Josh Altman: Selling L.A. a Million Dollars at a Time

AUTHOR: Reba Wilson

The average realtor markets through word-of-mouth, mail-outs and the Internet, but Josh Altman has taken to a new medium: reality TV. The Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles star’s personal and work lives are broadcast in 70 different countries to nearly two million people each episode. How’s that for exposure? “As a realtor, the most important thing is having your name out there and marketing yourself,” Altman tells me. Initially wary about the gig, he now says, “it’s basically an infomercial.”

Altman’s skillset centers on marketing the L.A. lifestyle to his many international clients. Recently, he moved to a new firm, Douglas Elliman, to help his team “be more global.” On the staff are people who speak many different languages – Farsi, Russian, Mandarin and Spanish, to name a few. Though viewers saw Altman debut a newly-learned phrase of Mandarin in one episode, he explains that that’s the extent of his Chinese skills; “I barely have time to go to sleep at this point,” so learning a new language is definitely out. That being said, he does focus on the nuances between different cultures, explaining that while he is more assertive when dealing with North American clients, “it’s a totally different story” when working with people of other cultures. “It’s important to know how they look at certain things, how they negotiate,” he says. L.A. real estate has become a popular sell for such clients, as Altman believes “luxury real estate is the new worldwide currency.” He is quick to advocate for the perks of living in L.A., among which is his surprising assertion that “it’s still cheap. Residential property in Los Angeles is still a deal,” compared to other major cities.

If you were followed by cameras between eight and nine months of the year, it’s reasonable to think there would be moments you’d wish hadn’t happen on screen, but Altman tells me he has no regrets, “That’s not how I live my life.” And though the show squeezes whole deals into 60-minute segments, Altman explains that it’s quite true to the deal, minus the fact that the realtors list and sell in a much shorter span.

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Luxury Report Magazine Testimonial - La Trattoria & Petros

We are happy to share with you this great testimonials from our advertising partners at La Trattoria & Petros Taverna.

"We have been very happily working with The Luxury Report Magazine for a few years now. At first, it was for my restaurant- La Trattoria and then Petros followed shortly after. All I can honestly say, is that Luxury Report Magazine has been an INCREDIBLE success for us especially in the latest No.29 edition! The tremendous positive feedback is usually immediate and the ad has already been paid back many times over within the first week. LR always works hard to promote my restaurants directly & indirectly and we really see that because the phone doesn't stop ringing for reservations! And I always ask them where they heard of us and they usually say Luxury Report Magazine! Therefore, I strongly recommend/suggest that if you are indeed serious about getting great/proven value for your advertising dollars, you need to go with Luxury Report Magazine immediately as nobody in Montreal beats them!"
-Ted Dranias, Owner of La Trattoria & Petros Taverna

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Mayim Bialik - Interviewed for Luxury Report Magazine No.27

AUTHOR: REBA WILSON

Mayim Bialik’s résumé must read like an idealistic youth’s bucket list: earn a Ph.D. in neuroscience; become a famous actress, chef and teacher; and publish a book – or two. I spoke with Bialik during a recent trip to Los Angeles. The Big Bang Theory star, who plays neurobiologist Amy Farrah Fowler, was about to wrap season 7 of the hit CBS show.

Bialik is a true Renaissance woman, dabbling in music, acting, cooking, writing, and science. “My parents raised me to have a broad set of interests and I’m very grateful to them,” she explains. “Even though I didn’t grow up with a lot of money, they tried to make opportunities available to me.” When asked what she would most like to be remembered for, she jokes that she’d like to “bring about world peace.” Like me, you’re probably wondering how she has time to do so much and still engage in her many hobbies. She admits that she doesn’t do them all at once, but also says: “I don’t watch TV, which saves a lot of time. And I don’t sleep a lot so I get a lot done early in the morning and late at night.”

Bialik’s other role is mother of two. I ask her the best advice she could give to her sons and she says it’s “to repair the world. I tell them all the time that it’s broken and it’s their job to fix it.” This seems like a tall order but she breaks it into manageable pieces by explaining that “there are opportunities every single day to be compassionate, to be kind, to hone the skills on a small scale that, when they get older and have the resources, they can use on a big scale.” And while we’re on the topic of advice, does she have any for her onscreen persona, Amy Farrah Fowler? “Don’t mix stripes and plaids,” Bialik laughs. The actress has a charming laugh, which often punctuates her quick-witted speech.

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Life After HIMYM - Charlene Amoia Hurtles Ahead

With four movies due out this year, she’s batting a thousand. “I knew I wasn’t ‘the one,’ but they kept calling me.” It turns out How I Met Your Mother actress Charlene Amoia was not “the mother,” but fans loved her in the recurring role of Wendy, the naïve waitress, in the recently wrapped American TV hit show. “I’m very grateful for that role,” says Amoia. “It was fun to develop a character.”

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Simcha Jacobovici - Holy Journalism!

Who comes to mind when a McGill University alumni generates a tsunami of media debate after claiming he has found the tomb of Jesus? The answer is Israeli-born Canadian Simcha Jacobovici, three-time Emmy-winning documentary filmmaker and New York Times best-selling author.

Acclaimed by the Ryerson Review of Journalism as “Canada’s Top Documentary Filmmaker,” Jacobovici gets a great sense of excitement and purpose applying his investigative journalistic skills to biblical archaeology. He can be seen uncovering and sharing his findings on reruns of Canada’s Vision TV hit show The Naked Archeologist and on recent documentaries The Lost Tomb of Jesus and The Exodus Decoded, both collaboratively produced with Avatar director/producer James Cameron. “What a great pleasure it is when you get paid to do what you love,” says Jacobovici. “Contextualizing something physical that came in contact with the bible and using the tools of investigative journalism to do so is a thrill.”

Jacobovici has become an internationally recognized expert in “decoding” the ancient past and has appeared on numerous television shows, including Anderson Cooper 360°, Larry King Live, The Oprah Winfrey Show and NBC Today. “We do a lot on the Hebrew bible but also on the Christian Gospels, looking at this material from a historical point of view, not a theological one. What we do is uncover the science and archeology behind the biblical narratives,” says Jacobovici.

For over ten years, Jacobovici, of Jewish Modern Orthodox faith, has been sparking heated scientific and academic debates for multiple archeological claims. He has argued that he has located the exact coordinates that the book of Exodus provides for the parting of the sea, claims to have identified the tomb of Jesus of Nazareth, and even argues that two Roman nails found in the tomb of the high priest Caiaphas are the very nails of Jesus’ crucifixion. “These claims seem fantastic if we mythologize historical events. My goal is to create a good archeological and journalistic case so that scientists can further investigate,” he argues. Simcha was born on April 4, 1953 to Romanian Jewish parents. His late father, Joseph, and mother, Ida, are Holocaust survivors. At the age of 9, he moved with his parents and sister to Montreal, where his father had been offered an engineering position. Jacobovici earned his Bachelor of Arts from McGill University with a degree in philosophy and politics in 1974. After a year of volunteering in the Israeli Army, he got his Masters in International Relations at the University of Toronto, where he completed all but his dissertation for a Ph.D.

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Miss America, Nina Davuluri - Beauty, Brains and Ambition

On September 14, 2013, two beautiful women clad in full length gowns held hands on the stage of the Atlantic City Convention hall waiting in nervous anticipation for the name of the next Miss America to be announced. The announcer said, “Your new Miss America is… Miss New York,” and, with that, Nina Davuluri was thrust onto the national stage and made history by becoming the first Miss America of Indian descent. In shock and disbelief, she began her customary runway walk among screaming admirers and camera flashes. “It was such a crazy moment. I was looking for my mom in the audience,” says Davuluri.

After spending about 20 minutes with family and friends following her win, Davuluri was asked to pack up her belongings into two suitcases to begin her year of non-stop travelling. “Everyone wants to win Miss America, but not everyone wants the job of Miss America. It’s very much a year of service,” says Davuluri. “I travel incessantly – 20,000 miles a month.” The Miss America contest, since its inception in 1921 as an exciting local seaside pageant, is still a popular American cultural institution that has become entirely scholarship driven.

Brains, beauty and style are what Nina Davuluri is all about. With the $25,000 in scholarship money she won as Miss Syracuse, she was able to graduate from the University of Michigan with a degree in brain behavior and cognitive science, earning a spot on the Dean’s List, a Michigan Merit Award, and a National Honor Society award too.

Since being crowned Miss America, Nina Davuluri’s win has created controversy. However, Davuluri, whose pageant platform is “celebrating diversity through cultural competency,” hasn’t seem bothered. “I have to rise above that,” she says. “I always viewed myself as first and foremost American. Traditionally Miss America has been the girl next door, but that’s evolved as America has evolved.”
The silver lining is that her title as Miss America awarded her $50,000 in scholarship money, which she will apply to her next phase of studies. Amongst her many responsibilities as Miss America is acting as brand ambassador for the internationally renowned brand Joseph Ribkoff.

This article is from our latest edition of Luxury Report Magazine. You can read the full magazine here.

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Liz Gaspari - Supplement Business Mogul

Liz Gaspari

LR:  So, tell me about WinesbyWives.com...
Liz:  I love WinesbyWives it’s a wine “club” where my fans can share my favorite wine. At the end of a long hard work day I love to relax with a great glass of wine and now my fans can too.

LR:  I'd love to hear about some of the charities you're involved with.
Liz: Vitamin Angels, Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation, Lyme’s Disease Foundation.

LR: I have to mention as a Jersey girl myself, what is it about Jersey women that makes them so strong?
Liz: Jersey women are strong because we have to deal with Jersey men lol. I think we are strong because we live in a metropolitan area and most of us were raised by strong parents. We have so much opportunity here in business.

LR: Tell me about Gaspari Nutrition.
Liz: What can I say about Gaspari besides the great nutritional products… I spearheaded all the overseas sales and brought Gaspari Nutrition to another level. JERSEY GIRL power!!

LR: So, what else is new with you?
Liz: I am working on some special products and a movie that I am backing and I am really excited to be at this creative part in my career.

LR: I hear you are a definite fashion lover. How do you incorporate this into your lifestyle?
Liz: I am a fashionista at heart! I love shoes and handbags and clothes. I feel like if you dress for success you are already halfway there. My advice to women who want to be successful is get up, get dressed and put your make-up on even if you think you won’t see anyone that day. Be your best for you and no one else.

LR: What do you generally like to do when you aren't doing all of the above?
Liz: I love spending time with children of course. One of my favorite things to do when I am not working is yoga. It helps to center me and bring me back down. Sometimes between traveling, family and work I don’t know whether I am coming or going. Yoga has taught me to be in the moment and enjoy it.

LR: As both a mom and entrepreneur, how do you balance the two?
Liz: Being a mom is the hardest job. I want to be a role model to my children and at the same time I want to be there for them every moment. I do my best when I am home that we all eat dinner together, do homework, watch movies or play together. When I am away we use Skype so we all feel like we are together.

LR: What are you most known for?
Liz: The first woman Sport Supplement Business Mogul and the best mom in the whole wide world (says my little one Sofia).

Follow Liz Gaspari on Twitter: @LizGaspari

- LAUREN WEIGLE @NYCPRTeam

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HOW TO ACHIEVE SUCCESS

Why is it that some people reach success with what seems like so much ease, while others struggle at it every day? Let me clarify for a quick moment; when I mentioned success, it ranges from: maintaining a weight loss program, starting a new business or climbing the corporate ladder. Success comes in many different shapes and sizes; there are small successes and quite extravagant ones. None are negligible and all bring meaningful growth to our lives. Following years of reading gigantic arrays of self improvement/success books, picking the brains of people way more successful than I, as well as countless experiences with trial and error, I’ve put together four essential elements required to achieve success in any goal you’ve set for yourself.

1Positive attitude: The first key element and arguably the most important. Norman Vincent Peale once said: “Change your thoughts and you change your world”. A positive attitude will very quickly determine whether or not you will stick to your goals when times get tough. It’s the gasoline that drives your engine, the force that pushes you forward towards your dreams. Once you lose a positive attitude, you risk losing it all.

2Step out of your comfort zone: Successful people do what unsuccessful people won’t do. Whether it’s calling that business prospect nobody else will, or waking up extra early to head to the gym before work. Successful people have a habit of pushing themselves way outside their comfort zone. The more they do so, the more they are able to accomplish what they never thought possible. Whatever you’re afraid to do, do it!

3Begin today: How many of us have goals, dreams or ideas? Now, how many of us have had those same goals, dreams and ideas for quite some time now? Procrastination is the arch enemy of your goals. There's always a reason not to start something right now; I'll start Monday or when the weather gets warmer. I’m sure you’ve heard that you need a set plan, with specific outlines of your goals. Those are important, but you should start right away, the plan will come once you’ve gotten started. Most people are passive; set yourself apart and be proactive!

4Embrace your failures: Failures can either be the catalyst to your success or can completely destroy you. The choice is in your hands. Successful people have the habit of dissecting their failures; really understanding what worked and what didn’t and using that information to propel them forward. Successful people get disappointed, of course they do, but they don’t linger on it. They learn what they can, and move on.

I wish you all the inner strength and the persistence to apply everything here and use it to shape your life for the better. Let me know how it goes!

Find me on Facebook: Daniel Enayatzadeh

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3 TIPS TO EATING & FEELING BETTER

So, you want to live a healthy lifestyle, eat well and feel better? You’ve been thinking about it but not really sure where to start? The biggest challenge is actually maintaining a healthy lifestyle, keeping it sustainable for the long term. I’ve tried all kinds of new age diets, meal programs and a variety of other concoctions. The problem is they all had a strategy to lose weight and feel better until I got to where I wanted to be, but then what? The key is, whenever you begin something, is to ask yourself: Can I maintain this for the long term? A select few changes in eating and lifestyle habits can have an enormous and long lasting positive impact on your body. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to change your whole life and throw out everything in your fridge! I spoke with Ruthy Tanenbaum, a certified holistic nutritionist, she pointed out 3 improvements that almost anyone can begin with. You can check out her web site here: www.rtnutrition.ca

Breakfast: Try to eat breakfast within the first hour of waking up to ensure that your blood glucose levels (insulin) don’t take a dive. The better your nutrition is in the morning, the less likely you are to splurge later in the day.

Hydration: It’s easy to forget, but consider this: your body runs on water, it regulates temperature, carries nutrients, oxygen and cushions your joints and flushes out unwanted toxins. Did you know that even a slight dehydration can compromise your mental alertness?

Sugar: Now, nobody expects you to eliminate sugar completely but one good example is reducing your intake of soft drinks and other high calorie, sugar based beverages. They are highly addictive, contribute to dehydration and can cause your body to begin storing fat instead of burning it. This happens because your body needs important vitamins and minerals to digest the sugar and your body will draw on them when they should instead be used for fat burning and muscle building. Sounds like the complete opposite of what I want my body doing!

So let’s get started; let me know how it goes for you! As always, I will leave you with a relating inspiring quote.

“Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.”
– Goethe

Follow Daniel Enayatzadeh on Twitter: @Enayatzadeh

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BAKING IN HIGH HEELS - Montreal Fall Edition

On October 24th, 2012 Montreal Fashionistas had an opportunity unleash their Domestic Goddesses at eFashionista's exclusive “Baking in High Heels” event featuring the Food Network SugarStars at PRFKT Boutique, located in the Montreal World Trade Centre.

The location was PRFKT! Housing some of the biggest names in fashion, PRFKT by Europa is catering your every whim and desire... a one-stop shop tailored to satisfy your lavish taste.

Sweet event details included High Heel Expert Tina Karr showing how to perfect your stride and wear heels while baking, SugarStars sweet table designs and pumpkin spice martini making.
Beauty touch-ups were provided by Caroline Theoret.

There was a charitable twist too: a high heel painting by Montreal-born painter Antoine Tavaglione was auctioned off in hopes to funds for a local women’s shelter.

It was a night all about satisfying senses of Domestic Goddesses from the heel up, filled with glitter pumpkins, high heels and sweet decor! Until next time!

Photo courtesy by PRFKT Boutique and Brian Degrace.

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