Dawn Airhart Witte is the Founder and Director of the Desire to Inspire Foundation, the co-founder of I Give On The Givers Marketplace, a Life Mastery Consultant with the Life Mastery Institute, an international speaker, philanthropist, humanitarian, and author of the book, “Be…”
25% of the Be Tour and Be Tour Product proceeds will be donated to the Desire to Inspire Foundation. (www.desiretoinspirefoundation.org)
Being a mom is her proudest role and title. Because of he great love for children she started the Desire to Inspire Foundation which provides children around the world with a mother’s love and care. A philanthropist from an early age, Dawn’s company I Give On, began with her passion for fundraising and the nonprofit sector, while supporting businesses and artists who generously donate to worthy causes. Her steadfast resolve in eradicating hunger and extreme poverty is one of her greatest passions and driving forces.
Her lifelong appreciation for community involvement earned her the honor of the Glendale News Press’s “One of the 103 Most Influential People in the Foothills.” Dawn served two terms as Public Works Commissioner for the City of La Canada Flintridge, California, and two terms as President of the National Charity League-Los Angeles Founder Chapter (NCL-LA). Raising her daughters, Taylor and Carrington, is her proudest accomplishment.
She is currently working on her second book, “Two Be…”
Exclusive Interview
Please tell our readers a little about yourself.
Hello, my name is Dawn Airhart Witte (pronounced witty and sometimes I am) I am the founder of the Desire to Inspire Foundation, author of the book, "Be...", and a proud mother of two daughters. I am on a mission to uplift as many lives as I can, both in large and small ways. Filling lives with love and kindness is my "WHY."
Could you tell us a bit about your book and why it is a must-read?
"Be.." is a book that I hope will uplift and cause people to perhaps consider looking at life from different perspectives. I want to plant a seed with people to live lives filled with kindness, love, inspiration, gratitude, strength, genuineness and happiness.
What inspired you to write your book?
My daughters inspired me to write my book. I wanted them to always know that who they "BE" in the world comes back to them, that everyone's life has challenges and being strong will help you persevere. I wanted them to understand the importance of being grateful for the life they have, to be inspired so that they can share their great passions with the world and that kindness and love are currencies more valuable than money. I want them to always know to be true to who they are and genuine about who that is in the world. And I want them to choose happiness because it puts out a special energy into the world that brings about even more happiness.
Where is your favorite place to write? Do you have a special hangout or any writing rituals?
I love writing at home outside near my pool surrounded by nature.
What’s the most surprising thing you learned about yourself while writing your book?
I don't even know where to begin with this one. I have learned so much about myself and life since writing, "BE..." I can't wait to finish "Two Be..." because I have learned so much more. I think the greatest lesson for me is that I learned to trust my voice. Writing a book and putting your ideas and thoughts out into the world for someone to read or criticize feels a little vulnerable but doing the scary things are so worth it.
What do you find are the most rewarding aspects of being an author?
I absolutely love when people tell me that what I wrote made an impact on them. Something I wrote gave them a different perspective or touched them when they needed a lift. That is such an amazing gift for me to know.
Who are some of the writers who have influenced you?
Laura Lynne Jackson is one of my favorite writers and humans. I also love Marianne Williamson, Eckhart Tolle, Napoleon Hill, Wallace Wattles Clementine Bihiga, Bruce Lipton, and Imaculee Ibizia to name a few.
On a more personal note: Tell us a little about your “real” (non-writing) life — family, job, hobbies, etc.
I absolutely love animals. I have surrounded myself with so many ever since I was able. I currently have three dogs and a tortoise. My daughters are my absolute world and I love being a mom so much that it gave me the desire to start the Desire to Foundation which brings a mother's love to children who may not have that in their lives. I live life like everything is a miracle because I truly feel that each day we are given is a gift.
Who is a creative person (not a writer) who has influenced you and your work?
I have so many people who have been role models to me and have influenced all aspects of my being. These are people who have overcome adversity in their lives and still live lives of kindness and love for others. People who have changed their tragedies into a way to help others heal. My personal historical role model is Mother Teresa as I love the impact she has made on the world with her kindness and love.
What advice would you give to aspiring authors who may be reading this interview?
Aside from trusting their own voice, I found it very helpful to envision my audience, which for me was my daughters. Once I knew who I was writing to, I knew what voice to use as I wrote. I found it a helpful place from which to begin.
What’s next for you? What are you working on now?
I have quite a few projects I am working on currently. My greatest passion is the work that I do with my foundation, The Desire to Inspire Foundation. We are currently fundraising for our community training centers in Ghana and Uganda. This is an exciting project as the need to teach people skills which they can use to turn their talents and gifts into sustainable ways to support themselves and their families is greatly needed.
I am creating a "Be..." Planner/journal with writing prompts and quotes to inspire which will be launching on April 27. I am also developing a skin care line using rich organic ingredients from Africa which will create jobs for people in areas where jobs are needed most while bringing an amazing product to the US market. We should have samples ready by this summer and products ready for sale by the holiday shopping season.
And I am also writing the final pages of, "Two Be..." a timeless compilation of quotes from figures throughout history which I hope will inspire, encourage, and uplift.
A portion of the proceeds from all of my projects will go to support the work we do at The Desire to Inspire Foundation.
What is your preferred method to have readers get in touch with or follow you (i.e., website, personal blog, Facebook page, etc.) and link(s)?
You can find out about about the work we are doing at www.desiretoinspirefoundation.org. We are also on Instagram and Facebook at Desire to Inspire Foundation. We will be sharing updates about my book and all of our upcoming projects on my website, on social media, and on my personal facebook page Dawn Witte.
Words are magical.
In this SECOND EDITION of her book, Dawn A. Witte weaves a beautiful tapestry of words to live by and reminds us we never know the impact our words can have on someone else. We all have the power to make someone's day a little brighter or a little worse. We have the power, perhaps even the sacred mission, to deliver our own messages of love, courage, kindness and peace and watch the world become a better place as a result.
The quotes in this powerful book teach about overcoming adversity and encouraging people we interact with on our journey through life.
The importance of the universal truths within the pages of Be... transcends time and space.
Words are transformational. Let the seven special words in Be... work their magic and change your life.
Be... genuine, loving, strong, grateful, inspired, kind, happy
"One of the ways we can change the world to be a place full of loving, kind, strong, grateful, inspired, kind and happy souls is by living from a place of love. Dawn Witte's book of BE captures the essence of this beautifully. Words impact, and this book does exactly that, it fills the soul with inspiration, hope and warmth. A definite must have!"-- Katy Gilbertson, Founder Hauora Wellness
Dawn Witte is a fiercely passionate & driven woman, fueled by grace & an infinite source of uncoditional love. Her level of commitment to serve our world as an extrordinary light & educator of awareness is phenomenal. Dawn is not only willing to do the work of a Saint, her life is thriving because of it. I adore the way she delights in service. She lights up the cosmos with her brilliance by taking action & truly healing lives.
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