About 360 MAGAZINE

360 MAGAZINE is an award-winning international publishing on popular culture and design. We introduce avant trademarks to efficacious architects. We are a LGBTQIA2S+ friendly publication--officially recognized by the NGLCC. Our core demographic ranges from 19 to 39-year-old college-educated trendsetters within their respective international communities. The pages in this art book satisfy their strong interests including music, art, travel, auto, health, fashion, tech, philanthropy, design, food and entrepreneurship. It's an introspective digital/print/tablet portrait series, which encapsulates artists/brands/entities who embody the true essence of our publication- empowerment, equality, sensuality and most important of all, humanity within a global society.

Malek Hanna Inside 360 MAGAZINE

“Artist To Look Out For” Malek Hanna Releases Debut Single, “Beautiful Stranger”

Leave a reply

Watch the music video HERE.

We are delighted to publish this feature with Malek Hanna, a blue-eyed soul singer announcing his arrival on the LA music scene with the release of his debut single “Beautiful Stranger.” This is an artist to keep your eye on this year. Produced in collaboration with Camela Leierth – pop artist and co-writer for Katy Perry – “Beautiful Stranger” marks the culmination of years of growth and development for this Brooklyn born singer-songwriter, and the beginning of what will surely be his breakthrough year, having already been named “an artist to look out for” by Unique & Rare Magazine. 

A lush and contemplative ballad that draws inspiration from Hanna’s Lebanese heritage, “Beautiful Stranger” questions and examines the concept of love in its myriad forms. In the reflective music video – directed by filmmaker and member of the Hollywood Foreign Press Ersi Danou and filmmaker/photographer Thouly Dosios – Hanna stars in three different roles, all walking a treacherous tightrope between fantasy and reality. The premiere coincides with the launch of Nadia’s Kids Inc., a non-profit formed by Hanna to honor his aunt and uncle, who both passed away from COVID-19 in their home of Aleppo, Syria, after having lived through the harrowing civil war of the past 10 years. 

We spoke with Malek about his upbringing in Brooklyn, how his Lebanese heritage impacts his music, and his plans for the coming year. Read on below, and look out for more music from this breaking artist soon!

1) Malek, tell us a little bit about your background and upbringing. When did you start writing music?

I’m a New Yorker and proud of it!  I was born and raised in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn –  a residential neighborhood by the Verrazano Bridge. I have fond memories living there; playing stick ball on my uncle’s stoop, grabbing a pizza slice from my favorite pizza parlor – Ninos, attending the San Gennaro street festivals, going to the park to meet up with friends on the swings – being a kid amongst a heavily Italian, Irish, and Middle Eastern community gave me the grit to handle life with vigor. I always felt as though I had a competitive edge growing up in Brooklyn. I consider myself lucky having to call New York my home. My father was from Beirut, Lebanon and mother from Aleppo, Syria so I am a 1st generation American. Due to the civil war in Lebanon, my parents moved to the US and other family members scattered to other countries such as Germany, France, UAE and other parts of the US. Growing up, it gave us an excuse to travel frequently to visit family abroad and spend summers in the Mid-East and Europe. Growing up in a multicultural household and being able to converse and understand different languages and cultures was a big blessing but when I was younger, I didn’t always see it that way. When my mom made me a hummus sandwich at school, haha, I was embarrassed and wanted to be like all the other kids, I just wanted to fit in but always felt a bit out of place. So…I  forced my mom to make me peanut butter and jelly sandwiches instead and I joined a lot of local sports activities like baseball, soccer, tennis and the swim team. I was pretty athletic as a kid and remember my 1st dream was to be a professional tennis player. Dreaming however, wasn’t always encouraged; being 1st generation and having relatively strict parents, there was a lot of pressure to be the best academically. They wanted me to be a doctor and quite honestly, it was the last thing I wanted to do. Since I was about 10 years old, I knew that I was a performer but felt I needed to keep it a secret because my parents wouldn’t approve. I was addicted to television and knew that I wanted to be like the people I saw on the screen performing. I would joke, play and be able to express myself more so outside of my immediate home. That time however did give me the desire to write; it was more like poetry or free write that led to creating melodies in my head and fantasizing about performing on stage. Nevertheless, my parents frequently had fun and lavish parties at the house and invited their neighborhood friends and colleagues. I remember always having to present myself properly and once asked about what I wanted to be, I would just regurgitate – I want to be a doctor, which was a complete lie. Anyhow, I digress…fast forward…my highschool years at Xavier in NYC gave me the creative outlet that I was so yearning for. It was an all boys private Jesuit school on 14th street; I remember having to wake up extra early so I can catch the subway from Brooklyn to Union Square. Those corridors in that school ignited a spark that I have till this day. I remember there were tryouts for the choir and I felt excited but also nervous; once I got there and I started to sing, it was as if nothing else mattered and I was floating on air, I felt fully alive. That was it…I was bit by the bug!  Shortly thereafter, I started soloing at the church, getting lead roles in my highschool musicals, singing in the subway on my way too and from school and knew that is what I wanted and made me the most happy. At that time, my parents did not necessarily know that I was at drama rehearsal, I told them that the subway was late or that I was at, “science club” after school. All The while, I hired a private acting and singing coach with my allowance without them knowing…they blew up when I told them. Fastforward, I agreed to double major in Theater and Political Science at Fordham University to appease my parents and got a Masters in Media and Public Communications. That not being enough ha, I enrolled in ICU and got another degree in Culinary Management. I think at that point, my parents thought I would forget about my dream of being a performer but instead, I packed up and moved to LA. Overall, growing up in NYC was fun, and if it weren’t for the obstacles, I may not have been where I am now. 

2) You have some Lebanese heritage but grew up in Brooklyn. How have those two cultures influenced your music and songwriting?

Being of Lebanese descent and growing up in Brooklyn influences my music and songwriting, as the fusion and richness of both cultures, rhythms, and sounds is something I like to create, as it truly tells my story and parallels who I am as an artist and as a person. In arabic music, there are neutral thirds while in wetserm music there are only major and minor ones. I want my music to represent me and the only way that is possible would be to incorporate and fuse these two worlds together into one. When you listen to Beautiful Stranger, you can hear the oud, for example – an ancient Arabic instrument. This instrument is reminiscent of my childhood, as my grandfather, Zaki Kneider, was a great oud player, amongst other instruments. 

3) We love “Beautiful Stranger.” Can you tell us a little bit about the message behind the song?

Thank you so much! The message behind Beautiful Stranger ultimately is all about, “the search” and the recognition that the answers are ultimately within yourself.  My intention with this song is to have people question, “this thing called love,” and its many forms. My inspiration for the song came from the need to connect, to be able to understand the power of love and all its forms.

4) You shot the music video for “Beautiful Stranger” in different locations around LA. What was the video shoot process like? Can you tell us anything about the video?

The filming process was a challenge! I had a shoe-string budget, a vision and a voice…I quickly put my producer hat on and started getting a team in place, all during Covid in Los Angeles, mind you. Nevertheless, overall, I am happy and grateful for my wonderful cast and crew. Ersi Danou and Thouly Dosios were my dynamite duo directors, Ted Hayash was a terrific DP and the cast was so supportive and encouraging. Acquiring permits, location scouting, scheduling, abiding by covid regulations etc was a lot to handle as the only producer on the project… on top of being the artist and performing. Due to Covid, locking in locations was probably the most difficult but by sheer tenacity, I was able to lock  in the iconic Santa Monica pier. I hustled everyday to get food sponsors, freebies, waivers and would not take no for an answer. Funny side-note – my directors really wanted a full body manikin for the opening scene and finally a day before shooting I was able to get one; I drove to downtown LA and spotted one in a Korean market. I spoke with the owner basically in sign language since he and his wife didn’t speak much English and managed to have them agree to letting me use the manikin for the day with a $30 deposit. I guess they just trusted me, a random stranger….I off course returned it the next day after that day of shooting. It made me believe in humanity and the kindness of strangers. We shot for 4 entire days on the weekends and basically created a short film using iconic backdrops as the SM carrousel, downtown LA, Altadena and the LA river. 

5) You’ve just released your debut single. What was the recording process like?

The recording process was fun! Working with a limited budget was a challenge but we made it work. After completing the final tweaks of the song with my writing partner, Raed Saade, I remember thinking…ok now studio time is going to be expensive, I have to find a way. I started thinking of who I can reach out too; my old roommate and friend Mikey Mike, who wrote for Rihanna and is an artist himself recommended – Steve Dresser who happened to have an in-home recording studio in his apartment in Koreatown. We met, vibed, got in the booth and layed down the vocals. I was in absolute bliss when I was in that room, despite it being 100 degrees since his AC went out and I was dripping sweat from head to toe. After laying the vocals and much deliberation with Steve and my producer, Xavier Cevrin who is based in Holland, we decided to add ancient instruments as the Oud with the acoustic and electric guitar to give a more worldly pop vibe. The writing process was a nice collaboration; prior to this song, I was not as confident with my songwriting but after encouragement from friends and industry pros, I just dove right in. Raed Saade, a fellow contestant and friend who was on the Voice with me, believed in me as a singer and supported me as a songwriter by contributing in co-writing Beautiful Stranger. We grabbed some beers, locked ourselves in my apartment and started brainstorming ideas, concepts, thoughts etc. Before I knew it, we had a nice rough draft in about an hour or so. It was all a learning experience for me, as prior to this, I performed on stage and was singing other people’s songs. I was thrilled to finally have something to sing and perform to claim my own! 

6) We were so moved to read about the story behind Nadia’s Kids Inc. What are your plans for the non-profit in the coming years?

Thank you – it was something I felt I needed to do. There are so many children out there who suffer from PTSD and they simply do not have the proper resources to cope with the challenges they face as children, which then leads to major problems in adulthood. My plans in the coming years is to have an actual facility with different workshops and art programs that caters to their needs. In the meantime, I will actively be looking for qualified counselors, volunteers and artists to help in creating this program. My aunt Nadia and uncle Andreas will be missed, but never forgotten. 

7) What can your fans expect from you this year?

I am in the process of collaborating once again with former Swedish pop star and Katy Perry collaborator, Camela Leierth on my EP that is set to be released sometime this year! While working on the EP, I have some really cool and exciting film projects and announcements in development, where I will be seen acting and singing. Stay tuned for more!!!

8) Is there anything else you would like our readers to know?

I’m committed to expressing my artistry in different mediums, that I will be sharing in the coming years! 

Design and cleanliness story illustration by Gabrielle Archuleta for 360 magazine

COVID GUIDANCE: The importance of TOP-DOWN CLEANING

Leave a reply

Robin Wilson launched Robin Wilson Home in 2000 and created a conglomerate that covers eco-design, licensed products, interior design, and real estate development. Her brand has generated over $82 million in wholesale revenue from sales of cabinetry and textiles. She became the first Black woman with a line of hypoallergenic textiles sold nationwide at Bed Bath & Beyond (now in Wal-Mart), among other retailers. Her book, CLEAN DESIGN: Wellness for your Lifestyle was #1 on Amazon and focused on eco-friendly designs and hypoallergenic products for consumers.

Recently, the lifestyle expert introduced the practical aspect of Top-Down Cleaning. In this era of quarantines and lock downs, the last thing anyone wants to do is add to our work load – and a few simple tips will help you maintain a clean and healthier living space!

The Statistics

Sixty million Americans – that is one in five of us – have asthma and allergies. We sneeze, sniffle, and itch. Expose us to a whiff of dust, a gust of pollen, a sniff of perfume, or an encounter with an inquisitive dog or cat, and before we know it, our airways start to close up, and we begin to cough, wheeze or struggle to breathe.

With COVID in the air, the last thing we need is an inflammatory response. So cleaning your space has never been more important. Remember that asthma and allergies cannot be cured, but they can be managed. We can reduce symptoms by avoiding the allergens that trigger them. Unfortunately, the average home is full of allergy and asthma triggers, which means the place that should be your sanctuary can be a major source of allergenic triggers.

What is Top-Down Cleaning?

Most people create twice the cleaning work by first cleaning the floor, softa, tabletop or countertop and then cleaning the lights, ceiling fan or cabinets – only to see dust drift downward.

Solution: Clean from the top-to-bottom. In fact, if you have a second level, start upstairs and then work your way downstairs. Start at the highest point and make sure you have the following tools: paper towels, microstatic dust mitt/cloth, microstatic duster/floor sweeper, HEPA vacuum and a non-toxic cleaning solution. Cleaning solutions should include: baking soda, vinegar, toothpaste and Coca Cola.

Starting at the Top

We forget that walls are one of the largest surfaces in our spaces. Use a microstatic duster cloth/mitt to rub gently along the walls starting at the ceiling line and let the dust fall. As well, make sure to swipe over light receptables, ceiling fans or chandeliers.

Surfaces

Then clean the surfaces, starting with the highest-level lamp, bookcase, window treatments, cabinet or closet shelf. Allow dust/dirt to fall. As you work you way down, you will find that you need to vacuum or wipe down surfaces.

As mentioned earlier, there are a few tricks that involve cleaning solutions that are non-toxic.

1.       Toilet Ring Solution: Pour Coca Cola into your toilet overnight, and use toilet brush in the morning and the stubborn ring will disappear (may have to be repeated dependent on the level of stain) by morning.

2.       Crayon Marks: Use toothpaste. Smear on the mark and let sit for about 20 minutes. Using light brush strokes, and the crayon should be removed, or at least diminished.

3.       Stained Baking Sheets: to make them look new, use vinegar and baking soda. Coat pan with baking soda. Pour a layer of white vinegar on top. You may see slight bubbling. Let sit for 4 hours. Use gloves and a brush in circular motion. Watch the surface start to look new.

Finish at the Floor

The last thing that you need to do in your space is clean the floor.

1.       Make sure to invest in a HEPA filter vacuum as the dust and dirt is stored in a chamber (unlike older vacuum units that sometimes-added dust back into the space), and the canister can be emptied outside.

2.       Before you clean, you might want to make sure that you remove rugs and shake them outside.

3.       Run a microstatic dust cloth over the floor before you vacuum so that you can ensure that minimal dust flies around.

One tech solution that many working from home families are investing is an electronic robot vacuum that can be programmed to work during the day in various rooms. Some floor robot vacuums have HEPA filters, and can be a great option if you have a pet and want to make sure to limit buildup of dander and hair on your floor.

[SIDE BAR] For a space that follows CLEAN DESIGN protocols, it is important to replace a few items:

1.       Change your older model vacuum to a HEPA vacuum to effectively limit dust in the space. Especially important if your home is near any location that had recent fires.

2.       Change your vinyl shower liner to a nylon shower liner to minimize mold.

3.       Review the window treatments and find options that can be laundered and are not ‘dust catchers’ or which can be easily vacuumed.

4.       Replace your pillow after 3 years if it has not been washed frequently or covered with a zippered liner.

5.       Think about using your window screens so that you can open your windows for 5 minutes daily.

SIDEBAR

Leading triggers include:

  • Dust mites in beds and pillows
  • Dander from pets
  • Mold growth in walls, bathrooms and basements
  • Pollen from outdoor trees and grasses in your hair that infiltrates your sleep space or living room sofa
  • Fumes from cooking and chemical cleaners
  • Toxic or environmentally unfriendly building materials that permeate indoor air

Remember, you can change that by using the strategies in the book, Clean Design: Wellness for your Lifestyle (Greenleaf, 2015). Create a healthy home environment that manages indoor air quality and protect your family from dust, mold, pollen, fumes, odors, airborne toxins, chemicals and other substances. Create a home environment that nurtures good health.

According to the American Lung Association, “poor indoor air quality can cause or contribute to the development of infections, lung cancer…headaches, dry eyes, nasal congestion, nausea, and fatigue” in anyone, not just those who suffer from asthma and allergies. We can all benefit from living in a more pure home environment.

More physicians are convinced that there is a link between environmental toxins, indoor air quality and allergies. Chemicals we are exposed to in our homes and offices have the power to make us sick, and we can improve our health and wellness using Clean Design principles.

Shopping for Hypoallergenic Options

The pandemic made both me and my clients realize that the CLEAN DESIGN HOME which sells our retail products is more important than ever – and that we should find non-toxic cleaning options and information for day-to-day living, especially since so many of us are working from home. I have pivoted to focus on building out the product line, and have just licensed our brand. So much information involves simple non-toxic options– the ideas are rooted in my bestselling book, Clean Design: Wellness for your Lifestyle.

About Robin Wilson

Her design projects including the White House Fellows office, a part of President Clinton’s Harlem office, and the rustic beach cottage of Robert DeNiro – each project had a very quick turnaround and exacting standards. She was named to the Top 100 Female Founders List in 2020 by INC magazine. Her eponymous licensed brands of textiles is sold at retail and hospitality. She is also in the process of creating Design+Build projects. She is author of two award-winning books: Clean Design She is the first woman with a branded line of custom cabinetry that was sold by over 400 independent kitchen dealers nationwide (2009-2018). First featured in Oprah’s magazines and extensive media coverage since 2005. In May 2013, her furniture line, Nest Home by Robin Wilson, premiered at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) in New York. In 2014, she partnered with consumer products giant Panasonic to promote their latest line of cutting edge products for the home.She is an ambassador to the Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America, and previously served on the board of the Sustainable Furnishings Council.

Rita Azar illustration for 360 magazine relationship article.

6 Cool Entertainment Options for Partners Spending Lockdown Apart

Leave a reply

To stay and keep our partners safe, the COVID-19 pandemic might require that we spend some time away from our partners. Being away from their partners can be agonizing for a lot of people and this is why you should try to find ways to connect with your partner every chance you get if you are not spending lockdown together. Below, we will look at some cool and creative entertainment options that you can enjoy alone or with your partner if you are forced to spend lockdown apart.

Listen to the Same Album/Playlist

Streaming services have come a long way and it is now possible to listen to whole albums through your phone and computer. An added advantage is the ability to share an album or playlist with your partner. By doing this, you can listen to the same album or music at the same time.

It might not be the same as spending time together physically, but it will bring you together.

Watch a Movie Together

As with listening to the same music, you can also watch the same movie with your partner. As you know, there are a plethora of streaming services to choose from. However, if you do not want or cannot afford to pay for a streaming service, there are still free movie streaming services such as Tubi that have a catalogue of original movies and shows you can enjoy together.

There is so much you can do with both of the ideas above including using them on a themed date night or a special night you would like to spend together.

Indulge in Some Casino Games

If you love casino games, you can try some of the new games that are being released by various developers to help people cope with long periods of self-isolation. The good thing about playing your favourite games at an online casino is that it is possible to invite your partner to the same casino so you can play a few games against each other. This is not only a great way to spend some time together, it is also a great way to have some fun and some light-hearted competition.

If your partner does not like casino games, you can still engage in some online gambling to have fun, and, if you are feeling competitive, to hopefully win some money. Regardless of whether you want to play slots games alone or with your partner, you should always ensure you are playing at a reputable online slots casino.

With innumerable casinos online available, you might find it confusing to find the right one. Fortunately, you can use online casino review websites to find information about the casinos you might be considering. Review websites such as Online Casino Reviews posts in-depth reviews of popular casinos in South Africa and all over the world. Whether you are looking to play card, table or slot games, Online Casino Reviews has all the information and reviews you need to make the right choice.

Have a Virtual Date Night

While you might not be physically together that does not mean you cannot go on dates, even if they have to be virtual dates. Virtual date night affords you the excuse to dress up, look nice, and rekindle the charm of being in the dating stage again.

The good thing about virtual dates is that as long as you have an internet connection, they can take place anywhere. Maybe you have a beautiful balcony overlooking the city? Or a patch of grass in your garden that you like? You are only limited by your creativity!

Make a Digital Photo Album

It is sad spending wells or months away from your partner, but you can remind yourself why you love them and what they mean to you by creating a digital photo album or a slide show.

Each of the photos included in the album or slideshow should be chosen for a reason. You can always do it together using a share album or folder on a cloud-hosting service. Looking at memories can be a great bonding experience for both of you and help you feel together even when you are apart.

Send Voice Memos

If you have been texting with your partner all day, sending them a voice memo is a fun and entertaining way to reach out to them. The good thing about voice memos is that they can be as long as you like and be about anything.

If you want to go a step further, you can always take a video and send it to your partner. This can come in handy when you do not have time to make a video call.

Spending some time apart during quarantine can make things feel worse than they really are. While it may not be possible to physically spend some time with your partner, you can still find creative, cool, and entertaining ways to spend some time together, although virtually.

Valentine Image by Kaelen Felix for 360 Magazine

15 Valentine’s Day Marketing Ideas for Your Boutique

Leave a reply

By Joseph Heller

Love is in the air, gals… Valentine’s Day is almost here! If you’re new to owning an online boutique and this is the first Valentine’s Day you’ll be celebrating as a small business owner, the approach of February 14th might have you mainly thinking about what you’ll get for your significant other and (maybe even more so) what he or she will get for you. Or maybe you typically spend Valentine’s Day with your best single gal pals, eating chocolate and exchanging gifts. Instead use leading direct mail marketing services to drive more traffic and increase sales.

But Valentine’s Day isn’t all about love, romance, and cheesy cards. No matter how big or small your eCommerce business is, it can be a day that drives sales like no other – especially if you sell clothing, jewelry, or other gifts. In fact, it rivals only Christmas in consumer spending. If you play your cards right, the days surrounding Valentine’s Day could make up one of your best sales weeks of all time.

Of course, competing with major retailers isn’t easy, least of all on Valentine’s Day. Stores all over the country are spending thousands of dollars on Valentine’s marketing, trying to get people to buy their gifts from them. Sure, you could have an incredible selection of Valentine’s gifts and accessories, available for great prices – but if nobody knows about your shop, it won’t do you any good in the end.

If you’re going to drive both new and existing customers to your shop for their Valentine’s shopping, you’ve got to get creative about your Valentine’s Day marketing. Read on to learn 15 affordable Valentine’s Day marketing ideas for your boutique – and why you really should care to do something special for this holiday in the first place.

Valentine’s Day and eCommerce

The numbers are clear – Americans spend a whole lot of dough on Valentine’s Day. The average American celebrating Valentine’s Day spent $196.31 on Valentine’s Day in 2020, adding up to a total of $27.4 billion spent on the holiday in 2020. Trends show that number only heading upwards – 2020 spending was up 32% from 2019.

Of course, that’s just the big picture – and not all of that money is being spent in boutiques like yours. Here are a few other stats you should be aware of that paint the picture of consumer spending on Valentine’s Day, based on 2020 numbers:

  • 32% buy Valentine’s Day gifts from discount stores.
  • Men spend nearly three times as much as women on Valentine’s Day.
  • $5.8B was spent on Valentine’s Day jewelry
  • $4.3B was spent on a Valentine’s Day night out
  • $2.4B was spent on Valentine’s Day chocolate
  • $2.3B was spent on flowers
  • $2B was spent on Valentine’s Day gift cards
  • $1.3B was spent on Valentine’s Day greeting cards
  • 45% of adults didn’t celebrate Valentine’s Day
  • 15% of Americans buy themselves a present on Valentine’s Day
  • Americans spend an average of $12.21 on Valentine’s Day gifts for their pets

With all of that shopping and spending going on during the Valentine’s Day season, you’ll want to make sure your business ends up with even a small sliver of that massive pie. Running holiday-themed campaigns and upping your marketing efforts leading up to Valentine’s Day will help you keep your boutique fresh in people’s minds and increase the chances that they go straight to you once it’s time to shop for their Valentine’s Day gifts.

15 Valentine’s Day Marketing Ideas for Small Businesses

Don’t have a huge marketing budget? No problem – with time, effort, and the right direction, you can still get your boutique’s awesome Valentine’s Day gifts and products in front of the right people. Here are 15 Valentine’s Day marketing ideas for small businesses that you can implement for little or no money.

  1. Send a themed email marketing campaign

Instead of generic email newsletters or sale messages, send a themed Valentine’s Day email that’s all about love, friendship, and gift-giving. Drive your audience to your website with gift suggestions and fun Valentine’s-themed wordplay. (You know… “love is in the air,” “we will always love you,” “gifts with heart,” etc!) For more tips on how to use email marketing to grow your boutique, click here.

  1. Host a contest

Embrace the holiday and host a fun couples contest or giveaway on your boutique’s social media page. Don’t be afraid to get creative! Have participants recreate a photo, do a challenge, coordinate an outfit together using a piece from your shop – whatever sounds like a good time. Then, have your audience vote for their favorite entrant on Valentine’s Day. (No need to exclude single people from this one – you could welcome entries from couples, BFFs, family members, etc.)

  1. Run “couples” deals

How do you make a BOGO deal more festive? Call it a couples deal, or a two for one deal! Choose a selection of Valentine’s Day items that you’ll put on sale, whether it’s chocolates, earrings, or pink scrunchies. Encourage them to gift the extra item to their significant other, give one to their BFF for Galentine’s Day, or just keep it for themselves as a token of your love for them!

  1. Partner with another small business

Community over competition, right ladies? Partner with a local business and share the love. It could be another online boutique or a local business that doesn’t directly compete with yours but has a similar clientele, like a florist or a nail salon. Offer a combined Valentine’s Day gift package of your products/services and theirs. This is an especially great idea if you have a strong local presence (or if you’re interested in making it stronger!)

  1. Celebrate Galentine’s Day

Don’t sleep on Galentine’s Day! Coined by Leslie Knope from the TV show Parks and Recreation, Galentine’s Day is a day reserved for celebrating female friendships. It takes place the day before Valentine’s Day, February 13th. To celebrate, bundle a few of your most popular items offer curated gift packages that’d be perfect to gift to a best friend. You could also offer a discount when they multiple of the same item to gift to their friends.

  1. Have a V-Day themed photoshoot

Create some fun Valentine’s Day photos to post on your social media accounts leading up to the big day. You could take photos of couples wearing your clothing, flat lays of all of the red and pink items you carry, or outfit inspo photos against a red or a pink backdrop.

  1. Create a Valentine’s Day gift guide

You and I both know how hard it can be to shop for people – especially your significant other. Make the whole V-day shopping experience a little less stressful by putting together a list of gift ideas and sharing it on your company blog.

No need to have every single item come from just your shop – in fact, it might be more helpful and comprehensive if you scour other local or small boutiques as well and feature their products in your guide. (It’s a great way to open the door to new networking relationships, too!) If you’re feeling up to it, you could create multiple gift guides with different people in mind – for her, for him, for mom, for Galentine’s Day, for your pet, etc.

  1. Send a card

Everyone loves getting mail! Send your past and present customers a real-life Valentine via snail mail. No need to be salesy – the point of this is to show your customers how much you appreciate them and that you’re even thinking about them on the day dedicated to love. Include a coupon to be used in-store or a unique promo code to thank them for showing you and your store love throughout the years.

  1. Share the love

Turn your social media into even more of a community. Invite your audience to share their love stories with you, whether through DMs or by using a certain hashtag in their posts. You can make this as sappy or spicy as you want to – feel free to mix things up a bit by also asking people to send you their worst or funniest dating stories as well! Once you’ve compiled submissions, feature your favorites in your stories. It’ll keep the rest of your audience engaged and help participants feel even more involved in your brand.

  1. Show the love locally

Valentine’s Day is all about sharing the love. What better way to do that than by giving back to the people who need it most? Celebrate Valentine’s Day by hosting a service project, donating products from your store to a local organization, or pledging to donate a certain percentage of your profits in the weeks surrounding Valentine’s Day.

Make sure to advertise this throughout your social channels and your website so your customers know how much good their purchases are doing. Not only will you be able to make a real difference in your community, but you’ll also be able to involve your customers in your charity work.

  1. Highlight date night outfits

People don’t just spend money on gifts during the Valentine’s Day season. They also spend money on themselves, buying clothing, lingerie, date night jewelry, and more. Put together a few fabulous Valentine’s Day outfits using products from your boutique and share a few outfit inspo photos on social media. Be sure to group those products together on your website so your customers can easily purchase everything they need to recreate the outfit.

  1. Don’t alienate single people

For people who aren’t currently in a relationship, Valentine’s Day feels a whole lot more like Singles Awareness Day. Why not go out of your way to show them a little love, too? Don’t leave single people out of all the Valentine’s Day fun – consider running some sort of promo just for them. Run a sale on self-care items that make treat yo’ self gifts, like bath bombs, jade rollers, and (of course) chocolate. You could do this in conjunction with your regular Valentine’s Day promotions or the week before.

  1. Be clear about shipping deadlines

Some people plan ahead of every holiday and finish their gift-shopping weeks in advance – but most people tend to be last-minute Valentine’s Day shoppers. Of course, placing a last-minute order from your online boutique on February 13th probably isn’t going to work out for them. Add a banner to your site reminding shoppers of the Valentine’s Day delivery deadline. Be clear and realistic about shipping cutoffs to receive items by Valentine’s Day. Encourage people to buy early, especially with COVID-related shipping delays making package deliveries even more unreliable than usual.

  1. Make a Valentine’s Day video

When it comes to commanding your audience’s attention, video is one of the very most effective marketing tools out there. Rather than just snapping a few photos of your new Valentine’s Day products, create a video showcasing your favorite Valentine’s Day outfits or gift ideas. You could create a short-form vertical video using IG reels or TikTok, or share a longer informative video on YouTube, Facebook, or IGTV.

  1. Host a Giveaway

Spread the love with an exciting giveaway. Partner with other small businesses in your community or your niche to give something away. It could be a romantic couple’s getaway with flowers, a hotel stay, and a new outfit, a date-night-in package with a dress, a romantic candle, chocolates, and a voucher for fancy takeout, or an epic Valentine’s Day shopping spree. Just make sure it’s somewhat Valentine’s Day related, whether with what you’re giving away, how you enter, or even just with the images and language you use to introduce it.

While implementing these Valentine’s Day marketing ideas might take some serious thought and strategizing, with a little effort they can pay off in a big way.

Now that you have a few great ideas on how you can encourage your customers to shop with you this Valentine’s Day, make sure you’ll have enough Valentine’s Day gifts and outfit ideas in stock ahead of time. Click here for 15 wholesale boutique items you’ll want to stock up on for Valentine’s Day.

Nutrition article illustration by Mina Tocalini for 360 MAGAZINE

BAKING GOODNESS AND WELLNESS IN THE NEW YEAR

Leave a reply

Susan Bowerman, Herbalife Nutrition, Sr. Director, Worldwide Nutrition Education and Training

Last year brought a convergence of trends. Consumers sought food and beverage products that tasted great and delivered nutritional benefits. A growing number of people took to making muffins, cakes and even pancake cereal – and social media was filled with images of these beautiful but often calorie-laden creations. With so many people enjoying baking while at the same time concerned about their wellbeing, there was a growing demand for healthy and delicious ways to make these recipes at home.

As a global nutrition company, we love to see our distributors’ and consumers’ creations made with our products, including baked goods, that allow them to enjoy the benefits of Herbalife Nutrition throughout the day. Witnessing the demand to satisfy cravings for nutritious baked items using our products, Herbalife Nutrition introduces Protein Baked Goods Mix. When combined with Herbalife Formula 1 and water, the mix can be used to create mouth-watering and nutritious, high protein muffins, pancakes, waffles, and donuts in minutes.

Globally, consumers are seeking foods that are high in protein – especially plant-based proteins – to help maintain a healthy diet. Protein options throughout the day help keep our diets balanced.  Protein Baked Goods Mix offers a new way for consumers to add protein to their diet throughout the day to help satisfy hunger and keep weight-management goals on track. While some may not consider breakfast to be the most important meal of the day, breakfast foods remain enormously popular. According to one study, half (46%) of consumers enjoy eating breakfast foods at non-traditional times, especially at dinner (56%). The popularity of breakfast foods may be tied to increasing protein-rich options and snacking occasions among millennial consumers.

When combined with Formula 1, Protein Baked Goods Mix will make a nutrient dense meal with protein and other key nutrients to help satisfy people’s hunger in a nutritious and delicious way. The Mix is gluten-free and low glycemic [i], and is suitable for vegetarians [ii] and diabetics [iii].

To make a protein muffin, just combine a serving of Protein Baked Goods Mix with a serving of Formula 1 Shake Mix and water, put it in a mug, and microwave for 3 minutes. The result is a warm, tasty, filling, high-protein meal with 24grams of protein, 190 calories, 21 vitamins and minerals, and 5 g of fiber. No eggs, no milk needed.

As a nutritionist, one of the top questions I get from consumers worldwide is how to add more protein to their diet. They love our shakes – but want new ways to enjoy our high protein products. With the addition of our Protein Baked Goods Mix, we are unleashing people’s creativity to enjoy a range of options – from muffins to pancakes and waffles – that will make a healthy, satisfying and delicious addition to a healthy diet.

[i] When combined with Formula 1 that is made with no artificial sweeteners, is Gluten-Free and Low GI.

[ii] Products do not contain any meat, poultry, fish, seafood, or insects.

[iii] Herbalife products do not treat diabetes, but diabetics can use them. When prepared with Formula 1.

Eminem illustration by Kaelen Felix for 360 MAGAZINE

EMINEM’S MMF

Leave a reply

EMINEM’S MARSHALL MATHERS FOUNDATION TO RELEASE EXCLUSIVE DOWNTOWN BOXING GYM COLLAB ON BLACK FRIDAY

Just in time for Black Friday, the Marshall Mathers Foundation is releasing a limited-edition line of clothing for a good cause. The designs also make a nod to “Stan” and the 20th anniversary of The Marshall Mathers LP. 

The Marshall Mathers Foundation x DBG #Stan #MMLP collab on Carhartt gear will raise funds to help the Downtown Boxing Gym (DBG Detroit) knock out COVID-19 related learning loss. DBG is a free academic and athletic program on Detroit’s east side that’s working around the clock to prevent students from falling behind during the pandemic. 

“We’re facing a crisis like we’ve never seen and we’re doing everything we can to support our kids and help them make it through,” said Khali Sweeney, DBG’s founder and CEO. “To have Eminem and the Marshall Mathers Foundation step up during this time and help raise much needed funds means the world to us. This is what we do in the D. We take care of each other. And we are truly grateful.” 

Royce Da 5’9”, Director of Community Engagement and Social Justice Initiatives for The Marshall Mathers Foundation, said: “I’ve experienced firsthand the discipline, commitment, and focus that boxing training instills in young people. I’m passionate about the sport, and I’m passionate about the role that DBG plays in our community.  We need to make sure the important work they do continues.” 

The t-shirts and hoodies sell for $30 and $60 and are available online at the Eminem Store (shop.eminem.com) while supplies last. 100% of the proceeds will support DBG’s tutoring, mentorship, enrichment programs, college and career prep, social-emotional skills building, and basic needs support like transportation, meals, and more. Learn more at dbgdetroit.org. 

The Marshall Mathers Foundation is a charitable organization dedicated to disadvantaged and at-risk youth in Detroit, Michigan and its surrounding communities. Our mission has expanded to stand as an ally in the fight against social injustice and for racial equality nationwide.  

After being featured on ESPN’s UFC 257 creative for the last month, Eminem will debut his new music video for “Higher” during ESPN’s UFC 257 Countdown: Poirier vs. McGregor 2 at 2 p.m. ET this Saturday, January 23 on ABC. The video will also re-air on ESPN just prior to Saturday’s main event.

The song comes from the latest Eminem release, Music To Be Murdered By – Side B (Shady Records/Aftermath Entertainment/Interscope Records), which was released on December 18, 2020 and is the expanded edition of Music To Be Murdered By, his 11th studio album released January 17, 2020. The music video prominently features footage from ESPN’s UFC coverage and centers around Eminem inhabiting roles as both a musician and a world-class athlete, drawing allusions between the way a musician creates and prepares to perform and how an athlete trains and prepares for competition. The video, featuring cameos from Dana White and ESPN’s Michael Eaves, will revolve around Eminem’s most important battle: the one against his own demons. 

“We have always been interested in fostering the synergy between music and sports and along with ESPN we have created many great moments together,” says David Nieman, VP, Sports and Gaming for Interscope Geffen A&M. “Working together to amplify Eminem’s artistic vision in such a unique way for this highly anticipated UFC event is absolutely a high point.” 

“It’s always been amazing to be able to work with Eminem for promotional and programming content on various ESPN properties over the years,” said Kevin Wilson, ESPN music director. “To be able to work on this video together with his team – not only featuring our team’s great UFC coverage but also debuting it exclusively on ABC, is just invaluable.” 

Eminem has been featured in a number of promotional and programming content for ESPN recently, including UFC 248, UFC 246, a spot with a custom remix and the tease for this year’s College Football Playoff National Championship, featuring him narrating the introduction and more.

What Is a Check Stub? Why You Shouldn’t Throw Them Out

Leave a reply

Did you know that 54% of the American workforce is affected by payroll issues? Most of these problems stem from companies trying to handle payroll on their own.

There’s a better solution: a check stub generator.

What is a check stub? Read on to find out the answer and more.

What Is a Check Stub?

What is a check stub? It is a stub attached to a check that has details regarding the amount a person is paid. Other details include grand totals and invoice numbers.

The recipient of a check stub can match it with the cash receipts they have. This reduces calls made to the accounting department referring to payments made.

You should always keep check stubs for tax purposes and in case you run into any payday problems. A business can benefit from having its own check stub maker. For example, you can use this check stub generator to solve common payroll issues.

Common Payday Issues

Without an effective check stub generator, it is challenging to keep up with payday. A business that has extra employee benefits or manages different contracts can have an even harder time on payday. The three most common payment issues are as follows:

Incorrect Deductions

Even a cheap check stub generator helps with an incorrect deduction issue. Some have different paychecks every so often because of different benefits, taxes, and salary sacrifice schemes.

Because calculations change, there is room for mistakes. When employees receive incorrect check stubs, they won’t happy. It will also harm records.

Too Little Information

A pay stub without enough information leads to employees not finding their payment history. Don’t be one of those companies who would rather save time than correctly get through the payroll process. All paystub information should get added.

When a company leaves out essential information, it is harder to see where errors come from. This makes it impossible to resolve any problems.

Time Consumption

A lot of companies struggle to stray away from errors if they create paychecks manually. Because it is such a time-consuming job, paychecks may be received later than expected.

Creating a check stub manually means making individual calculations for every employee. This includes taking deductions and taxes into consideration. If you fail to record a change on an employee’s paystub, you run the risk of causing more delays because of incorrect information.

Check Stub Generators

The best check stub generator will make these common errors less likely to occur. Other benefits of generators include creating pay stubs that are professional, eliminating errors when they occur, creating paystub records, and being less time-consuming.

Make Payroll a Stress-Free Job

There is a lot of stress that comes with a manual payroll process. It’s time to make life easier by using what technology has given you. Companies can create check stubs for their employees without the hassle while benefiting from all of the other things that a generator has to offer.

Keep coming back for more articles that can answer questions like what is a check stub?

Botox and Dermal Filler Benefits & How To Choose A Clinic In Vancouver

Leave a reply

Have you have been thinking about freshening up your looks with dermal fillers or Botox, but you cannot decide whether it is the right thing to do, or which option you should choose? Here’s what you need to do, get properly informed about these procedures and take a look at the benefits that come with them, so you can make an educated choice. After all, you shouldn’t just rush into decisions like these before getting all your facts straight. Go here to learn about the difference between Botox and dermal fillers in the first place.

What Are These & How Do They Differ?

Botox and dermal fillers are minimally invasive cosmetic treatments that can help treat wrinkles, rejuvenate skin and make it look healthier. Minimally invasive means that these procedures don’t include surgeries. Instead, these are given through injections. Even though they share these similarities, it’s important for you to understand that they are also rather different in several regards.

The main difference between these two treatment procedures is that they are used for different types of wrinkles. As you might already know, Botox is a muscle relaxer made from certain bacteria. It is even used for treating certain neurological disorders that can cause muscle weakness. Additionally, it can be used for treating migraines and certain other medical conditions as well.

When used as a cosmetic treatment, Botox works perfectly for the so-called dynamic wrinkles. Those are the ones that appear naturally between your eyebrows and around the corners of your mouth and your eyes as you age. While the ageing process itself cannot be stopped, Botox can prevent the movement of those muscles and thus reduce the actual appearance of dynamic wrinkles.

It is not suitable for fine lines that are usually caused by collagen breakdown, that’s where dermal fillers come into play. Dermal fillers are used for smile lines primarily, but they can also serve as a means of plumping up your lips or cheeks. In addition to that, dermal fillers are also used for hand treatments or in the process of covering certain scars.

Whichever cosmetic treatment option you choose out of these two, here’s what you need to know. They are highly effective, but they require additional maintenance treatments. Meaning if you want to get permanent results, you’ll need to find the perfect dermal fillers or Botox clinic in Vancouver and stick with it for a while, because these procedures are definitely not a one-time thing. Keep in mind that the results you will get also depend on the type of treatment you choose and you should probably consult an expert to give you some more explanations about that.

What Are The Benefits?

Now that you know how these two procedures differ you are one step closer towards deciding if any are the right choice for you. Surely, you don’t want to go through any treatment processes before figuring out what you can gain from those. You are probably curious about the benefits of doing it. So, let’s take a quick look at some of the benefits of Botox and dermal fillers.

Quick Procedures

One of the biggest benefits of Botox and dermal fillers is the fact that you don’t need to interrupt your whole daily routine in order to go through the process. The procedure is very quick and simple and you don’t need to go through a recovery period afterwards. Simply put, you can get Botox or dermal fillers and instantly go about your day without worrying about any side effects.

Quick Results

In addition to getting a quick procedure, you’ll also get quick results, which is certainly rather important for most people. There’s no need for you to wait for hours or days in order to see whether the treatment worked or not. In fact, you’ll see that it had worked the moment you take a look in the mirror after the procedure is finished. This is certainly something to look forward to.

Subtle Effects

A common concern is that the results will be unnatural looking. If someone does a poor job on you, then they certainly will. If you find the perfect clinic in Vancouver and if a true professional does the job, the effects will be so subtle that nobody will notice anything except that your skin is glowing and beautiful.

Long-Term Effects

One more thing that you are probably worried about is will the effects wear off after a couple of days. They certainly won’t. Botox and dermal fillers provide you with long-term results. Although you’ll have to repeat the process in order to maintain those results, you will usually get to enjoy the positive effects for around six months before needing to visit your clinic in Vancouver again.

Read more about these benefits here: https://www.healthbenefitstimes.com/5-benefits-of-botox-and-fillers/

How To Find The Right Clinic In Vancouver

As mentioned above, you will need to find the perfect clinic in Vancouver if you want to get the best possible results. Yet, this might be a bit easier to say than to do, especially if you are deciding to go through the process for the first time. There are definitely a lot of places offering these services and it’s your responsibility to find the most amazing one instead of settling for the first one you come across. Here’s how you can do that.

For starters, if you know some people that already use Botox and dermal fillers on a regular basis, then you should talk to them and let them give you their insight on how it all works. Of course, you should ask them about the clinic that they are using, because the results definitely depend on the professional you choose. Make sure to remember their recommendations and then do some deeper research on the clinics that they have suggested.

While doing the research, you should first check out the websites of those clinics in order to check exactly which types of services they are offering. Then, take a look at the actual professionals working there and check how qualified and skilled they are. This way, you’ll get to eliminate some candidates that you don’t find worthy enough, which will help you narrow down your list of potential clinics in Vancouver.

Before making your final decision, there is one more thing that you will need to do. Check how reputable certain Vancouver clinics are, so that you can know exactly whether you can expect them to do a great job or not. You can do this by reading online reviews or even getting in touch with some of their clients if you find a way to do that. In any case, make sure to choose highly reputable professionals, since you want what’s best for your skin.

Indoor plant story illustration by Gabrielle Archuleta for 360 MAGAZINE

How to Pick The Right Emotional Support House Plant

Leave a reply

Why should you get plants?

Lockdown has taken its toll on us all, especially on those living in cities restricted to their apartments. Since many people haven’t had access to nature since the pandemic started last, many have turned to house plants to satisfy that need. Owning house plants has many benefits, including purifying air, improving the vibe of environments by adding life, and giving people something to take care of in their free time.

Plants are a delicate and bright way to help decorate your space and being around plants has a positive effect on people’s mood, productivity, and creativity. Taking care of plants is a therapeutic and rewarding way to put time and energy into your own space, even when you aren’t feeling your best. Studies have shown that talking or singing to your house plants increases their growth rate because of the increased CO2, or maybe because they just like your company.

What kind of plant is right for you?

All plants need light, water, and somewhere to grow. Some plants are less work to take care of than others because they are less picky about their environments. Taking care of some plants is as simple as giving them water when their soil is dry, but some have more specific needs like what type of lighting they prefer or if they grow more after getting cut back. Some plants have different functions, like those that serve as decorations or herbs that you can use to cook or make cocktails.

If you struggle with remembering to water your plants but like to have greenery in your space, snake plants or aloe may be for you. Both aloe and snake plants come in many color variations and function as beautiful decorations. They are happy living in a pot on a windowsill or balcony with bright indirect light or in rooms with lower light. These plants are drought resistant; they only need to be watered every 2-4 weeks, depending on how much light they get. They’ll be just fine until you remember to water them. Although, for the truly forgetful, it may be a good idea to set a two-week recurring event in your phone calendar to remind you to give your plants some love.

If you can keep up with weekly watering and want to grow your collection, then pothos or zz plants may be a good choice for you. Pothos, zz plants, aloe, and snake plants are air purifiers that remove pollutants such as benzene, toluene, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, and xylene from the air. They are slightly different: zz plants are plants that sprout bright green leaves upwards, while pothos are trailing plants that grow vines that hang down over the sides of their planter. They both need water every 7-14 days, depending on light conditions. These plants tend to grow faster in brighter conditions, but they can live in lower light. The most important thing to remember about pothos and zz plants is that they are toxic to cats, dogs, and people. To avoid accidental consumption, it is best to place them out of reach of pets and children.

Both of these are great plants for propagation. Propagating your plants gives you more plants without having to pay for them. With pothos, you can cut a vine at a node with at least one leaf and put it in water. Glass bottles, like kombucha or wine bottles, are great vessels to use for propagation. Fill the bottle with water and add your cutting with the node in the water. Once there are about two inches of root growth, transfer it to a new pot or back to the original to create a full curtain of pothos. Zz plants tend to do better with propagation by division. You can do this by removing the plant from its pot, dividing the plant in half or more depending on its size, and then repotting the resulting plants. This method allows the new plants plenty of room to grow.

If you can keep up with regular watering and like to cook, an herb garden may be a great fit for you. Basil, mint, sage, and rosemary are all versatile herbs that grow well indoors. Rosemary is the easiest to manage, only needing water every 1-2 weeks. Basil, mint, and sage need more attention because they require water every 2-3 days; their leaves wilt when they need water. You have to harvest these plants semi regularly to prevent them from flowering. It’s easy to keep up with if you are using them occasionally in the kitchen. You can plant rosemary, basil, and sage in one large planter, but it’s best to keep mint in its own pot because it tends to smother other plants.

Where can you go to get plants?

All of the plants mentioned above are common and generally easy to find regardless of where you live. Local plant nurseries are a reliable option when buying plants or supplies like potting soil or planters. Some grocery stores, like Trader Joe’s, tend to sell house plants and herbs. The Sill, Bloomscape, Horti, and Home Depot all have online options for ordering plants to your house. The Sill, Bloomscape, and Horti also have subscription services that will deliver new plants to your home already potted and ready to go.

Wherever you buy your plants from, it’s always good to remove them from the container they come in and repot them. You should repot them to check that your new plant’s roots are healthy and not rotted or root-bound. You can either put them back into the original container or a new container. With the added charm of window flower boxes, your space will be even more inviting and beautiful. For more information on how to take care of your plants, The Sill, Bloomscape, and Horti have portions of their sites dedicated to plant care and advice and, in a pinch, you can always google specific questions.

If you are just getting into owning plants or are just looking to shake up your collection make sure to do your research when buying plants. The easiest way to get plants that will thrive is match their needs with care you can reliably provide for them. Remember sometimes plants die, it’s an unavoidable truth of owning a living thing. If a plant of yours dies, try to understand what may have gone wrong and try to not repeat the mistake in the future. Life is about living and learning so just do your best.

Aloe Plant photographed by Dana Feeney
Zz Plant photographed by Vaughn Lowery
Pothos Plant photographed by Dana Feeney

Article: Dana Feeney