Cassandra Seidenfeld

Cassandra Seidenfeld is working toward establishing herself as the go-to person for luxury real estate in New York. Her core insight is that money and opportunity are not reserved for the wealthy, they are available to everyone willing to pursue them. She also holds that goodness is one of the greatest signs of strength, not weakness.

From a deep personal loss before the age of twenty to a career spent building something entirely on her own terms, Cassandra Seidenfeld's story moves between grief and gratitude, ambition and hard-won self-knowledge. In this interview with Powerful Blueprints, Cassandra talks candidly about the professional door she chose not to walk through, the belief about money she had to unlearn, and the lesson about love that took the longest to land. Cassandra sat down with us and did not hold back. Here is the conversation.

What does Cassandra's morning look like before the rest of the world wakes up?

We leaned in for this one.

I love the first hours of the morning. They belong to inner peace, feeling centered and grounded, which really is the framework for the success of my day. It's a wonderful time to meditate and, sometimes, work out afterward.

I start my morning with a prayer, always giving gratitude for waking up that day. Every day, I give thanks for waking up to a new day, healthy and here in my home. Then I meditate for a minimum of 20 minutes.

Sometimes I work out in the morning; other times, I save it for later. It depends on the day.

After meditating, I have my lemon water, which is lovely, and then I get ready for the day.

I only have breakfast on weekends, unless I have a breakfast date. There's no particular reason for not eating. I just don't usually have it.

What is the one daily habit that would surprise people who know Cassandra?

Here is something you do not hear often.

I pray. I pray very deeply.

I pray for my parents, particularly my mother. I was incredibly close to her, and she is no longer with us. Both of my parents have passed away, so I pray for them both plus other departed relatives and loved ones.

I also pray for the world.

I always pray for healing, love, compassion, empathy, and, of course, peace. I pray for an end to disease, violence, and negativity.

I believe my prayers are meaningful, just as everyone's prayers are. I think prayer is very powerful, and I don't think most people know that this is something I do every day.

What would Cassandra tell a college student who wants to build something real?

This is the part most people skip.

I would tell them that it's okay to fail.

Professors do their best to build good values and create positive educational environments, although, of course, it depends on the professor. But one thing they might not tell you is that failure is part of succeeding.

As adults, we go through many changes. We start businesses, explore new ideas, and experience growth. We can become so afraid of failing that we forget it is a natural and healthy part of discovery and success.

Obviously, you don't want to make a habit of failure, but it comes with the territory. It shouldn't always be viewed negatively.

Hopefully, it helps you build something even better and do something even stronger.

Sometimes, failure gives you a kind of fuel, fire, and courage that you might never have discovered if everything had come easily.

What was the worst professional decision Cassandra ever made?

We wanted the honest version, not the tidy one.

I suppose one of the biggest not great professional decisions I made was choosing not to go into business with a company that has since become one of New York's leading manufacturing and distribution businesses, with a global presence in gift items and tabletop products.

I had the opportunity to join them when they were just starting out. However, they didn't want me to come in as an equal partner, and that was a problem for me.

If you put your whole life into building something, how can you accept receiving only a small percentage in return when others are contributing less but getting more? That has always been a fundamental issue for me.

My life would undoubtedly be very different today had I made a different decision.

I would have been part of a very profitable business, although my share of the profits would have been small.

Sometimes I still wonder, what if? When I see their products throughout the city, I think about what might have happened. Would they eventually have given me an equal partnership? Probably not. That is rare.

The lesson I learned is that you control your own fate, and you are responsible for the choices you make.

By choosing not to enter that business or work with those partners, I ultimately arrived at where I am today. I can't know what the alternative would have been, but I know I am here because of my choices and I love where I am.

That is something I could only have learned by living through the experience.

What belief about money did Cassandra hold for years that turned out to be wrong?

This is where it got interesting.

I love this question. For me, it's about money.

I have always said that money means nothing. In many ways, it doesn't mean everything we think it does. But I came to realize that money is everywhere, and opportunity is not reserved for the wealthy.

You have to be willing to bring that energy toward yourself and go after what you want.

I used to think that certain financial opportunities were only available to people who were already wealthy, that the rich simply had access to more money.

But that isn't necessarily true. Money and opportunity are available to everyone, and you have to believe that you can go out and get them.

That was something I had completely wrong.

How has Cassandra's relationship with money changed over the course of her career?

This answer stayed with us.

Money teaches you responsibility. It also teaches you that it comes and goes. I don't say that lightly; it's simply a fact.

Of course, some people have much more money than others. But money has taught me to respect how people earn it, what they do to make it, and the fact that people need it. You never know what someone else is going through, so you shouldn't judge them for needing money.

We all have to find a way to live and support ourselves, unless we happen to be incredibly wealthy and fortunate.

Money also teaches you that almost anything is possible, but it can corrupt you, too. That's where responsibility becomes so important.

It also teaches you about power. When you have money, you carry yourself differently, and people treat you differently. It affects more than just your finances; it can change the way you experience the world.

Money is almost like a leading character in our lives. Don't misunderstand, it's leading because we all need it to live.

My relationship with it is different today because I have more of it than I did when I was starting out, and I'm very grateful for that. I worked for many, many years.

At the same time, I hold money less importantly. I don't mean that I'm unwilling to give it away. I mean that, although money is important, I no longer have it as a driving force. I set my intentions around helping others and fulfilling a need, and in doing so, money usually follows.

You might tell yourself that you need to make a certain amount of money to achieve something. Then, when you finally reach that goal, you have to ask yourself: do I have everything I need? Am I really happy?

I hold money differently today because I don't make it as important as I once thought it was. And yet, it is still incredibly important.

I know that may sound contradictory, but I think you understand what I mean.

Who is the one person who changed the way Cassandra thinks?

Here is where Cassandra slowed down.

That's easy. It would be my mother.

My mother changed everything about me. I lost her before I was 20 years old, and she was the driving force in my life. She taught me so much of what I carry with me today, including how to deal with the challenges that have come my way.

She has always been somewhere in the back of my mind, in the back of my being.

Who she was, what she went through, and the relationship I had with her all helped shape the person I am today. Hopefully, that's a good thing. Hopefully, I'm a good person.

She was my mother, of course, but it was also the way she thought, how she regarded life, and how she approached the world that influenced me.

Her perspective has shaped the way I see, think about, and experience life. She absolutely changed the way my mind works.

What is the hardest thing Cassandra gave up for her career?

This one took a moment.

The hardest thing I gave up for my career might have been having a family of my own, although I'm not entirely sure. It's a complicated question, and the answer is complicated, too.

Honestly, I'm okay. I have seven godchildren, I have my family, and I'm very grateful for that.

I'm sure my life would have been different if I had children of my own. But not everyone is meant to follow the same path.

Was it worth it? I suppose I'm okay with where I am. Maybe that's the answer.

What lessons took Cassandra the longest to finally learn?

We pushed a little on this.

The lessons that took the longest were the ones I kept having to learn over and over again until I finally understood them.

For me, it probably had to do with relationships.

Having lost my parents at such a young age, I spent time looking for love and hoping someone would love me. Eventually, I had to understand that what I really needed was to love and value myself.

The right person, someone who respects you and is good for you, will recognize your worth, treat you with esteem, and hold you in a place of value.

Until I finally understood that, which has happened relatively recently, I kept looking for love and receiving the same or similar answers.

Isn't that what they call insanity? Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different outcome?

I hope I've finally learned the lesson. I think I'm off to a good start, or perhaps a good finish.

If Cassandra had one thing to say to the world right now, what would it be?

We asked Cassandra to be straight with us here.

Be kind to yourself. Love each other. Be nice. Be good people.

Don't be afraid to be good. Goodness is not a sign of weakness; it is one of the greatest signs of strength.

Love yourself, have confidence, spread love, and be good to one another. That is strength, not weakness.

I truly believe that so much of what is wrong in the world could improve if people embraced that message. If we reminded ourselves to live that way, we would feel better, and the energy in the world would begin to change.

I believe that deeply.

What do people almost always get wrong about who Cassandra really is?

This is where the real thinking showed up.

I love this question, too.

People sometimes perceive me as someone who is a little removed from everyday life, not necessarily someone you might think of as the girl next door. They may see me as someone with a particular image or identity.

Of course, we are all unique in our own ways. But at the same time, we share many of the same needs, desires, and wants. We all want the things that are healthy and normal for human beings.

People often tell me that I'm nice, kind, and someone who wants to help the world. And I appreciate that.

But I'm also just a regular person. I have feelings, needs, and experiences like everyone else. I think that sometimes gets lost between how people perceive me and who I really am.

What does Cassandra's physical routine look like, and what clears her head?

We were curious how this actually happened.

I've always loved boxing. I used to box with Michael Alagi, a boxer at Equinox. I also love SoulCycle, I was a super-SoulCyclist, and I've enjoyed kickboxing and riding my bike.

I used to ski, and I love horseback riding and golfing. I would also love to try bungee fitness.

I've enjoyed rollerblading, too, not figure skating, just getting out and skating. These are all activities I've loved over the years, although I definitely need to get back into a more consistent exercise routine.

As for what gets my blood moving when I need to clear my head, I would say travel. Sometimes, I just need to go somewhere.

I also walk a lot, and walking is something I really enjoy.

What has Cassandra been listening to lately?

We had to ask about this one.

I listen to meditation music all day long. I find it incredibly grounding.

I play it on my phone, my laptop, and my Sonos system. I love having it around me throughout the day.

I also love Michael Jackson and listen to a lot of his music.

So I would say meditation music and Michael Jackson.

What goal should we hold Cassandra accountable to in one year?

We asked Cassandra to be direct with us on this one.

Wow! I'm not sure what you should hold me accountable for just yet. I have a lot on my plate right now, and I'm working toward several smaller goals, including moving, starting with a new firm, and bringing on new clients. There are a lot of new things happening.

Personally, I would like to lose weight, although you don't need to wait a year to check in on that. You can check back in a month!

Professionally, my goal is to establish my new business firmly and become the go-to person for luxury real estate in New York.

I want to help people live their dreams, find their dreams, and become the people they aspire to be. I want to be inspirational, uplifting, and motivational to others.

I also love mentoring, and I want to do much more of it.

So, I would say you should hold me accountable for those professional goals, especially establishing my business and expanding my passion as a mentor.

I'm incredibly grateful for this opportunity. Sending everyone blessings, love, and peace.

Thank you for giving me this opportunity. Stay blessed, and be happy!

Thank you so much for sharing your story with us, Cassandra.

Frequently Asked Questions about Cassandra Seidenfeld

What is Cassandra Seidenfeld's daily morning routine?

As someone whose days are built around intention and clarity, my mornings are the foundation for everything that follows. I begin with prayer, giving gratitude for waking up to a new day, healthy and at home. Then I meditate for a minimum of 20 minutes. After meditating, I have my lemon water, which I find lovely, and then I get ready for the day. I only eat breakfast on weekends, unless I have a breakfast date.

What is Cassandra Seidenfeld's biggest professional regret?

Early in my career, I had the opportunity to join a company that has since become one of New York's leading manufacturing and distribution businesses, with a global presence in gift items and tabletop products. I chose not to, because they were unwilling to bring me in as an equal partner. If you put your whole life into building something, how can you accept receiving only a small percentage in return when others are contributing less but getting more? That has always been a fundamental issue for me. The lesson I carried from that experience is that you control your own fate, and you are responsible for the choices you make.

What does Cassandra Seidenfeld believe about money and opportunity?

For a long time, I believed that certain financial opportunities were only available to people who were already wealthy, that the rich simply had access to more money. I came to realize that isn't necessarily true. Money and opportunity are available to everyone, and you have to believe that you can go out and get them. You have to be willing to bring that energy toward yourself and go after what you want. That was something I had completely wrong, and unlearning it changed how I approach my work and my life.

Who was the biggest influence on Cassandra Seidenfeld's life?

Without question, the biggest influence on my life was my mother. I lost her before I was 20 years old, and she was the driving force in my life. She taught me so much of what I carry with me today, including how to deal with the challenges that have come my way. It was the way she thought, how she regarded life, and how she approached the world that shaped who I am. Her perspective has shaped the way I see, think about, and experience life, she absolutely changed the way my mind works.

What is Cassandra Seidenfeld's one-year professional goal?

Right now, I have a lot on my plate, including moving, starting with a new firm, and bringing on new clients. My primary professional goal is to establish my new business firmly and become the go-to person for luxury real estate in New York. I want to help people live their dreams, find their dreams, and become the people they aspire to be. I also love mentoring, and I want to do much more of it. Those are the goals I want to be held accountable to.

What is Cassandra Seidenfeld's most deeply held personal belief?

At the core of everything I believe is the idea that goodness is not a sign of weakness, it is one of the greatest signs of strength. I believe you should be kind to yourself, love each other, be nice, and be good people. I truly believe that so much of what is wrong in the world could improve if people embraced that message. If we reminded ourselves to live that way, we would feel better, and the energy in the world would begin to change. I believe that deeply.