Business

How Music Exec Jason Swartz Turned Social Media Entrepreneur with the Upcoming Launch of Social Media Platform SoClose

Published

5 years ago

March 23, 2020

Following a long-standing career in the music industry, Jason Swartz now continues to evolve professionally, bringing his knowledge and expertise to new areas of business. Most recently, Swartz has found success as a social media and tech entrepreneur with the anticipation of the debut of his new social media platform called SoClose. Fusing both his experience in the music business with social media, Swartz looks forward to launching the platform, as it will provide music artists, celebrities, athletes and influencers with a way to make passive income through social media interaction and engagement.

Despite SoClose being a new addition to his repertoire, Swartz has a long history of success in social media monetization. For over six years, he’s actively found uniquely creative ways to make passive income for music artists and talent without the use of brands or endorsements. From working with celebrities and artists like Snoop Dogg, Akon, George Lopez, Ludacris, and more, for Swartz, developing a concept like SoClose was inevitable.

With a subscription-based structure, fans and followers alike will have access to exclusive content from their favorite artists and celebrities. Subscription rates start at just $1.99 per month and vary depending on the access each user desires. And for the artists and celebrities, they simply use SoClose as they would any other social media platform, organically posting and sharing content that is exclusively made for subscribers. As a turn-key platform for artists and celebrities, SoClose is the ideal medium of social media as it acts and functions like every other platform, but with every piece of content created and shared, they receive passive income. Furthermore, it helps them aggregate and target their audiences for specific types of content

Thanks to a proven business model, Swartz has already seen a large number of investors interested in SoClose that is also in part due to his previous track record and success with celebrity and musical clients. Even so, with interest from executives of top tier entertainment and tech companies, Swartz remains very selective about who will join him as strategic partners at SoClose. In fact, the company’s valuation has already established itself with high profit margin and monthly income even as SoClose is still in a beta stage. Until its official launch later this year, SoClose is invite only for celebrities and artists. And while Jason enjoys helping artists tap into new opportunities via social media monetization, he looks forward to developing new ways to help the music business and social media business continue to evolve.

Business

Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke: A New Approach to Fine Real Estate

Published

5 days ago

December 16, 2024

Matthew Wiles

Photo credit: Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke.

Byline: Andi Stark

Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke, a real estate platform operating across Hawaii, is rewriting how properties are bought and sold in the region. Unlike larger firms reliant on public listings and mass marketing, Private Listings’ strategy prioritizes personalization, privacy, and meticulous curation of ultra-high-end, off-market properties, including oceanfront estates, gated community residences, and architectural masterpieces.

Harold Clarke, founder of Private Listings, describes their method as one that rejects “cookie-cutter solutions in favor of understanding the nuances of both buyers and sellers.” This approach has resonated with ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) seeking refined and discreet real estate transactions.

The Hawaiian real estate market remains a hub for global investors, with the median price for a single-family home in the state reaching $900,000 in 2024, according to the Hawaii Association of Realtors. Within this competitive landscape, Private Listings is building up to be a trusted name for properties that extend beyond luxury into generational investments.

Challenging the Industry Norms

Private Listings deliberately avoids the conventions of large-scale real estate firms. By focusing on fewer, higher-value properties, the company ensures that each transaction is treated with the same level of care and confidentiality.

Public listing platforms, while effective for broader markets, often expose sellers to unnecessary attention or unqualified inquiries. For Clarke, this model is misaligned with the needs of UHNWIs. “Privacy isn’t a luxury for our clients—it’s a necessity,” Clarke explains.

This philosophy has led Private Listings to handle some of Hawaii’s most significant real estate transactions, including off-market properties valued at over $40 million. Its success is not measured by the volume of listings but by the depth of trust built with clients, many of whom return for subsequent transactions.

Adapting to Changing Client Demands

While Private Listings maintains a foundation of traditional practices, the firm also recognizes the evolving needs of its clientele. The global real estate market is increasingly influenced by concerns over digital security, with a 15% rise in data breaches targeting high-net-worth individuals in the past three years, according to cybersecurity firm NortonLifeLock.

To address these risks, Private Listings employs rigorous screening for potential buyers and uses secure platforms for communication and transactions. The firm’s “by invitation only” model ensures that clients remain protected from the pitfalls of public exposure. Clarke notes, “Our goal is not just to sell homes but to create an environment where clients feel safe and confident during every step of the process.”

The Human Element in Real Estate Transactions

Despite advancements in technology, Private Listings firmly believes that real estate transactions cannot be reduced to algorithms or automation. Unlike firms that depend heavily on online data aggregation, Private Listings emphasizes human connection and insight.

The company’s sales strategy integrates personalized client interactions, in-depth market analysis, and years of experience navigating Hawaii’s unique real estate ecosystem. Clarke’s background in managing family assets and his global perspective is significant in shaping this essence.

Future Directions for Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke

As Hawaii continues to attract global attention, Private Listings aims to expand its influence within the state while maintaining its core principles. The company is currently developing a new platform to streamline services for UHNWIs, blending their demand for discretion with seamless access to Hawaii’s finest off-market properties.

Additionally, Private Listings is strengthening its ties with local communities, recognizing that sustainable growth benefits both the company and the islands’ ecosystems.

Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke has set itself apart in Hawaii’s real estate scene by moving away from the typical mass-market approach. Through a mix of traditional values and modern sensibilities, the firm continues to define what it means to transact ultra-high-value properties with integrity and care.