Today we’d like to introduce you to Kim Cavallo.
Kim, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Growing up with a mom who was a therapist, I experienced the incredible power of relationships and became concerned when technology was clearly interfering with our human to human connections. My dedication to protecting relationships is my way to honor my Mom, Jane, who died in 2012.
After graduating from UCLA in 1988, I discovered the mindy/body connection when I began practicing Iyengar Yoga. As technology began to expand its grip on all of our minds, it became painfully obvious to me that, specifically, mobile devices were disrupting our relationships.
In 2016, between anxious impulses to check my phone, I felt the need to protect real-time relationships from the mesmerizing draw of digital devices. It was then that the idea for lilspace was born. With 25 years experience raising money for NFPs, event planning, community building and connecting people to causes.
I started lilspace to explore what would motivate people to forget their phones (even for a brief moment) and practice being present more often. Through a time tracking app and live experiences, lilspace is helping people get healthier with their screens inspiring them to Unplug for a Cause™ and earn rewards.
We replace the allure of digital connection with in-person, human connection and wellness programming in our live event unplugged lounges. The lounges provide phone battery charging stations where people can juice up their batteries and recharge their souls.
Programming in the lounge is structured to help people forget about their phones so they can enjoy a live podcast interview, group meditation experiences, playback of vinyl records, “Yarn Bombing” and more.
Has it been a smooth road?
It has been a winding road that has provided many growth opportunities for me and for my company. Self-funding and boot-strapping makes growth more challenging and also keeps me focused on why I am so passionate about the digital wellness movement.
Applying for funding or pitching investors gives me the chance to restate again and again the purpose behind the plans to move forward.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with lilspace – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Whether it is a small group of friends or an entire audience at a music festival, seeing unplugged time tracked together fuels people to want to unplug for longer stretches and take more breaks from their phones.
I feel a great sense of accomplishment when the people around me are more conscious about how they use their phones. This year our family Thanksgiving dinner was phone-free, and no one complained. In fact, our guests commented that they were more engaged with each other and enjoyed the night.
In addition to our company, there are multiple tech-based solutions (apps) currently available that block, measure, and give feedback to people looking to get healthier with their screens. These apps are slowly being challenged by Apple to remain on the App Store now that iOS 12 features “Screen Time” monitoring for iPhone.
There are also other non-digital, community-based solutions that organize digital detox events where people are separated from their phones and usually all technology. The lilspace solution is different because we offer a social approach that inspires the power of human connection while people track time unplugged together.
Similar to a meditation timer and online community, our solution encourages people to set healthier intentions and develop a more balanced way of interacting with their screens. Our unplugged lounges give people the chance to connect with non-tech activities that they may or may not have experienced before.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I love the weather in Los Angeles and the idea that on almost any day of the year, I can find a place to take a hike or a long walk without freezing. The all-day freeway traffic can get annoying. I live in an urban area and try to walk more than I drive. It’s not always easy to do that in LA where everything is so spread out.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.getlilspace.com
- Phone: (818)917-5689
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/getlilspace/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/getlilspace
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
