Game Changers issue 50

Game Changers ISSUE #50

GC CELEBRATES ITS 50TH EDITION

GAME CHANGERS

DIRECTORY O1 Note from the editor O2 GC: OPINION View from the top. 03

Why body language is crucial 04-05

O3 TITO IAKOPA O4 SERGEI ASTAFJEV O5 MAHMOUD BAHAA EL-DIN O6 The Masters Series O7 BAIANA KASHAEVA O8 06-08

09-12

14-15

16-27

28-31

LOLA NEGMATOVA 32-37

O9 1O The Banking Expert 11 Game Changers Wins again!

12 GC:HEALTH 13 GC: EAT 14 GC: BRAIN 15 GC:LIFE 16 GC: FEMME 17 GC: HOMME 18 GC: CHARITY 19 GC:LUXURY 20 GC: MODERN LIFE SPEAKERS CORNER 38-41

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46-47

48-51

53-55

56-58

59-61

GURLY 62-67

Love Brand & Co. 68-71

Love Brand & Co. 72-74

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VIEW FROM THE TOP Hello everyone, So we made it. The big 50 and the midlife crisis for Game Changers!

I never thought that we would get this far after coming up with the idea for GC in a bar after another disgruntled day dealing with ineffective B2B marketing professionals. Honestly, I thought at the top end we would make five editions maximum and then quietly shelve it.

Over the fifty editions it has taken on a life of its own, moreover I have learnt a great deal in how to make content of both the good and bad variety. Some great ideas that have stuck, and others which may have seen great in my mind, but absolutely stunk the room out…. that’s life.

I would like to think that it has in some way changed the way that B2B marketing is conducted, as it was in a stale position with what felt like a lot of fear of doing the wrong thing in marketing departments. Rather than being brave and attacking making thought provoking creatives, it has taken a lot of effort to move it to where it is now.

It took them a long time for people to realize that personal branding was always going to be the best when it came to marketing and sales. Who would have thought that trust in who you are sells things, and anonymous CEO’s are a bad look for their brand.

Anyway, if you are reading this I guess you must like it, and will continue to do so.

Thanks everyone for your continued support, and positive feedback that I have received whether it was walking down the street, in a bar or even when I was swimming in the sea.

Everyone reading has changed the game... thank you.

Here’s to the next 50!

Paul ORFORD EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Game Changers

GC:OPINION Why body language is crucial I still have a geeky addiction to watching major political debates after studying it many decades ago at university, where you look at the micro body reactions, pace of language and who controls the conversation by having effective use of this.

Watching the recent and perhaps only face to face debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump for the ultimate prize in becoming the President of the United States. Looking at it from an apolitical stance, I can’t vote in the election and do not have the same social media presence of Taylor Swift to direct people’s attention to a certain candidate, it really was a fascinating debate.

When I was a young pup starting off in sales, I was taught the maxim of ‘those who speak first lose” which worked incredibly wel l where the opposing candidate had to be quiet whilst the other spoke. Based on Trumps previous haranguing style, this wouldn’t work out well for him as he never used the cameras well in his allotted time for silence.

What I came away with was the fascination of the use of body language to say a thousand words, when none were spoken by Kamala Harris. The use of this leading more importantly to have the control of the narrative after the debate had finished.

One of the images I was left with was Trump giving his argument and Harris, not impolitely laughing when Trump made the point about immigrants eating household pets. The use of emotional contrast when he was making a point, thereby debasing his claim. Anything he said on that point was then not taken with any effect.

Silence for a candidate like Trump can be deadly, as he is used to filling the air with comment and claim.

However, this time he was not trained in how to use the cameras effectively and we were left with him kind of scowling at the camera for one minute whilst waiting to respond.

Moreover, it is noted as being so crucial that famous American psychologist Albert Mehrabian argues that “The way a person communicates is often more important than what is actually being said. Nonverbal elements such as body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice convey 93% of a message, while words only account for 7%.”

There were a couple of other interesting gestures in the debate, which may also send out non verbal cues to those watching.

The Significance of the Handshake Harris made it clear that she wasn’t going to let Trump avoid a handshake, emphasizing the importance of such a gesture. As Trump stood behind his podium, appearing reluctant to engage, Harris confidently crossed the stage, extended her hand, and introduced herself. A handshake is more than a mere formality; it conveys politeness, civility, and a foundational respect for the other person, as well as for the viewers—especially in a public setting like a debate. In this context, the handshake transcended the personal interaction between Harris and Trump, symbolizing respect for the democratic process and for the American people. By initiating it, Harris embodied her campaign’s broader message of unity over division, showing that she was not intimidated by her opponent and that she wasn’t afraid to take him on directly. The

gesture caught Trump off guard, putting him on the back foot right from the start. As she returned to her podium with a wide smile, Harris clearly knew she had achieved what she intended—setting the tone for the debate from the very first interaction.

Limited Eye Contact Throughout the course of the debate, one notable observation was Trump’s avoidance of direct eye contact with Harris. When she spoke, he seemed to deliberately stare straight ahead, almost as if making eye contact with her might throw him off balance. Eye contact is a powerful form of non-verbal communication that can signify confidence and engagement, especially in a debate where leaders are expected to confront one another head-on. Trump’s refusal to look at Harris could be interpreted in several ways: as a display of indifference, disrespect, or perhaps even fear of what locking eyes might symbolize. It was as though acknowledging her directly would force him into a confrontation he was trying to avoid. Meanwhile, Harris did the exact opposite. She not only looked at Trump when she spoke but also gestured toward him, making it clear that she wasn’t intimidated. Her willingness to engage in direct eye contact demonstrated confidence, and her gestures added weight to her words, emphasizing that she was prepared to challenge him without hesitation. It was a contrast that highlighted their differing approaches to leadership and communication.

Harris’s Expression of Disbelief At one point during the debate, when Trump accused Harris of being a “Marxist” due to her father’s academic background, she responded with an unmistakable look of disbelief, placing her hand on her chin as if to silently convey her astonishment. This expression, both deliberate and eyecatching, was her way of saying, without words, “I can’t believe what I’m hearing.” Harris’s facial expressions throughout the debate conveyed her reactions to Trump’s statements in a way that words alone could not. Several times, when Trump made outlandish or unfounded claims, Harris returned to this expression, making her incredulity known to the

audience. Such a reaction in a presidential debate is rare, but it highlighted Harris’s direct approach to communication—unafraid to show her true feelings and to let her body language do some of the talking.

In a debate where every gesture counts, her facial expressions served as powerful tools of communication, illustrating her unwillingness to let absurd claims go unchecked.

Trump’s Pursed Lips Trump, too, has his own set of distinctive non-verbal cues, one of the most recognizable being the way he purses his lips when he’s confronted with something he dislikes or disapproves of. This particular gesture, where his lips push forward as if forming a pout, has become a hallmark of his reaction to criticism or disagreement. It’s a behavior closely associated with discomfort or dislike, and during the debate, it was especially visible when he was reminded of the many former staff members, including his chief of staff, who had turned against him. This non-verbal tic, like Harris’s expressions, spoke volumes about Trump’s internal reactions, even when he didn’t explicitly voice them.

Although this won’t change much for the entrenched Trump and Harris supporters, what it does affect are what is known in UK parlance as the ‘floating voters’.

These are the undecideds who often will play a huge role in affecting the outcome. In fact many argue that entrenchment is so strong in the two parties that on a state level and the electoral college method of selecting a leader, that only a seven states (Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, North Carolina, Georgia, Arizona and Nevada) matter when it comes to electing a president as due to their populace being the most undecided.

Although there is still a long way to go, and many things can still happen. Post the debate, the Democrats had their biggest single hour in raising campaign funds in their history, along with the betting markets moving significantly in Haris’s favor.

Although these debates do not help you win an election, they can certainly help you lose an election.

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Flow Community TITO IAKOPA

Game Changers Interview with Tito Iakopa, Director and Co-Founder of Flow Community Q What inspired you to start Flow Community? Can you share the story behind the founding of the company?

Flow was originally founded by me and my business partner Vinicios. The way we met and discovered we should work together is an interesting story. He had recently arrived in Portugal, and we met through a mutual friend. We immediately got along well because we shared very similar personal values and a passion for financial markets.

After spending some more time together, we got to know each other on a deeper level and discovered each other’s wealth of knowledge in the professional financial markets. Soon after, we realized we had highly complementary skills, as Vinicios is a self-instructed

technology expert and I am naturally oriented towards sales and leadership - and so we decided to bring our skills together and create an innovative product for investments and integral well-being.

Q What gap did you see in the FinTech industry that led to the creation of Flow Community? How does Flow Community address this gap?

We saw a lack of sensitivity towards people’s most authentic needs, and an opportunity to bring together all the advantages of modern-day technology with a balanced vision of what financial and personal well-being should look like. Our approach is therefore to create not only an effective, high-performance investment tool, but a community of exceptional people engaging in continual and collaborative growth. Putting these elements together in our platform gives us what we think is a unique and authentic approach to investment.

Q Flow Community is focused on accelerating financial well-being for its clients. What does financial well-being mean to you, and how does the company embody this mission?

We believe financial freedom should be the first priority for every human being, simply because as humans we continuously evolve, especially on a mental level. The reality is that as long as a person is not financially free, we are much more focused on survival than on any other aspect of our personal growth. Considering that investing one’s money is one of the most effective ways to become wealthy - sadly not everyone has the skills to do so safely and efficiently. We believe in contributing to people’s financial growth, thus we are also contributing to their well-being and personal development.

Focus on Financial Markets and Gold Assets Q Your trading technology has a specific focus on investment in the financial market, particularly gold assets. Why did you choose gold as a primary asset for investment?

We chose gold because it is the asset class we’ve focused on the most in recent years and where we have

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outstanding experience to offer. As many of our investors know, gold is a particularly noble asset, as it is widely considered to be a safe-haven asset in times of uncertainty. Therefore, our trading technology has been developed based on our personal investment strategy.

Q What makes gold a compelling asset class in today’s market? How does Flow Community leverage this to benefit its clients?

There are several factors that make gold attractive. First of all, it is a natural resource. Additionally, it protects us against inflation, among many other positive aspects such as its liquidity and intrinsic value. Talking about trading strategies, we favour this asset class because it is less volatile than others. Adding to this, trading strategies emphasize mid and long-term stability profits in times of profound economic and political changes that will have unpredictable outcomes for the coming years and decades.

Q What unique insights or strategies does Flow Community offer for investing in gold compared to other traditional or digital investment platforms?

As mentioned before, the AI-based technology we use was specifically developed based on our personal investment strategy, which makes it unique in bringing together attractive high returns with a very secure and stable range of risks. The goal of this unique method is to be as secure as possible, with a maximum volatility of 4% and an annual target around 50%, which makes it one of the best alternatives for all types of investors

keeping our calculations and strategies in touch with everyday updates on market behaviors. However, no matter how welltrained any AI system is, we believe that human intelligence and experience is essential to leveraging all this strength in information processing with the insights that only seasoned investors’ can get from interpreting information in the wider context of changing institutional and economic landscapes.

This is why our approach is to keep updating our systems with the latest technology, while still giving human intelligence the paramount place in our decision making and investment strategies.

Q How do you ensure that your trading technology is both user-friendly and effective for clients of varying financial knowledge and experience?

We designed Flow Community’s platform to be easily accessible by investors from all backgrounds and ages. Achieving simplicity for all processes and developing a very visual, intuitive display. After analyzing users’ feedback on our platform during the last 5 years, we’ve come to a point where we balanced this simplicity with a robust set of tools that satisfies expert inverters’ needs as well.

Technology and Innovation Q Can you tell us about the development of your trading technology over the past three years? What were some of the key challenges and breakthroughs during this process?

Flow Community’s technology has been developed and constantly improved over the past 5 years. About 2 months ago, we finally arrived at our most complete version, which will serve as the foundation to further improve and incorporate the best technological tools.

Q What role does technology play in achieving Flow Community’s mission of financial well-being? How does your platform differ from other FinTech firms in terms of technology?

Today’s technological tools and algorithms play an incredibly important role at processing massive amounts of information, and

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Impact and Future Plans Q ow do you measure the impact of Flow Community on the financial well-being of your clients? Are there specific metrics or success stories you can share?

As mentioned before, our philosophy is based on helping people achieve financial freedom, as a way to promote overall development and personal growth.

The most relevant measures of success for this vision are, in the first place, our client’s total return of investment, and their own personal sense of satisfaction of using this investment strategy as a tool to keep aiming for integral well-being.

Q What has been the most rewarding part of your journey with Flow Community so far?

The most rewarding aspects have been the positive impact on our clients’ families; it’s an honor to help them achieve their financial goals. On a networking level, it has also been very fulfilling, I have met fantastic people over the past 12 months.

As a man and an individual, this journey has changed me significantly. Due to its challenges and responsibilities, it has helped me grow a lot personally.

Q What are your plans for the future of Flow Community? Are there any new markets, asset classes, or technolo gies you are looking to explore?

Our goal is to lead the market in Portugal and, in the coming years, to stand out internationally as one of the largest investor communities in the world. As the company name itself suggests, we are a community, meaning we aim to bring together exceptional people and serve as a bridge for other business opportunities among them. For now, we do not plan to explore other markets, but you never know what the future may bring.

Personal Insights Q What have you learned as an entrepreneur and leader while building Flow Community?

Any advice for aspiring FinTech entrepreneurs?

In terms of advice for other entrepreneurs, I recommend some fundamental principles: overdeliver—promise little and do more.

Pay close attention to client proximity; we’re dealing with money, which is a sensitive topic.

The principle of accessibility—everything that is scarce has value, and everything that is too accessible does not. This means that our accessibility is directly related to the value

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people place on us. Competence is essential; this market does not allow for major mistakes, so make sure you are fully prepared when entering the market.

In terms of leadership, the most important thing is to lead by example. As a leader, the people who follow you do not look at how you speak, but rather at how you walk; in other words, it is our actions that count. It is important that we walk alongside our team members, being an example of hard work and integrity.

The success of a company and its team is defined by its leaders.

Having this sense of awareness leads to maximum responsibility towards both our clients and our own team of collaborators.

Q What drives you personally to continue pushing boundaries in the FinTech space?

My vision of helping others achieve their life’s goals and overall fulfillment through financial freedom. Part of my purpose at this stage of my life is to help people with their finances by providing simple and reliable investment tools. As long as I feel that this is my path, I will give my best with body and soul because this is part of who I am as an individual, and this is also the mission that we’ve devoted Flow Community to.

Wallester SERGEI ASTAFJEV

When Innovations Make Financial Services Simple and Accessible: An Interview with Wallester CEO and Co-Founder Sergei Astafjev As AI continues to grow in popularity, other key trends are also emerging. Experts say that personalised financial services and embedded finance will soon be essential for tech companies. They predict this sector will grow by 32.4% annually and be worth over $1 trillion by 2032.

These ideas aren’t new but have recently become very popular and essential. This is due to the efforts of companies like Wallester, which make advanced financial technologies simple and accessible. Wallester offers innovative products for businesses and individuals, making payments and expense management easy and convenient.

Reference: Wallester is an Estonian fintech company founded by Dmitri Logvinenko and Sergei Astafjev in 2016. Since 2018, it has launched its own finance products in partnership with the VISA payment system. In 2023, the company received the PCI DSS Level 1 certificate for financial transactions. Wallester operates in 37 countries and supports 37 active White-Label partnership projects, along with more than 3500 clients on Wallester Business, in cooperation with top European companies.

Sergei Astafjev, CEO and co-founder of Wallester, explains why Wallester is considered an innovator in the financial services sector, how the startup idea came about, and what makes this brand successful.

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Wallester Concept: From a Niche Startup to a Segment Leader Q Sergei, what was the idea behind Wallester? Why did you decide to work with customised payment solutions?

When we founded the company, there were several solutions in the field of embedded finance and convenient payment services. However, the existing providers could not cover all the niches that were in demand. Businesses needed truly flexible and customisable solutions. Moreover, only large companies could afford to develop them from scratch and integrate them into existing workflows. Our goal was to create a lightweight, user-friendly product that would adapt to business needs and increase productivity without completely rebuilding workflows.

Q What was the first product you brought to the market, and how did the company develop further?

Our vision allowed us to create a cloud-based platform that enabled businesses to launch branded payment cards quickly and efficiently. It’s available to market leaders and small companies with creative ideas but cannot be implemented independently due to a lack of resources. This approach has significantly reduced entry barriers to financial technology, making it more democratic and popular.

The success of our project helped us conclude important strategic partnership agreements, including with VISA. As a result, we launched new products for business – Wallester White - Label and Wallester Business.

Q What makes your products unique? Why did Wallester so quickly enter the list of leaders and become known far beyond the borders of its native Estonia?

Wallester’s success is based on several key advantages that set us apart from our competitors. The first advantage is complete product customisation. It allows us to customise everything – from the most minor card design details to payment methods and financial products connected to the account.

The second is accessibility. Our software solutions are simple and have streamlined interfaces. People without extensive experience in the financial sector or IT can use them. Our special pride is the Wallester Business, which we give everyone at no cost. It allows you to set up a corporate account within minutes, issue virtual and physical cards for your employees, and track company expenses on the unified platform.

The third advantage is security. Wallester operates under AML and KYC regulations, uses PCI DSS and 3D

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Secure technologies, and invests in the creation of innovative fraud detection systems. This guarantees reliable protection of our clients’ funds.

Wallester Portfolio: A Wide Range of Innovative Products Q Sergei, tell us about Wallester’s top product, which has significantly impacted the company’s development strategy. What is the priority area of investment today?

One of the company’s top products is the Wallester Business platform. It is a comprehensive set of tools for corporate finance management that covers the needs for cost control and analytics, payments to contractors and employees, and issuing custom payment tools. It enables you to quickly generate unlimited virtual and physical VISA cards, monitor employee expenses, analyse the use of funds on your account, approve or reject payments in real time, and create whitelists to speed up transfers.

Currently, this solution is used in marketing, advertising, e-commerce, tourism, retail, and other industries that require flexible and affordable financial services. Wallester Business was a real breakthrough for us – today, this platform operates internationally, covering 37 countries and over ten currencies.

Q Large financial institutions offer many of these services. Why do customers choose Wallester Business over traditional banking services?

One of the reasons is the ease of the platform’s deployment and integration. Additionally, you have access to numerous automation tools. Experienced businesses can connect the platform with their software using a robust REST API. And again, it is free. Just open a company account within minutes and enjoy the solution.

Q What other products are a priority for your company?

Another product that we are actively developing is Wallester White-Label. This platform stands out for its flexibility, supported by an inhouse infrastructure. With pricing starting at just 2495 EUR/month, it is accessible for any company to launch branded card projects. Wallester White-Label targets banks, financial institutions, EMIs, neo and challenger banks, as well as non-financial companies.

The personalised program offers comprehensive branded Visa card programs and a user-friendly mobile app. This platform supports advanced features like tokenisation, secure payment technologies, and PCI DSS Level 1 certification, ensuring the highest security standards forpaymentdata.As aVisa Principal Memberand one of Europe’s top Visa enablers, we offer BIN sponsorship, Visa token services, and 3DS security enhancements.

Wallester White - Label solution has significantly impacted the market, partnering with a diverse range of clients. We’ve collaborated with government entities like Latvian Post, crypto companies like KuCoin, and innovative startups like Cino. Our partnerships extend to established financial institutions, including Klarpay and Holm Bank, as well as fintech infrastructure providers like Striga Technologies. We’ve issued nearly one million cards in the EEA and UK markets, positioning us among Europe’s top five Visa facilitators.

People and Numbers: What Wallester Is Proud of Q Sergei, Wallester aims to become a leader in the European fintech sector. What are the company’s achievements that justify its ambitions?

A very important event was obtaining a license to provide cross-border financial services and operate in the UK. Additionally, Wallester won the prestigious Best FinTech Partner award at the 2024 FinTech Awards Europe this summer and was nominated for the PAY360 Awards 2024 in the Best Embedded Finance Project category.

Last year, we also achieved excellent results: • Expanded our client base by more than four times – from 600 to 2,500 companies • Launched 24 white-label projects and two tailored white-label applications • Increased the profit and transaction volume of Wallester cards more than twice • Increased the team size by 67%, improving the level of service • Improved the accessibility of the online platform by increasing the number of language versions to 16 I should note that the company also has an office in Valbonne, France. This approach lets us better understand the regional market and its needs and peculiarities.

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Q Tell us more about the Wallester team. What do you value the most, and how do you achieve such great results?

The main Wallester values are dedication and innovative spirit. We make sure everyone can express their ideas and contribute to the continuous improvement of the business.

What’s important is that our team is comprised of true professionals who are dedicated to what they do. More than 50% of our employees are high-level IT specialists, which allows us to achieve substantial progress in the first month after the project launch.

Sergei Astafjev’s Personal Journey — A Solid Foundation for a Breakthrough Fintech Startup Q Sergei, tell us what you did before Wallester and how you started your career. Why did you choose fintech, and how does your background shape the company’s development concept?

My business career started with web development and programming, but I was interested in financial services from the very beginning. This allowed me to get to know the market, identifying its needs and current problems. I realised that financial products should be truly innovative but focused on customer needs rather than developers’ business models.

At the time of founding Wallester, I already had experience in the fintech industry, which helped me create a concept for the company’s development.

Our mission is to provide customers with custom payment tools that can be adapted to their business models and developed over time. This customercentred approach has been an important asset of mine since the early stages of my career, and it helps to develop Wallester today.

Q Why Wallester? Why did you decide to co-found the startup and join the team?

The reason was the desire to revolutionise the financial services sector. At that time, the business already had a clear need for convenient, customisable payment services that no other provider could meet. The market was waiting for flexible solutions that could be integrated into its business model without starting from scratch and disrupting existing business processes.

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My journey with Wallester began when I met Dmitri Logvinenko, the company’s co-founder and Chief Operating Officer. As we discussed his vision for the company, I became fascinated by the project. I realised this was exactly the kind of project I had dreamed of working on my entire life. Dmitri’s passion and Wallester’s innovative approach resonated deeply with me.

Q Any startup brings prospects and numerus challenges.

What were the key challenges you faced in the company’s early days?

The main challenge was navigating the competitive fintech ecosystem. We immediately wanted Wallester to be a leader in its segment, so we had to spend considerable time analysing potential partners and competitors and entering into strategic partnerships.

Another challenge for us was building a reliable and scalable infrastructure. Reputation is vital in the fintech industry, so we built in the possibility of rapid growth and compliance with international and national regulations in all regions of our presence.

Wallester as a Reliable Partner: How to Start Cooperation?

Q Are your services available for Cyprus-based companies? How can they benefit from your products – both Wallester Business and White-Label?

Wallester cloud platforms operate in all countries of the European Economic Community and beyond, including Cyprus. We cooperate with partners in Cyprus, providing them with tools for efficient financial management and fast payments. In this region, our priority products are cards for media buying and effective corporate finance management.

Q How can someone start a cooperation with Wallester?

We have ensured our products are available to the broadest possible range of customers. You can learn about them and access our Demo Portals at https://wallester.com/. Our team is also happy to provide support and answer additional questions about our products and services. You can reach us at sales@wallester.com

AvaTrade MAHMOUD BAHAA EL-DIN

Q Can you tell us what AvaFutures is exactly?

Absolutely! AvaFutures is the leading online platform for global investors interested in futures trading, thanks to its advanced solutions for accessing international markets. Our products are designed to simplify traders' account opening and funding process. Customers can sign up, fund their accounts using credit cards or other electronic methods, and start trading within minutes through our cutting-edge platform, which grants them access to constantly updated data, charting and valuable educational tools.

We pride ourselves on full transparency and an attractive pricing model with no hidden fees or commissions.

Q That sounds convenient! What types of trading options do you offer?

We offer a wide range of trading options.

Traders can engage in Micro, E-mini, and Standard futures contracts on various assets such as indices, commodities, metals, FX, cryptocurrencies, and treasuries.

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Q Interesting! And what platform do you provide traders with?

Our MT5 trading platform is particularly popular. It provides advanced charting capabilities, automated trading, in-depth analysis, and free access to Level 2 data.

Q You mentioned learning resources. How do they help traders?

Great question! We have a comprehensive suite of accessible learning resources to help retail traders enhance their skills through webinars with global experts, courses, and interactive lessons with peers worldwide.

Q Why should someone consider trading futures with AvaFutures?

There are several great reasons: 1. Transparent Pricing: You get clear, low-cost trading with no hidden fees or inactivity charges, starting at just $0.75 per Micro contract per trade.

2. Trade More with Less: With high leverage, you can control big trades while benefiting from low-margin requirements.

3. Free 24/5 support in over 10 languages: our customers can manage their accounts online and have access to our team of professional advisors to support their projects at no extra cost.

Q Sounds profitable! How about protecting investments?

Our transparent pricing makes it easy to hedge and safeguard your investments against price volatility.

Q And liquidity?

One of the main advantages of trading Futures is precisely the high liquidity and abundance of opportunities around the clock, making it easy to enter or exit positions as compared with most other types of investments Q Diversification is key. How does AvaFutures help with that?

You can spread your investments across various assets, sectors, and regions to effectively mitigate risk with the support of our community of trading experts, who are always available to provide insights and advice to our traders. This “client-centric” approach, as we call it, provides reliable support while allowing you to trade on your terms with full transparency.

Q What makes trading with AvaFutures fair and transparent?

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You trade on large, regulated exchanges, ensuring complete fairness and reliability compared to OTC brokers. Our record of 300,000+ clients around the globe for the last 17 years is a testimony of our products’ reliability and our team’s excellence in service.

Q Those are some substantial advantages. What sets AvaFutures apart from other platforms?

Here are the key features that make us unique: 1. Speedy Onboarding: Our onboarding process is superfast and hassle-free, allowing you to start trading within minutes.

2. A State-of-the-Art Platform: The MT5 platform offers an intuitive user experience with advanced charting and seamless automated trading.

Q Quick deposits and withdrawals are crucial. How do you handle that?

We ensure your funds move quickly and securely with multiple convenient methods, including credit cards.

Q Hidden fees can be a deal-breaker. What about your charges?

Of course! Few things are unpleasant than finding hidden fees or commissions after signing a contract in good faith. AvaTrade is aware of this, so our policy emphasises full transparency and clarity: you can trade on your terms with attractive commissions, no inactivity fees, low day margins, or low overnight margins.

Q Real-time data is essential. Do you provide that?

With free Level 2 data, you can stay informed with real-time market data to make better trading decisions.

Q Education is important. What do you offer?

We have devoted a team of seasoned experts to developing educational materials and courses designed to be easy to follow and ensure anyone can enhance their trading skills. Besides the solo-learning experience, we encourage our traders to complement this with our insightful webinars with international experts and interactive lessons.

Q How is your customer support?

Our dedicated team of experts is eager to help and assist our community of traders 24/7. They speak your language and are happy to guide you whenever you need assistance.

It's clear that AvaFutures offers a robust and userfriendly trading experience. Thank you for sharing all this valuable information!

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The Masters Series

This diversification has broadened my perspective on entrepreneurship, enhancing my ability to adapt and innovate across different business environments.

Q What was your motivation in setting up your own brand?

Constantinos Aristophanous Q How have you changed over the last seven years?

Over the past seven years, I’ve transitioned from focusing solely on senior management in the financial sector to becoming a diversified business owner. In addition to growing my presence in the financial industry, I’ve expanded into other industries, including owning a Greek coffee franchise “Gregory’s” and a parking business at Larnaca airport “Aristion Air Park”.

The motivation behind setting up my own brand was driven by a desire for independence and the opportunity to apply my vision across multiple industries as well as the constant support and motivation from my business partner Pavlina Kanella. In the financial sector, I wanted to create a brand that reflected my commitment to innovation, transparency, and customer-centricity.

Additionally, branching into other industries like the coffee and parking businesses as well as online education allowed me to explore different markets and diversify risk, all while creating value across various sectors.

Q What lessons have you learned over the past seven years?

One of the key lessons I’ve learned is the importance of adaptability. The financial industry is constantly evolving, and my diversification into other sectors, like retail and services, has reinforced the value of flexibility and learning from different business models. Whether it’s managing “Greogory’s” or “Aristion Air Park”, I’ve come to appreciate that success in one area doesn’t guarantee success in another; each industry has its own unique challenges and opportunities.

Building strong teams and maintaining a customer-first approach remain central to long-term success.

Q What was your best decision over the past seven years?

My second best decision was to diversify into industries outside of finance.Owning a Greek coffee franchise and a parking business at Larnaca airport not only provided new revenue streams but also taught me invaluable lessons about different market dynamics.

It has allowed me to explore new customer bases and develop operational expertise in sectors that are completely distinct from my financial background. This

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diversification helped balance risk and gave me new perspectives on business growth. My best decision was partnering up with Pavlina Kanella, success in business, particularly in diverse industries like finance, hospitality, and services, requires collaboration, trust, and shared vision. Joining forces with Pavlina allowed us to combine our complementary skills and strengths. Pavlina brings unique insights, strategic thinking, and leadership qualities that have significantly contributed to our growth.

Q What would the perfect next seven years look like to you?

The perfect next seven years would see further growth and diversification across all my business ventures.

In finance, I’d like to continue leveraging technology and expanding into new markets. At the same time, I envision growing the Greek coffee franchise into new regions and enhancing the operations of our parking business. Ideally, I’d like to see these businesses become leaders in their respective industries while continuing to innovate and deliver value to customers. Personally, I hope to mentor future entrepreneurs and build a legacy

of excellence across different industries.

Q What would you say to your future self in seven years?

I’d tell myself to stay curious and keep pushing boundaries. Diversifying into different industries has been rewarding, and I’d remind myself to continue embracing challenges and exploring new opportunities. I’d also say, “Stay grounded in your values— regardless of the industry, keep prioritizing quality, customer service, and integrity.”

Q How do you think your business will change over the next seven years?

In finance, I see my business becoming increasingly technology - driven, integrating AI and machine learning to deliver more personalized solutions. In the other industries, I anticipate expanding Gregory’s to new markets and scaling Aristion Air Park with a focus on automation and convenience for customers. Across all my ventures, I expect the core values—innovation, customer satisfaction, and operational excellence—to remain constant as we continue to adapt and grow.

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Q What was your motivation in setting up your own brand?

I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit, influenced by my parents who ran their own businesses. After university, I wanted to gain experience by working for others before starting my venture. Setting up my recruitment business was challenging, and my motivation was tested. For two years, I grappled with fear and doubt but eventually realized I couldn’t work for someone else’s dreams forever. I took the leap, motivated by the desire to create something of my own, and I’m proud to say I faced my fear.

Emma April Q How have you changed over the last seven years?

I would say my life has changed drastically. I remember being carefree, yet always seeking more from life. Many people don’t know that while I was an HR Manager, I also owned a kids' clothing boutique in Limassol called Manamouto. Balancing the corporate and retail worlds was thrilling, and I loved every minute of it. The boutique was a huge success, with sales soaring and the unique, fashionable outfits captured the hearts of children. The store itself was designed like a playful wonderland, complete with a dollhouse clothing rack and whimsical pink and white canopies. It felt like a unicorn had designed it, and kids loved it as much as I did.

However, I knew I needed to slow down but wasn't sure how. I was also doing recruitment on the side through a friend's agency, so I decided to resign from my corporate job to focus on the boutique and recruitment.

Even then, I missed the corporate world. So, I hired my best friend to run the shop while I figured out my next steps. Frequent trips to manufacturers became overwhelming, and despite enjoying my work, my carefree mindset was gone. I realized I wasn’t happy in my environment, even though the business was thriving and my side recruitment job was good. I needed something more, which led me to move to the UK and pursue recruitment full-time.

It was the best decision. I had the time of my life, met amazing people, and finally filled the void I felt.

My mindset shifted, I learned that when I set my mind to something, I give it my all and always look for new projects. There's always something happening in the background with me.

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Q What lessons have you learnt over the past seven years?

Taking risks pushes you out of your comfort zone and brings unimaginable growth. connect with like minded people and surround yourself with those who inspire you. Remember, business is a two way street, be kind to everyone, as you’ll need their support in the future, and they’ll remember how you made them feel and most importantly, reach out to those you’ve held grudges against because our time here is limited. I wish I had done this sooner.

Q What was your best decision over the past seven years?

Marrying my best friend and sharing life together has been the best decision I’ve ever made.

Q What would the perfect next seven years look like to you?

Ideally, I see a house full of happy, healthy kids and a thriving business. I'd like to give back to my community in Cyprus - A project I'm currently working on that will be great for everyone. It will be something i leave behind thats for sure.

Q What would you say to your future self in seven years?

Keep learning and stay humble.

Q How do you think your business will change over the next seven years?

AI will likely play a significant role, so we’ll adapt and enhance our operations accordingly. I envision opening branches in capital cities and eventually stepping back, enjoying life perhaps on a beach in Mexico. Who knows? Let’s see!

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the industry. I strongly believe in making a positive impact, not just being transactional but a strong relationship with the right approach that the client would benefit and mutually we benefit from it.

Q What lessons have you learnt over the past seven years?

I would say many, • • • • •

Raj Reddy Q How have you changed over the last seven years?

In terms of who I Am as an individual , my principle, ethics are still the same & I have not changed at all.

In the last 7 years, the world has changed or evolved ten folds. The speed with which fintech enhancements/developments are happening is scary at times. I as an individual understood that we need to advance ourselves in all these technological aspects to service the needs of the clients.

I believe I have invested enough time in self learning.

Also over these years, we had been more leaned towards the B2B side of the business although we have a strong B2C experience, we thought B2B would suit us much better with our expertise. So we started moulding ourselves and also the projects launched more into the B2B side of the business.

Q What was your motivation in setting up your own brand?

On a serious note i always had an entrepreneurial spirit in me and always thought if i were working for myself how would i resolve any inefficiencies in processes , procedure and how i can build something that will address inefficiencies or problems and starting my omy brand has given me that freedom to do that and that has also helped me win the trust of my clients and scale my brand On a bigger note the motivation of having my own brand is to implement things that I was not able to implement before while I was working for others, due to cultural differences, difference in ideology & philosophy. I thought it is very important for me to bring the values I have with this company and reflect those values into

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Empathy is underrated and not used as much as it should be Resilience when faced with adversity ( Covid like situations) Importance of community and Family Learning and building on the knowledge base Being more compassionate & thinking beyond being transactional.

Especially in the last few years I learned deeply about human emotions, which helped me to address things very well & resolve things in a better way than before. This also gave me an opportunity to enhance my business & make the teams more compassionate, efficient.

Q What was your best decision over the past seven years?

The best decision I have ever made in the past 7 years would be the decision I made to enter into liquidity business with a strategic partnership, alongside with working on one of the strong roles in the retail Industry thought me a lot of valuable lessons & gave me deeper understanding on how I should do business in a much better way.

This decision was made at the right time, coincidentally both decisions went in the same year which was in 2019. I was grateful that we made wise decisions & we took risks but I believe that these are well calculated decisions. I should say Future favours the brave & I think we should take some brave decisions with risk associated with them, without that we would not progress above others if not.

So, we always keep in mind that we should take risks that are needed from time to time.

Q What would the perfect next seven years look like to you?

We are working on a lot of projects and we hope we will be able to build more products that will be game changer in our industry. Our brand will be synonymous with Trust, innovation and client satisfaction.

Next 7 years would be ideally getting ourselves now more focused on the first project of the liquidity business with our own brand, along with payments and OTC on digital assets. We had this motive in mind before 2019, but we thought strategic partnership at the beginning would be good & then we would establish our own brand, which we are on right now & would be launched shortly. So we hope we will address the pain points & keep learning from our customer and address the needs of them in a much better way. In this sense, I think we are on the right way with the goals & ambitions we have.

Our motive is to bring the right solutions with the right values & with strong integrity.

Q What would you say to your future self in seven years?

I would say keep growing, continue to be curious,embrace all the changes, keep learning, strive for excellence and most importantly remembering the experiences that have shaped me into who I am today. I know that I will also enjoy the journey.

I would say to myself to think more of adding value to the people around me & would like to see the team

around me achieve the success they deserve & I would not be here with them to do all they did until now. My goal would be to make them achieve their ambitions too.

Also, I would like to say to myself that what we have achieved is merely a reflection of those good ethics, I want to keep them stronger than before.

I believe in this, Give a man the power & you will see his true character.

Q How do you think your business will change over the next seven years?

I feel there will be some revolutionary technological enhancements.

The fintech landscape will become interconnected, user friendly, responsive to the needs of the consumers , clients and businesses.

We are now driven by AI & I think this will bring in a lot of improvements & also a lot of opportunities that will change the landscape of Fintech making it more efficient. I’m very excited about this part that is touching every sector & making things much easier than ever before.

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The main issue is that not many business owners consider payments and banking strategy a vital part of the business. However, it's becoming increasingly clear that payments and banking are the lifeline of any business. Strategizing and planning for these flows is more important than ever. Payments and banking affect every aspect of the business, from data security, fraud, technology, development, risk, budgeting, costs, and treasury, to seemingly unrelated areas such as marketing and sales. Payment and banking are vital and should be considered with utmost importance organization-wide.

Viktoria Soltesz Q How have you changed over the last seven years?

My life has changed significantly over the last seven years as around this time I began my journey in payments and banking. Previously, I worked as a tax accountant and CFO for various companies in Cyprus.

During that time, it became clear that people were experiencing more issues with their payments and banking than with their taxes. Compliance became a significant hurdle, necessitating greater attention to banking and payment systems. Around seven years ago, we also saw the ICO craze and a boom in blockchain technology. Many ICOs were emerging, along with crypto-related brokerages and exchanges, all seeking reliable banking and payment solutions, which became a major focus of the industry. This period was when I started paying close attention to the banking and payment needs of blockchain and crypto-related companies. I remember one of my colleagues coming into my office and telling me to buy Bitcoin and about a new thing called Ethereum. I didn't listen to him then, and I have regretted it ever since (laughing). Over the past seven years, many things have changed. I could never have imagined running PSP Angels back then, but I'm very glad I made these steps.

Q What was your motivation in setting up your own brand?

My motivation for setting up my own brand came from the frustration I experienced as a merchant myself. I was handling tax planning and running the accounting department for various companies, all of which had the same question: how are we going to move money internationally in an easy, safe, and cost-effective way?

The problem is that even today, no one has a clear answer to this. Payment and banking are often neglected topics compared to other aspects of operations, such as technology, marketing, sales, or HR. It seems like everything is developing and innovating, yet we are not discussing payments and banking as much astheydeserve.

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Adding to the complexity, we have more and more payment and banking products and options globally, to choose from. Each option comes with different benefits and downfalls, of course, but we have to understand their various levels of risk due to different regulations executed differently in various parts of the world. Payment and banking providers are regulated differently and handle funds in various ways depending on where they are regulated and who their correspondent channels are.

UX is also an important factor in this, as different people prefer using different payment methods world wide. We need to satisfy their needs while paying attention to our organisational preferences too.

Technology adds another layer of complexity, not only because it is constantly evolving due to the latest fintech innovations but also because each organization's technological development journey is unique. Finding a payment and banking provider with the relevant integrations is another difficulty in this already complex issue. Not to mention the obvious factors such as fees, terms and conditions, and the timelines for the flow of funds through the organization. Sending money between different companies in a global group is no longer as easy as it used to be due to different transfer pricing rules, adding anotherlayerof difficultyto payments and banking.

And while technology is unstoppable and developing, so is compliance, which affects every business trading internationally. Companies today are navigating a compliance jungle due to GDPR and other data security protocols that must be followed.

Overall, it seems no one has all the answers in one place, so I wanted to fill this knowledge gap. It took me years to develop this unique knowledge around payments and banking, and I thought it was important to attract everyone's attention to its importance. That is why I started my own brand; I couldn't find anyone who dealt with payments and banking in the detailed manner I wanted. It turned out to be a great idea at the right time, as I have managed to help well over 3,000 companies to date.

By September this year, we are opening a new educational institute and becoming the first independent educational body to offer industry-wide recognized certificates, which makes me proud as we contribute to and strengthen this industry. This effort

helps spread the message about the importance of payments and banking and ensures that this industry gets the global attention it deserves.

Q What lessons have you learnt over the past seven years?

Over the past seven years, I have learned several important lessons. Unfortunately, many organizations take significant risks without even recognizing them, missing great opportunities for risk and cost optimization in banking and payments.

Common sense is not as common as we might think.

However, by learning to ask the right questions and understanding how banks operate, we can uncover many opportunities to make significant impacts with very little change. All it takes is a few hours to set the correct banking and payment strategy and then paying attention to maintaining and updating it regularly.

Additionally, using the wrong advisors or consultants can be costly in the long term. An inexperienced person or one motivated to promote a certain payment or banking method due to receiving a commission can cause more harm than good for the organization. It is crucial to understand who financially benefits from any advice given. This perspective helps in trusting a so-called payment consultant or expert who might actually be just a reseller working for a commission.

Q What was your best decision over the past seven years?

My best decision over the past seven years was starting PSP Angels. Through this consultancy, I was able to gain valuable expertise by helping over 3,000 companies navigate these complexities, offering strategic advice and practical solutions that significantly improved their operations. Starting my own brand allowed me to make a tangible impact on an industry I am passionate about, proving to be a rewarding and transformative decision for both myself and the many businesses I've had the privilege to assist.

Q What would the perfect next seven years look like to you?

The perfect next seven years for me would involve successfully running the Soltesz institute and establishing it as the leading independent global certification body for payment and banking-related courses. My goal is to make it the go-to institute for professionals seeking comprehensive education in this critical field, as well as offering tailor made courses for organisations. I aim to continuously improve and expand our curriculum, ensuring it stays relevant and up-to-date with industry advancements. Ultimately, I envision creating a bachelor’s or master’s certification program that provides in-depth knowledge and expertise in payments and banking. This would address the growing global demand for specialized education in this

area, equipping professionals with the skills needed to navigate the complexities of the industry effectively.

Achieving these milestones would not only solidify our institute's reputation but also contribute significantly to the professional development of individuals and the overall growth and efficiency of the payment and banking sectors worldwide.

Q What would you say to your future self in seven years?

Hopefully "well done Viktoria, we made it"

Q How do you think your business will change over the next seven years?

In the next seven years, we aim to maintain our unique banking and payment consultancy, which prides itself on being one of the very few truly independent and unbiased consultancies. Unlike other so-called "payment experts" or "payment consultants" that act as reselling vehicles for various payment and banking solutions—often hidden behind a facade of expertise but merely convincing businesses to adopt solutions without understanding the entire operation—we focus on genuinely understanding how payment and banking flows affect various aspects of the operation, and advise on the organisation as a whole.

Alongside our consultancy, we will continue to improve the institute, continuously enhancing and expanding our curriculum to ensure it remains relevant and up-to-date with industry advancements.

I honestly believe that the next seven years are bright and can't wait to see how the future unfolds.

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Q What lessons have you learnt over the past seven years?

Kent Riboe

One of the most important lessons I've learned is to value good people over skills. This became even clearer during COVID-19, as I managed remote teams. I've also learned the importance of asking for help—no one knows everything, and people are generally willing to assist. The loss of a parent was a significant challenge, teaching me resilience and the importance of support during tough times. Being an entrepreneur often feels like getting hit with a brick daily, and overcoming these challenges is part of the journey.

Q How have you changed over the last seven years?

Q What was your best decision over the past seven years?

Over the past seven years, I've learned to live more in the moment and enjoy life rather than constantly chasing the next big thing. Although I remain active in numerous projects, I am now more mindful of being calm and present.

The best decision I've made is to delegate more and rely on others. It's impossible to do everything on our own, and we achieve much more when we work together, both professionally and personally.

Q What was your motivation in setting up your own brand?

Q What would the perfect next seven years look like to you?

I saw a need for better management practices and felt that many people overlooked basic principles and pain points most managers face. This inspired me to create 1minLeadership and develop the accompanying videos and books to address these issues, alongside how we help companies with MT Proxy.

The perfect next seven years would involve a mix of relaxation and activity. I envision enjoying a pool villa while meeting our remote workers during travels. Although I thrive on being "on the go," continuous travel and work will help me evolve and stay challenged.

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Q What would you say to your future self in seven years?

Well done.

Keep it up.

Let's see where we are in seven years, mate!

Q How do you think your business will change over the next seven years?

We plan to expand into related areas, leveraging our expertise in speed to help companies enhance their databases, CRM systems, websites, and trading platforms. Additionally, we will continue advising businesses on growth and management to help them achieve their goals.

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Q What lessons have you learnt over the past seven years?

The past seven years have been a masterclass in entrepreneurship. I've learned that success rarely comes overnight, and setbacks are inevitable. It's essential to stay focused, embrace challenges as opportunities for growth, and never lose sight of your vision. I've also realized the importance of surrounding myself with a talented and supportive team, as their contributions are invaluable.

Jesus Guzman Q How have you changed over the last seven years?

Over the last seven years, I've experienced significant personal and professional growth. I've become more resilient, adaptable, and confident in my abilities. I've also learned the importance of balance, prioritizing my well-being alongside my ambitions. The journey of building my brand has taught me invaluable lessons about leadership, teamwork, and the power of perseverance.

One of the most profound changes I've undergone is a deeper understanding of myself and my purpose. I've come to appreciate the value of vulnerability and authenticity, realizing that true connection and impact come from sharing my genuine experiences and passions. This self-discovery has allowed me to approach challenges with greater resilience and a renewed sense of direction. Additionally, I've learned the importance of self-care and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. By prioritizing my physical and mental well-being, I've been better equipped to handle the demands of entrepreneurship and maintain a positive outlook.

Q What was your motivation in setting up your own brand?

My entrepreneurial spirit has always driven me to seek out opportunities and create solutions. I couldn't help but notice a gap in the market when it came to online marketing and search engine marketing (SEM). While many agencies focused on their own profits, I envisioned a brand that prioritized delivering tangible results for our clients. By focusing on the return on investment (ROI) that our clients achieved, I believed we could build a more sustainable and successful business.

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Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the critical role of online marketing in today's business landscape. Before the pandemic, online marketing was already a promising industry, but the global health crisis accelerated its adoption. Businesses that were not already established online were forced to adapt quickly or risk losing customers and revenue. This shift has created a significant demand for skilled online marketers, making it an exciting and rewarding field to be in.

So, the lesson is, not just to be online, but to be the answer online customers are looking for. In other words, businesses need to create a strong online presence that not only attracts customers but also provides them with the information, products, or services they need. This requires a deep understanding of your target audience, effective content marketing, and a user-friendly website. By focusing on these elements, businesses can differentiate themselves from competitors and build long-term relationships with their customers.

Q What was your best decision over the past seven years?

Without a doubt, my best decision was taking the leap of faith and launching my brand. It was a bold move that pushed m e out of my comfort zone, but it has led to incredible experiences and accomplishments.I'm grateful for the opportunity to pursue my dreams and build a business that I'm truly passionate about.

Q What would the perfect next seven years look like to you?

In the next seven years, I envision my brand flourishing and expanding its reach. I'd like to see it become a household name, synonymous with quality and innovation. I also hope to continue making a positive impact on my community and inspiring others to chase their dreams. On a personal level, I aspire to achieve a healthy work-life balance, spending quality time with my loved ones while pursuing my passions.

Q What would you say to your future self in seven years?

I would tell my future self to embrace the present as if it were the future. The past is a lesson, the future is a promise, but the present is the only moment we truly possess. I would remind myself to stay focused on the journey, not just the destination, and to seize every opportunity that comes my way. And if my past self were to ask me about the most profitable cryptocurrency, I would say, 'Remember that time you almost invested in Bitcoin when it was just a few dollars? Yeah, that could have been a life-changing decision. But hey, at least you didn't lose money on those magic beans you bought from the internet.'

Q 7. How do you think your business will change over the next seven years?

I anticipate significant growth and evolution for my business due to the following strategic factors: 1. Technological advancements: The rapid pace of technological innovation will enable us to enhance our products and services, streamline operations, and reach a wider audience. By investing in cutting-edge technologies, we can stay ahead of the curve and provide our clients with superior solutions.

2. Market expansion: We plan to strategically expand into new markets with high growth potential. By carefully analyzing market trends and identifying underserved segments, we can capitalize on new opportunities and increase our revenue streams.

3. Strategic partnerships: Forming strategic alliances with complementary businesses will allow us to leverage their expertise, resources, and customer base.

By collaborating with partners who share our values and vision, we can create mutually beneficial relationships and accelerate our growth.

4. Talent acquisition and development: Attracting and retaining top talent is essential for our continued success. By investing in employee development and fostering a positive work culture, we can build a highly skilled and motivated team capable of driving innovation and achieving our goals.

5. Customer-centric approach: Maintaining a strong focus on customer satisfaction is paramount. By listening to our clients' needs and continuously improving our offerings, we can build lasting relationships and foster loyalty. By prioritizing customer experience, we can differentiate ourselves from competitors and establish a reputation for excellence.

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Career break: how to take the most of it?

BAIANA KASHAEVA

For this 50th special edition, I really wanted to write something special.

The last time I was featured in Game Changers, which was late November 2023, I was on sabbatical, having the time of my life and sharing my thoughts along the way.

My original plan was to spend a few months for traveling and get back to work in September, but in reality it took me full 6 months to get myself to the state where I could just start thinking about the occupation. It was not reasoned by the fact, that I was burnt-out

this much. But rather by the fact, that despite loving what I did before, I still had this inner urge to find myself and industries I could contribute the most. That’s why I needed a big change and sort of silence.

Was it hard?

Absolutely.

No matter how many books you read or successful people you listen and talk to, there is no universal formula to find your place.

But along the way I was making an observation and discovered useful instruments. They helped me and I hope you might find it useful as well.

1. To start doing something new, you don’t need a big plan. All you need is just one small step forward We often think, that only radical actions can make our life better. Quiting, devorcing, moving to different countries. That’s wrong for two reasons. Firstly, because changing the environment will not change your behaviour, perception and sooner or later you will find yourself in the same place, just decorated differently. Secondly, all major life changes start with inner transformations. I find self-reflection and pscycology very useful tools to speed up the process.

The small step I had to make was to be honest with myself, that even after 6 months break I did not have my energy back and did not know yet where to plug myself in. So, I arranged one life-changing call and asked for help.

For someone, who’s thinking about quiting, I would advice to stay where you are and start testing your hypothesis. If you plan to jump from sales manager to product manager, participate in non-profit project to gain missing experience, there are plenty of opportunities online. If you want to run online shopping business, make a small order and try to sell it to your audience etc etc. It will not take a lot of your time, but will help you understand if that’s what’s really calling out to you.

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2. Looking around.

I used to be under impression, that I had to choose one profession, work really hard and stick to it for the rest of my life. Isn’t it what we read in the books afterall? I did follow this principle, ignoring all other aspects of life. Can’t say it’s a winning strategy. I realised, that the secret is that your interests can change over time, and you don’t have to stick to just one. Which is absolutely normal - you grow, the world evolves, your enviroment changes, people come and go. So, in order to discover your new passions you have to stay opened and curious by looking around.

There is a saying «we are not born with the built-in map of interests, we build it ourselves» and I can not agree more.

3. Continous education I’ve started building my new map of interests by absorbing enourmous amount of information - books, interviews, articles. I learned everything that seemed relevant or irrelevant, but definitely, that clicked with me. One step leads to another, and I realize, that I’m throwing myself into the world of VCs and Startups. By that moment, I knew, that I prefer startups dynamic to big enterprises, but did not really understand what to do with it. But I kept exploring.

Lifelong learning helps to stay relevant overall. No matter if you switch careers or stay at one place, if you take the MBA, take online courses and learn from the best.

Stay hungry, stay foolish - remember?

4. Networking I have 0 advices on this account, except for conscious networking can do magic. Asking for help and helping myself was essential on this road. I did pull a string or two, but once the ball started rolling, I had one call after another, meeting new people and connecting them.

With each conversation I moved forward: it’s whether I confirmed my hypothesis and ideas, or got another useful contact and knowledge. I formed a new circle of connections, which had nothing to do with networking I built at Forex.

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5. Hobbies With all this activity it was very easy to lose a balance again, so I started plannig my weekends and time off months ahead. Most of the weekends I’ve spent in the Caucauses mountains this year. The more challenges I pushed myself into, the more confidence I gained, that this is something that I want and I can do. Starting with one day trips with no backpack weight, I signed for multi-days trip and 13 kg backpacks, that you have to carry for 10 hours, gaining and loosing 1000 metres. That does tests your physical abilities, but mostly - mental. I made a conclusion, that If a person can go uphill for 4 hours and then 4 hours downhill with heavy weight on shoulders, without complains and enjoying the process along the way - he’s cool. I would want to do business with such a person.

Needless to say, that it clears your mind. At least I did not find a better solution.

If it was not obvious enough, I can sum up, that all of the mentioned demonstrate a certain set of soft skills: • networking and good communication skills; • lifelong learning; • flexibility and adaptivity; • ability to move forward in terms of uncertaincy; • knowing the sources of your energy to restore it back fast.

I always knew, that I make my way through the life with soft skills, when some people can struggle at mastering it. Afterall, I did pay a lot of attention on communication between commercial departments and clients back in TFB days.

I made 2+2 and realised, that • edtech perfectly fits me in general; • elearning market is huge, rapidly growing and it’g good time to enter it; • connecting VCs with Startups expands my knowledge and network, and gives me time to decide at which side I want to operate.

From my experience, I could easily tell, what’s the biggest challenge of the elearning industry - transforming knowledge into skill, in other words moving from theory to practise. And that’s where I can contribute.

I know now that I’ll ever stop exploring, and i’m just at the begining, but at after all this time, I finally don’t suffer from FOMO and for the timebeing I feel right at my place.

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KIMONOMOU LOLA NEGMATOVA

Welcome to Kimonomou community created by Lola and inspired by the desire to bring little piece of Tajik culture to Cyprus.

Kimonomou combines traditional Ikat weaving techniques with modern design to create unique, beautifully crafted kimonos that celebrate my heritage.

The original idea came to me around a year ago when I found myself thinking that I want to explore and develop the creative side of me, same time helping people get to know more about culture of Central Asia.

I brainstormed what could be the best representation of Tajik culture and I didn’t have to look any further - the Ikat fabric was the answer.

In Central Asia, Ikat was not simply a product of artistry; it was, and continues to be, a significant cultural symbol. Ikat patterns often incorporate traditional symbols and motifs reflecting local beliefs and histories. The designs are far from random. They narrate tales of the region’s heritage, each color and symbol bearing a unique meaning that resonates with the culture it originated from.

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Having Ikat fabric as a center of the idea, I then needed to incorporate it into modern culture, same time making sure I bring out the best from both worlds.

Same time I noticed that Kimonos were and still are booming among fashionistas globally :) So the final missing piece that glued the Kimonomou project together was the idea of creating modern kimonos using Ikat unique designs.

It’s definitely a very unique and exciting experience. Seeing girls in Limassol rocking Kimonomou makes me very proud. Not only it looks super stylish! I do often get asked to tell more about the “DNA” of the project, how and why I decided to dedicate my time to it and what inspired me. I do miss my homeland, being so far away from Tajikistan definitely has its own downsides, however I am very proud to be that person who tries to erase the boarders between countries and represent my culture in Cyprus, same time making sure more and more people get to know what a beautiful place Tajikistan is and what a rich and profound culture we have.

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GAME CHANGERS Issue #50

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SPEAKERS CORNER Is trading gamification ruining trading?

Trading has been around since the 1800’s. It has undergone many transformations over its long history, but over the last decade we have seen the most dramatic change: trading gamification.

On Monday, October 19th, 1987, the famous Black Monday Stock Market Crash happened. If you had to guess, what do you think was to blame for the crash……

You guessed it, computerized trading.

This dynamic shift begs the question, is trading gamification ruining trading? The short answer is: YES. 100%

Due to large banks, brokers, and financial institutions having access to digital trading platforms they were able to place automated orders in the market. Between automatic limit and stop orders a rapid domino effect occurred which caused a 22% drop in the stock market in a single day.

For a long-time trading was geared only for The Elites.

The Wealthy. The people with financial means.

Trading gamification has flipped that on its head though. Through gamification, trading has become much more accessible to a broader audience.

So, what does it mean to be gamified?

As outlined by Merriam-Webster dictionary, gamification simply means: the process of adding game-like elements to something (such as a task) so as to encourage participation.

So, how did we get to the age of trading gamification?

Well, there are three main drivers: digital trading platforms, social media, and crypto currencies

The Rise of Digital Trading Platforms Back in the days of Jesse Livermore traders had to walk down to their broker where stock prices were sent via telegraph, read off a ticker tape, and then written on a chalkboard. Traders would then read the price and place trades with their broker. Then you could ‘broker via phone’ Fast forward to the 1980’s and the first signs of trading gamification start to appear. Electronic trading is introduced and started to take shape.

When the New York Stock Exchange introduced the SuperDOT computer in 1984 traders realized that the old ticker tape written on a chalkboard was outdated.

Electronic Trading was the wave of the future.

Financial information and orders were able to travel at the speed of light, making for a much more gamified experience.

At the time computers and digital trading platforms were only available to institutional traders. The small retail traders had to phone in their orders to a broker, who would then use a digital trading platform to place the trade.

GAME CHANGERS Issue #50

While institutions lost a large portion of their money, many retail traders were completely wiped out.

Unfortunately for retail traders, they did not have the resources to take part in electronic trading. They were forced to phone their broker to place the order on their behalf. These brokers worked for large institutions that were trading their own portfolio, along with managing the finances for the Elites, the Wealthy, the people with financial means.

So, as you can imagine, the retail investor was put to the back of the line and brokers simply just ignored them. Unfortunately for them this meant they were not able to add to their positions and/or close their positions, which resulted in catastrophic losses.

This single event exposed something that hadn’t been thought of up to this point: Institutions and the wealthy had an unfair advantage over the retail trader.

As a counter-act, we saw the rise of digital trading platforms to the retail investor. The NASDAQ built the first ever Small Order Execution System (SOES), which was designed specifically for the retail trader to enter trades electronically vs. having to phone the order into their broker.

This set off a chain reaction in retail trading, and in the late 1990’s with the rise of the personal computer and internet, digital trading exploded in popularity. With on-screen prices moving up and down in flashy colors, and charting graphs being printed automatically, trading began to feel like a game.

Similar to the video game Pac-Man people were drawn into trading like never before due to the excitement, the thrill, and the overall fun they had while trading.

Social Media Impact on Trading Gamification It used to be that if you wanted to learn about trading you had to go down to the library and rent books. This process by default meant that only people who were eager to learn about trading would invest the time to go through the process.

On top of that, many of the books were dry, lacked engagement, and overall boring.There was no thrill or excitement.

As you can imagine this did not have a very gamified feel towards trading.

That changed at a very rapid rate in the mid-2000s!

Why you might ask……. Social Media Social media changed most industries, and the trading industry was no different.

The way someone learned about trading, who they learned from, and how they received their education took a complete 180° as a direct result of social media’s historic rise in popularity.

What was once a dull boring book with dense, difficult to read text, quickly turned into flashy posts and bright graphics of chart patterns.

That was only compounded when YouTube and other video streaming platforms took off.

Now retail traders looking to learn more about trading could pull up YouTube, type in ‘Trading Education for Beginners’, and get a host of educational content.

As you can imagine the initial videos on trading education were still dry, boring videos. This is largely in part because the same educators that had written the books, were now simply voicing images from that book.

That quickly changed though, and a new breed of trading educators was born, a so called “Trading Influencer” or “FinFluencer”. No longer was it an old rich man in his 70’s voicing over a book that he wrote back in the 1980’s. Now the trading educators were mid 20-year-olds from humble beginnings.

Most of them did not come from a trading background, but rather a marketing background. By utilizing their marketing background, they tapped into a broader audience. Many of them simply took the information they learned from reading those old dry books and/or watching the boring videos and made it interesting to the masses or ‘bingeable’.

They made flashy thumbnails for their videos, funny memes for X (formerly known as Twitter), added exciting intros/outros to their videos, and used state of the art motion graphics to really engage the person watching the video.

In addition to making flashy social media content, these trading influencers also started increasing the gamification on their platforms using giveaways and other promotions based on meeting objectives.

Trading quizzes, Loyalty programs, and Badges all became the new trend in social media marketing.

Between the flashy videos, funny memes, and giveaways social media pushed trading gamification to new heights.

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How Crypto Gamified Trading (Even More) If digital trading platforms and social media did not gamify trading enough, enter Crypto Currencies.

Crypto Currencies told those other two to “Hold my Beer” as the popular saying goes.

Crypto currency officially ushered in a new era of trading.

The Elites. The Wealthy. The people with financial means could not wrap their mind around what a crypto currency was, let alone how it worked. Rather it was the younger generation who dove head first in learning everything they could about Bitcoin and other popular crypto coins.

This generation was the same generation that grew up on Halo, Call of Duty, and other popular competitionbased video games. These video games all tapped into gamification of competitions. They did this through badges, certificates, and above all else Leaderboards.

When crypto currencies first launched you had the hodl’ers. These people were the Hold on for Dear Life. I.E. they were not traders, they bought crypto currencies with the intention of holding onto them forever. Similar to stock trading, they were investors in it for the long haul.

This strategy might work for the traders, but it most certainly did not work for the crypto exchanges.

Crypto exchanges were trying to drive trading volume through their platforms as that is how they earned their money. They want traders to enter and exit

GAME CHANGERS Issue #50

trades as many times as possible so that they can capture a commission.

Bybit was the first crypto exchange to figure out that trading gamification was the way to accomplish higher trading volumes. They launched dark themed, futuristic looking digital trading platforms. They launched loyalty programs, badges, and many other gamified elements. But the one thing that they launched which took off like wildfire was their Top Trader leaderboard.

This leaderboard showcased the best crypto traders on their crypto exchange.

As you can imagine, this garnered a lot of attention not only from crypto traders, but from a broader audience.

Many people had never even heard about crypto trading before, but they wanted to test their skills to see if they could climb the ranks on the Bybit leaderboard.

Trading Influencers and educators also used this to their advantage. They would ‘game the system’ by opening two accounts, going long 1 account and short another account. This allowed them to be extremely profitable in one of their trading accounts.

From there, the trading influencer would post the Bybit Leaderboard all over their social media accounts to showcase how good of a trader that they are.

The Bybit leaderboard quickly became the go to crypto exchange through the use of trading gamification.

Other exchanges jumped onto the gamification trend and launched their own leaderboards, along with competitions, and many additional gamified elements.

So…Did Trading Gamification Ruin Trading?

Over several decades we saw a complete transformation of trading. Digital Trading Platforms, Social Media, and Crypto Currencies completely changed the definition of trading.

With the rise of each of these elements trading gamification continued to pick up speed, until it transformed into what it is today.

So… Yes, gamification did ruin trading if you are stuck in the mindset that trading is still calling your broker on the phone, placing 1 trade per year, and sitting ideally the rest of the time, then yes, you probably feel that gamification has ruined trading.

However, is this transformation of trading such a bad thing?

When a person who has never heard about trading before visits a website such as Tradingview.com they instantly have a sense of familiarity. It feels just like the video game they used to play while growing up.

Trading gamification has allowed a brand new generation to experience what used to only be available to the Elites, the Wealthy, the people with financial means.

What’s Next For Gamified Trading?

The trading gamification trend took decades to fully evolve into what it is today. Through the rise of digital trading platforms, the launch of social media, and the invention of crypto currencies trading has been able to reach a broader audience.

No longer is trading just for The Elites. The Wealthy.

The people with financial means.

Trading is now a fun, interactive, and gamified experience that has had a massive uptake from the younger generation.

So, where does the trading gamification trend go from here?

Well, it is likely to continue as technology continues to develop at a rapid pace. The future of gamified trading will likely be a dynamic and evolving journey, reflecting the broader trends in technology and finance. Driven by technological advancements in Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) could add new dimensions to the trading experience, making it even more immersive and engaging. Additionally, advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) could personalize the gamification elements, tailoring them to individual user preferences and behaviors.

Hodl onto the seat of your pants as it is going to be a gamified ride into the future of trading!

About the Author Trent Hoerr is the co-founder and CEO of BullRush. He is passionate about navigating the complexities of the financial markets. Trent is a seasoned industry expert, having spent more than 15 years focused on driving growth and fostering innovation. He has launched several successful companies in the FinTech space, including FPFX Tech, GT Tech, and BullRush. BullRush is his latest venture, which is a Trading Competition platform where traders from around the world compete against each other in a series of trading and trivia competitions.

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The Banking Expert

Why do we write guides?

By the time you read this, we will have published our third guide entitled ‘The beginners guide to the Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework (CARF)’. Yes, this is a very dry subject, and not anywhere near as interesting as a beginners guide to banking and payments.

However, subjects like the guide to CARP, are great to cover as they appear pretty quickly on the legal landscape, along with giving you a good outline about the basics of the subject.

A question we are commonly asked about is why should we bother to make guides, as it looks like a lot of effort. When we began The Banking Expert, we wanted to educate people on how things work, as there is not a lot of information out there. Also to this, we have found from our experience, that showing your knowledge is the best marketing out there. Moreover, marketing in this industry which is knowledge based is sorely lacking.

For those looking to make a guides, here is what we have found from writing them.

Establishes Authority and Trust The banking, payments, and cryptocurrency spaces can be highly complex and often confusing for beginners.

By writing clear, easy-to-understand guides that break down the intricacies of these topics, you position your brand as a knowledgeable and reliable source of information.

When your audience sees that you can explain complex concepts like cryptocurrency regulations or payment systems, they will trust your expertise. This trust is crucial in highly regulated industries like finance, where clients need assurance that they are making informed decisions.

For example, if you offer financial compliance solutions, writing a beginner’s guide to crypto laws helps demonstrate your expertise. As a result, your readers will not only trust your content but will be more likely to consider your product or service as a valuable solution.

2. Solves Customer Problems Many beginners in the banking, payments, and crypto spaces face similar challenges — understanding how these systems work and navigating the legal land-

scape. Guides that address these common pain points resonate strongly with potential customers. By helping them solve these problems, you increase the likelihood they’ll turn to your products or services as a solution.

For instance, a well-written guide on how to stay compliant with crypto regulations could walk readers through the steps needed to meet local and international legal standards. If your company offers tools to make compliance easier, these guides naturally lead into showcasing how your product can simplify their compliance process. By doing so, you offer real solutions to common problems, which creates a sense of trust and reliability around your brand.

Boosts SEO and Increases Organic Traffic Another significant benefit of creating guides is the SEO (Search Engine Optimization) value they provide.

High-quality guides are often filled with keywords and long-tail phrases relevant to your industry, such as “how crypto laws affect businesses” or “best payment methods for startups.” These keywords improve your search engine ranking and increase the chances of your guides appearing in search results.

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For businesses in the banking and crypto sectors, this increased visibility means that more people will organically find your content when they search for related topics. Once potential customers find your guides, they are more likely to explore other areas of your website and become familiar with your brand and products.

For example, a beginner’s guide to payment processing can help educate readers while positioning your service as a solution. If that guide ranks high in search engine results, more potential leads will naturally discover your business without the need for paid advertising.

Engages and Educates Your Audience Guides offer something that other forms of content often lack — depth. While a social media post or blog entry might provide a quick overview of a topic, a guide offers a thorough exploration of important subjects. For beginners in banking, payments, and crypto laws, this depth of information is essential to help them grasp complex ideas and make informed decisions.

For example, a guide that explains the different types of payment gateways or how crypto laws impact businesses in various regions gives your readers the knowledge they need to understand why your products or services matter. The more informed your audience is, the more likely they are to see the value in what you offer.

Generates High-Quality Leads One of the primary goals of content marketing is lead generation, and guides are particularly effective at this.

When readers find your guides useful, they are more likely to convert into leads — particularly if you offer the guide as a downloadable resource in exchange for contact information like an email address.

Once you’ve captured these leads, you can follow up with personalized email campaigns, nurturing them through the sales funnel. For instance, a beginner’s guide to banking compliance can attract business owners who are looking for solutions to legal challenges. By offering this guide in exchange for contact details, you build a list of potential clients who have already shown interest in the services you provide.

Builds Long-Term Relationships Well-crafted guides are more than just temporary content; they offer lasting value to your audience.

Unlike a blog post or a tweet, a detailed guide can continue to generate interest and drive traffic for months or even years after it’s published.

Readers who find your guide helpful are likely to return to your site when they need more information.

This builds a long-term relationship with your brand, keeping your products or services top-of-mind when they are ready to make a purchase. In industries like banking and crypto, where regulations and technologies are constantly evolving, offering updated and reliable guides helps establish your brand as a trusted, go-to resource.

Showcases Product Use Cases Writing guides also allows you to showcase practical use cases for your product or service. By weaving in real-world examples or case studies, you can demonstrate how your solution directly addresses the challenges your audience faces.

For example, a guide on navigating international crypto laws could highlight how your software makes it easier to comply with regulations. This not only educates your audience but also subtly promotes your product as the next logical step for solving their problem.

Encourages Sharing A well-researched and insightful guide is more likely to be shared among peers, on social media, or in online communities. This organic sharing extends your reach and brings more attention to your brand. The more helpful and valuable your guide is, the more likely it is that your readers will pass it along to others who might benefit from the information.

In industries like banking and crypto, where information can be difficult to come by, sharing valuable content increases your brand’s visibility and credibility, ultimately driving more traffic and leads to your business.

Writing guides on topics like banking, payments, and crypto laws is a powerful way to generate interest in your product and build trust with your audience. By offering authoritative, problem-solving content that educates and engages, you position your brand as a trusted resource. In turn, this strategy boosts SEO, generates leads, and builds long-term relationships, all while providing valuable information that helps your audience navigate complex topics. For businesses in these industries, beginner-friendly guides can be a highly effective tool for growth and brand positioning.

If there is a guide you would like written, feel free to suggest one as sometimes our brains can be empty of ideas.

Enjoy the reading :-)

GAME CHANGERS Issue #50

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Game Changers Wins again!

PAUL ORFORD

Thanks everyone for taking the time to vote for Game Changers and for us to succeed in winning best global media provider at the Global Forex Awards by Holiston Media.

With this being the fifth year in a row that we have won this coveted award, we take it as a huge positive from our readers that we are giving you the content that you want to read.

In each of the five years that we have won the award, we like to think that as a brand we have evolved with the new tastes and standards that our readers expect.

Fingers crossed, if we win in year six we will have had our rebrand as we have big plans for the coming year.

A big thank you also goes to Vera who does all the wonderful design work that continues to get ever better on each issue. Thanks for your patience. Also, thanks to everyone who contributes to GC, as it really is nothing without the contributors' world class content. Long may it continue.

As a note to anyone who wants to do their own thing.

Just go for it. A couple of hours a night can make a huge difference over the course of the year. Moreover, there are so many free tools out there which can help you establish an online presence.

The idea I had for this, many said I was crazy (probably still do) However, the modern world kind of demands from you that you have to build your brand. Use my model of obtaining a presence online and making sure that you go for quality over quantity. There are far too many news sites out there that just feed off each other's news, and not really produce anything unique. This model will only get you so far, make something creatively different.

Further to this, there is no such thing as failure. The only way you can fail is by not trying and thinking what if I had done it. The only people who will criticize you on your journey really are upset with themselves more than you, so don't take it personally.

The final piece of sage advice is, don't do it for the money.

If you are producing quality content it will catch, it can just take a little time. You just need to keep the standards high and be consistently producing even when it seems a pointless exercise. This is the ultimate keys to victory and from this the sponsors will come…alternatively just offer a 90% partnership agreement with all heads of marketing giving them chunky rebates ( Just kidding) Don't be a slave to perfection as you will become hesitant in production, your product will evolve from day one to one hundred. Begin with a base template of an idea and see where the muse takes you.

This isn't meant to be a rant, more of a motivational speech for those who are on the edge of taking action, disenfranchised from the job or just looking for something else to creatively fill their time with.

Thanks again everyone…on to number six!

GAME CHANGERS Issue #50

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GC:HEALTH GIVING UP THE BOOZE. So let me give you the all important context to this article. First of all I have to confess I am sadly not an alcoholic to make this article more dramatic, although I do come from a long line of people who like what you could probably define as binge drinkers, otherwise known as regular British people.

What a waste I thought, why would you elect to induce this feeling on myself? I have had a few of these before where you think enough of this lifestyle, then by Wednesday you pat yourself on the back and the Thursday/Sunday cycle begins again.

This time I was done.

This is probably categorized as drinking steadily from Thursday to Sunday, and using booze as a tool to celebrate victories and crush disappointments of the week. If you are quantitative about it, this would massively exceed the amount of units to classify yourself as an excessive drinker.

You wouldnt say you are dependent on it, you can easily abstain between Monday and Wednesday.

Also, the label has certain imagery attached to it of the puce faced homeless person drinking meths,or the ‘fun guy’ (pub bore) who always has a drink in their hand at the bar.

Here is the background to what lit the fire to make the change. I woke up with the mother of all hangovers, after I had only popped out for a few drinks to meet a friend on a Friday night. The family were away in England, so I was kind of at a loose end and I went for a few drinks at a friend's place, whose wife coincidently was also away (impending disaster). Then deciding to go to a bar and have a few more, and then a few more on top of that, culminating in ending up in a club going on until sunrise achieving the hero status of what my English tribe would call going on an 'all dayer'.

A few years back I could have achieved this and got up the next day with a spring in my step (possibly booze induced) and carry on with my day. However, this hangover was different. Over the past couple of years, they had been evolving into extreme lethargy mixed with a large dose of anxiety and huge consumption of junk food the next day.

This beast I was trying to slay involved laying in a dark room watching TV, eating crap and trying to motivate myself to get my car from across the city. This would take a herculean effort, as it was a blazing hot august day where even the lizards retreated under a rock, something I would quite happily do for a few more hours.

After eating a curry, a tube of pringles, countless large glasses of ice cold drinks (I have never been a hair of the dog type of person) It just came into my mind as I binge watched another mind numbing netflix series of some kind.

GAME CHANGERS Issue #50

Also laying on my settee made of melancholy I reflected on how many successful people I know who did this consistently on a weekly basis do this and are living a consistently above average life. The answer is zero.

It gave me time to think about all the people who were achieving great results, and not one of them were on the booze Wednesday through to Sunday. I have been really lucky to work closely with bosses who have grown very big brands from zero where I was fortunate enough to be there from the start to learn from them.

There is no need to read or pay for a Tony Robbins course on why they achieve a huge amount of success, what I found was a key factor is consistency. They are focused on the target like a laser for a set amount of time per day. Its as simple as that.

It is not possible to be consistent over a long period of time if you are a little off your game because you had a few last night and you feel a bit fuzzy today.This acted as the first pillar in forming the foundations into a voyage of the unknown of being what is known as ‘sober curious’.

The first tip I can give is looking at small victories, and looking at websites like one year no beer, as this gives you an idea of small victories with a group of like minded people who just wanted a change. They are not in the category of needing rehab or something as excessive as that, they just want a different way of life.

I went the first 100 days without even considering having a beer, just kind of white knuckling and watching lots of you tube videos about the dangers of alcohol and really getting to understand it for what it is.

I wanted to make it as simple as possible, by avoiding the pub as much as possible at that time, as it didn't make sense to have that pressure from others. If I was going to go to a bar, meet someone who was not going to go on about why I am wrong to not want to inhale poison for the entire night. (more of this later) The payoff…

It's probably best to break this down into three relationships, physical and mental.

Without doubt my relationships improved massively as you are present and in the moment, not operating on reserve energy and having the ability to do stuff with your offspring and not throwing a public whitey.

For foreign readers a whitey is something we call it in England when you are hungover and you have light headedness and cold sweat which often leads you to have an increased white complexion. Hence the term ‘throwing a whitey’ From my experience this often happens at events with othe responsible parents present.

It's weird that British people love this phenomena and love to publicly highlight it to other British people if we are in a group public setting. The receiver of said whitey will be in the foetal position on the floor, with others commenting on the progression of of the whitey. Then the recipient will no doubt confirm he is going through a whitey, laugh say he is “f*cking dying over here”and then order a beer.

Not wanting to be like this anymore is pretty reasonable when you think about it, as I am a middle aged person who should be responsible for building a strong relationship with my child, showing them the building blocks of what it is to be a responsible adult and how they act, which getting mashed up is probably not high on the list.

Physically the changes are monumental. Although I was going to the gym and really pushing myself 3 to 4 times a week whilst enjoying a drink. On reflection, this was just about balancing and burning all the calories from the booze and bad food consumed during the week. It really was a zero sum game.

If anyone is reading this and wants to lose weight, this is the magic bullet. This will make you lose weight dramatically, along with joining a gym to fill the boredom gap that comes with opting out. If you are not willing to pay this small price for getting to your goal of losing weight and becoming radically more healthy, then good luck with the struggle. This is the ultimate cheat code and is only 30 days.

Once you get the momentum up it is really hard to want to sabotage this, as you don't want to throw away all that hard work. Moreover, your sleeping habits are transformed into long luxurious deep sleeps where waking up at the weekend fresh and rested never gets old, especially in the summer when you want to be outside doing stuff.

Mentally I saw probably the biggest changes where any residual anxiety was reduced by 90%. Gone were the days of the hangover brain and the psychological debt you have to pay with this. Moreover, you will have time to take on new projects, which I personally moved from paralysis from analysis, to just going for it. This doesn't have to be something money making, it can be creative or both. You will have time to do this 100% focused and with clarity.

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One thing that really annoyed me at around the four or five month mark was how much time I had wasted in my life, not having this supercharged positive feeling of getting things done. It sounds like I have turned hyper, not really I still have to fight huge procrastination issues. Just I have more energy and mindset to beat it.

For scientific reasons I tried it a couple of times, of having a smoke then going into a very busy bar, which is possibly the worst environment to be in. I quickly found out I didn't have the same threshold and tolerance (had a whitey) as the young man who would be a regular fixture in the Amsterdam coffee shops.

The peculiar thing is, it's the only habit that you give up where people actively encourage you to have one more as it won't hurt. I have known a lot of drug addicts who really abused class A drugs to an industrial level.

Whenever they went to rehab or were preparing to go in, I would never dream of saying to them “one more wont do any harm”. You have to find people who will respect what I see as one of the most rebellious things you can do against society, as alcohol is so ingrained into our society.

The great thing about this is that it makes you reflect on yourself and how your life is going. I would guarantee that if you are drinking excessively (not an alcoholic level) there is something underlying that is troubling you in your life.This can be psychological or professional, but it's kind of like it is masking it. Once you take this away it gives you no other choice but to face it, and hopefully resolve it.

When you look at the advertising how it portrays the joy and bonding over drinking, or you can look incredibly chic drinking an expensive poison. I may sound like I have become a fundamentalist from 18th century Scotland. But, when you take this time to reflect you do see it for what it is. A very cleverly marketed product that doesn't really benefit anyone.

Another strange thing is that I thought I could have kind of taken the edge off in the first 100 days, was getting high in some other way. Most people say, you gave up booze and started smoking weed. With this you really are replacing one way of losing yourself with another.

GAME CHANGERS Issue #50

Find something else to do. Without sounding like a gym bore, I found more answers to questions both personal and professional after one hour on a cross trainer, than I ever did with a beer in a bar.

Finding others who have done the same thing is also a huge help. I was incredibly lucky that my mother has not touched a drop in 25 years. WIth pretty much the same motivation as myself at the huge waste of time that had happened. She fills the time vacuum by running marathons, recently completing 3 marathons in three days in the high altitude of colorado. I think I definitely get my competitive gene from her when I look deeper at stuff like this.

When you take a pause from drinking (which is probably easier to process mentally and frame as forever is a long time) when you are abstaining, for some strange reason you have to explain that you are not an alcoholic for doing this?

Is this the only drug that you have to convince other people that you don't need a stint in rehab, just giving your liver a break receives a bit of side eye from others. Its one of the peculiarities of this, along with being called gay for having a non alcoholic beer (true story, from a lady if I am being frank is rather quite butch herself) Finally If it helps and you are in the process of taking a break. I read this one thing that really stuck in my mind.

You are romanticizing a memory of the drinking sessions you used to have, talking crap with your friends and all that came with the fun which came with it.. It's not the reality, it is just an image in your brain from a different time.

If I am being honest now, when you are sober stuck in a room of drunk people it is incredibly boring, with them talking loudly in your face, repeating the same story over and over again…get me out of there.

Now after all this, I have not totally abstained for over a year. However, my drinking has dropped by 99%. I can go many weeks without having a drop, then having a mojito as I can no longer drink my usual ice cold beer.

My palette has changed radically, as it tastes like when you were a kid and first had a sip of your parents drink and you think WTF. It's just not a thing now where I am missing out on something.

The only time I would say in that time I had a few was, England V Serbia Euro 2024. Anyone who saw that game would also be forced to have a little go on the grog.

I would advise anyone who is sober curious to give it a try for 30 days. It really isn't a long time, and just having a non alcoholic alternative takes away that thought of wanting a drink. It tricks the brain into thinking it is satisfied and you can get on with your evening. You will see radical differences physically, financially and mentally, there really is no downside.

Remember, it's not always 5 o’clock somewhere. You can do it, be brave and take your first step to freedom!

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Game Changers Magazine

Lifestyle

GC: EAT The SeaBlings Tourist area (Next to Barley's Bar) Limassol.

It was just after Easter that my junior reviewer and I were sitting in Barleys in the tourist area, enjoying a milkshake and a cup of tea after doing that weird parent exercise anxiety thing where I think she is going to have chronic heart disease if we don't have some new exercise regime.

So we went for a 17 minute slow to medium pace walk to abate it, which was more like looking in shop windows than exercising, but you have to start somewhere I am reliably informed by motivational gurus.

Walking in you see a couple of benches to eat on, which I like as the extra faff sometimes can be a nightmare when you just want to sit and eat. What I loved even more was the menu was partly a pizza box and small chalkboard on the wall, having only maybe six choices on there which is a godsend. I think on a lot of these menus, 40% of the choices are never going to be selected. The SeaBlings just picked the solid choices plus some fancy extras and went with them.

As we sat there we smelt the waft float across the early evening bar with it being that time of year where smells seem to carry better in the air. Maybe that's true who knows, maybe I have some latent brain injury which makes me think these things (more likely).

It's only a small place, so if you are planning on sitting in it is a random chance that you get a seat. Worse case go and sit on the beach if you are looking to eat there in the evening. It really would be a first world problem if you had to sit eating freshly made pizza looking out to the moon setting over the Mediterranean.

It wasn't the regular pizza smell that you can expect from a big chain or other places in Cyprus. It was like a sweet baked garlic smell which made its way up our nostrils following its trail down two stores to The SeaBlings.

This is not a place where you reserve a table and drink fine wines, it's more of a take away establishment with a couple of seats.. So anyone looking to make a night of it, it is probably best to look at it as a place to load up on high quality pizza before going out.

We had often walked past it a couple of times when it was closed, and thought it was going to be another one of these pop up and then pop off stores that we didn't give it much of a thought about visiting. The smell let us know they were open for business (and for a long time it seems) and took the 10 second walk to the right to find our new home for pizza.

We ordered a margarita for junior and I had pepperoni, which due to the huge online demand would take about 40 minutes. Although we were hungry, this is a good sign as you could see that the phone was ringing off the hook and online orders were breaking amazon servers.

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GAME CHANGERS Issue #50

We got talking to the owner as we ordered a couple of home made lemonades which are worth visiting just for these. This is the perfect drink for waiting and discussing all things Taylor Swift and how many friendship bracelets can a grown male human put on his arm without it falling off from lack of circulation.

When we visited he was just about to get a new oven from the huge demand that he had been receiving on a daily basis and would be able to get their pizzas quicker.

We got talking to him and found out he had been working for Gordon Ramsey in London and just fancied doing something different. Well this is very different compared to the other pizza establishments in Limassol. I would hazard a guess that based on the volume of orders that he was receiving, he was probably more busy here than in Ramsay's profanity filled kitchen.

To make him feel more at home and back in the hot house of Ramsay's kitchen, both myself and my daughter began swearing at him and generally critiquing him as a man, just like Gordon would. We hope it made him feel happy.

The garlic bread we ordered came as a huge zig zag of hot melted garlic butter and cheese bathed on top of what could have been a main on its own. In all honesty, I could have died a content man eating three of these and then being carried off.

With it being made a couple of meters to my right, this was as oven fresh as it gets. A great indicator of amazing food is that both of us are quiet, as talking wastes valuable jaw movements and air holes in our stomach that can be filled with food.

The main event then happened with the pizza delivered to our table. Now I would consider myself to be a global pizza aficionado (even using Italian words like this) and the pepperoni pizza was the best I have ever eaten. What i liked about it is that it was not dominated by peperoni, that sounds counter intuitive, however I like to taste other flavors. This was a work of art on my palette, which I think any establishment on this planet would struggle to beat.

I am not bothered by Margaretta, as it seems a bit plain. However, my pizza co pilot swears by it as the usual problem of other food items having 'bits in it' and cannot be eaten under any circumstances.

With her not being as gluttonous as myself, she had a couple of excess slices left which I happily consumed. Now at this point I had to rearrange my mental thought process and my life choices, as the Margarita was even better than the pepperoni and becoming my new go-to choice as a pizza benchmark.

The cheese was light enough and not to be overpowering, however tasty enough for you to know it is there.

Sometimes what puts me off is some places go rogue and put on some absolutely mental cheese that can make me gag. Not in this case, this was a perfect balance..

We finished with a banoffee pie for dessert, which I had to consume for medical reasons to get me out of my pizza slumber and help me drive home, and to go into a food coma whilst listening to Taylor Swift on a loop.

Well worth a visit for those who love a slice.

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GC: BRAIN How the Modern World Makes Us Procrastinate and How to Beat It Introduction In our hyper-connected world, where information is at our fingertips and distractions abound, procrastination has become an increasingly pervasive issue. Despite the plethora of tools designed to enhance productivity, many find themselves caught in the web of delay and distraction. This paradox raises an important question: How has the modern world made us more prone to procrastination, and more importantly, how can we overcome it?

Procrastination, once a simple delay tactic, has evolved into a complex behavior influenced by our environment, technology, and psychological factors. In this article, we will explore the ways in which modern life encourages procrastination and provide actionable strategies to combat it, backed by insights from industry professionals.

The Impact of Technology on Procrastination The Distraction Economy One of the most significant contributors to modern procrastination is the “distraction economy.”

Technology companies have become experts at capturing and holding our attention. Social media platforms, streaming services, and even news websites are designed to keep us engaged for as long as possible. The business model of these companies often hinges on keeping users glued to their screens, leading to endless scrolling and binge-watching.

Cal Newport, a computer science professor and author of Deep Work, points out, “The tools we use today are designed to fragment our attention. Social media, for example, is engineered to create a cycle of addiction, making it difficult to focus on the task at hand.” This constant barrage of notifications and alerts pulls us away from meaningful work, making procrastination almost inevitable.

Information Overload Another way in which the modern world fuels procrastination is through information overload. The

GAME CHANGERS Issue #50

internet provides access to an unprecedented amount of information, but this abundance can be overwhelming. With so much content available, it’s easy to fall into the trap of endlessly researching and consuming information rather than taking action.

David Allen, productivity consultant and creator of the Getting Things Done method, notes, “Your brain can only handle so much information before it starts to shut down. When you’re bombarded with too much data, you become paralyzed by the sheer volume of choices, leading to procrastination.” This paralysis by analysis is a common symptom of living in the digital age, where the fear of missing out on important information can prevent us from moving forward.

The Illusion of Productivity The modern world also promotes the illusion of productivity. With so many tools and apps designed to help us organize our tasks, it’s easy to spend more time planning than actually doing. This phenomenon, often referred to as “productive procrastination,” gives the false sense of accomplishment while delaying meaningful progress.

Tim Ferriss, author of The 4-Hour Workweek, warns against this trap: “We spend too much time planning, organizing, and tweaking our productivity systems instead of executing. It’s a form of procrastination disguised as productivity.” By focusing on preparation rather than execution, we avoid the discomfort of actually starting the work.

Psychological Factors Amplified by Modern Life Instant Gratification Culture The rise of instant gratification culture is another factor that exacerbates procrastination. In today’s world, we are accustomed to getting what we want almost immediately, whether it’s a response to a text message, the latest episode of a TV show, or a package delivered within 24 hours. This constant reinforcement of immediate rewards makes it harder to engage in tasks that require sustained effort and delayed gratification.

Dr. Piers Steel, a professor of motivational psychology and author of The Procrastination Equation, explains, “Procrastination is closely linked to the preference for immediate rewards over long-term goals. In a world where instant gratification is the norm, it’s difficult to stay motivated for tasks that don’t provide immediate payoffs.” This preference for short-term pleasure can lead to chronic procrastination, as we opt for easy, pleasurable activities over more challenging, long-term goals.

Fear of Failure and Perfectionism Modern society places a high value on success and achievement, leading many to fear failure or strive for perfection. This fear of not meeting expectations can cause procrastination as a form of self-protection. By delaying the start of a task, we avoid the risk of failure or criticism.

Steven Pressfield, author of The War of Art, describes this phenomenon as “resistance.” He writes, “The more important a task is to our soul’s evolution, the more resistance we will feel toward it. Procrastination is a manifestation of this resistance.” In other words, the fear of not being good enough can lead us to delay starting important tasks, even if they are crucial to our personal growth.

Decision Fatigue In the modern world, we are faced with countless decisions every day, from what to wear to what

to watch on TV. This constant decision-making can lead to decision fatigue, a state where the quality of decisions deteriorates after a long session of decisionmaking. When we’re mentally exhausted from making too many choices, we’re more likely to procrastinate on important tasks.

Roy Baumeister, a social psychologist and co-author of Willpower: Rediscovering the Greatest Human Strength, states, “Decision fatigue can deplete your willpower and lead to procrastination. When your brain is tired from making too many decisions, it seeks to conserve energy by avoiding more decisions, which often means putting off tasks.” This depletion of mental resources can make even simple tasks feel overwhelming, leading to further procrastination.

How to Beat Procrastination in the Modern World Mindfulness and Focus One of the most effective ways to combat procrastination is through mindfulness and focus. By training your mind to stay present and focused on the task at hand, you can reduce the impact of distractions and avoid the temptation to procrastinate.

Jon Kabat-Zinn, creator of the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program, emphasizes the importance of mindfulness in overcoming procrastination: "Mindfulness helps you become aware of your habitual patterns of avoidance and distraction. By

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staying present, you can choose to engage with your tasks rather than avoid them."

Practices such as meditation, deep breathing, and mindful movement can help you develop the mental clarity and focus needed to resist procrastination.

Setting Clear Goals and Deadlines Another powerful strategy for beating procrastination is to set clear, specific goals and deadlines. When you have a clear target in mind, it's easier to stay motivated and make progress. Vague or undefined goals, on the other hand, can lead to confusion and procrastination.

Brian Tracy, a motivational speaker and author of Eat That Frog!, advises, "Clarity is the key to productivity. When you know exactly what you need to do, it's easier to get started and stay on track." By breaking down large tasks into smaller, manageable steps and setting deadlines for each step, you can create a sense of urgency and momentum that propels you forward.

Embracing Imperfection To overcome the fear of failure and perfectionism, it's essential to embrace imperfection and adopt a growth mindset. Instead of striving for flawless execution, focus on making progress and learning from your mistakes. This shift in perspective can reduce the pressure to perform perfectly and make it easier to start and complete tasks.

Brené Brown, a research professor and author of Daring Greatly, encourages us to "dare greatly" by embracing vulnerability and imperfection. She writes, "Perfectionism is a twenty-ton shield that we lug around, thinking it will protect us from getting hurt.

But it actually prevents us from taking action and growing." By letting go of the need to be perfect, you can reduce procrastination and take meaningful steps toward your goals.

Limiting Digital Distractions Given the role that technology plays in modern procrastination, it's crucial to limit digital distractions.

This can be achieved through various strategies, such as using apps that block distracting websites, turning off notifications, or setting specific times for checking email and social media.

Cal Newport advocates for "digital minimalism," a lifestyle in which you carefully curate your digital activities to focus only on those that add value to your life. He suggests, "Remove the digital clutter that drains your time and energy. By being intentional

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about your technology use, you can reclaim your attention and reduce procrastination."

Building Accountability and Support Finally, building accountability and seeking support can help you overcome procrastination. When others are aware of your goals and expectations, you're more likely to follow through. This can be achieved through accountability partners, joining productivity groups, or even using apps that track your progress.

Gretchen Rubin, author of Better Than Before, explains the importance of accountability in habit formation: "For many people, knowing that someone else is counting on them is the key to sticking to their commitments. Accountability provides the external motivation needed to overcome procrastination." By enlisting the help of others, you can create a sense of responsibility and motivation to stay on track.

Procrastination in the modern world is a complex issue influenced by technology, psychological factors, and societal pressures. While the environment we live in makes it easy to fall into the trap of delay, there are effective strategies for overcoming procrastination and reclaiming our time and focus.

By practicing mindfulness, setting clear goals, embracing imperfection, limiting digital distractions, and building accountability, we can break free from the cycle of procrastination and achieve our full potential.

The modern world may present unique challenges, but with the right mindset and tools, it's possible to overcome procrastination and lead a more productive, fulfilling life.

GC:LIFE STACY THOMSON - REDDI APP

CEO & Founder of REDDI - The world's most exclusive dating site.

Uncovering the Mental Health Crisis: The Impact of instant gratification and tech exploitation Dearest, gentle reader....

Having returned from New York Tech Week, I have taken some time to reflect on some of the aspects of the week I found immensely uncomfortable.

Many of you know that I have spent the last 20 years working in mental health, the last 10 working with big corporates, sports teams, and C-Suite executives. Some of you will also know I have now added to my portfolio a relationship app.

as a way to explain the things that happen to us.

While I recognize that many things are beyond our control, there are fundamental issues causing us significant harm, and we are doing nothing about it.

Furthermore, I can’t help thinking we are all becoming too selfish to even care.

This unnerves me to the core. It makes me angry for future generations because our ignorance and indulgence are setting them up for failure. And crucially, and more importantly a life of chronic dissatisfaction.

But this isn’t about me. Nor am I selling you anything or promoting ANYTHING.

However, the consumer is not the root of the problem, despite my frustration with those who turn a blind eye.

I simply ask that you make every attempt to read what I have to say, even if your brain urges you to move on. Please, read until the very end.

Mental Health and Instant Gratification: Exploitation of the Brain for Profit

Shift in Mental Health Awareness Over the past 5-6 years, we’ve seen a significant shift in Western culture towards reducing the stigma around mental health difficulties. We’ve become more comfortable with labels, diagnoses, and symptoms.

Yet, after attending this major event, I was shocked and deeply concerned about our collective ignorance regarding the brain.

In fact, let me reframe that: it’s the complete lack of care for the brain and mind. Moreover, I’ve concluded that there is a complete lack of desire to gain understanding—ignorance is bliss, as they say.

While we seem more comfortable with the reactive aspects of mental health (perhaps due to our intolerance of the human condition and failure to appreciate our inherent fallibility), we lack awareness of the mental harm we inflict on ourselves. This harm inevitably leads to poor mental health outcomes. Yet, we appear content to label ourselves with conditions

What shocked me was the ultimate drive of many investors and founders to exploit the brain for profit. I hoped this was due to a lack of understanding.

But when I heard comments like, “If you want VC investment, you need to build something that is VICE-related,” or that investors are targeting influencers and gamers who have direct access to our children (“get them addicted early”), or the concern over the novelty effect of new products lasting only 30 days, I realized the problem is far deeper.

What will this look like in one or two years nevermind twenty or thirty!

When I expressed my concerns to a lawyer representing such products and investors (a lawyer who has children), he merely said, “That train has already left the station,” and the onus is now on the consumer.

I’d almost like to agree, but have you ever told a heroin addict to quit? They might agree, but they’d also tell you quitting is nearly impossible, especially as addicts

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often lose all support in their quest for drugs.

Asking the consumer to quit... yeah, it’s incredibly difficult, especially when the addiction is socially acceptable and omnipresent. Instead of shameful drug dealers, we now have retailers and consumer giants penetrating our sense every second, making avoidance nearly impossible.

What also seems apparent is the lack of insight into the harm being caused not just to consumers, but to product builders as well.

Consider the current reality: ‘the novelty effect’ (a term used by VCs to describe the excitement or dopamine hit from new products) lasts only 30 days.

This means product builders must constantly innovate and spend more money to keep users engaged. It’s exhausting and unsustainable, leading many products to die a slow or quick death.

Surely we should aim for consumer satisfaction and sustainability. If the brain required less novelty, there would be less need to constantly innovate, preserving profits.

Of course, the idea of halting innovation seems absurd in the investment world—why would we want to stop progress? Many might label me a ‘doomsayer’ for bringing this up, but I am far from pessimistic. I am an optimist about innovation and recognize the incredible advancements in technology and AI. However, I am also a realist and, above all, an ethical businesswoman committed to doing no harm.

Dopamine Deficiency Misconception I’ve noticed a surge in companies claiming to address ADHD by targeting dopamine deficiencies. However, this may be more about our collective exhaustion of dopamine levels, leaving us feeling unsatisfied—much

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like addicts. This results in decreased motivation, focus, and a reduced sense of reward from completing tasks, where nothing ever feels good enough.

Instead of chasing more dopamine, we should focus on finding a balance by enhancing serotonin and oxytocin levels (more on these chemicals later), which can aid in improving our overall well-being and satisfaction.

Risks of AI Companions Another concerning trend (one which was described by a VC as ‘exciting’ and I’m not surprised as this industry believe it or not is making billions of dollars on the back of lonely people) is the development of AI “boyfriends” and “girlfriends.” These virtual partners may provide instant companionship and gratification but can further exacerbate our dependency on artificial dopamine hits.

Relying on AI for emotional support can undermine our ability to form genuine, human relationships, leaving us more isolated and disconnected in the long run.

Moreover, despite such developers stating they are ‘curing’ the loneliness crisis, they are indeed facilitating it. If they wanted to cure loneliness, they would give people the skills to feel confident to connect in real life, not facilitate the deskilling of communication so much they cannot step out of the door. We need skill-building, not skill removal.

Why do we need such convenience? Why have we removed the checkout person for example? This person was often the only individual someone might speak to in a day! By eliminating these real-life interactions in the name of convenience, we are deskilling our communication abilities and making people fearful of speaking to one another. This removal of opportunities to engage in real-life conversations is contributing to the growing epidemic of loneliness and social isolation.

Furthermore, our heavy reliance on digital communication platforms like phones, WhatsApp, and social media is reducing our face-to-face interactions. While these technologies offer convenience, they deprive us of the nuanced, meaningful exchanges that come from in-person conversations. This shift not only weakens our social bonds but also makes us more apprehensive about engaging in real-world interactions. As a result, we are losing the essential skills needed for authentic human connection, further fueling the loneliness crisis.

Loss of Real-Life Services We’ve lost many real-life services, such as those on the high street, because they can’t keep up with the brain’s demand for instant gratification. This rapid pace makes it impossible for them to turn around products quickly, effectively killing off these businesses. This shift deeply affects our senses, particularly our vision,

and undermines our feelings of safety within our environments. Our environments are slowly becoming more and more unpleasant.

My question is this: Do we really need all this convenience? Or, are we merely observers of a hierarchy pack mentality where the leaders—a bunch of tech and finance ‘guys’—will stop at nothing to reach the top, outrunning each other at any cost?

Reflecting on my conversation with the lawyer, I realized that at the pinnacle of success often stands an individual terrified of failure. These people sacrifice anything to avoid losing and have likely lost much in their pursuit of gain. For them, work is their identity, and everything else, even their children, comes second.

Do I wish I didn’t understand the potential harm being caused? Absolutely. But I do, and I cannot remain silent.

I’m growing tired of the rhetoric, “You’re right, but god it’s depressing.”

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GC: FEMME GURLY

MENORCA COLLECTION The new swimwear collection radiates class and elegance, with just the right touch of sensuality to lift your spirits and make you feel absolutely stunning.

Adora Bikini - 74.90 EUR Introducing you Adora bikini. It’s a classic go to halter style triangle bikini top, with removable padding. Designed to flatter all shapes and sizes, it offers a fully customizable fit with the adjustable sliding cups and adjustable neck and back ties. The bottom features the ultimate thong cut for sun worshippers. With a sleek and minimalist design, it’s perfect for those who prefer barely-there coverage and minimal tan lines.

Complete with tie side strings and gold rings.

GAME CHANGERS Issue #50

Menorca Tunic - 74.90 EUR. Introducing the Menorca Tunic: a blend of sophistication and allure inspired by the luxurious ambiance of Menorca. Designed to evoke chic European style, its silhouette adds an elegant touch to your beach outings or casual summer gatherings. Wear it loosely tied with our high-waisted Menorca Shorts or layered over our Menorca Skirt for effortless glamour.

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Mariela one piece - 89 EUR. Indulge in sophistication and timeless elegance with our Mariela One Piece, crafted to elevate your confidence and style effortlessly. Radiating chic and classiness reminiscent of old-money charm, this swimsuit boasts underwire support, an exquisite open back, adjustable features, and a flattering high-leg cut. It’s the epitome of perfection, seamlessly complementing your figure.

GAME CHANGERS Issue #50

Mariela Sarong - 34.90 EUR. Meet the Mariela Sarong: your go-to for sun-soaked getaways. This mini sarong offers just the right amount of coverage for your beach days. With its semi-sheer finish, rounded hem, and adjustable tie, it’s the ultimate travel essential for effortless style and comfort. Pack it up and get ready to shine on your next adventure.

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Belle Bikini - 74.90 EUR. Meet the Mariela Sarong: your go-to for sun-soaked getaways. This mini sarong offers just the right amount of coverage for your beach days. With its semi-sheer finish, rounded hem, and adjustable tie, it’s the ultimate travel essential for effortless style and comfort. Pack it up and get ready to shine on your next adventure.

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Menorca Skirt - 74.90 EUR. It’s a versatile and timeless piece that instantly elevates any look. Featuring a fluid and elegant design, this skirt is perfect for creating a sophisticated and feminine ensemble. Made with high-quality fabric, it provides comfort throughout the day and impeccable drape.

Whether for a seaside stroll or a special event, this skirt is a stylish choice that never goes out of fashion. It’s the perfect match for the Menorca shirt.

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GC: HOMME Love Brand & Co.

BRAND: DIOR NAME: Bomber jacket COST: 2.600 EUR

Deep Blue Abaco Linen Shirt. 150 GBP Elephants Galore Embroidered STaniel Swim Shorts 195 GBP.

Elephant Palace Blue Staniel Swim Shorts 150 GBP

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BRAND: DIOR NAME: T-Shirt COST: 1.300 EUR

Pastel Pink Pensacola Polo Shirt. 75GBP Lake Nakuru Embroidered Staniel Swim Shorts. 195 GBP

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Star Dancer Arawak Linen Shirt. 150 GBP.

GAME CHANGERS Issue #50 Star dancer Staniel SWimshorts, 150 GBP.

Mens Elephant Arawak Linen Shirt. 150 GBP. Mens Sky Blue Staniel Shorts. 150 GBP.

Elephant Palace Blue STaniel Swim Shorts. 150 GBP P - 71

GC: CHARITY DOGS HOMES OF CYPRUS.

Cyprus has a huge amount of dogs that are looking to be rehomed, so if it is your first dog or you have a pack looking to add one more, take a look at one of the many dog homes that we have here.

In this edition we were going to focus on one charity, however we felt bad so why not focus on as many as possible and provide the contacts.

Also you do not have to take the commitment of having a dog, which lets face it can be huge for the unprepared. You can help out by taking the dogs for a walk, sponsor a dog or website along with donating food and money.

There aren’t too many better things in life than when an animal gives you a love face when you have made a connection with them. So why not do one of the most compassionate things there ist, and give a dog a home :-)

GAME CHANGERS Issue #50

Here are a couple we picked out, however you can google many more to see who is close to you.

Paws Dog Shelter is the website for the Cyprus Association For The protection and care of animals which is better known as PAWS. They aim to achieve a vision of ensuring every dog that comes into our shelter receives the best possible care and treatment so they can have the start of a better life. By promoting good animal welfare and responsible pet ownership, they provide guidance and work with the community in Cyprus, and overseas to ensure they can rehabilitate and rehome dogs to the right home. They champion and support vulnerable dogs, and aim to create lasting change for animals who have been in our care.

You can find them in Archelia, which is on exit 46 on the way to Paphos. https://pawsdogshelter.com

Sirius Dog Sanctuary, a voluntary organisation devoted to the welfare of the stray dogs of Cyprus. Our name refers to Sirius, the Dog Star and is the brightest star in the night sky.We operate a sanctuary in Moni, near Limassol, where we house dogs of all ages and breeds, all waiting to find caring homes.

The Sanctuary survives purely through the hard work of volunteers and the committee. All animal lovers, who are dedicated to make the dogs as comfortable as possible and encourage re-homing. It relies on donations and any funds friends and volunteers can raise from various events.

Based in Moni near Limassol, Sirius is one of the most well known in the region https://www.siriusdogsanctuary.com P - 73

Williams Shelter is a privately operated shelter providing support to abandoned and sick animals in urgent need of help. The shelter currently provides home and care for more than 250 loving dogs, including senior dogs and dogs with chronic diseases, whose chances for adoption are meager. The shelter has helped more than 120 pets recover physically and emotionally and find homes in Cyprus and abroad in the last year alone.

William’s Dog Shelter is run by Robert with only some help from other volunteers, who help in their spare time. Robert Majer takes care of more than 250 dogs and carries all the burden of the daily work: feeding, cleaning, running vet visits, administering medication, doing paperwork, dealing with rehoming, fostering, doing repair and construction, and many more.

The shelter was envisioned as a small home-like facility but grew significantly in no time due to the continuous inflow of abandoned, neglected, and abused dogs. The shelter depends solely on private donations and remains funded exclusively through public support and charity fundraising. https://williamsshelter.com There are many more who do fantastic work, so feel free to let us know at GC and we can publish their names as well.

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GC:LUXURY Game Changers is incredibly proud to be working in collaboration with Panos Melekkis Jewelry to create GC:Luxury.

The overwhelming feedback we received on the creativity, vibrant colors, and perfect balance of pieces in previous collections, we were only too happy to have the feature.

For those who may not be familiar, Panos has established himself as a premier creator of bespoke luxury jewelry designs in Cyprus, and his flagship store in Dubai has garnered an impressive following. His exquisite craftsmanship and innovative designs continue to captivate both clients and the media.

In this edition, we explore the latest genesis and evolution of his artisan creations, which have been met with exceptional acclaim.

For those interested in a personalized, bespoke design experience, Panos is available for private consultations in both Limassol and Dubai - as well as offering every day collections available online and in stores. www.panosmelekkis.com 197 Arch Makariou III, 3030, Limassol, Cyprus.

507 Building 1A, Dubai Design District, Dubai, UAE.

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Quantum Love Bangle Bracelet in White Gold with Diamonds

Quantum Love Ring in White Gold with Diamonds

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Panos Empire Collection Necklace in Yellow Gold with Diamonds

Panos Empire Collection Necklace in Yellow Gold with Diamonds

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GAME CHANGERS Issue #50

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GC: MODERN LIFE

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ISSUE #50

THE JOURNAL FOR INDUSTRY LEADERS

www.gchangersmag.com info@gchangersmag.com