[quote style=”boxed”]Every morning I set aside 15 minutes to organize my thoughts. I always ask myself what are the three new things I would like to accomplish today.[/quote]
Donna David founded her personal organizing company following a successful career in the luxe realm including Burberry, Saks Fifth Avenue and Bergdorf Goodman.
At Saks Donna was Vice President where she managed women’s apparel and accessories for the catalogue division. At Burberry Donna launched and ran their US website. She coordinated and directed the multi-dimensional demands of the business to include marketing, technology, operations and customer service. Her unique style always made the end result appear effortless.
Donna’s eye for style and quality as well as her distinctive manner in handling the demands of her positions sparked her passion for developing a variety of practical and easy to use organizational skills that she now customizes for a wide cross section of clients in the New York and Tri State area. Clients remark about her innate talent to hone into the necessary items that should remain and what should be removed – a bespoke solution to each of her clients. Donna will be highly respectful of your confidentiality and privacy.
Clients hire Donna to organize their busy lives – freeing them from all the clutter so they too can enjoy a life filled with more time, energy and freedom.
Where did the idea for Donna David & Co. come from?
I founded my personal organizing company after a successful career working at Burberry, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Bergdorf Goodman. At Saks, was a Vice President of women’s apparel and accessories and at Burberry I ran their US website. I managed and directed the multi-dimensional demands of the business to include marketing, technology, operations and customer service while always making the end result appear effortless. I always had an eye for style and quality coupled with innate organizational skills which sparked the passion to work with clients ……organizing their busy lives.
What is your business model?
Donna David & Co is a professional organizing consultancy. I help others organize and manage lifestyle and home organizing decisions or situations that occur in life: de-cluttering; closet organization; organization for moving in/out; resizing your life and estate clearing. I also offer invaluable and practical organizational tips that I customize for a wide range of clients in New York and Tri State area.
What does your typical day look like?
My day begins at 5 a.m. Over a cup of coffee, I reach for my iPad to catch up on overnight news and emails. I always have a protein breakfast to start the day and enjoy a mini workout. My days are never the same…either busy organizing clients, networking, collaborating with potential strategic businesses, communicating on social media, finding new clients etc. I do try to relax by 7 p.m. with family and friends over dinner. I make every effort to end the day by 10:30 p.m.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I am a dreamer- the kite that sometimes needs to be reeled in. I usually take these creative thoughts to a few of my entrepreneurial friends and get their reactions. I love to surround myself by positive, bright forward thinkers. I then take these ideas to people and businesses where I can possibly collaborate and partner with for future business. I remain passionate and stay open to all possibilities.
What’s one trend that really excites you?
Technology! I love exploring and finding new gadgets, apps etc.
So many new opportunities for the smartphone!
What was the worst job you ever had and what did you learn from it?
It was an executive sales position in a new business division. My gut and intuition said not to take it, but I went ahead anyway and accepted the position. There was no organization, business strategy, or collaboration so I left after a few months. The lesson learned: continue to Trust my intuition.
If you were to start again, what would you do differently?
I would have ramped up the business sooner and let go of the fear as much as possible replacing with positive thoughts and feedback.
As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?
Every morning I set aside 15 minutes to organize my thoughts. I always ask myself what are the three new things I would like to accomplish today….new connections, innovation etc.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business? Please explain how.
Having a strategic nimble marketing strategy is crucial for building a business.
In this day in age it is not enough to launch a website, participate in social media, join corporate networks, and rely on word of mouth to get the word out there. It is important to: hire a great PR professional who will find the right media placements; cast your net in many areas as you never know where your next customer will find you; be willing to try new marketing tactics and always measure the results.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Someone needs to create amazing efficiency at the brick and mortar grocery store. I never understood why I needed to place merchandise in my shopping cart, then remove from cart to place on checkout counter, scan the items and then finally placed in shopping bag. So many steps….Can’t we just scan the items with our smartphones (no more shopping carts) and have all the merchandise waiting for us at checkout.
If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be and how would you go about it?
I’d incorporate core values – honesty, integrity, respect and take ownership. I make sure that whomever I hire on a consultant basis or full time basis we all operate utilizing the same core values. Transparency is also a key component. One of my favorite quotes is from Maya Angelou- I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel.
Tell us something about you that very few people know.
I was an accomplished piano player as a child – I performed in many recitals and participated in several competitions
What are your three favorite online tools, software or resources and what do you love about them?
-LinkedIn- What a great way to build your connections, meet new contacts and build opportunities.
-Ted Talks- Their mission is ‘ideas worth spreading.” I love watching these videos of amazing speakers who truly present their ideas in the most engaging ways.
-Evernote’s Web Clipper- You will never lose another web article with this browser extension. Web Clipper allows you to snip out online articles and store them in the cloud- accessible on any device. Can’t imagine my digital life without it.
What is one book you recommend our community should read and why?
Good to Great by Jim Collins. He’s an amazing business management guru. One great quote from his book “Good is the enemy of great and few people attain great lives, in part because it is so easy to settle for a good life.”
List three experts who have helped you as an entrepreneur and why?
-Steve Jobs- he was such an inspiration and innovator who truly changed the world. I often refer to his Stanford Commencement Speech from 2005- a few famous quotes were: “Stay hungry, stay foolish.”
“Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.”
-Ross Ellis- founder of STOMP Out Bullying the leading national anti-bullying organization for kids and teens in the U.S. and an award-winning Manhattan real estate broker. A great friend and mentor who offers me unending advice, support, and encouragement to follow my heart and dreams.
– A former influential Mentor left me with the daily motto – instead of asking yourself “Why”, ask yourself “But Why Not”
What did you have for breakfast?
Oatmeal with fresh fruit, yogurt and coffee
Connect:
Donna David & Co. on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DonnaDavidCo
Donna David & Co. on Twitter: @DonnaDavidCo
Mario Schulzke is the Founder of ideamensch, which he started a decade ago to learn from entrepreneurs and give them a platform for their ideas.