“Do not delay your own success by holding back. Jump right in!”
From the time I was a little girl, I knew I wanted to either be a nurse or a teacher when I grew up. I have always loved to help others. So, I thought I had fulfilled my life’s ambition when I became a registered nurse in 1995. I worked as a labor and delivery nurse for almost 10 years, and enjoyed it immensely. There is something so special about helping a family bring a new life into the world. But as my own family grew, my time became more precious than ever because I wanted to spend it at home with my kids and my husband. I was also beginning to get burned out working long hours, weekends and holidays at the hospital. Have you ever had a similar revelation about your own current career or situation?
My Arbonne story began about one year ago, in January of 2005. Although I had been signed up for a few years under my good friend, ENVP Jodi Whittemore, up until that time I had only been purchasing Arbonne products at the discount. Then, my Why came along and changed everything. My husband and I found out we were expecting our third child. We were so excited, but we wanted the option of having me stay home with our children. Until then, we enjoyed the benefit of never needing to put our kids in daycare, thanks to babysitting help from our families. However, this no longer seemed feasible with three kids. In addition, we were not making ends meet financially, so the thought of becoming a one-income family was out of the question. Because we had no savings, I was looking at taking a very short maternity leave, which only amounted to a few weeks. As thrilled as we were at the thought of adding to our family tree, the news brought an added sense of urgency to improving our situation.
Although we needed to make some major changes in our lives, we were dependent on my nursing salary. There were not many alternatives available that could replace that stream of income, especially working part time. When we weighed all of our options, Arbonne ended up at the top of the list! What is your plan B? Sometimes the best things in our lives are right under our noses. It is amazing that I already had Arbonne in my life when I needed something to fall back on. What an awesome option it turned out to be! It has changed our lives forever.
On February 1st, I decided to jump in with both feet, so to speak, and build my team by sharing Arbonne with everyone I knew. Nine months later, sitting in my kitchen at 10 p.m., I watched with my husband, Ryan, and best friend, ERVP Jen Landes, as our team became a Nation on November 30, 2005. What an experience!
When I started my Arbonne business, my goal was to be able to quit my nursing job and be working from home by the time I had my baby. What I eventually learned from my sponsor, ENVP Jodi Whittemore, was that my goals needed to be big enough to help my team achieve their goals, too! After attending NTC 2005 Las Vegas, I set a goal to become an NVP by the end of the year and have each one of my direct business builders become RVPs, and be able to drive white Mercedes-Benzes as well! I really did not know at the time exactly how that would happen, yet I got into major activity and encouraged my team to get into activity with the “REsults Approach” Presentation.
People often ask me how I achieved NVP in 10 months. They are looking for the “magic bullet” or secret formula to success. What I did was follow the lead of my upline and got into major activity. I started with speaking passionately about this opportunity with my top four prospects, my closest friends and family I most wanted to work with. Arbonne’s REsults Approach is such a great way to build a business and team! This was one of the major things that attracted me to the business in the first place. It is a system that fits into anyone’s life. I have people on my team who work full time, some who work part time and others who stay at home with their children, all while building their Arbonne businesses. Anyone can succeed if you follow the tried-and-true system that Arbonne offers, and give it enough time. It is a given that the products are truly amazing and produce awesome results; they virtually sell themselves. All we need to do is share our passion for this opportunity and give people the chance to experience the products for themselves. How much simpler can it get?
There is no way I could have had the success I have enjoyed without the support of my family. My husband looked into this business with me in the beginning, and has been behind me ever since. He is absolutely the best father to our kids. Ryan, thank you for bearing with me during those times of backed-up laundry, a messy house and fast food meals, while we built this business! Thank you for all of your love, support and encouragement. I look forward to the rest of our lives together as a family. The most wonderful Why in my life are my children. I cherish each of your sweet, individual personalities, and I am so honored to be your mom. I love you with all my heart!
The way I started building my team was by looking for four key business builders. By my third month in the business, I had found them. My team started out with my best friend since junior high, ERVP Jen Landes; my best friend from college, EAM Melissa Baldwin; my sister, AM Jen Blume and my friend, RVP Kerry Erickson. It has been so much fun working with people with whom I love to spend time already. Now, we have an excuse to be on the phone with each other all day long! Having four wonderful, smart, committed women to work with directly has brought my team to the top. I now have the privilege of working with my mother-in-law, DM Mary Carson, as my “fifth leg.” This business has brought me closer to my family and friends in this process. What a blessing!
I have also been blessed with an amazing sponsor. Jodi and I have been friends for 16 years. It has been a privilege to learn from one of the best in this company. She has made herself available to me every step of the way and committed herself to launching this team in Washington, from Phoenix, Arizona. She is a true leader. Jodi, Ryan and I are so blessed to have been introduced to Arbonne by you. I thank God for our friendship and that we have been able to deepen our relationship through this experience.
I was fortunate enough to start this business with my dear friend, ERVP Jennifer Landes. We had the same vision for our families, and now we are able to live it just as we imagined. Jen, we have been friends for 20 years and I am so honored to have you in my life. What a treat that we get to work together for the rest of our lives and enjoy the blessings that Arbonne has given us. Your team is so lucky to have you leading them. People are just drawn to you, and you are such a blessing to everyone with whom you come in contact with.
My college roommate and dear friend, EAM Melissa Baldwin, was next to join my group. I am so proud of the goals you have set and accomplished, and excited for what is yet to come for you! Thank you for your friendship and your love for my family. You will be such an awesome wife and mom some day, and your future family will be blessed by the fact that you have built a business with Arbonne now.
RVP Kerry Erickson was the next to join my team in March of 2005. Kerry, it has been so neat to see you blossom in this business. You have such a heart for your team, and they are so lucky to have a servant leader like you to lead them. I know Arbonne will allow you to fulfill your dreams!
My sister, AM Jen Blume, was my fourth business builder to join my team. It has been so much fun working with, and learning from, my sister. We are so different, yet alike in many ways, and Arbonne has allowed us to become closer than ever. Thank you for your encouragement and for all of your help with writing, editing and planning. You have such a gift! I am so blessed, not only to have you as my sister, but as a cherished friend, as well. I look forward to being old and gray on the beach together!
Having my mother-in-law, DM Mary Carson, join my team has been so much fun. She has taught me so much and has helped me grow in my faith. She started this business initially because she wanted to help others, and that is why she is seeing so much success, so fast. She went into qualification for Area Manager in her first month doing this business. In all areas, she is an example to others. Thank you for all you do for Ryan, me and our family.
Mom, I want to say thank you for all of your support in building my Arbonne business and in my life. I could not have done it without your help and the confidence that you have instilled in me. Thanks for passing your entrepreneurial spirit on to your kids. I love you!
I thank God for every single blessing. We have been able to seek our purpose here on earth and fulfill it to the best of our ability. We have the potential to build relationships, have fun, travel, learn, grow and help others do the same! What an amazing opportunity that is.
To our AMs, Melissa Baldwin, Robin Baldwin, Jen Blume, Rhonda Prigg, Maureen Karras, Angela Wilson, Lori DiMonda, Robyn Stucky, Tasha Shabnow, Kim Golden and Brenda Johnson: Thank you for all of your dedication to your teams. You have all created value in so many people’s lives and will reap the rewards of that as you build your teams to Regions!
Marissa Prigg is my first, second generation RVP. It is so neat to see this success duplicating! You have the sweetest spirit, and I look forward to watching you enjoy what you have built with Arbonne, as you celebrate the birth of your second child.
To all the DMs and Consultants on my team, from old friends and nurse friends, to the new people I have met through Arbonne: You make this team what it is. Keep up your hard work and dedication, and you will be here before you know it! I value each and every one of you.
To all of you checking out this opportunity: My advice is, “Jump right in!” Use Arbonne’s tidal wave of growth to fuel your business. It could be the best decision and commitment you have ever made in your life.
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.
