The words Data Science are becoming increasingly popular and more leadership teams are seeking this type of intelligence and thus making your competitors even more dangerous.  Machine learning and AI gives businesses the ability to optimize their processes, personalize user experiences and more.  This would mean that businesses that are effectively implementing machine learning and AI with the proper applications of Data Science are going to move faster and more efficiently. 

Which leads us to a discussion on Big Data…

Big data refers to extremely large data sets that can really only be analyzed computationally to reveal patterns, trends, and associations, especially relating to human behavior and interactions.  Patterns and trends that we as humans may not be able to see or be aware of.  There is also the time factor when it comes to how we manage and position big data.

Now the concept of BIG DATA isn’t just about the volume of data per say, but also its variety and velocity – often referred to as the 3 Vs of Big Data.

Volume: Volume would be the sheer quantity of data generated and stored. This can range from the terabytes of data stored by small businesses to the petabytes (1 million gigabytes) or even exabytes (1 billion gigabytes) of data stored by large tech companies.

Variety: The different types of data available, including structured data (like databases), semi-structured data (like XML files), and unstructured data (like social media posts, images, videos).

Velocity: The speed at which new data is generated and the pace at which it moves. With the rise of the Internet of Things and real-time analytics, data is being generated and processed faster than ever before. So this ties into what we’ve discussed earlier regarding just how much data that we have globally and what we would need to do with that data.  

Now Big data as it relates to data science; plays a crucial role because it provides the raw input that data scientists use to extract the valuable insights required. 

Data Collection and Storage: With the volume, variety, and velocity of big data, specialized methods and tools are required to collect, store, and manage it. This includes distributed storage solutions like Hadoop and cloud-based platforms.

Preprocessing: Big data is often messy and requires preprocessing before it can be effectively used. This can include dealing with missing or erroneous data, normalizing data, and transforming data into a format suitable for analysis.

Analysis: Once the data is ready, data scientists or data professionals would use various statistical and machine learning algorithms to analyze this data.  This can include descriptive analytics (understanding what has happened), diagnostic analytics (understanding why it happened), predictive analytics (predicting what will happen), and prescriptive analytics (suggesting what actions to take).

Insights and Decision-Making: The ultimate goal of data science is to extract insights from data that can drive decision-making. This can range from identifying trends and patterns to building predictive models. With big data, businesses can make more informed decisions, identify new opportunities, and better understand their customers and the market.  Maybe even invent new products based on predictive analytics.

In the future, as data continues to grow in volume, variety, and velocity, the role of big data in data science will become even more significant. We have the rise of technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning which also means that we’ll be able to extract even more value from big data, driving innovation and improvements across all sectors of the economy.

Fore more information on how to leverage data, big data, AI, and machine learning connect with me on Linkedin for high value live social audio events.  AI and data strategy sessions are also available, please see the full menu of services. 

The post How Big Data & AI Are Redefining Business appeared first on Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce.

Have you ever wondered why some influencers, speakers, or brands appear world-class in their photos and on their websites? The answer lies in their understanding that nobody does business quite like they do, and they capitalize on this uniqueness with passion. Each of us is beautifully different, with a wealth of life experiences. So why settle for just headshots when you possess valuable services and knowledge that many are actively seeking? This is where “Branding Photography” comes into play.

Branding Photography visually captures the essence of your business and the audience you serve. By opting for “Branding Photography”, you bring your business and services to life, attracting media attention, gaining social media followers, and connecting with your dream clients on a global scale. In this blog I’ll be sharing a few samples of Branding Photography for Chefs in hotels and restaurants that I have had the pleasure of photographing.

Whether you are a celebrity cook with a new product, a chef opening your first signature restaurant, or an established chef seeking to refresh your brand and share your joy with new clients, Branding Photography can be a powerful tool for showcasing your unique offerings.

“Fascinate them, that’s why you’re here!”

As a photographer specializing in fashion brands, hotels and businesses, I help you establish an iconic presence in your industry.

Contact me at:  starla@starlafortunato.com for a consultation to learn more.

Let’s Connect on Instagram: @starlainla: https://www.instagram.com/starlainla/

View My Website: http://www.starlafortunato.com

Come Behind The Scenes On my YouTube Chanel:  https://www.youtube.com/@starla4la

The post What Is Branding Photography appeared first on Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce.

GAME CHANGER

NEVER TAKE A BAD SELFIE AGAIN

By: Starla Fortunato

Luxury Brand Photographer

Ready?
Step 1

Let’s do a little selfie test.
In the daylight, find a window.
Put your back against the window and snap a shot.
View your photo on your screen.
Notice the uneven lighting. Dull features. Shadows under eyes?
Don’t worry – you’ll delete this photo in a moment.

Step 2

Now face the window and stand a couple of feet away.
Snap a new shot.
View the new photo on your screen.
Notice how the natural light illuminates your features evenly & shadows dissapear?
Your skin is glowing, your eye color pops!

Practice and have fun with this.

Try this simple technique next time you take a group photo with your friends.
#nomorebadselfies

The world craves the real you. Fascinate them, that’s why you’re here.

Meet Me On Set For A Celebrity Photo Shoot

Video Link: BTS Celebrity Photo Shoots in Los Angeles

It’s time to have photos that establish you as an Icon in your industry on a global platform.

Let’s talk about creating your next level photo session.

My contact info:

Email: starla@starlafortunato.com  Website: www.starlafortunato.com

Lets Get Social @starlainla

The post Game Changer: Never Take a Bad Selfie Again appeared first on Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce.

Economic Forum Hosted by Torrey Pines Bank Delivers Late-2023 Forecast

News outlets portray an economy in dire straits, but according to economist Dr. Christopher Thornberg, peeling back the layers tells a different story. It’s what Thornberg calls the gap between narrative and reality, which he cautions can lead to bad decisions and macroeconomic danger.

“When the stories we tell each other are highly aligned with basic economic realities, this is when our models work,” Thornberg said at a recent Southern California economic forum hosted by Torrey Pines Bank. “Too often, we’re in a different place … where the narrative and reality are not on base. This is when households are making weird decisions, policymakers are pursuing the wrong goals and businesses are making bad investment decisions.”

While today’s headlines may spell doom and gloom, Thornberg said the reality is quite different.

The pandemic triggered the deepest recession on record, with a 30% decline in gross domestic product (GDP) during Q2 2020, but it was also the shortest, with a 30% rebound in Q3.

American households had about $1.3 trillion cash on hand in Q4 2019, which has increased to about $4.5 trillion. This increase isn’t limited to billionaires — the bottom 50% of households are up 100% in cash on hand.

Consumer spending rose 50% from the beginning of 2022 to the middle of the same year and continues to increase, growing 2.5% in the Q1 2023.

“For all this pessimism, the U.S. economy is clearly not in a recession right now, nor are we even close to one,” Thornberg said. “This is an economy that’s running at full blast.”

Employment

The biggest problem businesses have today is the same as it was two years ago: They can’t hire enough people, contributing to the strength of business investments to address the issue.

The national unemployment rate is at 3.4% — the lowest since 1968 — and job openings are increasing nationwide, including in California, where the unemployment rate is 2.5%.

As a result, Thornberg said, cities that want to grow their economies must increase their labor force.

“The places that have grown — Inland Empire, Sacramento, San Diego, Fresno, Bakersfield — they all have growing labor forces,” he said.

Labor shortages were present pre-pandemic due to slowing overall population growth, especially among baby boomers in their prime working years. The pandemic exacerbated the issue as it prompted early retirements.

“Labor shortages are here to stay unless we figure out how to fix our immigration system,” Thornberg added.

Housing

California can take a step toward solving its labor shortage by building more housing. The state has the lowest vacancy rate it’s ever experienced, which is prompting some people to leave.

However, it’s important to note that the vacancy rate isn’t necessarily rising. Situations like divorce or professionals seeking independent housing contribute to the housing demand.

But building more housing when the market is undergoing a correction is challenging. Sales are declining and prices are dropping, but the pandemic saw a phenomenal 40% increase in housing prices, and interest rates shot up from 3% to 7%.

Thornberg emphasizes that the current situation is not a meltdown comparable to the Great Recession. Unlike the previous crisis driven by factors like bad debt and lack of equity, homeowners now possess substantial equity, and foreclosures and bankruptcies are at record lows.

According to Thornberg, “the problem in housing is very simply a lack of supply.”

Homeowners paying 3% interest are reluctant to move and acquire a mortgage at 7%, so they’re asking higher prices. That’s one of the reasons rents are rising — and likely not dropping as the market corrects.

Commercial Real Estate

The commercial real estate market is reasonably healthy, with increased nonresidential construction spending, stable retail vacancy rates and a decrease in industrial vacancies.

The office sector is struggling because many people, primarily in the tech sector, aren’t returning to the office. That’s impacting markets like San Francisco, Portland and Seattle, while people are going back to the office in places like Fresno and San Diego.

But Thornberg views the empty office space as an opportunity to change zoning rules, tear down buildings and build new condos.

The current state of the U.S. economy shouldn’t be a surprise, Thornberg said, as rising interest rates, surging inflation, and declining asset values are the consequences of the Federal Reserve’s excessive stimulation three years ago in response to the pandemic.

Thornberg predicts asset prices will continue to decline because they got too high over the past few years. Otherwise, he said, the fundamentals of those assets will be fine.

“While there’s obviously going to be weakness in real estate and finance, consumers and businesses can more than offset that,” he added.

Torrey Pines Bank, a division of Western Alliance Bank, Member FDIC, delivers client-centric relationship banking. Founded in 2003, Torrey Pines Bank offers a full spectrum of tailored business banking solutions and outstanding service, with offices throughout Southern California. As a regional bank with significant national capabilities, Torrey Pines Bank delivers the reach, resources and local market expertise that make a difference. For more information, visit Torrey Pines Bank.

To watch the presentation, click here

The post Economic Forum Hosted by Torrey Pines Bank Delivers Late-2023 Forecast appeared first on Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce.

Good Geofencing = Smart Marketing:
How Geofencing Advertising Can Help You Target Your Audience and Eliminate Waste in Your Digital Marketing Campaigns

Have you ever walked out of a local business and been prompted on your smartphone almost immediately by Google to write a review? If so, you were targeted using geofencing technology.

While there are many ways to employ location-based mobile advertising tactics, the practice of geofencing advertising has grown significantly in recent years. It’s no surprise, really. Approximately 81% of Americans own smartphones, and more than 65% check their phones at least 160 times daily. That’s an incredible opportunity for any business.

You could be missing out if you haven’t already added some form of mobile advertising into your marketing strategy.

Geofencing makes it easy. By running a geofencing ad campaign, you can tap your audience’s mobile location information to pinpoint exactly where they are and serve them targeted mobile ads and messages.

Eliminate oodles of media waste? Yes, please! Catch your audience when they are most likely to be in a position to act? Heck yeah, tell me more.

How Does Geofencing Work?

Geofencing works by using special geofencing software to translate a defined geographic area, such as a building, art festival, hospital, or mall, into GPS coordinates. The software then sets a virtual barrier around the area you’ve defined. When a trackable device enters the barrier, the geofence software senses this and permits a response action, such as serving up an ad to the device or registering the date and time.

Geofencing is not a new concept.

Many industries have been tapping location-based GPS technology for various use cases, including logistics, human resources, and security. For example, many companies now automate timecards and payroll using geofence technology. When employees enter their employer’s geofence, they are automatically clocked in, and vice versa when they leave at the end of their shift.

What exactly is Geofencing Marketing?

Geofence marketing uses these virtual barriers to deliver location-based marketing messages to the right audience at the right time. Depending on a campaign’s goals, geofencing marketing may encompass a variety of messaging tactics, such as text messages, app-based notifications, and display advertising.

Until recently, the requirements for geofencing marketing campaigns were relatively cumbersome to deploy. However, as more advertising providers begin to combine geofencing technology with message delivery platforms, this super-smart marketing strategy is starting to trend up.

Perhaps one of the easiest ways to start a geofencing marketing strategy is, to begin with, geofencing display advertising.

Geofencing Advertising Examples

So how can you leverage geofencing advertising for your brand or business? Just like any new marketing strategy, it starts with knowing your audience. Consider these ideas for building your geofencing advertising campaign:

• Proximity Targeting– Businesses with brick-and-mortar storefronts or offices where customers go in person to shop or receive services might set a geofence for the shopping center they are in to drive foot traffic from people who are already in the immediate vicinity. Offering an incentive – such as a one-day 10% discount – can increase their interest and entice them to check out your business.
• Competitor Targeting– This is a perfect use case for a shopping audience, whether it’s ladies’ fashion, car dealers, or new home developers. If your audience is looking for a specific type of merchandise or a great deal, they are likely to visit more than one location. By geofencing your competitors, you can serve their consumers with geofence ads letting them know how your products or services may suit them better.
• Lifestyle Targeting— Understanding your audience is key to deploying this geofencing strategy. In this scenario, you would look for types of locations that your audience is likely to frequent. For example, a management training recruiter might target colleges. Or a plastic surgeon might target a combination of nearby gyms and beauty supply stores.
• Needs-Based Targeting– Some businesses must be more creative (or opportunistic) with how to take advantage of location-based mobile advertising. For example, a personal injury attorney might set geofences around emergency rooms at area hospitals. Or a restaurant trying to increase its lunch crowd might geofence nearby office buildings.

What does it cost to start a Geofencing Advertising Campaign?

Getting started with a geofence advertising campaign is surprisingly affordable. Geofencing advertising is typically deployed and sold like a digital display campaign, typically using a cost per thousand (CPM) or cost per action (CPA) model. The exact CPM will depend on your audience, location, size, and several geofences. At Dragon Horse Agency, our basic package includes up to 20 geofences with a $3,000 minimum. Larger budgets can take advantage of more geofences. This pricing makes geofencing ads extremely competitive with broad-based display advertising.

Geotargeting vs. Geofencing

You may be wondering: What’s the difference between geotargeting and geofencing? Many advertising platforms offer geotargeting capabilities, including Google Ads and Facebook Ads. This functionality is designed so you can provide different types of messages to different audiences. For example, if you have multiple locations throughout Florida, you may want to build familiarity using images featuring each storefront. To do so, you could segment a geotarget for each location using a 25-mile radius around each address.

Some of these platforms allow you to target very tightly, with both Google and Facebook permitting geotargeting as small as a one-mile radius. Technically, these boundaries are using similar location-based, GPS, or IP address technologies. But if you have a well-defined audience, these larger geographic perimeters contain a great deal of waste, with a large percentage of ads hitting consumers who do not need your products or services.

Why use a shotgun when you can aim smartly with a rifle?

Contact: info@dragonhorseagency.com

Essential Considerations for Geofencing Advertising

As you start to think about your options for launching a new geofencing advertising campaign, consider these tips to maximize impact and value to your business:

1. Know your audience before you start a location-based mobile ad campaign.
   Ensure you understand how your audience shops for your product and how their lifestyle impacts their whereabouts. Geofencing advertising is all about location, so you have to be able to anticipate where they might travel throughout an average day.
2. Don’t set your geofences too large or too small.
   The smaller the geofence, the less traffic will likely pass through it. This can make your CPM more expensive, and it may take longer for your campaign to hit impression goals. Larger fences can make it easier to find your audience and, therefore, could help keep CPM lower. But you may also end up with wasted impressions that miss your intended audience or the possibility of spreading your budget too thin to have an impact. Having said that, there’s no such thing as a perfect size geofence. Each campaign will have its own goals. A downtown proximity campaign might determine that a 4-5 minute walk is optimum, or a competitive campaign might focus tightly on the perimeter of the target business.
3. Offer a clear call to action and an incentive when someone sees your geofence ads.
   Catching people in the right place at the right time is only half the battle. Ultimately, the goal is to get them to stop by your store or office immediately or at least make contact with you while they are in the right frame of mind. You should seriously consider offering a discount or other compelling incentive for same-day action, whether you’re seeking foot traffic, a phone call, or a form submission on your website.
4. Measure and optimize your geofencing campaigns.
   Key performance indicators for mobile geofence campaigns are similar to display campaigns, including impressions, clicks, click-through rate, and qualified foot traffic. Secondary metrics might include the time of day and date. These can all be used to adjust and improve your geofence campaign performance.

Turn to Dragon Horse Agency for Your Geofencing Advertising Needs

A geofencing advertising campaign can add a dose of energy and excitement to an existing marketing strategy. Still, it can also be an affordable cornerstone tactic for a new or emerging business ready to break out. The opportune timing of serving a competitive message right when your audience is in that frame of mind cannot be overstated.

Dragon Horse Agency can expertly guide you through the geofence advertising process and manage your campaigns from content to execution. We’ll help you scope out smart geofence locations and ensure your campaign creative and messaging are spot-on for maximum results. We’ll also provide you with thorough reporting and analysis.

Genie O’Loughlin , Dir. of Digital Communications at Dragon Horse Agency.

Genie O’Loughlin is the Digital Director for Dragon Horse Agency, Southwest Florida’s dynamic full-service marketing and media agency. Genie is a 25+ year marketing veteran and broad-based digital marketing expert who has helped organizations succeed in a wide range of disciplines, from search engine optimization (SEO) and pay-per-click (PPC) to social media and lead generation. She served for ten years as a Board Director for the South Florida Interactive Marketing Association.

A unique talent with a penchant for data analysis as well as creative execution, Genie has worked both for marketing agencies as well as in-house for some of the nation’s largest brands, including Tribune Company, a Fortune 500 company at the time, and JM Family Enterprises, among the top 20 privately held US companies, according to Forbes.

Let Dragon Horse Agency take your marketing to the next level.

Contact us today at:

Dragon Horse Agency
100 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 700
Santa Monica, CA 90401
310.917.1009 

848 1^st Ave. North, Suite 200
Naples, FL 34102
239.325.5088

info@dragonhorseagency.com
www.dragonhorseagency.com 

Dragon Horse- West Coast Contact:
Robert Kennedy
310.917.1009
rkenney@dragonhorseagency.com

         “There is marketing, and then there is business marketing, only at Dragon Horse.”

The post Good Geofencing = Smart Marketing appeared first on Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce.

On April 6th, 2022, we welcomed back our community to the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce’s largest annual event—Innovate Beverly Hills, presented by Bentley Beverly Hills and The Nightfall Group! After a two-year hiatus, we were elated to host a night at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts that featured engaging guest speakers, riveting live entertainment, gourmet culinary delights, and of course, an opportunity to celebrate and network amongst Beverly Hills’ best. With over 400 attendees, Innovate Beverly Hills was a hit amongst its guests, which included local and regional media, large conglomerates, small proprietorships, chief executives, entrepreneurs, and emerging leaders. After two years of isolation, uncertainty, and unprecedented change, the themes of Innovate Beverly Hills rang true as industry leaders delved into how companies and organizations had to overcome, adapt, and innovate to fit the new business climate as well as the needs of our community.

To start off the evening, the audience was welcomed by City of Beverly Hills Mayor Lili Bosse. As an introduction to the leaders of Beverly Hills, she invited City Council to the stage which included Vice Mayor Julian Gold M.D., Councilmember John Mirisch, Councilmember Lester Friedman, and Councilmember Bob Wunderlich.

We were honored to have President and Co-Founder of Quay Entertainment, Tiffany Davis, as our lovely host for the evening. Tiffany is an accomplished event, marketing and fundraising executive specializing in the development and management of celebrity driven, high-profile events. She has line produced and managed numerous events; from multi-day festivals and conferences to multiple concurrent live performance stages and live televised content. Her lively, gracious personality set the tone for the rest of the night, as she welcomed our esteemed guests to discuss lessons they learned from the pandemic, how they innovated their business in response, and where they are headed now.

Prior to gaining insight from industry leaders, our audience was treated with a special musical performance from the Grammy Award-winning Los Angeles Children’s Chorus with Artistic Director Fernando Malvar-Ruiz. This group serves more than 300 children ages 6 to 18 through 7 choirs and is currently in its 36th season. LACC is even featured in alumna Billie Eilish’s new film, Happier Than Ever: A Love Letter to Los Angeles. Their performance wowed our guests and reminded us all of the bright, young talent that our community offers.

For our first distinguished speaker, we were joined by Erin Bronner, Sr. Manager Communications and Brand Experience at Bentley Motors. Her expertise in the automotive industry spans over 14 years! Erin is responsible for managing all third-party validation of the brand, which includes experiential programming, social media integration and corporate social responsibility. During her talk, she discussed how the industry had to adapt when it came to launching new cars, showcasing vehicles, and the entire car buying experience during a time of isolation. This shift also brought about a demand for hybrid vehicles that can balance sustainability with luxury. Erin’s insight allowed us to learn more about the automotive industry’s developments towards a new and improved future.

Our next fireside chat was with healthcare hero Soniya Gandhi, MD, MPH, Vice President Medical Affairs and Associate Chief Medical Officer at Cedars-Sinai. Dr. Gandhi oversees patient safety, hospital epidemiology, medical staff governance, and various quality initiatives. Dr. Gandhi is dually certified in infectious disease and internal medicine, making her a qualified voice when it came to discussing the pandemic and its effects. She delved into how COVID-19 pushed research in other important areas, including HIV and flu vaccinations, which are critical leaps taken in the medical community. Dr. Gandhi also discussed the innovation behind digital, virtual care options that have been more widespread and accessible because of the pandemic. She then addressed the harmful effects that miscommunication had on our community, as much of the misinformation would overshadow scientific data. Dr. Gandhi highlighted the silver linings surrounding this pandemic and left us with hope for a brighter tomorrow.

The final innovative speaker to join us on stage was none other than Ned Colletti, former Major League Baseball Executive and three-time Emmy Award-winning baseball analyst. Ned Colletti Jr. has spent the past 40 years working in professional sports and is one of the few American sports executives to work in two major league sports – Major League Baseball and the National Hockey League. With experience as the former General Manager for the Los Angeles Dodgers and as a professional scout for the NHL, Ned weighed in on the current state of the sports industry and discussed its major shifts over the past two years. He also talked about how the athletes were faring during this time. Lastly, Ned chatted about his current teaching position at Pepperdine University and tied in the impact that COVID has had on education with the mass-introduction of virtual learning. Ned’s key message was that he hoped that we all were able to start appreciating the little things and discovering new things about ourselves and our industries that we will carry past this pandemic.

The Chamber would like to express their sincerest gratitude to everyone who attended and was involved with #InnovateBeverlyHills 2022! Very special thanks to DVR Productions Event Video and Photography for our stunning event photos. Thank you to the incredible participants of this year’s event: Tiffany Davis, the Los Angeles Children’s Chorus, Erin Bronner, Dr. Soniya Gandhi, Giacomino Drago, Ned Colletti, Hey Mister DJ, and the Honorable Lili Bosse. Lastly, thank you to all of our generous sponsors for making this event possible: Presenting Sponsors: Bentley Beverly Hills, and The Nightfall Group; Venue and Production Sponsors: Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts and The Very Creative Firm; Gold Sponsors: Cedars-Sinai Health System, and Kennedy Wilson; Silver Sponsors: Torrey Pines Bank, U.S Bank, Optimum Seismic, and CMIT Solutions of West LA & Beverly Hills and additional support by Buzzbox Premium Cocktails, Morandell Imports, Impasta, il Pastaio, Xi’an Beverly Hills andSons Chocolatiers.

The post Innovate Beverly Hills 2022 Recap appeared first on Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce.

Ready, Step, Goal!

Whenever someone is embarking on a new workout or nutrition program the first question they are typically asked by the health or fitness professionals is this:

“What are your goals?”

While this is a question important to any transformation process, Ariel doesn’t agree with this being the most important place to start.

This approach tends to lead people down a path of big swings between success and disappointment. Setting a goal is important, but chasing that goal without knowing your true starting point can lead to continuous yoyo-ing or jumping from one program to the next all while not making the desired progress.

It places the cart before the horse.

Another suggestion. Why not ask yourself this question first: “Where am I in life, right now?”

The problem with setting goals before taking into consideration where you are right now is people end up setting goals based on the capacity that they think they have instead the capacity they actually have.

The answer to that suggested question will give you more information on what you can actually achieve given the current resources, time, and capacity you have. Knowing this answer leads to more actionable ways.

Rather than trying to set a fitness and nutrition goal that will lead you down a cycle of lost time, money, and disappointment, ask yourself where you are in life in terms of the time and energy you can now commit to strive towards your goal.

If you honor what you need right now, you will catapult yourself into another realm later. ALL your goals will be accomplished.

The added “icing on the cake” benefits to this approach:

• It relieves the guilt and pressure associated with slip ups along the way.
• Reaching your goals becomes much less of a struggle and a lot less torturous. (You may even reach them faster than you originally thought because you started with a more realistic assessment of your capabilities.)

Try this approach and see if achieving your goals actually becomes easier.

This is just one of the many common topics that come up in one on one sessions that will be including in a group workshop Ariel is putting together. If this is something you are interested in, click HERE to get on the list and receive the details when they become available.

Need some direction on figuring out how to turn the time and energy you have the right now into reaching realistic health and fitness goals?

Get in Touch

A bit about me

I’m a wellness coach, celebrity fitness trainer, entrepreneur and mother. I believe true fitness and strength can’t be measured by scales or by numbers. Perfection doesn’t exist. I help you to strive to find the time and in your own way to get fit, healthy and happy and to measure accomplishments based on what matters to you.

My specialized health coaching programs are tailored to the individual or group and offer a comprehensive approach that is a hybrid of fitness, nutrition and lifestyle behavior.

GET THE FULL STORY

Working with Ariel, you will:

• Feel more energized
• Feel satisfied eating healthy foods
• Turn stress over food and exercise into strength and energy
• Get better quality sleep
• Decrease bloat, inflammation and wight
• Combat anti-aging the natural way
• Look fabulous on your terms!

Kickstart Your Wellness , download my FREE GUIDE HERE for easy and practical tips that you can incorporate today that will save you time and give you more energy.

The post The Xclusive appeared first on Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce.

Travel is back… finally. But how you travel moving forward will determine everything.

To me the luxury travel industry was already hanging on by a thread. Over the last five years, the industry – in a bid to accommodate millennial travelers and social media influencers – has changed so much, it has lost sight of the true meaning of luxury, personalization, and service. Now since the pandemic, service has taken a further backseat with lack of staffing and core services diminished. Nearly 200 days of the year, I am on the road, looking to unearth the ultimate gems in luxury travel and lifestyle. My business has always been about “sourcing” and less about “placing” people and things together. There are unlimited restaurants, hotels, villas, yachts and experiences that I comb through to find that align with my vision of excellence.

To me, true luxury is intuitive. It’s about being one step ahead, never saying no and going above and beyond to ensure the client never has to ask. What really matters is personal, tailored service that exceeds expectations.  I’ve always been obsessed with how the UHNW operate their lives and have strived to make sure everything I offer is aligned with their vision.  

Most of my time now is spent looking at off-market estates, talking to yacht designers and finding talented chefs that I can refer to my clients.  While I still love sending clients to some of those iconic and classic hotels and destinations, having conversations with them about which interior designer we will be hiring for their new plane, or helping them build a home spa, is much more fruitful. Developing a long-lasting relationship with clients is how I’ve always run Sienna Charles & the unique things we envision & accomplish together strengthens that relationship. 

As a membership-based service business, there’s no room for error and certainly no task too large.  So, when it comes to travel these days, I’m helping my clients travel better, period.  The process has become more collaborative and intimate than before. We become an extension of their team, handling the entire hospitality side of their personal life.  Our areas of expertise range from epicurean food and wine to holistic healers, health, wellness and fitness, luxury private events, and of course travel. One area of particular interest for me is restaurants.  With restrictions now lifted it’s time to get back to fine dining.  There are some amazing meals to be had all over the world; I just recently dined in DC and was blown away by Metier.  We also create special experiences around our favorite chefs, like Enrique Olvera and Massimo Bottura to name a few. 

 So where are we planning to travel this fall that ticks all of my boxes? I always love Morocco because we can showcase the natural beauty of the land and genuine hospitality of the people.  Iceland is a lovely destination as always, especially if you are traveling as a family.  Remote Alaska is a terrific and holistic way to travel and find solace.  Portugal is always incredible as I truly love the restaurants on the coast.  Colombia is a fabulous destination as we’re doing amazing trips there. In Hawaii, I’ve handpicked a collection of exclusive villas that are perfect for family getaways. But lots of clients are on their yachts as well as enjoying their palatial homes. The pandemic has accelerated the shift in luxury. Ultra-high-net-worth travelers have upgraded solely to private estates , yachts, and private jets, often buying the assets now to have as their own or waiting until the world fully opens to take that trip.

There really is no rush to go anywhere, but if you do, excellence should be demanded no matter what.

Jaclyn Sienna India is the CEO and founder of Sienna Charles, a membership-based luxury travel/lifestyle firm in Beverly Hills. As the foremost expert in luxury lifestyle she has been featured in Forbes, WSJ, New York Times, Robb Report, Financial Times, Hollywood Reporter and Bloomberg.  She has been called upon by top CEOs, public figures, US presidents and international diplomats to handle their discerning lifestyle and travel needs.  Membership to Sienna Charles is limited and invite only. For more information regarding Sienna Charles membership, email membership@siennacharles.com

Learn more at https://siennacharles.com/

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Located at the intersection of the palm tree lined North Doheny Drive and historic Sunset Strip, The West Hollywood EDITION symbolizes the modern luxury intersection where West Hollywood meets Beverly Hills.

For those unfamiliar with the EDITION brand, this new generation of luxury was conceived by Ian Schrager in a partnership with Marriott International as an unexpected and refreshing collection of individualized, customized, one-of-a-kind hotels.

Opened November 2019, the modern, minimalist building has once again opened its Western Red Cedar doors into the dramatic lobby and the sophisticated outlets that lay beyond. This includes 140 guest rooms, 48 impressive suites and two sprawling penthouses, 20 luxury residences and over 6,500 square feet of meeting and event space as well as a screening room for up to 90 guests. All guestrooms feature a soothing neutral palette with whitewashed teak wood throughout, reflecting the unique light and lightness of Los Angeles.

For the epicurean, the hotel boasts a culinary program by Michelin-starred Chef John Fraser, including the signature restaurant Ardor and all-day dining at The Roof featuring panoramic views that stretch from the ocean of Santa Monica to the skyscrapers of downtown Los Angeles.

A California-native, Fraser refined his expertise under the mentorship of Thomas Keller at The French Laundry and perfected his technique at lauded Paris establishments including Taillevent and Maison Blanche before becoming executive chef at Compass where he was awarded two stars by The New York Times. Focusing on the essence of food, Fraser approaches each dish at Ardor simply, using produce sourced hyper-locally through partnerships with farmers. Aptly, the restaurant features a lush foliage-enclosed outdoor patio as well as a vibrant verdant interior complimented by rich wooden tones throughout.

Chef John Fraser shares, “After our doors were closed for over a year following an initial whirlwind opening in 2019, Ardor re-emerges with our most popular dishes alongside new creations, developed in recent months. We are so thrilled to share Ardor’s locally-inspired menu with our neighbors, hotel guests and visitors alike.”

Tandoor Carrots, for example, sees Californian table carrots cured for 24 hours, in a mix of sugar and salt, before they are steamed and finally roasted. Served on a bed of NIX hummus with a smoked paprika vinaigrette, the dish includes fried eggplant and is finished with parsley, mint and dill.

The Arugula Farro Risotto begins with farrow cooked in vegetable stock which is finished with a kombu parmesan broth. The dish features onion, leek, garlic, shallots, spinach and arugula which are pureed, giving a vibrant green appearance. Served with an arugula, radicchio and frisee salad with white balsamic vinaigrette and lemon zest, Ardor’s risotto is completed with a parmesan and calabrian chili vinaigrette.

Highlights from the desert menu include Terrarium, which is created with sugar blown like glass into a sphere. The globe is shattered to reveal edible flowers, dill, vanilla-honey gelatin and bergamot, served over orange gelato which is surrounded by a cloud of spun sugar. Inspired by Pride, Rainbow Sherbet, presents a colorful creation where a raspberry, orange and tarragon sherbet is served on an olive oil cake and completed with a towering raspberry sugar tuile.

Ardor’s cocktail offering mirrors the kitchen’s focus on fresh ingredients. For example, Clear sees a lightly pickled Piopinno mushroom presented in a clean, fresh martini which is sprinkled with koji to bring out the umami and purity of the ingredient, without over-layering. Emphasizing mezcals and tequilas the cocktails at Ardor are seemingly simple and rely on the spectrum of colors as inspiration, defying the pompous noise of current cocktail culture.

Ardor’s re-opening sees a new wine list, geared towards large format, healthy farming practice wineries. Emphasizing that safe farming techniques are both healthier to drink and better for their surrounding communities, the list includes a selection of natural and biodynamic wines. With several by-the-glass wines poured from magnums, the curated bottles pair well with the light, vegetable-centric dishes on the menu.

Complimenting Ardor’s focus on California-sourced ingredients and working in harmony with nature, The Spa at The West Hollywood EDITION offers treatments and experiences that embrace healthy lifestyles and ecological well-being. The Spa’s treatments and curated retail space offer a collection of prestige wellness and beauty brands including, Odacite, Osea, Nesko and The Lost Explorer – all inspired by the sensory experience of a Coastal California journey.

With an innate and holistic focus on inner health, The Spa at The West Hollywood EDITION also utilizes locally-sourced and plant-derived products in their treatments. From the Glow Jet Peel facial, utilizing a blend of cosmetic treatments and medical grade tech not typically found outside of medical spas, to the Off Sunset massage incorporating unique crystal GUA SHA stone for a full-body detox experience, The Spa at The West Hollywood EDITION’s menu offers one-of-a-kind, elevated experiences ranging from an hour of relaxation to a stay all day retreat.

A new addition to The Spa’s offering, Sanctuary Services now offer touchless treatments in a dedicated meditation space, designed to bring the mind and body back to balance. Alchemizing both ancient traditions and modern technology, Sanctuary Services include Illuminate where POLY LED light therapy is used to diminish pore size and improve skin tone and texture, and a Sound Bath Meditation with crystal sound healing to cleanse the body.

With wellness at the forefront of the experience, The Spa is celebrating National Wellness Month with complimentary enhancements for all treatments and services on Wednesdays and Thursdays throughout the month of August.

Located at 9040 W. Sunset Boulevard, The West Hollywood EDITION is looking forward to welcoming back guests as well as the local community to experience its modern luxury amenities, innovative culinary program under the helm of Chef John Fraser and restorative treatments at The Spa.

Learn more about The West Hollywood EDITON by visiting editionhotels.com/weho or by calling 1.310.953.9899.

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Due to the forceful impact of COVID-19, many small businesses are in dire need of assistance. In partnership with the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce, the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) hosted by El Camino College offers a number of resources to aid small businesses by providing critical and condensed information during this difficult time. Below is a list of frequently asked questions answered by SBDC Program Lead Advisor, Larry Johnson.

How do I know if I qualify for the Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs)?

Your business or organization must have been affected by COVID-19 to qualify. Sole proprietors, independent contractors and corporations with no more than 500 employees are eligible as well as non-profits with IRS tax exemption under sections 501(c),(d), or (e). Credit score and collateral are supporting factors in the application, but not necessarily determining.

What is the first step in applying for EIDLs and can I apply if I have a pre-existing SBA loan?

Whether you have an existing SBA Loan or not has NO bearing on your EIDL Application.  To apply, visit covid19relief.sba.gov/#/.

Note: As you may be aware, both EIDL and PPP have been paused, as funds have been exhausted.  Our Congressional leaders are in negotiations currently to reach an agreement to re-fund both programs.   While the SBA Portal is closed to new applications, some financial institutions are accepting PPP applications in advance of Congressional action.  We would recommend that you pay close attention to press reports concerning Congressional action.  We will pass updated we receive to the Chamber for distribution. 

If you have applied for EIDL and you have received an Application Number, or if your PPP application has been accepted by your bank, your application will be processed in the order it was received.

What is considered “economic injury” by the Small Business Association (SBA)?

While there is a formal legal description, in common terms, if your business has been negatively impacted by COVID-19 then you have suffered economic injury, i.e. your business is currently experiencing a loss of revenue due to the pandemic.

What are my options if I can’t make my current payment for an existing SBA loan?

The recent relief programs enacted by Congress and signed by the President allow the SBA to cover all P+I for all SBA Loans and Federal Loans for 6 months beginning in March.  Please contact your lending institution.

What are your recommendations to postpone employee layoffs?

This is a personal decision based upon your financial situation and your evaluation of the impact of assistance from the two relief programs, PPP and/or EIDL, as to whether you can afford to retain your employees.

What are the best ways to market my small business when everyone is focused on shelter-in-place?

This is a question better addressed in private consultation with your SBDC Advisor or other personal business advisor.  The Chamber can assist you in making an appointment with the SBDC at El Camino College.

What are some virtual marketing techniques that generally profit small-businesses?

This is a question better addressed in private consultation with your SBDC Advisor, specializing in marketing and social media.  There is no cost associated with these services.

What renovations should I make to my website now that it is the face of our company?

This question requires a specific understanding of your business and your target market and a thorough review of your website by a professional.  The SBDC has professional advisors with specific expertise in web design and marketing. There is no cost associated with these services.

Read more about Larry’s background below.

Larry has deep executive experience leading established and start-up enterprises. He is the founder and CEO of LR Johnson Associates LLC, a specialty foods sales and marketing firm. In addition, Larry serves as Program Lead Advisor for El Camino College, where he provides advice and counsel for small business and entrepreneurs from the South Bay to the Westside of Los Angeles, through its Small Business Development Center (SBDC).

Previously, Larry provided corporate finance advisory and investment banking services for both Deloitte and Price Waterhouse. Larry maintains an affiliation with the Los Angeles consulting firm of Stanton Associates LLC.

He is active in Rotary International, having served as President of his local Rotary Club. He also serves on the Board of Wells Bring Hope, a not for profit that drills water wells in Western Africa. Larry received his MBA from Columbia University and has a BS in Economics from Boston College. An avid golfer, Larry also is an aficionado of the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

For more information about the Small Business Development Center and its services, click here.

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