Two little girls, blonde pony tails and blue eyes, walking hand-in-hand, each saying, “We’re going to be somebody, someday!” The little one was going to be a famous singer, someone like Tammy Wynette, since Tammy was the only singer she knew. The older one was going to be a famous actress, like Marilyn Monroe. And so they went.
All through grade school, junior high and high school, the two girls from rural Oklahoma supported each other. And with nothing but desire, they kept the dream alive. Their lives were shaped by three simple, basic beliefs; 1. Work hard. 2. Do not ever give up. 3. Be good. (You will get punished if you are not.)
The little girls/sisters I am talking about are ENVP Neta Irwin and myself. Neta’s singing career and my acting career became a teaching career. Life took Neta to the city, and I remained in the country.
It is funny how we went from singing and entertaining to selling in the city, and from acting and dreaming to teaching in the country. And even funnier still, that the paths we took lead us both to Arbonne, where we are today — hand–in-hand.
We are selling, teaching, singing sometimes, and still dreaming all the time — “We’re gonna be somebody, someday.” Thank you, Arbonne, for the path to the dream that was born on a dirt road by two little girls a long time ago.
There are, of course, no secrets, no magic formulas or strategies to becoming a National Vice President with Arbonne. You have to learn and earn your way to the top. My basic beliefs from early childhood are those I do business by today: 1. Work hard. (Learn the business and do it.) 2. Do not ever give up. (Consistently and persistently do the business.) 3. Be good. (Do what is right for the Client, the Consultant and the management team.)
This philosophy may sound simple, but it isn’t. Hard work is about contribution and building a business of relationships. “Don’t give up” means you have everything to do this business — simply commit to it. It also means that faith and fear cannot live in the same heart and soul at the same time. Being good is about character and principles.
I feel our greatest challenge in this business is identifying our limitations and weaknesses and then educating ourselves past them. So my solution is in the words of Rosa Luxemburg, “We will be victorious if we have not forgotten how to learn.”
Today, I want to thank everyone who has joined us on the Arbonne path. Words cannot describe the gratitude and love I feel for Neta and the contributions of the Neta Irwin Nation, Joyce, Martha, Cecilia, Kathy R., Cindy P., Sherry L., Dianne Z., Pamela L., Carol B., Nancy L. and Mary Lisa G. have made.
From the bottom of my heart and soul, I want to thank and applaud our National team — RVP Beta Wright and her team of Area Managers: Christi Hale, Becki Richardson, Patty Simmons, Marilyn Saied, and District Managers: Kitty Roush, Debbie Graber, Denise Mosher, Audra Altic, Patricia Eisenbeis, Cathie MacLean, Patricia Grant and Cynthia Hahn. Thanks to new RVPs, Darlene Allenbach and Pamela Heald and her team of Managers; Area Managers: Carol Malone and Sonja Mills, and District Managers: Anita Stevenson, Kim Schneider Sally Mills, Nancy Powell, Jeri Fouts, Debra Painter and Alicia Dillon. Deep gratitude to “our cheerleader,” Area Manager, Deborah Pshigoda, and District Managers: Dixie Thomas, Sandy Shroeder, Cheri Harvey, Holly Grant, Annie Reed, Barbie Lindamood, Vicky Elsner and Donna Carr.
These incredible teams of leaders, all on their own dream paths, have proven:
- An RVP can come from “No Man’s Land” (Beta);
- An RVP can come from a town of 175 people (Darlene);
- An RVP and NVP can live and work in the same community of only 15,000 people (Deborah and I);
- An RVP can live in rural Kansas and build in Kansas city (Cala):
- In rural America, it may take longer to reach a goal;
- In rural America, you must travel outside your community;
- Yes, a Mercedes-Benz does run well on country roads;
- And, you can blossom where you are planted!
The character, strength and tenacity of this group are what make them so successful.
The “Arbonne path” would not be, of course, if it were not for the vision of our Founder Petter Mørck. Even though I may not have understood everything he has said, I understand now what he meant when he said “Don’t you just love it? From chaos stars are born.” Thank you, Petter, for the “path” and the new perspectives. And thank you to Rita, Stian, and Candee for all the help and encouragement. Every step in my “path” includes my family. Terry, my high school sweetheart and husband of 27 years has been a stable, secure support. My three sons, Ti, Bo and Josh are the greatest joys of my life. In the beginning, I was afraid my Arbonne career would take too much from my family time. Now I know it has given them more time and resources. Another person who has helped every step of the way is my mother, Anna Irwin. Thank you to the rest of our family and friends and to my assistant, Franci Custar, who all complete my life. Thank you for all the love.
In conclusion, I am not the “somebody” of my dreams yet, but I have learned that the process becomes progress and I am always “becoming the somebody” I am meant to be.
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.
