MEET DR. SCHWARTZ
CEO and founder of Vivid Connect, Masha Schwartz Art and other ventures. Dr. Schwartz's straight-shooting viewpoints on leadership help your business achieve results faster and more efficiently. She has been coaching executives, businesses and entrepreneurs for over 20 years. Her unique ability of connecting people with the right opportunities has empowered others to expand businesses worldwide and achieve massive growth. Dr. Schwartz is a successful entrepreneur, accountability business coach, global branding expert, and a professional speaker and published author.
MISSION
To increase survival rates of globalizing businesses and accelerate innovation and well-being worldwide by growing the use of imagination and Surreabstract creativity.
In Vivid Connect we work with businesses at different stages of their development helping them create luxury, upscale branding, enhanced communications, and key partnership to improve productivity, streamline operations, and achieve unprecedented growth 1) by tapping into the right connections and system resources, 2) by applying market analysis, research and data to have a better understanding of the opportunities in different countries for their products/services, and 3) through personalized consulting and branding solutions.
At Masha Schwartz Art we work with emerging Surreabstract creatives and entrepreneurs, who are looking to establish profitable art ventures as well as art investors and businesses looking to elevate their collections and businesses spaces with art that starts conversations, elevates mood, and heals people. Surreabstract Creativity will drive the future of work - Join the movement now.
" Creativity is my life force. Massive creativity drives innovation. Be Creative, Nothing Else Pays" ~ Dr. Schwartz
Goal Oriented :
Innovation driven business coach with a strong track record in Branding, Communications, and Corporate partnership development for organizations with high-profile mission in small, medium and large business sectors across various markets.
Results Driven :
Transformational leader known for innovative problem solving, comprehensive learning solutions, strategic and tactical planning, program management, research and analysis, team building, virtual team management, and retention of customer base.
Dedicated :
Trilingual intercultural communicator with ability to present complex ideas in a clear, concise fashion to technical and non-technical audiences providing innovative direction for business development, global expansion, and enhancement of digital platform, tools and user experience (UX). Active member of Toastmasters International.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE & EXPERTISE
Co-Founder/COO
REAL ESTATE FUND: Specializing in Modular, Pop Top and Spec Home Building
- 🌐 About Prolific Capital: Prolific Capital is an innovative real estate fund specializing in new construction, pop-top and modular projects, we create homes that bring families together—across all generations. We are committed to unlocking unique and lucrative investment opportunities in real estate, aiming to generate 2x returns for our investment partners with a foundation built on integrity, transparency, and excellence.
- 💫 Creating awareness of our solutions for multi-generational families in the DC metro area to make a positive impact, contributing to the well-being of the families, strengthening communities, and helping solve the housing inventory crisis.
PROLIFIC.CAPITAL
JULY 2023 - PRESENT
President/ Co-Founder
S.W.A.T. Trading emerged in response to recession and many people struggling during the COVID pandemic. It is a rapidly growing company that helps beginner traders and investors achieve even more success in the stock market, crypto and other investment areas. S.W.A.T. stands for Strong Warriors Attacking Trading, and the culture of S.W.A.T. is very casual making it relatable to the average person, yet action driven for success.
- In 2021 the company went global with its live trading courses helping traders in India, Europe and other countries achieve success in the stock market.
- In 2022 S.W.A.T. Trading launched evergreen courses and affiliate/partner memberships along with a discord channel for the Swatraders.
- Swatraders have reported an increase in consistent profits on weekly basis using S.W.A.T. strategies earning on average 10-50% each month.
S.W.A.T. TRADING INC
JULY 2020 - PRESENT
President/Founder
Vivid Connect is a high profile global networking, business coaching, and personal development firm. Our experts help entrepreneurs and small business owners worldwide make networking magic happen, transforming businesses into stable sustainable and highly profitable ventures. Vivid Connect offers the most innovative approaches in the areas of networking, productivity, partnerships and business growth.
- Created a ground-breaking infrastructure model for Drexel University in Summer 2017 following an in-depth environmental scan and analysis of current Drexel student tools (LMS, Salesforce, etc), short and long term digital ecosystem projections, and the best digital solutions such as Amazon Web Services (AWS).
- Working with the Drexel University Online helped improve the ‘Test Drive’ online course that in 2016 won a UPCEA: Electronic Development Award.
- Increased Vivid Connect’s client base by 130% in 2019.
- Created new corporate brands and marketing for four clients in 2019 that increased new customer acquisition by up to 33% and current customer retention.
VIVID CONNECT INC
FEB 2016 - PRESENT
President/Founder
Masha Schwartz Art is a worldwide leader in Surreabstract art. As an innovative, forward thinking organization, Masha Schwartz Art is focused on increasing the use of creativity and imagination worldwide by changing the view of art across generations and by growing awareness of imagination and creativity scarcity in our society. Masha Schwartz art offers the best art solutions to elevate businesses, rentals, hotels, restaurants and homes - adding positive energy to the atmosphere, increase visitors creativity, and spurring positive conversations among clients and other visitors.
- Founder of the Global Surreabstract Art movement
- Currently developing the Imagiwave Metaverse - the leading provider of high-quality collaboration and creativity spaces for artists, musicians and other creatives. We help emerging artists from different disciplines overcome the challenges of growing their brand by building a fan base through creative collaborations.
- Since 2001 Masha Schwartz Art has worked with nonprofit organizations including Hands on DC, SOME and others to help renovate schools and homeless shelters in the DC area with educational murals. This has been an ongoing effort to educate and inspire our future entrepreneurs and business owners.
MASHA SCHWARTZ ART
SEPTEMBER 1998 - PRESENT
Executive Information and Technology (IT) Co-Chair
Managed and improved digital space and organizational processes including website redesign to a responsive format and maintenance of internal data management systems. Introduced the Giving Tuesday campaign as a new source of revenue for Hands on DC’s, growing the organization’s visibility worldwide and contributing towards a wider pool of recurrent yearly donations.
HANDS ON DC (HODC)
NOVEMBER 2016 - NOVEMBER 2018
D.M., DOCTOR OF MANAGEMENT
Successfully completed the Doctor of Management Program with a key focus on global expansion of small businesses and factors contributing to successsful and failing globalization. Relevant Coursework: Innovation process and strategy; Global business; Macroeconomic changes and entrepreneurial growth; Strategies for prevention of small business failure; Small business entry and corporate expansion into the BRICS countries; International cultural challenges and business relations; Statistical analysis and research methods; Entrepreneurial orientation, Intellectual property management, Leadership enterprise change, and Change management.
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND UNIVERSITY COLLEGE, UMUC
SEP 2010 - MAY 2016
PROJECT MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONAL(PMP)
Project Management Professional Certification
PROJECT MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE, MD | PMP NUMBER: 1848231
SEP 2015
Associate Director of Digital User Experience
Led all phases of program and product developments from inception to completion for new online learning infrastructure using Agile methodology. Developed and operationalized short/ long term strategic plans. Identified key priorities and tactical steps with multiple concurrent projects. Applied knowledge of software systems and entire student lifecycle to create scalable and reusable digital tools to increase profits and enhance user experience. Created proposals, business plans, proposal work statements and specifications, operating budgets and financial terms/conditions of contract, negotiation of contracts, and contract changes. Prepared and presented operational, analytical and statistical reports to senior management. Established milestones, monitored adherence to master plans and schedules, identified challenges, developed solutions including reallocation of resources and changing contractual specifications. Assisted in staffing, training and managing the Digital User Experience team. Identified and administered policies, standards, and procedures to ensure high quality efficiency and productivity of staff performance.
- Played key role in launching new infrastructure for university portal in a multi-phase release approach using Scrum methodology that enabled greater user interaction on a single platform, data tracking, and interactivity across multiple systems, 2013-2016. Helped develop and integrate front-end and back-end capabilities.
- Designed and implemented customer retention tool that reduced dropout rates of new students, averaging $36M in sales revenue and resolved complex customer complaints/problems.
- Participated as key member of team that advised executive management during organizational restructuring on top 8 challenges experienced by university, underlying technical issues and made recommendations for new organizational structure that was partially implemented.
- Assisted in selection of new learning management system and other software for the university. Established requirements, tested and helped implement the new software.
UNIVERSITY OF MD UNIVERSITY COLLEGE (UMUC)
OCT 2011 - APR 2016
Overseas Asia Technical Coordinator
Worked collaboratively with director of the strategic business unit to develop short and long term goals. Proposed, developed, and implemented scalable online student facing tools and programs to streamline the student onboarding process and team operations. Planned a training schedule for staff to expand their technological abilities, knowledge of the organization's culture, and administrative procedures, as well as to acquire specific business knowledge relevant to the organization's lines of business. Built effective working relationships with employees at different levels and global divisions. Participated in strategic problem solving to overcome a diverse range of challenges experienced by multiple departments across the university.
- Helped develop and implement a competitive advantage tool, recognized by Education Advisory Board as a winning strategic differentiator in online learning and by New York Times as an important veteran’s resource.
- Selected to advise one of the directors in leading and implementing a university wide initiative that helped expedite communications and increase efficiency of information sharing among on-site and telecommuting employees. Recognized with an award for exceptional work and dedication to the GROW 999 project.
- Managed over 200 volunteers for online events and increased volunteer base by 55 percent through recruitments, networking, building of coalitions, and consistent communication. Built and managed online events with up to a 1000 participants weekly and yearly business revenue potential of 117M.
UNIVERSITY OF MD UNIVERSITY COLLEGE (UMUC)
JUN 2009 - OCT 2011
MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (MBA)
Relevant Coursework:Strategic enterprise management and alignment; Sustainable customer relationships; Resource optimization; Enterprise risk; Human capital development; Transformational leadership; Maximizing shareholder wealth; Finance and Accounting management; Competitive advantage and Managerial decision making.
UNIVERSITY OF PHOENIX
DEC 2005 - MAY 2008
B.S., BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION AND COMPUTER SCIENCE
Relevant Coursework: Graphic design I & II; Exhibit design; Design for the www; Typography; Package design; 3D design; Interactive media theory and application; Digital illustration; Data structures and algorithm analysis; Data communications and networking; Operating systems; Object-oriented design & programming; Database management systems. Awards: Art Honor Society Award; Academic Excellence Certificates
TOWSON STATE UNIVERSITY, MARYLAND
SEP 2000 - MAY 2004
President/Founder
Developed corporate strategy, managed significant resources and directed business operations in support of branding, marketing and business development for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs). Increased business potential through social media and networking vehicles. Identified and assessed business opportunities; established key relationships with other organizations teaming partners and subject matter experts; conducted competitive assessments and analyses; created winning proposal themes and strategies.
- Developed innovative tradeshow marketing solutions that helped clients expand business and win large government construction and intellectual property projects.
- Reduced turnover rates up to 40% for clients through coaching of CEOs and executives on hiring staff with the most fitting characteristics and skills sets for a range of diverse jobs and responsibilities.
- Helped clients to create unique customer focused relationship management strategies and tools, increasing of customer retention up to 41%.
MS DESIGN & BUSINESS MANAGEMENT CONSULTING
FEB 2002 - OCT 2011
CORE EXPERTISE & CONSULTING SERVICES
Strategic Planning
Recruitment & Team Building
Transformational Leadership Coaching
Branding & Marketing Elevation
Change Management
Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
Business Development & Global Expansion
Innovative Problem Solving
Enterprise Learning Solutions
Communications & Productivity Training
Corporate Partnerships Success
User Experience (UX)
Maria has done an excellent job providing leadership for the team over the last year. She fostered a warm and welcoming environment for our staff during much uncertainty. Maria encouraged and challenged the team to reach beyond their comfort zone and try new tasks and learn new skills.
The information and the details that Maria was able to give to me for my social media presence was a huge help. She was very thorough and detailed on all her assessments of my website, Facebook page, Instagram and Twitter accounts that it as really turned how I interact with my customers around. I highly recommend her to any and all small business owners.
I highly recommend Maria for your branding needs. I was so pleased with the easy process that honed in on integrating my vision with the final product. Maria was able to turn around a design quickly and efficiently. She presented several options and worked with me to integrate aspects that I liked from each into a cohesive final product that I am proud to show as my business logo.
I've been working with Dr. Schwartz since the Covid pandemic and it has helped me restructure Taco Talks TV business to be more productive on daily basis and profitable. It has also boosted my own abilities as a CEO in leading my team effectively and helping each team member become independent in taking ownership of projects and self motivated to create new directions for our business.
Dr. Schwartz has given me invaluable guidance on best ways to network to get partnerships and contracts for my business and we were able to land our first contract shortly after launching the company. She helped my partners and I improve the branding and credibility for the business and I truly feel any business could use her as an asset to achieve their next business goal.
Creative Process
-
Listen
- Engage with key stakeholders for discussions and input
- Understand future vision and mission
- Gain a deeper grasp of the project's needs and formulate SMART goals
- Understand current "as-is" state of the project, operations and business processes
- Capture and document project requirements for clarity and alignment
- Build a better relationship with client through trust Key Value
-
Think
- Understand the overall picture
- Assess strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT)
- Conduct research, analyze data, undertand gaps and develop cost/benefit analysis
- Identify value added solutions and opportunities for improvement
- Create a sound roadmap to complete the project Key Value
-
Create
- Work with the stakeholders to develop the project using Agile program/project management
- Adjust workflows based on project developments
- Create a prototype of final product
- Conduct usability and acceptance testing
- Successfully implement the final product Key Value
-
Drive Results
- Launch final product (MVP)
- Monitor performance and resolve issues
- Collect feedback and perform lessons learned analysis
- Assess ways to streamline and improve operations and processes
- Ensure desired results have been achieved and develop a plan for the future Key Value
LEADERSHIP | CLIENTS | PUBLIC SPEAKING
PRESENTATIONS AND TRAINING
Leadership, Coaching & Empowerment
Key advisor for executive management during organizational restructuring and effectively completing global programs and projects using Agile project management methodologies
Trained Executives, entrepreneurs and HR staff to improve hiring, communications, and marketing.
Led innovative team building and creativity sessions to increase productivity and effectiveness within organizations.
Mentored and prepared teens to be accepted into prestigious art schools/colleges, jobs after high school, and on starting their own business ventures.
SMALL AND MEDIUM SIZED BUSINESS CLIENTS
Brand & Business Development
PRESENTATIONS AND TRAINING
Engagements | Events
Nature’s Touch, September 2021 – Art exibit at the Rockville Arts Festival in MD featuring surreabstract art during COVID.
Vision to Wealth, September 2019 – Spoke on Business Experts panel.
Smart Fitness Holiday Event, December 2019 – Shrewd Networking Presenter.
Online Student Day, July, 2016, June 2017, June 2018 – Online classroom Test Drive. Presented at Drexel University, PA.
SOARS, June 2015 – Foreign expansion of SME, INV and BG firms: An investigation of critical survival and failure factors. Presented at University of Maryland University College.
ICSB Conference, October 2013 – The missing connection: Linking Entrepreneurial Orientation to the Intellectual Property protection. Presented at George Washington University, DC.
Art Exhibit, January 2009 – Art exhibit of surreal and abstract fine art pieced painted by Maria “Masha” Schwartz. Designed and managed the show to promote Halo Lounge, DC.
One of a Kind, November 2008 – Art exhibition of surreal and abstract fine art pieced painted by Maria “Masha” Schwartz. Designed and managed the exhibit to elevate the profile and visibility of RTKL, Baltimore MD.