A feature about the women of Optimal Level; their stories, successes, challenges, and opportunities.

What is your background and how did you get into your business/career?
I've done a lot of things, actually. I was a preschool teacher, a waitress, an assistant chef at an assisted living home, a receptionist, and the last 15 years, I've been at ADP Dealer Services going from customer service to software development. I had a catering and custom baking business for a while on the side. I got started with PartyLite in January, 2006 because my husband had been laid off and I was looking for some extra income while he changed careers.

What is your business and how is it unique?
In my business I get to help people decorate and fragrance their homes with platinum quality products and I give women the opportunity to start their own business with no investment. That's something that not a lot of companies have to offer. I love the direct sales model because it gives me the chance to offer true one on one personal service and consultation. People love to be able to be able to shop for their home from their home.

Who are some of your clients; what do you especially appreciate about them and how have they reacted to your service or product?
My clients are typically busy women. I especially appreciate their enthusiasm for our products and programs. My serial hostesses love to shop with their PartyLite credit! They are really excited about the evolution of our spa line.

What do you like best about what you do?
The people! I love people, I love parties, and when I go to work, I get to go to a party! I love hearing about peoples lives and funny stories. I love helping people, whether I'm helping them decorate their living room, or make a financial shift in their life.

What role does passion have in your work?
Oh my goodness! HUGE! I never knew what it was like to feel so excited and pumped up about “work”. In my corporate job, I was always just on the treadmill or like a hamster in an exercise ball. Now, I am constantly moving and shifting and planning and creating my own future. It is so cool! At our big training meeting, when we celebrated my latest promotion, my leader said, “when you hear all that woo hoo'ing in the room, that's Shannon. If you forget her name, just say hey woo hoo! “

When you first started were you able to visualize your expected final outcome?  
Actually, pretty shortly after I started. My leader is amazing and I knew I wanted to be where she is.

Can you tell us about that final outcome – what will your business look like then?
Absolutely! My title will be Regional Vice President. I will have a large team of excited people who love doing what I do. I will be doing shows 4-5 times a week and training my team members once a week. My time off scheduled around my husband's flight schedule will allow us to travel often.

What were you top three obstacles/challenges?
I'd love to say they have all been outside myself, not enough shows on my calendar, not enough numbers in my phone book, but to be honest, they are all inside me. Procrastination, fear and bad choices. As much as I do work hard, often enough, I'm not making calls, not asking for the sale, not looking for the next great member of my team. I know I should be, and I choose something easier, more fun, less work. And honestly, my full time job had been a safety net for me. And learning to believe in people without fully emotionally investing myself in them. That was really hard for me.

How do you deal with doubt, fear, and self recrimination?
Yikes! Badly, I beat myself up regularly. I tell myself that I'll be where I want to be, but I think secretly I question it. I wonder if I really deserve THAT life. Sometimes it paralyzes me. But then, I think about that life and how wonderful it will be to have that freedom and I get back to work.

If you had the opportunity to get the best advice from a business guru, and could ask only one question, what would your question be?
Do you like candles? Just kidding. What 3 steps can I take to attract and influence excellence around me?

As you look back, what is the one thing you wish you knew when you started?
That success and leadership doesn't take time, it takes people.

Any regrets?
Of course, I've let myself wallow in my frustrations, I've gotten caught up in petty gossip, I've gotten overly emotionally invested in people. But, as so many people say, all of those things have made me who and how I am today.

Do you believe luck has something to do with you getting to where you are now?
Luck, divine intervention, higher power, whatever you want to call it. I think there is definitely a force at work in and around me. I never ever knew that this was something I would want to do but it is the best thing that ever happened to me and it wouldn't have happened unless my husband had gotten laid off and I had chosen to support him not knowing how I would do it at the time.

What is the best piece of advice you have for other women on their way to their Optimal Level?
Believe in yourself, believe in the possibilities and don't take your second best, you wouldn't accept it from anyone else, don't accept it from yourself.

Any additional comments you would like to make?
Dreams can and do come true. Even those you haven't had the courage to dream yet. It's never too late to take the leap and go for it! My husband became an airline pilot at 45 years of age.