My journey with Arbonne began exactly two years ago. I was a single mom, living in my parent’s basement, doing in-home daycare during the day, waiting tables at night and going to school part time. I was on the verge of bankruptcy and I felt helpless. If you would have told me then that in two years I would be married, own my own house and business, and be able to pay off my debt, I would not have believed it. Yet, that is what this opportunity has blessed me with: Far more than I could ask, think or imagine.
I began this business in August of 2003. I had gone to church camp with ENVP Ann Forrester from 1989 to 1993. We had not seen each other or talked since, and then in July of 2003 she called me out of the blue. By the end of our conversation, I had signed up to be a Consultant to purchase products with Arbonne, although I had minimal interest in the business. After all, I was not cut out for “selling lipstick.” Boy was I wrong. Ann sent me what seemed to be 100 Eye on Arbonne stories before my first order ever arrived. I remember coming home after waiting tables and staying up until 2 a.m. reading all of them. I soon learned this business was not all about selling lipstick. This was an opportunity of a lifetime.
Ann lived in Oklahoma and I lived in Iowa. There were no VPs in Iowa at the time; no trainings and no meetings. In fact, no one I knew had ever heard of Arbonne. I really think my friends and family thought I was making these products in my basement! Starting this business on my own was scary. I stayed in close contact with Ann and followed the system that had been put in place by so many who had gone before me. Though this business takes hard work, it is simple. There is a system in place and if you will just follow it, you can have the potential to all of the success you have ever dreamed of. You must also commit your intentions with this business to yourself and to everyone you know. Visualize your dreams in your mind. You must first believe it before you can achieve it.
I continued following the system set in place and nine months later my team went Region. After reaching that level, my team maintained the same volume for about six months.
Then, in February of 2005, I heard somebody talk about the importance of writing down goals. It hit me that after promoting to Region I had stopped writing down my goals. That is why our volume was not changing. I was not reaching for anything specific each month. You will get what you expect, and I was not expecting anything. The speaker told us all to write down our goals at the conference. I wrote that I would be an NVP by July 1, 2005. I was not sure how that could happen in five short months, but I wrote it down anyway.
My goal was to hit first step Nation in April. April came and my team was just shy of our goal. In May, we hit first step Nation and then had a 71 percent increase in June. This allowed us to become the first Nation in Iowa by the date I had written on that piece of paper. This is the power of writing down a goal.
This is also the power in a team. This business is possible because of your team. It is always about others and never about you. No one has ever been promoted to National Vice President without a team. Realize the power and greatness in your team. Never quit believing in them. Never quit looking for ways to bring out the best in them.
Do not forget that your team will follow your lead. Ultimately the saying, “If it is meant to be, it is up to me,” holds true. You must be willing to do everything that you ask your team to do, and then some. You have to ask the question, would I hire myself?
I said this in my RVP Eye on Arbonne story, but it is worth repeating: Make a decision to do it no matter what. We could all make excuses why we cannot do this. Life will always be happening around you. You will always be busy, have that other job, never have enough time or money; the phone will always weigh a thousand pounds, etc. You need to decide to work your business in spite of all that. Sacrifice the small stuff now so you do not have to sacrifice the small stuff for life. The short-term sacrifices pale in comparison to the long-term rewards.
This business not only affords you time freedom and potential financial freedom, it allows you to dream again. I had stopped dreaming and did not even realize it. I thought as long as I could somehow “get by” every month, everything was fine. Are you doing that? Maybe you are just getting by financially, or maybe you are just getting by with the amount of time you see your family. There is no reason to just “get by.” Dream your wildest dreams and know they can come true.
When I began this business, I was at a point in my life where I had to help myself. Because of this opportunity, I am at a point in my life where I can help others. There is nothing better than being able to do that.
To God: Thank you for giving me more than I asked for and more than I could have ever dreamed or imagined.
To my husband, Trenton: Thank you for your love and support. Thank you for cooking, running errands, helping with Maddie and the many other behind-the-scenes things you do for me. You are my rock and this is just as much yours as it is mine.
To my daughter, Maddie: You grow more precious every day. I am so proud of you and I know God has an awesome plan for you.
Thank you for understanding all of the times mommy had to “do Arbonne again!”
To my mom and dad, Bob and Sonja Messer: Your unconditional love, support and unwavering belief in me are immeasurable. I am who I am today because of what you instilled in me. Thank you so much.
To my sponsor, ENVP Ann Forrester: You have not only blessed me with this opportunity, but with a dear friendship that will last a lifetime. I am eternally grateful for the gift you have given my family and me.
To ENVPs, Stacy Thorn, Cindy Pipkin and Meloni Barkley: Thank you for your words of encouragement and example. It is an honor to be a part of your team.
To ERVP Teresa Ludwig: You were my first Ace and I knew it the day you signed up. You are hardworking, determined and giving. You accomplish anything you set your mind to. I admire you for that.
To RVP Angie Utterback: I am so proud of you. Watching you grow during your journey to RVP has been amazing. Your team is so blessed with you as their leader.
To RVP Tiffany Patterson: It may have taken two years of “dripping Arbonne” on you, but I am so glad you and Brian launched your business this January! The pace of the leader sets the pace of the pack, and you and Brian help raise the bar.
To my sister, RVP-in-qualification Jenny Messer: You are unstoppable. I am so blessed to have you on my team. More than that, I have the best sister and friend in the world.
To my amazing group of AMs, DMs, Consultants who purchase product and Clients: I appreciate everything you do. Every one of you has made a difference.
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.
