“Do what others are not willing to do in order to be successful.”
I was very content with life when I discovered Arbonne in December of 2003. I was pregnant with our second child and we were moving into a new home. I enjoyed being a stay-at-home mom. I attended a Presentation simply to support my friend. However, after hearing the Presentation by ERVP Shawna Hanenberg, I was sold on the products. I distinctly remember laughing and telling Shawna, “No,” when she told me I would be good at this business. Shawna knew that when I said no it was just because I did not know. She did not give up on me.
I used the products and saw results right away. After using the products for several months and hosting a Presentation of my own, my curiosity was piqued. I admitted to Shawna that I was interested in possibly making some extra income. After sharing a few samples and telling some friends about it, I jumped in with both feet in August of 2004. I was passionate about the products and treated it like a business from the beginning. We completed Area in four months and I was happy with my income as an Area Manager. Still, something in me knew there had to be more to this business. I did not need any more “things” and participating in the Mercedes-Benz Cash Bonus Program to receive a white Mercedes-Benz was not practical for a mother of two toddlers. I could not figure out what drove people to work so hard at this business, but I wanted to find out. Then, in January of 2005, I attended Shawna’s Mercedes-Benz car presentation. Many events that day led to a mind shift I made on the way home. I was looking for answers about my future with Arbonne. I knew I had to either go for it or quit because I was not happy doing it halfway. I got my answer driving home that night. I wanted to make a difference in the lives of other people that would last forever, and this was my chance.
I heard that still small voice inside me say, “This is what I have called you to do.” That was all the affirmation I needed. That night I became committed to my business. I removed the option to quit and my business exploded. The team I already had saw my commitment and they were committed too. I began to attract more business builders than I could work with. I changed my belief and did not let the rejection get me down. I knew I was where I was supposed to be. It was the right company, at the right time, with the right products and the right people.
This business is the vehicle I was given as an opportunity to own my life. I desired to have the potential for both time freedom and financial freedom, and a chance to offer it to those who were looking for more. I wanted the chance to make a difference in the lives of others. Now I offer that gift to people every day. I also get to set my own schedule, recommend products I am passionate about, work with people I love and represent a company I am honored to be a part of. How else could an ordinary person have the potential to make an extraordinary income just by doing things they do every day?
It took us 20 months to promote to NVP. The journey has been incredibly exciting and fulfilling, and it has just begun. I will never quit Arbonne. I cannot keep quiet about this gift I have been given.
So many things have contributed to our success. If I had to sum up our success strategy, I could do it in two statements. First, be the biggest servant on your team. As the saying goes, to reach greatness, you must become a servant to many people. When we sponsor someone, we go to work for them. We know that true joy comes from helping others get where they want to be. Our position will take care of itself. Secondly, work your business with intention even when you do not want to. One of my favorite authors says successful people are the ones who are willing to do what unsuccessful people are not willing to do. There were times I did not want to do another appointment, have a late night, make another call or drive to another meeting, but I knew that it was a short-term sacrifice for possible lifelong rewards.
As we have all heard, it takes teamwork to make a dream work, and that is so true. I have many people to thank.
First of all, to God, who continues to bless me more than I can think, hope or imagine. I am humbled and amazed at all I have been given. You deserve all the glory. I may not have much I can offer, but what I have is truly my offering to you.
To my soulmate, business partner, and best friend, JD: I would never have made it without your support and belief. You gave me the jumpstart I needed. You have been my sounding board in all my decisions and my encourager when times were tough. Thank you for making the sacrifices necessary to build this business. Now, we get to reap those rewards and there is no one else I would rather share them with.
To my babies, Clay and Avery: I love you guys to the moon and back! I know it was a sacrifice to have me gone and on the phone so much, but our future is so bright. I hope you always optimize your chances to make a difference and reach for the stars.
To my parents, Rick and Judy Shepard: Thank you for filling your home with Arbonne and for all of your prayers. Thank you for helping with the kids and feeding JD when I was gone. Mom, thank you for being my biggest recruiter and sharing this opportunity repeatedly!
To my in-laws, Doug and Jarolyn Crouse: Thank you for loving the products and for helping with the kids when we needed you most. I appreciate you.
To my grandparents, Bud and Barbara Shepard: Thank you for being so proud of me! I hope to emulate the amazing generosity you have modeled for me over the years.
To my brother and sister-in-law, EAMs Ty and Lori Shepard: Thank you for being a part of this team! It is a dream come true to be in this together. Ty, I am so glad you did not mean it when you said you would rather flip burgers than sell makeup!
To Vicki: You had the most important job of all, taking care of my kids. It has been said that to be the greatest, you must be a servant, and you are the greatest! You have gone above and beyond, and I am forever grateful to you.
To Heather: Thanks for keeping me on track and helping me get organized. You help me maximize my time by tending to all the details. I appreciate you!
One of the best things about this business is the relationships that are developed with other crossline leaders. There have been some amazing people who have made a remarkable difference in our business by giving of themselves. All of you have been so generous and I hope I can pay it forward. To ENVP Rachel Nichols and ERVP Jerry Nichols: Thank you for selflessly sharing your system and your knowledge with so many. You hardly know us, yet you changed our business for the better. To NVP Donna Corbin: Thank you for the time you spent with us that you really could not spare. You are an amazing leader and I am thankful for your help in refining our system. To NVP Ben Stephenson and RVP Linda Stephenson: You guys are such special friends! I enjoy working with you both. I appreciate your insight and intuition. To ERVP Genevieve Skory: Who knew that your Arbonne Learn & Burn™ would lead to such a special friendship. Thank you for teaching me so much. I love you! To ERVP Becky Swails: My eyes well up with tears just thinking about you. You have selflessly shared so much with us and I treasure your friendship. You will never know the love and admiration my whole team feels for you. I pray that you will be blessed beyond measure!
To my amazing upline, ENVP Laura Fletcher, ENVP Barbara Moser and ERVP Kay Morgan: Thank you for being the pioneers of this business. None of us would be here without you!
To ENVP Lisa Beicker: Thank you for loving your team and for wanting the best for us. Thank you for believing in me from the beginning and for always being approachable.
To ERVP Shawna Hanenberg: I know you were handpicked to be my sponsor. Thank you for always saying what I needed (not what I wanted) to hear and for being happier for my success than you are for your own. I love you!
We have the most amazing team of “gold ships.” I sponsored up with all of you! The height of your success truly does represent the depth of your commitment. To RVP Gina Fischer: Your work ethic amazes me. You took the initiative necessary to build the business long distance. I admire your determination. To NVP-in-qualification Megan Zion: What a leader you have become! Thank you for being so coachable. Your friendship blesses me every day. To RVP Laura Lambert: Your decision to join our team challenged me to be a better leader. Thank you for being the ultimate team player. To RVP-in-qualification, Jenny Ellerman: We were destined to be friends and business partners. I am amazed at what you have built in such a short amount of time. You bring such joy to the team. To RVP-in-qualification, Lisa Walter: You are a calming presence and I am so excited about what you are building. The generosity you show your team is evident and admirable.
To all of the AMs and DMs on our team: I wish there was room to acknowledge each one of you. Please know that I hold you all close to my heart and that I am committed to helping you reach your goals. My greatest satisfaction will come in reading each one of your Eye on Arbonne stories.
To Chairman & CEO Bob Henry, Executive Vice President Stian Mørck, Sr. VP of Product Development & Field Events, Candace Keefe and the Home Office staff: You guys are the bomb! Thank you for making our jobs easier and for being our partners in this business. To President Rita Davenport: Thank you for bringing an accurate reflection of Arbonne to the world. I want to be like you when I grow up!
To every Consultant reading my Eye on Arbonne story: Never withhold the gift you have been given. Share it every time you get the chance. You never know whose life you could change next.
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.
