In today’s episode, I sit down with Barbara Feldman, the founder of A Nu Start New York and an A+ member of the National Association of Senior Move Managers. Barbara has spent the last 18 years helping seniors and their families navigate the overwhelming process of downsizing, relocating, and transitioning to new living arrangements with care and compassion.
Throughout our conversation, Barbara shares her personal journey – from a successful career in technology and countless personal moves to discovering her true calling in senior move management. We dive into the emotional side of letting go, the practical strategies she uses to help clients simplify their lives, and the powerful stories that highlight just how meaningful this work can be.
Timeline Summary
- 00:45 – Introduction to Barbara Feldman
- 01:36 – Founding A New Start New York
- 03:01 – Barbara’s background and 24 personal moves
- 05:05 – Launching her business during the 2007 financial crisis
- 06:04 – Recreating “home” for seniors in transition
- 07:27 – Larry’s personal downsizing story
- 09:35 – Letting go of sentimental items and creative approaches
- 11:39 – Challenges of hoarding and emotional attachments
- 14:09 – Strategies for downsizing in small steps
- 17:07 – How Larry and Barbara first collaborated
- 19:29 – Helping families with difficult situations
- 21:13 – Why Barbara decided not to sell her company
- 22:45 – What seniors really need when they move
- 24:05 – Old furniture vs. buying new during transitions
- 26:00 – Emotional vs. practical decisions in moving
- 27:55 – The reality of living with less space
- 29:48 – Barbara’s own approach to clutter-free living
- 32:50 – Barbara’s early career in technology and breaking barriers
- 35:45 – Stories of resilience and success in male-dominated industries
- 37:05 – The importance of passion in work and life
- 39:40 – Advice on storage units and what kids don’t want
- 41:38 – Daily purging habits and decluttering routines
- 43:35 – How Barbara gets referrals and new clients
- 45:04 – Website, email, and phone contact details
- 46:41 – Secrets of aging gracefully from Barbara’s clients
- 48:12 – Larry’s reflections on retirement and woodworking
- 49:00 – Closing thoughts and Barbara’s final message
5 Key Takeaways
- Founding A Nu Start New York: Barbara launched her business in 2007 during the financial crisis, recognizing a growing need for compassionate move management services for seniors.
- Emotional Attachments: Seniors often struggle with letting go of belongings tied to memories, like playbills or family heirlooms, making the downsizing process deeply emotional.
- Practical Systems: Barbara uses floor plans, color-coded stickers, and small-step strategies to help clients sort through belongings in manageable ways.
- Family Dynamics: Adult children can complicate transitions, especially when financial or personal challenges are involved, making professional guidance critical.
- Living with Less: Both Barbara and Larry emphasized that most seniors need far fewer possessions than they think, and that comfort often comes from a handful of meaningful items.
Links & Resources
- Website: https://anustartny.com
- Email: barbara@anustartny.com
- Call Barbara: (917) 656-6685
- Leave The Key Homebuyers: (631) 388-7771
- Leave The Key website: leavethekey.com/seniors
Final Thoughts
If this conversation with Barbara Feldman was as inspiring to you as it was to us, please take a moment to subscribe, review, and share this podcast. Barbara’s story shows the impact of combining organizational skill with compassion, and how helping seniors transition smoothly can truly change lives. From recreating the feeling of “home” to guiding families through overwhelming situations, her dedication is a reminder that with the right support, a new chapter can be a fresh and positive beginning.
