Business

The Founder of Vakarui Paris Worked his Way Up from Ground Zero to a Net Worth of $2.1M

Published

4 years ago

August 25, 2020

Nike, the world’s largest supplier of athletic shoes; Adidas, one of the major sponsors of UEFA Champions League and New York Yankees; Jordan, the shoe brand for top athletes and sportspeople; Reebok, official footwear sponsor of Spartan Race, CrossFit, and Ultimate Fighting Championship. These top brands dominate the footwear industry and there are not many that can compete with the quality they offer. There is one brand that is turning the heads and gaining the attention of many, not only because it brings in a unique footwear fashion trend but because of the exciting success journey of its founder.

Vakarui Paris, a unique limited-edition shoe concept, is a brainchild of Mazayah Legend Andrews. Belonging to a family of footballers, Mazayah was living a successful life as an American sportsman. He started playing football in high school and even ended up in the Eastern Conference Team.

Destiny had something else in store for Mazayah. The Floridian footballer, who was acquiring a prominent identity in the sports industry, gave up on his game. Why? Because it was not his fate. Mazayah Legend Andrews was born to be an entrepreneur, and his $2.1M net worth and the success of his company is proof of it.

He stopped playing football because he wanted to set up his own business, and it was not easy. His journey to becoming a prominent entrepreneur took up a lot of effort and time. Playing football all his life, entrepreneurship was not something he was well-versed in.

From Football to High-end Fashion – A Success Story Worth Narrating

Mazayah Legend Andrews set up Vakarui Paris in 2015. Initially, the brand revolved around a one-of-a-kind limited-edition shoe concept. He was the designer of the shoe, and he chose Italy, one of the hottest destinations for footwear, for the manufacturing of the Vakarui Paris’ shoe collection. The shoes by his brand are handcrafted in Italy using high-quality materials.

The transition from football to the corporate sector was tough. After Mazayah left his football career, he gave his all to set up his brand. During the struggle phase, he had to stay in $20-hotels with his mother. It was an experience that he did not even think of living, but he did, for the sake of his dream.

Things were tough for him until he met the director of Stonecrest Mall. Mazayah shared his designs and the shoe concept with him, and it was the perfect timing. The director expressed deep admiration for this brand and offered him to open his store at the mall. It marked the start of the brand’s success and Mazayah ‘s journey to becoming a successful entrepreneur.

After the success of the brand, Mazayah opened his brand’s second branch in Atlanta. The brand that started with just two models has been featured in two high-profile fashion shows that took place in Atlanta and Miami. The 35-year-old entrepreneur’s transition into the corporate sector was complete; he purchased a house and a car, something many people can only dream of. He did that after he gave on his football career, where he had established a notable identity. Not to forget, football was one of his passions.

Even though the company started as a shoe brand, today, it has an entire clothing line. It has its headquarters in Hallandale with two other branches; one at Stonecrest Mall and the other at opposite to the Lenox mall in Atlanta. The company operates through its social media business page and has a brand in Paris as well.

Vakarui Paris’ team comprises of Mazayah, who serves as the CEO of the company, Sam is the district manager and a designer. Shann is one of those people who have been standing alongside Mazayah since the beginning of his company. She is the director of the company and the marketing manager. Also, she helped Mazayah with the original Vakarui shoes. It is a power team as together they run the brand’s operations on the internet and across the United States and Italy.

Mazayah Legend Andrews’ journey from the football field to the high-end fashion industry as a top entrepreneur is worthy of bringing into the light. He started from ground zero, gave up on his passion for football, experienced living in cheap hotels, all this for his company. Today, he has a net worth of $2.1 million, which is proof of his success as an entrepreneur.

Business

From Contracts to Counsel: Your Essential Guide to Hiring a Probate Attorney in Chicago

Published

2 weeks ago

March 31, 2024

Matthew Wiles

Like many people, you’ll come across the term probate after a loved one, such as a parent or spouse, passes away. So, what is probate, and why do you need an attorney for it? As defined in Forbes, probate is a legal process that occurs after death. It entails transferring the assets of the decedent (the person who passed) to beneficiaries named in their last will.

With that in mind, having a probate lawyer by your side is essential. The last thing you want to do is deal with the legal complexities of settling a loved one’s estate while grieving. A probate lawyer oversees the validation of the deceased’s will and the fair distribution of assets among family members. One challenge lies in finding a top-quality probate lawyer.

In this guide to hiring a probate attorney in Chicago, we’ll discuss the tips to identify the right legal professional for probate proceedings.

Understand the Responsibilities of a Probate Lawyer

It’s difficult to hire a talented probate lawyer when you don’t know what they do: Start by understanding the roles they play.

When you work with a Chicago probate lawyer, some tasks they might do include:

Act as an estate executor or administrator
Collect proceeds from the life insurance policies of the deceased
Identify and secure the decedent’s assets
Get an appraisal for the deceased’s estate
Pay debts and resolve estate tax issues
Prepare and file documents required in probate court
Transfer assets to rightful heirs
Represent you in litigation proceedings if someone challenges or contests the will

A probate lawyer could also help you and your family navigate state inheritance laws if a loved one dies without a valid will. That way, you can avoid unnecessary taxes or other ramifications of not creating a will, such as losing ownership rights of the deceased’s business or financial support.

Search for Lawyers Online and Offline

You’re probably thinking, where do I find the best lawyer to hire? You could seek referrals from friends or colleagues. Friends who worked with probate attorneys before might provide important details, such as how the lawyers communicate and handle the probate process.

Alternatively, do a simple online search using the terms “probate lawyer near me” or “probate attorney in Chicago.” Go through various websites or online directories and write names of lawyers with positive ratings and customer testimonials. Then, contact the potential lawyers to set up free consultations. Note that not all legal professionals offer free consultations, so make sure to ask before setting a time in your calendar.

Ask the Right Questions

A free consultation provides opportunities to ask questions to better understand if the lawyers in question have the qualifications to handle your probate case.

Four questions you might ask attorneys during the initial meeting may include:

Do You Have Experience in Probate Law?

When evaluating lawyers, prioritize experience. An experienced probate lawyer is aware of common pitfalls that can result in the probate petition being postponed or dropped by a judge. To feel more comfortable about an attorney’s expertise, ask them if they’ve handled probate cases similar to yours before.

For example, let’s say the deceased owned a substantial estate or had complicated assets like royalties and mineral stocks. Working with an attorney with a track record of successfully handling cases like that could save you time and money in the long run.

What Do Other Clients Say About You?

Experience alone doesn’t make a probate lawyer perfect for your case. Look for someone with an outstanding reputation. These reviews likely live on Google next to their business profile or are featured on their website. If you can’t find any endorsements, ask for testimonials written by past clients.

One point to focus on is what reviewers say about the lawyer’s efficiency and speed. Beyond that, does the lawyer offer expert guidance, conflict mitigation, and proper asset management during probate?

A probate attorney in Chicago, IL, should be an efficient expert in asset preservation. This can be crucial to helping avoid hefty taxes and excessive debt claims. Additionally, if the lawyer receives positive feedback on conflict mitigation, it suggests they have experience in resolving or mitigating family conflicts that tend to stall the probate process.

How Long Does Probate Last?

One way to test a probate lawyer’s knowledge is by asking them, “How long does probate last?” While the numbers vary, probate can last for a few months to over a year in many states, including Chicago. When highlighting factors that affect the duration of probate, your counsel might mention things like estate size, family disputes, debt and taxes, absence of a will, and state laws.

A knowledgeable lawyer can explain clearly why your probate case could last a few months or even years. A lawyer that makes too brazen or hard-set of promises might not be the most honest.

How Do You Want Us To Communicate?

There’s no hard rule on how you and your probate attorney communicate. You can talk via text messages, email, video calls, or phone calls. More importantly, check that the attorney communicates in simple language to help you understand your case.

In fact, one essential of a lawyer’s dos and don’ts to gaining clients’ trust is to avoid making clients feel clueless. If a potential lawyer uses complex legal terms or avoids communicating directly, search for probate services elsewhere.

Conclusion: Finding a Probate Attorney in Chicago

Reviewing the will of a loved one after their death and ensuring fair distribution of their assets often involves complex legal issues. For this reason, consider hiring an attorney who specializes in probate law.

To maximize your chances of finding the right probate lawyer, familiarize yourself with their responsibilities. Next, search online for lawyers within your state or ask for recommendations from people you trust. Then, interview prospects to help ensure they possess experience, a remarkable reputation, communication skills, and knowledge of probate law.

Settling the affairs of a loved one who has passed on can be an overwhelming time. A probate attorney can help lift some of the pressure off your shoulders as you focus on grieving and healing.