Stories

June 23, 2023

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At the helm of Aura, one of the world’s largest mental wellness content platforms, is Steve Lee, the co-founder and CEO with an inspiring story to tell.

Steve’s journey began as an immigrant in the United States, facing the challenges of language and cultural barriers. However, it was his parents’ bitter divorce, entangled in unfamiliar Korean laws, that deeply impacted his life. Witnessing his mother’s mental health struggles, Steve recognized the need for support and the stigma surrounding mental wellness, particularly within the Asian community.

Initially on a pre-med track at UC Berkeley, Steve’s true passion emerged through his involvement in founding non-profit organizations and self-reflection. Together with his brother Daniel, who shared the same vision, Steve embraced entrepreneurship as a means to create a societal-level impact. Thus, Aura was born.

With a grand vision to help a billion people find peace, Aura set out to democratize access to the knowledge and expertise of coaches and therapists. They created a platform that enabled coaches worldwide to record their voices and generate high-quality audio content from the comfort of their homes.

Aura is a revolutionary two-sided platform, comparable to Spotify and Netflix, that empowers coaches and therapists worldwide to create engaging mental wellness content. In contrast to earlier wellness apps functioning as content studios featuring only a limited number of coaches, Aura stands out by offering an extensive range of content and creators.

The platform goes beyond mere curation, with coaches hosting live streams and providing personalized 1-1 coaching sessions, making Aura the ultimate all-in-one destination for individuals seeking mental wellness support.

Aura proudly boasts the world’s largest mental wellness library, encompassing a wide array of topics including sleep, life coaching, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), spirituality, breathwork, and much more. Additionally, Aura has fostered a thriving community where users can engage in live events hosted by coaches and benefit from one-on-one coaching sessions.

The platform’s commitment to offering comprehensive content, live engagement, and personalized support has revolutionized the way individuals access and experience mental wellness, firmly establishing Aura as a game-changer in the industry.

Aura has achieved unprecedented success and garnered recognition from reputable sources. In 2017, Aura was prominently featured in TechCrunch’s launch feature, drawing attention to its innovative approach. The following year, the platform received the prestigious honor of being listed in Apple’s “Best of Apps,” solidifying its reputation as a top player in the mental wellness space. To fuel further expansion, Steve secured significant venture capital funding from esteemed investors such as Cowboy Ventures and SkyDeck.

The impact of Aura’s efforts can be seen in the numbers and testimonials. Users flock to the platform, spending hundreds of millions of minutes engaging in meditation and self-care activities each year. This remarkable level of engagement demonstrates the profound influence Aura has on individuals’ well-being.

Steve extends a generous invitation to those who prioritize mental health to avail themselves of a special offer. By using the code “TOGETHERAHN” at aurahealth.io/redeem, individuals can gain free access to Aura for one year. While there is a limit to the number of available codes due to security measures, Steve encourages interested parties to reach out to him should the code become unavailable. More information about Aura can be found at aurahealth.io.

CONNECT WITH AURA

Website: aurahealth.io

Instagram: @aurahealthhq

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Before becoming a loyal customer, a lead has to interact with your product/service at various stages. This entire process is summarized in the customer journey, divided into 5 main stages:

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Stories

Building Tomorrow: How Nan Lin Redefines Homebuilding with 3D Printing 

For Nan Lin, entrepreneurship isn’t just business; it’s freedom. A freedom earned through sacrifice, relentless execution, and a refusal to accept the limits of a broken system. As the founder of Kaizen Capital and 4DIFY, Lin is reimagining the housing industry, tackling its inefficiencies with cutting-edge technology and a bold vision. His mission? To build stronger homes faster, at lower costs, empowering communities and challenging the status quo.

From Immigrant Roots to Visionary Leadership 

Lin’s journey began at age 10, when he immigrated to America with his mother. While adapting to a new country, he was inspired by his loving parents’ sacrifices, which shaped his relentless drive. “I saw the lengths they went to give me a better life,” Lin says. “Their love and dedication became my compass.” Years later, that resolve led to the creation of Kaizen Capital, where he transforms underutilized properties into vibrant housing solutions: ADUs, subdivisions, condo conversions, and luxury short-term rentals. By unlocking hidden value in land, he delivers market-rate and affordable housing that strengthens neighborhoods.

But Lin saw a deeper problem: traditional construction is slow, costly, and vulnerable to fire, pests, and natural disasters. Frustrated by an industry stuck in the past, he founded 4DIFY to lead a new era of construction through 3D-printed concrete homes.

Nan Lin | Founder and Principal of Kaizen Capital and 4DIFY

3D Printing: The Future of Housing, Today

Lin’s vision for 4DIFY was sparked by a frustrating reality: “Wildfires destroy neighborhoods every year, yet we keep building stick-frame homes that burn like kindling,” he says.

After visiting several 3D printer manufacturers, Lin partnered with New York–based SQ4D. It took nearly a year to secure exclusive licensing rights, navigate regulatory hurdles, and obtain building permits, but he got it done.

Now, 4DIFY is building California’s first community of 3D-printed concrete homes. As this article goes live, their first printed home is nearing completion, despite heavy regulations and a steep learning curve. The team is already outperforming traditional timelines and cost benchmarks. The second and third homes will soon print simultaneously, targeting completion in two months, effectively one home per month at under $200 per square foot.

Despite challenges as an Asian immigrant, Lin managed to transform them into motivation and success. 

“We’re aiming to build at half the cost and in a quarter of the time,” Lin says. “That’s not a dream. It’s the direction we’re heading.”

Built with concrete, reinforced with rebar, and topped with metal roofs, these homes are resilient against fire, wind, earthquakes, mold, and pests. They’re also designed for long-term savings, with lower maintenance, less waste, and reduced energy and insurance costs.

“Critics doubted it would work,” Lin reflects. “But seeing is believing. This is the future.”

A Philosophy of Purpose and Resilience

Lin’s journey has been marked by relentless challenges, some seemingly insurmountable. “Obstacles never stop,” he admits. Yet he transforms adversity into opportunity, fueled by a positive mindset, solution-driven focus, and disciplined execution. His trusted team is his backbone. “No one succeeds alone,” he says. “My team turns the impossible into reality.” This resilience shapes his leadership, blending bold vision with purposeful action to create opportunities, particularly for communities long excluded from wealth-building. “Housing isn’t just a product,” Lin says. “It’s a platform for empowerment.”

Recognition and Inspiration

Lin’s impact is gaining notice. The Sacramento Bee named him one of the Top 20 AAPI Change Makers, and he was honored in the Business Elite Awards’ 40 Under 40. But for Lin, the real reward is inspiring others. “I want to show the next generation of Asian entrepreneurs what’s possible when we claim our seat at the table,” he says.

Lin wants to create opportunities for those marginalized by elevating the future of construction, making it more accessible for his community.

Join the Housing Revolution

Nan Lin isn’t just building homes, he’s redefining what’s possible. Through Kaizen Capital and 4DIFY, he’s creating a future where housing is affordable, resilient, and sustainable. Follow his journey and see the revolution unfold.

Connect with Nan Lin: