It was mid 1998 - and I was a part of a wonderful group of stamping friends. We had started getting together about a year before - once a month in the beginning and then we decided we wanted to see each other more often so we switched to once a week! (Yes we are still getting together to this day!) Two of our members had made a trek to Hobby Lobby in Salina, KS - where a lady approached them in the stamping aisle and gave them her card. That was JoAnn Cisneros - angel #2 with The Angel Company. My friends left salina - thinking that they really wanted to find out more about TAC so they called JOann from their cel phone and she invited them to come to her house. She quickly set up a little display of samples and when they arrived she showed them all about TAC. They of course booked a party right away! JoAnn made that hour trip to do parties for us for about a year - and she always tried to convince me to become an angel.
This is me at an early Angel Gathering in Kansas.
I was at a point in my life where I was a bit lost. I had graduated from High school in Ohio and joined the Air Force so that I could go to college. Well that dream has yet to come true as I ended up married and pregnant instead! I was lonely in Kansas - had only a few friends and these stamping girls were my life line to sanity! I have always been into art - painting sculpting you name it! I also always knew that some day I was going to be a success!
I began looking into buying a stamping company that was selling out. I was very interested but kept thinking about all the pressure of owning your own business like that. I was working full time in a computer store - and my family kept me busy. I had gotten divorced and was then dating the love of my life. We knew we would eventually get married but were in no hurry!
After looking at that Stamp Company, and considering opening a store myself - i considered becoming an angel. I had no idea what would become of it - but it was a way for me to be in business for myself, get a discount on my addiction, and to connect me with people who like what I like - NEW FRIENDS! Yipee! SO I did it - I signed up. You know what happened? I had so much FUN -and loved The Angel Company so much my business just sort of rolled along. I would have several parties a month - no big deal right?
Well I got the surprise of my like that first year when I went to our annual convention. I had NO idea what was about to happen to me. I met up with a bunch of girls who i had corresponded with thru e-mail and a yahoo groups for angels. They all became my new best friends! It was awesome!
The last night we had our awards banquet. There were only about 40 people at this convention mind you - and I was just on cloud nine having a ball. They started announcing the top sales. I didn't even know how much I had sold in the 10 months I had been with The Angel Company. Then it happened. Mischelle announced the #3 seller for the year - Heather Scott!!! I was in total shock. I immediately burst into tears. It brings back tears just writing this and thinking about the impact that night has made in my life. (after that she announced the #2 in sales and she only beat me by 80 CENTS!!!) I could not beleive that I could be the #3 person in the whole company - What was I doing?
Having FUN was what I thought I was doing. In reality though I was actually building a business! I had a team and made manager, and was having workshops and classes and stamp camps. Fun Fun and more Fun! Some one who joined TAC to meet new friends, get a discount on my supplies, and maybe make a few dollars was #3 in the company! How can that be I wondered? I kept plugging along and the next year I was #2. I have stayed in the top 10 every year I have been with TAC™ - which I am very proud of!
In 2007 I achieved Cruise status with The Angel Company™ which for me had been a 4 year journey to reach. I kept on having FUN! Finally I got to take my husband on a Caribbean Cruise! I wanted to treat him to a dream vacation for all of the support he has given me and my business with The Angel Company™. The crowning moment of my career with TAC has been accepting my crown that year - and being announced as a cruise winner - hearing everyone in that room cheering for me and my accomplishment that I worked so hard for. That picture up there is that very moment.
In 2008 I was able to claim the #1 in sales award! Whoo hoo!! That has been the spot that has alluded me for 10 years in TAC! I can finally say that I reached the #1 spot and I am savoring it. It came only thru the grace of our Gracious God above, the support of my wonderful customers and friends, and encouragement of my many angel friends - you know who you are! (They are all in the picture at the bottom - minus Annette!)
In all of my years with TAC™ I have been blessed with so many friendships - across the country - these women mean the WORLD to me. We support each other daily - thru life moments good and bad. We pray for each other, cry on each others shoulders, and cheer each other on thru our success. We share our ideas and inspiration - and keep each other going when one of us feels in a rut. I do not know what I would do without these women in my life. We get together several times thru the year - at our annual convention and winter retreat - and also at regional angel gatherings throughout the year. They are moments that I look forward to thru the year - and I am so thankful to have the opportunity to go to them!
These are my Oz-some Inkin' Angels who got to come to Convention 2007 - what a treat to shared the spotlight with them!
The most rewarding part of being an angel for me is the chance to help another person realize their true potential! So many of us have such low self esteem that we do not feel worthy of success. I am here to tell you that ANYONE can do this! I am not saying it is easy - but I am saying that it is FUN!!! Did you know that one of Mary Kay's TOP directors didn't even wear make up when she signed her contract to become a Mary Kay Consultant? SO no you do not have to be an artist, idea factory, or even scrapbook queen! With the network of angels on my team and throughout the company we will keep you inspired and give you ideas to show your friends family and customers.
You can become a success with The Angel Company - and along the way you will forge lifelong friendships - with your customers and fellow angels across the country. Who couldn't use a few angels on their side? It has been so long ago since I became an angel and my life has been so blessed that I cannot imagine what it was even like before I joined TAC!
Would you like to grab a pair of wings and SOAR with me? E-mail me today for more info - what are you waiting for? We are having FUN without you!
