Oak Park resident hopes to be 'The Donald's' next apprentice
By Stephanie Bertholdo bertholdo@theacorn.com

JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers THE TRUMP CARD- Stefanie Schaeffer, an Oak Park resident, hopes to be the next apprentice chosen on the NBC television show.

Will Stefanie Schaeffer of Oak Park have all the right stuff to become Donald Trump's next apprentice?

Time will tell. Schaeffer is among 14 remaining contestants on NBC's hit television show, "The Apprentice: Los Angeles," to have been spared Trump's dream-killer parting words of "You're fired."

Schaeffer, 32, is a trial attorney whose background in workers' compensation and real estate law meshes well with Trump's infamous business style as a tough-as-nails negotiator who's inscrutable yet forthcoming. Schaeffer, too, is a straight shooter, and has been dubbed "the realist" on the show, a moniker she finds befitting for a potential Trump employee.

"I should be the next apprentice because I lead by being enthusiastic, and enthusiasm is contagious and motivates people to work much harder," Schaeffer said in her biography on the show's website, www.nbc.com/ The_Apprentice_6/.

Schaeffer said she was encouraged to apply for a spot on the show by Paul Magdalin, senior partner at Goldman, Magdalin & Krikes, the law firm where she worked. The only hitch was, she had to quit her job if selected to be on the show.

When she received the allimportant call from producers that she was among the 18 people selected, she knew the opportunity was too great to pass up.

"It's (been) an intense, intense process," Schaeffer said. Challenges included running a car wash, creating a swimwear line for designer Trina Turk and running a tour on a double-decker bus, a challenge Schaeffer's Team Arrow won.

The intense competition even extended to living conditions. Winning teams were treated to luxury digs- a mansion atop Mulholland, complete with a pool, champagne and five-star meals at exclusive restaurants.

Losing teams were relegated to "tent city," an encampment behind the mansion with no

electricity, running water or other amenities to make losing a challenge at least bearable at the end of the day.

"The living conditions were a complete shock," said Schaeffer, whose team has lost three times thus far. "It's the haves versus the have nots . . . 'Survivor' meets 'The Apprentice,'" she said.

Cold showers and freezing

weather didn't stop Schaeffer from seeing the bright side of the experience. Schaeffer appreciated the stunning views from tent city and bonded with her teammates. "Everybody has something great about their personalities," she said.

"Stefanie is really good at making the best of all circumstances," said Shelley Marks, Schaeffer's friend and business associate.

As for "The Donald," Schaeffer only has praise. "He's an amazing, absolutely brilliant businessman," she said. "He makes well-reasoned, well-thought-out decisions. He is extremely tough, but fair."

Although all of the episodes have been completed, only four have aired so far. The live finale of "The Apprentice: Los Angeles" is scheduled to run sometime in the spring. Schaeffer cleverly didn't reveal any details of future shows as per her contract, but she said she hopes to win the honor of working with Trump.

"I'm willing to do whatever it takes to successfully take over one of Trump's projects," Schaeffer said.

In the meantime, Schaeffer has parlayed her celebrity into a fulfilling new role. As spokesperson for the American Cancer Society, she is heading the organization's "Daffodil Days" campaign through the end of March.

"Gift of Hope" donations are used to deliver flowers to cancer patients throughout California. Notes with an inspirational message are attached to the arrangements. "Donations also support the wide range of research, education, outreach and support services offered by the American Cancer Society," Schaeffer said. She has raised $2,100 toward her $10,000 goal.

A savvy businesswoman, Schaeffer has hedged her bets by joining the law firm of Stockwell, Harris, Widom, Woolverton & Muehl in Los Angeles. But a call from Trump trumps all other business deals, and Schaeffer said she is ready and willing to move anywhere in the world if she is chosen as the next apprentice.

For further information on "Daffodil Days," visit the website stefanieschaeffer.com, and link to "community."

"The Apprentice: Los Angeles" is aired at 9 p.m. Sundays on NBC and repeated on CNBC at 9 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday.