A SECOND
E Y E O N
eoa A R B O N N E
CHANCE
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 ful-
filling. Unfortunately, I could not figure out what that something was.
I returned to school and received my MBA from the University of laura thompson
Georgia. While there, I also had a life-changing experience. During Independent Consultant, Regional Vice President
a bike ride, I was struck by a pick-up truck and sustained life-threat- Laura Thompson Region; Atlanta, GA
ening 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. became close friends and I quickly learned that she was just as unhap-
py in her job as I was. Like me, Alison was looking for something
After graduate school, I landed what I thought was going to be my more fulfilling. On March 19, 2005, Alison came to work beaming
dream job — director of finance for a real estate developer. It did not and she asked me if I was free for lunch. She was so excited that she
turn out that way. I quickly realized this was not the “something more could hardly remain in her seat. She had that glow about her that I
fulfilling” I was seeking. The one bright spot in the job was that I met now recognize as the one that you get when you sign up to be an
Alison Henson, who would later introduce me to Arbonne. We 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
REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT
fun; as long as you do not quit,
you will be a success.
”
I did not know much about Arbonne or the opportunity yet, but I was
jealous of her excitement. I started looking into Arbonne.
Laura with DM Mike Gladden and friends in the California wine country.
After doing some research and talking with family and friends, some-
one 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 back- Everyone has their Why. For two of my friends, Cynthia Iredale and
ground is in crunching numbers, not in approaching people about Kelly Moulton, it was to stay at home with their sons. For my sister,
starting a business, so this was certainly outside of my comfort zone. Katherine, it was so she could work shorter shifts as a labor and
The opportunity sounded too good to be true, but that certainly was delivery nurse … a job that is very labor intensive (pardon the pun).
not a good enough reason to stop looking. So I set out to research, For my parents, who are very successful real estate agents, their Why
The testimonials in this story reflect the actual experience of an individual, are anecdotal only, and may be atypical.
study and analyze Arbonne … something I had been doing for years was to have a potential, continuing income, beyond their last real
in my jobs. I tried to punch holes in this company and in the oppor- estate sale. I truly believe that Arbonne is the vehicle to get people to
tunity, but I could not. As a result, I knew that I would feel comfort- achieve their Why.
able presenting the Arbonne opportunity to my friends and family.
I want to thank my parents for believing in me, for supporting me,
Arbonne has everything going for it. It has anti-aging skin care prod- and ultimately, for joining me in this adventure! I want to thank my
ucts and hundreds of botanically-based, consumable products with team, Kelly Moulton, Cynthia Iredale, Laura Roe and Mike Gladden:
an exceptionally high re-order rate. Arbonne has enjoyed incredible Without all of your efforts, I would not be where I am today. You are
momentum, with annual growth doubling every year, from 2001 doing great! I look forward to the day very soon when you achieve
through 2004. Company sales are mostly Internet-based, as tech- your Why. For me, that will be the biggest reward of all. I also want
nology has enabled network marketing to be much more sophisticat- to thank my dear friend, Alison, who introduced me to Arbonne and
ed in both sales and shipping. Arbonne’s compensation plan is also who has encouraged me all the way.
potentially generous and fair; in fact, it is arguably one of the best in
network marketing. Remember: Just do your best and have fun; as long as you do not
quit, you will be a success.
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 oppor-
tunity with others and see it change their lives, as well.
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