Don Fergusson, author of Salmon to Siddhartha, is the former president of an iconic American company, Rust-Oleum, and grandson of the sea captain who invented the fish-oil based paint and founded the company in 1921.
Don Fergusson’s story is an inspiring journey from struggle and resistance to a state of flow and equanimity. His lessons could be touchstones in your awakening as well. –Deepak Chopra
Don has developed and sold a high-profile international business, is a relationship and leadership expert, musician and founder of rock band Vanaka, and executive producer of award-winning music videos.
Learn his powerful strategies for self-management and the creation of an extraordinary life, the Siddhartha Principles. Be inspired by the mindful music of Vanaka.
Don’s expertise hails from more than 20 years of intensive work in the fields of intimacy and relationships and four decades in business. He has developed and led numerous workshops, retreats, and seminars for the Young Presidents Organization (YPO) and Entrepreneurs Organization; and he has coached individuals and teams in organizational change strategies and the development of effective relationships.
Don dedicated two decades to his family business, Rust-Oleum Corporation, a worldwide leader in rust-preventive coatings. Ultimately serving as Chairman, President, and Chief Operating Officer, he led the company to record sales and profits. Don then successfully engineered the strategic sale of the business in 1994.
A few years after selling the business, Don created retreats entitled Building the House of Intimacy, to provide couples with a “blueprint” for creating great relationships. Don then migrated towards individual couples’ coaching and executive coaching as a superior means of enacting long-lasting success.
In December 2007, Don and his wife Stacey formed a rock band called The Ride, recording their first original song, “One Ride,” at Abbey Road Studios in London, followed by a performance at the world-famous Cavern Club in Liverpool. Since then, the band reorganized and evolved as Vanaka (“vuh-NAH-kuh”) based on Fijian and Tamil words meaning gratitude and respect. They have released an album of original songs entitled Gratitude, produced by former Dishwalla singer/songwriter JR Richards, along with award-winning music videos.
Don holds a Masters Degree in Spiritual Psychology from the University of Santa Monica, graduating in 2006 as “Student of the Year,” with continuing studies in the field of Consciousness, Health & Healing. He also earned a Masters Degree from Kellogg Graduate Business School (1977) and a B.A. in Management from the College of William & Mary in Virginia (1975), where he is also a member of the Athletic Hall of Fame for gymnastics and a recipient of Sigma Chi fraternity’s Significant Sig award. From 1989 to 2003, Don was a member of YPO in the Chicago and Santa Monica Bay chapters, and following that a member of the World Presidents Organization.