We were lucky to catch up with Deborah Newmark recently and have shared our conversation below.

Deborah , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

When I was 17 1/2 my fiancé was diagnosed with a terminal cancer. I decided to move out of my parents house to live together with my fiancé so I could care for him. As you could imagine, this was a life altering experience. I thought I was just taking care of him but what happened was I learned about love and the fragility of life that changed me forever. I could never not be grateful for the precious gift of life after that. It also opened my eyes to appreciate when you think you are doing something for someone else you are also doing it for yourself in very profound ways. Maintaining my positivity, even in adversarial situations, was something I have embraced throughout my life which helped me get through the loss. Right after he died I took a risk and started by myself on a year journey in Europe at the age of 20. Eventually met up with friends. Here again this experience taught me to keep myself open t0 new adventures. It also helped to develop my passions to see the world, expand my knowledge of all kinds of people and recognized different points of view with sensitivity and empathy.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I was born in a small tract home in an interracial, middle-class neighborhood (predominantly Jewish and African American) in North Philadelphia, PA and learned to treat all people with respect and kindness. I educated myself through life lessons always using the experience I had to better myself as a person. My non-judgmental attitude developed as a child and continues to this day, lead me to participate in causes to better the world such as ending hunger, caring for elders, demonstrating for peace, volunteering in leadership roles at Special Olympics and work that helped develop sustainable and healthy organic gardening.

Returning to the United States from living in Europe for a year in 1972, I settled in Maine. Having a positive outlook on life even after the death of my fiancé, always gave me strength to continue on. Along with my experimental attitude I ventured into many fields. During my time in Maine, at the age of 26, I was on the committee to develop the Common Ground Country Fair while working at the Maine Organic Gardeners and Farmers Organization (MOFGA) which is now one of the largest organic farming events in the US.

I continued my journey to make a difference in life and worked for Erhard Seminar Trainings in California teaching people about personal responsibility, accountability and possibilities. This environment gave me opportunities I was uncomfortable doing such as public speaking that helped me in future endeavors.

Meeting my husband Dr. Jerry Newmark, who was 25 years older than me at the age of 32 was definitely a highlight in my life. Before we got married we went to a therapist to discuss what we wanted in our marriage. Both of us said, open and honest communication and to have fun. And that is what we did for 36 years having feedback sessions once a week on Sundays. We had a dedicated time to say what was working, not working, learn how to give and get feedback in a non threatening environment and most of all have FUN. He had a “conscious end-of-life” experience when he passed at almost 91. In fact 2 1/2 years before he died he left a letter with our secretary to give me after he died and told me how much he loved me and to go out and have a great time in life.

To help with my grieving process I walked 200 miles on the Camino Santiago pilgrimage in Spain. Another life changing experience walking everyday for two weeks learning that instead of always being the organizer, I was going to allow myself to receive.

I have been nurtured my entire life with love and do not take that for granted. My willingness to stay open, deal with challenging experiences and have meditation be part of my daily practice has helped me continue to keep learning and growing as I am now semi-retired at 72 and in a new loving relationship. Everyday I feel grateful for my health, adoring relationships with my siblings and friends, my partner and being a mom to two 13 year old Maltese dogs.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I can’t say enough about telling the truth, even when it makes you look bad and having a positive attitude through challenging times. As the owner of a successful promotional products business for 20 years, with most of the same clients working with me during that time, they authentically felt no matter what, I would do whatever to make sure they received their merchandise on budget and on time. Infrequently, when it was beyond my control, such as merchandise stuck in customs, they understood I did my best.

Every year I took a four to six weeks vacation and traveled to Europe with my late husband while colleagues cover my business. Never did I loose any customers because of the relationships developed.

Another business I started with my late husband, Dr. Jerry Newmark was a nonprofit The Children’s Project. It is a model for helping parents, children, schools and communities develop emotionally healthy relationships. We did this through his book he wrote “How To Raise Emotionally Healthy Children: Meeting the Five Critical Needs of Children and Parents Too!” which became a best seller. We were more involved in promoting our message of the importance of emotional health than making money. We made the book available just below cost so that money would never be an issue for people and organizations to purchase them. Getting the book out to as many people as we could was our objective and over 600,000 copies have been distributed.

Becoming a co-author of one of the best selling discount shopping guides in Southern California, and writing a news story in the Los Angeles Daily News on bargains helped me reach people on how to save money. Our news column was one of the most read articles featuring stores where you could save on wedding gowns, carpet, refrigerators, shoes, school items and so much more. Having the ability to co-write a weekly column on bargains and with our book we developed a loyal following for both the mom and pop businesses we wrote about and the people wanting to save money. It was a win-win for all and once again was able to make a difference in the lives of people.

Have you ever had to pivot?

As a teenager, I fell in love with my high school sweetheart. He eventually became my fiancé but unfortunately died at the age of 22 from cancer when I was 20. I moved out of my house with my parents and siblings at the age of 17 1/2 and moved in a house together so I could care for him. This was a major pivot in my life learning about love, acceptance, positivity even during this challenging time. Intuitively knowing about “conscious end-of-life” we journeyed together with open and honest communication every step of the way. After he died, I said to myself, “I’m single now, what do I want to do with my life?” In seven days I left for a year journey in Europe discovering my new life. At that time my grieving process was connecting with friends in Europe and learning about life as a single woman.

Contact Info:

• Website: emotionallyhealthychildren.org

Image Credits
2023 Common Ground Country Fair artwork done by Rebekah Lowell is titled “Monarchs and Milkweed.”