This week was an incredible week meeting new partners and creating new opportunities. When you dress for success people flock to you.

🚀 Why Every Business Needs a Sales Funnel A sales funnel isn’t just a marketing buzzword it’s a strategy that guides potential customers from curiosity to conversion. Here’s what an effective sales funnel does: 1. Attracts the right audience with valuable content. 2. Engages them through trust-building and education. 3. Converts interest into action — sales, bookings, or sign-ups. 4. Retains customers through follow-ups and added value. Whether you're just starting out or scaling up, a clear funnel helps you: - Stop chasing leads manually - Automate your customer journey - Increase conversions with less effort Your funnel = your system for predictable growth. If you don’t have one yet you're leaving money on the table. Want help building one? Let’s connect. 💼

And there it is! The title that I've happily struggled on paper and orally for four years! I'm officially a PhD (Dr Luis Maia de Freitas). Last week, 18th of September, I successfully defended my dissertation in ancient cities in Greco-Roman Syria and Mesopotamia while employing Homi Bhabha's concepts of hybridity and the third space. Not only the topic was a hard one, but the experience of researching and writing at a level of a PhD opened various opportunities to showcase my research internationally, as well as enhancing my current skills for both the academic and industry worlds. Most importantly, throughout this positive journey is the amount of contacts and friendships I will keep them for life, from supervisors to PhD colleagues and friends; from entrepreneurs to scholars. That is what makes a PhD journey fulfilling, and not just sitting down and do your research, where having a life balance helps you to store energy to absorb more knowledge. In sum, between the 1st of July 2021 until the 18th of September 2025 (and with a six month corrections lasting until March 2026), here's a breakdown of my journey beyond the thesis: Self-funded my PhD by working part-time at a restaurant to prepare and serve food, and other jobs as a teaching assistant, cover supervisor and student leader to deliver workshops, mark assessments and supervising pupils to collect and invest my pocket-money; Participated in 6 international conferences and organised, as well as spearheaded 3 of them to share different topics in ancient history and classics towards 500+ speakers and attendants, including scholars and PhD candidates; Created PhD Lounge podcast since the 29th of June 2021, leading me to two awards: Outstanding contributor for the PGR community of Swansea University and to the top 40 best PhD podcast content. Had chats and made friends with different PhDs across the world, and continuing to do so to increase my outreach internationally; Three industry placements in education and corporate social responsibility community projects: The Brilliant Club, Rewise Ltd (still working there), and MFL Languages (will start soon).

Hitting Level 8 in this community isn’t just about the number—it’s about consistency, showing up, and putting in the work. For me, style has always carried deeper meaning. My father’s 1954 class ring, the vintage watches from my wife, my championship rings, and my shoes that carry a story—these aren’t just accessories, they’re reminders of legacy, discipline, and respect. What I’ve valued most here are the solid interactions and straight-shooting discussions. Whether it’s sharing patina work on Allen Edmonds with Jeffrey, weighing in on controversial trends, or learning from others’ perspectives, this community has been about more than clothes—it’s about sharpening the man wearing them. Proof that consistency and contribution always pays off in every aspect of life. My advice: stay engaged, keep asking, keep sharing, and keep pushing forward. Because the real win isn’t the level—it’s the man you become on the climb. Passion Purpose Presence

“I’m thankful for the battles within myself—because every time I choose growth over doubt, discipline over comfort, and faith over fear, I win against the only competition that truly matters: Me.”