Entrepre-what?

One of the things I find endlessly amusing are the people who simply don't understand why you would want to be an entrepreneur.

They stare at you blankly when you tell them what you're doing.

They ask questions about insurance when you tell them about the product.

They shake their heads in disbelief when you tell them about your goal to get a free car.

It amuses me. But it didn't always. I did direct sales for another company, home decorating & candles, for 3 years shortly after college. I did ok with it, but I was still highly influenced by other people's opinions. I'm staring down 33 and only now am I starting, and I mean just barely starting, to move beyond letting those opinions box me in.

At our L'Bri national convention last year, in 2009, Nicki Keohohou said something. She said that at the core, people will start a direct sales business, or any business, for one of just a few reasons.

To gain the respect of someone else.

To make someone proud of them.

To be proud of themselves.

To build something of their own from the ground up.

They want more for their family.

Ultimately when everything else is stripped away, their core base for being willing to consider it will be one of these things.

For me this was kind of life changing. I realized quite suddenly as she was speaking that I did want my family to be proud of me and I wanted to gain their respect. But, the minute she said they want to build something of their own from the ground up, not just a lightbulb, but an entire Fourth of July grand finale fireworks display went off in my head.

So many of the things I have tried or dreamt about or set goals for over the last number of years has been for this reason. To build something I can proudly put My Name on. I know other people at that convention had similar realizations, but with totally different core reasons.

So, now, when I tell an acquaintance that I lost my job in December, share the story of what happened, and begin to explain what I am doing now, the reaction I get amuses me. I explicitly share that I am working on building this L'Bri skincare business, that I am working on a consulting business for Social Media and basic Computer Helps, and that I am working on my 2nd novel and prepping to get my 1st one submitted to agents in order to get published. I share those things and, as if I haven't even said any of that, they will inevitably ask some version of

"Well, are you looking for a job?"

Yes! I am. I am applying for my 2 jobs a week, legitimate jobs that I am qualified for (sometimes over qualified for) that I would take and that I would be good at, to maintain my unemployment. But, that only takes up so much time in a week! I am filling my weeks with ... well with too much facebook, but also with L'Bri University, with reading and teaching myself more about social media, with brainstorming ideas for proposals for that and my computer helps business, with time spent writing my novel. And time spent with friends and family. But they inevitably come back around to:

"Well, good luck with the job search."

I had an acquaintance do just that this weekend. I shared with her how I lost my job and I shared an elevator pitch on my consulting business as well as this L'Bri business and her very first question was "Have you ever looked at contract work?"

I am so deeply grateful that I have gotten to a point in life, finally, where I can hear that and be amused. I can answer her and move on to other topics, and not sit and stew on that question and what she may or may not think of me or my abilities or ideas for days and weeks on end.

And when I'm driving around in my Nissan Murano with my L'Bri magnet on the side, I will smile widely and be very very proud of this team I built that I can put My Name on.

My First Time

I was a faithful (other brand) user for years.  At some point towards the end of high school or possibly the beginning of college I realized the value and logic to washing your face regularly.  And when a friend started selling (other brand) I started buying.  First and foremost because I was a good friend, but secondly because I knew I ought to be using something on my face regularly.  I liked what they had to say, and at the time I liked how it made my skin feel. I used the product faithfully, even switching between programs, following consultant suggestions and figuring out what would work best for my skin and, more importantly, my lifestyle. I used it for 5 years or so, maybe.  As with many things in life, one loses track of the timing after the time has passed. 

Then a very dear friend of mine sent me an invitation to this L'Bri thing.  She had bad acne.  Cystic, painful, red, very self-conscious-ness generating. I didn't have any of that.  I got a blemish or two only around my "cycle" and those weren't all that bad.  I was, however, a "picker."  I'd pick at my blemishes and pop them etc.  So I had some scarring on my chin, but nothing to make me all that self-conscious, and certainly nothing noticeable enough to deter me from picking.

Now, what you probably do not yet know about me, is that I am an incredibly Loyal person.  Like, ridiculously so.  I find anything I like or appreciate, and I will be Loyal to the END of Time.  I am incredibly disappointed when a manufacturer stops making my favorite conditioner or hair creme or brownie mix or whatever.  Having been a Loyal user of (other brand) for years, and having helped a couple of different friends maintain their sales quotas with (other brand) I debated the merits of going to this L'Bri thing my dear friend was having.

In the end, Loyalty to my Friend won out over Loyalty to my Brand.

4 years later, I can say,

I am so glad it did!

We participated in the Lesson and used the product right on our own faces.  We did this masque thing they had on only half of your face so you could see the actual difference.  Which was dramatic for some and noticeable for others. My friends noticed the smile lines around my mouth had faded, but then I was only halfway into my 20s, so I didn't have much "aging" to work on yet. ;)

The consultant spent some time going through one of their brochures and talking about the ingredients in most cosmetics products.  She said that most products have a first ingredient of water, but that L'Bri used Aloe Vera Barbadensis instead of water.  She told us how Aloe is a natural anti-inflammatory and therefore, very good for you skin.  She told us how L'Bri only uses natural ingredients in as pure of a state as they can access.  She explained that the only scent or color in any of the products came from the actual ingredients contained therein, i.e. the cleanser is green because it contains chlorophyll, which is the same stuff that makes plants green.  She also explained some of the chemicals used in most other brand's products and how those were detrimental to your skin and could actually accelerate the aging process. 

I'll be honest, I was a bit cynical.  Anyone can print a pretty brochure and tell you "facts" about this ingredient or that chemical, but the proof is in the pudding ... or the cleanser as it were.  But, I can honestly say, by the time we were done with the demonstration, I was very impressed with how my skin actually felt.  I wasn't sure yet if I bought into all their propaganda (which is what I basically called it in my head) but I did know that I had bought into the results of using the product.

I ordered the "just starting off" set and was quite impatient to get it in the mail. And I went so far as to book my own lesson because their Hostess Program at the time, was to give you a free Masque when you hosted your own qualifying lesson.  And, believe me, after seeing some of the dramatic results around my friend's table ... i wanted that masque.

After learning what I did about the ingredients, having felt the product on my skin, and having ordered a set, I had a very difficult time going home and continuing to use (other brand) until my L'Bri set came.  But I did, because I am Good Follower and "they" tell you to wash your face every night and every morning.  I was so excited when my products came in the mail.  And I had a great lesson of my own and expanded my product set.

That was 4+ years ago.  And I can still say that I am incredibly grateful to my friend for inviting me.  And grateful to my God for prompting me to go and help my friend out, because L'Bri has truly changed the course of my life.   I use a product I believe in.  I have an opportunity I can share with confidence.  I became a part of a company I could represent proudly.

And I am excited about what the future holds.  For L'Bri.  And, for me.