VUE

I recently met my neighbor for the first time, even though we've lived next door to each other for just about a year. No reason in particular, we just have very different lifestyles and daily schedules. When we finally met (nothing like a neighborhood blackout to get everyone out and talking), it seemed we had quite a bit in common and became fast friends. Initially I saw him as aloof, someone that was moving through life much too fast to engage in conversation or small talk. Ironically he thought the exact same of me. It seems shyness can sometimes be mistaken for arrogance and sometimes we tend to move too fast in our way of living that we unintentionally create a void of connection with others. Every day I challenge myself to strike up conversations with strangers; to engage with individuals that are not part of my inner circle. I no longer sit and wait for that perfect opportunity, because it may never happen. But what do you say to someone who has been all around the world, perhaps even to outer space? In this instance, not only did he travel to space but he also did so in his own spaceship. While we worked with this issue's cover feature on a recent Tuesday afternoon, this was one of the many things going through my mind. Sir Richard Branson is a true business mogul in every sense of the word. He has disrupted every business he has been a part of and has been at the forefront of many trends. We sat down with Branson to have him take us inside his next endeavor, the Scarlet Lady of Virgin Voyages. Even at the end of a long media day, he could not have been more generous with his time. Branson, much like myself, has never liked cruising. So how and why does someone with a dislike of cruising start a cruise line? Read on to find out. We are also extremely excited to present to you our annual Luxury Holiday Gift Guide, which has been carefully curated by our in-house team. Spread over a dozen categories and with over 100 gifts, this is our largest and most comprehensive gift guide to date. Nearly everything has been reviewed and tested by us, ensuring that each item has the "VUE stamp of approval." Contrary to what we learned when we were young, silence is not golden. It makes sense, the biggest social fear in America is public speaking. The second? It's the fear of starting a conversation with strangers. So remember when you walk into your holiday party, people are just as averse to talking to strangers as you likely are. Just let them know they have nothing to lose, and hey you might even make a new friend. From our family to yours, we wish you all the best during this holiday season and we can't wait to see you in the new year! A Note From the Co-Founder Brian Kovener Co-Founder Brian@vuenj.com V U E N J .C O M 16

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