I grew up a typical all-American boy from the Midwest. I was fortunate enough to go to college, play both football and basketball, and receive my degree in civil engineering. After college, I started working for a construction equipment dealership as a commissioned salesman. Eight days later, in February 1994, I married my sweetheart, Sherry. I have always had a plan for my life and everything was going as planned. As the years went by, my career blossomed and my family grew.
In January 2000, we had our second daughter and purchased a small acreage outside of Blair, Nebraska. The economy was booming, life was smooth-sailing and I was sitting on top of the world. However, it seemed as soon as I signed my name on the dotted line for our little farm, everything began to go downhill from there. Sept 11th happened, then one corporate scandal after another set the tone for the economic decline. Before then, I had dreams of early retirement and pursuing other ventures, but those plans disappeared into thin air.
I had to work anywhere from 60 to 80 hours a week now to maintain our lifestyle. When you work in sales and people are buying, everything is great, however, when no one is buying and you are working that many hours, you become frustrated, burned out and defeated. Our family struggled for the next two years and it was then that I realized how important family, friends and faith were. Just because I was struggling with my job did not mean my life was not great. I still had two good arms and legs, a healthy body and mind, wonderful family and friends and a strong faith. I prayed for the economy to improve and that I would learn from the trials I had been dealt.
In October of 2003, I did not know it then, but my prayers were in the process of being answered. My wife had been introduced to Arbonne. At the time, she was pregnant with twins and was not looking for anything else to do, however, when she came home bursting with excitement after learning about Arbonne, I encouraged her even though, in the back of my mind, I knew nothing would come of it. There was no denying that she loved the products and insisted I try them. I loved them, too!
In 2004, the economy moved forward, my job was getting back to where it had been and my wife’s business began to grow. Then, in March of 2005, she promoted to Regional Vice President and in April, took us on an earned vacation to Mexico. While I made frequent calls back to the states concerned with how my business was doing, Sherry was really enjoying herself. That was the noticeable difference between my business and hers. When we got home, I realized that Sherry’s business had the potential to grow and provide a steady income, whether or not she was actively working it. Mine, on the other hand, went the opposite way. If I was not working, my business and income suffered. That is when it hit me like a ton of bricks—I wanted what she had! I signed up as a Consultant and started learning more about Arbonne by observing how Sherry ran her business. Because of my wife’s belief in the Arbonne product and her desire to share it with everyone by doing Presentations, she became a National Vice President in November 2005. Even as my sales job started to flourish again, I found myself wanting to build an Arbonne business more than anything. Up until this then, all I could think about was my sales job. After all, I had worked for a great company and a great man, but somewhere along the way I had lost the desire to keep doing what I was doing. So on the Monday after Thanksgiving, I resigned from my job and jumped into an Arbonne business on January 1, 2006.
I had sponsored Area Manager Nicole Darrah, in May of 2005, and by January 2006, we both decided to build our businesses using the Arbonne = REsults™ reach out method. Though we failed many times along the way, we grew in strength and confidence with each failure. We found that if you follow the system already in place and work it, you will succeed. You must duplicate each day with activity. The more you act, the more you gain. What you put into it, you will get out of it.
As I sit writing my Eye on Arbonne success story, I am pleased to have been able to return to my hometown and have my children grow up where their grandparents live. This is something no other opportunity could do for me. My wife has become the woman I always knew she was, my friends have become a larger part of our lives by having their own successes in Arbonne, and I have begun to dream again.
To my wife, ENVP Sherry Dace: Thank you for taking a chance to have a better life, allowing me to be a part of your team and sharing your life and love with me. I would not want, nor would I have this without you. Throughout this wonderful journey, I have never stopped dreaming of you! I love you.
To my crossline friend, NVP Allison Hamilton: The success and happiness you have brought to your family makes me love you more. Please give Chad a little of your time.
To ENVP Valerie Edwards: You are larger than life. I am honored to have you and Doug as our friends. You started this and by sharing it with us, many generations to come will benefit.
To AM Nicole Darrah: Wow, you are not the same person you were a year ago. Your will to succeed inspires me. Nothing is going to stop you. You are going to be what you want to be! Thank you for taking that leap of faith and going down this path with me. As your husband, Dustin would say, it is difficult to keep a squirrel down when there is good timber. To AMs Shelley Boone and Sharon Thomson: As Texas women small in stature, your hearts are as large as the great state you hail from. I am so glad you all came into my life. What a difference one trip to Texas can make. Look what you have done in five months. Your drive and passion is truly something to behold. Thank you for spreading the Shelley Boone bug!
To DMs, Lorene Darrah, Sarah Foster, Julie Darrah, Michele Ziegelmeyer, Sherrie Morris, Julie Bartlett, Natalie Bell, Lindsay Beers, Brandi Podner, Sandy Barch, Roxanna Meyer, Jerri Garner, Krista Hood and Kara Simcox: Each day you get closer to where you are going. There is a reason we are all here. Overcome your fears and step over that box. I care so much for each of you and am here for you. Remember, this is a team and if you love the team, you win the game!
To all the Clients and Consultants: I hope you understand that you all are in qualification for Nation.
To my mom and dad: Thank you for raising me the way you did. I am a reflection of you and am very proud to call you my parents. I love you!
Last, but not least, I want to thank Arbonne for being a company that really listens.
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.
