The Networking Magazine

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Website www.networkingmagazine.co.uk

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Email info@networkingmagazine.co.uk

Managing Editor Sanj Saigal

Contributing Editor Shabnam Choudhary

Magazine

We bring a new concept to networking, finding new connections and opportunities.

“I never dreamed about success, I worked for it”. - Estée Lauder

Fashion

6 SECTIONS

Every business originates from an idea. A section of our magazine dedicated to new business. Editorials from the people filled with creativity and concepts that will eventually turn into credible business models.

Startup Focus

NEW BUSINESS IDEAS CAN TURN INTO GREAT BUSINESS MODELS

PERSPECTIVE MOVING AWAY FROM TRADITIONAL BUSINESS FORMATS

A RECIPE HAS NO SOUL. YOU, AS THE COOK, MUST BRING SOUL TO THE RECIPE. - THOMAS

KELLER

Pritpal Darar; My story.

By Sanj Saigal

He grew up in the West of Scotland, in modest surroundings, his family involved with the restaurant trade. Four siblings would see him develop a strong sense of family value along with a competitive spirit, a trait that would carry through to the present day.

family followed to Spain by a BBC

It was this perfect alinement of his timelines that would see his

After the opening of his brand; La Diva, he went on to run a successful business model that would lead to the beginning of a second site in a more commercial area on the coast.

Following his families trials and tribulations over the first series, he

was famed for introducing a unique international food cuisine concept meaning that he had a degree of carte blanche with groundbreaking recipes and innovative food presentation.

He had strived to obtain a solid reputation, a high level of

surrounded in red tape.

attention for detail and a following for his creativity. Inspired by the Mediterranean and use of natural fresh ingredients would plant the seed of thought into developing a new sauce years later.

Naturally Sourced Ingredients

Neelam, his wife, would play a significant part in driving that idea from infancy to development.

He grew up in the West of Scotland, in modest surroundings, his family involved with the restaurant trade. Four siblings would see him develop a strong sense of family value along with a competitive spirit, a trait that would carry through to the present day.

In 2002, In search of improving the quality of life, a better work-life balance and new challenges would see him leave the UK with his wife and two children for Spain.

At that time, the Southeast coast was appealing purely from the perspective of business opportunities.

It was this perfect alinement of his timelines that would see his family followed to Spain by a BBC film crew.

This would see him star in a 3 part BBC documentary series called; Living the dream which mapped his journey opening a business in Spain.

Restaurant in the Sun featured a real snapshot in the challenges involved with opening a business surrounded in red tape.

After the opening of his brand; La Diva, he went on to run a successful business model that would lead to the beginning of a second site in a more commercial area on the coast.

Following his families trials and tribulations over the first series, he was famed for introducing a unique international food cuisine concept meaning that he had a degree of carte blanche with groundbreaking recipes and innovative food presentation.

He had strived to obtain a solid reputation, a high level of attention for detail and a following for his creativity.

Inspired by the Mediterranean and use of natural fresh ingredients would plant the seed of thought into developing a new sauce years later. Neelam, his wife, would play a significant part in driving that idea from infancy to development.

In recent years peoples change in habits have seen a demand for more naturally sourced ingredients; they are aware of the health benefits. Non-use of preservatives and no artificial colouring are now high on the list of priorities.

His story reads like a book, and it's full of twists and turns that he says has prompted him to fulfil a life long ambition to create a sauce. I wanted to harness his motivation and determination as to my mind it's the stuff that mentors are made from.

When your journey began, why did the BBC contact you?

I was researching going to Spain, and the BBC contacted me because they were doing a series of documentaries about families who were thinking about moving abroad.

After contacting them, the team came to visit us for an interview and a few months past and during that time I went to Spain several times to source a suitable location that I thought would meet our families needs.

I had to consider that moving a family would require some thought about schools, viability to open a business and a credible location that met our requirements for the long term.

There were so many businesses you could have opened, so why did you choose to be a restaurant owner?

Following my father's footsteps was a natural progressive move for me and in a sector that I was familiar with.

After opening two successful restaurants, we came across the idea that there was more to a home-made sauce that we were using which created a huge following both in and out of a restaurant scenario.

After the children completed their education, and it was just the two of us, we felt that it would make for a smoother transition back to the UK with a want and need to harness the potential of our sauce.

Tell me about this sauce?

It's a natural product that doesn't use preservatives, added sweeteners or sugar. It harnesses and locks in all the plant-based flavours and is Gluten-free, which is rapidly growing in demand.

Follow Pritpal’s story in the next edition of; The Networking Magazine.

FUSION

Recruitment

NOT BETTER, JUST DIFFERENT

Post your own professional profile and ensure that you get the exposure you deserve. Recruiters and potential employers can contact you directly from the magazine by email. You can post anonymously and include links to your projects, portfolio or even videos.

“There is nothing better than a one page feature in a glossy magazine”.

FUSION

Fusion is a concept that I have been working on for a while. Searching endlessly for a job, I wondered whether my CV was getting in front of the people who needed to see it, at least get a fighting chance.

I needed to pay bills, meet my financial obligations and wanted to take action but never found an alternative and credible way but to depend on a recruiter.

This section is called fusion, and it's for people who want to do things a little bit differently. You can advertise your details in a one or two-page spread. Design precisely how you want to be seen with active links to a portfolio or slide show.

You deserve to be able to advertise a professional profile on your own and have recruiters and potential employers contact you directly from the magazine by email.

If you are interested in our Fusion section, contact us today. Our next publication is out in February, and we think we can make a difference.

NEW POSITION

Pathways LDN is a unique organisation. We take great pride in designing, innovative, personal, social development and leadership programmes which enable talent from diverse communities to be harnessed and realised.

We at Pathways LDN achieve this by partnering with third sector, public sector, education, and employment organisations. We also have long term relationships with like-minded delivery partners and community groups to promote our interventions.

We help people to navigate various pathways into educational and career success and to become confident, motivated, and active citizens.

Our work also supports employers to access a wide talent pool from within Britain’s diverse communities.

An opportunity has arisen for an Assessor to join our skills team on a temporary-

JOB OVERVIEW

The role of an Assessor is integral to the success of our skills programme, ensuring participants receive regular, intensive, and high-quality support. To support Pathways LDN in providing professional training across a range of disciplines including delivering training to local Residents and individuals within IT. To provide professional training for Digital Skills Certificate Level 1.

PTLLS or equivalent teaching qualification

Experience in delivering training to large, diverse groups of individuals

Experience of team working and maintaining effective communications

Understanding barriers to employment

Strong interpersonal skills

Ability to communicate appropriately at all levels

Commercial awareness

Good time management and being able to work to tight deadlines

Experience of working in a team

Excellent presentation skills

Ability to work flexibly and under own supervision

IT skills (range of software, e.g. Microsoft Word, Excel, Access and Microsoft

Outlook for emails)

This role is subject to a CRB check.

Experience of working with unemployed individuals

If you’re currently completing a Fashion based qualification or have recently graduated, we have an exciting new feature that may be of interest!

We are offering eight advertising slots across a 2page spread to promote your professional profile and/or portfolio to kickstart your career and exposure within the industry.

To celebrate the launch of this new feature, you will also receive a complimentary one to one mentoring session from Shabnam, who can offer guidance on career paths within the industry and how best to utilise your qualifications and skill set.

For more information, please contact Shabnam.

Photography by: AnamCaptures

New Position

Our academy is growing again, and we are looking for an exceptional individual who wants to join us.

You will be an excellent communicator with a genuine want and need to help people. TEFL qualified with aspirations of learning new skills you will be service orientated.

If you think that that you are up for the challenge, contact us today.

“A magazine for the new now”

Opportunity

Whether you have a job or not, we all need to keep ourselves open to the concept of opportunity. Many of us wonder if our CV ever gets in front of a decision-maker.

Presenting your details in a glossy magazine is a new concept for a new now.

Recruiters can advertise along with employers in this section, and active links mean that they can get directly in contact with you via an email link. Our magazine is aimed at business and in a digital format has a farreaching audience worldwide.

A one-page spread in a glossy magazine that we feel can make a difference.

GRADUATE

Fashion, Design & Photography

FUSION

Fashion, Design & Photography.

It's time to show the world exactly what you have achieved. Advertise your profile and complement it with portfolio links drawing attention to the person behind it.

Networking with businesses both nationally and internationally are the foundations of our magazine. We want you to be successful so we will provide you with a space to scream about yourself to potential employers and recruiters.

Driven by the passion for creating something unique, we offer fantastic student rates. Contact us today to find out how we can help you to attract the attention you deserve.

GRADUATE

VIDEO

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• Location: East Dulwich, delivering to surrounding areas, Peckham, Dulwich Village and Nunhead.

vacancies in Hackney, Walthamstow and Finsbury Park.

• Hours: Part time, maximum 30 hours

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“CONTACT US TODAY”.

Supporting People Since 2009

Established in 2009, Get Set UK successfully deliver a range of Government funded programmes to support people to make positive changes in their lives.

Supporting people to make a positive Change

Established in 2009, Get Set UK successfully deliver a range of Government funded programmes to support people to make positive changes in their lives. We offer innovative and reliable solutions to support people to obtain real employer-led skills, information, advice and guidance, job opportunities and vocational training.

Increase your motivation

We deliver this range of support, underpinned by evidence based theory and practice, the ‘Progress Principle’ based on ensuring quick wins for people to increase motivation and that tangible job opportunities can be a catalyst for instant positive change in mindset increasing motivation, confidence and positive intent.

Advice For Employers

Get Set UK have extensive experience supporting large, SME and micro employers. Underpinning our services, we aim to create a consultancy based relationship with the employer that goes beyond the traditional ‘fill a vacancy’ approach.

Job Seekers’ Advice

Get Set UK can offer you a suite of support depending on how close you believe you are to returning to work. You will have a dedicated

specialist employment advisor that will work with you to support your journey into work.

Strong Partnerships & Community Presence

We deliver our services in partnership with a large range of organisations.

Online

Businesses

A curated selection of businesses following a new and emerging trend. Join us in celebrating a new breed of model recognised as the face of the future.

A virtual world is entering what was dominated by physical businesses. An array of genres now standing side by side, offering a genuine contribution to global economies.

Physiotherapist and Housing Officer by day and budding entrepreneurs by night, former flat mates Bilal and Tom recently teamed up to create a brand that has me really excited!

Sustainable, playful, with tongue in cheek slogans and most importantly at an accessible price point (YES, I AM SURE!), re: think Clothing - the brainchild of this duo, brings competitiveness to the market in terms of emerging affordable brands.

With sustainability being all the rage at the moment, I was keen to get to know the guys more, find out the inspiration behind this project and exactly what makes them different.

Both Tom and Bilal are light hearted, friendly and passionate about their products which is emanated throughout the designs and cheeky slogans of their soft launch Christmas Jumper range. My favourites are best sellers “Co-Co-Covid” & “Hands off my puds”! As with a lot of recent projects, being in lockdown during the pandemic fuelled their motivation to do something they had been pondering for some time. During the past 6-9 months they had noticed that their buying habits had naturally evolved and this had been a result of increased exposure to issues concerning climate change, increased plastic wastage and eco-friendly initiatives, from food to clothing and household products.

This led them to research more in to articles and documentaries exploring how detrimental the fashion industry is when it comes to wastage and lack of sustainable processes within the supply chain – from farming methods to buying habits and consumerism.

Inspired by iconic t shirt designs, social media and current trends, re: think’s main aim is to be future proof and not feed in to the cycle of fast fashion

demands. The brand is conscious about circular economies of scale and this lays the foundation of everything from manufacturing to packaging. “If we can change belief, we can change behaviour” and in order to do that we need to think. With a play on words, the re: think brand name encourages the consumer to consider re-cycling, re-learning and being responsible in regard to shopping habits.

Let’s talk about sourcing and manufacturing. With extensive research in to organic and traditional farming methods, Bilal and Tom were able to gage the differences and how these impacted costs throughout supply chain. Albeit more expensive, certification to denote fair trade and end to end supply chain visibility was essential to building the foundation of this brand. Ensuring that workers are paid fairly, cotton is in fact organic, 100% renewable energy is utilised and that sustainability is followed all the way through to packaging is not something that will be compromised for profit margins, as we see with many established and new fast fashion brands.

Manufacturing predominantly from North India, Bangladesh and South Asia, re: think works with only certified suppliers, who are benchmarked and audited by regulatory bodies. With a mission to reduce their carbon footprint and support UK trade, they have also sourced local suppliers where possible and continue to do so.

After testing the receptiveness of the market with their compact Christmas range, being experimental, bold, and playful paid off. Upon receiving a positive response in terms of sales, as well as customer feedback, the below points are well worth noting and remembering!

-All jumpers were printed using water based vegan ink, therefore not harmful to the environment

-Print on demand service meant no stock holding and no wastage

-The ability to re-cycle all jumpers means zero wastage and the creation of a circular economy

-There was also a recycled range, demonstrating how product will be once it has gone through this process

-All the profits from the soft launch were donated to charity (Birmingham Central food bank/Unmuted) in support of the struggles caused by the Covid 19 pandemic

-The brand will continue to support local charity initiatives going forward

So, what we can expect from the first range due to launch this February 2021? Staple wardrobe essentials –a core leisurewear range with understated hoodies, embroidery and print designs using organic cotton. Due to the success of the Christmas Jumpers, I am also thrilled to know that there will be more themed, “risky” sub ranges; all of course using sustainable manufacturing methods.

As with all small businesses, I am keen to know if there are growth plans and how re: think would upscale their initiatives to change consumption on a mass scale. At present, the focus is on growing a loyal following –through the website and social media platforms. Long term goals are quite impressively focused on a B2B model, targeting UK companies that have a consistent

need for employee uniforms. I had never previously considered the impact of uniform supply wastage and how once an employee leaves and discards of their clothing/requires new uniform items, these are disposed of and often end up in a landfill. With little investment required by these companies, re: think’s capacity to offer recyclable garments could make a massive difference to this unnecessary wastage.

This is not a fad! Let’s support re: think to create a movement and disrupt an industry that has contributed so heavily to the destruction of our environment.

Ensure you follow them on Instagram @rethinkclothinguk and check out https:// rethinkclothing.co.uk/ for their new range.

Q&A SECTION – Quite enjoyed getting to know the guys!

What makes re: think stand out from the crowd of emerging sustainable fashion brands?

-Wearable yet fashionable clothing

-100% Organic cotton

-Print on demand service – no wastage

-Water based vegan printing methods

-Support local and international small businesses

-Charity initiatives

-Conscious and affordable lifestyle brand

-Opportunity to upscale as B2B

-Conscious of corporate responsibility & circular economies

Do you plan on expanding your product range any time soon?

We are working one step at a time, and it is important that we follow a gradual growth model. This way growth is sustainable, and we won’t be forced to compromise on our fundamental values as a company. Having said that, we are currently looking at developing our accessories range to compliment the clothing.

How did you meet?

Bilal: We met at university through a mutual friend, David. I think we agreed to live with each other before we met, and then spent a very late night in the library on campus, doing anything but the assignments we went to do. He kept asking what I was drinking..

Tom: First time I met Bilal was outside the uni library. He was going in with a mug of tea, but not a travel mug like any other person, but one from the kitchen…at that point I questioned why I said yes to living with him

What is your top sustainable fashion tip?

Bilal: Never throw clothing in the bin

Tom: Wash on 30 degrees

What is an absolute fashion no-no for you?

Bilal: White socks, black shoes

Tom: Clashing patterns: too many loud pieces – you look like a supernova of loud.

What’s your controversial fashion opinion?

Bilal: Double denim

Tom: I quite like white socks, black shoes

Which part of the process have you enjoyed the most so far?

Tom: Designing – it’s been entertaining to brainstorm and bring ideas to life

Bilal: Changing Tom’s designs

Eat Greek.

They say that a successful business starts with the right name. If that's true, here's one to remember. Online companies appear to be taking the lead as they begin to move into uncharted territory previously dominated by a physical presence.

Ambrosia quality food limited, a main supplier presented an opportunity for OMG to offer their products to the general public. It took both time and money to build and develop a relatively new business and establish brand loyalty.

Fortunately, the current situation with Covid-19 provided a much-needed boost as habits shifted towards internet purchases. Oh My Greek is an online Greek supermarket offering the very best Greek products that Greece has to offer.

Customers are offered the opportunity to relive their own Greek shopping experience from the comfort of their own homes. One of the key contributing factors in their journey has been their focus on quality. This is a non-negotiable standard and one that they believe will offer longevity.

While working from home may be something that the vast majority of business owners need to do, some are well experienced in this domain—

engaging materials to facilitate learning. Although learning English is the theme of this business, the three main focusses are IELTS/ TOEFL,

“Work smarter, not harder!”

established in 2011 and as a knee jerk reaction to an everincreasing demand for Canadian emigration.

No ordinary English language academy; it prides itself on the ability to produce highly

English Conversation and Interview preparation.

The most exciting feature is that they don't work in the UK, most students originating in Israel and Canada.

A London-based, fitness clothing company for women! We want to create clothing for all women of all ages, shapes AND sizes –because that’s what makes each and every one of us special. We want to help bring out the best in people and so try and make our clothing fun, sexy, trustworthy, affordable, and full-on confidence giving to anyone who wears it. We believe good quality, dependable clothes shouldn’t be a privilege, and want to be your go-to wardrobe staple for those go-getting days. Our brand is for finally tackling that pull-up in the gym, going for that run you’ve been meaning to do forever, joining a gym class for the first time or feeling like you need that little helping hand to be fierce. Wake up in the morning with a smile on your face, put your beebums on and go forth and conquer.

How did Bandit Bee start?

The founder was bored of her leggings going see-through (or were see-through from the start!) She felt there was no point in buying a nice pair of leggings when you had to buy special underwear to wear with them. She decided she would try and make her own!

After months of testing several products, she found the perfect material mix in our classic bee bums, NO MORE SEETHROUGH LEGGINGS and NO MORE WORRYING ABOUT WHAT PANTS TO WEAR...YAY!! After testing out on friends and family, they all decided they wanted a pair – she knew they were ready for release!

hey! Why not expand! Bandit Bee has grown into a HUGE range of products � Thanks, guys!!

Why Bandit Bee?

Once the material was sorted, we needed a name. When we were initially naming our Beebums we had thought of the name Bandit leggings because of the stripes. But then our signature butt detail reminded us of a bee’s stinger, and so flash forward to a lightbulb moment in the middle of the night and Bandit Bee was born!

Why online only?

If we had a physical shop, we would have to increase our prices to cover the costs – our clothing range is entirely based on the idea of being affordable whilst providing high quality for everyone. We felt we couldn’t justify the increases. We do, however, go to events and shows, keep an eye on our Instagram for our next events! (usually, we buy and give away tickets for our fans!)

How do you know our products are of decent quality?

Each product is tested extensively before they go into production, the first Beebums were worn for a month (we did wash them I promise) running, HIIT classes, lifting, Zumba-ing, yoga-ing –we’ve tried it all! If we wouldn’t wear them, we don’t expect you to.

PROPERTY

Being a homeowner/landlord myself, it was particularly insightful speaking with Jai Jhala from CAA Properties regarding their service focused business model that makes for quite the market game changer.

If you have any involvement with property, either as a homeowner, landlord or a tenant, you will be well aware of the pressures associated with many of the processes. With over 15 years of industry experience in property lettings circulating the London area, business owner Cem is well placed to offer comprehensive advice and deliver an optimum service to both landlords and tenants. In addition to this, with more than 20 years of sales and project management, business development and operations experience, Jai also has all the credentials to offer potential clients expertise in this sector.

- By Shabnam Choudhary

Our Story

It’s not what we do, it’s how we do it!

CAA Properties has a unique service offering, whereby the company which has been successfully trading since 2016, is indeed a “one stop shop” for all your property needs. Based in Southgate, the team comprises of driven and passionate professionals who really go that extra mile to meet the needs of their clients, offering an impeccable and trusted service. With partner agents, trusted partners, FMB approved contractors and engineers, property maintenance specialists, mortgage advisors, utilities & essential services advisors & property disinfection specialists on the team, clients are most definitely guaranteed a solution to all prerequisites! Jai talks me through all the services offered and I am genuinely impressed as we

divulge further in to details about how a typical process would work if I approached CAA Properties as a client. With all the below areas covered by the company, I am keen to find out how plans are tailored to individual requirements.

Services offered

•Lettings – Areas covered North London, Enfield & Hertfordshire

•Properties Renovations – Residential – Renovate to Live, Renovate to Sell & Renovate to Let & Commercial – Renovate to Work

•Sales – Property Sourcing & Deal packaging as per client requirements

•Mortgages & Bridging Loans – Residential – House purchase & Commercial – Buy To Let, Bridging Loans for renovations

•Utilities & Essential services – Residential Energy & Security Alarms & Business Energy & Security Alarms, Merchant Services

•Property Disinfections – Residential & Commercial

CAA Provides A Wholesome Service.

By Shabnam Choudhary

By Sanj Saigal

Here’s how it’s done, if I was to approach CAA Properties as a landlord:

•I provide an indication of my price range

•CAA Properties get to work on sourcing suitable properties for me

•They arrange viewings and negotiate on my behalf

•If I wish to proceed with buying, they have mortgage advisors to

take me through the next stage of the process

•They also manage any planning permission HMO/ building regulation requirements

•Handover is completed!

•I can then utilise their services to let out my property, with GUARANTEED RENT!

•My return on investment is almost immediate

•They also deal with utilities and essential services which takes off the pressure of managing these So, it really is as simple as me stating what I need assistance with and being offered an end to end service, so that I can focus on building a property portfolio, whilst enjoying a return on my investment and rental yields - as opposed to spending that time and energy managing the day to day issues associated with being a landlord

If it isn’t already clear, CAA Properties provides a wholesome service offering, which clearly differentiates them from their competitors. If you are looking for some advice and assistance, either as a landlord or tenant, here are some key points to note:

•CAA Properties offer guaranteed rent paid in advance (subject to status)

•Their hybrid business model is scalable and flexible, to suit client needs

•Clients are kept informed at all times

•They have a multilingual team to cater for language predicaments

•Quarterly property inspections are carried out as a standard to safeguard client properties

•There is a large database of screened professional applicants covering London

•They have strong relationships with London councils & Housing Associations, allowing them to offer excellent rates

•Emergency maintenance issues are resolved within 24 hours

•Strong presence in social media and extremely well networked

As with a lot of business, last year was extremely challenging. How have you been managing any issues associated with the pandemic?

Amidst the restrictions, we have continued to communicate with our clients and the tenants at all times and have also attended to the emergencies as well as other important maintenance issues. We appreciate the unprecedented nature of the Covid-19 pandemic and have continued to work through the lockdown whilst maintaining all the safety precautions, thus enabling us to uphold our service proposition. We have conducted viewings of the properties upholding social distancing rules.

What does the future hold for CAA Properties and do you have any growth plans?

Renovation projects will be a key focus for us. This is based on:

•The increase in the properties being bought- there is increased scope of renovations of properties

•Working from home is now more common and has become a trend owing to the lockdown. This has given rise to the need to expand and extend the homes to facilitate this trend

What do people say about your service?

We actually have testimonials on our website, as well as Google reviews and we are active on social media. Please feel free to explore the links on our article

Testimonials

PROPERTY LIFESTYLE &

INKED

My Story

By Sanj Saigal

Everyone likes an underdog; they inspire people often influencing people and the actions they take. It's not always easy to meet them because they are humble. My job often places me very close to them, and I never get bored as I continually learn. Art takes so many different forms; one of them gained popularity over the last two decades as celebrities from nearly every industry-endorsed it. The artist known as Sami has a story to tell, I am very fortunate to write about it.

His journey started in 2007; back then, he was a young University student who had a dream—born into a Turkish Cypriot family with a strong work ethic, discipline and high expectations. A strong want and need to be involved in the tattoo scene would see him invest what little money he had, into some basic equipment on eBay.

Sami needed to apply the theory, and this would see him convincing his closest friends into allowing him to practice on them whilst perfecting his skills. Who would have thought that a TV show called; The Secret screened at two in the morning would prove to be the catalyst and that the purchase of a book would spark the beginnings of a very successful business model.

Were you your parents biggest nightmare, being a tattoo artist wasn't a respectable job when you wanted to be one?

I was very fortunate; my parents allowed me to be who I wanted to be. They supported me and the decisions I took. My parents were strong motivators for me they both had tattoos. I guess it's easier to convince when the very concept is endorsed.

If I was young and wanted to enter your sector, what advice would you give me?

I would tell them to work hard to follow their dreams, get an apprenticeship and practice the theory. Having between one and three years in my sector is considered to be Gold. Learning from others and the mistakes they make can enhance your skills.

Patience, perseverance, attention to detail, the ability to change and update are all high up there on the list.

"Never be complacent; always be willing to learn".

Are you a businessman?

I was self-taught, so I earned money the hard way. Reputation means everything to me, and that's how I built a business. Referrals are how you survive. By default, I guess you could say that there is a part of me that gives my time for money, yes.

It's my name so I never delegate to others, what I can do myself. I'm an artist, so take pride in the type of work that I do.

I heard that you are involved with a charity, can you tell me more about it?

I'm involved with a non-profit organisation, and it's called; Gratitude Lifestyle. My best friends are involved, each of us brings something unique towards the same

cause. We all co-founded this idea to help the homeless in London and Vic and Moodee work on business development and design, respectively. The idea is based around a lifestyle brand, empowering people through tools and techniques of practising gratitude. We introduce a product range to motivate, teach and inspire you to master your thoughts and manifest your dreams.

What skills does a tattoo artist need?

Graduate Project Video

I think everyone has a dark period in their lives, and I'm certainly no exception, my troubles fuelled a want and need to help others who are less fortunate in society.

As an organisation, we work with a charity called; Hands on Hands out. They tell us what we need to do to help, which can be anything from providing sleeping bags to serving food.

As our interview drew to a close, I realised that if we were meant to meet people in life who carve out a future, who can make a difference and who can make a difference to society as an individual, Sami was one of them. His creative abilities as a tattoo artist meant he worked with some of the biggest names in the music, television and movie industries—his name on speed dial with celebs from all walks of life who want to experience his talent.

If you would like to get involved with his project and the homeless, I have posted flashing links on images on this article. I hope to catch up with Sami with a follow-up interview in a future edition.

The story of a child who dreamt of making a difference. An acclaimed street artist who is famed for his unique designs.

"Never be complacent; always be willing to learn”.

- Sami

THE CHANGING FACE OF ART

Jorge Pina

The story of a child who dreamt of making a difference. An acclaimed street artist who is famed for his unique designs.

ARTIST: JORGE PINA

A passion for street art

Over the years, artists have experimented and saught acclaim for various forms of art, some of which designed to cause controversy. I have always admired art, albeit from a distance, with a longing to be more creative.

Grafitti is now a recognised art form with wellknown artists fetching millions of pounds for their controversial work. I was very fortunate to meet one such artist who intrigued me with designs and creativity that defied the norm.

His journey started when he was very young, born in Alicante, Spain; the year was 1983; he moved to a small fishing village called Los Alcazares when he was only six years old. His family maintained strong connections with his home town and a famous passageway leading off from the beach was in those days synonymous with street art.

He saw the work of suso33, Tom Rock's elephants, Inka's pieces to name a few outstanding pieces of this up and coming art form that embraced expression. It caught his attention and remained etched in his mind to this day.

They had a profound impact on a child of his age, so much so that they would eventually form the motivation to create unique designs of his own. Each time he visited and stared at the designs, they appeared different.

Never stop; always stay strong!

ARTIST: JORGE PINA

Carry on and keep pushing, something that I think we can all relate to. A section dedicated to all the things we should be doing outside the box we call home. We are featuring real people who have personal and professional journeys with a story to tell.

Going Out

The Networking Magazine

The Networking Magazine

Photography

R.I.P. Suits

Two wardrobes were the norm, a Clark Kent and Superman parody that would see both men and women maintain two identities. I can only draw from my experience, growing up in a household where an office culture meant that my father would have a separate wardrobe to organise his clothing meticulously; ready-made matching shirts with ties. I often wondered what he would look like if he didn't shave and wore a tracksuit, something that we have all become accustomed to in 2020

Casual is the new norm, and with the onslaught of conference call technology, I think that it would now prove highly suspicious to use a suit as a business tool since more relaxed attire appeals to a more informal setting.

Some say that we have set a president and its one that we can never revert whilst others prepare for a return to business as usual as 2021 holds the promise of a vaccine and the end to a very challenging year.

Face 2 Face

The standoff between formal and formal is a battle of generations now, it's distinctive traits playing one off against the other. A personal perspective, I view this sensitive and topical subject as necessary to the business dynamic, especially for

networkers, where someone can be a car salesperson talking to a person in the logistics sector.

Although the vast majority relish

“The Changing face of business”.

the thought of saving vast sums of money on the two wardrobe scenario, some believe that we should protect the workforce from losing the concept of preparing us for a workday.

Mindset

Physical appearance is unmistakable, but what about the mind? Does writing on the back of our hands, sipping on coffee and hiding behind a switched off camera makes up for the fact that we still need to be productive.

Numerous studies have shown that putting ourselves in the right frame of mind can improve productivity and efficiency. Our only hope is that we can rely on societies resilience to adapt to contribute to this effect. A byproduct of this may be that the younger generation may not accept the return of the suit and prefer a very different format to conduct business.

MUSIC

The Artist Behind The Brand

An interview with the artist who wants to inspire young talent. A candid conversation with the person behind the brand. Her single; "Broken" was produced by an iconic music producer: Moses Samuels, a man who has worked with both Justin Bieber and Ariana.

By Sanj Saigal

I never really know who will be on the other side of a conference call.

As the imaginary curtain pulled back, there was something very familiar about the artist who goes by the name of; "Mezurashii". Confident voice tones and a driven passion for music dominated the conversation, which I might add only created a more profound need to find out more about the person behind the artist.

Born in Ghana, a move to the UK at age four would be facilitated by a job opportunity which was presented to her father. Moving around various locations made it challenging to settle down, particularly at such a young age.

At ten years of age, her journey would see her calling Wales home, albeit for just six years before a move to Hertfordshire would

provide a more secure location to call home. Cultural difficulties were at question since there was a fusion between British and African identities, something that would create the unique person that she is today.

What was one of your most defining moments?

I think that experiencing the Piano at aged two. My love for music would later be attributed to being able to play a multitude of instruments by ear. It was a skill that I assumed everyone had, it wasn't until much later on that I realised this wasn't true.

As a creative person, how did you personally find yourself in terms of identity?

My love for creativity spread to art, drawing, and being one of a few girls

to play football at school in the 90s. Breaking gender barriers without knowing, my creative confusion made it difficult to decide which path to follow. Still, in the end, it was music because I believed it could empower and touch people.

As an interviewer, I got a sense that when listening to the music she has produced, there was a message buried deep within the lyrics. Perhaps this was reflective in her personal journey of finding her true identity both professionally and personally.

Her single; "Broken" was produced by an iconic music producer: Moses Samuels, a man who has worked with both Justin Bieber and Ariana. I have met some interesting people as a writer. What still amazes me is how reserved people can be, in a world where everyone has a desire to scream about everything.

What were your demons?

Everyone has them, I faced depression, personal crisis as I fought to find an identity. I was a struggling artist not unheard of in the music industry, so fi nancial concerns also played a part. Insecurities is a term that I think we can all identify with irrespective of who you are as a person.

New talent have so much to live up to, especially with social media influencing an image that the public would find acceptable.

What challenges have you had to overcome?

Being in a same-sex relationship. With that, it's not something I shout out about because I think we should

learn to respect whoever we are talking with as a person before we look at anything else. Sexuality, Colour, religion and accepting of people around us are things we should learn to be aware of as a society.

There are so many young artists who would give up and turn their back on their creativity. I think we all need hope and positive vibes.

"Debates are healthy if kept respectful”.

YouTube

Many young artists would give up and turn their backs on their creativity, I think we all need hope and positive vibes.

What’s to come?

I spent just over six years developing as a person, realising that my purpose is to help people through hard times. Passing on my life experiences through music, creativity and being an example of someone who has given up at times but kept pushing forward.

The aim for 2021 is to continue and keep growing. Empowering people to believe in themselves. Find themselves. Not compare themselves to others but to take inspiration.

Mezurashii is Japanese for "Unusual", "strange", "Unique", "different". And I want people to be happy knowing we are all different and all can make a difference, but we must learn to be ourselves.

FASHION

JI JI BY ODEDRA

“One should always be able to look stylish and elegant; let’s do this with a clear conscience and not sacrifice our fashion look & style”.

By Shabnam Choudhary

keen to establish what sustainability means for Ashokji and how, as the foundation of his brand, he has managed to uphold this and the challenges associated with doing so.

He continues to educate me on how the reuse of 1 tonne of polyester garments actually only utilises 1 8% of the energy required to manufacture these goods from virgin materials. Further to this, the reuse of 1 tonne of cotton clothing only utilises 2 6% of the energy required to manufacture from pure materials. His brand and aim are strongly driven towards creating a platform where fabrics are used and sourced sustainably, with ethics remaining a core value.

Fast fashion in Western parts of the world is primarily fueled by womenswear, being the largest sector within manufacturing. Ashokji feels strongly that there is great irony in the fact that – “as we become more progressive and fight for gender equality and opportunities, particularly in liberal societies where women have demanded the power to dress how they wish, we disregard the impact of this on manufacturing countries, predominantly in the East. These are largely made up of women and children who are often subjected to mistreatment and exploitation in the garment industry, which is under constant pressure to satiate the demand fueled by fast fashion expectations”.

More recently, due to the pandemic, factory workers and their families have been disproportionately

affected by brands and retailers who refused and still do so, to pay for cancelled/excess orders. Before this, exposed to the pollution, ethical issues and riots (associated with the cost of living versus wages), as well as the severity of working conditions in smaller out of town factories in Bangladesh, Ashokji explored the long term impact of environmental pollution further. Discovering that the amount of dead stock and leftover fabrics from factories (from cancelled/excess orders) was immeasurable, he discovered 4 - 5 extremely large warehouses in Central Dhaka that sell these - in a final attempt to salvage something. In the eventuality that these are not bought, they sadly end up in a landfill.

As the driving force behind his inspiration for the ethos of his brand, the Rebels of Extinction collection encompasses the importance of sustainability from a fabric perspective. Forget organic and recycled cotton; why even cultivate something new when there are tonnes of existing dead stocks available? Surely this is the most sustainable method of sourcing fabric? If he is not purchasing from the dead stocks in Bangladesh, UK haberdashery bins are the way forward!

Featured on the catwalk of New York Fashion Week in February 2020, Ashokji made his debut with Rebels of Extinction, an empowering collection with a fundamental message from a fashion designer with a conscience!

This was cultivated to convey a gender-fluid feel, using dead stock as well as organic and hand loom pieces. Moving away from the predictability of recycled trends from the 70s, 80s, 90s and so forth, the brand is about embracing expression, originality and creating a non-binary style that allows individuals to steer away from repetitive fashion trend expectations.

With a personal approach to fashion, I love how he describes the collection with a likeness to ‘seasonal cooking’. Made to order, according to whatever fabrics are available at that point in time, you can guarantee a sustainable and original piece of clothing.

For Ashokji, slow fashion is the way forward. No trends, no seasonality –being transitional is key. This is also translated into the target market, which is most definitely NOT mass. Producing only 10-20 of each piece in a collection means less wastage, a limited edition range and genuine sustainability in terms of fabric sourcing. But what does this mean for distribution and availability, and how can you get your hands on a

piece of this revolutionary clothing?

The power of Instagram!

Be sure to check out

https:// www.jijibyodedra.co.uk/, but @jiji_by_odedra is your best bet for acquiring a fashion-conscious piece of clothing to add to your wardrobe.

If you are interested in stocking the brand in your boutique or online store, please reach out to Ashokji at https:// www.instagram.com/ jiji_by_odedra/

In addition to this, Ashokji is also working closely on other exciting projects that highlight focusing on conscious fashion and the story behind this collection, so watch this space!

Ji - Ji By Odedra

Brand Philosophy:

Ji-Ji By Odedra is an Eco-Conscious Fashion Design which looks at historical fashion influences with modern days influences, that inspires elegance in everyday life…

With a focus on using deadstock, organic, upcycled, and handloom fabrics, Ashokji truly believes that: “One should always be able to look stylish and elegant; let’s do this with a clear conscience and not sacrifice our fashion look & style”.

Ji Ji By Odedra: A fashion brand and designer with a message!

A brand that is aimed at conscientious fashion consumers who want to make a difference.

Ji - Ji By Odedra

Fashion Sustainability Tips:

• You don’t need a wardrobe filled with sustainable and ethically made clothes – wear what you already have for longer. An extra 10-11 months extended wear can reduce environmental impact massively

• Use eco-friendly washing detergent and look after what you purchase

• Be conscious of packaging when purchasing new items – is it reusable or recyclable?

• Question who made your clothes. Have workers been paid a living wage?

• Steer away from following ongoing trends; have your own style/fashion/unique look, which allows you to focus on buying quality over quantity. Rather than being influenced, slow down and learn to love and be creative with the clothes that you already have.

• As a consumer, you have the power to put pressure on brands to be more sustainable and ethical when manufacturing abroad – USE YOUR VOICE!

Ji - Ji By Odedra

“Lottie offers a commercial eye and an understanding of creating designs focused around her clients’ needs and wants”.

By Sanj Saigal

Me, Myself And I.

A candid interview with Lottie Woods, a designer who has worked with some of the most iconic brands.

One of the fascinating aspects of my job is that I meet so many different people from all walks of life. When that imaginary curtain is pulled back, and you're faced with speaking to a stranger, you never really know if there will be a spark that ignites a conversation.

This year, we wanted to give back something to our readers in January, an opportunity to enter a competition for a feature. The winner of that competition was Lottie from Lottie Woods Design. Before the interview, I’d done my research, revealing an impressive background in design telling a story about a person who broke away from the chains of a nine to five. Lottie believed in her skills and decided to forge forward and start a service business of her own. Anyone who knows my story will draw a paradigm between us, I think it was that underlying feature that made my interview extra special. An underlying belief that it's possible to work for yourself.

For someone who in her own words has to wear so many (metaphorical) hats in the context of running a business, she seemed calm, relaxed and very confident, something that I picked up on immediately. I was intrigued to get to know more about the person behind the business.

Why Design?

I have always been a creative, so it felt like a perfect match for me, from an early age I knew that I was creative and excelled in both art and textile at school, so fashion felt like an obvious step to take. After graduating from Nottingham Trent, I moved to London to work for high street suppliers. This gave me

the experience that I needed to develop my skills in creating commercial clothing designs. It was a good opportunity to learn about the industry, travel, and allowed a period of growth, both professionally and personally.

Turning Point

While I am grateful for my time working for large suppliers, I felt that something was missing, that there was more for me to accomplish, almost a calling for a higher purpose. I wanted to connect with others who have a passion for sustainable fashion, so I left the constraints of having a full-time position and learned how to use my design skills to work for myself. A defining moment was getting my first design projects for independent brands, which built my confidence before launching my website and making it official, and my freelance design business has grown from there.

Advice

I had experienced the recruitment sector in a previous life, and one of my favourite questions that I asked candidates was; what advice would you give a younger version of yourself? This was a thought-provoking question for Lottie as there were a few moments of silence before she was forthcoming with an answer. Her advice would be: follow your instincts, play to your strengths, and be open to new opportunities. I got the impression that her words would resonate with a younger audience.

“Stop dreaming, start doing”.

-Lottie Woods

Business

Time is a challenge to balance between taking on new projects and building the business from within. She referred to it as a steep ongoing learning curve. This seems to be a common denominator with so many people who I’ve interviewed for this magazine. Perhaps it's a trait that separated those who prefered to work for themselves instead of working for others. Some of the qualities that I noted were her ability to take so-called creative breaks, draw from the people's strengths and the community around her and to take breaks to enable a helicopter view when needed.

Social Media

Instagram is her chosen platform which allows her to connect with startups and independent brands who identify with her message and need a helping hand. On many levels, Instagram seems like the perfect choice for design since allowing her to stay creative and make connections. I believe Instagram found Lottie rather than the other way round.

Change

I think everyone would agree that 2020 has forced businesses to think more about change. There's an interesting flip on the industries, particularly the high street. Retail as a sector has to listen to its customers, and they are demanding to know more about ethical production processes, something we have never seen on this scale before. There is a shift towards smaller independents who represent a cross-section of society, which has impacted design. Unfortunately, the traditional retail giants are falling as these voices are being heard in evergrowing numbers.

I want high streets to survive, but I think people will connect more towards independents and boutiques. I referred to the growth of pop up shops across key areas in London, and it sparked light into the conversation reimbursing her perspective.

The Brand

Lottie offers a commercial eye and an understanding of creating wearable designs focused around her client's briefs. She creates a safe space for developing ideas and helping to turn them into exciting real-life products. A wealth of experience brought into the mix can give a business a strategic advantage, avoiding many of the difficulties often associated with creating a new clothing range.

The Future

I was curious about the future of her consultancy business. She will continue to create tech packs and designs for clients while launching a new website later in the year with helpful downloadable resources that will give rise to a deeper and richer service experience. I am so intrigued by her unique take on resources such as a collection planner that I would like to follow up on her story. Our time was drawing to an end, and I was left with the feeling that I have known Lottie for years. Her determination and passion for developing an already successful consultancy business are notable, and I wish her every success in the future.

Our time was drawing to an end and left with the feeling that I have known Lottie for years. Her determination and passion for developing an already successful brand are notable, and I wish her every success in the future.