Business

Toronto Startup “Duma Energy Drink” Revolutionizes How You Feel About Energy Drinks

Published

3 years ago

February 22, 2022

It’s no secret that the energy drink business is massive, and the list of brands emerging into this industry is constantly growing. Every year, the sales volume increases, and there is an increasing demand for safer alternatives. As the founders of Duma, Andrew Zoka and his business partners, Leslie Wiafe Seth VanDaele and Maxim Nechaev have created an energy drink that isn’t just less sugar and caffeine, it actually promotes health and vitality.

Andrew remembers that there were times when he and his team would buy energy drinks to keep themselves going throughout the day. But he always had concerns over what these drinks could do to a person’s health. An idea sprang to life, and he immersed himself in information about the human body and the many different things that can affect it, where he learnt about the work of experts that showed how our energy can be subject to changes due to circadian rhythm, sunlight, sleep, and a multitude of other things.

This charismatic individual began experimenting, searching for the most effective mixture of these ingredients that could provide a boost of energy as well as promote psychological and physical health. One of their goals is to promote health and well-being in a market that is full of arguably dangerous alternatives. “I don’t think there should be unhealthy food products on the market at all in this day and age,” Andrew says.

Duma is so much more than just energy drinks. In fact, it’s their true, underlying purpose that sets them apart from the many other companies that are also putting out health based energy drinks. The real mission is to generate income that can be donated to cutting edge medical research, specifically, for sickle-cell anemia.

This is something that matters very much to Andrew and his business partners, because approximately 300,000 babies per year are born with sickle-cell anemia, and it is a disease that plagues Andrew Zoka himself. This has given Andrew a unique awareness of the fact of how many people around the world, many of them children, suffer from this incurable disease, and he doesn’t believe it is necessary. Thanks to the advancement of medical research and technology, Andrew feels that, with proper funding, a cure could be developed, and sooner rather than later.

Duma hopes to change health both personally through the product, as well as globally through

the research their proceeds can facilitate. Their energy drink is getting set to launch in 10 pilot stores throughout Los Angeles, California, and more than 10 in the Toronto area. The future looks bright for these entrepreneurs, who are excited to be able to make a difference in such a big way, both for now, and possibly for many generations to come.

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.