Author: Kivo Daily Staff

Community has never been more important. After quarantining, social distancing, and learning how to keep up with friends and family virtually, community is what keeps us going; we’re all in this together. And part of a community certainly includes the home you live in; we all need a place to call our own.

Although, now more than ever, we’re all yearning to get out of our homes and discover new places. Some of us are renting homes in fun destinations for a change of scenery given remote work flexibility. When looking to purchase a new home, most connect with a real estate agent who knows the market inside and out, so why wouldn’t you consider a similar partnership for your travels? This helps to explain how hospitality and real estate are married together, which inspired a business called Habitats by Kat (HBK).

HBK is a global real estate travel community providing the necessary platforms for entrepreneurs or consultants to build their own business and brand. HBK is the first travel community, or better yet “HABITAT,” that focuses on real estate. HBK’s role is to remain behind the scenes while supporting consultants to become their own CEO. The company believes that each entrepreneur should be empowered to develop their own brand voice, and they are your secret toolbox. 

The founders, who also happen to be twin sisters, are Kat Friedman and Sam Heyer. Kat is based in New York City, and Sam is based in Denver, CO. They are also both in real estate and are passionate about helping others build their own businesses and become their own CEOs. Kat worked in the hotel industry for almost ten years and held different sales and client service roles that could be applied to the world of real estate. Sam worked in the public relations industry, also for almost ten years, and is now utilizing her communication and leadership skills to mentor others who are ready to take a risk.

HBK offers consultants (and in turn their clientele bases) access to vacation properties, hotels, resorts group event needs, and epic experiences. Both Kat and Sam consider themselves full service agents in both real estate and hospitality and love helping others build their own businesses with our habitat backing them (all behind the scenes). 

Affordable pricing is also offered to HBK consultants to start their businesses. They have packages that are very straightforward that consumers can relate to based on where they are in becoming their own boss. The key items offered in all packages are access to global real estate, hotels, resorts, your own website, business insurance, digital marketing, social media support, ongoing mentorship from Kat and Sam, and more.

• The Side Hustler Package: $500 On-Boarding Fee, $75 Dollars Monthly and 70% Split
• The Aspiring Entrepreneur: $1,500 On-Boarding Fee, $100 Dollars Monthly and 80% Split
• The CEO: $1,500 On-Boarding Fee, $150 Dollars Monthly and 90% Split

Everyone settles for comfort and access. That is why many entrepreneurs innovate their services. Kat and Sam are some of the very few exceptional people who use background experiences and wit to elevate their capacity in providing fast, efficient, and honest service.

Are you ready for a side hustle? Are you already an entrepreneur who needs help to grow your business? Do you love to travel and share your experiences with others? Are you a real estate agent looking to expand your revenue? Be part of the growing community that HBK has to offer. If you want to know more about the company, browse through the website. For queries, you can send an email to kat@habitatsbykat.co or give her a call at 781-956-8250.

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.”