As a child, my family had a trailer on that beach before the state park was there so i played everyday in the waves, dug for sand crabs, and took my friend's dog, Corky, for a walk on the beach. My parents had a group of friends and were probably some of the first beach volleyball players.
I grew up in California, graduating from UC Santa Barbara with a major in physical and health education. After 29 years as a public school teacher, I quit teaching to follow my passion in business and entrepreneurship. My road began when I started an Industrial Safety Products and Fire Extinguisher business, which I ran for eight years. The school of hard knocks was certainly tough, but I began to feel more alive as I discovered the thrill of running my own business.
Then I went down the rabbit hole of multi-level marketing with a telecommunications business that I struggled with for ten years. That was a painful lesson. I’ll admit, I “drank the Kool-aid”. I went to all of the conventions, called everyone I had ever known, and committed everything I had to that business…and I was rewarded with barely reaching a middle position in the company. I was giving presentations like I was making lots of money but felt out of sync with my own sense of integrity. As time went on, I watched the team I had worked tirelessly to build begin to fade away. I was a part of the “NFL – No Friends Left”, always careful to never talk to friends and family about my “business”. All that my hard effort had earned me was rejection, apathy, and debt.
Despite the losses that I sustained during this time, something magical was happening. At each convention, there were at least one or two personal development speakers. Jim Rohn, Les Brown, John Maxwell, Tony Robbins and many more. I could feel my personal confidence growing as I listened to them. I knew in my heart that I could do anything, even overcome this burnout I was going through. So, I went to other personal development events, met new people, and even began marketing personal development courses and events held all over the world.
My husband and I began buying real estate investment properties and making more money than we ever had. I was able to quit teaching, and I got to experience the thrill of traveling. It was one of the highest points of my life. Then the real estate market crashed, and the effect on us was catastrophic. My personal development business was no longer viable. We were not able to pay all the mortgages, and my husband’s business declined too. Looking back, I wish that we had done things differently, but we were humbled and learned.
It took a bit of floundering to recover, but when I did, I reflected on the various struggles that I had gone through in life. I knew what my mission truly was. I wanted to empower others to create and live their ideal life. By synthesizing my history as a teacher, my passion for business, and drawing inspiration from my own struggles, I knew I wanted to help others who had a desire for business to learn and avoid the various pitfalls I had encountered along the way.
I now feel like I have finally designed a life that, up until now, I had only envisioned. I’ve known the pain and discouragement of burnout, of throwing everything you have into a business and having nothing to show for it. I know what it’s like to be stuck. Worse, I know what it’s like to feel alone and stuck.
I love helping people who have traveled a similar journey, people who are struggling, or who just want to create a different life and don’t know how. I’ve been through it myself.
To connect with Me about anything, go to "Work with Me" on this website.
Testimonials
Donna and I have worked together in two different businesses over a 20 year period. As a team leader, she has stepped up to create an atmosphere of cooperation and community. Cynthia . . .
Donna DOO! is my nickname for Donna Schwartz. 😊
Over 20 years I've been watching her help others to reach their goals in life and business.
It's great to be on her team and GREAT to know that she is on yours.
Leslie . . .
Donna and I have known each other for 66 yrs and have worked with each other in the Melaleuca Family Business for over 15 yrs... When I have questions about the Melaleuca products, Donna is my go to person. She is always ready to jump in and help me work out what ever it is I need.. She's a good partner to have in your corner. Thank You Donna.
MaryAnn . . .
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