Kristi Kandel shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Kristi, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What do you think others are secretly struggling with—but never say?
I think a lot of people are quietly struggling with the gap between how their life looks on the outside and how disconnected they feel on the inside.
From the outside, things look successful. But underneath, there’s a craving for work that matters, for real community, and for permission to want more without feeling ungrateful.
I see this constantly through Local Real Estate Developers (LRED). People think they want to learn development, but what they’re really seeking is ownership, purpose, and a deeper connection to the people and places they live. That same truth is what led to Elevate. It’s about creating spaces where belonging happens naturally.
Most people don’t say this out loud. But once you do, you realize how many of us feel the same way.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Kristi Kandel, a real estate developer, entrepreneur, and community builder. After spending more than 18 years working on development projects across the country, I saw how inaccessible and gatekept development often is, even for people who genuinely care about their communities.
That led me to create Local Real Estate Developers (LRED), a platform helping locals step into development and take ownership of the places they live. Alongside that work, I’m building Elevate, a community-centered sports and wellness destination focused on connection, local ownership, and belonging.
Everything I do sits at the intersection of development and community. My goal is simple: help people shape their towns and create spaces where connection happens naturally.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who taught you the most about work?
My uncle Chris taught me the most about life and work.
He showed me, every day, what it meant to be reliable. You do what you say you’re going to do, in the time you said you’d do it. You show up. You own your mistakes. And you take responsibility for the people around you, not just yourself.
What stuck with me most was his approach to leadership. How you treat people regardless of their role/title. How you keep learning and adjusting instead of assuming you’ve arrived.
That mindset has shaped how I build companies, lead teams, and show up in relationships.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
All the time.
Running companies means you’re the last-resort problem solver. Employees counting on you. Payroll due. Clients paying late or not at all. Deals falling apart after months of work. Venture capital drying up. Private equity deals going sideways. For me, add a natural disaster wiping out my entire community in 2022.
Giving up crosses your mind constantly because the pressure is always there. What keeps me going is my purpose. The “why” behind every company I run and remembering that I LOVE the pressure. (and I’d never survive a W2 again)
Resilience doesn’t mean you’re fearless. It’s understanding that the only thing we truly control is how we respond to what happens.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes. What people see publicly is who I am behind the scenes.
I have no interest in creating a “perfect” brand. It’s not relatable, and it would be exhausting. I care about doing my work with integrity, being honest about the process, and showing up consistently for the people and communities involved.
That means you’re going to see the rough edges. The problems before they’re resolved. And the real work it takes to be a business owner and real estate developer.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What are you doing today that won’t pay off for 7–10 years?
Everything I’m building right now prioritizes impact over speed.
Local Real Estate Developers is about changing how people see themselves in their own communities. Elevate is about creating places that create belonging, connection, and local ownership. Neither is a quick win, and neither was meant to be. It’s the challenge that gets me out of bed every morning, even knowing it will take years, and decades, to fully realize the impact.
I’m also investing deeply in relationships, trust, and systems that outlast me. Teaching locals how to build. Creating models that can be replicated thoughtfully in communities everywhere.
None of this happens overnight. But in 7–10 years, and well beyond, I believe this work will change how communities are shaped, and who gets to shape them.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/KristiKandel?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=b2b0569a-5c10-4db1-a4f4-4f38aac9bc4f
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristikandel/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristi-kandel-4b650a12/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kristikandel
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgKpTF3d5DZ1Mf6tpbxC3Uq9Lz899uohD&si=Tb530nMJfEQjR49E
