Archives for 2019

January
9, 2019

3 min read

This story originally appeared on Engadget

BotBoxer is the creation of SkyTech Sport, a company that makes gym equipment, most famous for the simulators used to train the US olympic ski team. Five years ago, the Los Angeles-based company turned its attention to creating a robotic boxing trainer, which it showed off in Las Vegas. I was excited to try the machine out for myself, despite being a total novice in the world of boxing.

Essentially, BotBoxer is a punchbag on a stick, itself loaded up with a number of sensors that can detect pressure and movement. The stick is then connected to a base and held in place with a series of cables that can angle it around to dodge blows during sparring. Surrounding the dais is a series of pillars in the faux-boxing ring style, the closest two loaded up with infrared sensors, as are the base.

In tandem, the sensors can analyze your feet and body position to determine your stance, and predict where you’re about to hit. Knowing this, the bag can bob and weave around to avoid your punches to make the ideal sparring partner when your trainer is unavailable. Priced at $19,900, it’s intended for use by gyms and the sort of rich people who can probably afford an army of flunkies to fight them anyway.

I was guided through an early tutorial and some regular drills by Bo, one of BotBoxer’s trainers and someone who knows their way around a boxing ring. Bo gave me a crash course in how not to suck at boxing, and any injury I sustained was through no fault of her excellent teaching. That included how to use my body to power my strikes and how not to smash my hand to pieces when punching.

Every time you strike the bag (and every time you miss), you’ll be given voice guidance to help you improve. Sometimes that’s as simple as telling you to step back, or adjust your stance, through to being told you need more power in your strike. Hit badly, or at a potentially injurious angle, and you’ll get a sound effect that’ll let you know you’ve done something wrong.

The BotBoxer is very customizable, and you can tweak features like motion, consistency, distance and reaction. You can even set it so that, if you hit it successfully several times on the bounce, it’ll get less reactive and woozier, like a punch-drunk boxer.

Get past the tutorial and you’ll be thrown head-first into training drills, asking you to jab and punch in rhythm to perfect your technique. From there, you can go into a sparring mode where you can go a number of rounds to see if you can knock it out. The sparring mode is enormous fun, and I could imagine myself spending plenty of time playing with this thing as I learned.

Certainly, this isn’t the sort of device I’d suggest a beginner just rock up and try, since you need a good grounding in the art of boxing. Even after my own grounding in the very basics of the sport, I still managed to pull a muscle in my right arm and hurt my hand pretty decently. Mostly because I, stupidly, thought I had it and went for a big haymaker, only wound up giving BotBoxer more of an open-handed slap. As you do.

January
7, 2019

9 min read

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Research suggests that more than half of us are unhappy at work. From lawyers to brokers and CEOs, these Advisors in The Oracles are proof it’s possible to be successful and have a job you love. Here, they share how they found work that fulfills them — and how you can too.

1. Stop doing things you hate.

I found what I was meant to do because I know who I am and ignore everyone else. Listen to yourself and stop doing stuff you hate. Don’t take a bad job because it pays more, and don’t go to college just to meet others’ expectations.

If you don’t know what you want to do, try as many experiences as possible. Don’t play it safe; do things that make you uncomfortable. To discover your passion, start by asking those around you about your skills and weaknesses, then triple down on what you’re good at. You’re not lost; you’re just early in the process. So stop judging yourself and be patient. Life is long.

When you find your dream, stick with it, even when it’s hard. Have the audacity to believe that you can do what you love for the rest of your life — because you can. —Gary Vaynerchuk, founder and CEO of VaynerMedia (700+ employees with over $100 million in annual revenue), five-time NYT best-selling author of “Crushing It!”

2. Audit yourself.

Maybe you’ve felt negotiable in life, optional, or even disposable — family life, location, socioeconomic status, race, and gender all shape your self-worth. I was abandoned by a father who was in prison and raised by a mother who deeply loved me but worked three jobs. So I spent my younger years seeking validation that I mattered. 

If you’re in conflict with yourself, how can you discover meaningful work? Ask yourself: Am I authentically reflecting my gifts? Do I live my purpose or seek purpose in things outside me? How am I mastering my greatness and contribution to the world?

I found my calling by exploring these questions so often that the fear of failure faded. I began to trust myself. I learned to fail with speed and agility, understanding that failure is temporary but mandatory and is your best feedback in the personal growth process.

Remember: Meaningful work isn’t about your role or money; it’s about your self-belief. Most people resist trial and error, but getting lost is part of the process. Tune your internal navigation system to personal accountability, stay true to your passions, and live the grandest version of you. That’s the fastest path to your highest calling and a life that loves you back. —Allyson Byrd, renowned sales trainer and founder of The Church of Profit Acceleration, who generated $13+ million in sales revenue for clients in 2018; connect with Allyson on Instagram

3. Bring value.

Finding meaningful work doesn’t have to be your proverbial needle in a haystack. But you may not know right away when you’ve found your life’s passion. For me, the key to success is being able to bring value while feeling valued.

After 26 years in real estate, I’m much more passionate today than when I started. I get fulfillment from helping clients find their homes for life, which is usually their largest investment. They depend on me to bring expertise and advice to their life savings. I love when I get to make a mark on their lives. —Glennda Baker LeBlanc, associate broker of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices; top 1 percent of all agents nationwide, with more than half a billion in career sales; connect with Glennda on Facebook and Twitter

4. Tinker with ideas on the side.

Several years ago, I spent my off-hours building a sprinkler toy for fun. My boys loved it, and neighbors started flocking over. When I decided to sell tutorials on how to build them online, I discovered there wasn’t an easy, point-and-click platform to sell online training. So I started building one. I didn’t intend on the project taking away from my day job, but following my interests and uncovering a problem led me to create a company.

Unhappiness at work doesn’t necessarily mean you need to begin the job hunt. Instead, spend your off-time tinkering with your passions or ideas. This may give you clarity to fall in love with your job again or lead to an entirely new opportunity. —Kenny Rueter, CEO and co-founder of Kajabi

5. Try different things.

I’ve been working since I was 13 years old. Back then, my motivation was money. As I got older, I realized money wasn’t enough to keep me engaged in my job. It took a while to find something that I was good at and would make money. I had to patiently try different things.

Working only for money will not make you happy in the long run. If you want to find meaningful work, ask yourself what you would do even if you didn’t get paid. Then find out who needs that service. It takes time to try enough things until you find what makes you happy. But in the end, it pays off. —Raul Villacis, CEO of The Next Level Experience, an organization that empowers high-level businessmen to become better leaders; connect with Raul on Facebook and Instagram

6. Ask how you can serve others.

When I worked at a bank, my friends with executive jobs could afford luxuries, yet they rarely smiled and often complained about not having enough time to spend with loved ones. I knew then that exchanging time for money was not for me. When my now business partner, Lewis Mocker, introduced me to day trading, I became obsessed with mastering it because of the lifestyle it would provide. Although I quickly became successful, something was missing — a feeling of contribution.

If you reach this point, ask yourself how you can serve others. Without a doubt, I know I’m here on Earth to be a motivator and guide for those who, like me, refuse to settle for less than they deserve. Pay attention to what truly inspires you. What gives you a deep sense of fulfillment and purpose? What makes you feel alive? Build a life around serving others in areas that you truly value. —Amy Sangster, co-founder of Infinite Prosperity; learn to invest, trade, and build wealth with Infinite Prosperity’s free lessons

7. Do what excites you.

I played with metal construction sets as a kid. I’d imagine some new machine, then try to build it. When I got the result I wanted after many iterations, I was incredibly excited. Imagination and delivery became my motivation. As an adult, I applied this approach to programming and products by creating complex algorithms to solve tasks. After days of hard work, I was extremely happy when it worked. I realized this engineering approach drives me.

What drives you? Look for this kind of excitement in your everyday life. Apply a results-driven approach to solve complex tasks in your life, and notice what brings you joy when it works. —Oleksandr Kosovan, founder and CEO of Setapp and MacPaw, whose flagship app CleanMyMac has exceeded 5 million users; co-founder and partner at SMRK VC Fund

8. Enact changes that make you and others happy.

You need happiness to be productive and content. Step back and really look into your situation if you’re unhappy with work. Identify what is making you unhappy and what you need to do to solve it. Most importantly, be willing to take risks and make significant changes.

In my work, I focus on transparency and creating partnerships. Our clients rely on us for solutions, and work becomes meaningful when you help others better themselves. We’re happy when our clients are happy, and we don’t stop until we hear it in their voices. —Jason Hall, author, founder and CEO of Five Channels; generating $30+ million in sales revenue for clients in 2018

9. Pay attention to your thoughts.

I found my calling by necessity. I was a small-business owner, and traditional advertising and marketing methods weren’t working anymore. I learned website development and SEO to grow my business and really enjoyed the work, so I started doing it full time.

Pay attention to your thoughts and actions. The subconscious mind is good at reliving important events and thoughts, but they’re easy to miss if you don’t pay attention. These thoughts will help guide you to your true calling. —Guy Sheetrit, CEO of Over The Top SEO, who provides customized SEO marketing solutions for e-commerce, local, and Fortune 500 companies

10. Allow your calling to find you.

I was practicing civil litigation when some friends got into trouble with the law. They insisted I handle their cases, even though criminal law was outside of my wheelhouse. It turns out that criminal defense is my passion, which I would’ve never known had I not fallen into it.

That said, there are unreasonable expectations to “live your passion,” which can lead to disappointment. Instead, look at your life as an amazing gift and a beautiful adventure. When you love your life, stay in gratitude, and do your best, great things show up on your path. Have faith in yourself and allow your calling to find you. —Nafisé Nina Hodjat, founder and managing attorney of The SLS Firm

Want to share your insights in a future article? Join The Oracles, a mastermind group of the world’s leading entrepreneurs who share their success strategies to help others grow their business and build a better life. Apply here.

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January
4, 2019

7 min read

This story originally appeared on Engadget

We’re not quite done dusting off the glitter from our New Year’s Day celebrations, but it’s time to turn our attention once again to that other big event in January: the Consumer Electronics Show (CES). Yes, the annual flurry of tech and gadgets returns to Las Vegas next week, and we’ll be right there in the middle of it all to check out what’s new. From smart homes to the biggest of big-screen TVs, here’s a brief sneak peek at what we expect from this year’s show.

Walking through the valley of the shadow of OLEDs.

Image credit: Richard Lawler/Engadget

Bigger, better screens

Maybe more than anything else, CES is a wonderland for people who obsess over screens. (It doesn’t hurt that intense industry rivalries lead to ever-flashier spectacles.) From big to small, we’re going to get a sense of what the displays of the future will look like. For the most part, though, expect to see screen technologies pioneered in the past to make their way into more mainstream products.

Consider 8K: Does anyone need an 8K television? Almost certainly not, especially when you consider the near-total lack of valuable 8K media out there. Still, that won’t stop the LGs, Sonys and Samsungs of the world from showing off huge, insanely pixel-dense screens at CES, along with some more-measured 8K models people might actually be able to buy. That’s right: 2019 is shaping up to be the year when you’ll actually be able to walk into a store and buy an ultra-high-res TV. Of course, whether you’d truly benefit from one in 2019 is another question entirely.

Samsung is also expected to release a consumer-ready MicroLED television based on the absolutely bonkers Wall display we saw last year, and we can’t imagine not seeing it at CES. For those not in the loop, MicroLED screens like Samsung’s pack all the same benefits (like punchy colors and pure blacks) as traditional OLED panels but have better longevity. The early model we got up close with last year wasn’t exactly perfect (a telltale checkerboard pattern was visible on the screen when we got right next to it), but this year we’ll find out if Samsung was right to dodge a more traditional design.

Oh, and let’s not forget that displays are getting more flexible too. Samsung wowed with its foldable-phone concept earlier this year, but a Chinese company called Royole plans to show off its own at CES. If you’re the type to buy into rumors, LG might even have a folding-phone announcement in store for the show, though we wouldn’t be surprised if the company saved it for another time. Regardless of what actually appears in Vegas, though, it’s clear this once-crazy idea isn’t so outlandish anymore. In fact, we wouldn’t be surprised if CES 2020 was full of bendy phones and laptops.

Image credit: Ingraham/Engadget

Virtual assistants everywhere

Amazon has a pretty big presence at this year’s CES, with multiple booths spread out across several convention halls. Seeing as Google made a big splash last year with its enormous exhibition space as well as creating its own line of Echo Show rivals, it’s no surprise that Amazon definitely wants to up its game. We expect to see Alexa integration not only in the usual connected displays and speakers but also in televisions, appliances and more. Amazon will even have its very own car-related exhibit to show off Alexa Auto, an accessory that’ll add the personal assistant to any compatible car. Expect Alexa to infiltrate every aspect of your lives.

Of course, Amazon isn’t the only company gunning to make its AI ubiquitous. Google made a splash with its massive outdoor booth last year — it had a slide, for heaven’s sake — and exhibitor maps confirm the search giant is planning something just as big for CES 2019. If we had to guess, we’d say Google will be pushing Assistant hard once more. There’s probably going to be a significant number of Assistant-powered devices on hand (last year we saw stuff from JBL and Lenovo), and we wouldn’t be surprised if the Assistant itself picks up a few new tricks come January. We don’t know exactly what Google plans to announce, but let’s be real: The company wouldn’t have made its booth even bigger this year if there weren’t something new to look forward to.

Image credit: IKEA

Smarter homes

Connected fridges and ovens have always been a big part of CES, and we don’t expect that to change this year. Some of that connectivity will probably bleed over into other aspects of the home, too, like the bathroom (smart toilets, anyone?). Plus, because not everyone is willing to cough up the big bucks for a new refrigerator, we might see smaller appliances like countertop ovens and crockpots get the connected treatment as well.

We’ll likely see increased integration of Google’s Assistant and Amazon’s Alexa in these appliances too. Be it smart doorbells or smart locks, the two assistants are sure to make their way into even more products than ever. With Amazon and Google already going head to head in the smart speaker and smart display categories, we definitely expect their rivalry to heat up at CES.

Image credit: Roberto Baldwin/Engadget

Intelligent, entertaining cars

When it comes to automobiles, the focus at CES is on tech-related topics like autonomous driving and the latest EV innovations. This year, US Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao is slated to be a keynote speaker at CES, and her talk will be on “the future of drones and self-driving technology.” Car companies like Ford and Bosch/Daimler are expected to show off their research in the mobility space, such as new driver AI systems and the latest LIDAR sensors. Aside from self-driving cars, we’ll also see autonomous tech on other kinds of vehicles like trucks and tractors.

As autonomous vehicles take off, car companies have been grappling with how the future of infotainment might look like when you no longer need to keep your eyes on the road. At CES, Audi will be showing off an all-new in-car entertainment system that includes a movie theater experience, theoretically so you can catch a flick on your dashboard while sitting in traffic. Of course, we’re likely years away from this being a reality, but that doesn’t stop us from wanting to see it in person.

Image credit: Getty Images via engadget

The year of 5G

CES hasn’t historically been a smartphone-heavy show; most big phone makers save their stuff for Mobile World Congress a few months later. That said, 2019 is going to be the first year people will actually be able to use next-generation 5G data networks, and we expect to hear a lot about what they’ll make possible. The usual suspects like Verizon and AT&T will be at the show, and their respective CEOs are slated to appear in keynote sessions that will dig into how 5G will impact entertainment, enterprises, cars, cities and more.

If this sounds familiar, well, fair enough: Mobile leaders have foretold of a new industrial revolution built atop 5G connections for years now, and it has gotten pretty hard to differentiate hype from honesty. With carriers around the world preparing to light up their first 5G networks, though, this will be one of our last chances to consider the industry’s lofty ambitions before reality starts to set in.

January
4, 2019

6 min read

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Editor’s note: Entrepreneur‘s Builders series interviews female leaders in different industries, offering insight into what successful women do to push through feeling stuck, frustrated and noncreative as they build incredible brands and businesses.

There’s no disputing that Bobbi Brown is a titan of beauty: Though best known for her eponymously named Bobbi Brown Cosmetics beauty line, which revolutionized the beauty industry by glamourizing natural tones in makeup, Brown didn’t stop there. In fact, she has created several entrepreneurial ventures, her latest being EVOLUTION_18, a lifestyle-inspired wellness brand.

Image credit: Courtesy of Bobbi Brown

Besides being a world-renowned makeup artist who built an empire on ten simple lipsticks she created, she’s a best-selling author, sought-after speaker and serial entrepreneur. She has written nine beauty and wellness books, and has launched her new line since leaving Bobbi Brown Cosmetics in October 2016.

Related: Beauty Entrepreneur Bobbi Brown Explains the ‘Secret Sauce’ to Building a Brand Loved By Everyone

We hope you’ll be as inspired as we were by her ability to embrace her fear and launch new offerings ranging from the wellness sector to the hospitality one. Here’s our Q&A:

What have you built? What inspired you to build it?

I built Bobbi Brown Cosmetics with a lipstick and the simple idea that makeup should look natural, and be easy to apply. I was inspired to create my own line, because of the lack of products that were available that didn’t need mixing or blending.

Were you born a builder or did you have to learn to be one?

I was born a builder. I had a store in my basement as a kid with two friends. We made things with the hopes to sell them, but quickly learned that there were no customers or foot traffic.

Who was the first woman you looked up to? Why did you want to be like her?

The first woman I ever looked up to was my Aunt Alice. She worked with her husband to run his business while raising three kids. They had car dealerships in Chicago, and she was in the office on the floor every day, while still managing to take care of her family. She’s one of the most down to earth, amazing people I’ve ever met. Also, [actress] Ali MacGraw changed my life when I saw her in the movie Love Story because she was the first woman I ever related to that was naturally beautiful and confidant.

What’s the greatest risk you’ve taken?

I am not afraid of risk, and I’ve taken many, from launching a company with one lipstick, to creating different types of products that I didn’t know were going to be popular. (At the time, 40 different shades of foundation was unheard of). Then, there was my biggest risk of all: leaving the brand I founded and starting new companies: EVOLUTION_18, The George Hotel, justBOBBI.com, 18 Label Studios and some others [as yet] unnamed.

When have you broken down, personally or professionally? How did you break through?

I have broken down in front of my husband, family and girlfriends. It is very cathartic because you get it out and then you just quickly realize, “I got this, I can do this.”

What makes you doubt yourself? How do you manage it?

Being an entrepreneur is really fascinating because some days I think I am unstoppable, and some days I think, “What am I doing?” I manage it by exercising, and sometimes drinking vodka!

How do you know when to leave someone or something?

It is not ever easy to make a change. Occasionally, it works to strategize and make a plan, but other times you have to jump in, and do it. Sometimes you don’t realize you were not happy until you look back.

When was your bravest moment? How do you practice being brave?

My bravest moment was dancing on stage with Flo Rida. He asked me on stage and without thinking I just went for it. Actually, leaving my brand took a lot of courage, and jumping into new projects right away was exciting, but also pretty scary.

Knowing what you know now, was it worth it?

There is nothing that I would change in my life, except I probably wouldn’t have given up running or lifting weights when I was really young. I’m a little inconsistent with my exercise.

What can you see yourself building next?

I am in the process of building a lifestyle company that includes a hotel, digital magazine and wellness products — all things to help people be better versions of themselves.

Biography

At a time when stark contours and shiny red lips were in fashion, Bobbi Brown designed cosmetics to highlight a woman’s natural look, and introduced Bobbi Brown Essentials, in 1991. This line of color cosmetics revolutionized the industry. The original brown-based lipstick shades offered a simple, edited way for all women to embrace and highlight their lips. Other groundbreaking products soon followed. Brown’s philosophy is straightforward: “Women want to look and feel like themselves, only prettier and more confident,” she says.

In 1995, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics was acquired by The Estée Lauder Companies. Brown stayed on to serve as chief creative officer, building a billion-dollar brand.

But, unwilling to rest on her laurels, Bobbi has returned to her roots as an entrepreneur. Her latest endeavor is EVOLUTION_18, a line of lifestyle-inspired wellness products that launched in spring 2018. JustBobbi.com, is a lifestyle platform where Brown shares many of her life inspirations. In addition, with her husband, Steven Plofker, Brown recently opened The George, a 32-room boutique hotel, in Montclair, N.J.

Her gift for translating trends into real-life applications has made her a sought-after expert on television and a subject for profiles in magazines and newspapers. She is also the beauty and lifestyle editor of Elvis Duran and the Morning Show, and author of nine books, several of them New York Times bestsellers. She continues to work editorially, writing columns for the websites Charlotte’s Book and PureWow and the TV program Naturally, Danny Seo.

Related: Health and Beauty Mogul Bobbi Brown Shares The Biggest Time Sucker — and What You Can Do About It

A graduate of Emerson College, Brown has received the Glamour Woman of the Year Award, The Fashion Group International Night of Stars Beauty Award and the Jackie Robinson Foundation’s ROBIE Humanitarian Award, to name a few. She was appointed by President Obama to the Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiation, and has been inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame. She also holds honorary doctorates from Montclair State University, the Fashion Institute of Technology, Monmouth University and Emerson College.