Category Archives: Financial Independence

TORONTO, Oct. 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited (Fairfax) (TSX: FFH and FFH.U) today announced that all regulatory approvals required to complete the previously announced transaction in which Independence Pet Group and certain of its affiliates, which are majority owned by JAB Holding Company, will acquire all of Fairfaxs interests in the Crum & Forster Pet Insurance Group and Pethealth Inc., including all of their worldwide operations, have been received. The transaction is now scheduled to close on October 31, 2022.

About Fairfax

Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited is a holding company which, through its subsidiaries, is primarily engaged in property and casualty insurance and reinsurance and the associated investment management.

About Crum & Forster Pet

For over 20 years, Crum & Forster Pet Insurance Group has been committed to helping people get access to reliable and affordable pet insurance plans. From routine exams to unexpected illnesses, our plans are available to pet parents of cats and dogs. Plans are customizable based on individual needs, including coverage levels, policy limits, and deductibles. We pride ourselves on pioneering new advancements in the industry. Crum & Forster Pet Insurance Group is founding member of the North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA). Pethealth Inc. offers pet services through two brands 24Pet and VioVet. 24Pet are the experts in lost pet solutions, pet adoptions, animal welfare and shelter support. A family of platforms, services, products, and people, obsessed with pets. From connecting them with loving families, to protecting and helping keep them happy, healthy, and home. VioVet is a UK registered veterinary online pet retailer that offers a variety of pet and horse supplies, including prescription and non-prescription medications, supplements, food, toys and more.

About Independence Pet Group

Independence Pet Group is an integrated, full-stack pet insurance platform indirectly majority owned by JAB Holding Company. It offers a comprehensive range of underwriting options, turnkey partner solutions, and consumer-facing insurance products through its wholly own subsidiary, Independence American Insurance Company, a leading provider of underwriting services to the pet insurance sector with licenses in all 50 states. It also is a majority shareholder in Pet Partners, Inc., which distributes and administers through world-class pet insurance brands AKC Pet Insurance and its worksite brand, PetPartners. PetPartners in turn owns Figo, a leading direct-to-consumer brand which utilizes a highly engaging and mobile friendly Pet Cloud that allows consumers to manage their pet's healthcare, socially engage with fellow pet parents, and easily discover and locate services within the pet ecosystem, and Third Party Pet, providing business services to breeders, pet retailers and their customers ranging from live pet inventory management software, scheduling and facilitating adoptions, micro-chip and registration services and customized pet products.

Media Contacts

Crum & Forster Pet: Hallie Harenski, Head of Corporate Communications at mediainquiries@cfins.com

Fairfax: John Varnell, Vice President, Corporate Development at (416) 367-4941

Independence Pet Group: Amanda Trcka, Marketing Communications and PR Manager at (203) 231-9975 or atrcka@petpartners.com and Tom Johnson or Jake Yanulis, Abernathy MacGregor, at tbj@abmac.com or jjy@abmac.com

Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements contained herein may constitute forward-looking statements and are made pursuant to the safe harbour provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. Particularly, statements about the transaction described above and the terms thereof (including relating to the terms, conditions and the timing for closing of the proposed transaction described above) are forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Fairfax to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: failure to complete the transaction described above which is subject to customary conditions; reduction in net earnings if our loss reserves are insufficient; underwriting losses on the risks we insure that are higher or lower than expected; the occurrence of catastrophic events with a frequency or severity exceeding our estimates; changes in market variables, including interest rates, foreign exchange rates, equity prices and credit spreads, which could negatively affect our investment portfolio; risks associated with the global pandemic caused by a novel strain of coronavirus (COVID-19), and the related global reduction in commerce and substantial downturns in stock markets worldwide; the cycles of the insurance market and general economic conditions, which can substantially influence our and our competitors premium rates and capacity to write new business; insufficient reserves for asbestos, environmental and other latent claims; exposure to credit risk in the event our reinsurers fail to make payments to us under our reinsurance arrangements; exposure to credit risk in the event our insureds, insurance producers or reinsurance intermediaries fail to remit premiums that are owed to us or failure by our insureds to reimburse us for deductibles that are paid by us on their behalf; our inability to maintain our long term debt ratings, the inability of our subsidiaries to maintain financial or claims paying ability ratings and the impact of a downgrade of such ratings on derivative transactions that we or our subsidiaries have entered into; risks associated with implementing our business strategies; the timing of claims payments being sooner or the receipt of reinsurance recoverables being later than anticipated by us; risks associated with any use we may make of derivative instruments; the failure of any hedging methods we may employ to achieve their desired risk management objective; a decrease in the level of demand for insurance or reinsurance products, or increased competition in the insurance industry; the impact of emerging claim and coverage issues or the failure of any of the loss limitation methods we employ; our inability to access cash of our subsidiaries; our inability to obtain required levels of capital on favourable terms, if at all; the loss of key employees; our inability to obtain reinsurance coverage in sufficient amounts, at reasonable prices or on terms that adequately protect us; the passage of legislation subjecting our businesses to additional adverse requirements, supervision or regulation, including additional tax regulation, in the United States, Canada or other jurisdictions in which we operate; risks associated with government investigations of, and litigation and negative publicity related to, insurance industry practice or any other conduct; risks associated with political and other developments in foreign jurisdictions in which we operate; risks associated with legal or regulatory proceedings or significant litigation; failures or security breaches of our computer and data processing systems; the influence exercisable by our significant shareholder; adverse fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; our dependence on independent brokers over whom we exercise little control; impairment of the carrying value of our goodwill, indefinite-lived intangible assets or investments in associates; our failure to realize deferred income tax assets; technological or other change which adversely impacts demand, or the premiums payable, for the insurance coverages we offer; disruptions of our information technology systems; assessments and shared market mechanisms which may adversely affect our insurance subsidiaries; adverse consequences to our business, our investments and our personnel resulting from or related to the COVID-19 pandemic; and the failure to complete or realize the anticipated benefits of the transaction described above. Additional risks and uncertainties are described in Fairfaxs most recently issued Annual Report which is available at http://www.fairfax.ca and in Fairfaxs Base Shelf Prospectus (under Risk Factors) filed with the securities regulatory authorities in Canada, which is available on SEDAR at http://www.sedar.com. Fairfax disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities law.

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Fairfax Financial and Independence Pet Group Receive All Regulatory Approvals To Complete Sale of Global Pet Insurance Operations - GlobeNewswire

LAS VEGAS, Oct. 18, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CleanSpark Inc. ( CLSK) (CleanSpark), Americas Bitcoin Miner, today announced it will host investors and analysts at two of its bitcoin mining campuses in Atlanta, Georgia, beginning 9:30 a.m. ET on November 3.

CleanSparks executive leadership team will present on the companys significant growth opportunities, financial objectives, and corporate strategy surrounding low-carbon bitcoin mining, followed by a Q&A session with management.

In-person attendees have the chance to take pictures and videos, see the inner workings of an American bitcoin mining facility up close, and interact with CleanSparks senior leadership team. For more information regarding the November 3 investor and analyst day, please contact the investor team at [emailprotected].

There will be an open house at CleanSparks Norcross campus on November 2 for local dignitaries and media beginning at 9:30 a.m. ET. Interested parties can email [emailprotected].

About CleanSpark

CleanSpark ( CLSK) is Americas Bitcoin Miner. Since 2014, weve helped people achieve energy independence for their homes and businesses. In 2020, we began applying that expertise to develop sustainable infrastructure for Bitcoin, an essential tool for financial independence and inclusion. We strive to leave the planet better than we found it by sourcing and investing in low-carbon energy like wind, solar, nuclear, and hydro. We cultivate trust and transparency among our employees, the communities we operate in, and the people around the world who depend on Bitcoin. CleanSpark is a Forbes 2022 America's Best Small Company and holds the 44th spot on the Financial Times' List of the 500 Fastest Growing Companies in the Americas. For more information about CleanSpark, please visit our website at http://www.cleanspark.com.

Investor Relations Contact

Matt Schultz, Executive Chairman[emailprotected]

Media Contacts

Isaac Holyoak [emailprotected]

BlocksBridge Consulting [emailprotected]

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Sustainable Bitcoin Miner CleanSpark Welcomes Investors and Analysts to its Mining Campuses in Atlanta - GuruFocus.com

HILTON HEAD, S.C. (WSAV) Hilton Head Islands Deep Well Project is launching a unique family financial stability initiative.

The initiative is called Circles and centers around the idea of building intentional friendships across income lines. The nonprofit has reached dozens of communities across the country pairing low-income families with middle- and upper-income volunteers. The nonprofit says that the relationships that form help those struggling for stability to achieve financial independence.

Relationships across income lines, otherwise known as circles of support, meet every week for a minimum of 18 months as volunteers learn about the culture, challenges, and trauma of poverty. In return, low-income families have a chance to learn how to navigate the middle class.

According to the Deep Well Project, the program is backed up by results. About half of those who start the program end up staying with it and achieve on average a 71% increase in income at the 18-month mark. On average, Circle families achieve an average of a 121% increase in income after three years.

The Circles program is a perfect complement for the stabilization programs that Deep Well has been offering for the last 50 years, says Deep Well executive director Sandy Gillis. After we help a family with an immediate basic needs service, we have been looking for a program to then work with the family longer term to keep them on track and we think Circles is the solution. Because Circles needs a lot of volunteers, and Deep Well is a volunteer-driven nonprofit, the combination is a great fit.

Circles USA, a national nonprofit based in Albuquerque, N.M., began developing the program 20 years ago but officially launched it under the Circles name in 2008. Since then, Circles has helped thousands of families in dozens of states.

The Deep Well Project is currently interviewing potential participants and volunteers for the Circles program.

There will be an informational Open House session for the general public held Tuesday, October 18, 6-7 p.m. at The Childrens Center, 8 Natures Way near Jarvis Creek Park on Hilton Head Island.

For more information about Circles Hilton Head Island, please email Circles@deepwellproject.org, or visit http://www.deepwellproject.org/circles-hhi.

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Deep Well Project to host open house for new financial stability initiative - WSAV-TV

Farm Didi is a for-profit social enterprise started by Manjari Sharma in Bihar to empower rural women and provide them with financial independence.

Years back, Manjari Sharma spent 15 days in the remote villages of Bihar as part of volunteer work. It was then that she witnessed the skills of the women there. Apart from managing all the household chores, they found time to start a small-scale food business of pickles, papads, chutneys and more.

Manjari, an IIM graduate and a corporate employee, decided to quit her job and help these women scale up their businesses and provide financial independence to them. She started a for-profit social enterprise called Farm Didi to empower rural women.

Manjaris role here was to make them aware of the food safety components and business aspects. She helps them to market the products all over the world and spread the word about preservative-free locally made food items.

Farm Didi has so far helped 1,080 women from 40 villages and plans to reach a million of them. Around 100 self-help groups of women are already part of this initiative and the women earn a decent income.

To increase income for marginal farmers, we need to bring them together. We also need to increase their role in food processing. Right now the farmers are mostly producers, but if food processing starts happening in villages, farmers will get a higher share of income, said the social entrepreneur to LEF Journal.

Edited by Yoshita Rao

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IIM Grad Quits Job to Help Over 1000 Women in Bihar Scale Their Small Businesses - The Better India

Prince Harry's upcoming memoir promises to be "quite revealing" if it ever hits shelves because his publishers won't want a "resurgence of old news" they've already read in the tabloids, a prominent British author recently told Newsweek.

Lord Jeffrey Archer, the bestselling novelist and long-standing member of the Conservative party, has expressed his belief that the prince's book stands a "50/50" chance of being "scrapped" as reports of tensions with the royal family over the project circulate.

Harry announced his autobiographical project with Random House publishers in July 2021. In a statement at the time, he said: "I'm writing this not as the prince I was born but as the man I have become...I'm deeply grateful for the opportunity to share what I've learned over the course of my life so far and excited for people to read a firsthand account of my life that's accurate and wholly truthful."

It is reported that author J.R. Moehringer will help the prince shape the narrative of his book as a ghostwriter, though this has not been confirmed by the publisher.

The sum paid to Harry as part of his agreement with Penguin Random House has not been released, however, a number of news outlets speculate it could be a figure as high as $40 million.

So far, no further information on the project has been issued despite an initial "late 2022" publication date.

"I'll tell you the problem," Archer told Newsweek. "The press keeps reporting that the advance is $40 million. Now, if that is the case, normal payment would beand I'm only speaking from experienceone-third in advance, one-third on publication of the hardback and one-third on publication of the paperback. That's the norm. So he may well have already received $13 million, a huge amount of money, particularly as I suspect he has already spent it."

"If I was the publisher," he continued, "and it's a very, very respectable publisher, they do not want a resurgence of old news they've read in the Daily Mail. They will be expecting something a bit special for their millions and who can blame them?"

A number of recent reports state that members of the royal family are bracing themselves for the revelations made in the book, as the prince's life story is bound to include details about his upbringing and family relationships.

Author and former editor of Vanity Fair, Tina Brown, said in a recent interview with the Daily Beast that Harry's stepmother Queen Camilla could be a particular target, for the unhappiness experienced by Princess Diana during her marriage to the now King Charles.

"The rehabilitation of Camilla's image has been utterly successful," Brown said, "but she lives in dread of Harry's book. In some ways, Diana's ghost still rattles at the gate."

Since stepping down as a working royal in 2020 and moving to the U.S. with his wife Meghan Markle to seek financial independence, the Sussexes have both spoken of the difficulties they experienced within the framework of the monarchy and with royal family members themselves.

Apart from the couple's landmark tell-all March 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey in which they revealed the family tensions behind their transatlantic move and allegations of racism against an unknown member of the royal family, both Harry and Meghan have given exclusives to a number of other outlets including New York Magazine, People, Variety and Time.

Archer reflects that there's not much left for the couple to say. "What's left is the relationship between Harry and William, and Harry and his father, the king," he told Newsweek.

"Harry does speak so often and so does she, what is there left to say? Reports state that the author [Moehringer], a Pulitzer prize winner, is famous for digging very deep. So, I suspect, if we ever see [the book], it will be quite revealing. Although it will only be his version, his end of the story, which will be clearly strongly influenced by the duchess," Archer said.

Harry is not the first member of the royal family to write a memoir. In 1996 Sarah, Duchess of York wrote My Story following her divorce from Prince Andrew. Another royal divorcee was also approached a number of times to write her life story, Harry's mother Princess Diana.

Archer, a close friend of the princess', recalled how she turned down the offers as they were presented to her.

"I can assure you," he said, "several [offers to write her memoirs were made to her] and she rejected every one."

On why this may have been the case, the author reflected that times have changed since her untimely death in a Paris car crash at the age of 36 in 1997.

"It was a different age, 25 years ago. We're living in a different age," he added, highlighting that in one way Diana made just as controversial of a move as Harry writing his memoir by agreeing to take part in the polarizing 1995 BBC Panorama interview.

"But of course, she made the mistake of doing that dreadful interview," he said. "Which was in its way almost as bad."

Discussing speculative reports that Harry may choose to withdraw his book from publication following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, Archer believes that anything could happen.

"I think it's 50/50," he said. "I think it could be scrapped, I think it could appear. It's the money that's the problem. If he's accepted the $13 millionand we don't know that he's accepted a pennybut if he's accepted part of the advance, it will have to be repaid."

In his professional opinion as one of Britain's most prolific authors, Archer said he expects the memoir, if published, to be "well written but it will be treated as scurrilous.

"We're not suggesting this is a serious biography," he ended. "The word 'revenge' will appear again and again in journalists' copy."

Newsweek reached out to representatives of Prince Harry for comment.

Do you have a question about King Charles III, William and Kate, Meghan and Harry or their family that you would like our experienced royal correspondents to answer? Email royals@newsweek.com. We'd love to hear from you.

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Harry's Memoir Will Be 'Quite Revealing' 'If We Ever See It'Jeffrey Archer - Newsweek

Republican Harold Weilbrenner and Democrat Janice Weiner are running for the open Iowa Senate seat covering Iowa City and University Heights in District 45.

Weilbrenner is a first-time candidate, U.S. Army veteran and retiree from Iowa City. He was nominated to run for this seat by a convention of Republicans after no candidate ran in the party's primary in June.

Weiner is a former U.S. diplomat from Iowa City and an City Councilor who has served for nearly four years since being elected in 2019. She won a contested primary against Democrat John Raley in June with 86% of the vote.

Senate District 45 is a seat being vacated by longtime state Sen. Joe Bolkcom after he announced his retirement last year.

To help voters, the Press-Citizen sent questions to all Iowa City area legislative candidates. Their answers appear in alphabetical order by last name and have been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Weilbrenner participated in two voter forums alongside Weiner but he missed a third with the League of Women Voters. A recording of the Johnson County Interfaith Coalition candidate forum can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVdbrvFo1pA.

Early voting for the Nov. 8 election starts Oct. 19. More information about how to register to vote, what's on the ballot and where to vote can be found athttps://www.johnsoncountyiowa.gov/auditor/elections.

More:Johnson County voting guide 2022: What's on the ballot, how to register and how to vote early

Age:73

Party:Republican

Where did you grow up?Ottumwa

Current town of residence:Iowa City

Education:Bachelor of arts in history from Central College, Pella

Occupation:Retired from Iowa Workforce Development after 31 years, with the last 25years helping veterans find jobs.

Political experience and civic activities: Served six years on the Iowa City Human Rights Commission.

Age:64

Party:Democrat

Where did you grow up?Coralville

Current town of residence:Iowa City

Education:West High School grad; Princeton University 1980 AB; Stanford Law School 1984 JD

Occupation:Retired U.S. Foreign Service Officer

Political experience and civic activities: Field organizer 2016; ran in state Senate primary in 2018 (lost); First vice chair Johnson County Democrats, 2018-January 2022; City Council at large, elected November 2019; president, board of Congregation Agudas Achim; work free lunch with the JC Dems; previously on the board of Shelter House and JCUNA, plus ICFRC program committee; sang with Hospice Singers; play in Community Band.

Weilbrenner: Despite the intentions of those promoting the Green New Deal, the policy is built on the backs of children working in cobalt mines. This needs to stop! I shall sponsor legislation in the Iowa Senate to ban the sale of electric vehicles in Iowa until this issue is resolved.

Weiner: Protecting our fundamental rights: abortion and reproductive rights; voting rights; and the right to an excellent public education. We must shine a light on these rights across the state. I'm learning from UIHC doctors about the serious ramifications of a possible abortion ban for Carver Med School and UI, plus the ability to draw doctors to this state. If elected, that will form the core of conversations with lawmakers. Iowa suffers from a brain drain and worker shortage; young people are leaving the state. By protecting these rights, we can reverse that trend and ensure our future.

Weilbrenner: We need to fight inflation by eliminating redundant and unnecessary state regulations.

Weiner: Inflation is real and people are hurting, especially those in low-wage jobs. We must raise the minimum wage no one can live on $7.25/hour and increase SNAP benefits. We also need to change the tax system. Iowas income tax has long skewed toward the wealthy, and the new flat tax exacerbates that, while reducing state revenues available for schools and other essential programs. We should revert to a progressive system, raise the Earned Income Tax Credit, create a child tax credit similar to the federal one, and fund the states low-income renters and homeowners property tax credit.

Weilbrenner: I am anti-abortion with the exception of rape, incest, and in defense of the mothers life.

Weiner: We should codify Roe. I believe in choice and bodily autonomy. The vast majority of abortions occur in the first trimester. Those that occur afterward result almost solely from fetal abnormalities incompatible with life and/or a threat to the health of the mother. Making contraceptives easily available and increasing reproductive care (i.e., funding Planned Parenthood) would be positive steps. Abortion will always exist the question is, will it be safe? Neither I nor most members of the Legislature are medical professionals. We dont belong in the exam room. This is a decision between a woman and her doctor.

Weilbrenner: Parents should have the choice in how their children are educated. Likewise, we also need to support teachers who will enable kids with the essentials on how to meet their maximum potential with the appreciation of financial independence and practical life skills. Any future proposed legislation will be evaluated with above priorities in mind.

Weiner: No. Public dollars are for public schools, which serve 98% of Iowa's children. Taking more money from public schools would be particularly detrimental to rural schools (many of which are already dealing with consolidation), would also hurt urban schools and likely push up property taxes to compensate. Public schools serve all, including those with IEPs; private schools pick and choose.

Weilbrenner: Strict scrutiny requires the government to demonstrate that the law is written to specifically fulfill the intended goals of the law and uses the least restrictive means to achieve that laws purpose. Since the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution is an inalienable right, I strongly support the public measure to add the amendment to the Iowa Constitution that states: the right of the people of Iowa to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed and any and all restrictions of this right should be subject to strict scrutiny.

Weiner: We need everyone to vote no on Public Measure No. 1, so we retain the ability to enact common-sense gun safety laws that save lives. Strict scrutiny would take away that ability. We already have the Second Amendment in the U.S. Constitution. We need a red flag law to permit police to petition a state court to order temporary removal of firearms from a person they believe presents a danger to others or themselves, and we need to close the boyfriend loophole. Permitless carry does not keep us safe we should require permits. And we need universal background checks.

George Shillcock is the Press-Citizen's local government and development reportercovering Iowa City and Johnson County. He can be reached at (515) 350-6307,GShillcock@press-citizen.comand on Twitter@ShillcockGeorge

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Where Harold Weilbrenner and Janice Weiner stand on issues in the Senate District 45 race - Iowa City Press-Citizen

In music scenes across Africa, the most influential tiers are often dominated by young people. These individuals bear the mark of the digital age, where geographical boundaries are blurred and their taste in art, regardless of place, remarkably heightened. Moliy Ama Montgomery creates for this generation. Her records are soft and audacious, colored by the Ghanaian-American artists shimmering vocals and lyrical awareness that is informed by her femininity and independence.

Moliy moved to the US for college, but found the system to be tiring. Monthly rents and tight schedules marred what should have been her settlement period. I came back to Ghana [towards] the end of 2019 to put records together and make something happen, she told OkayAfrica one recent evening, Cause I felt like that was the one thing I was really passionate about. It was a gamble, recording the records and all of those things. I had no idea it would actually work out or be acknowledged at all.

She was eventually acknowledgedand not much long after. By the following year, Moliy released the Wondergirl EP, a concise demonstration of her singing abilities. Over beats as shiny as her vocals, she unfurled stories of young love and ambition. I was trying to create something that people can identify with me, she says, recalling her entry into the Ghanaian music scene. I wanted to make an impact because at that point I wasnt a known artist. I was only known for the content I released on my social media; the most Id done was post some freestyles and some covers on there... but mostly freestyles of stuff that I wrote, that was the only thing out there that kind of identified me as an artist, and I wanted to be taken more seriously.

Moliy.Image courtesy of the artist.

Around this time, the pandemic had become a thing and Moliy sought financial independence. Introspection birthed songs with rough, honest edges. In the closing months of 2020, Moliy appeared on SAD GIRLZ LUV MONEY, a standout off fellow Ghanaian singer Amaaraes debut album, The Angel You Dont Know. Singing the catchiest sections of the record, Moliys mellifluous vocals greatly contributed to its appeal. The next year, the record joined the growing cache of TikTok hits. Its global acclaim was cemented by a Kali Uchis-assisted remix, debuting at #80 on the Billboard Hot 100. A short-lived controversy about unpaid royalties sprang up earlier this year, but Moliy declined to speak about it.

Moliy has swam considerably well against the tides of mainstream Afropop. Her artistic sensibilities are more Western than Ghanaian, but shes quite immersed in the traditions of the West African country. After her stellar showing on "Sad Girlz Luv Money," her peers, and forebears, became familiar with her game. Legendary rapper M.anifest was one of those, featuring her on No Fear alongside American rapper of Ghanaian descent Vic Mensa. Earlier this year, Moliy joined on alte pioneer BOJs record In A Loop, alongside her younger sister Mellissa.

I feel like no doubt, obviously there are dope artists. If they make music that I feel like sonically would blend into mine, thats something I really take into consideration, she says of her collaborative ethos. She however went the solo route on Mahogany St, an EP whose title took from an actual location in her neighborhood of Lapas, Accra. Through its three songs, Moliy solidified her standing among the countrys audiences.

Moliy - HARD ft Moonchild Sanelly [Official Audio]www.youtube.com

None was as poignant as 9 to 5, the opening record which underlined her zeal to make it as a musician. See the pain in my eyes, what I did to survive, she sings over colorful reggae production, stitching narrative grit into her established style of sultry bops. The Prince Dovlo visuals fittingly carried the vision as well, casting Moliy in scenes which ranged from an airy room stacked with flowers to the kitchen in an eatery, and finally inside a nightclub bursting with colored lights.

Moliy came of age in a house that stands beside a restaurant/pub owned by her mother. She describes the music that was played there as everything thats popular"from highlife, to hip-Hop, to artists ranging from Celine Dion to Daddy Lumba, Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston. All of them sparked Moliys interest in the art form. I remember a lot of the time, going to school, we would just be singing all the way in the parlorme, my mum, my brother and my sister. My mum was very free with us. She even got us iPods and like a piano kind of keyboard; I couldnt play it but we just played around with the different settings. We had freedom to just be creative and enjoy things in life at that point in life, at an early age. So I still find that joy in it presently, in that passion, even though its turned into a career. This is how I obviously wish to be successful.

Moliy.Image courtesy of the artist.

In the latter periods of last year, Moliy began recording the songs that would make Honey Doom. She already had the title, and knew she wanted to push the boundaries of her art coming fromWondergirl. The project had a romantic twist, its like my idea of a relationship gone horribly wrongsee how you would have a honeymoon, so flip the words around to make it honey doom, she says with a half-laugh. It just shows what things are like to me right now.Moli

The lush soundscape of Honey Doom was provided by a mix of familiar and first-time collaborators. Shes worked previously with Mikemillzonem, while Moliy also welcomed beats from Juls and P Priime, who was in Ghana during its creation. Juls' trademark percussive rhythms embolden Together, the opener which sees Moliy seek the understanding of a troubled lover. Together is a must, love me whatever the cost, she coos over the bubbly production, coating her delivery to match the beats liquid energy. Prisoner is suffused with Priimes dramatic flair, a somber tone which carries the songs ideas with masterful ease. This be more than physical, Moliy sings in Ghanaian lingo, maintaining the records tension.

Hard was a song Moliy wanted a feature on, primarily because its dominant genre of hip-hop wasnt one she frequently dabbled in. I wanted someone else to bring something new to it, she says, and without much deliberation the eccentric South African singer Moonchild Sanelly came to mind. A member of Moliys team knew someone from their side and the connection struck. It was pretty smooth; no delays, says Moliy, I think I got her verse in, like, a week. And she loved the song; she ended up coming to Ghana, a few months after and we connected, went to turn-up together, and it was great. Shes a really cool, cool chic.

All the colorful exploration on Honey Doom demonstrates the ever-developing craft of Moliy. Posed with the question of how the project showcases her growth, she mentions the confidence in her vocals and how shes increasingly trying out new sounds and songwriting techniques. I feel like my sense of writing and storytelling is way more mature and way more opinionated in terms of romance, she says. The more I grow, the more I feel at ease showing who I am and what I feel. It shows how versatile I can be as well.

I want it to carry on the footprints that Im trying to make in this world, she says about her vision for Honey Doom. I want it to open more doors, to be able to pull crowds from this and do massive shows. I also want it to unlock way more collaborations-cos I love doing collabs, you know, and in releasing Wondergirl I had multiple artists Ive worked with now reach out to me. So I want a better reaction to what's already happened by creating something really dope.

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Moliy Is Swimming Against the Tide of Mainstream Afropopand Succeeding - OkayAfrica

Sometimes overnight success takes many years of hard work and dedication. Thats what Mike Koshatko discovered when he moved from Ukraine to the United States with just $300 in his pocket. The only food he could afford to eat was ramen noodles. Today, he is a serial entrepreneur with successful businesses like Ofirio, an innovative real estate website.

Mike Koshatko exemplifies a modern day rags to riches story beginning with the chaotic start to his life in America in 2014. He initially settled in Denver and moved cross-country multiple times in search of a better life.

His journey included living in North Carolina, where he and some friends hitchhiked and walked for seven hours to reach a commune. A stranger helped them find a safe place to stay and allowed them to pay later. Then came North Dakota, where he lived and worked on a farm. Unfortunately for Mike, his isolation triggered a depressive episode. He then moved to Key West, where he started out as a salesman and soon moved up to a managerial position.

But he never allowed himself to get stuck in a comfort zone. It turned out that this restlessness was his biggest advantage in business. Moving around and looking for new and better opportunities inspired Mike to seize every chance he could get, all the while learning lessons and skills along the way.

He soon realized that if he couldnt find the opportunities he longed for, he would have to create them for himself.

Things finally started to turn around for Mike when he moved to Miami. He met a real estate agent who encouraged him to get into the business. He took an expedited real estate course and became a licensed realtor just two weeks later. Mike jumped at the chance to work with international real estate management clients in Europe. Always looking for the next opportunity, he launched a vacation rental management company.

But the true start of Mikes financial independence began when he launched his first e-commerce company. This allowed him to learn marketing, SEO, sales, conversions, and online business through courses and on the job. Most importantly, he applied everything he learned.

After achieving success selling on Amazon, he met Jurgis Plikaitis, through a real estate listing. The two became friends and they decided to become business partners. In-depth research revealed that there was a gap in the arts and crafts market. That prompted them to start Arteza, a company that sells art supplies. At first, they started selling better quality pencils. Arteza later expanded to carry all sorts of arts and crafts products. The company grew by a whopping 7500% and landed in 32nd place out of 5000 arts and crafts stores a massive win early in the companys career.

Mike and his co-founder Jurgis were working 12-hour days to keep Arteza up and running. Eventually, Mike found himself in the hospital for burnout. This event was a big lesson for him. He learned that he needed to achieve more balance in his life by incorporating breaks, taking family time and also taking time out for himself to have some fun.

Mike exited Arteza in 2020 and started dabbling in stocks and real estate. He quickly realized that there was a gap in the market for helping investors and individuals work out a propertys potential long-term value. This led to the startup that Mike is currently working on, Ofirio. Ofirio provides in-depth information that allows investors and individuals to look at the rental properties available and immediately see their value, the return on investment and other financial metrics. Ofirio allows people to make the best real estate investment decisions to achieve their goals.

There are many lessons in business and in life that can be taken from Mike Koshatkos story. First, it takes focus and applying what youve learned to achieve success. According to Mike, to succeed in your business career you need to become comfortable with being uncomfortable, and trust the process.

Another takeaway is that removing yourself from your comfort zone and seeking better opportunities for yourself is what creates a better life. Mike could have chosen to stay in many positions, but instead he opted to venture out and reach for something better. He truly believes that comfort zones breed stagnancy, and stagnancy is what kills your dreams.

Mike believes that there is no such thing as overnight success. True and sustainable success takes years of hard work. It has been eight years since Mike Koshatko began his journey. He believes in his future goals and that he still has many opportunities in front of him still to come.

@mikekoshatko

Ofirio.com

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From Chaos to Success: The Mike Koshatko Story - Digital Journal

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) protects investors and maintains a fair, orderly, and efficient marketplace. While the SEC has historically focused its enforcement efforts on public companies, recent announcements from Acting Chief Accountant Paul Munter suggest the SEC is taking a closer look at other actors who play a role in fair and efficient markets: auditors. In the past decade, the SEC has brought only four enforcement actions for standalone violations of the auditor independence rulea rule that requires auditors to exercise objective and impartial judgment on all issues encompassed by an auditor engagement as evaluated by a fully informed investor. But perhaps more enforcement in this area is on the horizon.

In June, Acting Chief Accountant Munter started making headlines when he issued a statement regarding The Critical Importance of the General Standard of Auditor Independence and an Ethical Culture for the Accounting Profession.[1] The statement emphasized the importance of auditors in the process of providing decision-useful financial information for the benefit of investors and the vital role they play in investor protection and investor confidence in financial statements.[2] The statement also reminded readers of the SECs Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X, which sets forth the auditor independence requirements and emphasizes the importance of an accountants independence from its audit client in both fact and appearance.[3] The statement was released the same day The Wall Street Journal reported that Deloitte and Ernst & Young, two of the Big Four accounting firms, were exploring plans to split their global audit and consulting practices.[4] Munters statement warned that new, complex business arrangements could undermine auditor independence and cautioned firms to carefully consider the implications for auditor independence when considering alternative practice structures.[5]

On August 29, Munter released a second statement on the auditor topic and again emphasized the importance of auditor independence, specifically noting concerns regarding restructuring transactions by accounting firms involving private equity investment structures.[6] The statement explained that if a private equity fund holds an investment in an accounting firm, the Office of the Chief Accountants would likely believe that such a fund has a financial interest in the accounting firm and by extension the auditing wing.[7] Munter warned that [i]f, post-transaction, accounting firms are unable to comply with [the auditor independence]requirements, enforcement investigations and proceedings by the Commission, the [Public Company Accounting Oversight Board], or both may result.[8]

Munters latest statement released on October 11 again stressed the importance of auditor independence, while also highlighting another observed shortcoming related to responsibilities over the detection of material misstatements due to fraud that auditors should keep in mind as they perform their vital role for the public trust.[9] Munter noted that the SEC had undertaken enforcement actions against audit firms and their personnel for issues in this area.[10] These actions included one against the accounting firm CohnReznick LLP, which agreed to pay a $2 million penalty based on accusations that the firm ignored red flags, resulting in two clients filings of false financial statements.[11]

In light of these statements, one thing seems quite clear: Munter and the Office of the Chief Accountant are focused on auditors, and they are willing to take action when it comes to concerns regarding auditor independence or inadequate completion of their duties.

[1] Paul Munter, Acting Chief Accountant, The Critical Importance of the General Standard of Auditor Independence and an Ethical Culture for the Accounting Profession, Off. of the Chief Accountant (June 8, 2022), https://www.sec.gov/news/statement/munter-20220608.

[2] Id.

[3] Id.

[4] Jean Eaglesham and Corrie Driebusch, Deloitte Explores Splitting Auditing Consulting Arms, Following Ernst & Young, The Wall Street Journal (June 8, 2022), https://www.wsj.com/articles/deloitte-exploring-splitting-auditing-consulting-arms-following-ernst-young-11654709024.

[5] Munter, The Critical Importance, supra n1.

[6] Paul Munter, Auditor Independence and Ethical Responsibilities: Critical Points to Consider When Contemplated an Audit Firm Restructuring, Off. of the Chief Accountant (Aug. 29, 2022), https://www.sec.gov/news/statement/munter-statement-auditor-independence-and-ethical-responsibilities-082922.

[7] Id.

[8] Id.

[9] Paul Munter, The Auditors Responsibility for Fraud Protection, Off. of the Chief Accountant (Oct. 11, 2022), https://www.sec.gov/news/statement/munter-statement-fraud-detection-101122.

[10] Id.

[11] See Press Release, SEC, SEC Charges CohnReznick LLP and Three Partners with Improper Professional ConductLet (June 8, 2022), https://www.sec.gov/news/press-release/2022-102.

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SEC Warns Auditors to Take Their Role and Independence Seriously - JD Supra

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If you're thinking of joining the FIRE movement, you may want to read Suze Orman's advice.

The FIRE movement is an online trend and a way of life for many. It stands for Financial Independent, Retire Early. It promotes extreme saving and frugality, often involving a lot of sacrifice to reduce living expenses to bare bones. The purpose is to enable investing and reduce the cost of living so you can retire at a very young age and be financially independent.

While living frugally to retire ahead of schedule may sound like a good thing, finance expert Suze Orman has stated unequivocally that she actually hates the FIRE movement. Here's why.

In a 2018 interview with Paula Pant of Afford Anything, Orman was asked what she thought of the FIRE movement. Her answer was unequivocal. "I hate it. I hate it. I hate it, she said.

This may seem like a surprising response to a question about a movement that promotes saving to retire early. But Orman had plenty of justifications for why she doesn't believe embracing this approach is a good idea.

The big problem with the FIRE movement, according to Orman, is that retiring at a very young age -- which most people in the movement aspire to do -- can leave you with too little money to support yourself over the course of your life. That's true even if you think you are well prepared and have plenty of funds to cover what you need.

When you retire very early, there's a lot more time in your life for something to go wrong that drains your nest egg. And if that happens, you'll have many, many more years when you have to support yourself -- but it may be difficult to jump back into the working world after a long absence.

If you only have a few hundred thousand, or a million, or two million dollars, I'm here to tell you if a catastrophe happens, if something happens, what are you going to do? You are going to burn up alive, Orman warned.

Orman also indicated that while many people in the FIRE movement may want to retire in their 30s, they could be left with serious regrets. "The FIRE enthusiast will retire at 35. And that's the biggest mistake a person could ever make in their life."

Orman is absolutely right that retiring at a very young age leaves you extremely vulnerable.

It can be hard enough for people who are in their 60s and 70s to plan for every expense they'll face over the course of their life, and ensure they have the funds even for surprise costs such as unexpected medical bills. Someone who retires in their 30s, on the other hand, could end up trying to rely on their investments for 60 or 70 years and it's almost inevitable that big surprises will happen during that time that can affect their ability to do so.

Of course, not everyone who is in the FIRE movement actually wants to stop working so young. Some people just want the ability to do so, but will keep earning income even after achieving financial independence. While that's not necessarily a bad goal to set, if you are hoping for very early retirement, you may want to heed Orman's warning that doing so could set you up for a disaster later.

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Suze Orman Hates the FIRE Movement. Here's Why - The Motley Fool