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Closing the Employment Gap – How Local Companies Are Missing Out on Disability Inclusion

Miami is known for its booming economy, vibrant culture, and diverse workforce, but there’s a silent issue plaguing many of its businesses: the failure to embrace disability inclusion. Professionals with disabilities represent an untapped talent pool that local companies continue to overlook, leaving these businesses at a competitive disadvantage. This oversight not only highlights a lack of inclusivity but also signifies an economic missed opportunity. However, Miami could lead the way in disability inclusion in the future. In Miami-Dade County, the unemployment rate for people with disabilities stands at 15.6%, affecting nearly 9,775 individuals ​(Florida Chamber of Commerce). Compare that with the general population, where employment rates are far higher, and a stark disparity emerges. What this means for Miami, a city known for breaking boundaries, is that we are missing out on a large pool of untapped talent—professionals whose skills could drive innovation and diversity in our economy. The Untapped Potential of Blind Professionals Blind, visually impaired as well as other professionals with disabilities offer unique perspectives that can lead to breakthrough solutions in the workplace. Studies have shown that diverse teams, including those with individuals who have disabilities, tend to outperform their peers. A report by Accenture in partnership with Disability-In and The American Foundation for the Blind found that companies with inclusive hiring practices experienced a 28% increase in revenue and doubled their net income compared to their competitors. Yet, despite this compelling business case, blind professionals remain underrepresented. Nationally, while 70% of the general population is employed, only 44% of working-age blind adults have jobs​. Miami, in particular, lags in this area, and addressing this gap is not only a matter of equity but also of economic strategy. Why Miami Is Poised to Lead As the Magic City continues to grow as a hub for tech, finance, and tourism, now is the time for local businesses to step up and embrace the talents of people with disabilities. Miami’s commitment to diversity positions the city to become a leader in disability inclusion, setting an example for other metropolitan areas. But what will it take to bridge this employment gap? First, we must challenge outdated misconceptions about the productivity and capabilities of blind professionals. One persistent myth is that hiring people with disabilities is costly. However, research from the Job Accommodation Network (JAN) reveals that the average one-time cost of accommodations is just $500 ​as per the study. In many cases, no accommodations are required at all, and when they are, they often lead to higher productivity and retention, benefiting the entire workforce. Real-World Success Stories Several global companies have already paved the way, proving that hiring blind professionals is not only feasible but advantageous. Microsoft, for example, has developed accessibility tools that allow blind employees to work more efficiently, contributing to the company’s broader innovation goals​ (Bureau of Labor Statistics). Amazon has also been a leader in this space, partnering with the American Foundation for the Blind to implement features like screen readers and voice-activated shopping assistants that benefit both employees and customers​. The Miami Business Community: A Call to Action For Miami to fully capitalize on the talent of blind professionals, local businesses must take proactive steps. Dr. Kirk Adams, a leading advocate for the inclusion of professionals with disabilities and former CEO of the American Foundation for the Blind, has emphasized that businesses have much to gain from employing individuals with disabilities. His research highlights the tangible benefits, including enhanced innovation and problem-solving capabilities, that blind professionals bring to the table​. “The integration of professionals with disabilities into the workforce is not just a matter of social good—it’s a business imperative. These individuals bring diverse perspectives that can catalyze innovation and drive significant organizational change”. So, how can Miami’s businesses make these changes? The first step is education. Dr. Kirk Adams suggests that leaders need to invest in training programs for management and human resources teams to reduce bias and improve understanding of disability inclusion. Miami, with its thriving business community, can benefit from forming partnerships with organizations like the National Federation of the Blind and local advocacy groups. These collaborations will provide invaluable resources and expertise on accessible hiring practices​. Building an Inclusive Workforce in Miami Creating an inclusive workforce requires more than just compliance with legal mandates. It involves fostering a corporate culture where diversity is celebrated, and all employees feel valued for their contributions. Local businesses can lead this movement by offering accessible technology and flexible working arrangements. Not only does this create a more inclusive environment for blind professionals, but it also improves the overall workplace culture, enhancing job satisfaction for everyone. In a city as dynamic as Miami, where creativity and diversity fuel our economic engine, there is no reason why individuals with disabilities should remain on the sidelines. The data is clear: inclusive workplaces are more innovative, productive, and financially successful. It’s time for Miami’s business leaders to harness the potential of blind professionals and make our city a national leader in disability inclusion. A Roadmap for the Future Miami stands at a crossroads. We can either continue to allow outdated perceptions to hold us back, or we can embrace the future by recognizing the value that blind and visually impaired professionals bring to the workforce. The path to inclusion may require some initial investment, but the rewards—both economic and social—are undeniable. Miami can lead the way, showing the world that diversity and inclusion are not just buzzwords but the keys to our continued success.

Business, Financial, MSM Online

Armando Soto on How To Make It In Miami & Live the American Dream

By Nadja Atwal / Photography by Alessandra Fiorini Sometimes we just need an inspirational story that reassures us that the American dream is still alive. We would rather work smart than too hard, since in the end we work in order to live and – especially in a place like Miami that needs to be enjoyed all year around. Armando Soto shows us that is no problem at all and we do not have to wait until we qualify for a senior pass to get there. The 32 year old investment banker and start-up-company genius left his home country of Guatemala at age 15 to live with his American mother. He struggled with learning English and getting into college he became a plumber by trade. After refusing to let go of his dream of working in the business world he would read the Wall Street Journal out loud in front of a camera and play back the tape to improve his pronunciations; signed up for college at age 24 at The City University of New York and  jumped into the finance industry. Today he handles billionaire clients and has transacted over 500 million in Leveraged Buy Outs. He currently finances and restructures client investments while building new companies like kids build sandcastles in Miami beach. A frequent guest commentator on national business TV shows, he recently started to make waves across the country as a motivational speaker in front of large audiences especially young people turning up in great numbers to hear his speeches in search of smart guidance with both IQ and EQ. NA: Your story is fascinating and unique and attracts thousands of people to events when you appear as a motivational speaker. Tell us about your early years when you arrived in the US? AS: The early years were very difficult, simply because I was starting my sophomore year in a suburban high school in the middle of nowhere New Jersey. Between the language barrier and the culture shock, school was difficult and making friends in a new country was not simple either. I was bullied by many people including my mother’s brother in law. I remember an instance where I was helping him take out a bag full of garbage and he said to me “practice your new profession”. I could not believe my ears but in hindsight I believe many people discriminate or are racist because they feel threatened in one way or another. I was fortunate enough to have my neighbor Louie who had moved into town from Brooklyn; he was new in school as well so we became good friends and his size deterred many people from bullying me in my junior year. I learned a lot from him in regards to becoming more confident and not taking any abuse from people. Academically with English as a second language it was very tough for me. I was able to learn to speak English fluently by the time I graduated High School and my prospects looked a bit dim for college. I didn’t get accepted into any Universities so I turned to the plumbing trade and went through a four year program. By the time I graduated from Plumbing school I realized it was not my passion at least I learned trigonometry in-depth. NA: Did you have anything like a big American dream? AS: As a child I would watch the movie Trading Places with Eddie Murphy. I asked my father what the World Trade Center was and why the buildings in New York City were so tall. He would tell me all the big business in the world happened there. As a child I would day dream about walking in the streets of New York and working in the trading pits, there was something about the motion creating emotion.  When I moved to the United States I mentioned my dreams to friends and they would laugh at me. NA: How did the switch happen from plumbing business to the finance world? AS: When I was 22 years old I realized being an engineer by trade was not my passion and I felt that I had an untapped potential. The construction markets were starting to show signs of distress right before the great recession. I asked Phillip, a family friend who is a very successful investment banker for a dinner meeting and after eight months of coordinating with his assistant he had some time to meet with me. I had three hours to absorb as much information about investment banking as possible and I told him my plan of going back to school to break into finance. After looking back and thinking about our meeting, I really got key parts of “the recipe” that night. I started commuting to CUNY from New Jersey. It was a rough start but mentally, there was nothing that would stop me and this was just the start of climbing a mountain that would only get steeper with time. NA: Why did you decide not to finish university? AS: I began to look at everything from a finance perspective and I did not have enough money to finish school without falling very deep into debt. I was offered a great job opportunity in finance and asked my Economics professor for advice on whether to take the offer or continue school. He said to me “opportunity knocks…” I answered “once” and he said “well there you go, I wish you the best of luck. Although it seems like you don’t need it”.  I base my decisions based on facts but that day it was based on intuition. NA: Tell us how exactly how you managed to lose your Spanish accent and what motivated you to do this? AS: I used a camera to record myself reading the Wall Street Journal and played the tape back to focus on my mispronunciation. Practice certainly helps. In business being clear and concise when you speak is one of the most important qualities you need to have. The motivator was to fit into America, I came to this country and from day one I

Business, Financial, MSM Online

Top 5 Items People Totally Forget To Tax Deduct

                  By Nadja Atwal Who is surprised that most people get on their tax returns during the last 3 weeks of the deadline. But if you are the last minute type, it’s okay – as long as you the smart type. Now when it comes to being smart with money, who better to ask than one of TV’s favorite money experts, asset manager Ken Mahoney. Between his market analysis on all the top TV and radio business shows and his signings of his latest bestselling book “ Life on your terms”, we caught Ken just in time to give us his  top 5 list of items people totally forget to tax deduct. 1. State sales taxes This write-off makes sense primarily for those who live in states that do not impose an income tax. You must choose between deducting state and local income taxes, or state and local sales taxes. For most citizens of income-tax states, the income tax deduction usually is a better deal. The IRS has tables for residents of states with sales taxes showing how much they can deduct. But the tables aren’t the last word. If you purchased a vehicle, boat or airplane, you get to add the state sales tax you paid to the amount shown in IRS tables for your state, to the extent the sales tax rate you paid doesn’t exceed the state’s general sales tax rate. The same goes for home building materials you purchased. These items are easy to overlook. The IRS even has a calculator to help you figure out the deduction, which varies by your state and income level. 2. Out-of-pocket charitable contributions It’s hard to overlook the big charitable gifts you made during the year by check or payroll deduction. But the little things add up, too, and you can write off out-of-pocket costs you incur while doing good deeds. Ingredients for casseroles you regularly prepare for a nonprofit organization’s soup kitchen, for example, or the cost of stamps you buy for your school’s fundraiser count as a charitable contribution. If you drove your car for charity in 2016, remember to deduct 14 cents per mile. 3. Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit A tax credit is so much better than a tax deduction—it reduces your tax bill dollar for dollar. So missing one is even more painful than missing a deduction that simply reduces the amount of income that’s subject to tax. But it’s easy to overlook the child and dependent care credit if you pay your child care bills through a reimbursement account at work. Until a few years ago, the child care credit applied to no more than $4,800 of qualifying expenses. The law allows you to run up to $5,000 of such expenses through a tax-favored reimbursement account at work. Now, however, up to $6,000 can qualify for the credit, but the old $5,000 limit still applies to reimbursement accounts. So if you run the maximum $5,000 through a plan at work but spend more for work-related child care, you can claim the credit on up to an extra $1,000. That would cut your tax bill by at least $200. 4. Medical and Dental Expenses If your medical and/or dental expenses are over 10% of your Adjusted Gross Income, or if you are over 65, they are 7.5%, over you AGI, it’s deductible. 5. Job search Expense Transportation, parking, tolls, preparing your resume, printing, agency fees are also all tax deductible. Plus, the annoying items we wish we could 1. Donations to Non-Qualifying Charities, like friends and family Giving to a good cause can help you out at tax time, but only if you’re making a donation to a qualified charity. Handing out cash to a friend or relative who’s struggling to find a job, for example, is certainly charitable. But it won’t help you score a tax break. 2. Pet Care Expenses Fluffy may seem like a member of the family. But that doesn’t mean you can claim him as a dependent or get a deduction for his day-to-day care. 3. Commuting Expenses While business-related travel expenses (including the cost of flights and hotel stays) may be deductible, ordinary commuting expenses are not. If you take a bus, taxi or subway to get to work each day, you can’t deduct those costs on your tax return as business expenses. You may be eligible for a deduction, however, if you’re paying to travel to a training session or conference held outside of your office. 4. The Loss on the Sale of your home A capital loss on the sale of your home, used by you as your personal residence at the time of sale is considered a nondeductible personal expense. You can only deduct losses on the sale of property used for business or investment purposes. The only way you can obtain a deduction if you sell your home at a loss is to convert it to a rental property before you sell it. However, your deductible loss will be limited 5. Home Improvement Expenses Home improvement expenses generally aren’t deductible. One exception involves the renovations you make to a home office. Not everyone can take the home office deduction. But if you have a legitimate reason for claiming it, you may be able to deduct the cost of any upgrades you’ve made to your home office. While you can’t qualify for a deduction for giving your kitchen a makeover or adding a new sunroom, these projects may raise your property value. If that happens, you can write off the additional property taxes that you have to pay. www.kenmahoney.com  

Business, Financial, MSM Online

My Miami: On Brexit Poll Day, Wall Street Expert Larissa Posner…

Photo by Lars Gerhardt Photography By Nadja Atwal On Brexit Poll Day, Wall Street Expert Larissa Posner Was Grateful We Gave Her A Break From Market Prognosis and Instead Picked Her Brain About Miami. On her last business trip, Larissa Posner visited seven cities in five days, meeting with fund managers, investment advisors, private bankers, and high net worth individuals, often consulting in light of the uncertainty of Brexit and other issues facing the world markets. Guiding asset allocation, both domestically and abroad is her métier. As often the custom, they all wanted to discuss their financial futures over a meal. Fitting thirteen lunches into five days is a highly improbable hat trick, but Larissa states that with flexible schedules, a large appetite and a pair of sneakers it was completely doable and she considers that a slow week. This high octane, force of nature, has been killing it on Wall Street for nearly decade. Not often does an international fashion model go from the runway to corporate hallways, but Larissa wanted to take control of her earnings and soundly invest without being reliant on others. After studying portfolio construction, quantitative analysis, economic theory, and risk management, Larissa passed her Series 65 and took a job at a large Greenwich, Connecticut Hedge Fund where she quickly assumed a vice-president role in the company. From that point on there’s been no turning back for Larissa. Consulting in Corporate Access for the past four years, Larissa has also found time to create an Investment Advisor firm with feet planted in both ends of the spectrum. With fundamental strategies and analysis, a team devoted to machine learning research, and tax-efficient wealth planning, Larissa’s days go deep into the night. When she’s not in the office, in transit, or on the phone, Larissa enjoys hosting dinners for friends and family and hanging out in her vegetable garden. In short, this woman is on the move and loves Miami for both business and pleasure. We founded to find out more… 1.) When in Miami you may catch me… At one of my favorite locales, the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens. The entire place is intricately designed to transport you to another world. When I’m not in the mood for the hustle and bustle of the city, this is my comfort zone. You don’t have to cross the pond to experience 17th and 18th century France and Italy. 2.) The biggest misconception about Miami is… Miami is only for good for Spring Breakers, partygoers and plastic surgeons. The city is so far from that! Miami is a cultural microcosm teeming with events for all walks of life. From South of Spice to the World Golf Championship and Coconut Grove Arts Festival, the city really does cater to entrepreneurs, socialites and families alike. 3.) The last restaurant I enjoyed in Miami was… Los Fuegos at Faena Hotel. As someone who cooks myself, I love to discover sophisticated flavors. I wish I could learn Chef Mallman’s secret to the grilled octopus and Kurobuta pork belly there. Scrumptious! The food and decor transport me to Argentina every time. 4.) What surprised me about Miami… It’s as much a financial hub as it is an epicenter of diversity. A business luncheon at Juvia isn’t “work” when I can talk shop, have an amazing lunch, grab a quick confection at Dylan’s, peruse art at Peter Lik’s and finish the day with a performance at New World Symphony that evening. In Miami, business IS pleasure. 5.) Best reason to return to Miami aside from the weather? Miami is the place where the crème de la crème of the culinary universe converge. It’s the desired hot spot for extensions of some of my favorite international restaurants–Koya, Zuma, Milos and Hakasan, to name a few. Plus, The Food TV Network’s Wine and Food Festival brings together the “who’s who” of the culinary world to Miami for an unbelievable weekend each February. The city is a chef’s paradise and a virtual dreamland for epicures like myself. 6.) First time I became really curious about Miami was… When I heard about the Miami City Ballet Company’s Underwater Ballet! If I wasn’t sure Miami was a trendsetter before, I certainly knew after seeing that. Traveling around the world, I’ve seen some beautiful performances, but this one is stellar. It’s an unforgettable experience that had me longing for all the innovative adventures Miami has to offer. 7. ) What happens in Miami stays in Miami…and our magazine. Any secret or funny moment you’d like to share about you and this city? On one trip to Wynwood, I stopped at a gallery to peruse what was on display. I noticed a black and white still-­life photography exhibit of rocks. I’d say it was “common chic”, if you catch my drift. Anyway, as I walked toward the exit, I saw a framed photo of the most precious, full-­of-­life, happy­-go-­lucky dog. I was staring and smiling at the adorable photo when another viewer approached me and asked what I thought about the exhibit. I replied, “I love it! It’s so cute and full of life; I just want to take that dog home and cuddle with him!” Well, it turned out that the stranger was the actual artist. He glared at me and mumbled through his teeth, “I traveled around the globe with the most technologically-­advanced camera and light equipment and a crew of five assistants, walked through canyons, climbed up mountains and crossed streams to get perfect shots of these magnificent stones…and you stand in awe of my Labrador Retriever photo that I snapped with my iPhone. Thanks.” I felt so bad, but honesty is the best policy, right??

Business, Financial, The Issue

My Miami: Ken Mahoney

Ken Mahoney is the current star and face of financial advising. The Founder and CEO of Mahoney Asset Management in New York is known for his “outside of the box” ideas and creative approach to the financial market. That’s why he’s not only a highly sought-after guest expert on typical business shows and channels where he frequently gives us more insight into the swinging moods of the Dow Jones Industrial Average and NASDAQ. We also see him on programs, such as the TODAY show, where he educates viewers on various topics like turning your own junk into cash, for example. Since diversity is increasingly becoming a key ingredient in successful careers, Ken himself followed his own advice and branched out into his passion of Broadway. Today, he is not just a Broadway-lover but also a Tony Award winning producer! The happily married father of two boys is a true embodiment of the term “business meets pleasure” and views Miami as the perfect place for both family and business trips. When in Miami you can catch me… Taking a walk in the early morning on South Beach and Ocean Drive. I’ll spontaneously pop into a restaurant, like The Front Porch Cafe, for great breakfast and be entertained by people watching. The biggest misconception about Miami is… That it’s just the “hustle and bustle” of a big city. It can be at times, but the nearby ocean and the picturesque Art Deco District in the area can encourage people to stop and smell the roses. The last restaurant I enjoyed in Miami was… KLIMA Restaurant and Bar. It is simply outstanding spanish cuisine; plus, my wife and I enjoy the low-key atmosphere. We order a number of tapas to try a little of everything and I get to practice speaking Spanish, which is “un poco” [laughs]. What surprised me most about Miami was… That Miamians are really into their sports, especially the Miami Heat! But also the Miami Dolphins and Miami Marlins. When you speak to Miami natives, they usually jump right into their sport teams. Also, the architecture and Art Deco District being so close to the ocean is very beautiful. And the colors… my God, the colors! Aside from the weather, the best reason to return to Miami is… The vibe. I truly believe Miami invented the idea of “work hard, play hard.” People are so happy, warm and friendly. They accept you even though you’re there for a short stay. You feel so welcomed to come back. The first time I became really curious about Miami was… Do I need to share my age? [Laughs]. The Miami Sound Machine and the great opening theme of Miami Vice–including Jan Hammer’s amazing musical theme, of course. What happens in Miami stays in Miami…and in MSM. Any secret or funny moment you‘d like to share about you and this city? I was in traffic and noticed all the cars getting off an exit, so I figured “when in Rome…” I got off the exit earlier than I expected, and in hopes of skipping the accident ahead, I followed the car in front of me, figuring he would navigate us through local roads. The next thing you know, he pulled into his driveway! I pulled over and said I was not stalking him, but was expecting to follow him back to the highway. With that, he jumped back into his car and brought me back to the highway, with plenty of laughs. That is the kindness of Miami people! Click here to view this post in the September/October 2015 digital issue Click here to view the online issue

Business, Financial, MSM Online

Tips for Retirement Planning by Ken Mahoney Author of ‘Can I Retire?’

From Ken Mahoney “Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.” – Mark Twain There really is a new way to look at retirement.  When our parents’ generation retired, they retired for good. They may have retired at 62 and passed away at 66.  Today, we are living longer, healthier lives. Our parents and grandparents were also part of the manufacturing generation.  They had to work very hard and the body could only last for so many years.  Today, we have transitioned into a service economy where people can work much longer. It’s not uncommon to see people work in their 80’s and 90’s. Now enter ‘serial retirement’ — a name I came up with for those who have several retirements in their lifetime. The fact is, most retirees do not have a plan to go back to work, but after a year or so, some get itchy to do something. I have seen retirees call it quits at 60, then at 62 go back to help a son’s/daughter’s business for a few years, retire again, a year later get involved in a small business and repeat. I have had clients retire 3 or 4 times with this ‘serial retirement’. I am not suggesting you have to do this, just be aware that many people are doing this now.  However, their 2nd ‘act’ is something they love doing and happen to get paid for it. In my last book, Can I Retire?, I talked about how a lot of people are still really unsure about when they can retire and what they need to make it happen.  Most people spend a long time just being upset and worrying about the mere thought of retirement.  Some people even told me they’d wake up in a sweat wondering whether they’ll ever have enough money to support them through their retirement years. The only real answer to that question is a projection – working out your income in the future; looking at your assets and how you could draw income from those assets.   Saving for retirement is one of the most important tasks you will undertake in your adult life. This book aims to help you achieve this goal by showing you how you can effectively work with your assets and make the most of your years before and after retirement. While retirement used to be considered by many as the final stage of their lives, it’s actually just the beginning of a new stage of your life. This new stage in life should bring fulfillment. Maybe it’s time for you to travel to places that you’ve never before had the time or means to visit, or indulge in hobbies that were impossible to enjoy because of time restraints. (Please ask about our companion workbook that covers this topic in great detail). Maybe you’ll even think of it as an opportunity to spend longer hours with your family and friends. Most likely, though, it’s a combination of all of these things. What retirement should NOT be is a time for worrying about whether or not you can afford travelling to all those places you’ve always wanted to visit, enjoying that hobby you never had time for before, or worst of all, being unsure of whether or not you can afford to retire and live comfortably.  Whether we like to admit it or not, money is just as important during retirement as it is during your working life—maybe even more so actually, since you will no longer have a regular stream of income coming in from your job. I’m not saying that your income is supposed to stop. On the contrary, by the time you finish reading this book you should have a clear-cut plan as to what you want to do with your life after retirement, including a plan to have various sources of income so that you can enjoy this stage of your life. By planning ahead, you can ensure that you are financially able to have the lifestyle you want. By considering your goals and your potential financial resources, you’ll be giving yourself the best possible chance of succeeding. If you are one of the 76 million baby boomers that have recently retired, or soon will, the odds are good that your prime earning years are already behind you, or will be soon. So now it’s time to focus your financial planning on the distribution years.   The best thing about having a well-thought out plan for your future is that it gives you the luxury of enjoying today and feeling secure that your retirement years are being provided for. It’s about being able to strike a balance between living for today and preparing for tomorrow. “The willingness and ability to live fully in the now eludes many people. While eating your appetizer, don’t be concerned with dessert.” – Dr. Wayne Dyer A recent study shows that people spend more time planning their own one-week vacation than they do planning for their retirement. Isn’t that crazy? It’s true!  People spend more time planning vacations, getting on the Internet, browsing sites like Tripadvisor.com, speaking to/Facebooking their friends, really planning out a nice itinerary, places they want to see, restaurants they want to go to, sites they want to visit.  Yet, they don’t have the same enthusiasm when it comes to planning for retirement. Why? After all, what is retirement if not a very long vacation?  I think planning for your vacation is definitely a smart thing to do, having your days planned out and leaving some time out for spontaneity when it comes to a vacation. I haven’t met anyone who doesn’t enjoy planning his or her vacations; it’s a fun activity.   Yet when it comes to retirement planning, people get the heebie jeebies.  They don’t want to sit down and plan it, or even think about it, because they are scared.  Why not focus that same enthusiasm, that same excitement of planning a vacation on their retirement planning? I always tell people to start off with your destination.

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