Business

Subscription Boxes For Recovering After A Loss Of A Loved One, From Crystal Partney, Founder Of Scattering Hope And Owl & Thistle

Published

3 years ago

January 11, 2022

Crystal Partney was moved to begin Scattering Hope and Owl & Thistle after experiencing the devastating loss of her sister to suicide. Like many, her initial reaction to the event was filled with many unbearable emotions. To get through the anguish, Crystal decided to put her energy into helping others through the companies she created.

Crystal’s Mission

Crystal initially launched Scattering Hope to help people cope with the loss of loved ones to suicide. Death is often a challenging subject for people to work out in their heads, and suicide can be extremely difficult.

From her experience, Crystal realized that dealing with loss from suicide can be much harder than death by accident or natural causes. Suicides are particularly hard to process because the deceased person decided to take their own life, and it’s impossible for someone else to understand why.

People dealing with this type of loss also have conflicted feelings of guilt, confusion about the person’s intentions and can experience feelings of abandonment. Along with the inner emotional turmoil, suicide can be a taboo topic for some—causing more pain to those suffering from loss.

As Crystal walked through the other side of her pain, she came to understand that it was OK not to have all the answers. She realized that all she could do was hope that her sister was happy and in a better place.

She gives many tips on helping others cope with the early stages of a suicide loss through her book. She uses encouraging and uplifting language and coaches people through some of the basic movements to get them functioning again.

Some of her tips are very simple and include:

Going for a walk.
Drinking a bottle of water.
Washing your hair.
Making your bed.
Making the effort to call a friend.
And much more.

Healing Companions

Crystal saw the book as a great companion for the toolbox but envisioned that people needed more. So she created a monthly subscription plan for gift boxes and a place people could share their stories.

The gift boxes allow people in the grieving process to attach anchors to the emotions they are experiencing at any one time during the grieving process. In addition, the boxes include a yin yang journal set and other items people can use to help move the healing process forward.

The yin yang journal set consists of two journals. There is a light teal journal where people can write down their daily feelings of gratitude and what made them happy that day. There is also a dark blue journal where participants can release their negative emotions.

For some, the journals fill up fast and benefit from having them sent on a monthly basis. The boxes also serve as a small beacon of light for people experiencing loss to look forward to.

If you or a loved one has experienced a loss due to suicide, seek out help. This type of loss can be debilitating, making it essential to find all of the support and love you can find. Visit Scattering Hope today to find out more about Crystal’s “Scattering Hope – A 30-Day Journal to Guide and Comfort Those Left Behind After Suicide.” You can also purchase single boxes or boxes by monthly subscription, containing the yin yang journal set and other treasures to help you along the way.

Business

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

Published

1 week ago

December 16, 2024

Matthew Wiles

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.