Business Concept Magazine June 2023

Marko Bello aspired to become an artist, honing his skills with pencils and crayons through self-teaching. After graduating high school, Marko worked as a factory laborer at Ajinomoto, completing two 10-month contracts. He shifted to construction work, specifically creating signage and billboards, after tying the knot in 2007. Marko finds inspiration in the ordinary aspects of daily life. He actively explores his environment, seeking out elements that can influence his artwork. His goal is to create paintings that resonate with others, establishing a meaningful connection with his audience. The life of an artist is a unique experience unlike any other. Marko had the opportunity to witness this firsthand when his uncle, an artist himself, visited and introduced him to his neighbor, a professional artist. Marko was inspired by this meeting…

Success, though often defined as a destination point, should simply be perceived as a progression when one overcomes adversity to pursue a goal that many times feels unattainable at best. By definition, via Oxford Language or Merriam-Webster, success is the achievement or attainment of fame, wealth, or social status. However, that is typically not the case. Arguably, as Zig Ziglar said it best, “Success is not a destination, it’s a journey.” Some are just better at riding out the journey for the experience that it is rather than expecting the instant gratification that is rarely within reach, one of those successful self-made individuals is Sky Alton. Hailing from West Oakland, California, Sky is an up-and-coming self-made entrepreneur who has never shied away from any hardship in his path, but rather…

Metal racks, seemingly unmovable from supporting a plethora of men’s streetwear clothes, are scattered around the massive, high ceiling warehouse. One rack is near the indoor basketball court and gym, one by the in-house photography studio, and another is pushed against the desk of a fashion designer scrawling on a tablet. And in the farthest corner of this 17,000 square feet warehouse is the motherlode: the Leverage’s showroom storage. Home to brands like Embellish, Crysp Denim, and Lifted Anchors, the Leverage’s showroom is a dreamland for lovers of men’s contemporary fashion. These are clothes that cool men wear, the kind who know themselves well enough to embrace their personal style; the kind who identify with both the hustle and the come-up, probably read GQ, and sing along to the lyrics…

Paul is a fourth-generation San Franciscan who grew up in the culturally rich Bay View area. As a child, Paul was focused on understanding and uplifting his community of color, which included the adjacent local housing projects—his neighborhood was deeply impacted with redistricting, red lighting, and redevelopment impacts areas. “While growing up, I often felt that things happened to my community rather than for it. I always wondered why our neighborhood lacked basic necessities like efficient bus services, necessary stores, and convenient restaurants,” he shares. As he grew older, Paul’s passion for education and libraries drew him to learn more about the world and his community’s unique challenges. He wanted to understand why his neighborhood was different and what he could do to impact it for the better. His mother…

Heide VanDoren Betz: Please tell us about your background, your upbringing. Elizabeth Barlow: I grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah in a house filled with art and surrounded by flower gardens. It now seems inevitable that I am painting flowers. My father, the late Utah artist Philip Barlow, was enormously gifted and was my first mentor. My parents collected art, and our family vacations always involved visits to galleries and museums. Art was a natural part of our family life. My mother was, and is, a passionate gardener, and our backyard had flowers, a little pond, paths, and very little grass. Of course, as a child, I envied friends whose yards had actual lawns! I always loved drawing. I was consumed with horses as a girl and drew them…

The elegant issue of LUXURY TRENDING, April will tell you that the two amazing, interesting experts in all things fine Jewelry and luxury on the cover are with Bulgari, San Francisco. Bulgari with store manager, Ana Blackwell and high jewelry expert, Ivan Bekichev hosted a reception at the stunning Union Square, San Francisco store. Guests were dazzled by the beautiful Bulgari jewels including the famous Serpenti collection; Ana wowed the guests wearing an exquisite necklace from the collection. Champagne, caviar and other delectable nibbles kept everyone in good spirits. The April issue also featured the world renowned artist Kehinde Wiley exhibiting his breathtaking paintings and sculptures in “ An Archeology of Silence” at the de Young Museum, San Francisco as well as multi-dimensional artist, photographer and historian, Ron Henggeler.…