Written by: Holly Mosack, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. With the start of a new year, thousands of people will commit to a fitness resolution, only to break it by the end of January. Thousands more, though, will keep those resolutions and become better versions of themselves. Check out these tips and set yourself up to smash those goals! 1. Know your obstacles. Write down all the things that could keep you from working out. What does your work schedule look like? Do you have kids that will need a babysitter? How far are you willing to drive? Do you worry about exercising in front of other people? Knowing all of your obstacles is important so you can overcome them before you even get started. Sure, your friend may love a certain gym, but if it’s 30 minutes in the opposite direction of your after-work commute, heading home is going to look a lot more attractive than an hour roundtrip drive. If you have kids, find a place that is kid-friendly, or perhaps you need to have a home routine for now. There are so many great online work-out options available, don’t let not being able to go to a gym stand in your way. 2. Don’t bite off more than you can chew. Whether you’re already a fitness enthusiast or just getting started, don’t try to do everything at once. Eating clean, eliminating soda and alcohol, drinking water, getting plenty of sleep, and regularly exercising are all great things, but trying to do them all at one time (or even trying to do two of them at one time) isn’t ideal. Instead, pick one and really focus on it. When you feel like you’re being successful with one goal, add another into the mix. 3. The scale might not be your friend. Plenty of people decide they want to lose weight. They start exercising and eating better, but the scale doesn’t reflect their efforts, so they quickly grow frustrated and quit. Rather than focusing on the numbers on a scale, focus on how you feel, how your clothes fit, or how your body is changing. 4. Learn the equipment. If you’re just starting out at a new gym, ask for a tour. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or write down the names of the different machines. When you get home, you can always look up YouTube tutorials on each machine, what they’re used for and how to use them correctly. If you’re starting a new class or CrossFit, tell the instructor you’re new and ask if they can review movements with you. Most CrossFit gyms will have an introductory phase to help you learn the proper technique. 5. Fit the vibe. Most gyms have their own vibe and often vary based on the time of day. If you have the option to shop around (see point no 1), check out a few gyms before you commit to a contract. Some staff members are welcoming and friendly, while others could care less about you. You may feel more comfortable with members of a similar age bracket or the same gender. If you can only work out at 6 a.m., but you don’t like the vibe, you’re going to hit the snooze button. 6. Join a Facebook group. I have found some wonderful Facebook groups filled with supportive women. It’s a great way to ask questions, be empowered, and meet people with similar interests but from all different experience levels. There are groups for everything, so do a quick search like “women who lift weights,” and join a group or two. You might be surprised how much you can learn just by scrolling through a group’s feed. 7. Listen to your body. Recovery is just as important as exercising, so take time to stretch and time to just let your body rest. New gym members often ask, “how many times should I come each week?” Check with your doctor first, but my advice is to start around 3 days a week. You need to do your routine enough to make it a habit, but you also need to let your body adjust. You may feel aches and pains you’ve never felt before, and that’s ok. You just want to learn the difference between soreness and an injury. Wearing a heart rate monitor might also help you understand how hard you are pushing yourself and when to take a break. 8. Do you need a Personal Trainer? If you’re just getting started, it might be a good investment to hire a personal trainer, even if it is just for a month. Many gyms offer this service at an additional fee, but like everything, there are good Personal Trainers and bad Personal Trainers, so make sure you feel comfortable with your trainer. They should want to know your history, your goals, any constraints, etc., and then develop a plan for you. Remember, this is YOUR time, and you are paying for it. If you decide to spend most of the time talking vs. exercising, that is your prerogative, but you probably won’t see much improvement in your fitness level. 9. Get the right gear. I hate telling people to spend money on something that they may only use for a month, but perhaps that’s also additional motivation. However, it’s important to have the right gear for the activity. Whether it’s properly-fitting running shoes (or sports bra) or an outfit that you feel comfortable working out in, gear is important to keep you from getting injured and feeling confident. Facebook groups can be really helpful with gear recommendations. 10. Stop caring what other people think. This should be the no 1 item on the list, but I guess you could say I’ve saved the best for last. This is your fitness journey, no one else’s, so don’t compare your chapter one to someone else’s chapter 20. What I’ve learned over the last seven years of owning a CrossFit gym is that no one is judging you. They’re too busy doing their own thing, and most people are really supportive. If you struggle with feeling this insecurity (which is common), then perhaps start working-out at home first. If you’re at a gym, put your earbuds in and tune all the distractions out. Feel good about the progress you’re making and remember no one is judging you as hard as you’re judging yourself. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and visit my website for more info! Read more from Holly! Holly Mosack, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine When Holly ended her career in the United States Army, she struggled to find her purpose in the civilian world (outside of being a mom) until she and her husband started a CrossFit gym. She quickly found a new passion in helping women become stronger, both physically and emotionally. She wants to empower women to stay active by removing barriers, which is why she founded a line of leak-proof apparel, Moxie Fitness Apparel, to help the 1 in 3 women who experience stress incontinence. Holly is an executive-level communicator with 15 years of manufacturing experience in talent acquisition strategy, service quality, and continuous improvement. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Northwestern University and is a CrossFit Level I Trainer.

Written by: Olesya Oligradska, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. If you’re anything like the rest of humanity, New Years always bringing a sense of refresh, renewal , & the opportunity to start things off right. Can you guess the most common resolutions? Yes, you guessed it, get in better shape & health through exercise & diet. The first few days are filled with power, release, & willingness to do whatever it takes to feel better. For some, these resolutions become a lifestyle, but let’s be real, 90% of people forget about their resolutions by the middle of January. Why does this happen? I’ve taken a deeper dive and hope that this blog will help to guide you in the right direction to once and for all do what you said you would do . It has come clear to me that as a species, change is the hardest commitment to make. But if 2020 has taught us anything, it’s how to adapt to change. So why do we have such strong resistance to change? Quite honestly, how else do you think we become the top of the food chain on the planet with little strength but a strong thought pattern. The first way we survive is by adapting to our environment, not ourselves. The human body is designed to adapt to our environment and the food we eat. Our brain is so old that it still has its old patterns of gorging over food when it is available and has the ability to release the right chemical during a dangerous situation to survive. But in this day and age, food is radially available, and fighting the stress of traffic has become our danger. Another way we survived is by learning to do the most amount of work for the least amount of effort, so we could do more with less energy. This is why we plateau in fitness. We train the body certain movements, and it gets stronger and more efficient at doing that movement. That is why it’s so important to always be changing up your workouts and challenge your body to step outside its comfort zone, so it has the opportunity to once again get stronger and better. So here is the golden question, how are we ever going to stick to our resolution if these hard-wired human responses are coded into our DNA? We start by changing what we put into our bodies instead of restricting and cutting calories. We constantly change up our workouts so that we are always out of comfort zones challenging our bodies . This way, your body doesn't think it's starving and movement never becomes mastered. This way, your brain gets a chance to relax as it goes into a new way of eating and moving. This way, you are replacing instead of restricting, and like mentioned before, our brain knows how to adapt to a new environment but has a hard time changing it's biologically. This is why diets never work, and your body hits plateaus when you do the same workout all year. Here are some ways to make these environmental changes If you have a sweet tooth, replace these with fruit filled with vitamins & fibers, which our body needs. Fruit fell off the trees, and berries grew low on the ground so that we can have easy access to it to fuel our bodies . If you are big on clean, quick foods, it's time to replace these with whole foods. Veggies, nuts, & clean protein. These are a much better option than a calorie restricting option in the frozen section that claims to be clean. When going to the grocery store, pretend the middle aisles in the store don't exist! Play a little game with yourself and see what kinds of yummy meals you can make with only the food you buy on the outside aisles. When it comes to exercise, 2020 has for sure asked us to become more creative with our exercise. If you have access to a studio’s online platform that offers different types of exercise classes, I encourage you to become a member. This was you always changing your workout environment by having a different instructor and different types of exercise. Youtube is another platform that has an abundance of workouts that are both engaging and challenging. If none of these excite you, let's go back to the basics and start walking. Set a goal for yourself that will not only challenge you but also be good for your heart. And last but not least, creating a new morning ritual that will help challenge you to explore who you are. I can’t say enough about the importance of a morning ritual. It has propelled me and my decision to go into coaching. I started asking myself the hard questions. The questions we never ask ourselves, like who do I really want to be in this world? How do I want to contribute and show up? Who do I want to help? Are my daily tasks leading me to the path that I want to be on? Are the people I surround myself with support and encourage me to follow my crazy dreams? Let’s be honest ; we never put time aside for ourselves where we challenge ourselves with these types of questions. But we need to if we want to live our most authentic life. If we are able to make these shifts in our fitness, food, and mindset, we will become unstoppable. We will be able to stick with what we promised ourselves we would do. While these suggestions are not the perfect fix, they will put you in the right space to work with that hard-wired brain of yours. If you choose these suggestions, I promise you will win every time! The brain doesn't want to be hungry and longs for nutrition filled food. It craves different movements to help keep the physical body strong. It thrives on thoughts filled with positive self-talk , encouragement, & stillness by going inward through meditation. My wish for you is that you find your most authentic self this year! My theme for the next decade is alignment. When we align with what fuels us, we are able to take care of others and our beautiful planet. Happy New Year! Follow me on Instagram and visit my podcast on Apple or Spotify and my website . Read more from Olesya! Olesya Oligradska, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Olesya Oligradska is an exercise rehab specialist turned business and mindset mentor. Her passion lies in helping women rewire their beliefs and reclaim their worth so they can sell and grow their business with confidence. She is on a mission to help women build a life of freedom and choice through holistic growth inside and out. She is also the host of The Soulful Selling Podcast, a platform where sales is no longer a dirty word and abundance gets to be the new norm.

Written by: Debra Abraham, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise The new year has dawned and is ready to serve us new challenges, opportunities for growth and success! Be poised and ready to respond to your calling with these 5 Mind Clearing Tips to sharpen your mind and stay committed to your goals for the new year. (I recommend doing this activity on your own, but you can also do this with your spouse or someone you consider an accountability partner.) 1. Take stock of your business and life events. Write down significant business and life events you have experienced in the year that has passed. Events that resulted in positive or negative outcomes and even those that remain unresolved. As you traversed through these events then, analyze the measures you undertook, assess the efficacy of your decisions, and if your expectations were met. Also, analyze if these best practices can be duplicated for the new year, or do you need to tweak and make adjustments? 2. Take stock of significant conversations and discussions you have had with people you have met, podcasts you have listened to, vlogs you have watched and books, blogs and articles you have read, once again from the year that has passed. Were you particularly inspired by the ideas featured and want to incorporate these ideas and recommendations into your business/life journey this year? Write down items that piqued your interest, made you think/rethink your choices, and those that inspired you to improve any area of your business and life or seek out a new pursuit. 3. Recall forgotten aspirations - Write down activities, you have constantly wanted to explore, but due to the cares of life, have thrown in the backseat. Whether it is learning a new musical instrument, or writing a book, write it down. 4. Identify and zero in - From the previous activity, you should have an interesting list of things you would like to explore and build upon in the new year and those you would like to discard. Which new pursuits or personal journeys would you like to embark on in the coming year? List down one goal for each area of your life i.e self-improvement, family, health, relationships, finance, business, spiritual etc. Having too many goals at one go can be stressful and overwhelming so go easy on yourself! 5. Reflect on your goals and assess if these truly resonate with your being. Ensure that all your goals are helping you to become the person you want to be and not due to external pressures. Stay true to yourself! Prepare, activate and be ready to execute! “Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe." - Abraham Lincoln Spend time to sharpen your mind and be ready to seize the new year by storm! Follow Rockstarzstudios on Facebook, Instagram and visit Debra's Instagram! Read more from Debra! Debra Abraham, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Debra Abraham, founder of Rockstarz Performing Arts Studios, has been coaching students of all ages to find their identities and be empowered through music. She leads a team of instructors who are skilled at providing music education in a nurturing & student-centered environment, allowing students to boldly express themselves. Currently working on building her online singing community, she believes in empowering people to pursue their dreams, free themselves of limiting beliefs and inspire others through their journey. She aspires to inspire small business owners in the areas of mindset & personal development, which will lead towards positive transformation of themselves and their businesses.

Written by: Suzanne Ellison, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. As we come to the end of what can only be described as a very interesting and unusual year for most people, it wouldn’t be unrealistic for you to think that life in general seems to be out of control. Nothing has really made much sense this year, other than to suggest that Covid-19 has been a catalyst that has led to a chain reaction of innumerable unforeseen changes across the world. When looking at the big picture of life, you can easily become overwhelmed. When this happens, I always suggest reducing your focus down to what is going on in your life, using that as a starting point, and then slowly expanding your awareness out from there. The end of a year is always seen as a time to reflect on what has occurred in your life. What you’ve achieved and what you haven’t, the progress and changes you made or didn’t make. The lessons you learned and how they’ve benefitted you. No matter how well you’ve done, there is always room to improve, and if you didn’t hit your goals, dreams, and desires, then what are you going to do differently going forward so that they can become a reality? Every day is an opportunity to make a fresh start, and you don’t need to wait for a new year. Every moment is your chance to do something different. To reach beyond the known, to tap into your deepest resources and create a future that takes your life to the next level, if that’s what you want. We have no limits, other than the ones we impose on ourselves, so if you do have dreams and desires, the question to ask is…. “What’s holding you back?” “If not now, then when?” When I decided to change my life, I didn’t know where to start. I’d spent 25 years building up a dairy of over 400 cows, which were considered the best of their breed in the country. I manufactured 7 dairy products that were distributed nationally. I also owned a gym and had a small grocery store. There was all the staff that I employed, and 2 daughters still at school, and my marriage to a husband who had no intentions of moving anywhere new. There never seemed to be the right time to close or sell my businesses and move on. But we are the creators of our own reality. Yes, outside influences can affect your plans, but that is the beauty of being the maker of your own reality. You have the blueprint and can change and adapt it as you go along. Every moment is yours to experience differently, whether it’s through your thoughts, your feelings, your actions, or a combination of all three. You are the thinker of your thoughts and control how you want to feel and what actions you want to take. No one can control your thoughts (unless you give them control), so the more passionate you are about what you want, the greater the possibility of achieving the dreams and visions you have. My vision of what I wanted was so real. When I finally started to take the steps that would move me closer to that vision, the people and information I needed would come into my life, and because I knew what I needed, I recognized them for what they were. I didn’t stop to think if I was capable of achieving my vision. I just knew what I wanted. The only restriction or limit I put on myself was an estimated length of time of 5 years to make my vision happen, and in the end, I did it in 3 years. I sold my businesses, moved country and continent, found new schools, a place to live, and a job to keep things ticking over until I knew what it was I wanted to do with my new life. Don’t rinse and recycle old thoughts and ideas. Dig deep within yourself to uncover your greatest desires. Give yourself permission to acknowledge and own them. Your reality is yours to create, but if you don’t know what you want, you won’t recognize the opportunities that show up and move you closer to creating that reality. Don’t hesitate, and procrastinate, don’t over analyze and question. Don’t be a perfectionist. No matter what you do, it will be perfect in the end, because it will be what you want. As all the Guru’s say, imperfect action is better than no action. So if you don’t start now…. then when? You don’t have to break your life up into years, your life is constant and continuous, and even if you don’t make a good start, every day is an opportunity to correct the incorrect and keep moving forward. This may all seem like a big scary concept. Visualizing big dreams and then believing you have the ability to make them real. But is that not what dreams are? Thoughts that become real. You can continue to let life happen to you, or you can take back control of your life and make the decision that the right time to act is now. It can be the most exhilarating and scary feeling because it’s all about stepping out of your comfort zone and creating something new that you’ve never experienced before. How else can you change your life? If you know what to expect or how you’re going to feel, then it’s not going to be a new experience. It’s not about recreating the wheel, and it’s about you creating a new way of thinking and doing things that will give you the results you’re looking for. If you don’t do things differently from what you’ve done in the past, you will continue to miss the mark and not get the results you want. But it’s in doing things differently that creates resistance and procrastination and takes you out of your comfort zone, which is why it never seems to be “the right time.” So now the pressure to start afresh at the beginning of a new year is no longer an issue because every day is your opportunity to tweak, change or correct the path you’re on…. If not now, then when? The truth and reality is that there is no “when,” there is only ever “now.” So are you ready to believe and trust in your ability to change your life in a way that will take you to the next level starting today? Follow me on Facebook, connect with me on LinkedIn and visit my website for more info! Suzanne Ellison, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Suzanne Ellison is an energy healing therapist, dedicated to improving the quality of life of people who suffer with chronic pain and anxiety, so they can live life on their own terms.

Written by: Lina Rugova , Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. Every year, businesses face a variety of challenges when it comes to overcoming problems. These may relate to production issues or expansion obstacles. However, small businesses, in particular, go through various obstacles to reach their business objectives. Starting a business may be a big achievement for most aspiring entrepreneurs but keeping up with everyday challenges is even tougher to accomplish. From finding the ideal workforce and dealing with technical glitches to building a credible brand image for the company and adapting to changing technology, problems are endless. What makes things even worse is the challenges continue to change shape and form over time. That means small businesses have to deal with newer challenges every year as per the changes in market demand and the economy, which is troublesome for many considering the industry's vast shifts. A small business that fails to overcome such obstacles is most likely to go out of business or suffer adverse consequences. Therefore, a business must respond to shifts and changes accordingly to maintain the business and expand existing networks as per their business objectives. The thing about these challenges is that they can be unpredictable. Sometimes, no amount of preparation is adequate. In 2020 alone, businesses, in general, had to go over a lot of shifts impacting their cash flow management severely. This article will go over the top 5 challenges small businesses are most likely to encounter in 2021 and beyond. 1. Remote Working As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to shape our lives and we adjust to the new normal, it has disrupted the livelihood of small businesses to great extents. Employees must adapt to new ways of working in an attempt to withstand market pressure and economic downfall. Organizations worldwide have reverted to the smart way of working, which is by taking advantage of remote working. Thanks to technological developments, larger businesses were quickly able to cope with the situation by asking employees to work from home and engaging in online video conferencing for meetings and more. Small businesses, on the other hand, were slow to adopt this tactic. Most of them lacked strategic thinking to anticipate such a work shift. Some of these businesses were able to make their way out of the struggles, while others had to suffer. Remote working is a relatively smart option considering employees are not expected to arrive at a specific location just to keep up with the formal business environment. While this was a form of working businesses opted for particularly to effectively practice social distancing without causing a hindrance in their business management, the idea has seemingly worked. Currently, businesses are still moving forward with remote working and are doing quite well with their respective operations. So much so that employees are not only used to this new normal but prefer it over the traditional way of working. As for 2021, one of the primary challenges that a business is likely to face is the idea of remote working. Not all companies favor it, as some may find that it does not give the desired results. Meanwhile, others cannot adapt because they lack technical knowledge. To address this small business, have to cope with working from home and develop strategies accordingly that support such factors. On the bright side, remote working can be very effective, and with the right techniques, it can be more advantageous than working in an office. The biggest pros are that on-site costs are non-existent, holding meetings has never been easier, and team members can participate in business operations from anywhere in the world. This allows employees to be more efficient in their work patterns. They feel motivated to contribute to their company. So while it may be a challenge at first, it can be very beneficial for small businesses, especially to engage in such a working method as it reduces costs and promotes efficiency and productivity. It gives more opportunities for these businesses to grow and expand in the future. It is no wonder that even larger businesses are considering increasing the working days in a week as employees continue working remotely. 2. Unemployment Another problem that most industries are facing, in particular, is unemployment. Numerous vulnerable businesses couldn't withstand market pressure or were unable to keep up with the entire situation. Therefore, they shut down their businesses once and for all. Small businesses that were dependent on on-ground operations with minimal market segments to cater to were prominent among those who suffered. Unemployment significantly rose in 2020. To maintain business operations and prevent the business from undergoing huge losses, they had to reduce costs to the bare minimum. This ultimately meant saying goodbye to even some of the most trustworthy and productive members of their workforce. Unfortunately, this is something that companies are still dealing with months later. Client dependence is common, especially with small businesses where most of the business's income comes from a sole client or two to three significant others. With COVID-19, the situation is so unpredictable that even such clients face immense hardships with the economic downfall. This means bad news for the business that was depending on them. The company may lose significant clients, and it could be tough to pick up from that point and cater to other clients to recover losses during this process. Businesses must not only respond to changes quickly but also learn from mistakes. Moreover, they need to move on and develop strategic business plans to address these concerns before the need to shut down operations arises. For 2021, the circumstances do not look any different. Unemployment is still a major concern, and while newer businesses will be open to many options and opportunities in terms of the labor force. At the same time, they will also be looking at an economic recession where even consumers and target markets suffer from effects. This can vary greatly on the kind of business and the target market/income group it has. 3. Technological Updates To further complicate things, technological updates are another factor that businesses must keep up with. It may be ironic to note, but while the pandemic had seized physical business operations, it gave rise to technology developments. These filled the gaps and catered to business operations quite normally. In some cases, they helped make processes more effective. In 2021, we are likely to progress with 2020 still haunting us, and therefore, things will not be as different. Small businesses must devise creative strategies based on technological updates. They should have contingency plans for when they need to respond to new developments. A business that fails to respond to such demands in a working environment is likely to suffer adverse consequences, considering consumers would eventually move on to competitors if they come across a better and suitable option. Technological updates can also be costly in some cases. Therefore, as a small business, you must plan accordingly to ensure you manage your business operations quite smoothly without disrupting production. 4. New Generation of Workers From baby boomers to millennials and generation Z. The new generation of workers in 2021 will be more prominent than ever. This is a cause of concern for most Human Resource departments as they would need to plot which workforce may be beneficial for their company and for the role they were recruiting for. A company that relies solely on a specific generation of workers may be taking a risk. A smarter approach would be to include a dynamic working environment. Such changes will allow them to work collectively in an uprise of newer challenges the company might face. While most HR departments rely on what is in demand and are likely to recruit individuals based on their academic background, finding employees with soft skills is important at this point. From a team player attitude to adaptability, to work ethics and growth mindset, all these factors come into play from an employee possessing soft skills. Sure, academic background and experience are necessary, but soft skills are a bonus. This especially applies to companies working with a dynamic working environment, something we will see in 2021. 5. Newer Marketing Strategies Consumers are now bored with traditional marketing forms from the same brands and are now looking for something different and extra. This mindset has led efficient businesses to adopt some newer and unique methods of marketing their business. Some of these methods include video and written content. Video content continues to attract customers from everywhere, and the best way to make use of it is through social media apps and platforms. Not to mention, a significant portion of the target markets are likely to go over video advertisements while they casually get through with their day as they scroll on their smartphone. They are also more likely to notice it than chunky billboards and infographics that block the screen. Written content is just as effective; customers are now buying the idea of companies enlightening them about their customers about their products and why they may need it. It is the perfect strategy to showcase the importance and impact a single product can bring to your life. Therefore, smaller businesses have to develop business plans every year and look at various marketing forms to attract customers from everywhere. A quick response to changes that we may see in 2021 is likely to be safe from the adverse impacts it could have over one that is unable to do so. With new entrepreneurs stepping in and taking initiatives, businesses like these must maintain their operations by thoroughly plotting their business objectives and action plan. Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn and visit my website for more information! Lina Rugova, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Lina G. Rugova is a growth strategist, consultant, and coach who teaches business owners how to re-engineer and scale their businesses to the next level by creating a strong market-dominating position. She helps clients address their weak areas, build a personalized development plan, and execute their new high-performing business and marketing strategy with confidence and clarity. Her mission is to change the statistics of those small businesses that fail within the first year.

Written by: Emma-Louise Parkes, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. In the latter part of last year, I accidentally carried out some interesting research. While batch recording episodes of my podcast, The Ambitious Introvert, I realized that I’d spent over 30 hours interviewing some incredibly successful introverted entrepreneurs in just a few short months. In honor of World Introvert Day, I’m sharing the common traits I’ve seen in these guests, which have helped them create everything from multi-seven figure businesses to 100k+ audiences (with plenty of ‘me-time’ sprinkled in). 1. They trust their intuition. As an introvert, you process information internally. Call it gut instinct, divine intervention, or that nagging feeling that won’t go away, and it’s vital to lean in & trust your inner guidance. One guest closed down a multi 7-figure business because it didn’t ‘feel’ right. Another ended her most profitable online course & passive income stream as it no longer aligned with her vision. In both cases, their decisions turned out to be absolutely right, leading to further success - even if there was seemingly no ‘logic’ behind them at the time. 2. They play to their strengths. Introverts often get drained easily, & I noticed that these guests are not willing to waste precious energy & time on anything outside of their Zone of Genius. They focus on what they love & what they’re good at & ignore or outsource the rest. 3. They’re intentional. Whether it’s only working during school hours, hitting 7 figures in revenue, or the type of client they choose to work with - none of this is left to chance by these ambitious introverts, who get crystal clear on what’s important, then build their businesses around that. They don’t compromise on their priorities & values. 4. They do uncomfortable things. When you’re new to entrepreneurship, those ‘firsts’ can feel scary - first investment, first sales call, first Facebook Live. Certainly, most of my own clients feel this way in the early days. Guess what? These super successful introverts felt exactly the same! But they all agree that the first step is the hardest & that with consistency, what feels like a huge challenge soon becomes your new normal. Speaking of consistency... 5. They’re consistent. Relying on your energy as an introvert means you sometimes won’t ‘feel’ like doing certain things. But successful businesses need solid foundations & systems, & these introverts all use schedules & automation to make sure important tasks get done regularly, regardless of how energized they feel. 6. They love to learn. So far, I’ve interviewed 2 PhDs & numerous master's degree holders - most guests, also have professional qualifications over & above what’s required for their roles. Almost all are avid readers. Introverts are natural-born researchers & love taking in information, which has given these guests a great business advantage. 7. They value support. Yes, they need their all-important alone time, but not when it comes to business or personal growth. Every single guest I interviewed invests in coaches, mentors & team members to support them, whatever stage of their journey they’re at. However, they choose who they surround themselves with very carefully, knowing easily they’re affected by other people’s energy, both positively & negatively. It can sometimes feel like entrepreneurs need to be extroverts to succeed, but the time I’ve spent recording these interviews shows that introverts are perfectly placed for business success - especially when they embrace their introvert superpowers. Whether you’re an introvert or not, ask yourself - which of the above could your business benefit from you doing more of right now? Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn and visit my website for more information! Emma-Louise Parkes, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Emma-Louise is a Business & Mindset Coach for ambitious introverts, empaths & HSPs, & host of The Ambitious Introvert Podcast. She works with new & established entrepreneurs to help them start, grow & scale successful, sustainable online businesses. During her 10+ years experience, she has personally coached over 100 individuals globally in a diverse range of sectors. She is a strategic life coach, trained facilitator, NLP master practitioner & holds accreditations in EFT/TFT & the Law of Attraction. After spending 17 years as an air traffic controller, Emma-Louise understands how important decision making, confidence & mindset are for success. Her focus on clarity, consistency & habits allowed her to build a 7 figure net worth in her 30’s - she now uses this knowledge to help her clients create solid foundations to support the massive levels of success they get from untapping their potential.

Written by: Edna Keep, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. What are some of the excuses that you use? I have no time... I have no money... I don't know enough... I don't know the right people... I can't do it... Whatever your excuses are, you know your excuses better than I do. Have you ever taken the time to think about what's the weight of carrying your excuses around? You know some of you have been looking at building your multi-family portfolio for many, many years. And you're still struggling to get your first deal done. Within three months of starting my course, I have students making offers, getting offers accepted, and buying buildings. They are getting investors to invest with them. They are doing it and living their dream. Is it easy? No. There are always things that are come up, but at least they are moving forward. And it's ONLY when you move forward that things start happening for you. So again, what's the weight of carrying around those excuses? And what are those excuses? Grab a piece of paper and write them down. How many things have you told yourself over the years? I am not capable... I am not good enough... I don't know enough... There are ways to get around that. A lot of it is your mindset. So that's why I always talk about the mindset. You have to convince yourself first that you're worthy of all the success, and then you have to work on it. It's an ongoing thing. It's not something all of a sudden you're going to know everything about owning a multi-family. Heck, there are still some stuff that comes to this day that we don't know dealing with our multi-family units. But guess what, we have deals that we get to deal with. And that part is the exciting part we got. Tenants paying off our mortgages, we've got inflationary increases to our buildings, we've got tenant challenges. But you know what, it's all worth it in the long run. So, get off your excuses and start doing what you are meant to do. Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , Twitter , YouTube, and visit my website for more information! Read more from Edna ! Edna Keep, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Former Certified Financial Planner Edna discovered the power of real estate in 2007. Since then, Edna and her husband Warren have amassed a $60M Real Estate Portfolio, primarily multi-family and primary with OPM. Since 2014 she has been training and coaching real estate entrepreneurs who want to scale their real estate business into multi-family with Investor Capital. Along the way, Edna has learned that mindset is 90%, or more, of a person’s success and specifically attributes her success to studying and always working at improving her mindset. Thus, she focuses a lot on her students' mindset training.

Written by: Sarah Cady, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. Are you paying more attention to the health of your business than your own body? As focused, motivated, dedicated entrepreneurs and professionals who are intent on success in all things, we would never ignore something askew in our businesses affecting productivity and success, yet it’s not uncommon for things askew in our health to go dismissed, blatantly ignored, or, just as ill-advised, accepted as ‘normal’ signs of aging. It’s not uncommon for us to pay more attention to our businesses/work's health and functions than we do the health and functions of our own bodies. Please be cautioned that this is a fool’s way of operating. Oftentimes we brush these things off as annoyances, too busy with our day-to-day to appropriately address them. We may instead just take quick measures to mask them so we can continue. These annoyances, these symptoms, should instead actually serve as warning signs telling us something is amiss in our systems. Know that where symptoms are, dysfunction is already brewing. If you sat for a bit and made an evaluation, an audit, how your body is performing, so-to-speak, and how you are really feeling and functioning, what would you report? Are you… regularly popping antacids or other “digestive aides?” reaching for that caffeine boost later in the day to keep yourself going (or even needing a substantial amount in the morning to get yourself going)? finding you are using something to help you unwind, take the edge off at the end of the day? more short-tempered, feeling more overwhelmed and anxious? lying awake, tossing and turning, when you should be getting your much-needed sleep noticing that waist-line increasing? These are all very common red flags of dysfunction. Pay attention to and address these 4 warning signs of health at risk: 1. Digestive, gastrointestinal issues Heartburn, IBS, constipation, diarrhea, gas, and bloating all seem to be commonplace. More than irritations, these symptoms are things to take great note of and get resolved as soon as possible. There is a saying that all health begins in the “gut” (your entire gastrointestinal tract). It is responsible for so much more than just providing a passageway for food! Two-thirds of our immune system resides here (that should hit home now more than ever). It is where we fully break down and absorb our nutrients from food, thus supplying our cells with much-needed fuel. It is how our bodies provide a protective barrier from unwanted and potentially harmful organisms getting into circulation. When things are not functioning properly in our GI system, it is a sign of impaired health which does not stay isolated in our digestive tracts. Skin issues, headaches, joint pain, impaired thinking, and mood are common problems related to dysfunction in the “gut.” This may stem from improper ways of eating, eating the wrong foods, an unhealthy bacterial balance, medication use, stress, or infection. If not resolved, this will cascade into other health areas and affect our overall immune function, nourishment, and inflammatory status. The phrase “listening to your gut” needs to take on an additional meaning and provoke action. 2. Cognitive and mood issues Aging-brain fears aside (Alzheimer’s, dementia), we are typically concerned with being as sharp as possible, remaining calm, cool and collected, and keeping that strong sense of drive so we can execute efficiently. If we feel our wits dulling, have trouble concentrating or remembering (“brain fog”), feel anxious, irritable, or even melancholy, our work, relationships, and overall contentment of life suffer. No doubt this is something we have all experienced to some degree at one point or another, but if this becomes a regular state of being, pay attention and take action. There may be something metabolic at play. Stress is something that most people blame for lack of mental clarity and moodiness. While it’s true that stress is a culprit, the word “stress” means so much more than just emotional chaos. Stress can also be happening behind the scenes on a metabolic and internal level. No matter the source, stress will always wreak havoc on the system if not addressed. Cognitive and mood-related issues can stem from many things that are often not recognized as sources of such issues. Problems in the gastrointestinal tract, excess weight, hormonal imbalances, even blood sugar problems, and the wrong foods being consumed can affect our cognition and mood. Sometimes when we feel mentally foggy and/or emotionally unsettled, we may very well be imbalanced in these other areas. 3. Sleep problems/fatigue Some experts have said lack of sleep is even more detrimental to physical and mental health than a poor diet and can create more problems than just tiredness during your days. Sleep is a crucial element of health. As we sleep, biological and restorative processes are at work. Certain hormones are released and regulated, allowing for tissue repair and growth of new cells. Organs regenerate, and the processes related to detoxification are occurring. Our brains regenerate, program, improve synaptic activity, allowing for better concentration, memory, and mood. Our immune system is active during sleep, allowing us to search out and handle possible invading infections. (Think we need that especially right now?) And, of course, we re-energize for a new day physically and mentally, ideally waking completely refreshed. It is recommended that adults get 7-8 hours of quality sleep every nightfall asleep quickly and easily, sleep soundly and completely (unmedicated), and wake easily and energized. Many feel they can survive and even do “just fine” merely on a few hours of sleep each night, but biology would disagree. At this moment, I am not speaking to those cases where sleep is simply not prioritized—that’s a behavioral choice, and I urge you to put sleep high on your list. If you are one who feels you cannot commit 7-8 hours to something so critical because your lifestyle or your work keeps you burning the candle at both ends, I urge you to re-evaluate and re-prioritize for the sake of your physical and mental well-being. If you are having trouble with the quality of your sleep--difficulty with falling asleep, staying asleep, falling back to sleep, or a combination of those, I urge you to find help with investigating why. If you feel a general sense of exhaustion and fatigue, more than you are feeling energized and refreshed, seek guidance. Emotional and mental stress aside, plenty of other factors may be affecting your sleep. In my practice, I regularly see things like food sensitivities (which can lead to gastrointestinal breakdown), bacterial overgrowth, environmental triggers, and hormonal dysfunction all playing a direct role in the quality of my clients’ sleep. Find the answers, address the issues, make good choices to protect the quality of your sleep and thus your overall health. 4. Weight gain Whether it is explained weight gain (because of unhealthy choices) or unexplained weight gain, carrying extra fat pounds packs a serious punch on health. You might feel uncomfortable in your body, in your clothes, or may have a harder time doing physical tasks and activities, and you may also be headed for more serious problems. Fat is metabolically active tissue that sends cascading inflammatory signals throughout our bodies, impacts our physiology, and puts stress on our organs. Excess fat tissue can have a significant impact on processes that control blood sugar stabilization and sex hormone production. The more fat one carries, the more fat one stores. The more fat one carries, the more estrogen one circulates in the system, which could pose some negative issues for both women and men. If you see that waistline increasing due to some extra indulgences, take some positive action to self-correct. If it’s unexplained weight gain, seek a professional’s help to find potential reasons why this may be occurring. Underlying metabolic issues may very well be at play once again—bacterial overgrowth in the gut, adrenal or thyroid dysfunction, and blood sugar dysregulation maybe players. They can all impact the body’s way of storing fat. Sometimes it’s biology and metabolism, instead of a lack of willpower, that have a greater impact on creating this gain. You may have noticed a pattern. Many of the same possible contributors were present in each of these scenarios. It is important to note that the things listed may themselves be contributors to dysfunction or the results of dysfunction. The body’s systems all work together, affecting and being affected by one another—a holistic network—requiring all areas to be supported and nourished for optimal health. If you see yourself in any of these pictures, take it as a warning sign and as a golden opportunity to do some investigating and course-correcting so that you can be and operate at your best. Remember that where symptoms are, dysfunction is already brewing. Furthermore, they may also be limiting you from even greater success in your work, and if ignored for too long, they may legitimately become debilitating later down the road. How would that affect your ability to be effective in your work, not to mention your complete enjoyment of life in general? We certainly hold the well-being of our businesses as a top priority. We pay attention, and we invest in their success. Be sure that you are treating yourself as a priority. You are, after all, your business’s greatest asset. Invest whatever necessary in the pursuit of that. We’ve all heard the greatest wealth has good health. May we all truly believe in that real concept and live that truth. For more information, follow me on Facebook, Instagram and visit my website! Read more from Sarah Cady Sarah Cady, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Sarah Cady, FDN-P is the Owner and Practitioner of REIFY Holistic Lifestyle & Nutrition Coaching. She has had the privilege of coaching and supporting other healthcare practitioners in the Lifestyle/Functional/Natural Medicine space (for more than two decades) while also running her own holistic practice. Sarah specializes in working with clients who are motivated and committed to their wellness but are struggling with health challenges, don't know why and don't know how to 'fix it.' She provides them access to specific lab testing to help finally uncover the contributors to their struggles and then builds an individualized and targeted diet-lifestyle-self-treatment plan to help them finally become free from those struggles and frustrations and truly feel and function at their absolute best, coaching them and supporting them along the way. Sarah is passionate about seeing people finally achieve freedom from their health challenges and relishes in such successes of her clients.

Written by: Jessica Dahlberg , Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise . As business owners and entrepreneurs, there is just so much to do every single day. For most of us, our vision and strategy are really clear in terms of where we want to go and what we want to do. But sometimes, the approach is not as clear, as often, there are many different approaches to a strategy. As we then start to work in our day-to-day, it can get really frustrating and even draining on the energy if we don't get to seek the clarity that we really need and establish with absolute certainty what the approach should be. When I find myself in that situation, I've worked out a strategy for how to deal with it. I wanted to share that strategy with you today. A big part of what I'm working on with my clients as a Certified High-Performance Coach is seeking clarity and clarity at every level. So, I wanted to share these particular steps with you when I find myself stuck in not being 100% sure if my approach in how I want to execute the strategy that it is right. The first thing that I do is that I want to reduce all doubt. I reduce that by stopping what I'm doing. So literally saying, "Okay, I'm sitting here and I'm working," but there is a niggling doubt in my mind, whether or not the approach that I'm taking is actually right. Maybe it's because I've learned something. Maybe I read something, and there's a different way, or maybe I've heard it from somebody else. I get the sense that unless I stop and consider, I'm not 100% clear or sure. So, the first thing that I do is reduce a doubt, and I do that by stopping. Then the next step is to review and say, "Okay. All right, here's how I would do it, but here is another approach. Let's review those two against each other and see which one is the best." It is also to review which one is best against my monthly goal or my quarterly goal. Does it meet the timeline that I'm working towards to get this goal going? Then make a decision, a clear decision on which way to take. In essence, I'm creating that clarity for myself, weighing the different approaches against each other. Now, once I've got to that stage, then my final step is to reset the focus to say, "Okay, this is the approach that I've decided on." Now I'm going to make sure that I address this key question before I start again. "How can I do this with the highest level of competence based on where I'm at in my journey right now?" So that's the third step that I take to really bring myself back to focus on what I'm doing. This process does not need to take long or put a stop to what others are doing. I am simply listening to my intuition and confirming as objectively as possible that I’m on a track that I believe in. Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn and visit my website for more info! Jessica Dahlberg, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Jess Dahlberg, is a coach focused on high performance. After emerging from a personally traumatic time Jess transformed her life using the high-performance methods and insights. Jess is focused on helping entrepreneurs unlock their next level of performance in a sustainable way so they can build a lasting business. She is the Founder of Jess Dahlberg Coaching, and part of a select group of certified high performance coaches in the world. Her clients are from various industries like tech, wellness, property, coaches and steadily building. Jess is steadily expanding the Sustainable Performance Advantage program. Her mission: Create your optimal Entrepreneurs life.

Written by: Ebony Langston, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. The beginning of a new year is a wonderful time to commit to making some changes in your life. What changes would you like to make? You can ignite your passion and experience a more vibrant existence by making changes now. Use these strategies to begin making changes: 1. Pay special attention to your health. This is a key first step. Prioritizing your own health and wellness puts you in a position to give your best self to everything else you do. Revitalize by eating well, getting in regular activity, and getting proper sleep. These changes will boost your focus, energy, and productivity. Let yourself get excited about the changes you’re making regarding your body and overall health. 2. Read more. Although you may prefer other activities, reading is one pastime that expands your mind in many ways. Focus on reading about topics you enjoy or want to learn more about. If you love to travel, read travel guides and stories set in the places you’d like to visit. Learn a new skill just for fun. Take time to read articles and online forums related to your industry to continue to position yourself as an expert. 3. Each week, have a date with the love of your life. Dates are meant to enhance your closeness and make your relationship stronger. They also add an element of fun to your partnership. Whether it’s a Tuesday evening pizza and movie at home or a Saturday night dinner followed by dancing, spend special time each week with your partner. Ignite the fires of passion and change your lives for the better. Scheduling time for just the two of you each week enhances communication and deepens your connection. 4. Set priorities and keep them straight. There is no such thing as time management, there are only 24 hours in a day. You can, however, manage your priorities. Keep your priorities top of mind when making decisions on how to spend your time. Start this year by behaving in ways that demonstrate your priorities. Maintain your focus on what’s important to you throughout the year. When your existence matches your priorities, you’ll be more passionate about what you’re doing at home, in the workplace, and on your own. 5. This year, do something you haven’t done before. Nothing gets the juices flowing like engaging in a novel activity. Try a scavenger hunt around your city or take that dance class you have been contemplating. Maybe your new experience will be something you’ve wanted to do for years, or perhaps it’s something you’ve just decided to explore. 6. Put your best foot forward at work. If you’ve reached the point where you’re bored with work, it’s up to you to spice it up. Find opportunities to engage in new activities. Volunteer for that new project, take on an undesirable task, or simply expand your efforts each day. Even if you decide it is time to take a new direction, engaging more in your current job can create new opportunities and relationships that can help you excel your career forward. Do everything you can to live your best life, starting now. You’ll soon discover that you’re feeling more vibrant, interested, and passionate in all aspects of your life. Happy New Year! For more information, follow me on Facebook , Instagram and visit my website ! Read more from Ebony ! Ebony Langston, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Ebony Langston is an Executive and Health Coach and founder of You Deserve You. After spending 15 years in the corporate world in senior-level positions, Ebony realized that she was often in positions of devaluing her own health and self-worth to achieve more at work. She decided enough was enough and started prioritizing her health and well-being and found that she was able to contribute even more to those around her. Now she helps other women leaders achieve more by shifting the traditional “work harder” mindset to one that prioritizes your own well-being first to better serve others. Ebony has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Duke University; M.B.A from Webster University, Primal Certified Health Coach, NASM Personal Trainer certified and is pursuing board certification in Executive Coaching.

Melissa has compiled and published two books written by women who have experienced pregnancy struggles and contributed to three anthologies. Melissa was nominated and awarded an Australia Day Award in 2017 for her dedication and contribution in helping families through pregnancy loss. In 2019 Melissa became an ambassador for the Pink Elephants Support Network, supporting mothers who have experienced miscarriage. She has also started a business helping influencers write and publish their own personal stories so they can change the world. Who is Melissa? I’m Melissa Desveaux. I’m a wife, mother of two boys, a bestselling author, and I live in the southwest of Sydney, Australia. I also help other authors write and self publish their own books. Tell us a little bit about your book My Life of Loss, and the history behind it. Before my boys were born, I experienced two miscarriages, and my daughter was stillborn. I had another miscarriage after my eldest son was two years old. My life of Loss is the story of all six of my pregnancies. It was written after the birth of my youngest son when he was 9 months old. I started writing after the birth of my daughter and published it as blog posts. I wanted to write my story to share with other families who have experienced pregnancy loss, not feel alone, and that they do have support if they need it. You have also published two other books, what are they about? Yes, I’ve compiled two anthologies with 20 mothers who have also experienced struggles during and after pregnancy. The first is Comfort for the tears, light for the way, and the second was re-released, Comfort for the tears. I compiled these books because I knew many families needed books of this kind, so they feel that they are not alone in their grief. Grief of your own baby you don’t get to meet is indescribable. It’s the what if’s, guilt that you’ve done something wrong, there is anxiety for future pregnancies. Personally, I couldn’t wholeheartedly enjoy my pregnancies because of the worry something would happen, and I’d just get disappointed again. Have you written other books? I’ve contributed my own chapters in three other anthologies, and two of those became bestsellers. You are releasing a new book in February next year. Tell us a little bit about that. I am, it’s called Letters of Love. It’s a book of letters written by 12 authors who write to someone they love. Some of these letters are written to family members - mine is to my children - to a group of people, to themselves, to God, the Universe, and so on. The idea came to me during a time of negativity with the pandemic around the world. These letters bring positivity, inspiration, and they are empowering. They show that love is expressed in many ways. Hence the title Letters of Love. What is your big goal? Where do you see yourself in 10 years from now? My big goal is to show my children that they also need to work for it and experience it to achieve something in life. I’d love to travel the world with them and show them what’s possible and what’s also possible for me. Right now, I want to help 100 people become self-published authors. In 10 years, I hope to retire young, by 50, and live a comfortable life of freedom, with many positive memories made along the way. Do you have any advice you can give to people who would like to write their own stories? For sure! Honestly, just start writing. Everyone has a story or something they can write to help other people. A story, your book is there for life once it’s published. So many opportunities come up when you write your own book, and it gives you credibility. And don’t be afraid. Being vulnerable is what gains respect and trust with your readers and followers. Follow Melissa through her Facebook and visit her websites melissadesveauxconsulting.com and melissadesveaux.com. Read more from Melissa!

Written by: Anna-Karin Lingham, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. Every year around New Year's Day, I write a letter to myself. I look back on the year that has passed — the experiences, learnings, people — and wrap it all up. Then I look forward to the year that is just about to start—my hopes, dreams, and goals. Also, the people I don´t yet know, but who I know will show up and maybe even become important to me as life moves on. I look forward as well to the new assignments, challenges, and adventures. It is like creating a future on a white sheet of paper. Some things are given, but I allow myself to look beyond them. Sometimes I set a theme for the new year to focus on. I finish my writing by sprinkling some magic dust on the letter and seal it up. Then I hide it. A year later, I pick out the letter from its´ hideaway, put a stamp on it, and send it to myself by mail. It is a feast to find it in my mailbox a few days later, as if it was sent from me a year ago. As I read it, I have forgotten most of what I wrote back then, but some goals have always been reached. Some dreams have come true. Some things are totally different from what I expected and hoped for. I am amazed by what life can bring in just a year. It gives me the energy to start the new year with fresh, clean, and crispy days, where possibilities and challenges are waiting for me. The year 2020 could not have been predicted. It has been a challenge for many of us. A positive change is longed for and well needed. However, the year of 2021 will not welcome us with a magic wand that will troll away all the hardship. If there are magic wands, we have them in our own hands. We are the ones who can create new possibilities and find new beginnings. During this fresh new year, I will meet you in articles about branding, both for your organization and yourself. Let´s create a stunning new branding year together. And until we meet again, why don´t you write your own letter with goals and dreams for your brand? As 2021 ends, you will be amazed at how much that will have happened. I wish you a Happy New Year! For more information, follow me on LinkedIn, Instagram and visit my website or Pick My Brain! Anna-Karin Lingham, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Anna-Karin Lingham is a branding expert with a great interest in both business and people. Since more than twenty years back, she has worked with marketing, branding and business development both in Sweden and on an international arena. She has had leading roles in companies like the Axfood group, the global premium brand Hästens Beds, the health company Apotek Hjärtat and the sports fashion brand Björn Borg. She has launched the concept Ambassador Branding, where corporate and personal branding meet for great financial results, strong job satisfaction and brilliant ambassadorship on the market. Anna-Karin has been appointed Mentor of the year by the Stockholm Marketing Association. She has written a guidebook in personal branding and is an active business developer, speaker and mentor. She is also an artist and outdoor adventurer, with a special fondness of high mountains. Her mission is to help companies and individuals to open their own windows and take place on greener and greater arenas.