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Raising Awareness and Funds: Help Us Protect Our Family-Owned Business from Being Taken Over

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Image credit: Samantha Karagianis

For most, family is a solid bedrock, a safe sanctuary offering love and support. But what happens when a family member, or even a parent, darkens this haven with manipulation and betrayal? The story that surfaces in Samantha Karagianis’s GoFundMe campaign exemplifies the devastating impact that one person’s Narcissistic Personality Disorder can have on the rest of the family.

Samantha Karagianis is raising awareness about the importance of setting boundaries with a close narcissistic family member. By sharing her example, she hopes to spare others from their emotional turmoil.

“Narcissists gain power over you by engaging in manipulative behaviors like gaslighting, guilt-tripping, and controlling,” Samantha observes. “Recognizing these behaviors is the first step in safeguarding yourself and those you love.” 

Caught in the shadow of a narcissistic father’s betrayal

Samantha devoted years of her life to helping her husband build a business from the ground up, and they dreamed of creating a lasting legacy. Sadly, someone who should have been Samantha’s strongest ally is now the bitter antagonist in her story. 

Two years ago, a promising chapter opened with Samantha’s father offering to invest in her husband’s business. She was overjoyed, interpreting this as an endorsement of their hard work. However, as time unfolded, her father failed to honor his duties and commitments, causing internal strife and jeopardizing the business’s reputation.

Tensions reached a breaking point when Samantha’s husband restricted her father’s involvement until he was willing to take a step back and respect his role. This decision, meant to protect the company’s integrity, was met with severe backlash. Feeling insulted and sidelined, her father gave his wounded ego free reign.

The importance of recognizing narcissistic behavior disorder early

Narcissism often goes unnoticed in families until an incident brings it into sharp focus. “As soon as you recognize narcissistic behavior, enlist the support of friends, other family members, or a therapist,” Samantha urges. “A support system provides validation and reinforces your efforts to maintain boundaries.”

Unfortunately, Samantha’s wake-up call came far too late. Her father’s first move was to steal $104,000 from their business line of credit, effectively crippling their company. His manipulative schemes escalated as he tried to convince Samantha to leave her husband, falsely claimed ownership of her husband’s intellectual property, and used every opportunity to belittle and undermine their efforts.

The true depth of his betrayal came to light when he set a trap under the guise of a reconciliation meeting at their warehouse. Instead of seeking a resolution, he ambushed her husband with his attorney, pressuring him to sell the business. When they refused, her father escalated his vendetta by creating a nearly identical business entity and convincing the bank to sell him their line of credit, financially crippling Samantha and her family.

“When you set boundaries, expect resistance, increased manipulation, and attempts to guilt you into changing your stance,” Samantha warns. “Be prepared to stand firm. In some cases, it may be necessary to limit or even cut off contact with the narcissistic family member, especially if they refuse to respect your boundaries and their presence is overwhelmingly detrimental to your well-being.”

In the lowest form of betrayal, Samantha’s father forged an alliance with another abusive figure from Samantha’s past: her eldest son’s father. This resulted in a temporary protective order that separated Samantha’s husband from her son, using her child as a pawn in a vicious game of manipulation.

Weeks have turned into anguished months of legal battles. The strain on Samantha’s family is not just over future financial concerns — it has seeped into the fabric of their daily lives, threatening their stability and emotional health.

Why awareness is crucial

Samantha’s heart-wrenching story mirrors the experiences of many who have had their lives upended by narcissistic family members. This toxic behavior manifests as manipulation, emotional abuse, or outright betrayal, leaving victims in states of hopelessness and despair. 

Narcissistic family members excel in creating an environment of psychological distress. The constant gaslighting and emotional manipulation erodes self-esteem and fosters a perpetual state of anxiety.

Because narcissistic family members routinely appear engaging and charismatic to those outside the family dynamic, victims often endure this harsh, belittling treatment for years. They may feel isolated or blame themselves, unaware that they are dealing with a narcissist whose primary goal is to control and dominate. 

When narcissistic family members retain control, the ripple effect of their actions spreads throughout the family unit, affecting spouses, children, and other relatives. These dynamics lead to strained relationships, mistrust, and even estrangement.

While society understandably prefers to emphasize the inviolable nature of familial bonds, it is crucial to recognize and address the harm that narcissistic family members can inflict. Victims of this psychological trauma must seek help and find the strength to prevent toxic relationships from harming the next generation. Standing up against such injustice requires courage, resilience, and community support.

Samantha’s GoFundMe story is a powerful message to others facing similar situations. It’s about finding the courage to set boundaries, prioritize personal well-being, and stand up against unjust behavior, even when that behavior comes from close family members. 

“Setting boundaries with a narcissistic family member is not a one-time event,” Samantha concludes. “Most of the time, it is an ongoing process. However, continually maintaining those boundaries is the only way to preserve your emotional health and protect the ones you love.”

Michelle has been a part of the journey ever since Bigtime Daily started. As a strong learner and passionate writer, she contributes her editing skills for the news agency. She also jots down intellectual pieces from categories such as science and health.

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Business

Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke: A New Approach to Fine Real Estate

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Photo credit: Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke.

Byline: Andi Stark

Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke, a real estate platform operating across Hawaii, is rewriting how properties are bought and sold in the region. Unlike larger firms reliant on public listings and mass marketing, Private Listings’ strategy prioritizes personalization, privacy, and meticulous curation of ultra-high-end, off-market properties, including oceanfront estates, gated community residences, and architectural masterpieces.

Harold Clarke, founder of Private Listings, describes their method as one that rejects “cookie-cutter solutions in favor of understanding the nuances of both buyers and sellers.” This approach has resonated with ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) seeking refined and discreet real estate transactions.

The Hawaiian real estate market remains a hub for global investors, with the median price for a single-family home in the state reaching $900,000 in 2024, according to the Hawaii Association of Realtors. Within this competitive landscape, Private Listings is building up to be a trusted name for properties that extend beyond luxury into generational investments.

Challenging the Industry Norms

Private Listings deliberately avoids the conventions of large-scale real estate firms. By focusing on fewer, higher-value properties, the company ensures that each transaction is treated with the same level of care and confidentiality.

Public listing platforms, while effective for broader markets, often expose sellers to unnecessary attention or unqualified inquiries. For Clarke, this model is misaligned with the needs of UHNWIs. “Privacy isn’t a luxury for our clients—it’s a necessity,” Clarke explains.

This philosophy has led Private Listings to handle some of Hawaii’s most significant real estate transactions, including off-market properties valued at over $40 million. Its success is not measured by the volume of listings but by the depth of trust built with clients, many of whom return for subsequent transactions.

Adapting to Changing Client Demands

While Private Listings maintains a foundation of traditional practices, the firm also recognizes the evolving needs of its clientele. The global real estate market is increasingly influenced by concerns over digital security, with a 15% rise in data breaches targeting high-net-worth individuals in the past three years, according to cybersecurity firm NortonLifeLock.

To address these risks, Private Listings employs rigorous screening for potential buyers and uses secure platforms for communication and transactions. The firm’s “by invitation only” model ensures that clients remain protected from the pitfalls of public exposure. Clarke notes, “Our goal is not just to sell homes but to create an environment where clients feel safe and confident during every step of the process.”

The Human Element in Real Estate Transactions

Despite advancements in technology, Private Listings firmly believes that real estate transactions cannot be reduced to algorithms or automation. Unlike firms that depend heavily on online data aggregation, Private Listings emphasizes human connection and insight.

The company’s sales strategy integrates personalized client interactions, in-depth market analysis, and years of experience navigating Hawaii’s unique real estate ecosystem. Clarke’s background in managing family assets and his global perspective is significant in shaping this essence.

Future Directions for Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke

As Hawaii continues to attract global attention, Private Listings aims to expand its influence within the state while maintaining its core principles. The company is currently developing a new platform to streamline services for UHNWIs, blending their demand for discretion with seamless access to Hawaii’s finest off-market properties.

Additionally, Private Listings is strengthening its ties with local communities, recognizing that sustainable growth benefits both the company and the islands’ ecosystems.

Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke has set itself apart in Hawaii’s real estate scene by moving away from the typical mass-market approach. Through a mix of traditional values and modern sensibilities, the firm continues to define what it means to transact ultra-high-value properties with integrity and care.

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