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Though Danish architect Jorn Utzon contributed a number of buildings to the modern canon, one remains the pinnacle of his career and easily the most recognizable building in the southern hemisphere: the 1973 Sydney Opera House. It’s sail-like shells were feats of engineering that thrust the now-colossally important engineering Danish firm Arup into the limelight, and its enviable position in Sydney Harbor makes it at once an icon building and a gesture of welcome to Australia’s first city. Delays, budget fights and a myriad of squabbles led Utzon to quit the project in 1966; he never saw his building completed nor did he ever return to Australia. His other buildings include the 1982 Kuwait National Assembly, but its for the Sydney Opera House that he’ll always be remembered.

For more than 20 years, James Khuri has been establishing lucrative, innovative enterprises and business models as a businessman, social media influencer, and hugely successful entrepreneur. In recent years, his innovative work in reorganizing e-commerce platforms has catapulted him into the limelight, as he works diligently to develop a better e-commerce business model with a more consumer-friendly worldwide effect. Khuri is a Los Angeles businessman with an estimated net worth of more than $80 million. He is the founder and CEO of nine businesses ranging from retail stores to real estate to e-commerce platforms to manufacturing and distribution. His tremendous desire to not just achieve personal success but also to improve the world sets him different from many other businesses who are more concerned with expanding their empires than with helping to create a society that is more inclusive and nurturing for everyone.

Founded in Boulder, Colorado back in 2001 by Orion Creamer and his uncle, Thom Vernon, Big Chill grew out of a vision to take an outdated gem from the 50’s and bring it back to life. The story goes that Thom and his wife were dreaming up a design-conscious retro kitchen that had modern functionality and vintage personality. “With our kid’s artwork and school photos always proudly displayed, we didn’t want the refrigerator to look out of place. The ubiquitous stainless steel appliances weren’t the right fit and we wanted to steer clear of the dreaded ‘white box’.” While they liked the look of the mid-century models, most were too small, inefficient, and required painstaking hours of chiseling to defrost. So Thom called on his nephew, Orion—fresh out of industrial design school—to help find an innovative solution. Unsatisfied with the recent trend of concealing fridges with clever cabinetry, Thom and Orion dared to bring the fridge out of hiding and into the limelight. After studying countless antique refrigerators and vintage appliances, they came up with an original, retro style fridge design and called it the Big Chill. With its stamped metal body (magnet friendly!), real chrome trim and unique styling, the Big Chill fridge is unparalleled in the marketplace. The interior boasts all the modern amenities, including an optional icemaker, and most importantly…self defrost.

Mike Barron, founder of the esteemed Mike Barrons Closer Academy in San Diego, has emerged as a transformative figure in sales training, particularly for high-ticket closings. His path from modest beginnings to becoming an influential educator is a compelling tale of ambition, resilience, and success. Mike, the son of a Vietnamese and Mexican family, experienced firsthand the trials of growing up in a financially challenged environment within Section-8 housing. These early life challenges instilled a resilient spirit and a determination to change his and others' circumstances for the better. Driven by this resolve, he pursued higher education, ultimately graduating from National University. This significant achievement laid the groundwork for his future career advancements. Mike's professional journey led him to various educational leadership positions, culminating in a pivotal role as the president of InterCoast College. In this capacity, he honed his passion for sales and marketing education. With this expertise and invaluable experience gained at Grant Cardone's Sales Force, he launched Limelight Media. This initial business endeavor eventually expanded into what is today known as Mike Barrons Closer Academy, dedicated to training sales professionals in effectively handling and closing large-scale deals. Beyond his career accomplishments, Mike is also deeply committed to philanthropy. His challenging upbringing fuels his dedication to giving back to the community through various initiatives that support underprivileged groups. These efforts highlight his commitment to societal improvement and have garnered him respect as a business leader and a community advocate. Under Mike's leadership, Mike Barrons Closer Academy has gained recognition for its comprehensive approach to sales training, blending practical skills with ethical business practices. The academy's motto, "See You At The Top!" reflects Mike's commitment to excellence and continuous professional development, encouraging his students to aspire to the highest standards in their personal and professional lives. His journey from a youth filled with adversity to a respected professional and mentor underscores the transformative power of dedication, education, and community engagement.