Lifestyle

A Rising Social Media Star, Gianni Mendes, is a Man Who Can Do It All!

Published

5 years ago

July 11, 2020

It is easy to add #YOLO under a picture on social media. It does not come as a surprise that this hashtag is one of the most commonly used captions among social media influencers and users. Used by millions of people, including adolescents, youngsters, and adults, the term ‘YOLO,’ holds a much deeper meaning than people have anticipated, and is much more than just a trending hashtag.

The phrase, ‘You Only Live Once,’ holds a deep message, especially for people who spend their entire lives building a stable career. YOLO is a form of motivation to push people into pursuing their passion, live their dreams, do everything on their wish list, and LIVE, because this life is the only chance they have.

Indeed, building a stable career to ensure financial stability is imperative for living a carefree life, but what is the point of earning big when one does not have the time to spend it? YOLO is a movement to help people understand that besides working on their careers, they need to make time for things that they admire and love.

Living life, the right way, and doing justice to the movement is Gianni Mendes Toniutti, better known as Gianni Mendes, an immigration lawyer, entertainer, singer, guitar virtuoso, and a rising social media star. Watching this man do everything in life has caused many people to think that he is not good at any of these fields, thanks to one of the most popularly used figures of speech, “Jack of all trades, master of none.” Gianni, who is referred to as the ‘immigration guru’ in the United States, is changing perspectives with the kind of lifestyle he spends. He not only is a highly-esteemed Italian-American immigration lawyer, but is also a singer, an accomplished guitar player, a successful entertainer, and a social media influencer.

Gianni Mendes is the jack of all trades and master of everything that he does. He is an inspiration for the people living in a world where dreams and passions are crushed in the name of professional stability. As a young boy, Gianni had multiple passions, but did he let ‘professional stability,’ get in his way towards success? No. He gave all his passions equal attention and time. In 2002, when he completed his Juris Doctor degree, he also released his first album, “Colores.” He took both his passions together, following the true meaning of the phrase, ‘You Only Live Once.’

Becoming a social media phenomenon

Gianni is the co-founder of TLRT, an Italian-American law firm, and currently heads the immigration department. Being a lawyer was always his passion, but the entertainment sector was also where his interest lay. After thinking of ways he could stay connected to both these industries, he decided to become an immigration lawyer.

Referred to as the ‘Immigration Lawyer of the VIPs’ by several notable media platforms, Gianni has worked with innumerable celebrities from the entertainment industry. As an immigration lawyer, he has worked with notable Brazilian and Russian models, national and international modeling agencies, top 500 Fortune companies, entrepreneurs investing in multi-million-dollar deals, and several others.

After finding success in the world of law, he decided it was time to make a name in the social media sector. Owner of a vibrant personality, Gianni came up with an out-of-this-world idea, something that never crossed anyone’s mind.

One day, he entered the Zara Store, not with an intention to shop but to do something hilarious. He went in front of the escalator, right where shoppers could see him easily, and pretended to be a human mannequin, the first-ever human mannequin. The two-minute video was uploaded on Instagram and YouTube, becoming viral in just a few hours. It spread a lot of smiles and laughter and acquired more than 260,000 views on Instagram and over 30,000 views on YouTube. The video helped him become a huge Instagram sensation. Due to his rapid fame through this and many other viral videos, many media platforms have started referring to him as the next Gianluca Vacchi, a business tycoon who became a social media sensation after his dancing video went viral.

Gianni’s love for the world of law and entertainment helped him stay determined throughout. He is a well-known immigration lawyer, with his law firm operating in New York, Miami, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Rome, and Milan. Moreover, the passionate individual born in Sao Paolo, Brazil, and raised in Bologna, Italy, is working on his first Latin-Pop single, “Te Amaré,” which is inspired by Latin and Brazilian rhythms. With all his successes in life, he proves to the world that Gianni Mendes, indeed, is a man who can do it all!

Lifestyle

Derik Fay: The Quiet Power Broker Who Scales Empires and Empowers Generations

Published

20 hours ago

September 14, 2025

Michelle Langton

At 46 years old and standing at an impressive 6’1″, Derik Fay is more than an entrepreneur—he is the architect behind a network of thriving businesses and a digital mentor for thousands. His journey from a single neighborhood gym in Florida to holding stakes in over 40 companies spans decades of strategic vision, discipline, and authenticity.

From Modest Beginnings to a Marketplace Maven

Born on November 19, 1978, in Westerly, Rhode Island, Fay’s early environment offered little in the way of nepotism or crutches—but plenty of lessons. He dropped out of college after just one semester and embraced the grind. At just 22, with lean resources and fierce determination, he launched his first gym. That venture would eventually grow into Florida’s most successful independently owned fitness chain before being acquired by a publicly traded company.

This early win became the foundation for 3F Management, the private equity firm Fay launched post-exit. Today, 3F powers brands across sectors—from fintech and residential infrastructure to combat sports, entertainment, and beauty—each elevated through Fay’s hands-on approach to ownership and operational excellence.

Visibility as Strategic Leverage

Fay’s ascent into public consciousness was not staged. He built his online presence—now over 1.4 million followers strong—through honest, unfiltered takes on business, failure, leadership, and growth. His content resonates because it isn’t rehearsed; it’s earned. Followers tune in not for spectacle but for insight, often quoting “He doesn’t just invest—he builds your belief,” reflecting Fay’s authentic support.

Building Brands, Restoring Hope

Among his notable ventures is Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC)—a testament to his willingness to enter unorthodox sectors with strategic clarity. In other less obvious arenas, Fay reinvigorated a faltering beauty company by pairing it with Hollywood cachet and narrative-driven marketing. In another case, an AI startup saw its valuation ascend tenfold in under a year after Fay contributed not only capital but also storytelling structure and vision.

Estimated Net Worth & Long-Term Vision

Although Fay maintains a discrete public profile, credible industry estimates place his net worth somewhere between $100 million and $250 million. This valuation comes from his diverse equity stakes, successful exits, real estate investments, and his firm’s consistent growth and reinvestment cycle.

Personal Life Anchored in Legacy

Off-screen, Fay is a devoted partner to Shandra Phillips (since 2021) and a hands-on father to two daughters: Sophia Elena Fay and Isabella Roslyn Fay. He’s more than a mogul—he’s a mentor. An embodiment of “If I can do it, anyone can,” his presence in DMs or quick coaching call is not rare, but intentional.

Rerouting the Model of Modern Wealth

Unlike today’s entrepreneurs who prioritize visibility and virality, Fay applies visibility as a lever—not an objective. He quietly scales, confident that his systems and culture will outlive the trends. He mentors, not performatively, but tangibly. For him, success isn’t a moment—it’s a long-term ecosystem amplified through structure, not spotlight.