Introducing The Entrepreneur Behind The Cover Of The July 2022 Issue Of Global Elite Entrepreneur Magazine: Guruji Shrii Arnav

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In a major scoop, Global Elite Entrepreneur magazine was able to get in touch with the Grandmaster and Guru of Gurus- Guruji Shrii Arnav, for a no holds barred interview.

The revered and beloved Guruji Shrii Arnav is the father of Astro Gemology and an internationally acclaimed spiritual Guru who uses techniques based on spirituality, Astro Gemology, and modern management methods – he’s a mentor to statesmen and millionaires.

The author of the Magnum Opus” Secrets of Jyotish Gems” (translated into six languages), he is the mentor of the world’s largest E-commerce portal to buy natural Gemstones online (Gemstoneuniverse.com). The website has a mind-boggling reach of 4 million monthly users and has been around since the early days of the Internet in 1996.

From consultants to start-ups as well as superstars, we’re pretty confident our readers will enjoy straight-from-the-heart candid answers from the man who is in the business of changing lives for the better.

Guruji, congratulations on winning the Best Thailand Personality of the Year 2021 award! How does it feel? What was the process for you to find what you wanted to do?

I am very honoured, and a bit surprised in equal measure. To win an award of this magnitude and being the first foreigner and non-Thai person to win this award is very humbling.

I dedicate this award to all human beings who consciously think of their fellow men; yes, they still exist. Thank God for that.

As far as finding the process of what I wanted to do was fairly simple.

I did not want to do anything nor had a step-by-step plan. I just do what I like to do and by which I can make a difference.

Once I had complete confidence in my guru and absolute faith in his words, there was no confusion.

This was further cemented by the feedback I received from people who engaged and interacted with me. That I can positively contribute to their lives is an added reinforcement.

A Beautiful Poignant Moment from Guruji Shrii Arnav’s Birthday

What has been the most memorable experience of being in the Gemstone industry so far?

At Gemstoneuniverse and in my life in general, we are blessed with many memorable experiences every day, so singularly pointing out a single experience would be difficult.

However, last night I was recounting the experience of one man who was suffering from Psoriasis. It was both an uncomfortable and distressing situation for him.

After trying out conventional allopathic treatment with no measurable difference (No improvement – the Psoriasis was manageable) and not cured, he sought my advice.

I advised him to wear a Natural Pearl and Coral combination, massage with a specific herb-infused oil, and listen to a certain audio frequency for 6 minutes daily.

By the Grace of God, his situation improved by nearly 70% within eight weeks.

In addition to improving his condition, the remarkable change in his confidence and attitude was very satisfying.

I am also pleased that gracious people with their names and designations share their experience with Gem therapy and other combination therapies on video at Gemstoneuniverse. You can view them in our testimonial section or on social media pages.

The Grandmaster casts a Vedic Horoscope & Position of Planets as per date, place, and time of birth to reveal amazing details of a Person’s Life and Destiny

It was amazing to see that Global Personalities like Donald Trump Jr., Sporting superstars like Carl Lewis, and other celebrities wish you such warmth on your birthday. Who have been the most interesting people you’ve met so far?

Every person I meet is a superstar, a seed with the potential to be a giant, and I am blessed to meet people from all walks of life.

From a milkman to a conglomerate owning a major dairy operation, from a motorcycle mechanic to a conglomerate manufacturing engine for the latest cutting-edge aircraft – I meet all sorts of fascinating people.

That phenomenal people with rare accomplishments decided to surprise me for my birthday, and it was indeed a special gift.

However, as I said, I love and respect every individual who wishes to engage and interact with me, and I am nonjudgemental. I do not classify them with the tags that society gives them. That is the only way I can give them my best and bring out the best in them.

Guruji Shrii Arnav with Admiral Chanchai Charoensuwan of the Royal Armed Forces, Group Captain Prasong P of the Air force Academy Thailand & other senior officers.

What makes your company different than your competitors?

I actually like this question, so I am quite glad you asked me that.

From my standpoint, we are NOT a company.

We are an organization and a movement driven by excellence and values of compassion. Our motto is “Patron Benefit first, and profits are a by-product.”

We love Gem Therapy, we love and respect the ancient spiritual sciences, and we love our patrons. Those individuals from more than 70 nations actively engaging with us is a testimony to the impact of Gemstoneuniverse.

As far as competitors are concerned, I would like to believe and practice that we are our own competition and strive to be always in a state of Kaizen.

We are not cut, copy, and paste masters but inspired scientists and artists.

And till we stay in a constant state of relentless innovation and pursuit of knowledge, we will not have to bother about the so-called competition.


Guruji Shrii Arnav receiving the Best Thailand Personality of the year award 2021.

Your social media posts are quite good and they deliver so much value. People eagerly look forward to meeting you in the Humans of Gemstoneuniverse program. How does one seek your mentorship or be your disciple?

I feel happy that I can deliver some unique value to the amazing people who interact and like to assimilate my posts or the information I share.

This primarily shows two things:

The vast range of avenues available to us to lead a better life and find solutions to our problems, and second, there is no one size fits all solution to problems.

Unique DNA, unique people, and unique methods of life optimization.

Yesterday in my Facebook post, I said I had a problem with the word mindset.

How can a dynamic MIND be SET? That is an absurdity. I was asked to simulate an interview-like situation and to get hired by specifying five words or less about myself. That was a cathartic life-changing exercise for some.

I also said if you are still looking for some course or mindset, etc., as part of your vocabulary, then there is still time to seek me out.

Once the individual is ready, nature automatically connects us. That is the magic and miracle of life.

Latest Yellow Sapphire ring and Nine Gem Talisman collections 2022 designed by Guruji Shrii Arnav & offered by the House of Gemstoneuniverse.

You advise some of the biggest corporations and individuals on finance and investment. What is your take on bitcoin, cryptos, NFT, etc.?

Whatever the economic situation, one should stick to basic solid foundation rules that always deliver.

God’s currency is land, gold, silver, Gemstones, and knowledge – these will never give a negative return despite COVID, stagflation, recession, depression, or whatever fancy words so-called experts throw at you.

Be conservative rather than greedy, and let the power of compounding do wonders for you.

For young entrepreneurs and individuals, a good primary goal is to have extra funds for one whole year in case you won’t be doing anything.

If you can calculate your yearly burn and work towards having that in reserve, you will automatically have excellent learning and practice, which should be enough.

Guruji Shrii Arnav appointed as the Mentor and Head of Strategy of Udon Thani Football club.

Your life is a roller coaster with so many fascinating things happening. What are your big-ticket items for 2022?

I think the primary focus now is on the Gem Art, ensuring that Gem supply and pricing remain stable and cutting-edge alternative healing centres including working with sacred herbs including legalized Cannabis (Smiles). I cannot say more at his juncture, and my heartfelt regards and best wishes to your team and readers. Stay well and Stay Blessed.

You can follow the amazing Guruji Shrii Arnav on social media via the links below:

Website: www.gemstoneuniverse.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/gemstoneuniverse

Instagram: @gemstoneuniverse

You can also follow Guruji Shrii Arnav’s public updates on his Facebook for daily energy contemplations via the address below:

www.facebook.com/emeraldriverindia

Wearing Love on his Heart- Guruji Shrii Arnav on a Cannabis Plantation

Meet The Rising Star Behind The Cover Of The July 2022 Issue Of GEQ Magazine: Cleopatra Fitzgerald

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New York City powerhouse Cleopatra Fitzgerald is a philanthropist, experienced researcher, politician, writer, activist of causes, and celebrity/influencer. Fitzgerald is also an interfaith minister who can officiate weddings, funerals, and baptisms from all types of religions – she is able to work with the various ideas and beliefs of each religion.

Many will recognize the politician/influencer as an NYC Mayoral Candidate. She was awarded the Martin Luther King’s award for her leadership and fight against discrimination of all types. At first, she was a longtime Democrat; then for several years she became independent as a Republican, and then she eventually returned back to the Democratic Party in early 2021. Throughout the years, she’s been an active voice who has worked towards fixing broken systems. She has met with many of the city’s politicians, including the Manhattan Borough President, a U.S. representative, as well as a Senate candidate. She’s been featured on Twiplomacy’s Twitter accounts most followed by world leaders and has been invited to attend high-profile events such as George W. Bush’s Official President’s Dinner Invitation, Barack Obama’s World Leaders Forum/gathering at the Hilton Hotel, and President Trump’s inaugural celebration, opening of the campaign office for an Independence Party presidential candidate to name a few. If Fitzgerald ever decides to run for political office again, she will be doing so for the awareness campaign causes of global issues that matter to the populace.

Fitzgerald was born on February 16th, 1984 in Manhattan, New York City. As a teen, she took several theatre classes and spent time acting and playwriting while in college. She also graduated with a degree in political science. At one point Fitzgerald attended a music college and was invited to perform with her violin various times at the Lincoln Center. She wants to rescue preoccupied minds from doubts with compassion. Her passions are varied and dynamic. Fitzgerald has participated in art drawing, and her work has been featured in museums – in fact, at the age of 12, she drew and sculpted nude life models from both genders at the academy.

GEQ magazine recently caught up with Fitzgerald to discuss her journey in the industry and here’s what she said:

How did you get into the fashion industry?

Our families in general come from a variety of performing arts, arts, and diverse industries that value fashion in view of their hereditary traditions, aesthetics, social status, global ethnicity, and other components. Primarily, my participation in fashion was when I began studying a hobby “art and sculpture” at the academy and I started to design fashion sketches as a mode of art – my instructor was a fashion designer. I have studied the history of fashion and was accepted into a fashion institute but did not attend because I was already enrolled at another school with differing subjects. In high school, they offered designing classes and I took art classes. As a global celebrity and fashion model, I believe that fashion can be educational and anyone with devotion and inspiration can become a designer. In my fashion modeling, I have used fashion in diverse settings and for various front cover stories.

What do you like most about being a designer?

Designing is about mixing themes, historical eras, concepts, etc. The part I appreciate about fashion is that it is about the human senses to raise awareness, to resolve situations of the present and the future. Fashion gives shape and meaning to a design that can heal, and transform our globe with betterment and not as a world upside down with deficiencies and broken systems. We can see trending for instance: Fashion for the environment, political issues, charity, prevention of diseases and so much more.

Downside to being a designer?

The time can be somewhat of a downside for designers. Considering the time spent in putting together all elements of the design which are visual geometry, symbols, textures, and so forth that should be meticulously, and properly placed in order. Whatever the focus of the theme to be depicted it takes concentration and organization to produce a marketable product.

What has been the most memorable experience of being in the fashion industry so far?

I was in a Halloween pageantry and my topic was titled “The Masked Senorita Costume” -I did not have the sole thought that I was going to be selected. When the judges without even knowing who I was, rewarded me – that is how I increased my motivation by portraying with my fashion the multitude of cultures in the world.

Who have been the most interesting people you’ve met so far?

I have met many distinguished people in my life including those dearly departed and those I had the pleasure of meeting during different events. In the fashion industry, while I was part of the art house the previous principal and art-house director Ms.Needler introduced me to fashion designer Norma Kamali. Additionally, on the street, Steven Kolb happened to be passing by and we spoke for a while. Among these are countless others I had the pleasure of meeting.

What has been the most valuable lesson you’ve learned while in the fashion industry? This can be about the industry or about yourself.

The important lesson is that women, men, and children models in the fashion industry should not be exploited. Sadly, many models are subjected to unfair wages, rape, sexual trafficking, child abuse, health problems like anorexia, and further types of abuse. Hopefully, human rights groups, organizations, law enforcement, and investigative journalists have made the planet alert and laws are being passed.

Is your family supportive of you being a designer?

Yes, they are supportive because my mission is not for my own benefit it is for the public wellbeing.

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

I am satisfied with my past – however, I believe that throughout my educational years up till now, we are still in need of school reform. When something was wrong in the schools, I contacted the principal, sergeant, and the educational authorities. Nonetheless, more should be done to prevent bias, discrimination, harassment, stereotyping, bullying, and crimes. The surveillance cameras, metal detectors, guards, and policies might solve a portion of the issue but there is an abundance of defects that keep on persisting.

What is the best advice you have ever been given?

I do not forget the plenty of honest people whose words of advice were truly uplifting. I even give credit to and thank critics as everyone is entitled to their own opinions. One of the most important pieces of advice I received was from my math teacher Mr. Greco who said, “never change the way you are.” Optimistic affirmations really make a difference.

What are your future plans? Inside your career or out of it?

Plans are continuous as long as there are causes to advocate for and learning from others is a lifelong process. “Cosmic Worlds” and “Causes” signifies that I am advocating for the world and cosmic issues which present new concerns as times keep on advancing. Thus, finding resolutions to recurring dilemmas.

Must-Watch: Miss Earth Australia 2022 Grand Launch & Fashion Show

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What: Stargazer Production Pty Ltd together with Hyatt Regency Sydney and Megaworld International cordially invites you to attend an afternoon to remember.

Miss Earth Australia is a national beauty pageant that promotes awareness of environmental issues and the steps that can be taken by everyone to reduce our environmental footprint.

Miss Earth Australia is part of Miss Earth International, which has organizations in 120 countries and is now one of the world’s top three international beauty pageants.

Miss Earth Australia aims to channel the beauty pageant entertainment industry as an effective tool to promote awareness. The Miss Earth Australia Gala and Grand Coronation will be celebrating the reign and passing of the crown of Miss Earth Australia 2021, Phoebe Soegiono to the new Miss Earth Australia 2022.

You can witness the crowning of the new Miss Earth Australia 2022 on Saturday, July 30 at Hyatt Regency Hotel. A red carpet event with Miss Earth Australia supporters, patrons, and sponsors will be held to mark the occasion. Tickets are very limited so please buy your tickets NOW before it’s too late.

PRE SHOW SOCIALS: Time to catch up! Get to mingle with everyone as we serve VIP guests welcome drinks as well as a selection of chef-recommended canapes.

PRE SHOW PRESENTATION: A parade of Miss Earth Australia 2021 Queens and Miss Little, Junior as well as Teen Earth Australia 2022 Queens.

FASHION SHOW: An intimate show presenting several of our up-and-coming Australian designers will showcase their new collections featuring Stargazer Models and the National Finalists of Miss Earth Australia 2022.

MISS EARTH AUSTRALIA 2022 GRAND LAUNCH: The official launch of this year’s Miss Earth Australia 2022 will introduce their National Finalists representing the states of New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, and Western Australia.

A truly exciting journey ahead – after two years of virtually selecting their winner to officially represent Australia in the month-long Miss Earth International competition, they are finally back for a week-long face-to-face competition in selecting the next Environmental Queen from Down Under.

WHO WILL BE THE NEXT MISS EARTH AUSTRALIA 2022???

Where: Hyatt Regency Sydney (161 Sussex Street, Sydney, NSW 2000)

When: Saturday, 30 July 2022 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm AEST

Tickets: Via this link

Meet The Rising Star Behind The Cover Of The June 2022 Issue Of GEQ Magazine: Jojo Almazora Sebastian

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Jojo Almazora Sebastian is a Filipino-American from Kapolei, Hawaii, based in Sydney, Australia – he’s a devoted and compassionate frontliner and nurse who works in the Operating Theatre at a busy Metropolitan Hospital in Sydney. However, on weekends, this orthopaedic nursing unit manager transforms into a charming and dashing tuxedo-attired singer-entertainer and master of ceremonies. A veteran of the United States Military Forces (USAF), he could be seen regularly in concerts where he performs as a front act for local and international artists. He has been a main staple in the local and International Pageants from the Philippines, Hawaii, and Australia in the last 17 years.

This former disc jockey of Brother Joe and Pinoy Love Crew 101.5 FM KPHI Honolulu has been named the Australian Best Pageant Host in the Australian Golden Sash Awards from 2019 through to 2021 and is due to represent Australia once more in the World Championship of Performing Arts (WCOPA 2023) to be held in California in July 2023 in the categories of singing, dancing, and modelling/spokesperson.

Jojo has been an awardee in Sydney’s Best Dressed for the last two years due to his excellent dressing sense and confident personality. For 2021, Sydney Best Dressed Organisation has awarded Jojo the Top Male Fashion Icon of the Year. This also landed him an award for the Inaugural Ceremony of World’s Best Dressed. Furthermore, he has been nominated for Manila’s Best Dressed for 2021 to represent Australia in the prestigious Annual Event in 2022. Moreover, he was given an award at the 2021 Australian Modelling and Fashion Awards. Jojo also is an Ambassador for Sassy and Co Clothing 2021 which endeavours to teach everyone in the community fashion sustainability and once more to breathe a new life to old clothes through recycling and repurposing. Jojo was also named the first brand ambassador for MADE FOR MEN – an organic skincare made for men.

Jojo has also been busy in the catwalk – he participated in the runway at the 2021 Australian Multicultural Fashion Festival, 2021 Sassy and Co Fashion Runway, 2021 Australian Modelling and Fashion Awards, 2021 Australian Fashion Preview, 2021 This Is Me Fashion Show and 2021 Miss Earth Australia Fashion Show amongst other. Jojo recently walked for Trinitiry Dawson – a Sydney Designer, in the New York Fashion Week last February 2022, and LAKME Fashion Show in June 2022. He has been invited back to grace New York Fashion Week this coming September 2022.

This year has been fruitful for Jojo, as he has been nominated and awarded numerous accolades such as Global Elite Achiever Awardee at the 2022 Global Awards Night (Utah, USA), International Pageant King of the Year at the 2022 Ganap Global Achiever Awards (Manila, Philippines), International Multi-Awarded Personality of the Year at the 2022 Ganap Global Achievers Awards (Manila, Philippines), Ambassador of Culture and Arts 2022 (Sydney, Australia), and representative of Sydney’s Best Dress at Manila’s Best Dress 2022.

In terms of his modelling career, 2021, and 2022 have been fruitful for Jojo. He has graced the cover of numerous magazines all over the world to date and there are still at least 6 in the works. He has appeared in the covers of GEQ magazine (February 2021 issue), Model and Mode (February 2021 issue), InLife International (March 2021 issue), Inside Pageant (4th Issue – USA – May 2021), Ganap Internation Magazine (2nd Issue – USA – 2nd Quarter 2021), StarCentral Magazine (June 2021 issue), Vous Magazine Men – Spain (June 2021 issue), Chicstilo Magazine (August 2021 issue), Vanity Philippines (October 2021 issue), Fashion Art Media Magazine (October – December 2021 Issue Scotland), Sash Magazine (January 2022 issue), Vanity Philippines (February 2022 issue), Ganap International Magazine (February 2022 issue), Fashion Arts Media Magazine – Scotland/United Kingdom (March 2022 issue, and Roidx Magazine – Paris, France (April 2022 issue). The list does not include radio, YouTube, and television interviews he has done in 2022 promoting his advocacies and charities.

Jojo has continued to expand his horizon by hosting a tv show in Australia TV1 with Mrs. Universe Australia Mary Rose Salubre under MS Production, where they feature interesting people, events, and places in Australia.

Overall, Jojo’s vision and purpose in this endeavor are to have a bigger platform to introduce and promote his advocacies.

GEQ recently caught up with Jojo to discuss his journey in the industry, and here’s what went down:

What is something that sets you apart or makes you unique?

Two things make me unique. My experience and passion sets me apart from my contemporaries. Passion drives me to be hungry to improve and try new things. That passion makes me look for adventures and journeys that I would not necessarily take. That passion provides me the niche and courage to run after things that people think would be out of my reach. That passion gets me that experience that made me the person that I am today.

What would you talk about if you could speak on national television for 30 minutes?

If I could speak on national TV for half an hour, I would take the opportunity to talk about my advocacies. My advocacies include the following: (1) children and (2) Volunteerism. For the Children, I continue to support various charitable institutions and fundraise for Sydney Children’s Hospital and Cerebral Palsy Foundation. Overall, I have raised, and helped raise over $38,000 AUD for various organisations and charities I support. For about ten years, I have provided scholarship for the less fortunate in the Philippines to continue their college education.

One of the projects I have concentrated on is Community Service by Volunteerism. Volunteering is generally considered an altruistic activity where an individual or group provides services for no financial gain. Volunteering is often intended to promote goodness or improve the human quality of life. Volunteering may have positive benefits for the volunteer, and the person or community served. I highly believe that if our community comes together and volunteers, even for just a couple of hours a month under any charitable institution and non-profit organisation – it will make a positive difference in the personal and professional aspects of all individuals involved, especially oneself. Furthermore, I would like for the community to realise that volunteering is a social responsibility of all its members, especially for the marginalised and disadvantaged.


Photographed By: George Azmy
Clothes: Zara
HMUA: Marilou Bautista
Skin Care: Chocolate Day Spa

What are three goals you want to accomplish in 5 years?

In 5 years, I hope to complete my Master’s in Nursing Education, establish a Scholarship Foundation to support students to continue their University Education in Australasia, and probably settle down in my own house in Australia.

What do you want your legacy to be?

I want to be remembered as a person of passion who has lived my life in the fullness of serving others.

Photographed By: Elegantography
Clothes: Zara
HMUA: Marilou Bautista
Skin Care: Chocolate Day Spa

How do you try to make a difference in your community?

I believe that being a role model in the community is what we can do. Encouraging others to come out and volunteer their time to various charitable institutions and non-profit organisations is how I try to make a difference. As we all know, there are so many charity and nonprofit institutions that would like to help our community, and what lacks is volunteers. So let us all get out there and volunteer. Let us also encourage others to volunteer.

How do you define failure?

Personally, I define FAILURE as a stepping stone to achieving the goal you set. It’s quite cliché; however, it’s true. I learned not to dwell on the negative feelings that a situation brings; instead, find the positive in it and try to make it work to my advantage – the least you could do is write it off as experience and move forward.

Photographed By: George Azmy
Clothes: Zara
HMUA: Marilou Bautista
Skin Care: Chocolate Day Spa

How would you describe yourself in 1 word?

One word to describe me is PASSIONATE.

What is one thing in your life you would go back and change?

I would not change anything I have been through; however, if I could spend more time with my family, especially with my father, before he passed away, I would.

If you could wish for anything, what would it be?

If I could wish for anything, it would have to be more go-getter when I was younger.

Photographed By: George Azmy
Clothes: Zara
HMUA: Marilou Bautista
Skin Care: Chocolate Day Spa

Five Prominent Social Media Platforms Every Entrepreneur Needs To Invest In

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If you are planning to launch a small business or you’ve started one just recently and you haven’t utilised the power of social media because you think it’s for teens only – then you’re definitely missing out! You have probably encountered a load of information explaining how you can use social media to promote your business which makes sense because social media is a powerful money-making machine as long as it’s utilised the right way. It doesn’t really matter if you think social media is for kids, bottom line, EVERYONE is on social media and it’s free communication.

Although there are millions of social media users all throughout the world, it is quite easy to get carried away by the number. Looking for the right social media sites to get your business promoted and maximize its potential is important to the success of a business, and it is the part where you should be concentrating your efforts.

What will your business gain from engaging in social media?

Social media is all about engaging through sharing, which means, in business, it’s targeting your services, your product range, or your articles at engaging a possible client base or customer. With millions of users worldwide, social media is covering every topic range that you would be able to think of.

Along with engaging a prospective client base and customer, social media also plays a big relevance to SEO. Social media has been a unique format because it is helping you promote your content directly to your audience, which in turn, would generate traffic through people who share your content with others, and through search engine optimization.

The most prominent social media sites and their uses:

Below are six of the most prominent and significant social media sites that you need to utilise right now if you want your business to succeed.

1. YouTube  – This site is about showcasing videos to a large range of audiences. It is being utilized by businesses at all times to sell products and services. While YouTube is owned by Google, videos have a tendency of featuring prominently on the search engine results. You are even given the chance to utilize the YouTube ads for making a secondary stream of income.

2. Facebook – This social media site has been predominantly built for sharing. These can be articles, products, or services. It is for sharing your content with as many people as possible.

3. Twitter – It is about sharing news on any subject. You should not let the word “news” make you feel as if it does not apply to products. Twitter is good for new stock ready to be sold, new product launches, and other press releases.

4. Linkedin – For the newbies out there who haven’t heard of LinkedIn before, it’s a social network that is designed for career and business professionals to connect with each other. Unlike Facebook wherein, you can ask to be a friend of anyone you like, LinkedIn is not about numbers, it’s about quality, not quantity. It’s about building strategic relationships and connecting with people that are relevant to your business.

5. Instagram – This social media site is good to use when it comes to showcasing visual products. If your business is selling something on the web, make sure you post on Instagram and as many bookmarking sites as you can find. Instagram has been around now for a while, and it doesn’t just end there. It keeps growing. More than 500 million people have an Instagram account, and 300 million of these users are actively using the platform daily. This is great news for social media marketers.

Five Simple Steps Employees Can Take Now To Boost Their Savings

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With the quieter summer holiday upon us now might be a good time to make some super simple changes that could make a lifetime of difference in retirement.

Many Australians are concerned that they won’t have enough money in their super accounts to fund their retirement.

But there are five easy steps workers can take now to boost their savings:

First, check with your fund to make sure you are getting paid all your legal super entitlements. Unpaid superannuation impacts 3 million workers a year – costing them a total of $5 billion and while most bosses do the right thing there are still some employers out there who deliberately rip workers off. And with the super guarantee rate rising to 12% it is more important to check that the full amount is being paid.

Second, consolidate your super funds into one account, finding lost or unpaid super is simple now using the Australian Tax Office tools.

Third, compare your existing super fund with others in the market to make sure it is meeting your needs. New government ‘stapling’ laws mean that workers are likely to stick with funds for longer. Alarmingly only 7% of people switched after they were told their fund failed a government performance test. Being stapled to one of those dud funds can cost a worker $230,000 at retirement.

Fourth, make sure the type of fund and level of insurance is right for you. Make sure the investment strategy matches your needs and appetite for risk – which your fund can help you with. Also be sure to check the insurance coverage is the right fit for you and your family.

Fifth, if you find some loose change or get some type of windfall consider putting it in your super fund. It is a tax-effective way to make savings and with the power of compounding interest a little invested in super now, makes a big difference in retirement. A 30-year-old on average wages that salary sacrifices $20 a week into super has $67,000 more at retirement and gets a tax saving now.

Further tips on boosting your retirement nest egg can be found on Industry Super Australia’s website

Comments attributable to Industry Super Australia chief executive Bernie Dean:

“There are five easy tips to getting your super right and most can be done from the comfort of your deck chair, beach towel or at home.”

“Check you are being properly paid super, consolidate accounts, compare funds, select the right investment mix and make small extra contributions if you can.”

“With the Super Guarantee set to rise to 12 percent it is even more important to make sure you are getting paid your full legal entitlement and that the fund is working for you.” 

This article was sourced from a media release sent by Medianet

Introducing The Entrepreneur Behind The Cover Of The March 2022 Issue Of InLife International: Kristina V Herreen

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When Kristina V Herreen was a little girl, she was always in trouble. She spent the first year of her life in hospital as she was born with heart disease. When she was finally brought home, she ended up becoming a handful to everyone around her.

When she was 14 years old, Kristina left home, lived on a farm, went to an agriculture school, and then studied university. Eventually, she became a counsellor and marketer, she got into health and fitness, and lots more. She discovered that she was the type of person that wanted to be around people and help people. Sitting at a desk for 8 hours was just not her thing. She has constantly been looking for that right fit for her all her life, but it felt like it was alluding her.

During that same period, Kristina gained a lot of weight and lost a lot of self-esteem, so that outgoing and fun girl she once was, disappeared. She started to listen to what others wanted for her instead of doing what she wanted for herself and her happiness. She started to have self-doubt, and with that, her self-belief was also on the rocks. It would take years before she was able to have the courage to rediscover and move back into that “me spot” after all, years of self-destruction and pain had made that a distant memory.

Kristina became very body-conscious and aware of her looks and weight, which affected her way of acting and connecting with people. She was raised to believe there is a specific order to life: get a government job, get married, have kids, get a dog, and then live happily ever after – but she had that inner calling telling her that she was here for something big, something that will help others, something that will make her special. So against all the odds, she has never stopped looking for that right vehicle to become that special person that she knew she could become.

When Kristina first came to Australia, she became a wife and a mother in a city she had never been to before. A city that was and still is, in many ways, very conservative. She found it very hard to connect with people socially. Life really changed for the better when she attended a business seminar one day and she had the opportunity to talk to the speaker. The speaker said to her, “You have an accent, and you are from a non-Australian origin, turn that into your advantage, what you have people would love to have.” That really made her think, and from that day, those words have always been on her mind to serve as a reminder whenever her confidence plummets.

Fast forward to today, and Kristina is now known as The Networking Diva. She’s the director at Diva Global Business Connections PTY LTD and FortunePi Holdings, where her position is a Wealth Builder, and she’s also a radio producer and host at Casey Radio 97.7FM.

InLife International recently caught up with Kristina to discuss her journey in the industry and here’s what went down:

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

Networking, networking, and more networking or, as some people prefer to say – connecting with people. For me, that is all about communicating and connecting genuinely with integrity and respect with everyone. Once you learn this skill, it will stay with you forever, and your referrals will start coming in floods as well.

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

My marketing has always been to build my network through personal networking, both in-person and online. Nothing beats the opportunity you have to connect with people from all backgrounds and with different needs and wants. I always say: “No connection is a waste of time,” and I NEVER throw away a business card – you never know where a connection can take you.

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

I have always been a fan of Facebook, and I am talking about personal profiles, not business pages or group pages. Once you find someone that sounds interesting or a friend of someone, your work has started to connect with them and to do it well. Remember, they have friends, family, cousins, parents, work colleagues, and so on, so who knows who would be interested in your business today or another day? Your business changes, and so do people, so find a way to reconnect with people; everyone will respect and remember you if you ring someone up just to see how they are going.

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

I always wanted to support people with what they want to achieve so when the personal events, face to face, was in a quiet place for a while, I decided to become a Wealth Builder and to help people to improve their financial situation and to support them to move on with their dreams of their new home and/or their plans to invest for the future. Being a Networking Diva, that move was common sense to me as my network was already there, and I know how to build a great strong network, so this was just an extension to be able to help more people.

How has your business been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic?

To Network Face-To-Face was, for me being in Melbourne, a big challenge as most venues were closed for almost two years, and to network in the “traditional” way was just out of the question. I then adjusted my skills to how to Network online but with the same basic skills, and I know it works either way, as long as you are following a system, like anything in business – when having a system that works, you will stick to it, and that’s what I did. With or without a pandemic, “Your network will always be your Networth.”

How have you adapted your business operations in response to COVID-19 and its associated impacts?

I had to adapt to the current situation in the market to stay as a business owner, and I did that by restructuring my business the way I choose my prospects and demographics for my connections. That meant that becoming a Wealth-Builder with Fortune Pi Holdings was just an adjustment of my type of prospects and to learn another professional skill on top what I was already doing. Offering people a way to stay on top of their finances as a team member with a Fortune Pi Holdings has been challenging but also very exciting as I just confirm that excellent networking skills are a must in any profession where you deal with people that includes most of us. We are a company that prides itself on understanding customer needs and mapping those needs against a wide range of superior products we have available, which gives us a comprehensive edge in the marketplace. Rule No 1 when Networking: Networking is never about you; Networking is always about others!

What have been some of the most important lessons you have learned because of this pandemic?

I find that if you are panicking, getting too over analytical it will be very hard to join whatever is changing around you, and this pandemic was and still is a very big change for all of us. I still live by the motto of “Work with what you have, not with what you don’t have.” For example, being a Wealth Builder, I will work with what you have to get to what you want, and I find that a lot easier to deal with, whatever it would be, family, life, or business.

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

Unity, we are here to support each other. Greed doesn’t support anyone, and karma will look after those too greedy ones. Start Networking genuinely and professionally, which will help you all grow, flourish, and succeed in the way you desire. Learn how to be an excellent networker, which will improve your life in so many ways. I dream that we could build a networking system online, maybe Facebook course I like it, and then just support each other in any way we can. Remember, don’t waste a connection course you never, never, never know where a connection can lead!

What advice would you give to a newbie Entrepreneur setting up a new business in this pandemic?

Learn how to Network the proper way, find yourself a mentor or some sort of support on the way, and always remember to work with what you have, not with what you don’t have, and you will get what you want by helping others to achieve what they want. Be a problem solver, so don’t be afraid to “think outside the box” Be authentic, keep to the facts, and never stop learning. Last but not least, be a nice person, a nice human being and people will never forget you! Happy networking,

You can connect with Kristina by emailing her at kristinah@fortunepi.com.au
Via Facebook: www.facebook.com/thenetworkingdivashow
Or via her official website: www.fortunepi.com.au

Meet The Woman Behind The Cover Of The March 2022 Issue Of Global Elite Entrepreneur: Tahera Nassrat

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Fleeing from the Taliban under a burka at 20 – and at 42 a high flyer in Sydney

A few decades back, the gender inequality gap was significant; women were paid less and held smaller roles in organizations. However, things are quickly shifting as there were over 252 million women, entrepreneurs out of 582 million in 2021. Women have proven to be effective leaders and decision-makers again and again. One of such rising entrepreneurs is Tahera Nassrat. She is a confident tax agent, business coach, successful entrepreneur and advisor with over two decades of experience.

Tahera hails from Afghanistan during the Taliban regime in 1998 and received higher education in Australia. She has a solid academic background with a Bachelor’s of Business and Commerce major in accounts from the University of Western Sydney and an Advanced Diploma in Accounting. Tahera took part in multiple educational programs throughout various countries to further polish her soft skills. Some of them include Assertiveness development training in London, Team Leading & Management in Scotland, Tools & Procedures for Effective Development in Dubai, and Geographical Information System and Program Manager System in Islamabad.

Miss Nassrat has filled various key roles in the business space and amassed several significant achievements throughout her career. Besides being the Director at T & R Accountants, she is a Peace Advocate, UNICEF’s Honorary Women Representative in Afghanistan, she’s also the Afghan Peace Foundation’s Director, the Peace Ambassador for International Women Peace Group, a nominee for Citizen of the year 2022 in Parramatta LGA and winner of the Outstanding Professional Service Parramatta Local Business Award, among other roles. She also closely worked with the Ministry of Finance in Afghanistan to make strategies for poverty reduction and initiated adding her country Afghanistan’s new year “Nawroz” into the Cumberland council calendar with significant support from Councillor Steve Christou.

Tahera established her private tax firm, T & R Accountants, in 2009 and has been successfully running it since then. Her firm currently manages over 5,000 clients from various industries, including health, retail, construction, childcare, finance, disability, and more.

Even though Tahera is associated with United Nations, numerous NGOs, and peace programs, her years of professional experience has enabled her to find the right balance between her business and philanthropic lifestyle. She is always available to offer tax advice and services to her new and existing clients no matter where she is in the world.

“I am actively communicating with my existing clients by being reachable to them as the first point of contact, providing free workshops via zoom or face to face (if health order allows) to small businesses, and providing free tax advice and consultations to a broader community,” said Tahera Nassrat.

As the director of the Afghan Peace Foundation, Tahera’s current focus is on helping Afghan refugees settle and find employment in Australia – in fact, she has already helped several refugees get a fresh start in Australia. Because of her efforts, the Afghan Peace Foundation was featured in the Sydney Morning Herald for their amazing charity work. The refugees and the foundation has impressively helped in a campaign that raised over 15 thousand signatures for the intake of more Afghan refugees into Australia.

Tahera is a strong, bold, and independent Afghan woman who believes her success is not a chance but a choice she made! Because of the efforts of women entrepreneurs like Tahera, the corporate and business space is now recognizing the true potential of women and bridging the gap of gender inequality.

Global Elite Entrepreneur recently caught up with Tahera to discuss her journey as an entrepreneur, and here’s what went down:

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

I always try to be the first point of contact of my existing clients so that they can feel I am actively communicating with them. I also provide free workshops via zoom or even face to face, free tax advice, free consultations, and I never let my clients leave the office without a personalized goodbye. I want every client to feel important regardless of their size or structure.

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

Word of mouth is our primary marketing tool; we try to stay relevant in newspapers, radio stations, social media, and other media sources. Potential clients and existing customers can reach our team via Facebook as well as other social media platforms seven days a week.

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

Instagram, Facebook, Whatsup, and Tiktok.

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

The most challenging decision we’ve had to make over the last 12 years was shutting our business down due to the COVID-19 lockdown in July last year.

July has always been our peak time every year, so we typically hire more casual staff to assist us with our client’s tax returns. However, due to the COVID-19 lockdown, our office was forced to shut down because the government ordered everyone from our team to stay at home. I was left to manage around 5000 clients on my own because of our lack of staff!

I was processing applications for various government grants and managing over 500 phone calls daily.

It was definitely tough for us to close the office, but servicing over 5000 clients with the same standard and quality as that of an entire team was even more challenging.

I worked from home during those times and the number of grant applications I was able to process was equivalent to the workload of seven employees for an entire two and half months!

How has your business been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic?

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted businesses worldwide, including ours. We were affected at the worst possible time of the year! Every second day, one of our employees was forced to isolate; this resulted in some of our clients being unable to make their tax obligations.

As much as we wanted to help our clients, we were forced to ask them to hold back on lodging their tax returns due to staff shortages. We definitely suffered enormous losses due to the COVID 19 pandemic.

How have you adapted your business operations in response to COVID-19 and its associated impacts?

We had to stop receiving walk-in clients. Our appointments changed from face-to-face to Zoom, and most of our clients who don’t know how to use Zoom get on a priority list to come to our office in person. When the government finally allowed face-to-face visits, everyone went through an appointment process. No one was allowed to walk into the office without an appointment. We were scheduling client visits based on appointments, and each consultation was 15 minutes apart from each other to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 by maintaining a physical distance. Physical distancing and wearing masks will always be our top priority during every consultation.

What have been some of the most important lessons you have learned because of this pandemic?

Take your health seriously and have a risk assessment for your business during a crisis such as COVID or a lockdown. You need to have a strategy in place to be able to work and run your business remotely – remote access to your database and business now should be a MUST!

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

Small businesses should be able to operate remotely, no limitation to work from wherever. They must have a solid system and saving strategy as this is very crucial.

What advice would you give to a newbie Entrepreneur setting up a new business in this pandemic?

Make sure you have backup options in this time of crisis and don’t panic if your business shuts down because it’s not just you, the pandemic is everywhere. Prioritize your health over money (safety comes first), make sure your books and systems are correctly done, make sure there’s remote access to your servers, and don’t use shortcuts to save money – you need to spend money to make money. Don’t wait for success to come, go after it – work hard and achieve what you want in business!

To know more about Tahera Nassrat or receive a consultation, contact her via tahera@tnraccountants.com.au or call at 02- 8810 1031.

Announcing The Official Launch of Mrs. Universe Official!

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The Mrs. Universe Official Pageant is the quest to discover the world’s most outstanding married woman who’s looking to make a difference and make her mark in the world. Contestants must be married as of the date of entry, at least 18 years of age, as well as a resident of the country in which they compete. 

The Mrs. Universe Official Pageant also aims to bridge the gap between fashion, modeling, and pageantry. Its aim is to set a new standard in fashion, modeling, and pageantry. This is a life-changing opportunity for married women with a unique look and poise, lively personality, and passion for pageantry, fashion, and modeling. This is a competition that is designed to give ambitious women the opportunity to be a part of the national and international fashion modeling industry.   

Mrs. Universe Official is dedicated to women’s empowerment on a global scale. The Mrs. Universe Official organization is committed to helping women find their voice so that they can become powerful and unstoppable. The pageant believes that all women have a “Fierce Woman” inside them, and its mission is to create a vehicle that can reach inside and free their inner fierceness. Its mission is to empower women, facilitate change, and tap into their inner power.

The pageant will highlight and bring to light women with substance. The Mrs. Universe Official team’s focus for its contestants is to enhance women’s inner and outer beauty while they gain self-confidence and boldness within themselves; thus, the Mrs. Universe Official Beauty Pageant 2022 slogan is ” Powerful. Unstoppable. Fiercely beautiful.”

Mrs. Universe Official is the brainchild of Maryrose Salubre who founded Salubre Models back in 2006. Maryrose’s journey from initially establishing Salubre Models in 2006 led to a number of high-profile projects such as the Australasia Official pageant which was established in 2014, the International Golden Sash Awards, Sydney’s Best Dressed, and ultimately, Mrs. Universe Official.

Mrs. Universe Official also aims to empower, engage and inspire women of all cultures and backgrounds. The pageant’s goal is to build their self-confidence to the point that they become global ambassadors whose goal is to inspire change in the world. These women are game changers, go-getters, and highly driven individuals who don’t just talk about changing the world and making a difference but are motivated enough to initiate action.

The pageant week will be a fabulous week full of all things glitz and glam made up of live runway shows, presentations on relevant issues, and of course, exclusive, invite-only parties. The finalists from all over the world will be physically and mentally trained. They will be challenged with high fashion photoshoots, glamorous runway shows, and speeches on their advocacy.

In October of 2022, The Mrs. Universe Official Beauty Pageant will showcase more than 50 finalists from all over the world, as the pageant crowns its first-ever ” Mrs. Universe Official.” The finalists will compete at the prestigious “Coronation Night” in “The Emerald City” of Australia.  

Meet The Beauty Queen Behind The Cover Of The January 2022 Issue Of GEQ Magazine: Kerry-Anne Peterson

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Kerry-Anne Peterson is a Sagittarius-Capricorn beauty queen who’s currently studying Psychology – she plans to attain a Ph.D. in Psychology with a focus on diagnosing and treating mental illness. She also loves animals, and in fact, she has adopted and cared for a wide range of species, including dogs, cats, birds, guinea pigs, and rabbits.

GEQ magazine recently caught up with Kerry-Anne to discuss her journey in the pageant world, and here’s what went down:

How did you get into the pageant industry? How were you actually ‘discovered’?

It’s a funny story actually! I walked at a charity runway for breast cancer awareness when a pageant trainer and scout approached me. They said they’d think I’d do a great job on a pageant stage, so I decided to try it out. At my first pageant, I won 4/12 titles; needless to say, I loved the experience and have been competing ever since!

What do you like most about being a beauty queen?

I get to help others and inspire people to be confident in their own skin. It’s always heart-warming to know that I’ve made a positive impact on someone.

Downside to being a beauty queen?

Unfortunately, the downside, as with any industry is dishonesty among companies. One of the biggest eye-openers for me was discovering that the title doesn’t always go to the rightful winner.

What has been the most memorable experience of being in the pageant industry so far?

My most memorable moment was volunteering at an orphanage, the children put on a special performance for us, and we got to dance alongside them. My best moments have always been when I’m helping others.

Who have been the most interesting people you’ve met so far?

To be honest, mostly everyone! Each person I have met has a unique story, and I’m always able to learn or take something new from each experience.

What has been the most valuable lesson you’ve learned while in the pageant industry. This can be about the industry or about yourself.

Stay true to yourself, be strong, and trust in your ability. As I said earlier, I’ve experienced both amazing and not-so-amazing things while competing. The most important thing is to know who you are and love yourself as you are.

Working in an industry whose only emphasis is on the outside characteristics of a person, how have you stayed grounded?

You’ll actually find that the industry has changed immensely now; it is so liberating to see that diversity is the front-running theme now. People are now being valued and seen for who they are inside, which always counts from the start.

Is your family supportive of you being in the pageant industry?

Absolutely! Without their support, I wouldn’t even have gotten this far. They’re the ones who had driven me every time I’ve felt down and have praised me behind the scenes when it really mattered most. I love and adore my family and friends.

What are your future plans? Inside pageantry or out of it.

I want to open an animal shelter with a no-kill policy; animals deserve the absolute best we can offer them. I also want to focus on senior animal re-homing; statistics show that senior pets are usually left behind, which is so upsetting. Like I said earlier, I also want to get a Ph.D., so I have some really big goals!

I’ve always been a very ambitious and driven person, so I always strive to work hard and be the best I can be.

The ‘LIGHTNING FAST’ Round:

1. Last good movie I’ve seen: Halloween Kills; I love a good horror flick!

2. What do you consider beautiful and why? My pet dog Chloe, she’s just a little baby, and I love the way she looks at the world.

3. What haven’t you done yet that you wish you could? Probably visit a crystal cottage; I love collecting gemstones. I’ve always felt a spiritual connection to the Earth, and it’s amazing how gemstones come in diverse colours, compositions, and spiritual meaning.

4. Complete this sentence: “If I had no fear, I’d…” Cliff dive every single day.

5. What is the one “flaw” you wouldn’t change about yourself? All of my fears make up who I am; they also make me brave because I can challenge them and feel accomplished.

This feature is courtesy of Road2Bollywood/International Film and Entertainment Festival Australia and WOW. Big shoutout to the director and founder Maxine Simmons.