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Arbonne Success Stories
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SUCCESS STRATEGY:

“It is not the setbacks, but the comebacks that will make your dreams a reality.”

In January of 2006, I was finally recovering from a four year extensive illness that had taken away not only my health and the job that I loved, but my whole way of functioning with my family and friends, a life that I had taken for granted. I had worked in the food service industry for over 20 years, for excellent corporations. I have a degree in Home Economics, two wonderful sons, Taylor, 16 and Ricky, 11 and a terrific husband, Don. We were and are a hockey family, and spend 50 out of 52 weeks a year in arenas. I was, I thought, living my dream — home, family and career.

However, in July of 2002, when I cam home from a family vacation, I returned unwell and never got out of bed for the next six months. Although the company I worked for was patient and kind, I finally had to resign from the job that I loved because I saw no signs of instant recovery near by. I was so right. It was a long slow, four year climb back to health. Along my way to recovery, I saw many medical and naturopath doctors. It was finally one herbalist that helped my body heal from the inside out, but it took four years for full recovery.

In the winter of 2006, I was finally starting to feel like the old me again. I decided that I would take a computer course, because I was now very far behind. A lot had advanced in four years. I needed to be computer competent, if I was going to re-enter the job market. You see, I was 52 years old and had never touched a computer or even sent an e-mail. I had a lot of catching up to do.

In spring of 2006, a lot happened. My old boss asked me to consider coming back part-time in the fall, I could now operate and send e-mails by computer, and my son, Taylor, was invited to travel to Boston to play in a hockey tournament. My husband and I decided to travel to Boston to watch him and it was at the Boston Airport that a seed of an idea planted by EVNP Kerry Gess began to grow.

I was chatting with the stewardess and complementing her on her beautiful shiny hair. She happily told me that she used Arbonne shampoo. I wanted shiny hair. I had been sick for four years. I wanted to look healthy on the outside now that I was feeling healthy on the inside.

When I came back to Calgary, I called Kerry to come over and finally allowed her to sample me not only the shampoo and conditioner, but also the NutriMinC® RE9® anti-aging skin care line. After all, I thought, in another month I would be 53 years old and it might help with the fine lines around my eyes.

Well, the rest is history. I tried the RE9 set for three days and saw results right away. At first, I was just going to sign up to get the products at a discount, but then I looked at the business. I was positioning myself to go back to work in September 2006. I decided Arbonne could be my plan B for the fall.

I signed on as a Consultant June 15, 2006 and 15 days later I was a District Manager. I became a DM before I even got my business kit. Back in those opening days of Canada, everything took two to three weeks to come up from California. Kerry lent me what I needed in the meantime and away I went.

Never did I anticipate that this hobby would turn into a career — a career that is flexible, fun and personally rewarding. I never did go back to work in September. Arbonne became my passion, my love and my plan A.

By December 2006, I became an Area Manager. I had a team of fabulous women around me and a sister team that cheered me on, every step of the way.

My sponsor, ENVP Kerry Gess is an amazing lady. She pioneered the northwest quadrant of Calgary, and without her fortitude and resiliency, I could not have done this. She coached me during the next year while I was positioning myself to go for the next level — RVP.

I created a ten step system to go to Region; nine of the steps were mental exercises. Just like a hockey team practices before a big game, mentally, physically and emotionally, so should we as we plan for the next management level. My journey had some major obstacles, that without my mental preparation, I could not of achievement my goal. During my second month of qualification, I had many setbacks: My car had to go into repair; my microwave died — and who doesn’t need a microwave when life is busy? My computer crashed, losing all my Arbonne files, and did not get repaired until six weeks after completion of RVP, forcing me to use my son’s old computer and share the time on it around Grade 11 homework. My dishwasher flooded. But all through the month, I said my affirmations and decided it was not the setbacks but the comebacks that would make this dream a reality.

One year after completing Area Manager, I am now a RVP. That is the power of our minds. Set goals, write them down and believe in yourself — that you are worthy of this achievement.

I am first and foremost thankful to my great and awesome God. He is my strength and encourager.

To my dear husband, Don, thank you for your unwaivering belief in me and your support. You never complained when I left the house to go to meetings or had to side step over an Arbonne box that had arrived at the door. With all my heart, I love you.

To my wonderful sons, Taylor and Ricky, you cheered me on in my Arbonne business, never doubting that I would get my white Mercedes-Benz, always asking “how soon?” I love you both, as big as the moon.

To my parents, Conrad and Dorothy Prefontaine, you have demonstrated to me all my life what good old fashion hard work can do. You have built confidence in me because you have always believed in me. Dad, you are an amazing role model. I love you so much .

To my sister, Leanne Ochocki and my sister-in-law, Janet Vieaux, you have supported me with your prayers, support and advice. Thank you so much for being just the perfect sisters.

To my sponsor, ENVP Kerry Gess, thank you for having the courage, determination and tenacity to bring Arbonne to NW Calgary. You pioneered many of the challenges of opening Canada and now you have changed the lives of so many. Thank you for all your support in my Arbonne journey. Without your strong belief in me, I would not be here today.

To ENVP Tanis Gaitens, thank you for your encouragement, compassion and kindness from so far away. Thank you for bringing Arbonne to your cousin, Leanne Zanutto, who in turn invited Kerry Gess to an Arbonne coffee party.

To my sister lines, NVP Kelly Greeing-Thoburn, ERVP Christine Lajeunesse, RVP Michelle Shires, RVP Lucy Corea and DM Debra Pickett, thank you for being a powerful source of encouragement to me. You invested time in me and helped me any way you could. You cheered me over the finish line. We have laughed and cried together.

To my team, you have made such a difference in my life. I am so blessed to have each and every one of you on this Arbonne journey. I am a better person because of each of you.

To my Area Managers, Alison Tarrant, Shelley Dyck, Michelle O’Neil, and Cindy Dyck, keep your eyes on the prize. Your business is ready to explode. I believe in each one of you and I am looking forward to your success.

To my District Managers, Charlene Palmer, Jodie Hendry, Heather Johnston, Melissa Kelman and Kori Steenhart, share this gift and watch your business grow. Find the courage to go beyond your comfort level.

To all my Consultants and Clients, without you, none of this would be possible. Your faithfulness and loyalty is so appreciated. A special thank you to my very first customer, my neighbor and friend, Claire Carlyon. I will always remember my first sale.

My journey has been a roller coaster, like so many. But be determined and remember it is not the setbacks but the comebacks that will give you the life you dream and imagine. If I can do it at 53 years old, then you can do it too.		  
       
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