Author: Kivo Daily Staff

While most businesses have had to shut their doors due to COVID-19, those working in the health care sector are currently overwhelmed. As the Co-Founder of HomeAssist Home Health Services, Frank De-Levi has witnessed a significant increase in demand since the start of the pandemic. 

Frank De-Levi and his wife Kristina both have personal experiences with home health care—it is one of the primary reasons they founded HomeAssist Home Health Services. After seeing both grandparents receive extensive care in the safety of their home, Frank and Kristina De-Levi decided to start their own business to help others. 

With deep compassion for the elderly and patients who require additional elements of safety at home, both Frank and his wife took their unique skill sets and experiences and applied them to their business. He is here to talk about the impact that COVID-19 has had on their industry, how he is coping, and advice for those currently struggling.

How has your industry been impacted regarding COVID-19?

Home health care has become a major focus during the pandemic, forcing many to rethink existing structures and evaluate whether they still work for them. As our primary goal prior to the pandemic was to provide safe, healthy, and meaningful experiences for clients, our entire industry has not changed very much. The only difference is an increase in overall demand as clients seek other ways to engage with health care providers. 

What keeps you motivated during this time at home?

People need our services now more than ever. I am deeply motivated by the positive feedback and commentary we receive from our clients. At-home health care has become a more viable option for so many patients over the past couple of years. Not only do we provide a necessary service at a lower cost, but we pay special attention to every possible detail. Our clients do not need to worry about different parts of their health care plan communicating with one another—we do everything for them. We can help alleviate a stressful and overwhelming process for patients. Having a clear purpose is a great motivator, and I am lucky to be doing this work.

Suggestions of good ways others can cope during this time.

If you can, take time to reflect and slow down. We have become so accustomed to living in a fast-paced environment that we have forgotten how to relax. Relaxing means different things for different people on different days. Some days you might want to take a bath, draw, cook, or meditate. Disconnect from screens whenever you can. The past year has been a ‘news heavy’ year, and it is important to take time to disconnect so that the anxiety of the times doesn’t start to overwhelm us on a personal level. Take care of yourself so that you can take care of others.

What does your typical day look like now versus prior to social isolation?

In all honesty, my day looks very much the same as it did prior to lockdown. The only difference is that I now spend most of my day wearing a mask and ensuring that all of my staff adhere to the new safety protocols. Unlike other industries that have been shut down as a result of the pandemic, health care has only become more strained. I work very hard to stay connected with our client’s health care practitioners who are under immense pressure right now. With less time spent traveling, I have had the opportunity to connect with old hobbies and spend time with my wife.

What advice would you give to fellow businesses who may be struggling during COVID-19?

Businesses need to address how their customers’ needs have changed. When any new entrepreneur starts a business, they begin by addressing the needs of their target demographic. Entire landscapes and industries have changed, forcing businesses to go through this process again. If you’re not sure what their needs are, ask. If COVID-19 has meant you have to change your entire business model, keep an open mind to this possibility. For example, some restaurants have started providing ‘at home meal kits’, taking advantage of their already existing supply chains but altering the format to suit the needs of their clients. Think outside of the box—anything is possible.

Do you think a work and life balance is important and how difficult is it in these circumstances?

Absolutely it is important. While the work that I do with HomeAssist Home Health Services is meaningful, engaged, and vital, the relationships I have with my loved ones and myself are important priorities too. The key is scheduling in time for everything that matters to you. From a client meeting to a few hours of alone time, treat both with the same importance. 

What are some of the lessons you have already learned from having to work remotely and tips you can give to the readers?

I have learned to stay on track by putting my phone in another room and listening intuitively to when I need to take a break. While the demands of the day often unfold upon you in an office environment, you can listen more intuitively to your own needs when you work remotely. Be willing to experiment with your environment and figure out what works for you. 

What is one piece of advice that is getting you through these current times?

‘This too shall pass.’ While I know that this advice often applies to difficult times, it applies to good times as well. No matter what you are going through, you can solace in the fact that it is temporary or allow yourself to enjoy what you can because it is temporary. I feel lucky to be in a position where I do not have to worry about where my next meal is coming from, so even though I feel overwhelmed at work, I have to remember to be grateful for what I have. Nothing is permanent in this life, so enjoy this moment as best you can.  

Words are more than just a single and distinct meaningful element of speech. Whether they are written, spoken, or acted out, words are compelling enough to spark emotions and ignite change. Taking heed of the cathartic power of words, Leslie Grodin, the host of “I Want To Know Your Story,” gathers heartfelt and thought-provoking life stories by conducting interviews with people from all walks of life. 

While some individuals do not pay much attention to how they are using their words, Leslie Grodin is aware of how they can be a powerful tool in creating a difference and making the world a better place. Time and again, this visionary has witnessed how the stories that people tell can heal, hurt, dishearten, encourage, and many more. 

In her channel, Leslie Grodin meticulously amplifies striking words that are sure to touch the hearts of viewers, listeners, and other spectators, especially those who are going through the same experiences as those of the ones being interviewed. With over 63 videos on YouTube, the said platform has become a socially conscious movement that combines the passion for storytelling with the beauty of life. 

“I Want To Know Your Story” is an online platform consisting of interviews done by Leslie Grodin who started uploading her outputs on her YouTube channel a year and a half ago. Since then, it has always been Leslie’s goal to build a world with less judgment and more empathy, compassion, and kindness. By sharing real-life stories, she believes that people would get a glimpse of how others are living their lives and realize that they are not alone in their struggles.

Leslie Grodin shared that her online community was built on the idea that hearing other people’s stories would allow one to be more understanding. Through this community, individuals from across the globe can establish deep-rooted connections and tight-knit bonds. What started as a passion project around a year ago has now become a revolutionary movement. 

When asked about what keeps her going, Leslie Grodin said that the compliments she gets from her viewers play an important role in her endeavors. Nothing makes her feel more alive than having people tell her that they appreciate watching her videos and that her channel is a brilliant idea. Even those who got interviewed are saying that Leslie’s approach is different and that her interview style is an enjoyable experience.

“I Want To Know Your Story” runs on profound words that make up heartfelt experiences. According to Leslie Grodin, these stories are the foundation of everything she does and they have helped her establish the values she earnestly lives by. It is then her goal to inspire viewers with the interviews she conducts and have them make an impact on their lives. 

Determined to transform more lives and inspire more souls, Leslie Grodin hopes to expand her reach and have people’s touching stories heard by as many individuals as possible. In the coming years, she wishes to dive deeper into topics that matter and give a platform to those who have beautiful and moving tales to tell. As she continues to take the reins of her channel, she encourages others to see life in a more positive light.

To know more about “I Want To Know Your Story,” you may subscribe to its YouTube channel or follow it on Instagram.

Sometimes, it’s easy to think of business founders and CEOs as individuals who have spent their entire life in an office, wearing a suit and tie. In reality, however, this often isn’t the case.

I recently had the opportunity to witness this firsthand when I sat down to interview Alexy Goldstein, founder and CEO of New U Life. Goldstein had actually developed an established role as a respected herbalist before pivoting to launch his own series of successful wellness companies.

Here is a closer look at his unique journey.

Early Life In Business

Goldstein actually dove into the business world early in life at the age of 18. “I was getting ready to go to college to study business when my parents told me they were leaving the family business to me. It was my decision to either try to run it on my own or sell it,” Goldstein recalls.

“That was a real baptism by fire, so to speak! While I initially took it on out of a sense of obligation, making that business a success soon became a driving, motivator for me. I was studying business, so I should try to run one.”

Goldstein managed the store during the day and took on college responsibilities at night. Though stressful and extremely demanding, he managed both responsibilities with aplomb, eventually earning his Bachelor’s Degree from Fresno State University. 

Even more important than earning a degree and learning to run a retail business, however, were the interactions that paved the way for New U Life.

Pivoting to Nutrition

“As I was running my family’s business, I started to get curious about the products we were selling,” Goldstein explains. “A lot of this came from the insights I gained while interacting with our customers. I started to wonder if it was possible to develop my own nutrition supplements that would be better able to fulfill their needs, which weren’t being met at the time. This curiosity ultimately led me to go back to school to become a Certified Homeopath and Certified Herbalist.”

In conducting his own research, Goldstein had already uncovered deficiencies in the nutritional supplements market. Now, studying to become a homeopath and herbalist had given him greater knowledge of the human body, as well as the natural solutions that could improve overall wellness.

An understanding of the body’s nutritional needs, as well as botanical and pharmaceutical research, helps determine which plants will be able to best help the patient.

Combining Two Passions

Goldstein had previously demonstrated an affinity for the business world, and with his early experiences in retail and nutritional knowledge gained as an herbalist, the potential opportunities were immediately apparent.

“Simply put, there were major gaps in the marketplace,” Goldstein says.

“Products either didn’t meet the specific needs people had, or they didn’t provide top-level results. I think many people in the business world would have been able to identify that. The advantage that I had was that I also had an herbalist’s knowledge that allowed me to actually do something about it. Being able to combine my two passions in launching nutrition brands was like a dream come true.”

Goldstein hit the ground running with the launch of Natural Life Foods, a line of hundreds of vitamins, protein powders, essential oils and other specialty health and wellness products. The success of this brand led to the launch of Strike First Nutrition, which focused on athletes’ needs for strength and recovery, sleep aids and more.

Goldstein’s passion for innovation led to the launch of several additional brands that focused on fulfilling nutrition and wellness needs with natural herbal products — with New U Life being the latest in this line of successful innovators. Thankfully, these companies have all leveraged Goldstein’s knowledge as an herbalist and entrepreneurial savvy to achieve massive sales.

Having passion for both business and health, and putting in the time to learn the ins and outs of both, served as a crucial foundation that enabled Goldstein to launch nutrition brands that have since achieved global success.

What’s Next?

As for what’s next for Goldstein, he hopes to continue to expand his New U Life’s reach and product line. “We’ve been fortunate enough to expand our operations to China and Canada recently, greatly increasing the potential customer base for our products.

While this represents a great opportunity, we can’t afford to become complacent or remain stagnant. Formulating new products and enhancing the effectiveness of our current lineup will be vital for sustaining our success.”

Though the ongoing effects of the COVID pandemic will undoubtedly continue to present challenges in hosting brand events and other activities, Goldstein is confident and optimistic. “Good health is always in demand. Now more than ever, people are wanting to give their bodies proper care and nutrition.”

James and Sarah Cammilleri are the owners and CEOs of JSC Management Group, which owns and operates approximately 60 Burger King locations in New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. James entered the business world at a young age working in his uncle’s restaurants, and later, with his father at the family Burger King franchise.

In the past seven years, James and Sarah expanded the JSC Management Group Burger King franchise ownership from two restaurants to 60 (and growing!). James attributes his business success to God, doing the right thing, and good planning!

James and Sarah are committed to giving back and serving others through their ministry in Haiti, Elevating Christian Ministries (ECM). Currently, ECM feeds 30,000 children per day in over 145 school programs. ECM focuses on facilitating sustainable development in Haitian communities through local business development and leadership training.

In 2021, James and Sarah’s goal for ECM is to walk through every open door available to them with the intention of continuing to serve and bless others.

https://www.elevating.org/

How has your industry been impacted regarding COVID-19?

We are fortunate as our business is already set up with drive-through, delivery, and takeout services.  While the full-service restaurants are suffering, we are picking up more business.  This will alter the service industry going forward. Many businesses have had to be creative in abiding by COVID guidelines.

We were concerned that COVID-19 would negatively impact our ministry, Elevating Christian Ministries (ECM), as travel to Haiti enables us to continue to make progress. Fortunately, we are currently planning for many future trips to compensate for that!

What keeps you motivated during this time at home?

I do work from home, but I still need to travel frequently to manage our Burger King franchise.

How do you maintain a solid work-life balance?

My wife Sarah makes me slow down and keeps me in check.  If I had it my way, I would work 24 hours a day, because I do not really consider it work.  My work is my passion and what I love to do! Our ministry through ECM helps me slow down, also.  When I focus on serving others, my mind is less concentrated on work.

Suggestions of good ways others can cope during this time.

The full-service restaurants are getting destroyed, but our business is thriving.  It is a hard question to answer because it is so industry-specific.  I would suggest evaluating the abundance of opportunities which capitalize on the demands created from the pandemic.

What does your typical day look like now versus prior to social isolation?

My typical business day has not changed significantly.  However, I have been affected by not being able to travel to Haiti for our ministry.  Though COVID-19 has not impacted Haiti as heavily as most countries, they are still experiencing lockdowns.

How does working remotely change how businesses can support their customers?

We do not have more people working remotely as it is not feasible in our business.  Nothing has changed for us except for adhering to COVID-19 rules and regulations.

What are some things outside of finding work that you are doing now to stay busy?

I have two children.  I love to fish, and my wife and I enjoy golfing.  Outside of work, my main focus is the ministry, teaching about leadership, and inspiring others to become leaders.

Do you think a work and life balance is important and how difficult is it in these circumstances?

I would definitely say we are working more right now.  In the first few months of COVID we were not working as hard, but now it has been busy and back to normal for us.

From Brentwood, Tennessee, Jaime Westenbarger is the Director of Sales for Bluebird Roofing in Nashville. As an experienced entrepreneur, he has been involved in the sales industry his entire career.

To learn more about Jaime Westenbarger, please visit his website.

• What does your Business specialize in?

Bluebird Roofing is a roofing contractor covering all of the middle Tennessee area.  The company is going on its 11^th year in business.  We are a GAF Master Elite Contractor which puts us in the top 3% of roofers in the country.  We handle new roofs and replacement roofs.  We concentrate a lot on insurance work and storm damage recovery.

• Why do customers love your organization and how do you ensure that they become customers for life?

The biggest thing that we do is we work as hard for our customers as we would for ourselves.  We make sure the yard is impeccable.  We make sure everything is clean when we are done.  We try to disrupt their lives as little as possible.  Our work is a dirty job inherently, and we take that into account and try to make it as clean and as seamless for our customers as possible.  We work on a lot of homes in really nice neighborhoods that have pools and patios.  We use a lot of different systems to make we sure all of that has been taken care of properly and take the extra time to make sure that all of that is perfected.  It takes us to another level and customers refer us and rave about us because we have protected their trees, their plans, their patios, make sure screens on the windows do not get damaged, and that debris did not get inside their pool filter or end up in their driveway causing a flat tire.

We also have a really good communication system with our clients.  Our customers are always in the loop on what is going on.  That goes a long way too.  Contractors are sometimes thought of as someone who may rip you off or not do what they were supposed to do.  If there are a few weeks between when they agreed to have us do the roof and when we actually get in there to do it, we make sure that we are in consistent conversation and communication with our customers, so they are the loop and understand what is going on.  We never want them to feel like they have been forgotten.  We keep in touch via text and phone calls.  We are actually rolling out a brand-new system this year where we will actually email the customers with video updates of where they are at in the process and have an idea of the timeline and what to expect at each step.  We want to make it a little bit less of a murky process for them.

• What separates your business from the competition?

We take a lot of pride in being a technology-forward company.  A lot of times when someone thinks of roofing or construction in general, they think of a dirty pickup truck and a guy with an old tape measure.  Not that there is anything wrong with that, but I feel like we have taken our company to a different level of professionalism.  All of our people are uniformed.  We use drones.  We use iPad pros.  Being so technology forward has been great during COVID because we were already nearly touchless if we wanted to be, and now we can do an entire roof from start to finish, including assessment and inspection, with zero physical contact with the client.  Our ability to move and adjust to a changing climate makes us pretty unique in the industry.

It used to be that you climbed up on the roof to takes some pictures to show the customer the damage.  We are at a point now where we can literally do a drone video and show the entire video to the customer.  They can watch the drone as it is flying and see the video in real-time.  There are a lot of things we can do to engage the customer through technology, but also to protect them from COVID.

• What is the one major key to your company’s success?

The key to our success is really putting the customer first.  It really is our culture here at Bluebird Roofing.  If you are helping people get what they want, you will eventually get what you want, and I think that is a driving motivation in our company.  We help our customers in what are sometimes the worst situations of their lives.  We did a lot of work after the tornado here in Nashville in March of this year.  We met people literally within 24 hours of one of the most terrifying things that have happened to them if they happened to be at home when that tornado came through.  We are able to turn things around and help them navigate through the process of filing their claim – something they may have never done before – and at the end of it their home is put back together with the way it is supposed to be and maybe even prettier than it was before.  Being part of that is a really rewarding experience.  We get paid to do that, but I think as a company our attitude has always been about getting that customer where they need to be.  If that is always our motivation, then I believe we will continue to grow.  I think that it really comes through when you are being genuine with someone and you really want to help them, and it is not just about how many dollars you can get them to spend on something.

• What tips can you give entrepreneurs just starting out with a new venture?

You really should do something that you love.  In the last few years, it seems like people have been focused on ideas like making money through an Amazon dropship store, but if you do not like selling t-shirts or gadgets, then I do not know if that will be all that rewarding long term for you.

Money is great, but at the end of the day if you are not doing something you genuinely enjoy and that you think you can do better than someone else, then you are probably just adding noise to the conversation.  You are not really bettering other’s lives and may not even be bettering your own.  If you are not going to do it differently or not going to do it better, then you should probably do something else.

• What advice would you give an entrepreneur when they are facing a challenge?

If you really enjoy your work, then it is challenging, but it is not the end of the world when you face difficulties.  You are still trying to figure out the challenges and that is the greatest time to innovate.

COVID has crushed a lot of small businesses around the country.  Some unfortunately are in an industry where there may not have been anything they could have done about it, but the flip side is the ones that are surviving are becoming innovative.  They are creating apps to make ordering takeout easier.  They are setting up structures outside so you can still “dine there” in a safe manner.

For example, we started to push this contactless appointment.  We literally can do everything that needs to be done to your roof and you can be safely inside your home.  Companies that thrive in challenging situations can do so because they see the opportunity, not to make more money, but to better the situation and possibly handle it differently than everyone else.  If you have that mindset, even in the challenging times, you can come out on the better end of the situation and you may even come out better than you were before. You have been forced to be creative and to come up with a new way of doing something.

• Considering how fast the world changes, how do you stay on top of the market?

Using technology in a smart way is really important, though it is easy to get bogged down if you do not have a way to filter out unnecessary information.  Twenty years ago, if a new book came out you would have to dedicate time to sit down and read it.  I “read” multiple books each month by playing them through my stereo while I am driving around in my car.  As I travel from job site to job site, I can listen to the newest book on marketing, customer service, or roof construction.  I think that is amazing that we live in a time when we can utilize those technologies.  The key is to use my time to learn how to better myself and the company.

• What is your motivation in your position?

I really get excited about innovating and taking what seems like a mundane product that we all need, like roofs and shelter, and figure out a way to make it more interesting. I like figuring out how to integrate new technologies and systems to make our company stand out and be different than everyone else’s.  In the process of doing that, we are able help hundreds, if not thousands, of customers each year to better their situation as well.

I recently had the chance to talk recently to a retired older gentleman who is living on a fixed income.  A friend of his referred us to him.  His roof was in very bad shape.  He had roof damage from a storm, but he did not realize his insurance could help him because his roof was so old.  He thought he would have to come up with $7,000 to $8,000 that he did not have to repair his roof, but we helped him through the process, and he was able to get a new roof with just the cost of his insurance deductible. It did not seem possible to him, but we were able to help him and now he will not have to worry about that again.

• What makes a great leader?

You have to be able to understand what truly motivates your people because not everyone is motivated by the same things.

• Why are customers the foundation of your business?

Without our customers and our raving fans giving us five-star reviews and referring us to their friends and family, we would not be even one-tenth of the company that we are.

• How can technology make the world a better place?

Technology has a phenomenal opportunity to make the world a better place as long as it solves problems and is not a distraction.

• Tell our readers something motivating given the hardships of the past year.

This has certainly been one of our most challenging years, but amazing innovation comes from tragedy, economic issues, and pandemics. If ever there was a time to come up with the newest and greatest products, services, businesses, and technology, you are staring at it.

• How do you like to start your day?

I try to get all of the stuff that I do not want to do done first, so I am not dragging it through the rest of the day. Then I am pretty energized to move on with the rest of my day because those tougher tasks are already done.

• How do you handle rejection and setbacks?

Rejection and setback in business to me just get us that much closer to the next customer who we can help, so I don’t really dwell on it. I look at it that we may not be right for everybody.  We are never going to be the cheapest roofing company because we don’t use cheap materials or cheap labor, so if somebody says no, I understand, and I move on to the next person who will appreciate the value that we bring.

• How do you pick your employees?

A lot of things can be taught, but we hire for attitude, personality, and the overall chemistry of our team because we want to find positive people with an optimistic outlook on the world and who want to help people.

• How do you handle the competitive business environment?

I surround myself with great people who are trusted to do the jobs that they were hired to do. I am also consistently looking to make us even better than we are.