My Story:
I grew up in Palmdale, CA. I have an older brother, a younger brother and 2 sisters. As a little girl, I rode my bike until dark, played hide and seek for hours, played jacks, jump rope, tetherball and hoola hoop. I enjoyed dressing up, lemonade stands and being in Girl Scouts. This was typical for a girl my age.
In Junior High School I ran track and did very well. Although my Mom told me it's not nice to be beat the boys, I did anyway.
In high school I was in all the choir classes and made All-State. I wasn't allowed to really participate in extracurricular activities that required transportation so I pretty much had my fun in choir. I was very active in my church youth group.
I only remember going out to dinner a couple of times during my childhood. Dad didn't like traveling and going places so . . . we didn't. We did however, go camping which is where I get my love for it today. Camping back then meant tossing a sleeping bag on the ground and that's it. Dad would always make what we still today as a tradition called, "Daddy Eggs". That's scrambled eggs, bacon, fried potatoes and onions all mixed together.
Here's Dad below fixing his special breakfast and other
pictures of our most recent camp trip.
Spending Quality Time With Family Means Everything To Me
My Mom was always very present in my life. Going back to my earliest years, I remember her being home. Dinner was on the table every night, the home was kept clean, she participated in all my school activities as the Room Mother (remember those?) She was the Scout Leader, Job's Daughter leader, and volunteered for anything involving my activities. I remember loving that.
Growing up, there was never a conversation about me going to college or having a career. I was brought up in old school thinking where I was going to grow up to be a homemaker. Mom taught me to cook, keep house, sew, and take care of children. It's actually a wonderful privilege for Moms to be able to do that, but I was not prepared for "real life" of being able to earn a living should I need to. Then, . . . I graduated from high school. My folks up and moved across the United States, I had no husband in the wings, and Boy Oh Boy . . . did I need a job!
I worked as a secretary at the business my Dad had owned until I met Steve, we got married and then I thought, "AH-HAH! Now I can be a homemaker!
I started a home daycare business. Being around babies all day, I found that I was loosing myself and my identity. I needed to have adult conversations! I went to school, learned my skill sets and became a legal secretary.
I loved my career in the legal field. It was during this time, being around the more affluent, I learned that people took vacations (that wasn't something I grew up with - we went camping). I discovered that people went out to eat and did the whole fine dining thing. I learned that there was a world out there of places to go and things to do.
BOY DID I EVER LEAD A SHELTERED LIFE!
I wanted to do what these people were doing and enjoy life like they were! Understanding this, after 7 years I was really at the top of my pay scale with my legal career, and I knew if I wanted more from life, I would need to change directions. I knew that if I changed nothing, nothing would change. I must be pro-active and take action. It would mean learning a whole new field and skill sets, but I was determined.
I decided I could generate income in the 6 figure bracket if I became a Realtor. I went to school and did just that. My first year was filled with learning new skill sets, failing forward, hard work, facing the learning curve, but I hit my 6 figure mark. I was on my way. I continued to enjoy a very successful real estate career for 13 years and then the market fell to pieces in 2005.
It was obvious to me by the first quarter of 2006, if I didn't do something quick, I was going to go under. My own personal properties weren't renting, my listings weren't selling, my buyers weren't buying, the phone stopped ringing and property values started to decline. So I turned to the home business industry. I would need to learn a whole new field and skill sets, but again, I was determined.
I joined a business that I thought would be my answer. However, it turned out to be a nightmare. Not only was there no substance to the product or customer service, or company, but I was being told to buy $10 leads and call them. With all this coming into clarity, I knew I had to stop this madness and I hung up this particular business. This lesson would cost me $35K and very valuable lessons. It was all part of my learning curve. I made no money. Zero. Zip. Nada.
WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Well, I sure didn't give up or make excuses. I learned what NOT to do. I sought out education through seminars and personal coaching, then went back at it with better decisions this time. I learned to pick better businesses and I understood the value of a mentor.
I joined a different business opportunity and this time, made the right choices. Night and day contrast! I experienced first hand what a difference it makes to have a product and pay plan worth talking about. I joined with a mentor who new how to use personal branding and advertising in ways many are not doing, thus it enabled me to kick off my business. I generated 2 sales my first week and have been hard at it ever since.
Since seeking education and training for internet marketing and implementing those strategies in my business, I've generated multiple thousands of dollars by being coachable and implementing what I learned. I've added an additional business to my portfolio as well as affiliate marketing for multiple streams of income.
Today I enjoy helping others in their home based business using the same strategies I've used, plus more.
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