Author: NY Weekly Staff

The love for the game of basketball is a prevalent force across the nation. Today, basketball enthusiasts, whether professional or not, all aspire for one thing: to improve their shot accuracy. Today, an innovative company has introduced a new invention that helps shooters improve accuracy and strength when attempting their shots. The product is called Perfect Rotation. 

The idea first came to founder Mitchell Adams over four years ago while preparing to play with his sons in a game of basketball. While shooting a medicine ball with built-in handles to activate his dormant shooting muscles, Mitchell’s hand found itself on one of the handles, and when he shot the ball, he got a perfect rotation. At that moment, he thought of creating a shooting ball with finger placements to aid in the shooting process. 

After sharing the idea with his sons, he next sought out his nephew, who had just graduated art school, to help sketch the idea. Within a few iterations of the drawing, Mitchell’s nephew drew what is now the Perfect Rotation basketball. He started sharing the sketches with his family and friends, who encouraged him to pursue the idea. Mitchell presented the idea to a patent attorney four months later and discovered nothing of the Perfect Rotation’s kind had existed yet. Everything else is history.

After four years, the Perfect Rotation basketball is picking up momentum in the market and has been a game-changer in the world of basketball for those that have adopted this ball as a training aid. Today, Mitchell hopes to spread the news and let all basketball lovers, players, coaches, and trainers know about the inventive new approach to significantly improving one’s shot. 

The Perfect Rotation basketball looks like any other regular basketball except for its heavier weight and design. The ball has patented channels that help activate the shooting fingers, which improves their action when flicking a ball during a shot. The ball’s design is engineered professionally to improve a shooter’s rotation, strength, and mechanics. The ingenious design helps a shooter master the perfect flick, a factor that adds to the ball’s trajectory and thus shot accuracy.

Usually, the Perfect Rotation isn’t meant to be shot at the basket, so players can practice shooting into the air or back and forth with a teammate. Because the ball is heavier than standard basketballs, the product helps build the necessary arm and finger strength to increase the shooter’s range. While the Perfect Rotation isn’t the first weighted ball, its function is unique compared to others of its adjacent kind. Most weighted basketballs only help straighten muscles from wrist to shoulder. The Perfect Rotation basketball channels help strengthen everything from fingertips to shoulder, improving shots significantly. 

The product also helps shooters improve their form and shot by creating muscle memory based on the ball’s design and function. Regardless of background, skill level, or body type, the Perfect Rotation basketball can help anyone improve their shot through consistent use and exercise. Mitchell Adams hopes to see the Perfect Rotation basketball become a staple in gyms, schools, and even for professional basketball teams one day. 

Mitchell Adams holds a Master’s Degree in Sports Management from the University of San Francisco. Before starting Perfect Rotation, Inc, he worked in and around sports for over 20 years and also spent time as an agent for the NFL from 2012 to 2018. Mitchell also has an extensive sales background and worked as Manager of Inside Sales, Channel Account Manager, and Global Sales Trainer at Recommind, now known as OpenText.

Since December of 2016, Mitchell now acts as the Principal Owner and CEO of Perfect Rotation, LLC. He hopes to scale his business in the next five years and turn Perfect Rotation into a household brand among all basketball lovers worldwide. He also sees coaches utilizing this product as a pre and post-workout routine for all basketball players at every level. 

To learn more about the product, visit the Perfect Rotation website or Facebook page.

Regardless of its impact on the neighborhood, many real estate developers, unfortunately, look for the next best opportunity. While this simple entrepreneurial practice may not seem so damaging on its own, the best real estate developers pick their projects with a purpose and account for both positive and negative externalities. 

New construction projects are able to re-shape the style as well as potential value of a neighborhood for better or for worse. This is precisely why Jason Halpern is the independent real estate development entrepreneur who is keen on improving old buildings’ financials as well as modernizing their look in a way that preserves their original character and any historic landmark status. Halpern’s very specific modus operandi is responsible for his vast success in recent years. 

Building a brand on refurbishing old buildings and outfitting them with new amenities and modern technology in a way that preserves its historic integrity (and any federal, state, or city landmark status), its authentic style as well as improves the financials of the building, Jason Halpern and JMH Development are able to distinguish themselves from the competition. The New York City real estate community is in agreement, as principal of JMH Development, Halpern has successfully positioned himself, and his company, as the leader in tastefully refining and modernizing historical districts in the city, winning awards for almost all of his new development projects. 

As a testament to Halpern’s ability to build a construct a new development that complements the existing style in the neighborhood, improves the existing financials, as well as includes all the popular modern technology and amenities, Halpern’s and JMH Developments’ ‘Luxury Residences at 70 Henry’ project was unanimously approved by the Landmarks Preservation Commission in June of 2015.As an homage to his deep roots in Brooklyn, Halpern felt personally connected to this project located in the famed historic district of Brooklyn Heights. Halpern and his partner Gerard Longo of Mettle Property were able to deliver on a stunning project that both embraces modernity as well as classic Brooklyn. Boasting the much-sought-after design of Morris Adjmi, the 70 Henry project offers five luxury residences, a maisonette, several full-floor residences, and an expansive penthouse with a private roof deck perfect for both entertaining as well as social distancing.

Halpern’s success with his 70 Henry project, reinvigorating the style and financials of the building while securing and preserving landmark status, is not the first of this kind. For around two decades now, Halpern has been inspired to take on projects, which preserve the historic integrity of its surrounding neighborhood, regardless of their perceived risk and complexity. This is more than just a business for Halpern, it is his passion; Halpern loves to take in the beauty and sense of antiquity while walking through historic districts. This reverence for the past and authentic character is part of Halpern’s motivation for mixing modernity with historical preservation.

Halpern commonly quips, “I’m not just a developer, I’m a preservationist.” 

Halpern’s exceptional ability to carve out this niche for himself and JMH Development, has allowed him to build and close multiple properties at a price point of 100 million dollars or more. Halpern’s and JMH Development’s impressive ability to preserve the integrity of a building and its neighborhood all while impressing investors and potential buyers with their buildings’ high-quality improvements, luxurious amenities, innovative technology, and strong financials are why he is widely recognized as the premier choice to develop and refine historic districts.

While many jobs are openly celebrated and performed by many, society has labeled some careers as unconventional and unacceptable. Growing up in a conventional family environment, Marguerite Martin realized early on how her choices would affect how people perceive her as a person. Still, she followed her heart and took a path that only the brave few can venture on and proudly disclose in broad daylight.

Marguerite Martin is of Haitian heritage. Her loving parents raised her in Miami, Florida, where she is currently based, in a religious home. Marguerite grew up in an environment filled with devoted Christian people. Her father is a pastor at the South Miami Height Haitian Baptism Mission Emmanuel. It was a struggle for her to break out of the mold her parents have expected her to fill, and many expressed their disbelief in her life choices. But Marguerite remained firm, believing that she will find her purpose and happiness in what she chose to become.

Marguerite Martin is a camgirl and stripper. She is best known for her screen name MzMarhi004 and Rain. Asked why she chose to pursue the life she has led, she said that, “I am always thinking of ways to make people comfortable and happy.” The road was rocky from the beginning, but Marguerite was determined to succeed and prove that she made the right choice. Beyond the negative comments from her intimate circle, she chose to follow what she considered was the best option to grow as a person.

Before becoming a camgirl and stripper, Marguerite Martin was trying to achieve a stereotypical career plan. In 2012, she obtained an Associate’s degree in Accounting at Miami Dade College. She further pursued a bachelor’s degree at Ashford University. She also obtained a Master’s Degree in Finance, as well as Human Resource Management at Ashford University’s Forbes Business school.

It would have been easier, of course, avoiding criticisms by going along with the status quo. But Marguerite Martin wanted a life decided and controlled by her, to the last detail, and not dictated by any societal standards. After landing a job in corporate America, Marguerite saw the disconnect between employees and their companies. Seeing such circumstances, she felt that there was more in store for her in life, and she was not afraid to look for what it is that her heart truly desires. 

In five years, Marguerite Martin said she wants to take her career to the next level by inspiring others with her story and amplifying the message that it’s acceptable to make choices that do not conform to society. At times, she shares as if she is in an endless cycle where situations keep repeating themselves tirelessly time and time again. But the online performer is determined to do her best to make people happy and provide the intimacy that some people may lack in their lives.

It’s not every day for a person to go beyond her comfort zone. People often rely on the norm to feel accepted within a community. But Marguerite Martin is carving her own way into the world, and she will stop at nothing to achieve the happiness she has always dreamed of. Learn more about her on her official website.

Chocolate has been around for centuries. It is widely used for religious rituals, as an aphrodisiac, a symbol of love and an intrinsic part of Valentine’s day. This decadent treat has its unique aroma and texture and comes in all shapes and sizes, but the best chocolate is made from the fine-flavored cacao crafted with love by experts. Priding itself as a one-stop chocolate shop, Chocotastery is the ultimate destination for chocolate education and tasting experiences.

Chocotastery is rapidly becoming the go-to place for all chocolate lovers to experience and taste the sweet treat in its purest form while learning its history. At the company’s virtual chocolate events, chocolate lovers from all around the world connect as they deepen their knowledge, appreciation, love and enjoyment of the chocolate.

At these virtual events, participants are guided through the process of turning raw cacao into chocolate and enjoying a chocolate tasting process that showcases four different craft chocolate makers and perfectly crafted chocolate from four different origins worldwide. These events help chocolate enthusiasts appreciate the amount of work that makes each artisanal bar and help them properly taste chocolate by providing an easy-to-follow tasting guide.

Chocotastery was established in April 2018 and is currently managed by its founder Glenn Petriello, a chocolate sommelier with an innate ability and is experienced in crafting perfect chocolate confections and craft chocolate. He graduated from the cacao-focused classes of Ecole Chocolat, Fine Cacao and Chocolate Institute, International Institute of Chocolate and Cacao Tasting, International Culinary Center and Institute of Culinary Education.

Glenn wanted to keep his passion for chocolate alive with the experience garnered over the years, and he started a new venture. He channeled his knowledge and passion for chocolate into creating chocolate events and virtual classes for a chocolate lovers community. The virtual space is a haven for chocolate enthusiasts, a place they can share their passion for the craft and the knowledge to mindfully taste chocolate for a truly orgasmic experience.

In addition to its virtual events, Chocotastery also offers training for anyone who wants to organize private or corporate tasting events for family, friends, and co-workers. For chocolate lovers looking to explore available options, curated chocolate bars are open at Chocotastery in bundles of two to four bars. The chocolate is handpicked from the finest chocolate available on the market and shipped directly to customers.

As chocolate is made possible by hardworking cacao farmers, the establishment is deeply committed to improving the livelihood of cacao farmers in cacao-producing countries worldwide and donates a part of all proceeds from the chocolate events to fund the Heirloom Cacao Preservation Fund’s Adopt a Tree Program. 

Glenn Petriello plans to keep Chocotastery running for a long time. When asked about his five-year goal, he says, “I see Chocotastery being synonymous with learning about chocolate and premier virtual chocolate tasting experiences.” The company is looking to create new experiences for its customers. It plans to make several trips to cacao-producing regions to learn about the area and support the most critical people in chocolate production — cacao farmers.

To learn more about chocolate or have a tasting experience, you may visit Chocotastery’s official website.

Countless industry powerhouses have driven home the point that one’s humble beginning does not have to stand as a hindrance to success. In addition, numerous stories have featured aspirants who entered their chosen field without anything on their backs but their passion and dreams. Highly accomplished entrepreneur Sam Ibrahim is one such household name who can testify to the power of ambition and drive in translating vision into reality.

Widely acclaimed for being the ultimate multilingual fashion consultant, this Berkeley alumnus, who graduated with honors in fashion marketing, has made waves with his expertise, experience, and multiple endeavors. Not only does Sam Ibrahim serve as the USA manager of Mohamed Ramadan — the biggest celebrity in Africa and the Middle East — but he is also the founder and owner of the global fashion company called Affari Group. 

Affari Group has risen through the ranks to become one of America’s most prominent fashion houses under the leadership of Sam Ibrahim, and it is expected to transform into an industry staple in the coming years. Based in New York, it has offices in Dubai, Egypt, and Japan, which enable this lauded institution to gain a footing in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. 

With his fifteen-year experience working alongside the world’s most famous luxury brands, Sam Ibrahim can spot fake leather pants from a mile away and tell in an instant the manufacturing year of one’s favorite blazer. The depth of his knowledge has propelled him to the forefront of the industry, and his contributions in the field have allowed him to cement his position. 

Throughout his career, this design connoisseur has worked for the top fashion corporations in the USA and UAE, including Bloomingdales, Amazon, Barneys, and Macy’s. Under his direction, these moguls all have grown tremendously and continue to dominate the game. 

Additionally, Sam Ibrahim, who is also the mind behind two highly-successful private brands, is the exclusive distributor for the esteemed celebrity-owned eyewear brand, Prive Revaux, which is rocking the MENA region. Through his numerous ventures and by leading Affari Group together with his partners Gil Einhorn and Hershy Mayer, this renowned figure has impacted lives and the fashion industry, in general. Astoundedly, Sam Ibrahim reached these spectacular heights and bagged numerous accomplishments under his belt despite starting from zero, demonstrating that any aspirant willing to go the extra mile can fulfill their personal and professional goals. 

In the future, Sam Ibrahim is set to inject his expertise into the field by continuing to work directly with some of the biggest celebrities on the planet. Armed with his undying commitment to high-end fashion, he plans to launch more initiatives benefiting the industry. 

Above anything, he aims to remain a source of inspiration for dreamers and his peers through his story. As an Alexandria native who was not born with a silver platter, he nevertheless achieved immeasurable success. Moving forward, Sam Ibrahim wants to emphasize the importance of hard work, passion, and humility.

Learn more about Sam Ibrahim and Affari Group by visiting his website.