Business Category - Page 55 of 90

The Fashionography: New Gold Standard of Multi-Channel Advertising

The Chicago Journal Staff on January 26, 2023

The advertising industry has undergone a radical transformation in step with the latest digital and consumer market trends over the past decade. Multi-channel marketing has become a new standard for advertisers; it relies on various media channels to get the marketing messages across to their audiences. Whether email, social media, printed publications, mobile, display ads, television, name it, the more channels that are used to reach potential customers, the more comprehensive and efficient a marketing campaign. Modern-day consumers armed with smartphones and tablets now shop both online and in brick-and-mortar stores. To win the customer, marketers nowadays have to create an ecosystem where one experience seamlessly flows into another.

Among the industry leaders who have mastered multi-channel marketing to perfection is The Fashionography (TF), a disruptive branding and content creation agency that offers the industry’s most impressive and complete range of services in the realm of content creation. TF possesses full-service photography and video production capabilities, creates content and designs digital strategies for brand or influencer marketing, and does collaborations with leading fashion, beauty, & lifestyle brands. Among The Fashionagraphy’s clients are such big names as Dior, Chanel, Bottega Veneta, Tommy Hilfiger, and other renowned brands.

Fashionagraphy’s most recent client is Seyer, a new luxury leather goods brand and manufacturer of luxury accessories for the busy modern professional. Just as the agency strives to create a seamless experience for its clients with multi-channel marketing techniques, Seyer manufactures accessories designed to work with every possible style. Based in Munich, Germany, the luxury leather goods brand has been working with the most talented creatives from Europe and the US. Seyer’s collaboration with The Fashionography is bound to broaden its worldwide reach through a concerted social media and digital advertising campaign.

Thanks to the captivating digital content, The Fashionography has won over a culturally diverse and fastidious international audience on both sides of the Atlantic; its patrons from fashion mainstays such as New York, Paris, Seoul, and Los Angeles closely follow The Fashionography curated content. More than 2 million people monthly follow The Fashionography Instagram; among them are such top industry players as Olivier Rousteing (CD, Balmain), Gal Gabot, Inez & Vonoodh (Photography Duo), Carols Nazario (Global Fashion Director, i-D), Mert & Marcus (Photography Duo), to name just a few. An impressive 237K Instagram following counts a top casting director Piergiorgio Del Moro, supermodels Candice Swanepoel, Anna Ewers, and other celebs. Additionally, The Fashionography team understands that, in the world of advertising, synergies have been shown to produce great results; this is why the agency partners with The Lions Management, a top advertising agency known for its unique approach to talent management and content production for various beauty, fashion, entertainment, and social media clients.

The Fashionagrpahy creates some of the most readable content covering the latest fashion news and trends along with relevant industry news, sustainable fashion, fashion editorials, designer collections, fashion models and fashion campaigns. The agency has become a kind of newsletter for the entire fashion industry and a source of trustworthy and entertaining news. On the creative side, the agency’s team is famous for putting together organic content partnerships and programs on The Fashionography multimedia platform. TF places clients in publications and newsletters that strike a chord with target demographics.

One of the key factors that sets TF apart from other agencies is their ability to create personalized, interactive and engaging experiences for their clients and customers. They understand that in today’s digital age, consumers are looking for a more immersive and personalized shopping experience, and their team works to create a seamless and cohesive experience across all channels and platforms. In addition to their work with established brands, Fashionography is also heavily involved in supporting and promoting emerging designers and independent brands. Through their collaborations and partnerships with emerging designers and independent brands, The Fashionography provides a platform for these brands to showcase their talents and reach a wider audience.

TF is a leading agency in the field of multi-channel marketing, known for their ability to create personalized, interactive and engaging experiences for their clients and customers. The agency’s focus on sustainability and ethical fashion, as well as their support of emerging designers and independent brands, sets them apart in the industry. With their recent collaboration with Seyer, and the year 2023 ahead, we can expect to see even more exciting and innovative campaigns from the group.

We look forward to seeing what The Fashionography and Seyer have in store for the public in 2023.

“Eco Temp HVAC: The Perfect Partnership of Contracting Expertise and Digital Innovation”

The Chicago Journal Staff on January 25, 2023

Introduction to the founders of Ecotemp HVAC

Meet Kyle Kozlowski and Jordan Walczyk, the dynamic duo who are taking the HVAC world by storm. Kyle, the digital whiz, and Jordan, the contractor extraordinaire, may seem like an unlikely pair at first glance, but trust us, they’re like mac and cheese. Together, they’ve created a company that’s revolutionizing the HVAC industry and making it easy and affordable for homeowners. So sit back, grab a cold drink and get ready to learn more about these two HVAC heroes.

Combining traditional contracting skills with digital expertise

The founders of Eco Temp HVAC, Kyle Kozlowski and Jordan Walczyk, have brought together the best of both worlds to provide homeowners with the most efficient and affordable HVAC services. Jordan, with his years of experience as a contractor, brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise in the traditional HVAC field.

On the other hand, Kyle, with his background in digital technology, brings a fresh perspective and innovative solutions to the table. Together, they have created a unique and dynamic partnership that allows them to offer cutting-edge technology and services while still maintaining the highest level of quality and craftsmanship.

This combination of traditional contracting skills and digital expertise has allowed Eco Temp HVAC to stay ahead of the curve in the ever-evolving HVAC industry. Their use of advanced technology and digital tools allows for more accurate and efficient diagnostics, resulting in faster and more cost-effective repairs and installations. Additionally, their digital platform enables easy scheduling and communication with customers, making the entire process more convenient and streamlined.

In short, the partnership of Kyle and Jordan at Ecotemp HVAC allows for the perfect balance of old-school know-how and new-school technology, resulting in the best possible HVAC experience for homeowners.

The Benefits of Choosing Eco Temp HVAC for Your Heating and Cooling Needs

When it comes to choosing a company for your HVAC needs, it’s important to consider the benefits and value that they can provide. At Ecotemp HVAC, we offer a wide range of benefits to our customers, including:

Expertise: Our founders, Kyle Kozlowski and Jordan Walczyk, bring a unique combination of contracting expertise and digital innovation to the table. This allows us to offer a level of service and knowledge that is unmatched in the industry.
Customized Solutions: We understand that every home and every homeowner has different needs. That’s why we take the time to understand your specific situation and provide customized solutions that are tailored to your needs and budget.
Affordable Pricing: We believe that everyone should have access to high-quality HVAC services, which is why we strive to make our services affordable for homeowners. With us, you’ll never have to worry about overpaying for your HVAC needs.
Eco-Friendly Practices: We are committed to being environmentally responsible and reducing our carbon footprint. We use eco-friendly products and practices to ensure that your home is comfortable and energy-efficient.
Maintenance and Repairs: We provide regular maintenance and repairs for your HVAC system to keep it running smoothly and efficiently. This can help you avoid costly breakdowns and prolong the life of your equipment.
Technology-Driven: We are always up-to-date with the latest technology in the HVAC industry. This allows us to offer the most advanced and best services in the industry.

Final Thoughts

Eco Temp HVAC is revolutionizing the HVAC industry by combining traditional contracting skills with digital expertise. The partnership of founders Kyle Kozlowski and Jordan Walczyk allows for the perfect balance of old-school know-how and new-school technology, resulting in the best possible HVAC experience for homeowners.

Choosing Eco Temp HVAC means gaining access to expert service, customized solutions, affordable pricing, eco-friendly practices, regular maintenance and repairs, and the most advanced technology in the industry. With Eco Temp HVAC, homeowners can trust that their HVAC needs are in the hands of experienced and innovative professionals.

Rising Personality HabibiCheeks Talks About Elevating the LA Nightlife Scene

The Chicago Journal Staff on January 24, 2023

HabibiCheeks hosting musical artist Yung Gravy, YouTuber Chad Lebaron, and TikToker Kristen Hancher at his night at Poppy, “Poppy Wednesday.” Kristen Hancher is wearing his iconic red hat with the red & white flower crown on it.

When it comes to nightlife and party scenes, the city of Los Angeles is usually the place to go. Widely known for its extravagant spaces, lively themes, and enthusiastic crowds, LA has set the bar high for what going on a world-class night out should look like. In an effort to keep the party alive and kicking, party venues in the city do not have to think twice about going all out in booking the best DJs, internet personalities, influencers, and music headliners. True enough, LA has always been going the extra mile to entertain partygoers and elevate their nightlife experience in ways like never before.

Aside from its rich and vibrant nightlife scene, Los Angeles is also recognized for setting the latest fashion trends and having the best celebrity sets. Indeed, the city is perfect for those who want to explore and live their lives to the fullest. One of the club promoters that have been making significant waves in the area is rising online personality Shaheen Sheeti, who is more prominently known as @habibicheeks on Instagram. His mission is to introduce people to venues with the hottest dance floors, live music, cocktail lounges, and many more.

HabibiCheeks hosting YouTubers Coby Persin & Erick Sanchez at his night at Poppy, “Poppy Wednesdays.”

At the heart of HabibiCheeks’ efforts is the ultimate goal of promoting the best dance clubs in Los Angeles and showing people the limitless after-dark excitement that the city has to offer. He understands how difficult and confusing it can be for partygoers and nightlife enthusiasts to choose from the sea of venues in LA. For this reason, he makes it easier for people to pick the perfect place to have some fun and enjoy themselves like there is no tomorrow.

HabibiCheeks with rising musical artist Sueco at a private event. HabibiCheeks also hosted Sueco at his night at Poppy, “Poppy Wednesdays.”

In an interview, HabibiCheeks talked about what drew him to the LA nightlife scene. “When I first moved to LA, I was meeting people and going out to spots like Saddle Ranch and Berkshire House everyday,” he shared. “I met a guy who did not let me in a party once and connected with him, so he let me in and asked if I was a promoter. When I told him I was not a promoter, he tried me out for the job, and we then had hundreds of people coming to the events,” he added.

As a club promoter and celebrity event host, HabibiCheeks mainly works with the H.Wood group, specifically the nightlife and hospitality department. With his enthusiastic flair and lively aura, he can be seen wearing his iconic red hat with a flower crown on it at his night at Poppy, “Poppy Wednesdays,” as well as Bootsy Bellows or Delilah Sundays also known as “Delilah Jazz Night.” You can occasionally catch him at other spots as well such as Off Sunset, Bar Lis, Hyde, Doheny Room, Highlight Room, Nightingale, and Warwick – unless it’s a Wednesday, then he’s at Poppy.

In fact, he has also hosted the cast of some famous reality TV shows like “Too Hot to Handle” & “Dated & Related,” as well as some actors on the hit TV series, “Euphoria,” at his night at Poppy, “Poppy Wednesdays.”

Since he dipped his toes in the industry, HabibiCheeks has indeed gained many opportunities to party with the stars. With his vast experience and connections, it’s truly exciting to see what HabibiCheeks will be up to next.

ACL Injury Prevention: Strength N Honor Training Facility’s Tailored Approach for Female Athletes

The Chicago Journal Staff on January 24, 2023

Strength N Honor Training Facility is best known for its customized programming for highly driven athletes. The team at Strength N Honor Training Facility understands the importance of individualized training, and is dedicated to providing each athlete with a tailored program that addresses their specific needs and goals.

The facility’s training philosophies have been built through trial and error on the playing fields, and the team is committed to paying attention to detail and getting the absolute best out of their athletes. Strength N Honor Training’s ACL assessment and training program is making a huge impact with the female athletes they are working with. The program was developed to help identify risk factors and work to reduce the risk of ACL injuries among female athletes by targeting these risk factors through proper training and education.

The Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) is a critical ligament that supports and stabilizes the knee during physical activity. Keeping the ACL healthy is crucial for athletes, especially for female athletes, who are up to eight times more likely to suffer from an ACL injury compared to male athletes. Unfortunately, ACL injuries among female athletes have seen a dramatic increase over the past 20 years, with a 300% increase in the last two decades and an 800% increase since 1972.

The majority of people believe that ACL injuries only occur from contact involved in sports, but the majority of female ACL injuries happen from non-contact movements such as running, jumping, cutting, and landing. Up to 70% of female ACL injuries occur without any physical contact. This type of injury can be career-ending for female athletes, particularly if not rehabilitated correctly post-surgery.

At Strength n Honor Training Facility, we are developing protocols to eliminate as many risk factors as possible to reduce the chances of such a devastating injury. Some risk factors that can be greatly reduced with proper training include poor ankle mobility, muscle imbalances, dormant or weak glutes, hip to quad ratio, improper movement pattern development, lack of deceleration training, poor landing biomechanics, poor conditioning, inadequate nutrition, and overtraining/recovery.

While there is no such thing as “true injury prevention,” we can identify and attack individual athletes’ weaknesses or risk factors to greatly reduce the chances of an ACL injury. By being proactive and taking a special interest in proper strength training and movement development, we can help female athletes have a long and healthy athletic career.

“We believe that every athlete is unique, and our customized programming reflects that belief,” said Steve Konopka, Founder of Strength N Honor Training Facility. “Our team is dedicated to helping each athlete reach their full potential, and we are confident that our customized approach will do just that.”

In addition to working with highly driven athletes, Strength N Honor Training Facility is also committed to helping everyday citizens become healthier, happier, and more functional through the use of their training methods and philosophies.

Oleg Torbosov and Whitewill Luxury Real Estate on Leaving a Mark Through Business

The Chicago Journal Staff on January 19, 2023

Many people aspire to leave a lasting impact and legacy in this life. Still, not many have been able to do that. At a young age, Oleg Torbosov has not only successfully achieved impact, influence, and business longevity through Whitewill Luxury Moscow Real Estate but now looks to help others do the same by building thriving businesses that will run for generations.

To say that Oleg is a multi-faceted entrepreneur would feel like an understatement. He has achieved so much in real estate entrepreneurship at a young age despite having a challenging start not too long ago. His company, Whitewill Luxury Moscow Real Estate, is one of today’s leading real estate companies in three countries: Moscow, London, and Dubai. This year alone, the business looks to close over 21 billion rubles, or around $300 million, in sales before wrapping up one of the most challenging years for the property market due to the COVID-19-related economic meltdown.

But Oleg isn’t a stranger to crisis himself. When he started as a young professional, he began from the bottom, waiting tables in St. Petersburg, Russia, to make ends meet. But those humble beginnings never stopped him from dreaming of bigger things. Instead, he dedicated himself to self-improvement, reading books by authors like Robert Kiyosaki and making necessary mindset and lifestyle shifts to prepare for a better future. He shares how Rich Dad, Poor Dad was one of his most significant turning points. “After reading that book, I decided to quit my job as a waiter and to launch my own business,” recalls Torbosov.

After leaving his stable job to take more significant leaps of faith, he started with a design studio, which would meet considerably impressive success given that it was his first business. But later, Oleg would leave the design services industry and start a career in financial services. That business would also prove profitable—enough for Oleg Torbosov to sell the company for a profit and start in real estate. From then on, everything seemed to click from the young entrepreneur.

Later, Oleg would niche into luxury real estate, seeing a big boom in premier properties for more high-end clients. There was push-back at the beginning from peers, as some thought that Oleg was over-reaching in a highly-competitive market. But the serial entrepreneur would prove naysayers wrong. Today, Whitewill Luxury Moscow Real Estate stands as a monument to the power of perseverance and “a little bit of stubbornness.”

Today, Torbosov has slightly shifted gears and put serious thought and action into teaching people to build their real estate businesses. The property industry provides some of the most long-living ventures, given that real estate only appreciates with time. Accordingly, Oleg is out to prove to everyone that real estate can be anyone’s game with the right mindset, heart, and passion. The educator and entrepreneur have also written two books, The Way of One Oleg and The Way of One Agency. Both titles have entertained and empowered equally, showing the power of entrepreneurship and how to leverage principle-based truths to become a real estate guru or business expert.

Learn more about Oleg Torbosov by visiting Whitewill Luxury Real Estate’s Moscow, London, and Dubai websites. You can also check out Oleg Torbosov’s website.

Creating Timeless Treasures: APM Monaco’s Evolution

The Chicago Journal Staff on January 19, 2023

By: Darby Jones

From the earliest civilizations to the present day, people have been drawn to the beauty and symbolism of precious metals and gemstones. Jewelry has always held a profound significance in human society, transcending mere aesthetic adornment to embody cultural, personal and emotional values. As such, the act of choosing and wearing jewelry is not a mere superficial decision, but a reflection of one’s self-perception and the values they wish to project to the world. In spite of this, the jewelry industry on the whole has remained stagnant relative to our changing world and our changing values. There is, however, one jewelry company separating itself from the rest with plans for evolving their products to be cooler than ever, while maintaining their ethos of reliability and sustainability.

APM Monaco is a renowned fashion and luxury jewelry company, known for their chic and affordable designs that are both fashionable and classic. The company was founded 40 years ago by a team of jewelry experts, who brought their knowledge and passion for crafting unique and timeless pieces to the market. Over the years, the brand has been able to establish a loyal following in Europe and Asia through their website and hundreds of brick-and-mortar stores, which offer a wide range of jewelry collections to customers. In 2017, APM Monaco finally expanded to North America, opening a store in the iconic SoHo neighborhood of New York City. The brand’s commitment to creating both desirable and sustainable jewelry has earned them a loyal customer base in America, with a staggering 45% of shoppers returning for more. This repeat customer rate is significantly higher than other retailers, solidifying APM Monaco’s reputation as the most trusted fashion and jewelry brand. The company continues to grow and evolve, constantly introducing new collections and designs that appeal to a diverse range of customers.

APM Monaco’s latest collection of jewelry, Rock, is an evolution of the brand’s signature style, featuring two new twists on their popular Yummy. Building on the bright and youthful color palette of their previous gummy bear-inspired line, they have now introduced a new, more mature and sophisticated aesthetic. The SNOW full white Yummy and LUCKY full khaki Yummy pieces are a perfect example of this evolution, featuring elegant and refined designs that complement evening wear. The new bear designs are versatile and can be paired with a variety of clothing and accessories, including black sequin and silver pieces, which exude a sense of strength, confidence, but also playfulness. The brand continues to be inspired by skater culture and hip-hop, but now they are channeling that energy into creating versatile, timeless, and suitable pieces for any occasion. APM Monaco continues to push the boundaries of fashion and jewelry, constantly evolving and adapting to the changing market, while keeping its loyal customers happy. The Rock collection also includes new materials such as semi-precious stones and freshwater pearls, adding a unique touch of luxury to the designs. With this collection, APM Monaco demonstrates their ability to blend the classic and the trendy, creating a collection that is both timeless and on-trend.

APM Monaco’s commitment to sustainability is also evident in their production process. The brand uses only ethically sourced materials and works with a team of skilled artisans to craft each piece by hand. This not only helps the environment, but also allows customers to give new life to their treasured pieces. The brand’s commitment to sustainability and ethical practices sets them apart from other jewelry companies, and is just one more aspect of their evolution towards being a leader in the industry. With their focus on creating timeless, versatile, and sustainable pieces, APM Monaco is sure to continue growing and delighting customers for many years to come.

To see the new collection for yourself, or to peruse any of APM Monaco’s offerings, you can visit their website here.

Advertising disclosure: We may receive compensation for some of the links in our stories. Thank you for supporting our content.

Addressing the Egg Shortage: Spero Foods Launches the Pepita Egg at Sprouts Farmers Markets Nationwide

The Chicago Journal Staff on January 14, 2023

Egg prices have been on the rise recently due to a bird flu epidemic that has resulted in a significant loss of birds producing eggs. More than 57 million birds have been lost in 2022 alone, making it worse than the last outbreak in 2015. This has caused a shortage of eggs, leading to higher prices for consumers and empty shelves in stores nationwide. In response to this crisis, Spero Foods, a plant-based dairy manufacturer, has partnered with Sprouts Farmer’s Market to launch the Pepita Egg, a new plant-based alternative, to help solve the egg shortage problem.

Spero Foods, a plant-based dairy company, has made it its mission to bring delicious and affordable plant-based dairy and egg products to consumers everywhere. The company’s focus on using clean and simple ingredients, as well as technology, has led to the creation of the Pepita Egg – the first and only simple and minimal ingredient plant-based egg on the market.

The Pepita Egg is made with only seven ingredients, all of which are sourced from pepitas or pumpkin seeds. These seeds are a great source of protein, zinc, iron, and magnesium and contain similar grams of protein per serving as a chicken egg. Additionally, the Pepita Egg is keto-friendly, allergy-friendly, cholesterol-free, and contains no soy, gluten, nut, sugar, gums, or processed oil ingredients.

Since launching in 2019, Spero Foods has been recognized as one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies, as well as by The Food Network, NEXTY Awards, Food Network Supermarket Awards, Forbes 30 Under 30, and featured at TED. The company’s goal is to serve the plant-based and flexitarian communities, the health-conscious community, and anyone who suffers from health-related issues affected by traditional animal egg-based products, such as high cholesterol.

According to Phaedra Randolph, Spero’s CEO and founder, the company is a seed-based pioneer in the plant-based market space. Spero’s mission is to remove the barriers of price and access to healthy and sustainable food options for all. “I believe it is imperative to our health, to our planet, and to our collective future to democratize plant-based foods,” she shared. “Each and every one of us deserves food that is good for us and the planet, but today, plant-based remains relegated to the upper class and is still limited to a few predominant ingredients.”

Spero Foods’ Pepita Egg will initially retail from $4.99 to $5.99 for a 16 oz bottle, putting it at equivalent prices as most cartons of chicken eggs. Spero’s CEO, Phäedra Randolph, said that the company “stands behind our minimal, simple ingredient list. We stand behind products that are better for you and the planet without sacrificing your budget.”

While it’s unclear when the egg shortage will end, switching to Spero’s Pepita Egg has additional health benefits. Chicken eggs are high in cholesterol and are often not recommended for individuals with heart, kidney, or liver disease. They can also hinder iron absorption and are a common allergen. The production of chicken eggs also has a significant environmental impact, with the majority of laying hens living in confined and unsanitary conditions. Plant-based eggs are becoming increasingly popular as an alternative, but there are limited options available, many of which contain complex ingredients. Spero’s Pepita Egg, with its minimal ingredient list, is the first of its kind and offers a healthier and more sustainable option for consumers.

The Pepita Egg is just one example of Spero’s commitment to using simple and sustainable ingredients. The company is on a mission to create a more diverse food system, one that is good for human health and the planet and accessible to all. It’s time for a change, and Spero Foods is leading the way.

FED Rate Hikes Tested The Economy, How It Affects The Stock Market?

The Chicago Journal Staff on January 11, 2023

FED rate hikes have hit the headlines in 2022 up to six times. Rate hikes are good to fight inflation, and the 0.5-0.7 percent points added would do that in 2023.

Expectations are rife that the FED will begin a slowdown in its attempt to control inflation, which hit over 8 percent for the first time in many years. The FED will prefer lower base points—at least below 50, to protect other stakeholders in the market. However, some experts expect that next year; the FED will also raise interest rates to further lower inflation to strike a balance between the interest rates vs. stock market debates.

While the FED’s focus is on inflation, other areas of the economy have felt the hit too. Noteworthy, commodities like crypto, stocks, and oil have had a massive hit, as people rush to put their money in safe areas.

Pressure on Markets

About a year ago, in November 2021, crypto stocks peaked. Indications were low of any fed rate hikes to come, though inflation was slowly crippling after an extended period of Covid lockdowns. However, come December of the same year, the markets started to look forward to new hikes set for the New Year—2022.

In January 2022, many commodities, including the top indices, reversed some gains picked in the bullish run of late 2021. It was also a downhill period for crypto, which had a magnificent 2021.

Since then, many stocks have reversed the gains made in 2021 and the crypto industry has witnessed a massive pullback.

Some small hints of positivity in the fourth quarter helped build investor momentum. However, that was not enough to make the S&P 17 percent down since the beginning of the year. Nasdaq is lower by about 30 percent.

The significant casualties of the year were the crypto markets, which rely heavily on a low-interest environment to thrive. The action by the FED made the environment less suitable for crypto commodities to thrive. Other high-growth stocks not in the digital asset domain, like Cloudflare, have also seen a turbulent year—losing by as much as 80 percent.

Bitcoin and Ethereum, which control the bulk of the crypto industry, have all dropped by about 75 percent since November 2021 when they reached a milestone.

Effect of Rates Rising More

It is too early to predict whether central banks will continue to push the interest rates higher in the New Year. Noteworthy, many investors have already factored in the impact of new rates on their investments and have already made many adjustments to cover the next six months. As of now, the bulk of interest rate rises has already happened, meaning minimal impact on the rates planned for next year.

Ultimately, inflation has pushed more money out of the financial markets and pushed it elsewhere, meaning those wishing to take new positions in the market are already fewer. The volatility period will continue to follow the period of high interest. However, no one knows to what extent the market will continue to expect little interest from investors.

Noteworthy, as with the markets in the past. Periods of little investments or high volatility have often accompanied other periods of extended bullish runs. At some point, readjustments will happen, especially when the FED finally achieves its goal of lower inflation at some point in 2023.

Fears of Recession

With many market segments faltering, the fear of a recession has become more significant than at any other point. A likely inflation would bog down the market even further. However, the ultimate result is that the markets will rise again at some point.

Bottom Line

Rising interest rates have a significant influence on the direction of the stock market. The stock market underperforms in an environment of high-interest rates. Commodities like crypto also are not spared when rates move too high. Ultimately, readjustments will caution the markets when the FED reserve finally achieves its goals.

Nigorakhon Sadikova Launches Bridge To Trade Inc., a Platform to Simplify Digital Trade for US Companies

The Chicago Journal Staff on January 10, 2023

Chicago, IL – Nigora(khon) Sadikova, a renowned expert in international trade and digital commerce, has launched Bridge To Trade Inc., an online platform that provides digital trade solutions to US companies, including Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) and minority-owned businesses. The platform will assist these companies in boosting their exporting and digital trade activities overseas with automated tools, helping them to navigate international markets and conduct safe export and import contracts. It will also offer guidance to SMEs and minority-owned businesses to simplify the complexities of international trading.

Nigora Sadikova has a Master’s degree in Public Policy from the University of Chicago, where she developed a social enterprise project that was selected by the Clinton Global Initiative University and the Social New Venture Challenge. She has more than 12 years of experience working on global regulatory impact analysis on business environment, including hands-on experience on digital trade team at the World Bank Group.

“I want to utilize my experience in the sector to make the cross-border digital trading process simple, affordable, and feasible through efficient automation of tools,” said Nigora Sadikova.

Bridge To Trade Inc. targets US companies looking to generate revenue through overseas sales and are eager to simplify the exporting process. According to the US Department of Commerce, small businesses make up one-third of US merchandise exports, and the number of small and medium-sized firms that export has increased threefold in the past two decades. However, many small businesses still do not export due to barriers such as lack of information, lack of access to finance, and regulatory complexity. Bridge To Trade Inc. aims to address these barriers and help more US businesses take advantage of the economic benefits of exporting.

“We are excited to offer a platform that helps US companies access international markets and simplifies the digital trade process,” said Nigora Sadikova. “Our goal is to make exporting easy and accessible for all businesses.”

For more information about Bridge To Trade Inc., visit www.bridgetotrade.org

Chef Chris Piro Turns the Page

The Chicago Journal Staff on January 6, 2023

Chris Piro is not afraid of controversy. He embraces it and uses it as fuel for his creativity. Chris Piro, a former chef, worked in some of the best restaurants in the world, Koks, Boka, and Staplehouse. Piro, who is deeply reflective, built a fine dining pop-up experience that was an opportunity for the exposition of his cathartic narrative. Extremely exclusive, the ‘Again.’ pop-up experience would sell out faster than most prominent restaurants. Piro cooked before evolving his art to music. On Spotify, the world knows him as Petty Poser, and today we sit down to discover more about the chef-turned-musician.

Tell me about the name, Petty Poser. Why is that your name?

Chris Piro: [He laughs] A poser was the worst thing you could call someone back when I was skateboarding. To me, it’s a nod to what motivates me.

What motivates you?

Piro: Proving people wrong, showing people that I can do something beautiful in this world. I loved the art of cooking, the excitement of creation that someone like me can surprise another person with flavors and presentations. When I left the kitchen, I wanted to continue to prove others wrong.

Why did you leave cooking behind?

Piro: I didn’t leave cooking. I just grew up. I loved what I did, but that doesn’t mean I have to do it forever. People still call me Chef, and it is humbling to hear it because of the number of hours I poured into my craft.

Why is art and the creative so important to you?

Piro: Using the creative is such an experience. It is an opportunity for anyone of any culture or background to hear or see your art and truly experience it. Creative avenues allow us to connect in ways that make it impossible without them.

Is this why you created the Again Foundation?

Piro: Oh yeah, Ta-Nehisi Coates wrote, “All the truly living, at least once, are born again.” To me, this foundation gives other foster kids a second chance. At the Again Foundation, we are working on using creative writing, physical form art & music to help provide an outlet and opportunity for those looking to find their voice. This life is so precious and fragile that we need to have more people willing to nurture than be selfish.