Latest news with #Kind
Malaysian Reserve
4 hours ago
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
Kind Lending Surpasses $1 Billion Funded
SANTA ANA, Calif., June 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Kind Lending, LLC is proud to announce a major company milestone: more than $1 billion in funded loans in May 2025. This achievement marks the highest monthly volume in the company's history and reinforces Kind's position as one of the fastest-growing mortgage lenders in the nation. Accelerated Growth Through Trusted Partnerships Since launching in 2020, Kind Lending has rapidly expanded across both its third-party originations (TPO) channel, KindTPO and retail lending channel. With a focus on speed, service, and genuine relationships, Kind has become a trusted partner to mortgage brokers, real estate agents, and homebuyers across the country. 'Hitting the billion-dollar mark in a single month is more than just a number. It's a reflection of the trust our partners place in us and the relentless passion of our team,' said Glenn Stearns, Founder and CEO of Kind Lending. 'To our incredible business partners, real estate agents, and mortgage brokers, thank you for choosing to grow with us. And to our internal family of loan officers, account executives, operational support, and everyone behind the scenes, your dedication is the driving force behind this achievement. This milestone belongs to every single person who chooses to build with Kind.' Looking Forward: Building on Success Kind Lending attributes this explosive expansion to its collaborative culture, agile technology platform, and commitment to supporting both mortgage brokers and retail professionals with personalized service and competitive products. This milestone is not the finish line; it's a launching point. With new team members joining across the country, expanded product offerings, and continued investment in service and innovation, Kind Lending is committed to scaling with purpose. As the company grows, it remains laser-focused on its founding mission: to deliver thoughtful mortgage solutions while creating a more human, more connected experience in home financing. About Kind Lending Kind Lending, LLC is an independent mortgage lender reshaping the home financing experience through innovation, transparency, and a customer-first approach. By leveraging cutting-edge technology and a team of passionate mortgage professionals, Kind delivers a seamless, stress-free loan process tailored to meet the diverse needs of today's borrowers. Founded by industry veteran Glenn Stearns, Kind Lending has quickly emerged as one of the nation's fastest-growing mortgage lenders. The company's growth is fueled by a strong culture of kindness, collaboration, and forward-thinking solutions that put people first, always. As Kind Lending continues its rapid growth as one of the nation's fastest-growing mortgage lenders, business partners and talented professionals are encouraged to learn more or join the team at
UPI
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- UPI
Richard Kind: 'I love 'Poker Face.' I love Natasha. I love to work.'
1 of 4 | Rhea Perlman and Richard Kind can now be seen in Season 2 of "Poker Face." Photo courtesy of Peacock NEW YORK, May 30 (UPI) -- Only Murders in the Building, Mad About You and Spin City icon Richard Kind says guest starring on Poker Face was an easy "yes" for him. Airing Thursdays on Peacock, Season 2 of the mystery-of-the-week dramedy stars Natasha Lyonne as Charlie Cale, a human lie detector who helps solve crimes as she drifts from town to town. Kind's episode casts him as Jeffrey, the doting husband of Beatrix (Rhea Perlman), a mob boss who has been trying to kill Charlie. "They were paying me," Kind, 68, joked with UPI in a recent Zoom interview when asked why he took the guest spot. "I love Poker Face. I love Natasha. I love to work. I love Rhea and it's fun. It was a good role. It was a blast. I would rather have been an evil guy on the show, but I was very nice," he added. "I was a good guy." While Beatrix commits crimes to support them, Jeffrey stays at home, cooking and ironing, until he can't take the stress anymore and becomes a government informant. "I don't want to be involved in any of this," Kind said about Jeffrey's feelings toward Beatrix's business. "In fact, I really want to be oblivious to it all and that's where the comedy is." That's also why viewers may be shocked when Jeffrey's story-line goes in some unexpectedly violent directions. "In order to make twists and turns work, you have to be even more truthful, so that you're drawing the audience in," Kind said. "Taking the sincerity or taking the truth of what's in the script is always a challenge, so I really had to invest in that," he added. "First and foremost, he loves his wife. He really loves her and I think she loves him. He's caught between a rock and a hard place as far as what the rest of his life is going to be, but he does it for self-preservation and not to attack his wife or attack her world. ... He's just not happy and that's sort of sad for him." This isn't the first time Kind has worked with Perlman. The TV vets have known each other for years and previously co-starred in the 2000 Broadway play, The Allergist's Wife. "Tony Roberts preceded me in that role," Kind recalled. "Tony was a friend and he gave me a piece of advice, which actually was the best advice I ever heard as an actor -- not just for the role, but for all roles. He said: 'Love your wife. If you love her, the audience will love her, and the audience will love you.' And I took that to heart and I've kept it with, actually, a lot of roles that I've done since." Kind said he thinks Poker Face creator Rian Johnson is a "brilliant man" who has managed to capture the magic of those private detective shows from the 1970s and '80s that viewers seem so nostalgic for these days. "He probably loved stories like Columbo or Name of the Game or McMillan and Wife," Kind said, noting the protagonists of those shows often found themselves in crazy situations with guest stars playing "bigger-than-life people," just like they do in Poker Face. "I think that's a wonderful thing," Kind added. In addition to being a fixture in Pixar films, the actor was also a longtime Curb Your Enthusiasm cast member and recently served as the sidekick/announcer for Everybody's Live with John Mulaney. Always in demand, he is still having fun as an actor and has no plans to retire. "I live for my kids. I live for golf and I live for work. That's what I live for now. I have friends, too," Kind said. "Acting is all playing pretend. We play. it's a big sandbox," he explained. "Who wouldn't want to do this? I love it. I can't live without it. When people retire, a lot of them die, but work can keep you active and fun and give you a purpose. Do I like it? I adore it. I can't live without it. God forbid I should be unemployed, I'd still go do little plays for no money. I love it. Love it, love it, love it." Natasha Lyonne turns 46: a look back Natasha Lyonne arrives for the premiere of "The Grey Zone" in New York City on October 8, 2002. Photo by Ezio Petersen/UPI | License Photo
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Kind Lending Continues Strategic Expansion with Industry Standout Stacy Chevalier
SANTA ANA, Calif., May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Kind Lending proudly announces the appointment of Stacy Chevalier as Regional Manager, bringing her extensive mortgage industry expertise and proven leadership to support the company's rapid growth and ambitious plans to expand its market presence while maintaining a culture rooted in innovation and kindness. Kind Lending Strengthens Leadership with Stacy Chevalier as Regional Manager Stacy brings more than 25 years of mortgage industry experience, with a standout track record of building and leading top-performing sales teams. Known for her strong leadership, strategic mindset, and consistent recognition as a top producer, including multiple Chairman's Elite and Platinum awards, she has become a respected force in the industry. Her ability to scale teams, drive production, and cultivate winning cultures makes her a powerful addition to the Kind movement. "I'm beyond excited to join a company that's not only shaking things up in the industry but doing so with heart," said Chevalier. "Kind Lending is growing fast because it's doing things differently—and doing them right. I'm honored to be part of that momentum." Tammy Richards, President of Retail at Kind Lending, said, "Stacy's appointment strengthens our leadership team at a critical time in Kind Lending's expansion. Her proven ability to build high-performing teams and execute growth strategies aligns perfectly with our goals to deepen market presence and elevate service standards. We are confident Stacy will be instrumental in driving our continued success." Driving Growth and Innovation In her new role, Chevalier will drive market expansion efforts, coach and empower sales talent, and strengthen Kind Lending's presence in key regions. Her leadership will further fuel Kind's mission to deliver thoughtful mortgage solutions backed by kindness, innovation, and integrity. About Kind Lending At Kind Lending, we believe in reshaping the home financing experience through innovation, transparency, and a customer-first approach. By leveraging cutting-edge technology and a team of passionate mortgage professionals, we provide a seamless, stress-free loan process tailored to meet the diverse needs of our borrowers. Founded by industry veteran Glenn Stearns, Kind Lending has quickly become one of the nation's fastest-growing mortgage lenders, built on a culture of kindness, collaboration, and forward-thinking solutions. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Kind Lending, LLC Sign in to access your portfolio
Los Angeles Times
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
When Richard Kind isn't sidekicking on ‘Everybody's Live,' he's at these L.A. spots
Richard Kind is visibly uneasy. The 68-year-old actor and comedian has fashioned a career as an ubiquitous presence on-screen with nearly 300 roles under his belt, drawing just enough attention to his supporting turns to make them unforgettable — whether he's playing quirky press secretary Paul Lassiter in 'Spin City,' Larry's eccentric cousin Andy in 'Curb Your Enthusiasm,' an oddball neighbor with an eye problem in 'Only Murders in the Building' or, more recently, the Stephen Sondheim-loving husband of a mob boss in 'Poker Face.' These days, as John Mulaney settles into his talk show era on Netflix, Kind has also found new cachet as the comedian's sidekick and announcer — a more off-kilter Ed McMahon dedicated to nudging and guffawing to the antics of Mulaney and company. It began with last year's experiment, 'Everybody's in L.A.,' and continued this year with 'Everybody's Live with John Mulaney,' a limited-run, free-for-all celebrity talk show that revels in being low-key absurd — where else can you get a host conducting an entire show with a blindfold on? The show concluded its 12-week run on Wednesday and aimed to deliver the sort of zany and baffling gag you'd expect from Mulaney: He fought three 14-year-old boys. This is why Kind is experiencing a mild mid-morning spiral when we meet a couple of weeks before the brawl. 'He better be working out because I'm just horrified about that fight — just horrified,' Kind mutters while shaking his head and picking at a small plate of bananas and peanut butter. 'Truly. I'm so nervous about the fight. I am. I am.' The thought lingers: 'It's real because, remember, I grew up on Andy Kaufman doing the wrestling thing with the women,' he says, referring to the stunt carried out by the late comedian as part of his touring act and, later, on a 1979 episode of 'Saturday Night Live.' 'Puberty adds strength that prepubescence does not. And since the derivation of it was '100 men versus a gorilla' ... I mean, prepubescent strength versus John is one thing, but 14-year-olds? I don't know. I don't know. I'm not prepared for this. If they ask me to referee, I'm gonna die.' Nerves aside, its clear that Kind, who began his comedy career pushing for unconventional laughs as a member of Chicago's Second City, enjoys the unexpected comedic thrills 'Everybody's Live' provides. He was roped into a bit where, because of a (fictitious) traumatic brain injury, he believed he was KISS frontman Gene Simmons — he spent the show in a frizzy, jet-black wig and sunglasses, often raising the quintessential rock 'n' roll devil-horns sign. Another episode had him spoofing former NFL coach Bill Belichick's viral interview with CBS Sunday Morning — Kind sported a tattered pullover sweatshirt. There's little preparation, Kind says. To prove it, he eagerly whips out his phone to show the text he received this Tuesday morning that had a rundown of the next day's episode — his first insight into what was to come. 'My joke with John is I love doing this show, except for Wednesdays between 7 and 8 p.m., because that's when it becomes reality,' he says. The gig has him splitting his time between coasts — he's reprising his role for the upcoming season of 'Only Murders in the Building,' which shoots in New York and started filming in March. Kind admits he has a complicated love story with Los Angeles: 'Being a New Yorker, it's like the Lakers and the Knicks — you are programmed to not like it here. There are some things that I do love here, my friends and I love the work, but there's not much work here anymore.' Still, we wanted to learn about the quintessential L.A. spots the actor frequents when he's in town — and not holed up on the Sunset Gower Studios for 'Everybody's Live' — or finds special meaning in. But to sit with Kind, one must be prepared to let the conversation go where it may. He has stories to tell. Like his first visit to L.A. as a teen while on a cross-country camping expedition with friends — he asked a stranger if he could borrow their surfboard so he could say he surfed in Malibu — or the time when he was living in Hancock Park during 'Spin City's' run and he was held at gunpoint outside his home. 'I got out a car, a guy comes up and says, 'You have a cigarette?' I turn around like an idiot, laugh and go, 'No, I gave it up like a year ago,'' he says. 'Then he pulls out a gun. I put my head down, and I just held out everything and I said, 'It's yours. Take anything you want.' And he did.' He says the evolution of his L.A. existence can be traced back to two people — Norman Lear and George Clooney — and two unsuccessful TV pilots. While at Second City, Kind was flown out to L.A. for a Lear TV sitcom pilot, 1984's 'P.O.P.,' about a con artist (Charles Durning) who moves in with his estranged wife (Bea Arthur) and two adult sons. 'I sit down and I talk to Norman Lear for easily half an hour. We're talking about [radio personality] Don Imus and how far can we push the boundaries,' he recalls. 'Because I was at Second City, and I had my finger on the pulse of the audience every night with what we could do and things like that. And he's taking me in and wanting my opinion.' The pilot floundered, but Kind maintained a relationship with Lear and his family in the years that followed. A few years after that pilot cycle, he starred in an NBC pilot, 'The Bennett Brothers,' about two odd couple-like siblings living together. The young actor who Kind was originally set to co-star with was fired, Kind says, and replaced with Clooney. 'We became fast friends in much the way that I think the couples should not date while they're making a film,' Kind says. 'You are working together and that bonds you. And we don't know whether or not that bond is really love or compatibility — it's 'we want to make a good product.'' The pair had only five days to do the pilot, but their bond formed and has since remained. 'We kept in contact and he kept saying, 'You got to come out. You got to meet my friends,' which I did,' he says. 'I became close to him because of that experience. 'George was my tour guide to L.A.,' Kind continues. 'George was instrumental to everything I did in L.A. We went to the farmers market [on 3rd Street] all the time. We would go out to bars all the time. All my friends who I'm still in touch with today, here they are ...' — he grabs his phone to pull up the group text they share. 'Oh my God, I got 19 [guys] on this thing,' he says as he scrolls through the contact list of the chat, which includes Clooney. In time, he digs into the spots that play a role in his L.A. story. The private club in Burbank is the site of our interview. Kind joined during his time on 'Spin City,' which ran from 1996 to 2002. 'I took up golf when I was in Second City. If you're an actor, what are you going to do with your days? You can waste your life playing golf or waiting for the phone to ring — I decided to waste my life playing golf,' Kind says. Ted Wass, a 'Spin City' director, was a member of the club, but Kind didn't want to join because he was about to have a child. He changed his mind, however: 'I said, 'I'm going join a club so everything can be regimented.' I can tell you how long it will take to get from my place to the club, how long to play a round the golf, how long until I'll be home for the child.'' 'This place is addictive,' he adds. 'I would just sit and jabber like this. We would tell stories, tell jokes. I'd have one glass of wine. I'm a lousy drinker, and I'd get home and I'd have been out in the sun, and I would fall asleep on my kids. I said, I can't trust myself to rip myself away to go home to the kids. So rather than rip myself away from this club, I ripped myself away from the state. I moved to New York. Now, all three kids are in college, so I can come here and just play golf and have fun and wait to do John schtick.' He's part of a group of showbiz types who hang out at the so-called Mazursky table, named after the late filmmaker Paul Mazursky, who often convened a small gathering of regulars, including actor Ronnie Schell and artist Charles Bragg. A semblance of the group still gathers to this day. 'I would go to the farmers market for coffee, not necessarily to eat — although I would at Charlie's,' he says. 'There was a sandwich that was named Richard Kind, it was tuna fish on toasted whole wheat with a thick slab of onion.' 'You have a favorite sandwich in L.A.?' he asks. I tell him I am no sandwich expert, but knowing this neighborhood is on his list, I relay that I am a fan of the offerings at Larchmont Village Wine, Spirits & Cheese. 'It's unbelievable!' he says, eyes wide. 'It's the best sandwich in the nation. That salami sandwich — I think It's No. 3 or No. 4 [It's No. 3, for the record] — oh my God. I've brought some home to New York for my kids. They're the best.' 'I remember being there because it was sort of a famous night — when Drew Carey was on Carson. We were all at the Improv, and they turned on the TV and everybody watched Drew kill,' he says. 'I didn't know him, but you could say five minutes before it was pre-Drew Carey, five minutes after Drew Carey became Drew Carey. It was dynamite. It was a nice Hollywood moment that you saw a star being born.' About a dozen or so of America's best known character actors — which include Kind, Titus Welliver, Spencer Garrett, Laurence Fishburne, Alfred Molina, Michael McKean, Eric McCormack, Noah Wyle and Jason Alexander, to name a few — often gather for what's been dubbed the Character Actors Dining Society (CADS, for short). Craig's, owned by CADS member Craig Susser, is often the site for their dinners, but they mix it up every so often. 'I think pre-COVID, Spencer, Titus, Laurence and maybe Alfred went to dinner at Musso & Frank's and they said we should do this more often. I think each one invited a person, and we now have these monthly or bi-monthly, whenever we're in town, CADS meals, usually at Craig's because Craig is a dear friend. It's a wonderful group of guys. In fact, let me ask them,' he says, pausing to pick up his phone and text the group to see if he can mention the next part on the record. The group OKs the mention, but details are still in discussion: 'We're going to try and put together a book of stories, and then proceeds will be donated to charities. We're picking four different charities.'
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Nike's A'ja Wilson Ads Are an Ode to Girlhood and Community
Nike champions the singular talent of Las Vegas Aces basketball star A'ja Wilson, as the brand amps up its athlete-focused storytelling amid a turnaround plan. The campaign, created by agency Wieden+Kennedy Portland, promotes Wilson's first signature shoe drop, the Nike A'One, which went on sale yesterday (May 6) and reportedly sold out in less than five minutes after release. Nike's films spotlight Wilson as well as the community rooting for her. The first ad, "One of A\Kind," is a love letter to girlhood and illustrates how Wilson's greatness and legacy extend beyond the court. Her fans and wider community break into a rhyme honoring the player. Jenn Nkiru directed the spot through production company Iconoclast. In "Teaching the Pro," a girl teaches Wilson a hand clapping game that will be familiar to children past and present. Though the game typically follows the rhyme Miss Mary Mack, Wilson and the girl clap to lyrics about the athlete's greatness: "A'ja Wilson's on top, top, top / Can't take her spot, spot, spot." Malia Ann Obama, daughter of former President Barack Obama, directed the film through Iconoclast. A third spot, "A'One from Day One," which interviews people from Wilson's hometown of Columbia, South Carolina, will air on May 9. A push to win again Nike's campaign starring Wilson comes as it executes its "Win Now" turnaround plan to return its brand portfolio to relevance, double down on storytelling, and reverse years of sluggish sales. The company's overall quarterly revenue declined by 9% year-over-year to $11.3 billion. This week, Nike shook up its leadership team, with Heidi O'Neill, president of consumer, product, and brand, set to leave the business after 26 years. It also made several promotions, including CMO Nicole Hubbard Graham taking on the additional role of evp. CEO Elliott Hill, who returned to Nike to take the top job in October, said in the company's Q3 earnings call that Nike is "on the right path" and "made an impact this quarter leading with sport–through athlete storytelling, performance products, and big sports moments." That focus on athlete storytelling was evident in Nike's highly-lauded return to the Super Bowl in February after a 27-year hiatus. "So Win" put women athletes center stage and also featured Wilson, among others. Nike has also recently announced partnerships with Kim Kardashian's Skims and beverage brand Kool-Aid. Last week, it sparked backlash for London Marathon billboards that used the phrase "Never again," which is associated with Holocaust remembrance. The ads continued its "Winning Isn't Comfortable" campaign that began during the Paris 2024 Olympics.
