How Jack Chiarello Turned Memes Into a 300M-Follower Media Empire

Jack Chiarello built a seven-figure digital media empire not with capital, but with memes. Without formal business training or investor backing, he started in his parents’ basement and now has a 300-million-follower Instagram empire.

Now the owner of the marketing agency Jcenterprises Media in Ottawa, Canada, Chiarello’s success runs counter to what most people believe about entrepreneurship. He started without a plan, enjoying a hobby, and evolved his platform into a marketing agency that rivals traditional companies.

Growth Without Funding or Flash

Chiarello was a teenager when he started his first Instagram meme page. It wasn’t his intention to eventually turn it into a marketing company. In fact, he didn’t have a business plan.

“I liked understanding what people found funny and why. Memes were just the fastest way to test that,” Chiarello says.

As his page gained an audience and continued to gain traction, Chiarello studied what caused something to go viral in the digital space. He continued to post daily and analyzed the resulting engagement. As he learned what worked and what didn’t, Chiarello started to reverse-engineer trends. Steadily increasing growth resulted, and his one-page document eventually expanded to dozens.

While living in his parents’ basement, Chiarello continued to study the science behind social media. He understood what many others didn’t. It wasn’t just about posting regularly; it was about posting at the right time with relatable content that resonated with the target audience.

As his monetized pages generated revenue, Chiarello reinvested in his operations. Unlike others in digital entertainment, he didn’t spend his profits on a flashy lifestyle; he built the infrastructure of his digital empire.

“I never needed a flashy lifestyle. I cared more about building something that lasted,” Chiarello explains.

Dual Commitment

Throughout the building of his new digital media company, Chiarello remained committed to his education. He split his time between pursuing his law degree and managing his media operation, which now had global reach. Chiarello saw similarities between the two endeavors.

“Law teaches discipline and structure. So does building media at scale,” Chiarello notes.

Working within the Instagram ecosystem, the young man in his early twenties reaches younger audiences that traditional media companies often struggle to reach. Chiarello’s extensive examination of why social media posts go viral has enabled him to deliver culturally relevant content while studying at law school.

There are advantages to expanding his knowledge base, including the ability to handle contracts, intellectual property, and platform compliance.

Operational Innovation

Despite early skepticism about his plan to turn his social media into a steady income, Chiarello reached six figures in revenue before his 22nd birthday.

He has also had to deal with people attempting to scam him and betrayal by friends and family he trusted.

Chiarello came out the other side successfully because of his disciplined focus and resilience in difficult times.

Sadly, he has also had to maneuver through a complex online world that is sometimes predatory while also dealing with real-life problems.

Some may see Chiarello’s youth as a detriment, but he has successfully expanded his digital marketing business through an unorthodox approach. The young owner of Jcenterprises Media now plans to expand into original content, licensing, and long-term brand ownership.

As for his advice for young entrepreneurs, Chiarello concludes, “I recommend routine, along with not letting others get in your head with their opinions. If your idea doesn’t sound crazy to others, it’s not a big enough idea.”

Wellness

Dialed & Defend Makes Its Philanthropic Debut in Newport Beach

The Dialed & Defend launch took place at Ali Garawi’s Linda Isle waterfront estate, with the event space set on a floating dock in Newport Beach.

Dialed & Defend officially launched on Sunday, December 14, with an intimate charity gathering hosted by Ali Garawi at his waterfront home in Newport Beach.

Co-founded by Ali Garawi and his brother Muha Garawi, Dialed & Defend announced a $250,000 commitment in sauna and cold plunge equipment from Dialed Labs to Southern California fire departments during the event. This significant initial investment represents the first wave of a broader, long-term national mission. The initiative extends the mission behind their companies, Dialed Labs and Dialed Moods, into the philanthropic space, focusing on equipping fire stations with modern recovery tools designed to support the physical, mental, and emotional demands placed on first responders.

Guests arrived throughout the afternoon via continuous Duffy boat transportation and were welcomed into an elevated yet relaxed waterfront setting. The event blended refined hospitality with immersive wellness elements, featuring curated appetizers, a dedicated caviar bar, signature cocktails, and specialty kratom and kava mocktails by Moonlight Mocktails. Live entertainment included a violinist, a magician, and an artist creating a live landscape painting during the gathering.

Dialed Labs saunas and cold plunges were displayed throughout the space, offering guests a firsthand look at the recovery equipment being deployed to fire stations across Southern California. The installations served as a tangible expression of the initiative’s mission and its emphasis on practical impact.

Dialed Labs CEO Ali Garawi and board member Michael ‘Harry O’ Harris at the Dialed & Defend launch, celebrating a $250,000 commitment to Southern California fire departments.

The program included remarks from Garawi, who shared his personal motivation for launching Dialed & Defend and spoke to the long-term toll firefighting takes on the body and mind. He emphasized the importance of providing first responders with meaningful recovery solutions that support long-term health and performance.

Sion Zekaria of the Fountain Valley Fire Department at Station 1, the first station to receive a Dialed & Defend installation, followed with firsthand insight into the role of sauna-based recovery within the fire service, highlighting its benefits for firefighter resilience, wellness, and longevity.

Dr. Daniel Higuera, PhD, CSCS, ACSM-CPT, Associate Professor of Kinesiology at Santa Ana College and a Dialed & Defend board member, provided additional context on the physical and mental strain firefighters face. Drawing from his work with more than 20 fire and police departments across Southern California, he spoke to the science-backed benefits of sauna and cold plunge therapy in supporting recovery and readiness.

A local firefighter at the Newport Beach waterfront celebration launching Dialed & Defend’s recovery equipment initiative.

The program concluded with remarks from board member Michael “Harry O” Harris, co-founder of Death Row Records and founder of Community First Action, who addressed the importance of community resilience during California wildfire seasons and emphasized the need for sustained support for first responders. He also spoke to the potential for Dialed & Defend to expand nationally in the years ahead.

The Newport Beach debut marked a defining milestone for Dialed & Defend, laying the foundation for a mission rooted in community, wellness, and action, and reinforcing the belief that those who protect our communities deserve access to the highest level of care and recovery.

Written in partnership with Tom White

Entertainment

Vale! ULB Drops Rhythmic Powerhouse Single ‘Devórame’

By: Nadia Sobehart

Breakthrough band and creators of “Cabana Bounce,” Vale! ULB release their latest single, “Devórame.” A musical testament to freedom of expression, the upbeat record invites listeners to lose their inhibitions, let down their hair, and dance.

The union of five musicians, each expert in their craft, Vale! ULB is a dynamic band focused on the Latin diaspora. The group is comprised of individuals from Cuba, Argentina, Peru, Colombia, and New Orleans via Mexico. Through their diverse and creative individualism, the members come together to create musical art beyond the power of one.

Leading the band on vocals is Val, the daughter of Latin Grammy winner, musician, and producer, Dante Vargas. Three-time Grammy winner Deezle (of Lil Wayne, Drake, and Nicki Minaj fame) adds depth with his bass, vocals, and production. Grammy-winning trumpeter, Emiliano, takes brass to new heights. Cuban percussionist and champion of Fiesta del Tambor (Cuba’s Festival of Drum), Anier, sets the beat. Lastly, Friki, son of the founder of Buena Vista Social Club, rounds up the sound with his expert guitar.

With over 20 years of professional experience, each member is seasoned in the industry, with a portfolio of sound unique to each. For Deezle, joining the band was a logical choice for working alongside industry greats. “What kept me going is that I never gave up and have the blessing of being around people like Carlos [our manager] and others in the business who keep going. I can’t forsake that,” shares Deezle.

A delicious mix of Latin core, New Orleans soul, and modern hip hop, the music of Vale! ULB is a showcase of “Cabana Bounce,” the band’s signature sound. While based across the U.S., the band comes together monthly to collaborate on new work. According to their manager, Carlos, “It’s the mashing and mixing of different music that makes this band super special.”

Their new single, “Devórame,” captures the power of being wanted and not being afraid to ask for what you want. “It’s a genre-bending single about the freedom of being sexy,” shares Manager Carlos. “Devórame” undoubtedly captures the voice of each band member, from the catchy opening notes to the smooth vocals weaving stories into sound.

“Devórame” was a “cool experiment that went right,” the brainchild of Deezle with contributions from each talented band member. “The band is very chill in the studio,” adds Deezle. “Everyone knows when to switch and take lead. There’s all sorts of personalities in one room, yet there’s no tension. Everyone does their own part.”

Vale! ULB hopes to reach listeners who are ready to let go of their inhibitions. “The song is about freedom of expression,” explains the band, who welcomes listeners to let loose and give in to the music. “You gotta let go when you hear the music.”

In addition to performing, Vale! ULB gives back in New Orleans through the Trombone Shorty Foundation, which seeks to mentor aspiring musicians and provide them with instruments and opportunities.

“Devórame” is available on all streaming platforms, with promotional support from Starlight PR.

Make sure to stay connected to Vale! ULB on all platforms for new music, videos, and social posts.

“Devórame” Spotify

Written in partnership with Tom White

LA Maison Pilates EMS Introduces a New Era of Intelligent Fitness in Beverly Hills

Beverly Hills continues to cement its reputation as a destination for elevated wellness with the arrival of LA Maison Pilates EMS, a boutique fitness studio redefining how Angelenos approach movement, strength, and recovery. Bringing together Pilates reformer training and Electro-Muscle Stimulation (EMS) under one roof, the studio introduces a modern, science-backed approach to fitness designed for efficiency, personalization, and long-term wellbeing.

Launched in October, LA Maison Pilates EMS offers private and semi-private sessions tailored to clients seeking low-impact workouts that deliver results without demanding hours in the gym. As Los Angeles increasingly embraces intelligent, time-conscious wellness solutions, the studio reflects a broader shift away from high-intensity burnout culture and toward sustainable fitness practices rooted in longevity and performance.

The studio was founded by Sarah Nicoli and Conrad Sanchez, whose combined expertise bridges movement artistry and exercise science. Together, they envisioned a space that prioritizes precision, personalization, and evidence-based training, an approach well suited to Beverly Hills’ discerning wellness community.

Nicoli brings more than 15 years of international experience in movement, performance, and rehabilitation. A former professional dancer trained in France, her background blends classical technique with modern functional training. Certified in Comprehensive Pilates, AntiGravity Fitness, and NeuroTracker neuro-training, she is known for her meticulous attention to alignment, mobility, and core integration. Her sessions are highly individualized, focusing not only on building strength but also on improving movement quality and body awareness. For Nicoli, fitness is as much about prevention and balance as it is about aesthetics or endurance.

Sanchez complements this vision with a strong foundation in kinesiology and EMS technology. Holding a master’s degree in kinesiology, he has trained both clients and EMS instructors internationally, helping shape best practices for this rapidly growing fitness modality. His work centers on maximizing muscular engagement while minimizing joint stress, an approach that resonates in a city increasingly focused on injury prevention and sustainable performance. “The goal is efficiency without compromise,” Sanchez explained. “By combining Pilates with EMS, clients can build strength and endurance without the wear and tear of high-impact training.”

EMS training uses controlled electrical impulses to stimulate muscle fibers more deeply than voluntary movement alone. When paired with guided exercise, it enhances strength development in shorter sessions while reducing strain on joints and connective tissue. Pilates, meanwhile, supports posture, flexibility, coordination, and core stability. Together, the two methods create a balanced and holistic workout that supports rehabilitation, injury prevention, and athletic performance.

This combination appeals to a wide range of clients, from fitness newcomers and busy professionals to seasoned athletes seeking smarter training alternatives. Sessions can be customized for recovery, muscle endurance, postural correction, or overall conditioning, making the studio accessible without sacrificing sophistication or results.

The intimate setting of LA Maison Pilates EMS further reinforces its philosophy of personalization and care. Rather than large group classes, the studio emphasizes focused instruction and privacy, allowing clients to progress safely and confidently. Whether it’s a brief EMS session between meetings or a tailored Pilates program designed to support long-term mobility, every experience is built around individual goals and needs.

Located in the heart of Beverly Hills, LA Maison Pilates EMS arrives as Los Angeles continues to redefine what modern fitness looks like, smart, efficient, and grounded in science. By merging innovation with mindful movement, the studio offers a glimpse into the future of wellness: one where feeling strong and energized matters more than pushing to exhaustion.

For more information, visit lamaisonpilatesems.com.