As much of a wild ride as 2021 has been, it’s coming to a close quickly. Why not start 2022 off on a high note and dress to impress? Take your professional life to new heights with a shoe option that exudes confidence and professionalism without looking like you’re headed to a 1940 mobster’s party.

These shoe recommendations are perfect for modern startup professionals, casual office workers, and everyday professionals who value functionality over sheer form.

Check it out.

Fuencorral:

If you want just enough of that upper-class professional look to fit in with your suit-wearing counterparts, these are for you. Their dark-brown leather bodies and pitch-black soles are shaped with smooth lines and the same timeless aesthetic as traditional dress shoes, but they have an athletic touch that makes them far more comfortable. Coupled with their built-in inserts, Fuencorral shoes will make your workday go by a lot easier, and you’ll maintain the professional look your CEO peers demand.

Moloa Aho:

The Moloa Aho shoe mixes a contemporary, comfortable design with a casually professional look that will blend in well with the vast majority of modern office jobs. Its youthful appearance adds a sense of energy and excitement to your wardrobe, but it’s not childish or out of place due to its traditional lines and no-nonsense pattern. Paired with its earth-tone fabrics, this is a neutral shoe that matches most professional situations.

Nohea Mesh:

You’re a professional, but you don’t just sit at your desk all day. You’re a hands-on professional with the energy and enthusiasm necessary to innovate the business world. The Nohea Mesh provides you with a shoe that perfectly matches that character.

Nohea Mesh shoes combine athletic shoe traits with earth tones, high-quality suede, and the rigidness of professional shoe designs. This creates a comfortable, highly maneuverable shoe that doesn’t compromise on aesthetics.

Rieker 17659-35:

For the most demanding professional environments, where a respect-demanding aesthetic means the difference between a promotion and carrying coffee around for years, the Rieker 17659-35 is your go-to option.

It’s a slip-on professional shoe option with rigid, yet well-transitioned, lines, black leather construction, and the simple, yet elegant design that dress shoes are known for. They’re also reasonably priced compared to other high-end dress shoe options, but they don’t compromise quality or cut corners.

You probably won’t want to work all day in a warehouse or go for a jog in these, but you’ll have no problem making your way around the office without causing unbearable pain. If you need to command respect and dress to match your high-end surroundings, this is the shoe for you.

Match Your Profession

All of these are excellent options for the modern businessman. Whether you’re at an upbeat, fast-paced startup or a high-strung, high-intensity investment firm, there’s an option for you. Take the time to consider what your usual job attire is, the amount of walking you do in a shift, and what the general tone of your workplace is before you commit to a single pair.

If you want more options, you can find all of these and more at Becker’s Best Shoes.

The United Kingdom is undoubtedly one of the best places in the world to travel. As Fahim Imam-Sadeque explains, it doesn’t matter whether you’re looking for a getaway in the winter, spring, summer, or fall; the UK has something for everyone.

There are historical sites, beaches, and other fun activities for people of all ages, couples, families, and those who travel solo.

While there is an unlimited number of great places to vacation, here are the 8 best places to visit in the UK.

1. London

You’d be sadly mistaken if you travelled to the UK and didn’t make a stop in London. It’s the largest city in the UK and one of the most well-known cities worldwide.

London is easily accessible through two main airports — Gatwick and Heathrow — and rail stations from around the UK.

You can experience both modern culture and history from London. Some of the more popular stop-offs include Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, and the Houses of Parliament.

You can also take in the beautiful River Thames from the Tower Bridge, as well as numerous history and art museums.

2. Edinburgh

The capital city of Scotland is not to be missed. It’s one of the top destinations in the UK and is well-known for its historical buildings that have been preserved relatively well. Perhaps the best example of this is Edinburgh Castle.

While Edinburgh offers excellent history and architecture, there are other attractions, too. The city features Princes Street, home to many dining and shopping destinations, and the Royal Botanical Garden.

3. Stonehenge

If you want to see history outside of a city, take a trip to Stonehenge, the oldest World Heritage Site. People have travelled to this mysterious site of stone sculptures for nearly 4,500 years.

While no one has been able to definitively say why the structures were erected, it’s believed to be a former place of worship. Today, people from all around the world travel here to gaze at the genuinely awe-inspiring stones.

4. Cornwall

There are many spectacular coastlines to visit in the UK, but none as magnificent as Cornwall. This region has some of the best beaches in the UK and is home to warmer temperatures than many other places.

The Gulf Stream boosts temperatures in the sea to higher degrees, making for a great swimming experience as well. Many surfers love to go to Cornwall, but even if you don’t surf, you’ll love the laid-back atmosphere there.

5. Brighton

The seaside town of Brighton is a fantastic place to visit on your trip to the UK. It’s only roughly an hour ride from London by train, making it an ideal day-trip stop-off if you’re spending an extended amount of time in England’s capital.

Brighton is known for its famous pier as well as pebble beaches. While there, there are many shops you can visit and pubs where you can enjoy a pint.

If you want to stay overnight, there are plenty of affordable hotels and bed & breakfasts as well.

6. Lake District

You don’t have to go to the coast to see amazing waterfront landscapes. Travelling to the Lake District, which includes Lake Windermere, is a beautiful experience. If you love the outdoors, you’ll love the beauty of the Lake District.

You can also explore many villages if hiking, biking, or riding on the lake aren’t for you.

7. The Cotswolds

If the countryside is more your thing, then the wonderfully beautiful Cotswolds is a can’t miss. Fahim Imam-Sadeque suggests you take a day trip there from London if you want to stay overnight.

Here, you’ll get to experience how the English live in rural settings, with various pasturelands and quaint villages. You can bike, horseback ride, or browse around the markets of Tetbury and Castle Combe.

8. York

For an authentic medieval experience, travel to York. It’s one of the most popular destinations for tourists in all of the UK, and it’s also the ecclesiastical capital of the Church of England.

There are truly awe-inspiring cathedrals here and many churches to gander at. The city today has a Gothic structure built in the 14th century along with beautiful stained-glass windows.

The City Walls have surrounded the old city centre from medieval times, which is truly amazing to see.

About Fahim Imam-Sadeque

Fahim Imam-Sadeque is a business development professional with proven experience in the asset management industry. He has a Bachelor of Science in Actuarial Science from the City University of London and is a Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries. Fahim’s top skills include asset management, hedge funds, investment management, sales, and consultant & client relationship management.

San Diego County residents, David Malcolm and Dianne L. Bashor, continue to go above and beyond for the needs of their community, and this time, they wanted to provide opportunities for future generations.

The two La Jollans were recently honored at the 2021 Champions of Scouting banquet for their generous support of the San Diego-Imperial Council Boy Scouts of America’s newest facility, Camp Bashor. The annual gala took place on September 18 in San Diego Bay on the flight deck of the USS Midway Museum.

As a long-time philanthropic advisor to the Bashor family, David Malcolm oversaw and negotiated the terms of Dianne Bashor’s donation of $1 million to assist in developing the first campground in San Diego County’s South Bay.

“South County has a vibrant culture with a diverse population. The Boy Scouts and the Girls Scouts instilled values that served as a compass for how my late husband and I led our lives. My hope is that this campground will create a space and opportunities for children of all ages and backgrounds to have life-long memories and to learn the core values of character and leadership that Scouting so effectively imparts to girls and boys,” said Dianne Bashor.

The late Father Joe Carroll, who died at age 80 this past July, was also celebrated as a Champion of Scouting alongside Malcolm and Bashor.

“I had been on the board of Father Joe’s Villages for 31 years,” David Malcolm said. “Carroll was a Scout himself and spent decades as their chaplain.” Father Joe’s Villages is an organization founded and built by Carroll that focuses on homelessness in San Diego.

Camp Bashor officially opened on September 25 at Otay Lakes County Park. It includes a two-line, 600-foot zipline, archery range, low-ropes challenge course, trails for hiking from the camp to the Pacific Ocean, and dozens of ready-to-enjoy campsites.

In addition to Camp Bashor’s opportunities for Scouts and their families, the facility will also be available for other local non-profits to take advantage of, such as the YMCA, YWCA, Boys and Girls Clubs, and more. The campgrounds are near the Olympic training facility, which provides another amenity that those at the camp can use.

According to Malcolm, “This is about kids being able to enjoy without always having to leave the community. We loved the Camp Bashor idea because the diverse communities of the South Bay do not have the park and recreational facilities that other parts of San Diego have for its citizens. Camp Bashor brings a great new facility to the South Bay.”

The idea for Camp Bashor blossomed from a confluence of a vision, a long-time friendship, and a trusted advisor. The original concept for a camp in South Bay came from former County Supervisor Greg Cox. Cox has pursued the vision he had for Otay Lakes County Park for more than seven years. Malcolm became involved in Cox’s mission through their friendship after they met while serving as elected officials in Chula Vista, Cox as Mayor, and Malcolm as City Councilmember. As the philanthropic advisor to Bashor, a generous community supporter, Malcolm was delighted to support the creation of Camp Bashor.

Bashor and Cox both are personally connected to the Scouts as Bashor was a Brownie and a Girl Scout, and Cox was a Boy Scout. Through her experience in the Scouts program, Bashor says that she knows what a difference Camp Bashor will make for the kids in the community.

“They are our tomorrow,” said Bashor.

The beginnings of Camp Bashor took wing in July 2018 when the County Board of Supervisors approved the environmental review process to consent to the campground and the lease of a 69-acre facility.

With the ability to expand the current dozens of campsites to hundreds and host groups as large as 400 campers, there is enormous potential for Camp Bashor and its outdoors legacy. As a joint venture between the County of San Diego and the San Diego-Imperial Council of the Boy Scouts of America, philanthropic partners are still welcome to join in the future plans for Camp Bashor additions, including a park amphitheater, restroom and shower facility, campsite expansion, activities field, storage facility, and maintenance endowment.

“We want to leave San Diego a better place than when we came, and kids are the future. If we don’t give our kids the opportunity to stay out of trouble and create that good environment, then shame on us. We want to help kids become future leaders,” said Malcolm.

About David Malcolm

David Malcolm is a San Diego businessman and philanthropist, well-known for his extensive public and community service. During Mr. Malcolm’s tenure as Chula Vista City Councilmember, the City made the largest annexations in California history. He personally secured a $1 million donation from Conrad Hilton to construct the City’s Olympic Training Center.

The legal machinery in the United States is geared toward offering those found guilty of a felony a fair chance at justice and rehabilitation.

Those who face misdemeanor charges, by contrast, often fly under the radar. Courts that hear misdemeanors are crowded, and the accused often don’t have access to a lawyer. Although everyone has the right to counsel, local institutions often fail to comply.

Family law attorney Matthew Cambo explains that a misdemeanor conviction is no small matter, so you have to get informed of the consequences. A misdemeanor conviction can hurt your chances of success in life in many ways. It’s crucial for parents to educate their kids about what can happen when they’re caught drinking or doing drugs.

Here are some of the short- and long-term consequences of a misdemeanor offense.

Short-Term Punishments

Misdemeanors are considered more minor offenses. They are non-violent and aren’t as severe as felonies.

Because of this, the punishments are significantly less than those for felonies, but they can still be significant. Misdemeanor charges are either classified as a first-degree or second-degree offense.

Punishments for first-degree charges include a period in jail of one year or less and a fine of $1,000 or less. Punishments for second-degree charges include time in jail of as many as 60 days and a fine of as much as $500.

The statute of limitations for misdemeanors in Florida is two years for first-degree offenses and one year for second-degree offenses.

Long-Term Effects

Misdemeanor charges do not carry with them any civil punishments. This is unlike felonies, which may prohibit a person from owning a gun or voting for the rest of their life.

However, there are still long-term effects of a misdemeanor conviction. First, a conviction of any kind will result in a person having a criminal record. This record will appear any time someone conducts a background check.

This could create a barrier to employment if the company you are applying to conducts mandatory and routine background checks on prospective employees.

People who have been convicted of a misdemeanor offense can have their records either sealed or expunged after a certain period of time. This would prevent anyone from seeing the record at all if a background check were to be conducted.

However, this process can be time-consuming and costly. In addition, there is a waiting period for when someone can apply to have their record sealed or expunged.

In addition, once you have been convicted of even a minor misdemeanor, your record will no longer be clean. As Matthew Cambo warns, it can be used against you in any future criminal case brought against you — no matter how minor that case is.

This is why it’s so important for parents to talk to their kids about the long-term dangers and effects of committing a misdemeanor offense.

About Matthew Cambo

Matthew Cambo is an associate attorney with Leinoff & Lemos, P.A. He has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America 2022 due to his exceptional focus on serving clients in family law matters. Mr. Cambo has a degree in Political Science and a J.D. from the University of Miami School of Law. He is licensed to practice in Florida and is a member of the Family Law, Trial Lawyers, and Young Lawyers sections of the Florida Bar.

Building a profitable company from the ground up is challenging, to put it mildly. According to Jason Kulpa and many others, being an entrepreneur can feel like a roller coaster. One minute, everything is going spectacularly, and the next minute you’re faced with an obstacle you didn’t see coming.

To stay successful at your craft, you’ll want to learn how to cope with business growth frustrations because they will happen at some point. In this article, Jason Kulpa shares some motivational insights to help other entrepreneurs overcome the difficulties of accelerating growth.

1. Don’t Take It Personally

If your new business has some setbacks or loses some clients, don’t carry that burden as a reflection of yourself or your efforts. It’s hard not to see your company as your baby and an extension of yourself, but ultimately, it isn’t.

Even if it’s a struggle to separate yourself from potential failures, remember that everyone faces defeat, which helps us become more resilient. Without failure, we wouldn’t have opportunities to learn, revise, and improve on previous work. And where would that leave us?

2. Learn and Learn Some More

Speaking of opportunities to learn, an excellent way to get something out of the lows in entrepreneurship is to learn from them. When something doesn’t go right, take a step back and determine what went wrong and why. Taking the time to analyze the situation will help you build a stronger, better company in the future.

If you don’t take the time and energy to learn from mistakes or mishaps, you’re much more likely to make them again, which will only continue to hurt your start-up’s growth. Asking yourself a question like, “How can I do better next time?” can mean the difference between an upswing and a dip in sales or new clients.

3. Keep Emotions Separate from Decisions

All entrepreneurs know that a big part of the job is making hundreds of decisions daily. Some of the decisions are quick and simple, while others will significantly impact your business. Keeping your emotions separate from the process is essential regardless of the decision, mainly if your decision-making is directly related to a recent slump.

Sometimes you may feel rushed to decide how to respond to slow or negative growth, but don’t let time become your enemy. It can pay off when you give yourself a chance to set aside your emotions and look at the scenario in front of you rationally and logically.

4. Find a Reliable Support Network

No one is an island, not even a businessperson who came up with an innovative and unique idea that changes the game. Just as you want those who love and support you to be around during the high points of your business venture, you should also want those people to help you during the low moments.

When things may not be going well, it’s easy to slip into a protective bubble and not let anyone else in as a way to shield yourself from failure. However, a reliable support network of family, friends, mentors, coaches, and anyone else you trust, can help you determine what happened and how to move forward. Let them cheer you on and lift your spirits so you can get back to being remarkable again.

5. Understand the Arena

Hopefully, this advice isn’t coming too late, but the business world can be cutthroat, and failures, setbacks, and frustrations come with the territory. So take some time to assess your attributes and ensure that you can handle the inevitable ups and downs of running a company.

For example, if you shy away from problems, don’t care for confrontation, or think everything will just work itself out, entrepreneurship probably isn’t for you. It takes a lot of tenacity and thick skin to be successful, even when times get tough. You’ve also got to prepare yourself for the volatility of running an enterprise and know things can go from one extreme to another very quickly. Keeping all of this in mind will help you develop flexibility you can rely on.

About Jason Kulpa

Jason Kulpa is a serial entrepreneur and the Founder and CEO of UE.co, San Diego’s Fastest Growing Business multi-year award winner, and a Certified Great Place to Work multi-year winner. In addition, Kulpa is a two-time winner of the Most Admired CEO Award of the San Diego Business Journal and a semi-finalist for the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur award. In 2018, under Mr. Kulpa’s leadership, his teams volunteered at over 24 events and worked side by side to improve the San Diego community.