Posts tagged with "entrepreneur"

James Barlow, founder of Triumph Technology Solutions LLC, pens an article for 360 MAGAZINE.

Teenage Entrepreneur to Millionaire Tech Mogul

Why Dropping Out of College was the Best Decision of My Life

By James Barlow

The decision to leave college before completing my degree may seem unconventional to some, but for me, it was the most sensible choice for my career path and personal growth. Despite enjoying the college experience, I felt a sense of restlessness, as if I was merely biding my time. I was eager to take on real-world challenges and pursue my passion for entrepreneurship. The idea of building something from scratch and being in control of my destiny was exhilarating, and I knew I couldn’t wait until I graduated to start my own business. By leaving college early, I was able to get a head start on my career and focus all my energy and resources on developing my entrepreneurial skills. It was a bold move, but in hindsight, it was the best decision I ever made.

I always knew that I wanted to be an entrepreneur. As a child, I was always looking for opportunities to make money. At the age of 16, I took the leap and started my first business, and the feeling of being my own boss was invigorating. The experience was so rewarding that I continued to look for new business opportunities wherever I could. By the time I graduated and went to college, I had already achieved a level of success that many entrepreneurs never reach.

So, I made the decision to leave college early and pursue my entrepreneurial dreams. At the time, it was a difficult choice. I was giving up a lot of things, including the security of a college degree but I knew there was no other way.

One of the biggest benefits of leaving college early was that I was able to focus all of my energy on my business. I didn’t have to worry about juggling classes, homework, and studying. Instead, I could devote all my time and energy to building my company. And that’s exactly what I did.

Over the years, I have founded numerous successful tech companies, with expertise in AWS, Fintech, Healthcare, E-commerce, and more. By the time I was 20 years old, I was already generating over $1m in revenue from eBay sales monthly. None of this would have been possible if I had stayed in college.

It’s easy to look at successful individuals and assume that they have had a smooth journey to the top. However, the reality is quite different. Early success does not mean that there are no struggles or issues to face along your path to career success.

For me, my early success was from hard work diligently striving towards my goals, and I saw the fruits of my labor grow. However, along the way, I faced personal difficulties that needed to be overcome.

Like many young entrepreneurs who achieve financial success early in their careers, I too faced struggles with focusing too much on making money from my new ventures rather than the product itself during those initial years. Despite my accomplishments, I came to realize that success is not just about making money, it’s about creating a product or service that adds value to people’s lives. Realizing this was my issue took a great deal of reflection and the advice of mentors to emerge from those difficult times after such early success. Although the journey was trying, I refused to give up and eventually found a solution that worked for me.

My journey to success has had its fair share of struggles and difficulties, but those experiences played a significant role in shaping my character and outlook on life. My early success gave me the confidence and motivation to persevere through tough times, while my struggle with focusing on money over product made me more mindful and conscious of the value I was providing to my customers. I realized that my struggles were not unique, and many other entrepreneurs faced similar challenges. These experiences taught me the importance of creating value for customers, being mindful of business practices, and never losing sight of the purpose behind the product or service.

About James Barlow

James Barlow is the founder of Triumph Technology Solutions LLC; a leading AWS cloud native services provider. With over a decade of experience in the industry, he is an accomplished Tech Entrepreneur, expert, and business leader with a deep understanding of the development of IT Services and Software Businesses with domain expertise in AWS, Fintech, Healthcare, E-Commerce, and more. James has started numerous tech companies that have focused on everything from Business Web Development to e-commerce. In the early 2000’s James founded an eBay-based business and was one of the first eBay “power sellers.” At only 20 years old, James was generating over $1m revenue from eBay sales monthly. 

James Studied Business with a minor in economics from Northern Illinois University. He left college early in order to pursue his entrepreneurial passions and to build his eBay-based computer hardware sales business. He has also earned certification as an AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner and Solutions Architect, reflecting his commitment to staying current with emerging technologies.

Outside of work, James is a passionate volunteer who is deeply committed to several causes, including civil rights and social action, economic empowerment, education, disaster and humanitarian relief, politics, and science and technology.

BIA, "Sixteen" via 360 MAGAZINE

BIA IS BACK

Boston-born and Los Angeles-based multiplatinum global artist, entrepreneur, and style icon BIA returns with a hard-hitting new single entitled “SIXTEEN” out today via Epic Records.  Fans will also be able to catch BIA performing her new single during her set at Rolling Loud California this Sunday March 4th in Inglewood, CA at the SOFI Stadium.

Produced by Aziz The Shake and Tim Nihan, it might just be her most emotionally charged anthem yet. Immediately, she declares, “I came from a place where there’s nobody to look up to.” She recalls her come up out of Boston without holding back, “I left mama house. I ain’t have nowhere to run to.” Ultimately, she cuts deeper than ever on “SIXTEEN.


Meanwhile, her 2022 single “London” [feat. J. Cole] remains a phenomenon. It has tallied 42.7 million Spotify streams and counting in addition to 21 million YouTube views on the music video. Inspiring tastemaker applause, Rolling Stone proclaimed, “She brings her own flair to the drill rap style of the U.K.,” and HYPEBEAST noted, “After BIA makes mention of copping new Prada, Dior, and Louis Vuitton, Cole enters with a rapid-fire verse of his own.” Following her nod in the category of “Best Hip Hop Artist” at the iHeartRadioMusic Awards, the song garnered a nomination in the category of “Best Hip Hop Video” at the BET Hip Hop Awards. 

“London” recalled BIA’s 2020 platinum single “Whole Lotta Money,” which received a Nicki Minaj remix on the deluxe version of her For Certain EP. The trap&B smash debuted at No. 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 and charted for 17 weeks overall. For Certain (Deluxe) houses “Can’t Touch This,” which netted over 15.5 million Spotify streams.

Last weekend, our favorite “cover girl for certain” BIA performed at the Phililp Plein FW 223 fashion show in Milan and just the week before BIA also co-headlined the AT&T NBA All-Star Pregame Performance with The Kid LAROI, delivering a showstopping set. She also exclusively spoke to People about her love for the Boston Celtics, and the outlet assured, “her fans will be excited to know that the wait for BIA‘s highly-anticipated album is almost over.”

Expanding her growing empire, she also launched her cruelty free cosmetic line, Beauty For Certain By BIA last year. All products are available now on BeautyForCertain.com with further plans for retail expansion later this year as well as upcoming partnerships with Boxy Charm and Ipsy. The line consists of lipsticks, cream blushes, and highlights. PAPER raved, “BIA’s collection gives us the baddie energy we’ve been missing from beauty at large.”

Listen to Sixteen HERE.

Follow BIA:
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Motivational speaker and serial entrepreneur Arthur J Rutledge via 360 MAGAZINE.

ARTHUR J. RUTLEDGE



Listen to 360 MAG podcast PT 1 + PT 2.


“Shine with your dream by kindling your desire… with confidence and perseverance, prosperity is before you.”Arthur J. Rutledge


Arthur J. Rutledge, an entrepreneur, orator, and life coach, is a native Detroiter who currently resides in New York City. He’s John Maxwell Training [JMT] certified coach and a guest speaker. In addition, he’s a graduate of the Altru Center, earning a certification in transformative and personal development.

Its mission is to support people on a day-to-day basis to reach higher levels, to take off in purpose, and to build emotional intelligence to conquer life’s obstacles. Objectives with confidence are cited desire is to allow you to move away from the mundane to reach unforeseeable heights.

As a compassionate leader and a connector, he likes to interact with people. He is determined to build a legacy that will be responsible in the evolution of his people’s hearts and minds, living in freedom and to inculcate interdependency in the world.

Further, Rutledge is the co-founder of People’s Pride Shoes. He and designer/CEO Carlyle Hanson have fabricated a footwear collection of which their mantra, “Take pride in what you wear.”

Rutledge hosts a weekly inspirational IGTV discussion with leaders in various industries about manifesting their dreams. Of late, Arthur has a book under way and two podcasts to come.

#InterUknighted


Arthur J. Rutledge QR code for 360 MAGAZINE.
Tel K. Ganesan via 360 MAGAZINE

Tel K. Ganesan

Founder and Chairman of Kyyba


Tel K. Ganesan moved to the United States with bright dreams. After being able to earn an engineering degree in India, a change of environment was a challenge, but Tel overcame all those adversities to finish his postgraduate degree as he began his path to success.

His attitude has never allowed him to give up on what has made him Tel K. Ganesan, mentor, philanthropist, and businessman. “If you want an opportunity to knock, it’s time to build a door,” Ganesan says.

Ganesan grew up under the strong influence of his mother’s pursuit of the American Dream. Eventually, Automotive Engineering brought Ganesan to the United States, specifically the city of Detroit, where he pursued a master’s at age 21. He has lived in Detroit for 30 years and has never wanted to leave since he came. He chose this place as his home and to contribute his grain of sand in the city, he is rebuilding everything that has to do with the business landscape with Kyyba Inc., consisting of Kyyba Innovations, Kyyba Wellness, Kyyba Music, Kyyba film, and Kyyba Kidz.

Tel K. Ganesan is the CEO of Kyyba Innovations and President of Kyyba Inc., Engineering Services and Software Products. The Kyyba brand has expanded into film productions through his company Kyyba Films. According to Ganesan: “I started as an ID entrepreneur and then diversified into other areas lately into films, music, Fashions, and wellness so that’s what I’ve been doing so far.’’

Tel K. Ganesan has always believed in doing what the heart says. With the founding of Kyyba Kidz, he has pursued his dreams of making the world a better place by helping the most disadvantaged children. Ganesan has always been grateful for the education and healthcare he received growing up. “A lot of major tech companies are run by people of Indian origin,” Ganesan emphasizes, “the root cause goes back to the societal conditioning of putting education in the mindset of people.” Through educational programs, the foundation seeks to bring trust, honesty, growth, and confidence to every child in need. The main goal of Kyyba Kidz is “to increase the cognitive and psychological awareness of young people to help them achieve great achievements in life by choosing the right career” explains Ganesan on his website.

Ganesan is a testament to faith in his American dream and entrepreneurial spirit. As stated by Tel, “you have only one life. At this point in life, I’m doing something for my spirit which is really getting into this creative space.’’ With perseverance and hard work, he has taken his career from businessman to film producer. “Whatever I learn in one business I apply to another business in another industry and keep it going so I know.’’ Tel Ganesan admits.

Kyyba Films in association with Nasik Rav Media releases “Trap City” starring Brandon T Jackson and actor and GV music composer Prakash. WATCH TRAILERS HERE. As a film producer, Tel Ganesan has an exciting project ahead of him. “I learned about trap culture… And that anyone can be in a trap because of the environment, society, economics, and sometimes even psychological conditions,” he recalls, “and I took this as an inspirational and spiritual awakening of understanding what’s really happening.” “I want to send an inspiring message on how to get out of the Trap through this movie,’’ Ganesan clarifies.

Ganesan is thrilled about the upcoming release of “Trap City” around the first quarter of 2023: “I’m gonna graduate from this one (Trap City)…this is like cutting my teeth into the film business.” Some of Ganesan’s projects after the release of the movie “Trap City” are working in the world of the metaverse and seeking collaborations with other companies with much larger budgets.

Call him a film producer, philanthropist, entrepreneur, innovator, guide, or speaker; Tel K. Ganesan really is an all-rounder. Today, his dreams are a reality. Like any other successful human being, he has pursued ambition with a never-give-up attitude: “Successful people do what unsuccessful people aren’t willing to do. I don’t wish it was easier; I wish you were better.”

For more information about Tel K. Ganesan and Kyyba Inc, click HERE

Article: Andrea Esteban/Jess Chen

photo of Invest Fest via The Nottingham Group for use by 360 Magazine

EARN YOUR LEISURE × INVEST FEST

The biggest financial literacy podcast, Earn Your Leisure, returned to the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta for their 2nd annual Invest Fest. This year’s festival brought out more than 12,000 people for the weekend-long assortment of activities & expert-led discussions focused on investing, entrepreneurship, real estate, and financial literacy. Speakers included billionaire Dan T. Cathy (chairman of Chick-fil-A), billionaire real estate entrepreneur Donahue Peebles, T.I., Dame Dash, Terrence J, DJ Envy, Angela Yee and many more.

Steve Harvey and Harvey Ventures were strategic partners and co-producers for this year’s Invest Fest and programming. “I am proud to partner with Earn Your Leisure, which was founded by two young and dynamic Black entrepreneurs, to take this year‘s Invest Fest to the next level,” said Steve Harvey. “There is an urgent need for more expansive financial literacy to promote saving, investing, and generational wealth creation for traditionally underserved communities. Rashad and Troy have responded with an incredibly innovative and visionary platform to make this information open and accessible to all.”

The highlight of the festival came when billionaire writer/director Tyler Perry took to the stage alongside Earn Your Leisure hosts Troy Millings, Rashad Bilal to share words of wisdom and influential takeaways he learned throughout his career. Immediately following Tyler Perry’s fireside chat, Steve Harvey joined the guys on stage to congratulate them and to salute Mr. Perry.

“We created Earn Your Leisure and now Invest Fest to marry culture and commerce. We know that information and resources about financial literacy, investing, entrepreneurship and building generational wealth have traditionally been inaccessible for our culture, said Rashad Bilal, Troy Millings, Founders, Earn Your Leisure. Sponsored by ChaseVibraniumBET META, Invest Fest included a vendor marketplace with over 250 small businesses as well as live podcast stages with interviews from top entrepreneurs and celebrities.

The festival began with a VIP kick off-party featuring fireside chats with Terrence J, Kenny Burns and others, followed by a high-energy performance from T-Pain and a surprise performance by multi-platinum selling singer/songwriter Queen Naija.

One of the most anticipated moments of the festival was the all-star billionaire fireside chat with Chick-fil-A chairman Dan T. Cathy, R. Donahue Peebles, moderated by Matthew Garland. Stand-out speakers included Ian Dunlap,19 Keys, Pinky Cole (founder/owner of Slutty Vegan), ET The Hip Hop Preacher and Dame Dash, who dropped gems on ownership and becoming your own boss. The festival came to a close with an explosive, awe-inspiring performance from Hip Hop heavyweight Rick Ross.

Nico Rosberg with Rimac Nevera #001 via Extension PR for use by 360 MAGAZINE 360

NICO ROSBERG

Rimac Nevera #001 Delivered to 2016 Formula One World Champion and sustainability entrepreneur, Nico Rosberg

Just a month after the first production-ready Rimac Nevera, #000, rolled out of Rimac’s facility in Zagreb, Croatia, car #001 has been delivered to its owner – 2016 Formula One World Champion and sustainability entrepreneur Nico Rosberg. Prior to the car being sent to his home in Monaco,  Rosberg made the trip to Rimac HQ in Croatia to catch up with Mate and to see the very latest developments within the Rimac Group first-hand.  

Production of the world’s first all-electric hypercar GT is now underway at Rimac’s new facility on the outskirts of Zagreb. The first year of production is already sold out. Almost every major component of the car is designed, engineered, and built at  Rimac weeks or months prior to each car being finished, and installed in the last phase of production – the vehicle assembly which takes about five weeks per car. 

Showcasing the broad range of customization options available to customers, car  #000 – set to be retained by Rimac – was finished in a bright Callisto Green with  Sand Alcantara interior. For car #001, Nico has deliberately chosen a much more aggressive specification described when he first designed his car as the ‘full  Batmobile spec’.  

With Stellar Black paint, polished Vertex wheels and gloss black brake calipers, it’s perhaps the most menacing personality of Nevera possible. The interior is finished in all black Alcantara, with subtle ‘Nico Rosberg’ signature on the armrest plate  marking the car 001/150. The first customer owned example of the Nevera will be based in the Principality of Monaco, Rosberg’s home, becoming the first all-electric hypercar in the sovereign state.

Nico Rosberg has been a part of the Rimac journey since he first saw the C_Two  concept – which would become Nevera – in person several years ago. He believed in Mate’s vision for the Nevera as a truly engaging and comfortable next generation hypercar, capable of crossing continents and lapping racetracks, all on electric power. He became one of the very first customers.  

Rosberg said: “Ever since I first met Mate and truly understood the genius behind  Nevera, I knew I wanted car number one. For me, this car represents absolutely everything I could ever want. It showcases the very best of innovative electrification  technology, bringing it into a car designed literally from the ground-up to be not just incredibly fast – or the fastest – but really great to drive, too. I can’t wait to  see what it can do.” 

Following an 11-year career in Formula One that saw him crowned World  Champion in 2016, Nico has embarked on a career as a sustainability entrepreneur and investor in green technologies. He is invested in more than twenty mobility start-ups as well as Formula E, while his all-electric Extreme E racing team – Rosberg X Racing are the Championship winners of 2021 and are leading the current season. 

In 2019, he founded the Greentech Festival, a global platform for sustainable innovation and lifestyle. As of 2021, the event has been hosted in New York, London, Singapore as well as the city it was first established in – Berlin.  

Mate Rimac, CEO of the Rimac Group, said, “When we first started designing the  Nevera we set out to build a car that would impress even the best drivers in the world. Nico was on that list, and it’s a great feeling to know that someone who has mastered the most focused and cutting-edge motorsport in the world gets such a thrill from the car that we’ve created. We’re all looking forward to following  Nico’s journeys with the Nevera; all of his cars are used and enjoyed, which is exactly what we encourage our owners to do. And if anyone can test the limits of what we’ve built, it’s him. We’re proud to call Nico a friend and the first member  of the rapidly expanding Rimac Nevera owner family.”

With the first customer car delivered, uniquely specified Neveras will now begin appearing on the streets of countries all over the world. Only 150 examples will ever be built, sold and maintained by Rimac Automobili’s global network of 25  dealer partners, stretching across North America, Europe, Middle East, and Asia.  

Even before this first customer delivery, the Nevera has already received global acclaim for its world-leading technologies and unrivalled performance. With 1,914hp,  the Nevera is capable of accelerating from 0-60mph in 1.85 seconds, to 100mph in  4.3 seconds and can run the quarter mile in a world-record 8.582 seconds. This year alone, Nevera has been named GQ’s Hypercar of the Year, Top Gear Magazine’s Best Electric Performance Car and Robb Report’s Best Hypercar.

Video available on: HERE

Michele Morrone releases new single player via 360 Magazine

Michele Morrone – Player

Turning heads around the globe in 2022, Italian actor, model, singer, entrepreneur, and star of the blockbuster NETFLIX franchise 365 Days Michele Morrone reveals a new single entitled “Player” today. Listen to “Player” HERE.

Once again, the track showcases his skyscraping and soaring vocal fireworks over organic production. He reflects on the search for true love with another emotionally charged and engaging performance. It speaks to his uncanny ability to inhabit a song and bring it to life in vivid and vibrant color.
 

Stay tuned for the premiere of a slick, sexy, and sharp music video to accompany “Player” soon.

Michele recently made headlines with his return to the world of NETFLIX’s 365 Days in the mega-popular 365 Days: This Day. In tandem, he unveiled his last single “Another Day.” Thus far, it has gathered over 5 million Spotify streams and counting as well as 8.3 million YouTube views on the music video, which sees him back on screen with his 365 Days: This Day co-star Anna-Maria Sieklucka.

However, everything just paves the way for more music to come from Michele very soon. He has officially brought love back to global pop.

“Another Day” arrived on the heels of Michele’s 2020 debut album Dark Room– the unofficial soundtrack to the NETFLIX smash 365 Days, which first launched him into global stardomThe record notably spawned a string of fan favorites, including “Hard For Me,” “Feel It,” “Watch Me Burn, and “Dark Room. Co-written by Morrone, the songs cumulatively tallied north of 500 million streams with the music video for “Hard For Me” amassing over 52 million views and counting.  Last year, he followed up with the release of “Beautiful, which generated 5.2 million Spotify streams and over 10 million-plus views on the music video.

Following the success of his debut album, Morrone became the worldwide face of Guess Men’s Fall/Winter 2020 collection.

Originally from the Italian town of Melegnano, near Milan, Morrone grew up in Apulia, a southern Italian region, and currently resides in Rome.  Prior to landing the lead role in 365 Days, Morrone had all but given up on acting, and was working as a gardener. In addition to music and acting, Morrone is also a painter and sculptor.

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Roberto E. Wirth image via Geoffrey Weill Associates for use by 360 MAGAZINE

Roberto E. Wirth

Yesterday, Sunday, June 5, Roberto E. Wirth passed away suddenly at the age of 72. Fifth generation of a Swiss family of hoteliers and profoundly deaf since birth, Roberto Wirth always had a dream since childhood: to run a completely independent hotel and become a respected hotelier.

Thanks to his determination, always keeping his goal in mind, he succeeded in making his Hassler an icon in the International hospitality business. The Hassler has always been his passion as well as his home. With his motto “Never give up,” over the years he managed to develop the family business and expand its portfolio: Il Palazzetto in Rome, Parco del Principe in Tuscany, Borgo Bastia Creti in Umbria, and Hotel Vannucci in Citt della Pieve, also in Umbria.

My five jewels,” he would say. These were and forever will be Mr. Wirth’s treasures.

His education and training started in Milan, at the Stresa Hospitality School, followed by experiences at Cornell University which allowed him to become the great man and entrepreneur we all knew. Brilliant, attentive, and forward-thinking, he has never ceased his personal commitment both to his city of Rome, where as president of the Via Sistina-via F. Crispi Association he has always fought for the redevelopment and decorum of the historic center, and to his non-profit organization, the Assistance Center for Deaf and Deafblind Children (CABSS).

Since 2004, his foundation CABSS has been supporting deaf and deaf-blind children from newborn to 6 years old as well as their families. Sharing his personal achievements in his biography Silence was my first friend, he carried his message forward: “Always look ahead with determination and confidence. Everything is possible in life and, with commitment, everyone can make it. We, deaf people can do everything but hear.” In 1992, he established a Fulbright – Roberto Wirth scholarship giving young both deaf and hearing graduates the opportunity to specialize at Gallaudet University, Washington, D.C. Gallaudet University is the only bilingual (American Sign Language and English) university in the world that is also accessible to deaf and deaf-blind students.

The best way to honor his memory is to treasure his life and how he led by example, cultivating values of humanity, responsibility and open-mindedness. His children Veruschka and Roberto Jr will now carry on their father’s legacy with the utmost pride.

ABOUT HOTEL HASSLER ROMA

Set atop the Spanish Steps and featuring a panoramic view of the entire city, Hotel Hassler Roma is owned by President and General Manager Roberto E. Wirth, fifth generation of a famous Swiss hotelier dynasty. For more than a century, Hotel Hassler Roma has continued its legacy as Romeߣs five-star lodging of choice for the worldߣs elite and discerning travelers. Each of the 87 rooms, 21 of which are suites, is individually designed with an elegant combination of classic and contemporary touches. Highlights include the Michelin-starred panoramic restaurant, Im&#e0;go, the Salone Eva and Palm Court restaurant and the Hassler Bar, as well as the neighboring, Hassler-owned Il Palazzetto, a hotel, wine bar and special event space.

J Balvin, Tiësto, Badshah song voodoo via 360 MAGAZINE

J BALVIN × Tiësto

Today Indian singer, rapper and producer, Badshah, and Latinx global superstar J Balvin get the Tiësto treatment on their international hit “Voodoo,” with a remix out today via Capitol Records. LISTEN HERE.

A trilingual anthem — Hindi, Spanish, and English — produced by top hit making producer/ artist Tainy (who has churned out hits with Bad Bunny, Shawn Mendes, Camila Cabello, Anuel, Rosalía, Daddy Yankee to name a few), “Voodoo” is a cautionary tale of lust and magic. The song’s supernatural theme is reflected in the striking, effects-filled video. 

Badshah is ready for the world to catch his light and has been on a mission to take Desi-Pop global, bridging Indian and Western cultures through jubilant rhythms and hooks that transcend language. Born in Delhi, Badshah is India’s most successful musical artist of his generation, having generated more than 15 billion streams worldwide, performed more than 700 live shows and become an ambassador for global brands. He is one of the few artists to have 18 songs cross over 200 Million + views on YouTube.

“Voodoo” marks the first proper collaboration between Badshah and Latinx icon, J Balvin. “J Balvin is like an idol to me,” says Badshah. “He’s been doing what I have been trying to do in my own space, and the way he’s made a way for himself despite the language, despite the odds, really inspired me.”

“Voodoo” follows Badshah’s latest EP Retropanda – Part 1, that released last month. The four-track set includes smash hits “Tabahi” and “Jugnu,” which thus far have accrued over 290 million combined views on YouTube and over 47 million Spotify streams. Badshah’s 2021 viral hit Bachpan Ka Pyaar has over 415M Views on YouTube in just about 8 Months.

In 2021, Badshah inked an exclusive agreement with Universal Music Group to be led by Capitol Records. “Voodoo” continues the groundbreaking artist’s mission, ultimately leading Desi-Pop and Indian non-film music to a global stage.

About Badshah:

Indian rapper Badshah is ready for the world to catch his light. The singer, rapper and producer has been on a mission to take Desi-Pop global, bridging Indian and Western cultures through jubilant rhythms and hooks that transcend language. Badshah is one of YouTube’s top artists worldwide and has amassed more than 15 billion streams. His latest, “Voodoo” with Colombian star J Balvin and reggaeton artist Tainy is the world’s first tri-lingual song, an alluring mosaic of Hindi, Spanish and English – the combined languages of more than two-thirds of the world’s population – over swinging dembow drums. His songs connect majorly on the dancefloor as well as he is one of the few artists to have 18 songs cross over 200 Million + views on YouTube. Badshah flexes celebration and happiness – while he is aware of his own superstardom and immense appeal, his mission is to bring a new sound to people worldwide. “If the numbers went away, in the end it is the song that people love” says Badshah. “That’s most important.”

About J Balvin:

Global superstar, entrepreneur and committed mental health advocate, J Balvin is a highly-decorated music icon with wins across Billboard Music Awards, American Music Awards, Latin GRAMMY’s and many others. As a Latinx artist, he has steadfastly broken cultural barriers and become one of the Top 10 most streamed artists globally developing legions of fans worldwide. Hailed by Billboard as “the biggest breakout act Latin music has seen in many years” and Pitchfork as “the face of modern Reggaeton,” Balvin is leading a second generation of Musica Urbana stars that have propelled Latin music to an unprecedented global embrace that transcends genres. Most recently he landed his 35th #1 at Latin Airplay, more than any other artist in history. In addition to his many successes in music, J Balvin has been one of the first Latinx artists to forge partnerships with notable brands across lucrative categories including Jordan Brand, Givenchy, Louis Vuitton, Moschino, Gopuff, Fortnite, and Discord. His latest passion is raising awareness on the importance of mental health and mental health resources.

ABOUT TIËSTO

Tiësto is a Grammy® Award-winning, platinum-certified, international icon. The DJ and producer is the only artist to ever hold the titles of “The Greatest DJ of All Time” courtesy of Mixmag, and “#1 DJ” according to Rolling Stone. From his underground dance floor bangers to his high-profile Las Vegas residency and crossover success, Tiësto created the blueprint that defines what it means to be a success in today’s dance music world. In Tiësto’s true fashion, he continues expand across genres, always evolving his craft. With over 36 million albums sold, 10 billion cumulative streams, and a social platform with an audience exceeding 30 million fans spanning the globe, he continues to revolutionize the dance music landscape. Tiësto’s first release since signing with Atlantic Records, “The Business” has dominated airplay and charts worldwide since its September 2020 release, garnering over 1.4 billion streams to date, and was nominated for Best Dance/Electronic Recording at the 64th Annual GRAMMY Awards.Y

It has also held a steady position on Apple & Spotify’s “Today’s Top Hits” & “Today’s Hits” playlists, and hit #1 at US Dance Radio. “The Business” is certified Platinum in 15 countries and gold in 8 countries and has held a place on the Top 10 official singles chart in 10 countries as well as Top 50 on Spotify in 31 countries. Tiësto made history with single “Don’t Be Shy” with Karol G, which marked the first English song ever for Karol G, and the first Latin Artist collaboration for Tiësto, and currently has 648M streams,

over 1 million TikTok creates, and over 210 million views on the official music video. The third single from Tiësto’s upcoming album, “The Motto” with Ava Max, is out now with 613 million streams to date and sitting at #32 at Top 40 radio.

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Zac Stern Official app founder photo via Jonathan Stinson for use by 360 MAGAZINE

Center Stage: Zac Stern

Modern dating apps are often draining, sucking the fun out of the thrilling experience that finding a partner should be. Amidst the craze of hookup culture, it’s hard for those of us looking for a real relationship to find someone that isn’t just in search of a fun night. Luckily, we’ve found the perfect app that is based all around fostering positive relationships – its not a dating app, it’s the relationship app – Official.

Make things official with Official, the app that nurtures positive relationships no matter what stage of dating you’re in. Via the app, users have the choice to swipe “Yay” or “Nay” to differing date ideas. To “match” with a partner, you both have to choose “Yay” for a specific date idea. Once matched up, you can plan a date immediately, or you can come back to your match later.

Official encompasses an array of features for partners to build and cultivate positive relationships. From well-needed daily check-ins, a personalized intimacy section, a shared notes folder, countdowns to special events and the opportunity to earn points through practicing healthy relationship habits, Official encompasses all of the tools that you need to cultivate a strong, open partnership.

Official was founded by Zac Stern, business expert and graduate from NYU’s Stern School of Business. Interning with a selection of startup companies throughout his college years, Zac knew that he was interested in this realm of business ventures. Working as a VC his senior year at Stern, he worked his way up to become an associate just in time for his graduation in 2020. Diving into other projects, Zac knew that he wanted to begin his own development in the realm of dating apps, which birthed Official.

Created to encourage healthy relationships, Zac built Official around the next-generation model of social media and apps. The app has continuously gained widespread acclaim, becoming viral on TikTok, and rising to the #5 placement atop the US on Apple’s Lifestyle Charts.

360 Magazine had the opportunity to chat with Zac regarding the app’s inspiration, its various features and why you should start dating on Official.

What inspired you to create Official app?

While working in VC, I analyzed the business models of everything from jetpacks to cancer research; dating apps somehow fall within that range. When looking at a business, you learn that you want to keep your customer. This may seem relatively obvious, but not when it comes to dating apps. Dating apps are an interesting business because they lose their customers when they do their job correctly. But, the same thing happens when they do their job poorly, or when an outside force accomplishes their “goal.” So, from a financial perspective, I realized that it made more sense to focus on helping people stay together because the longer they are together, the longer they want to be our customers. Official switched the incentive so that when our users are happy in their relationship, we win, and if our users struggle in their relationship, we lose. 

On the personal side, I was dating someone long-distance at the beginning of 2019 while still in school and studying abroad. I was in London; she was in NYC. I met her two weeks before I left to study abroad, so we started our relationship with many calls, texts, and facetimes. To remember everything, I made a note on my phone about her, another note about her family, Instagram-saved things to do in the future, and pinned every future date spot on my phone’s map. While tedious, this was the only option I thought of. I knew there had to be an easier way. Many of my friends were in relationships, and I noticed everyone wanted to be the “perfect” couple: the couple that had the best dates, cutest photos, and best sex. All of these things happening led me to the idea of Official. 

Walk us through the different features available to the couples who join Official.

Official’s goal is to help couples through promoting self-discovery and enhancing communication between partners. We do this because we know how important it is to communicate with your partner and help you find and experience new activities. 

As Aron et al says it best in ‘The self-expansion model and optimal relationship development’, According to self-expansion theory, engaging in activities with a romantic partner that broaden one’s sense of self and perspective of the world (e.g., novel, exciting, interesting, and challenging activities) can reignite feelings of exhilaration and passion reminiscent of when couples first fell in love.” We wanted to create this sense with the Official.

Within the app, we allow couples to check in with each other in multiple ways that promote conversation both on and off the app. We let our users tell their partner how they are feeling, guess how their partner is feeling, and tell their partner they are in the mood. 

Official also allows you to discover more things around you to try with your partner from a literal sense like restaurants, concerts, or events, but also at home dates or things to try in the bedroom. We let our couples swipe left for no, right for yes, or up in the intimacy section for maybe, and this creates an opt-in process to indicate what each person wants to do. While it’s simple, it lets couples discover new things that they both want to do. 

We also let couples share their dates and experiences privately or publicly. Users post memories within the app to remember what they do with their partner.  By posting publicly, couples can show off that crazy exciting or unique date that they did. Official is a community of people who love love; we want to encourage everyone to have the best relationship. 

One of the most important things is that we don’t try to make couples feel like they can only communicate on the app. I firmly believe that Official can be an excellent catalyst for communication, but should not be the only way you communicate. 

Is there any exclusivity on the app for members? Such as first access to tickets/events/reservations?

We partner with some of the best companies in the world that provide incredible experiences anywhere. We let our users access exclusive discounts on events and experiences near them. We also allow them to 50% off almost any sex toy from our partners. We believe in creating value for each user, which we will continue to do. 

What is your biggest tip for couples to stay consistent on the app, planning dates, etc.?  

The biggest tip I have is to complete the Daily Question every day. It’s a quick feature, but the value it brings to relationships is massive. We ask you and your partner a new question every day, and if you both answer it, you can see each other’s answers. Our goal is to spark new conversations and let you discover something new about your partner or yourself that you may not have thought to bring up. 

I highly recommend the Intimacy Section to have the most fun and check out the craziest sex positions you will ever see… I am still baffled at how some of these are possible.

Do you plan on adding any additional features to the app?

I probably come up with a new feature a week, much to my team’s dismay. There are so many things to come on Official. Our random date generator will plan a date for you using machine learning to understand preferences. We are still in prototype, but I cannot wait until it’s ready for release. 

Do you have any tips for readers who may be interested in your app now that they’ve heard of it but are new to this type of app?  

Dive in; it’s easy. On Official, you can do anything, but you don’t have to do everything. Use what you think is interesting, and ignore what you don’t. We understand that people communicate in different ways, and that’s why we have an eclectic mix of features to suit any communication style or relationship. I don’t expect every user to use every feature; I just want every user to find value on Official. 

What is your favorite feature on the app?

Most likely, it would have to be the In the Mood feature. It is such a unique feature that when I first told people about the idea, they thought I was crazy. We refer to it internally as the “I’m horny button.” The button allows a user to say that they are in the mood, and if their partner hits the button within 12 hours, we send them a notification and let them do whatever their hearts desire. If one hits it and the other doesn’t, we say nothing because we want to promote double opt-in. 

What’s next for Official?

This is perhaps my favorite question because I don’t fully know. I have many ideas and ways to take the company, but we will follow what our users want. 

I always like to say that we are the first relationship media company. Our focus is couples, but many divergent markets touch relationships, creating the opportunity for Official to expand. My goal is to grow Official to help any relationship you have, whether it’s with your partner, family, friends, or even yourself; Official will be the defacto platform for any relationship in five years. I have a few ideas on how to get there, but I can’t give it all away just yet.