Our-clients-asked-for-more-than-IVF-perks-So-we.jpeg

Our clients asked for more than IVF perks. So we built a full family-planning platform.

by with No Comment Xpandfy

This as-told-to is based on a conversation with Roger Shedlin, founder and CEO of WIN, a Greenwich, Connecticut, family-building benefits management company that operates in all 50 states and several countries. The interview has been edited for length and clarity.

WIN has been around for about 30 years.

We partner with companies to provide their employees access to family-building and well-being services. We manage these benefits by guiding members through the entire process. We have a team of nurse care advocates who help the employees understand their options, connect them with doctors and other providers, track benefit usage, and navigate their healthcare journeys.

Initially, our focus was on fertility. Companies signed on with us to offer IVF, intrauterine insemination, and egg and sperm freezing benefits to their employees. Our name used to be WIN Fertility.

Then, customers asked us to offer adjacent services.


Roger at the reception desk at the WIN office.

WIN has expanded its services to include a maternity program that offers doula support, maternity education, lactation support, and more. 

Marissa Alper for BI



By adding new services and attracting new companies, we’ve grown our business over the past five years.

Today, we partner with employers, health plans, and government entities to offer benefits from preconception through fertility (including surrogacy and adoption) as well as services for maternity, parenting, healthy aging, and caregiving.

About two years ago, we dropped “fertility” from our name to reflect the broader scope of services that we provide. As a physician, I’m proud to say we’ve helped over 900,000 families on their family-building and fertility journeys.

We expanded our product line to meet changing needs

When we started, fertility benefits were rarely offered. Employers were slowly realizing, over time — and then the pandemic catalyzed this — how important family-building and well-being benefits are for their workforce, in terms of recruitment, retention, productivity, and employee satisfaction.

Regulatory changes have been another catalyst. New state laws, such as those in Colorado and California, require insurers to cover fertility treatments. We’ve seen demographic changes as intended parents delay childbearing. All of that means these benefits become increasingly important to employers.


Roger at a meeting at the WIN office.

The number of WIN’s clients offering surrogacy and adoption benefits has increased by 76%. 

Marissa Alper for BI



We’ve expanded our products to meet those needs. It became more inclusive, allowing same-sex couples and single-by-choice parents to participate.

Over the last few years, we’ve built a continuum that allows employers to offer benefits for every stage of their employees’ and dependents’ lives.

Some services we’ve added include a maternity program that encompasses doula support, maternity education, lactation support, return-to-work support, and more. We provide surrogacy and adoption benefits, too.

We launched WINkid, a combination of parenting support and virtual pediatrics care, and WINPowerPause, which is support for healthy aging, specifically perimenopause, menopause, and andropause, and WINCares for child and elder caregiving support.

We entered new industries and embraced technology

Over the past five years, we’ve attracted many new clients, and existing clients have added benefits. As a result, the number of our clients offering fertility benefits has grown by 153%. Additionally, the number of our clients offering surrogacy and adoption benefits has increased by 76%, and those offering egg freezing benefits have risen by 80%.

During this time, 80% of contracts were with new clients.


Roger outside of his office building.

WIN works with organizations like Hertz, Disney, and the Seattle Fire Department. 

Marissa Alper for BI



We’ve also expanded into new industries and companies of all sizes. Initially, we focused on financial services and technology companies. Now, it’s pretty universal — we’ve seen huge growth across education, energy, and retail.

Today, we work with organizations including Hertz, Disney, Becton Dickinson, and the Seattle Fire Department.

We have a national network of reproductive endocrinologists, nurse advocates, urologists, doulas, child development coaches, and more. We focus on the idea that the best quality of care leads to the best outcomes.

We’re also using data and artificial intelligence to make personalized care recommendations for patients and improve clinical outcomes and patient experience.

We’ll continue to ride the market demand and adopt the most advanced technologies. We’ll harness data science as it advances alongside AI. We’ll continue expanding our product line.

This is a very exciting space to be in. It’s gratifying to be in a space that is clinically advancing and has such a positive impact on those that we serve. It’s great to see that our industry and our company, in particular, have evolved and grown to meet these important needs.




Source link

I-moved-to-the-US-when-I-was-14-and.jpeg

I moved to the US when I was 14 and launched my own business in 2020. Now, Kim Kardashian is one of my clients.

by with No Comment Xpandfy

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Senada Greca, founder of WeRise and cofounder of Aonic. It has been edited for length and clarity.

At least four times a week, I meet with Kim Kardashian for a personal training session. Today, we’re focused on the upper body and core. Over our hour-and-a-half session, we’ll do assisted pull-ups, hollow-body chest presses, face-pulls, and more. Kim likes to end most training sessions with a dead hang on the bar.

I’ve been training Kim for three years now. I also help millions of other people (mostly women) through my training platform WeRise, and the fitness and nutrition videos I post on social media.

Strength training is powerful, especially for women. Once you know the strength your body possesses, you’ll understand how to feel good in your body, rather than feeling like you need to shrink or punish it. I know, because that’s a change I’ve made myself.

Immigrating to the US from Albania at 14 was difficult

I’m the oldest of three girls, born in Albania. After the communist government was overthrown in the early 1990s, there was a lot of civil unrest. I remember the first time we heard gunshots. We hid under the bed, staying down for a long time.

Luckily, my family won the green card lottery (editor’s note: the green card lottery is formally called the Diversity Visa Program), and we were able to immigrate to America in 1997 when I was 14. That helped set up a safer, more prosperous future for my sisters and me.

At the time, it was very challenging. I spoke with a heavy accent and dressed differently from my classmates in upstate New York, which led to a lot of bullying. Since I was the only one in the family who spoke English, I had to help my parents with legal documents, doctors’ appointments, and getting my sisters into school. It was a lot.

I developed an eating disorder that took years to recover from

Everything in my life felt out of control. The one thing I could control was my eating, and not long after immigrating, I developed anorexia. Within a few years, I was also struggling with depression and anxiety. I was exercising, but only to punish my body.

In college, I connected with counseling and medication that helped me start getting healthy. The real turning point came when I was in my mid-20s and met a new primary care doctor. She was in her 50s, but running marathons every quarter. She taught me to think about exercise as a way to support mental health. I started running and became more physically and mentally stable.


personal trainer Senada Greca in a sports bra and shorts holds dumbbell weights in a gym

Courtesy of Senada Greca



About 10 years ago, in my mid-30s, I started strength training. It changed my life, as I started using exercise to nourish myself.

I left my corporate job when I realized I had stability in fitness

In my immigrant family, financial security was always very important. I had a corporate job, and had never considered building something on my own — it just wasn’t done.

I started teaching yoga at night, and loved how my classes made people feel. In 2019, I began posting videos of my workouts, at first for myself. I was extremely consistent, which helped me grow a big following. When the pandemic happened, my following grew exponentially as people looked for workouts they could do at home.


personal trainer Senada Greca in a white sports bra, black suit jacket and black pants

Greca built up her business by getting fitness certifications and training clients, then sharing her own workouts on Instagram.

Courtesy of Senada Greca



In 2020, I launched my website and began charging for memberships. I quickly saw that my fitness business could be stable and successful. That gave me the courage to quit my corporate job to follow my passion. In the years since, my audience has only grown, and I’ve had amazing opportunities, like training Kim.

Today, I’m in the best shape of my life — physically and mentally — at 43. I don’t often talk about my age, because I feel ageless and don’t want to define myself by a number. At the same time, I want to show that getting older doesn’t have to mean winding down.




Source link

A headshot of Daniela Borodin.

I’ve been a Pilates instructor for 13 years. Here are 5 common mistakes I see clients make during their first few classes.

by with No Comment Xpandfy

I became a Pilates instructor 13 years ago after reformer classes helped me recover from a severe back injury.

Nowadays, I teach 20 group equipment classes weekly and see about 100 clients over seven days. With that many students, it’s no surprise I see new clients make the same mistakes over and over.

Here are the five most common mistakes I see students make during their first few Pilates classes.

Not arriving early for class

I recommend new clients arrive at the studio at least 10 minutes before class so that I have time to fit them into the equipment.

For example, the Reformer carriage must be adjusted to fit their unique body type, height, and overall proportions. I also ensure the straps are even and at the correct length for the client.

Arriving ahead of schedule allows students to get settled and stay focused during class.

Ignoring the instructor’s cues


A female Pilates instructor adjusts a woman's form as she works out on a reformer next to two other women.

It’s important to listen to the instructor’s directions during class.

ilbusca/Getty Images



Pilates classes involve verbal cueing, which means most teachers will describe the exercises instead of demonstrating them. However, following oral instructions can be particularly challenging for non-auditory learners.

For example, when doing reformer Pilates classes, the springs can be adjusted to increase or decrease resistance. Many first-timers attend Pilates classes with a gym mindset, assuming heavier loads produce the best results.

However, when taking a class, you should never ignore the instructor’s directions on how much resistance to use. Following directions is essential for staying safe and seeing results.

Not breathing correctly during class

Pilates uses a technique known as lateral breathing to stabilize the trunk (chest, abdomen, pelvis, and back) while you move. This helps prevent unwanted pelvis movement or an arched back.

Good form during exercise allows for proper muscle recruitment and helps prevent injuries, which is why I always remind my students to be mindful of their breath.

However, it’s important to remember that engaging your core and developing breathing techniques takes time. When in doubt, stick to your usual breathing pattern.

Not wearing grip socks and proper clothing


Legs in Pilates springs, wearing black pants and pink socks with grips at the bottom.

Most studios require students to wear socks with grips on the bottom.

Raul Valcarcel/Getty Images



Most studios require clients to wear socks with proper grips on the bottom for safety and hygiene purposes.

Your feet may get slippery during movements requiring extra stability, so I recommend wearing them even if the studio doesn’t mandate it.

It’s also important to avoid wearing loose-fitting clothing so the instructor can see your body and help you make the proper adjustments.

Additionally, it’s best to keep long hair in a bun so it doesn’t get caught in the springs or other parts of the equipment.

Not eating before class — or eating too much

Taking a Pilates class on an empty stomach is a big no-no. However, you also don’t want to feel too full before class since Pilates is a core-centered workout.

I recommend eating something light an hour before class. A protein shake or a rice cake with peanut butter are good options if you’re taking an early class.

For those who prefer to exercise on their lunch break, a small salad with light protein will do the trick. The most important thing, however, is to listen to your body and find what works for you.

This story was originally published on August 28, 2024, and most recently updated on January 5, 2025.




Source link

Read-the-letter-celebrity-lawyer-Alex-Spiro-wrote-to-Gavin.jpeg

Read the letter celebrity lawyer Alex Spiro wrote to Gavin Newsom, warning that his clients will ‘permanently relocate’ if California wealth tax passes

by with No Comment Xpandfy

A proposed billionaire tax in California has the wealthy threatening to flee, according to a letter written by power lawyer Alex Spiro to Gov. Gavin Newsom.

In a December 11 letter that was obtained by Business Insider, Spiro lays out his opposition to the proposed tax on behalf of his clients, whom he calls “California residents who would be subject to the proposed Billionaire Tax Act.”

“It will trigger an exodus of capital and innovation from California,” Spiro wrote. “Our clients have made clear they will permanently relocate if subjected to this tax.”

The measure proposes that California residents with assets exceeding $1 billion be subject to a one-time 5% tax on the value of their assets. If the proposal receives enough signatures, it will appear on the state ballot in November 2026. If passed, it would apply retroactively to all California residents as of January 1, 2026.

While Newsom has said he is against the tax and would “fight” it, he would not have the ability to veto it if it were to pass as a ballot measure.

Several wealthy Californians, including venture capitalist Peter Thiel and Google cofounder Larry Page, have considered shrinking their presence in California, according to a New York Times report. Representatives for Page and Thiel did not respond to Business Insider when asked if they were represented by Spiro.

Over the weekend, billionaire Palmer Luckey took to X to voice his opposition to the measure.

“I made my money from my first company, paid hundreds of millions of dollars in taxes on it,” the Anduril cofounder wrote. “Now me and my cofounders have to somehow come up with billions of dollars in cash.”

While it’s not clear which clients the lawyer was referencing in his letter to Newsom, Spiro’s client roster in the past has included billionaires and A-listers. He has previously represented Kim Kardashian, Jay-Z, and Elon Musk.

Read the full letter below:

Re: Constitutional Concerns Regarding Proposed Billionaire Tax Act
Dear Governor Newsom:
I represent California residents who would be subject to the proposed Billionaire Tax Act if it qualifies for the November 2026 ballot. I write to urge you to work to prevent this initiative from moving forward. The Act has serious legal problems and would cause significant economic damage to California and the broader economy.
First, and most importantly, the Act would be unconstitutional. Although the Act purports to be a tax, it is in reality an uncompensated confiscation of property. The Act imposes a 5% levy on total accumulated wealth, including illiquid assets that generate no income. That is in substance a taking without just compensation. As the Supreme Court explained in Armstrong v. United States, the government cannot force “some people alone to bear public burdens which, in all fairness and justice, should be borne by the public as a whole.” 364 U.S. 40, 49 (1960). The Act concentrates an extraordinary burden on a small group to solve a general revenue problem— exactly what the Constitution prohibits.
Second, for the people who relocate from California in 2026 before the November election, the Act would tax them after they have become citizens of other States and without any ability to vote on the measure. The Supreme Court has held that retroactive taxation cannot be “harsh and oppressive.” United States v. Carlton, 512 U.S. 26, 30 (1994). A 5% levy on total net worth imposed on former residents who departed before the law was even enacted clearly meets that definition.
Third, the Act’s unprecedented novelty makes it especially vulnerable to a legal challenge. California has never imposed a wealth tax, much less one that reaches former residents and that is targeted at a small group of citizens. The Supreme Court closely scrutinizes unprecedented exercises of government power precisely because they lack historical precedent. See Biden v. Nebraska, 600 U.S. 477, 505 (2023). In fact, it has not hesitated to invalidate the retroactive application of new taxes, even for far less extreme measures. See Blodgett v. Holden, 275 U.S. 142 (1927). There can be no doubt that the current Supreme Court would carefully evaluate a law so out of step with the American legal tradition.
From an economic perspective, the Act creates two serious problems. First, it will trigger an exodus of capital and innovation from California. Our clients have made clear they will permanently relocate if subjected to this tax. They are not alone. See California’s wealth-tax test: Have voters finally found a policy that the state’s inherent economic strengths can’t overcome?, Wash. Post (Nov. 17, 2025) (opinion) (describing the tax as “almost tailor-made to drive most Silicon Valley tech companies to Austin, Texas”). In other words, by passing this proposal California would exchange a one-time windfall for the permanent loss of billions in annual income taxes, capital gains taxes, property taxes, and economic activity. The state’s most economically productive residents would take their businesses, jobs, and charitable giving with them. Second, the Act will force destructive asset sales. Our clients hold equity stakes in operating businesses, venture capital funds, and real estate. Paying a 5% wealth tax would require massive forced liquidations, depressing asset values and triggering market instability that would harm ordinary investors whose retirement accounts hold these same investments.
Our clients are prepared to mount a vigorous constitutional challenge if this measure advances. Litigation would be protracted and expensive, and it would generate sustained negative attention to California’s business climate. The prudent course is to prevent this constitutionally defective measure from reaching the ballot. We respectfully ask that you discourage signature gathering, oppose qualification, and if necessary, campaign against passage.
Our clients prefer to remain in California and continue contributing to the state’s economy and civic life. But they will not remain if subjected to an unconstitutional confiscation of their wealth. We hope this can be resolved through political channels rather than through years of contentious litigation.
Respectfully,
Alex Spiro




Source link

Kaila Yu

I’m a business immigration lawyer. I’m telling my clients that if you have a valid visa stamp, return to the US now.

by with No Comment Xpandfy

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Tahmina Watson, a business immigration lawyer in Seattle. Business Insider has verified Watson’s employment history with documentation. The following has been edited for length and clarity.

I’m a business immigration lawyer, and in my day-to-day work with clients, I’m seeing immigration disruptions with immediate consequences, including H-1B visa holders who are outside the US being uncertain if they can return.

​​My law firm, Watson Immigration Law, assists founders and businesses in navigating the employment visa application process. It appears that, at this time, the administration is coordinating the rescheduling and delay of immigration appointments.

Non-immigrant visas generally must be scheduled at a US embassy or consulate in the person’s country of nationality or residence. From my experience, many employees accrue their holiday time and schedule immigration appointments during this period because they’re already planning to leave the country, allowing them to easily visit their designated US embassy or consulate.

These employees are now getting stuck, having already left the US, with their appointments getting rescheduled for June, July, or August 2026, and beyond.

A large group of H-1B work visa holders is stuck outside the country

Major tech companies, including Google, Apple, and Microsoft, sent memos out to their employees in the past week, warning visa-holding employees to avoid international travel amid long delays at US consulates. These policies are coming one after another, and they all intersect with each other.

The policies have created:

  • Visa-stamping delays at US embassies and consulates.
  • Expanded vetting and processing backlogs at consulates.
  • Increased risk that visa holders who travel cannot return to the US in a timely fashion.
  • Lack of guarantees once appointments are rescheduled.

If somebody is outside the country, what are employers supposed to do? Right now, my advice to clients outside the country is that if they have a valid visa stamp, they should return to the US as soon as possible.

We don’t know what changes could come, but I suggest that workers stuck abroad ask to work remotely

For someone who has left the country to obtain a new visa stamp, I’m not sure there’s a clear path to return. This includes individuals on F-1 student visas who traveled to visit family and were planning to re-enter the US. They will need that visa stamp from a consulate.

Ensure your employment is still active and consider whether remote work is an option. If an employer decides they cannot keep someone on the books, even an appointment months from now will not help if there’s no job waiting.

It’s tough to know how things will unfold. What we’re seeing is a confluence of policies coming in at the same time. For example, the Department of Homeland Security has just announced that it is replacing the lottery system for H-1B work visas, which randomly selects who receives a visa. The system is now set to prioritize higher-paid, higher-skilled workers.

Keeping social media accounts public is a good idea

Social media disclosure is being expanded from F-1 visa holders, which began during the student visa crisis, to now include H-1B workers. These applicants are required to change all social media privacy settings to public.

It could easily expand to other visa categories. The government has not provided clear guidance on what they are reviewing. By casting an overly broad net under the banner of national security, without clear standards or transparency, the administration is creating uncertainty that will ripple across families, employers, and the US economy.

Clients should limit what they post online.

My advice since November 2024 has remained the same: Avoid travel unless necessary

In 2024, I was already anticipating these issues with traveling and returning to the US. We’ve also seen issues affecting green card holders with past criminal convictions.

There are many stories of people who have lived in the US for decades, suddenly facing deportation proceedings. This is a highly precarious time for immigrants, and limiting travel is critical.

It feels like a fire hose of policies. Everyone in the immigrant ecosystem is on high alert: Immigration lawyers, immigrants, employers, investors, founders, and employees.




Source link