IN GOOD TASTE | Go Mediterranean at Meridians – VC Reporter

PICTURED: Spicy shrimp pasta, a specialty of Meridians Cafe in Ventura. Photo by N. Lackey Shaffer

by Nancy D Lackey Shaffer

nshaffer@timespublications.com

Meridian’s Cafe
2417 E. Harbor Blvd., Ventura
805-676-1756
www.meridianscafe.com
$5-17

The Mediterranean diet has long been upheld as a standard for healthy eating. Garlic and olive oil, leafy greens and vegetables, fruits, nuts, seafood . . . all of these are good-for-you ingredients that the traditional cuisines of Greece, Italy and other countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea have excellent in using to craft delicious meals. Yes, these countries are also known for rich meat dishes (like roasted lamb and meatballs), but the emphasis on fresh, unrefined foods is what doctors the world has over recommending this as one nutritional plan for better health.

Meridians Cafe in Ventura is not the only restaurant in town serving Mediterranean cuisine, and the menu isn’t without some indulgences. But the Italian restaurant that has been in the Marina Village Shopping Center for nearly two decades has plenty to recommend it, both in terms of flavor and healthy ingredients.

I love baked pastas and cream sauces, but it was easy to select deliberately healthy entries (for delivery, no less) at Meridians. Eggplant, mushroom, peppers, tomatoes and fresh basil are well represented on the menu. Lighter pastas include penne Perugia (with roasted eggplant and fresh tomatoes), rigatoni (with chicken, broccoli and sun-dried tomatoes) and shrimp pesto. Sandwiches include grilled vegetables and fresh tuna salad. There’s even a veggieball — a meatless version of the classic meatball — that can be enjoyed with spaghetti or on a French roll.

The freshest of veggies go into the Meridians Brazilian salad: fresh greens, shredded carrots, hearts of palm, tomato and avocado. Photo by N. Lackey Shaffer

I toured the Meridians menu with an eye for lightness, selecting an appetizer (bruschetta pomodoro), a salad (Brazilian), a pasta (spicy shrimp), a sandwich (grilled vegetable panini) and a pizza (Margharita). All were well prepared and tasty in their own way.

Bruschetta pomodoro is as simple as it gets — freshly grilled bread topped with chopped tomatoes, a little garlic and olive oil, maybe some herbs. Meridians delivered exactly that, to my delight. When the ingredients are good, there’s no reason to get fancy. I know this dish is probably better in the summer (when tomatoes are in season) and in this instance the bread was a little burnt, but I can’t say I didn’t enjoy this humble, wonderfully fresh appetizer.

The Meridians Brazilian salad included a large pile of mixed baby greens topped with avocado, hearts of palm, grated carrot and a few tomato wedges. Creamy avocado and luscious hearts of palm really made the salad; it was a joy to have those more indulgent ingredients (plus a tangy whipped balsamic dressing) play against the crisper vegetables. Next time, I might add goat cheese or perhaps grilled chicken, to turn it into more of a meal — although even without extra protein, there was plenty to share.

Which brings us to the yummy panini, absolutely laden with thinly sliced ​​and beautifully grilled eggplant, bell peppers, mushrooms and zucchini. This mountain of veggies was generously topped with an herby pesto sauce. Maybe a little oily…but a good pesto sandwich should be (and olive oil is good for you). I loved the focaccia bread, even if it was a bit over-grilled.

The Margharita pizza was a lovely version of a true classic. Thin crust that was crispy on the edge but a bit softer in the middle, with a delicious tomato-based pizza sauce (I would kill for that recipe) and topped with a little mozzarella, sliced ​​roma tomatoes and slivered basil. Again, when the ingredients are good, the dish should follow suit — and I found no fault with this pizza.

Classic Margharita pizza from Meridians. Photo by N. Lackey Shaffer

Ditto with the spicy shrimp pasta. The most heavenly, spicy tomato marinara was tossed with perfectly cooked angel hair noodles and topped with plump, sweet shrimp. We loved everything about our meal, but this was the runaway favorite.

There’s so much more to a healthy diet than raw broccoli, tofu and brown rice. Meridians has the crack of turning vegetables, herbs and some olive oil into a whole array of delicious meals that are nutritious and satisfying. Go to Meridians for your Mediterranean fix . . . and you’ll find it easy to accommodate your palate, stomach and heart health all at once.

source https://www.bisayanews.com/2022/03/03/in-good-taste-go-mediterranean-at-meridians-vc-reporter/

Love Hemp Group PLC Announces Love Hemp Scoops Awards for its CBD Products

Love Hemp a Winner in this Year’s Beauty Shortlist Awards

LONDON, UK / ACCESSWIRE / March 3, 2022 / Love Hemp Group PLC (“Love Hemp”, the “Group”, or the “Company”) (AQSE:LIFE)(OTCQB:WRHLF)the brand-led consumer goods company focused on CBD health and wellness solutions, is pleased to announce it has won four accolades in this year’s Beauty Shortlist Awards, which were announced yesterday on Tuesday 2nd March, 2022. These recent accolades from the Beauty Shortlist Awards join a host of other awards for Love Hemp.

highlights

• Love Hemp’s 300mg CBD Capsules were named ‘Best CBD Capsules’ in the Beauty Shortlist Award, and three other products were Editor’s Choice award winners
• The Company also recently won ‘Leading CBD Brand of the Year – UK 2021’ in the Commercial Cannabis Awards by Global Health and Pharma, for the second year in a row
• Love Hemp’s CBD Infused Body Salve won ‘Best CBD Skincare’ at the Cannavist CBD & Wellbeing Awards, whilst its Natural CBD Oil Drops came runner-up in the ‘Best Sleep Aid category’

Beauty Shortlist Awards

Love Hemp’s CBD Capsules 300mg were named Best CBD Capsules. Vegan, gluten-free and 100% THC free, the flavorless CBD capsules are easy to use and offer reliable dosing with 5mg of CBD per capsule.

The following Love Hemp products were also Editor’s Choice award winners:

• Medium 2% CBD Oil Drops 600mg Premium Hemp Extract in Wild Cherry
• Strong 4% CBD Oil Drops 1,200mg in Valencia Orange
• CBD Infused Body Salve 300mg

The Beauty Shortlist Awards were launched in the UK in 2012 and are 100% independent. They were founded by natural beauty journalist and eco lifestyle advocate Fiona Klonarides to spotlight and support stand-out natural, ethical, and sustainable brands. Entries are judged by three independent panels of experts in the UK, USA, and Australia.

The awards are well known for their transparency and ethical focus and are closely followed by consumers, industry experts, retail beauty buyers, industry news sources, journalists, PRs, retailers, and international distributors.

Tony Calamita, CEO and Co-Founder of Love Hemp Group, said: “We’re delighted that a number of our products have been recognized in this year’s Beauty Shortlist Awards.”

Fiona Klonarides, founder of The Beauty Shortlist Awards, said: “The Beauty Shortlist Awards provide a level playing field to global brands and smaller artisan brands alike, celebrating the brightest new beauty and natural health launches alongside already very well-established brands and products.”

Love Hemp is endorsed by boxing legend, Anthony Joshua OBEwho has said that “the ability of CBD to improve people’s everyday lives is undeniable.”

-ENDS-

For further information please visit: www.lovehempgroup.com or contact:

About Love Hemp Group

Love Hemp Group is a brand-led consumer goods company focused on health and wellness solutions for consumer use cases including sleep, pain, anxiety, stress and recovery. The Company is a pioneer in the UK-based premium high-quality CBD market, with over 40 products including oils, edibles, sprays, cosmetics and topicals. The Company’s range of products are sold online across 70 websites and in over 2,000 stores including some of the biggest retailers in the UK, such as Holland & Barrett, Boots and Ocado. Listed on the Aquis Stock Exchange (AQSE: LIFE) the Company recently changed its name to Love Hemp Group plc, from World High Life, to better reflect its focus on supporting the “best in class” CBD brand as it embarks on a wider expansion of its core business and offering.

This information is provided by Reach, the non-regulatory press release distribution service of RNS, part of the London Stock Exchange. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact [email protected] or visit www.rns.com.

SOURCE: Love Hemp Group PLC

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Mental health problems cost Scotland’s economy £9 billion a year, report finds

About three quarters of this cost is due to lost productivity and the costs of unpaid carers, according to the findings from the Mental Health Foundation and London School of Economics, supported by Strathclyde University.

The report authors stressed this figure is likely an underestimate, as it does not account for reduced work performance due to mental illness, costs to criminal justice and housing systems linked to poor mental health, or costs linked to addiction, self-harm or suicide.

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The Mental Health Foundation urged the Scottish Government to “revolutionise” its approach to mental health and increase investment with a higher focus on a prevention rather than treatment approach.

Picture: John Devlin

Research shows the potential public health and economic benefit of programs which allow people to live well, the charity said, for example by addressing perinatal depression, bullying and social isolation in older people.

Other areas highlighted for potential improvement were parenting programmes, psychological and psychosocial support for those with identified needs, and building supportive and inclusive workplaces.

A review of workplace interventions found savings of £5 for every £1 invested in supporting mental health.

Investing in parenting programs could offer long-term returns of up to £16 for every £1 spent, the report found.

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Covid Scotland: Both restrictions and easing increase mental health concerns, ex…

Lee Knifton, Director of the Mental Health Foundation in Scotland, said: “Our report reveals the opportunity we have to revolutionize our approach to mental health in Scotland. It’s time to increase investment in population-level prevention of mental health problems.”

He added: “We can’t only treat our way out of the mental health crisis, which is worsening due to the pandemic, and we cannot afford the spiraling costs to both people’s wellbeing and our economy.

“We urge the Scottish Government to pay attention to what the evidence is telling us and commit to prioritising prevention in mental health. A prevention-first approach will not only help break down the barriers to good mental health but empower people to thrive at every stage of their lives and boost our economy in the long run.”

Authors said the Covid-19 pandemic has caused the situation to deteriorate.

Lead author of the report, David McDaid, Associate Professional Research Fellow in Health Policy and Health Economics at London School of Economics, said: “Our estimate of the economic impacts of mental health conditions, much of which is felt well beyond the health and social care sector, is a conservative estimate.

“What is clear is that there is a sound economic case for investing in effective preventive measures, particularly at a time when population mental health may be especially vulnerable because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“This requires further sustained and coordinated actions not only within the health and social care sector, but across the whole of government.”

Costs covered by the analysis included health and social care, informal care, educational support and productivity costs.

Those in the 15-49 age group accounted for 56 per cent of the costs.

The figure across the UK was £118 billion, accounting to five per cent of GDP.

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Stigma causes issues for women’s health

Many young girls are taught to keep their periods a secret, hide their tampons when they go to the bathroom, or use code words to discuss issues regarding their menstruation to avoid scrutiny or disapproval. This aspect of women’s health is often left behind closed doors.

But, menstruation, sexual health and reproductive systems are an important part of women’s health, and a lack of open conversations embeds a stigma in the discussion.

According to the New York Post58% of women feel embarrassed when they are on their periods, and 42% of women have experienced period shaming.

The more open society is about topics like menstruation cycles, the easier it is for people who deal with them to feel comfortable getting help.

“I feel like a lot of girls are getting hurt because of the stigma that surrounds women’s health,” said Ally Ferrara, a sophomore majoring in public health. “Without the right information, girls might do the wrong thing, and that can be dangerous. If they don’t know these important things, they won’t be able to get the help that they need when they need it.”

The stigma around these health topics creates a sense of embarrassment for women when it comes to addressing their health issues. The more women suppress the issues, the worse they can get.

“We have been almost trained to not talk about period or sexual health, and it is normal,” said Kaylin Robinson, a sophomore majoring in history and public relations on the pre-med track. “It is so important that we are educated on these things and that we talk about them openly so nobody feels ashamed to talk about these natural things.”

Education is key to breaking the stigma around these topics. The more comfortable people become about educating youth and teens about their bodies, the better young girls can identify health issues they are having.

Sexually transmitted diseases, breast cancer, cervical cancer, heart disease, menopause and other common health issues for women often go untreated. Learning how to check for breast cancer, knowing the signs of STDs and understanding menstrual cycles are all key when it comes to diagnosing these health issues.

While there is some education in schools, there is still a lot missing. Health classes do not always cover all of these important topics when it comes to understanding women’s anatomy.

A report by Thinx in 2020 said 76% of students surveyed believed they were taught more about the biology of a frog than the biology of the female body in school.

“There is a lot of stigma around women’s health and lack of education around periods and sexual health,” said Priya Nangia, a junior majoring in chemistry. “There is so much stigma around talking about those things with young girls which definitely needs to be rectified.”

Discrimination in women’s health care creates obstacles on top of health issues. Discrimination stemming from gender identity or race and ethnicity can impact health care services and resources women are given.

Pain is often handled differently in women of color, which can lead to life-threatening situations.

According to the Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention, Black women experience maternal mortality rates three times higher than their white counterparts. Due to this, there has been a push for more accountability with obstetricians, and in other medical fields, to check racial biases.

Mistreatment of women, especially women of color and Black women, can make women weary of seeking treatment, which can worsen the issues they may be having.

Misdiagnosis creates issues for women when it comes to taking care of themselves and seeking treatment.

A 2021 article by MedMalFirm.comsaid there is an epidemic of misdiagnosis among women because doctors view women as too emotional or as medical mysteries.

“It really frustrates me that there are so many problems in the women’s health care system,” said Elle Standish, a freshman majoring in criminology and criminal justice. “There are a huge number of OB/GYNs that overprescribe the pill. They are treating symptoms and not issues that are affecting women. It is like they are throwing darts at a wall and hoping that something sticks.”

Pregnancy is another key element of women’s health that can be a struggle for women to understand and process. All aspects of pregnancy, from ultrasounds and complications to delivery, require health care and assistance.

Choices Pregnancy Clinic is a local nonprofit pregnancy clinic that offers free resources to the public.

“We are like a stepping stone for women that need assistance when it comes to pregnancy,” said Brook Morrow, the clinic’s nurse manager. “We offer free ultrasounds, free pregnancy tests and free pregnancy and parent education classes where both mothers and fathers can earn money to use on baby supplies just for taking these classes.”

Choices Pregnancy Clinic also offers information about abortion, adoption and sexually transmitted diseases at no cost.

“We have also resourced out to a number of different groups or organizations when it comes to other aspects of pregnancy that can be challenging, including pregnancy loss and post-abortion counseling,” Morrow said. “Having someone you can talk to openly about anything involving pregnancy is extremely important.”

Pregnancy can be hard to deal with and understand at first, especially if it is unplanned. Morrow pointed out that college is already difficult and finding out you are pregnant can cause you to go into crisis or panic mode.

According to the CDCunintended pregnancy rates in 2011 were highest among women between the ages of 18 and 24, mainly college-age women.

“We want to be there just to let a woman ever sit and talk. Sometimes that is all they need. Sometimes all women need is for someone to listen to them without judgment, because they may not have that somewhere else, so we are here to support,” Morrow said.

Resources like the ones at Choices Pregnancy Clinic are also offered by similar organizations and are often overlooked because people do not know they are available.

“These resources are here, and we want to be able to give them to those that need them. A lot of people use the emergency room as a way to go get a pregnancy test, which is good, but they won’t be getting all the resources that we offer here,” Morrow said.

Physical health can directly correlate with mental health, which suffers greatly when women are expected to be able to control their emotions and carry on, especially for mothers.

“I think we shouldn’t make being a woman one more thing to worry about. Women statistically are more likely to be depressed, which is incredibly sad because mental health is so important on top of the other aspects of being a woman,” Standish said.

There have been discussions among businesses and school boards lately about whether women should be allowed to leave when necessary for their menstrual cycle, which can include severe pain and discomfort.

“I personally think women should be allowed time off of school and work for their periods. I think people that don’t think that are almost saying your pain really isn’t that bad, which really can invalidate people that are in severe pain,” Standish said. “Contraceptives can also lessen symptoms for some but can also really impact women’s mental health.”

Stigmas around women’s health will be around until education and openness and the things that impact women are normalized. This stigma and misogyny are rooted in health care practices and the lack of research done on women’s health issues.

Focusing on wellness includes seeking help when necessary. The UA Student Health Center has medical professionals who focus on a plethora of different needs, including women’s health.

Peggy Fogg, a CRNP and women’s health provider at the Student Health Center, said period pain is an issue a lot of women come in about.

“Often, I discuss options to improve their menstrual cycle such as birth control pills, the contraceptive patch or vaginal ring, the Depo-Provera shot, an IUD, or the Nexplanon arm implant,” Fogg said. “This is a conversation to discuss if one of these options is the right fit for the patient.”

There is also a newfound autonomy for women in college. Problems that may have been brushed under the rug while growing up can finally be addressed in a more private matter.

“Once at college, women are busy and want a solution. They are able to address their health care needs themselves and decide this is the time to meet with a health care provider and discuss their options,” Fogg said.

This story was published in the Health Edition. View the complete issue here.

Questions? Email the culture desk at culture@cw.ua.edu.

source https://www.bisayanews.com/2022/03/03/stigma-causes-issues-for-womens-health/

KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc. Announces Pricing of Public Offering of Common Stock | Business

NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Mar 2, 2022–

KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc. (“KREF”) (NYSE: KREF) today announced the pricing of an underwritten public offering of 6,000,000 shares of its common stock. The underwriters have been granted a 30-day option by KREF to purchase an additional 900,000 shares. Total estimated gross proceeds of the offering are approximately $125 million or $143.7 million if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares in full. The offering is expected to close on March 7, 2022 and is subject to customary closing conditions.

KREF intends to use the net proceeds from the offering to acquire its assets in a manner consistent with its investment strategies and investment guidelines and for general corporate purposes.

Morgan Stanley, Wells Fargo Securities, Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, Raymond James, Barclays, Citigroup, Deutsche Bank Securities, JP Morgan and Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, a Stifel Company, are acting as joint book-running managers for the offering. BTIG is acting as co-manager for the offering.

A registration statement on Form S-3 relating to these securities has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and has been declared effective. The offering will be made only by means of a prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Copies of the prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus may be obtained from Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Attn: Prospectus Department, 180 Varick Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10014 and Wells Fargo Securities, Attn: Equity Syndicate Department, 30 Hudson Yards, 500 West 33rd Street – 14th Floor, New York, NY 10001; or by visiting the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov under KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.’s name.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy these securities, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

About KREF

KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc. (NYSE:KREF) is a real estate finance company that focuses primarily on originating and acquiring senior loans secured by commercial real estate properties. KREF is externally managed and advised by an affiliate of KKR & Co. Inc.

Forward-looking statements

This press release contains certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “assumptions,” “target,” “guidance,” “outlook,” “plans,” “projection,” “may,” “will,” “would,” “should,” “seeks,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate ,” “believe,” “potential” or “continue” (or the negative or other derivatives of each of these terms) or similar expressions that concern KREF’s operations, strategy, projections or intentions. These “forward-looking” statements include statements relating to, among other things, the proposed issuance and sale of common stock and the expected use of the net proceeds from the offering. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which involve factors or circumstances that are beyond KREF’s control. These and other important risk factors are discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in KREF’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, filed with the SEC, as such factors may be updated from time to time in KREF’s other periodic filings with the SEC. Accordingly, actual outcomes or results may differ materially from those indicated in this release. All forward-looking statements in this release speak only as of the date of this release. KREF undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as required by law.

View source version on businesswire.com:https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220302006176/en/

CONTACT: MEDIA:

Cara Major or Miles Radcliffe Separator

(212) 750-8300

media@kkr.comINVESTOR RELATIONS:

Jack Switala

(212) 763-9048

jack.switala@kkr.com

KEYWORD: UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA NEW YORK

INDUSTRY KEYWORD: FINANCE BANKING PROFESSIONAL SERVICES COMMERCIAL BUILDING & REAL ESTATE CONSTRUCTION & PROPERTY

SOURCE: KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.

Copyright Business Wire 2022.

PUB: 03/02/2022 08:45 PM / DISC: 03/02/2022 08:46 PM

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Copyright Business Wire 2022.

source https://www.bisayanews.com/2022/03/03/kkr-real-estate-finance-trust-inc-announces-pricing-of-public-offering-of-common-stock-business/

SEC Targets NFT Creators, Marketplaces Over ICO-Like Sales: Report

The US Securities and Exchange Commission, which has taken a tough line toward cryptocurrency projects under Chairman Gary Gensler, is probing NFT creators and marketplaces for regulatory violations, according to a Bloomberg report that cites anonymous sources familiar with the investigation.

Per the report, the probe is looking into whether NFTs “are being utilized to raise money like traditional securities.” The SEC has reportedly sent subpoenas related to the investigation and is particularly interested in information about fractional NFTs, which allow multiple people to hold (and trade) a share of an asset.

Securities are tradable financial instruments, such as company shares, bonds in a government or business, and derivatives based on another asset.

The SEC has traditionally not considered Bitcoin to be a security because it’s often used as currency. Ethereum has gotten a pass because the project has ostensibly decentralized to the point where no single group controls its success. But the agency has been more suspicious of other crypto assets, and is embroiled in a months-long lawsuit with Ripple Labs tied to the creation and distribution of XRP, the sixth largest crypto asset by market cap, which it views as an unregistered security.

The federal agency has gone hardest after initial coin offerings, or ICOsa popular way for cryptocurrency startups to bootstrap their projects back in 2017 and 2018. The basic idea was that projects would sell tokens that would provide some sort of future utility on their network; the largest ICOs, Telegram and EOS, raised billions in Bitcoin and Ethereum via this method. Both companies faced enforcement action from the SEC, with Telegram ultimately forced to abandon its crypto ambitions altogether.

If the reporting is accurate, the SEC is concerned that cryptocurrency projects are merely finding new variations of unregistered securities—this time with non-fungible tokens. NFTs are blockchain-based tokens that denote the right to sell or trade an accompanying asset such as a digital collectible or artwork.

Though an investigation won’t necessarily lead to an enforcement action, today’s news isn’t exactly coming out of left field. Hester Peirce, known as “Crypto Mom” ​​for her friendly posture to the industry, said in March 2021 that NFTs might “raise the same kinds of questions that ICOs have raised.” She went on to warn investors that fractionalized NFTs could be considered unregistered securities.

Industry players have also been aware of the risk. In the run up to its NFT marketplace launch last year, crypto exchange FTX US made clear it wouldn’t list NFTs that pay royalties to their holders on secondary markets lest the assets be considered unregistered securities.

Over the last year, NFTs have become a major sub-sector of the crypto economy. the top Ethereum marketplace, OpenSea, has registered over $3.6 billion in trading volume in the past month, per DappRadar. In January, that figure reached a record $5 billion in a single month. The popularity of NFTs has attracted similar markets to emerge on Ethereum competitors such as Solana other Binance SmartChain.

https://decrypt.co/94268/sec-targets-nft-creators-marketplaces-ico-sales-report

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Thibauts prepare for another real estate Market Trends, next generation

COURTESY PHOTO

Some people learn to organize, analyze and look forward while earning college degrees, muscling up their book-learning later in challenging market environments far from school. And a few people still learn it on the family farm — done right, one of the most complex and data-dependent environments from dirt to market in America.

Neither of those histories has much value in practice, however, especially in a family business, without the simple willingness of people to work like hell, in this case for years, together.

That’s why the Thibaut team — Randy and son Justin, owners of LSI Companies — will present not one but two sophisticated models or maps, if you will, laying out the months and years going forward at their spring Market Trends real estate event.

“The Thrill of the Chase,” as they’ve titled it, goes live on Wednesday, March 16, from 4 pm to 7:30 pm at the Caloosa Sound Convention Center in downtown Fort Myers.

One map of the market terrain ahead is professional, the public one on display March 16.

ING

But the other, illuminating everything they do each day, is personal, a father-son success story. That’s never happened before at Market Trends, and it’s unlikely ever to happen again.

The company Randy founded more than two decades ago is now safely in the hands of Justin, in a transition as carefully planned as a moon mission, but perhaps a lot smoother. They will continue to work together, but now with Randy as senior broker and Justin as president and CEO of LSI Companies.

“With booming demand and fierce competition, 2022 will be all about the chase for inventory across Southwest Florida,” they have announced of the event, describing both commercial and residential realities in play now across the region and the state. That’s what they’ll focus on as Randy talks about land sales development and the new home market while Justin analyzes the commercial market. Randy Thibaut (left) and son Justin preparing for the future in Idaho’s Rocky Mountains.

As he has before, longtime residential expert Denny Grimes, founder and president of Denny Grimes & Co., will join the Thibauts to present the residential real estate analysis of the coming year.

Market Trends traditionally shares the data-driven insights and predictions created by LSI’s team of veteran analysts with more than 1,000 professionals who participate, joined by the Building Industry Associations in Collier, Lee, Charlotte and Desoto counties.

It’s a one-of-a-kind, bi-annual presentation of solid information with consequences that probably can’t be measured over time. The company’s savvy, for example, has likely saved businesses and even livelihoods for many, on occasion — homebuilders, developers, landowners and investors — people who have taken advantage of hard data translated to usable tools as they buy, sell or lease commercial property through good times or even the difficult down times that periodically hit the market.

But the transition from father to son of titles, responsibilities and the reins of LSI Companies, founded by Randy more than two decades ago, is textbook, a classic example of how to do it right if you don’t want problems down the road, says Denise Federer.

A business coach who heads the Federer Performance Management Group, based in Tampa, she holds a doctorate in cognitive-behavioral psychology and decades of expertise in what she calls, “the unique dynamics of closely held and family businesses.”

Randy read about her and went to her to talk about transition years ago, she says, when he began to encourage his son.

“Randy should be given huge credit — he had to be the one to set the stage,” she recalls. “A lot of people think they can do it on their own. But there are so many conversations that are not easy to do.

“And Justin had to be patient. He deserves huge credit, too.”

Longtime business partner and family friend Ron Inge, who once served as president of LSI and has known Randy since he was starting out and Justin since he was a teenager — Justin is 37, now, with a wife and daughter — offers “the 30,000- foot big picture, as I see it.” He founded and still heads a consultant group, Inge and Associates, that works with LSI and others in the region.

“They’re very different in temperament but they also have some similarities — they’re both ‘Make It Happen’ people, not ‘How Do I keep This From Happening’ people,” he says of the Thibauts.

“Justin went to the University of Florida and graduated from their construction management school, then went off to work for the nuclear power and petroleum industries.”

As Ms. Federer puts it, “Justin didn’t have to do this, it wasn’t his only option.”

Then at some point in the middle of the last decade, Mr. Inge says, “Randy and I talked about, what are our next steps? How do we make this company go on, who should be a successor? Justin wasn’t in the picture, but his name came up and it was like a light bulb suddenly going on.”

That was fine for the old men, but Justin had his own mind and direction.

“It may have taken some coaching or coercion to get him to think about this,” Mr. Inge adds wryly.

So Justin, having grown up around the business, came back and stepped into it, just to see if he’d like it.

“A lot of times the next generation in a family business is not looked at very kindly — people think, ‘You’re just getting this because you’re the owner’s kid,’” notes Mr. Inge.

But in this case nothing could be farther from the truth, he adds.

“Justin did and does work his tail off. One difference I do see in them: Randy is bit more of a risk taker. Justin will take a risk, too, but he’s more risk averse than his dad. And I see that as strengths, notes weaknesses, in both of them.”

For Justin, jumping in and doing the first big deal in 2016 was the litmus test.

“I did my first real estate deal on a complicated rezoning-contingent land deal, still one of the more complicated I’ve been involved in. It could have fallen apart multiple times throughout the process. When we got to the finish line, the thrill I experienced solidified it.”

He realized: “This is what I was supposed to be doing.” And now, asked what his 18-year-old self might say to his current self, he doesn’t hesitate. “What took you so long?”

The process wasn’t quick or particularly easy for Randy, either.

“The hardest part about this transition for me happened over two years ago in making the final decision to take the next steps — to let go of the company I have created, which became a large part of my identity.”

LSI companies, the parent company to LSI Solutions, LSI Commercial and Development Solutions, kicked off in 2000. Randy had two employees and an office roughly the size of a big tractor cab. Justin was a 15-year-old high school kid.

It’s an appropriate analogy, the tractor cab, since Randy grew up on a big hog and dairy farm in Ohio, and once did “seriously consider farming as a vocation — and I still always have that in my heart.”

Now, LSI Companies has 25 employees and a 10,000-square-foot headquarters in South Fort Myers. And like any good farmer in almost any American farm community, Randy has contributed significantly to people around him, to his community, an approach to living adopted by his son, too.

He co-founded Builder’s Care, a nonprofit arm of the Lee BIA that provides no-cost emergency construction help to needy and deserving elderly or disabled homeowners and families who can’t pay for it. Builder’s care is more than just a polite nod. They’ve used donations, grants and donated work and material to put almost $5 million into the do-good effort over time, an LSI spokeswoman says. Justin is now vice president of Builder’s Care.

Randy learned the buying and selling of land from his grandfather, he explains — land brokerage, entitlements and development — and has watched his son expand operations in recent years into commercial real estate, including appraisal and market research.

That’s four generations of Thibauts.

Randy’s grandfather and father have gone now, but the old man put things in perspective for Randy: “My dad always said, the only difference between you now and when you were working on the farm was, instead of pitching hog shit, you’re pitching bullshit.”

It’s funny, but it isn’t true. Not unless “bullshit” is the ability to study the road ahead, analyze it, pick a goal and take the most reasonable steps to get there, both for yourself and your clients. ¦

source https://www.bisayanews.com/2022/03/02/thibauts-prepare-for-another-real-estate-market-trends-next-generation/