Kate Volman | Your Delray Boca

Kate Volman’s wonderful podcast is available on platforms such as Youtube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts. It’s a weekly dose of inspiration.

I’ve been a fan of Kate Volman for many years now.

I first met Kate when she was starting her career at the Boca Chamber of Commerce. Later, she hosted “Delray Morning Live”, wrote a book and started a wonderful podcast called “Create for No Reason” (available on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts).

Anyway, Kate is creating what they call a portfolio career. She does multiple things well and is constantly reinventing herself. What I admire most about Kate is her positivity and her future orientation. She believes in tomorrow, appreciates today and is someone who is laser focused on learning, creativity and helping others shine.

We need more Kate’s!

I had the privilege to be on her podcast recently. Here’s a link to the YouTube video: https://youtu.be/4-5szqiuWDo?si=LG-Feo8A0z1wWkTY

If you think I have a face for radio, search “Create for No Reason” on Spotify or Apple and tune in if you can. I also urge you to listen other episodes. She has some amazing guests and some short podcasts that challenge us to be better creators.

Our world needs creativity. We have this notion in our society of life as a pie. Either we are growing the pie or slicing the pie, depending on our world view.

If we believe in abundance as I do, our goal should always be to grow the pie so that others can benefit. If we believe that the pie is limited, we tend to horde our slice of that pie to the detriment of others.

Creators believe in abundance. They seek new avenues of growth and prosperity. They believe that life’s possibilities are infinite, limited only by our imagination or unwillingness to experiment.

Kate’s work offers a platform for creatives to learn how to grow and explore. I was honored to share my story which is about saying yes to the very things that frightened me the most.

Entrepreneurship, politics and writing requires risk. We are asked to be vulnerable; we are asked to risk—we can lose money and even our reputation if things don’t go well.

Critics may hate our writing. Voters may reject our ideas. The market may look at your beverage, hot sauce or product and yawn.

It can be scary.

In my new line of work, philanthropy, my teammates and I often remark that we are building the plane while being asked to fly it. We are starting something new and we are not yet deeply experienced in this field which can be both daunting and liberating.

But try we must.

Growth comes from going out on that limb and taking risks.

That goes for our personal lives as well. If we love, we can lose. But we must love anyway.

Kate Volman’s formidable interviewing skills allowed me to open up about the scary part of my journey and the joy I have found by risking. I’m not alone.

When I survey my friends, all of them have taken some pretty big risks.

I know a former mayor who left a steady teaching job to try his hand at insurance and built an agency for the ages.

I know several real estate entrepreneurs who rolled the dice on this town when it wasn’t a sure thing and ended up changing a neighborhood or a key street.

I know of a volunteer, the wife of a doctor, who looked at a dilapidated set of old buildings and envisioned a cultural jewel and made it happen.

And I know of a college drop-out who left a job managing a Miami Beach Walgreens to start a vitamin company that changed the world and then took that win and changed the energy drink industry.

Kate gives these types of stories a voice. I urge you to take a look at her important work.

Here’s to the risk-takers, they create magic in every nook and cranny if we care to look.

Tina Heysler was a trailblazer in law enforcement.

Tina Heysler, a life of service

We lost a wonderful person and community servant recently with the passing of Tina Heysler.

Tina was a friend and someone who was a trailblazer at the Delray Beach Police Department. I watched with great pride as she ascended the ranks retiring as the assistant chief of police after 30 years of service.

She leaves a legacy of kindness and warmth and set an example for all officers in Delray Beach.

We bonded over our love of dogs and her care for the community. She was a true gift and will be remembered and missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.

Fifth Avenue Grill’s holiday decorations are a Delray tradition.

Things we liked/loved in November…

Thanksgiving at Fifth Avenue Grill—great food, unmatchable holiday decorations and terrific service add up to a great experience. While we prefer staying home for the holidays, with kids spread out and other family traveling, we decided to go out. We had a memorable time.

The Cornerman Bar—Have you seen the Delray Boxing Gym? It’s incredibly cool. On the other side of the glass you can sit at a great bar and watch the action and be served by the amazing Marit Fitzpatrick. You can also enjoy Copperpoint beer and other libations and dream of hoisting your own championship belt. A very unique concept. Only in Delray as they say.

Breakfast gatherings at Ellie’s 50s Diner. Bob Smela and his lovely wife were pioneers on the North Federal Highway corridor more than two decades ago. Today, they and their great team are still thriving serving great breakfasts, awesome lunches and great dinners at fair prices. When I can, I like to go on Friday mornings when I’m sure to run into some great Delray people. Topics range from politics and business to family and our aches and pains. Count me grateful to have people to share with.

Old School Bakery—Billy Himmelrich and his team bake the best bread imaginable at a terrific facility on Congress Avenue in Delray Beach. When you visit, you’ll be taken by the great aroma of bread baking. Warning: the bread can be addictive.

The new Cornell Museum—thanks to a generous gift by the Blume’s—two wonderful people—the Cornell Museum has been re-imagined and it’s truly incredible. Don’t take my word for it—visit the new museum at Old School Square. You will be impressed. We guarantee it.

Dinner at Café Martier—We love the historic ambience of this Atlantic Avenue gem. Great signature cocktails, an interesting menu and a choice between dining in a really historic restaurant or a very hip breezeway. It adds up to a winning experience. We recommend the falafel appetizer and the hummus is out of this world.

The Walk to Cure Arthritis—Ok the event is actually in December (Dec. 2 to be exact) at John Prince Park but we wanted to alert you because there is still time to be a sponsor and support the Arthritis Foundation. It’s a great cause and a great organization. Visit www.walktocurearthritis.org/palmbeach for more information and to get involved.

The Blackberry Cider at Saltwater Brewery—Ok, so most of you don’t go to a brewery to taste the cider, but we did and we loved it.

Deli On Rye—If you are looking for a p lace that can quickly whip up a great sandwich on those days when you are on the run, look no further than Deli on Rye on U.S. 1 in Boca. The friendly staff is lightning fast and the food is always good.

Special shout out to our good friend Chuck Halberg of Stuart and Shelby Development for his crowdfunding efforts that made sure our public safety personnel had good food and cheer on Thanksgiving. We are proud to support Chuck’s efforts, which are always heart felt and generous. Also, a shout out to Kate Volman and Ryan Boylston co-hosts/creators of Delray Morning Live. The Facebook show (which has a large and growing following/buzz) recently marked its one year anniversary. It’s a great forum to showcase community events, news, non-profits and people doing good things for Delray. Check it out on Wednesday mornings at 8:30 on Facebook’s Better Delray page. The show is archived so you can watch it at your leisure.

Have a great December!

Create For No Reason

Things We Love: November Edition