Shares in the streaming giant Netflix went down by as much as 35% plummeting to its lowest point since January 2018 after it revealed a massive drop in subscribers and anticipate millions more are set to quit as per BBC.

BBC confirms that the loss wiped more than $50bn off the company’s market value prompting Netflix to crack down on password sharing.

Although Netflix remains the world’s leading streaming service with more than 220 million subscribers, BBC reports that it was losing customers to rivals, while struggling to expand due to password sharing.

In a note to its shareholders, Netflix wrote: “Our revenue growth has slowed considerably as our results and forecast below show. Streaming is winning over linear, as we predicted, and Netflix titles are very popular globally. However, our relatively high household penetration – when including the large number of households sharing accounts – combined with competition, is creating revenue growth headwinds.”

The note further said: “While we work to reaccelerate our revenue growth – through improvements to our service and more effective monetisation of multi-household sharing – we’ll be holding our operating margin at around 20 percent. Key to our success has been our ability to create amazing entertainment from all around the world, present it in highly personalised ways, and win more viewing than our competitors. These are Netflix’s core strengths and competitive advantages. Together with our strong profitability, we believe we have the foundation from which we can both significantly improve, and better monetise, our service longer term.”

Michael Hewson, an analyst at CMC Markets said, “Netflix’s wider problem, along with the rest of the sector is that consumers don’t have unlimited funds and that one or two subscriptions is usually enough.”

“Once you move above that something has to give in a cost-of-living crisis, and while Netflix is still the market leader, it doesn’t have the deeper pockets of Apple, Amazon, or Disney, which makes it much more vulnerable to a margin squeeze.”

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