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An interview with beauty influencer Meeta Vengapally, founder and CEO of Garnysh

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First of all, how is business these days?

I’m happy to share that we’ve just successfully completed proof of concept in a crowded market. There are products in the fitness and nutrition space that track data related to exercise, food, and health. Unfortunately, for a lot of athletes these numbers don’t add up to improved performance. This is why we created Garnysh technology. Our algorithm uses machine learning and a mapping process that allows users to set fitness and nutrition goals, track them in real time, and chart their progress toward those goals.

Athletes can track their food intake in terms of macros (calories, protein, carbs, and fats). We then take the extra step of offering a selection of coordinated, unique meal plans on the Garnysh platform, prepped and delivered by local suppliers. Local interest in our product is rapidly growing, as is our database of chefs, so I guess you could say that things are generally going really well.

What led you to start your own business?

While I was in grad school, I gave birth to two children. Afterwards, I struggled to get back in shape and lose the extra weight I’d gained, without using fad diets or weight-loss gimmicks. Then I discovered CrossFit and everything changed. I committed myself to it wholeheartedly, and while I was able to meet my fitness goals, it required an intense effort to track everything on pen and paper. The idea for Garnysh was born out of my sheer frustration and disappointment with the available tools.

What sources did you use for startup capital?

I started the company with personal funds. Fortunately, we were able to gain initial traction pretty quickly and establish a positive cash flow, which we immediately reinvested in the company.

What do you think is your greatest business strength?

My greatest business strength is refusing to take no for an answer. This is followed closely by doing whatever it takes to reach my goals (probably as a result of my CrossFit training).

What do you enjoy most about owning your own business?

Owning my own business is like doing a series of tough CrossFit workouts. Each stage is like a brand new workout where I’m not quite sure what I’m in for when I start, and while I’m in it, I feel like I might even die, but in the end, I know that I’ll survive it. I love tackling the challenge of defining our strategy and building the tools we need to achieve our goals. It’s probably this creative side of problem solving that I enjoy the most.

What’s your least favorite part of running a business?

The worst part of running a business is not being able to shut my mind off. No matter what I do, my gears are turning, 24/7. Not only that, I always have to stay connected and be online. Getting my husband and my kids to be OK with the fact that this is my normal can be quite challenging at times.

What do you think are important entrepreneurial skills to have?

If you’re going to make it as an entrepreneur, you have to be tough and resilient. I’m no stranger to this—don’t forget, I had two kids while I was in grad school, and I didn’t let that deter me from my goal of getting my degree. Obstacles are going to come up. Bad things will happen. It’s just a natural part of life. You have to keep positive and focus on finding a solution to every problem that comes up. No matter how boxed in you feel, there’s always a move you can make.

And I guess that brings me to the other important skill, which is creative problem solving. You might think there’s only one solution to a problem, but, in fact, there are always multiple possible moves. You have to be willing to take risks and try new things, especially when it would be more comfortable to choose a safe route. You might fail, but you might also be wildly successful. The thing is, you’ll never know unless you try.

What are some challenges you’ve faced in business and how did you overcome them?

I’ve had men come on to me, when I thought we were engaged in good faith business negotiations. That’s been disappointing, and thank goodness I was never in any serious danger. But I didn’t let those situations deter me from finding male mentors and advisors who had my best interests at heart. In fact, I learned that while there are some people out there who are only interested in what they can get from me, there are plenty who are prepared to offer true support. I suppose I’ve become better at sorting out the right people to bring into my circle from the ones who have no place there.

What do you wish you’d known before you started out?

Well, of course it would have been great to have a crystal ball and be able to predict and prevent all of my future problems. But, seriously, it would have been good to know beforehand that there would be naysayers, doubters, and people who generally do not believe in my vision. And that things would still be OK. As an entrepreneur, you go through this period in which you’re looking to a lot of other people for advice and support. Because honestly, having a startup is like having a baby. I have to tend to it all hours of the day and night; I can’t leave it unattended or unsupervised. The good thing is that I’ve learned how to trust my judgment and bring in quality people to help me co-parent. It’s been a steep learning curve, but now that I’m where I am, I feel very accomplished.

What is the smartest move you have made with your business so far?

The smartest move I’ve made so far has been to figure out what people will be helpful for the growth and success of my business and what people are mere time wasters. As a woman business leader in the male-dominated fitness industry, it’s been particularly sweet to feel like my hustle is paying off. The work never ends, and I don’t feel like I can ever let down my guard, but it feels great to know that I have what it takes to close a deal. Having that skill in this environment has felt like my superpower.

What inspires the way you conduct business?

I have to say, the two things that have inspired me the most are getting my masters in psychology and having two kids. My psychological training primed my fundamental understanding of the human mind and human behavior, while having kids has helped me master the skills of negotiation and closing deals (I kid you not, children are sharks when it comes to hard bargaining). As a result, I view business as an opportunity for relationship building, connecting both with my team and our customers beyond the basic level to something more substantial and meaningful.

How do you find new customers? What do you do to make sure they become return customers?

We started sourcing customers by partnering with local gyms. This quickly turned into referrals, which we used to develop deeper connections. The circle of the fitness community is pretty cohesive—I know this by having been a part of it from the inside. Having an intimate understanding of the needs of people who train has been a great resource when it comes to building a strong community. Being able to respond to feedback to give people what they need has been an important factor in building loyalty. The rest flows from there.

What’s your management style with employees?

I like to hire people who possess skills and abilities that I don’t have, and then nourish and support their efforts to feed back into the overall success of our project. I like to see everyone succeed, so I do my best to facilitate their accomplishments rather than micromanage them. What fun is that, anyway? It’s so much better when everyone feels the satisfaction of doing good work, knowing that they’ve earned it through their own efforts. I like to make that possible.

What are some other companies or entrepreneurs you admire, and why?

I really admire Mark Cuban. He’s a self-made man who’s become super successful, and he’s been a great mentor to plenty of other up-and-coming business leaders. I appreciate his straight-up style, and the fact that he’s been through the entire business journey from the ground level on up. He’s a pretty wise man.

I also admire Katie Rodan and Kathy Fields, founders of the San Francisco-based women’s skin care company Rodan + Fields. While their multi-level marketing model isn’t unique, the fact that the company is owned and run by women, and has built a mostly female salesforce, is quite impressive. Their products are high quality, and they have been hugely successful, having launched in Canada in 2015 and in Australia in 2017. I love to see women at the helm of successful businesses!

What new initiatives are you working on?

On the product side, we are fine-tuning our soon-to-launch app that has been under beta testing. It will allow users to track their fitness and nutrition goals and behaviors in real time. On the business side, in addition to our problem-solving capabilities, we are focusing on building a community that will create more opportunities for fitness experts.

What advice would you give to someone hoping to start a business similar to yours?

When you launch your business, get your product out into the marketplace as quickly as you can. You don’t have to spend a ton of money to get started. In fact, small steps early on will help you learn quickly.

Feedback is a gift. Always be interested in critical feedback, as that’s what will actually shape your product and your business.

You will encounter failures, criticism, and many distractions, but if you want to be successful, you have to be resilient, persistent, and focused on your long-term goals. It’s your vision—nobody can take it away from you unless you let them!

Hannah Barwell is the most renowned for his short stories. She writes stories as well as news related to the technology. She wrote number of books in her five years career. And out of those books she sold around 25 books. She has more experience in online marketing and news writing. Recently she is onboard with Apsters Media as a freelance writer.

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Artificial Intelligence’s Function in Changing Worker Engagement in the Digital Age

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The emergence of the digital age has brought about a transformation in business operations and employee engagement as a result of the pervasive usage of technology in all facets of business. Businesses in the modern knowledge economy understand that employee engagement is essential to their success because it has a direct impact on customer satisfaction, productivity, and innovation. In this context, organizations are redefining employee engagement thanks to the advent of artificial intelligence (AI), which is also enabling creative methods of cooperation, communication, and productivity.

AI is redefining employee engagement, which means that workers will have greater power in the future. Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to significantly boost productivity and overall business performance through improving communication, offering personalized experiences, delivering predictive insights, augmenting learning and development, and fostering employee well-being. Organizations that successfully use AI to engage their will have a distinct competitive advantage in the future in the increasingly digital business environment.

Artificial Intelligence is being used in many offices as a revolutionary tool that is changing the way workers interact, communicate, and work together.

AI has the potential to transform employee engagement in the following specific areas by fostering a learning and development (L&D) culture:

Customizing the Work Experience for Employees: Artificial Intelligence helps to create a more individualized work environment by interpreting work habits, preferences, and feedback. Furthermore, organizations can raise employee satisfaction and engagement levels by tailoring benefits, development, and communication plans to the needs of their workforce.

Increasing Communication: It’s common knowledge that AI-powered chatbots provide real-time assistance, respond to inquiries, and give staff members 24/7 self-service options. AI may also analyze communication patterns to identify problem areas and recommend appropriate solutions to get rid of possible obstacles to employee productivity. It is also possible to automate regular HR tasks like payroll processing, benefit administration, and appointment scheduling. By doing this, HR specialists are able to devote more of their bandwidth to important tasks like employee engagement.

Enhancing L&D: Powered by AI, personalised training content can help transform the learning process, helping match employees’ skills, interests and professional goals more efficiently. Besides augmenting the learning experience, it empowers employees to take complete charge of their career growth.

Promoting Predictive Analytics: By discovering certain trends and patterns in employee behaviour, AI ensures organisations can proactively address issues that could impact engagement. For instance, AI could predict employees who are likely to leave the organisation, providing an opportunity for timely intervention to improve retention. What’s more, as per their skills, past performance and interests, AI could even recommend alternative career paths.

Providing Improved worker well-being: Artificial intelligence (AI) can evaluate worker well-being by examining data related to workload, stress, and work-life balance. Implementing programs that support a healthy workplace culture and provide individualised choices may also increase employee engagement levels. Research indicates that almost 70% of workers feel more at ease conversing with artificial intelligence than with people. Furthermore, AI can assist staff members in overcoming persistent obstacles by anticipating cases of burnout.

Fostering an Inclusive work Environment: AI will eventually be in a position to eliminate unconscious biases in decision-making. Employee productivity will increase and workplace happiness will increase as a result. Offices can become more efficient and raise employee satisfaction levels by encouraging a diverse and inclusive work environment.

In summary,

Artificial Intelligence has a lot of potential to redefine employee engagement. Organizations must, however, be mindful of a number of issues, including data privacy and ethics, as AI continues to advance and find new applications. Businesses using AI-powered tools must ensure sufficient transparency when using employee data and respect individuals’ privacy.

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Rico Suarez’s Journey: From Gig Worker to CEO Transforming the Moving Industry with Muvr

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Introduction

In today’s dynamic gig economy, the story of Rico Suarez stands out as a beacon of innovation, determination, and transformative leadership. From humble beginnings as a gig worker in the moving industry, Rico’s journey to founding Muvr and becoming its CEO encapsulates the essence of entrepreneurial spirit. This detailed exploration uncovers how Rico’s firsthand experiences shaped a tech company revolutionizing the gig economy and moving services.

The Genesis of an Idea

Rico’s foray into the moving industry began in the bustling streets of Los Angeles, where he quickly identified the sector’s systemic inefficiencies. The challenges were manifold: unpredictable work hours, lack of transparency in job assignments and earnings, and the physical toll of moving tasks. Yet, it was within these challenges that Rico saw the potential for radical innovation.

Early Struggles and Epiphanies

Working various gigs, Rico encountered the common pitfalls of the gig economy—irregular income, minimal job security, and no clear path for growth. These experiences, however, didn’t dishearten him; they ignited a resolve to create a better system not only for himself but for others in similar situations.

Engage with Rico’s journey on Instagram and LinkedIn.

Laying the Foundation for Muvr

The concept for Muvr was born from Rico’s vision to streamline the moving process with technology, thereby enhancing efficiency, transparency, and worker satisfaction. This vision was ambitious: a platform that could offer reliable moving services to customers while providing gig workers with stable work opportunities, fair compensation, and respect for their labor.

From Concept to Reality

The road from concept to reality was fraught with hurdles. Building a tech platform required resources, technical expertise, and industry partnerships that Rico initially didn’t have. Determined, he immersed himself in learning about technology, business management, and the intricacies of the moving industry.

The foundational principles of Muvr were simple yet revolutionary:

  • Empowerment: Giving gig workers control over their schedules and earnings.
  • Transparency: Clear pricing and policies for customers and movers alike.
  • Efficiency: Leveraging technology to optimize moving processes.

Growing Pains and Milestones

As Muvr transitioned from startup to tech innovator in the moving industry, Rico faced numerous challenges. Each obstacle, from securing initial funding to scaling operations across Los Angeles and beyond, provided valuable lessons in resilience and adaptability.

Building a Team and Community

Key to Muvr’s growth was assembling a team that shared Rico’s vision. By fostering a culture of innovation, inclusivity, and continuous learning, Muvr quickly became more than a company—it became a community. This sense of belonging and shared purpose has been instrumental in navigating the complexities of the gig economy and moving industry.

Discover the Muvr story and Rico’s vision.

Innovations and Impact

Under Rico’s leadership, Muvr introduced several industry-first innovations, from an app that matched customers with movers in real-time to initiatives aimed at improving gig workers’ well-being. Each innovation reinforced Muvr’s commitment to changing the moving experience for everyone involved.

A New Paradigm in Moving

Muvr’s impact extends beyond logistical improvements; it has fundamentally altered how customers view moving services and how workers perceive their roles within the gig economy. Through Muvr, moving has become not just a service but an experience characterized by dignity, respect, and mutual trust.

Rico Suarez Today: Visionary and Leader

Today, Rico Suarez is celebrated not just as a successful CEO but as a visionary who continues to inspire with his commitment to innovation, community, and the future of work. His journey from gig worker to industry leader with Muvr serves as a powerful narrative of what’s possible when passion meets purpose.

The Road Ahead

The future looks bright for Rico and Muvr, with plans for expansion, new services, and continued advocacy for gig workers. As the moving industry evolves, Rico’s journey remains a guiding light, showcasing the transformative power of empathy, innovation, and unwavering determination.

Stay connected with Rico and follow his endeavors on Instagram and LinkedIn.

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Delta Unveils NVIDIA Omniverse Digital Twin and Efficient AI Server Solutions at GTC

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At the NVIDIA GPU Technology Conference (GTC), Delta, a provider of Internet of Things (IoT)-based smart green solutions, showcased its cutting-edge digital twin platform, which was created on NVIDIA Omniverse with the goal of improving its smart manufacturing capabilities. Exhibited also was Delta’s ORV3 artificial intelligence (AI) server infrastructure solution, which boasts 97.5% efficient power supplies and an extensive range of state-of-the-art DC/DC converters, power chokes, and 3D vapor chambers to facilitate GPU operations.

“We are honored to be the only provider of power and thermal management solutions at NVIDIA GTC 2024,” stated Mark Ko, vice chairman of Delta. “We showcased the NVIDIA Omniverse-powered digital twin we have developed, which underscores our superior expertise in next-generation electronics manufacturing. Using the newest technologies, we are eager to contribute to pushing the envelope on energy efficiency in the field of artificial intelligence.”

Digital twins and synthetic data, which can increase productivity and efficiency before actual production begins, are hallmarks of the new era of AI-powered manufacturing, according to Rev Lebaredian, vice president of NVIDIA’s Omniverse and simulation technologies. Delta is able to virtually connect individual production lines and compile data from a variety of devices and systems in order to construct a digital twin of its business processes by building its digital platform on NVIDIA Omniverse. It can also create artificial data using NVIDIA Isaac Sim to train its computer models to 90% accuracy.

Delta utilizes NVIDIA’s state-of-the-art technologies to assist in enabling GPU ecosystems’ energy efficiency. At NVIDIA GTC, Delta is showcasing an integrated Open Rack Version 3 (ORV3) solution for AI server infrastructure with server power supplies that have an energy efficiency as high as 97.5%. This is in addition to the NVIDIA Omniverse-based digital twin, which the company applies to specific production lines. SD-WAN, ORV3 18 kW/33 kW HPR power shelves, battery backup unit, mini UPS, and a liquid cooling system are additional components of the solution. Common redundant power supply units with 54 V DC output are also included. Included in the showcase was a broad range of GPU ecosystem-supporting DC/DC converters, power chokes, and 3D vapor chambers.

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