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A R B O N N E
FOR GROWTH
AN ENVIRONMENT
My friend, NVP Lynne Ganley, “planted a seed” in the winter of 2002 when she asked me to check out her new Web site for her growing Arbonne business. As I read about the professional income she earned while working from home, I felt very excited for her. Like most people, I was immediately attracted to the products and company philosophy. However, it was about eight more months before I hosted a home Presentation of my own. I was skeptical about the network marketing industry. At the same time, I was becoming increasingly unhappy in my chosen career and workplace. I felt less and less convinced that a lifetime of social work was going to help anyone achieve their goals, including me. I was still committed to making a difference in the world, but I was desperately looking for a new way to bring about positive change, without sacrificing my dreams. I was desperate to find freedom from the limitations of a conventional workweek and financial strain. The seed that had been planted took root and began to grow. Finally, I asked my friend what the Arbonne “thing” was all about. To my initial horror, I learned that it did involve sales. I was sure that I was not the salesperson “type.” Eventually, I agreed to attend a meeting and saw firsthand that Arbonne was represented by many successful and down-to-earth women. My first home Presentation was also the launch of my own business. Although I cannot claim that I did my business perfectly, from that moment on, I did make the decision to never quit. There were many months in my first year that I gave in to self-conscious fears about my ability to run a business. There were times I did not reach my goals, and there were also times when I did not even set goals (I do not recommend this approach!). But I knew that I could never build the life I wanted if I gave up.
laina niemi
Independent Consultant, Regional Vice President Seeds of Change; Dover, NH
My business really began to grow in October of 2004, when, as an EAM, I learned that failing to reach short-term goals was not the same as failing. Goals could always be amended or extended. Arbonne the company, and most importantly, I began to grow. My volume tripled between the months of November and April, and as a result, my team and I completed Region in just two months. Because of the Arbonne opportunity, I will “retire” from the world of full-time work next month! I am enjoying driving my new MercedesBenz, and planting the seeds of change in the minds of as many people as possible. I love working with so many extraordinary women and men, who are also my dearest friends. My greatest reward has been finding out how much I am really capable of doing, who it is I
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AM-in-qualification Carol McEleney, AM Janet Kohlhase, Laina, NVP Lynne Ganley and ENVP Barb Kolby at NTC 2004 Texas. EAM Julie Perry, Laina and AM Janet Kohlhase at NTC 2005 Las Vegas.
NTC 2005 Las Vegas Grand Awards ceremony. L–R: AM Janet Kohlhase, AM Tami Newman, AM-in-qualification Carol McEleney, DM JoAnne Vilders, NVP Lynne Ganley, Laina, EAM Julie Perry and DM Ellen Fairfield.
success strategy:
“
REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT
The most valuable resource we have is the present moment: All things are possible when it is used wisely and with intention.
am meant to become and how many truly inspirational people there are in my small corner of the world. For all of this, I am so grateful.
”
The product launch at NTC 2005 Las Vegas with AM Carol McEleney, AM Tami Newman, EAM Julie Perry, Sr. VP Product Development & Marketing, Candace Keefe, Laina, AM Janet Kohlhase, DM JoAnne Vilders and DM Ellen Fairfield.
To the entire Laina Niemi Region: I am committed to your success, just as you have shown your commitment to mine. I will do whatever it takes to help you make your dreams a reality. To my dear friend, NVP Lynne Ganley: It is so much fun working with you and learning from you, but most of all I love having you as a friend. You have so much to do with my success. To all of my AMs: I am so fortunate to know you and work with you. You make things happen, and are an inspiration to me, as well as to your teams. To AM Janet Kohlhase: Your consistent work and dedication to your business is a source of continual amazement to me. Your efforts have built a solid foundation for my business, and I am truly grateful for that. To EAM Julie Perry: Is there anything that you cannot turn into fun? Your humor and generous heart adds joy to so many lives. You are such a smart businesswoman and you teach me something every day. To AM Tami Newman: I know you will do it, because you said you would. I have never known someone so determined. To AM-to-be, Carol McEleney: I have learned more from our talks than you have and I look forward to your continued success. To DMs, Ellen Fairfield, Lisa Erickson, Nancy Taylor, Terry Driscoll, Rachel Hale, Tracey McGrenaghan, JoAnne Vilders, Helen Lovlien, Nina Harnish, Katherine Seraikas and Jen Sharp: Thank you for all that you do and your contributions to the lives of so many. It is my pleasure to have you in my life. To all of the DMs-to-be: You are on your way, this is just the beginning.
To my Consultants who buy product at a discount, hosts and friends: Thank you for supporting my business with your generosity (and smart shopping!). I thank Founder Petter Mørck for his vision and determination, and President Rita Davenport for her inspiration and for reminding us that, “to whom much is given, much is expected.” To Executive Vice President Stian Mørck, Sr. VP Product Development & Marketing, Candace Keefe and the entire Home Office staff: For your tireless efforts, expertise and integrity, I would like to say thank you. Without all of you, this would truly not be possible. To my parents, Paul and Mary Niemi: Thank you for encouraging me to try harder and dream bigger. I love you both very much. To Lynda, Paul and the rest of my family: Thank you for your support and love! To Domonic: Your unconditional support, kind words, gentle encouragement and belief in me have contributed more to my business, and my life, than you know. I love you. In this business, the more I seek to create positive change in the lives of others, the more my life changes for the better and the faster my business has grown. Every time I overcome fear, doubt or negative beliefs, I enrich the soil in which my own future — and the future of so many lives — can grow.
The testimonials in this story reflect the actual experience of an individual, are anecdotal only, and may be atypical.
Some of the Laina Niemi Region. FRONT, L–R: DM Terry Driscoll, AM Julie Perry, DM Rachel Hale, DM JoAnne Vilders, with son, Cole, AM Tami Newman and DM Nina Harnish on the phone, listening from Florida. BACK, L–R: DM-in-qualification Holly Spreen, DM Nancy Taylor, DM Ellen Fairfield, AM Janet Kohlhase and Laina.
Laina with President Rita Davenport at ENVP Barb Kolby’s Nation celebration in October 2003. Laina and Executive Vice President Stian Mørck at NTC 2005 Las Vegas.
E Y E O N A R B O N N E | JULY 2005