Image Source: Nova Lux DR Properties

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Written by Sixteen Ramos

In the changing landscape of luxury real estate investing, boutique villas in the Dominican Republic are experiencing an exciting moment. Once only thought of as vacation homes have now become holistic investments in wellness and generational wealth. Across the Dominican Republic, a new blueprint is taking shape: one that prioritizes personal well-being and smart financial planning.

“People are rethinking what luxury truly means and seeking homes that go beyond aesthetics to support living in a more intentional way. The Dominican Republic is emerging as a destination that embodies all of this, offering natural beauty, cultural richness.” says Kathy Colon, founder of Nova Lux DR Properties.

A Founder’s Vision, Informed by Business and Public Health

Colon holds an MBA and MPH (Masters in Public Health) which fuels her vision. Her journey into real estate began while caring for a loved one and traveling frequently between New York and the Dominican Republic. During her visits, she stayed in a range of villas, quickly falling in love with the island’s natural beauty, but also discovering how difficult and fragmented the process of buying and outfitting a property could be.

With years of executive experience at major global companies like Microsoft, IBM Watson, and Salesforce, Colon brought a high-level operational mindset to the challenge. Drawing on her business expertise and background in public health, she saw an opportunity to reimagine luxury real estate in the DR while offering a wellness-centered, client-first approach that felt both sophisticated and deeply personal.

Image Source: Nova Lux DR Properties

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Focusing on Punta Cana and Las Terrenas

From Punta Cana to Las Terrenas, buyers want homes that support a full spectrum of living, including working remotely, aging gracefully, and raising a family.

Punta Cana is one of the Dominican Republic’s most accessible and well-connected destinations, with direct international flights arriving daily at Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ). Las Terrenas, on the Samaná Peninsula, offers a more serene, nature-driven lifestyle and is best reached by car.

Compelling advantages for buyers:

• No annual property taxes on qualifying new developments through CONFOTUR incentives
• No land transfer tax on eligible purchases under the same program
• A resilient, tourism-driven economy that continues to attract international interest and long-term growth

Image Source: Nova Lux DR Properties

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Investment Strategy Meets Lifestyle

From a financial perspective, the Dominican Republic has emerged as one of the most compelling international markets. Part of this is due to the CONFOTUR tax incentive program, which grants foreign investors up to 15 years of property tax exemption, income tax reductions, and capital gains relief. This is an unusually generous offering compared to the U.S. or Europe.

Rental yields are another key draw. In Q2 2024, average gross yields in the DR reached 6.74%, with some Punta Cana properties topping 7.9%, and 15% in Punta Cana. Tourism continues to break records, over 11 million visitors in 2024 alone, driving strong demand for vacation rentals and short-term stays.

The Rise of Wellness and Sustainability as Infrastructure

As global real estate trends shift toward more conscious living, the Dominican Republic is emerging as a leader in sustainable luxury. At the same time, wellness-focused amenities are embedded, not bolted on: think spa-like bathrooms, open kitchens for whole-food cooking, walking paths, meditation decks, and smart home systems that sync lighting and temperature to the body’s natural rhythms.

Here's what’s fueling the movement:

• Luxury Reimagined Through Wellness and Sustainability - biophilic design at the core: maximizing natural airflow, daylight, green views and walking trails. A focus on minimizing environmental toxins through low-VOC materials


• Design That Works With Nature, Not Against It - Developers are embracing biophilic design and sustainable materials and using solar panels, cross-ventilation, native landscaping, and natural building elements. Including nature-inspired textures and tones to create calm, harmonious and restorative interiors.


• Supportive Government Policies - National incentives for renewable energy use and eco-conscious construction methods are helping make sustainable development more accessible and attractive for both local and international developers.


• Environmental Stewardship as a Value Add - With its stunning coastlines and biodiversity, the Dominican Republic draws buyers who want to preserve the natural beauty they came to enjoy.


• A Magnet for Wellness-Oriented Buyers - From North America to Europe, buyers are gravitating toward properties that offer both tranquility and thoughtful design. Aging-in-place and multi-generational principles are kept in mind, such as step-free entryways, wider hallways, first floor master bedrooms, and flex rooms that can adapt to future caregiving or mobility needs

So, what’s next?

Colon believes the future of boutique hospitality lies in hyper-intentionality. Less mass production. More custom, curated experiences. Boutique villa developments will be smaller in scale but bigger in impact and offer concierge-level services, integrated wellness features, and community connections that extend beyond the physical space.

As global uncertainty drives more people to rethink where and how they live, the Dominican Republic presents a rare mix of value, vision, and vitality.

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Nike’s Toma LA Soccer Tournament Reaches Electrifying Finals in Downtown LA

Tonight, July 26, Nike’s summer-long street soccer spectacle, Toma LA, reaches its climactic finale at City Market in Downtown Los Angeles, where the best youth teams from across the city will battle for glory, a title—and a chance at the U.S. Soccer Talent I.D. Camp.

The tournament, part of Nike’s new initiative Toma El Juego (Take the Game), has reignited the brand’s legacy in the sport, following in the footsteps of its iconic 1995 Secret Tournament campaign. Hosted by Travis Scott and Young Miko, Toma LA has taken over the city this summer with high-energy 4v4 games, 1v1v1 co-ed gauntlets, and a bold vision: to find and elevate the next wave of soccer talent.

From the Streets to the Spotlight

The competition began in June with 64 total teams—both men’s and women’s—representing eight key neighborhoods of LA: Westside
Orange County
East LA
Southeast LA
San Fernando Valley
San Gabriel Valley
South LA
Central LA

Now, only the top crews remain: VBFC, La Comunidad, InSainz, Toque, House of 626, Tiki Taka, and Culture FC. Their boys’ and girls’ squads will face off in a series of electrifying final rounds—including the 5v5 Semis, a Final Four showdown, and a co-ed 1v1v1 All-Star gauntlet—culminating in one last single-player knockout finale.

All Eyes on the MVPs

At the end of the night, one crew (boys + girls) will walk away with the championship, but two MVPs—one male and one female—will earn more than bragging rights. They’ll receive a direct invitation to U.S. Soccer’s Talent I.D. Camp, giving them a rare chance to train and be scouted for the National Team.

If no MVPs emerge based on performance stats like goals or nutmegs (shots through the opponent’s legs), Travis Scott himself will make the final call—adding a dose of star power to an already unforgettable night.

Legacy and New Energy

Over 30 years after Nike first disrupted the sport with its non-cleated soccer boots and cult-classic Total 90 silhouette, Toma LA marks a powerful new chapter. It’s not just a tournament—it’s a movement aimed at redefining U.S. soccer from the streets up, creating opportunity, identity, and visibility for a new generation of players.

Whether you're a diehard fan, aspiring athlete, or just here for the vibes, tonight’s Toma LA Finals promise goals, style, music—and maybe even the birth of soccer’s next big star.

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While time is universally seen as the scarcest asset and resource available to individuals, its effect on people has progressively become of utmost importance for tech founders, celebrities, and the 1%. While most people are inclined to prolong good health and a youthful appearance for as long as possible, those with access to funding and experimental treatments have been toying with innovative age reversal trends at an increased rate over the last few years. The time and money once spent on lavish displays of wealth instead goes to testing, research, and the latest and greatest supplements under the sun. Today, the ultrarich are competing in the "Rejuvenation Olympics," a term coined by tech millionaire Bryan Johnson, who founded the online leaderboard that measures biological age. While physical feats play a factor, the fundamental objective and competition lies in who can age the slowest rather than reverting to a more youthful version of oneself. Johnson, who tops the leaderboard, has made headlines for his extreme lifestyle, from consuming copious amounts of vegetables to receiving blood transfusions from his 17-year-old son.

The obsession with slowing the aging process and achieving maximum health is not unique to Johnson. Silicon Valley's elite, known for their, at times, unorthodox ideas, are no strangers to health trends and experimental protocols that promise a "fountain of youth" like effect. Whether it's practicing eccentric wellness habits like Twitter founder Jack Dorsey or investing in life-extension companies, longevity, and age management have come to consume the space. Last year alone, over $5 billion in investments poured into longevity-related companies worldwide, with big-name tech founders and investors like Jeff Bezos, Yuri Milner, and Sam Altman placing heavy bets on a longer and more youthful future.

While age reversal may sound like pseudoscience, advancements in fields like epigenetics have brought us closer to understanding the secrets of aging and, thus, how to pause and potentially turn back the clock—to some extent. Epigenetic and telomere length age testing, which measure biological age based on environmental factors and lifestyle habits, have been gaining popularity throughout the last few years. Unlike chronological age, which counts the years since birth, biological age offers a more comprehensive look at the whole picture; insights into the state of someone's organs, immune system, and more can be determined and examined. This information can potentially predict the likelihood of disease or death and motivate individuals to make healthier lifestyle choices to correct it.

However, as the pursuit of longevity garners hype and capital, there's also an increased risk of falling for false claims. Experts caution that while some promising evidence supports extending human life, it's impossible to reverse one's age entirely. Michael Lustgarten, a Rejuvenation Olympics competitor and a scientist at Tufts University, warns of the prevalence of "snake oil" in the longevity community, with new supplements and studies often stirring excitement. Yet, there's genuine progress being made in understanding the aging process, and age management. One major player in the field is Dr. Jacob Rosenstein, founder of the Southwest Age Intervention Institute, whose offices offer a holistic approach to optimizing health and well-being. His work is driven by personal findings proving an inherent distinction between chronological and biological age. Biological age reflects the actual state of cellular health and functionality, and individuals can influence it through lifestyle choices like nutrition and exercise. Dr. Rosenstein's Institute employs advanced biomarker testing and personalized treatment plans, helping patients enhance their vitality and performance and, thus, achieve their personal optimal state.

In a world driven by the pursuit of eternal youth, it's essential to distinguish between age management and mere anti-aging. While anti-aging often involves superficial fixes, age management focuses on holistic health and well-being, offering a path toward reversing biological age and restoring vitality. Dr. Rosenstein's Southwest Age Intervention Institute is a beacon of hope in this quest for a healthier, longer life thanks to a realistic approach that focuses on data and comprehensive treatments rather than a one-size-fits-all promise that many fads and trends in the space offer.

Dr. Rosenstein's Southwest Age Intervention Institute offers solutions and bespoke programs for those looking to embrace lifestyle changes, harness cutting-edge technologies, and embark on a profound journey toward enhanced well-being and longevity. As the race to slow down the clock gains momentum, the Institute offers a glimpse of what the future holds – a world where age is just a number, and vitality knows no bounds.

Jenny Ghazaryan and her business partner Naira Cole have always been passionate about beauty, skincare and wellness.

As the industry continues to grow, elevating service standards and delivering an unparalleled selection of bespoke treatments has become the premise behind Skinsation on Wilshire, the new wellness hotspot that has captured the attention of numerous movers and shakers of the Los Angeles social scene.

We spoke to Ms. Ghazaryan and discovered what makes her establishment the new gold-standard in self-care.

Have you always been attracted to the wellness and beauty industry?

The wellness and beauty industry has seen explosive growth in the past couple of years. I believe that it is leaning towards more natural looks, something I have always been an advocate for. I have always dreamt of creating a one stop medical spa where all our clients’ beauty needs can be addressed.

What are some of the treatments that make Skinsation on Wilshire unique?

We offer laser treatments such as body and face contouring, skin resurfacing and tightening, injectables, IV therapy, facials, and cosmetic dentistry. Our approach to beauty is a little different, as we look at the body as a whole. We offer packages that will address multiple skin or body enhancements. During consultation clients will receive a combination package, rather than an individual treatment.

How did you pick the location for your business?

The medical spa industry is pretty saturated. Picking the right location was one of the challenges we faced throughout the process. When conducting analysis, we took in consideration multiple factors such as demographics, accessibility and parking, competition, etc. Another factor that influenced our decision is partnering up with Wilshire Dental Group for cosmetic dentistry.

Can you tell us a little about yourself and your background?

I grew up in Armenia and moved to the United States six years ago to pursue education in Public Health. My goal was to gain knowledge and experience in the field to be able to travel and share my expertise in the countries that need improvement in health education and healthcare in general. After graduating, I worked as a health and wellness consultant, as well as managed a medical clinic. I have been actively involved in health and wellness advocacy among underserved population and hope to be able to pursue my dream.

Do you have any advice for other young women who wish to become entrepreneurs and business owners like yourself?

It may sound cliché, but if I, an immigrant who moved to this country and started all over again, did it in 6 years, you also can. Find something that you really are passionate about and put all your focus on it, and I promise the rest will be history.

Fitness and health enthusiasts across the country have spoken: there is a new undisputed champion in the wholesome beverage market, and its name is Karuna.

The St. Louis based company has grown to become a nationally recognized brand at the edge of science and mindfulness.

Due to a rich and diverse product offering which features a selection of superfood whole plant smoothies, juices & tonics – as well as an irresistible new kind of coffee based beverages which also include essential prebiotics, vitamins and other nutritional enhancements – Karuna has been widely endorsed by public figures across the fitness world.


Outdoor athlete extraordinaire and fitness guru Ashiko Westguard explains it like this:

“Truly loving yourself is all about the relationship that we have within ourselves. How we choose nourish our minds and honor our bodies. Connecting to that inner dialogue that drives our thoughts and there for actions.

My Karuna has implemented them in products offering organic wholesome and plant-based ingredients.

We strive to be recognized, to live bold, colorful and free. With My Karuna you’re able to re-energize without harmful ingredients, refocus to be able to climb higher but what’s most important is to know you made a conscious decision to better your health.”

Offering the highest quality products has always been part of the company´s philosophy, so rest assured that when you indulge with a Karuna beverage, you´re also indulging in a plant-based, USDA Organic, Non-GMO, gluten free and fair trade certified treat.

Cheers to that!

Whether you´re a professional athlete, a fitness enthusiast or just a health oriented individual who looks for the highest quality in the products you consume, leading nutrition brand Quantum Squares has a choice for you.

Painstakingly engineered using only the highest quality ingredients, Quantum squares provide a gluten free, vegan and non-GMO solution for your daily needs, with delightful flavors and select blends.

For this brand, associated with superior performance, becoming the official energy bar of the Ironman World Championship series has been a true milestone, and one that has enabled Quantum Squares to reach a broader consumer base, while remaining true to its origins.


Quantum- led by CEO Daniel Medvene- had earned such distinction due to the groundbreaking formulation of green energy (sourced from organic green coffee), plant based protein, and gluten-free status that comprises the ingredients of Quantum Squares.

The net effect is a bar which packs both incredible taste and steady invigoration (due to the sustained time release of the caffeine) meaning that athletic performance can be optimized without any consumption or health related compromises incurred.

Naturally, the bar is perfectly placed for the extreme endurance athletes of the Ironman series, but it also should make a compelling case to mainstream markets due to its exciting new concept, addictive taste, and peak performance.

For Richie Jaynes, a veteran entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience in health, fitness, wellness, and entrepreneurship, the search for a better quality of life has always been a great passion and he has never ceased his hunt for the great competitive advantage—the next edge in feeling good and living better.

When Richie’s mother-in-law faced life’s looming inevitabilities, he and his wife desperately pursued relief and remedy to help her revel in her remaining days. CBD was the answer they had been searching for.

As a result, Richie developed an awareness of the empowerment of CBD to boost wellness, enrich vigor, and ultimately trigger prosperity and happiness. After studying the biology, essence, effects, and other aspects of this compound, he felt others could benefit from this miracle substance as well. In fact, he knew there was an entire community in pursuit of a better lifestyle that can be possible with CBD.

Richie pledged to devise a clean, stigma-free, all-natural method to capitalize on the advantages of this product, and allow it to elevate the lives of those around him. It is Richie’s passion to help people live a superior quality of life. These roots became the foundation for the movement of CBD as a lifestyle called Hemp Lyfe. Richie has assembled some of the best and brightest and most successful minds in the entire CBD Hemp space to work with him to produce some of the most innovated, exclusive CBD products to ever hit the market.


Hemp Lyfe´s philosophy is all about unity, creating and strengthening a loyal tribe of people that seek a more fulfilling life.

Thanks to innovative product lines like their “Bliss” softgels and “Dream” CBD inhalers, users have been able to dramatically increase their every day lives, reduce ailments and enjoy a renewed sense of vigor and wellness.

There are many CBD brand out in the market, but Hemp Lyfe has made a statement of superior quality and unequivocal devotion to providing cutting edge solutions to its ever growing customer base, and that is why we recommend them.