In a world with 7.5 billion people trying to get a life for themselves, it is hard to find the right kind of work according to skills. Unemployment is a major issue for any economy. Working for fixed hours, 5 or 6 days a week, continuously running around in a loop, sounds obvious. However, many are not so lucky to get stuck in the loop, and the present millennial generation, calls it freedom. A Gig economy is a way to control and utilize time with the choice of work. Gig means to offer a service on a temporary basis for a certain period. People are known as freelancers; temps, contractual, etc. are entrepreneurs providing their services.

Anyone in the world can start selling their products and services online by creating their own websites or through online marketplaces, providing the services on sites like Upwork.com and Fiverr.com. People are creating their own video courses, e-books and selling them on their own websites. Use your skills to step on the global stage and feel the success with freedom.

Sounds like a win-win situation!!

No specific time span, work from anywhere in the world, millions of consumers to target from around the globe. What can possibly be the challenge? The market is global and immensely dense with freelancers and entrepreneurs. Competition is everywhere and online its more intense,
consequently, there are ways to keep competing and gather the right consumer traffic. Some of the ways are search engine optimization (SEO), social media and paid services like Google PPC.

SEO is the way an entrepreneur can use to attract the targeted consumer with strong content. More creative and relatable content leads the website on top searches of the search engine.

On the other hand, there are paid services like Google PPC (Pay per click). Google PPC advertises the products on millions of websites. Ads viewed by a large number of qualified traffic increases the possibility of brand awareness and targeted traffic.

Payment Processors

Payment is one of the major concerns in online business, however, there are many trusted payment gateways like PayPal and Stripe. These two are absolutely legit and secure and are trusted and rated by millions of users.

Payment systems like PayPal and Stripe are specially designed for online vendors, business and commercial users for secure payment options without sharing any sort of financial information.

Freelance services, like Fiverr and UpWork partner with PayPal to process payments to its customers as well. Additionally, some members of the gig economy have their own websites where they advertise their services. Some even choose to bypass the middle-man (i.e. Fiverr and UpWork) and use their own checkout sales cart like ThriveCart, SamCart (we found this Thrivecart review article resourceful because it explains both software, compares them and explains how they integrate with PayPal and Stripe), and SendOwl being a few of the popular options. 99% of the time, you’ll need to have your own site or at least an email list to utilize your own checkout carts.

Let’s get insights of the services websites like Fiverr and Upwork offers.

Fiverr

Fiverr is a freelance online marketplace eventually one of the biggest marketplaces for freelance services. Founded in 2010, headquartered in Israel is a marketplace for a lean entrepreneur. Fiverr offers online jobs and gigs.

Fiverr has various categories in jobs like Graphic and design, Digital marketing, Writing and translation, Video and animation, Music and audio, Programming and tech, Business, Fun, and lifestyle. One can even look for a relationship advice over here.

Upwork

Upwork, previously known as Elance-oDesk, is a global freelancing platform. The collaboration of Elance established in 1999 and oDesk established in 2003. The merger took place in 2013, and after 18 months Upwork was formed.

Upwork also has a vast category of jobs posted and freelancers available. Want a graphic designer? Or want to work as a Virtual Assistant? Upwork is one the place to get the right person or job. Providing jobs in all most every category like Web, mobile and software development, Design and Creative, Customer Service, IT and Networking, Writing and Academics, Sales and Marketing, Admin support.

In both the platforms, the user can join as a recruiter or a freelancer. Both allow their clients to interview the freelancer through their websites. Seeker can search and choose according to their work requirements and payment possibilities among the several freelancers globally. Freelancers are notified regarding the posted jobs as per their skills updated in the profile. Freelancer needs to bid for the job and send a proposal to the
employer to increase the possibility of getting the job. Each service offered online is called a Gig, millions of Gigs are posted every day on websites like Fiverr, Upwork, and Freelancer.

The Internet is the global stage for everything and has become the global stage for Gig economy. Work is what we do for living furthermore its part of our life. To feel alive one needs to enjoy every moment of it even the work. Be an entrepreneur and chase your dreams like never before.

Late Tuesday night almost 30 people were arrested in sting targeting human traffickers in Compton.  The Sherrif’s department made the announcement Wednesday that they had put together a task force made up of various members of the of the Los Angeles County Sherrif’s Department along with FBI, District Attorney’s Office, California Highway Patrol, Los Angeles Unified School Police and Homeland Security Investigations have arrested 28 people, many of whom were men who had approached undercover officers soliciting a variety of sex acts.

The sting included the arrests of almost a dozen women who were charged with some form of solicitation.  Many had approached undercover officers to solicit money for various sex acts.  It also included the rescue of a 16 year old girl who had been brought to Compton from Texas for the purposes of prostitution.

Sex Trafficking

Many of the women who were arrested have agreed to some sort of help to remove themselves from the lifestyle that led them to prostitution, including getting away from the traffickers.  Of the dozen women arrested three that were part of the sting had been identified as victims of human trafficking and have agreed to accept help from the Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking.  Three additional women are working with the police department and the Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion program.  This program is there to help women get off the streets, get an education and drug counseling if necessary and steer them in a better direction.

The 16 year old minor who originally from Houston, Texas had been sent to Southern California to escape local law enforcement back in Texas.  The FBI has returned her to her family back in Houston.  Human trafficking is a bigger problem in the United States and here in Compton than most people realize.  As much as the FBI and local and state law enforcement try and put a stop to it the problem is ongoing.  This is just the latest in a string of arrests.  Here is a closer look at the problem of human and sex trafficking.

Sex Trafficking of Minors

Of the group of men that were arrested there are still two that are in police custody.  One of the men, Juan Carlos Perez Rivas faces the charge of traveling to meet a minor for lewd purposes.  He had several online conversations with a deputy posing as a young girl, he was arrested after setting up a meeting with the girl in order to exchange sex for money.  He is being held on $75,000 bail  and is currently at the Century Regional Detention Facility.

COMPTON — Jameka Jefferson has a “GradStory.” As a student at Whale Middle School, here, she developed a fascination for biology when her science teacher taught a class about cell function. The young girl who dreamed of being a basketball player knew at that moment she wanted to study biology.

Now, Jefferson, 21, is one step closer to a goal of a career in scientific research. She graduates in June with a bachelor of science in microbiology from California State University, Los Angeles. Not one to rest on her laurels, Jefferson is charging straight ahead to tackle the debilitating diseases that often cut life short for many people, and she has no fears.

“People usually scream and run away from infectious diseases. I am the one running toward them. I am going to go in a lab and do research and contribute to society,” she declared.

The aspiring research scientist is well on her way. In the fall, Jefferson will return to Cal State L.A. to pursue a master’s degree in microbiology with an emphasis on neurobiology.

Initially, Jefferson attended Los Angeles City College, where she participated in Bridges to the Future, a summer research program that prepares community college students for success in university science programs. She spent more than two months in a lab science course at CSULA. That experience fueled her passion for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

Jefferson was on a quest and focused. In the fall of 2013, she transferred to CSULA, where she became active with the Minorities Opportunities in Research (MORE) and Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) program. Funded by the National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health, the programs prepare aspiring students for the rigors of doctoral studies in STEM research. Jefferson was immersed in research that focused on identifying antibacterial inhibitors in E.coli.

Jefferson’s training enabled her to make impressive MORE AND LSAMP-sponsored scientific presentations to CSU Chancellor Timothy P. White, Cal State L.A. President William A. Covino, and former L.A. County Supervisor Gloria Molina. Jefferson said the experiences boosted her self-assurance.

“When it comes to presenting, I am fearless. Nothing can harm me,” she said.

Jefferson said her ultimate goal is to work for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, where said she will be able to “study infectious diseases and contribute to the public good.”

Compton homeowners can access clean energy financing; Ygrene Works program introduces opportunities minus upfront costs

COMPTON – The Compton City Council voted 5-0 to adopt a resolution that will allow property owners here to install energy-saving improvements to their homes without upfront costs through Ygrene Works, a statewide Property Assessed Clean Energy financing program available to more than three million Californians.

The Ygrene Works Program allows property owners in participating cities to finance renewable energy, energy, and water efficiency improvements and electric vehicle charging infrastructures on their property and the costs are charged as an assessment against the property. Compton residents can now “opt-in” to the PACE financing program under a unique partnership with Golden State Finance Authority, formerly known as California Home Finance Authority or CRHMFA Homebuyers Fund. The process is a single step in making this financing option available for energy efficiency upgrades to homes and businesses.

Improvements include: solar panels, heating and air-conditioning, windows and doors, lighting, roofing, insulation, water saving, and landscaping and more. The cost of the improvements is repaid over a five to 30-year term on the homeowner’s annual property tax bill.

Compton Mayor Aja Brown said the program offers Compton homeowners affordable access to energy efficiency upgrades.

“This additional option will lead to increased local jobs and higher property values,” she said. “Compton residents are consumption conscious and are always interested in finding ways to reduce their costs and impact to the environment.

“Helping homeowners to make energy-efficiency upgrades and retrofits by making them more affordable and accessible is a win for the City, our residents and the environment,” Brown said.

Ygrene is the largest commercial and multi-family PACE provider and the only program offering 100 percent financing for all property types. It is the same as the recently adopted HERO (Home Energy Renovation Opportunity) program which also provides financing for home energy solutions such as solar panels and other renewable energy. Adopting the Ygrene program will now allow another choice of PACE providers for Compton property owners and businesses.

For more information on the Ygrene program and other PACE providers call the City of Compton at (310) 605-5500.

Review: ‘The Victorious, Overcoming Life’ by Apostle Frederick K.C. Price conveys message, it’s ‘Your duty to be Great’

By DANIELLA MASTERSON, Contributing writer

WARNING: Do not read this new book by Apostle Frederick K.C. Price — “The Victorious, Overcoming Life,”  if you want to feel satisfied that you have served Our Heavenly Father to the fullest victoriously already — because you won’t. But if you are still willing to go before God and be honest about your purpose, the desires of your heart, and the unchecked goals on your bucket list, then read his book!

“The Victorious, Overcoming Life” examines the Book of Colossians. It’s not meant to be a scholarly study, but rather a contemporary commentary on Paul’s letter. Although Colossians is about 1,900 years old, Apostle Price highlights some of the letter’s timeless truths.

The first chapter of “The Victorious, Overcoming Life” is powerful and will light a fire in you. Apostle Price accomplishes this first by helping you to see yourself through spiritual eyes.

“Do you realize that angels, who are mighty in power, mighty in strength and mighty in wisdom and knowledge, cannot call God, Father?  But here is man, a puny speck of dust, a molecule on the sea of eternity; and yet, those of us who choose Jesus have the right to call Almighty God our Heavenly Father. Are you worthy to call Him that?”

Are you worthy to call Him Father? That’s a powerful question if you sincerely ponder it; if you really love our Heavenly Father, and if you are truly “saved,” you will be drawn into Price’s explanation of worthiness.

“Walking worthy of the Lord means living in such a way that the privilege granted to you of being a child of God is being exhibited to the world.”

“…Walking worthy includes being fruitful in good works and increasing in knowledge, in addition to living a righteous, Christ-like lifestyle,” he writes.

Our Heavenly Father doesn’t want us to become approval-hungry children, but He does expect us to bear fruit.

But many believers have become apathetic and stagnant. They have fallen into the snares that easily stifle many of us. These snares make us feel like we’re stuck, either because we’re aging, our health is declining, we have a demanding job, or we’re caring for children or a disabled parent or for myriad other reasons.

These circumstances can be so damaging, they blind us from the fact that God has equipped us with whatever we need to fulfill our calling.

If you still desire to do more or fulfill something that God has put on your heart, Price’s book will incentivize you better than any big-ticket motivational speaker because he’s using the Word and the anointing of the Holy Spirit.

The world’s wisdom cannot sustain the spirit-filled believer or empower us the way God’s Word can. That’s because when we became born again, our DNA changed. Only the Word can make us “More Than Conquerors” who live the victorious, overcoming life.

But that’s this writer’s point of view. Let me know what you think. “The Victorious, Overcoming Life” is this month’s Faith Builders Book Club selection.  Join us on Facebook and enjoy special discounts and conversations with other members of the EIF family.

Daniella Masterson is a freelance journalist based in Los Angeles