“The Path Less Travelled”- Uncommon Tips for New Entrepreneurs

Starting your own business and becoming an entrepreneur is exciting and has become increasingly popular in the past years. This increasing popularity is mainly due to how much easier starting your own business has become.

Nowadays, many people use the internet to start their businesses. Maybe you are interested in starting an online business or just want to use the internet for help. Regardless of the case, you must have run into many different tips for new entrepreneurs. Many of these tips retell the same things over and over again. Here are some lesser-known tips that you might not have heard about before.

Make sure that you keep yourself safe

Even as an individual person, you must have heard how important it is to ensure safety while using the internet. This importance only increases when you’re starting a business. There is always a risk of getting frauded online, where scammers could hack things like your bank account and other important personal information. Events like these could lead to a liquidity issue for you and your vendors, which is why you must pick some solid passwords for your business. Using a tool such as https://passwordhero.com/, you can get help finding a unique password. Having a unique password that doesn’t feature your pet’s name or your maiden name, you keep all characters at random, which makes it a lot harder to hack. 

There is no perfect time for starting a business

Sure, timing is important, and there are times when the market is better than others. Still, this doesn’t mean that there is an actual perfect time to start a new business. This might feel a little encouraging, but you can also take it this way. Even the most uneven times can still work for starting a new business.

This is not to deny the fact that it is one of many things to consider when starting your new business. While timing plays a factor into success, it helps to take advantage of every angle you can think of. But, nevertheless, if you have a great idea and the knowledge of how to make it work, you don’t have to be discouraged by the current time.

Overnight success is a myth

We have all heard stories of overnight success, in which people find success almost miraculously. For your own sake, it’s important to know that these stories are a myth. Stories of opportunities just dropping at people’s laps are a marketing scheme used for branding purposes.

If you look into any overnight success story, you will find out that this has taken a lot of work prior. Of course, if you have been working with something hard for many years with almost no success, and suddenly customers notice you, this might feel like an overnight success. It’s still important to remember to do the required work.

There are no completely unique ideas

The last tip might be a bit surprising. Namely, there are no completely unique ideas anymore. Technology has improved so much throughout the years that basically every type of business has been invented. So even if you think you have the most unique idea, there is most likely another business that has a similar service or product.

All this might sound very encouraging, but it doesn’t need to be. You can use this as an encouragement to go forward with your idea. Even if there is already another business offering a similar service or product as yours, yours could be better. You will only find this out by starting your own business.

What does well-being mean in the digital age? Guidelines from Nina Hersher

With the advent of social media, our lives have become heavily dependent on the internet. The global pandemic further reinforced the idea of digital dependency when the dynamics of the world changed and our lives, both work and personal, started relying on the internet altogether. Whether it was buying groceries, paying the bills, taking online classes, submitting homework, or wiring money to someone, all we had to do was connect to our devices, go online and get things done. And even now, when our daily routines are getting back to normal, we find the online world of functioning so convenient that we can’t seem to stop. 

What we don’t realize is that staying attached to our devices 24/7 can be harmful to our mental well-being. This is where Nina Claire Hersher, keynote speaker, author, and Chief Learning Officer of The Digital Wellness Institute, comes in to guide us about the importance of tech-life balance and optimizing our digital habits. 

Nina Hersher holds a specialized Master of Social Work in Digital Culture and Program Development, and is an Oasis in the Overwhelm Facilitator and Meditation Teacher. Her pioneering work in the Digital Wellness movement includes co-founding the Digital Flourishing® wheel and mindful tech approach with her team at The Digital Wellness Institute, which led to the creation of the first scientifically validated survey instrument to measure well-being in the digital age. Her leadership brought to life the first nationally accredited “Certified Digital Wellness Educator” program, leading to an educational impact partnership with the 2-time Emmy award-winning documentary, The Social Dilemma, and two internationally renowned universities.

Frustrated with the lack of resources and education in the field of digital wellness, she focused her graduate studies on digital culture and mental health, and upon graduating, became increasingly dedicated to helping people reclaim their peace of mind in a fast-paced world and always-on culture. Her success lies in her credibility and her reputation as a leader in the field since she has been working on digital wellness for the past 12 years. Nina’s holistic approach towards digital wellness, The Digital Flourishing approach®, encompasses a healthy use of tech instead of an anti-tech mentality – acknowledging technology has become an integral part of our lives. Her hopeful, empowerment-oriented approach to balance and living in harmony with the digital world set her apart as an educator and speaker in the digital era.

Some of her guidelines to promote digital resilience are listed below: 

Assess the quality of your breaks 

It is essential to take some time out between meetings for lunch, walks and movement, but we know not all breaks are created equal. Imagine you had an inner battery. Note which breaks charge your battery and which depletes it. Does a walk in nature feel different than watching the news? While this will look different for everyone, consider a phone-free break to recharge yourself just as you would your phone. Realign your body on that break.

Limit distractions to enhance productivity 

Create a physical space to focus on your work completely. This might be a corner of your living room with a privacy screen or a converted garage. No matter where you work, take time to differentiate your workspace from your home environment where you unwind. There is a lot of research that supports this idea of ‘focus.’ We all think we can multitask, but in reality, when we are task-switching between laundry and emails, it takes time to get ‘into’ the task you are switching to. Setting up some clear division between your physical workspace and your personal space is key. If you live in a small apartment, that might mean a ‘shut down’ ritual where you close your laptop, put it out of sight and have some me-time. If you have more space, you can do things like put up dividers, add a curtain, and close a door. The idea is to set some precise time and space boundaries while the goal is to create a physical environment to support your mental and physical health.

Optimize meetings

Ensure there are agendas for the meetings to promote efficiency and respect everyone’s time. Try giving the team breaks in between calls, as this transition will serve to combat zoom fatigue and boost energy among employees.  

Unplug 

Create an area of the home or “unplug box” that doubles as a charging station to reduce your temptation to check your phone or laptop after hours. Go for a 30+ minute unplugged morning or evening routine to practice digital boundaries, reclaim your peace of mind, and protect your sleep. 

Healthy use of gadgets 

Also called tech-enabled health, people usually relate to this through the lens of wearables, apps, etc. You can use Siri on your iPhone to set a reminder to take a break in 20 minutes or use the apple watch for something similar. Another option is to use a wearable like an Oura ring to track exercise and sleep and make changes related to the results that are generated. You can also use the operating system on your iPhone or Android to track screen time and set personalized limits. Be sure to balance checking the data and related apps with unplugged, introspective check-ins. Checking too many gadgets may make you feel stressed out!

These are just a few tips on how you can control your screen time and avoid digital fatigue. However, if you want to learn more, you can always get in touch with Nina Hersher on her website or social media platforms for a more detailed pathway, or read her bestselling book, ‘Your Playbook for Thriving in the Remote Work Era’. Choose whatever you deem fit, but one thing is sure: digital wellness is of utmost importance, especially in this day and age. Hence it is high time we update our wellness practices for the digital age. 

Johnny Hachem: ‘The Pianist’ from Lebanon

Pianists have a vibe about them like no other musician. The poise and elegance that comes with them are extraordinary. The piano is not just an instrument for great pianists; they work their magic on all 88 keys to produce some of the best soothing, heartfelt, and soulful melodies that can put all music aficionados under their spell. Over the past three centuries, renowned piano players from all around the world have created impactful melodies that touch the heart, even if you listen to them today. 

If we say that some legendary pianists have literally transformed music in epic ways, it won’t be an understatement. In recent times, composer and pianist Johnny Hachem, from Lebanon, has been doing rounds for his amazing piano skills and making everyone fall in love with his incredible compositions.  

Hailing from a musical background, Johnny’s dad was a violinist while his mother was a pianist; hence he always felt inspired by the musical world he was living in. According to Johnny, he was touched by the magic of music when he was just a child. “I remember very well how heartwarming it was to hear my parents play together in my younger years,” he shared. “It felt like a surfer commanding the waves; it was such a beautiful experience. From that moment, I felt I had to be part of it,” he added. It was during this phase of his life when Johnny discovered his life’s purpose and passion. 

Johnny also revealed that apart from his parents, he also drew inspiration from many well-known musicians. During his childhood, he used to listen to German composer Richard Wagner whose tunes greatly affected him. It made him feel like being soulfully elevated into another world. That was a turning point in his life – he decided to become a composer just like Richard and create music that inspires, motivates, and feels like an exceptional experience for everyone who listens to it. Johnny started learning piano and music composition at the Lebanese Higher Conservatory of Music, where he earned a master’s degree; that too with distinction.

While being skilled in playing the piano and training for this art from an early age, Johnny knew talent without hard work never succeeds. Therefore he dedicated his heart, soul, and time to further mastering his craft and improving his skills. For those who don’t know, Johnny has been a professional pianist for over 20 years now, composing melodious music. He has even composed for solo instruments, chamber music as well as orchestras. Johnny’s compositions have been performed on many stages in many countries by different symphony orchestras. 

Talking about his dreams, he shared that it is his ultimate dream to perform in every country at least once. One of the true genius pianists of the current times, Johnny has also performed his compositions as a soloist at several concerts and international festivals in Ukraine, Lebanon, Switzerland, France, Austria, Germany, England, Spain, Poland, Romania, Netherlands, Lithuania, South Korea, and other Arab countries.

A remarkable pianist, Johnny has also received many awards and nominations on some of the most prestigious musical platforms around the world. He has been praised and admired on various international awards platforms, including the 2009 Music Composition at The International Composition Conference in France. He even achieved third place at the 2021 Classic Pure Vienna International Composition Competition in Vienna, Austria. On what makes his music so amazing and unique, he stated, “My music is based heavily on the style of Neo-romanticism with some modernistic elements. Though I have many modern/contemporary style compositions, I believe that music always needs beauty to survive, and I found this beauty in the neo-romanticism style that gives more importance to the representation of internal feelings.”

Johnny Hachem describes himself as ‘a successful peacemaker through music’. Despite coming from a war-affected country, he always felt war has never been a solution. As an ambassador of peace, his vision to unite people over music is truly an inspiration for many upcoming artists. “My childhood was not easy because of the war. This made it difficult to enjoy normal academic and psychological conditions. I would snuggle up to play the piano at home when there was a ceasefire and also for studying at school. I remember very well how many times we rushed to the school shelter because of the bombing,” he informed. “The journey was never easy, but I knew giving up was not an option. The only way I could show my resistance against the war and all those killings was by working on my dream, which is exactly what I did. I wanted to become a professional musician and spread peace in my own way, and that’s what I am doing now,” he concluded.

Conquering with determination – KILLAIMIJ credits his hard work after receiving a certified RIAA plaque from Spotify

Dancehall music is a popular Jamaican music genre that originated in Kingston, Jamaica, during the political roughness of the 1970s. Also known as ragga or dub, it wasn’t until the 1980s and 90s that people showed interest in it, making it the top-ranked music form of that time. What is great about this music genre is that it focuses on the DJ, who raps over a prerecorded track based on bass guitar and drum rhythms. It is a branch of the famous genre called Reggae, representing different cultures and disseminated ideologies. 

When it comes to Dancehall, among the few artists that have conquered people’s hearts is none other than music producer, Sheldon Thaxter, famously known as KILLAIMIJ. He had a very humble beginning in Kingston, Jamaica. Being raised by his mother alone in his father’s absence made his childhood quite traumatic, full of struggles and hardships. Despite all the challenges, he managed to attend Titchfield High School in Portland, Jamaica and graduated in 2008. He later went to the College of Agriculture Science and Education. After two years, he joined the Jamaica Constabulary Force in 2010 and served there before migrating to the United States. He then joined the Marine Corps in the US, and due to his untiring efforts, he made it to the rank of sergeant. 

This Dancehall genius knows no boundaries as far as music is concerned. After receiving a certified RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) plaque from Spotify, KILLAIMIJ proudly credits his hard work and determination for his success. Talking about his true calling and passion, he says, “A musician’s brain is wired differently than non-musicians. Studying music from a young age gave me an intense internal desire to keep growing, and water finds its own level. So, music inspired me. Besides, I believe hard work is the key to success. You have to be happy and love the work you do to be successful.”

KILLAIMIJ became popular by releasing his debut rhythm, “Clock Tick”, with the hit single “Bubble Up” by Former Portmore Empire member Gaza Kim, and received over 500K streams on Spotify. “Not many people believed I was capable of pulling this off and becoming an established producer, but I am honored that I proved all of them wrong with my consistency and hard work,” he said regarding his feat. Besides, he is inspired by Vybz Kartel, claiming that he is the most talented human he has ever known in Dancehall music. Sheldon also added that musicians Oleada and Jaycrazie believed in him throughout his journey and supported him in every possible way. 

There is more to this creative music producer than meets the eye. The first two songs KILLAIMIJ produced were history9Grainz – Tik Tok Tik song, which received over 100k views on YouTube during the first month and Gaza Kim – “Bubble Up” song charted on the popular top 10 charts in Jamaica. Apart from that, he established a studio in Kingston, Jamaica, in order to produce young talents and help those who usually don’t get a chance to showcase their talent due to financial issues. KILLAIMIJ believes in motivating young upcoming artists. He stated, “Just don’t give up on your dream and be creative/unique because the world loves people who stand out in anything that they do.” Moreover, to set an example for aspiring music producers, he stressed the fact that there will be problems when you start your own journey. But you have to keep moving forward without losing hope. “I am not going to sit here and say it was glitter and gold. No, it was not an easy road. Competition is high and to set a benchmark in the Reggae/Dancehall arena takes a lot out of you, including sacrifices, hard work and dedication. You must love what you do and be patient because you won’t see success overnight because sometimes it can take even three months or more for a song to blow up,” he elaborated.

As for KILLAIMIJ’s upcoming projects, he revealed that he is currently working on his second project with Jaycrazie, which is the Buzzer Riddim. The latest project includes artists like Munga Honorable, Maestro Don, I Octane and Gaza Kim, to name a few. KILLAIMIJ has always been very optimistic about his work, and that makes him stand out from the crowd. He never lets his guard down, no matter how difficult the circumstances get.

The Dancehall producer KILLAIMIJ is authentic, ambitious, controversial, outrageous and spontaneous. And hence he has received the recognition he deserves in this competitive music industry. Undoubtedly, this extraordinary artist is here to make music that lasts a lifetime with a legacy!

Atty. Henry E. Reaves III Gives a Voice to the Voiceless Through His Esteemed Reaves Law Firm

True justice is all about giving the voiceless the power to defend themselves. Atty. Henry E. Reaves III has devoted his life’s work towards becoming the voice for the powerless through the Reaves Law Firm. His practice has become one of the fastest-growing mid-sized law firms in the Southeast region, focusing on personal injury law. Established in 2011, the firm fully embodies its tagline, “Let Us Be Your Voice,” with a promise to serve underrepresented populations and give them the ability to stand against the opposition.

Reaves Law Firm is a prestigious law firm that does not rely on gimmicks or jingles. They deliver on their promise with a sound mind and a just conviction, making them a reliable ally no matter the cause. The firm has served countless satisfied clients in Tennessee, Mississippi, and Arkansas, with multiple seven-figure settlements for their clients. Since launching Reaves Law Firm, PLLC in 2011, Henry E. Reaves III has followed one guiding principle: “We want to be loved by our clients, we want to be respected by our peers, and we want to be feared by our opposition.”

Prior to establishing his own practice, Henry E. Reaves III graduated from Indiana University School of Law and landed his first job in a Memphis firm that defended insurance companies and corporations. But, caught between his true convictions and a job he had to work, he quickly came to realize that this was not what he wanted to do his entire life. “Basically, what I was doing was keeping hurt people from getting paid, and I had conflicts with that,” recalled the esteemed lawyer. “It didn’t sit well with me.”

Thus, he decided to finally leave the firm and pour his heart and soul into building his own practice that would help people who have been hurt rather than oppress them. With the valuable insights and knowledge, he gained during his stint at the defense firm, he has acquired the ability to look at issues from both sides. With his unique competitive edge, Henry E. Reaves III has led his practice towards numerous victories, building his firm’s reputation and granting his clients the help they deserve.

“It helps me because I got to see the other side,” he says. “I know their tactics and how they look at cases and evaluate cases. Just being on that side, living it and walking it, was priceless.” Much of Henry’s success is deeply rooted in his compassion for injured people and his expertise in the law. He has come a long way since his early days as a solo attorney, fighting and winning legal battles, including jury verdicts of $1.8 million and $1.3 million. Overall, Henry E. Reaves III has helped his clients recover millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts.

Currently, Henry E. Reaves III is poised to continue helping his community. He envisions Reaves Law Firm becoming one of the biggest and foremost personal injury law firms in the United States, helping underrepresented people gain a voice inside and outside of the court. Additionally, as a person of color himself, he hopes to inspire other people from his community to reach for their dreams and build upon their success. Henry has become a beacon of light for his community, and his unfaltering will is a testament to his passion for the people.