“Find a partner who will inspire you to do more, who holds you accountable and with whom you can share every moment of each trip on the journey.”
How do I begin to tell about this incredible Arbonne journey? Looking back, I can see God’s amazing plan for me long before I had ever heard of Arbonne. Widowed at 27 with three young boys, and having never completed high school or worked outside of the home, life as I had known it would never be the same. But God had a plan for my life and has faithfully kept me.
Over the next 10 years, I got my GED and completed college and then later, law school. I opened up my law office and people came. Over the next 13 years, I developed a very successful law practice and enjoyed a six-figure income. The practice owned me and it was not worth it. I was alone in my office one night when I heard myself say, “I quit.” I stood there for a moment and then repeated those two words, “I quit” again. That’s exactly what I did. I had no idea where God was taking me. I just knew that the decision to leave that practice was exactly what He had planned for me.
My sister, Brenda Shelton, shared Arbonne with me in August of 2003. I ignored every invitation she sent my way. She would not stop. I signed up as a wholesale buyer and ordered an RSVP package. I was sold on the products from the first time I tried them. Brenda did not stop there, so I went to hear ENVP Lisa Voorhies. Lisa spoke directly to me on every level. She spoke of a “ticket to freedom.” It was powerful because that was exactly what I was looking for. I still had not caught the Arbonne business vision, but I could not stop thinking about all of the things that Lisa had shared.
I immediately shared a sample with my dear friend, Peggy Hagan. I then took the catalogue and met with her. I handed it to her and started chatting. The real shock came when Peggy said, “I’m doing this.” I asked her what she was doing? She said, “I’m going to do this as a business.” I said, “You are what?” And she replied, “It’s a God thing. I know this is a God thing. I’m going to do this business.” To which I responded, “Me too.” What a way to start a business! That was just the beginning of what was in store for me. Later that evening, my dear friend and fellow attorney, Barbara Young, came to visit. By now, I had caught the fever and was pretty pumped up. She looked at the catalogue and was impressed. I sold my second RSVP that day.
Peggy and I were like two wild fires throwing gas on one another. We knew our good friends, Rema and Mary would not let us do this without them. We referred to ourselves as “The Sisters.” We were right. What a business! I was having the time of my life. I began to realize that this thing I had gotten myself into was so much more than financial freedom. It was about growth in every area of my life. Obviously, I had not yet replaced my income, so I made a deal with God. I promised that I would work this Arbonne thing as a business for six months and if I was earning enough to survive, then I would stay with it. In November, I made Area Manager and Peggy made Area Manager in December. Barbara, who was not doing the business, promoted to District Manager. There was no turning back.
To ENVPs Lisa Voohries and ENVP Deanna Osborn: You are an inspiration to me and to my team. Thank you for your commitment to the Louisville Region. To NVP Linda Hefner: I know God placed me on your team. He knew that I needed the leader that you have become. You have made the difference to me and to my entire downline and I cannot thank you enough for all that you do for us. To my sister and sponsor, EAM Brenda Shelton: I am forever indebted to you for not giving up on me. I know you will be writing your Eye on Arbonne story soon. I love you. To my dear friends and crosslines, ERVPs Darcy Nobile and Cathy Epperson: You bless and enrich my life.
To my incredible team: How do I thank you for your commitment? None of this would be possible without each of you. To new business builders: Never forget your Why. This Arbonne opportunity is real and you can do it. Find yourself a “Peggy,” someone who inspires you to do more, who holds you accountable and with whom you can share every moment of each trip with on the journey.
To AMs Peggy Hagan, Barbara Young and Carol Stewart: What a joy it is to have such awesome people with whom to share this incredible journey. Carol, you are such an encourager and a blessing to be with. I thank God for each of you and look forward to many years of growing our businesses and our lives together. To my DMs Rema Smith, Mary Miller, Niki Howell, Teresa Bohr, Jim Christy, Amanda Nolan, Sharon Holbert, Bonnie Markward, Carla Smith, Pam Prindle, Carol Barns, Nancy Eklund, Joy Wolf, Gloria Brooks and Dianne Ruffra: I wish there was room here to tell you how much I appreciate and love you all.
To President Rita Davenport: My trip to Arizona made all of the difference. You make us all feel important. To Sr. VP Product Development & Marketing, Candace Keefe: Thanks for those incredible products and for your training tapes. I always feel like you are talking with me, personally. Thanks to Founder Petter Mørck and Executive Vice President Stian Mørck, for creating this awesome company and to all of those at the Home Office who support us so warmly.
I am blessed with a remarkable family. Three wonderful sons, Ron, Billy and Mark; six perfect grandchildren, Elizabeth, Ashley, Ronnie, Kaelen, Kyle and Langley; and my great-grandson, Nathaniel: You guys are my big Why. I am so proud of all of you. To my daughter-in-law, Kim: Thanks for believing in me and in what I am doing. I know one day you too will begin to grow your Arbonne business. To my incredible brothers and sisters: Thanks for your encouragement and support, I love you all. This would be a lonely journey without each of you.
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.
