“Take control of your destiny and live the life you deserve … never settle for less then best!”
One morning, just a few short years ago, I woke up to find myself in a place that I never imagined I would be. I had lost something, and because of this loss, my husband and I were not living the lives we had expected to be living. I woke that morning to find that we had lost control of our finances and, essentially, our destiny. As a result, our lives were driven by the decisions of others and our future was uncertain.
It was devastating to find ourselves in this situation. My husband, Scott and I knew we had to make some significant changes … fast! Now don’t get me wrong — my life was filled with blessings. I have been gifted with what many call the “Million Dollar Family”. With my daughter Macy, who was two and a half at the time, my newly born son, Brock, and my 15-year-old stepdaughter, Coby, my husband and I were grateful for our family. However, we came to realize that our present situation would never allow us to provide our children with the opportunities they deserved. How could we just sit back and accept this when we knew we could do more?
At this time in our lives, we were masters of “just getting by”. Most winters, Scott worked hundreds of miles away from home as a welder, often away for a month at a time. Throughout our short Alberta summers, Scott competed in rodeo — a career where you are not paid unless you win. During this time, I was employed by a successful Canadian airline for over seven years. I was compensated at the top of my pay scale so further growth was not a possibility.
Have you ever felt like you did all you could just to keep your head above water until the next pay cheque arrived? Have you ever become a master at “just getting by?” When I awoke on that spring day, realizing how out of control our lives had become, I knew that our family deserved much more then “just getting by.” I was on maternity leave and my days at home with my family were numbered. I would soon be leaving my babies for someone else to raise as I worked for someone else — earning a simple pay cheque and building someone else’s business. I scrambled to think of something…anything that would allow us to take back financial and personal control of our lives. As I began to search for the answer it seemed less and less likely that such an opportunity would be available. Yeah, right! Little did I know, the answers I was looking for were right in front of my face … actually they were in my bedroom closet. For the past year, ENVP Sonya Shields had continually offered me these little packages that I continually tucked away: Three prospecting packages and NutriMinC® RE9® skin care samples were collecting dust and had remained unopened.
Reflecting on that decisive morning, Sonya’s words from the past year come flooding back. You see, Sonya had initially called me when she first launched her Arbonne business in Canada in 2004. She had told me about this amazing business that she was going to start. She talked about the great products, great people and great income that she was going to make. But I had got off the phone laughing, after Sonya suggested I explore the Arbonne opportunity. I knew absolutely nothing about skin care or cosmetics; I had a negative perspective of network marketing and was always the first one to have a million excuses never to attend “one of those” Presentations! I brushed the idea off and never gave it a second thought — until that day when I found the packages in my closet. Sonya was experiencing the wild success and all the freedoms that we were seeking. Sonya had accomplished exactly what she said she was going to with her business — she was at home working her business around her family’s needs, earning a generous income and had just received her white Mercedes-Benz!
This was exactly what I had been praying for. Now it was up to me to take this gift I had been given and make the most of it.
After some research, there was no doubt that this was indeed an amazing business opportunity, full of potential for anyone willing to work. I also developed a quick belief in Arbonne’s products. I suffered from adult acne and, after trying a number of other well-known products, I just figured it was something I was going to have to live with. Not the case! After using the sample pack of the NutriMinC® RE9® anti-aging system I was blown away by the results. My skin had never looked or felt better — and this was only after a few days!
I had six months of maternity leave left and was determined not to return back to work. Sonya and I developed a plan to ensure my Arbonne business would be stable enough that my dream would come true. Great words of advice from Sonya did in fact make this dream a reality. My simple plan was just this: Share Arbonne’s business and products with as many people as I could. Arbonne continues to be well-received in Canada — others are experiencing the same fabulous results I did! I was very eager to spread the word and our plan worked. It was one of the best pieces of advice Sonya could have given me!
In the beginning, I was scared and out of my comfort zone. I had found myself involved in an industry that I knew very little about and one that I swore I would never be a part of. However, I knew deep down that this is where I belonged and I believed this was my opportunity to truly make a difference. Like all good things, there was a lot of hard work involved. There are times in my business that I had to do things that I did not necessarily enjoy. I have come to understand that these are the things that drive our success. It is what sets us apart from those who choose not to do the hard work. I was raised on a farm by strong willed, determined parents and they instilled a work ethic in me that I will always be thankful for — growing up I watched as they worked very hard for their success. I understood at a young age that nothing comes easy. Throughout my journey, I have learned that this business is simple when you follow the duplicatible systems that are already in place. It will not always be easy, but if you are determined, persistent and willing to do what it takes, you will find the success you deserve!
The power of this business has opened doors of opportunity for my family that I had dreamt of, and now we are truly living the lives I knew we deserved. I know now that my kids will grow up with my constant presence and with endless opportunities. My family no longer has the mentality that it’s okay to “just get by.” One thing I am so thankful for is that my kids will understand the power of determination. They do not know the words “quit” or “can’t” — those are four letter words in our house; this is something that my business has taught me and I am teaching them. When you remove those types of words and thoughts, anything is possible! That is how you will find ways to live your dreams!
I credit the success of my business to my family, my team, my sponsor and upline, and my Clients. I have worked with some of the most dedicated, hard-working and inspirational people and I owe the success of this business to each of them. We have been taken down a path together that has taught us many lessons; lessons that will forever change who we are and that we will always carry with us. To those people who have played a hand in my business, thank you for seeing the vision as I did.
Firstly, to my family: Macy and Brock, you truly are my world and I thank God every day for you both. You have no idea how greatly you inspire me; you have driven me to become so much more then I could have ever imagined. Thank you for always reminding me what is truly important and how to keep it real. I love you both to the moon and back!
To my husband, Scott: Thank you for allowing me to pursue this and follow my heart. You believed in me more then I believed in myself at times! The many nights home alone, tucking in our babies, picking up the slack, were not always easy — however you were always there to lighten my load and do your part.
To my first business partner, best friend and sister, EAM Nicol Stone: What can I say? We have been through so much together and I could not be more thrilled to be on this journey with you. You are my rock and I love you more then you probably know. Thank you for always being there with your no-matter-what attitude!
To RVP Tammy Bradley: We signed our Consultant Application forms together and started building businesses side-by-side every step of the way. Words can not express how grateful I am to you and your family for all that you have brought into my life. You are amazing and I learn from you every day!
To RVP Sandy Baird: I am so thankful that Arbonne has reunited us first as friends and now as business partners. You have the vision and belief is taking you to the top. I admire you for many things but mostly for your determination and willingness to do what it takes.
To AM Lisa McBride: You push me to move forward every day as I watch you do just that! I certainly could have never predicted that we would be on this journey together but I could not be more thrilled that we are. You are no doubt headed to the top my friend and I believe in you 110 percent.
To ENVP Sonya Shields: Where do I start? Thank you for seeing success in myself before I could and for showing me the way to find it. You are truly an inspiration to us all in Canada for paving the way and opening the door of Arbonne opportunity. I am thankful that our families will grow up together watching their mama’s offering the same opportunities to others!
To all the AMs — You are all ENVPs in the making and it is my goal to see each of you reach your dreams! Thank you, Jane Lever, Karie Stewart, Cheryl Wood, Janeene Gist, Lindsay Edge, Gaie Goin, Layne MacKay and Mike Pawly
To those of you who have made this journey extra special and have become like family to me … Shelly Wakefield, Tanya Hagel, Megan Keith, Ronda Vold, Cindy Whyte, Angela Hooey, Jessie Randall, Zaheen Nanji, Jill McInnis, Diane Denham and Kim Horricks.
To my parents: You have supported me no matter what direction my sometimes crazy life has taken me. Thank you for showing me the strength of hard work and determination and for being there when I may have needed a kick in the butt. Thank you for pushing me to become the person I am today … I love you both!
To my in-laws: You too have supported me from the very beginning and continue to do so, whether it be to stay with the kids while we were away, hosting Presentations, and always speaking very highly about the business to everyone. It is amazing what a person can do when you have a support system like this!
To all of my loyal Clients: Thank you for your continued support! I appreciate each and every one of you and look forward to continuing to serve you.
I want you to know that this story is nothing more then that of an ordinary farm kid who has found herself in the midst of the most extraordinary opportunity that has truly transformed her life. My message to you is that if I can do it, so can you. If you can dream it … you can achieve it!
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.
