Archives for November 2018

President and CEO of iAdvance Now, Eddie Hamid, is making waves in the finance world with his client-focused methods. He started iAdvance now because he saw the need for small businesses and startups to have easier access to funds. His experience in the finance, marketing, and insurance industries introduced him to the unique needs that many new businesses and entrepreneurs have. His love of innovation helped him organize a qualified team of finance professionals to help all types of businesses get the funding they need.

Based in New York, iAdvance Now is an alternative finance company that has now become a successful presence in the industry as they help hundreds of clients get the startup capital needed to make their own waves in their respective industries. Hamid and his team at iAdvance Now thrive on helping others find their economic empowerment.

Recently, I was fortunate to have the chance to sit down with Eddie Hamid to discuss what drives him and what advice he has for new entrepreneurs.

Q: What motivates you every day to be a leader in business?

A: Desire motivates me. I have a desire to do everything to the best of my ability. If what I’m producing isn’t good, it isn’t finished. I keep going and put every bit of myself into a project to make it the best it can be. This is how iAdvance Now has become so successful and why clients trust us. They know we won’t stop until the job is done to perfection.

I also have the desire to help my clients have access to the capital they need. My team and I at iAdvance Now do this for the love of helping other businesses succeed. We thrive on seeing a business open or a product enter the market because of us. Many of these people don’t have access to traditional funding and wouldn’t be giving the world their innovation without the funding we set them up with. It’s a good feeling.

Q: Do you watch TV? If so, what are your favorite (business) shows?

A: I’ll be honest, I’m more of a reader. My favorite business books are Think and Grow Rich by Napolean Hill and The Lean Startup by Eric Ries. What I like about both books is the notion of how important mindset is. It’s true, mindset is everything, that’s how I stay driven and focused.

Another book that isn’t tailored towards business but is just as valuable is The Art of War by Sun Tsu. I’d say that this is one of my favorite books of all time. The advice it offers for life and business is invaluable. Not only does it also focus on mindset but it has a strong message of empowerment, which is one of the values I stress for myself, my team, and my clients.

Q: What’s the best business advice you’ve ever received?

A: The best business advice I’ve ever received is what I’ve learned from my mistakes. I haven’t had a lot of advice from other people but I learned a lot by examining my mistakes and seeing how I could do things differently. This has helped push me in the right direction so many times that I am now grateful for the mistakes I made in the beginning. I wouldn’t be where I am without them.

Q: What did you learn from your biggest failure?

A: I learned how hard it is to start. That’s usually when failure happens the most. My failures in starting when I was young came mainly from lack of patience and trying to solve a problem before examining it. As a more mature professional, now I know to take time in seeing all the angles of the problem before finding a solution. This makes things much less stressful, which in turn helps me make better decisions.

Learning how many hoops you must jump through as a new business is exactly what led me to start iAdvance Now so that I can help other people go through less hoops in the funding process, leaving them more time and energy to focus on their product or service. We have been building on that ever since.

Q: Have any advice to share with people just getting started in business or sales?

A: Keep going. There will be hurdles and challenges. You will be exhausted and ready to give up. The stress of starting can eat you alive sometimes. Don’t give in to that. That is all temporary. Keep working hard and be persistent. It will eventually happen but the thing to keep in mind is that the struggle will make you a better entrepreneur, leader, and innovator.

There is power in networking. Never stop networking, even in places you wouldn’t think it would matter. Keep those business cards handy at all times. Keep an eye out for any opportunities or events happening in your city and any neighboring cities.

You’ll never go wrong with hard work. Keep your eye on the prize and do what it takes. It may sound like cliché advice but there is a reason it’s still thrown around. Hard work is the not so easy golden ticket but it’s still a golden ticket.

True words and good advice, Hamid! The hard work they put into iAdvance Now can help you find the funding you need for your business or startup. Find out more at https://www.iadvancenow.com/ or follow them on Facebook and Twitter for more business and lending advice.

Do you think about life insurance? If you answered no, you should be. Life insurance is not something you want to put on the back burner and wait until later. The thing with life insurance is that you never truly know when you’ll need it. It could be when you least expect it.

You get life insurance to help out your loved ones if you were to pass away unexpectedly. Although it’s not something we want to think about, it’s a reality for many families. Having life insurance ensures that those you leave behind will have the money for funeral expenses and everyday living. Without it, your family could end up with any remaining debt, all the costs for a funeral, and the struggle of losing an income.

The issue with traditional life insurance for many is the medical exams required before the possibility of approval. Some do not like going to the doctor or are afraid of needles. Others may not have the time to go through everything the insurer requires. That is where no exam life insurance comes into play.

Take a look at some of the benefits and drawbacks of no-exam life insurance to decide if it’s an option for you.

 

No Medical Exam

One of the biggest appeals of no-exam life insurance is the fact that applicants do not have to go through a medical exam. That doesn’t mean you simply fill out a few papers and you’re approved for life insurance. There are still many steps to take.

You’ll be required to answer a handful of questions regarding your health. Your answers will determine if the insurer accepts or declines your application. So, there is still the chance of getting declined if you a terminally ill, have a history of heart disease, or even if you have diabetes.

Simplicity

Another major appeal of no-exam insurance is the simplicity of applying for coverage. Many insurers allow you to fill out an application online, answer the required questions, and get approved the same day. There is no need to go to the doctor, and you avoid any of the waiting periods after getting your medical exam. It’s a quick and easy process for almost instant coverage.

Expensive

One drawback of no-exam life insurance is the price of the monthly premiums. Because there is no health exam and the insurer grants you coverage almost instantly, the premiums will be higher.

Insurance premiums are higher for those who have poor health, and when the insurer thinks there is a higher chance of them having to pay out your policy. Without the medical exam and instant approval, the insurance company is taking a higher risk on you. Also, if you answer your questionnaire that you’re a smoker or drink a lot, you can expect to have higher premiums.

Is No-Exam Insurance Better

Depending on how you look at it, no-exam insurance may be the better option for some, while traditional life insurance might be better for others. If you’re someone who does not like going to the doctor, doesn’t want to go through a medical exam, or do not have the time for the process, then no-exam life insurance would be for you.

If you are up to date with fashion brands, read magazines, or are active on social media, then you’ve likely noticed a shift in the way models look. Gone are the days of strictly thin models gracing our websites and products, and in comes an era of women of all shapes and sizes taking the world – and our brands – by storm.

For JJ’s House, this is a fact to be celebrated and encouraged, something they’ve been encouraging and celebrating for years, and will continue to support. At JJ’s House, they celebrate people of all shapes and sizes – from petite to plus-size, they believe that everyone is beautiful, and they plan to continue making dresses and styles that cater to everyone’s particular needs! This is especially true for the prom dresses 2019 – they proudly offer a huge collection of plus size prom dresses.

So, why are brands suddenly beginning to celebrate models of all shapes and sizes? We’ve laid out a few reasons that we believe this trend is finally coming into fashion! Overall, this is a welcomed shift in the fashion industry that should be fully supported.

Beauty Standards Are No Longer Being Defined by Dated Criteria

At this point in history, we’re all a part of a cultural shift. No longer is beauty defined by a number on a scale, but rather by people who are happy and healthy, living their best lives. Skin and bones don’t equate to model-status anymore, simple beauty and health are beginning to take over, and it’s changing antiquated beauty standards everywhere. This shift in our culture is being reflected in the way marketing and advertising are changing, too, which is one of the reasons that plus size models are becoming a much-welcomed staple in fashion brands and the fashion industry overall.

Body Positive is Sexy!

We discussed that change or shift in our culture earlier, and with that comes this simple idea: body positive is sexy. Gone are the days of shaming a person for not looking a certain way, instead, we’ve ushered in a new era where kindness and positivity are leading the fashion industry. This body positivity movement is evident in most of the fashion brands, and based on the strong, positive reaction from consumers, it’s a trend that will continue.

They Service People of Every Shape and Size, so They Should Show it Off

Like with JJ’s House, plenty of fashion brands out there are already making plus size garments and articles of clothing for their audience base. Because this is already something they offer, they recognize that a portion of their market buys these sizes – why wouldn’t they have a plus size model show off their dresses or other articles of clothing? This is a logical choice more than a choice based on body positivity or shifting culture trends. Because they already serve this client base by creating these clothes, they might as well continue to service this client base by offering them models with similar measurements to show them how things will fit.