The Family Law Firm of Donna J. Smiedt
Angela Snow of The Cleaning Authority
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t hardly seems possible to Angela Snow that it was 12 years ago she was investigating what type of business she wanted to launch. She knew she wanted to do something to make life better for local families. And she knew that any business she began should be as empowering to her employees as it was to her customer. She researched several options but one kept coming back to her. “I knew firsthand the joy of returning home at the end of the day to a clean, fresh-smelling home,” she said. “But I also knew the hassle of finding someone I could trust to consistently clean my home the way I wanted it cleaned.”
Donna J. Smiedt
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any of Donna Smiedt’s clients are surprised to discover she herself is happily married and has been, for almost 20 years. As an attorney specializing in divorce proceeding, they assume she doesn’t believe in the concept of marriage. Nothing could be further from the truth. “Clients seem to think it’s inconsistent for me to be so happily married,” Donna said. “To the contrary, after serving as a divorce lawyer for 29 years, I’ve learned a lot about relationships and human nature and have used that knowledge in my own personal pursuit of happiness.” And it’s that wisdom and life experience she attempts to impart on her clients. “I try to impress upon them that, even if this particular relationship didn’t work out, that doesn’t mean they can’t learn from their mistakes, be the best person they can be, and—above all—don’t be afraid to love again.” Wise words from someone who’s “seen it all” as a board-certified family law specialist. For 30 years, Donna has focused her practice on complex family law litigation, including divorce, property division, adoption, child support, paternity, and post-divorce modification. “Litigation takes an emotional and financial toll on my clients,” Donna said. “I need each client to be honest and candid with me, from day one. The more information I have, the better I can present options to them, including recommendations for making the family adjustment easier on their children.”
CONTACT
3216 West Arkansas Lane Arlington, Texas 76016 ArlingtonDivorces.com (817) 572-9900
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“I try to impress upon them that, even if this particular relationship didn’t work out, that doesn’t mean they can’t learn from their mistakes, be the best person they can be, and—above all—don’t be afraid to love again.” Meet Donna Smiedt Donna moved to the United States from South Africa at age 14, graduated high school a year later, earned an undergraduate degree from SMU at age 19 and graduated from the SMU School of Law as one of the school’s youngest graduates at age 22.
Club, the Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists, and The College of the State Bar of Texas. Donna was awarded the Family Law Attorney of the Year in Arlington every year from 1997-2002 and again in 2010. Donna has an AV peer rating and was named a 2013 Fort Worth Top Attorney.
Practicing law since 1986, Donna received her board certification in family law in 1991. She is licensed to practice in Texas State Court and the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas. She’s also sworn to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court and she is a member of the Tarrant County Family Bar Association, the Tarrant County Bar Association, Arlington Bar Association, Arlington Professional and Businesswomen’s
“I’m dedicated to the practice of law because I passionately believe in what I’m doing every day and I try to convey that to my clients,” Donna said. In keeping with her mission, she provides clients with the highest degree of professionalism and legal expertise tempered with an understanding of the traumatic experience at hand. “I make every attempt to accomplish my client’s wishes and goals within the parameters of the law,” she said.
BY MEREDITH KNIGHT
L I V I NGMAG A Z IN E . N E T
The concept and the system of the Cleaning Authority impressed Angela. “They had it all figured out and I could see right away how it would benefit my customers but also give my employees the chance at a better life,” she said. “I have every confidence in the product/ service we provide. Our success begins and ends with the education of our employees and their knowledge of our “Rotation System” (the particular way the service is completed each time). I do all of the in-home estimates myself and I always want to know what I’m selling the customer is exactly what we deliver. I’m happy to say that it is.” Angela feels strongly about providing a work-friendly environment for her employees. “That begins with thorough training, so they can do their job the best they can and feel proud of what they offer our customers,” Angela said. “A revolving door of employees leads to a revolving door of customers. Each of our customers is just as important as the next. When we get a customer, we want to keep them as part of our family…just like our employees.”
CONTACT
(817) 453-9306 The CleaningAuthority.com/Arlington
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“I knew firsthand the joy of returning home at the end of the day to a clean, fresh-smelling home,” she said. “But I also knew the hassle of finding someone I could trust to consistently clean my home the way I wanted it cleaned.” As for her employees, they love to cook and celebrate birthday and holidays together. “Sometimes we just have Glad its Friday celebrations,” Angela said. “One of my goals is to build our own building, so we can provide an even better homeaway-from-home for our employees.” With 600 customers and growing and with employee turnover far below the national average, she must be doing something right. Meet Angela Snow Angela graduated from Dallas Baptist University with a BS in Business. Before opening The Cleaning Authority, she worked in marketing and new product development in the pet and sporting goods industries. A firm believer in giving BY MEREDITH KNIGHT PHOTO BY LAUREN MEDEAN
back, Angela supports local non-profits. “Currently we’re participating in their second summer food drive for the local food pantry, collecting bags of food by the truckload from our customers, who have been overwhelmingly generous.” When not on the job, Angela enjoys tennis, cycling, and time with her three magnificent kids. “My personal mission is to be the best, most ethical, caring, strong, positive role model for my family/children,” she said. “If I’ve taught my children anything it’s that it’s not about success or failures but about the fulfillment you earn through humility and being strong and listening but at the same time being heard.”
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