Retirement is Still Possible, GenWealth Helps Clients Learn How

NY Weekly Staff on August 15, 2022

If you’re paying attention to the economy and the state of financial matters in the United States, you may feel a bit pessimistic. Inflation is at a 40-year high, the stock market is still volatile, and both appear to be remaining that way for the foreseeable future. Such uncertain financial times are leaving many to wonder if saving for a comfortable retirement is even possible anymore. Today’s investors and average people saving for retirement are up against some formidable challenges. 

Retirement is still possible, but people will need strong expert advice to help them navigate the muddy waters of the current market. Thankfully, GenWealth Financial Advisors are meeting this moment through their approach which urges people to not just hope that things work out in regards to their retirement, but how to best plan for it. 

Communicating the Complicated Topics 

John Shrewsbury, co-owner and financial advisor with GenWealth, has a background in broadcasting. While this may seem a departure from his current financial advisor role, it has helped him cultivate a business where clear communication of complicated financial topics is a centerpiece. 

“With so much knowledge at our fingertips, many drown in information about financial planning while starving to understand it,” says Shrewsbury. His no-nonsense take on the matter and his clear, concise advice has led GenWealth to become a leader in the financial planning industry. 

Planning for retirement can be complicated, especially if you aren’t a financial expert. For example, getting one’s head around terms they may be unfamiliar with like “Roth IRA” or “S&P 500” can be daunting, prompting many to shy away from jumping headfirst into retirement saving because they don’t fully understand the process or specifics it entails. The GenWealth approach breaks down complicated financial matters and addresses the key components of retirement saving for those just starting out to get them ready for retirement.

The Magic 8 Ball of Retirement 

No one has a crystal ball sitting on their shelf that can predict the future. Many have been blindsided by the last five years between record-high inflation, a global pandemic, and political upheaval that have affected markets. As such, some may be hesitant to put their money into a retirement account. 

To GenWealth, devising a retirement plan is more like working with a Magic 8 Ball. They ask many questions, take circumstances into account, and perhaps change course and shake the ball again if necessary. To Shrewsbury and his GenWealth colleagues, it all comes down to being informed. 

“Research found that informed decisions in just six different areas of retirement planning can increase retirement income by 31%,” says Shrewsbury. 

Guiding clients to make these informed decisions is the first step to solidifying a wealthy retirement. Many people are unaware of how much they will need for retirement, how long they will have to work to get to that amount, or how compound interest works. “Education is the cornerstone of the GenWealth approach,” Shrewsbury adds. “With education, the future can become more apparent.”

Fearing Retirement

With so much uncertainty, it can be easy to fear for one’s retirement. On average, people are saving roughly $131,000 for retirement, but this is far from what most people require in today’s financial world, and when coupled with the cost of elder care, this amount could be gone in as little as a few years. 

“Living primarily on withdrawals from your retirement portfolio is nerve-racking. The numbers speak for themselves — retirement fear is real,” says Shrewsbury. GenWealth works to alleviate this fear through careful planning, informed advice, and building financial plans around individual goals and circumstances. 

Purpose and Planning

“We tend to talk about the financial side of retirement most of the time. One thing that often gets overlooked when people are thinking about retiring is maintaining purpose in their lives,” explains Shrewsbury, “We say it all the time — you can’t just retire to the couch. Our purpose is often tied to our careers, but when that career ends, you need to have something else that adds value in your life.”

Helping people identify their purpose in retirement is one way GenWealth guides their clients to build wealth towards that purpose. With clear goals, people are far more apt to save diligently and to save enough. 

Experts agree that investing is one of the best weapons against inflation, but also the fastest way to amassing wealth in retirement. While a savings account can offer a paltry 0.09% in returns, the S&P 500 index has returned an average of 11.65% in the past decade. Even during times of market volatility, it makes sense to continue investing over simply saving. 

Wealth in retirement is still possible. With knowledgeable advisors like GenWealth on your side and a plan that takes all of your purposes and goals into consideration, retirement needn’t be something to fear. 


The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, A Registered Investment Advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC. Financial Planning offered through GenWealth Financial Advisors LLC, a Registered Investment Advisor, and a separate entity from LPL Financial. For residents of Louisiana, all advisory services offered through LPL Financial.

15 Artists On The Come Up

NY Weekly Staff on August 15, 2022

Here is a list of 15 Artists who deserve more attention for their craft! Make sure to give them all a listen on Spotify, and check them out on social media! 

Audrie Powell

Audrie Powell hails from Portland, OR. The young singer has a fervent passion for singing and songwriting. She has been enjoying the limelight with the release of her new single, “Herself.” The song features a harmonious flow and catchy lyrics, giving you spontaneous pleasure. With her impeccable business mindset and phenomenal musical prowess, Audrie Powell could soon top the global charts in the coming months. With her 65k+ followers and rapidly flourishing fan base, Audrie is a budding singer who will soon be a household name. Keep streaming Audrie’s music and connect with her on her social media. @littlemisssunshinneee

Abraham Chorbajian

Abraham Chorbajian hasn’t released music in a long time, but is anticipated to return to the spotlight at the top of the new year. After many years of developing his sound through his highly acclaimed mentors, he had to take a break during the pandemic in order to focus on his profession as a healthcare professional, and now he is a full time medical student. Abraham Chorbajian has a wonderful vocal tone, and has been working on his songwriting and piano skills for many years. His high tier singing voice and impeccable ear for production give him an upper hand, and I see great things to come for Abraham Chorbajian. Follow him on social media and get ready for his massive return at the top of the new year. @abraham_chorbajian

Ashley Taylor

Ashley Taylor is a young rising artist in Los Angeles, her new music has been making waves across the city, but deserves more national attention. She has the look, the talent, and the desire to make it far in music. Her new single “Pillow Talkin feat. STC Dani ” is a smooth Pop/ R&B track that brings out her sensual nature and shows a side of her we haven’t really heard before the release of this track. After a short hiatus, the release of “Pillow Talkin” really shows a lot of growth in this young artist. Her vocals are nothing short of outstanding, and she always seems to find new ways to weave between her catchy pop production choices. Make sure you give “Pillow Talkin” a listen, and check out Ashley Taylor on instagram. @ashleytayyylor

Armanti Weeks

Armanti Weeks is an incredibly talented R&B/soul singer from Los Angeles, California. Armanti released two tracks on the 27th July. Since then, Armanti has been getting heaps of appreciation from his growing audiences. Wanderer and Tell Me are two of his most soulful tracks that mirror Armanti’s thoughts. His magical tunes and composition delve deeper into his world of imagination. They are terrific as they are two of his first tracks ever released on a digital streaming platform! If you want to groove to a soulful track, Armanti’s voice is one of the most beautiful vocals you will hear in a while. I would urge all music lovers to check out both of these heartfelt songs on your favorite streaming platforms! @armantiweeks

Black Wonder Twins

Black Wonder Twins are back again with an extremely experimental track titled “Night-Mode”, released under the label “Baseline HQ” this 2 minute 13 second track is a whirlwind of sonic expression, and is a new side and form of expression for the Black Wonder Twins. Representing Rockland County, New York and originally from the Bronx, the Black Wonder Twins were an easy choice for this list. It’s hard to find artists these days who have a unique sound that still remains within the realm of popular music. I think that the Black Wonder Twins are going to be a household name in the next couple years. Make sure to give their new track a listen, and keep up with them on social media. @blackwondertwins

Bucky P

Originally from Omaha, Nebraska, Bucky P moved to Los Angeles to chase his dreams in music. Representing Omaha all the way, he is one of the better artists I have heard from Nebraska in many years. His newest single “Around You” has been performing well on all streaming platforms, and is just the start for this young up and coming artist. He writes, produces, and mixes the bulk of his content and is one of those artists who is multi-talented across all aspects of the music process. I see a lot of great things to come for Bucky P, and hope that you check him out on Spotify and stream “Around You” to see for yourself.  @buckyp_

CASSO

The 23-year-old musical artist CASSO who originally came from Toledo, Ohio, to LA last May, created quite a buzz with his incredible musical debut. I see a bright future for this young man, who possesses a galore of exceptional potential. CASSO and his raspy vocals can take the listener deeper into his world than other artists seem to be able to accomplish. CASSO creates innovative music ahead of its time and could be the next big star in mainstream music. His new musical release, “Changed Up,”  which is already a massive hit among his audience, is just the beginning of his bright future ahead. If you are eager to connect with CASSO, follow him on his social media accounts and keep streaming his music on all streaming platforms. @officialCASSO

Chaus Ali

Chaus Ali was born in Hackensack, NJ but represents the entire world through his music. Chaus Ali has been creating his art for 10 years now. Starting to learn the guitar in the 7th grade he quickly developed a passion for rap music, and began writing his own tracks. Inspired heavily by Duke Ellington and Pharrell Williams, you can hear his attention to detail in all of his music. His new song “Medicine” is a very melancholy production that picks up about half way through. Extremely high level production makes or breaks a record, and Chaus Ali is no stranger to Hindi sounding music. His songs are filled with character and truly being out the essence of his life story. Give “Medicine” a listen on Spotify, and follow him on social media to dive deeper into his career as an artist. @chaus_ali1

Maddie Park

Maddie Park has a new song out called “I’ll Call You Back” and I have had it on repeat all week! Originally from the Bay Area, she moved to Los Angeles to attend UCLA. Maddie Park is a singer who grows on you with every listen, her pure vocal tone and delicate delivery is always blended seamlessly with her atmospheric production choices. “I’ll Call You Back” is released under lattea records, and may be my favorite track from Maddie Park to date. This nostalgic track has very emotional lyrics that give you a deep look into the mindset of the artist when she was writing this song. I suggest you give Maddie Park a listen, and follow her on social media to become familiar with not only her music but all aspects of her career. @maddieparkk

N’Shai Iman

N’Shai Iman is definitely one of my personal favorites on this list. Her incredible voice thrives in its softness and she comes with a sound that is very much needed in the current era of R&B music. So many R&B artists are over-produced these days, but N’Shai Iman goes back to the roots of soulful R&B and has a very natural sounding tone. Her newest song “Distance” is a masterpiece, and her voice reminds me of the time I was in the studio with Daniel Caesar. It is rare to come across an underground artist with this much talent, I don’t see her being underground for very much longer. Give “Distance” a listen on all streaming platforms, and follow her on social media. @nshaiiman

Selina 

Selina is a young singer from Portland, Oregon who has been making a name for herself in recent months in Los Angeles and across the United States. With the release of her new song “Do You Mind/ Lost It” she has brought a lot of new eyes and ears onto her music career. Starting to play guitar, sing, and write songs at the young age of 7, Selina has really began taking her music career seriously in 2022. Selina is an artist who has really caught my attention in recent months, and I feel is one of the most probable to hit the charts in the near future. Follow her on Instagram and steam her music on Spotify or Apple Music to hear for yourself. @selinaraii

Reed Shannon 

Reed Shannon is by far one of the best singers I have come across in recent time. His new single “Drown” released under the record label Club 22 Records is an absolute masterpiece. His angelic vocal shimmers over a piano ballad beat, and really left me speechless in many parts throughout the track. Reed Shannon is an artist who I feel is very underrated and deserves more praise for his incredible singing voice. “Drown” is one of my favorite tracks I have heard in recent time, and I am extremely excited for what’s to come from this rising star. Make sure you stream Reed Shannon’s music on all platforms, and follow him on social media to keep up with upcoming releases. @reed.shannon

Shooby

Shooby is from Compton, California. His lyrics and melodies come from a vernacular source. Empathy is Shooby’s foundation, exploring subjects like riding the train to school, displacement, living environments resembling solitary conditions. In an industry filled with aspiring outliers, Shooby’s style is a surprise and a relief. It’sobvious how Shooby follows his instincts while revealing a personal narrative that belongs solely to him. Rap is not a pursuit but a genetic encode triggered organically. The Digital Era has transformed the genre into a fragmented landscape. The newly minted Le MarcheNoir label has given their imprimatur stamp on Shooby by selecting him for its debut music release. Shooby’s music may feel different, but it’s only because you’re experiencing an untapped aesthetic. @Shooby

Taylor Reese

Taylor Reese is another aspiring singer based in Philadelphia. Her raw music and heartfelt vocals deserve all the love and hype from the audience. Earlier this year, she released her Pop/Grunge single “Appetite.” Her much-loved single is one of her best emotional tracks so far. The song allows you to sit with your feelings and feel the moment while enjoying Taylor’s soothing voice.  Besides this, Taylor Reese is a terrific prospect for music labels due to her flourishing social media presence. Her YouTube channel is also rapidly growing. I believe Taylor Reese is a great artist. Her art has a touch of true mainstream appeal, and I think it will receive its due recognition soon. If you are eager to join Taylor Reese in her musical journey, you can follow her on social networks and stream her songs on Spotify. @itstaylorreese

Wxrm

Wxrm is an artist from Syracuse, New York who has been elevating his craft for the last couple of years. Beginning to record his first songs at 16 in his home studio with his brother , he now has developed a following of dedicated fans who support every release. His recent album titled “Parasite” is a perfect introduction to his sound for anyone who hasn’t heard his music yet. His raspy edgy rap tone is extremely unique, and is a sound that has been becoming more popular in the modern era of music. Being from Syracuse, Wxrm is attempting to be a breakout artist, and bring the small local music scene together. He is in a unique position to do so given his talent and business mind. If you like hard hitting grungy rap music, Wxrm is by far one of the best artists doing this style that I have heard in a long time. @wxrm.__

Caleb Terzian on Becoming a Top Social Media Manager for Brands and Companies

NY Weekly Staff on August 15, 2022

Social media has changed how businesses interact with their customers and client base. However, each social media platform is governed by a different algorithm, and content performs differently depending on the platform or type of media. With several factors to keep in mind, entrepreneurs may have difficulty creating, managing, and maintaining social media pages for their brands. Luckily, social media managers like Caleb Terzian make it easier for entrepreneurs to focus their time and energy on their brands while he handles their business’ online presence. Handing these responsibilities to an expert in social media analytics helps brands project a solid online image while reaching more clients and forming better relationships with their audience. 

Caleb Terzian is a Social Media Manager and Brand Manager. Currently, he manages the social media presence of a travel booking agency based in California, a TV media company in Holland, and several hotels and private villas. He also works with several private clients who wish to have a better and more streamlined online space. 

Caleb is highly adept at anticipating trends and navigating the algorithms and analytics for his client’s content and audience. As a result, the pages he owns and manages reach a billion people yearly across Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok. His quick adaptability to trends and ability to understand a brand’s audience make his work stand out. 

Caleb Terzian’s success as a Social Media Manager may surprise many since he is only 19 years old. But for Caleb, being young is not a hindrance to anyone who truly wishes to do the hard work required to succeed in life. At 14 years old, he worked part-time at VIP Venues (a wedding venue decorating service). During his time with this company, he learned how to communicate and build productive client relationships. He said, “I have always been interested in putting my client’s needs first. I take great pride in giving them a 100% satisfaction rate.”

This client-centered mindset stayed with Caleb as he transitioned from venue decorator to social media brand manager. At 15 years old, he ran a successful travel page with thousands of followers. He soon started taking on clients and managing their social media platforms. “I was able to help them grow their follower count and generate high-quality engagement for their content,” Caleb shared. His expertise grew as he dedicated more years to this emerging industry.

Young as Caleb Terzian is, he appreciates the value of hard work. Caleb cites his mother as the inspiration for the work ethic he has cultivated for himself. “My mother would prepare all the food for the family in the mornings. She would pack all our lunches before breakfast and then head off to work. After school, she would come home to look after myself and my three siblings. My father worked from home, and I saw their teamwork in raising us.” With parents like his, Caleb was exposed to a professional and balanced work ethic early in life.

“My parents taught me that I could achieve all the goals I set for myself with initiative and effort. I believe that to be true, especially with all the resources available to us now through the internet,” Caleb shared, “No one taught me how to become a social media manager, but I was interested in it; I did my research and applied what I learned to the first social media pages I owned. If you stay disciplined in your efforts, it will all pay off.”

Shawn Fair Chooses the Esteemed Mentor to Share the Stage With Him

NY Weekly Staff on August 15, 2022

In the past few years, the world has gone through several extreme changes and adversities. Because of this, several people have become filled with sadness, anxiety, fear, and even anger. While these emotions are part of being human, many do not know how to deal with them in a healthy manner and end up holding on to these negative feelings for a long time. Cognizant of this, the visionary Donald Sylvester Lea Jr has dedicated his life to uplifting struggling individuals.

Donald is part of the John Maxwell Leadership Certified Team and the founder of DLeaMinistries. The 501c3 organization was founded in 2011 and is committed to spreading hope and empowerment to the community. It aims to help people who have lost hope through faith and ministry. As the insightful founder explained, “The vision is to serve the needs of people in various capacities where life has come and presented challenges to offer grace and restoration through the word of God and provide resources to put them in a better position and point them to the ultimate provider Jesus Christ.”

The nonprofit has a wide array of services that help individuals get back on their feet and regain hope. For example, it offers empowerment sessions for organizations and ministries. In addition to that, it provides keynote speeches, 1-on-1 and group coaching sessions, and training. Because of Donald’s stellar commitment to his advocacy and unrivaled expertise, DLeaMinistries has allowed its mentees to take responsibility for their mistakes, leading them to move past the victim mentality and emerge as victors. 

On top of his impressive work at his mentorship venture, the inspiring man also serves on the Board of Directors at a local men’s shelter, where he helps serve meals every month to around 40 to 60 men.

When asked what motivates him to pursue such a noble vocation, the visionary meaningfully responded, “I was tired of seeing people continually going through life making excuses and not fulfilling their purpose on the earth, and I wanted to be a person of action to motivate people that anything is possible if you only believe and operate in faith.”

Aside from his unrivaled passion, what makes Donald an exceptional mentor is his empathy for his students. After all, he also experienced adversities, pain, and frustration that made him question God and his faith. However, he was able to overcome these hurdles and found his purpose in guiding others towards discovering their own calling. 

“We believe everyone has a unique purpose, and we have an obligation to love regardless of age, sex, or race. We just want to point people to Jesus Christ through his word and through our faith in Jesus,” he said profoundly.

Moving forward, Donald Sylvester Lea Jr. remains steadfast in his advocacy of uplifting people’s spirits and elevating the community. On top of that, he has committed his life to continue his vision of educating and empowering others through his many projects, including sharing the stage with distinguished speaker and training expert Shawn Fair.

Fathom Leverages Deep Learning Technology to Give Medical Coders the Gift of Time

NY Weekly Staff on August 15, 2022

Medical coders work on hundreds of encounters in an average day, dedicating thousands of hours each year to manage their workload quickly and accurately. That amount only increases when factoring in training hours to respond to industry changes and updated provider and insurance guidelines each year.

At Fathom, they have created a technology platform that will not only return valuable time to medical coders but will also empower them to focus on higher-value work, doing the heavy lifting by fully automating daily coding tasks like coding an encounter straight to bill. However, with any advance in technology comes the natural fear that the right automated system will replace human operators, leaving them without a career as technology advances forward.

As VP of Commercial Operations Amit Jayakar explains, Fathom is the rare technology that does not replace human operation but enhances it – which means medical coders will be equipped with the tools to perform their jobs more effectively than ever before.

“Let’s say that in an average day a coder looks at 100 encounters as part of their regular productivity, but in those 100 encounters there are maybe 8 of them that are really complicated and important, the stuff that gets denied by insurance companies and is a reimbursement and revenue risk to the organization,” Jayakar says.

“Right now, they don’t have the bandwidth to properly investigate those 8 encounters because they have 92 other encounters that they have to code. With our models, Fathom can handle the ‘legwork’ by autonomously fully coding the majority of the 92 encounters so that human coders can shift their focus on more important, higher-risk work.”

Fathom uses deep learning technology and a massive database of hundreds of millions of data points to automate the coding process for the largest outpatient services – including emergency medicine, radiology, and primary care. By leveraging Fathom’s technology on simple, everyday encounters, medical coders will be free to focus on the work that requires their experience and expertise. It also means that they will not lose valuable work time on retraining when there are changes to industry guidelines. Fathom automatically updates the platform based on the most recent guidance from insurance payers and healthcare sites – the equivalent of instantly training an entire workforce of thousands.

“When something gets updated, it rolls across the entire system, so it is being applied across the board for every applicable encounter,” Jayakar says.

When human coders are empowered to spend more time on high-value work, they are not the only ones to benefit. The organization itself will see a greater return when they can free their workforce to focus on the most important evaluations. Coders who do not have to spend time on tedious, time-consuming coding tasks will now have the ability to focus on projects that generate massive returns for the healthcare provider.

“One of the largest issues in medical billing is submitting a charge and it gets denied by insurance companies, and then you have this constant back-and-forth about how it should be paid,” Jayakar says. “If you can have a coder manage audits and denials more actively, you can reduce any reimbursement revenue risks.”

Reallocating resources will not mean eliminating the workforce but instead placing them in a position where they can more effectively help the organization. And when this happens, the healthcare provider will generate impressive returns.

“In any given year, when claims are denied, you might collect 60 cents on the dollar for that bill,” Jayakar says. “If you actively manage that, you can increase it to 75 or 80 cents on the dollar. So the end goal is that you increase the return on your investment.”

As Fathom continues to share its deep learning technology with healthcare providers nationwide, they recognize that there are still some doubts to overcome. But one primary concern – that Fathom will replace human coders – is unfounded. Instead, the revolutionary tech company is working in connection with the workforce, enabling them to perform their jobs more effectively by giving them the time they need most.

“At Fathom, we don’t replace coders,” Jayakar says. “We empower them.”

To discover how Fathom assists medical coders with deep learning technology, visit www.fathomhealth.com.

5 Businesses to Watch

NY Weekly Staff on August 15, 2022

Meet five businesses well on their way to changing the way we do things and making the world a better place. From sustainable vacationing to completely changing the tax game to inspiring teachers, lifting up their communities, changing the face of eCommerce and helping businesses realize their full potential — these movers and shakers will capture the hearts and minds of Americans; for years to come!

Roam Wild Adventure

Roam Wild Adventure curates meaningful adventures for travelers from around the world in Tanzania. In addition to providing sustainable income to the area — the group works closely with the community throughout Tanzania to support social and environmental initiatives and has partnered with Tomorrow’s Air to bring direct CO2 capture technology to the area. The group uses the best guides and resources to lead treks on Mt. Kilimanjaro and safari tours. Visit the Roam Wild Adventure website to plan your exciting, fully guided trip to one of the most beautiful places in Africa today! 

Tax Titans

Alan Blakeborough, Blake for short, founded Tax Titans to help accountants and enrolled agents keep a larger portion of their bill and small business filers find tax help that fits their needs. Small business filers fill in their requirements, like industry familiarity or bilingual capability and the platform returns bids from matching registered and experienced accountants and enrolled agents. Accountants and enrolled agents get to keep 90% of the billed/quoted amount and have the opportunity to network and meet clients. Additionally, Tax Titans provides a 3-month tax certification training program to veterans looking to start an accounting business. Interested in signing on — visit Tax Titans today!

JMI Security Services LLC

JMI Security Services LLC offers the best security training in the Tri-State area. The founders Jeffrey and Casandra Moyé provide aspiring security guards a full-service educational package that covers it all from “A to Z.” At JMI, students are taken through the 8-hour training course and the 16-hour on-the-job training for full certification. Then the pros at JMI help graduates make a resume and nail the job interview. They cater to bilingual students and care enough to take the extra time to ensure graduates understand all the material; hear about their outstanding education services from a student! Sign up with JMI Security Services today!    

twigBIG

Oubai Al Hendi founded twigBIG to make shopping a reliable and seamless experience for consumers and help people make a name for themselves in beauty and fashion. The eCommerce platform provides shoppers an AI-driven personalized Amazon meets TikTok experience, with video reviews, demonstrations from people using the product and an augmented reality dressing/makeup room — so shoppers can try the products before they buy. Through this groundbreaking model, customers get discounts by uploading videos, and influencers gain income by sending people to the site. It’s a win-win-win! twigBIG has over 80K products, 250K users and 2K creators; register with twigBIG app today!      

New River Solutions

After decades of experience as a finance leader at organizations like HP, Robert Towle founded New River Solutions to help companies be more adaptable, flexible and resilient. Robert uses his expertise and these three guiding principles to provide businesses with consulting, business scaling, and planning services. The New River Solutions team has had the honor of assisting businesses from small start-ups to the American Red Cross. Robert also offers entrepreneurs and business owners guidance through his book “Don’t Be Dumb.” So, if you’re looking to take the next step or need to refocus, visit the New Solutions website, or call Robert at (862) 812-7851.

Sponsored Post 

Trust Science Empowers Nationwide Lenders with Highly Predictive Credit Scores

NY Weekly Staff on August 15, 2022

 

The events of the past two years have led to considerable financial upheaval, but recent economic data suggests that consumers have, for the most part, weathered the storm. While government responses to the pandemic – including stimulus checks and eviction moratoriums – helped during mandatory shutdowns, they also created an unexpected problem for consumers now trying to secure financing.

Lenders that are evaluating the last two years of financial data are often left with a distorted view of a consumer’s track record  – in many instances, it is unclear whether the consumer is truly qualified for a loan. Many of the policies, while delivering short-term relief for consumers, have created a gap in their financial history. Further complicating matters, the world is now headed towards record levels of inflation and interest rates that layer on another level of volatility. And because of this, lenders cannot accurately determine whether the consumer is creditworthy.

At Trust Science, they have the solution for lenders who need access to better decision-making data. Trust Science gathers thousands of traditional and non-traditional data points in real time, providing a more complete risk picture to lenders. In a post-pandemic world and with rising inflation, actionable and legally-compliant decision support is more valuable than ever before.

As CEO Evan Chrapko explains, the lenders struggle in the current economic climate to accurately forecast risk. And for consumers, that means less favorable loan terms.

“During COVID, we had government support and lender forbearance, and going forward there are already different economic pressures hitting consumers with fuel and food prices, so lenders have old models that haven’t been built for upcoming conditions and can’t be built using distortive COVID lockdown conditions,” Chrapko says. “The problem for lenders is compounded if there is a lack of ultra-current data about the consumer that they can look at to determine if someone will be able to pay them back.”

With limited valuable information and “lagging indicator” scorecards, lenders are finding it increasingly difficult to gain accurate insights into a consumer’s creditworthiness. While a subprime FICO score of 600 would typically mean a person is at a certain risk of default, the exact same score today might, in fact, be misleading.

“Lenders are now going to be seeing applications from formerly prime people who are actually slipping down the credit quality ladder,” Chrapko says. “With our dynamic model, informed by near real-time data, we’re at least giving them a chance to make a better approve/decline decision. . That is a key piece to how we can help lenders caught in all this volatility and in turn get the credit-worthy individuals the money that they need.”

In addition to the up-to-the-minute data that Trust Science can assemble to run through its models, its machine learning technology is able to continuously improve – allowing lenders to  finally abandon the myth that models are “one size fits all” or that they have some magical “stability” when the world is in economic disarray. This is one of the key differences that sets Trust Science apart in the industry. Its dynamic models allow lenders to actually harness market disruptions and generate highly predictive scores as a result. Decreased risk for the lender, increased opportunity for the consumer.

“We are able to handle data points and see how things are in today’s context as opposed to a context from a model that was built one or two years ago, mid-pandemic, in a world that no longer exists,” Chrapko says. “That is really where things start changing. We are able to derive accurate decision support in volatile times because our models are learning as the world turns, and we can harness real-time data about the consumer to feed into those models .”

Trust Science believes that giving lenders better information – and more valuable insights – will help every person in the credit industry. Because when lenders can more effectively assess risk, they are not the only ones to win. Consumers win, too.

“If we are able to arm lenders with better direct marketing leads and/or superior loan application adjudication, they don’t have to dramatically raise interest rates and consumers get a loan that they might not otherwise have been able to qualify for,” Chrapko says. “We help lenders with their ROA, which for the lender is a competitive advantage, and from the consumer perspective, it is an obvious benefit to be better assessed if their alternative is to be declined by virtue of old methods and ‘Slow Data’.”

To learn more about how Trust Science is helping lenders with dynamic learning models and much fresher consumer data, visit www.TrustScience.com.

How To Keep Gen Z Remote Employees Engaged, B2B CEO Brendan Burnett Explains

NY Weekly Staff on August 15, 2022

When the pandemic shut down workplaces and schools worldwide, employers worried whether Baby Boomers and Gen Xers could adjust to tech-reliant remote work. In contrast, no one thought much about Gen Z’s ability to effectively transition to remote work and virtual platforms. Everyone expected a generation who grew up on the web and social media to take the change like ducks to water. It turns out that was a mistake.  

Gen Z, who will soon account for around one-quarter of the workforce, struggled with the new normal. In fact, a report from Microsoft reveals that 60% of those born between 1997 and 2012 feel as though they are merely surviving at work. Now that the problem is in the open, companies are stepping forward with solutions for keeping their youngest employees engaged.

Who is Gen Z

The oldest members of Gen Z are in their early twenties. Many completed part of their schooling remotely and have recently entered the workforce, only to find it still in upheaval.  

Like previous generations, Gen Z has been shaped by its environment. “Gen Z is a different working generation unlike any other that preceded them,” says Brendan Burnett, CEO of SalesHive. “They have seen pandemics and wildly fluctuating economies. Technological innovation provides them the chance to break out from the average experience in spectacular fashion.”

In terms of remote work, Gen Z has some important things going for them. Because they came of age during the pandemic’s rapid-fire transitions, they tend to be more adaptable, flexible, and resilient. They are also generally comfortable with technology, especially digital forms of communication, and tend to be the earliest adopters of new technologies.

However, Gen Z also possesses a few characteristics that make remote work difficult. Overall, this age group thrives on social interaction. In remote workplaces, social networking takes effort, and Gen Z is prone to feeling disconnected and bored. Because remote work has freed them from location constraints, they are much more likely than other generations to leave their jobs in search of new opportunities. They want success to come quickly and will hop to another job if their goals are not being met.  

“The key to keeping Gen Z engaged and invested is to meet their needs,” remarks Burnett. “They prioritize fair treatment for employees, quality of life, a flexible schedule, and company responsibility.They favor opportunities to rapidly grow in their careers through specialized training and mentorship vs ‘putting in the time’ like their parents’ generation. Employers should provide them those chances — not because they are what Gen Z wants, but because they benefit employees at all organizations.”

Engage Gen Z with meaningful work where they can make a difference

Gen Z needs to feel its core values align with the work they do. If companies can communicate their vision to this generation, it enables them to find purpose in their work. 

For instance, Gen Z, as a whole, is extremely passionate about community issues and ways to get involved. Working for a company that demonstrates good corporate citizenship is top on their list of priorities. To engage Gen Z workers, employers can emphasize how the company’s mission, vision, and values positively impact the community and the world. 

“In addition to communicating the vision, employers need to give Gen Z ways to participate and feel like part of the team,” remarks Burnett. “It’s helpful to regularly remind Gen Z employees about the individual difference they are making in the company. By giving them a clear view into the value of their individual roles, they will feel connected, invested, and enthusiastic about the work they do.”

Engage Gen Z employees by mapping the path to success

Gen Z doesn’t want to toil for years before employers recognize their work. Company leadership can keep them engaged by making them aware of their progress. Without a clear map outlining the path from one level to the next, they will feel forgotten. 

Unfortunately, struggling with isolation in a remote workplace often accentuates these feelings of stagnation. When Gen Z employees feel there is no way to accomplish their goals, they leave. To prevent this, employers need to be proactive in discussing goals. 

“If Gen Z employees know the skills and knowledge they need, and how long these will take to master, they will engage in the plan,” says Burnett. “Laying out concrete steps from day one to accomplish that plan will subsequently enable them to feel motivated.”

Engage Gen Z by connecting on a deep level 

Gen Z wants to interact and build relationships. From day one of onboarding, employers need to engage them with social connections that start everyone off on the right foot. Whether in-person or virtual, orientation needs to make new staff feel like part of the team, introduce them to the company’s culture, and coach them thoroughly in their new responsibilities. 

Employers used to traditional supervisory relationships will have a tough time engaging Gen Z. On the whole, this generation favors a mentor or coach relationship over formal and distant managers with a top-down method. Gen Z is engaged by servant leaders who support employees and ensure they thrive. They connect with leaders who communicate regularly, check in to address concerns, answer questions, offer feedback, and take a personal interest in their employees. Through weekly or even daily communication, these managers play an active role in coaching their staff. 

To remain engaged, Gen Z employees need to build relationships with their coworkers. Impromptu meetups at the water cooler or in the breakroom may be a thing of the past, but social interaction remains as necessary as ever. To spur communication among new employees, managers often pair workers into teams to complete assignments jointly. After working with a more seasoned employee on a project, new workers have someone they can turn to for advice. Interaction at remote workplaces also happens during virtual activities. Employers can ensure new hires are aware of social opportunities such as book clubs, yoga classes, and happy hours.

The future of remote work for Gen Z

According to recent headlines, the desire for remote work is declining, especially among Gen Z. Burnett has a different take, however. 

“As companies force their employees to go back to the office, it’s easy to say there is a decline. That decline is employer-driven and does not reflect the desires of employees.”

Research reveals that a majority of employees prefer the option of remote or hybrid work. Employers who offer this benefit will be able to attract and retain higher-quality employees than those who insist their workers return to the office.

“Our company does not have a direct HQ, and many of our employees have never met one another outside the digital confines of a zoom call,” says Burnett. “We source high-quality employees, regardless of their location. We retain employees who don’t want to fill their gas tank for a long commute every week only to take zoom calls that they could have fielded from the comfort of their own homes. Employees are able to travel and see the world around them without sacrificing vacation hours. The love of remote work is here to stay, even for Gen Z.”

While Generation Z initially struggled with remote and hybrid work, they can nevertheless acclimate. Their flexibility, eagerness to learn, and tech-savvy are a perfect foundation for the new normal in today’s workplace. When employers engage them with meaningful work and opportunities to interact, they prove to be highly-motivated and productive employees.

Emerging Artist Asher Khan Impacts Lives and Unites the World Through Art

NY Weekly Staff on August 12, 2022

There is nothing more powerful than art. With the various emotions it evokes, not to mention the impactful messages it sends, art has the ability to transcend limitations, defy odds, and break barriers, particularly during these times of uncertainty. While many artists focus on their techniques and the aesthetic quality of their pieces, some trailblazing individuals paint their purpose on their works, emphasizing the true value of art throughout their careers. Among those personalities who use art as a powerful platform in order to make a difference is Asher Khan, a world-renowned artist known for his incredible and unique craftsmanship.

Asher Khan is a global authority with a universal appeal because of his unique and all-out approach to art. While many artists thrive in making the world a beautiful place, this changemaker has made it his mission to bring cultural diversity into awareness, amplifying his quest for promoting unity and acceptance across the globe. His masterful pieces not only speak volumes of his passion for the craft but also boast colors that exude a passion-driven purpose of shaping a better world.

“I am an artist who strives to build communities of people who believe that our ability to see colors and shapes must intrigue, but also be an inspiration for us to eradicate indifferences,” shared Asher.

As a Pakistani American artist raised in the Middle East and the Midwestern United States, Asher Khan had his fair share of interactions with several races, cultures, and ethnicities. While some people only admire the richness of these cultural differences from afar, the go-getter has taken it upon himself to share these experiences with the rest of the world. As he aims to create united communities, Asher seeks to do this through the power of art.

“My art is composed of experiences, hence original ideas that are created from my perception of the realities around me,” shared Asher. “It goes beyond the barriers of ordinary artistic expressions, which enables others to embrace authenticity in the most unconventional way,” he added.

By mashing his rich experiences with his unique approach, Asher Khan has managed to create pieces that are both brilliant and purpose-driven. As a matter of fact, people from all walks of life can see a glimpse of a particular race, culture, or ethnicity through every stroke of his masterful pieces. “I believe that as global citizens, now more than ever, it is incumbent upon all to understand that human emotionality is inclusive and does not preclude following a creed or gender, nor does it discriminate based on race. Then why should we?” explained Asher. “We must cultivate unbeatable courage to change the universal mindset and promote acceptance of our beautiful world,” he added.

On top of that, his works also boast colors that exude a distinguishing factor that no other artist can replicate. “I like to use techniques in a way that has never been used before,” shared Asher.

In the coming years, Asher Khan hopes his journey can serve as an inspiration for many young individuals around the globe. His passion and approach for the craft do not exist merely to attain accomplishments in the competitive industry but are gateways to his vision of uniting the world. Through the milestones he has achieved so far, he is well underway.

Tastee Connects Hobbyist Chefs to Customers Looking for a Sustainable Alternative to Dining Out Without Marginalizing Restaurants

NY Weekly Staff on August 12, 2022

There’s nothing quite like a home-cooked meal, especially when you’re not doing the cooking. In New York culture, local home-based chefs are a way of life and a viable alternative to dining out or turning to unhealthy fast food. With the macroscopic lifestyle changes that came with the Covid-19 pandemic, the culinary space found itself plunged in an unending dark spell. The food business suffered immensely, and entrepreneurs were hit the hardest. It became nothing short of a restaurateur’s dream to take this unique cultural experience and make it common-place throughout the United States.

With the rise of Covid-19, restaurants found themselves at the mercy of circumstances beyond their control. Their businesses, governed by outside influences, left many surrendering a livelihood that had been passed down from generation to generation, or that had been the pursuit of a life-long dream. For the first time ever, it seemed even the most prestigious restaurants were simply going out of business.

Restaurants, however, were not alone. The public was forced to seek alternatives, and a viable, safe means to access a selection of culinary menus that would satisfy their diverse cravings. There was no doubt that the food industry had become indelibly changed by the pandemic, and there was a need to come up with a different strategy that could provide an alternative to  conventional restaurant experiences. Enter Robert Ellis, a Brooklyn native and founder of a new app called Tastee. Robert saw a unique opportunity to not only provide a dining alternative, but a means to help revitalize a segment of the local economy and provide economic gain for those impacted by the pandemic.

The app’s user-friendly platform provides professional, as well as certified novice chefs, with a clear path to customers in search of either a private culinary master to prepare meals for their guests at an intimate gathering; a local caterer to cater to the needs of those at a wedding celebration or memorable office party; as well as the quaint couple sitting in their apartment with the desire for something different for dinner that night. With a versatile selection of culinary experts, Tastee truly had something for everyone.

The app was developed with all of this in mind and more, providing a marketplace with all of the safety protocols defined while being easy to set up and seamless to scale. It meant that restaurants and their patrons could adapt to the changing social environment. Tastee offers home and professional chefs an opportunity to quickly upload their unique digital menu and curate dishes designed to not only satisfy the palate, but generate a new revenue stream assisting them in recovering from the halt in business due to Covid-19. 

While currently rolling out its beta launch within New York City, Tastee can be found in the App Store and on Google Play. To find out more about Tastee, you can visit their website: TasteeApp.com

Menu

Explore New York Weekly™

Legal & Support

  • Get published in New York Weekly™

Founders, executives, and brands ready to build credibility through publication.

Get Published

Follow Us

Facebook Instagram Linkedin

New York Weekly™ is not responsible for the content of external websites.

Copyright ©2026 Matrix Global, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Use of any part of this site implies acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. The content on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached, or used in any way without the prior written permission of New York Weekly.

Explore New York Weekly™

Legal

Explore New York Weekly

Legal

A Matrix Global Publication

New York Weekly™ is not responsible for the content of external websites.

Copyright ©2025 Matrix Global, LLC. All Rights Reserved.