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A few years ago, my older sister, Katherine, gave me a book that asked readers the question that I myself had been pondering: What should I do with my life? I had recently completed a five-year stint in investment banking and I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do. On paper, I was successful. I majored in finance at William & Mary, while also playing varsity soccer. After graduating, I took a position in investment banking, where I was quickly promoted and paid generously. While I was highly trained for and successful in this career, I was not happy. I found myself seeking something more fulfilling. Unfortunately, I could not figure out what that something was. I returned to school and received my MBA from the University of Georgia. While there, I also had a life-changing experience. During a bike ride, I was struck by a pick-up truck and sustained life-threatening injuries. Afterwards, friends and strangers would tell me that I needed to make the most of this second chance that I had been given. The biking accident helped me realize that life is short and therefore, I wanted to be happy in my chosen field. After graduate school, I landed what I thought was going to be my dream job — director of finance for a real estate developer. It did not turn out that way. I quickly realized this was not the “something more fulfilling” I was seeking. The one bright spot in the job was that I met Alison Henson, who would later introduce me to Arbonne. We
Independent Consultant, Regional Vice President Laura Thompson Region; Atlanta, GA
laura thompson
became close friends and I quickly learned that she was just as unhappy in her job as I was. Like me, Alison was looking for something more fulfilling. On March 19, 2005, Alison came to work beaming and she asked me if I was free for lunch. She was so excited that she could hardly remain in her seat. She had that glow about her that I now recognize as the one that you get when you sign up to be an Arbonne Consultant — which is what Alison had done the day before.
continued ...
Laura backpacking with friends in Grand Teton National Park.
Laura with family: Sister, AM Katherine Thompson; mother, AM Elsie Thompson; father, DM Holden Thompson; brother-in-law, Terrace Pair; sister, Daron Pair; nephew, William and niece, Emily.
success strategy:
“
Just do your best and have fun; as long as you do not quit, you will be a success.
REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT
”
Laura with DM Mike Gladden and friends in the California wine country.
I did not know much about Arbonne or the opportunity yet, but I was jealous of her excitement. I started looking into Arbonne. After doing some research and talking with family and friends, someone close to me said, “Laura, if you do this Arbonne business, you will be doing all of the things that you are not good at.” My background is in crunching numbers, not in approaching people about starting a business, so this was certainly outside of my comfort zone. The opportunity sounded too good to be true, but that certainly was not a good enough reason to stop looking. So I set out to research, study and analyze Arbonne … something I had been doing for years in my jobs. I tried to punch holes in this company and in the opportunity, but I could not. As a result, I knew that I would feel comfortable presenting the Arbonne opportunity to my friends and family. Arbonne has everything going for it. It has anti-aging skin care products and hundreds of botanically-based, consumable products with an exceptionally high re-order rate. Arbonne has enjoyed incredible momentum, with annual growth doubling every year, from 2001 through 2004. Company sales are mostly Internet-based, as technology has enabled network marketing to be much more sophisticated in both sales and shipping. Arbonne’s compensation plan is also potentially generous and fair; in fact, it is arguably one of the best in network marketing. As an individual looking at this opportunity, I realized the timing was right to have the potential to make more than just a living. I began to tell all of my friends and family about Arbonne because I truly believe I am sharing an amazing, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Arbonne has changed my life. I was able to leave the corporate world and become my own boss. It makes me feel so good to share this opportunity with others and see it change their lives, as well.
Everyone has their Why. For two of my friends, Cynthia Iredale and Kelly Moulton, it was to stay at home with their sons. For my sister, Katherine, it was so she could work shorter shifts as a labor and delivery nurse … a job that is very labor intensive (pardon the pun). For my parents, who are very successful real estate agents, their Why was to have a potential, continuing income, beyond their last real estate sale. I truly believe that Arbonne is the vehicle to get people to achieve their Why. I want to thank my parents for believing in me, for supporting me, and ultimately, for joining me in this adventure! I want to thank my team, Kelly Moulton, Cynthia Iredale, Laura Roe and Mike Gladden: Without all of your efforts, I would not be where I am today. You are doing great! I look forward to the day very soon when you achieve your Why. For me, that will be the biggest reward of all. I also want to thank my dear friend, Alison, who introduced me to Arbonne and who has encouraged me all the way. Remember: Just do your best and have fun; as long as you do not quit, you will be a success.
The testimonials in this story reflect the actual experience of an individual, are anecdotal only, and may be atypical.
Laura with team at The Center in Atlanta, Georgia.
ABOVE: Laura with team members, AM Katherine Thompson, ENVP Alison Henson, AM Kelly Barquin, AM Ann Kingrea and RVP Cynthia Iredale.
LEFT: Alison Henson, Laura and Jennifer Duncan.
E Y E O N A R B O N N E | DECEMBER 2005