Zak and Donna Oritz share a remarkable professional journey that is characterized by mutual passion and teamwork. Their collaborative ventures span from sales to a mobile closing/notary and courier service that they manage for mortgage firms. The couple’s dedication also extends to their religious faith and their church ministry. Faced with the end of employment, Zak and Donna chose to bring their joint expertise to the realm of real estate. Their story narrates a tale of resilience, adaptability and the pursuit of a balanced lifestyle.

Before the housing crash of 2008, Zak and Donna worked in the mortgage industry. Donna was a mortgage originator and notary closer whereas Zak was a mortgage originator and co-owner of a mortgage lending company. As a result of the failing market, both were led to reevaluate and dramatically shift their career paths. “I decided to become a nurse,” Donna recalled. “I was studying full time, working night shifts as a nursing assistant and managing pregnancy all at once — it became too much.” Eventually, she sought a balanced lifestyle, so Donna made the decision to become a real estate agent to gain more control over her time. Concurrently, Zak shifted to working as a lab technician, quickly rising from sample collections to managing a laboratory and earning a certification in mass spectrometry. When the lab unexpectedly shut down, Zak faced another career change.

In this moment of upheaval, the couple chose to combine their forces. In 2019, Zak joined Donna in her already successful real estate career to form Team Ortiz at Real Estate One, and they’ve been managing their real estate business together full time ever since. “We attribute our resilience during life’s highs and lows to our steadfast faith in God,” the couple shared. “Our relationship was built on mutual love for God and family, and it has not only weathered the test of time but also contributed to our success in business and life.”

The Ortizs hold a unique position in the industry, largely due to Zak’s exemplary bilingual abilities in Spanish. “His fluency in reading, writing, and speaking the language significantly improves our communication with the Hispanic members of our community,” Donna said proudly of her husband. “Additionally, our unwavering dedication to our clients is underscored in our availability at any hour — morning, noon or night. As full-time agents, we are wholly committed to this profession, relying on it as our sole source of income.”

Zak and Donna share a passion for growing their successful real estate business and in bringing in goal-oriented individuals for expansion as well as for making genuine connections with clients. “We view our work as a ministry and a chance to positively influence others,” Zak said. “We are committed to aiding and guiding clients with their real estate needs and offering encouragement wherever it’s needed. It’s not uncommon, after meaningful conversations and meetings, for us to transcend into deep, prayerful encouragement.” This approach has turned Zak and Donna’s business interactions into more than just transactions — it makes them personal, which is exactly the kind of impact they aim to make.

Working together on a daily basis, the couple finds ways to add elements of fun to their routine, making client relocations and witnessing the joy of homeowners on signing day particularly gratifying. Donna loves developing creative marketing strategies that authentically represent the couple, and finds joy in making whimsical and engaging content created for social media platforms. “I also cherish the flexibility I have with my work schedule so I can share precious moments with our youngest child,” she added. Zak values the enduring connections he establishes with clients beyond transactions. “The relationships we develop often blossom into friendships, where we share and celebrate life milestones together, adding a personal and rewarding dimension to our professional life,” he said.

Zak and Donna form a dynamic business partnership, leveraging their complementary skills to deliver exceptional real estate services. Donna’s prowess in communication and meticulous file processing creates a strong backbone to the business, while Zak, a natural people person, excels in problem-solving and in building trust with potential clients. His optimism and in-depth industry knowledge, coupled with Donna’s knack for follow-ups, ensure that clients are well-guided and informed throughout their real estate transactions. Zak and Donna thrive in this environment, spending their days working, laughing, and loving each other as partners and co-workers. 

Zak and Donna have been married for 24 years and have been blessed with six children — ranging from 30 to 10 years old — and three grandchildren — ranging from 4 to 1 years old. Their family enjoys church events, camping trips, and board and video games. Donna has a passion for coffee and loves to spend time with their German shepherd, Buddy, who was spontaneously adopted and is affectionately known as their real estate “dawg.” Zak is musically inclined and can play almost any instrument. He actively participates in church activities and is an ardent football fan.

Together, Zak and Donna take joy in leading worship at church. “We’re so fortunate to serve in ministry with our children as well,” Donna said. “It’s truly a blessing and an answer to prayer to see this come to fruition at this time in our life. Additionally, having my youngest daughter work alongside me infuses our professional endeavors with joy, strengthens our bond, and nurtures our relationship.”

Zak and Donna stated that their journey together has established a robust foundation for their relationship, promoting balanced living and effective communication. “These principles assisted in overcoming life’s obstacles and challenges that extend into our professional lives as well,” Donna added.

“We view our careers as more than just work — it’s a ministry to us,” Zak said. “We strive to be there for our clients, and we cherish the possibility of building lasting relationships that transcend business ties. With both of us available at all times, we are committed to attending to all of our clients’ needs. After all, our slogan is ‘Team Ortiz Will Get The Keys.’”