The Goal Board

Leading up to our company's annual convention is an exciting time for most R + F business owners.  Convention is at the end of September, and I am happy to say I am attending with most of my team (very excited to see them).  However, my journey to convention hasn't been what I expected it to be.  I didn't reach my goal and have experienced a number of emotions associated with that reality.

I've learned a few things about myself.  I discovered that I've always been a goal setter, but haven't been one to write my goals down.  I kept them filed away in my head and revisited them from time to time, but have never held myself accountable.  I felt like I was successful and reached a lot of my goals.  The fact is, I am successful but I have no idea how many of my goals I have actually reached because I've never really tracked them.

My upline encouraged me to get my hands on a goal board and get serious about tracking.  I am coachable so with some reservation, I purchased a goal board and wrote my goals down.  I even put the board in the master bathroom so I would see it every morning, but I didn't think much about it until recently --- when I didn't reach my goal.  Wow -- what a slap in the face.  What am I supposed to do with this reality?

Give up
Quit
Pout
Get Angry
Point the Finger
Pick Myself Up
Keep Going
All of the Above?

From the beginning of this journey, the training has stressed the importance of perseverance.  I always found that strange until recently.  I think this is the fork in the road; do or die time; where the rubber meets the road.  Am I going to keep moving forward or am I going to quit?  Give me a break!

I haven't even thought about quitting, but I bet this is one of those moments that my upline has been prepping me for.  This is one of those moments when some would quit.  Well, I'm not "some" and I'm not even close to giving up.  I am disappointed but I am moving on.  I gave myself a few days to pout, beat myself up, etc but now it is time to move one.  My business is still solid and still growing.  I will persevere.  I didn't reach one of my goals, but here are some of the things that I have accomplished:

Earned back my investment in month one
Profitable every month I've been in business
Grown my team -- Team Taylor is going strong with 10 team members, represented in four states (despite having 4 team members quit -- evidently in this business you can expect about 1/2 of our team to quit)
Rekindled Friendships
Made new Friendships
Learning to Network (this is a big deal for me (read previous post))
Best Skin Ever
Satisfied Customers
Personal Growth
Own my own business

Personal growth requires honestly and discomfort.  I am super uncomfortable that I didn't hit my goal, but I am elated I'm a business owner, in this business, I'm thrilled to be building residual income, I'm changing my paradigm, and I have met so many amazing people.  I love this business even if it is forcing me to be honest with myself, self-reflect, grow, and get the heck out of my comfort zone!

I'm about half way thru this year long journey and am totally amazed at this industry and this opportunity.  I can't wait to see what my organization looks like in a year, two years and FIVE years!  Wow!  Want to know more about this amazing industry, check out this book http://www.amazon.com/Flip-Flop-CEO-Janine-Finney/dp/061542449X/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

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Personal Growth

When I started this journey, I kept hearing from various folks that you experience a ton of personal growth working for R + F.  I heard it but didn’t really think much about it.  I was more focused on my “to do” list for growing the business.

 

Fast forward six months.  

This past week, I had the opportunity to attend a corporate event in Chicago with our top earner. The event was packed and I mean packed, standing room only!

 

Thankfully Mike was home (he travels a ton during baseball season) to look after the repairs from the tree falling on our roof so Charlee was covered.  It may seem basic, and on the surface it is, but throw in travel, corporate schedules, a baby that refuses to take a bottle, drive time to Chicago and back, etc and it was complicated.  However, we did it.  So, I didn’t really think much about anything other than all the logistics of getting to the event until I got there.  

Oh boy, did the fear set in the minute I pulled up.  Holy crap, I am at a HUGE event, by myself, in a HUGE city (which means where all the beautiful people are and I am a mess after motherhood), and I am supposed to network?!?!  Networking was difficult for me at my best (pre motherhood).  Post motherhood has complicated things immensely.  If you are a mom you know exactly what I am talking about.  None of your cute clothes that you used to wear fit, your hair is crazy, you have bags under your eyes the size of your fist, any piece of style that you once had is LONG gone, and frumpy is the highest compliment you can possibly give yourself at the moment.  

Honestly, I don’t like to network.  It scares the heck out of me.  I am super shy by nature, and have been fighting this my entire life.  I'm very comfortable with people I know, have been blessed beyond belief with great friends, BUT networking is very different from interacting with friends --- at least it is to me.  So, I sucked it up and walked in and was not just out of my comfort zone, but I was really, really, really out of my comfort zone.

 

I struggled the entire night.  So much so I convinced myself to leave after the presentation and I missed the training.  I knew I would regret it because I was having one of those internal conversations with myself before I left.  It went something like:

“You should leave, the training is going to be stuff you’ve heard a million times and you are exhausted."

 

"No, I bet it will be good and you always learn something new no matter how many times you hear it.  You didn’t get the new consulting training so you really should absorb it."

 

"Yeah but you have a long drive and you are super uncomfortable with all these people you don’t know.  Look at yourself (there was a mirror that I got a glimpse of myself in and it was frightening compared to all the perfectly coiffed people in the room)."  

 

That visual was the final straw that pushed me over the edge; I bolted from the room and never looked back.

The entire drive home I processed what the heck happened.  It is true that I was tired, had a long drive, was worrying about Charlee, was hungry because in all the madness to get to the event I forgot to eat, etc.  But all of those issues weren't REALLY the "issue".  If I was being honest with myself, the issue is I'm truly uncomfortable networking.  Oh boy, this is going to be interesting since this is network marketing.  

I learned that I need to really prep and push myself prior to network type settings.  I need to figure out how to grow and become better.  I read this week that a good tactic to use is to make sure you have a job to do at an events.  A job will force you to stay the entire time and will help you get over your fear and anxiety because you are focused on your task vs focused on networking.  I really could have benefited from thinking through that prior to the event and making sure I had a job --- lesson learned.  I also do much better if I go with somebody or meet somebody there --- another lesson learned.

 

When I was a kid, I was so shy I literally was afraid of my own shadow.  Life brought me to Estelle Amador, an amazing woman that pushed me and helped me come out of my shell.  She used to force me (and I use the word force because if it were up to me there is no way, I would have done it)  to walk in a room and go to every adult and introduce myself and ask them questions.  It was horrifying for me.  I would beg my mom not to make me stay with her.  But my mom ignored my pleas and dropped me off everyday while she worked.  As painful as it was when I was, those exercises helped me in so many ways.  I had some of those same feelings this past week.  So while this is scary as hell, I know that the reward and growth is going to be worth it.

Bottom line, this industry is pushing me to improve in areas that I truly am not comfortable with.  Before, I was always able to avoid network situations or do the bare minimum to get by because it really didn’t matter.  Now however, it matters because it's my business. It's no longer good enough to simply get by.  I have to push myself to work thru

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Father Time

It's been far too long since my last post.  Sorry.  I'm still adjusting to being a Mom, working a full time job and building a business!  But, it's getting better.  Since the last post, the team continues to grow and this business is better than I expected it would be.  Dolonna in Utah joined.  We went to college together and met thru our sorority.  My niece Liz joined.  I call her Poopey and she is like a daughter to me.  Patti in Wisconsin joined.  We met when she started training me a few years ago.  Beatriz in Orange County jumped on board.  She is a high school friend.  And, Vanessa and Renee both have added team members too.  So what started as two friends on a year long journey has grown into a handful of friends working, having fun and uncovering the amazing world of network marketing.


I continue to learn a ton on this journey but lately have been thinking about time.


After 7 months of maternity leave, I returned to my corporate job.  What a shock to my system.  I have been back for a few months, and I’m not adjusting well, which I am okay with considering my life has changed dramatically for the better in the last eight months!


I completely underestimated how difficult it would be to return to work.  Obviously, becoming a mom is a major factor, but tasting what it's like to own my own business contributes greatly to my frustrations of getting back into the rat race of corporate.  Why is it so hard?  Why has it been so hard to go back to my corporate life after tasting the Direct Marketing industry and owning my own business?  One word keeps bubbling to the top: Time.


I initially wrote, "We all want more time, don't we?", and was going to go on and on how there's not enough time in a day, blah, blah, blah; but then a light bulb came on.  Time is the one thing in life we can't make more of.  The 24 hours in a day are the most hours we will ever get making time the most precious commodity we have.  More precious than money, more precious than our things, etc.  I can't control how much time I have but I can control one thing: How my time is spent.


I don't need to tell any of you life isn't always easy.  Trying to divide work, home, and family is tough, especially with a child at home and husband on the road for work.  Not to mention, trying to find a few minutes of "me time".  "Me time" is a rare and welcomed delicacy.  I had no appreciation for the simple joy of an un-interrupted shower!  I know!  I know! "Join the club", right?  But, why does it have to be that way?  I've never heard of anybody on their deathbed mumble the words, "I really wish I would have spent more time at the office."  We want more time with our family and friends.  Time spent working isn't the frustrating thing, I actually like to work.  What is frustrating is how the time at the office subtracts mommy/daughter time.  My corporate experience is that you have to trade one for the other. 


On average, I spend 2.5 hours each day of "awake time" with my daughter (Monday-Friday), and those 2.5 hours aren't really quality minutes.  Her watching me scramble to get ready for work takes up about 45 minutes, and one hour is spent feeding and bathing her after I get home from the office.  Some of that time is eaten up for drive time.  That leaves me with about 45 minutes of quality play, interaction, and learning time for my little girl.  She spends 8-9 hours a day at daycare.  Yuck.  I don't like how out of balance that is.


I want to spend more time with my daughter and my family so I started searching for something.  I didn't know what I was searching for but I was searching.  I looked at everything from purchasing a franchise, to consulting, to buying an existing business, but there was one BIG problem with every option I explored: None of them offered the type of time commitment I was looking for.  Rather, each would require even more time away from my family.


I didn’t give "time" much thought until a few years ago.  After my parents retired, they would visit and stay for a month or two.  It was my favorite time of the year and I dreaded going into the office when they were in town.  I didn't dread the work.  I dreaded the time I would spend away from my folks and the corporate schedule.  Thankfully, my parents are healthy, but they are getting older, and I want to spend more time with them. I’m not picky about how we spend the time. I just want to spend more with my mom and dad.


Then I had a baby, which makes time even more precious. I want to spend the majority of my time with her, my husband, my parents, my family, and with my friends.  BUT, I still want a lucrative career too.  How can I have the best of both worlds?  I found that Rodan + Fields was the answer for me.


Initially, time was the most appealing factor for me when I joined Rodan + Fields.  I definitely had my doubts and actually thought R + F had to be too good to be true. Well, six months in, I can tell you that's not the case. I was wrong.  I run a successful business in ten to fifteen hours a week, the product is amazing, the business is lucrative, and I work with a great group of people.  I love the people, the industry and the company.


I’m no longer willing to play the corporate game long term after seeing I CAN have a lucrative, productive career around the schedule of MY choice, and I CAN work out of my home. It's too good on the other side. I like spending my day with my family doing normal things like singing along to "Yo Gabba Gabba", eating breakfast at the table with good conversation, and taking care of my precious little girl.


So for now, I’m back working my corporate job, BUT it's temporary.  It feels good to have a plan and even better to be working that plan!


I need to thank my upline for sharing this amazing gift with me. It has been a life-changing and TIME-changing experience.  I’m redeeming my time in a manner that is going to allow me to spend as much of it as possible with my family, while allowing me to fulfill MY destiny versus a corporation’s destiny. I’m taking back my assignment and my purpose in life.  

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Pay It Forward ...

The best way that I can describe Rodan + Fields' success from a consultant standpoint is simple: Pay It Forward.

Rodan + Fields' amazing products are second to none and they're the engine of this machine, but the consultants are the one's sitting behind the wheel.  Both are dependent on each other, and the individual success of each consultant is directly proportionate to the assistance and advice from those that have "been there and done that."  This company's business model was designed so everybody wins when team members succeed.  What a novel concept!!  This pay it forward mentality is such a refreshing and welcomed change.

Coming from the corporate world, this mantra isn't something I'm used to.  In my corporate experience, most coworkers were more interested in taking people down, pointing the finger, deflecting, and backstabbing to get a leg up on the competition.  The crazy thing is the "competition" aren't rival companies, but rather coworkers and teammates that are supposed to be working together.  Doesn't that seem counterproductive?

I often felt like I was stuck in a continual game of "Survivor", where this behavior was accepted as simply "surviving", and the employer simply turned a cheek to this craziness.  It's hard to express what it felt like getting ready for work each morning wondering, "Is today the day someone's going to turn on me?"  How is that thought process conducive to anything but stress and uncertainty?

So, as I start my fourth month with Rodan + Fields, I wonder if the overwhelming kindness, generosity, fun, success, and friendship that I've experienced so far are going to last.  I occasionally find myself looking over my shoulder, as all those years in corporate keep creeping back like a bad dream making me wonder if this is "real", or is someone secretly plotting to further their career at my expense.

I'm here to tell you that this amazing journey I've been on the last four months is "real."  Whether it's my team working TOGETHER to achieve our goals, or how freely advice, support, and assistance is offered by the consultants and predecessors who've had success and "greased the tracks" prior to my team and I coming onboard.  On a daily basis, I get phone calls, notes, text messages, e-mails from team members just to check in, encourage, or pay it forward, some of which I've only interacted with on Facebook and never met face-to-face.  Seriously, where else does this happen?

It certainly didn't happen in corporate, where I spent half my time trying to figure out who threw me under the bus and the purpose behind it.  I felt like the lead detective role on CSI Corporate, where'd I'd first ask myself, "Who would benefit from me leaving this company?", and that would usually point to the culprit.  What a waste of time and energy, but in an environment where surviving is the goal, people do very crazy things to play the game.

Now back to refreshing...

Something happened this week.  This was the first week that my team, which is considered my direct line, began to see the fruits of their labor.  I experienced two team members reaching their goal of being promoted.  I was beyond thrilled for each of them and found myself unable to sleep due to excitement.  It felt better than anything else I've experienced so far in this company, even more than signing a new team member, and I have to tell you that I get an absolute adrenalin rush when I sign someone new.

After this weeks success, I understand why so much time is spent paying it forward.  It's so rewarding.  Since they've received their promotions, which include bonuses and pay raises, I've been strategizing on how to offer even more assistance.  What can I do to help them to the next level?  What can I do to help my other team members reach this goal faster?  Do you see how refreshing it is using my energy on success of my teammates, rather than using my energy trying to protect myself?

So, this is why our up-line is always so happy and positive.  This is why they reach out routinely to offer assistance and advice. This is why they spend so much time training and encouraging.  Not only are they helping people they care about succeed and achieve their financial goals, but it feels great and it's the right thing to do.  Plus, it conducive to their individual success and Rodan + Fields.  This is why they pay it forward.

I am having the time of my life.  No more "learners permit" for this girl!!  I'm driving down the road to success with my teammates sitting next to me and my predecessors in the back seat pointing me in the right direction.  Can't wait to see what April brings as it's just around the corner!!

I am behind on posts and have to announce three more team members!  Stay tuned because we had some great things happen in March!

Congratulations to my wonderful friends Renee and Shannon.  This is just the beginning and I can't wait to experience each of you, and all of our team, receiving numerous promotions, your Lexus, your trip to Napa, your trip to Hawaii, bonuses, growing your teams, etc.  But more than anything I simply love working side by side with you.  Your goals are within reach, and you've got quite a support system who's got your back.  In fact, they are going to happen faster than you anticipated and I can't wait.  

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Friends & Business Do Mix and It's Rather Nice ...

I know I must sound like a broken record, but this business is so much fun.  I'm shocked that we get paid to do this.  It's month three and I'm hooked.  I'm already expanding my goals, dreaming bigger and amazed every day by how this process works.

Months ago I planed to be in Southern California the month of March to spend time with my parents.  So, it was the perfect excuse to plan Renee's business launch as well as Vanessa's and a few additional get-togethers!  So the three of us started planning and scheming!

The first meeting we attended was a meeting held by a business partner that none of us had ever met.  She is a level five leader in Orange County and we figured it would be great training for us.  We all went, had a nice time seeing each other, and we learned some valuable things.

First, we truly don't have to reinvent the wheel --- this business is a "rip and run".  The successful women that have gone before us are truly ripping and running.  So, if they can do it, why can't we?

Second, this business attracts awesome people.  The women are so much fun and so far we genuinely like the people we work with.

Third, it is so much fun being in business with friends!

Our next meeting was scheduled for our high school network.  We all went to Anaheim High School and there is one Mexican restaurant that we all know, we all ate at, and if you've moved away, you miss and actually crave.  My entire pregnancy I not only craved Mexican food, I craved Mexi Casa!

Mexi Casa is the restaurant and it is part of us.  We ate there before every football game.  I have no idea how we could eat a heavy Mexican meal and then go out on the field and cheer, but we did without fail.  We went on dates there, we socialized there and we still go there today.  The food is the same and the prices haven't changed.  I don't think the walls have been cleaned either (you will see what I am talking about in the pictures).  Mexi Casa is special and if you are from Anaheim, you know how special it is!

So when we were planning our first Rodan + Fields business orientation meeting we selected Mexi Casa.  The location is horrible for a business presentation.  There is not a banquet room or any multi-media equipment.  But all of that didn't matter.  If you are from Anaheim, you'll understand.  There simply wasn't any other option, and we had a blast.  We ate, we drank, and we talked skin care.

Several times throughout the night I simply smiled and thought to myself, how lucky are we?  We work for an amazing company, we offer awesome products, and we share a business opportunity that is changing lives.  We do this among our friends, we meet new friends and we get paid.  I have always liked to work and actually liked my corporate career, but I haven't always liked the people that I work with.  In fact, there are many that if I wouldn't hang out with if I wasn't forced to.  This business is different.

When I left Mexi Casa after our business meeting, I was giddy.  I adore my business partners.  I am proud to call them business partners but, more than anything, I am proud to call them my friends.

Month three and I am in deep.  I love this business.  I love this company.  I love the products.  And more than anything I love the people.  And, we still have a few more meetings to go this month!  And, we received our checks for the month of February and it more than doubled from the first month.  I like this trend!!!

When I started I was dreading the meetings and actually was a bit scared of them.  Now, I look forward to them, love seeing who attends, enjoy meeting our new customers and potential new business partners!  Who knew Direct Marketing could be so fun?  If month three of our year long journey is this good, I can't wait to see what the end of the year brings!

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My Heart Is Smiling...

When I started this journey with my amazing friend Renee, neither one of us knew what to expect.  Regardless, we were committed to doing it together for a year.  

We are two months in and are shocked at how much fun and profitable this business is.  Why in the world have I stayed in corporate America so long?  Seriously?!?  Why hasn't this industry been introduced to me before?  At least it has now!  I am hooked, loving every minute of it, and I still can't believe I'm getting paid for this!

On that note, two more team members joined the team and I couldn't be happier!    

Vanessa joined our team last week and is yet another high school friend that has come on board.  We didn't really get a chance to know each very well back then because she only went to our school for a short time, but we've become closer in the last year thanks to Facebook.  I simply love how Facebook brings people together and how easy it is to stay connected regardless of geographic locations.

To be honest, Vanessa's interest in becoming a business partner came out of nowhere.  I sent her a note about Rodan and Fields amazing skin care line, and a few conversations later she agreed to try some product.  Our conversations continued, but mainly about the product and our personal lives.  A couple more passing weeks, a few more conversations, and now we're working together!  

It's safe to say I liked her before but have quickly come to simply adore her!  She is smart, aggressive, a loving mother, fun and driven.  She is going to do wonderful in this industry and I am honored to be in business with her.  I guess you could say that Rodan and Fields is bringing people closer also regardless of geographic locations also! 

Shannon also joined the team last week, and she's one of the first people I shared this business with.  I know I sound like a broken record, but she also has been a good friend since high school.  She is the type of friend that brings a smile to my face when I hear her name or when I think about all the goofy things we used to do.  

Shannon committed to joining the team but had to wait until she could make it "official".  We were both giddy about going into business together and sent regular notes to each other counting down the days!  It felt like her signing day would never get here, but it's now official and we are business partners!!! Shannon is off and running and based on what I've seen, it's going to be hard work trying to keep up with her!  She jumped in to the deep end and is making things happen.

This is a business so at the heart of what I'm doing is profits, BUT the best part (for me) is the relationships.  How many people can say they get to work with their friends?

I've learned so much more about them since this journey began, and it makes us all that much closer.  To say they're smart, dynamic, amazing, and fun women would be an understatement.  I have so much respect for my friends/partners, and I am honored to be in business with each of them.  We are a powerful team and with each passing day are getting smarter and stronger.  The future is so bright!!!  Again, I still can't believe I'm getting paid for this!

Most of us have to work.  I am thrilled that this company allows me to work in my pjs and with people I care so deeply for.  Our products make people happy and this is only the beginning.  I can't wait to see who else joins the team.  They say to look for driven, friendly, positive people because they are friends with driven, friendly, positive people.  I can't wait for the network to broaden with each of the team's connections because if they are half as great as my friends are I am going to be blessed beyond words.  I can't wait to experience what the future has in store for each of us.  Regardless, I know we are going to have tons of fun doing it!!!

March is going to be a great month.  I get to see two of my partners and help grow their business.  Look out California, here we come!  

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It's A Marathon, Not A Sprint...

We keep hearing, "This business is NOT for everyone", which in the beginning this is difficult to wrap our heads around because to earn maximum profits we have to build a team and master recruiting.  This means it's a numbers game. 

So what does that look like?  Most cast a really wide net to try to maximize results.  This makes sense because it allows you to reach the masses, become more familiar with the business, better understand your reactions and those of others, deal with rejection, and actually better understand yourself.    

However, an interesting thing is happening as our confidence builds.  We find that we are thinking bigger and going after our "dream team" or the "big fish" rather than strictly quantity.  This thinking is great from a strategic standpoint, but it also has its downside.  We're now having scarier conversations and experiencing bigger rejection.  This is where, "this business is not for everyone" comes in.  

Let's face it, nobody likes rejection.  It sucks.  Rejection plays with your mind regardless how confident you are.  In this business we've learned quickly that there are peaks and valleys.  Now if we could only learn how to master the valleys and accept that the rejection isn't personal.  In fact, when we take a step back and get passed the emotions, we usually see that the rejection is actually better for us long-term.  

We are building a business so we are looking for customers that are genuinely interested in better skin.  It has been odd to realize that not everybody cares about their skin.  We are still baffled by this one, but are getting better at accepting it.  

We are also looking for team members that are hungry, driven, fun, and are looking to build their own business as well as secure financial freedom for themselves and their families.  It's also important that our team members believe in the product and the company.  That passion makes it easier to sell and build a lucrative business.  

We learned this lesson the hard way.  We experienced the peak of a new team member in our first month only to experience the valley of losing her in less than twenty-four hours.  This was a HUGE blow.  It really took the wind out of our sails because it happened so early in our journey.  We learned that most people in this business lose team members BUT most don't lose them in their first month.  

It also made us question if we were crazy or if we were doing the right thing.  We had to fight through the negative voices in our heads.  The voices that ask:

• What in the world are you doing?
• Who in the world do you think you are?
• Do you really think you are going to succeed?
• Could you have done anything differently?  

In fact, we didn't share about this team loss immediately because it took a few weeks to process and really accept.

This is where the buddy-system is beautiful.  There is power in numbers and their is power in friendship.   The buddy-system helps build confidence.  It includes an automatic "pick me up" when one of us is stuck in a valley. 

Side by side we are building this.  We are having fun and experiencing a lot of peaks --- we just signed two more business partners, which we'll be featuring soon so stay tuned, and we continue to sell product.  There is nothing like a new team member to give us an amazing adrenalin rush.  But, it's when you hit the valley that you are glad you are in this with your friends.

This business is not for the weak, and it definitely tries your patience.  We need to remember to see the big picture.  We've learned that we'll take a step back on occasion, but we need to trudge on by taking two steps forward.  When we want immediate results, we need to remind ourselves this is a marathon, not a sprint.

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Here We Grow Again ...

We are super excited to welcome our newest team member, Heather!!!  She is the mother of two beautiful daughters and currently a Director of Sales in the high tech industry in the Northern California area.  Her reason for starting her own business is all too familiar.

At this stage in her life, while her career is important, she finds herself less tolerant of all the sacrifices corporate requires.  She loves her boss who is extremely flexible BUT it isn't enough.  She wants more time with her family.  This opportunity came to her at the perfect time.

Do you have people in your life that have made an impact regardless of how much time you spent with them?  That is Heather.  We went to high school together and weren't necessarily close girl friends, but we were certainly friends.  We had chemistry together and interacted from time to time in class or around campus.

Fast forward twenty plus years and, thanks to Facebook, we reunite and find ourselves chatting periodically about life, family, where we have been, etc.  A few chats later and we find that we have more in common than we would have ever imagined.

We share many things: successful corporate careers, motherhood, family, drive, competitive spirits, compassion, we are believers, and a desire to spend more time with our girls.  It isn't just more time with our girls that is important, but having enough positive energy for our girls.  We both talked about how corporate can literally suck the life out of you and leave very little left for the ones you care about.

We've said it before and we will say it again, the best thing about this business is the relationships.  Who knew twenty some odd years ago, two high school chemistry students would lock arms and become business partners!  The relationships make it fun going to work everyday!    

Now, her husband gave us a HUGE challenge but we are both up for it.  He is giving us three months to "show him the money" and show him the potential this business has.  The funny thing about this challenge is how we both reacted!  Neither of us batted an eye, took the challenge, and got to work!  I am confident Heather's husband will love this business in three months!  We haven't negotiated with him yet BUT since we are already well into February and it is a short month, we think it is only fair that the clock "officially" start ticking for our first month on March 1!!!

We are smiling from the inside out knowing Heather is going to "own" Northern California, and that she just made a decision that is going to change her life.  I am confident she will be spending more time with her girls among other things.  This is just the beginning...

Welcome Heather, my friend and newest business partner!!!

    

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Pay Day; Sweet, Glorious Pay Day...

We love pay day!  Let's face it, who doesn't?  I've heard many people say it's not about the money.  Seriously, who are they kidding?  We work to get paid!  Sure we get other things out of work but at the end of the day, as Puff Daddy stated, "It's all about the Benjamins".

Will I make enough money this month to:

• Support My Family
• Put Food on the Table
• Pay My Bills
• Pay the Insurance
• Pay the Taxes
• Get my hair done
• Put money into savings
• What about my retirement
• Buy that (insert whatever you like) I've been looking at for months
• And,  after all the obligations are paid, is there any "funny" money left to play with?

We received our first pay checks this week and a two things happened:

1)  It made this business real.  We knew it was real but now it really is real!
2)  We both gained an amazing sense of accomplishment.  Who knew two girls from Anaheim could open their own businesses and actually make money in the first month?  Talk about putting a smile on our faces --- this is really cool.

We jumped into this business together but for very different reasons.  While we have been friends for twenty plus years and have pretty much been through everything together (marriages, divorces, births of children, heartache, happiness, success, etc.), our careers couldn't be more opposite.  One went the "college", then "corporate" route and slaved hours upon hours to build a career.  While the other went the "I have to find a job to support my kids" route and slaved hours upon hours to put food on the table.  Now one of us is looking to stay home with her new baby and the other is looking for financial freedom.

Regardless of our paths, we both have put up with "playing the game", which entails:

• Crazy bosses
• Crazy hours
• Crazy co-workers
• Missing important obligations and/or events due to work
• Corporate silliness
• Corporate politics
• Kissing up
• Biting our tongues
• Crappy jobs
• Our "HR" files
• Being passed up for a promotion 
• Getting the promotion, then realizing it really isn't what you wanted
• Sacrificing, Sacrificing, Sacrificing 

And we both desire the same things:

• Financial Freedom
• Flexibility to spend time with the people we care about
• Fun
• To look forward to "going to work" everyday, especially when it's from home in our pj's!!!

It's probably too early in this year-long journey to say we found what we are looking for but, so far, all things would suggest that we have.

In all seriousness, we are both motivated by a number of things and money is certainly one of them.  We all know you need money to survive, but it is not the only thing that motivates us.  We are both "pleasers" and like to help others.  We didn't appreciate how satisfying that piece of this business would be.

There is nothing like getting a message from one of our customers raving about their skin due to the products we sold them.  The company says that if you change a person's skin, you can actually change their life.  When we first heard this, we both thought it sounded a little dramatic, BUT now we get it.  We all want to put our best foot forward and when your skin is not as nice as you'd like it to be it has an impact.  These products work and have a positive impact on the people that use them and it feels good to be part of that and to share it with our friends and family!

As women we tend to share things in life, the new lipstick we found, the hairdresser that does wonders, the latest Taylor Swift CD (yes we bought it and it is actually good), the pair of shoes that is to die for, the limited edition Oreo cookies (yummy) --- so why not share amazing skin care products?  Well, we are and the bonus is we get paid to do it!

Eleven and half more months to go --- which means eleven more pay checks until we do our evaluation!  Show us the money R + F!      

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I Must Be Crazy...But On Second Thought The Business Model Is Working...

In this business, the company recommends holding a business launch which is basically a gathering of friends and family to discuss the business opportunity, your personal reason for starting your business, and then a few product demonstrations.  Unlike other Direct Marketing companies this is not a "product" party. It is truly a business launch.  In fact, it is so different it actually surprises your guests.

So, me and my business partner scheduled mine for this past weekend and she flew into town for the big event.  Talk about stressing me out...

For those of you that know me well, you know I'm a bit of a "stresser".  I have been since I was a kid.  Everything from daily stomach aches before school to cold sores the morning of test days.  While I am better than when I was a kid, it is still something I struggle with.  So during the days leading up to the business launch I was full of doubt.

• What if nobody shows?  
• What if my business partner feels like her trip was a waste?
• What if I let my business partner down?
• What if I get asked something about the company or the product that I don't know?

Well, the big day arrives and it is nothing like I had planned.  You see, I am still adjusting to motherhood and the differences that it includes.  In my life prior to motherhood, I would wake up early the day of a big business meeting or event and take my time getting ready, enjoy my coffee, take a long shower, go over my presentation, check my list a few times to ensure I had everything I needed, arrive early to the location to go over all the last minute details, etc.  

My day went a little like this.  Woke up and have a nice, big, ugly cold sore right on the middle of my upper lip.  This is typical --- it's from stressing.  No time to worry about it because my little girl needs her Mommy.  This past week all she wants to do is nurse which means zero "me" time.  I think she must be going thru a growth spurt or possibly starting to cut a tooth, or both -- regardless taking a shower has been a challenge let alone getting dressed and ready for an event!.  Before I know it, I have one hour before I'm supposed to leave and I'm not dressed nor do I have any idea what I am going to wear.  Another challenge of being a new Mommy is my new body!  It is a body I don't recognize.  It is not a pregnant body, but it definitely isn't my pre-pregnancy body either which makes getting dressed in anything other than yoga pants very interesting!

I find a somewhat decent outfit, not really something I would've previously worn to a business meeting but time is ticking so it will do.  Meantime, Charlotte is having meltdown number three but it feels like number twenty and my wonderful husband, Mike is packing the car.  It was at this moment that I asked myself, "am I crazy to think I can make this work?"  Mike sees that my wheels are spinning and that I am full of doubt and he reassures me that this is going to work.  So I pull up my big girl panties and we are on our way.  

First stop is to pick up the balloons.  I ordered the balloons a day before so that they would be waiting for me.  Guess what, my order is nowhere to be found.  Okay, deep breath, send Mike to stop number two, Kinkos, while I wait for the balloons.  Next, stop number three, General Rental for the linens.  Of course, they need a drivers license and I didn't bring mine.  Thankfully, Mike has his and we are off.  

Normally, my sweet baby girl gets in the car and sleeps but that is NOT the case today.  Another meltdown and then sleep.  About an hour into our drive, Charlee is freaking out so we decide to pull off and nurse.  It was then that we realize that I forgot the diaper bag.  Mama Mia, are you kidding me?  Okay, stop number four, the grocery store which we needed to do anyways to get snacks so we killed two birds with one stone.  One shopping trip, one feeding and one diaper change later and we are on the road again.  I realized my hope of homemade snacks wasn't realistic the day before.  Not an easy thing for a "stresser" and "perfectionist" to accept but this is my new life as a Mom of a three-month old. This was the second time I wondered if I was crazy.

Believe it or not we made it in time to set up before guests arrive and while the event turn out wasn't as BIG as I'd hoped, it was a success.  And prior to the event I sold product to two more customers.  The event also produced more product sales and a couple prospects.  Wow, I am starting to see how this business works and actually think it is a real possibility for me!!!

The best part of the night happened after the event back at our house.  After Charlee's bath time and our daily bedtime routine, my business partner and I enjoyed some wine and got to know each other better.  I had my 1/4 of a glass since I'm nursing but the wine was delicious.  An organic cab from Ceago winery in Northern California.  Yummy!  We stayed up until 2:00 am talking, giggling and even shedding a few tears.  Neither of us had any idea that so much time had passed because we were having so much fun.  

The relationships that form in this company are by far the best part of this journey!  I feel blessed beyond words to have this new friendship in my life!

Next, is Renee's business launch in March.  We are actually doing a few.  One in Palm Springs, thanks to our good friend Dena that is hosting for her network, one at Mexi Casa for all of our Anaheim gals, and another one in the Fountain Valley area to reach Renee's immediate network. 

What a weekend.  A new friend that I believe will be a friend for life.  New customers, new business prospects, and the Packers won the Super Bowl!  And this is only week five in our one year journey.

  

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The First Month

So, we are one month in and we have experienced every emotion under the sun.  We jumped into this with the mindset that we would give it one year.  At the end of the year, we would evaluate our situation and go from there.

This month has included a range of thoughts and emotions including:

• Why in the world are we doing this?
• Self-doubt 
• Who do we think we are?
• Patience
• This sounds too good to be true!
• Excitement --- actually almost giddy 
• If others can do it, why not us?
• Frustration
• I'm not a salesperson so how am I going to make this work?
• I never thought I would be doing this!
• Faith
• Do I really have time for this?
• Can you really build a successful business working out of your home and via social networks?
• Self-confidence
• Etc, etc, etc...

And, in a short amount of time we have learned a few things:

• 82.4% of women in the US who make $100,000 or more do it in direct sales.
• Building a successful business is a marathon, not a sprint.
• More millionaires are made in this industry than any other business.
• Healthy skin makes us feel better.
• In this industry, most millionaires are made on the ground floor of new companies.
• Our individual networks are larger than we thought.
• The anti-aging skin care market is a $2.5 BILLION industry (WOW) and growing.
• More people do Direct Marketing than we thought.
• The buddy system, not only makes this easier, but also makes it fun.
• This industry isn't for everyone and that's a good thing, because if it was, the opportunity would be limited. 
• Social media networks are more powerful communication tools than we thought.

The most surprising thing about this adventure so far is the amazing relationships that are starting to develop.  The people in this organization are wonderful, and we have developed some awesome friendships in a short amount of time.  There are stay at home moms, executives, lawyers, teachers, scientists, college educated, high school educated, etc.  Many have replaced their salary and their spouses salary, but it isn't just about the money.  The people I've spoken with are truly happy, nice, ethical and inspirational.  

We still struggle with wrapping our head around the idea that you can be successful outside of Corporate America.  It really is a paradigm shift.  Can you really succeed without putting in 40-80 hours a week?   Can I really be myself and not worry about my HR file, the corporate culture, kissing up to my boss, etc.?  So far, the answer is yes.  But we have eleven more months to go...

Many of my colleagues are making six figures and some are making multiple six figures and they've done it in 6 months to 2 years.  This is mind boggling!!!  It took me seven years in Corporate America to break the six-figure mark, and it took more than time.  It took long hours, compromising time with my family, sleepless nights, a lot of ridiculous conversations, biting my tongue, fitting into a corporate culture, slow decision making, red tape, etc.  Again, we will see where we are in eleven more months but if others have done it, why can't we?

Also, we sold some product, our skin looks and feels amazing, built our team and made some money --- not a ton... but some is better than none.  We have to remember that we are building a business here.  Most businesses take awhile to get established, and our journey has just begun.  Again, it's a marathon, not a sprint. 

 

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