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A former CIA systems engineer thrives as a luxury events entrepreneur

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Raven White, Bespoke Luxury Events, Entrepreneurship, small business owner, black female business


The global bespoke corporate brand activation market is projected to achieve $526.1 billion by 203, representing a promising opportunity for entrepreneurs specializing in luxury event production and luxury lifestyle experiences.

Luxury brand activations transcend extravagant budgets and lavish décor, reflecting a sector undergoing transformative growth on a global scale. These exclusive events serve those searching for fastidiously tailored experiences that transcend mere financial resources, which they’ll then share with their customers. According to Bizzabo research, over 70% of event industry professionals browse live events as essential elements of their marketing activities. Customers are increasingly demanding unique experiences and personalized strategies based on their preferences, geared toward achieving results that improve brand visibility and drive sales.

Raven White, founding father of The Envision Firm, is a visionary and chief experience officer (CEO). Originally from Baltimore, Maryland, and armed with engineering and computer science degrees from Howard University, White initially began a profession on the CIA that seemed far faraway from creating events and experiences.

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In an interview with BLACK ENTERPRISES, White shares his journey from engineering to entrepreneurship, the evolution of his company and the impact events have had on improving brand visibility, recognition and financial performance.

From engineering to extravagance

Envision’s Journey White’s path to becoming a figure within the luxury events and bespoke lifestyle industry is as unique as the experiences she curates. Reflecting on her journey, White says, “I thought then that I would be an engineer for the rest of my life.” However, her profession took a turn as she moved from her years on the CIA’s Central Intelligence Agency to pursuing her passion for curating high-end events. While working on the CIA from 2005 to 2015, White began as a systems engineer and moved to the project management department after earning her skilled project management certification (PMP) and a master’s degree in technology management from the University of Maryland.

Her interest in event curation was developed during her wedding, which White planned for 2013. The response from wedding guests was “crazy,” White says enthusiastically. “People wanted me to share information with them about my wedding planners, but they were speechless when I told them I had it planned.” Shortly after her wedding, people began asking White to plan personal events, which she slowly began doing part-time while remaining fully committed to her CIA profession.

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Based in Washington, D.C., which attracts elites from the federal government and personal sectors, large groups and tourists, White believed her business would quickly take off when she left the CIA in 2015 to pursue her dreams full-time.

“Ironically, when I started the agency, I thought people would come because I lived in Washington, D.C., where I could help create the lifestyle of diplomats and big-chain clients who were visiting the area,” notes White.

The engineering and manufacturing backgrounds could appear very different, but White combined their similarities, particularly in project management, problem solving and creativity, to start out landing high-end clients.

Broadening your horizons

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What began as a modest enterprise has evolved into a multi-faceted agency spanning event planning, production and luxury lifestyle services. Raven says, “The events side was solely focused on event planning and has now expanded to include event production services.”

Envision’s evolution reflects White’s journey of discovery as she dared to maneuver beyond her original vision and embrace the expansive world of luxury living. “I started reaching out to customers, prospects, partners and financial institutions to identify a gap or need. I started learning more about the top 5% of people in the world and how they do business,” White said.

White’s research and expertise has enabled her to secure clients including VISA and Monumental Sports, as well as create high-net-worth lifestyles including access to superyachts, private aviation, global events such as the F1 Monaco Grand Prix and Art Basel, through her global consulting services – President’s Club. According to Forrester research, trade shows and events are the second simplest tactic within the marketing mix, after a company’s website.

“The great thing about bespoke events is that they allow brands to get direct feedback from attendees,” notes White excitedly. “Participant satisfaction is one of the greatest measures of success!”

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Raising your brand through experiences

Events are essential for brands that want to please audiences and construct an emotional connection. Raven highlights the important thing role of bespoke events in constructing brand awareness, stating: “Events are key to raising brand awareness.” 65% of consumers surveyed by Live Marketing prefer live events because brand understanding far outweighs TV and digital promoting methods. By infusing brand storytelling into immersive events, The Envision Firm creates lasting experiences that resonate with attendees long after the doors close.

At the center of The Envision Firm’s success is a collaborative approach that prioritizes vision and client engagement. Raven emphasizes the importance of understanding customer goals and consumer demographics, stating, “Once we understand this, we can translate that story and message into a real-world, tailored event experience.”

With The Envision Firm, White is redefining bespoke branded events, one extraordinary experience at a time. By fostering open dialogue and leveraging modern ideas, The Envision Firm transforms visions into tangible, awe-inspiring realities that exceed expectations and generate revenue.

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“The number one reason brands participate in events is to increase sales,” White emphasizes. Event tracking claims that 70% of users turn out to be repeat customers after a marketing experience, and White agrees. “Post-event analytics allows you to see customer efforts during events directly related to sales.”

Overcoming challenges and seizing opportunities
As with any journey, White acknowledges the challenges encountered along the approach to success. “The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic created unprecedented obstacles, prompting a rapid shift toward virtual events,” White says.

Through resilience and adaptableness, Envision delivered unparalleled virtual experiences that bridged distances and fostered connection.

Looking to the longer term, White exudes optimism and shares that “virtual events and digital marketing channels have not replaced in-person events. These channels only amplify it.”

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By Envision CompanyWhite continues to create bespoke luxury events for clients, delivering one extraordinary experience at a time, and shares three easy suggestions that can help brands make an unparalleled planning impact.

1. Know what you desire to achieve – Understand the brand’s goal for the event

2. Who may have a role to play – vendors, speakers, invited guests all play a role

3. How you’re going to get known – reaching the specified goal group

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This article was originally published on : www.blackenterprise.com

Business and Finance

Annual women’s salaries narrow the gap. But men are still ahead of women with an average of USD 547 per week

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Women’s annual earnings are closed to men, and the difference in sex salaries in the Australian private sector decreases from 14.5% to 13.6% last yr.

This everlasting improvement, in comparison with 15.4% gap two years ago.

While women work and earn greater than ever before, they are now entitled to much more information to barter wages and judge which firms.

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This information is especially helpful on the tight labor market, z unemployment rate On just 4.1%, because firms are fighting for the best talents.

This is the second yr Gender Equality Agency in the workplace (WGEA) published the company Differences in gender salaries, responding to fears that progress in the scope of gender equality stuck.

Transparency in payments solves the problem of “asymmetrical information”, wherein employers know where every worker sits on a salary scale, but employees don’t.

Data from 7,800 private firms

Typical full -time women’s salaries amounted to USD 72,638 in 2023–24, in comparison with USD 84,048.

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Although narrowing, it’s still a niche of USD 11,410 per yr, i.e. about USD 220 per week.

The difference is far higher after bonuses, time beyond regulation and pension are included: USD 18,835 or a complete salary gap of 18.3%.

All private firms in Australia from at the very least 100 employees must report their data of the Federal Agency. This includes 5.3 million employees in 7,800 firms, which is a fantastic expansion in comparison with 5000 firms last yr, because more firms will improve data reporting.

Employees can Look at the Agency’s website To discover a difference in the gender salary of your employer from the private sector – or one they give thought to joining.

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This yr’s calculations of the company’s differences in the company’s salary also include salaries of the highest management staff.

When general directors and business bosses participate, the difference in the average salary of men and women rises to USD 28,435, i.e. 21.8%.

All this consists of men overtaking women by an average of $ 547 per week.


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A more in-depth take a look at the gaps in the genital wages at the company level

In all firms, the average gender difference in total salary is 13.0%. But size differs significantly in numerous firms.

About 2,200 firms (a couple of quarter) have a niche exceeding 20%. Of these, about 250 firms have a niche exceeding 40%.

On the other hand, a couple of quarter of firms has a niche that’s either zero or negative, which implies in favor of women.

The agency considers the difference in gender salary in the negative scope of 5% to a positive 5% as a legitimate measure to which it needs to be sought.

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WITH The largest organizations (Out of 5,000 or more employees) Airlines are amongst the worst contractors. Virgin has an average gender difference in total salary of 41.7%, while Qantas reports a niche of 39.2%.

Among the banks, Commonwealth Bank and Westpac report an average difference in sex salaries of 22.4%. GAP Suncorp is nineteen.3%, the NAP is nineteen.0%, and Anz has a niche of 18.8%.

Progress happens

The purpose of the Pay Gap publishing home is given to drive progress in the field of gender equality in Australian workplaces.

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He follows in accordance with prescribed reforms to motivate employers to listen to their difference in gender salaries and have taken more actions.

Comparisons with last yr’s data suggest that this is occurring. The agency informs that just over half of all employers (56%) reduced the difference in gender salaries. And 68% conducted an evaluation of its difference in gender salaries, which is an vital first step in making progress.

Greater transparency makes the employer more liable for improving working conditions.

It can also be a technique to recognize firms that improve with time and learn from their success.

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Correct interpretation is crucial

The difference in sex salaries, measured as the difference between the earnings of men and women, is just not the same as the equal remuneration for equal or comparable work. For over 50 years, he has been contrary to the law in Australia to pay for men and women otherwise for performing equal value.

Luki at the employer’s level In earnings, the combination of aspects, including gender patterns in various types of professions, wherein men and women are in the company. But these gender patterns in the types of tasks don’t explain the entire image.

Prejudices and barriers Stay, including unconscious favors, sex imbalance in life duties and consolidating sex stereotypes.

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It can also be not a niche that will be explained by women working lower than men. Calculations include part -time employees, whose remuneration is transformed into an annual full -time equivalent.

Every employer He has a probability to present a deeper evaluation and explanation of their differences in genital salaries and their actions of their official statements of employers, which are also available on the Agnece website.

This information will strengthen not only current employees, but in addition potential employees, clients, business partners and a wider community of their elections, wherein firms should work, do business and support – which are not.



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This article was originally published on : theconversation.com
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Business and Finance

Hot Girl Spirl

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Megan Thee Stallion just isn’t only the lover of Tequila – he’s now a tycoon of Tequila. The three -time Grammy winner and licensed Hot Girl adds further flexibility to his CV with launch Funny girlsThe Premium Tequila brand designed to bring an event. Is there a greater option to rejoice 30 years than with a bottle (or two) of your personal alcohol?

Chicas Divertidas, which translates into “Fun Girls” in Spanish, hopes that he’ll bring all of the fun to the subsequent meeting. Star tequila is Apparently fabricated from simultaneous100% Agave Blue Weber, collected in the highest maturity from the red volcanic highlands in Mexico. Available in each Blanco and Reposado styles, Megan describes the recipe Chicas Divertidas as “light”, making it ideal for sipping, shooting and making memories.

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“As someone who values ​​good vibrations and wonderful memories, I knew that I wanted to create a tequila, which was designed to share and enjoy my hottia,” said Megan Thee Stallion in a press release. “Smooth, stuffy and premium. This process lasted many years and I am very proud that I can take another step as an entrepreneur. I know that hotties are ready – it’s time to give them a drink made by me! “

For the rapper “Hot Girl Summer” the standard of the brand shines through the product and its packaging. Inspired Angel’s trumpet flower – beautifully alive but fatal– Each bottle has sharp cuts and grooves resembling agave plant with shades of orange, pink, red and purple. The heart pierced with a dagger is on top, embodding the brand’s energy: sweet, elegant and the correct amount of cutting.

“The bottle is beautiful. It looks almost like a mixture or potion. This is a very high quality bottle; Has nice color gradients; My heart with a dagger upstairs; Golden accents. I think quality looks like. “She said Forbes.

This just isn’t just one other alcohol supported by a star. The star says that Chicas Divertidas is its extension.

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“I’m not a brand ambassador for alcohol. I don’t only put my face on someone’s brand. This is my tequila – she explained. “I devoted time to making a liquid and a bottle. Everything on this represents me. This is my business; This is my company. And this distinguishes me from other alcohols with endowed celebrities. “

She continued: “Everyone knows that I am a culture of a hot girl. I like to play. I am a curator. When you go to parties, my experience shows that the drinker is tequila. It seems to me that this is only a universal happy drink. And I’ve always loved good reposado. This is my favorite. So I decided that I had to bring a climate for parties – with gifts. That’s how I came up with Chicas. “

And when you are wondering the right way to sustain, it has one easy advice: “Drink water after each shot. Stay hydrated. “
Funny white girls ($ 70.00) and Resto Chicasdivertidastapila.com AND Respertbar.com. It can be expected that the brand will soon start with chosen American retail sellers.

(Tagstransate) Megan thee stallion (T) Business

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This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
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Business and Finance

Unemployed claims reach the largest weekly

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The variety of unemployment claims increased greater than expected last week, because more candidates for the first time applied for unemployment profit.

According to CNN, It is estimated that 242,000 unemployment claims were made last weekAn increase of twenty-two,000 in comparison with the previous week. Apparently, economists expected about 220,000 claims to land.

The variety of unemployment claims submitted last week has been the largest weekly for over 4 months. Weekly claims have also been at the highest level since December.

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Despite the growth, the American Department of Work The aforementioned snowstorms in some parts of the country and holidays on the occasion of the Presidential Day are guiltyWhich could cause some variability, informs.

“Extreme winter weather was mainly responsible for receiving in the initial claims last week,” said Samuel Tombs, the most important economist of the USA at Pantheon Macroeconomics.

How mass exemptions at federal level affect unemployment

It stays unclear how mass exemptions at federal level, directed by billionaire technology Elon Musk, who supervises the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (dog), will affect claims. According to Reuters, federal employees submit a separate compensation of unemployment, which, as stated, has a weekly delay. The latest data from February 15 show 614 people submitted to acquire advantages, which is barely one among the previous week.

“We will have to wait another week for details exactly how many initial claims were made throughout the country by former federal civilian employees, but this number was 614 in the week ending on February 15, only one – this is not a mistake – last week” – wrote Tombs in a note for investors on February 27. “It will take another week or two so that work reductions in the middle of the month will fully go into the given claims.”

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The work report in February is to be published on March 7. Economists reportedly expect a rise in employment, predicting that the USA adds about 160,000 jobs in February.

(Tagstranslat) feet of unemployment

This article was originally published on : www.blackenterprise.com
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