Trailblazing Women making their Mark in Hospitality

General

From Editor’ s Desk

Towards a Hospitable Future!

Traditionally,hospitalityindustryhasbeenamale-dominatedsector.However,thescenario ischangingoverthepastfewdecades.Ifyoucomparethepercentageofwomenhandling leadershiprolesinhospitalitytodaywiththepercentagetwo-threedecadesago,youwillfind starkdifferences.Astheindustryisbecomingmuchawareofwomen’sleadershipabilities,it isbecomingeasierforthemtogetintoseniorleadershiproles.

Thehospitalitysectorispresentlyundergoingaplethoraofchangesandwomenareplayinga crucialroleforcompaniesthataretryingtoadapttothechange.Withtheirleadership abilities,highemotionalintelligence,andnaturallyhospitableinstinctswomenleadersare makingamarkinthehospitalityindustryandhelpingtheircompaniesachievesustained growth.

Inourlatestmagazineissue,“TrailblazingWomenmakingtheirMarkinHospitality,”we havedepictedthesuccessstoriesofsuchpioneeringwomenleaders.Allthefeaturedleaders aretheprimepromotersofwomenleadershipinhospitality Theirstoriesareaninspiration foreverywomanwhoisworkinginorwantstoventureintothehospitalityindustry

Onthecoverofthemagazine,wehavefeaturedDagmarSymes(GeneralManagerofHill RobinsonEstates).Dagmarstartedherjourneywithasoundhospitalityeducationatthe renownedEHL(EcoleHotelieredeLausanne).Duringtheinitialstagesofhercareer,she workedintheluxuryhospitalityindustryresultinginherfirstGMassignmentattheageof 28 inabeautifulboutiquehotelinFrance.

Thereafter,Dagmarundertookasidestepintoseniorleadershippositionsintheluxury consumergoodsindustrybeforereturningtoluxuryhospitality,hertruepassion.Leveraging heravidexperienceintheindustry,Dagmarhasbeensuccessfullyleadingthecompany towardunrivaledsuccess.AlongsideDagmar,wehavealsofeaturedastuteleaderslikeBri PeacockandCathleenBeerkens.

Keep getting inspired by reading our upcoming magazine issues!

Utkarsh D.

“I didn’t learn to be quiet when I had an opinion. The reason I knew who I was is because I told them.”

-

Ursula Burns (Chairman and CEO of Xerox)

This list is NOT a ranking. The companies on listed in magazine serve different aspects of the market, making ranking them in any order except revenue impossible and unfair. We try to bring a perfect platform for business organization to showcase their valued products/ services.

PR News Section

AmantyaTechnologiesRankedaLeader intheER&DServices–Telecommunications,SMECategory,in ZinnovZones’2022GlobalER&D ServicesRatings

Amantyahasbeendeclaredaleaderinthe SmallandMediumServicesProviders verticalinER&DServices–Telecommunicationssegmentandhasbeen rankedintheExecutiveZoneintheoverall ER&DcategoryinZinnovZones’annual ER&DServicesratings.

AmantyaTechnologiesInc.,aleading globalproductengineeringandsystem integrationcompany,announcedtodaythat ithasbeenrankedinthe‘LeadershipZone’ intheER&DServices–Telecommunicationsverticalandinthe ‘ExecutiveZone’intheoverallER&D ServicescategoryinZinnovZones’2022 GlobalER&DServicesRatings.

Theannualreportbytheprestigiousglobal managementconsultingandstrategy consultingfirmprovidesa360-degree evaluationofengineeringresearchand development(ER&D)serviceproviders, identifyingtheirexpertiseandscalability acrosskeymarketsandtechnologies,andis consideredanindustrystandard.The2022 studyevaluatedover75+topglobalservice providersacrossindustryverticalsand micro-verticalsfortheirdigitalengineering prowess.Theratingshavebeenassessedon multipledimensions,includingscalability, growthrate,innovationandIP,services capability,maturityofdeliveryandservices capabilities,ecosystemlinkages,and feedbackfromenterprisebuyers.

“Wearethrilledtoreceivethisrecognition andbeincludedinZinnovZones’ER&D Servicesratings.It’sahugehonortobe felicitatedbysuchaprestigiousbodyand

berecognizedforourstrongcapabilitiesto delivervalue-addedservicesandsolutionsinthe 5Gwirelessanddigitaldomains.Buildinga cultureofR&Danddisruptingnewtechnologies areattheheartofwhatwedoatAmantya.Our in-houseinnovations,5GSACore,5G Network-in-a-Box,and5Genterprisesolution, 5GAstra,areatestamenttothiscommitment.

Theratingacknowledgesourcontinuedability anddeepcommitmenttoexploringand disruptingcutting-edgetechnologiesthatdrive next-gendigitaltransformations.Overthepast fewyears,wehavepartneredwithsomeofthe bestcompaniesglobally,andourleadership positioninginZinnovER&DServicesreiterates ourgrowingstatureinthemarket.Welook forwardtoacceleratingandbroadeningour expertiseinemergingtechnologiesandbeinga frontrunnerinprovidingsolutionsthat transformeverydayexperiences,”saidAnuradha Gupta,CEO,AmantyaTechnologies,Inc.

Thecompanywasalsorecognizedas“Best SMEinTelecomEcosystem2022”atIndia MobileCongressand“MostPreferred WorkplaceinIT/ITES2022-23”byMarksmen Daily.

ToknowmoreaboutAmantyaTechnologiesand thecompany’scompleteecosystemof transformativesolutionsin5G,IoT,AIML, Digital,Cloud,andEdge,contact connect@amantyatech.com

AboutAmantyaTechnologies,Inc.

AmantyaTechnologiesisaleadingproduct engineeringandsystemintegrationcompany withoperationsintheUSA,Canada,andIndia (Gurugram,Bangalore&Nagpur).Aglobal organizationwithprovenexpertiseinnextgenerationtechnologieslike5G,IoT,AIML, edge,andcloudservices,Amantyaworkswith someoftheworld’sbestbrands,including Fortune500companies.

C O N T Dagmar Symes

TheHeartbeatof Millions!

LIFEHISTORY

NormaJeaneMortensonwasgiventhe nameMarilynMonroeonthedayof herbirth,June1,1926,attheLos AngelesGeneralHospitalinLos Angeles,California.GladysPearl Baker(néeMonroe;1902–1984),her mother,wasborninPiedrasNegras, Coahuila,Mexicotoalow-income familyfromtheMidwestthathad movedtoCaliforniaattheturnofthe century.GladysPearlBakerdiedin 1984.GladysBakerwasjust15years oldwhenshetiedtheknotwithJohn NewtonBaker,amanwhowasnine yearshersenior.Robert,wholived from1918to1933,andBerniecewere theirtwochildren(1919–2014).In 1923,shehadherpetitionfordivorce andrequestforexclusivecustodyof thechildrengranted.However,shortly afterwards,Bakerabductedthe childrenandtransportedthemtohis homestateofKentucky

ThefactthatMonroehadasisterwas notrevealedtoheruntilshewas12 yearsold,andthetwodidnotinitially meetuntil1944,whenMonroewas either17or18yearsold.Followingthe endofhermarriage,Gladysfound employmentatConsolidatedFilm Industriesasafilmnegativecutter.She wedMartinEdwardMortensenin 1924,butthecouplesplitonlyafew shortmonthsaftertheirmarriageand werelegallyseparateduntil1928.The resultsofDNAtestingconductedin 2022suggestedthatMonroe's biologicalfatherwasCharlesStanley Gifford(1898-1965),acoworkerof Gladys'swithwhomshehadanaffair intheyear1925.Thisinformationwas revealedin2022.Doris(1920–1933), theolderofMonroe'stwootherhalfsiblings,andCharles,theyoungerof Monroe'stwootherhalf-brothers,were bothbornduringGifford'smarriageto hisfirstwife.

DespitethefactthatGladyswas emotionallyandfinanciallyunprepared forakid,Monroehadasecureand happylifeinhisearlyyears.Inthe

littletownofHawthorne,Gladysmade thedecisiontoentrustherdaughterto thecareofAlbertandIdaBolender, evangelicalChristianfosterparents.In addition,sheresidedthereforaperiod ofsixmonthsbeforebeingcompelled toreturntothecityinordertofind work.Afterthat,shestartedspending theweekendswithherkid.[24]Gladys purchasedamodesthomein Hollywoodwiththeassistanceofa loanfromtheHomeOwners'Loan Corporationduringthesummerof 1933.Shethenbroughtherdaughter Monroe,whowasthensevenyearsold, tolivewithher

ThecircumstancesofMonroe'syouth werethefirstimpetusforherpursuitof acareerintheentertainmentindustry: "Ididn'tliketheenvironmentaround mebecauseitwassortofbleak... WhenIfoundoutthatthiswasacting, Iimmediatelythoughttomyself, "That'swhatIwanttodo!"WhenIwas younger,someofmyfosterfamilies wouldtakemetothemoviesasa meanstogetmeoutofthehome,andI wouldwindupstayingthereforthe wholedayandfarintothenight.Iwas atinychildsittingupfrontallby myselfwithsuchalargescreen,andI reallylovedit.

OnJune19,1942,afewdaysaftershe turned16,shetiedtheknotwithJames Dougherty,afactoryworkerwhowas 21yearsoldandthesonoftheir neighbors.Shefeltthatsheand Doughertywereaninappropriatefitfor oneanother,andshesubsequentlysaid thatshewas"dyingofboredom" throughouttheirmarriage.They eventuallygotadivorce.

Shehadprominentpartsinthefilm noirNiagara,whichexplicitly dependedonhersexappeal,andthe comediesGentlemenPreferBlondes andHowtoMarryaMillionaire,which cementedherstarimageasa"dumb blonde."By1953,Monroewasoneof themostmarketableactressesin Hollywood.Thephotographsofher nakedbodywereonthecoverand

centerfoldoftheveryfirstissueof Playboy,whichwaspublishedthe sameyear Throughouthercareer,she hadalargepartintheformationand controlofherpublicimage,butshe wasdisheartenedwhenshewas typecastandunderpaidbythestudio. Shewasgivenatemporarysuspension atthebeginningof1954forrefusingto participateinafilmproject,butshe laterreturnedtoactinTheSevenYear Itch(1955),whichwasoneofthemost financiallysuccessfulfilmsofher career Sheafterwardswedanotherman.She wedJoeDiMaggioonJanuary14th, 1954,intheSanFranciscoCityHall, andtheceremonytookplacethere. Afterthat,theydrovetoSanLuis Obispo,andthenspenttheir honeymoonatthemountainlodgeof Monroe'slawyer,LloydWright,which waslocatedjustoutsideofIdyllwild, California.In1955,theyfinallyparted waysanddivorced.

AfterthemonthofOctober1955,the newrelationshipbetweenMonroeand Millergrewmoreserious.In1956, MonroewedMillerashersecond husband.AdivorcebetweenMonro andMillerwouldtakeplacein1961. Thepublicwasveryinterestedinthe turbulentpersonallifeofMonroe.She battledaddictionaswellasmental issuesthroughoutherlife.Her marriagestoJoeDiMaggio,aformer baseballstar,andArthurMiller,a writer,bothreceivedagreatdealof mediaattentionbutultimatelyresulted indivorce.HerdeathonAugust4, 1962,attheageof36,wastheresultof anoverdoseofbarbituratesthat occurredatherresidenceinLos Angeles.Itwasdeterminedthatsuicide wasthemostlikelycauseofherdeath.

MAJORLIFEEVENTS

Atthebeginningofhercareerasan actress,NormaJeanechangedher nameonceagain,thistimetoMarilyn Monroe(Monroewasher grandmother'smaidenname).Monroe appearedinherfirstmovieparton

February11,1947.Shehadalready bleachedherdarkhairblondeand calledherselfMarilynMonroe.

MarilynMonroemadeherdebutinthe filmindustryin1947withan uncreditedappearanceasatelephone operatorinthefilmTheShockingMiss Pilgrim.Shealsohadcameorolesin thefilmsYouWereMeantForMeand GreenGrassofWyoming.Inthesame year,shewascastinDangerousYears foralittlepart.

TheGoldenGlobeAwardforBest ActressinaMotionPictureMusicalor ComedywasgiventoMonoreonJune 29,1956,andshereceivedtheaward forherperformanceinthefilmSome LikeitHot.

OnJune29,1956,Marilynbecomes MarilynMillerafterconvertingto Judaismandmarryingthewriter ArthurMiller ArthurMillerwasher longtimeboyfriend.

OnJanuary21,1953,shemadeher debutintheleadingroleinherfirstbig picture.Monoroe'sdebutinaleading rolecameinNiagara.Shetookonthe roleofafemmefatalewhoplottedthe deathofherhusband.Shewasmet withgenerallyfavorablecomments, despitethefactthatthemajorityof reviewersconcentratedontheblatantly sexualaspectsofherperformance.

Monroeemergedasaprominentsex symbolandoneofHollywood'smost bankableactorsin1953afterstarring inthreefilmsthatwerereleasedthat year.Inthefirst,aTechnicolorfilm noirtitledNiagara,sheportrayeda femmefatalewhoplottedtokillher husband,whowasplayedbyJoseph Cotten.Bythattime,MarilynMonroe andhermake-upartistAllan"Whitey" Snyderhadcreatedwhatwould becomeknownasher"trademark" make-uplook.Thisstylehadblack browsarchedupward,paleskin,red lipsthat"glistened,"andabeauty mark.AccordingtoSarahChurchwell, "Niagara"isoneofMarilynMonroe's

mostblatantlysexualfilmsthatshe starredinthroughouthercareer The factthatMonroe'sbodywasseenin somemomentswithnothingmorethan asheetoratowelcoveringitwas surprisingtoviewersofthetime.The mostwell-knownmomentfrom Niagaraisathirty-secondlongshot takenfrombehindMarilynMonroein whichsheisseenstrollingwithher hipsswinging;thisphotowasused prominentlyintheadvertisingforthe picture.

OnMay19,1962,Monroewas requestedtoperformatJohnF Kennedy'sbirthdayparty,whereshe didsoalongwithaspeciallyprepared

lyric.Shedidsowhilesinging"Happy Birthday."TheGoldenGlobeAwards wereheldonMarch5,1962,and MarilynwontheawardforWorldFilm Favorite.

CONTROVERSIES

NudeCalendar

AfterMonroeadmittedtotheworldin Marchof1952thatin1949shehad appearedforanudecalendar,she foundherselfinthemiddleofa controversythatlastedfortherestof herlife.Afterdiscoveringboththe photosandthefactthatshehadbeen publiclysuspectedofbeingthemodel

afewweeksearlier,theproduction companyandMonroecametothe conclusionthat,inordertoprotecther career,itwouldbebestforhertoadmit tothemwhathadhappenedwhile emphasizingthatshehadbeenbrokeat thetime.Becauseofthismethod,she wasabletowinthesympathiesofthe generalpublicandgeneratemore interestinherfilms,forwhichshewas nowgettingtopbilling.Monroewas featuredonthecoverofLifemagazine asthe"TalkofHollywood"afterthe

incident,andgossipwriterHedda Hopperpronouncedhertobethe "cheesecakequeen"turned"boxoffice hit"afterthescandal.[98]Thepublic excitementinMonroewascapitalized onbyquicklyreleasingthreeofher films:"ClashbyNight,""Don'tBother toKnock,"and"We'reNotMarried!"

UtilizationofaSubstance

Monroehadareputationforbeing toughtodealwith,whichonlybecame

worseashercareergrew.This reputationwouldcontinuetohurther career.Shewasoftenlateordidnot showupatall,didnotrememberher lines,andinsistedonseveralretakes beforeshewaspleasedwithher performance.Shealsodidnot rememberherlines.Herrelianceon heractingtutors,firstNatashaLytess andsubsequentlyPaulaStrasberg,also annoyedthefilmmakerswhoworked withher.Ithasbeenhypothesizedthat Monroe'sdifficultiesstemfromamix ofperfectionism,poorself-esteem,and performanceanxietyonstage.

Onfilmsets,shefeltthatshehadlittle controloverherperformance,but duringpictureshootings,shehadmore inputintohowshewasportrayedand wasabletobemoreimprovisatory ratherthanaccordingtoascript.She foundthatfilmsetsweremorestressful thanphotoshoots.Shestartedabusing barbiturates,amphetamines,and alcoholinanefforttotreatheranxiety andchronicsleeplessness;however, thisonlymadeherproblemsworseand shedidnotdevelopastrongaddiction toanyofthesesubstancesuntil1956. Herissueswereaggravatedbyheruse ofthesesubstances.

Herpassingaway

Monroe'sbodywasdiscoveredather houseinBrentwoodwhenshewas36 yearsold.Isitpossiblethatshetook herownlife?Anaccident?Ascheme tohidethetruththatwashatchedby theKennedys?Ahomicidecommitted byoneofhermedicalpractitioners? Aftersixtyyears,thereisstillagreat dealofcontroversyaroundthe circumstancessurroundingher untimelydeath.

HOWSHEBECAMEFAMOUS

Herinnatebeautywasafactorin openingdoorsforher,buttheeffortshe putinwasthedrivingforcebehindher meteoricclimbtosuperstardom."She hadapassiontoimproveherselfby readingbooksonpsychology,

philosophy,poetry,art,theatre,and everythingelse,"addsVogel."You nameit,shereadbooksonit."Even aftershehadachievedfameasa Hollywoodactress,shepursuedher interestindramabyenrollingatthe famousActorsStudioinNewYorkand studyingunderLeeStrasberg.Shedid thisbecauseshehadtheambitiontobe adramastudent.Shewasapioneerin manyrespects,andinmanywaysshe wasafeministbeforethewordwas fullyrecognizedorunderstood. Afterbeingrehiredby20thCentury Fox,MarilynMonroeswiftly establishedherselfasthemost marketablestaratthecompany. Followingherroleasatragicfemme fataleinthefilmNiagara(1953),she wentontostarinasuccessionoffilms thathelpedcreateher"dumbblonde" reputation.Thesefilmsinclude timelessmasterpiecessuchasHowto MarryaMillionaire(1953),TheSeven YearItch(1955),andSomeLikeItHot (1962).(1959).Herusualpart,which wasthatofaditzycharmerwith perfectcomictiming,setherapart frompeerssuchasElizabethTaylor, DorisDay,andAudreyHepburn, whosecharactersexemplifiedmany typesoffemininity.Day'sbenign"girl nextdoor"attitudeinvokedthe attractivenessoftheyoungeractress' pin-upcareer,whileTaylor's seductressesbattledwithMonroe's effervescentblondes.Dayalsohada roleintheproductionofthefilm"The SevenYearItch."Hepburn,onthe otherhand,isknownforcultivatingan imageofaristocraticelegance,whichis characterizedbyhersocial sophisticationandflair.

Whenoneconsidersthestar'stroubled personallife,itisevenmore remarkabletoseehowfarshehas comeprofessionally.Monroewas famouslydifficulttoworkwithdueto thefactthatshewasalwayslateto shootsandoftenmessedupherlines. Butshewasnospoiledprincess."Inall honesty,"addsVogel,"shesuffered fromtremendousstagefright.""She

wasanervousmesswhileshooting sequences,sometimesbreakingout intoarashorbecomingphysically unwellatthenotionofacting."Asa meansofcopingwiththetraumatic experiencesshehadgonethroughand theanxiousfeelingsshehad,she misusedthebarbituratesand amphetaminesthatherphysicianshad carelesslygiventoher.

DAGMAR

SYMES

A Trailblazer making a Mark in Hospitality

General Manager | Hill Robinson Estates

Thehospitalityindustryisoneofthe mostsignificantcontributorstodriving growthintheservicesectoracrossthe world.Consideredthebedrockof almostalltourismandtravel-related activities,theindustryisconstantly generatingdirectandindirect employmentopportunities.Seizingthe opportunities,anincreasingnumberof womenareventuringintotheindustry

Womenaretakingupmajorleadership rolesintheindustrythankstotheir naturallyhighemotionalintelligence andhospitableinstincts.Dagmar Symes,GeneralManagerofHill RobinsonEstates,isaprimeexample ofanastutewomanleadermakinga markinthehospitalitysector. Leveragingheravidexperienceinthe industry,Dagmarhasbeensuccessfully leadingthecompanytowardunrivaled success.

“Ihadtofollowmycalling….”

Dagmarstartedherjourneywitha soundhospitalityeducationatthe renownedEHL(EcoleHotelierede Lausanne).Thisallowedhertopursue acareerpathundisturbedbythe societalenvironmentandprevailing norms.Duringtheinitialstagesofher career,sheworkedintheluxury hospitalityindustryresultinginher firstGMassignmentattheageof28in abeautifulboutiquehotelinFrance.

Thereafter,Dagmarundertooka sidestepintoseniorleadership positionsintheluxuryconsumergoods

Tindustry—workingforcompanieslike LouisVuittonandBvlgari—before returningtoluxuryhospitality,hertrue passion.Talkingaboutherinspiration toworkinSaudiArabia,Dagmarsays, “Yearningfornewexperiences,paired withmywillingnesstotemptnew watersandinalignmentwithmycareer pathdevelopmentshasbroughtmeto theMiddleEastinvarioussenior managementroleswithintheluxury hospitalityindustry.”

Steppingoutofthecomfortzoneisone ofDagmar'skeydrivers.Thus,her journeyintheMiddleEaststartedwith variousGeneralManagerassignments inLebanonandOman,ultimately leadingtoSaudiArabia.ForDagmar, tappingintotheunknownisthemost stimulatingfactortoexplorenew opportunities.Heroptimism,daring, andattimescertainlyunconventional attitude,blendedwithapersistent positivemindset,havelargely contributedtohercareerpath.She findstheprojectofprivateestate managementthatsheisentrustedwith inSaudiArabiaveryintriguing.

AReliableBusinessPartner

Aleadinginternationalyacht managementcompany,HillRobinson hasrecentlycelebratedits20th anniversary Ahigh-levelclient satisfactionratehasledtonew businessopportunities—suchas privateaviationandestate management—forthecompany.Its KSAentitystrivestoestablishitselfas themostreliableandreputable businesspartnerforprivateestate managementbusinessopportunities withinthekingdom.Thisisjustthe firststepandHillRobinsonhasaclear visionofgoingevenfurther

Toachieveitsvision,HillRobinson providestailor-madeservices,creative andextraordinarysolutions,ahighlyskilledworkforce,andmost

importantly,ahigh-rankinglevelof confidentialityanddiscretionwithall itsclients.“Scoutedforthisexciting positioninSaudiArabia,theprospect ofamoststimulatingundertakingin theset-upofanewcompanyinKSA withinthecountry'sVision2030as bothafemaleexecutiveandaleader wasanevidentchoice,”saysDagmar. Projectmanagementinthenewand unknownfast-developingKSAmarket compelledhertotakeontheroleand breaknewgrounds.

BenefittingfromtheExperiences

Dagmarbelievesthatallexperiences encounteredalongsideyourjourney canbeconsideredabenefitinoneway oranother.Havingconstantlyworked inmulticulturalhigh-end environments,allherexperiencesare basedonasoleprinciple—pure customersatisfactionatthehighest levelsofprofessionalismandtrust, positioningauthenticityandempathyat thecenterofabusiness.

However,overtheyears,theluxury markethasshiftedfromits conventionalconspicuousconsumption modeltoanexperientialluxury sensibility.Thisischaracterizedbya shiftinthedefinitionofluxurythrough theeyesofconsumers.Accordingto Dagmar,itisfactualtosaythatservice asatermisintangible.Luxuryservices offerarangeofhigh-endamenitiesand unstandardizedfeatures.Theyentaila superiorlevelofpersonalizedmental andphysicalattentionandhaveasense ofexclusivityonlyavailabletoaselect crowd.

Theluxuryservicesareknownfortheir exceptionalquality,beitthefinest finishesormaterials,skilledemployee excellence,oramostcourteousattitude basedondiscretionandpure confidentiality.“Thisrelationship betweenluxurybrandsandconsumers isbasedondeepunderstandingand

trust.Inaddition,andthisgoes withoutsaying,creatingemotions andportrayingoptimismarevital additionalattributes,”saysDagmar

CultureofImprovementand Empowerment

Strongcorevaluesrepresenttheheart ofeveryorganizationincapturing collectivemotivationdrivers.Some ofHillRobinson'skeypillarsare valuessuchasintegrity,respect, trust,responsibility,independence, authenticity,andpassion.The companysupportsacultureof seekingimprovementandgenuine empowermentleadingtodiscovering creativeandextraordinarysolutions foritscustomers.HillRobinson's successreliesonitsmostvalued assetintheorganization,itsteam.

Dagmar'sleadershipstyleisreflected inempowermentinharmonywitha persistentpositiveempathetic attitude,open-doorpolicy,and transparentcommunication.She mentionsthatleadingbyexample andanethicalworkenvironmentare keyfactorstoasuccessful,diverse, andrewardingworkplace.Thisis achievedbydrivingresultsaswellas deepeningthecompany'stalentpool andretainingtalentfromallacross theglobe.

Challengesarelong-termpartnersin thepersonalandprofessional developmentofaleader.However, Dagmarhasneverbeenaffectedby theopinionofothers.Shehas developedandutilizedherskillsina targetedmannerandhasalways takenasportiveattitudetowardsall aspectsofcompetition.Presently,the HillRobinsonEstatesteamhascome upwithitsEPICvalues(ExcellencePerformance-Integrity-Commitment) andDagmartakesprideinsupporting thesefromallanglesofthe company'sbusinessactivities.

ANewHome

Enunciatingherviewsonthe businessenvironmentinSaudi Arabia,Dagmarmentionsthatthe countryisundergoingmajorchanges tomeettheKingdom'sVision2030 objectives.Accordingtoher,the country'sabilitytomodernizeandyet keeptruetoitsowncultureand originsmakesthesetransformative timessospecial,andnowisoneof themostexcitingtimesinhistoryto

spendtimeintheKingdom.Whilemedia ingeneraltendstoattractvisibilityvia negativeheadlines,Dagmarmentionsthat theperceptionofSaudiArabiainthe Westernhemisphereandinhercountryis notatallreflectedandcoherentwithher personalexperiencesandimpressionsin theKingdom.

Dagmarfurtherstatesthatthepeoplein theKingdomarehospitableandopenmindedtowardsexpats,anditisa wonderfulplacetoworkandlivein.Her

It is beautiful to witness how much the community is longing to advance. The role of Saudi women has dramatically changed to take their rightful place in the society, and the younger generation is ambitious and eager to grow.

expectationsthatthelifestylewouldbe somewhatstricter,beitbydresscode orinpubliclife,hadtobewaivedin full.“Itisbeautifultowitnesshow muchthecommunityislongingto advance.TheroleofSaudiwomenhas dramaticallychangedtotaketheir rightfulplaceinthesociety,andthe youngergenerationisambitiousand eagertogrow,”addsDagmar.

Furthermore,Dagmarexpecteddesert weatherthroughouttheyear,which turnedouttobeanotherfalse assumption.Summersinthecountry arelong,sweltering,andaridwhile wintersarecoolanddry.Dagmarhas wholeheartedlyembracedSaudiArabia

ashernewhomeawayfromhome.She urgeseveryonetobediscrete, respectful,cordial,andhonorrulesthat don'tgoagainstsocietalhabits.“After all,weareguestsinthisbeautiful country,andwiththatcomesakindof unspokenexpectationthatyouwill conformtotheirsociety'srulesand laws,”sheasserts.

PrioritizingWomenEmpowerment

SaudiArabiahasfullyopeneduptothe femaleworkforceandtherewithgrants adequateopportunitiesatalllevels. Dagmarbelievesthatgendershould nevercometoplayinidentifyinga greatleader,butrathertheindividual's leadershipabilitiesdependingontheir

strengthsandpersonalitytraits.Agood leader,nomatterthegender,shouldbe ajackofalltrades.

TheKingdomsupportsthefemale workforceonalllevelsandhas dynamicallyopenedupincreatinga gender-balancedworkenvironment thatincludesfemaleleadership.Saudi womenhavemadeunprecedented progressinjoiningthelabormarketin theircountry

Dagmartendstobelievethatfemale leadershavenaturallyengrained attributesthatcouldberelatedto femalecharacteristicslikeemotional intelligence,empathy,and communicationskillsamongothers.

Womenvaluerelationshipsandare caringbynaturewhichtranslatesinto onekeyaspectofleadershiptodevelop ateam.

Sheaddsthatthereisamoreinclusive leadershipstyleunderlinedbythe willingnesstobuildingandleading teams.Femaleleadershavean inclinationtowardsaholisticapproach andself-reflectionintheirwork. Moreover,theyvaluework-lifebalance andquestionthestatusquo.Dagmar mentionsthatthisisnodifferentin KSAandthereforewomenhaveto trusttheircapabilities.

“WomensupportingWomen”

AccordingtoDagmar,women supportingwomenistherecipefor success.“Traditionally,wehave beentaughttobecompetitivewith oneanother,however,thisshouldbe reversed.Ithasbeenproventhat womenbenefitfromthe collaborationovercompetition,”she adds.Dagmarmentionsthat channelingthepowerof collaborationistrulyhowHill Robinsonisalteringthisequation. Thecompanyisliftingthediversity barrierbycreatingacultureof actingasmentorsandsponsorsfor

Traditionally, we have been taught to be competitive with one another, however, this should be reversed. It has been proven that women benefit from the collaboration over competition.

eachotherratherthancompeting. Dagmarfurthermentionsthat achievinggenderequalityand empoweringwomenisvitalto buildingafair,inclusive,and prosperousworkenvironment.

SurpassingtheStereotype

Dagmarmentionsthatthestigma thatfemalecharacteristicsare counterproductivetotheirbusiness acumenisaconventional stereotypethinking,andiscertain thatthiswillbeconsidered

unconventionalverysoon.She alwaysadviseswomentobelievein themselvesandtheirpotentialaswell astheirinstinctandcapabilitiesin achievingtheirtargets.Inher opinion,thenaturallyengrained attributesthatcouldbedescribedas morefemalecharacteristicsarea womanleader'swealthandavery powerfularsenal.

“Take pride in who you are and what you have accomplished! You can do it!” concludesDagmar

The relationship between luxury brands and consumers is based on deep understanding and trust. In addition, and this goes without saying, creating emotions and portraying optimism are vital additional attributes.

Owner | Ora Designs

BRIPEACOCK

MAKING YOUR SPACES LIVELIER

Theoverallqualityofone'slife canbesignificantlyimproved byhavingahomethathas beenthoughtfullydesigned. Throughoutthepastfewyears,there hasbeenanincreaseddemandfor interiordesigners.Withtheirhelp,you maytransformyourhouseintoahome thatauthenticallyevokesthefeelingof beingathome.

ThisisexactlywhatOraDesigndoes tomakeyourhomemorevibrant, stylish,andbright.

FeaturingforCIOWomen’sthisissue isBriPeacock-TheMostInspiring WomenLeadersToWatchOutForIn 2023

Blockadesatthestart:

Bri'searlyyearswerefraughtwith difficulties.Sheneededtogetcreative andfindawaytomakeenoughextra moneytomakeherdreamofstarting Oraareality Andthat'sexactlywhat shedid.

How?

InordertofundthelaunchofOra,Bri decidedtoputherbakingskillstouse bysellingcustombirthdaycakeson Facebookforashortperiodoftime. AfterlaunchingOra,sheadvertisedher newbusinessonsocialmediaby sharingapostonherpersonalaccount inwhichsheofferedtoredesignfive housesforfreesothatshecouldadd "beforeandafter"imagestoher portfolio.

ForOra'ssake,Brihadtolearntodoit allonherownsinceshewasaoneman showwithoutabusinesspartner, investors,oractualmoneytowork with. Shebuiltherownwebsiteatthe sametimeshebeganpromotingher workonsocialmedia.Eventhoughit wasalotofwork,sheenjoyedevery secondofcreatingalegacyshe intendedtopassontoherkids.While

herfirstmotivationforstarting Orawasonlytoearnenoughto buymorefoodeachweek,shehas sinceredirectedallofthe company'sgrowthcapitalback intoexpansionefforts.She routinelygotupearlyandworked lateafterherkidswereinbed. Thereweremanyweeksthatwas theonlytimeshehadavailable sincethefirstfouryearsofOra, Briwasalsoworkingfull-timeas amarketerforadifferentlocal business.

Twoyearsin,Orahadenough revenueforBritoopenherfirst locationoutsideofherhome. Fouryearsin?She hadsaved enoughmoneytopurchaseOra's firstcompanyvan.Byyearfive, shehadexpandedtothepoint whereBri'sonemanoperation nowrequiredanentireteam. It wasbothchallengingand exhilaratingtomovefromaonemanoperationtoagroupofmore thanadozeninalittleoverayear AlthoughBriwasthrilledbythe rapidexpansion,shewas unpreparedforit.ButintrueBri fashionsheforgedonintothis newunknownterritoryand figureditoutasshewent. Providingforherlittleladytribe athomehasalwaysbeenBristop priority,then,seemingly overnight,shewasresponsiblefor anentirestaffandalargertribe thanshe'deverdreamedof having.AlthoughitwasscaryBri says"Iwouldn'thesitatefora secondtodoitalloveragain.The growingpainsandstrugglewe enduredwerewellworththe lessonsandinsightIlearned alongtheway.Especiallytoend upherein thisplacewiththe peopleIhavenow They'reworth moretomethananythingelseI couldeverhopetohaveinlife."

TakingusthroughProfessional Journey:

Bri'syouthwasriddledwith challenges.Shefacedanexceptionally difficultlifeathomewithledtoher leavinghomeat17,anddroppingout ofhighschooltostartwaitingtablesat asmalldiner.Byage19,shewas pregnantwithherfirstdaughter

Brisaysthatmeetingherdaughterfor thefirsttimewas"theflamethatlitthe firewithinmestrongenoughtoburn brighterthanthefirethatsurrounded meandgavemethedrivetolearn everythingIhadtoinordertogivethat sweetbabythelifeshedeserved" For thesakeofherdaughter,Brireadall shecouldgetherhandsontogainthe knowledgesheneededtosucceed.She madeithermissiontoprovideherwith alloftheadvantagesshe'dbeendenied. Shegotherstartinthebusinessworld byopeningaroofingcompany.Her secondbusinessventurewasahighendclothingboutique,herthird businessadventure-OraDesigns. AfterdecidingtogiveOraashot,she enrolledinonlineclassesattheNew YorkInstituteofArtandDesignand attendedthemafterputtingher daughterstobedatnight.

FuturePlans:

Orahopestoexpanditscabinetand countertopdivision,remodeling services,andfurnituredepartmentin thenearfuture.Therewillalsobean investingarmdedicatedtorealestate. Brisaysitwouldbegreatifwehad AirBnBs,flippedafewmotelsinto themeduniquestays,andhadahandful ofvenuestoreallygetourevent stylingdivisionofftheground.Bri's mostambitiousvisionforthe company'sfutureisalargedestination complexwithanincredibleamountof someofthemostexcitingfeatures we'veheardlately.She'skeepingita secretfornowbutwecantellyouher

plansincludeavineyard,greenhouse librarycompletewithcats,andawhole lotmore.

Wordsforbuddingentrepreneurs:

Don'tletimpostersyndromeparalyze you.Whereyou'remeanttogodoesn't dependonwhereyoucamefrom.It doesn'tmatterwhathandyou'redealt; whatmattersisthatyouplaythehand youweregivenlikeitwastheoneyou wanted,saysBri.

"What you believe your capable of is true. If you believe you'll fail, you will. If you believe you can make your wildest dreams come true, you will." -

Bri Peacock

Ifyourlifestorywasabook,what woulditbecalled,andwhy?

“If I can make it, so can you”

Inahumbleyetencouragingresponse, Brisays“Ihavelivedaliferiddled withanexceptionalamountof traumaticeventsthathavebeen exceptionallysevere.Ifitcanbreak yourheart,chancesareit’sbroken

mine.Imyselfamaveryordinary personwithnospecialgiftsor talentssoifIcanmakeitpastwhat I’vecomefromIbelievewithmy entirebeingthateveryoneelsecan too.”

Howhasyourexperiencehelped youtoshapeyourenterprise?

Itinfluencedmyleadershipstyleand thewayIstructureourcompany.It taughtmehowimportantitisto boosttheconfidenceofmyteamand empowerthem.It'sincrediblewhat peoplecanaccomplishwhenthey believeinthemselves.

Ora'sgrowthpresentedchallenges forme,butitalsodismantledand reinventedwhatIthoughtwas possibleifIbelieveditcouldbe. AndIbelievemyteamiscapableof tenfold(ormore!)whatIamonmy own.Theauthenticityofthatbelief, Ibelieve,ismagneticandhighly infectious.SonowI'mnottheonly onewhobelievesit;weallbelieveit, sothesky'sthelimit!SaysBri.

Howhaveyourpersonallife experiencesinfluencedthe entrepreneurinyou?

“There has never been a plan B.”

Bribelievesitgaveherthe unwaveringdeterminationto persevereandkeepfightingto succeedeventhoughtherewerea millionreasonssheshouldhave givenup.Havingnosafetynetor securitytofallbackoninlifecan beterrifying,butitalsomeansthat doingwhateverittakestomakeit washeronlyoption.So,nomatter what,Brikeptgoing.

Adviceforyoungerself:

Brisaysshewouldtellheryounger versionthattheworldaroundyou isn’ttheonlykindthatexists,it’s justtheonlyonethatyou’veseen. It’salltemporary,keepyoureyes onJesusandkeepgoing.

Wordsthatchangedthe leadershipapproach:

TwoofBri'sfavoritequoteshadthe biggestimpactonherapproachto leadingpeople.

Thefirstquoteis“Leadershiplooks alotlikelovingpeople”andthe secondis“Becomethekindof leaderthatpeoplewouldfollow voluntarily,evenifyouhadnotitle orposition.”

Thesequotesspokedeeplytoher andthewayshetriedtoloveand lead.Brineverwantedtobethe kindofbosswhojusthadatitle, shewantedtobethekindofleader whohadthepeople.

InceptionofOra:

OrawasstartedintheSpringof 2016andwillsoonbecelebrating their8thbirthday

Pavingthewaythrough challenges:

OneofthebiggestchallengesBri facedwasmanagingthe exponentialgrowthOra experienced.Sheneverexpected Oratogrowintowhatshehasbut sheisverygratefulithappened.

Seeingsomethingshehopedwould helphergetsomeextragroceries eachweekturnintoa7-figure companythatcontinuestogrowhas beenanabsolutedream,andit inspiredBritopursueevenbigger goalsthansheeverthought possible.

Whatwasthevisionofyour companywhenyoustarted?

Briwantedtomakeeverythingaround herbeautiful,fromtheinsideandout.

Herobjectivewastorewritethe currentindustrynarrativeby developingamoreapproachable, inclusive,andinnovativeapproachto designandrenovation.

Initially,shewantedtobeabletoscale Oratothepointwhereitgenerated6 figuresinrevenueandcouldservice threetofiveclientsatonce.

Howthingsarerunningintermsof revenueandclientelebase

What you believe your capable of is true. If you believe you'll fail, you will. If you believe you can make your wildest dreams come true, you will." - Bri Peacock

TodayOrahas30to35 clientsatatimeandthe revenuepointisover7figures asacompany

Growthtrajectoryoverthe years:

Brisays,sheisendlessly gratefulthatherbusinesshas consistentlysurpassedits growthtrajectoryaswellas businessaverages.

Whatisthereasonbehind yourcompany’slongstandingsuccess?

Jesus,Starbucks,andGood vibes,Brisaidjokingly

Onamoreseriousnote,she thinksacompanyisonlyas goodasitsteam,andfeels hersisabsolutely phenomenal.

Theytreattheirclientsand theirhomesastheywould theirownandtrulyvalue everypersontheworkwith. TheteamatOracountsit bothanhonorandaprivilege tobegiventheopportunityto workonpeople'shomes.

ThestaffthatOraemploys puttheirheartandsoulinto thecompany,justlikeBri does.AndBrifullheartedly believesthatsheandOra wouldn’tbewhereorwhat theyarewithouteachoneof herteammembers.

T A S E M Venice of the North

E D M R A

Amsterdam-Veniceofthe

North

Amsterdamiscountedasoneofthe mostbeautifulcitiesinthe Netherlands.Thecanalsystemof Amsterdammakesitanevenmore beautifulcitytovisitonceinalifetime. Amsterdamwasfoundattheaperture oftheriverAmstelanddammedwith themotivetoavoidflooding.The metropolisisacenterandmain attractionformanytouristsasthe metropolishasmanynaturalelements tovisit.

Thearchitectureandstructureofthe metropolisaddsontothebeautyand gloryofthecity.Manyofthe architecturalelementscanbeseenand exploredthroughthestreetsof Amsterdam.Amsterdam,whichisin

theDutchprovinceofNorthHolland, issometimesreferredtoasthe"Venice oftheNorth"becauseofthecity's extensivenetworkofcanals,whichis nowaUNESCOWorldHeritageSite.

Thisblogexplorestheuniquenessand beautyofAmsterdamwithitsdifferent shadesfromitsdayandnightlife.Also focusesonthestructuralandcityscape oftheMetropolis.Let'stakearideat TheVeniceofNorth;Amsterdam.

LandscapeoftheMetropolis

Amsterdamisfoundintheprovinceof NorthHollandinthewestern Netherlands;however,Haarlemserves astheprovince'scapital,not Amsterdam.TheriverAmstelcomesto anendinthecity'scenterandconnects tonumerouscanalsthatleadtotheIJ

intheend.Nearly2metersbelowsea levelisAmsterdam.Sincethe surroundingterrainismadeupof substantialpolders,itisflat.

DuetoitscloseproximitytotheNorth Seaonthewest,Amsterdamhasan oceanicclimatewithpredominantly westerlywinds.Themajorityofthe provinceofNorthHolland,including Amsterdam,islocatedinUSDA HardinessZone8b.Wheneasterlyor northeasterlywindsfromtheinterior Europeancontinentblow,frostsmostly develop.

Thesummersaregenerallywarmwith afewhot,muggydaysandsporadic monthlyrain.Amsterdamislocatedin AHSHeatZone2becausetheaverage dailyhighinAugustis22.1°C,while temperaturesof30°Corhigherare

onlyrecordedonaverageon2.5days. Thetemperatureextremesarebetween 19.7°Cand36.3°C.Onaverage,133 daysayearhavemorethan1mmof precipitation.838mmofprecipitation fallsannuallyonaveragein Amsterdam.

JourneyofAmsterdam

Amsterdamwasfoundedlaterthan otherurbancentersintheLow Countriesduetoitsgeographic locationinwhatwasoncewetland. Farmersbegantosettleinandaround theregionthatwouldlaterbecome Amsterdamasearlyasthreethousand yearsago.Theywerelocatedupstream ofthetributaryAmsteloftheancientIJ river TheAllSaintsFloodof1170was asignificantturningpointinthe evolutionoftheAmstelrivermouth. TheshallowriverIJquickly transformedintoabroadestuary, providingtheAmstelwithanopen accesstotheZuiderzee,IJssel,and othernearbyrivers.Asaresult,the Amstel'swaterflowbecamemore activeandthedrainageofexcesswater improved.ThedownstreamAmstel mouthattractedapermanent populationduetoitsdryerbanks.

Inthemiddleagesofapproximately fromthe14thcentury,Amsterdamwas grantedseveralcityrightsand flourishedwithlargetraderelations withothercountries.Inthe17th century,themetropolisexperiencedits goldenageofalltimes.Theperiodin whichAmsterdamwascountedasthe wealthiestmetropolisinthewestern world.Theshipssailedfromdifferent locationsandDutchcompany'sboth eastandwestwereestablishedmaking themetropolisaDutchcolony.Inthe late18thandearly19thcenturies, Amsterdamexperiencedadecreasein itseconomy.Thecitysuffereddamages asaresultofthewarstheDutch RepublicfoughtwithFranceand

England.DuetoHolland'sincorporation intotheFrenchEmpire,Amsterdam's importancedeclinedtoitslowestpoint duringtheNapoleonicWars.Buta turningpointcamewiththecreationof theUnitedKingdomoftheNetherlands in1815.

Thedeclineofthe19thcenturyiswhat issaidtobethesecondgoldeneraofthe metropolis.Manynewstructural changeswerebroughttothecity makingitmoremesmerizingthrough theaspectsofarchitecture.Duringthe sametimeindustrialrevolutiontook placeinthemetropolisincreasingits efficiencyforindustriesand employment.Thecitycenterof Amsterdamhasdrawnalotofvisitors inthetwenty-firstcentury:between 2012and2015,thenumberoftravelers increasedfrom10to17million annually Thecenterofthecityhas becomeexpensiveforthecitizensdue torisingrealestatepricesandthe displacementoflocalbusinessesby touristattractions.Thesechangeshave drawnanalogiestoVenice,acitythatis allegedlybeingoverrunbytourists.

Ÿ RemainsfromtheNeolithicand Romanartifactswerefoundfrom someareasofthemetropolis.

Ÿ Theallsaintsfloodfrom1170 broughtmanychangesintheareaof Amstelrivermouth.

Ÿ Amsterdamgotitscityrightsand flourisheditstradingsegment.

Ÿ Fromthe17thcenturyAmsterdam experiencedwealthandpoweruntil the19thcentury.

Ÿ Theearly19thcenturyindustrial revolutiontouchedthebordersof Amsterdamandthenewerabegan.

Amsterdamanditsevergreen heritage

AftertheSecondWorldWar,avariety ofethnicitiesandreligionsmovedinto Amsterdam.Oneofthemostdiverse

populationsofanycityintheworld, Amsterdamishometo180different nationalities.Inthecityproper,around 50%ofthepopulationisofimmigrant origin,and88%ofpeopleareDutch nationals.Manyimmigrantshave profitedfromthevastandfreeDutch languageclassesthatAmsterdamhas offeredasoneoftheDutch municipalities.

DuetotheimmigrationAmsterdam experiencedavarietyofcultureandthe giveandtakeofseveraltraditionsand heritagetookplaceinthemetropolis. Variouseventstookplaceinthe16th and17thcenturyinthemetropolis makingitevenmoreprosperousinthe aspectsofculture.TheSchouwburg, Amsterdam'sfirsttheater,was constructedin1637andopenedon January3,1638.TheBalletoftheFive Sensesperformedthefirstballet performancesintheNetherlandsat Schouwburgin1642.TheHollandse OperawasbuiltinAmsterdamin1888 withtheaimofpromotingDutchOpera. Withseveralauditoriumsandtheaters museumswerealsobuiltwithintheera.

Ÿ Architecture

Amsterdamhasalonghistoryof architecture.TheOudeKerkwhich meansOldChurchinEnglish,locatedin theWallen,wasdedicatedin1306, makingittheoldeststructurein Amsterdam.HetHoutenHuysatthe Begijnhofistheoldestwoodenstructure inexistence.Oneofjusttworemaining woodenstructures,itwasbuiltaround 1425.OneofthefewGothicbuildings inAmsterdam,itisalso.TheMoriaan, erectedins-Hertogenbosch,istheoldest stonestructureintheNetherlands.

Allarchitecturaldesignsfrombeforethe turnofthe20thcenturyareconcentrated intheoldcitycenter.Althoughthereare someimpressiveinstancesofthese architecturalformsinthecitycenter,

JugendstilandGeorgianareprimarily foundinthesuburbsestablishedinthe early20thcentury.Themajorityof historicstructuresinthecity'scoreand itsenvironsareresidences,likethe well-knownmerchants'homesthatline thecanals.ThecanalsofAmsterdam havebeeninserviceforthesecurity purpose,watermanagementand transportofthemetropolis.Therewere nomasonrysuperstructuresotherthan gatesatthetransitpoints;the fortificationsconsistedofanearthen moatanddikes.Thecanalsystemin Amsterdamistheoutcomeof thoughtfulcityplanning.

Ÿ Music

Amsterdamhastheworld'sbest Symphonyorchestra.Manysongsthat arenostalgicandadoringof Amsterdammaybefoundinthecity's musicalheritage.Aconcertvenue calledAFASLive,formerlyknownas theHeinekenMusicHall,issituated closetotheJohanCruyffArena.Its

primaryfunctionistoactasastage forpopperformanceswithlarge audiences.Therehavebeenmany notableoverseasperformancesby artists.NeartheLeidsepleinaretwo otherwell-knownlocations:Paradiso andtheMelkweg.Bothputalotof emphasisondiverseprogramming thatincludeseverythingfromhiphop toR&Btoindiemusic.

Ÿ Festivals

TheKoningsdagi.e.King'sDay-Day Queen'scelebration,theHolland FestivalforthePerformingArts,the annualPrinsengrachtconcerti.e. classicalconcertonthePrinsencanal, theStilleOmgangasilentRoman Catholiceveningprocessionheld everyMarch,AmsterdamGayPride, TheCannabisCup,andtheUitmarkt arejustafewofthefamousfestivals andeventsthattakeplacein Amsterdam.Hundredsofthousands ofpeopleflocktoAmsterdamto celebratealongsidethelocalson

Koningsdag,whichisobservedon April27eachyear.

TasteofAmsterdam

Duetotheglitchofvariouscultures underonecitythetasteofAmsterdam wasgiventhetouchofvariousdishes differentfromthebasiccuisine.The immigrationandDutchculturecanbe seeninthecuisineofthemetropolis. Variousdishesarerenownedin Amsterdambutfewofthemholdthe heartoftourists.Thecookingcustoms andtraditionsoftheNetherlandsare thefoundationofDutchcuisine.Its locationintheproductiveNorthSea riverdeltaoftheEuropeanPlain, whichgaverisetofishing,farming, andtradingoverthesea,aswellasits pastcolonialempireandthespice trade,hasinfluencedthecountry's cuisine.

Duetoacultureofthriftiness,Dutch foodisfrequentlyperceivedasbeing bland.Dutchcuisinechangedinthe late19thandearly20thcenturiesfrom

beingaestheticallypleasingtobeing economicalandfilling,withlotsof vegetablesandlittlemeat.Breakfastand luncharetypicallybreadwithcheese toppings,whiledinneristypicallymeat andpotatoeswithseasonalvegetables added.Amongallofthecuisineand differentdishesBest5dishesarelisted below.

Ÿ Bitterballen

Bitterballen,whicharefriedmeatballs, areapopularsnackattavernsallacross thecity.EatingBitterballenisnearlya necessitywhenvisitingtheDAM becausemosttouristsvisitatleastone barinAmsterdam.

Ÿ Pancakes

TheDutchpancakesknownas Pannekoekenareflat,savory,andfillthe plate,unliketheirpuffyAmerican relatives.Thestarchybaseof Pannekoekenisfrequentlytoppedwith curedmeatorsmokedsalmon,anditis

eatenthroughoutthedaybylocals.

Ÿ Stroopwafels

Byfillingtwodelicatewaferswith sweetStroop,thesamecaramel-like syrupthatcomplements pannekoeken,stroopwafelselevate thecookieconcept.Stroopwafelsare bestenjoyedfreshoffthegriddle; theywereinitiallycreatedinGouda butwereperfectedinAmsterdam.

Ÿ Stamppot

Stamppotisabasicallyfusionof smashedvegetablesandpotatoes withamixtureofbutterinit increasingitsflavor Traditional ingredientsaddedbyDutchcooks includekaleorswisschard;more recentversionsalsocontainother greens,suchastarragon.

Ÿ Rijsttafel(RiceTable)

Rijsttafel,atruericefeastthat

coversthespectrumofIndonesian cuisine,hasahistorythatstretches backtothe17thcentury,whenthe DutchconqueredIndonesia.A Rijsttafellunchconsistsofavibrant processionofsmallplatesthatfillthe tablefirstandthestomachsecond.In actuality,"ricetable"iswhatthe Dutchword"rijsttafel"means.

Travelingthroughthestreetsof Amsterdam

Exploringthemetropolisisasoothing experienceitself.Amsterdamis renownedforitstourismalloverthe globe.Accordingtotherecords Amsterdamreceivesmorethan5.34 millioninternationalvisitorsannually, Thisdoesnotincludethe16million dayvisitorswhocometothecityeach year.Seventy-fourpercentofvisitors arefromEurope.With14%ofthe total,Americansmakeupthelargest contingentofnon-Europeanvisitors. Amsterdamownsseveralplacesto visitonceinalifetimeandisalso

recognisedbytheUNESCOasWorld HeritageSites.Thenumberofmuseums arebasicattractionsfortourists.The metropolisownsmanymuseumsbut someofthemaremorerenownedfor theirartpieces.

Ÿ Museums

ThecityofAmsterdamishometo numerousrenownedmuseums.Without seeingtheRijksmuseum,VanGogh Museum,orStedelijkMuseum,no vacationtothecityiscomplete,butthe cityalsoboastsawealthofgems outsideoftheMuseumDistrict.

Rijkdmuseumthenationalmuseumof theNetherlands,theRijksmuseum,is locatedinAmsterdamandisdevotedto Dutchartandhistory Themuseumis situatedintheAmsterdamSouth neighborhood'sMuseumSquare,nextto theConcertgebouw,StedelijkMuseum Amsterdam,andVanGoghMuseum.

Ÿ Nightlife

TheNightlifeinAmsterdamis renownedforbeingexcitingandvaried. Therearenumerouscoffeeshopsinthe metropolis.AtraditionalBrownCafeis famousamongstthetouristsaswellas thecitizensinthemetropolisasthey servesomeuniquebeveragesincluding beerandwinewithacozyandvintage ambience.Insummersmanycafesare openwithterraceswithchilled beverageswhichaddsglorytothenight andgentlebreeze.

Oneofthetopjazzclubsintheworldis Bimhuis,whichisclosetoCentral Stationandhasadiverselineupthat featuresthebestinthebusiness.The mainstreetfortheLGBTcommunity andnightlifeisthe Reguliersdwarsstraat.

Ÿ RoyalPalaceofAmsterdam

Ÿ Itisoneofthetoptouristdestinations

inAmsterdamandislocatedinthe DamSquare.Itwasonceatownhall butisnowownedbythestateand utilizedbythefamilyforRoyal OfficialDutchevents.Visitorswho enjoyviewingthecitizenshallatone ofthetopAmsterdamsightscanvisit thepalaceallyearlong.

Ÿ CanalBelt

In2011,UNESCOaddedtheCanal BelttoitslistofWorldHeritageSites. Withitsbuildingsandcharmingcafes, itisoneofthemostpicturesqueareas inthecity.Withoutvisitingthecanals andlearningalittlebitmoreabout them,novacationtoAmsterdamis complete.Eitheronfootorfromthe boat,youcanopttoexplore Amsterdam'scanals.

AcademicandSportsbackgroundof Amsterdam

Academics

Amsterdamcomprisesmainlytwo importantuniversitiesnamely,The UniversityofAmsterdamandTheVrije UniversityAmsterdam.The InternationalInstituteofSocialHistory inAmsterdamisoneofthebiggest archivalandresearchcentersforsocial history,particularlythehistoryofthe labormovement.Oneoftheoldest botanicalgardensintheworld, Amsterdam'sHortusBotanicuswas establishedintheearly17thcentury andishometomanyrareandancient specimens,includingthecoffeeplant thatgaverisetotheentirecoffee cultureinCentralandSouthAmerica.

TheVossiusGymnasium,Barlaeus Gymnasium,St.IgnatiusGymnasium, Het4eGymnasium,andCygnus Gymnasiumarefiveindependent grammarschools,whereaclassical curriculumcomprisingLatinand classicalGreekistaught.Thecityis

hometoanumberofinstitutions,most ofwhichareopentointernational students.Theseuniversitiescover everythingfrompoliticsand economicstoartanddesign.

TheBritishSchoolofAmsterdam, AlbertEinsteinInternationalSchoolof Amsterdam,LycéeVincentvanGogh LaHaye-Amsterdamprimarycampus, InternationalSchoolofAmsterdam, andJapaneseSchoolofAmsterdamare amongtheforeignstudents' educationaloptionsinAmsterdam.

Sports

AFCAjaxplaysintheEredivisieand isbasedinAmsterdam.Ajaxisbased intheJohanCruyffArenastadium.Itis situatednearthebrand-new AmsterdamBijlmerArenArailway stationinthecity'ssoutheast.Ajax playedtheirhomegamesinthe OlympicStadiumorthenowdemolishedDeMeerStadioninthe easternpartofthecitybefore relocatingtotheircurrentvenuein 1996.AmsterdamheldtheSummer Olympicsin1928.

AlongwiththeAmsterdamMarathon, thecityhoststhe16kmDamtoDam RunbetweenAmsterdamand Zaandam.TheJaapEdenicerinkis hometotheAmstelTijgershockey team.Thegroupplaysinthetop divisionofDutchicehockey The400meterlaneofthisicerinkhashosted speedskatingcompetitions.

TheAmsterdamCrusadersandthe AmsterdamPanthersaretwoAmerican footballteamswhoplayinAmsterdam. Thebaseballteamknownasthe AmsterdamPiratesplaysintheDutch MajorLeague.Threefieldhockey teams,Amsterdam,Pinoké,and Hurley,competeintheirgamesnear theWagenerStadiuminAmstelveen,a nearbycity

CATHLEEN BEERKENS

Leading The Wellness Revolution!

A WELLNESS REVOLUTION

FOUNDER

Ourwayoflivinglifeonplanet

earthisdramaticallychanging andconsequently,atthistime wearefacedwithmorechaosand stress.Itbecomesincreasingly importantforeachpersontotake responsibilityfortheirHealth& Wellnessfindingbalanceanddirection.

AWellnessRevolutionhasamissionto trainandcertifyHealth&Wellness coachesandtoprovideimportant educationonnewsciencesthatare pointingtotheimportanceofcellular well-beingfocusingontheconnections ofbodymindandspirit.Featuringfor CIOWomen’sthisissueisCathleen Beerkens-Top10Self-MadeWomen EntrepreneursinEurope.

InspirationForChoosingThisField:

EventhoughCathleenalwaysbelieved inaworldofgoodnessandloveasa child,shewasgenerallystruckwiththe overwhelmingsenseofaworldthat washighlydisconnectedandlefther withmorequestionsthananswers. Questionsthatguidedherentirelife focusandresearch.

Sheobservedthattheconsequenceof disconnectionaffectspeopleonall levelsofbody,mind,andspirit.Her researchandlifeexperiencehaveled hertounderstandthatthisisoneofthe underlyingreasonsfortheincreasing imbalanceandillnessintheworld. Cathleen’struepurposewasbornfrom theseobservations.Shewantedtohelp theworldinbecomingmoreconnected andcomplete.

InitialObstacles:

Cathleenwasguidedbyherexperience asanurse,teacher,andhealertofind theanswerstohelppeopleunderstand whattheycandotobecomemore connectedatthecelllevelandhappyas humanbeings.Herquestfor knowledgehelpedherfindanswers throughlearningaboutthenew sciencesofQuantumPhysics, Epigenetics,Neuroscience,and Glycoscience.Shebelievesthese scienceswillhelppeopleunderstand whytheyareonearthandhowweare evolvingtobecomemoreconscious.

Thesenewsciencesareshowingus howourbody,mind,andspiritareall connectedandmakeupamultidimensionalfieldthatwecanconnect to.

Asweashumanbeingsgrowin consciousness,weseemore,hear more,feelmoreandunderstandmore aboutwhoweare.Welearntoconnect toallthatwearethroughourmost powerfulelectromagneticfieldwhich isourheart.Learningtoliveinour

hearts,webecomemoreintunewith ourtruepower.AsCathleenwas studyingthesenewsciences,shewas surprisedbythelackofinformationin themainstream.

Atonepointshemadeadecisionto bringthisvitalinformationintothe world.Cathleensensedthatthismight disruptthestatusquo,however,she hadaninnercallingandhadtoriseup overthisandfollowhergutthatthe worldshouldhavetheopportunityto beexposedtothisimportanteducation andscience.Cathleen’sgoodfriend oncesaid:Ifnotme–who?Thiswas theinspirationforhertotakeaction andmoveforward.Somehowjust understandingtheimportanceof connectionalreadyhelpsustolive moreconsciouslyandmultidimensionally,saysCathleen.

PavingTheWayThroughHurdles:

Asallnewbusinessesarecreatedand developedthereissomuchtolearnas wearelivinginaninformationageof technology.Cathleenfoundoutthatthe mostchallengingpartistoconstantly adapttochanges.

OverviewOfProfessional Background:

AftergraduatingfromtheUniversity ofMarylandinHealthEducationand GeorgetownUniversitywithaBSin Nursing,Cathleenstartedhercareeron asurgicalENTfloor,dealingwith tremendouslyillpatients.

Shealsostartedusingherskillsasa teacherearlyonassheoftentookon herselftogiveinspiringlecturestothe nurses.

Afteranumberofyears,she transferredtoahigh-risklaborand deliveryunit.

Althoughbringingnewlifeintothe worldwasjoyous,thereweremany

The decision to find A Wellness Revolution was not an easy one.

challengesinthecityofWashington DCwhereinfantmortalityratesare high.

Cathleenafterbeingofferedateaching assistantpositionatGeorgetownalso taughtUniversitynursingstudentshow tophysicallyassessthebodyandgave prenatalclasses.

Shespentmanyyearsresearchingand studyingthenewsciencesand consciousness.Afterthebirthofher thirdchild,shebeganteachingclasses ontopicsofHealth,Wellness,and NutritionintheNetherlands,Ireland, Belgium,Germany,andtheUS.

Cathleenrealizedthatasanurseshe hadaresponsibilitytonowmakethe changesthatwereneededinthe mainstreammedicalsystem.The systemhadneverbeenaboutwellness, ithadfocusedonillness.

Ultimatelyshewantedtohelpthe systemservethepeopleinbetterways byfocusingonoptimalhealthand wellness.

AWordForBudding Entrepreneurs:

“ThebiggestadviceIcangiveanyone startingabusinessis:Itisnotenough anymoretohavejustpassion,youmust alsofindyourmission.

Ifyouknowwhyyouaredoing something,thenitwillinspireyouto endureanyhow,explainedCathleen.”

LifeStoryAsABook:

“Connection is Consciousness and Consciousness is Connection”-

Cathleen Beerkens

EducationAndItsImpact:

HealthandWellnesscoachingisanew, upcominggrowingprofessionthatis helpingmainstreammedicinetogive morepersonalcare,attention,andlove.

Cathleenhasbeenanurseformany yearsinthetraditionalhealthcare systemandhasbeengreatlyimpacted bythelackoftimeshehadasa medicalprofessionaltohelppeoplein makingrealchanges. Hereducationsupportedherlifepath andbroughthertohermission.

ExperiencesThatInfluencedThe EntrepreneurWithin:

Throughoutherlife,Cathleenandher familywerefacedwithmanyhealth challengesonalllevelsofphysical, mental,andspiritualwell-being.

Theseexperienceshelpedhertodevelopa six-monthprogramtrainingHealthand WellnessCoaches,andaYouTube channel,andshewillbepublishinganew bookin2023withtheserevelations.She lovesherworktrainingcoachesaround theworldandcertifyingthemwiththetop organizationsassheknowsthatwiththe significantchangeinthemedicalcare systemthesecoachesaredesperately needed.Cathleenisverygratefulforthe past30years. Shehasfoundmanyofher answersbylearningaboutIntegrative Medicine.

AMessageToYoungerSelf:

Cathleenhasbeenguidedbythequote fromSteveJobs’commencementspeech, “Youcan'tconnectthedotslooking forward;youcanonlyconnectthem

lookingbackwards.Soyouhavetotrust thatthedotswillsomehowconnectin yourfuture.Youhavetotrustin something-yourgut,destiny,life, karma,whatever Thisapproachhas neverletmedown,andithasmadeall thedifferenceinmylife.”AsCathleen reflectsonheryoungerself,shefeels thatherpassionforhelpingotherpeople hasguidedhertothismoment.

Inthelastthreeyears,Cathleenusedall herknowledgeandcompassionfor humanitybystartinganddevelopingA WellnessRevolution.

Cathleen’sadvicetoheryoungerself wouldbe:

“Be patient and trust the process, you are divinely guided.”

TheAdviceThatImpactedThe Leadership:

Cathleennevershieldsawayfrom leadershipresponsibilities.Fromthe earlydays,Cathleenalwaystook leadershiproles,fromthepresidentof thestudentcouncilinHighschoolto leadershippositionsinthesororityin college.

Shebelievesthatthemostimportant componentofagoodleaderisonethat neverstopsaskingquestionsand realizesthatitisnotonlywhatyou

knowthatmatters,it’swhatyou don’tknowthattrulymatters.

TheInceptionOfTheCompany& More:

AWellnessRevolutionbeganin 2018.Thecompanyoffersasix monthcoursewhereitcertifiesand trainsHealthandWellnessCoaches, twiceayear.OnebeginsinMarch andendsinearlySeptember,andone beginsinSeptemberandendsin February

Thecompanyhasbeengrantedtwo veryimportantinternational certificationsandanotheroneinthe

Netherlands:TheNationalBoardof HealthandWellnessCoaches (NBHWC)andtheInternational CoachingFederation(ICF).TheDutch accreditationbytheorganizationBLCN.

Cathleenbelieves,likeallevolving professionalorganizations,Healthand WellnessCoachingwillbecomemore regulatedandtherewillbeaneedfor certificationtodevelopstandardsfor enteringmainstreammedicine.

Overtheyearsofthepandemic,ithas becomeclearthatwehaveaneedfor bigchangesinourhealthcaresystem.

HealthandWellnessCoachesarebecoming increasinglyutilizedasapartofthischange.

TheroleofHealthandWellnessCoaches willbetoworkwithclientstohelpand supportthemintheirWellnessJourneyto becomeabetterversionofthemselvesby changingtheirlifestyleandbehavioralhabits aswellasmanifestinggoals.

VisionAtTheStart:

Cathleen’svisionforAWellnessRevolution istotrainandcertifyHealthandWellness Coachesinholistichealthandwell-being whileemphasizingtheimportanceofthe cellularlevel.

AWellnessRevolutionalsowants toinspireitscoachessotheycan continuetoself-developusingtheir powerfulcoachingskills.

GrowthAsItHappened:

Thegrowthhasbeenverysteady andCathleenbelievesthatitwill continuethiswayasmoreandmore peoplearewakinguptothe importanceoftakingcareof themselves,andtheresponsibility fortheirmind-bodyandspiritual well-being.

Be patient and trust the process, you are divinely guided.

Therewillbeabigjobchangeinthe worldandmoreandmorepeopleas theyaregrowinginconsciousnesswill seekjobsthatbringthempersonal growth,purpose,andfulfillment, Cathleenexplained.

ExpandingTheServices:

AWellnessRevolutionrecentlyadded abusinesscourseaswellasdeveloped aContinuedEducationProgramfor theirgraduates.

In2020,CathleenstartedherYouTube Channelandreleasesinterviews monthlywithpeoplewhoarechange agentsinthefieldofHealthand Wellness.

Cathleenwillalsocontinuetodevelop leaders,teachers,mentorsaswellas coacheswithAWellnessRevolution.

7 SEO

STRATEGIES TO SCALE

Searchengineoptimization,

sometimesknownasSEO StrategiestoScaleYourCreative Business,isanessentialcomponentof keepingarobustpresenceonthe internet.UnderstandingSEObest practicesandusingthemtogetabetter rankinginsearchenginesisoneofthe mosteffectivewaystoboostthe performanceofyourcompanyand attractmorecustomersintoday’s increasinglydigitalenvironment.

Hereare7SEOStrategiestoScale YourCreativeBusiness:

1.ConsiderConductingaStudyon YourDemographic

Knowingjusthowtoappealtoyour targetmarketisoneoftheessential methodstobroadenyourreach.Thisis oneofthekeytechniques.This requireshavingagraspofthelanguage thatisspokeninthemarketSEO StrategiestoScaleYourCreative Business.

High-rankingwebsitestakeuseof keywords.Peoplesearchforagoodor serviceusingcertainwordsand phrasesthatarereferredtoas keywords.Carryoutsomestudieson keywordstofindoutwhichonesare usedthemostofteninyourregion.

2.MakeYourSiteMobileFriendly

Whenitcomestosearchengine rankings,awebsitethatisuser-friendly onmobiledevicesismorelikelytoget ahigherpagepositionthanonethatis not.Thismightbeasstraightforward asselectingaresponsiveplatform insidethewebsitebuilderthatyouare using.Simplymakesurethatthe functionalitydoesnotdifferbetween thedesktopandmobileversionsof yoursite.

SEOStrategiestoScaleYourCreative Business

StudyonYourDemographic

PPCCampaignManagement

3.Backlinks

Whenitcomestohowhighlyyourank insearchresults,backlinksplaya significantrole.Reachingouttoother websitesthatprovidecontentand askingthemtolinktoyourworkisan effectivestrategyforaccomplishing thisgoal.Youmightalsogooutto websitesthatincludeinformationthat isnolongerrelevantandofferto replaceitwithyourcontentonthose websitesSEOStrategiestoScaleYour CreativeBusiness.

Yourwebsite’sperformanceislikelyto improveifsearchenginesdiscoverthat otherwebsitesareconnectingtothe materialthatyouhaveposted.Unless youalreadyhavelinkswithalarge numberofhigh-trafficwebsites, implementingthismethodwon’tbethe simplestthingyou’veeverdone. Despitethis,itisstillsomethingthat oughttobeattempted.

4.PPCCampaignManagement

Itishighlyrecommendedthatyougive employingaPPCmarketingfirmto handleyourpay-per-clickcampaigns seriousconsiderationifyouhavethe financialresourcestodoSEO StrategiestoScaleYourCreative Business.PPC(pay-per-click) advertisingrequiresbusinessestopaya feeeachtimeauserclicksononeof theironlineadvertisements.

Whenitcomestoincreasingthe numberofpeoplewhovisityour website,workingwithamarketingfirm mayhelpyoumakethemostof serviceslikeGoogleAdWordsand Bingadvertisements.Thesecampaigns maybekeptorganizedbyamarketing firm,andthedatatheyprovidecanbe analyzedtodevelopevenmore effectivemarketingstrategiesforthe

future.

5.DevelopContentThatIsMore Targeted

Thereisawidevarietyoftacticsthat mayassistyouinclimbinghigherin thesearchenginerankings; nevertheless,noneofthemareas effectiveaswebsitesthatprovidetheir customerbasewithmaterialthatis specificandin-depth.You’llhavea greaterchanceofrankingonsearch enginesifyoudevelophigh-quality contentandgiveSEOStrategiesto ScaleYourCreativeBusinesssome considerationintheproductionofthat material.

SearchenginessuchasGooglecan determinewhetheranindividualis onlyattemptingtogametheranking systemfortheirbenefit.Instead,you shouldconcentrateonproducing contentthatisbothvaluableand appealingtoyouraudience.

6.InternalLinking

Yourwebsitemustbeuser-friendly, whichmeansthatallofthepages shouldbewell-organizedandsimpleto navigate.Includinginternallinkson yourwebsiteisonestrategyyoucan usetoboostthenumberofpeople seeingeachpageonyoursiteSEO StrategiestoScaleYourCreative Business.Forinstance,ifyouwanta visitortoberedirectedfromthehome pagetothecontactpage,youmight includealinkonthehomepagethat reads“clickhere.”Whenthenumber ofvisitsacrossdifferentpagesonyour websiteisdistributedevenly,it demonstratestosearchenginesthatthe materialyouareshowingisofhigh quality

7.MakeUseOfAnchorText

Anchortextisthetextthatmaybe clickedonandservesthefunctionofa link.Usinganchortextisa

straightforwardSEOtacticthat,when usedcorrectly,hasthepotentialtohave asignificantimpactonSEOStrategies toScaleYourCreativeBusiness.When readersseelengthylinks,theyoften navigateawayfromthecontentor perhapsgiveupreadingitentirely Anchortextgivestheimpressionthat yourmaterialismoresmoothandmore orderedthanitis.Thisenhancesthe

userexperienceandreducesthe likelihoodthatyourcustomerbasewill misstheessenceoftheinformation youprovide.

Conclusion

Ifyouputtheprecedingseven suggestionsintoaction,youwill positionyourselftogetahighranking onsearchengines.