“With belief and commitment your dreams will come true!”
It has been quite a year! Although I have loved the Arbonne products since I was introduced to them by my step-daughter, ENVP Tiffany Bufton, in August of 2003, I did not join her business until December of 2004. Obviously, I am a slow learner. Coincidently, that was the month that Chairman & CEO Bob Henry used as his baseline to show the exponential growth of Arbonne in 2005. Talk about being in the right place at the right time.
Looking back, I remember listening to Tiffany and to ENVP Linda Parker say, “If I could just lend you my vision goggles,” and, “If you could just see through my eyes, you would realize just how amazing this opportunity is.” I listened but my eyes could not see just how incredible the “big picture” could be until I was able to experience it through my own journey and with my own eyes. Now, I find myself saying the same thing to my team, hoping their imaginary vision is better than mine had been!
There were, however, some glimpses and “aha” moments during my first Arbonne year that became the window from which I could begin to visualize the big picture. Although it was exciting to participate in the Mercedes-Benz Cash Bonus Program within five months (I was fortunate to find an amazing team early), it was at a retreat that Linda Parker and ENVP Tracey Gatchel hosted in August that afforded me a view into the future. I had asked Tracey where she was a year before and her answer was, “I was an RVP and our team had just achieved a record monthly volume.” When I asked her where she was a month ago, her answer gave me chills. She said, “Now I am an ENVP and our success volume exceeded last year’s record eight times over.” After hearing that, I did not need Linda’s vision goggles to see the “big picture.” I instantly understood just how powerful this business was, and even more amazing was its potential for explosive growth. This past July, our team broke through the first benchmark. I now had tangible evidence on which to base my dreams. Yes, I will have the potential to be able to retire my husband (when he is ready) and still be able to maintain the fabulous lifestyle that Arbonne has afforded us. All this will happen sooner than I had ever imagined. Where would we all be in just one short year?
Our team went into qualification for Nation in September (even though some of us spent a week in Hawaii) and by November, Thanksgiving had taken on a whole new meaning. When learning that I had promoted, Tracey sent me an e-mail that said, “This is it. No more scrambling to promote, no more qualifying for anything. You have a space on that beautiful cruise ship in October — no matter what. Enjoy. This is just the beginning of the good stuff.” EVNP Cecilia Stoll also sent me a congratulatory message that read, “I am amazed at how quickly you have reached NVP. I am so proud of you. Thank you for setting this incredible pace for others to follow. Thank you for all you do for others. Now it is all about helping others get to where you are. You make me proud.” This was a call to action that I am taking very seriously. Those two messages put everything into perspective. Yes, you are rewarded for your hard work, but it is really all about helping your team. Their victory is your victory. I wrote to my team in my “oh-my-gosh-we-are-a-Nation!” e-mail that pledged, “I will not stop until you are where I am.” Becoming an NVP has re-energized my focus.
I am blessed that my journey from Consultant to National Vice President went quickly. What a fun and exciting ride! The result of it happening so fast, however, is that our Nation is very young in terms of time with Arbonne, less than a year for everyone. Nevertheless, my teammates are energetic, excited and determined. They will keep me busy fulfilling my promise to them and I am looking forward to a 2006 full of incredible growth.
I owe so much to my team and I am so grateful that they are in my life as partners in our Arbonne journey as well as incredible friends. I would simply not be an NVP today without the leadership and life skills of ERVP (soon to be NVP) Marie Silverstein. She has broken all my “records” by becoming a RVP in four months and an ERVP four months later. She is my rock and partner on our Arbonne journey. She has also become one of my dearest friends. I did not know her when I started my Arbonne business but met her through her mother, Judy Zerafa, who is one of my closest friends and, I might add, was on my original chicken list. Among her many accomplishments, she founded the “Go For It” Foundation, in order to bring the seven keys to success she developed to school children who desperately need them. It was not easy to get Marie onboard. Judy and I had to ply her with sushi to get her to join us for lunch but once she got the picture, there was no looking back! Now, her husband, RVP Scott Silverstein, is part of the team and instrumental in opening the eyes of men to the Arbonne opportunity, not only for our team but for other Arbonne crosslines. Marie has also trained for other teams in Arbonne. Both of them truly embody the spirit of Arbonne.
At the upcoming NTC 2006 in St, Louis, I am excited at the prospect of being able to applaud our current Area Managers as they walk the stage as new RVPs. To my lifelong friend, Dagmar Wittmer, and new friends and teammates, Kim Griffith, Ginger Guiette, Linda Busi, Sherri Corbett, Lisa Yurglich and Ginny Faltot: You are practically RVPs, so why not make it official? To AMs, Diane Sweat, Shelly Kozmata, Allison Eschweiler and Karen Buchanan: You will soon follow in their footsteps. Yes, we will have a parking lot full of white Mercedes-Benzes at our meetings in the spring!
By October, I am so looking forward to having our hardworking and determined District Managers relaxing and enjoying the Arbonne Mexican Riviera Cruise as new RVPs. To Bev Day, Julie Ehlert, Cathy Barker, Nora Sneberger, Kelley Griffith, Connie Lamb, Tangy Buchanan, Lotte Bowman, Linda Sherman, Ellen Redding, Katrina Prill, Isabella Wreschinsky, Kathryn Sweat, Kristen Sweat, Patty Engler, Kelley Digby, Marie Grossman, Tara Steckler, Pam Gwinn, Robin Guiette, Aimee Guiette, Kathy Emmons, Sherry Huntsinger, Denise Nicholson, Kim Watson, Mary Kreutzer, Jamee Whitten, Leslie Schwerin, Terry Strange, Jennifer Seven, Amanda Peterson, Elva Abraham, Natalie Moore, Jeannie Zalenski-Bouche, Janet Barber, Pam Lundeen, Tami Michels, Ashley Cooke, Shonna Falco, Debi Cooke, Stacy Nordby, Emily Bohner, Candy Springs, Carrie Stiver, Laura Dampf, Lee Eschweiler, Karen Noland, Amy Grossman, Scott Grossman, Leslie Christensen, Elizabeth Gille, Kim Bressm, Karissa Schultz, Sharri Zachary, Judy Zerafa, Jenni McKernan, Bridget O’Toole, Brandi Bishop, Cinda Ballard and Kalin Rae Walters: If you can make it to District, you can make it to Region!
I know that so many new Arbonne stars will begin their journeys in 2006, and I look forward to applauding their every step.
I also owe so much to the leaders in Arbonne, who have gone before us and continue to blaze a trail of success. To my sponsor and step-daughter, ENVP Tiffany Bufton: Without your vision and leadership our team would not have flourished. Thank you for your incredible training, to say nothing of your patience waiting for me to just get it. To ENVPs Cecilia Stoll, Linda Parker and Tracey Gatchel: Thanks for nurturing Tiffany and for setting such awesome examples of personal commitment, leadership and generosity. To President Rita Davenport (who must never sleep): Thank you for your amazing calls to congratulate all of us as we promote. Your words mean so much! To Chairman & CEO Bob Henry and the incredible Arbonne Home Office staff: Thank you for piloting the Arbonne rocket during its amazing growth in 2005. Success brings such great challenges and you have successfully tackled them all!
Of course, to my husband, Bob Brewka: You have been my backbone, sounding board, cheerleader, greatest friend and the love of my life throughout this incredible year. Thank you also for all your help in passing NutriMinC® RE9® sets out to all of your patients. Now, they not only have beautiful smiles but great skin and, for some, a new opportunity.
To my parents, Bob and Ruth Ness: Thanks for allowing and encouraging me and my brothers, Bill and David, to live our dreams. Thank you for your love, values, support and praise.
And finally, to all who are venturing out on their own Arbonne journey, “Happy trails!” Know that with belief and commitment, your dreams will come true!
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.
