Chinese Language Education in World Trying to Reconnect

NY Weekly Staff on March 24, 2023

Joshua Dominick, Translator

Language is a tool. People learn language to expand their scope of knowledge, to do business, to understand other peoples and cultures, or to talk to their friends and family. Successful learners of foreign languages have two things in common – a strong impetus and an environment where they can use their acquired language skills.

The Chinese language is a crucial foundation for many East Asian languages and dialects as well as a source of cultural identity for not only the Chinese people but Japanese, Koreans and even Vietnamese through their adoption of Chinese characters. This has created a synergy between various Asian cultures. 

China’s economic miracle and the economic drive it has created has made it necessary and even attractive for people to learn the Chinese language. Where there is demand, there will ultimately be supply. As a result, educational institutions worldwide, including universities, high schools and even primary schools, have started offering courses in Mandarin, while China itself has been working to promote cultural and linguistic programs through the Confucius Institutes and other partnership programs. 

While progress has been made in this area, there are still barriers to the further promotion and presence of the Chinese language in many countries worldwide, especially in developed nations. 

Why do we study language

In today’s global village, despite advances in artificial intelligence and communication technologies, a mastery of language is required to truly engage with and be effective in the larger international community. In Europe, India and many African countries, where multiple languages abound, this has been a fact of life for people for centuries. Languages like Latin, French, and later English served as common tongues throughout various periods in history due to imperial and colonial expansion. In contrast, classical Chinese and Sanskrit were official languages to facilitate communication across time and geographies. 

Despite the varied linguistic traditions and needs of various peoples and nations worldwide, the ultimate reason humans study a language other than their native tongue is singular: communication. The content of that communication could be diplomatic, economic, philosophical, religious or anything in between. It could also be spoken or written. 

In the past, education systems throughout the world used a common language to pass on knowledge of the past to later generations. In Europe, Latin was taught to teach young people the classics that formed the foundation for philosophical and social values that originated in ancient Rome and Greece; today, this has become less common. Similarly, Classical Chinese, used nearly exclusively in its written form for many centuries, served a similar purpose as Latin, but it also ensured that information could be shared across China’s massive territory and be understood by people in regions that spoke entirely unintelligible dialects of spoken Chinese. Recently, China has worked to unify its spoken and written languages to unite the country further. 

Language education and the motivations for young people to learn a foreign language have changed today. Less of a tool to pass on the wisdom of the past, many now know foreign languages for work or broader cultural understanding, but very often, learners treat it like just another course. This is particularly true in the linguistically monotone United States, where for the most part, there is little opportunity or needs to use a foreign language, and in China, where most students of English learn by writing and have little practical use for the language beyond course requirements.  

Chinese as a global language

While “China” may be quickly becoming a household word and a focus for much of the world, with more and more people from around the world learning Chinese to live and work there, the Chinese language faces several barriers in terms of becoming a global language. These include the presence of tones, which most of the world’s major languages lack, and the use of non-phonetic Chinese characters. 

The fact that Chinese is becoming increasingly popular in universities, secondary schools, and even primary education around the world is a credit to China’s growing influence. The wild differences in Chinese compared with other languages make students’ initial investment greater than in many other languages. Of the four categories of languages outlined by the Foreign Service Institute of the US State Department, Category IV contains only five of the 70 languages taught by the Institute. These are considered “super-hard languages” for English speakers and include Arabic, Chinese-Cantonese, Chinese-Mandarin, Japanese and Korean. While this is only one measure of the difficulty of Chinese, it highlights the dramatic differences between Chinese and other world languages, which is a barrier to it becoming spoken by a wider global population outside of China. 

One advantage Chinese does have is its status as an official language in the United Nations and its practical use by many governments and communities that contain a substantial Chinese-speaking population. In addition, the presence of an increasing number of Chinese immigrants in various countries around the world will bring with them their language, and in a world where there is an increased awareness of the need for cultural diversity and respect for cultural traditions, those communities may provide increased context and drive the need for Chinese language learning. 

Chinese education and learning around the world

The teaching and learning of Mandarin Chinese have grown considerably in recent years and remains in high demand despite the decline in travel to and from China due to Covid-19 restrictions. The main reason for this is China’s continued influence in both economics and politics, which will continue to attract students to learn the language. 

By 2021, over 70 countries around the world had added Mandarin Chinese to their national curriculum, with over 4,000 universities offering programs in the language and an estimated 25 million people around the world learning Chinese as a second language. Growth was especially strong pre-pandemic with programs like the One Million Strong initiative that had been initiated by Presidents Barack Obama and Xi Jinping, which worked to increase the number of Mandarin learners in the United States, which is currently estimated to have more than 250,000 people learning the language. Other programs that support language and cultural education include those initiated by the Chinese government, like Confucius Institutes and other programs. 

While the number of people learning Chinese as a foreign language is growing around the world, it is growing especially quickly in Southeast Asia and developing countries. This is not surprising due to the geographic proximity of Southeast Asia with China, existing Chinese diaspora communities in these countries as well as China’s accession to RCEP and other trade agreements that fuel trade and economic exchanges. Another source of Chinese learners also includes students from developing countries in Central Asia and Africa, many of which come to China for higher education and career development. Many also choose to live and work in China. 

Future trends

While it is unlikely that Mandarin Chinese will replace English as the lingua franca of academics, politics and trade any time soon, the demand for Chinese language education as well as the scope and scale of its use, is on the rise. 

Considering the existing interest and investment in Chinese language education in many countries around the world, as China continues to open up as the world emerges from the Covid-19 pandemic, programs in and demand for programs in Mandarin Chinese around the world will increase. 

Beyond practical applications in academics and business, I hope that increased interest in and exposure to the Chinese language will serve to make Chinese culture and history more accessible, empowering more people around the world to explore for themselves this ancient and fascinating civilization. 

Entrepreneur KJ VanDerwerken Launches the KYS Group: A Comprehensive Marketing and Media Agency for Small to Mid-Size Businesses

NY Weekly Staff on March 24, 2023

At the start of the year, KJ VanDerwerken founded the KYS Group, an all-in-one marketing and media agency that caters to small to mid-size businesses. The company provides an extensive range of services, including digital marketing strategy, paid media, social media management, social media advertising, PPC management, email marketing, creative, development, CRO, SEO, and more. With a focus on relationships, responsiveness, and results, the KYS Group offers a full suite of tools to help businesses increase their online presence, grow their brand, acquire new customers, and increase sales.

 

What sets the KYS Group apart is that all the work is done in-house, and nothing is outsourced. This approach enables the company to maintain control over the quality of its services and ensure that clients receive the best possible results.

 

Since its inception, the KYS Group has signed its first client, who has experienced phenomenal results in quarter one. The agency’s unique approach to marketing has helped the client to achieve significant growth and improved profitability.

 

Speaking about the success of the company, KJ VanDerwerken said, “We’re thrilled to have signed our first client and to have achieved such incredible results in such a short time. Our team is passionate about helping small to mid-size businesses grow and succeed, and we’re looking forward to expanding our services and helping even more companies in 2023.”

 

The KYS Group’s services have already gained popularity in the business community due to their effectiveness and affordability. The company’s all-in-one marketing approach provides a comprehensive solution for businesses seeking to increase their online visibility and attract more customers.

 

The KYS Group’s team comprises experienced marketers, creatives, and developers who have a deep understanding of the latest marketing trends and techniques. The team works closely with clients to create customized marketing strategies that meet their unique needs and objectives.

 

As the KYS Group continues to expand its services and client base, it is expected to become a leading marketing and media agency for small to mid-size businesses. The company’s commitment to providing top-quality services and achieving measurable results is sure to attract more clients in the coming years.

 

The KYS Group’s innovative approach to marketing and media services has positioned it as a top player in the industry. The company’s focus on relationships, responsiveness, and results has already helped it to achieve remarkable success. With its in-house team of experts and a full suite of tools and services, the KYS Group is poised for continued growth and success in 2023 and beyond.

 

In a society where family is the building block, PaddleSmash aims to help us keep building

NY Weekly Staff on March 24, 2023

You could look at PaddleSmash as just another game played with a net and game balls, but for many families it has become much more: Designed for group participation and entertainment, PaddleSmash has become a team-building exercise that creates a sense of togetherness and allows families to build from their shared experiences.

With some combined elements of both Pickleball and Roundnet, the game got its inspiration from Pickleball, a game of two to four players played with a pickleball across a pickling net. With PaddleSmash, however, families and groups get an easily accessible sport with an uncomplicated and quick setup. You don’t have to spend a small fortune building a Pickleball court in your backyard nor do you have to walk or drive twenty minutes or more to the nearest court.  

Now, whether during an extended holiday or casual get-together – or even during a pandemic – it’s easy to stay engaged and entertained in a safe environment without leaving the backyard. 

PaddleSmash was founded by Tim Swindle and Scott Brown. In a recent interview with Hot New Game, Tim speaks extensively on the sentimental value of the game and how the product came into existence.

Tim’s ten years of experience in the game space afforded him the intuition to spot gaps, watch trends and come up with solid game ideas. Based on these trends, the game master noticed the rise in Pickleball and how a game with not much notoriety began gaining traction to eventually enter the spotlight and earn mass appeal. He also observed that outdoor games were fast becoming a growing category in Toys and Games.

Together with Scott, his co-founder and a Pickleball player himself, Tim started to sketch a game that had some Pickleball traits to it.

Shortly after this, the duo was introduced to Joe Bingham, a father of seven children and an inventor and structural engineer who lived in Utah. Joe’s family seemed like the perfect target market for the yet-to-be born PaddleSmash idea. Six of his children were boys who loved playing games together, particularly Spikeball, and Joe’s family had also taken an interest in Pickleball. 

Unfortunately, the nearest Pickleball court was twenty minutes away from Joe and was frequently crowded. But Joe, channeling his inventor traits and engineering skills, decided to mesh the concepts of Pickleball and accessibility to create a low-budget backyard sport. PaddleSmash was born. 

Tim and Scott then licensed the game from Joe and worked to bring it to market.

The engineering of PaddleSmash brought some complications, however. The vision for PaddleSmash was to be a portable and lightweight product. Its design also needed to be mass-producible and mass-scalable to meet market needs. Though Joe had created a prototype, it wasn’t yet a built-for-mass-market-ready prototype. So Tim and Scott took it, quite literally, back to the drawing board. 

Once they were satisfied that their fine-tuned design and high-quality manufacturing would meet the needs of the market, they turned their attention to the marketing side of the business. 

For most new businesses and products, an early and large hurdle is building awareness around a new product. Things were no different this time for Tim and Scott. In this case, Tim acknowledges that social media has been the biggest amplifier of the game. PaddleSmash has accounts across Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube that are active and ideal for a visual game like PaddleSmash. The co-founders intend to explore influencer marketing to better gain exposure, and are also constantly engaging the game space and its patrons.

A remarkable point in the PaddleSmash business journey was when the founders set their sights on retail. PaddleSmash was first intended to be a B2C product that one would find on Shopify or Amazon Storefront, purchase and have delivered for home setup; but when a cold email got through, the B2B part opened up. That somewhat-on-a-whim cold emailing happened to be addressed to Dick’s Sporting Goods and Scheels, the two largest sporting goods retailers in North America. The B2B deals were sealed.  

“They saw the value of the product,” Tim explained. “But our initial plan was to go direct to the consumer. We didn’t think through the retail packaging and the way it’s going to sit on shelves. Now there’s a large image of people playing, and having fun on the beach.”

To stay on top of their own business game, the PaddleSmash creators ride their operations on customer feedback and research that they carry out regularly. They make sure to tweak the product to fit the needs of the market while maintaining a quality experience for individuals and families. 

PaddleSmash is a safe, family-centered outdoor game designed for most ages, from young teens on up, that combines fun while building family togetherness. It’s a solid, quality recipe for a society that values team-building concepts and strong families. 

Breaking Barriers: Evinature’s Gold Standard Redefines Traditional Medicine

NY Weekly Staff on March 24, 2023

Image commercially licensed from: Unsplash

 

The medical industry has been a long-standing source of reliable and accessible medicine. With the rapid development of technology, the research for more efficient and effective traditional medicines has grown. But despite this progress, more and more people find it difficult to find medicines that “work for them.”

One of the biggest challenges modern medicine still faces is the ability to provide completely safe medications that have as few side effects as possible. And this can be accomplished through clinically-validated development. However, this process tends to make medication inaccessible to people who really need it.

On the other hand, most people believe that traditional medicine is unreliable or may do more harm than good. In reality, it has an unacknowledged potential to revolutionize accessible medicine. This is the reason why Evinature was founded.

Transcending Traditional Medicine

Because of the misconception surrounding traditional medicine, integrative medical expert Nir Salomon collaborated with Prof. Shomron Ben-Horin to study the effects of curcumin. Curcumin is a natural compound found in turmeric, which is an herb native to India and Southeast Asia.

This became a point of interest to Salomon and Ben-Horin especially because of its association with digestive, blood, and liver issues. The two, with the rest of their research team, developed a four-year placebo-controlled trial and concluded it to be a safe and promising agent for the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC), Crohn’s disease, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

This successful series of research gave way for Salomon and Ben-Horin to partner with serial entrepreneur Apan Amos Damri in founding Evinature.

To date, Evinature sets the standard for providing evidence-based natural remedies.

This gold standard follows their ethical guideline of tailoring treatment strategies for the unique conditions and experiences of patients. For Evinature, this means creating a patient-focused platform that allows them to assess each patient and develop a tailor-fit solution that works for them.

Because they value collaboration with their patients, Evinature creates an opportunity for patients to be consistently updated on their progress through regular patient reports. And most of all, patients are considered co-creators in their growing library of knowledge in the field of research-based traditional medicine.

These studies maintain an academically rigorous peer review process, double-blind and placebo-controlled methods, and consistent reliability and validity. This is important to Evinature, which places great value on scientific integrity as well as product quality.

Evinature has gone leaps and bounds further into proving misconceptions about traditional medicine with the ultimate goal of prioritizing global accessibility for patients who could not afford treatment otherwise.

Evinature

A Path to Global Accessibility

Global accessibility is not an easy challenge to take on, especially when achieving it will require maximizing the approachability, acceptability, availability and accommodation, affordability, and appropriateness of traditional medicine. But this is something that Evinature believes can be done.

The company further simplifies its support to a GI patient. A patient looking to be supported by Evinature’s research-backed process will undergo an assessment designed by leading gastrointestinal experts. This aims to understand a patient’s specific needs and develop a tailor-fit strategy for their condition. The patient will then be recommended and will experience a 6-week protocol that will best match their current condition according to their clinical trials.

As part of Evinature’s proprietary process, patients will receive regular follow-up sessions to make adjustments as necessary and to allow the achievement of utmost patient support. These small steps are what allow Evinature a path towards patient global accessibility.

With the use of modern methods to support traditional means of healing, Evinature bridges the gap between modern and traditional medicine. This will allow us to create a more comprehensive understanding of the benefits and limitations of traditional medicine practices. But ultimately, evidence-based traditional medicine can help us build a healthier, more resilient future for individuals and communities around the world.

Emma Cunningham Partners With Clients To Ensure Their eCommerce Success

NY Weekly Staff on March 24, 2023

Image commercially licensed from Unsplash

The e-Commerce business model is still somewhat misunderstood. Many entrepreneurs have an interest in the industry but don’t want to spend time setting up their own stores because it requires a lot of trial and error. Emma Cunningham, an entrepreneur in her 20s from Melbourne, is bridging this gap by partnering with clients with her company, My Amazon Empire, to help them start and scale online Amazon stores in the United States.

Emma became interested in the e-Commerce business model when she saw friends having huge success and making more money in 1 month than she did in 1 year. She invested in a mentor to teach her everything about the industry, and with that knowledge, she launched her own e-commerce stores at the end of 2019. Emma successfully scaled her first store to multiple 6 figures and was in a position to quit her Centrelink job within months. She now works full-time managing her own stores and her partnerships with clients who strive for the same goals as she once did. 

After seeing Emma’s success, she was approached by friends and acquaintances who were interested in creating a second stream of income with eCommerce. Realizing the complexity of the process, many enquired whether Emma would be able to help make their dreams become a reality. 

She saw this as an opportunity to help people create more financial freedom in their lives by mentoring them while they learned the industry of eCommerce. Emma teaches the importance of customer service and how to choose a niche and unique product to sell. Through her company, My Amazon Empire, Emma has partnered with multiple clients to create their stores and build their additional streams of income into the millions.

Her point of difference is that she works with clients on an ongoing basis. Rather than build a store for the client and then leave them to figure it out for themselves, Emma is invested in the partnership for a minimum of 12 months to ensure all her clients succeed.

She says it’s incredibly satisfying to guide clients with the store build and seeing their faces light up with milestones such as their store going live and making their first sales. 

Emma’s goals are to maintain momentum with her own e-Commerce stores, which are on track to hit 8 figures in revenue in 2024. She is also expanding her warehousing infrastructure to the Middle East, England and beyond.

Emma is continuously investing in the latest technology and new online opportunities to enable her to provide additional services for all current and prospective clients. She is excited to see how the e-Commerce industry expands and creates more opportunities for wealth creation for herself, her clients and the broader public.

Flame Bearers: Honoring Women’s History Month with a Visionary Company Empowering Female Athletes

NY Weekly Staff on March 24, 2023

Image commercially licensed from: Unsplash

 

During Women’s History Month, it’s important to recognize companies like Flame Bearers who are making a significant impact on the representation of women in sports. Founded in 2020 by Jamie Mittelman, a Boston-based entrepreneur, Flame Bearers is a visionary company that serves as the world’s first storytelling platform solely dedicated to sharing the stories of elite women athletes. Through their innovative podcast, short-form video content, and live events, Flame Bearers empowers female athletes by giving them a platform to showcase their talents and inspiring others to follow in their footsteps. This Women’s History Month, we celebrate Flame Bearers for their unwavering commitment to uplifting women in sports and for being a trailblazer in the industry. 

According to the Women’s Sports Foundations’ 2020 Chasing Equity Report, just 3.2 percent of US sports media coverage is devoted to women’s sports and 70% of women leaders say the lack of media limits girls’ sports participation. Media coverage is even lower globally and practically non-existent for women athletes with disabilities. Flame Bearers illuminates the unsung stories of resilient women Olympians & Paralympians from around the world. To be clear, Flame Bearers doesn’t report on scores; they tell stories that inspire, help us to understand the world better, and move us to tap into our own resilience.

Flame BearersJamie Mittelman, a former teacher, recovering MBA student, and social entrepreneur, has dedicated her career to advocating for others with a specific passion for gender equity and media. According to Mittelman, “As a teacher, I could influence the 15 students in my classroom. With media — for better or worse — one can help shape the minds of millions.”

Flame BearersWhile pursuing her Master in Public Administration (MPA) from the Harvard Kennedy School, Mittelman founded Flame Bearers in an effort to help change the narrative around women in sports. She was frustrated by the lack of coverage elite athletes were receiving, and how they were being covered. According to Mittelman, “Nobody wants to be painted with the pity brush. Everyone wants to be seen and heard in their full complexity for who they are, not just where they come from, and what they’ve gone through. Many Paralympic athletes for example are continuously talked about as sources of inspiration because they have overcome A, C, and C. Yes, that is true, they are inspirational for their commitment to their sport and resilience in the face of adversity, but what part of telling that story serves the audience versus the person the story is about? What if a para-athlete doesn’t identify with the term disabled or prefers to focus on another part of her story such as how she’s struggled with mental health? We as consumers have come to expect certain stories, but those storylines frequently don’t serve the people featured and can often reinforce limiting beliefs. In consuming only certain types of content (in this case, what Stella Young termed ‘inspiration porn’), we as consumers are fueling our mental cars with a very limiting type of gasoline: it makes us believe that if you’re a disabled athlete, we already know where your story is going and we know that we’ll feel great after hearing it. Flame Bearers gives the athletes the mic and focuses on what they want to focus on, not pushing a narrative that is driven by clicks or what will necessarily make the readers/listeners feel good. We tell their stories how they want them told.” 

Flame Bearers takes its name from the symbolic Olympic and Paralympic torch that is lit and passed from athlete to athlete before the games. The athletes featured are leaders or bearers of light in sports, but also in their other areas of commitment and interest such as racial justice, pay equity, disability bias, etc. Featured athletes possess the power to ignite change on behalf of whatever it is they are passionate about.

Flame Bearers

Addressing the Issues of Women Olympians & Paralympians

Besides telling the stories of the women athletes, the company also provides clear calls to action for how listeners can support each athlete. Every podcast episode, live event or video ends with the call to action for what the featured athlete wants the community to do. Athletes are specifically asked, ‘what is the one action you want our community to take’, and responses have run the gamut. Some athletes have very concrete asks such as ‘Please email this address to advocate for disability rights’ while other athletes ask community members to read a book, or call a loved one. The point is, the power is in the athlete’s hands.

Flame Bearers

Expansion of Flame Bearers: Reaching Women Worldwide

As we celebrate Women’s History Month, it’s important to remember the incredible achievements of women throughout history and to honor the trailblazers who paved the way for progress. Flame Bearers is a shining example of the impact that women can have when they come together and support one another. With its innovative approach to community-building and its unwavering commitment to promoting Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, and Public Service & Activism, Flame Bearers has become a beacon of hope and empowerment for women around the world. As Flame Bearers continues to expand its reach and provide more opportunities for women to connect and grow, we can look forward to a future that is more inclusive, more equitable, and more just for all. Join the movement and connect with Flame Bearers on YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram, and let us celebrate the accomplishments of women, past and present, during this Women’s History Month and beyond.

Mittelman credits the growing community to the unmet market demand and her exceptional teammates including Elizabeth Michael, Marissa Potter, Ravi Rao, Sakshi Singh, and Madhughanda Singh. 

Faceswithtalent Modeling Management Company

NY Weekly Staff on March 24, 2023

Faceswithtalent is one of the top-ranked entertainment companies in the United States. They specialize in brand submissions, events, touring, and celebrity services. The company was created to give models an opportunity to work through this 3rd party company to earn a check. Even though this is not a modeling agency, they still supply modeling services. Very different requirements are needed from the two. Being a model for this company, you will learn the lifestyle of a traveling paid model.

Janet Ngo has made a huge impact on the modeling scene. She has been scouted by several contractors to work submission shoots for brand ambassador companies. Janet has already been scouted by several companies to work with submitting to. Faceswithtalent is known for creating superstars in the Entertainment industry. Janet is expected to be the next big face on the scene. Janet grew up loving fashion, styling her own outfits for school and watching fashion runway shows. Janet’s grandmother and aunt taught her how to pair outfits together. 

Janet told us when you have a passion or hobby you really love, you make time to do it. 

Janet teaches yoga at studios in Orange County, Ca. We asked Janet what is next for her and she responded, “to work with big high fashion brands, go on tour, walk the runway for a major company and go on a reality tv show to be herself.”

Most girls are interested in modeling, acting, cover girl, magazines, etc. This would be the best company to choose to start with. What sets Faceswithtalent apart is their commitment to creating superstars in the entertainment industry, as well as their focus on teaching models the lifestyle of a world-class, elite model.

The company is 100% legitimate. Some models may not believe this for various reasons, but Faceswithtalent’s proven track record speaks otherwise. Faceswithtalent is not just an entertainment company, but also a platform for aspiring models and celebrities to get their foot in the door of the industry. This would be the best choice for any upcoming model or celebrity model to join this company. The owner Blaison Comeaux better known as Tokyoblaison created this opportunity to give young individuals a second chance at chasing their dreams.

You can follow him on Instagram @Officialtokyopage or the company page @Faceswithtalent. You can also follow the production staff page @celeblockerroom.

To apply to become a model for Faceswithtalent you can apply at  www.faceswithtalent.com or on Instagram @faceswithtalent. Faceswithtalent is known for finding the top Elite models in the world. For anyone interested in modeling or acting, Faceswithtalent is a legitimate and reputable company to start with. By applying on their website or Instagram, you can become part of the top elite models in the world.

Connect with Faceswithtalent

http://www.faceswithtalent.com/

https://www.instagram.com/faceswithtalent/

https://www.instagram.com/officialtokyopage/

https://www.instagram.com/celeblockerroom/

This Shop Is So Exclusive They Won’t Work on Cars with a Less Than $50,000 MSRP

NY Weekly Staff on March 24, 2023

Photo: The Shop

 

If you’re in the market for the ultimate car customizations, look no further than The LAB: Legends Auto Boutique based out of North Haven, Connecticut. The LAB is so exclusive that they won’t even work on cars with a less than $50,000 manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP). It’s clear that this boutique is for car enthusiasts with a taste for luxury.

 

Founded by the team behind the successful apparel-based giveaway company LGND Supply Co., The LAB is a relatively new player in the custom automotive space has opened its doors in March of 2023. But don’t let its newness fool you – the folks at The LAB have been perfecting their craft for years through their work at LGND Supply Co.

 

Photo: The Showroom

 

The LAB offers a wide range of services for those looking to take their car customization to the next level. From color matching and custom lighting to full builds and suspension work, the skilled technicians at The LAB take pride in their ability to give cars an entirely new look and feel. They even offer the option to rent or purchase exotic vehicles, making it easy to test drive your dream car before you buy.

 

Photo: Waiting Room

 

But don’t let The LAB’s young age fool you – they’re at the forefront of automotive technology, delivering services that exceed expectations. Their customizations are not just tailored to specific vehicles but are also designed to meet each customer’s needs. With their state-of-the-art 3D rendering technology, The LAB can provide a virtual representation of your dream car before any work starts, ensuring that your vision is brought to life. From color matching to custom interiors and everything in between, The LAB is able to work on every make and model, including Lamborghini, Ferrari, BMW, Porsche, Range Rover, and more. Simply put, The LAB is the best in the business.

 

One of the stand-out services offered by The LAB is its vinyl wraps. Perfect for those who want to add a unique flair to their cars without committing to a full paint job, vinyl wraps are a cost-effective way to change up the look of your ride. With hundreds of colors and patterns to choose from, you’re sure to find the perfect fit for your style.

 

Another popular offering by The LAB is its custom interiors. Whether you want to add a personal touch to your car or create an entirely new atmosphere, the team at The LAB can help bring your vision to life. From premium leather seats to customized lighting schemes, the interior of your car will look and feel like a whole new world.

 

When it comes to wheels and tires, The LAB has you covered. With access to a wide range of brands and styles, you can get the perfect set of wheels to match your car’s new look. The team of experts at The LAB takes pride in ensuring that your car looks and drives its best.

 

Photo: LGND Retail Store 2nd Floor

 

The LAB is not just a shop for car customization, but a destination for car enthusiasts looking for the best of the best. With a commitment to luxury and quality, The LAB is the perfect choice for those who demand nothing but the absolute best.

 

To experience the unparalleled quality of The LAB’s custom automotive work, head over to their website at https://thelabct.com/ and check out their impressive portfolio. Whether you’re looking to spice up your daily driver or create a head-turning show car, The LAB’s team of experts can help you bring your vision to life. Don’t wait any longer to make your dream build a reality – schedule your appointment with The LAB today.

An Entrepreneur’s Viewpoint on Investing in Startups that Specialize in Social Discovery

NY Weekly Staff on March 24, 2023

In 2020, the world as we know it underwent a significant change, and this upheaval also affected how we view social connection. Events, meetings, and in-person encounters were either severely restricted or outright forbidden, so we resorted to digital relationships to fill the void.

And it was because of this change that individuals started extensively relying on the use of social discovery platforms to interact with others, exchange stories, and produce content. When face-to-face encounters weren’t possible, videoconferencing platforms allowed us to stay in touch; dating applications allowed us to try out new relationships; and streaming sites offered a variety of gaming possibilities and livestreams that sparked in-person talks about our favorite topics.

The market for social discovery is still growing three years later. By 2028, it is anticipated that the social discovery market’s dating segment would have generated $10 billion. And because social discovery platforms have such room for expansion, venture funders are still interested in them.

But what factors do VCs take into account when making social discovery investments? Dmitry Borisovich Volkov, a serial tech entrepreneur and founder of the global tech company Social Discovery Group, shared with us the key factors that investors pay attention to first of all.

A Verified Record of Achievements

Investors want to be sure that their money is being used on projects that have a probability of succeeding. VCs search for teams with a track record of success in their area when assessing potential investments. They’ll be interested in past achievements, setbacks, and lessons learnt from them that can be applied going forward. An effective team should be made up of a variety of seasoned business owners, engineers, marketers, designers, and other professionals with significant experience in their specialized domains.

Investors will also be interested in the team’s personality features, how well everyone gets along, and whether or not the group can maintain focus on reaching its goals despite challenges or failures. Investors can tell you know what you’re doing and can handle the hurdles of starting a firm in this industry if you have a strong track record and a cohesive team.

A Robust Plan and Vision for the Business

If a business has a clear vision of who they want to be and a workable plan for getting there, that is one of the main things venture capitalists look for when investing in them. Very frequently, founders have an idea but not enough information about their strategy.

To increase sales and achieve profitable growth, it is crucial to have a clearly defined strategy. VCs will assess the market’s size and competition as well as the company’s advantages and differentiators.

Without this transparency, venture capitalists are unlikely to go beyond an initial encounter. Make sure you have a thorough business plan that describes your goals and a clear path to success if you want to make an impression on investors.

A Strategy for the Long Run

Focus on what the market will require in five years rather than just what it needs right now. What types of trends do you anticipate? You may produce something genuinely creative and revolutionary that will endure by adopting a long-term perspective. You must be able to scale your business as necessary to meet demand if you desire long-term success in the market.

Compelling Metrics that Indicate Engagement

In the beginning of any social discovery firm, engagement metrics are crucial. These metrics demonstrate to VCs how well users are responding to your business, product, or service.

The daily active user count and time spent are the two most crucial engagement indicators. DAU reveals how many people use your product or service on a daily basis, whilst time spent reveals how long they spend interacting with it everyday. High numbers indicate that you’re on the correct track and should carry on in this direction going forward.

A Precise Understanding of the Market Opportunity

Understanding the market opportunity for any company idea or product that they are contemplating investing in is extremely important to VCs. This entails comprehending your target market and the reasons they would choose your product or service above those offered by existing competitors in social discovery fundraising campaigns.

It also entails estimating the size of the global addressable market, or the number of prospective customers for your product or service. This makes it possible to assess the possibility for further growth.

Setting Apart from the Competition

Find strategies to stand out from your competition by observing what they are doing. When the time comes to demonstrate how your product can disrupt the market, this will offer you an advantage. For instance, certain niches are more successful than others in the enormous social discovery area.

Because dog owners are not necessarily viewed as “minority” in any way, a platform that targets dog lovers may not be as successful as one that targets a marginalized community. Platforms for the LGBTQ+ community or those with physical disabilities, on the other hand, might succeed more because these people frequently struggle to build meaningful relationships.

Evidence of Successful Implementation

In the end, VCs are searching for a business that can carry out its strategies and develop over time. Successful investments are those where businesses continue to prioritize their mission while demonstrating indicators of progress toward their objectives. Startups require time to create something extraordinary, so this doesn’t happen immediately. Nevertheless, if you have well-defined ideas and forward-moving momentum, venture capitalists are more inclined to invest in you in the long term.

Knowing what VCs are looking for—a strong track record, business model, team dynamics, market insight, and proof of execution—is the first step in conducting a successful fundraising round. Founders should feel more at ease negotiating the world of social discovery fundraising with this in mind.

From $0 to $300 Million in 18 Months

NY Weekly Staff on March 24, 2023

In the Spring of 2021, a maverick solar start-up was founded in the heart of Silicon Slopes and has quickly become one of the fastest growing solar companies in the country, amassing over $300 million in top-line revenue in its first 18 months. Aptly named Nusun Power, a nod to the company’s novel approach to the residential solar sale, they have begun to garner attention from major players in the space.

 

Led by CEO and Co-Founder Jordan Binning, Nusun has continued to surpass expectations as they rocket along its dizzying trajectory. What began as an idea in Jordan Binning’s basement has become a very tangible reality for tens of thousands of homeowners and over one thousand sales reps. Shaping ideas into something material has always been one of Jordan’s most powerful strengths. He began his sales career selling home alarm systems door to door in the suburbs of Chicago, but he wasn’t destined to be a simple sales rep for long. Within 3 years he had built one of the highest-producing offices in that industry, and within 7 years he was running the largest division at the biggest smart-home company in America.

 

“As my time there drew to a close, I found myself at a crossroads.” said, Binning. “We could have pivoted and continued to sell alarms under a different banner, but we all felt like there were new industries to conquer, and that’s basically how the idea for Nusun was born.”

 

Always an astute observer of inefficiencies, Binning pinpointed a few key weaknesses in the direct-to-home solar model. The data to support his vision was sparse, what he had in mind had never been executed at scale before, but he hoped that his gut instinct would prove to be accurate. $300 million in revenue later, it’s safe to say that his notion was correct.

 

Sustainable Approach to Renewable Energy

 

Nusun Power flourished by creating a niche in the solar energy industry which allowed newcomers and seasoned experts alike to participate in the implementation of residential solar systems. By removing the steep barrier to entry, Nusun has been able to reach a wider cross-section of homeowners, and that has translated to explosive growth. This approach not only led to increased sales but also higher customer satisfaction and a more harmonious relationship between employees and the company.

 

With Jordan Binning at the helm, Nusun strives to be an innovating force in the solar energy sector. With a proprietary app and new tech platform launching later this year, Nusun is uniquely poised to deliver on the ever-increasing demand for renewable energy. Their mission is simple, to make clean, affordable, and sustainable energy accessible to the masses. Nusun’s aim is to put an end to the gatekeeping that has plagued the solar industry for decades, and eventually become synonymous with residential solar in this country. Lofty goals indeed, but if where they’ve been is any indication of where they’re going, we will be hearing much more of the Nusun name in the coming years. To know more about his company, visit here. 

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