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MSM Online, News & Entertainment

One On One With GiGi Diaz

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She’s on your radio, leading networking events and speaking at summits everywhere. She’s GiGi Diaz, a Cuban born, iHeartRadio personality, serial entrepreneur and Mindset & Business Coach for women. The positive vibes she spreads with each professional hat she wears has earned the moniker of The Conscious Influencer and she lives up to it daily. GiGi Diaz is on air on 939MIA in Miami, Mia 92-1 in West Palm Beach and in multiple other markets throughout the United States. Her first business, a dance studio called GiGi’s Academy, was founded in 2003 right after she graduated from high school and was recently ranked Top 3 Dance Studios in its city. Her second business, Seizing Happy, is a Mindset & Business Coaching Program dedicated to teaching women how to tap into their inner happiness source to lead more empowered and purposeful lives. It offers networking events, one-on-one coaching, courses and workshops. We sat with this busy bee for a few questions and here’s what we learned. With all that you do, how you keep it all afloat? I can confidently say I am a time management queen! When I was much younger I literally worked myself into an urgent care. I was losing my hair, had break outs all over my skin, and while driving from one job to another, one day I practically lost my vision in the middle of the highway. It was really scary. To make a long story short, after getting checked out my doctor pretty much told me I was working myself sick. That day changed everything for me and taught me that no matter how passionate, driven, or eager you are to achieve the success you dream of, you need to put yourself first. I manage my time by listing tasks, then prioritizing them, then delegating what I can and giving myself a deadline to complete the tasks I keep for myself. Even though it looks like I’m doing 100 things all the time, I focus on only one big project at a time. What causes you stress and how do you overcome it? A lot of my stress comes from overthinking and uncertainty about what’s coming up. If I’m planning an event, launching a new course or workshop I tend to overthink and worry. I know this happens to a lot of people. Breathing is an instant stress reducer for me. When I feel the stress creeping I stop whatever I’m doing and do some mindful breathing. I inhale for 4 seconds, hold it for 3 seconds and exhale for 5 seconds. I repeat this a few times trying to make the exhale longer each time. This slows down my thinking, my heart rate, and allows me to step away from the stress to look at everything more clearly. I meditate every morning for a few minutes and I do it again every night before bed. This has helped me tremendously with clarity, anxiety, and unnecessary worry. Is there a mantra or quote that helps you thrive? Yes! I’ve been closing my shows with “la felicidad es una decision” for years! It translates to “happiness is a choice.” I feel that when your happiness is found within, no one and nothing can take it from you. When you seek joy in life and within yourself, instead of in outside influences, you own that happiness. It’s unshakable. I love affirmations too, I use them every day. I even made my own affirmations eBook to share with friends and it was such a hit I started offering it to clients too. What tip do you have for those people trying to launch a side hustle? I tell my clients this all the time: KNOW YOUR WHY. Why are you doing this? Whatever that answer is, ask WHY again, and again, until you get to the root of why you want to do this. Knowing your deepest reason why is what’s going to keep you motivated when you’re tired and disciplined when you fail (and, yes, you will fail, probably many times). Independence, financial freedom, and reasons similar to those are good, but go deeper. Way deeper. What is the biggest mistake people make when launching? There are so many! I have an entire episode of my Chats with GiGi podcast dedicated to this question! But I’ll go with the first that came to mind when you asked: investing in the wrong things. A lot of launching entrepreneurs spend a ton of money on website designs, business cards, and other aesthetic things. The most important investment to make when launching is in guidance so you avoid as many mistakes as possible. I have spent thousands on coaching and it’s exponentially grown my business. The other investment I think that is very important is delegating! You need to spend your time creating and SELLING, not worrying about the daily tasks of entrepreneurship. I know investing in these things sounds like a luxury to many, but it’s my expert advice, what has worked for me and what works for other successful entrepreneurs. Talking to GiGi was a treat. She’s passionate, energetic and in love with what she does. You can find her on Instagram as @GiGiDiazLIVE, learn more about her at gigidiaz.com and listen to her on 939MIA, Mia 92-1, RUMBA and on the CHATS with GiGi podcast on the free iHeartRadio app.

MSM Online, News & Entertainment

Fox Nation is launching with Tyrus as its (not so secret ) weapon

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Interview by Nadja Atwal There is a new infotainment giant waiting to take over the net:  Fox Nation is a new subscription digital streaming service with no cable package necessary. The digital streaming service is effectively designed to enhance your cable subscription experience. The motto is simple and strong: “Opinion Done Right.” And what is extra fun for the audience is that it will initially launch as an ad free experience (let’s enjoy that while it lasts).   One of the star hosts of Fox Nation is former wrestling star (ex-bodyguard to Snoop Dog, yes, you read that right)  and current Co-host of the Greg Gutfeld show TYRUS. Just one name. Like Madonna … Drake, oh or his Foxnews colleague Kennedy. Who would hide a real last name like Murdoch? Well, Tyrus doesn’t need it. It does amuse him however when people speculate whether or not he is part of the Murdoch dynasty. We met Tyrus for a little interview at his studio where he impressed us with a bedazzling mix of warmth and wit (we laughed tears on several occasions).  Add his striking authenticity and you got a real rock star … or Fox star. Aside from the classic interview talk we had a side chat about politics (my view on US politics as a political commentator from Europe always makes for fun talking points). And at the end of our meeting Tyrus invited me to be a future guest on the show. So all around it was a well spent morning at the FoxNation headquarter in NY …   People know you from the Greg Gutfeld show where you and Greg review the hot topics of the week with humor and great wit. How did this collaboration start? I always liked Greg’s show and was simply watching at home and then tweeting him at one point, complementing him on how well he made a certain point. He tweeted me back and ultimately invited me as a guest on his show. We hit it off and the audience loved our interaction so much that I became Greg’s so- called “side kick” on the show.   What a switch from the wrestling world and beforehand being part of the Snoop Dog clan as the bodyguard. I heard you experimented around with names for a while and i’m glad Tyrus is where you left it but tell us about the other names you gambled with? Yeah, when I left Snoop and successfully entered the wrestling world, I wanted to use the name Broadus, Snoops real last name, out of respect for him. So I came up with Broadus Pryor, since I was a big Richard Pryor fan. But my mentor at that time said “Broadus Pryor”? That sound like a creepy reverent. He liked Broadus Clay though. Like Cassius Clay. So that became my character.   Hey, no better thought association for winning in the ring than good old Muhammad Ali … Yes. And then later I ended up with Tyrus ultimately when the WWE and I parted ways.   Well, one does play a role when in the ring as a wrestler. Tyrus sounds strong and surely is unique; when you google Tyrus only you come up. Yes, there is only me … and some demon from somewhere in the bible. And he didn’t get a lot of play out of that though … I mean even Kane got more play than Tyrus!   Well, it’s always good to be unique … and feared, right? And now the man with the perfect name will  inform and entertain us on Fox Nation! Please, tell us about the show. My co-host and I will review the hot topics, but focus on one guest per show. The title of the show is exactly what our viewers can expect: UN PC. It’s planned to run around 25 minutes and we plan on 4-5 minutes per topic per show but look,  if something strikes a chord we’ll stay on that topic longer. The flow of the show dictates how it goes …   Did you know your co-host Britt McHenry before you were teamed up? Only what I read about her in the news which was partially controversial. Never met her personally though , so naturally I did not know what to expect. But I approached her with a very open mind and when we met, we tried something very refreshing: total honesty with each other! We now know exactly where the other is coming from and are working out well as a team. I also took my writer from Greg Gutfeld show with me to this show, so expect lots of fun.   Sounds like perfect infotainment. And what about when the lights go off ? We heard you frequent Miami for some family fun and relaxation … Yes,  I spend a lot of time there with my kids. And I don’t just enjoy the beach – I love the animal parks! All result of my great passion for the documentaries by the great Sir Richard Attenborough. So it has become a regular thing to a point where you can guess that this guy you spot who feeds the giraffe must be me (laughs).   Where do you hang out to kick back and relax with a drink when in Miami? Oh, when I am in Miami, there is lots of Dave & Buster’s happening. Lot’s of it!   Can’t be easy to stay undercover given your height. People must be approaching you all the time … (laughs) Oh, yes they do … There is nothing I can do about sticking out in the crowd  anymore – and its not just my height. I mean look at me? Aside from being 6 ft 7 inches tall, my arms are covered in tattoos, I have darker skin but green eyes, plus I’m always a biscuit away from being fat (laughs). But it’s all good.  I really appreciate the fans and support.   Thank you Tyrus, we will be watching and are wishing you great success with your show.   Current homepage: https://nation.foxnews.com  

Business, MSM Online, News & Entertainment

Floridians Turn To Solar Energy As A New Investment Strategy

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By MSM Staff Florida is known for its exceptional climate with abundant natural resources spread across the state. This makes the Sunshine State one of the global leaders in Renewable Energy, both in research, development and alternative fuel sources. However, after Hurricane Irma, it was clear that the issue of access to solar power was a massive problem in the State. With the power outage and the delay in restoring power supply, residents were forced to figure out how to power their households. This motivated most residents to consider switching to renewable energy by getting solar panels for their homes.   Although there was an initial restriction to this, the Sunshine State has decided to take a new turn with regards to solar power by approving the lease of Solar to Floridian households. With solar power being a more sustainable alternative for long-term electricity production, a significant number of residents are already making the switch. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, Florida has the third greatest rooftop solar potential in the country. However, it ranks 14th in installed solar capacity. This new change in policy will boost the growth of both rooftops and utility solar installations in Florida.  But what is even more worth noting about the solar energy concept is that it presents an intriguing new investment concept. In the US companies like Commtrade Solar Group attract clients with a Solar Tax Equity  strategy which can be used (and this is just one of several positive aspects) to significantly lower or even totally eliminate your Federal income tax.   Other Floridians are turning to European sources for their solar investment strategy. “ It’s remarkable how many inquiries we keep getting from American investors. They see the profitable energy market and want to use the state guarantees of the largest European economy here in Germany” said Andreas Becker, representative, Lightcore Energy. What companies like Lightcore do is to propose a very easy and transparent concept for private investors to become a solar power plant owner with sizable, predictable returns. At the same time, investors find the idea appealing that they are part of an environmentally friendly production that benefits not just them but our future generations.   Having one of the highest irradiation levels and fast-growing demand, investors are beginning to see companies like this as more than a bet on energy prices. One’s investment guarantees at least 7% annual growth for 20 years – independent of price fluctuations in the energy market . As a result no one is surprised that  investors are excited about solar power plants and, of course,  Brickell is all over this.

Interviews, MSM Online, News & Entertainment, Showbiz

Martha MacCallum – Live From The Sunshine State

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Martha MacCallum – Exclusive Interview  By Nadja Atwal Martha MacCallum is one of those people that generates an “insta-like” reaction. The successful host of the Fox News show ‘The Story’ continues to receive praise from the media and her audience both for her interview style that has always successfully thrived for an objective delivery and classy debate of the latest news. The gorgeous anchor with those famous light blonde tresses (no wonder she told ALLURE magazine she never even considered changing her hair color) began her career as a reporter for Corporate Finance Magazine and held a variety of positions including with NBC and CNBC before she signed with the No 1 cable News Station Fox News.   In 1997 and 2003, MacCallum was the recipient of the American Women in Radio and Television award for her reporting and  in 2017, she landed on Variety’s New York Power List. On Thursday, June 28th, the busy power woman and her colleague, Fox News anchor Bret Baier will co-moderate a Republican gubernatorial primary debate in Orlando live from the Gaylord Palms Resort in front of a live audience. We took the opportunity to conduct an exclusive interview with Martha.    Not only have you established yourself as a powerhouse on primetime, but you are one of the few political TV show hosts who has not stirred up controversy. Is it because you try not to weigh in too heavily with your personal opinion or what is your recipe ?    My recipe is news and doing great coverage every night. Honestly, I am not a person who believes what I do is about me. It’s not about me. It’s about the viewers, the audience, and the country. I’m an arbiter of the news that’s coming across my desk every day and there are times when I reveal a little bit about how I feel about something, but I have a pretty good barometer for where that line is and I really try not to cross it. I’m really thrilled that the show is doing so well, but the recipe is always evolving!   Whenever I spent time at the Fox News building in NY in my capacity as a political commentator, I had a fantastic  experience  –  only meeting the nicest people. I perceived the place instantly as an environment where true friendships can be initiated and manifest. Then again as a host you must also feel that conflicting vibe of in-house competition. Tell us a bit about your experience and how you’ve navigated through it all over the years.   I think that we have very healthy competition here. We all want our show to be number one – we certainly want all of our shows to be in the top 10 in which we’re thankful to say that we have a tremendous record of success. The bar is very high for all of us and I think that we compete first against the other networks, and then second against each other in terms of wanting to have the best show. I think anybody whose successful in life has that attitude. That being said, we also are friends and we develop close friendships over the years. I’m just reminded of this weekend I went to Charles Krauthammer’s funeral and saw so many close friends from this environment and people who appreciated Charles and will miss him so much. Being there reminded me of what’s really important in life and that is friendships, people and the way you treat each other. I think that that’s something that’s really important to all of us.    This Thursday you will  host a Republican gubernatorial primary debate in Orlando. Again you were paired with Bret Baier for this live event. What makes you two a great  team?   We love working together. I think we complement each other really well. Bret obviously does a fantastic job and is based in Washington and has a great pulse for politics. I’ve covered politics my entire career as well and this is really a dream job for me. This is something I’ve always wanted to do. So when I sit in that chair and moderate debates I walk in there with my homework done because I absolutely love the whole process of writing, refining and debating the questions with our team. It is truly a dream come true for me and I love working with Bret. Bret is one of the best people that you will meet in this business and as long as we work together – that’s a great place for me to be.    After hosting debates like this where the audience has access to you, what are the most frequent questions you are getting from audience members once the show is over?   I can honestly say that they tell us to keep up the good work. They are incredibly encouraging. Sometimes you’ll hear someone who is a fan, isn’t a fan – I like to talk to people on all sides of the fence. I think it’s what makes life interesting and we just love their input and I love doing it in front of a crowd. The energy in the room is really palpable and it fuels the energy on stage. When we walk out and when we look at everybody and they’re so excited to be there it’s just so different for us because I’m used to working on a quiet set with a bunch of people. Being in front of a live audience just adds that extra energy and excitement to the night.   You are also devoting a substantial amount of time to charities, tell us a bit about the projects you currently support with great passion and why?   I’ve long been involved with The Inner City Scholarship Fund / Be a Student’s Friend program in New York and New Jersey. I believe that the Catholic schools in both states provide an amazing opportunity for inner city kids to be taught in an environment that’s safe and gives them a place to grow and thrive, and

Arts, Culture, MSM Online, News & Entertainment

PROYECTO PAZ LATINOAMERICA

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Famed model, actress, and TV host Eglantina Zingg’s non-profit organization Proyecto Paz Latinoamerica, and The Standard have come together to collaborate with renowned Fine Artist David Foote on “Peace Line”. A live painting installation taking place this Sunday, May 1st 2016 at The Garden at The Standard, East Village. Foote will be hand painting one of a kind canvases with his signature style women in black and PPLA’s colors. This unique installation will feature the finished canvases suspended on clotheslines with classic wood pins as guests will be able to purchase the one of a kind paintings for a special price. A percentage of all sales will benefit Proyecto Paz Latinoamerica a non-profit organization that supports young women in the most vulnerable communities in Latin America by promoting soccer programs as a tool for peace and development.   ABOUT PROYECTO PAZ LATINOAMERICA Created by Venezuelan Actress and Television personality Eglantina Zingg, Proyecto Paz Latinoamerica is a non-profit organization that supports young women in the most vulnerable communities in Latin America by promoting soccer programs as a tool for peace and development. Our Goals PPLA seeks to inspire and mobilize youth, community leaders, activists, individuals and other organizations to become agents of change; to participate in projects that will promote human values in their communities and provide children and young people the tools to build a future of peace. We positively impact public policies around the region and contribute to the expansion of education in human values as a mechanism to reduce violence and crime.   ABOUT DAVID FOOTE At the age of 17, David Foote left his hometown of Caracas, Venezuela to pursue a career that would realize his lifelong passions of both fine art and filmmaking. He attended Parsons School of Design, where he received BFAs in both Animation and Illustration. Since graduation, Foote’s professional portfolio spans a wide range of titles, including Fine Artist, Filmmaker, Creative Director, Children’s Book Illustrator, Motion Graphic Designer, Animator, and Fashion Illustrator. He’s currently in pre-production for his first feature film “Famous” which he wrote and will direct. As a fine artist, his previous shows include “New Girls,” his 2008 April solo exhibit at Tribecas L Gallery, which led to a second solo presentation in October of 2008,  “(in) Res-i-dence,” hosted by Whitewall magazine and Kwiat diamonds.  Shortly thereafter, during Art Basel 2008, he had a showing with Gana Art Gallery at Scope art fair, followed by the release of his “David Foote Limited Edition No.10” exhibit in the spring of 2009, a collaboration with Bo Concept. He unveiled another one-man show, “Madonna and Child,” in the fall of 2010, comprising of 12 new paintings and over 50 works on paper at St. John’s Church in the West Village. In 2012, he teamed up with artist Anne Koch for “The Nest,” an exhibition with Chelsea’s Honey Space. In 2014 he displayed “A Series Alarming Women,” at SUMO Gallery in Tribeca and May 2nd 2015 Hanro of Switzerland commissioned him to create a 65 ft Mural at their flagship store in the meatpacking district, NYC in order to celebrate the opening of the Downtown Whitney Museum. Foote has released two books with Knopf: His debut title, Modern Fairies, Dwarves, Goblins and Other Nasties and The Wondrous Journals of Dr. Wendell Wellington Wiggins and is currently working on a new book by Poppy King published by Simon and Schuster called “The A to Z of Lipstick” coming this Holiday 2016. He is also the creative director and co-founder of Jaboneria Marianella, a line of luxury bath and body products sold worldwide. He has been featured in The New York Times, The New York Observer, The New York Post, New York Magazine, BlackBook, and Women’s Wear Daily, among others. For more information on Proyecto Paz Latinoamerica visit  http://proyectopazla.org Peace Line: Sunday May 1st 2016 12 pm to 7 pm The Garden at The Standard, East Village 25 Cooper Square NYC Between East 5th and 6th Streets For information on David Foote visit: www.davidfootestudio.com For more information on Eglantina Zingg and social media, please visit: www.guapanonstop.com www.ezingg.com  

Cover Stories, Entertainment, Music, News & Entertainment, The Issue

Julio Iglesias, Jr.: World Tour with His Father, Family Life, & What’s Next

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September-October Issue 2015 MIAMI NATIVE & SPANISH SINGER REVEALS WHAT IT’S LIKE BEING ON TOUR WITH HIS FATHER, GROWING UP AS AN ‘IGLESIAS,’ & WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS FOR HIM By Gisel Habibnejad Photographed by Ernesto Poblacion With musical talent running through his veins, it’s safe to say Julio Iglesias, Jr. was born to grace the world with his gift. Throughout his lifetime and various works, music has always remained a constant. There’s no denying the greatness that awaits Julio in the near future with a new album in the works and joining his father on his world tour, among the many. Julio was born to Spanish music icon Julio Iglesias, and Filipina socialite and journalist Isabel Preysler. Growing up, his parents instilled morals and values that molded him into the person he is today. “My dad taught me the importance of working hard in anything you do in life and to always surround yourself with great people.” Having a popular singer as a father also had its perks. “When I was younger, I saw my father like any young boy sees his father. As I got older, I began to realize that my father was famous. It was always nice to hear my friends and their parents express how they love my father’s music,” says the singer. “It’s a great feeling when people appreciate what your parents do.” Although he doesn’t plan on having children in the near future, he can’t wait to instill his family values into his future offspring. “I value good people with big hearts, family, friends, and music.” As Julio grew older, his passion for music blossomed and he soon realized his purpose in life. “Growing up in a musically-inclined family, you learn to really appreciate it.” While it would be easy to assume Julio broke into show business through music, it was actually through his modeling career. With several campaigns under his belt, his most notable include: Versace and Gap. Soon after, he ventured off into other aspects of the industry. He displayed his dance moves on the Spanish version of Dancing with the Stars known as ¡Mira Quien Baila! He then went on to win the first season of Gone Country, featuring various celebrities from different genre backgrounds competing to become a country singer. However, the most memorable of his TV stints has to be his frequent appearances on Oprah Winfrey’s talk show. Somewhere between his modeling career and television shows, Julio toured and became the opening act of Cher’s Do You Believe? 1999 North American tour. Most recently, Julio recorded the album Latin Lovers, featuring various artists coming together to create a compilation covering popular Spanish music hits. Along with Nuno Resende and Damien Sargue, Julio performed several of these covers at numerous concerts throughout Europe. Among the popular singles are “Vous Les Femmes,” an original by his father, “La Camisa Negra,” and “Livin’ La Vida Loca.” When he’s not touring or traveling all over the world, he’s in Miami–the place he has called home for most of his life. Julio was born in Spain, but moved to our beloved city when he was a child. Ever since, it has held a special place in his heart. “My family and friends live here. There’s nothing better than that.” An ideal day for Julio is relaxing by the beach and playing tennis. “The great thing about Miami is that you never get bored here; the city is always expanding. There’s always something to do.” However, ‘home is where the heart is’ and his heart belongs to his beautiful wife, Charisse Verhaert. Charisse and Julio began dating 12 years ago and finally tied the knot in 2011. “I love my wife, she’s an amazing woman. I’m very blessed to have her by my side,” says Julio about the Belgian model. While he’s usually touring overseas, some of his favorite destinations are within our very boarders. He takes delight in making occasional trips to the Florida Keys and spending time in his vacation home. Besides boating and kite boarding, the drive itself brings him bliss. “The spectacular view of the ocean on both sides when crossing the Seven Mile Bridge really makes the long drive worth it.” Having attended Menlo College near San Francisco, Julio grew affection towards Northern California, which he visits at least four times a year. One of his favorite places on the west coast is Lake Tahoe. During the winter, he can’t get enough of snowboarding; while in the summer, he enjoys the quiet beaches. Earlier this year, it was announced Julio would be joining his father on his world tour. Their first official performance together took place on May 22nd in Romania. Bulgaria, Spain, and Portugal were among the other countries that followed. In September, he will perform alongside his father in Guadalajara, Santiago de Querétaro, Mérida, Yucatán, Hermosillo, Puebla, and Monterrey in Mexico. In November and December, he looks forward to touring in Asia. “It’s a great experience because I get to spend a lot of quality time with my father. To share a stage with him in front of 20,000 people has been a dream come true.” As for a concert in Miami, locals should be on the look out for an upcoming performance down the road. With this in mind, we had to ask: are there any future plans for a performance with Julio, his father, and Enrique? We were pleasantly surprised to find the answer to be yes. Whenever this occurs, it is sure to make history! We were especially excited to learn that Julio has begun writing and recording songs for his next Spanish solo album, which will be released next spring. Everyone will be able to get to know Julio on a personal level like never before, and he can’t wait to share it with the world. To keep up with all the latest news on Julio Iglesias, Jr., follow his social media accounts: Instagram: @juliojrofficial Facebook: www.facebook.com/JulioJrOfficial Twitter: @JulioJrOfficial Click here to view this

Entertainment, News & Entertainment, The Issue

LA MUSA Awards Induction Gala 2015

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CELEBRATING THE GREATEST LATIN SONGWRITERS & COMPOSERS By Gisel Habibnejad Photography Courtesy of AR ENTERTAINMENT & LSHOF On October 18, 2012 history was made when the Nominating Committee and Board of Directors had their first meeting to establish The Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame. “I was driven by my passion to honor the greatest Latin Songwriters of all time,” shares Rudy Peréz, LSHOF Co-Founder and President, who joined forces with Desmond Child, LSHOF Co-Founder and Chairman, to create the organization. With the celebration of the musical accomplishments of Spanish and Portuguese icons as its driving force, these music titans will never be forgotten. In efforts to support and educate those aspiring to pursue a career in the music world, workshops, showcases, and scholarships are put into the hands of the next musically inclined generation. “Our immediate goals are to continue inspiring new generations of songwriters through our Masterclass In The Round series and ongoing digital initiatives,” says Peréz. Once a year, The Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame committee comes together to celebrate inductees and honorees with LA MUSA Awards Induction Gala. Special performances by artists currently making waves and presenters honoring their peers take place throughout the night. While the night is full of laughs and tears, the induction process is hard work. Involving singers, producers, songwriters, recording engineers, and performing rights organization representatives, the awards aren’t just handed to anyone. Some of the requirements include having their first big hit at least 20 years prior. The amount of significant influence they’ve had on other artists is also taken into consideration. The award trophy itself has a beautiful story behind it. The design was inspired by cofounder, Desmond Child’s mother in order to preserve her legacy and symbolize the meaning of the award. “In 2012 after my mother, the Cuban poet and songwriter Elena Casals passed away. I felt a strong need to create a legacy in her honor that would educate, preserve, honor and celebrate the lives and music of the world’s greatest Latin music songwriters and composers and encourage future generations of music creators in every genre,” recalls Child. Of course, none of this would be possible without the founders. Rudy Peréz, LSHOF Co-Founder and President, has made an impact in the music industry for the last 30 years writing about 300 #1 hit songs and being pronounced “Producer of the Decade” by Billboard Magazine with five Grammy wins. Fellow musical veteran of 40 years, LSHOF Co-Founder and Chairman, Desmond Child has sold 300 million albums worldwide and has worked with artists such as Bon Jovi, Katy Perry, and Aerosmith. In addition to honoring the biggest musical influences in the industry, they make it a priority to preserve an endless appreciation to songwriters who often become the unsung heroes of the music business. “We stand with them in solidarity so they will be able to make careers out of what they do best, which is to write the classic songs that we’ll be honoring at the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame far into the future,” declares Child. The Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame may be young, but the future only looks brighter with a museum in Miami and a traveling exhibition currently in the works. “We are in the planning stages of creating an interactive Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame Museum Experience that will be a must see tourist attraction in Miami,” reveals Peréz. For now, we can celebrate Latin music and its pioneers through LA MUSA Awards Induction Gala which will take place on Thursday, October 15, 2015 at 7pm at The Fillmore Miami Beach Jackie Gleason Theatre. “This year we have many surprises in store, you will see unique performances that you’ll never see anywhere else, as well as a stellar line up of iconic legends and contemporary superstars all accompanied by the great La Musa Orchestra conducted by Maestro Eduardo Marturet of the Miami Symphony Orchestra,” shares Peréz. The upscale event will induct Hector Ochoa Cardenas, Emilio Estefan, Myriam Hernadez, Gustavo Santaolalla, Alvaro Torres, and Diego Torres. The 2015 Honorees include Beto Cuevas, Fonseca, Alejandra Guzman, Quincy Jones, and Rita Moreno.  LA MUSA Awards Induction Gala will take place on Thursday, October 15, 2015 For more information, please visit www.latinsonghall.com Click here to view this post in the September/October 2015 digital issue Click here to view the online issue

Business, News & Entertainment, The Issue

Michael Capponi & Gideon Kimbrell: Taking Entrepreneurship to the Next Level

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By Angela Betancourt Photographed by Akram Soliman Miami Beach was not always the desirable city it is today. Its transformation is due large in part to visionaries who saw the city not for what it was, but for what it could be. One such visionary is Michael Capponi, an entrepreneur and humanitarian who has played a major role in shaping Miami’s nightlife industry. For the past 20 years, he has been one of Miami’s most prominent business figures and the gatekeeper to the hottest clubs in the city. His influence is legendary and it’s no surprise that his latest venture has become an instant success. Capponi partnered with software engineer and tech expert Gideon Kimbrell to create InList: a new members-only mobile app that is propelling the nightlife industry into the future. InList provides access to the hottest venues, restaurants, and parties around the world right at your fingertips. The app currently features hundreds of venues in more than 45 cities around the world including Miami, New York, Las Vegas, Paris, Ibiza, Saint-Tropez, Dubai, and Hong Kong. Since its launch, it has had more than 100,000 downloads. “It was an underserved market,” said Capponi who saw the tremendous potential to combine nightlife with technology in today’s connected world. “This is the future of nightlife.” InList uses a proprietary concierge model that allows app users to make dinner reservations, book a table at a club, or secure access to a special event right on their phone. The venues are selected by special “InList ambassadors” around the globe. These ambassadors are highly connected people tasked to hand-select the best events in their cities. The team plans on launching InList in new markets, incorporate more major events, and introduce a new ticketing category. “There are a lot of things we want to do but we want to make sure we execute it properly,” said Kimbrell. Bringing the worlds of nightlife and technology together is just one of Capponi’s many projects. In addition to being a nightlife pioneer, he is also an influential figure in the construction industry and a passionate humanitarian. Capponi has built and restored some of the most beautiful homes in Miami. He is the recipient of several awards including the Renovation Firm of the Year Award from the Developers and Builders Alliance. Recently he joined forces with Shear Construction & Management to form Capponi Shear Construction. The company builds and restores homes from Star Island to Indian Creek that range from $4 million to $50 million. For Capponi, restoration also plays a role in his charitable work. He is the founder of the Haiti Empowerment Mission, a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization with the goal to empower the people of Haiti by providing quality education, diverse vocational training, and job creation. After the devastating earthquake in Haiti, Capponi and his team were one of the first people on the ground to help. In the past six years, he has been there more than 70 times. “The first 20 or so of those trips were mission trips to help on a humanitarian level to bring them food and medical attention,” Capponi explained. After that, his trips were about housing, education, and helping in boosting tourism as one of the pathways to sustainability. “We spent a lot of time promoting Haiti as a tourism destination.” Capponi knows there are still challenges to overcome in the country, especially when it comes to non-profit organizations, but he recognizes that progress is being made. Whether he is revolutionizing the nightlife industry, beautifying Miami with his construction projects, or improving lives in Haiti, Capponi’s innovative spirit and vision for the future is making a lasting impact that will be felt for years to come. “We all have the same motives–to create business models that better the world somehow.” For more information on InList, please visit www.InList.com Click here to view this post in the September/October 2015 digital issue Click here to view the online issue

Business, News & Entertainment, The Issue

Words of Wisdom with Mike Fernandez

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By Ernesto Poblacion Mike Fernandez is best known for his entrepreneurial ventures around Miami. However, most of us forget to acknowledge where he came from and how he became one of the most successful men in the Magic City. Inspiring, tearjerking, and motivating are just a few words to describe the journey that humbled him. In Humbled by the Journey: Life Lessons For My Family…And Yours, Fernandez allows outsiders to take a sneak peek of his life growing up and the moments which changed his life. The book launched in January 2015, but had already pre-sold 20,000 copies. Ironically enough, it was actually an idea planted by his wife, Constance, who encouraged him to write a book about his success and tribulations for his children, grandchildren, and those who follow to read and learn his life lessons. While his business ventures have developed him into a high profile figure in our city, his philanthropic work is what sets him apart from all the others. Humbled by the Journey: Life Lessons For My Family…And Yours shares his intimate life challenges and triumphs through a 508- mile pilgrimage from France to Spain for which he will be partaking in for the third time this May. The walk raises money for Miami Children’s Hospital. Fernandez moved to Miami in 1975, and having not known anyone here, was forced to pave his own path to success. Thankfully, he is grateful to those who showed him encouragement, “Miami is full of people who have gone through what every new arrival is going through and if you ask for help or advice, you may be surprised as to how many people will go out of their way to help you.” Humbled by the Journey: Life Lessons For My Family… And Yours proves to be a lesson handbook for those inter- ested in the entrepreneurial field. “Failure is a necessary companion on the road to success,” says Fernandez when asked to give advice to those who fail time and time again. “I encourage all entrepreneurs to push themselves to the point of failure, and to always learn from it. The road to success is not linear and we must be ready to constantly adjust to market forces and customer demands.” One of those roadblocks may be racial or ethnic discrimination in a world where some find them- selves constantly having to prove their validity in the business world while pursuing their dreams. Fernandez was born in Cuba and moved to the United States when he was twelve years old. He offered his best ad- vice to those still facing this social issue, “You have a choice, you have the option of allowing someone the power over you to put you down or you can take the high road and use their words as a vehicle to motivate you to do better.” In January, The Related Group celebrated Fernandez’s condominium purchases in The Residences at Park Grove. He was excited to share his new neighbors will consist of close friends while his views will include the spectacular skyline and city lights Miami is made of. While he and his family will be living in Coconut Grove, which he described as one of Miami’s most sophisticated and interesting locations, you can find him enjoying Biscayne Bay or hiking somewhere in Spain with his loved ones. When asked what are the most important lessons readers can take away from his book, Fernandez simply replied: “Life and business are not as complicated as books and theory would lead you to believe. Life is about listening to your instincts and core values and business is about the smallest details because by focusing on the micro, the macro is almost guaranteed.” Well said, Fernandez, well said. Click here to view post on the 2015 March/April issue. 

Business, News & Entertainment, The Issue

Is Miami The New Capital of Entertainment?

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An interview with City of Miami Mayor Tomás Regalado on the future of entertainment in his jurisdiction. By Craig K. Skilling / Photographed by Imani Ogden On a sunny South Florida day, in his Coconut Grove office with a view fit for a mayor overlooking Biscayne Bay, Miami’s outspoken government official, City of Miami Mayor Tomás Regalado sits with MSM to discuss the future of entertainment in his jurisdiction. “I don’t agree that (Las) Vegas is the only place for entertainment. Miami has its own niche in terms of entertainment,” says Mayor Tomás Regalado. “Miami I think is the capitol of entertainment for the Latin community,” says the mayor. The mayor’s Film & Cultural Affairs Administrator Vicente “Vinnie” Betancourt, also present in the room, mentions that Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr. and the entire Rat Pack had an impact on live entertainment in Miami and South Beach before taking their talents to the Las Vegas strip. Many from around the globe are familiar with the major electronic music festival that takes place annually called Ultra. It’s been approximately fifteen year’s since the festival’s modest inception on ocean drive in south beach. This past year in downtown Miami the internationally recognized dance festival that coincides with college spring break, brought in well over a quarter of a million dollars in revenue to the City of Miami economy but was faced with controversy and several complaints by downtown Miami residents. The mayor says he has been very clear on his position and that “the Ultra music festival organizers will need to be safer moving forward or risk being moved from their downtown location.” “This will be the last test because you cannot afford the various problems in downtown, an area that boasts 13,000 residents in the Ultra area alone. These are residents of downtown who are very marketing oriented in terms of attending our local sport venues, museums, the (Adrienne) Arsht Center. These are people who are mostly professionals or retired professionals and they want a quality of life that they demand from us which is why they pay so much taxes,” says the mayor. When asked why Ultra is returning to downtown Miami for another year since he feels so strongly about moving the festival out of downtown, he responded by saying, “The mayor and commissioner do not vote.” The city commission voted to give them (Ultra) another chance and there was nothing we could do.” He then stated, “Hopefully they come back ready because some people died and when people die that is a game changer.” When asked if there was ever a formal plan put into place to spawn the rapid growth of entertainment in Miami as a whole, he responded by saying, “We never had a plan for entertainment. Everything has been market driven. The success of our professional (basketball) team the Miami Heat, the Arsht Center, Wynwood galleries, second Saturdays of the month where 30,000 people walk the same streets of Wynwood, would not have happened six years ago due to crime but is all happening and thriving today due to the people driving the market,” states the mayor. The mayor explained that the entertainment district, Parkwest, was approved for nightclubs to be open twenty four hours a day and how the city approved and facilitated the bid for the business improvement district. “Basically, property owners pay more taxes but use the tax increment as they wish not as the government wishes,” explains the mayor. The incentive has been made evident in Wynwood and Coconut Grove where entertainment and business has expanded. Again the mayor points out that everything that happens is truly market driven. The one area that some City of Miami residents still have a concern for is public safety. There have been reports that the City of Miami police department is being downsized and has several vacant positions to fill upon budget approval. The mayor admits that “what has to happen is to take public safety to a higher level and make it impossible for criminals to be downtown with this rapid growth taking place.” Some South Florida and downtown residents specifically may recall a time when the homeless would flood the downtown streets panhandling. When the mayor was asked, How did you handle this? he replied by saying, “compassion but not tolerance”. “The City of Miami went to court to change a mandate that was done by the Federal court many years ago and are getting ready to move the homeless and take them to shelters to clear out the area completely, even by force (if necessary),” the mayor explains. The mayor mentions he is very excited about the sci- ence museum downtown that will bring more people to the area especially families. This is a big initiative for Mayor Regalado and he envisions over 100,000 students and children visiting the area and museum over the next school year. “The vision is for Downtown Miami to be an educational and festive entertainment center highlighted by a museum park, the Adrienne Arsht Center, sport- ing events and concerts,” explains the mayor. The mayor stated that Miami has its very own Walk of Fame. It is located in the heart of downtown Miami, at the Bayside Market place which is the number one tourist attraction with over 20 million visitors throughout the year. They recently hosted the inaugural Brito designed Walk of Fame celebration this past spring for inductees including the Rio 2 film, along with Academy and Grammy award winning actor, singer and songwriter Jamie Foxx and actor and Miamian Andy Garcia. The official Miami Walk of Fame will continue to honor those who have contributed to the charisma, worldwide prominence and name recognition of Miami through film/television, music, sports or honorary means. The mayor says, “The film industry looks at Miami as an important place to be with our colorful sites, beautiful weather and more. It is sad that the Florida State government does not facilitate and provide more benefits. We facilitate issuing over seven hundred permits per year along with supporting the Miami Dade

News & Entertainment

Fabiano De Queiroz of Evenpro Group

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What is the Evenpro Group and what is your position there? Evenpro Group is a regional promoter for Latin America with more than 35 years experience in the live entertainment industry. Respected for its accolades throughout the years, the company does business with the world’s major agencies and artists as well as the largest Festivals in the world. I am the VP for talent & tours over Latin America and I coordinate an overall team that can reach more than 400 professionals at times across 12 countries.  That said, we wear many hats in this company especially nowadays. I cover marketing, announcement dates and on-sale dates, rider details, etc. Who are some of the most famous musical artists or bands you’ve had the pleasure of working with?  What are the most memorable moments of your work?  Throughout the last few years I have directly worked with artists like Metallica, Alanis Morissette, David Mathews Band, Oasis, Maroon 5, Kilye Minogue, Green Day, Duran Duran, Kelly Clarkson, Justin Bieber, Beyoncé, Thirty Seconds to Mars, REM, Santana, Sting, The Police, Paul McCartney, Rammstein, Eric Clapton, Iron Maiden, Jack Johnson, Shakira, System of a Down, Guns N’Roses, Evanescence, Michael Bublé, Morrissey, Norah Jones, Robert Plant, Tony Bennett, Selena Gomez, Bruce Springsteen, John Mayer, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Muse, The Cure, Bon Jovi, Alicia Keys, Black Eyed Peas, Bruno Mars, Amy Winehouse,  amongst others. Getting to visit the Amazon River for the first time with Alanis and then with Dave Mathews, Breakfast with John Taylor (Duran Duran) in Rio and seeing Paul McCartney take his wife to dance after coming down from the stage in concert in Saint Petersburg, Russia are what come to mind now, but I am sure I am forgetting something really cool. What are some of the most challenging aspects of your job? Keeping it cool when focus is needed. To juggle information and “fairness” can be quite tricky and you can never really be at ease with that, but with experience you tend to get better acquainted with the timing of it all. Challenges are ultimately what we strive for. What are the challenges in working production in Latin America versus the USA? The US is where it all started to get professionalized and where regulations and unions limit some aspects but also take care of most of the dangers and liabilities involved in doing live events. The lack of thorough provisions and mobilizations in Latin America makes it more difficult in some aspects but gladly we have been in the business long enough to identify providers that are reliable and work to international standards. Where do you see, with the economic crises worldwide, the industry of concert promoting heading to? The whole entertainment business is going through an exciting shift. From recorded music to live entertainment the rules are being bent to the point that new ones are being created and the concert business is moving along… The economy is ultimately the thermometer that tells us how we handle the business part of the industry but as long as there’s talent out there, there’s work to be done. When you are not working, what do you enjoy doing?  Love movies, cooking or eating out and playing some tennis on Saturdays. When all of that includes my wife and daughters then it is simply perfect.   Photography by Imani Ogden Click here to view post on the May/June 2014 issue.

News & Entertainment

One on One with NPR’s Michel Martin

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What inspired you to pursue a career in journalism?  I got hooked on journalism in college, writing for the college newspaper “The Harvard Crimson.” I was on a work-study scholarship though so I only had so much time to spend on an extracurricular activity that didn’t pay and didn’t count toward my degree. Clearly it was a labor of love.. Who was the most interesting guest you’ve had appear at NPR and why?   I don’t think that way. I focus on whoever is in front of me at the moment, I think that person deserves my full attention and I try to give it. But I will say that some of the guests who intrigue me the most at the moment are the activist African American pastors who oppose gay rights. I am thinking of two in particular, both men. Both very well educated; thoughtful people, you can’t pigeon hole them as ignorant, backwoods bigots who don’t know any gay people. Every time I have interviewed them they’ve been thoughtful, cordial and respectful to our LGBT guests but they don’t see the connection to their own struggles as black men of faith. It’s just an important reminder that just because two people have the same information it does not mean they are going to come to the same conclusions. What do you believe is one of the biggest issues our nation faces today that is under-reported in main stream media?  Oddly, it’s the media itself. I think people think of media people as very self centered and I can understand why, yet the disturbing trends in the news—the consolidation, the erosion of consistent local news coverage, the trend toward opinion over fact reporting are actually hard to report on and get your hands around. You don’t know what you don’t know. When I started out at the newspaper I read most often there were beat reporters in every jurisdiction covering schools, law enforcement ,  transportation, local government. You were expected to know what was going on almost before your sources did. Who has that now? Also, so much is going on around the world—thank goodness NPR is still opening bureaus around the world. Glitzy projects are great and win prizes and all that but I still want to know why the city is digging up my street. Congratulations on being this years recipient of the Hank Meyer Headliner Award. What does it mean to you to be the recipient of this prestigious Award?  How much time do you have? Ok seriously..broadcasting is a team sport but it can feel surprisingly lonely. You send your work out into the air and you sometimes wonder if anybody is listening. It’s a wonderful feeling to know that people are listening and even better seem to understand what we’re trying to do with Tell Me More, which is to talk about how the world is a changing in a way people can understand. What’s life like at home? Tell us about your family. I am married to William “Billy” Martin who is an attorney of some accomplishment (she said modestly) you might know him from some of the clients he’s represented (and the stories he has kept me from covering because of conflicts of interest! (Michael Vick, Jayson Williams, Bill Campbell, Wesley Snipes, Monica Lewinsky’s mom….) We have twins at home and our blended family includes two amazing young women and their families. We are very blessed. Where does Michel Martin go from here?  Just trying to keep calm and carry on.   Photo courtesy of NPR Click here to view post in the May/June 2014 issue.    

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