We were lucky to catch up with Kristi Kandel recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Kristi, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
I found my purpose by paying attention to the moments that felt meaningful. I grew up in a small Ohio town where community mattered, and later I realized real estate was my way to create that feeling for other people. After years of developing projects across the country, I saw how powerful it was when locals had a voice in shaping their own neighborhoods. That is when everything clicked. My purpose is helping people build the places they call home and giving them the confidence and tools to do it.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I help people build communities they’re proud to live in.
Through the Local Real Estate Developer podcast and mentorship, I share the real stories, tools, and guidance most people never get access to. My goal is to make development less intimidating and more accessible so locals can create impact close to home.
I also run I&D Consulting, supporting cities, owners, and developers through complex projects.
And the most exciting thing I’m building right now is Elevate, a community sports and wellness destination in Southwest Florida and St. Pete. What started as an idea on the sand has grown into a place designed for movement, connection, and belonging.
Everything I do comes back to the same mission. Create impact close to home and help people feel part of something bigger.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
The three qualities that shaped my journey the most were curiosity, resilience, and the ability to build real relationships. Curiosity kept me learning long before I fully understood what I was doing. I asked questions, walked job sites, studied how things worked, and stayed open to being a beginner. Resilience kept me steady through setbacks because development is full of them. And relationships changed everything. The people you meet along the way often open the doors you cannot open alone.
For anyone early in their journey, stay curious and willing to be a little vulnerable while you learn. Build resilience by taking small risks and getting comfortable bouncing back. And invest in people. Show up, ask how you can help, and build trust long before you need anything in return.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
Yes. I’m always looking to collaborate with people who care about building stronger, more connected communities. That includes local developers, city partners, small business owners, designers, wellness leaders, and anyone who believes in creating places where people can move, connect, and belong. My work spans LRED, I&D Consulting, and Elevate, and all three rely on meaningful partnerships with people who want to make real impact close to home.
If you’re reading this and feel aligned with that mission, I’d love to connect. You can reach me through my website at KristiKandel.com or through the Local Real Estate Developer podcast & our community.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://kristikandel.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristikandel/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristi-kandel-4b650a12/
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
