Today we’d like to introduce you to Dona Kappmeyer.
Hi Dona, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My journey began in my early teens while working for my family’s automotive parts rebuilding business – Service Parts & Machine Company, which was located just south of downtown San Antonio off of Probandt street.
My grandparents had started the business in 1938 off of South Flores, and my father continued to run it up until the doors closed in 2015. It was there that I developed my strong work ethic, my passion for helping others, and my love for small businesses.
After graduating from college with a degree in Accounting from UTSA, my dad, John Wagenfehr Jr, said “Hey Dona, it’s time for you to get a real job.” and so off to corporate America I went.
I spent the next 30 years working for local companies including RailTex, HOLTCAT, Clear Channel Communications (iHeart Media), DPT Laboratories, and Rush Enterprises. The front end of my career was in the Accounting space and the second half of my career was in Six Sigma-lean process improvement. During that journey, I was proud to obtain my CPA license and become a Six Sigma Master Black Belt.
In 2019, I had the opportunity to be the Chief Visionary Officer for a telecom expense management company out of the Dallas area and then Covid hit and changed everyone’s lives.
Fast forward to the end of 2021. I had left that organization and did a lot of soul searching. I knew my heart was with small businesses and I researched going into independent consulting. During that time, I was blessed with meeting Arlene Post with Venturion who became my business coach, and reconnected with Rory Sheppard – Firm Owner of ActionCOACH – West Texas.
Collectively they gave me the “taps on the shoulder” to go into small business coaching and I am very proud to be the CEO & Firm Owner of ActionCOACH of Coastal Bend.
The business started in March of this year and our goal is to flip the statistics on 2 things: 80% of small businesses fail, and 75% do not have the value that they could have when it is time to sell, because the owner is so tied to the business.
I experienced this firsthand in our family and that has really driven me to help make a difference.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
No, not at all.
I am not a feminist by any means and I truly believe you should be promoted based on your qualifications/skills and not your race or gender, etc., but I will say that during my career in corporate America, the glass ceiling was real.
Most of the businesses I worked in were male-dominated and the good ole boy network was alive and well. So what did I do when I saw that growth for me was not an option, I moved on.
I have no regrets and I now realize that all of those experiences shaped me into who I am today.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
ActionCOACH of Coastal Bend (ACCB) is part of the global ActionCOACH franchise which is the world’s #1 business coaching firm. We have more than 1,000 coaching offices in over 80 countries and growing every day. We have over 3,500 strategies and tactics to help businesses grow.
ACCB’s mission is to guide successful-minded small and mid-sized business owners in achieving the outcomes they need in order to have the lifestyle they desire, through business education and coaching. Our definition of a business is “a commercial, profitable enterprise that works without you.” You, being the business owner.
We are also here to flip the following statistics: 80% of small businesses fail and 75% do not have the value that they could have when it comes time for the owner to exit because the owner is so tied into the business. What would it look like to the Texas economy if 80% of small businesses succeed and 75% have the right value when it is time for the owner to exit the business?
What makes us different? We are coaches, not consultants. We work off of the concept “Give a person a fish and you feed them for a day… Teach a person to fish and you feed them for a lifetime.” We are here to guide business owners and give them access to the tools and education they need so that they can grow and prosper.
We work with solopreneurs that are just starting up through businesses that are mature with the owner ready to transition. We have programs for all business owners from education on business fundamentals to one-to-one private coaching.
With those who enroll in our private and group coaching programs, we offer a 17-week investment return guarantee and a 3x return on their investment after the first year.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
I am proud to have been born and raised in San Antonio Texas on the Southeast side. I went to Highlands High School. I am married to Charles Kappmeyer and have two children Chuck and Cymbrey.
A fun fact about me: I recently got my captain’s license for fishing charters. Aside from helping small business owners grow, I love the bay and offshore fishing in Port Aransas, TX.
Pricing:
- Education programs start at $350/month.
- Coaching programs begin at $950/month.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.getintoactionnow.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/actioncoachofcoastalbend
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Actioncoachofcoastalbend
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/actioncoachcb
- Other: https://coastalbend.actioncoach.com
