Story & Lesson Highlights with MaryAnne Wendt of Irvine

MaryAnne Wendt shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

MaryAnne, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
What’s bringing me joy lately is roller skating at the Great Park in Irvine every Thursday night. I’ve been hosting with friends since the Pandemic, and we’re approaching our 5th anniversary! What a wonderful community we have built together. It’s my mid-week reset with music, friends, and the freedom of gliding under the lights. Skating reminds me of entrepreneurship: it takes balance, momentum, and the courage to get back up when you fall. It’s pure joy and a reminder to make space for the things that light you up.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Mary Anne Wendt, and I’m a California licensed real estate agent with Starfire Real Estate, proudly serving clients across Orange County. Helping people buy, sell, or rent a home is deeply rewarding because it allows me to guide them through one of life’s biggest decisions with care, knowledge, and trust.

Alongside my real estate work, I also run OC Doc Signer, my mobile notary and loan signing business, which supports estate planning attorneys, escrow officers, and families during some of their most important milestones.

Most excitingly, I’m building something amazing with my husband and business partner, Jim. Together, we’re developing a new venture, still in stealth mode, that blends our passions for wellness, innovation, and community. It’s a project that energizes us daily and represents the future of where I see my entrepreneurial journey heading.

What makes my story unique is the way each path builds on the last. From guiding real estate clients with expertise to supporting families as a notary to pioneering a wellness-focused startup, my goal is always the same: to connect with people in meaningful ways and make a positive impact on their lives.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a child, I once got laughed at for coloring outside the lines. What that classmate didn’t realize was that the project involved cutting around the shape. I was already a step ahead. I no longer believe I have to fit inside the lines; I’ve learned that being ahead, thinking differently, and taking risks is my strength.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If I could say one kind thing to my younger self, it would be: don’t slam on the brakes… just go with it.
I learned that lesson the hard way in high school, driving my dad’s pristine ’68 Firebird. One rainy day, I took a turn too fast and started to hydroplane. Instead of steering with the skid, I panicked, slammed on the brakes, and crashed into a wall. I regret that moment to this day, not just because of the car, but because it taught me something deeper.

Life will throw you into skids you can’t control. Fear makes you want to stop everything, but that only makes the crash worse. The kinder thing is to trust the motion, steer with it, and know you’ll regain balance. I wish I could have told my younger self that lesson earlier, but I carry it with me now in business, in motherhood, and in life.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What’s a belief you used to hold tightly but now think was naive or wrong?
For the longest time, I believed that if you just worked hard enough, everything would fall into place. Head down, hustle hard, check all the boxes, and success was supposed to be automatic.

But life doesn’t really work that way. I’ve learned that while hard work is important, it’s not the only thing that matters. You also need timing, strategy, and the courage to try something different when the old way isn’t working. Some of my best opportunities came not from grinding harder, but from saying yes to something new or building the right relationships.

Now, I know success isn’t about exhausting yourself. It’s about working smart, surrounding yourself with good people, and being open to the unexpected.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people say I lived with purpose and joy, that I lifted others up, and that I left the world brighter than I found it. Purple has always been my signature color, and I’d love for it to symbolize how I lived… bold, creative, and unapologetically myself. If people remember me as someone who brought that kind of color and light into their lives, then I’ve done my job.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ocmaryanne
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryannewendt

Image Credits
N/A – I have the rights to all photos