Open Letter 

Dear Partners, my team and my Family

 

Hope you all had wonderfulI holidays and are off to a great start in the new year! I am writing this letter as I thought to share a bit of my personal journey along with business since Covid changed our world. Also, I wanted to write this clear letter so I can reflect back in a year from now, same time next year (January 2023)

 

This note covers:

 

• Personal Belief 

• Numbers 

• Investments, Opportunities and Alliances

• Learn and adopt 

• Charities supported 

• Goals for 2022

 

 

2020 was a disaster year in many ways and a blessing in some. Started off like a RocketShip! Partnerships with Harvard and Yale at the Madison Square Garden in NY, Washington Elite Crypto partnership at the Versace Mansion in Miami. But was hit with a meteor and short-lived. It was rough because not only we lost some major orders and revenue tanked, but we lost a few good people who would have been around if not for Covid. It also brought a grim reality to the forefront. The material things we valued the most suddenly meant NOTHING. We learnt the REAL VALUE OF TIME. That it is LIMITED and every MOMENT should be cherished. We pivoted to what we knew best and restructured our corporate gifting division. Bagged a couple of large orders and stayed afloat at lower margins. ELEVATE Summit and all partners helped tremendously and I am extremely thankful to you all.

 

2021 was a weird one too. A bit of a rollercoaster. I started off the new year with celebrations .. as all four of us in my family were finally out of Covid. Met with friends, celebrated birthdays, had lots of fun while kickboxing and shooting range for the very first time … thanks to my daughter Ria! Hikes, beaches, flower gardens and started playing some pickle ball with a group of great friends. Fun stuff!

 

Photos of shooting range and beach hikes 

 

Got introduced to this awesome Green Renewable Energy company, GreenTek, with a Crypto play!

 

Started writing my book again, “TIME TO GIVE BACK”. I have been writing for over a year now! Hope to launch it in 2022!! 

 

By end of March, it was looking good for our Golf tournament and Mastermind in September (although the state officially opened on June 15th), our hunt for the venue began in April and ended on July 2nd, with the Crossings Golf Course and Westin/Sheraton property in Carlsbad, but, with lots of restrictions. 

 

Shaily and I started activating our teams and planned out this three day event, minute by minute. Word spread fast and all ELEVATE partners as well as CS Ambassador Partners were enthusiastic to come out to California for this unique Golf Tournament and Mastermind. Everyone loved the idea of raising money for charities while bettering their business and personal profiles.

 

During the pandemic, I followed the news closely and suddenly, Crypto and NFT world started looking pretty good to me. Remember GreenTek, In May of 2021, they were ready to launch their token into the market. So we teamed up with them and helped promote the launch of their coin at 10cents which quickly scaled up to 60 cents in merely 6 months. Greentek became one of our premium partners and supported the Golf Tournament and ELEVATE Summit & Mastermind, full heartedly. 

 

As time went on, I thought it was also a good idea to share another gem in the rough, CareBeyond, and bring them on as a partner. CareBeyond, this amazing revolutionary company founded in 2018 by our 20 plus year old friends who changed thousands of lives and blind people got their vision back using CB products. This was unprecedented and we decided to launch their CareBig token at our mastermind on September 24th. 

 

We also renewed our cross sponsorships program with long term partner Greg Reid, founder of Secret Knock.

 

Photos

 

A War room was created at my house and preparations for the Big Event were in full force at the ELEVATE and Craig Shelly Camps. Partners from all around the world started booking their flights into San Diego as we firmed the dates. September 24th was finalized for the Golf Tournament and the ELEVATE Summit & Mastermind was set on September 25th-26th. For those who didn’t want to golf, we offered Navy Seals Training on the Oceanside beach or the MeRAKEE Retreat at the Westin Resort. Mastermind was to be held at the Westin Carlsbad and the Glow in the dark party at a distillery in San Marcos where we launched our hand made gluten free Vodka, $CIKARIO!

 

About 30 CS AMBASSADORS were invited to attend Secret Knock September 21st-23rd at the Viejas Casino and resort which was right before  Golf and ELEVATE Summit & Mastermind. 

 

Several small and big events where CS and ELEVATE were involved during spring & summer of 2019 including Miss Russia America and a Pre-Oscars party in Hollywood. All events were greatly attended by partners who thoroughly enjoyed the hospitalities and new connections. 

 

On the personal front, my son Aaryan’s music hit 30 million views and he revealed his face for the very first time, publicly at his mask reveal party during Paris fashion week. 2021 also marked his 21st birthday and a surprise celebration on September 17th was arranged with 12 of his close friends at the Versace Mansion in Miami. 

 

Photos

 

We flew in and out of Miami and left for San Diego the very next day for Secret Knock. It felt great to meet all of our Diamond partners in person and shake hands and give hugs. Next three days were super powerful with some of the most amazing entrepreneurs from all over the country and around the world. Secret Knock does have a very special magic sauce. Every time I speak on stage at SK, I find some incredible new partners! It’s Priceless!! 

 

It was finally time for OUR BIG EVENT!! Resorts SOLD OUT! Over 220 confirmed guests and the excitement and energy was just incredible!! 

 

Press Release post event was sent out: “My Family and I are overjoyed with the outpouring of love and thousands of messages that we received in the last couple of days following the immense success of the three day Golf Tournament ELEVATE Summit & Mastermind. Helping charities and people in need is what Craig Shelly is all about. For me, Giving back is a selfish deed as I get such satisfaction that really helps me heal inside” 

 

To emphasize the importance of the “why” behind the 25th Anniversary Tournament: "People and purpose before profit - that's the pillar of Craig Shelly's mission statement. But we also believe in enjoying life to the fullest and that's the idea behind the Tournament''

 

“Everyone deserves a chance in life, all they need is a Helping Hand"

 

"Coming out of the Pandemic, this three day event was power packed with a message of Hope and Love, Strength and Empowerment, Honor and Pride! From Flag Hoisting and Honoring our Troops and Veterans to Navy Seals training to Brain Mapping with MeRakee or simply Golfing and having fun, there were elements that brought excitement back into our lives and allowed us to appreciate life! "

 

"Heartfelt service is the key that unlocks the door to real wealth and profitable partnerships. And becoming the best version of yourself while inspiring others along the way is truly the highest service you can offer. This event provided an opportunity to do some good in the world while having fun and making life-changing connections at the same time"

 

“Celebrities such as famous American Wrapper, Singer, Record Producer and Actor Coolio, Sugar Ray Lenard Junior, Carl McDowel Golfed at the Charity tournament. Our signature Helicopter Ball Drop on September 24th at the Crossings Golf Course in Carlsbad was a Smashing Hit by God’s Grace and my dear friend and partner David Veech, who personally dropped 3000 golf balls from the helicopter onto the hole from 200 feet height.  Several charities such as Shriners, Beautifully Flawed, You matter Not Alone, Watering seeds foundation and iRise benefited from the three day event.

 

Ravi Drums, infamously known for his performances at the Oscars with Oprah, Brittany Spears, Slumdog Millionaire, worked with Pitbull, Justin Bieber and many other A list celebrities turned the White Gala party on September 25th into an electrifying night at the Westin Resort and spa.

 

The event was graced by CEOs and Elevate partners, such as Handl Health, MeRakee, CareBeyond, MarkBotix, PlugXr, GreenTek, Tekneksavr, Community Conn3ct, TruAmore among many others. Audience received mentorship from world class coaches and thought leaders such as, Serial entrepreneurs and authors Sharon Lechter & Dr. Greg Reid, Priceline.com Founder, Jeff Hoffman, A Mentor to Mentors, David Corbin, Ugg Boots founder Bryan Smith, No.1 Business Coach in the country, Bill Walsh, Jeffery Hayzlett among other business tycoons. 

 

Marius Woodward from Shriners was also in attendance and made a statement: “I have been to 100s of charity events but the love that I received from ELEVATE partners and Craig Shelly Ambassadors, simply filled my heart with Joy! Purpose of Shriners is to help children and families that have been in an unthinkable situation and to Elevate and restore their lives back, without worrying about financial burdens. I am proud to say that Craig Shelly and ELEVATE Partners did just that!”

 

I won’t say everything went smoothly. There were many hurdles and pitfalls along the way, but I gotta tell you, it was absolutely hands down team effort and we pulled off an incredible 3-day event with 9 different events within this one event.