1. Where were you born and raised; current city; family hobbies; past business highlights.
Ilene: I was born in Austin, Texas, raised in Maryland, and now call Florida home. Family has always been my greatest blessing and motivation. I have five children, and my husband Bob and I have been happily married for 17 years. One of the things I love most about PlanNet Marketing is that Bob works this business right alongside me, allowing us to build a life and business together while traveling the world.
Prior to PlanNet, I was a social worker before starting a direct sales business while raising five children who were between the ages of 1 and 10. What started as a way to contribute to our family's income grew into a successful 13-year business. As people began asking how I built a business while raising five kids, my father encouraged me to start teaching others. That led to opportunities to speak around the country and write books focused on personal growth, leadership, and building a life by design.
Two years ago, Director Vincent Pollaci approached us about PlanNet Marketing. To be honest, I ignored quite a few of his messages before finally taking a look! As avid cruisers who already loved travel, we quickly realized this was a perfect fit. Today, we enjoy helping others create more freedom while building a business that truly grows while we're on the go.
Bob: I was born in Kansas City and learned early on the value of hard work, perseverance, and building strong relationships. Today, I live in Boynton Beach, Florida, with my wife, Ilene. We have been happily married for 17 years and are partners in both life and business.
I enjoy traveling, cruising, exploring historical destinations, creating travel content, and helping others make lifelong memories through travel. Throughout my career, I've gained extensive experience in sales, customer service, and relationship-building. These experiences laid the foundation for my entrepreneurial journey and helped me build a business centered on helping others achieve their travel and lifestyle goals.
2. How have you grown or personally developed since joining PlanNet?
Ilene: PlanNet has reminded me that no matter how much experience we have, there's always room to grow. It has expanded my vision, introduced me to incredible people, and reinforced the importance of staying coachable and continuing to learn.
My life experiences have also shaped who I am today. After a divorce following 29 years of marriage, I was blessed to find love again with Bob. I survived being hit by a truck, spent five and a half months in the hospital, and had to learn to walk again. I continue to live with chronic pain, which has taught me gratitude and perseverance. The most difficult challenge of all was losing my son four years ago.
Those experiences taught me that life doesn't always go according to plan. We all face unexpected storms and difficult seasons. What I've learned is that while we can't control every wave that comes our way, we can choose to get back up when one knocks us down. That's a lesson I carry into every area of my life and business.
Bob: Since joining PlanNet, I've grown tremendously in confidence, leadership, and personal development. I've learned how to think more like a business owner, communicate more effectively, and stay focused on long-term goals. The personal growth training and positive community have helped me become more disciplined, resilient, and committed to helping others succeed.
3. What drives you; what motivates you?
Ilene: What motivates me most is helping people see possibilities for themselves that they may not see yet. I love watching someone gain confidence, increase their comfort zone, earn additional income, create and begin believing they can accomplish more.
I know firsthand that life can change in an instant. Because of that, I don't believe in waiting for "someday." I believe in making the most of today, creating memories, serving others, and helping people build a life they enjoy living.
Bob: What motivates me most is creating freedom and opportunities for my family while helping others do the same. I enjoy seeing people achieve goals they once thought were out of reach. Knowing that I can make a positive impact on someone's life through travel and entrepreneurship keeps me focused and inspired.
4. Who would you consider a role model and why?
Ilene: Without question, my father. He taught me the value of serving others, keeping my word, and leading with integrity. He was also the one who encouraged me to take what I had learned through my experiences and use it to help others grow. His example showed me that true success isn't measured by what you accumulate, but by the positive impact you make in the lives of others.
Bob: My role model is my wife, Ilene. She consistently shows determination, compassion, and a positive attitude, no matter what challenges she faces. Her dedication to our family and our business inspires me every day to be better and work harder toward our shared goals.
5. The three words that describe me best are:
Ilene: Resilient, Optimistic Realist, and Driven. I'm resilient because life has tested me in ways I never expected, and I've learned to keep moving forward no matter what. I'm an optimistic realist because I don't pretend challenges don't exist, but I always believe there's a path through them. And I'm driven because I know what is possible when we stay focused, take action, and refuse to give up.
Bob: Dedicated, Authentic, and Persistent.
6. If you had some sound advice to give to anyone what would it be?
Ilene: Don't let overthinking keep you from taking action. Most people don't fail because they aren't capable; they fail because they never get started.
Life will bring challenges to all of us. Some waves are small and some are overwhelming. My advice is simple: when life knocks you down, get back up. Learn from it, adjust if necessary, and keep moving forward. Progress is almost always made by ordinary people who chose not to quit.
Bob: Don't let fear of failure stop you from pursuing your goals. Success rarely happens overnight. Stay consistent, keep learning, and trust the process. Small actions, repeated daily, create extraordinary results over time.
7. What does your life look like five years from now?
Ilene: Five years from now, I see Bob and me continuing to travel the world while helping others create greater freedom in their own lives. I see a growing team of leaders who are earning more, experiencing more, and making a bigger impact. Most importantly, I see myself continuing to live with purpose, embracing every opportunity, and making memories with the people I love.
Life is not about avoiding the waves. It's about learning how to ride them, helping others do the same, and choosing to get back up every time you're knocked down.
Bob: Five years from now, I see myself continuing to grow a thriving travel business while enjoying more time freedom with my family. I envision traveling more, helping others succeed in their businesses, and building a legacy of service, leadership, and financial stability. Most importantly, I see myself living a life filled with purpose, meaningful relationships, and memorable experiences.