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Raj Sarangam: An Engineer’s Journey to Real Estate Investment

Engineer-turned-real estate investor Raj Sarangam is an excellent example of someone who has successfully transitioned from an engineering background to a thriving real estate investor. Raj had spent several years honing his Engineering & IT skills, but his restless spirit yearned for something more. He craved a new challenge that would allow him to apply his talents in a novel way, enter real estate. With a single-family home purchase and the establishment of ORP Investments Inc., Raj embarked on a thrilling new journey, one that would test his acumen and business savvy in exciting new ways. Now, as he looks back on his decision, he can’t help but smile at how far he’s come, and the endless potential that lies ahead.

Born and raised in India, Raj Sarangam moved to the U.S. after completing B.S. in Chemical Engineering from BITS, Pilani.  He then completed M.S. in Chemical Engineering from Lamar University in 1993. His journey didn’t stop there. After completing his M.S., he began working at Ampacet Corporation and simultaneously pursued his M.S. in Computer Science from McNeese State University and MBA from the University of Houston. With more than two decade’s experience in SAP Business Software Consulting across various management roles, Raj has gained a wealth of knowledge and expertise in the field. Throughout his career, Raj has demonstrated his unique ability to successfully lead large-scale SAP implementations for several top-tier clients, making him a sought-after professional in the industry.

Establishing ORP Investments

Raj started his real estate journey by establishing ORP Investments and acquiring a single-family home. Over time, Raj’s unwavering commitment and proficiency have stimulated the company’s expansion from humble beginning and culminating in an impressive collection of real estate holdings valued at nearly $250 million in assets under management. Having executed over 40 lucrative real estate deals, Raj’s repertoire encompasses various properties, comprising over 40 single-family residences, two shopping centers, and more than ten multifamily apartment complexes in Texas and Florida. Besides his real estate ventures, Raj has also established a thriving hard money lending company and a safety-focused portfolio, bolstering his reputation as a successful real estate entrepreneur.

Under Raj’s leadership, ORP Investments has become a thriving and highly focused real estate investment firm with a proven track record of success. With its focus on Texas and Florida, ORP Investments has gained extensive expertise in various real estate assets, such as retail, single-family rentals, and self-storage.

Bringing Change

Under Raj’s leadership, ORP Investment is fully committed to offering affordable and safe housing options for individuals and families through acquiring and managing single-family homes and multifamily apartments.

“Our focus is on creating value and investing capital wisely, which enables us to deliver consistent and stable returns for our investors. With considerable experience in the real estate sector, our firm has grown from $12 million to ~$250+ million in assets under management, managing over 1,500 units,“- explains Raj.

Raj also takes pride in ORP’s disciplined and performance-driven approach to real estate investment. ORP’s clientele can reap the benefits of its services if they seek a reputable, dependable, and skilled real estate investment company that prioritizes delivering consistent returns and generating value for its customers. Whether the customer is an individual investor or a financial institution, ORP Investments, Inc. can assist them in accomplishing their real estate investment objectives.

Leading the Charge

Raj’s growth and success can be attributed to his modest beginnings and financial discipline. His innovative and ambitious nature has driven him to constantly push the boundaries and find new and creative solutions for complex challenges. Furthermore, Raj’s profound spirituality and dedication have provided him with a solid foundation for his work, enabling him to pursue his business endeavors with a clear sense of purpose and unwavering commitment. These key characteristics have fostered Raj’s growth as a business leader and helped him build a successful and respected real estate investment firm with a rapidly growing assets portfolio.

“Through our focus on value-add investments and disciplined approach to risk management, our firm has grown from $12 million to over $250 million in assets under management. I am honored to be recognized as one of the most innovative business leaders to watch and am excited to continue pushing the envelope in the years to come,“- he says.

Major Challenges

Raj believes interest hikes, lender restrictions, and compressed CAP rates have created an enormous challenge to acquiring new properties. Additionally, finding good resources, high-quality vendors, and tenants creates massive challenges in the industry.

To overcome these difficulties while acquiring new properties, Raj is broadening ORP’s asset base by looking at other investment options, such as R.V. parks near Austin, extended-stay hotels, and farmlands. On the operational front, Raj aims to keep top talent by providing incentives like bonuses, time off, and other benefits.

Additionally, Raj and his team are now looking for innovative solutions to satisfy investor demands, such as increasing Reserves for investor distributions and interest rate fluctuations to counteract the possible effects of interest rate spikes and till lenders ease on the terms.

The Pandemic

The pandemic brought significant challenges for ORP Investments, just like everyone else. Despite having two multifamily properties under contract, lenders, investors, and other private equity individuals vanished, leaving the company in a precarious position. However, Raj and his team managed to renegotiate prices and timelines to close the properties, enabling them to stabilize the situation and re-open communication with lenders. Thanks to their bold and proactive strategy, ORP’s properties became oversubscribed, proving the company’s resilience and commitment to delivering results even in the face of adversity.

The Future

Raj has ambitious plans for the future of ORP Investments. Aiming to increase their AUM by $500 million within the next five years. Particularly focusing on multifamily properties in Texas and Florida. Additionally, he plans to venture into real estate development for build-to-rent (BTR) or build-to-own (BTO) workhorse housing, which is currently in high demand. He also intends to expand into a mixed-use, multi-modal development company. To weather these challenging economic times. Raj has also diversified ORP’s portfolio and purchased an I.T. company primarily operating out of India.

“We have grown from 15 employees to 54 in one short year and are planning to acquire more companies in India which is heading towards being one of the economic powerhouses. We are expanding our services in the U.S. with a very attractive I.T. resource rate of $25+/ hour. We have signed up several projects in this regard utilizing our 20+ years of professional experience in this field,”- he concludes.

Jonathan Keyser: Changing Commercial Real Estate for the Better

Meet Jonathan Keyser, the founder and thought leader behind one of the largest independent commercial real estate tenant brokerage firms in the country, Keyser.  Named “The Commercial Real Estate Disruptor” by USA Today, Jonathan also is a #1 Wall Street Journal Best Selling Author with his book: “You don’t have to be Ruthless to Win”.

Jonathan’s firm exclusively represents Tenants and Corporate users of space, eliminating the inherent conflicts of interest that exist in traditional broker/tenant relations.  Including his international partners, his organization has over 570 people worldwide.  As a globally recognized advocate for Corporate Tenants of office, industrial, healthcare and retail space, Jonathan is extremely passionate about helping Tenant’s avoid the pitfalls of poorly negotiated leases, and

Jonathan is a regular guest on broadcast news shows discussing commercial real estate topics, and he is a top-rated speaker on how to create a culture of selfless service within business today. Known for a quick laugh, a huge smile, a ton of energy and a big hug for everyone, Jonathan loves people and people love him back.  It is really special to see.

It wasn’t always this way.  In fact, Jonathan is a personal turn-around story. Raised by Christian missionaries parents in the jungles of Papua New Guinea, Jonathan was raised to love and serve others by his caring parents.  However, when he returned to the states, he came to the realization that his parents were poor, and decided he wanted to do something about it.  He poured himself into his education and ended up graduating Summa Cum Laude from UCLA.  He stumbled into commercial real estate through a friend’s recommendation and learned quickly the ruthless nature of the industry.  He became ruthless.  And he had success.  But he was miserable.  He was miserable because he was misaligned with how his parents had raised him and his core values.  But he felt trapped because he didn’t know another way.  And then 25 years ago a speaker at a conference planted the seed within Jonathan of discarding his ruthless behavior and focusing on selflessly helping other…and the rest is history.

In discussing his former self, Jonathan holds no punches, describing himself as a Ruthless Jerk” who “would do anything to get ahead”.  Fortunately, Jonathan underwent a radical change of heart, reinvented himself through the principle of selfless service, and has since created a world-class commercial real estate brokerage firm built upon a simple mission, and that is:  “To change the business world through selfless service”.

I sat down with Jonathan recently to have a fireside chat, and I have shared some of the highlights below.

Below are the highlights of the interview.

Q) Please tell me your story. Or how did you get your start?

Jonathan: As Keyser just celebrated its 10-year anniversary, it seems it’s the perfect time to be asked about our beginning.

While it’s hard to unpack 10 years of successes, failures, and course corrections into an interview, I can tell you that in 2013, we founded Keyser with the belief that selflessly serving our community was the best way to create lasting business relationships. Now, eight figures later, I can prove that the strategy worked.

Keyser was built off of fifteen core operating principles that keep us aligned daily to the mission that we set out to accomplish— to change the business world through selfless service. These fifteen principles are the standard that we use to make cultural decisions like who to bring on, who to let go, and how to interact with our clients. Every single person on the Keyser team was brought on for two reasons: they are exceptional commercial real estate advocates, they are hard workers, and they fully believe in the Keyser mission.

Q) What motivated you to establish Keyser?
Jonathan: As I talk about in my book, I started Keyser because I was tired of being ruthless and I really wanted to find a better way. Before Keyser, I felt I was doing things to make the most commission, not to create lasting relationships. That type of behavior is common in the commercial real estate industry, and unfortunately, it is why the profession has a poor reputation. That’s why we started Keyser— to give tenants a ferocious advocate on the commercial real estate front that didn’t exist in the industry to date.

Q) How are you differentiating Keyser from its competitors?

Jonathan: Keyser’s main differentiators are that we only represent tenants, never landlords or developers, and we all operate under the principle of selfless service.  It is embedded in our culture.  It is who we are.  We are the best and we honor ourselves, our partners and our clients by being our best.

Q) What are the primary challenges of the industry?

Jonathan: It is a tough industry dealing with constant change.  Knowing how to help your clients navigate the uncertainty is paramount.  It is also filled with conflict of interest and back door dealings.  There is a lot of money to be made, so there are many that are in it who care solely about how much they can profit, rather than how much they can serve.  We are changing that.

Q) What are your thoughts about the post-pandemic commercial real estate market? What are the key trends driving the sector?

Jonathan: In 2023, the commercial real estate industry is feeling the full effects of the pandemic— but not in the way you would expect when considering other recessionary periods. Hybrid work is causing rising vacancies. Traditionally, when vacancy rates rise, rental rates fall, but not this time. Why? Tenant improvement costs are almost double today than they were in 2020. When landlords have to cover those costs, they also have to find a way to recover those costs.

If commercial real estate trends are something you’re interested in learning more about, I recommend you check out Keyser’s Tenant Resource Center: https://keyser.com/tenant-resource-center/

We have a new 90-minute webinar chock-full of best practices and advice about the current commercial real estate trends.

Q) What are your priorities for 2023?

Jonathan: 2023 is a milestone for us here at Keyser; not only are we celebrating a decade of exceptional tenant-only representation, but we’re also undergoing a brand upgrade. We have gone back to our roots by asking ourselves the following question: if we were a start-up again today, would this __________ (process, person, tool, or technology) help get us to the next level?  If the answer is no, we take swift action to course correct.

Q) As a source of inspiration for many, what would your advice be for entrepreneurs who are planning to enter the business world?

Jonathan: To new entrepreneurs, when choosing your company’s values, make sure they don’t just become words on a wall. A huge reason why we attract and retain top clients and talent is because we don’t just have principles, we have a thriving culture built upon solid core principles, and it’s something that flows through every member of the team. Get that right, everything else is easy.  Get that wrong…and I have done it…and everything is hard.

The Future of Investing: Trendy and Innovative Options for Gen Z

Investing has always been a crucial part of building wealth and securing a stable financial future, but for Gen Z, it can feel like an overwhelming and daunting task. With an ever-increasing number of investment options and a rapidly changing economic landscape, it’s easy to see why many young people feel lost when it comes to investing.

However, the truth is that there has never been a better time to explore the world of investing. With the rise of the internet and digitalization, there are now more opportunities than ever before to grow your wealth and align your investments with your interests and values.

So, let’s explore some of the most exciting options for Gen Z investors looking to secure a bright financial future.

  • Real Estate Investing

You might wonder, “How can real estate investing be an innovative option as it’s been around for decades?” Well, Instead of traditional real estate investing, which typically involves buying physical property and becoming a landlord, we are talking about investing in Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs).

It allows you to invest in a portfolio of properties and earn a share of the profits. It offers the potential for stable and consistent returns, as property values tend to appreciate over time. Additionally, with the rise of sustainable investing, there are now REITs that focus specifically on environmentally-friendly properties and practices, so you can invest in real estate while still prioritizing your values. All this without having to deal with the headaches of managing tenants and maintenance.

  • Gaming

Gaming has become a surprisingly lucrative industry, and savvy investors are starting to take notice. With the rise of esports and online gaming, many companies have seen their stock prices soar in recent years.

Not to forget, the world of gaming has opened up new investment opportunities through the rise of digital assets and non-fungible tokens (NFTs).

Also, some platforms allow investors to buy and sell digital assets related to popular games like แทงบอลเสต็ป, creating a whole new avenue for investment. As the gaming industry continues to grow and evolve, it’s clear that there will be even more exciting opportunities for investors to capitalize on this trend. This is a winning combination for Gen Z investors interested in gaming and investing.

  • Sustainable Investing

This innovative investment option focuses on companies prioritizing environmental sustainability and social responsibility. This approach to investing aligns with the values of many Gen Z investors increasingly concerned with climate change’s impact and social issues.

In fact, by investing in sustainable companies, you can positively impact the world while also growing your wealth. There are now a variety of funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that focus specifically on sustainable investments, making it easier than ever to invest in companies that prioritize renewable energy, environmentally-friendly practices, and social responsibility.

To Sum It All Up

Gen Z investors have a wealth of innovative and trendy investment options available to them. From sustainable investing to real estate and even gaming, there are endless opportunities to align your investments with your interests & values. By exploring these options and taking advantage of the latest investment trends, you can build a strong financial future while also making a positive impact on the world.

ChatGPT: An In-Depth Look at the Revolutionary AI-Language Model

In recent years Artificial intelligence (AI) has made tremendous advancements in the interpretation and processing of language.

In November 2022, OpenAI, the US-based research center for AI, launched ChatGPT, an AI chatbot that was developed after its founding in 2015 by a group of prominent tech individuals, including Sam Altman, Elon Musk, Greg Brockman, Ilya Sutskever, John Schulman, and Wojciech Zaremba. Elon Musk co-founded OpenAI, but stepped down in 2018 to avoid conflicts of interest, though he still advocates for AI research and safety.

On March 14, 2023, a new version of ChatGPT was released for limited access to paid subscribers, which is based on the latest OpenAI model, GPT-4. The initial release of ChatGPT was developed using the GPT-3.5 architecture.

What is ChatGPT

ChatGPT, an AI language model, can simulate human language and thought processes using its advanced natural language processing algorithms. This unique ability allows it to generate nearly identical text to human-generated text, making it a versatile and powerful tool for various applications, including communication improvement, writing enhancement, research, and development.

Technical Details 

Chat GPT uses a transformer model with attention mechanisms to capture dependencies between words and generate coherent responses. It was developed using OpenAI’s large language models, fine-tuned via transfer learning, and reinforced with guided learning and human contact. The model was initially developed based on OpenAI’s large language models (LLMs) from GPT-3.5 and GPT-4 families. A limited version based on the latest OpenAI model, GPT-4, was released exclusively for paid subscribers on March 14, 2023.

Training Process

The training process for Chat GPT is a challenging undertaking that uses many resources, data, and processing power. OpenAI used a variety of text-based sources, including books, journals, and webpages, to train the model.

The training data was preprocessed and tokenized, which involved breaking the text into smaller pieces called tokens. Each token represents a single word or a group of words with similar meanings.

The model was trained using unsupervised learning, which involves training the model on a large dataset without explicitly labeling the data. During the training process, the model was exposed to a wide range of text-based inputs and learned to generate responses based on the patterns it observed in the training data.

Capabilities

Chat GPT can generate highly accurate and coherent responses to various text-based inputs. It answers, summarizes, translates, and generates creative writing.

Chat GPT excels in producing human-like responses to text inputs. This makes it a powerful tool for applications such as chatbots and virtual assistants, where natural language processing is essential.

Key advantages of ChatGPT

  • ChatGPT boasts a significant advantage in its ability to analyze and interpret contextual cues and patterns in language, allowing it to generate accurate and precise responses across a diverse range of topics. ChatGPT can understand and respond to various conversational prompts, from basic inquiries to complex discussions.
  • Apart from its exceptional language processing abilities, ChatGPT is also highly customizable. Users can optimize the model to their requirements by modifying vocabulary size, sequence length, and training data sources. As a result, ChatGPT can be tailored to a diverse range of use cases and industries, including healthcare, finance, education, and entertainment.
  • ChatGPT’s conversational interaction expertise enables it to handle follow-up inquiries, acknowledge mistakes, challenge unfounded assumptions, and decline inappropriate requests, all thanks to its dialogue style.
  • Despite its primary role of emulating human communication, ChatGPT is remarkably adaptable. It can write code, compose music and literature, answer questions, create poetry and games, and simulate chat rooms.
  • Several pages and articles regarding web phenomena and programming languages, like message boards and the Python programming language, are included in the training data for ChatGPT.
  • OpenAI has developed an AI chatbot auto-generative system for online customer support, which employs natural language processing (NLP) and is pre-trained to generate conversational responses. The method leverages data from various sources, such as books, websites, and articles, to create a language model that facilitates human interaction.
  • Another critical advantage of ChatGPT is its ongoing development and improvement. To advance AI technology, OpenAI continually updates ChatGPT with new algorithms and training data to enhance its efficiency, accuracy, and overall performance. As a result, users can consistently depend on ChatGPT to produce the latest and most precise responses possible.
  • In essence, ChatGPT stands out as a groundbreaking AI language model that is transforming how we engage with technology and one another. With its state-of-the-art natural language processing algorithms, customizable features, and continuous refinement, ChatGPT is a potent instrument for individuals seeking to boost their writing and communication abilities, simplify their research and development workflows, or merely discover the endless potential of AI technology. Overall, ChatGPT represents a significant leap forward in the domain of AI.

Negative impacts of ChatGPT

As an AI language model, ChatGPT does not intend to cause harm or negative impact. However, there are a few potential negative impacts that arise from the use of such technology.

  • Bias: ChatGPT, like any AI model, is only as unbiased as the data it is trained on. If the data it was trained on is biased or discriminatory, the model may reproduce those biases in its responses.
  • Misinformation: ChatGPT generates responses based on the information it has been trained on. If the information it has been taught is incorrect or incomplete, it may create responses that contain misinformation.
  • Dependency: Overreliance on ChatGPT may lead to reduced human-to-human interaction, negatively impacting social skills and relationships.
  • Privacy concerns: Conversations with ChatGPT are stored and processed by the platform that hosts it, which may lead to privacy concerns regarding the storage and use of personal data.
  • It is essential to use AI language models like ChatGPT responsibly and understand the potential negative impacts of their use.

Its detailed response and articulate answers across various knowledge domains garnered attention. A major disadvantage that has been identified is the uneven factual accuracy of it.

Future of ChatGPT

As the technology underlying Chat GPT develops, we may anticipate seeing more sophisticated applications that will improve our capacity for machine interaction and communication. There is also continuing research towards better pre-training and fine-tuning methods, which may create even more potent NLP models.

Chat GPT is a potent NLP model that can potentially transform how we communicate with machines. Its capacity to produce human-like responses to text-based inputs makes it an invaluable tool for various applications. In the future, we can anticipate even more advanced applications.

ChatGPT can be used positively or negatively. Some potential negative impacts include:

  • Misinformation: ChatGPT can spread false information.
  • Bias reinforcement: Biased training data can result in biased responses.
  • Social isolation: Relying too much on ChatGPT can lead to social disconnection.
  • Job displacement: Automation by AI, including ChatGPT, may result in job loss.
  • Ethical concerns: Misuse of AI for surveillance, manipulation, and control raises ethical issues.

Recognize and address the negative impacts of AI through responsible development and use. ChatGPT reduces harmful and deceitful responses compared to InstructGPT. However, it has limitations and may produce incorrect or nonsensical answers.

Conclusion

Chat GPT, a remarkable achievement in AI and natural language processing, is a versatile tool for communication, research, and development. With 175 billion parameters, it’s one of the most significant language models ever created, pre-trained on diverse sources to learn patterns and relationships between words and phrases. Based on the transformer model, it uses attention mechanisms for accurate responses. Chat GPT has potential applications in chatbots, virtual assistants, medical diagnosis, financial analysis, and more, with ongoing development likely to push the boundaries of AI language processing.

OpenAI study shows ChatGPT-like automation puts jobs at risk, including tax preparation, digital interface designers, writers, administrative assistants, mathematicians, and more.

Bet On Yourself.

Let’s kick things off with a question, shall we? Would you consider yourself to be someone who likes to gamble? Who likes to take risks? Who is comfortable putting most if not all your eggs in one basket with the hope that the outcome will work in your favor? I can tell you with complete confidence that I am not! So much so that I’m the kind of person, who, if I do find myself in a casino to gamble (which is beyond rare) I’m most likely going to be found at the five-cent slot machine hoping for that million-dollar win!

The idea of taking a risk used to cause such a level of stress for me, that I took none. And when I say none, I meant none. Even when I could sense that the outcome of me doing something a little differently would result in a positive outcome – I still wouldn’t chance it, and in fact would double down on the act, action or behavior that I was convinced was the only avenue to take.

I’d love to say that this fear of stepping out of my comfort zone was something that was new, but if I take a moment to reflect on the way I have operated for a good portion of my life, I can say that taking minimal risk, sticking within status quo and not going too far out of my safety zone was a badge I wore with confidence – that is until I dove into the world of entrepreneurship.

Sidenote: Isn’t interesting how we can be so committed to a particular pattern or behavior in our life, but with one decision (whether planned or irrational) pivot in a whole other direction.

I can’t tell you the exact moment that I decided that I was going to become an entrepreneur, but I can pinpoint the very moment I decided that it was time for me to start betting on myself!

Let me give you a bit of context. For as long as I can remember I was a rule follower. Growing up in a West Indian household in Montreal, with two professional parents, the expectations were clear. Go to school, get good grades to afford you choice and opportunity in your professional life, stay out of trouble, and conduct yourself with self-respect and pride. My parents were not strict by any means, but their expectations for my brother and I were clear – we understood the assignment! And so, like a good and obedient daughter, I did what was expected of me. I went to school, graduated from university, moved to Toronto where I landed a secure job, bought a nice house, got married, had kids (3 to be exact), went back to school (whilst pregnant with my third, which is a whole other article topic) to get my master’s degree. By all accords I was what we here in North America would deem successful. While I wasn’t dancing in money, the life that my husband and I created was one of comfort and happiness.

Never one who lived on the edge in search of a ‘different life’ I would be lying if there wasn’t a point where I felt myself becoming complacent with what life had become. This by no means is to imply that I wasn’t happy – because I was – but what I meant was something felt off, felt stagnant. At the time of this feeling, I couldn’t quit pinpoint what it was until a job opportunity that I knew I was PERFECT for was about to be posted. That was it! That unsettled feeling that was causing a bit of an itch was because prior to this opportunity I had been in my position for nine years. While I enjoyed what I did, I was ready for more. And clearly because I had been doing the job (but at a lower level) for nine years, how could I not get it. Well guess what… I didn’t get the job. Now let me say this right now – not getting the job, though at the time, felt like the greatest injustice of life, I would come to realize that it would be the greatest gift to self and the birth of the world of entrepreneurship for me.

You see up until that moment, I operated in the mindset that my professional growth and success was contingent on other people seeing and deeming me “ready” for a particular job or position. That their opinion and recognition of my skills and qualifications held greater worth and value than my personal recognition of my greatness. The facts are, I am where I am today not because someone invited me to the table. I am where I am today (and please note there is more for me to learn and do) because I decided that the table, they were sitting at was too small for me…so I built my own.

I was once the woman who believed that my readiness for greatness was based on other people’s perception and confirmation as such. But you know what happened. Nothing. And you know why…because their maximum view of me was based on their limited belief about themselves. I placed their opinion at such a higher value that when I finally decided to emancipate myself from that mindset, I became certified as a change management practitioner, became a certified health coach, started my own business, became a leadership coach for the Canadian Olympic Committee and published my first book.

I share this not to gloat…but to affirm and remind you all that your passion, purpose and power is for you to tap into and release. What lies ahead for each one of us is only limited by the limitations we set – so don’t set any. Set goals and milestones.

As scary as it may feel to put full faith, time and commitment into yourself, remember that no one will ever be as invested in your success as you will be. This doesn’t mean that you move in isolation. Seek counsel, embrace feedback, receive constructive criticism, but then formulate your own conclusion and move accordingly. Because remember this – their assessment of your maximum capacity may be your baseline!

Believe in yourself. Stay committed to the process and always bet on yourself!

From Adversity to Empowerment: Dr Belynder Walia’s Self-Healing Journey to Mental Health Advocacy

In today’s world, anxiety and mental health issues are on the rise, affecting people of all ages and backgrounds. It takes courage, empathy, and resilience to battle these challenges and emerge victorious. Dr Belynder Walia is one such individual who has overcome anxiety and made it her life’s mission to help others do the same. Her journey is a remarkable story of hope, determination, and inspiration, serving as a testament to the power of one person’s impact on the lives of many others.

The Struggle

Belynder’s path to becoming a celebrated psychotherapist was not easy. She struggled with anxiety and grief. She lost her father as a young child she was nine, battled with poor health and a tumour in her youth and suffered perinatal anxiety compounded by the trauma of going through IVF and miscarriages. This led to the early loss of twins, sixteen procedures, life-threatening surgery, divorce, loss of her job and home, and financial hardship. Her experiences left her feeling isolated and alone, with no professional support to turn to. But Belynder did not let her struggles define her. Through the loving support of her family, she pulled through. Instead, whilst having the academic qualifications, she learned how to heal herself and became her own therapist by turning to books on self-healing and finding solace in the words of authors like Louise Hay, Sadhguru, and Wayne Dyer.

The Approach

Through her healing journey, Belynder discovered the power of psychotherapy and the importance of empowering people to take control of their mental and emotional health. As an award-winning psychotherapist, she uses her knowledge, understanding, and empathy to help her clients transform their lives. Her collaborative approach combines modalities like mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, dialectical behaviour therapy, hypnosis, self-reflective psychology, self-relationship therapy, and neuroplasticity. She helps her clients align their head, heart, and gut to regain their power of positive self-talk, regulate chemical releases in the body, and manage emotions through intuitive guidance.

The Impact

Belynder’s experience with anxiety has made her compassionate and empathetic towards those suffering from mental and emotional distress. Her work extends beyond her online and on-set psychotherapy practice, where she helps those in need. She volunteers for suicide prevention and has extensive experience in the field of helping those who self-harm. In addition, she worked with emergency services during the Covid pandemic, supporting those in need. Belynder plans to start a charity to help children break free from the chains of abuse and raise awareness of modern-day slavery. She aims to help as many children receive the mental and emotional care they need and support people to understand that they don’t have to suffer alone.

The Accomplishments

Belynder’s contributions have been featured in several renowned publications, including Forbes, Cosmopolitan, Harper’s Bazaar, The Moment, Planet Mindful, and Thrive Global. She founded Serene Lifestyles, an online and on-set therapy practice, and her work has touched the lives of many, from stay-at-home carers to experts and even celebrities in the public eye. Her innovative therapy approach, combining psychotherapy and neuroplasticity, has yielded impressive results for her clients, providing countless individuals with hope, healing, and inner peace.

The Vision

Belynder is more than a psychotherapist; she is a humanitarian. Her passion for giving back to her community is a testament to her kind and compassionate spirit. She plans to start an online academy in collaboration with other mental health and well-being specialists, so they can provide resources to help people gain strength and radicalise the healing process. The academy aims to offer courses and resources on various topics related to mental health, including self-healing techniques and therapy modalities. It will be a platform for people to access information to help them lead happy and fulfilling lives. Belynder plans to collaborate with mental health professionals from different specialities and provide online courses that will cater to other people’s needs. This will include courses for individuals, couples, and families and practices focused on specific mental health challenges like anxiety, depression, stress and trauma.

The Book

In addition to her many accomplishments as a psychotherapist and humanitarian, Belynder is also an accomplished writer. Her upcoming book, with the working title “Fix Me,” is a testament to her dedication to helping others manage anxiety and safely address mental and emotional distress. Based on her own healing journey, the book shares personal experiences and techniques she has used with her clients to manage anxiety. Belynder’s goal is to help others overcome their anxiety and mental health issues, providing them with the tools they need to lead fulfilling lives. With “Fix Me,” Belynder is poised to impact countless individuals’ lives significantly, helping them find the hope, healing, and inner peace they deserve. She also stresses the importance of seeking professional help when needed. While self-awareness, self-acceptance and self-compassion are valuable parts of the healing techniques, they are not substitutes for therapy or other forms of mental health treatment.

Conclusion

Dr Belynder Walia’s journey is a testament to the power of turning adversity into an opportunity to help others. Her personal struggles with anxiety and grief have fueled her passion for mental health advocacy, and her innovative therapy approach has provided countless individuals with hope, healing, and inner peace. She has dedicated her life to empowering individuals to take control of their emotional well-being and has made significant contributions to the mental health community through her therapy practice, volunteer work, and upcoming online charity, academy and book.

In a world where mental health is of utmost importance, Dr Belynder Walia is a shining example of what we can achieve with determination, empathy, and resilience. Her work serves as a reminder that seeking help is not a sign of weakness but rather a step towards recovery and empowerment. Her vision and passion for helping humanity pave the way for a brighter future for those struggling with mental and emotional distress and her commitment to mental health advocacy inspire many to follow in her footsteps.

Dr. Nairouz Bader: Empowering Women Leaders to Rise Higher and Reach Further

Dr. Nairouz Bader is the C.E.O. of Envision Partnership, a female executive search and leadership advisory organization that she established in 1997. Envision Partnership is the first executive search firm in the MENA region to be certified by the AESC and WeConnect International, two prestigious organizations that recognized the company’s commitment to excellence and diversity. Since its establishment, the company has expanded to Dubai, serving clients across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

Not only is Dr. Nairouz a successful businesswoman, but she is also a pioneer in her field and is the only Arab woman leader who has served on the global board of AESC and M.C.H. Global, the parent company of Art Basel. Under her leadership, Envision Partnership has also become the only expert in the MENA region certified by the Switzerland Global Enterprise as an Official Expert on International Human Resources.

A pharmacist by profession, Dr. Nairouz holds several post-graduate degrees, including a Master’s in Managerial Leadership from the U.S.A. She has lived most of her life in the U.A.E. but has also spent her time in Europe, Canada, and the U.S.A. Dr. Nairouz is a DEI Diversity & Gender Catalyst and is passionate about gender parity, advocating for female leadership and minority-owned enterprise.

For Dr. Nairouz and her team, walking the talk is not just a buzzword but a way of life. They are incredibly passionate about placing female executives in leadership roles, not just locally but also globally. Through their coaching and development programs, they aim to build a sustainable talent pipeline for future women leaders, empowering them to take charge and shape the future of their organizations. Also, as a founding member of Rotary International in Dubai, Nairouz is committed to positively impacting her community and beyond.

About Envision Partnership

Established in 1997, Envision Partnership is a global executive search and talent management consultancy providing personalized services to help clients find and attract the best executive talent. The organization strongly emphasizes quality, professionalism, and personalization, ensuring that each client receives tailored solutions to meet their unique needs. Envision Partnership’s extensive services include executive search, talent assessment, leadership development, and organizational consulting.

With its global presence and a team of experienced consultants, Envision Partnership has an impressive track record of placing top-level executives across various industries. The

organization’s expertise and commitment to excellence have made it a trusted partner for organizations seeking talent management services.

Under Dr. Nairouz’s leadership, Envision Partnership is entirely committed to driving sustainable change and creating a more inclusive future by promoting female executives in regional and global leadership roles. The Organization’s approach includes coaching and developing talented women and creating a sustainable talent pipeline for future women leaders. Also, by promoting diversity and inclusion, the organization inspires many more women to join the workforce and continue working for a better future.

“At Envision Partnership, we believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion (D.E.I.) are crucial components of success. Our innovative approach to leadership and commitment to D.E.I. will shape the future and create a more sustainable and inclusive world,”- explains Dr. Nairouz.

Navigating the Dizzying Environment

Leadership is a challenging and complex task in today’s fast-paced and constantly evolving world. As a seasoned leader, Dr. Nairouz has adopted an approach that revolves around several key principles to navigate this ever-changing landscape.

First and foremost, Dr. Nairouz prioritizes open communication and transparency. She always likes to keep the communication line open and transparent with her team and stakeholders, so they can work together to tackle challenges and capitalize on opportunities that arise from time to time.

Secondly, Dr. Nairouz firmly believes in leading by example. As a leader, she understands that her actions and behavior significantly impact her team and organization. Hence, she strives to embody the values and principles that she wants to see in her organization.

Thirdly, she believes in fostering a culture of innovation and creativity. By encouraging her team to think outside the box and explore new ideas, she ensures that Envision Partnership stays ahead of the curve and adapts to changing environments.

Lastly, she is a firm believer in continuous learning and development. As a leader, Dr. Nairouz recognizes the importance of ongoing personal and professional growth and strives to instill this mindset in her team. Overall, Dr. Nairouz’s approach to leadership centers on communication, leading by example, fostering innovation, and continuous learning and development.

Motivating Innovation and Creativity

As a visionary leader, Dr. Nairouz recognizes the importance of creativity and innovation in driving success, but she also understands the need for a healthy work environment. Therefore, she has implemented several strategies to achieve this perfect balance.

First and foremost, Dr. Nairouz fosters a culture of open communication and collaboration. She encourages her team to share their ideas and provide feedback, creating a safe space where everyone’s voice is heard and valued. This approach allows Envision Partnership to generate new and innovative solutions to complex problems.

Additionally, Dr. Nairouz encourages experimentation and risk-taking. She recognizes that not every idea will be successful, but she believes in learning from failures to drive future success.

To stay competitive in the rapidly changing world, Dr. Nairouz prioritizes training and development opportunities for her team, which helps them build new skills and stay up-to-date with the latest industry trends and best practices.

Lastly, Dr. Nairouz is committed to ensuring work-life balance and stress management for her team. She understands that a healthy work-life balance is essential for productivity and well-being, and she strives to support her team in every way possible.

“I motivate creativity and innovation while maintaining a healthy work environment by fostering open communication, encouraging experimentation, offering training and development opportunities, and prioritizing work-life balance. By striking this balance, my team feels empowered to take risks and think outside the box while feeling supported and valued in their work,”- she explains.

Promoting Gender Diversity and Inclusion

Envision Partnership stands out in the industry with its unique focus on promoting gender diversity and inclusion, as well as its dedication to developing sustainable leadership pipelines. Envision’s team has valuable insights into women’s challenges and opportunities in leadership positions, allowing them to provide tailored solutions that genuinely help them succeed.

“Overall, Envision Partnership’s commitment to promoting gender diversity and inclusion, our focus on sustainable leadership pipelines, and unique insights about the challenges and opportunities facing women in leadership positions could all be key selling propositions that set us apart from other companies in the industry,”- says Dr. Nairouz.

Picture of the Future

On a personal level, Dr. Nairouz is determined to prioritize her well-being and continue investing in her personal development. This will involve pursuing new hobbies and interests that challenge her and allow her to learn new skills. Additionally, she recognizes the importance of self-care and nurturing her relationships with loved ones, which will be crucial for her mental and emotional health.

Dr. Nairouz intends to travel extensively and immerse herself in new cultures in line with her passion for exploration and learning. She believes this exposure will broaden her perspective and deepen her understanding of the world, undoubtedly enriching her personal and professional life.

“Professionally, my goals are to drive positive change and create impact through my work. I am committed to expanding the reach and impact of Envision Partnership, a women-focused organization that empowers and supports women to achieve their full potential. Specifically, I hope to develop new programs and services to help clients prioritize sustainability and collaborate with other organizations to achieve collective impact. In addition, I aim to reduce the environmental footprint of Envision Partnership and lead by example in our own business practices,”- Dr. Nairouz concludes.

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