Meet Marcus The Motivator

Marcus The Motivator's positive attitude has resonated with his fans all around the globe. Marcus has traveled the world, is the author of The Pinnacle of Motivation, and is currently planning a large tour to promote its release. His prevalence at inspiring people, even those considered to be the hardest cases, has seen him rise to become a cult icon in the motivational industry.

1. What made you decide to become a motivational speaker?

I like to say life made me become a motivational speaker. I tried a lot of different things that just simply weren't me. I finished university then went to work a regular job, and it just didn’t feel right for me; at the same time, I helped a friend who was in real need and, well, I helped him out of that situation, and he said it was something I was really good at and that I should pursue it. So I did pursue it because I also loved the way it made me feel to help others.

2. Have people always recognized your positive attitude since you were a child, or is it something that has developed more over time?

I have always felt positive and looked at the positive side of life; that part has been easy. Learning to be a speaker and author, however, is something that took work. My initial attempts were kind of terrible, but it still felt right; it still felt like my calling, and those skills have developed over time.

3. Would you tell us a little more about your book, The Pinnacle of Motivation?

The Pinnacle of Motivation is basically a mind dump of everything I know about motivation. The book works on its own from start to finish, and I encourage people to read it that way to begin with, but there are also sections of the book designed to be referred to at different stages of life when you need help to get through tough times or the motivation you need to get up and achieve something big.

4. What personally keeps you motivated, especially when you have one of those days where you wake up feeling tired, or maybe things don't seem to be going your way all day long?

My biggest motivation is to get the message out there to those who need it most, and I have long-term goals of doing large, free events for the people who need it most in countries that most others ignore or are struggling the most. I want to reach that very large audience who really need positivity and inspiration to find their own success.

5. What do you like most about speaking with audiences about motivation and keeping a positive outlook?

Being able to help people and improve their lives and to help someone become a better person. There is something magical about being able to help someone improve their life, especially when they are in a time of need.

Thanks, Marcus!

Meet Michael "Lyfelong" Foster, Filmmaker and Entrepreneur

Michael "Lyfelong" Foster is a Filmmaker and Entrepreneur who has overcome many obstacles to achieve success. He has traveled nationally and internationally showcasing his films and connecting with audiences to show them exactly what The Michael Foster Experience is.

To learn more about his work, check out Reel Lyfe Cinema volume 1.

1. As someone who has always been involved with the arts, when did you decide to take up filmmaking? 

It was around 2009 when I officially decided to take up filmmaking. I had so much experience writing creatively and doing TV production that I was already on the path. I remember I started writing out treatments and concepts for short films, but the problem was at that time I had no idea how to write or structure a screenplay. On top of that, at that particular time there wasn't a lot of people I knew that I could bring on board to help execute my vision. Some of that may have been because I hadn't done it (making a film) before and they knew me as the "Swagger TV" or "rap" guy. I decided to enroll in film school and learn the ins and outs so I wouldn't have to rely on others to execute my visions and to be taken seriously within the film industry. 

2. Your films are driven by compelling main characters. How do you come up with the ideas for these characters and their experiences and struggles? 

One of my favorite professors, Professor Keith Thomas, always would say you can find a story anywhere. So sometimes I would have ideas and concepts here and there that may have been inspired by something I saw or experienced firsthand in my everyday life. Maybe there was something I read in a newspaper article or blog post, or overheard in a simple conversation. Also, I spent a lot time writing songs for about 20 years, so I kind of adopted the same method to come up with characters and concepts. I listen to an instrumental over and over and whatever that music says to me determines what kind of character is constructed and what the tone of the story will be. Plus, starting out you're not working with a ton of money for explosions or aliens, so you have to make your story revolve around compelling characters and dialogue, and that's an area I excel in.

3. You seem to cover every aspect of filmmaking from writing, directing, producing, acting, and editing. Which of those are your strengths, and which ones do you enjoy the most?

I would probably say I'm strongest in writing since I've been doing that the longest, and all I need to do that is my imagination. After that I'd say directing because it's about having vision and being able to communicate with your actors/actresses in a way that empowers them to give their best performance. I feel like I do a great job with that. As far as what I enjoy the most, it really just depends on what I'm doing at the time because I truly just love creating. When I'm acting, I love being able to bring a character and dialogue to life. When writing, I love creating worlds on a page that was once blank. I can tell you the most stressful is producing because, of them all, that actually feels like work. You have to rely on so many things to go right and are responsible for pulling it all off with normally little to no praise.  

4. Would you tell us a little bit about your fashion line? 

Inner Elite is more of a Lifestyle brand. It represents a certain type of mindset of those who truly know what it takes to be successful. We decided to first represent the brand through fashion because wherever I'd go, people would always pay attention to what I was wearing. You'll be seeing the brand in a lot more places internationally in the near future.  

At the top of the year we'll be officially launching the Talent Management/Business Consulting division in which we'll serve as a place to help those with elite level creativity become even better entrepreneurs and assist in guiding their careers to the promised land. We already have a number of actors/actresses, music artists, fashion designers, models and more on an international level that are looking to make the roster. But to be a part of the roster, you have to be the best of the best because that's what it means to be a part of the Inner Elite. As far as the fashion side of things, our President, James Saunders, will be focusing on growing that division. He already has a number of great ideas that will get us where we want to be. Our plan is to be one of the most recognizable brands on the planet. 

5. What projects are you currently working on, and is there anything else you'd like readers to know about you and your work?

I have a feature compilation project currently out titled "Reel Lyfe Cinema vol. 1." That's a series of short films that I toured with on the national and international film festival circuit. It really touches on some very serious issues that we were able to bring to life with great leading actors and actresses. Shelton-Demar Lewis, who stars in "When Tables Turn," is a frequent choice of mine to work with because of his reliability, skill set, and passion. Actress Vee Wess will always hold a special place in my heart because she was the first person to ever believe in me as a Director in my first film "Evelyn Black." She's like the big sister I never had and one of the most talented actresses I've ever met. I've never seen a project quite like it as it consists of moments in time that can never be duplicated. I wanted this project to take people on a journey, and from what I've heard so far, it does just that. It can be downloaded at my website TheMichaelFosterExperience.com.  

I'm currently close to wrapping up production on a feature film titled "#aSocialLoveAffair" that is being co-produced with a new media platform titled, "The Distinguished Network." Their focus is to provide an alternative platform for independent content creators around the world and put more focus on them and their work. Their CEO, Cleveland Elam Jr., wanted me to be the first filmmaker they partnered with, so this film will be the first one to debut on the platform in early 2017. The film is a romantic drama about how social media has such an impact on relationships this day in age. It stars Dorothy Lucey, who is also an award winning filmmaker, and myself along with supporting cast Shelton-Demar Lewis, Vee Wess, Nelson J. Davis and Brynn Mosley. It's been a joy working with the cast and crew, and we've really become a family. This is my first narrative feature film, so I'm really excited about it. It's taught me that producing a feature is truly a marathon and not for the faint of heart. You really find out what you're made of during the whole process.  

I'm also in post-production for a short music film titled "Last Night in Panama." I was hired on to write and direct this piece by World Artist, "Zozan World." This is special because we actually went to Panama to shoot it. With this project and others to come like it, the focus is to bridge the gap between people of African and Latin descent through music, dance, and film.

Other than that I have more ventures and projects that are very major in the works on an international level. They involve some things that have never been done before, so let's just say I'm very excited about what the future holds. For those that want to keep up with it all, just go to TheMichaelFosterExperience.com.

Thanks, Michael!

Meet Terry Gangaram, Founder of Drexel Mortgage Corporation

With 30+ years of real estate experience, Terry Gangaram founded Drexel Mortgage in 1995 to help Americans nationwide make their American Dream a reality. Starting with residential mortgages, Terry has helped thousands of homeowners buy their first house, investment properties, and commercial real estate to grow their business. Terry's team at Drexel is committed to finding you the financing you want for the home you want.

Learn more by visiting the websites for Drexel Residential Lending and Drexel Commercial Lending.

1. What made you decide to focus your career on working in the home mortgage field?

I wanted to help people become homeowners. Just like the American dream, I wanted to own a home rather than renting, and that's when I wanted to help others do the same. With decades of experience pursuing my entrepreneurial passion providing loans to clients, I built the Drexel Mortgage brand to become one of New York City's top mortgage providers.

2. What are some of the differences for consumers when it comes to working with a local agency like Drexel Mortgage rather than a large national company?

Drexel Mortgage offers great advantages with a hands-on approach to real estate. We're not quick to say no right away with a lot of red tape. For example, when it comes to credit, Drexel Mortgage works with the individual to repair their credit so they become creditworthy to become homeowners. We dispute charges, challenge charge-offs, and help fix delinquincies by advising clients how to prepare their credit for homeownership. Traditional lenders tend to cherry-pick who they want to work with, ignoring many borrowers who are only a few simple steps away from their own homes. We advise clients on a personal level to tailor-fit every loan for each borrower's needs. For example, we advise borrowers to have a co-signer, or have a family member assist them with the loan process to make the loan process comfortable and easy-going.

3. In addition to helping people who want to purchase a new home, what services do you provide for refinancing and debt consolidation?

Once people become a homeowner, they call Drexel Mortgage to utilize the equity in their home to purchase investment properties, consolidate their high interest credit card payments into one low monthly mortgage payment, or pay off bills. Refinancing has many benefits, and Drexel makes it easy for customers to refinance to renovate their homes, fix their credit, and even to finance major purchases.

4. Are there any common questions you get or misconceptions you regularly see regarding home mortgages and personal finance?

Being in the mortgage industry for decades, I've seen a lot of recurring mysteries and common questions. For example, people assume the mortgage process is a mystery that takes a long time. At Drexel, I make it easy for homebuyers to understand that buying a home is an exciting and simple process. Drexel understands buying real estate; mortgages can look like a daunting endeavor--after all, it's probably one of the biggest purchases a person will ever make. But the reality is, at Drexel Mortgage we take the time to assure you're comfortable with achieving your goals.

Another real estate misconception is that you need a lot of income with a huge down payment to own a home. With Drexel Mortgage, we put these popular myths to rest very quickly. I'm often asked what kind of houses are clients qualified for. Clients commonly think they need a high 700 credit score with 20% down just to qualify for a mortgage. Those days are long over, and today's real estate market understands that there are clients from all over the credit/income spectrum who can qualify for a home. At Drexel Mortgage, with flexibility to tailor loans based on the individual's needs we can provide loans to clients with a 600 credit score, with 3.5% down payment.

5. For people considering buying or selling a home in the Richmond Hill neighborhood of New York where your office is located, do you have any locally-specific advice?

New York City, where Drexel Mortgage is located, is one of the most sought after real estate markets in the country. New Yorkers are fast-paced, high-speed people who want it all yesterday. If you're buying a home in NYC, save yourself some time by getting pre-qualified first. Providing a Pre-Qualification is a free service we offer. We look at the income, assets, and credit of the individual to let them know what purchase price their income can support. Sometimes we can offer a pre-approval letter, to save some time for the realtors as well. With a pre-approval letter, the realtors, homebuyers, and appraisers can make fast, intelligent decisions to buy a home and start the loan.

Feel free to call me directly with any questions at (718) 441-1515, terry@drexelmortgage.com, www.terrygangaram.com.

Thanks, Terry!

Meet Husnain Minawala, Blogger and Social Media Expert

In 2010 a digital agency was born Mystic Social Media, which was rebranded as Mystic Advertising later. Husnain Minawala is the director of this company, and in 2013, he launched karachibloggers.org a portal for all bloggers. In 2014 Mystic Advertising LLC opened its office in Dubai U.A.E.

Learn more by visiting http://www.blog.husnainminawala.com/.

1. How did you first become interested in blogging?

Traveling has always been my passion because the peace it brings to one's soul is commendable. Like it's said, if traveling were free, you wouldn't get to see me. Traveling has taught me how to enjoy the "me" time, and when it became an essential part of my life, I decided to make it a bigger part by blogging about it.

I want every soul to feel the beauty of this world. If my blog gives birth to the love for nature, then I consider every penny spent as a lifelong investment. So basically I started blogging to share the love for nature.

2. How has your blog evolved from when you first started it to today?

Well, initially it wasn't as big as it is now; good things take time, and big things start small. Similarly, it started with passion, and it keeps blooming each day. With time I discovered love for various things, technology being a lead, so I decided to make it a part of the blog. What I learned over time was how to evaluate the interest of my readers. Let's put it like this: for a traveler it's important to capture the mesmerizing beauty forever, which came with the concept of photography, hence cameras and the change in techniques and products to my interest in technology. I have learned how to direct my passion in the right direction on the blog.

3. What is your advice to individuals who want to increase their social media presence and gain more blog readers, more Instagram followers, etc?

For anyone who wants to go big with their blog, they should publish more and more. The bigger the content, the better the visibility. Sharing is the key: you want to be the ultimate resource for your audience and motivate them to share your content on their networks, so make sharing easy. A user friendly and engaging site is IMPORTANT. And PHOTOS. Use them, use them wisely.

There is so much to be done; for beginners, let's keep it easy and achievable.

4. What are some similarities and differences in the way an individual should approach social media and the way a business (from small businesses to large companies) should approach it?

As far as the social media is concerned, one needs to understand that social media is NOT a trend; it's the reality of online existence. Once you know your answers for "where my audience is?", "how far do I want to take my business/brand?", and "how many followers am I aiming to attract?", you will know where to be on social media. Every business and individual has its own approach, depending upon the set target, so I can not really generalize the similarities. You just have got to know your work, and your work will take you where you belong.

Thanks, Husnain!

Meet Jonuel Negron, Author

Jonuel Negron is a horror and fantasy writer from Land O Lakes, FL. The goals of each story are to both entertain and terrify readers who brave to read them. He is a veteran who has served proudly, a father of five wonderful children, and a husband to a loving wife.

He has just released Mid Harvest Road, the prequel to his Jacob Kearns Series. For more information, check out Mid Harvest Road on Amazon. You can also learn more about Jonuel and his work on his Facebook page.

1. Could you give us an overview of the Jacob Kearns Series?

Without giving too much away, it is a horror series based mostly on supernatural encounters that are both by chance and by design. Although the series has many moving parts to it, Jacob Kearns is the protagonist that navigates his way through the series with the most interesting angle for readers to discover.

2. Why did you decide to launch the series by publishing a prequel?

This is probably the most fascinating buildup I could implement to the series as it will actually have two prequels. Again without giving away too much... This first "Mid Harvest Road" short story is based on Sarah Knox, who will be an important returning character. I wanted readers to get a glimpse of how the series storyline can transform in a short 45 minute read. This way potential new readers wouldn't have to invest too much money or time to decide if my series was something they wanted to follow.

The second prequel will be "I Understand," a novella which will set the stage for Book 1 of the series. This can actually be read independently from the "Mid Harvest Road" short story although they both complement each other.

Any reader can decide to start with Book 1 of the series as it is an intricate story arc by itself without having to read the prequels.

3. What are your favorite parts about writing thrillers?

Translating my nightmares. I have been working on this series for two years now without knowing it. Originally, this was not much more than a rag tag collection of notes I had written down after a nightmare or two. In my youth I aspired to be a writer, but life had other plans for me, I guess. Now at the age of 41, several of my friends and family convinced me to take a refresher writing class. I caved under the pressure and began to write my thriller. I can't seem to stop trying to remember every detail of what wakes me up at night.

4. For you as a reader, what makes a book a gripping, suspenseful read?

As a reader the most gripping or suspenseful moments I have always found in most thrillers is how close to home the monsters can be. It is scary enough to read a thriller about the giant sea monster that can pull your boat under the water. It is equally scary to read a thriller about scholar who is a cannibal not limited to water. The distance from the monsters is what I find gripping and suspenseful.

5. What are you currently working on, and is there anything else you'd like readers to know about you and your writing?

I am currently starting Book 2 of the series, although I don't really feel Book 1 is 100% complete. I have this tendency to finish my work and start my next one. Then I will go back to reread my previous work looking for my obvious mistakes and smooth out the rough edges. I have learned from my past mistakes in life that if you are too eager to release something before you are content it is a finished product, well, customers will feel cheated by you. Book 1 is written, but I must be satisfied readers will enjoy the story that I have put together before I send it to my editor.

Thanks, Jonuel!

Meet Sally Ramsey, Author and Chemist

Sally Ramsey has two grown sons with autism. After decades as a chemist with multiple awards and patents, she has turned a lifelong passion for writing into a mission writing autism related books.

Sally shares her thoughtful insights into life and writing on her blog, and you can learn more about her and her fiction and nonfiction books by visiting http://autismnovelist.com/.

1. When did you become interested in writing fiction, and what do you enjoy most about it?

I started very young. I wrote my first novella at age 12 and short stories even earlier. I enjoy being able to build a world of my own, but yet one I can share with others. I love being able to fix on the page, problems that are intractable in real life. I also love immersing myself the pure romance of heroic relationships. 

2. What gave you the idea for Dark Awakening?

I've had a thing for vampires ever since I saw Frank Langella's Dracula. I have two sons with autism, so writing about an autistic vampire came naturally.

3. Would you tell us a little more about the main character of Dark Awakening and how he is similar to and different from other vampire characters readers might be familiar with?

The main character in Dark Awakening is Grayson Miller PhD. He has autism. His sensory symptoms and communication problems are lessened by becoming a vampire, but he still retains social awkwardness and a very strong sense of right and wrong. He refuses to kill, and works out a way so there is no need for him or other vampires to do so. There is also a scientific basis rather than a supernatural one for his vampirism. He doesn't turn into a bat or hypnotize people. He just needs blood, heals quickly, and can be burned or killed by the sun. Becoming a vampire allows him to find love in scientist Tina Chow, but he also discovers great danger to himself and Tina. They work together to develop a way to fight ancient evil vampires so their love can survive. 

4. What are the unique challenges--and pleasures--or writing fiction and nonfiction?

One challenge that writing fiction and nonfiction share is just the act of sitting down to do it. In either case, there is also quite a bit of research involved. I try to be as accurate as possible in terms of both settings and whatever science I use. I have to decide when to use whatever is out there or when it is appropriate to just make something up. A shared pleasure of both kinds of writing is in the act of creation, producing something unique. I also enjoy helping people understand and cope with the challenges of autism, and that is the focus of much of my work.

5. How do you find the time to write (not to mention to edit your work and collaborate with publishers!)?

I've always made a point of fitting writing into the interstices of my day. When I set up an experiment to run, or let materials mix, I write. These days, I work only with non-toxic, edible materials, so I can do almost anything from home. I've also turned over my latest technology to larger entities who can take care of much of the grunt work. I am very disciplined in terms of setting aside time for writing, allocating specific parts of the day to specific projects. I also have daily goals for writing and/or editing, and I don't go to sleep until they are met. Fortunately, I don't seem to require a great deal of sleep.

Thanks, Sally!

Meet Vicky Wu, Marketing Guru

In her own words, here's a bio of Vicky Wu...

My clients are like my family. In over 30 years spent working the marketing and advertising for businesses big and small, I've uncovered some golden themes and tactics that work wonders, no matter the size of the budget. Nothing puts a smile on my face more than enjoying my client's success as the result of their marketing plan. In my years of experience doing marketing with top level organizations like Nokia, Southwest Airlines, the Dallas Cowboys, CENTURY 21 Judge Fite, and a number of nonprofits, I've uncovered some tough strategies that are super powerful and can easily be applied to smaller business with minimal time and budget. I love teaching others, from simplifying complex marketing strategies, to teaching couples to ballroom dance for their wedding!

To learn more about her work, check out http://vickywu.us/ and Vicky Wu's Facebook page.

1. How did you first know that you wanted to pursue a career in marketing?

Looking back, with 20/20 hindsight which we all wish we could have before we begin, I was thinking with a marketing brain when I was still in elementary school. I remember designing things; one that comes to mind is this amusement park which had a theme of fruits and vegetables. I've been an artist since I was that age, drawing and painting, so I would sketch out the whole park on paper, drawing the rides. A tomato would be a spinning cup-type ride, with the seeds being the cups you ride in. But I would go beyond that and be designing all of the other little pieces that would go into it, the parking lot, the logo, totally branding the entire thing on paper. I would even draw out what the customers look like--I was doing customer "avatars" before it became a big thing or I had even heard of them--and what the TV commercial would look like.

I didn’t know any of this was "marketing." I just knew I was having fun.

Moving into middle school or junior high, I continued taking art classes, in addition to having personal lessons from family members who were professional artists, and while I wanted to be an artist, I didn't want to be a starving artist--a business acumen was emerging even then.

In high school, I began taking journalism classes and became editor of the school newspaper and the school yearbook. I knew I didn't want to become a journalist, but it's when I first became interested in advertising from working on the ones in the newspaper and yearbook. I remember going to meet with the counselor to talk about college, explaining how what I wanted to do wasn't offered at any of the local community colleges, which was all I felt there would be any hope of affording, and knowing my parents wouldn't be able to help with bigger colleges anywhere else. His suggestion was I needed to decide what I wanted to do with my life that wouldn't require college at all, or something I could take at the local college. Even as a teenager I didn't think that was much help and felt it was just trying to squash my dreams. So I knew I may have to blaze my own trail, and that's exactly what I started doing. I like to tell my clients I made the mistakes so that they don't have to!

I didn’t realize that the field of marketing was exactly where I wanted to be until my second full-time job (the first one was in advertising), but once it all clicked together, I forged ahead by learning as much as I could from the best in the industry, and continuing my education and earning my degree (from a four-year university, not our local junior college). Continuing to learn and seek and develop best practices is a big part of my professional life today.

2. I noticed a variety of both "DIY" and "done-for-you" solutions offered on your website. Could you tell us a little more about your business and what you do?

Our services are broken down into three levels:

Do it yourself – this is for the entrepreneurs who want to do the marketing, graphic, or social media work themselves, have the time and desire, but may not have all of the technical skill. Our training programs help them learn the skills they need to know without having to make all of the mistakes that we learned from over the years.

Our newest addition to this level is our Business Startup Marketing Mastermind training program, which is a convenient hands-on platform which takes a small business owner step-by-step through a proven system to begin and boost their business marketing. Each lesson has specific how-to instructions and helps the business owner tie everything together without needing any prior knowledge of marketing. It's fed out in small bite-size pieces so that the program is convenient and not overwhelming.

Do it with help – this is for businesses that have someone on staff, maybe the owner or another employee, who can do the work (either they already know some of the technical skills or they've gone through our training) but need help with strategy and direction to implement it in the manner most strategic for their business to realize the greatest return on investment. This includes our marketing coaching programs, Marketing Bootcamp, business coaching, and the "Hire a CMO" program.

Have it done for you – this is for the business that wants to outsource some of their graphic design, social media, and other marketing pieces. The problem with finding your own freelancers is that you often have to go to multiple places to have the differing pieces accomplished, and this can result in a lack of brand consistency, which is very bad for a business. We have a whole team of freelancers on call so that you can have all of your needs met in one place, and provide an account manager who acts as your Marketing Director or Art Director to oversee it all and make sure your brand messaging and design is consistent.

3. For small business owners, how can they know when it might be a good time to work with a coach or consultant?

When an owner has the desire to grow their business to the next level, whatever that may be, yet is feeling the pain of already too much work and knowing they won't have time to invest to achieve that growth without something else dropping, it's a good indication that it's time to bring in some expertise.

In every business, and every area of every business, there's a tipping point where future growth is limited by current resources. Every small business owner understands exactly what I'm saying. A point at which, to take the business to the next level, it is either going to require more time than the owner can devote, or require more expertise than the owner currently has (or wants to have). Yet they haven't grown enough yet to justify additional salaries.

There are a lot of things a small business owner can do on their own in the vast realm that is marketing. There are SO many choices today in the area of marketing; it can be very hard to know which ones you need to pick and choose. If they have little experience in marketing, they may not be as easily able to determine which tactics could be most efficient for their business and provide the best return on investment – which can result in being inefficient with their finite time. No business owner has the luxury of things taking longer than they need to or not bringing the best results!

A coach or consultant can bring years of expertise with numerous business large and small, and help a business focus their marketing strategies and plans based upon what has been proven to work. It can allow the business the flexibility of not having to hire a permanent position before the business has grown large enough to justify that type of ongoing expense.

4. What are some of your favorite parts of your work?

There are so many stories I could share, but they really all boil down to developing people and businesses. I am proud when a business achieves a goal (and I'm a HUGE fan of a business envisioning and achieving a big, hairy, audacious goal--when it's right for the company--and even better when I'm the one helping achieve!).

I am proud when I coach an employee or company and they enhance their marketing efforts and achieve their goals. I am proud to see them proud of themselves.

Really for me it;s all about the win. The win for the company I'm working with. That's a win for me.

5. Is there anything in particular about marketing that you wish more people knew?

Not knowing what you don't know can make it harder on you. Yet it doesn't have to be hard at all; you need a simple plan and a simple strategy and to know how to tie it all together. The biggest concept that I share with all of my clients is don't keep switching up your strategy. Most strategies are longer-term and take time to fully develop; yet once they do, they quickly snowball and bring bigger results than you may have imagined. But you never may get to that point if you give up after a week to try something new.

Thanks, Vicky!

Some T-Shirt Gift Ideas on Amazon

There are countless things you can buy on Amazon along with books and media. I've bought quite a few different food items on Amazon, from breakfast cereal to gluten-free cookies. And it's often a good place to get deals on tech and household items. One thing I haven't yet bought on Amazon is clothing, but there's no shortage of clothing available there. Amazon even has a special Amazon Fashion section.

When it comes to clothing, one of my favorite things to buy is t-shirts. A lot of indie t-shirt makers are creating and selling unique tees on Amazon. You can find a tee to fit pretty much any theme and/or artistic aesthetic. You can also find tees made for special occasions, such as this novelty baby shower tee to celebrate having twins. A lot of couples have showers where both mom and dad attend, so this tee could be fun for exactly that type of party.

The same t-shirt designer has created a couple of other fun t-shirts for women that would make one-of-a-kind gifts. If you like sweets, there's a "sugar obsessed" t-shirt with a fun typographical design. There's also a "happiness is calling" t-shirt which features a simple, upbeat message in a design that's pleasing to the eye.

Especially if you have Amazon Prime, it doesn't cost much to add gifts like these creative t-shirts to your order. With such fast shipping, your t-shirts or other fun clothing items can be at your door in no time at all.

Meet Hyder Ali Zaman, Digital Marketing Strategist

Hyder Ali Zaman is a highly accomplished and experienced internet marketing professional with a successful track record extending 13+ years. His ability has helped startups grow into successful business enterprises, drive online marketing strategy in sync with the offline marketing tactics, deliver SEO results, cost effectively manage SEM / PPC / FB Ad campaigns, and use non-traditional yet highly effective organic (SEO) traffic driving techniques to help organizations become successful in any highly competitive online industry in any region of the world.

Learn more by visiting http://www.hyderalizaman.com/ as well as Hyder Ali Zaman's profile on LinkedIn.

1. How did you first become aware of SEO?

I was one of the earliest adopters of the internet and the World Wide Web, not only in Pakistan but globally. Back in those days, people did not know much about the internet. However, to me I could see the potential of the internet to actually change the world. I came to know about SEO through my own interest in the internet. For me, SEO has always been a passion to help online businesses succeed. And I strongly believe that when you work for passion, money automatically follows.

2. In the years you have worked in the industry, how have things changed when it comes to improving a site's search engine rank?

Yes, a lot, to say the least. Those old shoddy tricks up the sleeves of the so-called SEO experts to get you to the first page of Google do not work anymore. Google and other search engines have evolved a great deal. In the coming years, you will see a lot of people complaining that SEO is not working (many are already doing it). It is the SEO they know that is not working. Look, SEO is a patience-driven, watch and act kind of endeavor where you keep on adjusting to the changing dynamics. SEOs who are trying to get quick results will not see any success. Areas in which you particularly need to focus in the future include natural link building, social media marketing, blogging, guest posts, and relevant content marketing strategies. Niche-oriented focus would greatly help improve your site's rankings. SEO has finally become something which would only reward people who are willing to work hard and know what it actually means to be an SEO expert.

3. What are some common mistakes you see businesses making with their websites?

Here is my top list of mistakes online businesses really make.

a. They think onsite SEO is just a hoax and they do not really need to think about it much.

b. They spend so much money on paid advertisements, but eventually they run out of money. They should diversify and think about SEO and other ways of generating traffic online.

c. A lot of businesses do not pay any heed to social media marketing when it actually makes a lot of difference. Paid social media advertisement is good, but you also need to find a way to generate leads through other regular updates as well.

d. Old online businesses established for years think that mobile responsiveness is not for them. Google has already penalized such websites, and we are going to see more of that happening.

e. Content does not just mean rewriting everything which is already there. Instead it gives online businesses a way to connect with their customers.

4. What are some of your own best practices?

Here are some of the most important things for me in terms of SEO.

1. Content Marketing
2. Affiliate Marketing
3. SEM & SEO
4. Social Media Marketing
5. Guest Blogging
6. Onsite SEO (deep enough to identify and resolve onsite issues)
7. Offsite SEO
8. Work on domain authority and increase website's authenticity.
9. Evolve my overall SEO strategy in light of the changes recommended by Google and other search engines.
10. Diversify and rely on multiple sources of traffic.

5. What else would you like readers to know about you and your work?

Well, whomever you choose to work with, make sure they are worth their money. Do not work with anyone who does not understand everything and has not been proactively following SEO from the start.

I strongly believe in living up to my clients' expectations, and my work speaks for what I have done in the past. I have successfully helped many startups getting from zero sales to thousands of USDs or even more in revenues per month. I am passionate about my client's website and take every step to ensure that their interests are watched. No matter which SEO expert you wish to work with, always remember that experience has no shortcut. I do not promise my clients to deliver quick results but meaningful results where they can actually see the return on their investments.

Feel free to get in touch with me via email should you have any questions or need SEO consultation for your online business.

Thanks, Hyder Ali!

Meet Darren Pawski of Synergy Financial Solutions

Darren Pawski, a financial services industry professional with almost 30 years of experience, is the managing director of Synergy Financial Solutions, a boutique financial services firm known for its highly personalized and exceptionally comprehensive approach to financial planning and management. Mr. Pawski began his career in the late 1980s and has served in a number of executive leadership positions with some of the most respected providers of financial services operating in Perth.

An active member of his local community, Mr. Pawski devotes much of his free time to community service efforts and volunteering. While he is a frequent presence at all manner of community service events, Mr. Pawski is especially committed to his volunteer work within the aged-care sector. Outside of his professional work and community service, Mr. Pawski is an accomplished traveler and distance runner who has explored some of the most interesting and unique places the world has to offer.

Known for his firm belief in the value of ongoing education, Mr. Pawski has a long history of helping clients, colleagues, and members of the public better understand the most critical aspects associated with financial planning and financial management. Mr. Pawski, who is currently working toward a master's degree in finance, earned his Diploma of Financial Planning from Deakin University and secured his Certificate IV in Mortgage Broking from Kaplan.

1. In your own words what do you do?

My goal is to help all of our clients develop a personalized and all-encompassing financial strategy that leads to the realization of their specific goals for the future.

2. What led you to your current business?

I've always been very passionate about my role in the finance industry, and Synergy Financial Solutions has allowed me to really sharpen my focus on meeting the specific needs of each and every client that reaches out to our financial planning and management firm.

3. Could you walk us through your process of developing your business?

With my wealth of industry experience, I was keenly aware of the strengths and weaknesses of the industry as a whole. In developing this business, we simply created a structure that we believed would emphasize the strengths while eliminating the weaknesses.

4. Did you encounter any particular difficulty in the beginning, and how did you overcome it?

Of course we did, but we also created an overarching plan that accounted for every possible difficulty in order to ensure there was a contingency in place. Our ability to plan ahead and foresee potential obstacles allowed us to overcome the difficulties we encountered along the way.

5. What is your long-term plan?

We hope to continually grow in a manner that ensures we can continue to offer our highly personalized services to a broader base of clients.

6. Could you share with us some industry insights?

The key to a sound financial strategy begins with a commitment to advance planning and a thorough, comprehensive approach.

7. What are some important lessons you've learned about entrepreneurship/business?

At its core, entrepreneurial success requires an understanding of how to best meet the needs of the consumer.

8. Any tips for achieving success?

You can essentially guarantee long-term success by making a deep commitment to your clients and ensuring they always remain a priority in the decision-making process.

Thanks, Darren!

Check out Simo Benbachir's Interview with Victoria Summer

As a blogger, sometimes I want to tell everyone about a particular interview I've done. It can be especially exciting to interview an artist toward the beginning of their already simpressive career, when you have the strong feeling that this person is only going to become more and more successful as time goes on.

So I want to share the good news of Dubai TV Alarabiya News English reporter Simo Benbachir (aka Simobb), as he recently enjoyed the opportunity to interview popular British actress Victoria Summer. You can see a video of the interview by clicking here to visit the English language site for Alarabiya. The interview was hosted at Lab Art Los Angeles by Iskander Lemseffer and directed by Brian Patamakanthin.

While their conversation took place as part of the publicity that Victoria Summer is doing for her new starring role in Game of Aces, you probably know her from two other very popular films in which she had supporting roles. She played Julie Andrews in in Walt Disney Pictures' Saving Mr. Banks starring Tom Hanks as Walt Disney and Emma Thompson as Mary Poppins author P.L. Travers. She also appeared in Paramount Pictures' Transformers: Age of Extinction, directed by Michael Bay.

In Game of Aces, directed by Damien Lay, she plays the lead role of British nurse Eleanor Morgan. The movie is set during WWI and is described as both a romance and an adventure. It has received good notices in the L.A. Times and other media.

I think you will enjoy the engaging interviewing style of Simobb. He is a Moroccan TV reporter who covers entertainment and "gossip" stories in a fun and upbeat way. He has over 18 years of experience in media and is a well-known presence at many glamorous international events.

You can see that he enjoys sharing Victoria Summer's story of perseverance as she spent a number of years funding her acting career by working as a nanny and personal trainer. She worked in musical theater in London for some time before moving to Los Angeles to follow her dream of breaking into American film and television.

In her own words, "The secret is persistence and staying focused; I just keep going, and I do not stop. You have got to take off any poky barrier that comes your way and staying on that one path knowing where you are going and keep it going.”

For the full conversation between Simo Benbachir and Victoria Summer, click here.

Meet Arijana Rubin of WISHRENT

Arijana Rubin is the founder and CEO of WISHRENT, the world's first and greatest online rental and selling platform for all unique and creative things. You can rent out, borrow, sell, or buy costumes, props, historical clothes, wedding & bridal dresses, LARP & cosplay items, and many other crazy things!

To learn more, visit http://www.wishrent.com/ or check out the WISHRENT page on Facebook.

1. How did you get the idea to start WISHRENT?

As a professional working model, a cosplayer and larper (Live-Action Roleplayer), I often faced the problem that I didn't have the time or the money to craft new accessories, costumes or props for my cosplays and also noticed that production companies or other cosplayers invest a lot of time and money in something they only actually use once or twice (which is a shame). I also had storage space issues--the costumes, props and other special items I possessed took up a lot of time and space. So I thought to myself, wouldn't it be great if people (who own a cool costume or other special item) could rent/lend out costumes to each other for a shorter period of time? That saves not only a lot of time and money, and is sustainable but also enables creative people to earn some money with their work, without having to permanently say goodbye to their treasures. So I came up with WISHRENT, a way to rent out your personal wishes. :) We are the world's largest online platform for the rental and sales of costumes, props and other special clothes and accessories, and anyone can participate!

2. Where do people need to live to be able to use your service?

Most European countries as well as the U.S. and Canada can use my service. Here's a full list of all the countries that can currently use the service: U.S.A, Canada, UK, Germany (the main country using it currently), Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, Finland, Denmark, Norway, Italy, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden.

3. What are some of the most popular items that people have been borrowing so far?

Game of Thrones Dresses and Wigs (a la Daenerys Targaryen), opulent Ballroom Dresses, Fantasy Headdresses, Mermaid Fins/Tails (that one can actually swim in), Fairytale and Princess Dresses, Evening and Wedding Dresses, Elf Armour, and more!

4. What are some benefits for people when it comes to borrowing something rather than buying it outright?

The benefits for people when it comes to borrowing rather than buying it outright are...

For Borrowers:

a.) Saving Money: The borrowers save a lot of money by borrowing. Instead of buying a ballroom dress that costs 500 Euros to buy, they can rent it for a whole week for just 40 Euros a week. Or instead of paying 1500 Euros for a wedding dress that one only needs for one day, they can rent it out on my platform for a price as little as 15 Euro a week! That's saving a lot of money!

b.) Saving Space: Borrowing frees a lot of space for the borrower! Instead of cluttering up their closets by buying a lot of things they only use a few times, they can simply rent out something for a brief while then return it, thus saving them from drowning in the clutter of their homes!

c.) Sustainability, Community and the Environment: We live in an age of over-consumption and materialism! Sharing between one another is not just more sustainable and better for the environment than buying a lot of stuff that gathers dust! You interact more with the community and get to know more people by borrowing rather than just buying!

d.) Save time: Many people make their own costumes and props. By borrowing something you can save a lot of the time spent making it!

e.) Flexibility & Variety: Since borrowing is so much cheaper than buying and you have a huge access to so many creative things--you can try out new looks, costumes or props every week without breaking the bank! That wasn't possible before because you had to buy it!

And for Lenders/Renters:

a.) Make Money: It's a much more sustainable way to make money. Instead of having special things you made or bought sitting around in the dust, you can make them go to work for you. By renting them out, you can cover what it cost to make them or buy them and even earn money. Your trash (or treasure) could be someone else's for a brief time.

b.) Lenders don't have to part with their beloved items forever like sellers have to do! :)

5. Do you have plans to continue to expand WISHRENT in the future--and is there anything else you'd like readers to know about it?

Yes, I have plans to expand WISHRENT into the future and have it reach out to every corner of the world, particularly Asia and mostly Japan (the birthplace of Cosplay!) We are covering a good portion of Europe and North America now but we want to give everyone a chance to rent out amazing things!

There are also plans to turn WISHRENT into a mobile app which is easily accessible for everyone and to institute an Escrow system for safer borrowing procedures!

I would like readers to know that...

1.) One can also SELL and BUY on WISHRENT. Yes, the core market is mostly based on rentals and borrowing, but buying and selling your creative or unique items is also a possibility we have recently introduced! :)

2.) You can save on shipping by using the map view option to find things in your area and pick them up directly from the lender or seller! By borrowing this locally, you save a lot on the shipping costs back and forth! :) Currently we have items all over Germany, but we are also waiting for input from all over the world!

3.) You can sell or lend out anything creative or unique or special on our platform!

4.) For added security regarding the lending procedures, we are asking that all lenders ask for a deposit, ship with tracking, and ask to have their items returned via shipped tracking or use one of our rental contract samples and review people honestly! Our community has so far been trustworthy and there have been no issues, but there could be future black sheep!

5.) We are young; tell your friends and family young and old! This is the most unique platform in a long time, and you won't find such special items anywhere else! :)

Thanks, Arijana!