“Share your vision, believe in yourself, dream big, work through your fears and always focus on the positive.”
It is amazing that less than two years ago I had never heard of Arbonne, and now my life is completely different, thanks to this incredible company! The changes and choices my affiliation with Arbonne has brought to my life seem like a dream, yet I know it is real. I went from cleaning houses, to the top of Arbonne, within 20 months. Five months after promoting to Region, we became New Jersey’s first Nation! If you are just discovering Arbonne, I strongly recommend you read these Eye on Arbonne stories because they will help you understand the impact Arbonne is making across the country. They will also introduce you to the wonderful people who make this opportunity so great. This company could change your life in ways you may not even be able to imagine.
We are so programmed to think if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. I had no clue what network marketing was when I started my business. I believe we are never meant to stop learning, so by reading books, attending trainings, following Arbonne’s system, and being willing to change, my life is transforming. I believe this is the most powerful way for anyone to become successful with a home-based business.
I started working at a very young age and was used to paying my own way early in life, so college was not an option. I hated debt and always tried to avoid it, so student loans were not for me. Being my own boss always appealed to me because I never liked the confinement of being trapped in an office like a prisoner, so at 19 I started a cleaning business. Although my business was successful and self-employment was much better than being an employee, I began to feel something was missing and I wanted to do more with my life. I was desperately looking for a way out of scrubbing toilets. I decided to attend a local college with the aspiration of earning a degree. I also looked into computer repair, medical billing and even considered taking a job at the local bank. My husband, Wade, has always supported me in all of my endeavors, though he advised me of the independence I would lose by being an employee. Knowing deep down that he was right, I decided to start a bookkeeping service to stay self-employed. It got me out of cleaning, but I was still not happy. I had less control over my life, made less money by being self-employed and still did not get paid if I did not go to work every day.
My husband, Wade, is a captain on a tugboat, so his schedule is much different than most. He is home for two weeks and away for two weeks. True, he only works six months out of the year and earns a very good salary, but since I worked at least five or six days a week, we really only had two Saturdays and two Sundays a month together. Additionally, the tugboat runs 365 days a year, regardless of any holiday or special occasion. When I earned Arbonne’s trip to Cancún last year, Wade did not attend with me since he would have to forfeit his time off at Christmas.
My journey with Arbonne began October 25, 2003, after telling my sister, ERVP Ann Murphy “no” for four months. Ann tried to tell me about these incredible products and the opportunity, however I told her this was one of those “things,” and I was not interested. Remember: Do not let the no’s bother you; many people cannot see this “gift” right away, but many of us come back later! I bought the Skin Care Basics set just to appease my sister and help her in her new business. When I washed my face for the first time, I could not believe the immediate difference in my skin; Wade even noticed it. I called Ann and asked her how much she was making with this “Arbonne thing.” She came to my house and hosted a Presentation with a few of my friends and we were so impressed with the information she shared, I decided to start my own business. I drove to Pennsylvania to see her host another Presentation and when I left, I said, ”That’s all we have to do? We’ll both be driving a Mercedes-Benz.” Well, sure enough, that is exactly what happened; we both earned our Mercedes-Benzes a year after starting our businesses.
Two weeks after starting my business, I had the pleasure of meeting ENVPs Cecilia Stoll and Linda Parker. Hearing their stories instilled the vision of how New Jersey and Pennsylvania were going to explode with Arbonne, just as in Oklahoma. It was then I realized if Linda could start a business in Pennsylvania where Arbonne was virtually unheard of, with her sponsor located in Oklahoma, I could do the same thing in New Jersey. With Ann two hours away, we spent many late nights on the phone. At first, I was unhappy about driving to Pennsylvania for trainings. I told Ann I was too busy trying to balance cleaning, bookkeeping and a commitment to my Girl Scout Troop. Then I realized that everyone is busy, so I had no excuse. You must commit to working your business no matter what. I have always heard the saying, “If you want something done, ask a busy person.” The question we should ask ourselves is: What are you willing to do to change your life?
After attending only one of Linda’s Regional meetings in Pennsylvania, I was determined I would never miss a meeting. At that time, Linda was the only RVP in Pennsylvania and there were no RVPs in New Jersey. I continued to travel to Pennsylvania, getting home very late at night. I complained to Ann that I could not get anyone to join me. She said, “You just haven’t found another you yet.” There were no Presentations near me, so I started doing some training meetings at my home. It amazes me that one year ago, I was an Area Manager, with five people in my living room for a Presentation. Now, one year later, our Nation finished in June and our trainings have grown to over 50 in attendance!
Although I had major fears when I started my business, I learned you must work through them. I recalled that when I became a Girl Scout leader, I was nervous that 10 pairs of eyes were looking at me, so the thought of hosting Presentations terrified me. In both cases, after doing it a few times, the fear went away. Along the way, I have had my share of no-shows, people rolling their eyes at me, time away from home and late nights: although I knew the sacrifices would be worth it. I also made mistakes, but mistakes are not a bad thing as long as I can learn from them. As with anything, we can focus on bad things or look at the bright side. There are so many great things with this journey, such as working and traveling with family, making incredible friendships and choosing your own schedule and personal growth, which are all priceless.
I am a different person than I was when I started this journey. I recall ENVP Misty Whitfield stating it best at NTC 2004, “I am a better person, not better than anyone else, but better than I was.” This business will change you! It allows you to find the potential within you that is waiting to be discovered, nurtured and realized. This is about people helping people and I have learned so much from everyone who has brought this gift into my life. One of the greatest and unexpected benefits has been the changed relationships with my sisters, sisters-in-law and friends since we have ventured into Arbonne, all at different times. We are growing together and even after all these years, we are learning new things about each another. I feel we are not just family anymore, but we are friends on a shared journey. My mission is to help everyone on my team go to the top!
To RVP Laura Tool: Thank God I do not know how to make bows, or we may not have met! You are an awesome leader, but more importantly, your friendship means the world to me.
To my RVPs-in-qualification: Shannon Harris, your giving and caring spirit has helped everyone in so many ways. Janine Kleber, you confessed to using the products out of order and now you are on your way to becoming an RVP!
To AMs, Sue Scheets, Deb Demyan, Ellen Plumley, Johanna Roth, Gail Van Waalwijk, Daniella Schnell, Kim Terzian, Denise Wachter and Ann Wallace: I cannot wait to hand you ladies your keys because you are next! To my AMs-in-qualification, Beth Bradley, Lynne Wildenboer, Tolli Rutter, Sara Kozlowski, Ellen Wengen, Diane Kett, Jen O’Boyle, Stacey Campon and Sharon Smith: I am proud of how hard you have worked and I am excited for you, watching your success.
To all DMs and Consultants: You are at the start of something big! Hold your focus and commit no matter what and you will get there! We are all here to support you.
To ERVP Ann Murphy: This sure is better than when we cleaned together. We even saw our paychecks grow while playing in Mexico. Thank you for listening and being patient with my control issues; I love you!
To my husband, Wade: I love you so much! Thank you for believing in and supporting me. Our Nation is a reality because we work together; you are always there to help in every way. I am so happy you are coming home for good. I look forward to all the trips together.
To ENVPs Cecilia Stoll and Linda Parker: Thank you for your leadership, vision, heart and soul to help all of us learn and grow while building our businesses. I also want to thank all the VPs, crossline friends and the Home Office staff for all the support you lovingly give.
As wonderful as the start of this dream is, I know this is only the beginning. Believe in your dreams and help others to start dreaming again.
The testimonials on this Web site reflect the actual experience of each individual, are anecdotal only, and may be atypical. The testimonials are not based upon any clinical study.
