We spent nearly 20 years running a successful design and marketing agency in Chicago—but the pandemic turned everything upside down. Our work disappeared overnight, and at the same time, Kevin began experiencing symptoms of presumed CTE from 12+ years of contact sports. Life at home grew heavier, more complex, and we knew something had to change.

So, we took a deep breath, got honest about what we needed, and began the process of calming the chaos—while also figuring out how to reinvent our livelihood from the ground up.

Living with CTE (and other mental health issues) is incredibly tough—both for the person going through it and for those close to them. But the reality of the diagnosis pushed us to reevaluate everything and seek out real, lasting change. Japandi became our guide. It helped us build a lifestyle that supports peace, presence, and resilience. We've lived that transformation firsthand, and we truly believe in Japandi’s power as part of a larger healing routine.

By late 2024, we were ready to fully embrace this shift. We sold our beautiful home on Chicago's Southside, released anything that didn’t truly matter, and leaned all the way into the minimalist lifestyle we’d been curating. In December, we packed up with our sweet dog Simone and headed west to Colorado. Now, we’re soaking in the natural beauty of our new surroundings and pouring our energy into Japandi—both as a brand and a way of life.