Hand Cream

I just gave Morgan, my fiance, some of the FC5 Hand Cream and OH BOY does he like it...he said his hands never felt so soft.  I wish I could have recorded his reaction, because he's the kind of guy that when he likes something, you darn well know he likes it...the eyes get big and he usually says something like "Wow!" followed by "oh my gosh."  I especially like to get this reaction after I have made a new recipe.

FC5 Ultra-Hydrating Hand Cream

The smell of this is really incredible, so fresh and just plain lovely.  $18 a pop and if you sign up as a preferred client...20% off!  35% percent of if you want to join the team (plus lots of other perks).

Inspiring

Inspiring: adj. Stimulating or exalting to the spirit.

Synonyms: Exciting, exalting, uplifting, encouraging, moving, stimulating, exhilarating, breathtaking, intoxicating.

I was writing an email tonight to the woman who INSPIRED me to join this team and take on this journey, when it hit me to write a short post on the word INSPIRING itself.  

I cannot tell you the last time that word came into my thoughts prior to the last couple of weeks.  Now it seems I have to take to the thesaurus to find another word for it since I use this word over and over.  It gets almost to the point of giddiness and it's all because of this company Arbonne!  Never once have I worked for a company that truly inspired me by either the people in it or the philosophy itself.  The people I have met already within this company have shown me that I am getting the best of both...a company with an amazing vision that has laid a path for all these incredible people to follow.  

Each story I have come across within Arbonne is an INSPIRING one of people just like me who wanted to take their life into their own hands and reach for the sky.  What's even better?  The sky's the limit!  Gosh it's so liberating to know that I have control of how far I go.  Not to mention, I feel I am becoming someone who can inspire others as well.  I lived for so long being a "glass half empty" kind of person when it came to careers, ambitions and life's other bits, but my outlook has completely changed.  I know that anything can come to fruition by seeing the examples shown to me through Arbonne.  It's not magic, nor is it rocket science...it's a simple plan and by following the steps, I know I can get to the destination I choose because I took the first step and haven't look back.  All you need is a little INSPIRATION :)

My, oh my

Upon opening the Arbonne packages Tuesday evening (after making the apple pie of course) I was in heaven.  Not only did I receive all the items I ordered to start with, but I received a whole box full of the items for the Strong Start Program.

Everything you need for a "Strong Start"

I was overwhelmed...I did not expect all of this!  I received some samples of the RE9, extra brochures and paper items to give to prospective clients/consultants, binder with info on the line...and an AMAZING binder full of everything one would need to know about the company, products, how to's...you name it!  If you are not an organized person...no need to worry because you will be with this.  I am crazy for to-do lists and check-off lists...love to make them and love even more to check them off!  What do I see on the first page?  A check-off list of how to get the strong start program going!  Yes, I am officially in love.  Oh, I even got a little flash drive with the Arbonne logo on it...cute!

Now for the really good stuff...the smell alone from the packages when I opened the box was amazing!  So fresh and clean.

Lovely!

I opted for the RSVP (right start value pack) which allowed me to purchased about $700 worth of product for only $350.  I can't wait to be able to get the RSVP2 when my PRV hits $1000!  I am going to have every product before you know it!
I am very excited about getting all the skincare and will be taking photos when I start it tomorrow morning.  It will be great to see the before and after in weekly increments.  Next, I am looking forward to getting the color products, because I really want to start using those for when I do make-up for clients.  Have to stick with what I have for now though...soon enough!

Woohoo!

Saw the "Out for Delivery" on the UPS tracking site this morning...anticipation...and it is finally here!  Yay!  Did I tell you that I ordered all of this on Saturday night???  That was fast, almost ripped the UPS man's arm off when it arrived.  Ok, I was a little more gentle than that, didn't want to break anything in the boxes...right?

Must wait before plunging into them...have to finish making an apple pie for my man before he gets home; he is the main motivation behind anything I do, especially this.  He deserves it!  After that I will be in a blissful haze while opening up these beautiful green boxes.

Live Call

Last night I was able to take part in my first live call with Arbonne as well as listen to both Amme and Chris Weilert who are incredible inspirations to not only the Arbonne community, but now myself.  They discussed the "10 Steps to Getting Started with your Arbonne Business."

1.      Get your Consultant ID Number and Place your FIRST ORDER…AND Become a product of the products!!!

2.      Decide you want to become a Arbonne Consultant and take this Business serious-"Opt In" to the "Strong Start Program" at arbonne.com

3.      Listen to the Recorded Call “Getting Started with Arbonne/Action Plan Call” - LISTEN HERE!

4.      Set up your “Strategy Session” within the first 24-48 hours of getting your Consultant ID Number and placing your FIRST ORDER.

5.      Complete your Arbonne “Action Plan” with your Sponsor and read through the Policy and Procedure manual that you will receive…AND Schedule your first TWO Activities/Party Launch Dates (within the same week) and Set your 30, 60 and 90 Day Goals!

6.      Set up your Office-Get biz cards, set up your voicemail, open a separate biz bank account, and set up your own www.myarbonne.com website.

7.      Get your materials and business tools set up – EOA stories, curiosity packs, host packs, scripts for different presentations, biz and product literature, samples, tester sets, etc.…Make sure to FOLLOW THE SYSTEM!!! It works if YOU work it!!!

8.      Log on and get familiar with www.arbonne.com – Under Internet Consultants complete the “Basic Consultant Training” in Arbonne University, get familiar with Learn & Burns/Archived Learn and Burns (Sign up for the monthly L & B’s CD’s), Webstats, ETC….

9.      Read great books like, Your First Year In Network Marketing by Mark Yarnell,Learning The Business & Future Choice by Michael Clouse, The Gift by Dr. Shad Helmstetter, Dare To Dream And Work To Win by Dr. Tom Barrett.

10. Get CONNECTED and stay CONNECTED with your Upline and make sure your schedule is full with daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly events!!! AND…Follow the System For Succes!!!

I can't tell you how amazing it was to be able to listen live to these two people who have made Arbonne their avenue for success, and let me tell you, as ENVPs, they have succeeded!  At the end of the call, I wished I had questions for them, but thanks to an amazing sponsor and my own drive to find out as much information as possible...I had none.  Regardless, I felt super pumped to work my butt off to show myself what I can do and show others what they can do as well.  Needless to say I have been working all last night and this morning on taking advantage of what this company and the people in it have provided.

Did I mention all the wonderful people I have already met via the wonderful world of social networking that are also apart of this dream team?  It's incredible...all the friendship and support I have received and it's only been a couple days!  I can't wait to meet these wonderful people in person.

Getting it Started

Woke up Saturday morning super excited to see where this all is going to take me.  I am an information hound, so I did my homework prior to meeting with Erin.  Searched the internet trying to find anything I could about this company Arbonne...whether it be positive or negative.  The great part about it is that even anything negative did not turn me away, it was simply people's opinions about why they felt the way they did about the company, not facts.  The thing about opinions is that you always have the opportunity to form your own, based on experience and knowledge, you don't have to take someone else's word for it.  What better way than to check it out for myself and I found with this company and the people apart of it, there is ample resources to do so.  

I met Erin at her home and right away I could tell she was just as excited as I was.  Man!  I could already feel that passion igniting within me that I see so often in her!  What a feeling and we hadn't even gotten into all the info and product yet.  First off...we discuss my "WHY?"...this is the reason WHY I am taking this step, why I am reaching out.  My WHY?  Because I want to contribute to our (my fiance and my) future, not only financially, but in a positive and motivating way that keeps me reaching for more.  I also want to create a vehicle for which I can drive our other ambitions, like the designing, without allowing for the hindrances other avenues have left me such as:  "There's not enough time, not enough resources, it's never going to happen, not realistic, I am exhausted!"  (Any of this sound familiar?)  

Ok, let's get down to business:

The Product Information

Obviously the website will give vast knowledge on the products offered from Arbonne, but these brochures were great to go through while we discussed the products by line without having to sit in front of the computer.  I was pretty impressed by the layout and list of ingredients, which, by the way, are made without animal by products, are free of mineral oil, dyes and fragrances.  I have pretty sensitive skin, so being hypoallergenic is a huge plus in my book.  Did I mention not tested on animals and made in the USA?  Yep!

The Products

I have been doing make-up for a long time, having worked with a number of cosmetic and skincare line, I couldn't wait to see how Arbonne compared to the others.  Having mentioned I am an information hound, I like to know what is in the product and not only see the result, but know how the product creates that result.  This was the best part of the day...playing with the make-up and trying out the skincare.  Fortunately she has been with the company for a few years, so I was able to see pretty much the whole product line.  We started with the cosmetics...and I will say, I was not disappointed one bit.  The shadows have great pigment and there is every color I would want, with textures from satins to mattes to shimmers.  The foundations are amazing, and I have definitely found a new mineral powder!  The lip colors...WHAT?!  I love rocking an amazing red and Strawberry lipstick is my new go-to color.  The texture is incredible and I didn't want to take it off...but alas there was a heck of a lot more to try on.  Next came the skincare.  Everything felt super lux yet after reading through the brochures, didn't come with the price tag that I was use to paying before...a HUGE bonus!  The scent was fresh (a bonus of pure ingredients with no chemicals), the textures were smooth and when it comes down to it...I was in bliss! 

The concept is to become a product of the product, and I am happy to oblige!  Know I wanted to know exactly how I can make this work for me.

The Opportunity

The Inspirations/Tools

There are so many resources and action plans made available, not to mention incredibly helpful and inspiring people like Erin, the process to join the team was simple.  This is completely unlike my experience with past companies that involved catty people who want you to learn fast, but not necessarily succeed.  With Arbonne, yes you are in it for yourself, but in no way are you by yourself.  Everyone seems to work together to succeed and for each person, the sky is the limit!  I was on a high while completing the steps necessary to get this thing moving forward, and when it was set...ecstatic.  Finally my efforts are going to be paid back deservingly...the more I put in, the more I get!  

I placed my first order to truly begin becoming a product of the product.  I opted for the RSVP program which allowed me to get $700 worth of product for only $350.  Click here for more info on the SuccessPlan benefits.  Should get to me sometime in the next few days...so I will share more when it does.  I also began a website through Arbonne which is basically $10 a month and allows people in my area who are interested in Arbonne to reach out to me.  Really cool because I want to help other people reach their dreams the way Erin is helping me.  It also will allow people that know, and will come to know, get same information I now have.  I was able to choose my own sites name and basically it is a play off of my last name and also part of the name of my children's clothing line I am pursuing, M'Lady M'Lad.  So happy it was available!

Erin & Me

Feel free to come along!

A big thanks to Erin for her time and amazing attitude.  Can't wait to see what lies ahead!

The First Step

I have been working your typical 9 to 5 jobs since well before college ended, like the majority of the population.  Helping grow someone else's business, making money for the people running the show, and no matter how hard I worked, how much effort I put in, I would still come out with the same paycheck at the end of the month.  Raise?  Nope, not enough in the company's budget right now, but they sure do appreciate the extra effort to make those extra sales.  But you still come in early and still leave late with your family sitting at home wondering why you are never home on time.  Going home tired and moody was my signature and dinner conversation involved how low the office moral has gotten; once again couldn't make the boss happy, because let's face it...he or she is never going to be happy...blah blah blah!  Sure there were jobs I enjoyed, but once again I was making the bucks for someone else.  Time for me.

I am truly blessed to have an amazing man in my life that wants me to do what makes me happy even if I brought not a single cent home.  Wow...that whole 'not bringing a cent home' was ok for a couple days until I felt restless and needed to contribute in more ways to our future.  We have so many things we want to do and we want to do them before we start a family down the line.  How do I help us accomplish this without sinking back into the negativity and doubts that came with my past employments.

Where to look?  How about the most positive people I know.  What makes them so happy and have such a great outlook?  In comes Erin, an incredible woman I have known since I was in the 2nd grade.  Not a week goes by when I don't see her post a plethora of amazing quotes and thoughts of inspiration.  And low and behold what seems to be the source of these inspirations?  A li'l ol' company called Arbonne.  I was at the computer looking at some information she had on the company she was so pumped up over when I decided to watch this video with that she linked...and I am now linking for you:

After seeing this, my fiance just said "Wow, you should contact her tonight."  And so I did...and the rest is history!

...Ok...obviously not, because what would be the purpose of this blog???  But ladies and gentleman...that was my 'first step' and I don't plan on looking back.  Within an hour of sending that message, she and I had made a plan to meet the upcoming weekend to catch up and discuss this new opportunity.  Suddenly my uncertainty of what I wanted to do was replaced with anticipation and excitement.