Your path to success is not through someone else.

We do not subscribe to the groupthink of “you have to do it this way.” We champion the individual voice, the creative quest, and the unique spirit.

We pursue this belief in our own careers, and in the work we do to reach and engage others as we slowly (yet passionately) dismantle the robotic mantra of “I have to do it this way…”

It’s nice to meet you! Thanks for stopping by.

We are Jenn and Debbie, an accomplished and dynamic duo with decades of experience in the corporate, performance, and entrepreneurial worlds. We have a passion for igniting internal power and we do this through our podcast, the workshops we offer, and speaking engagements.

Co-Founder
Raised as the youngest of three in a close-knit family, Debbie Pontikas developed a deep appreciation for hard work, compassion, and humor. Her parents, who have been married for over 50 years, significantly shaped her character. Her mother, an elementary school teacher, instilled a passion for music and teaching and a witty sense of humor. Her father, a double engineer and retired Army officer, demonstrated an unwavering work ethic and a commitment to community service that continues to inspire.
Academically driven, she graduated in the top 10% of high school class and pursued higher education at Texas A&M University. After earning an undergraduate degree, she worked for a year before returning to school at Rice University in Houston to complete her MBA. At 27, Debbie equated success with financial independence, career titles, and the material rewards of hard work. This drive led to her first significant role as Vice President of Corporate Communications, where she honed skills in marketing and corporate strategy.
Despite her corporate ambitions, Debbie's passion for singing remained constant. Throughout high school and college, Debbie took voice lessons and recorded a demo CD in Nashville. Singing in cover bands during college and grad school kept her creative spirit alive.
After grad school, Debbie pursued a career in corporate real estate marketing, quickly advancing through several promotions. She was recruited by a major real estate investment firm in Phoenix to lead their marketing department. During this time, she met and married Ari, and together they navigated significant life transitions. When their twin boys, Alex and George, were born she made the decision to leave her corporate career.
After a few years at home and running a custom stationery business, Debbie felt the urge to reenter the workforce on her own terms. She realized she had a passion for real estate, where she could combine a love for marketing with the freedom of entrepreneurship. Obtaining a real estate license allowed her to help people navigate one of the most significant decisions in their lives—buying or selling a home.
Nearly a decade later, Debbie established herself as a multi-million dollar real estate agent, recognized by Phoenix Magazine as a Top 50 Agent and Top Producing Agent in Phoenix for four consecutive years. Her career in real estate is incredibly fulfilling, as she combines marketing expertise with a passion for helping others.
Now, she is embarking on a new journey with The Success Resequencing Project. Her focus has shifted to helping others find fulfillment and happiness in their careers and personal lives. Debbie, working in partnership with Jenn Newman, seeks to redefine success, emphasizing the importance of happiness and fulfillment. She is excited to guide others through transitional stages in their lives, helping them discover their paths to true success and happiness.

Co-Founder
Jenn Newman is in the business of using her voice—whether as a soprano soloist, an LGBTQ+ proud parent, ally and advocate, negotiating for her real estate clients, or empowering others both personally and professionally.
In 2008, Jenn and her family lost everything during the Great Recession. Jobs, cars, a brand-new home—everything was gone. Through her grit, perseverance, and belief that home is “wherever you are,” she planned and executed the relocation of her family from Phoenix to New York City to rebuild. Going from 3400 square feet to an 800 square foot apartment may not have been easy for this family of three, but for nine years, New York City was home. Jenn spent sixteen years in recruiting, marketing, and advertising at New York University while managing her singing career.
After losing three family members in 2012, including her only sibling to a drug overdose, Jenn found herself using her voice in a different way: giving three eulogies in ten months. This prompted the deeper question, “How else am I to use my voice?” Over the next four years, she gave herself the space needed to redesign her career until she finally came to terms with what was next: building her own business. Two things became clear: Jenn and her family missed calling Arizona home, and Jenn’s lifelong curiosity about real estate became the foundation for her next chapter. Today, Jenn is a Multi-Million Dollar Producer, consistently ranked among the top 5% of Realtors in Arizona.
Her greatest accomplishment to date is Team Newman, starting with her 24-year marriage to her college sweetheart, Jim, and their independent and fiercely compassionate daughter, Lyla Grace. Now empty nesters, their puppies—Chihuahua/Shih Tzu mix, Oliver, and purebred Dachshund, Beau—provide non-stop levity.
Jenn’s regional stage credits include roles in productions like “Emily” in Help, Help! The Globolinks!, “Gretel” in Hansel and Gretel, and “Genovieffa” in Suor Angelica. She has been the featured soprano soloist in classical works such as Bach’s Cantata #51: Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen, Mozart’s Exsultate, Jubilate and Mass in C Minor, and Handel’s Messiah. Recently, she had the privilege of singing backup for renowned soprano Renée Fleming.
Influenced by gospel, blues, and country roots while growing up in Memphis, Jenn returned to her native Arizona where she received her Bachelor’s degree in Opera & Musical Theatre Performance at Arizona State University. She furthered her classical training in New York City under renowned soprano Maria Spacagna and musical theater coach Andrew Byrne.
Now embarking on a new journey with The Success Resequencing Project, Jenn’s focus has shifted from financial success to helping others find fulfillment and happiness in their careers and personal lives. Working in partnership with Debbie Pontikas, she aims to redefine success, emphasizing the importance of happiness and fulfillment. Jenn is excited to guide others through their transitions, helping them discover their paths to true success and happiness.

The world’s a stage.

OK - that was a shameless nod to Jenn, our opera singer and natural performer.

But sometimes you do have to stand up and declare, This is what I believe to be true.

And in that spirit, We believe in:

Voice

It’s in you, it’s yours to say.

Quest

Every step matters.

Respect

What’s your story?

Initiative

You are the solution. Go get it.

Spirit

Listen…then enjoy the ride.