“Decide what you want, make a commitment to that decision and then watch your life move forward.”
What is the vision you have for your life? What are the dreams and goals you have for yourself or your family? Do you have a plan to attain them or, have you forgotten how to dream because you are mired in the reality of daily life? Arbonne has allowed me to reshape the vision I have for my family and myself, and to dream bigger than ever before. The same is happening for many others who are joining me on my Arbonne journey.
From an early age, I intended to be a lawyer. Life as a “lipstick chick” was never part of the plan. I did become a lawyer and practiced for almost 14 years. My legal career was our family’s plan B to protect us from the uncertainties of my husband’s job in Detroit’s auto industry. Our life moved along on track until the company he worked for transferred him to Europe.
Living in Luxembourg for three years opened my eyes to a whole new possibility for our family. We had truly escaped from the rat race. I loved the slower pace in Europe and the natural approach to many things. I enjoyed our frequent travels on my three-year holiday. I could not face returning to “the firm” with its pay, promotion and vacation limitations. I dreaded the prospect of pantyhose, commuter traffic and deadlines. I wanted to stay home with my children. I desired to control my time, income, and ultimately, my family’s destiny. I needed a plan B.
Gifts come to us from unexpected places. I am grateful that ERVP Barb Armstrong offered me the gift of Arbonne five years ago while volunteering at my daughter’s school. I did not fully understand or appreciate the gift at the time. After returning from Europe, I became a professional volunteer while waiting for the perfect new career to come my way. I was looking for something to re-create my previous income, while allowing ample time to socialize, travel and be available to my children. I wanted it to be fun. In my mind, this ideal career looked nothing like an Arbonne business, but I decided to take the leap from lawyer to lipstick chick anyway.
I was attracted to Arbonne because of the unique aspects of the business. Working from home on my terms was incredibly intriguing. I was not interested in skin care by any stretch, but I appreciated how superior European standards were in many regards. A primary concern for me was the integrity of the company. I still had the lawyer chip on my shoulder and could only represent something beyond reproach. Arbonne passed the litmus test with flying colors.
My leap from lawyer to lipstick chick was not without its roadblocks. For a long time, I did not believe in sharing the gift of the Arbonne business. I was not sure that others would appreciate this opportunity when I did not fully grasp it myself. I admit that I did not do it justice in offering it to others simply because I did not want to be viewed as a salesperson, or a skin care expert. My mindset was fixed on who I was from years of doing one thing. I could not shake my own self-perception as a lawyer. Even so, in my first two years of running my Arbonne business, I promoted to DM, twice, then to AM where I stayed for the next three years. I did not even have a business partner until my second year.
So what changed on my journey to RVP? My belief — about myself and the Arbonne life-altering opportunity. I knew Arbonne had unparalleled products and a proven system for success. I knew its comprehensive training and company support was unmatched in the industry. I discovered that the missing piece was within me. I needed to believe this was the vehicle to reach my dreams, and that I could teach and train others to succeed. I began to share the gift of the Arbonne opportunity indiscriminately and with conviction.
My journey to RVP has been slow, but steady. The key was eliminating the option to quit, while enjoying the scenic route to success. Along the way, an amazing group of people entered my Arbonne business. Many of them believed in the gift of Arbonne before I did. I finally got out of my own way and decided Arbonne was the vehicle that would allow me to spend time with family and friends, pursue my love of travel (the earned Arbonne trips are fabulous) and provide potential financial security for my family. I cannot wait to retire my husband from his career so he can fulfill his dream of becoming a teacher. This is the right time, the right place and the right company.
I am ever grateful to be blessed with an amazing team who pulled together to make our Region a reality. To AMs, Jan Bowman, Paula Reitz and Sandy Vacketta; and DMs, Barb Skinner, Debbie Koeppe, Kathy Collingsworth, Kristi Mann, Paula Neys, Laura Powers, Sonali Das, Shay Dembicki, Melissa Landry, Jill Moore, Teresa Swantek, Jacqui Strickler and all of those following in our tracks: I am honored to have you on this journey with me. To my faithful friends and Clients: I am thankful that you have continually shown your love for Arbonne products.
To my upline ENVPs, Deana Wilkinson, Ann Cullum and Dawn Frank: Thank you for the support you have given me. To my crossline ERVPs, Denise D’Alfonso, Genevieve Skory and ENVP Stephanie Swaney: Your friendship and training have been invaluable. To my sponsor, ERVP Barb Armstrong: Your belief in me has been steady and consistent, even when mine was not. Thank you!
Last, but never the least, I sing praises to God and to my family. To my husband, Mike: Thank you for taking on the roles of chief cook and housekeeper when I was busy with Arbonne. To my children, Peter and Caroline: You have been incredibly tolerant while enduring many nights of refrigerator surprise. To my parents: I greatly appreciate that you instilled a “can do” entrepreneurial spirit in me from an early age. I know my father would be pleased if he were here now.
I often questioned whether this would work for me. You may be asking yourself the same thing. I always came back to, “What if it does?” How will you know unless you take a closer look at Arbonne? As one historic woman once put it, the future belongs to those who believe in their dreams. You, too, can dream again … once you accept the gift of Arbonne.
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.
