Shop Your Favorite Styles At Saks Fifth Avenue
Image courtesy of Saks Fifth Avenue Las Vegas
The Vault: Jewelry By David Webb
LUXURY BY DESIGN
DONNA JOHNSON | LUXURY DESIGNER SERVING ORANGE COUNTY | 949.697.5869 & LAS VEGAS | 702.413.5497 | WWW.LUXURY-DESIGNER.COM
26 THIS ISSUE INTERIORS+DESIGN
08 ELEGAANCE AT EVERY TURN 26 DESIGN DREAMS TO REALITY 61 LAKE LAS VEGAS WELCOMES DEL WEBB 64 ALWAYS ADD GLAM
ENTERTAINMENT
28 WOMAN OF THE YEAR SHANIA TWAIN 48 MOTORCAR INDULGENCE 54 SPRING VAULT 83 ONE TO WATCH 85 THE TRIP THAT KEEPS ON GIVING
TRAVEL
36 THE BEST OF BALI 38 TAKING IN TEQUILA, MEXICO 40 DESTINATION: PARADISE 66 EAT AROUND THE WORLD
FINER LIVING
25 LEGAL ELITE: STEVE DIMOPOULOS 81 ORIGINAL PAW SUPPLY 88 SILVER BULLET COLLECTION
HEALTH & WELLNESS
29 A DOSIST™ OF REALITY 32 ENGINEERING SUCCESS 76 THE TRUTH DOESN’T HAVE TO HURT 91 PRACTICE OF POSITIVITY
28
LIFESTYLE
74 THE NEW FACE OF PROFITABILITY 78 SHERO FOUNDER ENCOURAGES SURVIVORS 87 SUCCESSION PLANNING FOR SMALL BUSINESS
ISSUE Nº16 SPRING 2020
Elegance AT EVERY TURN
1210 MACDONALD RANCH Interior Design Masterpeices By Donna Johnson
08 | Deluxe Version Magazine
DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT DONNA JOHNSON
DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT DONNA JOHNSON
DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT DONNA JOHNSON
TO CONTACT DONNA JOHNSON VISIT
www.luxury-designer.com | www.luxe-design.net
DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT DONNA JOHNSON
Want To Know More?
Read Our Designer Profile Featuring DESIGNER Donna JohnsonSPOTLIGHT On Page 21 DONNA JOHNSON
PUBLISHING & EDITORIAL PUBLISHER: TIM HANCOCK
CO-PUBLISHER: SHYON KEOPPEL EDITOR: JEN CHASE-CORWIN CONTRIBUTING EDITOR: STACEY GUALANDI CONTRIBUTING DESIGN EDITOR: DONNA JOHNSON INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL DIRECTOR: JAMILLETTE GAXIOLA FASHION MARKET DIRECTOR: ALISHA ALEXANDER MEDIA DIRECTOR: DANI REEVES
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ALLISON KUGEL, LAUREN EVARTS BOSSTICK, DANI REEVES CREATIVE CONTRIBUTORS: ANGELES SCORSETTI, AVA ROSE AGENCY, EDEN SASSOON, NICK & BLAIR PARMELEE ADVERTISING PARTNERS: NATIONAL: DAVID HOGAN LAS VEGAS: COLLIN MARTINEZ LOS ANGELES: SALLY COLON SCOTTSDALE: ANDREW KOVACSISS SEATTLE: CARMIN HERNANDEZ
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DEBBI MILES, JASON CRAIG, ARIANNY CELESTE, TERRY CRIST, LUKE WEBB, JOHNNY RAYS, JAVIER PARRA, LOWELL RAVEN, KALANI CASPINO, TAYLOR GWAIZON, AMY WATTS, MATT ROMERO, DUSTIN DRAI, PASQUALE ROMANO JR From The Publisher: Our managing editor, Jen Chase-Corwin, ends a 6-year run with DVM with an issue that’s been one of our greatest collaborations to date. Our beaming example of excellence, we thank you for your incredible leadership and the honor of having your guidance over the editorial team and writers. (TH)
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NOTE FROM THE PUBLISHER
A TOAST TO INCREDIBLE WOMEN
We are thrilled to celebrate Shania Twain on our “Woman Of The Year” cover as we honor the music icon’s Nevada Ballet Theater recognition at their annual Black & White Ball. Her show-stopping residency for “Let’s Go” adds unforgettable entertainment to worldwide travelers visiting Las Vegas in 2020! On the topic of celebrating great women, I congratulate our editor Stacey Gualandi for her big win at Nevada’s Silver State Awards’ “Best Journalist” on February 23, 2020. Gualandi Has dedicated pages of top-quality journalism, travel, and entertainment profiles to the pages of Deluxe Version Magazine of the years, including this issue’s interview with Shania Twain.
TIMOTHY HANCOCK PUBLISHER
We are incredibly grateful for all she does. We also have the exciting launch of our Interiors+Design editions with our incredible design editor, Donna Johnson. This edition prints alongside each quarter of Deluxe Version Magazine with stunning coverage of interior design, home decor, luxury estates, and architecture. Enjoy this issue packed with entertainment, luxury design, and top places to travel as we kick off this year with exciting reads curated for the joyous life-lover in you. Sincerely,
Timothy Hancock Publisher Tim.Hancock@dlxvrsn.com Instagram: @TimothyHancock
STACEY GUALANDI 2020 BEST JOURNALIST
TEAM SPOTLIGHT
SHYON KEOPPEL
ANDY GIL
JEN CHASE-CORWIN
DONNA JOHNSON
DANI REEVES
JAMILLETTE GAXIOLLA
CO-PUBLISHER
LAKE LAS VEGAS CO-PUBLISHER
EDITOR
INTERIOR -DESIGN EDITOR
MEDIA DIRECTOR
INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL DIRECTOR
LEGAL ELITE:
Steve Dimopoulos Dimopoulos attributes his success in producing results plain and simple. The firm recovers millions monthly on behalf of its clients. Attorney Dimopoulos began his career as a corporate lawyer in his home state of Michigan. Even before going into practice Dimopoulos showed considerable legal promise. He scored in the top one percent nationally on the multistate bar exam, and he would go on to obtain licenses to practice in three states. Dimopoulos moved to Las Vegas in April of 2012 and founded Dimopoulos Law Firm three years later in May of 2015. His niche personal injury practice focuses primarily on car accidents. In the beginning, the staff comprised of only Dimopoulos and one assistant. Less than five years later the firm has exploded and has become a legal-all-star-team nearly 50 people strong. “Our team is licensed in five states and we speak six languages fluently,” Dimopoulos is proud to add. Despite the flashy billboards, most new clientele comes to the firm via referral by existing clients. Dimopoulos attributes his success in producing
results plain and simple. The firm recovers millions monthly on behalf of its clients. Passionate about outside-the-box-thinking, Dimopoulos admits few things are more gratifying than recovering for a client when other attorneys didn’t see an angle. “I don’t mean to be cliché but changing people’s lives for the better and seeing the looks on their faces when we do it are some of my favorite things about my job.” On the topic of helping people, St. Jude’s Research Hospital and the Injured Police Officers’ Fund are some of Dimopoulos’ favorite charities. What’s the latest at Dimopoulos Law? Be sure to check out their new 13,000 square foot Town Square location. Their over-the-top office boasts amenities such as a private fitness center and mock courtroom and the firm “breakroom” is more akin to a luxurious private dining room you’d expect to find on the Las Vegas strip. www.stevedimopoulos.com
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INTERIORS+DESIGN
Luxury Designer Donna Johnson
CAN TURN YOUR DREAMS INTO REALITY – By Elena Castriota
Sophisticated interior design is an essential part of what makes the homes, hotels and businesses of Las Vegas and Southern California look opulent and desirable. Donna Johnson, the president, owner and interior designer behind Luxury-Designer, is a big player in the contemporary design scene and has been for the past 37 years. While there are countless interior designers in the luxury game, Johnson and her team stand out from the crowd by being involved in all stages of design. Not only that, but they’re capable of transforming a space with contemporary, traditional, transitional, or modern styles in mind. “I think what sets us apart is that we start from the very beginning of building all the way through the final accessory,” says Johnson. “We do our own interior architectural drawings and buy direct from the furniture companies.” Johnson’s been designing furniture for years and has an e-commerce branch of her business called Luxe Design. Demand
for her bespoke work is so high that she’s in the process of launching a line of custom cabinets. The daughter of a developer, Johnson’s been around construction, architecture and design her whole life. She discovered her passion at the age of 12 when she started working for her dad and has followed her dreams ever since. Her success hasn’t limited her from giving back and mentoring others in the business: Johnson is currently partnering with Build(it) Create(it) Design(it), a business that provides design professionals with resources from office space to mentorship from established firms like hers. “I’ve mentored a couple of designers, including a single mom where she was looking for a firm to work with and we were able to help her get the job,” explains Johnson. “My passion is helping other designers succeed in the industry.”
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Deluxe Version FEATURE STORY
38 | Deluxe Version Magazine
WOMAN OF THE YEAR
Shania Twain
Written By Stacey Gualandi Cover & Editorial Photo By Alex Harbaugh
Deluxe Version Magazine | 29
WOMAN OF THE YEAR
SHANIA TWAIN “Twainiacs” are all about 2020, and with good reason: their idol Shania Twain was recently named “Woman of the Year” by Nevada Ballet Theater at its annual Black & White Ball; she is starring in both the major motion picture “I Still Believe” and the new ad campaign for Las Vegas’ new slogan, “What Happens Here, Only Happens Here,” and the country pop icon will be back on stage at Zappos Theater in Planet Hollywood for “Let’s Go!,” her residency 2.0 after successfully launching sold-out shows in December.
Marie Osmond and Shania Twain at the Nevada Ballet Theater’s annual Black & White Ball (photo courtesy of NBT.)
“I’m just loving it, and eating it up and enjoying the stability [of living in Las Vegas],” says the Canadian singer/ songwriter. “The fun here, the entertainment standard, the new friends: I feel very at home here.”
ON HER SECOND LAS VEGAS RESIDENCY: “My intention was always to do something more informal. Zappos Theater is not as formal as some of the other theaters—it’s more intimate and relaxed. I’ve got a lot more acoustic, impromptu moments that are not big on production…it’s just me and my guitar, free-styling, which is really taking me back to my roots as a teenager in the bars. This theater allows for that so I’m taking full advantage of that.”
With “Let’s Go!”—a phrase she uses in her “Get You Good” and “Feel Like a Woman”—Twain is still the one we love and is now ridin’ a new wave of popularity with fans and friends who came out in force on opening night. (And, she comes out on a horse in downtown Las Vegas, too. More on that below.)
ON RIDING HER HORSE FOR THE LAS VEGAS AD CAMPAIGN: “Las Vegas is like a crazy, great town. There’s a friendliness and easygoing nature about the residents here. And even that experience of riding a horse on Fremont Street, it seems so surreal, but at the same time, it’s like, ‘Yeah! Totally. In some odd way, I could see myself doing that every weekend.
“She’s a rockstar,” says Carrot Top of his dear friend. “She is an amazing perfectionist and puts everything into her shows. I respect that a lot. She’s a hard worker and a beautiful person inside and out. That’s what makes it easy to come and support something like this.” Adding to the red carpet post-show praise: Backstreet Boy AJ McLean, former Twain “NOW” tour-mate Bastian Baker (profiled in DVM’s Issue No. 12), and reality star LaLa Kent, who says “Shania can do no wrong.” The top-selling female country artist of all time is also the creative director of this latest residency run, and after several weeks of no-audience rehearsals, she couldn’t wait to finally perform (with eight costume changes!) in front of a live crowd. “It felt good, honestly: I was relaxed and it came to life with the people in the audience,” says Twain. “It all made sense. It was very rewarding and fun, and it went by super fast!” 30 | Deluxe Version Magazine
ON SHARING THE STAGE WITH HER DOG MELODY: “It’s a great [acoustic] moment for me. I think a lot of [the show’s] acoustic moments are a soulful thing to do. It takes me back to my youth. It feels comfortable. It feels informal. It feels exactly like I want it to feel. I want the audience to sense my level of comfort and ease here with my fans— with my music—and I just want to show that lack of barrier between us.” ON BEING THE SHOW’S CREATIVE DIRECTOR: “What I’ve learned about this experience—helping; [being] so involved with the production; ‘directing’ it—is that I personally needed less rehearsal because I already knew all the bits and pieces. (Ha!) I was more intensely [involved] with the departments than I was in rehearsals other than your staging and all of that. But by the time I was in my own performance rehearsals, I already knew where everything was laid out. I already understood the whole structure. So there was less rehearsal pressure on me and more of other hats and spreading myself around. But I love that because I mean, c’mon, rehearsals can be very repetitive and tedious. So I enjoyed the variety of wearing different hats and I wasn’t stressed by it at all. It was great. ON BRAD PITT: [“That Don’t Impress Me Much”] became one of my biggest songs, but I mean…how would I have ever known it was even going to be a hit song? It was just something that I did with some sense of humor, but it’s sort of a running thing for me now [that] I’ve never met him! So we have this connection through this giant hit, and yet we’ve never met.
Deluxe Version FEATURE STORY
STARS OF THE MOMENT
ACTRESS SPOTLIGHT
Pictured: Debi Mazar, Hillary Duff, and The Cast Of Younger
ONE OF THE MOST AWARDED CHINESE RESTAURANTS IN ASIA A MODERN APPROACH TO CHINESE CUISINE
FOR RESERVATIONS, VISIT VENETIAN.COM
A DOCTOR ENGINEERING HIS OWN SUCCESS:
DR. NITIN J. ENGINEER – By Stacey Gualandi
When Dr. Nitin J. Engineer sets his sights on something, he doesn’t blink, so that’s just what this hand-surgeon-turned-plastic surgeon did when this year’s calendar turned to 2020. In January, he opened his new plastic surgery practice—aptly named Engineered Aesthetics— in Henderson, Nev., marking his triumphant return to the Vegas Valley. “I had to do this, and I had a vision,” says Engineer. “I wanted to come back and build a practice with a bigger and broader spectrum that would maximize the diversity of my interest, and give me the opportunity to contribute to the greater Las Vegas community on a larger scale than before.” The Macon, Georgia transplant (Engineer’s father came from a long line of engineers in India, thus the family name “Engineer”) first fell in love with surgery at 17—specifically, hand surgery— while observing the reconstruction of a patient’s fingers lost to frostbite. The Vanderbilt graduate quickly landed his first job as a hand surgeon with his mentor, Brad Wilhelmi, MD, FACS, at the University of Louisville, and was on track to becoming a plastic surgeon there 2 years later when a position in Las Vegas lured him away. “I love the Southwest environment. I love the mentality. I love the community. I love the weather,” says Engineer. “It was just a perfect match, except for the fact that I wasn’t going to be doing plastic surgery. I always regretted that.” In 2013, he went on to build his first solo Henderson-based hand surgery practice; but when his mentor came back to him with a second opportunity to study plastic surgery, he couldn’t pass it up and returned to Louisville to complete a 3-year fellowship. (“When lightning strikes twice, you have to go for it!”) Now 45, this hard-earned plastic surgeon says he’s “restless and wants to do it all,” so his new center 2.0 will offer one-stop surgical (i.e., nose, breasts, hands, facelifts, neck-lifts, eyelids, lips), and non-surgical procedures (i.e., fillers, botox) in an elegant, easily accessible, mid-century modern space.
like we’re reinventing the wheel, but what “weIt’sarenotbringing is a new experience to patients,”
says Engineer. “At many physician offices, a patient becomes a number. We do not and will never do that. Our patients become family, and we feel privileged to take care of them.
”
While his journey has been an unorthodox one, Engineer says he’s finally found his passion and is here to stay. “I’ve been very fortunate. I’ve only found success because of people who really built me up. I’ve always been surrounded by great people.” I’d say it’s time to give this plastic surgeon a hand. Visit www.engineeredaesthetics.com for more information.
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DVM’S TOP DESTINATIONS TO CONSIDER FOR TRAVEL IN 2020:
LUXURY SUITES & PENTHOUSE ESCAPES
Esape To Bali
THE BEST OF
BALI —By Paul Zahn
Known for its volcanic mountains, stunning beaches, lush rice paddies, and yoga and meditation retreats, Bali—an island province of Indonesia— is the perfect getaway to beat the winter woes and find your zen. Bali boasts the best of both worlds when it comes to tourism: a euphoric urban oasis in the city of Ubud, and sheer serenity at the seashore in Nusa Dua. Ubud is known as Bali’s cultural epicenter and features a myriad of dining options, cleansing temples and baths, shopping galore, a bustling nightlife scene (even a monkey forest). Nusa Dua is Bali’s upscale beachfront area, and although just a short ride from Ubud, it feels worlds away. Bali was recently named one of the top 10 “most Instagrammable places in the world” and between the street art, floating breakfasts, waterfalls, and mountain swings, we totally see why. Deluxe Version Magazine has picked two stand-out resorts to showcase…perfect for Instagram influencers and travel aficionados alike.
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The Mansion Resort Hotel & Spa, Ubud Tucked away in Ubud’s historic artist colony of Penestanan, The Mansion Resort Hotel and Spa is truly one of Bali’s hidden gems, perfectly blending an atmosphere of relaxation with the aesthetic of an eclectically designed art museum. The Mansion’s sanctuary showcases traditional Balinese life with Indonesian art throughout the sprawling space that includes lotus ponds and multiple infinity pools amongst lush green gardens. The resort’s 150 rooms combine exquisitely designed suites, residences, guest rooms, and honeymoon-worthy villas that are adorned with ikat textiles draped on beds, and include private plunge pools. As for dining at The Mansion Resort Hotel and Spa, guests have a plethora of options including the intimate Tree House Dining and Plumeria. The Tree House is the perfect spot for honeymooners to enjoy a quiet secluded meal overlooking the serene Heaven and Earth water garden. Servers will treat guests like Balinese royalty as they eat and drink the night away elevated in the skies of Indonesia. Plumeria is the resort’s rooftop dining paradise. The menu specializes in artisan pescatarian cuisine and offers meals that are high caliber on the palate and also perfect for that Instagrammable floating breakfast. The dining area is set within an onsite aquaponic garden where the culinary team sources fresh herbs to craft their masterpieces. Guests can take a dip in the rooftop pool before or after a meal to enjoy a fresh craft cocktail or a detox smoothie. Ubud is known for its yoga and meditation retreats and The Mansion runs its own Wellness Center on site. The sanctuary is an all encompassing holistic space to heal the body and soul with their full team of holistic and medical healers.
GREAT ESCAPES
BALI
The Apurva Kempinski, Nusa Dua One of Bali’s newest additions that is ideal for the seashore serenity seeker is the five-star Apurva Kempinski. “Apurva” is Sanskrit for “unique” and “magnificent,” and this title truly fits this oceanic oasis. The resort is set atop the magical cliff of Nusa Dua and showcases the feels of an open-air theater with the backdrop being the glorious Indian Ocean. A 250-foot walkway down the center of The Apurva was inspired by Bali’s sacred temples and provides the perfect stage for nightly rituals. The Balinese believe harmony is found when combining five elements: ether, air, fire, water, and earth, and Apurva’s modern architecture truly reflects those elements. There are bodies of water at every turn at The Apurva… the most Instagram-worthy pool (and the largest) which overlooks the beach.
The property offers 475 guest rooms, suites, and villas, with exquisite views of the best of Bali. The guest rooms are decorated with Indonesian motifs, local fabrics and rich woods that deliver the feeling of both luxury and a traditional Balinese home. Additionally, the resort recently launched a collection of 43 private villas all named after kingdoms that once ruled over Bali. For the food and beverage connoisseur, The Apurva has six dining options amid its abundant natural setting…the standout being its underwater restaurant, Koral. Guests begin their dining journey at Koral by walking through a glass-roofed tunnel and enjoy their meal amid an enormous aquarium filled with exotic fish. The cuisine offerings include fresh local seafood with the flare of Indonesian spices. An evening of aquatic culinary dining at Koral is an unparalleled Balinese experience. Overall, the experience at The Apurva Kempinski will allow any guest to find, harness and hang on to their luxurious om.
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GREAT ESCAPES
TEQUILA
TAKING IN
rooms offer refuge from the hustle and bustle of Tequila with a flare of antique charm. Skybar, the fourth-floor rooftop lounge, is the perfect spot to sip tequila in a wading pool while watching the sun set over dormant volcanos.
– By Paul Zahn
Where To Sip
TEQUILA, MEXICO People typically think tequila is simply the main ingredient in the most ordered cocktail in the world (the margarita)…however, tequila is much more than a base spirit in a cocktail: it’s a culinary, cultural and tourist destination in the Jalisco region of Mexico. The town of Tequila (big “T”) is nestled in western Mexico at the foot of the Tequila volcano, and its outskirts are filled with fields of blue agave, the main ingredient in the tequila (small “t”) spirit. Tequila is a hub of rich Mexican culture set amongst colorful buildings, cobblestone streets and the wafting aromas of tequila being crafted in the nearby distilleries. Visitors can stop at a local restaurant and enjoy traditional local cuisine like the 28-ingredient dish chile en nogada or stop in the National Museum of Tequila for a history lesson and, of course, a tasting…since there’s no shortage of opportunities in Tequila to sip tequila. Deluxe Version Magazine rounded up our three must-visit spots when visiting this historic town with a famously drinkable name.
Where To Stay Centrally located in Tequila, Hotel Solar de las Animas has everything you need to experience five-star accommodations in a quaint town. Built to reflect traditional Mexican colonial style and featuring a ground floor mosaic pool surrounded by stunning architecture, the spacious guest
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No trip to Tequila is complete without tasting and blending your own tequila. Guests should tour La Rojena, Latin America’s oldest distillery, and finish with a chocolate and tequila tasting. First built in the 1800s to launch Jose Cuervo’s tequila empire, this journey of the palate and mind whisks guests back to the very beginning of tequila through present day. A guide walks visitors through the tequila-making process in a sensory experience that is capped off with a taste of the limited edition Jose Cuervo Family Reserve.
Where To Take In Culture The Juan Beckmann Gallardo Cultural Center is one of the town’s newest additions. The Center, designed by Jorge Loyzaga, showcases the rich heritage of Mexico through a variety of art and design exhibits with a goal of bringing the best artists closer to town while also cultivating local talent. The Center brings renowned creators to Tequila to mentor locals who have given so much to the Jose Cuervo tequila legacy. Juan Beckmann was a pioneer in the world of tequila production and he is committed to preserving the history of the town of Tequila while showcasing it as a cultural and tourist hub.
GREAT ESCAPES
MEXICO
DESTINATION:
PARADISE Deluxe Version Travels The World Through The Eyes Of Jasmine Dustin
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PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA
DESTINATION:
PARADISE
WAIKIKI BEACH, HAWAII
DESTINATION:
PARADISE
UBUD, BALI, INDONESIA
FRENCH POLYNESIA, SOUTH PACIFIC
MOTORCAR INDULGENCE:
Rolls-Royce Bespoke
PEBBLE BEACH PASTEL COLLECTION CANVAS: GHOST, DAWN, WRAITH | MEDIUM: PAINT, TECHNICAL FIBRE The Pastel Collection, showcased at Pebble Beach, drew upon a palette of colours from last year’s ‘wildflower super-bloom’ on California’s Monterey Peninsula. Three unique Black Badge commissions brought new colours to the Rolls-Royce Bespoke palette, reaffirming the notion that a RollsRoyce Black Badge need not necessarily be black.
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Deluxe Version MOTORCAR INDULGENCE
The Ghost Black Badge featured a Light Green Solid finish, a pastel shade representing the rebirth of flora on the peninsula after years of drought and fire. The black leather interior features a striking Serenity Green splash, highlighting the technical fibre of the fascia.
Deluxe Version MOTORCAR INDULGENCE
The Dawn Black Badge, in Coral Solid, showcases a stunning Bespoke finish only achieved after seven coats of paint and more than nine hours of hand-polishing in the Surface Finish Centre at the Home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood. The Coral colour carries over to the Aero Cowling, while the interior is finished in Artic White and Sunset, an illustration of northern California’s hills and valleys in bloom.
The third car is a Wraith Black Badge in Semaphore Yellow, a bright and sunny finish for the most powerful member of the Rolls-Royce family, complemented by a Selby Grey and Lemon interior.
Deluxe Version MOTORCAR INDULGENCE
SPRING VAULT
THE GEMS
SPRING VAULT
THE GEMS
Images courtesy of Saks Fifth Avenue Las Vegas
Clockwise from top: POMELLATO, Rose Gold Necklace. COOMI, 18K White Gold Paraiba Star Burst Ring.SHARON KHAZZAM, Jewel Bracelet. LANA, Gold Earrings. ROGER DUBUIS, Blossom Velvet Blue White Gold Watch. Left Page: SHARON KHAZZAM, Jewel Necklace.
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L E G A L
E L I T E
•
7 0 2 . 8 0 0 . 6 0 0 0
A DOSIST™ OF REALITY…
One Pen At ATime – By Stacey Gualandi
CELEBRATING THE ARRIVAL OF DOSE-CONTROLLED CANNABIS THERAPY IN NEVADA! In the ever-expanding world of dose-controlled cannabis therapy, standout luxury brand dosist™ says its ready to smoke the competition. In November, the 4-year-old leading Los Angeles-based wellness company successfully launched its award-winning glossy device—the dose pen—in hemp-friendly Nevada. The plan was simple: make more pen pals with the growing cannabis crowd. “We believe, as a lifestyle brand, we can be a part of your life,” says CEO Gunner Winston…who, not surprisingly is high on Nevada right now. With millions of tourists and residents, he says it is fast becoming one of the biggest and most intriguing marijuana markets, which gives dosist™ an excellent chance “to inspire, educate and engage” a second adult-use audience. (In other words, he’s not waiting to exhale.) “The brand dosist™ has a narrative that is so different than the traditional stereotypes of cannabis,” said Winston during a media dinner at Catch Las Vegas to introduce the company. “dosist is saying, ‘No! There is a whole other way to utilize it to elevate your life.’” The sleek dose pen comes in six different targeted formulas—bliss, sleep, calm, relief, arouse and passion—at 2.25 milligrams per dose, depending on how much control you want to “naturally manage your health and happiness.” The company also recently introduced dose dial™, a dissolvable 3.7 mg pill that dispenses with just the turn of a dial. While dosist™ means wellness, the startup has caused an upheaval in the health industry since its 2016 debut. TIME Magazine included dosist™ on its “25 Best Inventions” list that year; and Fast Company named it one of 2018’s Top 10 Most Innovative Companies. “dosist™ came in at number 10. I’ve gotta get us up the list,” Winston half-jokingly says of that designation.
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The 43-year-old brand’s boss says he had no interest in running a business after retiring early from a successful hedge fund he co-founded. (“My life was good as it was!”) But when dosist’s board came calling, he decided to take a hit. “The reason I took it, is because I will never have a chance again in my life to be at the forefront of an industry this big,” said Winston. Winston believes most people want to stay balanced: not getting too high, not getting too low. That’s why dosist™ continues to spread its philosophy: cannabis is an ingredient that—when used correctly—can help balance you. “All of you have different avenues in life where you have to be functional,” said Winston. “You can’t afford to be f’d up. That’s how we approach the business every single day and we never lose sight of that.
LakeLasVegas.com/SouthShore
WELCOME TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD!
Del Webb Lake LasVegas Opens For Sales Lake Las Vegas Resort recently welcomed our newest community to open for sales-Del Webb Lake Las Vegas. Nearly 2,000 attendees at its official Grand Opening were treated to the first previews of eight new model homes, a boutique picnic lunch from our own celebrity chef Scott Commings and a farmer’s market, an artisan fair from community partners including Reflection Bay Golf Club, Season’s Grocery and Deli, the Lake Las Vegas Sports Club, and area hotels and spas. Among the eight single-story model homes showcased at Del Webb Lake Las Vegas is the Voyage, with an open layout that flows through
the oversized gathering room, gourmet kitchen and café creating a unified space that is perfect for entertaining. Underneath the covered patio, an optional kitchen expands entertaining to the outdoors. Relatives can make use of the guest suite, as well as a den with optional French doors. The Voyage offers 2,736 square feet or more of living space, three bedrooms, two and a half to three and a half baths and a two-car garage. “Del Webb Lake Las Vegas is the first and largest new neighborhood we will be opening this year,” said Patrick Parker, president of Raintree Investment Corporation which is developing
Lake Las Vegas. “Look for updates on our social media, LakeStyle e-newsletter and Lake Las Vegas magazine for information on more new neighborhood openings, from townhomes all the way up to custom and semi-custom homes.” Del Webb Lake Las Vegas offers nine total floor plans with two to four bedrooms, two to three and a half baths and two to three car garages. Its sales office is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays. Prices start in the $400s. For more information on this and all new home neighborhoods in Lake Las Vegas, visit www.lakelasvegas.com/new-homes.
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INTERIORS+DESIGN
INTERIORS+DESIGN
Always Add Glam
ANGELES SCORSETTI SETS HER SIGHTS ON FASHIONABLE INTERIORS – By Elena Castriota
Angeles Scorsetti, the CEO, interior designer and public face of Scorsetti Designs, adds a bit of glam to everything she touches. Her firm specializes in contemporary decorating—THE hot look in Vegas these days—but her work has a unique feel, and that’s what sets her apart from the rest.
As the face of her brand, she’s very focused on her social media influence and that focus has led to networking opportunities that have strengthened her reputation. Boasting over 100,000 Instagram followers, she’s managed to convert her online presence into business success.
“People say, ‘Oh this is so Angeles!’ [but] I’m very open and can do whatever style,” Scorsetti explains.
“From 5 years ago to now, we’ve grown so much. We’ve become very popular and are known for our name and brand,” says Scorsetti proudly.
“My number one inspiration is my clients: I can read them, their personality, their character, and if they like it.”
One of her long-term goals is to design her own collection of accessories to sell in a showroom she’s dreaming up in Miami’s fashion district. Scorsetti Designs currently has a showroom in Las Vegas by appointment for its clients to give them an idea of what they can offer.
Currently headquartered in Las Vegas, Scorsetti Designs is focused on its expansion to Miami, New York and Los Angeles with big projects coming down the pipeline in 2020… including a three-floor penthouse for a highprofile musician in the heart of Las Vegas, as well as a major project in Miami.
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“The thing [about] me is I always try to do different and unique things. I’m always ahead of the trend and the first one to do it,” says Scorsetti. “I like when nobody has done it before.”
EAT AROUND THE WORLD (WITHOUT LEAVING THE LAS VEGAS STRIP): A DELICIOUS DAY-TO-NIGHT GUIDE —By Stacey Gualandi
If you’ve ever wanted to do some gastronomic globe-trotting (but don’t have the time or money to actually take a trip) look no further than the Las Vegas Strip. The world-famous boulevard is ripe with wide-ranging restaurants, from Asian alternatives to domestic destinations, so for those of you bitten by the travel bug, here’s a day-to-night international-style itinerary to sink your teeth into and satisfy your wanderlust…all without leaving town. The journey begins with brunch—considered by locals and tourists alike as the most important meal of any Vegas day—with two Italian-inspired best-bets depending on whether you prefer your eggs served in Naples or Rome.
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GIADA
• Over at The Cromwell, Giada De Laurentiis’ namesake also turns on tradition’s high heel with The Book Club Brunch, an interactive tasting menu inspired by recipes from her New York Times best-selling cookbooks. The celebrity chef pays tribute to her Roman roots with Italian-influenced favorites like the “Shaker Salad” that is shaken AND stirred table-side, or Eggs Cacio e Pepe (cheese and pepper) on multigrain toast (this writer’s personal preference). But the experience begins with an outstanding pastry tray-on-wheels and ends with a too-hard-to-choose assortment of dazzling desserts, what I call the perfect breakfast bookends. You’ll definitely want to be a book club member.
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EAT AROUND THE WORLD LAVO • Inside the Palazzo, continues its decadent End-
less Italian Brunch Buffet billed as a “new spin on the classic weekend meal.” Chef/Partner Ralph Scarmadella—whose father grew up on a farm in Naples, Italy—has unlimited offerings, including live chef stations, a made-to-order pasta display serving Fettuccini with Lobster & Truffle in a Parmigiano wheel, and an array of artisanal desserts and pastries that are well worth the calories. (And you would be a fool NOT to dip into the Cointreau Noir chocolate fountain). The all-inclusive brunch with high-end add-ons (can you say bottomless booze?) returns to both Saturdays and Sundays starting in March. Be prepared for endless enjoyment.
EAT AROUND THE WORLD
Now whether you prefer your Happy Hour with a hot Hollywood vibe or a (23 degree) Arctic chill, there are two distinct options located on the LINQ Promenade.
JIMMY KIMMEL’S COMEDY CLUB • Where the late-night comic wants your belly
filled with more than just laughs. Kimmel not only inspired the design (the bar is an exact replica of his LA-based home bar!), but he also curated the happy hour menu himself. Now you can choose from all of Kimmel’s personal bar food faves—pizza, pretzels, chicken fingers, and fries—but the joke’s on us: the Emmy Award-winning TV host opted for a healthier “artisanal” take on the comedy club classics. Combine those with a cocktail named after a Kimmel family member—I liked the “Uncle Frank” whiskey drink—and this is one man-cave experience we can all get behind.
ICEBAR • For a cooler experience (literally), head across the promenade to the ICEBAR. Ice-based hospitality reportedly originated above the Arctic Circle in the far north of Sweden, so if you like your spirits on—and in—the rocks, you can do as the Swedes do and have yourself the perfect penguin party. The space is made of 80-plus tons of ice and showcases several interactive carved sculptures (including a Vegas Golden Knights tribute). This is strictly a no-food zone, but there are plenty of frozen drinks to chew on. Prepare to sleigh for a short stop, because, well… it’s cold. Also, I highly recommend not licking the ice.
Tim Ho Wan •
For dinner, if you are craving dim sum and then some, you can get your Chinese food fix at Tim Ho Wan inside Palms. The Hong Kong-based, Michelin-starred restaurant offers a traditional take on Cantonese-style cuisine. Chef “Danny” Ho Wong and his team of “international dim sum specialists” have perfected the made-to-order menu featuring Baked BBQ Pork Buns, Steamed Shrimp Dumplings (Har Gow); and Pan-Fried Turnip Cake); special Vegas-only items like Wagyu Beef Rice Roll; and a first-of-its-kind cocktail program. It’s affordable yet gourmet. And that about dim sums it up.
THE FRONT YARD •
What better way to night-cap off our restaurant roundup than with a craft brew and an unobstructed Strip view at THE FRONT YARD, a New York loft-style beer garden at Ellis Island. The two-story indoor/outdoor atrium—with a retractable roof—has its own craft brewery, live entertainment and a kitchen filled with Ellis family-favorite recipes, such as house-cured bacon and brisket (that is, if you’re still hungry!). You’ll want to be a part of it, so grab a pint and start spreading the news.
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THE NEW FACE OF
PROFITABILITY – By Anand K. Nair
Profitability is one of the biggest items often overlooked by business owners. Most business owners spend the majority of their time working in their businesses versus on their businesses. They get stuck in the never-ending grind of putting clients, patients and customers into the business cycle, and they fail to take the time to see what those efforts put out as results. Enter Anand Nair, MSFS, owner of the Narian Group LLC…a company focused on one of the biggest factors that keep businesses thriving: Profitability. Nair works mostly with physicians with private practices, but the work he does is relevant to many business owners. As he starts a relationship with a new physician, his first order of business is to complete high-level business valuation. These valuations allow the physician to review their current Key Performance Indicators and Liquidation Value, as well as items that may be putting a strain on business growth. “This is the foundation of the work we do together…a starting point for our relationship,” says Nair of what he believes is an important first step. “It allows us to set targets for business growth and profitability.” Doctors and medical professionals train for decades to become experts in their field and need money management for their specific financial concerns and needs. “Medical practices and physicians face unique challenges with asset management and revenue,” says Nair. “This includes working with insurance companies and investing revenue back into their practice.” Narain Group and its team of experts can evaluate a doctor’s finances on a deeper level, and work with the physician and medical practice for optimum growth. Nair believes that his practice allows physicians and business owners to continue doing what they are extremely good at—the vocation they trained for–allowing them to spend more time with patients and clients, and less time wondering if their business is running effectively. Says Nair: “Ultimately, our objective is to increase profitability, minimize revenue losses and help the business grow through efficient business strategies.”
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The Truth Doesn’t Have to Hurt – By Dani Reeves
Aging is inevitable. In fact, more than 50 percent of women regularly worry about the signs of aging and men are admitting that they fear fine lines as well. The antidote to all of this is that no one notices and with so many procedures, it’s a bit overwhelming to know where you should begin. We sat down with Stephanie Hill, a Clinical Assistant, and Patient Coordinator at Clinical MD Medical Spa. With her 25 years of experience in the Aesthetic Industry, she is clearly one of the most experienced aesthetic professionals in the industry. She has been featured on Fox Television and in New Beauty Magazine, just to name a few and has even developed her own Clinical MD Skin Care Line. Working closely with dermatology and plastic surgery patients over the last 25 years, she definitely has some insight into what works, what hurts and what does not. Stephanie explains, “You do not need a lot of work when you are just maintaining or enhancing your natural beauty. An Aesthetic Professional should always be conservative, kind, and gentle with every person’s skin.” It’s no secret that aesthetic skincare options are rapidly changing. With minimal to no discomfort, they seem to now be able to take years off someone’s face in just minutes. Some fun facts we learned while chatting with the Aesthetic Professionals at Clinical MD Medical Spa in Las Vegas.
FINE LINES AND WRINKLES?
The most popular procedures are Juvederm and Botox. The average cost is $1000. Results last up to a year. Together these two products literally erase wrinkles and add volume back where you have lost natural collagen.
SMOOTHER TIGHTER SKIN?
The second most popular procedures are the Candela RF Laser and Cutera Laser Genesis. The average cost together is $450 and these treatments last up to 6 months. Together these two procedures literally rebuild the structure of your collagen matrix and tighten your skin immediately and give you an immediately noticeable lift and glow.
INNOVATIVE THREAD LIFTS
The MINT and SILHOUETTE BARBED Threads are quickly rising to the top of the favorites list. With barbed threads newfound ability, you can gently have your cheeks, jawline, and neck lifted in minutes. Hill continued to explain, “When lasers and fillers don’t seem to be enough, and you are not quite ready to have a facelift, you should definitely talk to the physician about a few threads. Threads only have the ability to lift you a couple of centimeters, but on the face that can be just the perfect natural pick me up you need.” With results lasting between 2-3 years and costing approximately $250 per barbed thread, the thread lift may be just what the doctor orders.
A conversation with the Physician is always a must to discuss the perfect options to help you maintain and enhance your natural beauty. To schedule a professional private consultation with the physician and his team of medical professionals. Text or call Clinical MD Medical Spa in Las Vegas at (702) 372-5603.
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Zero to SHERO. That’s the name of a new book by businesswoman and community activist Kimberly Miles. To say Miles has been through some really hard times is an understatement: she was in a wheelchair until she was 8; her mother committed suicide when she was 10; she was sexually exploited; and at 18 she was gang raped and hospitalized, on the brink of death. Miles’ life events have been unimaginable, and you’d think she would have given up…but she didn’t. Instead, she uses those experiences to lift people up. “The book is a just representation of how you can have a successful life and education,” says Miles, who called upon her own experiences of “every time people tell me no, I find a way around it” as the basis for her book. Miles was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. She moved to Las Vegas in 1995 and is the founder and president of TPC Payroll/ HR Consultants, Nevada’s largest privatelyheld national payroll and human resources management firm. Says Miles, “Once I got into corporate America, I felt like made it.” Back in 2015, she focused her charitable work on her true life’s passion for eradicating modern-day slavery by founding the B.E. A S.H.E.R.O. Foundation. SHERO provides critical resources to support, sustain, and empower girls and women, under the age of 25, who are victims of human trafficking, domestic violence, abuse, and neglect. She says it’s about helping other people help themselves. “It’s a hand up not a hand out.”
NEW BOOK BY SHERO FOUNDER ENCOURAGES SURVIVORS TO THRIVE – By Dayna Roselli 34 | Deluxe Version Magazine
Miles says the #MeToo movement is not enough. “It’s helping: We are seeing more women judge less of each other,” she says. But we all need more self confidence, and we need to go with our gut. (“If you feel something, believe it. It’s your life.”) She recognizes that the family unit is dying. She says how you are raised and what you grow up around is what you know. Work needs to continue to improve that. It’s crucial. It’s her mission to help people evolve. Miles is about to print the first copies of her Zero to SHERO book. She says, yes, she is a survivor, but she also knows everyone has a book in them.
SNEAKER ENTHUSIAST LAUNCHES
ORIGINAL PAW SUPPLY David Hogan was born and raised in Las Vegas. He’s an opportunist with creative ideas, and now, he’s dabbling in the world of e-commerce. Hogan just launched Original Paw Supply. Sneakers… for your dog! Hogan says, “I always loved sneakers, I’ve been a collector since I was young and of course had a love for dogs as well. Over the last couple of years, I saw a trend that started taking place, people putting dog booties on their dog… not only to protect their feet, just actually for looks as well.” That’s when he realized there wasn’t anything aesthetically pleasing on the market. Hogan says even though they didn’t look great, people were still buying them. The idea was born when Hogan saw a photo of a dog in a pair of human sneakers and it went viral. Hogan says he thought to himself, “this is interesting because people go crazy over these sneaker releases and people are buying dog shoes, but the dogs don’t choose what they are wearing, the humans do.” He continues, “so, if I can make a brand that takes iconic sneaker designs and makes them for a dog, why would people not want those?”
Hogan started what he thought, was just a fun project but as he continued he realized, “I think I have something really good here!”
to it. Some people may use them for walks and hikes, but others may just use them for pictures and content.
That’s when the Original Paw Supply brand was born.
Right now, they are exclusively carried on the Original Paw Supply website but soon will be available at Vanderpump Dogs in Los Angeles. They are $99.99 a set and there’s free shipping within the United States. Here’s an added bonus, each order comes with a miniature human shoe box and a cool little place card that has a message for the customer.
The dog sneaks have soles that are weather resistant. This helps during the hot summer days. You can actually take your dogs outside for a bit if they are wearing these sneakers. The sole blocks the heat from coming through, it’s a layer of protection. Here’s something else Hogan says he’s proud of, “one of the things I like to always point out is that they are eco-friendly all the way… it is a prime knit upper, so it’s a very similar material to fly knits that you’d have on a Nike runner or an Adidas shoe, so it’s the same quality that you are buying for humans… which is kinda cool that we are carrying that over for dogs. It also has a rubber blend sole, but all eco-friendly materials, it actually has real shoelaces as well and velcro that tightens around the ankle.” The Original Paw Supply shoes come in small, medium, and large. Hogan admits the dogs are a little goofy in them at first, but they get used
Looking ahead, David Hogan plans to launch a dog CBD line too. The line will include dog treats and tincture for older dogs. Be on the lookout for that. For now, it’s all about #OriginalPawSupply.
– By Dayna Roselli Shop online at www.originalpawsupply.com for more information. Photos By Joseph Caperonis
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ONE TO WATCH
DJ MARIA ROMANO – By Ashlee Demartino
If you know Vegas and its music scene, you know this young up-and-coming DJ who is spinning at some of the top clubs on the Strip: DJ Maria. Known for her hip-hop beats and Latin flare the female powerhouse DJ is taking Vegas by storm. Deluxe Version Magazine recently got a chance to chat with Maria Romano about her life, passion and DJ style. Who is DJ Maria Romano? I’m a hip hop-Latin DJ who loves to create a vibe in an environment where everyone can have fun and go home not remembering much from the night. (LOL) How did you get your start? I started when I was 11 years old. My brother would DJ parties and I would always tag along. The first time I was behind a DJ booth I immediately loved being there! Where does your passion for music come from? There isn’t one particular thing that started my passion. When I was a baby I was walking around with a microphone [and] radio, and a Michael Jackson glove with MJ on repeat.
Where do you DJ at in Vegas? I DJ at Drais beach club (where this upcoming summer I begin my residency on Fridays), and at Drais Night Club and Drais After Hours for our Imagine parties. I also DJ for Hakkasan group at Omnia, where I am the resident for our Latin night, Deseo; and I DJ at 1 OAK, Jewel and Hakkasan night club. What are you known for? I’m known for my hip hop and Latin nights. I am also known to have a good time and you can always be sure to see a bottle of tequila next to me. What is something special that sets you apart from other DJs? I have played [everywhere from} the most rugged hiphop spots, to the most elegant mansion parties, to top-40 EDM venues, to pure Latin nights in New York…which requires reading the crowd differently and playing for the people, not myself. What is it like to be a female in a male-dominated industry? What advice would you give to other young women wanting to do what you do? Being a female DJ has its challenges— especially being a female DJ who isn’t here to dress sexually to catch your eye. I don’t let it get to me, though. I just keep on going. I’m here to express myself through my music and my fashion the way I want to, and I think a lot of people have this misconception that a female DJ is supposed to have this sex
appeal…but all I can say is just stay true to yourself. If you try to be someone you aren’t, you’re gonna get caught up and people are going to lose respect for you. Number one advice is to be yourself, whatever that is, and let that take you to places you only used to think about. What inspires you? The inspiration comes from the high I get when I’m playing an awesome set and the crowd is literally at my will, accepting whatever it is I am throwing at them. What are you proud of? I love what I do because I get to touch so many lives through music and emotion and feeling. What special projects are you involved with or want to be involved with here in Vegas? My special projects for 2020 is a secret, so I guess you will have to wait and see. But growth is what I want to be involved with myself and the night life scene… not just in Vegas but everywhere. What’s a glimpse into your 5-year plan? My 5-year plan is just growing as a DJ; more residencies; more partnerships and friendships with artists; and traveling the world. I’m always working on my craft and getting better, so when you see me, just know I always have something up my sleeve that’s gonna hit the surface.
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COMPASSION
The (50-Year) TripThat Keeps On Giving — By Stacey Gualandi A half-century ago, John Fogerty and Creedence Clearwater Revival stepped onstage at Woodstock and secured their sacred space in the pantheon of rock and roll history. It was an iconic moment for the legendary hit-making machine (CCR had 19 top 10 songs!), and no one has embraced the big 5-0 more than the Hall of Fame songwriter himself. “It just went by really quick, way too fast actually,” says the 74-year-old Fogerty. “I think we all say that as we head into the later years of life.” But five decades in, the big wheel keeps on turnin’ for Fogerty, the man behind classic hits like “Proud Mary,” “Fortunate Son,” and “Bad Moon Rising”—songs that became the soundtrack of a generation. He marked this year’s milestone with a new worldwide tour and residency at Wynn Las Vegas called “My 50 Year Trip,” a full-on tribute to the setlist that started it all. And earlier this year, Fogerty recorded an album and concert film at Colorado’s Red Rocks Amphitheater, aptly titled 50 Year Trip: Live at Red Rocks.
“I hope [the audience] like it,” says a humble Fogerty. “They seem to stand up and yell and all that stuff and, more importantly, to kind of ‘party on.’”
Editorial Photo credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com
“I really do love my residency in Las Vegas,” he continues. “When I was younger, Vegas to a rocker was not something that was high on their radar. I’m pretty rock and roll and that’s what people want to see. I’ve really learned to enjoy this.” If you were a fortunate one—like myself—to experience his “trip,” you learn quickly there is no quit in the self-described recovering hippie. The lifelong runner circles the stage for over 2 hours, and I was told by his band he would keep going longer if he were allowed. Fogerty thrives on giving his fans what they want, and he’s done so for years with little regret. “Happily, I do feel I got to do the things that are important to me,” says Fogerty. “I got to spend as much time as I could with my children… and with Julie [his wife of almost 30 years] as well. We’ve kind of turned the
career and real life into one thing, therefore, we’re constantly together.” That family bond was on full display last November on Veteran’s Day. In keeping with the Woodstock spirit of “peace, love and giving,” Fogerty and his son Shane (who slays guitar with dad on tour) performed during a special Veterans Village event in Las Vegas. He and Julie then donated the “Proud Mary” Fogerty Container Home, an eponymously repurposed shipping container—designed by Julie (with Fogerty’s greatest hits piped in)—which was the first of many homes to provide affordable housing for Las Vegas veterans in need. A veteran himself, the former Army Reservist says he was disturbed by how our veterans were treated coming back from Vietnam, and many of his songs at the time reflected that. Then, he realized he could get help for vets, vis-a-vis his voice. (Just watch any Vietnam movie, and you’ll hear CCR’s music.) “I slowly started playing benefits for veterans…and I realized I could do something,” he says. “It’s one of those things where you didn’t think you had any aptitude for it, but it’s pretty easy. All you gotta do is show up.” Fogerty has never stopped showing up, and his undisclosed monetary donation for more container homes is a perfect example. Veterans Village CEO and founder Arnold Stalk couldn’t be happier. He says the only way to end homelessness for veterans is to build housing, so having Fogerty’s backing was a dream come true. “I just threw it out there: ‘I hope one day we can have a rockstar who will promote one of our ideas.’ And now his name is on this,” says Stalk of Fogerty’s donation. Fogerty knows it’s going to take a lot to help the homeless. “I live in LA and it seems like [officials are] not facing…the problem and really dealing with it…and that makes me sad,” laments Fogerty. “The best thing I can say about is that here at Veteran’s Village, Arnold has shown this model. If enough people get involved to help, I think we can turn it around.” Until then, the rocker says he’ll keep rollin’ along. After all, for Fogerty— and his faithful fans—the trip never gets old.
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FINANCE
SUCCESSION PLANNING FOR SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS – By John Balele Most business owners want to grow their business and maybe even pass it on to the next generation. But how many owners actually succeed? Relatively few, as it turns out. Studies show only a third of family firms make it to the second generation and just a sliver get passed onto the third generation.* A key reason for this is that many companies lack proper succession plans. Consider the situation your family, employees, and company would be in if something unexpected were to happen to you. What would happen to your business? Would it stay in the family? Could it realistically stay solvent without you at the helm? Or would it be sold? And then there’s the million-dollar question: Do you even know what your business is worth? The answers to these questions may not be as straightforward as you imagined.
That’s why you should start planning now even if you don’t intend on leaving the business for years to come. So what options are available? If and when you exit your business, there are four possible successors: family members, coowners, key employees or an outside third party. That brings us to a succession action plan and exactly what that entails. First, select your successor(s); it may require careful analysis. Next, determine your business valuation; bear in mind when a business is sold to family members, the transaction draws extra scrutiny from the IRS. Lastly, develop a plan to transfer your business interest quickly to minimize operational disruptions. Once you identify your successor(s), you must make sure that the individual(s) are in a position to take over the company --and ensure a smooth transition by outlining the terms of succession
in advance. A buy-sell agreement will work differently depending on the type of business entity and the number of owners. Each type of agreement helps create a smooth process for transferring ownership of the business. The buyer can purchase a life insurance policy to help make sure they have available funds to purchase the business when the time comes. Additionally, a buy-sell agreement helps show creditors and customers that your business is more sustainable because you are taking action to mitigate risk. While each business is unique, succession planning is something that all businesses should consider. *Source: Molly, V., Laveren, E., and Deloof, M. (2010) Family Business Succession and Its Impact on Financial Structure and Performance. Family Business Review, Vol 23 (2) 131-147 Neither New York Life Insurance Company nor its Agents or affiliates provide tax or legal advice. Consult your legal or tax advisor to find out whether the concepts in this essay apply to your personal circumstances. This educational third-party article is provided as a courtesy by John Balele, Agent, CA Ins. Lic. #0M84885 New York Life Insurance Company. To learn more about the information or topics discussed, please contact John Balele at (702)-501-9936 or Jbalele@newyorklife.com.
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ROLLS-ROYCE EMBODIES THE SPIRIT OF THE ROARING TWENTIES Introducing its first Collection Car of the new decade: The Dawn Silver Bullet Collection is an ode to decadence, to frivolity, to heady heydays and irreverent past times. Traversing the landscape with supreme accuracy, travelling great distances with speed and precision, this open-top roadster iteration of Dawn, is, like a silver bullet. Drawing inspiration from the fabled roadsters of the 1920’s – rare, glamorous machines forever associated with bright young things and rakish Hollywood rebels, the Dawn Silver Bullet Collection captures the carefree attitude of those far-off days in a bold, contemporary expression designed for today’s non-conformists and pleasure-seekers. Silver can be found frequently in the marque’s enigmatic history on special trails cars such as the Silver Dawn, Silver King, Silver Silence and Silver Spectre. The Dawn Silver Bullet Collection cuts a dash in a newly commissioned ultra-metallic silver Bespoke paint finish. Imbued with British eccentricity and class, this model melds the nostalgia of the past with the sophisticated innovation of the future, making the Dawn Silver Bullet Collection the perfect platform from which to experience the very best journeys around the world. This Collection updates the classic roadster spirit and offers an exhilarating sense of uncompromised freedom.
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THE DAWN SILVER BULLET COLLECTION
Inside, the Dawn Silver Bullet Collection is alluringly tactile, resplendent in materials and craftsmanship of our own time. A unique open-pore carbon fibre fascia greets the driver and companion in a contemporary, dashing fashion. A quilted transmission tunnel, with design cues taken from the quintessentially rebellious fashion accessory, the leather jacket, runs through the centre of the cabin in a tailored fashion. www.rolls-roycemotorcars.com
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PRACTICE OF POSITIVITY: JEANNIE AND STEVE SANDERS’ TRUE LOVE –By Stacey Gualandi
“Once you jump out of a plane, you feel like you can do anything!” Those were Nicole Justice’s first words just moments after she jumped 13,000 feet and landed in a Nevada desert drop zone, and she wasn’t alone. Four Florida friends also took a big leap of faith, and one-by-one, soared down from a PAC P-750 airplane, most of them for the first time. Their skydiving on a beautiful Saturday morning was just one of several challenges on the itinerary for this gorgeous group of go-getters who participated in a jam-packed adventure as part of G.R.I.T.—Go Reinvigorate Intrinsic Talent—a team-building and personal-growth program that combines extreme outdoor activities with leadership training tools. They shot guns, hiked through the desert, paddle boarded, and survived a ride on a Can-Am off-road vehicle. All in the name of self-improvement. “This was about reconnecting with myself,” says Jill Locker, a married working mom. “It was empowering.” In 2019, Jeannie Parsch Sanders launched G.R.I.T. through her company Practice of Positivity. Together with her husband Steve, this dynamic duo lead half-, full- and two-day courses that not only show the world the other side of Las Vegas, but also help people uncover their “true grit.” “Whether it’s shooting a gun for the first time or jumping out of a plane, it allows people to build self confidence in themselves,” says Jeannie. “It’s a fine line,” adds Steve. “You want them to get something out of it, but you don’t want to take people out there and torture them. Luckily, we found a perfect balance where people are like, ‘It wasn’t that difficult, but it was a really good learning experience.’” Before they found a balance in life and business, Jeannie and Steve’s backgrounds couldn’t have been more diverse. She was a Siemens corporate sales and HR exec for over 20 years, and traveled the world giving leadership seminars based on her own “3 C’s” program: “CultureCourageousness-Connectors.” (She was once invited to speak at the White House!) He was a 24-year Navy Seal who earned a Silver, and five Bronze Stars during 10 deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan. He also owns two consulting companies for the military and entertainment industry that capitalize on his Seal background and combat skills (he once survived an avalanche with his sled attached!). Ironically, the two first met while, wait for it: jumping tandem out of an airplane. “I’m Type A. I was never married before Steve. I was always in control of everything and he literally
looked at me and he says, ‘Listen, you don’t have to do anything. I got you.’” Jokes Steve, who has done over 7,000 jumps, “I literally had her back, because I was attached to her back.” From that point forward, Jeannie says they never left each other’s side. A year later, they tied the knot, moved to Las Vegas with his two kids, and soon after, married their leadership and adventure skills. “Ever since high school, I tried to stick up for the underdog and bring people together,” says Jeannie. “I never, ever liked people feeling alone or that they couldn’t do something. I always wanted to help empower them.” G.R.I.T. now offers multi-level programs for men and women, whether a small group looking to overcome personal obstacles or large corporate clients (like Cadillac) seeking to increase employee productivity. And Siemens just hired its former employee to customize a leadership program in March. Jeannie says everyone gets a self-assessment, an accountability partner, and then a debrief when it’s all over. “It’s full circle: You’re not just going out and shooting some guns and hanging out.” Steve says the program is “personal and customizable,” and that its 45 years of combined experience is what sets it apart from similar companies. That’s something I learned first-hand when I went on a recent G.R.I.T. group outing. I had never shot a gun, let alone ridden shot-gun in a Can-Am, but I overcame my nerves and went all-in. I even hit the steel target. Once. Everyone was encouraging and patient, and Steve was a stickler for safety. One woman was so overwhelmed with emotion shooting a Glock pistol, she had to stop. With the support of her squad, she eventually tried again and hit every target. It was both a confidence-building and exhilarating experience, but I’ll hold off on skydiving for now. (#IHaveControlIssuesAKAFear). The Sanders admit that their program is no yoga retreat and that you are going to be uncomfortable; but they also offer this simple advice: Get out of your comfort zone. “What we have seen is that every single person gets something out of it,” says Steve, “so just try it.” While their eye is on the future—Jeannie’s 5-year vision is to host a great gala of everyone who’s gotten “gritty”—a new adventure awaits in a few months: the Sanders will be welcoming a baby girl to their team. And I’m pretty positive they got this. After all, they’ve both jumped out of a plane. “I’m a live-life-to-the-fullest person and I feel like I always have been,” says Jeannie. “And, I think [we offer] such a cool opportunity for people to live life to the fullest. It’s such a unique experience. And why not experience it…with us.”
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