An Orange County man was sentenced to more than seven years in federal prison Friday after admitting he duped three companies out of $3 million for protective gloves that were promised but never delivered during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition to the 87-month sentence, Christopher John Badsey, 63, of Lake Forest was ordered to pay $1.94 million in restitution after pleading guilty to four counts of wire fraud.
In June and July 2020 — when personal protective equipment such as masks, gloves and hand sanitizer were in short supply — Badsey claimed his Irvine-based company, First Defense International Security Services Corp., could provide millions of boxes of nitrile gloves, according to court documents.
Badsey entered into contracts to sell gloves to three other companies, court documents say, and required each to deposit around $1 million before they could inspect the promised goods.
The companies wired a total of $3.2 million to accounts Badsey, his company or an unnamed co-schemer controlled, according to court documents.
However, prosecutors say Badsey didn’t have the gloves, and concocted elaborate excuses whenever his clients inquired about delivery. His false stories included “absurd claims that government agents were blocking access to his warehouse,” prosecutors wrote in a sentencing memorandum.
Meanwhile, he used the deposit money to bankroll expensive purchases, authorities say, including a yacht, a pontoon boat, two Mercedes-Benz automobiles, two Ford pickup trucks, a recreation vehicle, a tractor, three ATVs and fishing equipment.
He has forfeited all titles from items purchased with the pilfered funds, along with $58,923 in cash.
Court documents show that Badsey — who previously pleaded guilty to three gun misdemeanors, including gross negligent discharge of a firearm, in November 2016 — had initially argued for a much leaner sentence: one year and one day, a three-year term of supervised release and a special assessment of $400.
Boaters enjoy time on the water near Ramsey Creek County Park at Lake Norman, NC.
Dillon Deaton
ddeaton@charlotteobserver.com
Boating season has arrived in North Carolina, with many already hitting the water to beat the heat.
Having a beer on the lake is common during those 90-degree days, but it can also be dangerous.
Alcohol use is the leading known contributing factor in fatal boating accidents, and it was listed as the leading factor in 16% of deaths in 2022, according to the most recent report from the U.S. Coast Guard.
Luckily, North Carolina has laws that protect people on the water.
Here’s what to know about the state’s boating while under the influence laws.
What are the laws on drinking + boating in NC for drivers & passengers?
According to state law, it is illegal to operate a boat “while under the influence of an impairing substance” or “in a reckless or negligent manner so as to endanger the life, limb, or property of any person.”
Similar to driving statutes, a person is in violation of the law “after having consumed sufficient alcohol that the person has, at any relevant time after the boating, an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more,” the law says.
While it is against the law to drive a boat while impaired, it is legal for passengers to consume alcohol while on a boat, according to Glover Law Firm, a firm based in eastern North Carolina.
Boaters enjoy time on the water near Ramsey Creek County Park at Lake Norman, NC. Dillon Deaton ddeaton@charlotteobserver.com
What happens if you break the law?
Violations of North Carolina’s BWI law are a class two misdemeanors, according to the law
If convicted, you could be fined a minimum of $250, the law says.
People who are found guilty of breaking the law could also face up to 60 days in jail or probation, according to NC-based Wentz Law Firm.
Do you need a license to drive a boat in NC?
You don’t need a license to drive a boat in North Carolina.
However, any person born on or after Jan. 1, 1988, must complete a National Association of State Boating Law Administrators-approved boating education course before operating a boat with 10 horsepower or greater, according to state law.
Boating education courses can be completed in-person or online. There is no minimum age requirement, but the course is taught at a sixth-grade level, and a written exam must be completed to pass the class, NCWRC says.
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Evan Moore is a service journalism reporter for the Charlotte Observer. He grew up in Denver, North Carolina, where he previously worked as a reporter for the Denver Citizen, and is a UNC Charlotte graduate.
Nothing says summer quite like going for a swim, and warm weather in Charlotte means those days are near (or here!). But if you don’t have pool access, you might not know where to start.
That’s why we’ve created this guide with all of the places in the Charlotte area that have public swimming and water sports access. Local options include creeks, lakes and even a quarry.
Enjoy paddling, fishing and open swim at Lake Norman State Park. Lake Norman is the largest manmade lake in all of North Carolina, with the state park covering about 17 miles of its shoreline, giving you plenty of space to swim and participate in watersports this summer. The day-use amenities are open daily from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Cost: $5 per car on weekdays or $10 per car on weekends for county residents; $10 per car on weekdays or $15 per car on weekends for non-county residents
Stick your toes in the sand this summer at Ramsey Creek Beach. Located along Lake Norman area, this 46-acre park has a swimming area, playground, picnic shelters, nature trails and a volleyball court, so the whole family will be entertained all day.
Starting June 12, the beach will be open Wednesday through Sunday from 12-6 p.m. then on Aug. 23 will transition to weekends only with the same hours until it closes Labor Day weekend.
Ramsey Creek Park near Cornelius on Lake Norman. John D. Simmons jsimmons@charlotteobserver.com
Cost: $3 for adult (17+) county residents, $5 for adult (17+) non-county residents. $1 for child (6-16) county residents, $2 for adult (6-16) non-county residents. Children 5 and under are free for residents, $1 for non-residents.
Although it’s currently closed for renovations, Ebenezer Park is typically a great option for public swimming and water sports in the Charlotte area. Ebenezer Park is expected to open back up in late summer or fall of 2024, and when it does expect to find a swimming area, kayak and canoe launch pad and a semicircular fishing pier.
Ebenezer Park-goers enjoy Lake Wylie in 2023. The park is currently closed for renovations. Tracy Kimball tkimball@heraldonline.com
Cost: Guided kayak tours are $20 for residents, $24 for non-residents; guided paddle board tours are $25 for residents, $30 for non-residents.
You can access Lake Wylie through the McDowell Nature Preserve. Launch your canoe, kayak, or paddle board from the landing located near the waterfront deck. Or, you can sign up for a guided watersports program, where kayaks or paddle boards are provided and an experienced instructor leads you through the water.
Nestled in a quiet corner of Lake Wylie sits Rock Hill Lake Park, a 21-acre park with free public access. Not only does Rock Hill Lake Park feature a swim and beach area, but there are also five fishing stations and a kayak/canoe launch point. This park is an ideal place to bring lunch and spend a lowkey summer day.
Cost: Free for Tega Cay residents; $100 parking permit per calendar year for non-residents
Windjammer Park on Lake Wylie features a beach and swimming area, as well as a covered picnic area, restrooms and a playground. Plus, if you visit on the right day, you might even catch the award-winning Carolina Show Ski Team, which puts on free water ski shows for visitors of the park.
It’s important to note that to park at Windjammer Park you must have a parking permit displayed on your vehicle, which you can obtain from City Hall. If you’re a resident of Tega Cay the parking permit is free. If you’re not a resident, the parking permit costs $100 for the calendar year.
Tubing, kayaking, or boating down the Catawba River makes for a fun-filled summer day in the Charlotte area. Plan ahead, as you’ll need to take two cars for this water adventure. Park one car at Riverwalk Carolinas, then take another to the Lake Wylie dam access point. From the dam, hop in your tube or boat and head down the river until you reach your second vehicle at Riverwalk Carolinas and can drive back to your starting point. The experience takes about 3.5 hours in total, depending on the river that day.
Cost: $79 per person for an all-access day pass; single-activity cost passes vary
Adventurous families will love spending the day at the U.S. National Whitewater Center. While swimming isn’t available, adrenaline-inducing water activities are plentiful. Whitewater rafting and whitewater kayaking are available on the man made whitewater river, which is the largest in the world. Flatwater kayaking and stand up paddleboarding are available on the open waters of the Catawba River and Long Creek. Plus, you can deep water solo climb into a pool at the facility.
The Whitewater Center is open year round, with activities changing based on season. Be sure to check its website to see what’s available and reserve your spot ahead of time before heading out.
At the U.S. National Whitewater Center, you can participate in activities such as paddleboarding and flatwater kayaking on the Catawba River. U.S. National Whitewater Center
Cost: $16 per person for a two-hour kayak rental; 50% off for members
Anne Springs Close Greenway is a 2,100-acre natural preserve located in Fort Mill, SC. Among activities like hiking, horseback riding and biking, you’ll also find water sports open to the public that take place on the reserve’s Lake Haigler.
You can kayak and paddleboard on the lake on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from June 5 through Aug 2. in 2024. Advanced reservations are required and can be made in two-hour increments, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, and from 4-6 p.m. on Wednesday and Friday. Swimming is not permitted in the lake, but you can fish there.
Kayakers enjoying the open waters on Lake Haigler at Anne Springs Close Greenway. Anne Springs Close Greenway
Cost: $4 entrance fee per vehicle, plus $2 per person for swimming and pedal boat rentals, and $4 per person per hour for kayak and canoe rentals
Cane Creek Park surrounds a massive 350-acre lake that is open to the public for activities like fishing, canoeing, kayaking, jon and pedal boating, and swimming.
Enjoy these activities with the whole family from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day weekend, from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. daily in 2024. Plus, there are shelters and picnic areas available to rent for events, making Cane Creek Park the perfect place to spend a special summer day.
Swim in a natural quarry at Carrigan Farms this summer. Open swim began May 18 for the 2024 season, and you can make your reservation online with a $5 deposit per person, then pay the rest in cash when you arrive.
Once at the quarry, jump, swing and float into the open water until you work up an appetite. Then, stop by the snack stand for hamburgers, pizza, ice cream and more. Beer and wine are available for purchase, too. Life jackets are required for all guests unless a swim test is completed, and each guest is required to sign a waiver prior to swimming.
The Quarry at Carrigan Farms offers open swim. Carrigan Farms
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Alexandra Maloney is a freelance writer in the Charlotte area. She loves good books, strength training and trying new restaurants in Charlotte and beyond. Find more of her foodie content on Instagram @slicesandsushi.
Two people are safe after getting stranded on a boat in Geneva on Sunday morning.Seminole County Fire Department crews got a call to Mullet Lake Park around 2 a.m.That’s where they found two boaters trapped on a sand dune about 150 yards from the main waterway. Crews tell us the pair was driving the boat down the creek and ran aground.Responders got them back to shore by 2:45 a.m., and no one was hurt.Fire rescue crews taped off the boat until they could remove it because it was sitting in a high-traffic area.
GENEVA, Fla. —
Two people are safe after getting stranded on a boat in Geneva on Sunday morning.
Seminole County Fire Department crews got a call to Mullet Lake Park around 2 a.m.
That’s where they found two boaters trapped on a sand dune about 150 yards from the main waterway.
Crews tell us the pair was driving the boat down the creek and ran aground.
Responders got them back to shore by 2:45 a.m., and no one was hurt.
Fire rescue crews taped off the boat until they could remove it because it was sitting in a high-traffic area.
View of the MacArthur Causeway and the Herald Plaza and Venetian Marina site which were part of the 2023 Miami International Boat Show on Feb. 16, 2023. The sites will once again be used for the 2024 event Feb. 14-18.
Pedro Portal
pportal@miamiherald.com
There seems to be as many big events in Miami leading up to Presidents Day Weekend than the number of U.S. presidents.
The biggest event? Five days of the Discover Boating event that combines the Miami International Boat Show and Miami Yacht Show that begins at 10 a.m. Wednesday and runs daily through Sunday.
There are more than 500 boat exhibits on the water at the Herald Plaza site along Biscayne Bay. Then there’s SuperYacht Miami at Yacht Haven Grande Miami. And new offerings in Miami Beach like a pickleball court in partnership with the 2024 Miami Open.
With all of this going on, here’s a guide to getting around town, with information on parking, driving and road shutdowns:
Boat show locations
There are six official locations for the 2024 Discover Boating Miami Interational Boat Show:
▪ Miami Beach Convention Center (1901 Convention Center Dr.) offers powerboats up to 49 feet, engine manufacturers, marine accessories, electronics, retail pavilions.
▪ Herald Plaza (One Herald Plaza, downtown Miami between the MacArthur and Venetian Causeways on the bay) features larger powerboats, motor yachts ranging from 50 feet to 125 feet, yacht tenders, engines, marine accessories, retail pavilions.
▪ Venetian Marina & Yacht Club (1635 N. Bayshore Dr.) offers vessel test-drives, and boat and engine manufacturers.
▪ Museum Park Marina (801 Biscayne Blvd.) gives an up-close look at the latest sailboats, catamarans, sailing accessories.
▪ Yacht Haven Grande Miami (838 MacArthur Cswy. at Watson Island Park) showcases SuperYacht Miami, billed as “the largest and most luxurious yachts” at the boat show. Access requires a SuperYacht Miami ticket or Windward VIP pass.
▪ Pride Park (just outside the Miami Beach Convention Center). Progressive Boat Show Experience event. Access is included with general admission to the show.
Not everyone in Miami this week and Presidents Day Weekend is here for the boat show. Some of you may be going to the Coconut Grove Arts Festival. Attending Chris Botti’s smooth jazz concert at the Arsht. Or heading to your friend’s Biscayne condo for dinner. Here’s where some roads will be closed during the boat show’s run from Wednesday through Sunday:
▪ Downtown Miami: The Herald Plaza roadway is closed on 14th Street from Bayshore Drive east to One Herald Plaza on Biscayne Bay.
▪ Miami Beach: Near Miami Beach Convention Center on Convention Center Drive from 18th Street to Dade Boulevard. Also, the eastern portion of 19th Street between Meridian Avenue and Convention Center Drive.
How to get to boat show events
Drive, or take Uber or Lyft, public transportation including Metrorail and Brightline, or water taxis.
Water Taxi: It’s a boat show. Perhaps a water taxi ride could be the most convenient means of navigating within the show or put you in the spirit. Tickets for the water taxi are priced at $10 for the day and free for children younger than 12. The route starts one hour before the show’s start and concludes one hour after its end.
Board the water taxi at these two locations to connect to and from the Boat Show’s six locations:
▪ Maurice Gibb Memorial Park. Embark here to get to and from Herald Plaza and the Museum Park Marina on its loop.
▪ For ticketholders of the Windward VIP and Superyacht Miami the water taxi will whisk you to and from Herald Plaza and Yacht Haven Grande.
Brightline: For guests coming from Aventura, West Palm Beach, Boca Raton or Orlando, they can board the Brightline and take a complimentary shuttle to the boat show show from Brightline’s Miami Central Station.
Uber or Lyft:
Ride share pickup and drop off locations:
▪ Herald Plaza pick-up/drop-off is at Bayshore and 14th Street.
▪ Miami Beach Convention Center.
▪ Ride Share drop-off: 18th Street between Convention Center Drive and Meridian on Miami Beach.
▪ Ride share pick-up: 19th Street and Meridian.
Bus shuttle connections: Free for those going to the boat show. The shuttle route begins an hour before and an hour after the show ends. The boat show will have four routes along a loop:
▪ Red Route: Brightline Shuttle goes to Herald Plaza and Miami Beach Convention Center/Pride Park.
▪ Green Route: Kaseya Center Shuttle goes to Herald Plaza, Venetian Marina and Museum Park Marina.
▪ Yellow Route: Herald Plaza Shuttle goes to Venetian Marina, Museum Park & Convention Center/Pride Park.
▪ Brown Route: Maurice Gibb Park Shuttle goes to Miami Beach Convention Center/Pride Park.
Metromover stops.
▪ Herald Plaza and the Venetian Marina. The nearest Metromover stop for both sites is the Adrienne Arsht Center station across the street.
▪ Museum Park Marina, which is sandwiched between the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science and the Kaseya Center. The nearest Metromover stop is the Park West station.
Golf cart shuttles. These are new this year. Golf cart operating hours are noon-7 p.m. Wednesday; 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday; and, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday.
The complimentary golf cart shuttles to all Boat Show ticketholders travel the following routes:
▪ Maurice Gibb Park Golf Cart Shuttle goes to Miami Beach Convention Center/Pride Park.
▪ Kaseya Center/Museum Park Marina goes to Herald Plaza and Venetian Marina.
Parking at the boat show
The boat show has partnered with SpotHero, a parking service that connects people to reserved parking spaces with parking lots, parking garages and valet services.
Miami Beach parking details:
The following municipal parking garages will offer free shuttle services to and from the Miami Beach Convention Center to 17th Street and Convention Center Drive from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday:
▪ Sheridan Avenue and 42nd Street.
▪ 23rd Street and Liberty Avenue.
▪ Alton Road and Fifth Street.
Downtown Miami parking:
Miami Parking Authority has these lots to help accommodate Boat Show guests.
Park at the College Station garage at 190 NE Third St. or the Knight Center garage at 100 SE Second Street for the Herald Plaza and Venetian sites. Ride the free Metromover, which has a stop on Northeast 15th Steet east of Biscayne Boulevard.
▪ The College Station garage is $10 for up to four hours and $15 after four hours.
▪ The James L. Knight Center garage is $10 for up to four hours and $20 after four hours.
Want to walk and get your steps in for the day? Municipal Lot 19, at the center of Biscayne Blvd. between Flagler Street and Northeast Fourth Street, or Municipal Lot 5 at Maurice A. Ferre Park at 1075 Biscayne Blvd. can put you near the downtown Miami Boat Show venues.
▪ Lot 19 is $5 per hour. Maximum rate is $30.
▪ Lot 5/Ferre is $5 per hour. Maximum rate is $25.
Coconut Grove Arts Festival
File photo from the 2018 Coconut Grove Art Festival. Roberto Koltun Miami Herald file
Some of you may want to spend a day at the Miami International Boat Show and another at the Coconut Grove Arts Festival, which runs on Presidents Day Weekend from Saturday through Monday.
If you’re doing the arts fest, you can park at the Regatta Harbour garage at 3351 Pan American Dr. and Municipal Lot 6 — the Coconut Grove Playhouse lot. Both are $20.
Coconut Grove Arts Festival president Monty Trainer and executive director Camille Marchese shake hands with artist Benjamin Frey at the festival. Courtesy of CGAF
Arsht Center for the Performing Arts
The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts at 1300 Biscayne Blvd. is across the street from the Herald Plaza site and near the Venetian marina and there are numerous shows running at the same time as the boat show.
Among them: the Detroit Symphony Orchestra on Thursday night and Area Stage’s presentation of “Oliver!” running through Feb. 25 and there are 1 p.m. matinees on Saturday and Sunday for that classic musical. The Arsht is also host to a Chris Botti concert at 8 p.m. Friday and one by Julieta Venegas at 8 p.m. Sunday.
The boat show ends at 6 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 5 p.m. Sunday — so there could be some overlap.
The theater staff suggests that patrons “plan ahead when coming to an Arsht Center performance.” The recommendation is to pre-purchase valet or self-parking. Self-parking options include designated lots, street parking meters and garages that are within a 5-to-10-minute walk. Parking information can be found at www.arshtcenter.org/parking.
Art Wynwood
The Art Wynwood art fair returns to Herald Plaza for four days from Wednesday, Feb. 14 to Sunday, Feb. 18 in downtown Miami. (Photo courtesy Art Wynwood)
Art Wynwood’s VIP Preview runs 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday and regular viewings are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. The event takes place at The Art Wynwood Pavilion at One Herald Plaza right near the boats on Biscayne Bay.
This story was originally published February 14, 2024, 6:06 AM.
Miami Herald consumer trends reporter Howard Cohen, a 2017 Media Excellence Awards winner, has covered pop music, theater, health and fitness, obituaries, municipal government, breaking news and general assignment. He started his career in the Features department at the Miami Herald in 1991. Support my work with a digital subscription
The shark took a bite out of the boat, causing it to deflate and become submerged in water. This damaged the engine and fuel lines—stranding the men at sea. Authorities realized the five fishermen were missing at around 8 p.m. local time on Sunday, when people noticed they had not returned.
The crew members wave for help as rescue teams approach the deflated vessel. A shark bit the men’s dinghy, leaving the five stranded. Australian Maritime Safety Authority
“We were fishing and we caught a shark, and when we brought it to the front of the boat, it popped the front pontoon,” skipper Jacob Ovesby told ABC. “There was a bit of water onboard because we popped the front. It’s seen better days. Good for people on the beach to make the right call and call for help. That’s probably the most important thing.”
Officials from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority and DFES Marine Rescue Esperance finally found the men at approximately 3:36 a.m. AEDT.
A rescue aircraft found the boat semi-submerged with all 5 occupants onboard “waving for help,” the maritime safety authority said in a statement. “They maintained overhead, ensuring the safety of those stranded until the volunteer vessel arrival,” it read.
When the five men were picked up, they slept for the entire four-hour journey home, ABC reported. They were assessed by paramedics who determined they were uninjured.
The deflated dinghy is pulled along by the rescue boat. The five men who were rescued slept for the whole four-hour journey back to safety. Australian Maritime Safety Authority
It is not clear what shark species is responsible for deflating the boat, but over half of the world’s shark species can be found in Australian waters.
In this part of the world, the most commonly sighted species by fishermen are the dusky whaler sharks, sandbar sharks, gummy sharks, and whiskery sharks.
However, more infamous and dangerous species can make their way to these waters, too, including great white sharks.
The good news is that attacks like this remain rare, although they have occurred before.
In September, the Australia Maritime Authority rescued three people who had been stranded southeast of Cairns in the Coral Sea, after the hulls of the vessel were damaged by several shark attacks.
Sharks do not hunt humans as prey, so attacks usually occur only if they feel provoked threatened in some way. Sharks may also approach boats after mistaking its noises and movements to a prey item.
Do you have a tip on a science story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about sharks? Let us know via science@newsweek.com.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
GoKwik, which is India’s largest e-commerce enabler start-up, expects to onboard over 10,000 digital-first brands and ecommerce players on its platform by 2023 – a huge jump from around 500 brands that are currently part of the platform.
Currently, well-known brands like Limeroad, Mama Earth, Man Matters, Boat, The Man Company, Neemans, Lenskart, Shoppers Stop and Hopscotch among several others are part of GoKwik platform, which also boasts of more than 80 million shoppers in its network.
The platform had recently announced that it had successfully processed over $1 billion worth of orders in its network, and has seen a 520 per cent increase in number of transactions on an annual basis.
For the next phase of growth, GoKwik is aiming to bring over 10,000 brands under its network with an aim to create a unified ecommerce ecosystem by supporting small, medium, large and enterprise level brands.
It is specially building efficient models to cater to small merchants. These models include customisable WhatsApp commerce, robust address verification systems, easy and insightful dashboard offering uber level analytics, etc.
It is also strategically venturing into newer product categories, business segments and partnerships.
Founded in 2020 by industry veterans Chirag Taneja, Ankush Talwar and Vivek Bajpai, GoKwik helps solve problems that ecommerce brands face throughout the shopping experience, including enhancing customer experience, abandoned cart recovery, increasing conversions, boosting gross merchandise value (GMV) and reducing instances of return to origin (RTO).
GoKwik’s solutions have helped brands reduce RTO by 30 per cent and improve conversion rates by over 35 per cent. Incidentally, RTO happens due to a failed delivery of goods and directly impacts the revenues and profits of a brand.
“The last two years have been amazing, and we are even more excited for the next leg of our journey. As we grow further, we want to be even more committed to helping merchants realize more GMV, especially in the current macro-economic environment,” says Taneja, Co-Founder & CEO, GoKwik.
“We want to create products for ecommerce businesses of all sizes and provide solutions across the shopping funnel which can further their growth. From WhatsApp commerce, personalised payments stack, conversion optimisation solutions to evolved RTO protection models, we want to continue building products that solve ecommerce problem statements end to end,” he adds.
D2C entrepreneur and boAt Co-founder Aman Gupta, who gained huge popularity as a ‘shark’ in the Indian adaptation of start-up reality show ‘Shark Tank’ is a great believer in “hustle”. Even though the word is often interpreted negatively, Gupta says he can’t work with somebody who doesn’t “reciprocate” his level of energy and “drive”.
While talking about building a D2C juggernaut in boAt, one of India’s top consumer electronics brands, Gupta shared that he didn’t find too many backers early on in the journey.
“It was a tough category. When we started [in 2016], not many online brands were funded in this space. We went to 40 angel investors, and once they started asking questions, we came back and delivered on those points,” Gupta shared at the ASCENT Conclave 2022. “Today I look at those investors and tell them – you missed the ‘boAt’,” Gupta added.
boAt raised its first major round of funding in 2018, when D2C-focused early-stage investor Fireside Ventures pumped in Rs 6 crore ($900,000) into the start-up. “Kanwal [Kanwaljit Singh, Managing Partner at Fireside] bet on me and I gave him decent returns,” Gupta shared.
At the time of funding, Singh had said in a statement, “boAt has the makings of a truly iconic brand… We look for brands that have identified white spaces and come up with solutions and products that cater to these target audiences. boAt as a brand is doing exactly that.”
Today, boAt is backed by giant investors, including Warburg Pincus, Qualcomm Ventures, InnoVen Capital, among others. The company claims to have clocked revenues of Rs 3,000 crore at the end of FY22, growing at 100 per cent year-on-year. It also intended to go public, before pulling out of the IPO last month.
While stressing on the importance of “hungry” founders — a philosophy he follows when he chooses his investments on Shark Tank India — Gupta said, “Hustle is the first quality I look for in a founder, and it has worked for me.”
There’s a famous saying that anything can be achieved with hard work and dedication. Aman Gupta, co-founder of boAt Lifestyle and a popular judge on the TV show Shark Tank India, has clearly demonstrated that. In a LinkedIn post, the entrepreneur revealed that Harvard University conducted a case study on his audio and wearables brand.
He posted a picture outside Harvard Business School on LinkedIn and wrote, “Harvard Nahee Jaa sake to kya hua … apna kaam aur apnee company pahucha dee (So what if I couldn’t go to Harvard. My work and company got me there.)”
“We are really proud to share that Harvard Business School has written a case study on boAt. Today, Sameer and I were here talking to the students and the faculty about the case which was presented to the students. I have studied from Harvard case studies which have helped me. I am hopeful now our case study will help a lot of students learn and grow around the world,” Gupta added.
The post has amassed thousands of likes and comments on LinkedIn. Several users left positive comments on this amazing journey.
One user wrote, “ Many congratulations Aman and the entire team of boAt. You will make us proud as Indians, an Indian origin brand’s case will be studied by millions of aspiring students. Kudos!”
Another user commented, “From reading Harvard Case Studies to becoming one of them, you guys have come a long way. Congrats.”
Founded in 2016, boAt is an Indian digital-first company that sells earphones, headphones, wireless speakers, smartwatches, and connector cables. It is operated by Imagine Marketing Limited.
In 2016, the company sold ‘indestructible’ connector cables exclusively through Amazon India. Following that, the company began selling personal audio products such as bassheads, wired earphones, waterproofing, and sturdy cables. boAt expanded into wireless audio, home audio, portable Bluetooth speakers, and smartwatches over time.
Coastal Carolina Injury Law Group advocates for the injured in the greater Myrtle Beach area. The firm’s practice areas include automobile, truck, motorcycle and boat accidents, defective products, Uber/Lyft accidents, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, workplace injuries, and wrongful death.
Press Release –
Jun 7, 2022
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C., June 7, 2022 (Newswire.com)
– Myrtle Beach attorneys J. William Parker, III and Gregory P. Sloan are proud to announce the formation of their new personal injury law firm, Coastal Carolina Injury Law Group (formerly Will Parker Law, LLC), located in Murrells Inlet. The new firm will focus exclusively on protecting the rights of injured victims throughout South Carolina. “I’m excited to be partners with my friend, Greg Sloan,” says Parker. “With our experience and knowledge in personal injury litigation and our shared goals for growth, there is no limit to what we can do for our clients throughout South Carolina.”
“Our lawyers and paralegals have over 70 years’ experience in handling personal injury cases,” said Sloan. “Will and I decided to focus the firm’s talents and energies solely on personal injury law. The new name, Coastal Carolina Injury Law Group, represents that shift.”
Coastal Carolina Injury Law Group advocates for the injured. The firm’s practice areas include Automobile, Truck, Motorcycle and Boat Accidents, Defective Products, Uber/Lyft Accidents, Traumatic Brain Injuries, Spinal Cord Injuries, Workplace Injuries, and Wrongful Death.
For media and other inquiries, contact Coastal Carolina Injury Law Group at (843) 357-4111.
Gregory P. Sloan Becomes Co-Owner of Coastal Carolina Injury Law Group
Gregory P. Sloan has joined the team at the newly formed Coastal Carolina Injury Law Group (formerly Will Parker Law, LLC) as a co-owner and the team’s core personal injury lawyer. Sloan has 21 years of experience as a trial lawyer and previously served as a Chief Municipal Judge and County Magistrate.
Prior to moving to Myrtle Beach in 2021, Sloan practiced with a leading multi-state defense firm where he represented defendants in tort and personal injury, commercial transportation, premises liability, and mass tort matters. During that time, he served as Corporate Class Counsel overseeing the administration of personal injury claims relating to one of the worst rail-related chemical spills in U.S. history.
As Co-Owner of Coastal Carolina Injury Law Group, Sloan will concentrate his practice on personal injury, catastrophic injury, auto accidents, motorcycle accidents, wrongful death cases, spinal cord injuries, and traumatic brain injury cases.
For media and other inquiries, contact Coastal Carolina Injury Law Group at (843) 357-4111.
New Drive Sleek signal booster is more convenient and easy to use, plus provides up to 32 times stronger cell signals on the road.
Press Release –
updated: Sep 27, 2017
HOUSTON, September 27, 2017 (Newswire.com)
– The new weBoost Drive Sleek cell phone signal booster with adjustable cell phone holder provides strong 3G, 4G, and LTE wireless signals while being very easy to place it in any type vehicle providing a high level of convenience. It has a minimalist, low-profile design that provides a variety of mounting options in places most people store their phones while driving such as the vent mount, cup holder or center console.
Priced at $199.99, the Drive Sleek is an affordable, single-phone cradle that uses coupling technology for reduced loss from outside antenna to improve 4G LTE and 3G cellular signals up to 32x for cars, vans, RVs and boats. Certified by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Industry Canada, the Drive Sleek is compatible with all mobile phones and wireless carriers in USA & Canada, allowing users to enjoy outstanding call quality, fewer dead zones, and faster data upload/ download speeds while on the road.
The weBoost Drive Sleek has all parts needed for an easy installation, including:
• Drive Sleek cradle.
• Drive Sleek booster.
• Aerodynamic outside antenna.
• Power supply.
• Magnetic vent clip.
It works with any one smartphone but is compatible with multiple smartphones and cellular case sizes, thanks to its adjustable cellular phone cradle/holder.
How it Works:
The powerful exterior antenna which magnetically attaches to the vehicle’s roof reaches out to cellphone towers to receive signal with voice, text, and data and transmits this signal to the booster.
The booster receives this outside signal and amplifies each of the five frequency bands it supports up to 32 times using a series of sophisticated low noise amplifiers and filters. The signal is then sent to the Drive Sleek cradle where the user can enjoy a stronger signal for faster data and clearer call quality. The cell phone cradle also receives an outgoing signal from the cell phone and transmits a stronger signal back to the tower through the same process.
Owned and operated by Accessory Fulfillment Center, LLC., based in Houston, Texas, it is an authorized reseller of efficient, high-quality weBoost and WilsonPro signal boosters by Wilson Electronics. The company offers an industry-leading 60- day money-back guarantee along with a two-year limited manufacturer warranty. For more information, please visit the company’s website, or social media sites listed below.
