Editor @ Global Man – Page 3 – Global Man

Author: Editor @ Global Man

Kidd W: My Ultimate Dream; My Absolute Drive

Editor @ Global Man November 23, 2022 No Comments
Kidd W & Co

Kidd Waya is a Nigerian, UK-raised actor, TV host, social media sensation, entrepreneur reality star of the new UK 2-part documentary—how the other half live—debuting on channel 5. Kidd strives to produce insightful, inspiring, and entertaining content and at the same time tackle stereotypes to represent todays multicultural British Community more accurately.

Kidd Waya is a former broker and lobbyist, who graduated from Nottingham University with a degree in Business Management and Marketing and a master’s in international business management. Born in Nigeria and moving to the UK at age 6, Kidd has long strived to shift mindsets and change old narratives through his work as a brand ambassador, presenter, actor, business owner and emotion-fuelled content creator.

“I feel like this is just the beginning and people are yet to see the best of Kidd.”

You have a strong background in health and fitness that might have contributed to your success. How would you define health and how do you think it contributes to individual success in the long-term?

When you have a healthy body, you have a healthy mind—and when your mind is healthy, you’re able to make better decisions.

So, you’re able to have more energy making those decisions and your overall performance simply improves. So, when I am asked what the correlation between health and individual success is in the long term my answer is simple and intuitive. You’re putting yourself at an advantage by being healthy.

Your mind is fresher, your body is fresh, you feel fresher. Your alertness is heightened. Your confidence is up. There are so many benefits to exercise. Moreover, these feelings lead to a clear profit: you can create more, to take more risks, to put yourself in a more advantageous position to be successful.

Kidd W & Co

What are the three most important things that stand between you and your ultimate dream?

Well, the first thing that stands between me and my goal is my mind. Of course, I’ve gone through my fair share of mental illness and it’s a constant battle a lot of people know about. This battle wages between my mind and my body. That’s something I had to do for a while; that is something that definitely gets in the way.

The second thing is my absolute hunger. Starting from a privileged background, I lack the hunger that someone else who is not from a privileged background may have been forced to develop. That drive and desire makes you want your ultimate dream more. I often think and do believe that this is something that only comes from the adversity people who are less fortunate have to face.

The third obstacle I am overcoming is an absolute safety net of being comfortable where you are—this comfort zone. Desperation, the kind that arises out of a mind forced to live on the street, a mind at its absolute lowest, positions you so that you have nothing to lose.

When you have nothing to lose, you become a very dangerous man, a dangerous person. I feel like having a safety net has taken that edge away from me. This can stop me from achieving my ultimate dream.

What was the most recent idea you have had that you have felt was particularly successful?

My company which I started earlier this year is a particular success I am proud of. I brought this company to fruition even though for some time now it’s been “in the works.” Yet this year I decided to actually bring it to life and so far I have been very successful.

I have had great partnerships with big corporations such as Ibis Hotel, one of which I did a campaign with not too long ago. If I might add it was very successful. Just this month I have celebrated a successful Fintech conference which was great. I also manage a lot of talent; I do a lot of brand campaigns—all in a short space of time – within three to four months.

My company, Kidd W & Co has seen a lot of success. Naturally, I am extremely proud of Kidd W & Co.

Who has been the most influential person in your life, and why?

That energises me to do better, to prove myself wrong.

It has to be said that the most influential person in my life has been me and the state of my mind. The state of my mind reminds me every day that this could be taken away from you, and it reminds me that we certainly are all human.

Sometimes this means you’re not as strong as you thought you were. That energises me to do better, to prove myself wrong.

With a strong educational background and a master’s at a prestigious university, you have achieved rare academic success. What are your thoughts on the educational system? Would you say it empowered you and if so, how?

The educational system is flawed. Unfortunately, they don’t teach a lot of vital things, things that are very important in today’s society.

They don’t teach you how to make money nor how to manage money. They don’t teach you how to become a better person nor how to negotiate. They don’t teach you how to be “street smart,” nor how to protect each other and protect yourself.

There are so many things taught that in fact do not apply to today’s society. What the prevailing educational system does teach is how to work for another person and how not to be your own boss; moreover it gives you very outdated tools. For me, the educational system is more of a tick box for your parents. Yet there’s more of a place for the opportunity to go and connect and network with people, make friends, discover a new talent, and so on. Now don’t mistake this: today’s education is far from valueless. I’m asserting it’s not as valuable as it used to be.

Yet and still, I would recommend people go to schools, colleges, universities, but I would recommend it for different reasons. As opposed to going there to try and get a career or to try and make your life a drastically better, there should be more emphasis on going to university and uncovering the discovery of your true self—who you are.

What fuels your daily routine? What would you say intrinsically motivates and drives you?

What drives me and motivates me is the fact that all of this can be taken away in a blink of an eye. Evidenced and proven by the facts—that I’m not where I want to be yet, I haven’t achieved what I want to achieve, and I have so much to offer—I feel like this is just the beginning and people are yet to see the best of Kidd. Another key motivation for me is that the potential in this world is limitless – endless, even. It is very well-said of me that I am someone who has been very hungry for success from the start in spite of my privileged background. I’m someone who was still hungry, still pushing.

Kidd W & Co

How do you stay grounded, despite all the fame?

Leaving my comfort zone and entering into unfamiliar territory was less comfortable but offered a zone where was able to think more and redesign who I am.

I had to leave my comfort zone, which is Nigeria, because I knew that the fame was hindering my progress. It was beginning to affect me, and I realised I soon became way too comfortable. So I took myself to an environment where I could feel less famous. I could feel like a normal person, which would make me work a lot harder to become famous.

It’s almost like a blank canvas and starting again. When I moved to London after the Big Brother show, it was almost like redefining who I was, who I am and who I am going to be. That’s how I stay grounded. I position myself and that’s what’s kept me grounded all this time.

Leaving my comfort zone and entering into unfamiliar territory was less comfortable but offered a zone where was able to think more and redesign who I am.

How do you think social media has changed the consumer landscape in Nigeria?

It is changing and changing massively. I mean, you can travel anywhere on this planet’s four corners upon the click or tap. You can type in “comedy,” you can type in “food,” you can type in “action,” you can type in “music” and find it delivered to your very fingertips.

It has made things a lot easier for entertainers to showcase talent, music, art, and this for everybody. I do not shy away from persuading people to get into it. I feel like it’s a way out of poverty and the hardship that we have in the country.

Nigerians are very joyful people. They’re very entertaining people and very happy people. They love to entertain, to laugh, to have fun and they love to smile.

I think social media is the perfect escape for them as it was for me. And I feel like now it’s a growing market amidst a growing consumer base and it’s getting exponentially bigger because there’s more money going into it.

We have the most loyal fan bases in the world. Speaking personally, my fanbase is amazing! It is full of girls and they’re simply amazing, supportive, and very engaging. That is just a testament to how strong the Social Media and online community is in Nigeria; further, not just in Nigeria but also in Africa. This Social Media presence will only grow bigger and bigger and I can’t wait to be a part of that journey.

What would you like to change within the next 5 years?

The one change I would like to see within the next Five years is in my will power. I want to be at a point where I can say yes or say no, and be precisely decisive—to stick to my decision. I feel like I’m easily influenced by a fear of missing out. That is hinders my progress quite a lot. So I want my will power to improve so that whatever I say, I could just stick to that and nothing else.

Sanjeev Desour, The UK’s No1 Business Mentor and CEO of The Entrepreneurs Academy.

Editor @ Global Man November 3, 2022 No Comments

Sanjeev founded The Entrepreneurs Academy with a vision to help entrepreneurs and business leaders to accelerate and maximise opportunities for growth and success by exploring opportunities, threats and solving challenges with mastermind groups, mentoring, training and accountability. This vision has proven itself to be a success, time and time again. The members of these mastermind groups and coaching clients have experienced more success and with mastermind members also benefitting from meaningful and lasting friendships and strategic business alliances with fellow Entrepreneurs Academy members.

In the early stages of Sanjeev’s entrepreneurial journey, he says he would have benefitted from more support, leadership, and positive role models. Despite the absence of this his entrepreneurial spirit won and inspired him to create an array of successful businesses and become a role model and figure of support for other business leaders and start-ups as a business coach, mentor and trainer.

Sanjeev is no stranger to the idea that the more problems you can solve the more you can succeed. He firmly believes in the unlimited power of a supportive, encouraging and experienced peer group to help you foster growth and success in business and life by sharing experience, expertise, opportunities and challenges with a safe group of like-minded winners who have no agenda other than that of support.

 

If I can keep making a difference, helping business owners grow their businesses, and in doing so grow our companies, that is a good overall win.

– Sanjeev Desour

You are a serial entrepreneur. How did you start this journey?

My entrepreneurial journey started at 15 which is when the flame to start a mobile disco company was born. At the time but I had seen the shortcomings of other mobile disco companies in the Asian wedding market and felt I could do things to a higher and more professional standard. These efforts paid off and went to reshape the industry as we know it today. Years later and the company I had started still embodies the same culture of high standards that was instilled back then.

I had various jobs to start saving. I saved my lunch money to start buying records and saved for equipment and also borrowed money from my brother and my mother too.

I landed my first club gig, and the promoter was impressed, as were the other DJ’s and this was where things started to take off, my next purchase was a phone so I can be contacted. I started advertising and my name was going around, and the bookings were coming in! Since then, I have started and exited a number of companies but have landed firmly within the spaces that I enjoy most. I have interests in live event production, broadcast media, marketing and of course training and mentoring. DJ’ing is my sport so that will always remain a part of who I am.

Do you remember the experience of getting your first job?

My first proper job was working after school. I would stack shelves and work in the cold rooms in a supermarket. I’d get paid a few pounds an hour, it made me feel grown-up.

What made you resign and start your own business?

While I was DJ’ing, I found that I had lots of time on weekdays as most gigs were at weekends.

I got a job with a reputable company but found that I was earning more money DJ’ing than the owner of the business…I found it hard to justify staying on and chose to focus on growing my DJ business to multiple teams.

The next phase was to start a fully-fledged event production company. This was the birth of IGNITE Events where we supply sound, lighting, set, staging, video display and technical support. IGNITE Events have become the go-to authority in that niche for personal development experts, influencers, and motivational speakers. We have produced and delivered events with Tony Robbins, Grant Cardone, Gary Vee, Les Brown, Steve Bartlet, Russell Brand and so many more.

You have been a leader in the events industry – how did covid impact your business?

When covid happened all the events we had in our diary were cancelled. The country went into lockdown but so many assumed it would be back to business-as-usual in a few months.

As time passed, we found that our clients had no way of engaging with their clients. Lacking a meaningful way to serve them and help them with what they needed in a live event like experience. I felt obligated to help.

They needed a way of doing what they do, and they needed a way to deliver events so that their businesses – and the businesses they serve – could and would continue to survive and even thrive during a very perplexed and worrying time.

They needed something more in line with a real event. Working within the restrictions imposed wasn’t easy but there had to be a way! This effort resulted in IGNITE Studios. A fully immersive, 360-degree virtual event studio, with the sound, light and stage of a real event, with screens surrounding the presenter. Hundreds of real, live delegates in real-time offered the opportunity for an engagement that paralleled our clients’ live events.

We didn’t only help our clients survive; we helped them, and their clients thrive during the pandemic. The positive knock-on effect was something I was and still am particularly proud of.

You have changed the direction of your business recently. Tell us more about it?

IGNITE Events and IGNITE Studios are two stolid businesses navigated by a great, inspired, and expert team in-place that ensures clients’ events are delivered to the highest standards. Whilst I still work on these companies, most of my time goes into coaching, mentoring, and consulting entrepreneurs and property investors.

I founded The Entrepreneurs Academy when, gathering six entrepreneurs from non-competing industries around a table to help one another grow and succeed, a decision was made to collectively help solve each other’s challenges, discuss, and explore opportunities too and the underlying theme was to help one another grow and expand our businesses but also improve our personal lives as well. I found that the members of this group made better decisions, achieved greater results, and outperformed their competition.

During Covid19 I offered free coaching services to various business owners and entrepreneurs who were going through tough times. They couldn’t afford our regular fees. It wasn’t about money to me. It was about helping others and there is no better feeling of fulfilment than in doing so.

What is your why?

I wish I had more support, leadership, and good examples as I marked my entrepreneurial journey. I also wish I had more access to real grass roots experience, education, and coaching; if I had, I truly believe I would have been able to achieve and contribute more back.

This is why I created The Entrepreneurs Academy and The Property Investors Academy. Our coaching, mentoring, mastermind groups and courses are world class!

How do you manage the balance between business and family or social life?

So many aspects of life are important but what we can give our attention to is very much dependant on seasons and cycles that we are going through at any given time. It’s a macroscopic ecology – they all affect one another to form one macro view.

How important is it for you to build relationships?

The more people you can build relations with, the more problems you can solve.

The quality of your relationships has a direct correlation to the success of your business and the quality of your life at large.

The more people you can build relations with, the more problems you can solve.

Also, a prospect is more likely to become a paying client if they are ‘recommended’ and recommendations come from those you have good relationships with.

What are the biggest mistakes you have made in business?

Not having a coach or mentor sooner in my career. Constant learning and improvement are accelerated when you have someone helping you, setting outcomes and an action plan; moreover, if this person is holding you accountable the results are massively accelerated.

How do you handle criticism and failure?

I am all for getting honest, meaningful, and unfiltered feedback from people who are credible enough to comment and in fact I welcome that. I always will and always have welcomed that.

I will always consider perspective and understand that these angles of feedback may stimulate growth, so we can become better.

When failure rears its head, we must learn as much as possible—from HINDSIGHT.

Learning from the situation to ensure you can mitigate or reduce the possibility of repeated/repeating failure.

What are some of the biggest obstacles people in business face today? What are some strategies to overcoming those obstacles?

There has been so much turbulence: Brexit, covid, Ukraine, energy to inflation – supply chain issues, food shortages and the countless other changes in UK government. All of this has proven with time to be the breeding ground and recipe for severe economic instability.

Instability limits progress: stagnation stops business leaders from making macro- to micro-decisions; decisions that would have otherwise helped them grow their businesses by injecting more cash flow into a demanding economic system chokes the now-neglected economy.

People and businesses are hesitating to take bold action, the economy desperately needs businesses to grow and expand but the very abovementioned factors are causing businesses to contract.

Get a coach or mentor! Get educated and join peer groups that will support and encourage you and also share their experiences and knowledge to help you achieve success and thrive.

What do you think about women who are running their own business?

This excites me! For years business and commerce have been heavily male oriented, and we need a better balance of perspective, approach, and leadership.

Women in business create a public dynamic that encourages more women to question their ability and perhaps go for it themselves! That can only be good.

The fact remains that women are very capable and social norms have come down to erase the false stigma that business is only for men. Women can and will do greatly.

What is your vision for your business and career? Where do you see yourself in 10 years’ time?

To answer this in a world where things are changing so fast would be naive. It’s okay to have a goal or an outcome based on today’s reality but considering the pace of technological and social advancement we must accept the likelihood of change.

If I can keep making a difference, helping business owners grow their businesses, and in doing so grow our companies, that is a good overall win.

I also have notable plans for The Entrepreneurs Academy, IGNITE and The Property Investors Academy and many individuals and businesses will benefit as will the UK economy.

A Sustainable Values-based View of Life

Editor @ Global Man October 12, 2022 No Comments

By Paul Palmarozza

Our Society Today

The daily stream of newspaper articles and numerous scientific reports about the increasingly high degree of stress, depression, obesity, violence, broken families, drug addiction, self-harm, participation in perverted sexual practices – the list goes on – all seem to point to the fact that we are not following the right path. There is need to first acknowledge the problems and then find a way to improve the conditions.

Here is one view of the main problems:

  • Major values of the day are wealth, power, fame & pleasure. While not wrong in themselves, the problem is that excess in these domains has become the norm. For example, pornography and marijuana are now rapidly expanding businesses. In the business world large company CEOs make 2-300 times the average annual salary of their employees and only stay in that position for 3-4 years. ‘Take the money and run’ seems to guide them, the short-term gain mentality permeates many aspects of businesses and what is ignored is how best to serve the needs of our society, which is the right way to success and sustainability.
  • We are a predominantly materialistic society wrongly believing that greater happiness will be attained by having more wealth, power, fame, and physical pleasure. Media continually lists the 100 richest, 100 most famous and 100 most powerful. Do you see listings of the 100 most Compassionate, Generous, or Humble?
  • There is little or in some cases, no spiritual education offered to young people and participation in the traditional religious services has substantially decreased for the older generations.
  • The family, which is the fundamental unit of a culture, is in a dangerously weakened state causing increased stress and tension in young people raised without the love and discipline offered by both parents. Divorce now is an accepted norm and there is even talk of allowing people to do it online.
  • Highly advanced technology has resulted in increasing dependence on the internet and social media, with unregulated damaging material available, even to young children. Artificial Intelligence will bring even greater dependency on technology, without proper understanding by individuals.
  • There is an overemphasis on my freedom and equality; my rights – not my duties. Ego-based thinking dominates in our highly competitive society.
  • A wake-up call has sounded by Climate Change, which has become a global problem. Examination has revealed that several decisions based on short term financial gains for business, have caused a serious violation of Nature for which the world is beginning to pay a very serious price.

A truly good and rich life

A Good, Truly Rich Life.

These issues must be addressed if a more empathetic, ethical, and healthy society is to be developed. How can this happen?

The essence of the new direction is first honestly acknowledging the problems and challenges we are facing and then turning the attention inwards by quieting the moving mind; surrendering the excess baggage of ego-based ideas and feelings; and simply connecting with our true ‘inner being’.

By addressing the more spiritual dimension of our being we are accessing a great power which has always existed, but has not been availed enough. In recent years several useful practices have been introduced and successfully used to improve the state of being. The main ones are:

Mindfulness

A practice to help bring us to stillness, to be in the present moment with full attention, instead of relying solely on past experiences or letting the mind wander into the future imagining what will be. With a quiet mind and heart, we are then better able to objectively consider important questions, in order that right and good decisions are better able to be made.

Meditation

Meditation has been practised for thousands of years in the various cultural traditions. While there are different systems of meditation, the practice itself is universal. It helps create a real sense of unity, which is crucial in our world today. The essence of the practice is about attention, one-pointed attention, be it on a mantra or on a flame. There will be the inevitable distracting thoughts which consume vast amounts of our energy. We need to let go of these attachments and stay faithfully with the mantra.

Other practices such as Yoga or Silent Retreats are also observed with the same purpose, to quiet the ever-moving mind and calm our feelings to bring one to a more balanced state so that true reason and love can prevail in our daily decisions.

Living Natural Human Values

We will then be prepared to follow the natural human values in how we think, how we relate to others and how we act in our daily life. A natural value is one which is inherent in the nature of a human being. For example, when you ask anyone what it feels like if they consciously tell a lie, the overwhelming response is that it is not comfortable, physically, mentally, or emotionally. This is valid and it is the reason that lie detector machines can work, as there is a natural reaction within when we do not speak the truth. To speak the truth is natural, to lie is unnatural.

Here are some brief examples of the application of these natural values:

How We Think

We should establish a stable and balanced state of mind when making decisions.

There are many decisions that need to be made every day, usually with several options. These may involve significant external pressures, for example, to meet expectations of other people, or internal pressures, such as, I want to win and gain personal recognition. We need to concentrate in order to be clear about our motives and the guiding principle that should be used as the basis for the decision. Key values in this realm are:

Inner Stillness; Self-control; Calmness.

How We Relate to Others

We should establish and maintain a harmonious environment for all activities with other people.

When a high level of voluntary co-operation is in place, the results are greater than the sum of the individual parts. Crucial to the personal efficiency, motivation and satisfaction, is a positive atmosphere, where mutual respect and an active concern for the needs of other people prevails. The values:

Co-operation; Respect; Compassion

How We Act

We must learn to deal effectively with challenges, mistakes and uncontrollable external factors.

As life is full of uncertainties, the best way to respond to the inevitable challenges, be they self-imposed or from an external source, is to maintain a balanced and unattached state, then our full faculties are available to discern the best response. The related values here are:

                                      Equanimity; Steadfastness; Determination.

The Results

By putting these values into practice, by living them, great benefits accrue for all; family, friends, neighbours, work colleagues, the community, nation, society at large, and you. This is real success. The natural results here are:

               Happiness; Peace; Unity

Service

When one lives these values then a natural motivation arises to serve the needs of others, to give. A wonderfully relevant quote from Winston Churchill on the subject: ‘You make a living by what you get, but you make a life by what you give.’

In considering the fundamental nature of service, there are three vital elements that influence the quality:  Intention – the motive behind the service, that is, for whose benefit is the service. Attention – relating to the execution of the service which is at its finest when done attentively with love and care. Retention – refers to the degree to which an individual claims credit for their actions. The less the better.

Service in Practice- Make a Positive Contribution to Climate Change

The key elements of the problem; the greed and corruption of a few and the misuse of Nature’s resources have been noted. A very brief summary of the way forward: Rational Laws, Planting Trees- Protecting Existing Forests, Engaging the Power of the Young & Politicians and Personal Contributions e.g., Support renewable energy either by installing solar energy or using a power company that has good credentials.

There is a long way to go, but we need to start now and continue marching together on the value-based, sustainable way forward. If so:

Considerably more detail on these subjects is offered in the book Cultural Cycles & Climate Change, which offers a Nine-Step Action Plan from More Quiet Time to a Good Life. The lessons learned for history, from not only Western culture but also the Chinese, Indian and Arabic culture over the last 2500 years, are covered. More detail on the Climate Change problem and the proposed solution is provided, along with other examples of the application of natural values. All the subjects covered have benefited from the guidance of respected experts in their field. The book has been published in the UK, US and India and is available on different versions of Amazon.

Paul Palmarozza

Paul Palmarozza has 58 years of business experience including founding a company specialising in e-learning in 1987 which grew and became a listed company on the London Stock Exchange (AIM) in 2001. He retired from the organisation in 2011. Currently he the Founder/ Director of If I Can…CIC, a not-for-profit Community Interest Company which offers free Mindfulness based Values apps, and E-Books. If I can… www.ificanapp.com and Ethical Entrepreneur www.ethicalentrepreneur.org are examples. He is a Guest Lecturer at Regents University Business School, UK and has lectured at the Stillman Business School at Seton Hall University in the US and other business schools in India and UK.

His published books include From Principles to Profit- The Art of Moral Management (co-author with Chris Rees); If I can…Timeless Values for Today; In Praise of Silence; and Ethical Entrepreneur E-Book. His latest book, Cultural Cycles & Climate Change is published in the UK, US and India. The book explores the lessons learned from the Western, Chinese, India and Arabic cultures over 2500 years. The recommended Nine Step action plans involves honestly acknowledging the problems, more quiet time to enable better decisions and then living natural human values and serving the Common Good. The need to serve the Climate Change issue and the way forward are offered. https://culturalcycles.timelessvalues.co.uk/

For 45 years he has been a tutor of Philosophy for the London based School of Philosophy and Economic Science. He has also delivered lectures, seminars and courses and authored numerous articles on the subjects of Spirituality, Values and Principles in Education, Business and Life. See www.timelessvalues.co.uk His email address is [email protected]

Marco Castelli: Let Your True Self Shine

Editor @ Global Man September 18, 2022 No Comments
Marco Castelli - A Model and Founder

Marco Castelli always felt more creative and so felt truly drawn to his modelling material, he got into the modelling world from there. Marco was catapulted to Milan when he was contacted by several agencies and worked for several brands. He also created his own charity gala with an auction where the proceeds went to a cooperative for charity in Sicily. The theme of his auction was a great microcosm of his philosophy: There Is No Light Without Love. The benefits of modelling include the experiences in general, working with geniuses and admirable minds, travelling the globe to be shot where the effect is greatest, and discovering the reality of fashion.

Modelling is a part of Marco’s DNA for whom there are many great designers. Read Marco’s interview to find out what new era fashion is facing. Marco brings out his one true essence through artistic means where he excels into the uncommon. For Marco there is no such thing as coincidence and with good reason. Marco sees the future for what it is: individuated and expressive, and his brand Marco Castelli Collection finds a prescient foundation in this very philosophy. Marco Castelli Collection aims to provide garments that speak with the authentic voice of the wearer, enabling this authenticity to come to the light.

Marco Castelli

What are you most excited about with your brand?

The fact that I can create and share with the world my vision and sense of fashion.

This is central to my “why” and it is a key factor behind my motivation.

What are the benefits of modelling?

The benefits of being a model certainly are the experiences in general. Models have the luxuries of working with geniuses and admirable minds who interest and captivate you. Travelling the globe to be shot where the effect is greatest is of sincere benefit as it means that the job can be optimised for its result all while I am travelling the world and seeing different cultures and people. For my passionate and inquisitive mind, I must say discovering the reality of fashion and what it really is counts for another great benefit for models. Fashion allows models to try such a versatile range of clothing with different qualities and styles. This has allowed me to come to understand the value of each fashion brand and the real difference between fast fashion, mid fashion, and high-end fashion. It is a major reason I know perfectly that my brand has one specific direction and target.

What are your thoughts on the future of modelling?

Modelling is a part of my DNA. I think the model’s life is an opportunity to express one’s sense of fashion not only for a brand but also to identify a personality and give to the audience a dream of the perfect look.

Marco Castelli

Who are your favourite designers and what is it about them that inspires you?

There are many great designers, but what inspires me about them is their nature, music and energy.

This is important to me because this can completely change the appearance, the purpose, and the effect of a brand.

Marco Castelli

What is your opinion on the fashion industry?

We are facing a new era of life in general spheres of thinking and life. So in the fashion industry too: it’s time not to be only eco-friendly but to really be producing what the world needs! Less production and more quality is the climate’s call.

What is your biggest business regret?

I have no business regrets, naturally as a result of always following my dreams. The only thing I miss often is my family whom I love and from whom I have received unerring love.

Marco Castelli

What would you say is the most important life lesson that has shaped you into who you are today?

Fashion is art and art expresses personality.

It comes to eventually determine our identities as it moulds us into who we are to become. The producer behind my art I see again: A determined boy…humble thanks to the education of a splendid family—my great pride. From them I have gained my deepest life lessons. Thanks to them I learned to love myself as I am and to bring out my one true essence (personality). I learned that I have much to appreciate in my life and that loyalty is a key part of everything I do. I understand that you must bring out all the beauty there is in humanity & all our talents. I understand the need for substance’s transcendence over appearance! Another thing that is important is resilience. To me that signifies the ability to cope with stress and adversity, coming out strengthened, drawing on the positive side. Nothing ever happens by chance. We have as a world come to the realisation that everything that happens in the chain of events is exactly that—a chain of events with cause and effect tying each event to the next and the next to the earlier. Everything has a cause before it and every cause has its effect. Take, for instance, the example of dropping a ball. If you drop it, it will fall, and to the ground, because of the force of gravity. If you would like to see the ball do something more than hitting the ground like flying over a tennis court’s net, you will usually hit it with a racket and the harder you hit it, the more likely it is that it will go over the net. What is the central theme behind these laws? Cause and effect, as Paulo Coelho also mentions in his book—the alchemist! Reading that book can sometimes be as simple and necessary as making up the wardrobe.

You once said in an interview that we create our own destiny and go in the direction of our own imagination. What is your vision for the destiny of Marco Castelli Collection?

Through my garments I want to mirror people and bring out their own identity as they begin wearing my garments.

The soul of my project is TIMELESS. Through my garments I want to mirror people and bring out their own identity as they begin wearing my garments. One must be free to feel as they truly are (in a world of fake appearances & influences). The future of my collection will express itself in this: Be yourself & Be Awaken! “Love yourself for what you are, and you will be what you want! It’s nice to be told thank you for the beauty that you bring to the world.

Marco Castelli

In Conversation with Dr Ervin Laszlo: Part 2

Editor @ Global Man July 14, 2022 No Comments

Having turned 90 only last month, it’s hardly surprising that Dr Ervin Laszlo has a lot to say – and that’s before taking into account his distinguished portfolio of philosophical work and research. 

In part one, Dr Laszlo spoke to Global Man‘s Yassin El-Moudden about his beginnings as a young musician leaving Stalinist Hungary for piano recitals on the other side of the Iron Curtain. Discussion also concerned his influences from Bartok to Plato and parallels between the tumult of the 20th Century and the world crisis today. 

With the second and final part of this interview, the intriguing philosopher of science turned to focus on the present and the future. Relating to his involvement in the Upshift Movement, Dr Laszlo takes on accelerationist growth, inaction on climate change and historical determinism. 

Q: There’s an interesting point you made at the end (of part one) about making sure we move forward. History is a topic that quite a few philosophers have grappled with – I think of Walter Benjamin and his notion of history. So, am I right in understanding that you see history as being of a cyclical, rather than linear, nature. It can go backwards, instead of always progressing?

A: Well, that’s the case with any process which is not a deterministic process. There are no laws that define and decide what is to happen. In such a situation, that includes freedom – which in a negative sense is chaos, in the positive sense it is opportunity. There is an element of freedom to choose, to choose the way we want to go.

There are limits to nature – these are the limits of life – but we have to choose if we want to exempt ourselves from the limitations and possibilities of life on earth, which means the ecology of our living systems on earth. To exempt ourselves, go our own way and just try to subdue what is around us, that is the way big business and big government have been moving in the recent period, producing the unsustainability. The crisis – I think, even the health crisis – is human-made, by probably bringing in (for instance, the food chain) elements that don’t belong, because you’re always using everything that is possible to use as long as it makes some profit.

Q: How do you go about changing that? 

A: So, I think the opportunity of making use of this freedom, is here and it is now. We need to introduce the values, the mindset, a new paradigm. It’s what the Germans call, Weltanschauung – an overall “worldview”. Right now, it’s become antiquated.

We thought it would be scientific, that it would compete, because “the strongest survive” as Darwin said. It’s a mistake. Not even Darwin said that, but his followers interpreted it like that. Or that everything is moving according to rigid mechanical laws, that the universe looks like this and humans can’t interfere – that’s the Newtonian heritage. So, we thought it was scientific.

It turns out the new sciences talk about interconnection, non-locality and consciousness having a dominant and key role in life. It’s very different. Quantum physics, quantum biology, psychology and now, emerging trends in society and politics as well. This is a time to change. Above all, we need to change our mindset, so we may change our values and behaviours.

If we can change ourselves, we can help the world around us to change. As you know, Gandhi said “be the change you want to see in the world”. That can be contagious, it’s more contagious than any virus – in a good way, of course.

Q: If we focus on Hungary, after the collapse of the communist regime in 1990, how would you rate the transition from communism to liberal democracy?

A: Under communism, the regime belonged to a left-wing extreme and now it is very much of a right-wing extreme, which may or may not last. It is clear that it is not a truly open, democratic system and that has been the case for the last decade or so.

Q: You’ve talked a lot about the need for change from within. Regarding your involvement in issues such as the environment, what is the role of structures in combatting climate change and building a better world? 

A: You need a democratic society. You need a society that recognises that there are limits to growth. The role here of being aware of who we are is of great importance. Climate change is a key test, actually. We have ignored our belonging to the systems and ecology of life. We are deforesting, we are over-mining, we are polluting, because we thought that anything can be done – anything that is technically feasible.

New technology can be employed to make a profit and as long as that is the case, there are no other boundaries. Sure, there are some laws that we need to respect, otherwise we’ll be caught, as it were. Yet, within these laws, we can do whatever we want without any regards for the consequences and that is the kind of classical liberalism which has backfired. This is because there are natural constraints on structures, on what we can create, on who we are and what our societies are.

We have to act within the confines of the processes of life. By going beyond, we have created artificial forms of living. Artificial foods, clothing and modes of communication that have created negative feedback. The consequence of this is more unsustainability.

Q: That’s intriguing. It reminds me a bit of what somebody I previously interviewed once said. Essentially, even when we develop new technology, we reproduce old ways of thinking within that. When you mention ‘negative feedback’, is it the artificiality that is the problem or what we, as humans, instil within it? 

A: It’s the lack of recognising that not anything we can do, we should do. As long as it makes a profit. That created a human system on earth, that is moving in the direction of being a cancer (even if it is not exactly that). It reproduces itself at the cost of the planet, which is what a cancer does.

Q: Are you optimistic about the near future? 

A: The horizons are shorter than we once thought. The problems are becoming much more acute, much more visible and they are not new problems.

Tre Lowe: When Success Wins Over Pain

Editor @ Global Man April 20, 2022 No Comments

 

We all know him as Tre, the successful artist, the inspirational mentor. But few know that behind this image stands a story almost like a fairy tale with a happy ending. This is the story of a man who refuses to give up no matter what challenge he faces, of an artist who is inspired by his strength and faith. With a successful career and a myriad of achievements behind him, Tre has created a legacy he is leaving for his family, but also his fans.

 

In your career, you have known only successes, at least in the eyes of the public. But for you, who have been on this journey, how would you describe it today?

I would definitely describe it as tough. I know it’s a cliché to state this, but people think success just happens, that it happens quickly, and that you’re lucky. But success is a long bumpy road. Especially when you grow up as poor as I did. The path to success should be tough, it’s the battle, the trials, and tribulations, the setbacks, the pain, the highs and the lows. These things allow you to savour the journey. In fact, without these tribulations, there would be no success – because these are the things that fuel you. Our biggest record, Body Groove, came about because one of the guys in the band, Kevin, who had a recording studio at his house, decided to leave my brother Ashley and me to go solo. That caused problems for us as we didn’t have our own studio, and it was expensive recording records in those days. The sheer frustration of that situation is what led to the writing and creation of Body Groove – our biggest track. I call that pain Juice. I always speak about the power of pain – there’s no better fuel. Looking back today, I would describe my success as simply beautiful. Not just because this little boy, with all his insecurities, achieved a childhood dream, but because that pain-fuelled dream allowed me to create a life of service, and there’s nothing more beautiful than that.

 

Tell us a little about the days when you started creating, what inspired you? How did you create successful music for your audience?

Several things inspired me as a musician. Firstly, my upbringing. Growing up in a Nigerian household, my parents would have numerous parties. I think I became hooked on music whilst still in my mother’s womb. The fact that we grew up in the cultural melting pot of Notting Hill was also crucial to the sound my brother and I created. Back then, especially Notting Hill was one of the most vibrant, creative places in the whole of the country. It had such an eclectic mix of people; artists, designers, musicians, painters, actors, just so much creative energy, a real bohemian vibe. Also, a beautiful mix of ethnicities and cultures. A huge West Indian community, Portuguese, Spanish, Moroccan, and an increasingly white middle-class population as the area gentrified. It all created a crazy melting pot that drew every drop of creative juice out of you. This was cemented by the annual Notting Hill Carnival, Europe’s largest street festival. I loved the reggae sounds, the noise, the steel pans. It was impossible to not be creatively inspired! Musical influences were also key – I loved classical music. I’m a huge Beethoven fan, like me, he suffered from tinnitus – he’s one of my heroes. My brother Ashley had a love of salsa and music from South America. All of that added to that mixture of Nigerian, West-Indian, British pop sounds, fused with elements of American Hip Hop, R&B and house. You hear it all in Body Groove. It’s difficult to not have success with that much life poured into it!

 

In addition to career success, you have also encountered health difficulties. How do you remember those days?

Man, those days were tough at times. I always describe it as the best and worst of days. I had been in hospital as a young teenager for an appendectomy. The operation went well, but I was given a drug overdose during recovery. This caused me to become paralysed twice. When I emerged from the second paralysis, my whole world had changed. Everything looked strange. It felt like I was in a dream. I had a strange sensation at the back of my head, and a faint ringing in my ears. I didn’t know what it meant, I just knew I couldn’t live like this, and I was terrified. The doctors said it would fade, but it didn’t, it just got worse and worse over the years. By the time we did Body Groove, ten years later, in the year 2000, my health had really deteriorated. Life was often challenging, one day it was the high of appearing on top of the pops – a childhood dream, the next, it was having my 8th brain scan at some private MRI clinic. Then being told by the neurologist – “good news, there’s nothing wrong with you”. I was distraught when I heard that, as I knew there was, and no matter what I did, I couldn’t find answers. I saw so many medical professionals over many years, but no one could give me any answers. I would often wait for the royalty payments to come in, just so I could try another possible cure, remedy, or at the very least, find out what the hell was wrong with me!

 

 

When did you realise that you could handle it? How would you describe the healing process?

I guess I always knew I could handle it. I grew up with a profound sense of faith. I was raised Roman-Catholic and the stories of the bible were burned into my heart. Stories of triumph against all odds, stories of faith overcoming fear. Though I had dark days, I always had that flame burning in me. Faith in God, faith in self, and this innate knowledge that all this suffering was for a reason. So, no matter how dark things got, that little flame never went out. And so long as that flame remains unextinguished, there was hope. Where there is hope, there is faith, where there is faith, there is power, where there is power, there is the ability to handle anything life can throw at you. In addition, there’s the potential to alter the world with that power. So, I clung on, safe in the knowledge that I was strong enough to handle it.

The actual healing process began with my closest encounter with extinguishing that flame. I’d always lived with the thought that if my health got really bad, at least I could hop off a tall building. That thought gave me comfort. I know that sounds crazy, but it had merit. It gave me a sense of control. Of course, I never really thought that day would come, because I loved life, despite my horrific conditions. But eventually, that day arrived. I had to stand at the edge of giving up and succumbing to the darkness. That crunch moment came in 2008, following a DJ set at a crazy loud venue in Fulham, London. I knew that night it was foolish to DJ there, the sound system had broken, and they had a makeshift stack of massive speakers right behind the DJ spot. But, by this point, my health had deteriorated so much, I didn’t care! So, I got drunk and DJed. The next day I woke up deaf in both ears. My tinnitus, which was already horrifically unbearable, was ten times louder. I had no way to escape it as it was ALL I could hear. I was faced with two choices; find a tall building to jump off, or dig deeper into faith than I had ever dug before, and relentlessly search for answers.

Thankfully, I chose the latter – I always knew I would, I loved life too much, and I knew, deep down, my suffering had a purpose. I searched the internet furiously, like a man on a mission, determined not to give up until I found answers. I remember crying my eyes out when after hours of searching, with no sleep, deaf, with screaming painful tinnitus, I’d stumbled on someone called “Dream Child” or something like that. She had a blog describing her dream-like condition and her suffering. I was overjoyed at finally finding another individual like me!! I couldn’t believe it, after all these years, it turned out I wasn’t crazy! It had a name – the dream-like condition that had caused massive anxiety was called derealisation, it was a dissociative disorder.

Hours and hours of research into the brain led me to the conclusion that my head pressure, derealisation, and tinnitus were caused by my brain’s response to the trauma of being temporarily paralysed twice all those years ago. My brain had tried to protect me by disassociating me from the trauma. But that caused a type of PTSD. Even though my body regained movement, my brain would not let go of the fear of paralysis happening again. The tinnitus, derealisation, and head pressure were the results, and they became the new source of fear and trauma, and the vicious fear cycle continued. It’s crazy what our minds are capable of.

This insight and experience proved invaluable in my becoming a mindset coach and mentor. I’d finally discovered answers, it had cost me half a lifetime, but I didn’t care. I was now free. Free from fear of the unknown. I incorporated powerful mindful techniques into my daily routine, powerful deep breathing exercises, being centred, affirmations, and so much more. This reversed years of chronic head pressure felt like a miracle. The tinnitus and derealisation remained, but I learned to live powerfully with them. The healing process took years, with ups and downs, but the pain is power. That pain juice – as I termed it, made me unstoppable. It helped me create an incredibly powerful mindset, and I knew my job was to set others free. That’s how I became a tinnitus awareness campaigner, and then started my coaching company – Alpha Clique. I was determined to bring this knowledge to others. Help them discover their greatness despite their circumstances. This ability to impact others was the fuel that helped me finally heal. Looking back, I am so grateful for all those years of pain and anguish.

 

 

From artist to mentor, what does this leap mean to you?

This leap means EVERYTHING!! Today I am so blessed to live a life that impacts so many people. I have spoken on tinnitus awareness all over the British press and beyond, reaching an audience of millions. I coached for 5 years with one of the world’s foremost personal development companies, helping to alter the lives of thousands of people. Every Sunday, I run an Alpha Clique room on the app Clubhouse, where I host and moderate discussions around all aspects of men and their mindset. This is delivered to a mixed audience, where people learn and grow in a safe space with incredible speakers. We have spoken to over 10,000 people on that app – literally helped avert male suicides by giving men a chance to share and be heard and allowing them to heal the traumas in their lives, especially around relationships. I have spoken at schools, institutions, and numerous places.

Being a mindset mentor also helped me during an incredibly difficult time last year, when my brother Ashley, the other half of the band, died unexpectedly. I resolved to celebrate his passing by releasing a new version of Body Groove. The odds of success were slim, post-covid lockdowns, with no clubs open to fuel the hype. Even my own family told me to give up. They could see the pain, and the toll, working on his music and the politics around the track was causing. But I have this deeply embedded drive in me, thanks to years of pain. I never give up – especially in the service of others. Body Groove is a song for the people, especially after the horrors of lockdown. The success of that new version of Body Groove is a rallying cry for people. Never give up, fight for what you believe in, enjoy every second of life, and be all you can be. All we can do is dream, then we die. That track has currently been streamed over 10 million times… a whole new generation has heard my beautiful brother’s infectious voice urging them to “let the body groove”. I am so grateful and excited for all the new music to come.

 

What advice would you give to young people today who wish to have a successful career

Get yourself a coach or a mentor – they will push you beyond yourself. Life happens in your discomfort zone, not your comfort zone. Surround yourself with positive people that believe in you, believe in you so much they will tell you when you’re rubbish or when you’re full of yourself. People that are raw and honest with you.

Then study your craft – lock yourself away and just beat on your craft! Whatever it is that lights you up, do it, and do it well. Ditch any notions of entitlement – the world doesn’t owe you a damn thing. On the contrary, you owe the world EVERYTHING. You owe the world every ounce of your creativity, your passion, and your talent. It is not yours to keep, it is MEANT to flow through you, to impact, soothe, and heal others. So, stop being selfish, stop making excuses, no pity parties. Use every ounce of pain as juice. That PAIN JUICE is golden. Use it, use every drop of it. If you can’t fly, run!! But don’t you DARE give up!

 

A music career and a career as a well-known mentor – in your eyes, what are you most proud of?

I’m proud of being able to honour my parents – their suffering and their sacrifices. I’m standing on the shoulders of giants, warriors that came before me. I feel proud that I’m able to honour them by creating a legacy that I believe will reverberate through time. I am far from done!

 

 

 

Over 40 Shred Icon Funk Roberts Reveals Top 5 Mistakes Men Make When Trying To Lose Weight

Editor @ Global Man April 13, 2022 No Comments

Over 40 Shred Icon Funk Roberts Reveals Top 5 Mistakes Men Make When Trying To Lose Weight

Former professional athlete turned Certified MMA conditioning coach, master metabolic trainer and entrepreneur, Funk Roberts, is now helping thousands of men over 40 transform their bodies, health, and lives for good.

When Funk Roberts contracted a rare lung disease over 3 years ago, he never would have imagined being on a journey that led him to the revolutionary discovery that his fitness programs could help other men over 40 get into shape. 

This life event changed the trajectory of his life forever.

At 52, Roberts is the powerhouse entrepreneur behind Funk Roberts Fitness and Funk Supplements. He is a best selling author, former professional volleyball coach, and the mind behind the effective workout program for men called The Over 40 Shred Nation.

Roberts has spent most of his career obliterating assumptions that your “glory days” are reserved only for the younger generation. 

Using his 20 plus years’ worth of knowledge and experience he has helped men lose weight, burn fat, build muscle, improve athleticism, increase energy and better their overall health and fitness levels to become elite.

The multi-talented King of Athleticism has shared his knowledge of hormones and health tips with thousands of people worldwide. His Shred app is the #1 workout app specialising in HIIT, and Metabolic training workouts, while Roberts’ books have even hit number one on Amazon’s must-reads. 

Roberts has created communities of people who support each other through their journey. “We have men all over the world, all religions, all shapes, sizes, everything everybody under the sun. We don’t talk about politics or pop culture. We focus on helping each other,” says Roberts.

But when it comes to helping his fan base of over 690,000 subscribers on his YouTube channel alone, there are a few things that Roberts feels his clients or future workout enthusiasts are glancing over when it comes to shredding that extra weight.

 

Here are his Top 5 Mistakes Men Over 40 Make When Trying to Lose Weight: 

1. Experimenting With Various Nutrition Plans 
“Not All Nutrition Plans Are Marketed To Men” 

Naturally, increasing your testosterone levels is essential for knowing where to start. One of the most prominent mistakes men over 40 make is choosing the right diet plan specifically to support their testosterone levels..

Genetically, men tend to have more muscle and less fat mass than women due to higher testosterone levels, so they need to eat more calories than women to maintain the same weight. But this also differs in age, especially when it comes to men.

People diet for all types of reasons as there is no shortage of reasons for wanting to live a healthier life. However, there are such a wide variety of options for selecting a diet that many people don’t often know where to start in today’s world. 

From Paleo to low-carb, Keto to Veganism, there is the general consensus that because there are so many different types of bodies, there is no one diet or one lifestyle that fits all. But Roberts believes that following what he calls ‘feminising diets’ is a no-go when choosing the right plan for older men.

Instead, he recommends following his Over 40 Shred program, where he discusses proven ways to increase your testosterone levels naturally. Alternatively, by visiting your local doctor, they can provide you with a class to work with.

Not all nutrition plans suit the older male body.

2. Following Standard BodyBuilding Workouts 

“Men Need To Remember That At Our Age We Are Built Different” 

A funny thing happens on the way to 50 and beyond; your body doesn’t respond to exercise as it did earlier in your life. Fatigue, muscle and joint aches, along with increased injuries seem to happen with greater frequency.

Men over 40 need to cater to their bodies and not follow everything they see. For example, instead of focusing on one muscle group at a time or doing ‘leg-day’ or ‘arm-day.’

Roberts’ solution is to do complete full-body workouts or have multi-range movements in your routine. “As we get older, our body doesn’t recover as fast,” he says. “We need to be metabolic and move from one exercise to another with little rest in between to help out our growth hormones and help us build muscle while we burn fat during and after sessions.” 

3. Exercising To The MAX.

“You Need Balance And Plenty Of Time To Let Your Muscles Rest”

On the other side of the spectrum is doing too much exercise. Doing too high-intensity circuits i.e. CrossFit could lead to severe injuries, which could, in return, direct you back to the beginning of your fitness goals. 

When we plan to start a workout or write down our targets for weight loss training, our minds can sometimes spiral into overdrive, thinking that we need to do everything we can to succeed. 

As many as 10% of high-performance runners, and possibly an equal number of bodybuilders, have an exercise addiction.

A set plan or routine with moderate physical activity is enough to help prevent things like diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. Too much exercise can lead to injuries, exhaustion and even depression. It can also cause lasting physical harm.

Following a healthy balanced exercise routine and then giving your body time to rest is the key to reaching your goal.

 

4. We Are Not Focusing Enough Time On How Much We Sleep.

“People Don’t Realise That Getting Enough Sleep Is Vital For Your Journey To Success”

If you’re trying to lose weight, the amount of sleep you get may be just as crucial as your diet and exercise. According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, about 35% of US adults sleep fewer than seven hours most nights, which is not enough. Experts say that between seven-eight hours of shut-eye per night is ideal.

Not many people connect the two, but sleep is associated with shedding weight. If you don’t get enough sleep, your body produces ghrelin, a hormone that boosts appetite. Your body also decreases the production of leptin, a hormone that tells you you’re full. 

Together, it could be a dangerous combo for late-night snacking. Not enough sleep could also lead you to be more stressed, which leads us to the final mistake – stress.

 

5. Not Dealing With Chronic Stress.

“We May Not Ever Be Stress, Free But Dealing With It Helps”

The fifth biggest mistake that men over 40 tend to forget is not dealing with stress.

We need to give ourselves time to take a break and work on our breathing, whether it’s meditation, yoga, or recovery, things that will keep our cortisol levels down and keep our chronic stress down. 

Whether it causes weight loss or weight gain can vary from person to person — and even from situation to situation.

Stress may lead to missed meals and poor food choices in some cases. For others, stress may cause them to lose the desire to eat altogether. Often, this change is only temporary.

By dealing with stress and ensuring that we live our healthiest versions of ourselves, our mindset shift will change to help us succeed at our goals faster.

Final Thoughts

By employing the five suggestions above, these mistakes and misconceptions on your weight journey can ultimately lead you to success when recognised. The power in these five suggestions is using them in combination with each other and having the discipline to operationalise these ideas in a meaningful way. 

“Your best body, health and LIFE is ahead of you!” – Funk Roberts

 

Omkar Mestry: A Bright Future with Sustainable Cooking

Editor @ Global Man April 8, 2022 No Comments

By Sujany Baleswaran

Omkar Mestry’s culinary journey began as a young boy, circling his mother and grandmother, entranced by the flavours and aromas of his favourite dishes. Weaving flavours and creativity onto a plate, Omkar has led kitchen brigades at some of the most renowned restaurants in London, with his recent culinary takeover of Novotel London. We spoke to the esteemed chef about lockdown recipes, sustainability, veganism and the bright future of cooking.

I started missing the adrenaline rush in the kitchen, meeting different customers, the camaraderie of my team, and the feeling of being in my element..

Where did your passion for cooking begin?

My journey to becoming a chef wasn’t a deliberate or calculated choice but something that came very naturally with ease. I have always been a foodie, and even when I was a little boy, food was the most exciting aspect for me at any special occasion or festivals. I had (still do) certain favourite dishes, and every time my grandmother or mother would make them, I would loiter around the kitchen anxiously waiting to be the first one to taste them. Such fond memories!

The pandemic had a major impact on restaurants, with many restaurants creating a takeaway system to stay afloat. What changes did you have to make to adapt to these changing rules? Did it give you more time to experiment with new recipes?

In this industry, we work such long hours, it’s difficult to keep that work-life balance and quality family time is something that we all crave. I did too, immensely. So in the first few weeks, I found the time off as a welcome break. But then, as the days passed, I started missing the adrenaline rush in the kitchen, meeting different customers, the camaraderie of my team, and the feeling of being in my element. Slowly it started getting difficult as the lockdowns continued, and then came the redundancy which was a big blow to my spirits. But what kept me going was the immense positivity and support that I got from my family and friends. I decided to find solace in going back to my Indian roots and started re-learning and making authentic curries, stir fry, snacks, biryanis – I can now say that I have become a far better and grounded chef than I was before Covid started.

Creativity and cooking go hand in hand. What does your recipe creating process look like? What are the key aspects you consider when creating a new recipe? 

For me, the process starts by looking at the trends, what’s available in season and locally, what can you experiment with and how different can the presentation be.

There has been an increase in veganism, with many restaurants providing at least one vegan option. What is your take on veganism? What does the future of cooking look like?

I have a lot of respect for people who make conscious lifestyle choices. It takes immense self-control and determination to abstain from animal by-products, not just in food but in everyday living. Restaurants have such a wide customer base that it becomes difficult to have 100% inclusivity to cater to every single choice. But with increasing awareness, there seems to be a clear paradigm shift towards more local, sustainable produce, and I think as long as we continue to adapt and change with time, the future of cooking is very bright.

Many businesses, including restaurants, are embracing sustainability, setting them apart from other businesses and attracting more customers with their eco-friendly approach. How do you think restaurants can implement sustainability in their business, whether that’s reducing their carbon footprint or food wastage?

There are so many simple, small yet effective steps a restaurant or any food business can take to make an impact on the environment. We can start with re-designing our menus by limiting or reinventing the recipes that contain red meat and substitute with poultry, controlling portion sizes to reduce food wastage, sourcing locally and focusing more on the seasonal produce, making imperfect vegetables in a perfect way, rather than throwing it away, have meat-free days, limiting the use of plastic, starting their own herb gardens or rooftop veggie rooms, and we can start using more energy-efficient appliances. There is so much, we just need to start somewhere.

What is your signature dish? Which dish do you enjoy creating the most?

I don’t believe in signature dishes, as everything I make is made with equal love and passion and comes straight from the heart onto a plate. However, one dish I particularly enjoy making is a dessert fusion – Coconut Barfi, Mango Passion Curd, Mango Caviar, Creme Chantilly, Pistachio Dust And Gold Leaf.

Two Worlds, One Sound – Combining the World of Music and Business

Editor @ Global Man February 16, 2022 No Comments

By Sujany Baleswaran

 

Two worlds, one sound – Oli Rose has experienced it both, a world on stage as one half of the musical duo iAm1 and behind the scenes turning the toggles of the music industry. From the intricacy of songwriting to the strategic nature of social media marketing, from music to business, Oli was presented with a 360 perspective to the industry. Joining forces with the Lang Lang Foundation as Global Development Director, Oli is on a path of territory expansion around the world, overseeing everything from program creation & development, to media and PR, and everything in between.

 

From a musical education at the University of Westminster to Creative Director of the Lang Lang International Music Foundation, what was the catalyst that led you into the music industry? 

As a teenager, I started learning the guitar without any particularly serious intentions. My mum is a poet and she did a local radio version of Dessert Island Discs, where one of her song choices was James Taylor’s You’ve Got A Friend. I’m pretty sure I had heard it before but, for some reason, this time it just hit me on another level. Maybe it was in the context of my mum choosing it, or maybe I was going through a typical teenage slump and needed to hear it – who knows! Not too long after that, knowing I was a bit of a fan, my guitar teacher kindly offered to take me to see James Taylor live in concert (I was about 15). Long story short, it was like nothing I had ever experienced. I was totally mind blown, and from then on my life fully revolved around music.

 

You made your musical debut after graduating from university, after being discovered by legendary music producer Cameron Mcvey as part of music duo iAm1. The duo is often described as two different styles, backgrounds and influences. Can you tell us more about this contrasting nature of iAm1? 

My musical partner Jamie and I were put together by complete chance as part of a performance module at the University of Westminster (we were doing a commercial music degree). It was the two of us and about four other musicians. I was a singer-songwriter, and Jamie was a rapper/MC, and we just clicked, simple as that. Clicked as artists, clicked as friends, and suddenly this unique combination of musical worlds became something that felt very unique, especially for the time. Everything about our musical influences was different, but somehow the way we channelled them came together effortlessly. It was an incredible and life-changing time.

 

 

You were the singer-songwriter of the two – what does your songwriting process look like? Where does your musical inspiration come from?

Our musical influences growing up were completely different genre-wise. However, I think we both connected to certain emotive elements in music, where genre actually doesn’t make any difference to the actual feeling. At the very beginning (2007/2008), I used to come up with a chord progression and singing part, mostly chorus ideas, and due to our lack of recording equipment/ knowledge, I literally used to play the chord progressions on a loop for as long as it took for Jamie to write his verses, to the point where often my fingers started to bleed. I barely even noticed most of the time! Years later, we scrapped that process for more conventional recording methods, which of course, had its benefits, but there was a certain vibe when we wrote like that which we would never be able to replicate doing it another way. The energy was so contained it was impossible to not be fully present in it.

 

Still in the music industry, however a very contrasting role, you went on to manage the social media on X-Factor, and later worked in social and digital marketing. What led to this transition in your career?

It wasn’t a particularly conscious change in my career as such – I was still very young and super open to new experiences. When I took on the X Factor job in 2011, the importance of social media as a marketing tool was still in the process of becoming more widely recognised in the mainstream. Back then, we had to really persuade people that it was important! The show wanted someone who had experience working with artists on a creative level to come in and connect with the contestants more personally in order to get the best out of them on social media. It was quite a dramatic shift of environment for me, but it felt like it could be a unique and interesting place to be, and more than anything, a crazy learning experience, which it most definitely was. I then continued to work in both areas simultaneously, working with artists in studios making music and working on the business side within digital and social marketing. It could be slightly conflicting at times, but I look back and realise how the combined paths have created quite a unique perspective and approach to everything I do.

 

 

Social media, marketing and brand presence are apparent when reading about artists or scrolling through Instagram and Twitter. How vital is digital marketing to an artists’ career and development? 

Digital marketing is essential for artists, as it creates a window into everything they do. If you break down how a fan base is recognised right now, it all stems back to social media. If you hear and love a song whether on the radio, on Spotify, or at a festival, the first thing you will do is go to the artist’s socials. If you like what you see and their page seems engaging enough, you’ll follow, and if the content is good enough to keep engaging with, the more you and subsequently others will see of that artist. That, in a nutshell, is pretty much how an artist-fan base grows in today’s world. Artists need to continually “feed their fans” in order to stay present. The key for any artist is to try and create an as honest and organic representation of themselves so people can connect with who they are. That side of being an artist hasn’t changed. The way in which fans have the ability to connect with artists is forever evolving.

 

You are currently the Global Development Director of the Lang Lang International Music Foundation. How did this opportunity come about? Where do you see the foundation in 5 years? 

I had actually been working with Lang Lang for a couple of years already as part of his digital team, managing his social strategy. He then asked if I could help out the foundation with the promotion of a virtual gala they were doing in late 2020. I then oversaw the promotion surrounding the virtual gala, which was a beautiful event, but alongside that, I developed an amazing relationship with the foundation CEO, Lukas Barwinski Brown, and the rest of the team there. By the time it was all finished, it was a no-brainer that I became part of the team, and the idea of taking all of my experience and channelling it into something so positive and impactful filled me with a different kind of energy and drive. So, in January 2021, I took on the role of creative director, where I created and lead the new initiatives here in the UK, such as the partnerships with Child Bereavement UK, Richard House Children’s Hospice, as well as opening doors for us to be able to start implementing our education program (Keys Of Inspiration) into UK schools. By the end of the year, it made a lot of sense for me to put even more focus on program and territory expansion, not just in the UK but around the world, and so I took on the role of Global Development Director. Motivating and empowering others within my work has always been a massive part of my drive, so to be able to do a job where that is the prime objective, specifically for children that really need support, feels like the right place to be. Our plan for the next 5 years is simply to keep creating and growing impactful and innovative program initiatives and to keep expanding our global reach in order to bring education, opportunities, and inspiration to as many children as possible around the world.

 

What advice would you give to someone wanting to make their mark in the music industry? 

My advice to anyone wanting be get into the music industry would be first, throw yourself into as much as you possibly can, wherever you possibly can. Immerse yourself in it, and don’t be afraid to jump in the deep end, whether it’s an opportunity that already exists or whether you need to create the scenario yourself. Secondly, following on from that, respect the journey. It doesn’t matter if some pathways lead to success or if they completely flop, you are always learning and growing, and that’s the most important thing. Lastly, specifically for artists and musicians, always try and remember why you wanted to get into the music world in the first place and stay true to those values.

Kelmendi – Bringing You a Piece of Home

Editor @ Global Man February 11, 2022 No Comments

promotional feature

 

By Sujany Baleswaran

 

From the Balkans to the heart of your home – Kelmendi GmbH global products have become staple products in millions of households, from Kosovo to Finland. The name Kelmendi is stamped with the approval of customers, a guarantee of freshness, delectability, satiety, quality and a taste of home. Stepping back from the jars of delicacies lined on pantry shelves, Kelmendi is the intricate concoction of business and traditions.

Starting with a small single shop in Essen, Germany, Kelmendi products were born and has now developed into an international company and a market leader in Europe. Valdet Kelmendi, a German entrepreneur with Kosovar roots is the man behind the global brand. Born in the village of Ruhot, to a large family immersed in Albanian traditions, Valdet tasted the beauty of secret family recipes. He learnt the first steps of his business, from those very steps, watching his father manage a grocery store in the 1970s, expanding the business further out in the Municipality of Peja until the 1990s.

 

 

When struck with the aggravated political situation and the persecution of hundreds who worked for the good of the country, Valdet was forced to leave his roots behind, emigrating to Germany. Uprooting his life came with challenges, days questioning the future but the thought of surrendering to those obstacles never crossed Valdet’s mind.

As a persecuted refugee, he worked as a clerk cultivating vegetables but it was in 1992, when he was employed in an international factory engaged in wood processing, DERIX, Valdet’s path began to change. Although a world away from his Kosovar roots and the comfort of food, his skills, tireless work and leadership rewarded him with the position of Manager of the Sales department, a foundation for the future.

 

The team behind Kelmendi GmbH, Valdet, Blerim and Oliver

 

An entrepreneur’s journey is always filled with the ups and downs of failure and success, but with determination and perseverance to create this business in Germany, Valdet rose from all the obstacles he faced. After repeated success and great will, Valdet turned to his dreams that began in Kosovo, sealing the deal in 1998 with the success of the Kelmendi company, with products not only being sold in Germany, but all over Europe. Touching upon every sector of food products from dairy to meat, Kelmendi products circle back to one thing, the unique taste of traditional and modern family recipes.

From the launch of products inspired by Albanian recipes, the food empire has branched out to numerous other societies and culture, creating your taste of home. The Kelmendi network has expanded to Germans, Baltics, Turks, Arabs and African and many others who have formed the pillars of success.

 

 

‘Preserving the spirit of cooperation without distinctions.’

Supplying products for over a quarter of a century, Kelmendi has grown immensely as a business, maintaining a leading position in the overall European ethnic food market. With growth at the forefront of the company, Kelmendi has not stopped at KELMENDI products, they have continued launching a stream of success stories such as NAKJA, ALBINA, BOSNA, Öz GURBET, KRISTAL, FUNDAM and MARRAKESH. Kelmendi food products have become synonymous with quality and tradition, achieving a high level of international recognition. With success after success and the increasing demand for products, Kelmendi GmbH, established their new company in 2018, Kelmendi Lebensmittel Ratingen, a symbol of growth. ‘In the business world there is always a target and always room to grow,’ says Founder Valdet Kelmendi. In 10 years, this food empire hopes to bring products closer and closer to customers all over the world. With goals set high, Valdet leaves us with the secrets of success, ‘believe in yourself, have a desire to work, value precision, and try not to work for money, instead find a way to make money work for you.’