Making the Cut at Age 90 and Beyond with Bill the Barber

Meet Bill the Barber – at least that’s what I call him. He is Bill McMurdy and he is 92 years old and is still cutting hair three days a week at the Scottsdale Fashion Square Barber Salon. He cuts my hair every two weeks and we have been best buds now for nearly three years.  
So why Bill the Barber for my podcast? Well anyone who can get to work three days a week at age 92 qualifies for someone who truly “Inspires Living”! List to his podcast – he is 92 so it’s a little hard to hear but you will get the point and you will definitely see that we have nothing to complain about. Get out there and get after it as Bill does every day.  

Aging is a big topic and one that we are all facing. In fact the year 2030 marks an important demographic turning point in U.S. history according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2017 National Population Projections. By 2030, all baby boomers will be older than age 65. This will expand the size of the older population so that 1 in every 5 residents will be retirement age. 

I encourage you to go meet Bill and have him give you a haircut – he does ladies too!  

480-947-0622

Highpoint Market 2019 - Marco and Artitalia and a finish with Earth and Images

Marco is from Rome and before starting his furniture career was involve with the Italian Ministry of Beauty of Art doing art documentary. 25 years ago he decided to move to the USA, bringing along Italian luxury products from hardwood to furniture, cabinetry to kitchens. His goal is to make available to the US market not only large brand name companies, but also the small artisans that do not have the ability to showcase their extraordinary skills across the world. 

Isabel Dellinger Candelaria and her associate Nikka Bochniak of Earth and Images of Scottsdale finished up the Highpoint Market Podcasts with their views and thoughts on this year’s market.

Highpoint Market 2019 with The Design Network Founder Jason Harris

Jason Harris is co-owner of Furnitureland South, the largest furniture store in the world located in High Point, North Carolina.  He is also the Founder of The Design Network (TDN), a streaming TV network featuring entertaining video series all about home design, available on Apple TV, Roku and Amazon Fire as well as smart TV apps including Samsung TV Plus, The Roku Channel and Vizio WatchFree.

 A graduate of UNC Chapel Hill, Harris lectures to professional groups and college students across the country on business development, entrepreneurship and technology application.  Jason and his wife Jenny have 5 kids ages 8 to 20; and he enjoys family time as well as golf, running and traveling.

Highpoint Market 2019 with Interior Designer Tish Mills

Tish Mills Kirk is known for creating highly personalized spaces with a curated over time feel.  As one client said, “Her spaces are always a tranquil feast for the senses. You know the homeowner by the interiors.” 

While the firm has worked throughout the country over the past 20 years, Tish has also completed projects in China and Africa.  She has also participated in numerous designer show houses throughout the United States.

The firm has been recognized with 24 ASID Design Excellence Awards and three National ASIDs. Tish is also a founding member of the Design Leadership Network and Leaders of Design Council. 

Highpoint Market 2019 with Interior Designer Anne-Marie Barton

Anne-Marie stands at the intersection of design, building, and remodeling. 

Anne-Marie's blending of modern form and function with authentic vintage detail creates energy, fresh simplicity, and livability.

Grounded in classic principles, AMB's homes entail organic ingredients such as dry white oak floors, walnut, bronze, woolen textiles, and rich hues to create what she calls the "real factor"—leaving no space untouched by a sense of natural. She strives to create environments that raise the quality of life of those who live there.    

Best known for early collaboration with architects, builders, and clients, Anne-Marie delivers a detailed, seamless result by bringing a grassroots approach to every project. With over 20 years of experience, she eliminates the fear factor when embarking on what is sure to be a profoundly satisfying experience.  

Anne-Marie's work can be found in California, New York City, Connecticut, Memphis, and throughout her home state of Utah. Her list of over 200 clients includes NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Steve Young, CBS sportscaster Jim Nantz, and professional golfer Johnny Miller. AMB Design enjoys a large variety of style and scope, with projects ranging from the prestigious St. Regis in Deer Valley to The Silverado Resort in Napa Valley to a country manor home in rural Connecticut and the 50k square-foot Fusion-io headquarters.  

Mark Candelaria Celebrates his 59th Birthday

Ok this podcast will give you a little glimpse into my life and my family as I celebrate my 59th birthday with some special ladies in my life; my mother, Karin Candelaria, my mother-in-law Alette Thomson, my oldest daughter Tiffany Candelaria, and my lovely wife, Isabel! I hope this podcast shows you I am just an average guy who was born in Denver, grew up in Durango and made it to Arizona where I now have a wonderful life I am so thankful for! Mom will share stories from the day I was born. You will get to meet my wonderful mother-in-law Alette and she will fill you in on some of the things we all do together and some of the projects she is working on. Then my oldest daughter, Tiffany will share stories of what it was like growing up with her architect father. Finally, my Isabel will share stories from this year’s birthday celebration, her week and freak accident, her recovery and thoughts along the way. Keeping it pretty light and simple this week guys so enjoy and get to know me and my ladies a bit better!

Special shout out to two of my besties, Bill and Andra Miller and the special gift you gave me and my daughter Bella. Love you both. Thanks for all the birthday wishes this week. You are all the best. Next week’s podcast is from Highpoint, NC and the Furniture Market. Catch tickets to the Phoenix Home and Garden VIP Tour featuring a combined Candelaria Design ~ Earth and Images whole house makeover where we will be serving Pazole and Prosecco!

Building a Builder Brand with Brad Leavitt

I so enjoyed recording this podcast with Brad Leavitt of A Finer Touch Construction, LLC. He is a very dynamic person, a fantastic builder, husband, and father. His career has really blossomed and what he has accomplished in branding himself through his work and social media is very inspiring.

Brad Leavitt is the President of A Finer Touch Construction, LLC. Brad was born and raised in San Diego, CA as the oldest of 6 children. He grew up in the Construction industry and worked as an electrician throughout High School for Grove Electric with his 2 uncles. They did remodels and new home builds all over San Diego, but mostly on Coronado Island and in Rancho Santa Fe. Upon HS Graduation, he was accepted to Brigham Young University where he received a Bachelor’s of Science in Construction Management.  

Brad accepted an offer in 2005 with Trend Homes, a local production home builder in Phoenix, AZ. He worked 1 year as a superintendent before accepting a dream job building custom homes. Rowland Luxury Homes hired Brad in 2006 and immediately he was assigned to be a Project Manager at the 300MM Omni Montelucia Resort and Spa in Paradise Valley, AZ. Brad oversaw the construction and completion of 34 Custom homes that ranged between 2-4MM each. After completion of the 34 custom homes, he then assisted with the completion of the hotel guest rooms, arrival zone, lodge and spa. After Montelucia was complete, Brad worked on numerous other residential and commercial projects in the greater Phoenix Area.  

In the Fall of 2011, Brad was ready to begin his own company. He joined with his partner Dave Clark to create and manage their own personal real estate portfolio. They purchased many residential and commercial properties for 15 months and in 2013, were ready to form their own Construction firm. A Finer Touch Construction began operations in March 2013. AFT has continued their rapid growth this past 6.5 years and has been fortunate to win numerous build awards for its work. AFT Construction offers a wide variety of services including: Multi family, commercial, residential, tenant improvement, retail and medical. AFT has continued to exceed industry standards and create strong client relationships based on integrity, reliability and quality.  

Brad is a very approachable, easy going guy and was such a delight to interview for this podcast. His energy is infectious and his positive can do approach to building and branding his business is remarkable. Check out his work and videos on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn – he nails it.

Getting Real With Real Estate With Frank Aazami

On this episode of Inspiring Living, we feature Realtor extraordinaire and friend, Frank Aazami of the Russ Lyon-Sotheby’s Private Client Group. Prior to obtaining a real estate license, Frank started his career in top 40 Radio, where he introduced new listeners, created awareness and converted ratings into better sales/profit. His unique marketing ideas have always been his passion for success. He then owned multiple retail franchise stores, further developing a boutique fun fast food retail concept, owning and operating them for profit. Frank then entered the Real Estate market as a investor, developer, and builder. He managed his own diversified portfolio of Mix-use, multifamily and commercial holdings for close to 10 years at which time he decided to bring his expertise into the field of Real Estate Re-Sale and Marketing.

You are in for a very interesting and inspiring story! This episode shows that you need to just go for it-don’t wait for things to happen-go make things happen! His positive energy comes through in the podcast and I know you will be inspired.

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Cooking In Umbria Italy

We will treat you to morning coffee from the porch of our Umbrian Farmhouses on our 16th Candelaria Design Tour Italy. Join us as we share stories from 20 years of our tours and what’s happening on this year’s tour.

Making of an Interior Design Career and Battling Cancer

Our Premier Podcast features Isabel Candelaria, Interior Designer and wife of Candelaria Design founding partner, Mark Candelaria. She discusses the making of her career, what’s happening at her studio Earth and Images, her life, and her battle with and surviving cancer.