Moving to a different country is perhaps one of the biggest steps you can take in your life. If it’s not for college, then it’s for work or because you simply want to experience a new adventure and see a completely different world from what you’re used to. Here are 4 things you need to know about moving to another country.
Cost Of Living
One important thing you should consider when thinking of moving to a different country is the cost of living. It varies from place to place; emigrating to Portugal means a low cost of living while the USA means a high cost of living. So how much money do you need to emigrate? Well, it depends on the standard of life that you’re used to. If you live in Norway or Denmark, where basic food is free of charge, then moving abroad will be expensive for you because your expenses will increase by at least 30%. So it’s advisable to go and check out how much things such as groceries, rent, and transportation cost before actually deciding to move somewhere. Once you have some idea, take some time to save money or find ways of earning extra cash before your trip. You don’t want any unnecessary stress while abroad!
Make Yourself Familiar With The Country’s Culture
In all honesty, there are some things you just can’t prepare for. You should be aware that every single country has its own unique culture and way of life. For example, in Norway, it’s rude to arrive several minutes after a meeting time because Norwegians perceive themselves as punctual people. In Hungary on the other hand it is customary to be quite late because Hungarians think they’re generous if they give their guests a few extra minutes before starting dinner or a party. Other examples of different cultures include:
In China, they have a completely different way of greeting people compared to the rest of the world. In China, it is common for people to bow instead of shaking hands or kissing each other on the cheek. Also, in China, it is considered polite to slurp your food when eating noodles. This sound means that you are enjoying your meal so much that you want everyone around you to have a taste too!
In Denmark, if someone visits your home it is customary for the guest to bring a small gift. It can be something from flowers to wine or even chocolates.
In Japan, starting a conversation with a stranger in public is considered extremely rude. Instead of speaking, Japanese people will send signals via body language instead!
You should also make yourself aware of the different traditions and celebrations other countries have during different seasons and times of the year. For example, Christmas in Norway is celebrated similarly to how Christmas celebrations happen regularly while in China, the celebration is held according to the lunar calendar and lasts for one whole month!
Learn The Local Language
It’s obvious that if you want to move to another country it would be beneficial if you learn at least a few words of the native language. This way you could make yourself understood and communicate more easily with other people in your new home. It will also help you fit in and not feel like a stranger among locals. However, learning a new language takes time and it helps if you know how much effort must go into achieving fluency beforehand.
In general, learning a new language requires: -A total of 2000 hours spent studying -At least 60% comprehension accuracy -80% production accuracy Of course, having a good memory and an active learning process helps too.
The Food Will Be Different
Not only the ingredients of the food you get in your new home will be different, but also the order in which they are served. For example, if you’re used to having a starter, main meal, and dessert when sitting down for lunch or dinner with your family then this custom won’t apply to most people living in Asia or South America. Instead, these countries tend to serve their meals according to what they think is filling rather than what goes well with each other. So instead of having one big dish per person like on a Western table, some dishes might be shared while others are served individually.
The bottom line is: if you want to move to a different country, do your research beforehand and make yourself aware of the differences that exist within countries. This way you’ll avoid unnecessary stress and ensure that your stay abroad will be as pleasant as possible!
We’re living in a world where we’re all trying to do better. Whether that’s trying to make it through Veganuary to see if a vegan lifestyle could be adopted or trying to live more sustainably, we’re all doing our bit to make the world a better place.
One brand that is doing just that is The Natural Deodorant Co. which was co founded by Laurie and Brett, a brand that was born out of the desire to create the perfect natural deodorant.
Tired of spending time and money on natural deodorants that needed to be reapplied every couple of hours, they decided to create their own.
Interest in natural deodorants is set to continue as consumers seek out natural and sustainable products in their day-to-day routine. Every one of their products is 100% natural, free from preservatives, alcohol, artificial fragrance & palm oil. They are all certified cruelty-free and registered with The Vegan Society.
The story behind the brand is really inspiring. Here, we spent some time with Laurie to find out more…
Tell us about the journey that lead you to launching your brand The Natural Deodorant Co…
Building a sustainable brand is at the core of what you do. Why is this important to you?
I believe that we all need to start making sustainability a priority. Our deodorants easily match the effectiveness of mainstream deodorants and antiperspirants without plastic packaging or questionable ingredients. If we can make sustainable swaps easier for peo- ple, they’re far more likely to consider them.
How would you describe your brand in three words?
Honest, effective + approachable
How do you want women to feel when wearing your deodorant?
Confident! Fresh and free from the stress and embarrassment that comes with body odour.
If you to describe your personal style in three words, what would they be?
Casual, comfortable and cute.
Talk us through an average day in your life…
I’m up at 6am to feed the dog and give myself 30 quiet minutes with a coffee before the children wake. I don’t touch my phone or laptop at this time of day. Once they’re up it’s all- go to get everyone dressed, fed and out of the house.
Straight from the school run I go to the gym to do a HIIT session, then home to tackle emails and tasks. As co-founder of a small business I tend to wear a lot of hats. One mo- ment I might be writing compliance documents, the next I’m discussing ad campaigns, talking to journalists or paying invoices. I find working for myself can feel very chaotic if I’m not careful, so I keep a bullet journal and write absolutely everything down.
At some point in the day I take a long walk with our lab, Roux which is a great way to step away from everything and calm my mind. Then I’m back out for school collections, after school clubs and so on.
I squeeze as much as I can into every day, but it’s a juggling act. I personally find it easiest to work in slots throughout the day and break my day into smaller parts.
At some point in the day I take a long walk with our lab, Roux which is a great way to step away from everything and calm my mind.
How much has social media played a role in the success of your brand?
Social media has been incredibly important and transformative for us. Instagram was how we carved our identity and found many of our incredible customers. It’s also the place that led several buyers to us over the years. Whilst it can now seem like a noisy and over- whelming space, when we launched in 2015 we were one of the only natural deodorant brands in the UK actively using social media so it really allowed us to stand out.
Our readers love to travel, what destination is at the top of your bucket list?
I’ve been very keen to explore Scandinavia for a long time and I’m actually going paddle boarding in Norway this summer so I’m very excited!
What is your go-to quote when lacking motivation?
I don’t tend to use motivational quotes, I find caffeine works better for me.
What’s next for you and the brand?
More scents, teen deodorants and hopefully getting effective, planet friendly natural De- odorant into as many hands as humanly possible!
What’s your main goal with the business in 2022?
My main goal is to get back to our ‘why’. During Covid and Brexit we’ve been so focused on just getting through each day or task that sometimes I forget why we started! So this year we’ll be having lots of fun telling our story and telling people about why our products are so incredible.
What does self care mean to you?
Almost always, it means slowing down. Turning inwards and seeking peace. Choosing nourishing foods, taking breaks without devices, going to bed early, reading a book, deep breaths, stretching…and recently I’ve restarted my cold shower experiment. But, to be honest, cold showers never feel like self care initially. They feel awful! Haha.
Due to obvious reasons, lots of holiday makers have been left disappointed and longing to get back to the slopes of their favourite resorts.
Have you ever considered taking a skiing holiday in the summer? Combine your love of skiing and après ski with the likes of a lake dip and other more typical summertime activities. If you like the sound of hitting the snow this summer, we’ve got some food for thought.
With some inspiration from travel company, Basecamp, offering snowboard instructor courses and gap year adventures, here’s four locations to consider. From Austria to Argentina, find the perfect snow-filled destination for your 2022 summer escape!
Austria: Zell am See-Kaprun
First on our list is the breathtaking Kitzsteinhorn glacier, a mountain in the Hohe Tauren range of the Central Eastern Alps. The ginormous mountain is 3,000 meters above ground, which means the peak is blanketed by white snow all year long! Cable cars and lifts are available to safely take you to the top of the mountain, where you can enjoy the astonishing views of the Austrian countryside and Lake Zell. Oh, and did we mention it is accessible 365 days a year?
When you reach the top of the Kitzsteinhorn glacier, relax and admire the view from the impressive mountaintop restaurant. The Gipfel offers panoramic views while serving delicious Austrian food and drinks. What more could you want after a long day skiing?
After you’ve wined and dined, head on down to the ground and lounge by the stunning Lake Zell. In the summertime, the crystal blue waters are serene, and you can even take a dip! The green grass on the ground is in stark contrast to the snow-covered peaks above, but that’s one of the many charms of visiting Zell am See-Kaprun during the summer.
Norway: Stryn
Next on our list are the picturesque mountains of Stryn, a quaint village located in the west of Norway. The area is full of natural beauty, with serene lakes and mountains, such as the Briksdalsbreen glacier. This attracts visitors from all around the world and is well-known for being as snowy as a Christmas postcard all year round!
The best place to ski in Stryn is the Sommerski Centre, and it is truly a place like no other! The snowy slopes span across 4km of mountain ranges, and they’re usually filled with people enjoying a summer in the snow between June and July. There are social events, such as barbecues, where you can meet fellow skiers and make memories that will last a lifetime!
But did you know you can ski in your summer attire? Whether you’ve always wanted to slide down the slopes in your bikini or snowboard in your shorts, the Sommerski mountains of Stryn are the place for you. Remember to bring sun cream – you’re going to need it!
Australia: Perisher Resort
If you want to spend this summer on a skiing adventure far away, travel down under and visit the icy slopes of Australia. As Oceania is in the Southern hemisphere, Australian seasons are reversed, and you can enjoy the wintery mountains between June and October.
Perisher Resort is one of the best places to ski in the Aussie wilderness. The huge resort has 47 lifts that operate between 8.30 am-5 pm every day, so you can make the most out of your holiday every day! And if you’re feeling adventurous enough, you can explore the backcountry surrounding Perisher Resort. Snowy Mountains Backcountry offers tours of the Guthega River and the Main Range.
The Australian mountain ranges are a sight to behold!
Have you ever wanted to ski beneath the stars? At Perisher, you can sail down the white lanes between 6-9 pm on Tuesdays and Saturdays. After a moonlit ski, there are lots of places to eat, drink, and socialise in Perisher Village. What more could you want?
Argentina: Bariloche
The final location on our list is Bariloche, a small town located in the West of Argentina. As winter in Argentina takes place between June and September, this is the perfect place to go on a summer skiing holiday in 2022. Bariloche is a great place to immerse yourself in Argentinian culture and indulge in the finest chocolate ever made. As an added bonus, the closest ski resort is only 12 miles away!
The resort is named the Catedral Alta Patagonia, but you’ll probably hear the locals call it the Cerro Cathedral. The mountains are extremely beautiful as they are situated next to the Nahuel Huapi National Park and the Lake District of Patagonia.
As well as the natural beauty surrounding the resort, the resort offers glade skiing, otherwise known as tree skiing. This is an amazing opportunity to put your skills to the test and try something new! Everyone knows skiing down a mountain is beautiful but whizzing past snow-covered trees is a unique experience as picturesque as it gets.
We hope we’ve inspired you to hit the slopes and spend summer 2022 in the snow. Skiing holidays book up fast, so if you’re considering hitting the slopes next summer, it’s best to get booked up quickly. Whether you’re learning to ski or becoming a ski instructor, the frosty mountains are a delight all summer long. With countless stunning views to choose from and lots of opportunities for après ski, where will you go on your next adventure?
While it seems like all the months of 2021 have blurred into one, we’re dreaming of a time when we can once again visit all the beautiful destinations this planet has to offer. To (virtually) satiate your wanderlust, Team Coco has put together some of the world’s most exciting new hotel openings to inspire your next holiday… whenever that may be.
Nestled in the beautiful Canyons Village at Park City Mountain, the gorgeous ski-in, ski-out Pendry Park City will offer a modernist take on a traditional alpine lodge. Surrounded by vast mountain landscapes, the resort will boast warm, natural design elements that create a contemporary, open feel, and will feature 153 guestrooms, suites, and residences, each offering floor-to-ceiling windows and curated artwork.
Not to mention, both guests and locals alike will enjoy access to four distinct restaurants and bars, a deluxe Spa Pendry and fitness centre, a heated rooftop pool with a destination bar, Pinwheel Kids Club, and more than 7,000 square-feet of indoor event space.
Passalacqua (Lake Como, Italy)
Originally built in the 18th century by Count Andrea Lucini Passalacqua, Passalacqua is set on the shores of Lake Como and has hosted historic leaders from Napoleon Bonaparte to Winston Churchill.
Sister property to the iconic Grand Hotel Tremezzo, the stately, ultra-luxury mansion retreat will extend 24 stylish suites designed and curated by one of Italy’s most renowned hotelier families – Paolo, Antonella, and Valentina De Santis.
Committed to preserving its heritage, Passalacquawill showcase original features, including hidden passageways, centuries-old beamed suites in forgotten stables, and glasshouses with ancient fruit trees. Guests can enjoy the lakeside swimming pool and open-air gym set in the olive groves, vintage boat trips from the private dock, and partake in a variety of wellness and culinary experiences in the manicured gardens such as spa treatments, yoga sessions, farm-to-fork dining, and movies under the stars.
The Fullerton Ocean Park Hotel Hong Kong (Hong Kong)
Located in Hong Kong’s cool Southside district, which is home to the iconic Victoria Harbour and the city’s renowned Ocean Park, the eco-conscious oceanfront resort is the next much-anticipated international launch from The Fullerton Hotels and Resorts.
The luxury hotel – perfect for couples, friends, solo visitors, extended families, and business travellers – will offer 425 guest rooms and suites overlooking the South China Sea, including children-themed rooms and two signature suites with private pools. It will also offer four diverse restaurants, an outdoor infinity pool and kids’ lagoon pool, an indoor kids’ play zone, a luxury spa and fitness centre, and versatile indoor and outdoor meeting and event spaces, including a 5,600 square-feet pillar-free grand ballroom. Will this be Hong Kong’s most exciting new sustainable hotel – we certainly think so.
sly Berlin (Berlin, Germany)
Located in the city’s trendy Friedrichshain neighborhood, Berlin’s coolest new hotel will be housed across four modernised buildings, interconnected via inviting open courtyard spaces and a striking 2,368 square-foot greenhouse.
With 150 contemporary guestrooms and suites, some boasting private balconies, sly Berlin’s interiors will showcase a fusion of nature and urban culture, featuring solid oak wood, Italian serpentine stone, stainless steel, and Brutalist concrete touches. A lively restaurant and bar, complete with open kitchen and grill area, will be housed in the natural light of the greenhouse amid an abundance of greenery. The perfect place to enjoy an (almost alfresco) meal at the German capital.
The reincarnation of a restored 1930s landmark in Frogner, a historic neighbourhood in Oslo’s West End, Sommerro celebrates Norwegian design, fusing form and function as the city’s first hotel in an original Art Deco building.
The hotel is set to be Norway’s largest-ever preservation project, the hotel occupies the former headquarters of the capital city’s electrical company, Oslo Lysverker. Folowing a multi-million-dollar renovation, Somerro will become a modern tribute to local cultural heritage. Art buffs will enjoy the original artworks by celebrated Norwegian artist Per Krohg which will be featured throughout the hotel, with pieces including a giant wall fresco and a ceiling mural that nods to the building’s unique history.
A true community space, the 231-room property – which counts 56 residences – will also offer four restaurants, three bars, meeting and event spaces with capacity for up to 150 people, a 200-seat gilded theatre, a sprawling wellness paradise, and the city’s first year-round rooftop pool, sauna, terrace, and restaurant. There is surely no more stylish place to stay in Oslo than this.
Travellers planning to book a stay at any of these new hotels, or any of the other 650 participating properties across the Preferred Hotel Group portfolio, can access exclusive member rates, earn points, and take advantage of other value-rich immediate benefits during every eligible stay, while also accessing special members-only offers and unique partnerships, by joining I Prefer Hotel Rewards, the world’s largest points-based loyalty programme for independent hotels with more than 4 million travellers currently enrolled.
“Aurum by GUÐBJÖRG stands for Ambition, Understanding, Responsibility, Unity, and Mindfulness,” says Founder Guðbjörg Kristín Ingvarsdóttir on the values that define her Icelandic jewellery brand.
With its striking, sculptural jewellery pieces, Aurum breathes sustainability and takes inspiration from the ethereal beauty of Iceland’s natural landscapes. It is also the expression of Guðbjörg’s own passion, creativity and genuine commitment to the earth.
In this Women Worldwide interview, Team Coco sits down with Guðbjörg to talk about her love for jewellery, how Aurum is promoting environmental and ethical sustainability across all areas of its business, and how Aurum serves as a platform to showcase the beauty of Icelandic culture to the world.
“To be an innovator and a designer is to be constantly growing and learning and to be patient. It’s important to be passionate about the job, to be industrious, to successfully execute ideas, and to learn by doing. Work hard, make original work and be patient.”
Tell us a little bit about yourself and background. What made you fall in love with jewellery?
I finished my goldsmith and jewellery design education in Copenhagen, Denmark in 1996. Between 1996 to 1999, I opened a studio in Copenhagen and worked on my first 2 collections Isold and Heida. I moved back to Iceland in 1999 and launched Aurum the same year.
I fell in love with jewellery making after I spent a year in high school on Bainbridge Island in the US. I took a jewellery class at school, and I had a Norwegian teacher, who was an amazing woman who had a big influence on me. When I came back to Iceland after spending a year abroad, all I wanted to be was a goldsmith.
What does Aurum stand for? How does this philosophy inform the way you approach your business?
Aurum stands for Ambition, Understanding, Responsibility, Unity and Mindfulness. Aurum puts great emphasis on that ambition through our design, product development, quality, and customer care. We show that we understand the needs of our clients and customers with respect and empathy and that we are helpful and flexible.
We show responsibility across the business by developing a positive and respectable working environment that encourages collaboration and cooperation between employees. Aurum sources materials from certified fair-trade companies and provides environmentally friendly packaging for our clients and customers.
Aurum displays unity with our community by supporting charities with short and long-term projects, and then donating all profits from those projects to selected causes. Aurum is an equal-opportunity company and encourages a mindfulness and prejudice-free environment where everyone has a voice.
How important is sustainability to you and Aurum?
We want our customers to be confident that they are dealing with a company that continues to reduce its carbon footprint in all aspects of its production.
Sustainability is at the heart of our brand values. For example, we only use recycled gold and silver, which is something we have been doing for the past 16 years. We only use lab-grown diamonds offered by members of the Responsible Jewellery Council.
We also package our jewellery in sustainable mulberry tree paper, which is made without cutting down any trees; and finally, we offset our carbon emissions by planting trees, via our partnership with UK-based non-profit TreeSisters.
Being eco-friendly is but one aspect of our corporate social responsibility policies. We have permanent and campaign-based collaborations with several non-profit partners.
Where does the inspiration for your unique packaging come from?
Our very special packaging is modelled on Icelandic stones which I discovered on an Icelandic beach in West Iceland. They are made out of ‘Saa Oaoer’ or Mulberry Paper which is the best fibre of the Mulberry tree. Collecting the fibre doesn’t interfere with the ecosystem as not a single tree has to be cut down. Only the leaves are harvested while the tree continues growing.
How does your Icelandic heritage inform your design process?
The Icelandic energy provides me with endless creative ideas. To sense the beauty and experience all the beautiful forms and the quietness in the countryside. This is especially true when I visit my summerhouse in the western part of Iceland, which gives me a break from my busy life in the city and where my creative ideas start to flow.
From the comments that I get from my customers from all over the world, I can tell that my ideas resonate with them, and that they can sense the Icelandic nature and culture in my jewelry design and that is a good feeling. As one of my customers recently said about the jewellery:
“It truly is reminiscent of why we love Iceland, for its natural beauty.”
“It’s impossible not to think of Iceland every time you wear it.”
What have been the biggest challenges and milestones you’ve faced as an entrepreneur?
Covid-19 has been challenging but with the hard work and great support of our team, everything has been working smoothly. The challenge for Aurum is to keep up with the growth of the company. We have to be open to new opportunities and keep on developing The Aurum Brand and focus on our core values every day.
What’s next for you? Any new exciting projects in the pipeline?
We will continue to grow Aurum by Guðbjörg and focus on our online business.
Our new Basalt collection just came out last month and the next one is coming out very soon. I am very excited about the new collection, the design process takes such a long time so it is always a thrilling moment when I release them, I cannot wait!
I am also excited about the future as we have a lot of positive interest so now, we are carefully stepping into some new directions.
What advice do you have for aspiring entrepreneurs looking to start their own jewellery brand?
To be an innovator and a designer is to be constantly growing and learning and to be patient. It’s important to be passionate about the job, to be industrious, to successfully execute ideas, and to learn by doing.
This is an inspirational story from Lorna Mackinder-Clark, founder of Leeds Centre for Aerial Arts. She tells us how she launched her business, why she launched her business, and her exciting plans for the future.
Tell us about the journey that led you to launch your business Leeds Aerial Arts…
I started Leeds Aerial Arts in 2013 after being awarded a KICKSTART bursary of £300 from Yorkshire Dance. I had trained in Aerial with Wired Aerial Theatre at university and wanted to share my love of this new and FUN form of exercise. I taught the first class in September 2014 and classes quickly grew into so much more…
Our classes became a place for building strength inside and out, to step out of your comfort zone and get that I-can-do-anything amazing feeling! I love that I get to spend my time with amazing women, cheering one another on, the energy is like nothing else. I opened our first venue in Leeds City Centre in 2018, we quickly outgrew that and moved to a new space (a whopping eight-times the size) in 2021!
What’s been the biggest challenge in business you’ve faced and how did you overcome it?
Oh gosh the pandemic! – While teaching a class on Monday 16th March 2020, my phone made the dreaded sound of a BBC News alert: ‘People should avoid unnecessary physical contact.’ I looked around the room. My aerialists were supporting one another, giving each other direction, encouragement, physically helping one another to work out the sequence being taught. At the end of the session, I explained the alert. We said our goodbyes. (I encouraged one of the students to look into teaching training during the time away!*), and I knew this was a moment of change.
I went home (and cried) before contacting my team and beginning to form a plan, sure we could teach some sessions remotely, but our specialist equipment was pretty integral to 99% of our classes! There were safety implications to consider, no one had aerial equipment at home, and at this point, I remind you, NO ONE had heard of Zoom! We ran a free taster class two days later. This class helped to give feedback and insight to form our online timetable of activities. We made the decision that our doors would close on the Friday, by which time we had a full weekly timetable of classes ready to go to support our community to continue to train, physically through stretching and strengthening, and mentally by being there for one another as a community. The hashtag #traintogether was formed. That Friday evening the PM announced that Gyms must close, and on Monday 23rd March 2020 the country was ordered to stay at home.
The gang showed up, our army of strong women logged on in their living rooms, in their garages and from their makeshift home offices and rose to the new normal. We offered free challenges, live classes, pre-recorded classes, focused workshops and worked with our clients to keep evolving our timetable to suit their needs, with the focus on using all of this work for not if but WHEN we returned to training in person. I created a complete library of Aerial Hoop tutorials on Patreon so that those with equipment at home could continue their training safely with my knowledge and support.
The financial burden was enormous. We were not given any reduction in our studio costs, and I had a responsibility to my team of instructors to help them as freelancers to keep their income stable. Our client base helped to fundraise £3000 which went straight into our studio rent, with each supporter receiving a limited edition t-shirt as a thank you. This time was challenging, but it showed me that Leeds Aerial Arts is a community, rather than a place. When our clients need us we are there, and in return, they showed up for us.
I think those new to aerial imagine it could be a bit of a ‘fad’ but the loyalty from our clients shows that that is not the case. In Leeds Aerial Arts our clients have found a place to try something new and unique, to succeed in something they once thought impossible, and the ability to consistently move the goalposts and strive for more. In our online classes, they have nourished and cared for their bodies through lockdowns, showed up for themselves and worked as a team. There is always a next level with aerial and the only limit is how far you are willing to take yourself.
If you were to describe your business mantra in three words, what would they be?
Its all about the ‘Can-try attitude’. We don’t care about what you can DO before getting started in a class, just that you turn up ready to give it a try!
What advice would you offer anyone thinking of launching an aerial fitness business?
Get a great venue and get a great team! Finding the right spaces has always been a challenge, we need height and lots of space for our equipment which often comes with a hefty price tag. Especially if you want to make your classes accessible and in a central location.
But above all it is the team. I cannot stress how much love and respect I have for my team. When clients come to class they are stepping out of their comfort zone and so it is integral that my team are inspiring, motivating and sensitive to the feelings of their clients. We find the fine balance between encouraging our clients to challenge themselves and be the best they can be, whilst being approachable, listening to their needs and ensuring that they always feel safe. There is so much trust in this space, Leeds Aerial Arts is really not your average gym!
Talk us through an average business day in your life…
I feel as though after several years in business, I am only just getting to grips with my routine, partly because in a fast growing business things don’t stay the same for long!
An average day for me begins early, I am often at the studio by 8:30am I am fed, I have listened to a podcast or some high-vibe tunes on my drive in and am ready to go! I like to get, what I call, a ‘Power Hour’ done first thing. I put my phone on airplay mode and set a timer to do one hour of uninterrupted work – this is often working through my inbox, or on a list of tasks set the night before. I know the mornings are my most focussed time of day, and so this is how I work best. After a cuppa, i’ll spend some time on a bigger, more in depth task, for example planning a new campaign, or brainstorming for a new class. Switching between mental and physical work in a day can drain my focus, and so I have learnt to structure my time to get the most out of my working day.
People generally start arriving at the studio around 11am which means I switch to tasks which require less focus, before beginning my warm up, playing on the aerial equipment and teaching my lunchtime class. The next few hours are busy, I am chatting to clients, to my team and beavering away in the background. I like to enjoy a big lunch and go for a walk in the afternoons, especially if I am teaching in the evenings. Before the end of the day there is nothing more satisfying for me than ticking the completed jobs off my to-do list and setting a plan for the following day. I do this four days a week so that I can enjoy a long Friday doing my own thing!
It might not work for everyone, but spending some time learning how I work best has helped me to find the balance between productivity and over-working.
Business can be an upward struggle at times, what do you do to stay positive?
It’s all about the people for me, which is why I don’t think I will ever stop teaching. Whatever has happened in a day, teaching a class and chatting to the clients always reminds me of the bigger picture. I have got really clear this year on the ‘WHY’ of my business, and this strong sense of purpose always pulls me back. I am privileged to have a business which helps me to make an income whilst making an impact. I am not sure that my clients realise that they equally have such a positive impact on me!
What is your go to quote when lacking motivation?
I have a Pinterest board full of them! But my favourite at the moment is: “If you have the courage to begin, you have the courage to succeed”
I also enjoy… “Better an oops than a what if!” I don’t know why that always makes me laugh!
How much has social media played a role in the success of your brand?
It has been MASSIVE! A lot of my aeralists find out about us through recommendations from friends and word of mouth. As aerial is so visual, almost everyone who joins a Leeds Aerial Arts class takes photos of their achievements and shares them on their social media. We have over 5,000 posts under #leedsaerialarts on Instagram! I think that the impression could be that aerial is only for dancers or gymnasts… But when people see their friends killing it online, more women think “If they can do it, and they look like me, I can probably give it a good go too!” – They would be right!
How do you want people to feel when they first take part in an aerial fitness lesson?
Whenever I teach a group of new beginners most people arrive feeling nervous, they might not know what they have let themselves in for, and often people are quiet and avoid making eye contact with me! Honestly if I had a pound for every person that said “I am probably not going to be able to do this.” I launch in to break the tension! Within about five minutes of class the mood changes to “Someone grab my camera,” “I didn’t think I would even get off the floor today” and “whats next?!”
I absolutely LOVE teaching beginners for this reason. Everyone leaves that first class having achieved so much more than they thought they would, aerial is sociable so it is a great way to meet people, and there is always a next level, next challenge, next amazing feeling. It’s a real workout, using muscles we don’t often use which means the morning after aches are real! But another reason my clients love this aerial fitness is that it doesn’t FEEL like exercise at the time, moving your body shouldn’t be a punishment, it should be FUN. And my wonderful team are always on hand to make sure that you are training safely and within your limits.
Our readers love to travel, what destination is at the top of your bucket list?
I am obsessed with Scandinavia, I have been to Iceland twice and I have my sights on Norway next. I love the attitude to life and work in this part of the world. I would really recommend the book ‘The Year Of Living Danishly’ by Helen Russell, it makes me want to relocate everytime I pick it up!
What’s next for you and your brand?
We are still within a period of huge growth after opening this larger venue in June 2021. Next I want to meet and work with more instructors, from more disciplines, to bring more inspiration to my amazing community of clients.
I am also working on practicing what I preach and stepping out of my own comfort zone, doing things like this! Sharing my business, our values and welcoming more people to our community.
Where can people find out more about Leeds Aerial Arts?
You’ll get a real sense of who we are from our Instagram feed @leedsaerialarts To view our timetable and book to begin your aerial adventure visit leedsaerialarts.co.uk
A getaway to the Caribbean can mean more than kicking back with a cool drink and sitting in the sand – it’s a great goal but there are also many water adventures to be had in Central America and the Caribbean. The region offers unique opportunities for unforgettable moments of fun and amazement, and especially to enlarge a child’s world – even more so if you’re raising water babies who’ve had swimming lessons since they were infants. Whichever your destination, be it Belize, Honduras, Aruba, Jamaica or any of the other countless islands and nations, here are some opportunities for family fun that engage with the natural world.
Swimming with Whale Sharks or Manatees
Swimming with these gentle giants is the opportunity of a lifetime. Your family can experience whale sharks off of Holbox Island, Mexico and Utila, Honduras. These are massive plankton feeding animals so it’s safe to take a tour and swim along beside of them. Their massive size and gentleness will impress you. While they seem to swim slowly, you’ll find yourself challenged to keep up with them. The manatee is another gentle giant and also a plant eater. Manatees can be found in the waters of Mexico, Belize and other portions of Central and South America. A guided tour will help ensure that you succeed in meeting this often shy creature.
Explore the Second Largest Reef System in the World
While the Great Barrier Reef of Australia is well known, the second largest reef system in the world is in the Caribbean and offers similar opportunities for sea exploration. Whether you and your family snorkel or scuba, you’ll enjoy the riches of marine life on the reef. The reef extends from Mexico down to Honduras, so you’ll have your choice of places to visit. When heading out with your family, a good tour guide will be able to explain the marine life and corals that you are viewing. You’ll see tropical fish and bright corals. You might even catch a glimpse of a timid moray eel, or dolphins frolicking in the afternoon sun. Every outing will bring a new discovery. Also, from several Caribbean islands, such as Ambergris Caye in Belize, you can see the extent of the reef from the shoreline.
To get started wakesurfing, you’ll need to have access to a boat with a wakeboard tower, a wakesurf board, a rope, and a patient driver who can gradually increase the boat speed as you get comfortable riding the wake.
Visit Shark Ray Alley and Hol Chan Marine Park
Many of us enjoy visiting national parks during our travels. Did you know that in the Caribbean, many places have national marine parks? These are designated places that seek to introduce visitors to the wonders of the reef system and marine life, as well as teaching how to help preserve these fragile ecosystems. Two of these are located off the islands of Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker in Belize. A tour guide will lead you around Hol Chan Marine Park pointing out the reef elements and talking about the fish and aquatic life that you encounter. Within the park, you’ll swim closely with brightly colored fish, as well as three different types of sea turtles. Here, children can learn that it’s important to watch but not to touch, even if the turtles or fish come very close.
Often coupled with the visit to Hol Chan is a visit to Shark Ray Alley. While swimming with sharks may seem very intimidating, it shouldn’t be. It’s an incredible opportunity to swim with nurse sharks. When your guide brings the boat into the park, he will pay the park warden then begin to chum the water. The sharks will clamor for the snacks while your guide urges you to dive in. Don’t worry, the nurse sharks are more interested in the snacks than you, so you have an up-close opportunity to share their watery environment with them. In the frenzy, they may bump into you but that is the biggest risk you and your family members face. While watching the sharks, you will also see a variety of rays gliding elegantly through the water. Turtles also enjoy the area. During one outing, a shark and a stingray were seen tussling over the rights to a conch. Ultimately, the ray won but these are just not the experiences one expects to see every day. Both Hol Chan and Shark Ray Alley are adventure opportunities that are appropriate for all members of your family who can snorkel.
Cenotes
The Yucatan Peninsula offers the unique water adventure of cenotes. Essentially, these sites are sinkholes that connect with underground rivers and water sources. While the peninsula is primarily dry, the ancient Mayans relied on cenotes for reliable water sources. Whether you choose to vacation in the coastal Cancun or the inland cities of Merida or Valladolid, there are mystical cenotes to experience nearby. It is also possible to combine these water activities with a visit to an ancient Mayan site. During the journey to these locations, you’ll have the opportunity to see exotic birds and wildlife, such as parrots, toucans, pecorinos or jaguars.
Even though international travel is still changeable, the USA’s southern neighbors are close and easy to get to – plan to get your vaccinations and/or rapid test before you leave home – and these are just a few water sports adventures that you can experience when you vacation in the Caribbean or Central America. Additional water sports include stand up paddle boarding, sailing, kayaking and parasailing. While you want to take advantage of all of the available water sports in the location you choose it’s also an opportunity to explore some of the more unusual water adventures in the area, and gain mind-opening and unforgettable memories for all the family.
What happens when two medical students, one Physiotherapist, four Pro-athletes and five Medical Doctors, all come together? They make training-wear smarter and more directly supplementary to your training than ever before. Welcome to VotWear, who offer training wear that aids you in reaching muscle hypertrophy faster, easier with lighter weights than ever before in the history of training apparel, playing a large role in the future of Rehab, training and de-loading phase of training as we know it.
Intrigued? So were we so we went to find out more…
Tell us about the journey that lead you to launching VOT Wear…
First time I heard of occlusion training was 2015 ago, it was constantly been called by different names at the time. Some knew it as blood flow restriction (BFR) training, others occlusion training or even kaatsu! And due to these high amounts of sources that presented these new findings came also a high amount of misunderstandings and strange misconceptions of the subject of venous occlusion training.
What is does for our physiology, the means of attaining the results we are expecting to attain and the tools of reaching those results never matched the knowledge that was embodied in the person. And the confusion is not getting less, but more.
There was more than enough research backing this science since the 1970s! But I found myself in a key position, having labs at my disposition and being an ex-pro athlete myself, I spent the following years researching and studying it firsthand. And my conclusion is the same of that of hundreds, if not the thousand of researchers that exist out there! I know venous occlusion training has a huge benefit to people who want to push beyond their limit at the end of their heavy weight workout, or to people who cannot lift heavy at all like rehab patients, senior citizens well beyond their age of fight, or for whatever other reason it may be that an individual cant succumb to heavy weight training.. But there was no safe, consistent and user-friendly method for the layman to include occlusion training into his own workouts.
And thus, the world’s first Occlusion Training Wear was born as a cornerstone to VOTWEAR, a Norwegian Luxury SmartWear company that specialises in the innovation of sustainable smart training apparel that directly has an impact on the user’s physiology.
What has been the biggest learning curve since launching the business?
The largest learning curve we’ve faced is the fact of not underestimating the “noise” out there. The internet is a massive place. And to be seen or heard is no longer “half the game” but it IS the game.
Do you have plans to expand your product range in the future, if so, what will you add?
We already have three more concepts of SmartClothing in the works. Besides the HTM1, which is the world’s first Occlusion Training Wear, a Muscle Hypertrophy Accelerating Wear that literally accumulates lactic acid using localised pressure, and thus increases the rate in the growth of muscle mass and strength.
These three will each have their own unique property or “superpower”, if you will.
Who is behind the brand and what role does each person play?
The core group consists of three brothers. Myself, Mehdi Ettehadulhagh, Nayyer Ettehadulhagh and his twin brother, Sina etterhadulhagh.
Nayyer has a masters in business and Administration, and the Sina (and I), are medical doctors. Sina is more in depth in demographic psychology for marketing and brand growth and we use the Super agency Virtue Clan to help us with the marketing. I mostly focus on the medical aspect of the products, which includes product design and innovation.
Looking back since launching the brand, is there anything you would do different?
Increase our level of patience. Don’t be in a rush to grow. One has to understand, things do take time. As they say, Doesn’t matter how many women get pregnant, you can’t make a child faster than 9 months. Certain things must take time.
Talk us through an average day in your life…
My days are very much structured and consistent.
7:30 up. 830 – 1630. Working as a Medical Doctor. 17-18:30. Daily workout of heavy weights, finishing with occlusion training. 19:00-21:00: Eat (first meal of the day) and work with Everything votwear related. Meetings over Skype for the day or physical. 21:00 – 21:30: strategies for the next day. 21:30-22:00: Meditations and devotions. 22:00 bed. This is the structure of a daily life. Hopefully you got out more from it besides the fact that I do eat once a day
How much has social media played a role in the success of your brand?
Absolutely. More than ever, social media and now podcasts, are playing a more vital role in developing brands and creating close knit communities.
That’s why we early on created our very own podcast channel for VOTWEAR called VOTCAST. Here, we focus on creating content, both video and audio, for Athletes, Entrepreneur and Artists that are in search for a community. In doing this, we expose our brand ideology and identity, which is a key driver to our growth.
What is your go-to quote when lacking motivation?
It’s not really a quote, but rather the philosophy of eradicating procrastination on your life. Who would you be today, if you never procrastinated a day in your life? That thought of my ultimate self drives me.
How has Covid19 impacted your business?
This pandemic affected us two folds. Primarily, due to all the gyms closing, the lock down forced people to purchase gym equipment for their home workouts, aswell as look more into this method of training called “occlusion training” using our HTM1 bfrwear. Who knew, that a covid19 was a catalyst to get people to embrace occlusion training quicker.
Secondly, we got affected positively in terms of getting a chance to give back to our community, by donating 20% of all our profits to the Seattle foundation fund for battling covid19.
What’s your ten year goal?
We focus on bringing value to the layman on terms of functional SmartWear clothing. Long gone will be the days where your shirt or socks do not have some sort of tech or “super power”. The world needs a leading SmartWear company.
What does self care mean to you?
Service. The more you serve, the more you fertilize your foundation and stay true to your roots. For what could be more self care than never forgetting where you’re from?
Have you had to make any pivots to survive the pandemic?
Not as much pivots as lessons learned. The most vital one being, the world needs to feel united and safe, now more than ever. In today’s world, it becomes every brands responsibility to also lead in these avenues.
Where can people find out more?
You can find out more about me on social media @mehdiettehadulhagh VOTWEAR is available on all social media platforms @votwear and to tune into the official Podcast channel for votwear, hosted by yours truly, you can find us on social media, Apple podcast, Spotify and YouTube @votcast.
So, you’ve left it too late (again)! Not all is lost, just get online and order some of these fabulous belated Valentines gifts.
It doesn’t really matter what day of the year it is because it’s always wonderful to send someone a gift to let them know that you love them. Even, if you are sending a little something to your mum, dad, best mate or your lover, these little treats will go down a storm.
Skandinavisk, Sense Candle Gift Set, £49, Skandinavisk
Three candles are included in this gift set, and each has a special meaning of love. Rosenhave is Danish for ‘rose garden’, and Nordic rose gardens are precious places. RO is Scandinavian for ‘tranquillity’ bringing peace and calm from the kingdoms of Norway, Sweden and Denmark. LEMPI is Finnish for ‘love’. In Finland, there is an old saying, ‘Love doesn’t have to be perfect, but genuine’. In other words, this is the perfect belated Valentine’s gift.
Rose-filled bath bomb, a simple yet perfectly romantic gesture. Plus, the muslin cloth, tag, and raffia can all be composted, a sign of love to both the planet and your special person! Above all, this makes a wonderful gift.
Cheddar Gorge Cheese x Wimbledon Brewery, from £5.95 (190g), Cheddar Online
The tasty Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company’s Wimbledon Brewery Copper Leaf Cheddar is a gentle mellow traditional cheddar combined with the extraordinarily delicious Copper Leaf Ale – a real match made in heaven! Therefore, need we say more?
This delectable wine is delicate pink in appearance, with soft summer berries and floral notes on the nose. Made from a blend of estate-grown Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier, Gusbourne’s Rose has a crisp freshness and is presented in a special gift box, making this the ideal belated Valentine’s gift.
Not just for Valentine’s, this new sustainable, crystal-cut bottle of gin is at the heart of the Scottish distiller, Eden Mill’s mission to be completely carbon neutral by 2025. Moreover, this is an excellent gift of love to your special person, and the planet!
Buck & Birch, Wild Night In Hamper, £24.95, Aelder Elixir
The hamper contains one of Buck & Birch’s award winning liqueurs, a wild cocktail for two, a recipe card for a mouth-watering meal and a host of foraged ingredients. In conclusion, you will create your own homemade masterpiece.
Are you into wellness and wellbeing? Read more here…..
Emily Beckloff is the Founder & Chief Elf at International Elf Service, a brand that is passionate about creating a small window of make-believe time, which young children are able to believe in. Formed in 2010 when Emily used to write Elf notes to her children, the company has gone on to spread copious amounts of joy and magic ever since.
The international Elf Service is the kind of positivity we all need in our lives right now and so we spent some time with Emily to find out more…
Tell us about the journey that led you to launching the International Elf Service…
I first started writing the International Elf Service letters when our eldest child was 3, back in 2009. In 2014, after enjoying the letters as a family ourselves, I launched International Elf Service online for other families and children – anyone really aged 3 to 99! – to enjoy. I love seeing so many families enjoy our Christmas Elf Letters year on year and seeing the children’s’ names on their personalised letters each year, brings a smile to my face every time. It’s a real honour to be a part of their growing-up.
I was curled up in front of our fire reading ‘Letters from Father Christmas’ by JR Tolkein, where he wrote notes to his children from the North Pole. I suddenly thought … I could leave our two very young children a note each day from the North Pole in their wooden Advent House. It would be such a lovely, experience-rich and chocolate-free Advent Calendar idea. They were teeny tiny notes at first: things like, ‘Father Christmas lost one of the buttons off his jacket! He ate nine helpings of Cherry Pie, and it pinged off and flew somewhere behind the Giant Lollipops in the Elves’ Workshop!’.
Then as the children grew, the letters got more substantial … until they turned into one long Christmas story with a new ‘bit’ being published each day, just like the pages of a book. And there, International Elf Service was born!
I grew up in the countryside, and would spend all my time submerged in books, crafts, music and nature. I’ve always been so Christmas-mad that I drove my parents potty! I constantly wanted to be making or doing something ‘Christmassy’, and I wanted more than anything, to know what life up in the North Pole was really like! I’ve never really warmed to the big brother concept that ‘Father Christmas and the Elves are watching you’, because to me Christmas magic is for everyone, no matter what. It isn’t related to behaviour in any way, and it’s there to be enjoyed and experienced by all. I’ve always been an avid reader, devouring piles and piles of books as a child – often reading several at once! I loved being inside the different worlds and the riches that reading can give. I’ve always wanted to pass that love on to others, and write stories that children really want to read and immerse themselves in.
You’re passionate about Children’s’ wellbeing, why is this important to you?
Children’s mental health and them having a sense of wellbeing and ‘belonging’ is so important and something I am deeply passionate about. Sometimes children find their ‘big’ feelings can be a little difficult to understand or manage, which in turn can affect their relationships with others. This is where we hope our magical personalised Fairy letters and Tooth Fairy letters can help. I’m a firm believer in talking things through as a really helpful way to process thoughts. Talking with and listening to our children does all sorts of wonderful things. It improves our bond with them, which ultimately helps them to form relationships and to build self-esteem. Our Fairy & Tooth Fairy personalised letters are designed to support children’s emotional health & development, and to make brilliant conversation starters between parent and child. We have a range of letters addressing a variety of normal childhood worries and feelings, where our Fairies do their best to help reassure and teach children a little bit about them. Big messages in little letters.
As a mother of three, how do you juggle being present for the children and also building a brand?
Having three school-aged children, I’ve found I need to be very organised with my time, both for work and family time. I’m so lucky to be able to work from home, which means I get more time with my children than I would otherwise. I make sure I protect the blocks of time before and after school to spend time with them, and we all eat together as a family too … which I think is so important to do if you can. This is the one part of the day we’re 100% focused on the kids and they love it. It’s such a precious time, which I’ll miss so much when they’ve grown up and left home.
I start work in the morning as soon as our children have gone to school. I go for a run three mornings a week and then I answer emails and do any urgent ‘task based’ jobs first. Once I’m on top of things for the day, I put my creative hat on and get creating!
I’m always frantically finishing off emails as I walk up to collect my youngest from school. I also work every evening, often until 1am on the run up to Christmas … replying to customers, sorting out orders and making sure I have enough materials and stock. It’s very busy!
Christmas is most likely your busiest time, how do keep the business flowing throughout the rest of the year?
It’s Christmas all year-round at International Elf Service! We make personalised Birthday, Fairy & Tooth Fairy letters all year round, but I start writing the new Christmas letters each year from January to March, working closely with my fabulous Editor who lives in Italy. Then my amazing illustrator, who lives in France, works away at creating the bespoke designs and illustrations for each individual letter – so each one is different every year. We then ‘tweak and perfect’ and then the boring tech-side kicks in; stitching everything together and putting it all into the backend of the website, ready to have the children’s individual names added to every personalised letter and envelope. We make fun and magical new videos and take new photos each year – one featuring our adorable, obliging and much-loved Christmas mouse! Then it’s time to source our recyclable, eco-friendly materials, wood spirals and twines, making sure we have enough materials for the orders. The orders usually start coming in from around June/July when the new annual Edition becomes available. Then it ramps up to dizzying heights in November ready for International Elf Service Elfie’s Christmas Advent Letters Ultimate Story Bundle Advent Calendar to make it into people’s houses on time for the first letter to arrive on 1st December!
Do you plan on expanding the brand in the future, if so, how?
International Elf Service is all about taking children on unforgettable, magical literary journeys to both the North Pole and Fairyland – all through handcrafted, personalised letters. We offer a range of magical letters for all children including giggle-inducing Birthday letters; themed fairy letters covering a range of big feelings or experiences that help support children’s emotional wellbeing and development; and enchanting letter bundles from the Tooth Fairy. We’ve already launched our new International Elf Service Personalised Christmas Memory Box Tradition and International Elf Service Personalised Baby’s First Christmas Memory Box Tradition boxes. They enable you to preserve 20 years of special Christmas Day family memories, by recording key events on 20 beautiful personalised pages.
We have a lot more to come too – our Elves and Fairies are very busy right now!
We have some very exciting 2021 plans, but unfortunately Mother Christmas made Elfie, Father Christmas, me and the team swallow a bright-yellow-fizzy-not-giving-secrets-away-drop (so delicious I wanted another!)
But I can tell you that our product range is expanding (much like Father Christmas’ waistline during lockdown!) and we have some really exciting new literary options coming for older children and newborns.
We are constantly evolving our products and listening to our consumers, asking our Elves and Fairies what they think too! We’ve had huge demand for more family keepsake traditions, which is why last year we launched our Personalised Christmas Memory Box Tradition and Personalised Baby’s First Christmas Memory Box Tradition boxes for families.
There’s so much more to come and all designed to encourage children’s literacy and support their overall wellbeing and development through reading. Mother Christmas also suggested that lots of elderly people (much like herself) also love to read the news from the North Pole. So, we are working closely with her to help spread Christmas magic and cheer … not just to our younger audience, but to everyone who loves to transport themselves to magical worlds and immerse themselves in the magic of literary journeys.
Looking back since launching, is there anything you would do differently?
Starting your own business is both exciting and utterly terrifying. In hindsight, after the enormous interest shown and the natural growth of the business, I would have scaled faster. I would also have totally ignored any signs of Imposter Syndrome (the feeling that you’re totally inadequate compared to everyone else) and just got on with it. It really is the most unhelpful feeling and doesn’t actually change anything, except make a nuisance of itself and make you more cautious.
Our readers love to travel, what destination is at the top of your bucket list?
I really love travelling and have been lucky enough to go to all sorts of places, including the Ice Hotel in Swedish Lapland, which is north of the Arctic Circle (mind blowing), Egypt, Peru, Ecuador, The Galapagos, Africa, Asia … but I’d really love to go to Northern Greenland. It looks and sounds so incredible and there’s something so very special about being in the arctic – the air, the light and the sheer enormity and beauty of all that nature around you. It’s an indescribable feeling.
For any aspiring entrepreneurs, what advice would you offer?
Be passionate about your business and be you. You are your brand, and no-one can be you as well as you can. Keep moving forward, taking one step at a time, and don’t be afraid to ask for help, advice and feedback. If there’s a problem, there will be always be a solution … it’s just a case of finding it.
What has been your proudest moment since launching the brand?
My proudest moment came the first year I launched. A mum wrote to me to tell me that her eldest daughter (who has autism) never really engaged with her siblings, but since receiving Elfie’s Christmas Advent Calendar Letters, she’d been reading them out to her siblings each day through December and it was really helping them to connect. I hadn’t anticipated that my letters could have such a positive impact on family life in this way and I found it incredibly heartwarming.
When lacking motivation, what quote do you like to read?
It Always Seems Impossible Until It’s Done – by Nelson Mandela.
This quote is so, so true! Just keep at it and suddenly everything will slot into place and you’ll feel really happy with what you’ve done.
