Meet Anna Ackerman of R.O.A.R. {society} in Orange County

Midwest girl, raised by hard-working, intelligent and passionate parents. I grew up in the northern suburbs of Chicago and my parents did everything and anything to give my sister Jessica and I an American lifestyle, with endless opportunity.

Early on, my mom noticed my passion for children and health care. I received my master degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders and became a speech-language pathologist. I quickly navigated this new career and found various income streams and opportunities to work with children with special needs in a variety of settings, private therapy, schools. autism programs, camps, etc.

I opened my own clinic and embarked in a private practice environment. When my daughters were three and five years of age, we left our home, family and sold my business to adventure to the west coast–my husband’s dream! To rewind a bit, we met in college when we were 19 years of age and couldn’t be any more opposite. However, his entrepreneurial spirit and passion for life was something I adored. He told me from the beginning that leaving Chicago was his dream, so we did!

Seven years ago, we landed in orange county. I briefly worked in my field and then had a major PIVOT–sales for Toshiba medical systems. selling high-end capital imaging equipment and earning the top performer in the company. That segway is a story in itself. We also own several e-commerce businesses and a company called fullyfunded.com – I support my husband in these endeavors as well.

I left Toshiba a year a half ago for another PIVOT- into business development for a wealth management firm and embark on the financial industry. In the midst of these changes, my vision was to connect with other working women to collaborate for success. to talk about the ups and downs and create “connection over competition”, so a year ago – I birthed the ROAR Society.

This started out as an “infant” and I am now chasing a “toddler” watching it grow and evolve, into a really special organization. It’s invitation only for women in c level positions or scaling a highly profitable business, limited seating every time, happy hour, swag bags, Feature a game-changing female and a power network time for me to matchmaking women to cross-market and do business together. It’s truly exciting!

I am a proud mom of three girls 12, 10 and 2. They are my why and my true inspiration to be a better person. My husband, Adam, is the reason I step “out of the box”, the reason I leap when my nerves are on high and the calm every time I need someone to remind me that “if this is as good as it gets, we won the lotto!”

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Many struggles along the way. Growing our family business has been full of challenges. Failed partnership. Disappointments in platforms, learning curves, etc.

In the corporate world, I wasn’t ready for the politics of working with people when the “goal” isn’t always the “goal.”

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My parents. My father always pushed intelligence over anything. the power of education and standing on your own two feet in a country with endless opportunity. His father, my grandpa, was a holocaust survivor and one of the most positive people I have ever met. His smile rand deep. His joy and zest for living, contagious.  he was the true example of “singing in the rain”…dancing in his bed when he was taking his last breaths

My husband, I admire the way he looks at the world with a true CALM and abundance mindset.  A man of few words at times. They just seem to be the right ones when I’m unsure. He makes the girls and I better  on the daily

I have an incredible girl tribe. My relationships run deep. I value and cherish the women in my life and they know exactly who they are.