Raine 20 - The Innovate Issue

RAINE INSPIRE CREATIVE ENTREPRENEURS [I.C.E]

I N N O V A T E !

VOL 20

QUARTERLY

DR. BEN CARSON TALKS ENTREPRENEURSHIP PENTATONIX OPENS UP

$10.99

DISCOVER TOBAGO

T H E

W O R L D ’ S

M O S T

F A S H I O N A B L E

B U S I N E S S

M A G A Z I N E

Two E Bar/Lounge

Blending classic elegance with modern mixology

Two E Bar/Lounge at The Pierre, A Taj Hotel, New York 2 East 61st Street at Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10065 www.twoeny.com

MA GA ZIN E

RAINE INSPIRE CREATIVE ENTREPRENEURS [I.C.E.]

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FASHIO N TO L IVE FOR M ake a Statement i n Wh i te 4 Bau b l es of B ea u t y 10 Dare to b e Differe nt 22 The Ca s ua l Side of Th i n gs 28 R einvent Yours elf 48 Pushing B ounda r i e s 75 Eco - Fa s hion 96

ENTR EPR EN EUR S TO WATCH

Appreneu rs 16 Alu mnify 26

BUSIN ESS + TEC HNOLOGY

Hei ghts in R ea l Estate 27 Onl ine M a r ket ing 32 Alley wire 33 M us t R ea d 35 Funding Wonder 36 K icks t a r ting I nnovat i on 38 Fashinves t 40 Tech Toys 42 Wea ra b l e Technology 45

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F R ESH FACES

Al ys i a R e i n h a r t Al S a p i e n z a Er i c h B e rg e r Pe ntato n i x Jo u r n e y w i th B r u ce Sp r i n g s te e n Anto i n e tte R o s e Patr i c k Vi da l

53 54 55 56 58 62 63

B EAU T Y + F I T N ESS

Su m m e r B o dy 65 Ch r i s O g b o n n aya 66 B l o n d Am b i ti o n 67 Ag e n c y I n n 70 B e a u t y o n Wh e e l s 7 1

CU LT U R E Ca r i b b e a n B re e ze 84 Wo r k b o o k 91 I ntro du c i n g On l i 92 Co o k i n g w i th G o l d 93 R i u dave ts 9 4 501 Au c ti o n s 95 N i co l e N o o n a n 98

T R AV EL | EAT. STAY. CHI LL

10 Th i n g s to do i n To b a g o

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FAS H I O N TO L IV E F O R

Make a Statement in White

Willow core bodysuit Willow drape front pant Photographer: Filip Konikowski - www.fkphotography. com.au; model: Cassie Lapthorne (Chadwick Models); make up and hair: Ana Makridis; stylist: Candice Lewin; photographic assistant: Ash BradleyÂ

Willow drape jacket Marysia Honolulu zig zag bikini from Grace Melbourne

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Chanel blazer Willow drape front pant

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RAINE INSPIRE CREATIVE ENTREPRENEURS [I.C.E.]

VOL 20

ED ITORIA L TEA M Nova Lorraine - Founder, Creative Director & Editor in Chief Marilyn Wilson - Senior Editor Derron Forrest - Business Development Janet Igah - Style Editor Kristopher Johnson-Hoyle - Sr. Associate Editor

A S S O C I AT E E D I T O R Lisa Archibald

A RT D I R E C T I O N Martina Micko

R E S E A R C H E D I TO R Bryson Littlejohn

WEBMASTER Mredul Mani

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS David J. Freschman Javin Forrest Michelle Brown Maik Wiedenbach Liz Belivoskaya

INTERNS Iesha Coppin Danielle Murray Jessica Gleason

SPECIAL THANKS Carlotta Harrington Frederique Porter Javier Hernandez Natasha Gabriel Tina Littlejohn

COVER CREDITS Cover Image - ONE NATION book cover courtesy Penguin Group INQUIRIES General: talktous@rainemagazine.com Advertise: advertise@rainemagazine.com Submissions: submissions@rainemagazine.com

RAINE MAGAZINE

NEW YORK * LA * SAN FRANCISCO * MIAMI CORRESPONDENCE Raine Magazine PO BOX 3021 Windermere, FL 34786 Raine Magazine is a trademark of Raine Creative Holdings LLC and is published quarterly. All contents, logos, and articles are copyrighted materials and all rights are reserved. Any reproduction in whole or in part without written permission of Raine Creative Holdings is prohibited. The publisher also reserves the right to refuse any advertising material for any reason deemed inappropriate by publisher. Raine Magazine’s subscription is $39.99. Please make checks payable to Raine Creative Holdings. To distribute Raine at your business, please email editor@rainemagazine.com.

EDITOR’S NOTE WELCOME TO RAINE MAGAZINE Wow! Can you believe it? It’s surreal that we’ve just produced our 20th Volume. Seven years ago we started a journey to help creative entrepreneurs discover, connect and support one another through a visually dynamic and resourceful media platform. Today, Raine Magazine exists in both print and digital formats and continuously looks to new mediums in which we can grow our reach and continue to inspire millions worldwide.

Our newest issue – Innovate! is chalk full of goodies such as an exclusive interview with surgeon, philanthropist, activist and entrepreneur, Dr. Ben Carson. He takes a moment to share his thoughts on how his new book, One Nation, relates to entrepreneurs. In addition, discover 5 must know rising App-preneurs, got-to-have tech toys and some of the latest discoveries in wearable technology. All of this is nestled between pages of mouth watering fashion, fresh faces in film, fashion, and music - as well as tips to keep you fit and looking your best.

We don’t just stop there. What’s a Raine issue without exclusive bucket list travel destinations? In this issue we take an intimate trip to Tobago, a small island off the coast of Trinidad in the West Indies. I fell in love with the warmth of the people, the delicious food, not to mention hot sauces (some of the hottest in the world), as well as the breathtaking blue waters. It’s a true sanctuary for relaxation, natural beauty and savory seafood dishes.

I hope you enjoy our landmark issue. Please don’t keep Raine a secret. Share Raine with a friend and be a part of a powerful movement of inspiration.

FASHION. ENTERTAINMENT. CULTURE. TECHNOLOGY

INNOVATE! ISSUE VOLUME 12

KENDALL JENNER what you don’t know

MEET SHARK TANK’S

DAYMOND JOHN PALAYE ROYALE ROCK & ROLL IS REBORN GILT.COM

Nova Lorraine Founder and Editor

invitation only

D I S C O V E R

T H E

C R E A T I V E

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U N C O N V E N T I O N A L

E N T R E P R E N E U R

FA S H I O N TO L I V E F O R

FAS H I O N TO L IV E F O R

baubles of beauty photo: jeff sales make-up: meyloo hair: sadek L. styling : bernard gustave model: gabrielle @ oui management dress Fendi necklace , earrings , bracelet Diamani

jumpsuit : Patrizia Pepe necklace , earrings, ring : Chopard

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dress: D2squared necklace, earrings: Â Cartier

dress: Pleins Sud necklace , earrings, ring: Boucheron

dress: Christine Phung earrings, necklace, bracelet: Â Chanel

5 A P P - P R E N E U R S TO WATC H

AP PR EN E U R S TO WAT C H

RAINE: How did you fund your venture?

KIMBRELL: I personally funded InList over the past 1-2 years using funds from my software business, Syragon. Syragon has produced software for Fortune 100 companies such as Johnson & Johnson, Barnes & Noble and more. I also leveraged suppliers, having them work for InList in exchange for convertible debt. Read my story in Wall Street Journal about how I did this.

RAINE: How would you forecast your growth over the next three years?

KIMBRELL: We expect to be booking over 2700 tables per month by 2016. InList’s Michael Capponi knows the volume that clubs are booking through promoters, so we have inside information that we can reliably and accurately extrapolate.

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RAINE: What has the response been like to In List?

KIMBRELL: People love the name. They get it right away. We are the only upscale product in this space, so it’s all about what’s “in” and being “in”. Everybody wants to be “in”, in the most nuanced sense of the term. People also love the quality of what we produce, our passion and attention to detail.

It’s about quality for us.

RAINE: Who is your target demo and market size?

KIMBRELL: We are booking tables now for financial advisors, businessmen, lawyers and avid party-goers.

However there are a lot of women who prefer the security and privacy of a mobile application.

There really is no age limit on going out and having a good time - it’s more a function of disposable income & life events than anything else. Right now we have over 20 venue contracts in 4 cities, and we expect to have over 60 venue contracts from USA to Europe/Asia by 2016.

RAINE: What has been the greatest challenge your company has had to overcome?

KIMBRELL: It’s a fickle industry. You can sign up a venue and they are shut down a week later. Right now we know of 10 venues in talks to merge or change ownership and club management staff are always being poached. But at the same time this is the reason we exist. With the app, you always are in the know.

RAINE: What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs?

KIMBRELL: Believe in yourself and what you are building. Build it to change people’s lives, not make money. Desire for money won’t give you the necessary drive to handle rejection, work endless hours and forge ahead. Build relationships.

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Photos courtesy of InLIst

InList Mobile app is an invite-only society for booking exclusive nightlife events at curated venues.

The mobile application allows its members the opportunity to book reservations at exclusive nightlife, entertainment and charity events.

InList is built by the nightlife, for the nightlife, and curates only the best events for its high-end clientele.

The InList team is anything but ordinary, with co-founders Gideon Kimbrell and Michael Capponi, the app already has a strong foundation of elite members. InList has also acquired key partners such as David Drake (of LDJ Capital and the Soho loft), Matthew Murphy (of Appsurdity, Lemon, Chegg, Moli, E*trade), and Rameet Chawla (founder and CEO of Fueled), all but guaranteeing a strong start out of the gate. The exclusive app allows approved members to quickly create and save profiles, and then browse for exclusive nightlife, charity and entertainment events. Members can book reservations to any event with just a couple of taps, receiving rapid confirmation.

While there are a few apps that have popped up recently for booking tables at nightclubs, InList is the world’s only mobile app for booking luxury events and the only such app with a live concierge.

InList’s events are anything but public knowledge. The company employs a team of experts behind the scenes to curate an assortment of only the most exclusive concerts, nightclub events and charity gatherings. After members make reservations, an InList concierge confirms everything with the venue; the dedicated, insider service guarantees the best connections to the hottest events. Exclusive event reservations for Miami, Las Vegas, New York City, Los Angeles and more!

“Anyone can build an app. What we are building is trust and quality relationships both with industry insiders and our network of VIPs. It’s all about building an unparalleled experience for our members.

People will trust InList to send them to the best events. They won’t bother even looking elsewhere.” Soon, InList will be expanding to notable international locales, including London, Paris, St-Tropez, Ibiza and Dubai. The future most assuredly looks rosy for InList.

RAINE: What inspired you to create In List?

KIMBRELL: I identified a need in the market. Nightlife hasn’t been modernized in 100 years. People still stand in lines and make phone calls to get what they need. I also recognized that I was uniquely suited to solve the problem, as I have a strong technical background as well as a background in arts and entertainment. Entertainment savvy people do not understand technology very well, and tech gurus don’t understand nightlife.

APP R EN E U R S TO WAT C H

F l i p N i ch e Created with gymnast in mind, Flip Niche co-founders, Jessica Johnson and Emily Kerwin,t designed Flip Niche to leverage popular social media channels to offer gymnasts and fans a unique platform to share, inspire and connect with the gymnastics community. The application utilizes a feature called “onboarding” which enables users to sign in via existing profiles. For example, as a user, I would be able to create a Flip Niche user account by connecting my Facebook or Twitter profile(s). Ultimately, it is a convenient method to gain access to features of the application, which include: •

User Account: A unique profile which enables users to post status updates, send direct messages, display earned badges, invite friends and display in-app statistics.

•

Buzz Feed: An aggregated news feed featuring relevant gymnastics content, integrating Twitter and Google keywords and hashtags.

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Flip Cam: An aggregated image feed featuring gymnastics-related images,

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Chalk Box: A comprehensive database of discussion forums that afford

integrated from Instagram and other photo-sharing platforms. gymnasts, fans and supporters an opportunity to share content, engage with others and offer valuable insight.

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Meets: A calendar of USAG, Elite and Collegiate competitions in which users are able to check in, post comments and share pictures directly from the venue.

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Top Users: A ranked listing of all time, monthly, weekly and daily users; users are able to acquire points by in-app participation (e.g. commenting in the discussion forums or watching videos).

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Videos: An aggregated feed of gymnastics content, filtered directly from YouTube via user account or keywords.

•

Scores: A linked page offering accurate, up-to-date competition results from www.MeetScoresOnline.

•

Favorites: A collection of user-generated “favorites.”

RAINE: What inspired you to create Flip Niche?

JOHNSON: Flip Niche was created by myself and a former collegiate teammate of mine, Emily Kerwin. Both retired from the sport, and heavily involved in unrelated careers-myself, as a Digital Marketing Consultant, and Emily, as a very talented graphic designer-we still maintain a deep love and passion for the sport of gymnastics. Creating Flip Niche for a community of strong, young women who could truly benefit from its purpose, seemed like a natural fit, given our skill set and background.

Images Courtesy of FLIP niche

RAINE: How did you fund your venture?

JOHNSON: I am fortunate in so many ways, but particularly in my marriage

to my best friend, Will, who has always supported my (many) aspirations. Will and I met as student-athletes at West Virginia University, and though I’ve since retired from the sport of gymnastics, Will is fortunate enough to continue playing football in the NFL, with the greatest organization in the league: The Pittsburgh Steelers. Everything we do, every decision we make, is together-investing in Flip Niche was one of those decisions.

RAINE: How would you forecast your growth over the next three years?

KERWIN: It is my goal to see Flip Niche reach 5000 active users over the course of the next 3 years. If you think about it, this application is rooted in the idea of community; the more users that download and participate within the app, the better the overall experience for each user. What is more important than statistics, in our case, is continuing to develop a product that serves a purpose.

Right now, Flip Niche is able to do that, but we have big plans for the future.

RAINE; What has the response been like to Flip Niche?

JOHNSON: Every individual we’ve come into contact with, either in-app or in the real world, has expressed nothing but positivity. We are constantly encouraged and fueled by their responses, and strive to build a solid community for gymnastics that is as strong and inspirational as the sport itself. It is our constant goal to positively affect the sport.

RAINE: Who is your target demo and market size?

JOHNSON: They always say, “it’s a small world.” Well, the gymnastics world is even smaller! There are approximately 110K gymnasts involved in the USA Gymnastics (USAG) program and just over 20K instructors. Our primary targeted demographic is young, female competitors, aged 6-18, that actively participate annually in Women’s Artistic Gymnastics as well as in any of number of the 3000+ sanctioned USAG events.

RAINE: What has been the greatest challenge your company has had to overcome?

JOHNSON: Physically getting in front of athletes at large competitions. We’ve attended two major sporting events since the recent launch, and it is incredibly challenging to track down gymnasts and engage them long enough to get our message across. Flip Niche is something that needs a little explanation; other vendors, like GK Elite, have leotards, apparel and products that speak for themselves. From our experience, girls are so nervous before large competitions, like Junior Olympic Nationals, because they often times have the pressure of earning a college scholarship weighing on them. To try and interrupt their focus is out of the question, so we try to hang back until the competition wraps up- but if their performance wasn’t up to par, look out!

RAINE: What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs?

KERWIN: When the idea for Flip Niche was first put into motion, I thought it would be impossible to see through; you have to understand that an application of this sort has never existed in the gymnastics community. That was when we knew we were on to something. To see how far Flip Niche has come in such a short amount of time is rewarding. From a designer’s stand point, it’s been amazing to be able to integrate elements of gymnastics that can easily be overlooked. Gymnastics is a sport of grace and finesse paired with explosion and power-the graphics for any gymnastics-related application should reflect that reality. With this aesthetic in mind, we were able to implement bold iconography while balancing elegant photography.

Entrepreneurs should be made aware of the impact that userability has on the ultimate success of an application. Recognizing that our target audience is under the age of eighteen, we try to focus on making Flip Niche exciting and easy to use. Being able to incorporate other social media platforms, like YouTube, Instagram and Twitter, brings the element of comfortability to the experience. When the user is able to understand the application and find true value in it, they are more likely to continue using it and share it with others.

Determining how the graphics, user interface, and content engage the target audience is key to creating a successful tool, like Flip Niche. As a team, Jessica and I have made small changes throughout the process that have made a huge difference. If you’re able to find an untapped, niche market and successfully fill a void, consumers are going to buy your product.

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AP PR EN E U R S TO WAT C H

Pocket Change

Images Courtesy of Pocket Change

What started out as a project to develop a simple native mobile application that parents could use to remind their kids to do their chores and also to transfer allowance money to their hardworking children’s debit cards, has resulted in the birth of Pocket Change, a reloadable Visa debit card linked to the user’s credit card accounts, debit card accounts, and bank accounts, all monitored and controlled through Pocket Change’s smartphone app.

“Pocket Change is a multi-functional e-wallet that will allow you to transfer funds to or from any bank account or card you link to through the software app,” said Myles Binford, Founder of Pocket Change, Inc.

In addition to making retail purchases from online vendors, application users can pay-out and-receive funds from anyone with a debit card or bank account, and an email address, Twitter handle or Facebook account. Transferring money via the Pocket Change app is a way for users to easily pay the babysitter when short on cash, or to reimburse a friend for dinner without having to write a check.

Pocket Change’s security is a state-of-the-art design. In addition to being able to turn the debit card on-or-off using the phone app, all online purchases made with Pocket Change are made using a temporary CVV number, assigned at the time of purchase and valid for only 20 minutes.

“It wouldn’t matter if a card thief knew your name, your card number, your card’s expiration date, and the CCV number you used for a purchase last night,” said Binford. “They could not make a purchase with your card this morning, as they would not have a valid threedigit CCV number. And if this patented card security protocol isn’t enough to put your mind at ease, your money and your account are 100 percent insured from loss, by Visa, MasterCard and the FDIC.”

The virtual card has the ability to link to and control an unlimited number of bank cards, including gift cards, and bank accounts. Pocket Change, designed with users’ convenience in mind, is free for use. No monthly fees, free to load, free to send-and-receive money transfers between users, and no fees to use the card at pointof-purchase, when signing a sales receipt rather than using a PIN.

“With the functionality of an actual account and all the consumerfriendly features that we will be offering, more than Google Wallet, PayPal, and Coin, it’s clear that we’re not just a really cool gimmick for your pocket,” said Binford. “Our Pocket Change card is going to become your new best friend.”

For more information on the Pocket Change Card, go to www.

PocketChangeCard.com.

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APP R EN E U R S TO WAT C H

FIND YOUR PERFECT TRAVELING MATCH

Image Courtesy of Trip Together

About TripTogether.com Most people prefer to travel with someone, but not everyone has a friend or partner to accompany them, or someone in a destination country to meet with. With this in mind, TripTogether was born. The brainchild of a small group of diffident but aspiring entrepreneurs with modest experience across travel, IT and social media.

TripTogether.com is a social travel website designed to match single travelers for communication and sharing mutual interests through live chat, joint vacation planning, and discovering diverse cultures. TripTogether’s active membership has grown in a short time to now exceed 300,000 travelers and aspiring travelers from around the globe. The travel portal’s visitors come from more than 100 countries and 11,000 cities, with to date over 80,000 trips discussed through the site.

A great advantage of TripTogether is that members can instantly connect and chat live online with other members anywhere in the world in real-time. This feature is complimented by the site’s robust and user friendly email system. With exciting features including Live Chat, Trip Planner, and Email, members can map their journeys, discuss planned excursions, meet with new friends from overseas, show visitors their favorite places, and share their tips on travel. It’s the perfect time for a social travel network of this class.

TripTogether provides an easy-to-use service catering to the natural desire of travelers to not only explore the world but to enable them to meet new people.

RAINE: What inspired you to create Trip Together?

TRIP TOGETHER: The growth of the travel sector, the growth of social networking especially online, plus understanding that there exists a basic human need for companionship, especially when traveling alone.

RAINE: How did you fund your venture?

TRIP TOGETHER: We’re privately funded by individuals, starting on a shoestring budget.

RAINE: How would you forecast your growth over the next three years?

TRIP TOGETHER: At least increase our sales by 170% for the last half of this year over the first 2 quarters, but we’re hopeful to at least keep pace with the growth rate of revenue within the travel industry, but a

RAINE: What has the response been like to Trip Together?

TRIP TOGETHER: Response has been very robust, but we like to think this is due to our aggressive and savvy marketing approach.

RAINE: Who is your target demo and market size?

TRIP TOGETHER: Persons 25-65, average to above average income, highly socialized, active users of social networks, looking for new contacts in the field of travel. In 2014 there were 1.087 Billion travelers worldwide (UN World Travel Org). So THAT’S our market. 5% of these are active on travel social media and we see this trend rising.

RAINE: What has been the greatest challenge your company has had to overcome?

TRIP TOGETHER: The public’s understanding and therefore their embrace of the concept. Older users aren’t as computer savvy ad younger users, who take to our service very naturally. However, it’s the 35+ demographic that has the disposable income to travel. So ours is a challenge to inform, educate, and create, if you will, a market.

RAINE: What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs?

TRIP TOGETHER: Assume an attitude of perpetual optimism, don’t take yourself too seriously, read everything, and have at least one big laugh per day...

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AP PR EN E U R S TO WAT C H

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THE WONDER OF VIDEO NETWORKING INVITE-ONLY IPHONE APP TO ADVANCE HUMAN CONNECTIVITY

Image Courtesy of Wonderloop

Wonderloop is designed to replicate the type of first impression that people make in real life. People use the invitation-only app to create short profile videos (up to 20 seconds) that allow them to express their personalities in ways that online photo albums cannot. Wonderloop helps users eliminate the endless stream of photos and extensive bios that plague other social media sites and introduce themselves in more personal and engaging ways.

Wonderloop is not just about what you do, but about who you are and what you want for the future. It is a platform for meeting new contacts through personal introductions. Wonderloop’s mission is to change the way people connect in all aspects of life. Using Wonderloop gives people access to job opportunities, connections to people with similar interests and new friends.

Download the app in App Store and your account will be approved after a couple of hours after signing up. Use the #rainemagazine to network with other readers!

RAINE: What inspired you to create Wonderloop?

AASE: I used to watch Oprah on TV when growing. The happiest moments for me was when I saw the joy on people´s faces when she gave something away. From that point I have thought about how to scale giving and connecting with people you don´t necessarily know.

Conclusion was always that you need to see who the person is first. It´s the first step in every action when it comes to a new person. Now years later after growing up with Oprah, and I grew up mostly alone, I´m obsessed with seeing the power of how an app can change peoples lives as well as the technology being available to the world. We are in invite-only mode now, in order to not grow to fast and to keep up with also building the company. My vision is to get one billion people on a video-profile and chance the way we hire, invest, give and connect to others.

RAINE: How did you fund your venture?

AASE: I self-funded the initial $250,000 to create the first version of the product. It was in many ways a challenge in the beginning because the money wasn´t exactly lying around waiting to start a company. But when there is nothing else you want to spend your life on, I believe there is always a way and I found it. At this point we have external investors who are helping us to raise our first seed round.After that first stage, As launching a product is also expensive, Wonderloop had been lucky to find one investor before our launch. We are now raising our first official seed round.

RAINE: How would you forecast your growth over the next three years?

AASE: Rather than focusing on numbers we want to see lives change and people networking with other awesome people. Instead we focus on the quality of the product and the experience of using the app over pushing our numbers.

RAINE: What has the response been like to Wonderloop?

AASE: It´s been great. The feedback from our users is that they think that Wonderloop is the coolest networking app ever.

RAINE: Who is your target demo and market size?

AASE: In many ways it´s the youth of today’s generation. We want to become the new young LinkedIn, with the US as our main market and focus. The app itself is filtered by age so that we can include all age groups without disturbing age differences too much. We want users who dare to share their dream--who want to connect with others and open themselves to networking across cities and countries.

RAINE: What has been the greatest challenge your company has had to overcome?

AASE: The tremendous amount of work a technical product demands in which you have back-end developers, front-end developers, designers, Apple guidelines everything has to align just right. It’s like building a website every single day.

RAINE: What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs?

AASE: Often we want big changes in life but without wanting to change it because it´s more comfortable not to. Do what makes you uncomfortable--focus and build something.

BESPOKE MEN

FAS H I O N TO L IV E F O R

Dare to be Different Photographer & Creative Director: Lalo Torres Photographer Assistant: Bradley Carver Model: Benjamin Watlington @ The Dragonfly Agency Groomer: Stephen Jaime Shirt: Theory

Shirt: Unconditional Pants: Onassis RAINE MAGAZINE - VOLUME 20

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Jacket: Zara Pants: H&M Belt: Gucci

Alumnify is a location based professional networking application that enables communication between mutually interested alumni. Using LinkedIn profiles, Alumnify pulls users professional information and uses filters to match potential graduates who are most likely to have similar interests based on their geolocation, industry, and education. Based on the outcome of potential networking candidates, Alumnify allows users to anonymously connect with members. If two graduates want to connect with each other then the users are “matched� and the application introduces the users in an open chat. This creates a job-networking tool that fosters relationships based on the affinity users have with their University that is fun and addicting.

Leading up to their soft introduction of Alumnify, cofounders Eghosa Aihie and AJ Agarwal participated in two accelerator programs; Velocity SI Indiana and T-Minus Six where they learned how to build a viable product based on the lean startup methodology. During their time in Indiana the two founders created software program called Greekpull. It helped fraternity and sorority chapters raise money for projects through their alumni.

After receiving customer discovery feedback from several universities that wanted every student on campus to have these opportunities, they decided to make a pivot into university marketing. Just graduating from the T-minus six programs in South Carolina, Alumnify is on its way to beta testing at several smaller schools in Southern California before releasing to their flagship school, the University of South Carolina, at the end of August.

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Images Courtesy of Alumnify

BU S I N E S S | T R E N D S

BU S I N E S S | T R E N D S

R e a c h i n g

New

H e i g h ts

At the young age of 24, entrepreneur Michael Comandini is on top of his game and proves that hard-work, coupled with a vision for the future is a recipe for success! Before entering into the ultra-competitive New York City real estate market, Michael worked in the fast-paced world of fashion as a male model. He has also had stints as a bartender, construction and has studied engineering, all of which lead him into his current venture.

His varied background might seem disparate for a realtor, but consider the rise of the “reality tv” realtor; shows like Bravo’s Million Dollar Listing feature realtors with backgrounds ranging from soap opera actors to adult films, while HGTV has a cadre of camera-ready realtors showing amazing properties around the world.

In his current position with Citi Habitats in Manhattan, Comandini has successfully worked the ups and downs of the housing market and most recently started his own team within the company.

Beyond the sometimes outrageous television persona of modern day high-powered realtors, the sheer spectacle and ever-more-expensive NYC market, we talked with him about breaking in, what makes NYC special, and everyday business reality versus television fiction.

RAINE: You’re originally from NJ, but you’re living and working in the NYC market. What drew you to NYC? COMANDINI: Living in NYC has been my goal since I can remember. New York is the greatest city in the world, and it has the greatest real estate in the world. Owning a piece of the island is very highly desirable and I couldn’t imagine doing what I do elsewhere. I have always been a person to shoot for the stars and this city and industry have no ceiling.

RAINE: Before realty, you tried your hand at modeling, and some of those photos are still out there on the web. Have any of your clients questioned you about that? Does that confidence in front of the camera carry through to your confidence when you show an apartment?

COMANDINI: Not as much as you would expect. Actually, I can only recall a few times it‘s come up. And I have always been a confident person. That carries through to everything I do. My confidence is built on my ability to perform. I know the inventory like the back of my hand and follow trends very closely.

RAINE: Shows like Bravo’s “Million Dollar Listing” and some of the HGTV shows definitely glamorize realtors; on “Million Dollar Listing” one of the realtors is even a former soap opera actor. How does that image compare to the real life grind of the real estate market?

COMANDINI: I get this question a lot and always have to make the point that it is reality TV. While this industry is fascinating and has its moments of greatness and drama, it is definitely exaggerated on TV. Offers are usually not negotiated over dinner with buyers and sellers on the phone until the deal is made. If they filmed our actual everyday encounters, there ratings wouldn’t be nearly as high!

Photo by Jason Jaskot

RAINE: You recently started your own realty team, with a focus on lower Manhattan. How did that come about?

COMANDINI: At the turn of the New Year I sat in my apartment and thought about what I wanted to accomplish this year, in 5 years, in 10 years. I want to be a top producer and sell multi-million dollar properties. I wanted a partner, and I thought of just one person who had my hustle and likeminded ambition. His name is Gill Chowdhury, an associate I have worked side by side with since my start in the industry. Thus the ComandiniChowdhury Team was born. I live in the Lower East Side and work in the East Village and I absolutely love it downtown. Starting out I worked every neighborhood in Manhattan. The neighborhoods south of 34th Street down to Canal were my favorite. I loved the unique and historical neighborhoods and knew this was where I wanted to work. This area is also the most competitive. Everyone wants to live downtown and is willing to go above and beyond to do so. We are now seeing record breaking price per square foot in many buildings. To me, there is no greater satisfaction than securing my clients amazing apartments in these hot neighborhoods.

i n

R e a le s t a t e

RAINE: Most important, how is your approach to the market innovative?

What sets you apart from the other NYC realtors?

COMANDINI: My approach to real estate is more innovative because of my engineering and contracting background. When I step into an apartment I immediately visualize what it could be. These renovations can be as simple as taking down a wall in the kitchen to make the layout more open, to as complex as rearranging the layout completely. I once had a listing in the East Village that had near original renovations and needed work. I spent three days renovating the apartment and brought in an extra $70k over the sellers asking price. Engineering has brought me an advanced knowledge of numbers that helps clients see the true value of an investment. It amazes me that nearly 80% of brokers do not so much as know how to calculate a mortgage. I love working with numbers and closely analyze market trends to see where your money has maximal potential for growth. The combination of my knowledge of the market paired with my math expertise allows me to prepare reports for my investors to show them not only cap rates, but how your investment will grow year over year.

RAINE: You’re heavily involved in some charitable causes, tell me a bit about those?

COMANDINI: Citi Habitats has a volunteering organization called Citi Cares.

I’m my office ambassador, in charge of organizing events both company and office wide. I am very fortunate to be where I am in my life and I never take that for granted. This year I was asked by someone to help volunteer at a soup kitchen in the Lower East Side, and it happened to be on my birthday. It felt so great to give back and It was by far the best birthday gift I have every received. The next day I joined Citi Cares. We work with City Harvest to prepare foods for less fortunate New Yorkers, volunteer at soup kitchens throughout the city, work with Habitats for Humanities and host fundraisers for the American Cancer Society and Relay for Life.

RAINE: There’s been a lot of talk about the changing upscale real estate market in NYC. The Village Voice recently ran a piece about old businesses being forced out, and Spike Lee has railed against gentrification in Brooklyn.

What would you say to people who claim NYC is now a playground for the rich and has priced out “ordinary” people?

COMANDINI: I would have to agree. The rising price per square foot on the island is making it more and more difficult for “ordinary” people to afford to buy here. This is forcing people outward to Harlem and the outer boroughs and thus causing a rise in gentrification. In fact, the market in South Brooklyn has nearly caught up to Manhattan. A record-breaking townhouse was recently purchased in Harlem for $3.6M by Neal Patrick Harris. I am also seeing many first time home buyers relying on gifted money from their parents. This allows them to afford the hefty down payment required to purchase these properties.

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FAS H I O N TO LIV E F O R

THE C AS U AL S IDE O F THIN GS Trunks by Rufskin Photographer: Jason T. Jaskot; Stylist: Renessta Olds ; Make-up and Hair: Juliette Laracuente for Artist Makeup Academy ; Model: Tim Gabel, Silver Models

Shorts by G-Star Raw

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Board Shorts by Robert Graham, Shirt by G-Star Raw, Watch by Iken

B U S I N E S S & T E C H N O LO GY

BU S I N E S S | T R E N D S

Ten Things Entrepreneurs Need to Know About Online Marketing

by Alex Theis

Online marketing is growing rapidly and getting the spotlight on your business can mean the difference between do or die. Here are our tips to successfully keep up with internet marketing and grow your brand.

1. Your online brand is everything and everywhere Establishing your personal and, or company brand is essential in today’s business world. Your success depends on the brand you build and the presence you create. It’s everything. It’s also everywhere. From social media to your website, to what gets posted about you in a forum, take your online brand seriously.

Marketing starts with your brand story, and your brand story is told online.

2. Have a strategy, based on your goals Oh wait, you don’t have a goal, or is it just to make sales? The old S.M.A.R.T. acronym for goals applies to online marketing too: specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and timely.

The big goal of getting clients and sales starts with smaller goals. Once you know what you want to accomplish, create your strategy to get there. Many entrepreneurs fail to employ a strategy, which leads to online marketing failure.

3. Analytics and metrics matter Measuring your progress helps you see what parts of your strategy are working and what are not. You can then make course corrections to get the most out of your online marketing. Google Analytics is a great place to start.

4. SEO is worth the time (and money) If your potential customers and clients can’t find you online, you are missing opportunities, big time. Search engine optimization, or showing up high in a Google search, is critical to staying in front of eyes online. SEO isn’t just about showing up first when people search for your name or company. It’s also important that you show up when your ideal customer is looking for a solution, not just your name.

5. Email marketing is alive and well (sort of) The days of spam and blind email marketing are dead. While you will still see companies trying it, unsolicited email is largely ignored, if not despised. But permission marketing through opt-in campaigns is alive and well. The important piece to takeaway is this: are you collecting email addresses from web visitors? If you need some ideas to get people opting in to your emails, see No. 10.

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6. Get help where you need it If you don’t understand SEO or analytics aren’t your specialty, get help. Your areas of expertise probably lye in your business model and product offer. Why waste precious time on these areas when you could be focused on what you’re great at?

Even on a tight budget, you can find the help you need to grow your online marketing. Use social media and referrals to locate what you need.

7. Use Twitter One of the biggest benefits of Twitter is the number of business people, entrepreneurs, and thought experts using it. Twitter is simply a great place to meet like-minded people, promote your brand to a new audience, and learn from others. Twitter doesn’t have to take much time either, and there are fantastic tools to help you use it effectively.

8. Get a business page for Facebook A business or fan page is an excellent communication tool.

People are spending hours a day on Facebook, and they love to check in with their favorite brands while logged in.

Prospective customers may not be visiting your website daily, but they will see your Facebook updates and posts, which creates engagement and sales.

9. Having a blog brings traffic and gives value Offering tips, advice, and education through a blog provides another place to drop people into your marketing funnel. With great content you can drive subscriptions, opening up more email marketing. When someone likes your blog material, they share it on social media, introducing you and your brand to a new audience. Keep in mind that a blog does not have to be written. Podcasts and YouTube videos can serve the same purpose, sometimes better.

10. Scrap the database When marketing online, you want as many people put into the top of the funnel as possible. Instead of an offer that attracts less than 1 percent of people who see it, think of ways to appeal to a larger audience. Creating free, value-packed downloads or other offerings will get people clicking your ad, post or tweet, and viewing your website. Giving away great value also builds trust which is more important than ever before, with millions of online choices for consumers.

RAINE MAGAZINE - VOLUME 20

BU S I N E S S | T R E N D S

Three Innovators in Busi n e s s f r o m

Alleywire image credits courtesy of Alleywire

AlleyWire

Neil St. Clair is the Founding Correspondent & CEO of AlleyWire, a media outlet showcasing founders and emerging brands in New York’s innovation community through video-centered original editorial content. Think of AlleyWire as Fast Company with a more visual voice.

AlleyWire is a discovery platform showcasing the most innovative emerging brands and founders based in New York or affecting New Yorkers through original, editorially-driven coverage focused on telling human-centered stories for real people, not insiders.

For the companies and founders we highlight, our goal is to help raise awareness about what they’re doing through video vignettes and our special segments–to introduce them to a new audience.

For our viewers, we aim to inform and inspire–to give them access to ideas and people that help make things a little more extraordinary and allow us all to ‘Live Innovatively.’

AlleyWire’s ultimate mission is to stand in the shoes of our viewers, and find for them the most reliable and remarkable innovations and innovators, and allow everyone to connect in the City we all call home, New York.

Courtesy of Straybootst

STRAYBOOTS

Stray Boots is an NYC-based tech startup that creates digital tools for the mobile traveler, enabling you to explore the world in new and engaging ways. Stray Boots lets anyone create their own personal maps or self-guided tours and share them with friends, or potentially make money off of their expertise by publishing their creations to the Stray Boots marketplace for public consumption.

Stray Boots digital maps allow people to seamlessly create and share lists of their favorite places with friends in a way that’s simple and easy to use on any device. Maps can be created in a matter of minutes: you just log onto the Stray Boots site, plot a list of your favorite spots, add personal notes for each one, and share via a unique URL. For people who want to take things a step further, maps can also be converted into tours and delivered via the Stray Boots native iPhone and Android apps.

Tours delivered through the Stray Boots platform are not your average self-guided experience; rather they play out like scavenger hunts, turning exploration into an interactive adventure; customers liken it to doing your own private ‘Amazing Race.’ Anyone wishing to try a Stray Boots tour can pick from over 75 experiences the company currently offers in 18 cities across the US & UK, or you can create your own tour anywhere in the world via the Stray Boots platform. Your tour is privately available to family and friends via invitations, or if you wish to make your tour publicly available on the Stray Boots website and app, you can submit it for approval by Stray Boots editors and receive 50% of the revenue generated by your tour.

Since its launch, Stray Boots has received extremely positive reviews not only from travelers, but from locals as well, receiving a 4.5 rating for their apps. Listed as one of the Top 5 Travel Apps to Watch in 2013 by Travel and Leisure, Stray Boots has been widely embraced by the press, including the NY Times, TechCrunch, and Disney’s Family Fun Magazine. For more information visit www.strayboots.com.

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Plated.com, an online dinner kit delivery service, is changing the way people across the country eat by delivering chefdesigned recipes and fresh ingredients directly to your doorstep.

Founded in October 2012 by Harvard Business School friends Nick Taranto and Josh Hix, Plated brings restaurant-quality recipes home by providing pre-portioned ingredients, beautiful photography and easy-to-follow, stepby-step instructions with each recipe. Weekly menus are designed to include a range of cooking techniques and often incorporate exotic or hard-to-find ingredients.

“Today, more than ever, consumers want to find the best [and easiest] way to eat better by cutting out processed foods and ingredients they can’t pronounce. Our motto here at plated is ‘eat better...live better,’ and we couldn’t be more excited to spread the word,” says Nick Taranto, CEO at Plated.

Plated sources & ships fresh, seasonal produce and the finest cuts of meat. Each meal contains a generous helping of fruits and vegetables and is specially designed to be low in saturated fat; a typical entrée falls between 600-800 calories.

In addition to offering vegetarian options, Plated also regularly offers gluten-free, dairy-free and pescetarian-friendly dishes to meet the needs of various dietary restrictions.

To order from the menu, consumers visit www.

Plated.com to view and choose dishes. The seven recipe options change weekly and include both vegetarian and nonvegetarian dishes. Based on the selected menu items, Plated delivers all the perfectly-portioned ingredients needed to make each meal. Customers may choose as many meals as they would like, and can cancel orders up until the day before orders ship.

Courtesy of Plated

PLATED.COM

Kapitall is the new way to invest, opening up the next category in the marketplace for engaging and accessible investing. Founded in 2008 by video game entrepreneur Gaspard de Dreuzy and financial technologist Serge Kreiker, Kapitall uses the gaming experience to break the established online trading mold. Jarrett Lilien, former E*TRADE President and COO, joined the team as CEO in 2012. Based in SoHo, New York, Kapitall has more than 210,000 members.

With a focus on an intuitive and playful user experience, Kapitall is the next generation investing platform where modern investors can learn about the market, research stocks and funds, share investing ideas, and build virtual and real brokerage portfolios. Interacting with company stocks is as easy as drag, drop and trade℠.

Kapitall empowerS investors with the tools they need to navigate today’s turbulent markets. And with rising expectations for user experience and self-directed financial life, we believe it is more important than ever to make learning about and playing the stock market radically more simple, exciting and engaging, something you want to do, not something you have to do.

Kapitall is aa new type of investing platform, fueled by simple, engaging, friendly and intuitive cloud-based tools, to help you take control of your financial life, grow your skills and maybe your net worth. If you can drag and you can drop, you can trade. It’s as simple as that.

Courtesy of Kapitall

KAPITALL

M US T R EA D S

Chances are that you didn’t list your Facebook or Twitter accounts as business assets or sources of income on your tax return.

But if social media consultant and network marketing expert Brian Krogstad

is right, many of us will soon be doing just that, thanks to the launch of an innovative Internet-based business model, called Social Network Marketing.

“Social Network Marketing is a business model that combines social media

with traditional network marketing,” says Krogstad. “With this new hybrid business model, we’re going to teach people how to take their social networking skills, their social media platforms, combine that with a business opportunity, and turn it into a way to make money.”

At the heart of Krogstad’s innovative marketing model is a powerful

platform, called Social Network Marketing University (SNMU), an online education portal, much like University of Phoenix, that features a series of video modules which instruct would-be social network marketers how to set up and operate virtually all of the popular social media applications found on the Web.

“When a student enrolls in SNMU, they undergo an online assessment

to determine their level of understanding of each social media application,” says Krogstad. “If they already have a Facebook account and a Pinterest account, but don’t own a WordPress account and don’t know how to blog, then the WordPress blogging module will be one of the first modules they’ll encounter on their customized individual educational pathway through Social Network Marketing University.”

Social Network Marketing University enrollees will be asked to join the

“Ditch the Can” movement, a nationwide push to replace energy drinks sold in metal cans with a powdered, low-sugar energy drink packaged in paper sticks that users mix with water. A $9.95 purchase of the powdered drink serves as full enrollment tuition for Social Network Marketing University.

“Our goal is to take someone who has never used social media and who

Turning “Tweets” and “Likes” into Cash: New Online University Teaches Students How to Build & Monetize Their Social Media

has never done network marketing, and teach them how to set up and use social media apps to build social networks and provide them with needed products that they can sell online,” says Krogstad.

“We’re not just about teaching people how to Tweet. We want to teach

people how to be better online, how to better manage their business, how to better manage their time, and how to best monetize their social media.”

Those interested in taking a tour of Social Network Marketing

University or sharpening their social media skills can register at www. socialnetworkmarketinguniversity.com.

ABOUT BRIAN KROGSTAD (www.SocialNetworkMarketingUniversity.com) Brian Krogstad is an author, network marketing expert, and social media consultant whose clients include celebrity magician Criss Angel and a few select others. He is one of the co-founders of Social Network Marketing University.

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BU S I N E S S | T R E N D S

Innovative Financing with Funding Wonder

RAINE: Where did the idea of Funding Wonder come from?

MILDENBERGER: The idea started three years ago. Three of our founders are partners in an M&A firm called CFP Americas and we were thinking about raising a fund. In our research we came across the concept of raising money for investments from regular people (non-professional investors) “the crowd.” The power of this new crowd-funding model intrigued and inspired us to the point that we decided to found the company Funding Wonder in May 2013. We also learned during the course of our research that the debt market is a much bigger market than the equity market. Meaning that the market of loans to small and medium size businesses (SMBs) was 20 times bigger than the Venture Capital Market last year. ( $600 billion SMB Loans, $30 billion VC Equity Investments) RAINE: What are the benefits of choosing Funding Wonder over a traditional bank?

MILDENBERGER: First of all, since the financial crisis of 2008 many community and regional banks disappeared and larger banks hardly issue loans smaller than $200,000. Therefore, access to capital from traditional banks dried up. As a result small and medium businesses (SMBs) have to go thru a lengthy process full of paperwork and often still do not get their loan approved. For example 80% of the small businesses in Florida could not get financing in the last 6 months. With Funding Wonder, SMBs can get a loan faster, easier and with a higher probability than with traditional banks.

RAINE: How do you differ from other competitors in the crowd financing space?

MILDENBERGER: Our focus is different. Most other crowd-funding companies target crowd based equity investments in start-up companies or have donation based models like Kickstarter. Our focus is bringing investors together who want to lend money to existing small businesses with a good financial track record who are looking for a loan of $20k-$150k.

In addition our goal is to be more than just a financial site but to build a lending community. We believe that major factor of our success will be the stickiness of our site. In other words, it is important to provide small businesses with more than just money, but with tools, which help them to manage their business in a more efficient way.

RAINE: Who is Funding Wonder’s target demographic and market size?

MILDENBERGER: Our target is the $600 billion SMB Loan Market & nonaccredited investors.

RAINE: How would you forecast your growth over the next 3 years?

MILDENBERGER: We believe our platform will transact over $1 billion in loan volume in 3 years RAINE: What has the response been like from the small business community?

MILDENBERGER: Extremely good. Most of the small businesses have had an extremely hard time receiving financing and not because they are bad businesses but because traditional sources do not want to lend them the amounts they are asking for.

RAINE: What challenges have you had to overcome concerning your nontraditional means of investing and borrowing?

MILDENBERGER: The biggest challenge is to overcome regulatory hurdles.

Based on the JOBS ACT the US government agency SEC is going thru the 36

process of implementing a regulatory framework, which will make it a lot easier for crowd-funding companies like us to operate.

RAINE: Do you see crowd financing as the future of small business loans?

MILDENBERGER: Yes. We believe that crowd financing will become the preferred model for small businesses to obtain loans in the future. Crowd Financing will become the way people invest in the growth of the community they live in. It will not be dictated anymore by the banks, which business in your neighborhood will be financed and which one not, but by the people who know and interact with these businesses on a regular basis.

RAINE: What requirements do you have to meet to become an investor?

MILDENBERGER: Currently who have to be an accredited investor. In order to qualify as an accredited investor you have to have a certain level of income and net wealth. Only about 5% of the US population fulfill the required qualification. This means the US government does not allow 95% of our people to participate in directly investing in new or existing businesses thru crowd-funding platforms RAINE: How will the US government’s new legislature regarding crowd funding affect Funding Wonder and other sites such as Kickstarter and Indiegogo?

MILDENBERGER: Amongst industry insiders it is believed that the Jobs Act based new legislature will take effect sometime this year. This would clear the way for the 95% of non-accredited investor to finally participate.

Kickstarter and Indiegogo already include non-accredited investors as people do not invest directly in companies, but donate money and get some kind of product or service from the companies in return. We could imagine that these donation based companies might change their business model toward direct investments. Funding Wonder’s concept, business model and technology was designed from day one towards non-accredited investors and loans for existing creditworthy small businesses, which is a very different approach than most of any of the existing crowd-funding platforms have today.

RAINE: How can people get involved in reaching out to their local legislature in bringing crowd financing to their area.

MILDENBERGER: In order to ensure and speed up the process of the SEC as well as of government authorities in your home state, we suggest you contact your elected officials. So call and e-mail your Congressmen, Senators, State Representatives and Governor and let them know that you support any crowdfunding and crowd-financing initiative in order bring growth and more jobs to our local communities.

RAINE: How can an entrepreneur position themselves for successful funding through your platform?

MILDENBERGER: There are several things which make a crowd funding campaign more successful like including a wellmade video, which explains your business.

Once a business is approved through our platform, our team will help and guide them thru the process of how to make their funding a success.

Co-founders pictured from top to bottom Co-founder Alan McGlade, co-founder Michael Mildenberger, co founder Giovanni Soleti

RAINE MAGAZINE - VOLUME 20

Images Courtesy of Funding Wonder

At a recent venture funding event put on by Funding Post, Editor in Chief, Nova Lorraine met a truly innovative entrepreneur with a desire to help thousands and hopefully millions of small business owners receive funding.

The gentleman was Michael Mildenberger, co-founder of Funding Wonder, a new social lending concept.

Michael discussed his dissatisfaction with the staggering number of entrepreneurs that fail in their business, not because they don’t have a great idea but simply because they run out of cash. He and his co-founders, Sebastian Storfner and Alan McGlade are determined to reverse this trend with Funding Wonder. Funding Wonder is a novel way for founders to receive capital to grow their business. It eliminates the worry of mounds of paperwork as well as unrealistic guidelines that prevent so many talented and enthusiastic entrepreneurs from getting the funding they truly deserve.

Michael took a few moments to shed light on how he and his cofounders will help fuel a new generation of entrepreneurs!

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TEC H N O L O G Y | T R E N D S

KI CKSTARTIN G INNOVATIO N

The sensors in the Myo armband were designed and built from the ground up at Thalmic Labs, making Myo incredibly innovative. These revolutionary sensors measure the electrical pulses in your muscles to wirelessly control devices like your computer, mobile device and other electronics based on the swift movements of your forearm and hand.

This gives its users the ability to change the song, surf the web, and hit play on a video with natural and effortless movements.

Myo has a great number of use cases and, through opensource code, can be configured to an endless number of devices through third-party developer applications. In the future, the armband user will be able to browse the internet, play video games, edit videos and create music just by using simple gestures and motions with their hands. Users of Myo will be able to seamlessly interact with their digital world as technology becomes an extension of their body.

Myo uses an assortment of motion and muscle-tracking sensors to assess the orientation of a person’s arm in space. Unlike other gesture control or motion control devices, Myo doesn’t require a motion-sensing camera, freeing users from the confines of a fixed space in order to maintain a connection. The device connects wirelessly over a Bluetooth Low Energy connection and can essentially connect to any Bluetooth-ready device for which applications are built.

The wearable device enhances our abilities as humans, bridging the gap between biology and digital technology. The objective is that the device will open the doors for further human-computer interaction, giving the user a more seamless way to interact with the digital technologies that they encounter in their everyday lives.

Photos Courtesy of Thalmic Labs

MYO AMBAND

Courtesy of Go Devices

GOKEY : THE ULTIMATE ON THE GO CHARGING SOLUTION

Go Devices Inc. Founder and CEO, Doros Kyriakoulis, discovered one day as he was walking down the streets of San Francisco and having his phone suddenly run out of power – no backup charger in site, that there had to be a better solution for charging your phone on the go. It was that moment that he conceptualized a charging device that could practically travel anywhere with you. As he stared down at his keys, the idea crystalized – create a mobile solution that sits alongside your keys and thus delivers the ultimate answer for convenience.

GOkey created a simple and beautiful device that solves everyone’s charging needs. The handy device gives you some juice when you need it most and is practical enough to use as an everyday USB charging and syncing cable. But they didn’t stop there; GOkey wanted to make

this device smart and connected.

A truly worthy key-ring companion is what they sought out to create.

GOkey uses Bluetooth technology to help locate a lost phone or lost keys. If you have your camera app open and press GOkey’s button, you can take photos. And, if you listen to music on your phone, you can play, pause and skip songs using GOkey. We also created the device to store either 8, 16 or 32 GB of flash memory with the ability to transfer those files to your phone as well.

GOkey’s innovative approach solves multiple needs all within a small device that attaches to your key ring, so it’s always with you. At the time of this article, Gokey successfully raised almost $900K dollars and hopes to break the $1million dollar mark before its Indiegogo campaign ends. Gokey will soon be offered both online and at retail stores before years end.

Courtesy of LIX

LIX: THE WORLD’S TINIEST 3D PEN ENABLES YOU TO DOODLE IN THE AIR; LITTLE IDEAS MADE BIG

Writing and drawing in the air is now possible with LIX. London based LIX 3D printing pen is a small and smart pen that does not require paper. It enables you to doodle in the air. You can make anything out of it within just a few seconds. With its unique design, LIX offers enhanced features exploring new dimensions.

Essentially, LIX 3D printing pen functions similarly to 3D printers. It quickly melts and cools colored plastic, letting you create rigid and freestanding structures. Something interesting about this lightweight, engineered pen is that structures can be formed in any shape. User can experience the pleasure of three dimensions and make turn their creative imagination into reality.

Lix is innovative because it is smaller in size as compared to other brands, LIX enjoys this competitive edge in the 3D printing market. This smart pen fits perfectly in your hand, giving you extreme comfort and balance while you draw with it. LIX is highly portable with its small size and a power cable that plugs into any traditional USB port. Its size makes it an ideal 3D printing pen for all those who want to give their creative skills a try.

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TECH N O L O G Y | T R E N D S

e d i t o r s

Arriving in Miami after years in the center of fashion, founder Jessica Anderson was struck by a paradox: While Miami possessed a fashionfocused culture; it lacked a serious organized force to meet demand.

Instead of pursuing a standard retail e-commerce play, Miami Fashion Network (MFN) chose a less competitive space that services the needs of suppliers and designers worldwide to sell their products. Their scalable model integrates B2B and B2C by using online and offline services to support member businesses across the fashion value chain, while simultaneously enabling fashion enthusiasts to authentically engage with industry professionals.

Miami Fashion Network leverages Web 2.0 social technologies to drive sales for designers and suppliers. They replaced the circa 2000 web directory with the social tools we’ve all come to expect and appreciate.

p i c K S

Their online platform uses social tools to help suppliers and designers connect and collaborate to grow their businesses. Designers present their lines, while suppliers promote their latest trims and product. Meanwhile MFN provides industry experts real world assistance.

But to be clear, technology supports their business, instead of being the product.

Miami Fashion Network’s linchpin is a physical Design Lab in Miami that offers workspace tools to designers, product placement to suppliers, and industry engagement to enthusiasts. The Lab is an epicenter to promote designers and suppliers, market emerging lines, and attract fashion lovers with exclusive access.

In essence MFN exists to help suppliers and designers increase sales! That’s what concerns them. They aggregate spend to promote member products via events, trunk shows, trade shows, and digital marketing.

Photo credit - Stephane Chiche for Flash Life Miamit

f a s h i n v e s t

F i t b a y Fitbay (www.fitbay.com), the discovery platform that solves the problem of buying clothes online in the wrong size or style, has closed a $2 million USD seed funding round, lead by New York-based Steadfast Venture Capital and Stockholm-based VC firm, Creandum, an early investor in Spotify.

Fitbay wants to remove the “will-itwon’t-it fit experience” from online clothes shopping by only showing users clothes that will fit their unique size and shape. Fitbay does this by connecting users with similar body types and style preferences, sorting them into groups so that information on fit and particular brands can be shared with other users who have similar body shapes and tastes. This crowd-sourced feedback allows Fitbay to provide its users with a personalised feed of products that will both fit and flatter their unique body type – all without having to input measurements. Users can also follow their ‘body doubles’, sharing tips and inspiration with others who will have similar experiences with the style, fit and sizing of different brands.

According to research carried out

by Credit Suisse in January 2013, 40% of online clothing purchases are returned, often as a consequence of inconsistencies of sizing between brands, or sizing standardisation ignoring the reality of different body shapes.

Christian Wylonis, Founder & CEO of Fitbay comments, “Only 15% of all clothes are bought online, indicating a relatively low consumer adoption of ecommerce within fashion. People

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are frustrated by the online shopping and returns process, and don’t have the patience or time to use virtual fitting rooms that require very specific body or clothing measurements. Using social shopping, Fitbay can crowd source size and fit information from thousands of unique body types to only show our users clothes that will fit them – without measuring tapes.”

Having been invite-only since its launch in February 2014, Fitbay is now available to the general public as an open beta on the web and iOS. Having grown an average of 110% per month, Fitbay is now able to recommend and link to over 2 million perfectly-fitting products for its users, from brands both big and small across the web. Founded in Copenhagen, and with a commercial office in New York, over 40% of Fitbay users are based in the United States.

Christian Wylonis, Founder & CEO of Fitbay comments, “Over the past four months we have had an overwhelming response from our users, and we are looking forward to the next stage in our journey as a result of both Creandum and Steadfast Venture Capital’s backing. With the launch of the Fitbay app, mobile is a core part of our business model, and at the heart of what we offer our customers. By sharing and seeing photos of their body doubles wearing specific items or brands, users can get an idea of how certain clothes will look on their own frames, and shop online accordingly. We describe this process as ‘selfies with a purpose’ because it’s the first time that selfies actually have a practical application.”

T EC H N O L O G Y | T R E N D S

images courtesy of Slyce

Courtesy of Ringly

Meet Ringly the smart jewelry that connects to your phone and sends you customized notifications through vibration and light. Crafted with 18K matte gold 3 micron plating using precious and semi-precious stones, Ringly not only notifies you of what matters most to you but keeps you in high style.

Simplicity and style is what makes Ringly innovative. Most other fashion wearable products are gadget-y and geeky, and take a unisex approach to design. Some companies even think that turning something pink makes it more appealing to women. That doesn’t work.

At Ringly, we design our products with style in mind that would subtly integrate into a woman’s life. We are not a tech company that is trying to be fashionable. We are a fashion-first company that’s packing small and powerful technology into beautiful jewelry. Ringly is not trying to replace your phone, rather we want to integrate simple technology to make your life easier.

Visual search company Slyce is redefining the way retailers and brands engage with their customers by asking a simple question: “What if you could connect customers directly to your products at any time, not just when they are in your store or on your site?”

It’s a simple question, and a very powerful one. Being able to offer products to customers at the point which Mark Elfenbein, President of Slyce describes as, “the moment of inspiration” is incredibly captivating to retailers, publishers and brands who are struggling to keep up with the changing habits of consumers. Of particular concern is ‘showrooming’, a practice where customers use brick and mortar stores to research and investigate products, but then purchase them online, usually from a different retailer entirely. In order to survive, retailers and brands must turn to innovative solutions. Enter Slyce.

Using proprietary ‘Visual Search’ technology, Slyce allows customers to take a picture with their mobile device or scan a picture on their desktops and search for those products

S ly c e T u r n s t h e W o r l d into a Storefront on participating retailer sites. Slyce has been described as “Shazam, but for stuff.” Because it integrates into retailer’s already existing e-commerce platforms, the experience for the customer is largely seamless.

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and that is likely to increase as retailers and brands begin to understand the incredible power of connecting products to customers at the all-important “moment of inspiration.” In a very real sense, Slyce is turning the entire world into a storefront, and that’s a very powerful idea.

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Tech Toys

By Javin Forrest

IBIS SMART WATCH This decade ushers in new life into fashion and technology. Last year we saw the debut of Pebble SmartWatch and Samsung’s Smart Watch. This year we look forward to the unveiling of Apple’s much rumored iWatch device. However, there lurks another player in the SmartWatch game. Make room for Creoir’s IBIS Luxury Smart Watch.

This Finnish firm has crafted a Luxury Smartwatch with dual screen Layout.

Displayed above a traditional analog quartz is a small OLED screen. All of this is mounted onto a stainless steel body keep the traditional watch goer happy. This particular design was noticeably developed with a woman in mind. Being that is a luxury watch can expect that it will cater to a market above the overage smart phone.

Release date: TBD during 2014; http://www.creoir.com/#about

KEVO With the coming of the digital age, we were introduced to many innovations that revolutionize how we live, from laptops, to interacting with social medial on your mobile phone, and even in our homes. No matter which area we choose, security has always been a major concern. The company Kwikset has stepped up to address such concerns in the new digital with Kevo, An eKey. No, not email but yes, an eKey. An eKey that allows you to easily get in or out of your home without a physical key. How does it work you ask? I have no idea. I’m kidding. Using with a mobile device (that is enable with Bluetooth 4.0) or key fob, it communicates to the kwikset lock to allow entry. Kevo uses positioning technology to detect whether you are inside or outside the door. You can even add access to additional users who have a smartphone or another person can be given a keyfob for keyless entry.

It’s a clean operation after the initial setup. You just simple walk up to the door, touch the lock and the door opens. Kevo used a deadbolt lock and still uses a traditional key for entry if it’s necessary.

Kevo: $219; http://www.kwikset.com/

SMARTCUP These days there are so may innovative ideas coming out all the time. You have smartphones, SmartWatches, Smart Cups… Wait, Smart Cups? Yes, now there is a smart cup. It’s called the Vessyl. A sleek designed, thermos looking cup that can identify whatever drink that you have poured into it. It comes with a spill proof lid and within about ten seconds its internal sensors will not only identify its contents, but can also show it’s contents on the side of the cup from its built in display.

With an accompanying app that can be downloaded onto your mobile device, the Vessyl will not only present you with the nutritional information of that beverage, additionally it track your daily hydration habits. Designed to be companion of your life style, the Vessyl holds 13 ounces of liquid, connects to an iPhone with Bluetooth 4.0, and will integrate with well-known health trackers. It comes with wireless base for charge and off a single charge it last up to 7 days. Shipping in 2015, the Vessyl be available in three colors, along with several lid accent options.

Preorders are $199 but will retail for $199; https://www.myvessyl.com/

WeMo Switchs And along came Wemo… a new way to light up your home. Wemo is more than a light switch that gives you the power to control lighting in you home or from anywhere for that matter. It’s a modular system designed to simply your lighting needs. Using a wireless connection you can connect to Wemo to control your lights with the rising and the setting of the sun via home automation triggers. These home automation triggers can be used in conjunction with Smart LED lights, Wemo Motion sensors, Wemo Smart plugs with endless options. To setup Wemo you can download it’s app to your iPhone, Andriod or tablet device. From there you can personalize your lighting option to turn on before daybreak or setup daily tasks to reduce power consumption.

Wemo light switch can replace any standard light switch or outlet and even it backlight for night light use.

Starter set: $129.99; http://www.belkin.com/us/F5Z0489/p/P-F5Z0489/

TONINO LAMBORGHINI ANTARES After a good time amongst some friends, imagine coming home only to realize that you have grabbed the wrong phone off the table. To avoid such an inconvenience many of us are constantly looking for unique phone cases to enhance the character of our smart phone. But why not just enhance the phone itself? Built to handle such a task, the Lamborghino Antares smartphone does just that.

Unrelated to the sports car company, Tonino Lamborghini is owned by the son of Ferruccio Lamborghini and does use similar branding. As one would expect, the phones design has a look that is very distinct so that no one would confuse it would a Samsung Galaxy or an iPhone. Although it features a 4-inch screen similar to the iPhone 5 and it is noticeably bigger, the functionality is closer to an HTC One as it runs on a Android based operating system. It features a 13 Megapixel rear camera, comes with 32GB of storage plus a slot for a microSD Card.

Available in Rose Gold, Gold, Black and Stainless Steel, this phone is status symbol and will make you and your network stand out.

Price: $4,000; http://www.lamborghinimobile.com/en/collection/

AUTOMATIC LINK Ever have your engine light come on… and then off… and then on again? Ever walk outside the shopping mall and wonder where it was that you parked your car? Ever have your car fallen… into a crash and it can’t get up? Well now… accompanied by a nice little device, there’s an app for that too! It’s called the Automatic link. A very simple device those does complex things for you.

After the device is installed into your vehicle, it connects to your smart phone or mobile device and can remember where you parked your car for you. Using it built in accelerometer, it can identify severe accidents for you and contact emergency support. The install requires no tools. It simply plugs into the same port that mechanics use to diagnose your car and becomes your driving assistant.

Communicating with the cars onboard computer, it can read diagnostic errors that may cause the engine light to come on and alert you of possible service needs. Additionally it can give you feed back about your daily trips, breaking, acceleration and display a trip timeline helping you conserve on fuel economy.

Price: $99; https://www.automatic.com/

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WEARABLE T E C H N O LO GYÂ W H E N FA S H I O N C O L L I D E S W I TH T E C H N O L O G Y

TEC H N O L O G Y | T R E N D S

HÖVDING – ONCE UPON A TIME…

In 2005 Hövding co-founders, Anna Haupt and Terese Alstin started working together on a joint master’s thesis in industrial design after four and a half years studying at LTH, the Faculty of Engineering at Lund University in Sweden. The law that had just been introduced in Sweden making bicycle helmets compulsory for children up to the age of 15 had triggered a heated debate on whether it should be extended to include adult cyclists too. To people like us, who wouldn’t be seen dead in a polystyrene helmet, the thought that we might be forced to wear one by law was cause for concern. Producing a bicycle helmet that people would be happy to put on looked like a much better way to go than legislation forcing people to wear one or else. We realized that our industrial design master’s thesis was the perfect place to find out whether the traditional bicycle helmet could be improved on.

We started out with a survey, asking people on the streets why so few people wear bicycle helmets. They came up with plenty of reasons: “They’re a pain to carry about, they all look hideous, they ruin your hair, nobody else wears them, you can’t get your hat on underneath.”

Some good arguments, it’s true, others more like excuses. It was clear that bicycle helmets are a hot topic that everyone has an opinion on and strong feelings about.

Cycling is something we do every day and there’s a sense of freedom that goes with it. Although people are well aware of the

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risks on the roads, the vast majority are choosing to cycle without a helmet. When it comes down to it, people do really want to protect their heads in road accidents, but there are limits. It isn’t the cyclists who need to change, it’s the product.

When we asked people what they’d ideally like the bicycle helmet of tomorrow to look like, we got responses like these:

“Like a cool hat with a built-­‐in helmet.”

“Something small that you can fold up and put in your pocket.”

“Something that lets you change what it looks like, like you can with mobile phone skins or wigs.” “Invisible.”

The instant we heard the word “invisible,” we realized what the world was waiting for--an invisible bicycle helmet.

Since that day we’ve learned that nothing is impossible. We’ve learned that people who call themselves “realists” are actually scaredy-­‐cats who just aren’t brave enough to think big enough.

Hövding is the Swedish for “Chieftain” and our Hövding is a leader and a role model, with its sights set on changing the world. We want to encourage others to follow in our footsteps and dare to demand something better, to stand out from the crowd, and believe in themselves and their own capabilities. We may be a small company but we think big and we aim high. Delusions of grandeur are exactly what it takes!

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NARRATIVE CLIP The Narrative Clip is the world’s smallest, wearable camera, GPS and accelerometerintegrated device on the market. The camera connects to your clothing with a small stainless steel metal clip and subtly captures every special moment happening around you. Think of it as your third eye capturing images every 30 seconds, shots you could have missed. Later you can upload all images taken through the Narrative app which catalogs the moments by time, date, place and even lighting conditions.

Narrative was founded by six Swedish serial entrepreneurs in 2012.

Martin Källström, formerly founder and CEO of blog search engine Twingly, shaped the concept of the Narrative Clip, a wearable camera able to create a continuous life log for the user. For this task he recruited his friend Oskar Kalmaru, founder of an online video provider, as well as Björn Wesén, who was, at the time, a freelancing designer of high-tech electronics. The small team has expanded to about 30 people with over 7K users. Their definition of growth is to be able to constantly provide value to their customers.

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Photo courtesy of Misfit Wearables

MISFIT Misfit is focused on developing highly wearable products: things that people would want to wear all the time for a long time. A pioneer in the emerging world of wearable products, the company is making products and services in the consumer health and fitness space to inspire people to be more active and develop healthy habits. Misfit’s first product is the award-winning Shine, an elegant physical activity tracker that you can instantly sync with your smartphone just by placing the device on the screen.

Misfit Shine is an elegant physical activity monitor that you can wear anywhere on your body and to any occasion. Set your personal activity goals on the Shine app and then wear Shine anywhere on your body: hip, neck, wrist, shoes, chest, shirt, etc. Tap Shine and a halo of lights appear through the metal shell to show your progress toward your daily goal. Winner of the Red Dot, GOOD, and A’ Design awards, the Shine is super-strong and water resistant to 50 meters so it’s great for swimming. It is carved out of a solid block of aircraft-grade aluminum and is built to last a lifetime. To sync the device to your smart phone, simply place Shine on the screen of your mobile device and the data is transferred in seconds. The device is powered by a regular coincell battery which the user can easily replace by themselves, Shine lasts for 4 months - no cables for syncing or charging ever.

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FAS H I O N TO L IV E F O R

Reinvent Yourself Photographer: Dave Brown Model: Emory Ault @ Women NY HMUA: Kadie Murphy Wardrobe Stylist: Nicole Schaap Assistant: Lynzi Judish

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Dress: Worth Bracelets:Â Stella & Dot Ring: Rachel Zoe Disco Ball Necklace: Vintage

Dress: Worth Bracelets:Â Stella & Dot Ring: Rachel Zoe Disco Ball Necklace: Vintage

E N T E R TA I N M E N T

T EL E VI S I O N

Alysia ReinER

Alysia Reiner has made a name for herself in the entertainment industry over the years with the characters she has brought to life on the big and small screens. Often recognized for appearing in the Oscar-winning film SIDEWAYS, Alysia has expanded her roles over the years from actress, to producer, humanitarian, outspoken environmentalist, and mother.

More recently Alysia can be seen in Netflix’s awardwinning, hit series “Orange is the New Black.” She stars as “Natalie Figueroa,” or “Fig,” the tough as nails assistant warden, who runs a tight ship.

Join us as we find the secret to Alysia’s entrepreneurial success as an actress and beyond.

RAINE: Why do you love acting?

REINER: I love learning. I love exploring and experimenting.

I love getting into the mind, psychology, heart, soul, life, family, and profession of another being that I get to co-create. I fall in love with each character and I love the compassion that then brings me for every person I meet.

RAINE: Funny career story?

REINER: Most people don’t know this but I was once a “Miller Beer Girl,” Super Bowl commercial and all, and in the commercial I was caught staring a guy’s big...feet.

RAINE: Biggest challenge to overcome?

REINER: In life? I think the biggest challenge is maintaining a sense of optimism, joy and gratitude. It’s so easy to look at what’s wrong in the world, in your life, in your career - and for me, what I’m doing wrong - and obsess over it. No life is perfect, we all have major losses, ranging from the death of someone we love to not getting a role you wanted - and they all hurt. So feel ‘um and shed ‘um.

There’s magic every day if you look for it. I think I can be prone to negativity, so I work hard - with yoga, meditation, healthy lifestyle - to practice looking for those amazing moments every day.

I just read a brilliant quote about this from Brene Brown: “A good life happens when you stop and are grateful for the ordinary moments that so many of us just steamroll over to try to find those extraordinary moments. To me, my good life is soccer practice and a carpool line. And tuck-ins. And date night. That’s the good life for me. And knowing that it’s good. Acknowledging and stopping and saying that it’s good.” - Brene Brown

Photo Credit: Josh Merwin

RAINE: If you could do it all over again what would be the one thing that you would change in your career?

REINER: I would choose to be a child star, then get too famous and go to rehab, then make a comeback at 25 and end

up right where I am today. Nah, just kidding...I wouldn’t change a thing.

RAINE: Where do you see yourself in five years?

REINER: My dream? I’ll be filming Season 8 of “Orange Is the New Black,” and Fig will have had an amazing journey over the years. I hope I get to serve the world a ton, like the work I have been doing with the women`s prison association (http://www.kirakira.com/products/WPA-LimitedEdition-Locket.html).

A few awards wouldn’t suck. In five years I hope I’ll have continued to work in film and theatre in awesome ways, to tell awesome stories, with awesome folks like some I have worked with recently, and even some new heroes like Wes Anderson, The Duplass brothers, Tom McCarthy, Tina Fey, Katherine Bigelow, Nicole Holefcenter, Mark Rylance, Tracey Letts... I could go on and on. Oh, and I’m really excited about an idea I have for a female driven thriller that I’m working on with a producer, and we just hired writers, so hopefully in 5 years you will say it was one of your

favorite films! So basically playing, contributing, storytelling and of course I’ll be looking exactly the same as I do today!

RAINE: Tell us three things on your bucket list?

REINER: An Oscar Trip to India with my daughter Visit my new family in Australia! My sister just married an Australian bloke!!!

RAINE: What has been the most helpful advice that someone has given you that has contributed to your success?

REINER: “Don’t push the river,” just be yourself in the boat and let God’s river carry you along wherever it goes, there’s a bigger plan.

RAINE: What words of wisdom can you share with other creative entrepreneurs?

REINER: Don’t wait, create! Never wait for that magical chance or opportunity - you can create every day and be of service in a billion ways.

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FILM

Al Sapienza

RAINE: Why do you love acting?

SAPIENZA: I love acting because I get to play cops and robbers, or cowboys and Indians just like I did when I was little and I get paid for it. Everyone is nice to you on the set even if they hate you. They pretend to like you while you’re shooting. They feed you all day. You get to play all different kind of people with very different professions than your own. You get to kill people and not go to jail. You get to kiss and be married to a lot of beautiful women in different shoots. You get checks 20 years after you did a job for that same job. You get to constantly express yourself. What’s there not to love about being a working actor? It beats delivering mail!

RAINE: If you could do it all over again what would be the one thing that you would change in your career?

SAPIENZA: I would have gotten really serious about the craft at 14 years old instead of 29. In my twenties I just thought it was all a giant party. I didn’t really start digging deep into the psyche of the characters I played until later in life.

RAINE: Where do you see yourself in five years?

SAPIENZA: Wherever this wonderful ride I’m taking will take me. As an actor you never know what project will pop up every other month and where it will take you. I just love that.

RAINE: Tell us three things on your bucket list?

SAPIENZA: Making love to Angelina Jolie Flying in outer space Learning to fly a Helicopter RAINE: What has been the most helpful advice that someone has given you that has contributed to your success?

SAPIENZA: When I first came to LA. The wonderful actor Paul Gleason told me not to worry about my career. Just work on the work really hard and they will find you because they always need GOOD actors. He was right. Great consistent work is the best thing you can have going for you.

RAINE: What words of wisdom can you share with other creative entrepreneurs?

SAPIENZA: You want to be creative. Look at your friends in medical school. The friends who are doing residency shifts 18 RAINE: Funny career story? hours a day 6 days a week. Look SAPIENZA: In my first Broadway at your friends who just graduated show I was 21 and I was in law school. How many hours a rehearsal. I hooked up with week do they work at their new and spent the weekend with the firms. You have to work harder and Directors daughter and we had a LONGER hours per week. Writing, wild fun weekend. When I went learning, studying, reading plays back to work on Monday I was and screenplay, filming student fired. I was rehired a week later. I films anything to put in creative guess he didn’t like me spending hours per week and you have to a weekend with his daughter. I’m assign those hours every day to friends with both of them to this yourself. Sit in a chair and write for day! I’ll never tell you who!

9 hours a day! Or rehearse scenes for class. Just put in the hours RAINE: Biggest challenge to every week. No shortcuts. No overcome? laziness. Do that and you will have SAPIENZA: Never getting the a career within 10 years. I guarantee A leading roles in movies or it! The difference between an series. Always being the other amateur actor and a pro is this. An guy! I still think those roles will amateur does shitty work, gets come. I am an internal optimist. discouraged and quits. A pro does But then again I still believe world shitty work and keeps going for peace is possible. however long it takes to get it right!

Photo credit: King PDT

From an infamous mafia hit man going head to head with Tony Soprano, to a corrupt mayor with a good heart, and a union lobbyist who duels with Kevin Spacey, Al Sapienza has brought to life some of the most memorable characters in film and television today. With a career spanning over thirty years, Sapienza has made a name for himself in the entertainment business for not only his undeniable talent to create unforgettable characters, but also his commitment to hard work and dedication with each project he is working on.

Al Sapienza is a true artist who has the rare ability to explore a boundless range of characters through acting dancing and singing, on both the stage and the screen.

Read along and find out what is the driving force behind his creative genius.

FILM Meet Erich Bergen, one of the stars in the film Jersey Boys by Clint Eastwood, which follows the life of Frankie Vallie and the Four Seasons on their rise to fame. Erich Bergen, who played the role of Bob Gaudio in the national tour of the Tony Award –winning Best Musical Jersey Boys, returns to the role of the multi-talented singer, songwriter and musician Bob Gaudio. Although a veteran to the acting scene, this will be Bergen’s second feature length film to date and promises to continue to catapult him into stardom.

Read on as we find out more about Bergen his ambition and what drives this young star on the pursuit of his dreams.

Erich Bergen

RAINE: Why do you love acting?

BERGEN: I love how art affects people. I love being on stage and seeing people in the audience laugh, cry, sing along, whatever it is. I love how movies inspire us to be better people. The immediate reaction from people taking in your art...that’s what I love the most about acting.

RAINE: What is a funny story that you can tell us regarding your career?

BERGEN: I’ve got plenty of them, but in regards to Jersey Boys, when the movie was first starting pre-production, it had a different director attached.

They were seeing all sorts of actors, including those who had been in the stage version (which I had for 3 years on tour and in Las Vegas). I went to the audition, and while I knew that it could go anyway, I thought I had a leg up on the competition. A few days after the audition, my agent called the casting director asking what the status was of my audition. Her answer… ”he’s not right for the role.” My agent asked “the role he’s played for 3 years?” The casting director simply said “yes” and that was that. I’ve never been more speechless in my life. Thankfully, that version of the film fell apart and the rest is history.

RAINE: What has been the biggest challenge that you have had to overcome?

BERGEN: I had a horrible habit of looking sideways as opposed to forward.

I always compared myself to others. I do it much less now then I used to, but that was certainly a self-induced challenge that I had to get over.

Photo credit: Collin Stark

RAINE: If you could do it all over again, what would be the one thing that you would change in your career?

BERGEN: I wouldn’t change anything in my career. All of the highs and lows are exactly what I needed. Even when I think “I should have saved more money”, I realize I needed to know what not having money felt like.

RAINE: Where do you see yourself in five years?

BERGEN: I’d love to make the producing side of my career more active.

Unlike most actors, I don’t have a great desire to direct, but I know I’m a great producer and I love making stuff happen. I love working with people that I think are insanely talented, and I’d love to be in a position where I could employ them as well. My production company, 6W Entertainment, is just starting up, and I can’t wait to get to work on it.

RAINE: Tell us three things on your bucket list?

BERGEN: Star in a Broadway show.

Write a song that hits the Top 40 charts.

Host the inevitable return of the game show “Supermarket Sweep.”

RAINE: What has been the most helpful advice that someone has given you that has contributed to your success?

BERGEN: “Get paid in cash.” - Joan Rivers RAINE: What words of wisdom can you share with other creative entrepreneurs?

BERGEN: I think whatever you are doing in life, you have to LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it. The money will eventually show up, even if it takes a while, but you can never chase the money. If you do, you may have periods in your life where you are financially rich, but those periods come and go and you’ll hate every second of it anyway. Put in the time doing what you love and become the master of it. Eventually, everyone will turn to you and say “how did you do it?”

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MU SIC

Top left photo: Brandon Lyons all other images go to Esther Kaplan

S O C I A L S E N S A T I O N P E N T A T O N I X I S B R E AK I N G T H E M O L D I N M U S IC

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Sweeping the world with their energetic and spirited performances, vocal sensations PENTATONIX are taking instrument-free music and reimagining the timeless doo-wop style of the 40’s and 50’s and adding a breath of life to the music industry.

The group, comprised of Scott Hoying, Kirstie Maldonado, Mitch Grassi, Avi Kaplan and Kevin Olusola, has enjoyed tremendous success with their signature style of music that pulls equally from their individual strengths. Their musical inspiration draws from a wide range of genres,

which include pop, jazz, R&B, indie, folk, dubstep and electronica to name a few. Pentatonix’ Mitch Grassi takes a brief moment during their European tour to share some insight with Raine Magazine.

RAINE: How was the group formed? Is there a meaning behind the group’s name; Pentatonix?

PENTATONIX: Kirstie, Scott, and I were in an acappella trio in high school.

When Scott went off to college, he had heard about auditions for NBC’s The Sing-Off. He wanted to audition with us, but his colleague suggested that we add members to fill out the sound. We found Avi through a mutual friend, and we discovered Kevin on YouTube because he had had a viral video going around at the time. Thus, the group was formed. The name “Pentatonix” comes from the word for the five-note scale that is popular in modern music, namely, pop and R&B. RAINE: As creative entrepreneurs in music how would you describe your sound?

PENTATONIX: Pop music with heavy electronic and soul influences.

RAINE: What other musicians inspire you?

PENTATONIX: We all have various influences. My main influence is a musician by the name of Imogen Heap. I draw a lot of vocal style from her, and her ambitious and attentiveness to creating her music really inspires me.

RAINE: Pentatonix covers a wide range of musical genres how do you decide who to cover and why?

PENTATONIX: If one of us is especially inspired by a particular song, we will bring it to the group and gauge their reaction on whether or not we could do a good rendition of it. If we decide to move forward, we arrange it as a group.

RAINE: Moving forward, will the group continue to do covers or can fans expect to see more original music?

PENATONIX: There will definitely be a lot more original material in the future, but we’re known for our covers, so I think we will keep doing them.

RAINE: What has been your biggest challenge in breaking into the business and how did you overcome it?

PENTATONIX: I would say being an acappella group in itself has been fairly challenging. A lot of people don’t think it’s marketable, and we’ve been told “no” a number of times. But we never let that discourage us, and I think it’s worked out pretty well so far!

RAINE: Who are some other artists and producers that you would like to collaborate with in the future?

PENTATONIX: I would love to write with Frank Ocean. He’s a brilliant songwriter and I think his style could really lend itself to what we do. I’d also love to see a major EDM producer remix one of our tracks.

RAINE: What are some upcoming projects you can tell us about? Are you working on a new album?

PENTATONIX: Yes, we are! We will also be releasing another Christmas record this year, I believe. We have a few ideas for some YouTube videos, as well.

RAINE: Where do you see Pentatonix in the near future? Are there other pursuits that the group is interested in as a whole or individually?

PENTATONIX: That’s a tough question to answer. Hopefully, we’ll be playing huge rooms and arenas! Other than that, I’m hoping to have a ton of original material.

RAINE: What has been the most embarrassing moment you have had on stage?

PENTATONIX: The only thing I can think of is when my hat came off on stage in Nashville and my hair looked atrocious. Which isn’t super humiliating, but I’m glad that’s been the worst of it!

RAINE: What advice do you have for aspiring musicians?

PENTATONIX: Don’t compare your material to anyone else’s. It’s okay to draw influence, but putting yourself down because you think you’re incompetent in comparison to your favorite artist is unhealthy.

RAINE: What are three fun facts about Pentatonix that people might now know?

PENTATONIX: a.) I’ve been practicing DJing and I’m hoping to land some gigs soon! b.) Avi and Kirstie are massive Game of Thrones fans. c.) Kirstie, Scott and I are the only band members with tattoos!

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ENT ERTAI N M E N T

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Meet Frank Stefanko the fine art photographer whose work graces the album covers of American legend Bruce Springsteen. Hi work has been seen by millions on the covers of some Bruce’s most iconic albums, including: Darkness on the Edge of Town and The River, Southside Johnny’s Hearts of Stone album cover. Frank’s photographs also appear in Bruce Springsteen’s Live 75185, Greatest Hits, Tracks and the Essential Bruce Springsteen.

Beyond Frank’s Rock photography, he has been assembling a portfolio of landscape photographs that feature places where the footprint of man has not yet touched.

In addition, Frank is working on compiling his collection of vintage photographs, mostly from the New York underground of the CBGB, Max’s Kansas City era. Shot in the seventies, these photos feature individuals, locations and scenes from a unique era that nurtured art, music and poetry.

Whether Frank’s photographs are of rock icons, street scenes, or landscape photography, the glue that ties them together and gives them Frank’s signature, is the soulful, moody, dignity that transcends the work.

RAINE: When did you realize you wanted to be a photographer ?

STEFANKO: I was always fascinated by optics and optical illusions and I found myself drawn to the texture and composition of old black and white movies. So, one day, when I was eight years old, my father gave me an old box camera, and you might say he gave me the key to the universe, because I was instantly hooked.

RAINE: How did you get your start ?

STEFANKO: I had been making photographs all my life, but I would say my actual start was when Bruce Springsteen had seen some of the photographs I took ofPatti Smith in New York, and asked me to start working with him on the album cover of “Darkness on the Edge of Town” back in 1978.

RAINE: What are some of the rewards that you get from being a photographer?

STEFANKO: Beside the flattery and monetary reward, when folks pay good money for my work at the galleries that represent me around the world, there are other more meaningful rewards. Because of what I do, people have come to me over the years, for artistic advice and shooting tips. Many of these people, from around the world, have become good friends, and I’ve seen some of them grow and gather followings of their own.

The largest reward, however, is when I look back at my work, over the years, and think how lucky I am to have been able to make all those images that will linger on.

RAINE: What inspires you ?

STEFANKO: Life inspires me, it is so precious. I’m the kind of guy who wakes up each morning in wonderment. I get as much inspiration from shooting the face of a mountain, as the face of a person.

Frank Stefanko Profile

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RAINE: When looking through the lens of a camera, how do you see the world ?

STEFANKO: I believe good photographers get to be good photographers because they inherently have an advanced sense of vision. Vision coupled with enough intelligence to realize the value of what they see. An excellent example is the work of Elliot Erwitt, who has an intelligent sense of humor.

Once having locked in on that particular vision, the next step is refining that composition through the lens.

RAINE: Who has been your favorite subject to work with and why?

STEFANKO: My favorite subject has always been Bruce Springsteen.

It is always a collaboration. He has a strong sense of how he wants to

be portrayed, and I have a sense of how I want to portray him, and we meet somewhere in the middle. He is easy going and gracious, hence the working environment is relaxed and fun. His way of scheduling a shoot, is to call me up and say, “Hey Frankie...let’s get together and make some photos, and have some fun.”

RAINE: Is there anyone that you have not worked with, that you would like to capture on film?

STEFANKO: Keith Richards, Johnny Depp, Annie Lennox, and Lucy Lui, to name but a few. All these artists have wonderful faces and a powerful persona.

RAINE: Can you talk about your work with Bruce Springsteen ?

STEFANKO: I started working with Bruce in 1978, while shooting the cover for the “ Darkness on the Edge of Town” album. I was already a fan of his before we met, but in the days we spent together working on those photographs, I realized we had much in common. We both had Italian mothers and non-Italian fathers. Both our families were working-class and we were both from New Jersey.

I admire Bruce’s work ethic as well...he knows what he wants; he takes control of his art and keeps it his own. He maintains his vision, his dignity, his art, and his sense of humor. He knows how to pace himself for the long haul, in a business that has burned out many stars. But most important, is that this prolific artist keeps on being relevant, decade after decade, with a following that is global.

I started working with Bruce in 1978. I shot the covers for “Darkness” and “The River” as well as many other projects....that was thirty five years ago, and I’m happy to say we’re still friends.

RAINE: If you could only choose one of your photographs as your favorite, which would it be and why?

STEFANKO: I made a photograph of Bruce titled, “Frank’s Barbershop”.

In this photograph, Bruce is leaning against a barbershop pole with AI Pacino “Dog Day Afternoon” hair. The photograph has a lot of hidden symbolism. His defiance, standing in front of the barbershop with long hair, two reflections of Bruce’s face, showing three faces of this complex artist.

The number “seven” above the door forluck. The religious artifacts in the barbershop window, for his religion. A surfboard in the adjacent window, reflecting his love for the ocean and the Jersey shore...and his dead-on stare right at the camera, saying” This is me...take it or leave it. Yes....that’s my favorite.

RAINE: What do you feel your legacy has been to the world of art photography?

STEFANKO: Hopefully, that I made truthful, revealing photographs... whether they be my portraits, my landscapes, my street scenes, or my stilllife’s. Also that the photographers that I helped along the way, or influenced along the way, will come into their own and pass the torch even further along.

RAINE: What can others learn from your success?

STEFANKO: Simply, that you must follow your dream, stick to it, and never give up. If you truly believe that this profession is for you, and if you have what it takes...then persistence will pay off. Just like anything else, you must have the true passion to keep going, even in adversity. But if you truly believe you can do it, and stay with it, good things will happen.

RAINE: What words of wisdom can you give to aspiring photographers?

STEFANKO: This is an easy one...don’t shoot what you think others want to see....shoot what you see!

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Antoinette Rose Hometown: Denver, CO Agency: Independent repesentation Height: 5’10 FUN FACTs: 1. I love spending time with my two amazing young men.

2. My birthday is the first day of Summer, so I hate the cold and I love entertaining guests at the house all the time.

3. I have been wanting to ride in a hot air balloon since I was little, but now that I›m older and taller I›m afraid of heights.

Photographer: Lynzi Judish www.lynzijudish.com; Makeup Artist: Nicole Hernandez ; Model: Antoinette Rose

F RE SH FAC E S | FA S H ION

Photographer Bart Ruzik

Patrick Vidal Height: 5’9” Waist: 29 Agency: Independent representation

FUN FACTS: I just finished competing in a physique competition in Hartford, CT. As you can imagine I am very into a health and fitness.

I like to help others to encourage them to continue with healthy lifestyle habits.

I want to do more modeling in the future along with competing.

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B E AU T Y & F I T N E S S

FI TN E S S

9 WAYS TO GET YOUR SUMMER BODY

By Maik Wiedenbach

Are you ready for the summer? We sure are, so we have put together some of our best tips from trainer and fitness enthusiast Maik Weidenbach. So get going and get ready for the new you!

1. NO MORE CARDIO FOR A WEEK Yes, you heard me. I know that goes against everything you have ever heard but stay with me. Here is what usually happens when most people start to diet: they cut calories, start doing excessive amounts of cardio, and take some form of fat burning supplements. The result? Unfortunately, these types of diets always lead to a flabby, over-trained physique that is lighter in weight but not visually pleasing (also sometimes called “skinny fat”).

Sounds familiar? Read on! Stopping cardio for 5-7 days will give your body a chance to recover, lower your cortisol level, as well as drop some water weight so you can judge for yourself what is fat and what is not. Plus, it will save you some muscle mass in the process. Slowly reintroduce yourself to cardio by doing 20 minutes two days a week after your week of rest.

2. DOUBLE YOUR CARBOHYDRATE INTAKE FOR 3-5 DAYS As I pointed out in Myth Buster #1, you are most likely over trained so doubling your carbohydrate intake for 3-5 days will create an anabolic reaction, up-regulating your HGH, T3, insulin, and IGF1 levels. In simpler terms, the body will turn anabolic and you’ll stop losing muscle mass. With this reaction, chances are you’ll still lose more body fat wile still being able to enjoy your Cap’n Crunch because you just saved your metabolism from going into hibernation! After 3-5 days of eating, cut the carbohydrates again.

If strength drops by more than 20%, add another 1-2 carbohydrate days.

3. ADD GREEN POWDERS AND LEMON WATER It may be a bit difficult to constantly pay attention to little details such as keeping your body alkaline, but the fact is that it is much harder to make progress if your body is in an acidic state. My weakness? Eating my 6 servings of vegetables every day. If you share the same weakness, green powders are an easy and tasty option to get your recommended servings in.

It also makes for a great post workout shake if mixed with whey protein, as the concoction blunts the body’s cortisol response very effectively. Another great addition? Lemon water in the morning. One of the main jobs of the liver is to pump fat out of the body, however if it is constantly busy with getting rid of toxins, it simply becomes much less effective. Lemon water a day will detoxify your liver so that it can do its job and get you looking leaner! A functioning liver is a must have for fat loss and overall happiness.

4. DROP THE CAFFEINE One of the side effects of over training is elevated cortisol level, which visually translates to a watery physique. Don’t want flabby arms? Drop the caffeine!

Yes, we all love our pre-workout supplements, shots of espressos, and energy drinks, but adrenal fatigue is the #1 killer when it comes to progress at the gym.

When caffeine is introduced to your body, your CNS gets over stimulated, and in turn, your cortisol levels stays constantly elevated. Which brings us back to that watery physique! My suggestion: take a weekend where you don’t have too much on your plate and go cold turkey (plan to sleep a lot). After one week without caffeine and other stimulants, you can reintroduce them twice a week into your system. You’ll be shocked how much your body will harden up once the cortisol gets flushed out! If you absolutely need the caffeine to focus, adding some choline can be very helpful (think 3-5 grams daily).

Photo credit Gaul Porat

5. DIGEST WHAT YOU ARE EATING Most bodybuilders and fitness fanatics are eating the same foods over and over again that their bodies, over time, become less effective in taking the nutrients from what they are fed. As a result, a majority of the consumed protein is not properly broken down and causes digestive issues. The remedy? Digestive enzymes are a great and cost effective way to keep your intestinal flora up and running.

Being able to properly break down your foods is the first step to getting leaner!

6. CHANGE GYMS A new environment can work wonders, so if you are able, change it up! Take the bus into the scary part of town and get a day pass, see what happens. You will have to re-instate your type A personality status, which will require you to work that much harder. Also, there might be potential dates to impress! And lastly, the machines will be different which means new angles for your muscles to work against.

7. START ADDING MAGNESIUM Magnesium is responsible for 400+ different processes in the body and unfortunately, the majority of westerners are deficient. Some of the benefits include: 1. Better sleep, which leads to a higher output of primary fat burner, HGH, 2. Higher testosterone levels, …enough said, 3. Lower inflammation, which allows your body to heal faster from workouts, stress, etc., and 4.

Lower cortisol levels, which lessens the amount of muscle break down and fat storage, especially in the abdominal region. 400-600 mg of magnesium a day should do the trick. ZMA, which includes magnesium, can also work wonders for sleep and recovery after a long day at work.

8. TRY THIS WORKOUT INSTEAD Tired of your current workout? Try my workouts instead. Workouts A and B are timed, 35 minutes max (that means a hard stop after 35 minutes!). The first two workouts are intended to increase your work capacity. Workouts C and D are focused solely on strength and power, the primary goal being to keep as much muscle mass during the diet (so yes, each rep matters!). The golden rule for workouts C and D is 1 second going up (positive), 3 seconds coming down (negative). Add as many warm up sets as you see fit; just keep in mind, for workouts A and B, warm up sets do not count towards the 35 minute time frame.

WORKOUT A CHEST/BACK/SHOULDERS 2x10 Pull Overs @ Nautilus (or with dumbbells) 3x10 One Arm Cable Rows 3x10 Cable Flyes (high) 3x10 Incline Dumbbell Bench 3x10 Overhanded Lat Pull Downs 2x10 Floor Flyes 2x10 Dumbbell Arnold Presses 2x10 Seated Side Raises 2x10 Cable Uncrossovers 2x10 Stiff Arm Pull Downs WORKOUT B LEGS/ARMS 2x10 Cable Pull Throughs 2x10 Step Ups 2x10 Siff Lunges 2x6 Stiff Legged Dead Lifts 2x10 Leg Presses 2x8 Standing Sled Calf Raises 2x10 Face Pulls 3x10 Incline Curls 3x10 Mushroom Press Downs 2x10 Side Raises (hold on top) 2x10 Cable Concentration Curls 2x10 Rear Delt Flyes WORKOUT C 2x10 Bent Over Rows 3x8 Arnold Presses 2x20 Squats, superset with Dumbbell Pull Overs 3x10 Incline Bench 3x25 Calf Raises WORKOUT D 2x10 Face Pulls 3x8 Dips 3x8 Drag Curls 5x5 Dead Lifts 3x8 Seated Rows 3x8 Poliquin Raises 9. LASTLY COMMIT Pick an event or a goal date for your big reveal. This can be a bodybuilding show, a pool party, a photo shoot... you name it. Mail in your application, put down your deposit, and announce your very presence to everyone. Make a promise with yourself. Once you are committed, you will be less likely to back out!

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F I T NE SS Versatile, valuable and consistent are just a few words that teammates and coaches use to describe clutch running back, Chris Ogbonnaya of the Cleveland Browns. A true

chameleon on the field, Chris plays receiver, running back and even special teams, making him extremely knowledgeable on a variety of positions and strategy for each.

In his off season, Chris focuses time on giving back to the community. He

has been involved with Habitat for Humanity for many years and has plans to establish

his own foundation helping underprivileged kids. Chris can often be found speaking to schools to motivate youth on the importance of staying in school and obtaining an education.

Chris was selected to be a style ambassador for the athletic-inspired dress

shirt line, Mizzen + Main, and can often be found on the red carpet mixing styles to perfect his overall unique look. A true sneakerhead, Chris’ shoe collection is always

expanding including the recent addition of a pair of customized Air Jordan 5’s with featuring his jersey number, the vintage Brownie Elf, team logo and colors.

On the Field of his Dreams with NFL SuperStar C h r i s O g b o n n aya

Join us as Chris takes a moment to share with us what give him his competitive edge and the secrets to his success.

RAINE: What was your biggest obstacle reaching your sports career goals?

OGBONNAYA: The first time I ever got cut was in 2009. After flying collegiately - you always were on scholarship. For the first time, there was not that job security.

After it happens a few times, you understand that this is a business and you have to have a thick skin - as one door closes, another door opens. It humbles you and you understand that it is a privilege to play and not a right.

RAINE: Did you have any childhood entrepreneurial pursuits? What was the earliest experience?

OGBONNAYA: In high school, we use to do this thing called Spring Fling. We had to sell booklets in exchange for rewards, i.e. a day off of school - you were responsible for

the sum of your group. The idea behind Spring Fling was to help the group understand

that in order to receive rewards, everyone needed to pull together and perform to reach our goals.

RAINE: Tell us about your interest in helping under privileged youth?

OGBONNAYA: I have always understood that as an athlete and being in the spotlight,

you have to set an example to kids, families and what have you. I try to dedicate myself to being shown in a positive light.

RAINE: What is one fitness fact that you would like to share with our readers?

OGBONNAYA: Run, run, run - that’s what I do. In order to be at your best, you need to be at your ultimate shape - your conditioning has to be at its peak.

RAINE: What are 3 fun facts that you fans don’t know about you?

OGBONNAYA:

1. I Come from a big family - 2 brothers and 2 sisters - spread all over the place 2. Very competitive

3. I like fashion a lot RAINE: What was your most surprising moment on the field?

OGBONNAYA: Being around great players. It humbles you when you are up against other good players and they get the best of you. It is something you understand is

going to happen, but it pushes you to go further and try to get more plays than they do.

RAINE: What words of wisdom do you want to share with aspiring athletes?

OGBONNAYA: Don’t ever give up and always persevere. Keep in mind that it’s about “discipline,” you have to constantly perfect your craft and continually re-invent yourself.

Have patience and always work hard to reach your goals.

BEA U T Y

Blond Ambition Photographer: Lisa Ramsay; Make-up: Gayle Carbajal; Hair: Joe Oso; Fashion Stylist: Pe’a Monique; Model: Aline Thiel, Muse Model Management; Retoucher: Brandi Napier and Lisa Ramsay; Dress: Long Tran; Earrings: Living Dolls

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Crown: Jade Chui Gloves & Necklace: Living Dolls Corset: Ping Hairstyle: Side Braid Updo

Hamess: Jade Chui Uodo: Pompador

BE AU T Y

MUSIC AND MAKEUP WITH

ARDENCY INN AND SI N GE R R A N D A LEI G H

ARDENCY INN, a new makeup brand rooted in the downtown New York music scene, is excited to announce the launch of its Summer 2014 campaign featuring lead singer Randa Leigh of Shadows on Stars, alongside a highly anticipated new product collection.

James Vincent, Director of Artistry and Education, said: “The Shadows on Stars look was inspired by Randa herself. With a nod to new wave, I made the bright pink lip and classic eye look fresh and modern using MODSTER Eyeliner in Cream and MODSTER Lip Color in Forward.”

Shadows on Stars weaves electronic, dance-hall and ‘trap’ sensibilities with alternative soundscapes to establish a pop sound of all their own. In an era of overstated pop anthems, Shadows on Stars relies on restraint. The result is an infectious sonic environment that you can’t quite put your finger on. Lead Singer Randa Leigh and producer Brian V are not to be compared. On their forthcoming album, Shadow on Stars has reinvented themselves by cooking up a confident blend of stylish genredefying pop.

ARDENCY INN Summer 2014 product collection is composed of: MODSTER Lip Balm & Primer – A lip balm that protects and primes with a cool minty kick. Provides all-day moisture and protection to the lips with a cool peppermint scent to freshen breath and a slight green tint to neutralize lip color.

MODSTER Long PlayTM Supercharged Lip Color in Forward – a full coverage long lasting lipstick with the comfort of a balm. Forward is a provocative pink with blue and violet undertones.

Image courtesy of Ardency Inn

MODSTER Smooth Ride Supercharged Eyeliner in Cream – a creamy waterproof eyeliner supercharged with pure pigments. The Cream shade brightens the eye when applied on the water line. It adds an interesting element of style to any eye look.

AMERICANA Soft Focus Moisturizer – An imperfection blurring daily moisturizer. Use alone for a hydrated, luminous skin or mixed with AMERICANA Custom Coverage Concentrate to create your customized tinted moisturizer, liquid foundation or concealer.

The ARDENCY INN Summer Collection is available at select Sephora stores, Sephora. com, UrbanOutfitters.com, and ArdencyInn. com. Shadows on Stars music is available on iTunes.

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B EA U T Y

B E A U T Y

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W H E E L S

Courtesy of Hair Room Service

REVOLUTIONIZING THE HAIR INDUSTRY WITH HAIR ROOM SERVICE Founder and celebrity hairstylist, Michael Dueñas has revolutionized the beauty industry with the introduction of Hair Room Service in 2009. Hair Room Service was one of the first mobile salons to hit the streets in New York City and Los Angeles and soon after its opening was awarded Best of New York and Best of Los Angeles by esteemed publications. These awards further proved the need and demand for such a service in both markets.

Michael found a niche in the industry, saw what was missing and transformed the future of how salons would operate, simply by listening to his clients and their needs. To date, Hair Room Service offers their clients a luxury service of hairstyling, blowouts, manicures, makeup, personal styling and more in the comfort of their home, hotel,

or office. Not only does this save the client the expense of traveling to a salon, but also saves them time and energy.

While the innovation of Hair Room Services started with a great idea and someone that could turn it into reality, there were still certain roadblocks encountered since there was no storefront for the salon. Developing innovative events, such as the Beauty Bus, was one of the ways that Michael found could create the “store front” he needed for Hair Room Service in some of the most highly sought-out locations of the city. The Beauty Bus was simply a see-through truck built into a salon. The mobility of it being a truck stayed true to the concept of his mobile salon, all while giving him the exposure needed in any location throughout the city.

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Visit www.epiceinternational.com and use code RAINE20 for a 20% discount upon checkout.

FA S H I O N TO L I V E F O R

Pushing Boundaries

FAS H I O N TO L IV E F O R

Photographer: Robert Wilde; Wardrobe Styling: Mike Sam @ The English Clientele; Makeup: Eugene Conde; Hair: Eugene Conde; Janera Rose; Models: Daisy Clementine and Pyper America, represented by Next Management LA RAINE MAGAZINE - VOLUME 20

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Model: Daisy: Pleated drop waist gown - Coco Johnsen

Model: Daisy: Leather Poncho - Shelley Caudill; High-waist panty- English Clientele; Patten leather pumps - Red Lable Vivienne Westwood; Wire cuff - Stylist’s Own; Hair Eugene Conde

Left: Model: Pyper; Silk corset gown - English Clientele Couture; Hair: Eugene Conde Right: Leather jacket - Jad Ghandour; High-waist Leather shorts - Free People; Suede w/Silver metallic detail Vivienne Westwood; Hair: Eugene Condea

RAINEMAKER ME E T B E N C A R S O N

Ben Carson Talks Entrepreneurship I looked up and saw across the room a very poised, confident yet humble gentleman that fit the description of who I was scheduled to meet. He had a gentle expression on his face and a very kind smile. As I approached and we both realized we connected with the right person, his ease increased and smile widened.

We chatted casually for a few minutes and made our way to a comfortable lounge area in the Orlando Rosen Hotel to begin the interview. I was excited to discuss some of the important topics in his newest literary creation: One Nation. It was a story of hope and inspiration - two words that are very important to an entrepreneur’s success.

Dr. Carson came from very humble beginnings. He and his brother were raised by his mother after she divorced their Dad when they were still very young. Although his mother did not have much of an education, she made it a priority for her sons to read vigorously and appreciate the value of learning and getting a good education.

As a result, Dr. Carson rose out of poverty, attended Yale Medical School and became a pediatric neurosurgeon, one of the most intense specialties in medicine.

He didn’t stop there; he went on to become the Director of Pediatric Neurosurgery at John Hopkins Medical Center, regarded as one of the leading medical institutions in the country.

During his tenure there, at age 33, Dr. Carson became famous for being the first surgeon to successfully separate conjoined twins joined at the head.

His personal story as a surgeon was turned both into a book and feature film, called Gifted Hands.

Dr. Carson’s passion for education empowered him to create a foundation, The Carson Foundation, that awards academically accomplished youths of which over 5000 recipients have been awarded to date. His entrepreneurial spirit extended beyond his not for profit and poured into his desire to share his story and viewpoints from a different perspective in both America the Beautiful and his newest work: One Nation.

Meet Dr. Ben Carson, academic luminary, accomplished neurosurgeon, common-sense political activist and inspiration to the many lives he has touched.

His journey to the present day is an incredible one - a story that can give hope to millions. Dr. Carson shares a few moments with Raine during a very busy bookour to discuss how his newest literary creation relates to entrepreneurism.

RAINE: How would you equate your journey to someone who is looking to start their own business?

CARSON: When I started as a pediatric neurosurgeon, there were a lot of challenges. There were a lot of things that people said shouldn’t be done or couldn’t be done. The same kinds of things that people encounter that are trying to start businesses. Similarly to business, medicine requires conviction and courage to do things that are new and different but you have to have an understanding that it is going to work.

RAINE: How would you ignite a great number of entrepreneurs to move forward with their goals, or increase the number of small businesses growing in America?

CARSON: What we would have to do starts with the government. Right now, every week there are dozens of new regulations that come out, encircling business, industry, academia— everybody. If the government doesn’t like what you are doing they just start pulling the noose.

About twelve weeks ago the last lead smelting plant was closed in America because the EPA just came in and said, “You violated this… “This will cost you this…,” or “you can just shut down.” That’s just not helpful. We have much better ways of controlling things.

Instead of shutting things down we should be looking at the safest ways of producing things. You look at all the energy resources we have; we should be looking at the safest ways and the most environmentally friendly ways to do that, rather than ways to shut businesses down. That is what will increase entrepreneurship and at the same time encouraging new sources of renewable energy. There are a whole series of ramifications that come with doing things in a wise manner.

RAINE: I like the points you brought out in the book about visionary leadership—wisdom versus knowledge. Can you go into that a little bit?

CARSON: It is primarily the atmosphere that one creates that creates entrepreneurship. Early on in our nation, we created an environment where if somebody did something and it was very productive they become wealthy, their families become wealthy and their communities become wealthy. Because unlike the land barons of Europe, our people would create more factories, textile mills and create things that allowed others to be able to work, which is how we created the most dynamic middle class that the world has ever seen. That is really where our economic power came from, and I think there are some people that

don’t seem to understand that concept anymore.

The whole world recognizes us as entrepreneurs and acknowledges us of the fact that the system we had is one that promoted people doing new things and coming up with new things. The more we stifle that with rules and regulations the less common it is going to become.

RAINE: Running the country is like running a business. Do you agree and if so how?

CARSON: In the business world you have to be able to consider a whole host of things, you have to be able to take into consideration what is good for all the people. That is the real key to good governments. The same goes for business, when people feel like they are a part of the process they are willing to throw themselves into it and the whole organization benefits.

RAINE: This is something that stuck with me when I was reading your book, “tomorrow is not a guarantee, if something needs to be done, just go ahead and do it.” Can you share how that principle can be used by entrepreneurs?

CARSON: Things have a tendency to change fairly rapidly, therefore if you have a good idea there is absolutely no benefit in waiting, because the situation may change fairly quickly, and all of a sudden the window is no longer open. Besides that, time goes by really fast and the older and wiser one gets, the more one recognizes that procrastination is not a good thing.

RAINE: Historically, physicians have been some of the most notable entrepreneurs in our country. What are your thoughts on that?

CARSON: A lot of people don’t know that physicians were involved in the Constitution, Bill of Rights, Declaration of Independence--five of them signed it, but also have been so involved with community.

Unfortunately, over the last few decades they have withdrawn to their laboratories, clinics and their operating rooms. I think this has been a detriment to society; physicians are trained to make decisions on evidence and not on ideology. We’ve reached a point in our nation where those who have one ideology or another and if they propose something and it doesn’t work, they just say, “We didn’t do enough of it, Let’s just do more of it,” and of course that is just completely idiotic but that is how we have gotten into an idiotic situation. I encourage people to start thinking about getting involved in their communities again, and fortunately this year there are 24 physicians running for Congress, so things are starting to change.

RAINE: In relating to your book, how would you equate your ideas to being an entrepreneur?

CARSON: In terms of being able to look at things differently - for instance, when I talk about healthcare

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answer each) CARSON:

Sprite or 7-up – Sprite

Volleyball or kickball – Volleyball Tea or coffee – Neither

Purple Raine or Thriller – Thriller Khakis or blue jeans – Kakis

Gucci or Calvin Klein – Calvin Klein, only because I know the owner

Pizza or hamburgers – Pizza Star Wars or Avatar – Avatar

Montego Bay or St. Tropez – Montego Bay

RAINE: Would the HSA be funded by the employer, the individual or both?

CARSON: It can be funded through a whole list of different things: employer, gifts, tax returns and for the indigent through the government. For what the government already pays into the indigent, this would be considerably less, and yet would give people considerably more flexibility.

RIANE: What cultural or historic figure have you been most compared to?

CARSON: It depends on whether you are talking about people on the right or people on the left. People on the left would say I am more like a demon, and people on the right would compare me to something good. I don’t really care that much about that; what I do care about is doing the right thing. So many people who spend all their time with their finger in the air seeing what people think. No one who ever accomplishes anything great does that! You have to be convicted about what you are doing. I just worry about doing what’s right. I also happen to be a person of faith and I do believe there is a difference between right and wrong and when I talk about compassion, I am talking about it from the point of view of actually improving people’s lives and not making people dependent.

RAINE: What words of wisdom would you share with rising entrepreneurs?

CARSON: I would say learn how you learn, because everybody learns in a different way; play to your strengths and away from your weaknesses. The more you know, the more valuable you become and the more options you have. In terms of entrepreneurship, don’t close yourself off to anything.

Images courtesy of MNS Publicity

RAINE RAPID FIRE QUESTIONS

(Dr. Carson had only a few seconds to

and healthcare reform in the book, I am talking about making healthcare available to all of our citizens. Because I am not a particular fan of the Affordable Care Act, people say, “Well he doesn’t want people to have healthcare.” It’s just the opposite, I want everybody to have healthcare but I want them to have good healthcare. I don’t want there to be a two tier system--the way to do that is health savings accounts. If everybody has a health savings account, there in charge of how the dollars are dispersed. There are a number of different ways we can populate these account financially for a lot less money than were using right now for healthcare and everybody can go and have whatever they need done. If you sprain your ankle and you think you need an x-ray; it’s coming out of your HSA. You need a physical exam; it’s coming out of your HSA. You need birth control pills; it’s coming out of our HSA—no hobby lobby. Consequently, very few things are impinging on your major medical or catastrophic insurance, which means that the cost of that plummets.

Also, if you give people flexibility with their HSA within their family it makes every family their own health insurance company, with no middle man and provides enormous flexibility. By utilizing health saving accounts, it brings the whole healthcare system into the free market, and that is what controls price, and that is what controls quality.

C U LT U R E

FAS H I O N TO LIV E F O R

CARIBBEAN BREEZE

By Sean Drake Photographer: Sean Drakes Designer: Claudia Pegus Stylist: Crystal Ivy London Models: Karielle & Zoe Makeup stylist: Jodi Balfour Coordinator: Marlon Jeffers Special Thanks to: Rachel-Ann McSween, Janelle Johnson, Tourism Development Company. Shot at Coco Reef Resort

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For her 2015 Resort Collection, Claudia Pegus delved into the West Indian paradise of Tobago. The collection titled “Caribbean Breeze,” was inspired by the tropical ambiance of Tobago: sand, sea, sun and warm tropical breezes. The color palette was influenced by the flora and fauna found throughout the beautiful island and are a true expression of the colors of Tobago.

The fabrics used were silk chiffon for a light and airy feel, styled with vibrant wooden beads; the finishes are all hand-beaded. The collection will be shown in several Caribbean islands before delivery to stores in St. Lucia, Martinique, Guadeloupe, Bequai, and Trinidad and Tobago.»

Contact via: ClaudiaPegus.com

TRAV E L | E AT. S TAY. C H IL L

10 THINGS TO DO IN

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Argyle Waterfalls Hikers can discover the island’s highest falls at the end of an easy 15-minute

hike along a trail lined with cocoa trees and The Main Forest Ridge, the oldest reserve in the Western Hemisphere that runs along the island’s central ridge.

Main Ridge Rainforest The reserve is the oldest in the Western Hemisphere. It was established in

1765 as a means to preserve the watershed of the island. The forest offers great biodiversity including many species of birds, mammals, frogs and

non-poisonous snakes. Local tour operators offer rainforest excursions into

the reserve primarily along the Gilpin Trace trail. Nature enthusiasts and birdwatchers walk into relatively undisturbed forest and feast on the flora

and fauna. The reserve has consecutively won the award for World’s Leading Ecotourism Destination by the World Travel Awards from 2003 to 2007.

Cotton Bay Cotton Bay is a tourist friendly, uncrowded and serene private beach and can only be reached by boat.

Turtle Beach Turtle Beach is a mile-long sandy, sloping

beach famous as a nesting site for giant leatherback turtles (March-August).

Radical Sports (wind surfing, kite boarding)

Those who prefer wind or kitesurfing can visit Radical Water Sports, Tobago’s only

professional windsurf and water sports center.

The center is the perfect pit-stop for beginners and advanced surfers alike as it is located on

the northern tip of the world-famous Pigeon Point Heritage Park which is protected by

the Buccoo Reef, making it ideal for all levels of windsurfers.

One side the beach faces

the Nylon Pool lagoon where beginners can

learn their techniques, while less than 100 yards away the beach on the leeward side is

sheltered and unaffected by wind, making it excellent for swimming and sunbathing and an

ideal location for those with non-windsurfers in the family.

For more information, visit

radicalsportstobago.com.

Nylon Pool A veritable tranquil paradise in the ocean, Nylon Pool was given the name by Princess Margaret after her visit there in 1962, who thought the

water was as clear as her nylon stockings.

This unique feature of the reef complex allows swimmers to enjoy their own private swimming

pool. Depths are no greater than 7-10 feet at

high tides. Local folklore promises that a swim in the waters of the Nylon Pool will make you look five years younger.

Pigeon Point Located on the leeward side of Tobago,

Pigeon Point is perhaps the island’s best sea

and land encounter with over 1600 meters of white sand. The islands most famous beach can boast of powdery white sand and leaning

coconut palms. Located on a private coconut estate, the small admission fee entitles you

to use of the beaches facilities. There is a gift shop, washroom/ showers, snack shop

and entertainment stand. One of the most memorable landmarks of Tobago is the little

coconut palm covered shelter at the end of the jetty. Pigeon point is also a popular fishing destination, offering a number of different game fish throughout the year.

Buccoo Bay/Buccoo Reef Buccoo is home to goat racing and is a very popular tourist destination, especially known for its diving. Buccoo Reef is the

largest coral reef in Tobago and was designated as a marine park in 1973. The

popular dive site contains a reef system of five flats separated by deep channels. As a true coral reef, divers can find thousands of

barrel, rope and tube sponges on the reef, which are home to countless invertebrates,

hydroids and fish. The coral in Tobago is in excellent health and large sizes such as

the brain coral heads (reported as being

the largest in the world) are estimated to be hundreds of years old and span more than 13 feet across. A spectrum of color is

offered by the coral gardens and the marine life supported by the reef.

Castara Bay Castara, located on the north-western

side of Tobago, is a quiet, peaceful fishing

village in an area which includes a cove surrounded

by

sheltering

mountains

protecting a beautiful beach. Activities in

the area are snorkelling, diving, fishing, and hiking. There is a waterfall nearby and Castara Beach is approximately 8,200 feet long.

Speyside Speyside

is

a

leading

scuba

diving

destination attracting divers who come to

experience the Brain Coral and magnificent

Speyside Bay Reef. Kayaking is popular in Speyside, as visitors can paddle for about an hour across to Little Tobago Island or

along the island’s West Coast that features deserted beaches along the route. There

are also glass-bottom boat tours for a trip around Angel Reef, the Goat Island and Little Tobago Island.

Little Tobago Island Little Tobago is a small island off the

northeastern coast of Tobago. Less than

a half a mile in area, the island. The island is the perfect spot for birding, as a number

of different species can be spotted on the

island in addition to birds that can be seen from neighboring islands.

C ULT U R E

Purchased from founder Lexi Scott, 6 years ago, Workbook started as a directory to provide the commercial artist a way of selling their art to buyers. From those initial steps, current Owner and CEO William Daniels III, has shaped Workbook into the leading platform that provides adaptable marketing tools available to photographers, illustrators, letterers and designers who are serious about reaching the most active and important art buyers in their fields.

Although very dedicated to their original mission, through Daniel’s carefully executed vision, Workbook has grown into three distinct resources for the creative community: Workbook Print, Workbook Portfolio and Workbook Directory. Most recently, Workbook acquired Dripbook, an online platform that allows creatives to develop and present beautiful and dynamic digital portfolios that they can also share virtually. The addition of Dripbook allows Workbook an extreme advantage over its competitors, becoming a one stop shop for professionals in art, illustration, architecture, and photography who want to best showcase their work and have it seen by those who most seek it.

Workbook Print Workbook Photography and Illustration are sets of creative industry resource books featuring a combined collection of work from emerging and established advertising photographers, illustrators, letterers, and designers. The industry classic, Workbook has a proven track record for connecting art directors, designers and creative buyers with the right artist for their projects.

Image courtesy of Workbook

Workbook Portfolio Workbook Portfolio is an online resource featuring over 900 established and emerging photographers, illustrators, letterers and designers and their representatives. It offers the fastest and easiest way to search, browse, and bookmark creative talent, with the ability to narrow results by specialty or location, as well as to view new and updated Portfolios.

Workbook Directory Workbook Directory provides wide-reaching and aggressivelyupdated creative industry contacts, including advertising agencies, design studios, corporate in-house/client-direct, photographers, illustrators, letterers, artist representatives, stock agencies, industry resources and support services.

In addition, Workbook has branched further into the creative world to do for the modeling industry what it has done for the art—innovate! Already working with a handful of agencies, Workbook aims to help promote agencies and provide a new way of delivering top agencies to the masses to fill a need. In its 36th year as a leader in the art industry, Workbook is dedicated to providing the creative community premium sourcebooks, and a website with comprehensive features and resources for finding top talent and services.

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C U LTU R E

IA NT HTI R RS TO QDU EUN CC H II NNG GM U SOT NH ALV EI

What makes Onli unique is its natural taste. All flavors contain healthy ingredients and are made with delicious fruit extracts.

Not only is it one of a kind in taste but you feel better drinking it as opposed to similar beverages filled with sugar. Some of the main flavors include: Hibiscus Pomegranate Aronia, Huckleberry Pomegranate and Lemon Watermelon to name a few.

Recently, Onli was featured at the 100 Years of Fashion on Worth Avenue, South Beach Food and Wine Festival, International Polo Palm Beach, Boca Raton Wine and Food Festival, Miami Magazine Men of Style Events, The Atlanta Men of Style, Taste of Speed Atlanta and Art Basel Miami Events.

So go ahead and crack open an Onli! We are sure you will be able to enjoy it on its own or as part of a tasty cocktail creation to be paired with your favorite foods.

Images courtesy of ONLI

Palm-Beach based beverage company, Onli, has taken the beverage industry by storm! Onli specializes in chef inspired sparkling water, providing a healthy option that brings together exquisite taste with simple, natural flavors. Drink it alone or mix it with a cocktail--great for any occasion!

Nadav Heimberg, founder and CEO explains, “Our vision for a healthy beverage was clear, we knew our necessary qualities: healthy, natural, different and exceptional taste”.

Not new to launching successful companies, Heimberg, is a serial-entrepreneur in every sense of the word, with Onli being his sixth operation. In his early years, he helped launch several companies in various industries, including high tech, automotive and merger acquisition. Onli, came about when he was asked to research and acquire a beverage company for a group of investors. In turn, they looked to Heimberg to run the company.

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cooking with gold Her hair is flaming red, and her gourmet dishes are outlandishly creative and deviously delicious. And

now, award-winning celebrity Chef Adrianne Calvo is bedazzling diners at her five-star Miami eatery with

appetizers, entrees and desserts glittering with 24-karat gold.

Chef Adrianne takes pride in being a culinary

maverick, always on the lookout for outrageous and

unexpected colors, tastes and textures with which to atssault her patrons’ palates, but her decision to use gold in her recipes is based on more than a mere desire to sprinkle a little eye candy onto her patrons’ plates.

“Gold has always been considered to be a

mineral with medical and healing properties,” Chef Adrianne said. “It’s been used for centuries to calm

joint inflammation and arthritis, treat skin disorders, and improve overall health and wellness, so it seemed like a perfect ingredient to add to the mix.”

Chef Adrianne features gold-themed dishes

once every month during her restaurant’s “Dark Dining

Nights”, a two-hour event where patrons heighten their

senses by wearing blindfolds while enjoying a specially prepared multi-course gourmet meal.

“We’ll gradually be incorporating gold into our

regular nightly specials so more of our diners can have the gold experience without wearing blindfolds,” she said. Chef Adrianne has incorporated gold in entrees, such as steak tartare, desserts and pastas.

“We’ve even sprinkled it on kale, to make a

Super Green,” she said. “With gold as an ingredient, the possibilities are endless.”

ABOUT CHEF ADRIANNE

Filled with the love for food at a young age, Adrianne focused her efforts on her one true aspiration, cooking.

At age 27, Adrianne has enjoyed an incredible number of accolades during her remarkable journey in becoming

a nationally acclaimed chef. Coining the catch phrase

“Maximum Flavor”, Adrianne has managed to exceed to the maximum degree. From graduating top of her class at Johnson & WalesUniversity, to now owning

and operating her own restaurant, Chef Adrianne’s

Photos courtesy of Chef Adrianne Calvo

Vineyard Restaurant and Wine Bar, Adrianne continues

to influence the culinary community as well as the way people experience fine dining.

Most recently, Chef Adrianne’s restaurant

and wine bar was featured in the Miami New Times’ “Best of Miami”, Urbanspoon’s Miami “Top Rated Restaurants” and “Most Popular”, and was listed as one of “The Five Best Celebrity Chef Restaurants in Miami”

by Hopperblog.com.

Chef Adrianne is a frequently invited quest

on local Miami TV cooking-and food-programs andsegments, and she can be seen regularly on Foodable WebTV Network, on her own show “Food as a Lifestyle”.

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image courtesy of Riudavets

CU LT U R E

Riudavets

I N N O VAT I N G S I M P L I C I T Y A N D Q U A L I T Y The humble beginnings of the first Avarca sandals have their start rooted deep in the rustic terrain of the Menorcan countryside, where the land is hard and dry. Given these conditions, villagers needed work shoes that were versatile, yet simple in design.

Established in the late 1920s, and currently run by the third generation, the t family were innovators long before it was hip to be a part of the creative class of entrepreneurs – solving problems for the masses.

Today Riudavets Avarcas are a Mediterranean lifestyle staple, worn by locals and island vacationers alike, including the Royal Family of Spain. You will struggle to find someone who has visited the island of Menorca and hasn’t taken a pair of Traditional Avarcas home with them. In many ways Avarcas sandals mirror the values of Menorcan society—simple, comfort with a respect for the environment. These are all values that are held in high regard by the Riudavets family and are the building principles that are found in each pair of expertly crafted hand-made Avarca sandals.

What makes Avarca sandals innovative is their less-ismore approach to shoe design. Known throughout the world for the exceptional quality and comfort that only three generations of experience in shoe making can provide, each pair of Avarca sandals feature a hidden side stitch, high quality leathers and a rubber sole made from recycled tires. And let’s not forget their obvious fashion appeal that will take you from day to night in seconds flat—no fuss required.

Riudavets are the obvious choice for a new generation of fashion savvy customers whose out-of-the-box style is as enduring as the original Avarca sandals from yester-year.

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TECHNOLOGY + GIVING BACK + FUN =

501 AUCTIONS

Volunteering at a local charity auction in the spring of 2010, Jon Carrier was convinced the event had the potential to raise more money if a better system could be found to collect auction bids and process payments. That same summer, when most of his fellow MBA students were interning with DC firms, Jon, a software engineer by training, set out to build a fundraising platform. Designed with the fundraising professional and donor in mind, it allowed guests to bid on their mobile phones, while streamlining many of the administrative tasks involved in running a fundraising event.

The University of Virginia’s Public Interest Law Association (PILA) agreed to use the new platform in the fall with tremendous success.

Fundraising revenue increased by 34% and guests loved the excitement of bidding on their own smartphones. With that, 501 Auctions was born.

The online silent auction in the lead-up to the live event “gave people an opportunity to research items,” PILA President Ashley Matthews said. “The fact that it was online helped people to aggressively bid on items, and increased our revenue total.”

Encouraged by the results, Jon reached out to his own network in an effort to source new clients. A technologist at heart, he soon realized he needed a sales and general business partner if he was truly determined to scale the service.

Upon their return to school in the fall, Jon reached out to a friend and classmate, Teddy Jones. With five years of sales and product management experience in the software-as-a-service industry, Teddy immediately saw the potential in the system. “The market need was clear,’ he says. “The system’s ability to make bidding easy and fun for guests, as well as streamline many of the time intensive tasks for the event organizers meant it was a service that I knew people would want.”

Profitable from the beginning, 501 Auctions now employs a full time staff of twelve with more than one hundred part time workers and helps nonprofits run events nationwide. The secret to their success: hiring the right people. “Time and time again, we hear our clients praise both the usability of the software and the unparalleled customer service our Account Managers provide”, says Teddy. “Our full commitment to our customer’s happiness and success is the main reason our clients return to work with us again and again.”

Both founders have a clear vision for the future of the company.

“We’re both very different people, and therefore complement each other’s skillsets well”, says Teddy, “while we don’t always agree, it’s a healthy dynamic and one which improves our collective contributions and efforts.”

In 2014 alone, they are set to help nonprofits raise more than $30 million dollars for important causes across the US. A concentration on reliable technology, excellent customer service and an emphasis on listening to the needs of their clients, means the list of those they have worked with, including the US Tennis Association, Ronald McDonald House, and Boys and Girls Clubs of America, is set to grow.

The world of fundraising is increasingly using technology to achieve their fundraising goals and broaden their reach. “We believe every nonprofit has the potential to raise more money”, says Teddy, “and 501 can help them.”

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FAS H I O N TO L IV E F O R

F I N A L L Y . ..A F O RW AR D T AKE ON EC O-FAS H IO N

By Michelle Winters Rising Indian Designer, Sruthi is the young and inventive talent behind OWL Fashions. Her Eco-Fashion brand is proudly bending the rules. Recently, Sruthi debuted her collection in Portland Fashion Week and enticed the audience with light and luxurious looks which are made from the most innovative origins. When asked about the concept behind her collection and environmentally friendly brand, she commented: “To use unadulterated inspiration sourced from nature, to create and weave a guilt-free fabric of style, comfort, expression, and to give back to the Ecosystem - even as we take from it. OWL Fashions is a conscious effort and a real solution to the fashion world seeking an intelligent, natural expression to being stylish.”

Sruthi and her team have successfully invented ecofriendly fabrics from various blends of more than 12 different natural sources: banana, pineapple, beachwood, milkweed, tapioca, aloe vera, and more. Some of her fun and versatile textiles are also produced from recycled wastes and plastics, making OWL Fashions one of the leading sustainable manufacturers in India. When asked to expand on more detail behind the composition of some of her fabrics, Sruthi responds, “For example, now we eat banana fruit and we use banana leaf but we neglect the stub. For getting fibers from banana, its

stub is used while saving this precious material from going into a landfill. The same case happens with aloe vera too, we use the pulp but we negelect the skin. So, using the skin actually allows farmers to get extra income and also provides jobs to people for separate fibre. So, it all adds value to the economy.”

In terms of her designs, Sruthi continues to broaden her range of creativity. “ We use techniques for weaving and embroidering of which are ancient and traditional and have been followed by the artisans for ages. These techniques are a preserved form of art. By doing this we are helping one of our ancient techniques to be prevailed. Also, handmade painting is used in our designs to portray the work of the artist while honoring old and rich heritage - all the while showcasing their work worldwide. This also includes handmade printing as opposed to digital.

Our team is comprised of a majority of women who are handling farming, weaving, and tailoring. They are our strength.” OWL Fashions is offering an industry changing product with a social cause, in which ten percent of profits are donated. The globe awaits more exciting designs and perspectives on eco friendly fabric from international designer, Sruthi and welcome her growth in an industry seeking innovators like herself.

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Photos courtesy of OWL Fashions

CU LT U R E

N i cole

A

N E W

N I C H E

No o n an I N

Crowned the “Fairy Godmother” of divorce by the New York Post’s Julia Marsh, Nicole is a founding partner and President of National Divorce Capital, Inc. and directly oversees NDC’s client relations.

NDC offers necessary funding for women who are seeking assistance to cover attorney’s fees, accountants and personal living expenses while going through a difficult time their lives. NDC provides a customized approach to funding to help create a balanced situation for those that need help.

Even though Nicole’s duties for NDC does not include acting as an attorney or giving legal advice, she is committed to promoting self-confidence in women so that they may feel empowered to overcome hurdles in their personal relationships. Her background includes being an experienced matrimonial attorney who practiced with a number of top-rated divorce law firms throughout her career. She was instrumental in the litigation of a large number of complex family law cases involving both financial and custody disputes, including some of the leading reported cases on these areas.

She has held the prestigious role of General Counsel at one of New York’s largest real estate appraisal firms, and has significant expertise in the areas of family law, custody and visitation, domestic violence, complex financial issues, commercial litigation and property law. Nicole understands the nuances of the divorce system from the inside out and is frequently quoted and has appeared in national media on divorce related issues.

She has created a unique opportunity for women to seek financial assistance during what could be one of the most challenging times in their lives. Nicole is passionate about helping woman and has used an out of the box approach to doing so.

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F I N A N C E

For Work or Play

riudav ets us a. com

For Sun or Shade