CELEBRATING YOUR STAMPIN' UP! ACCOMPLISHMENTS FROM ...

advisoryboardq&a
barbara brimhall
executive | Vancouver, Washington
lynsay mahon
senior counselor | Edmonton, Alberta
Family: Daughters Katie (15) and Maggie (13)
Family: Husband Bruce; daughters Emily (5) and Eliza (3)
Q: What’s the greatest goal you’ve achieved as a demonstrator?
A : Several years into my business, I went through an unexpected
divorce. At that point, I had to either give up my “hobby,” put
my girls in daycare, and get a “real” job, or turn my hobby into a
full-fledged business. Even my divorce attorney told me I’d
make more money slinging burgers than I’d ever make selling
stamps to women. I looked her right in the face and said,
“Watch me.” For the past eight years, I’ve supported my family
100 percent with my Stampin’ Up! business!
Q: What would you tell a new recruit is the key to
accomplishing her goals?
A : The number one key to achieving your goals is to make sure
they’re your goals. Too often we tend to compare ourselves to
others or let others decide what our goals should be. For a
goal to have meaning, it must fulfill a purpose in our lives.
Sometimes knowing what you want is not easy, but once you
define it, setting the goal to achieve it becomes easier.
Q: Why do you feel goals are important?
A : I’ve always felt that goals are similar to road maps. Without
a map, we can still take a journey, perhaps even enjoy it,
but it will take a lot more effort to reach our final
destination. Our lives have purpose, and to fulfill that
purpose, we must have a vision, a plan, a “why.”
Q: Any additional thoughts on goals you’d like to share?
A : It’s easy to be influenced by the negative, but to reach a
goal you have to believe that you can. You have to believe
that in the long run, the achievement of your goal will be
worth it because it matters to you. And just as importantly,
you must partner with those who share your vision and
goals. I truly believe that what we do as demonstrators can
change lives. I’m living proof of that. But that never could
have happened if I hadn’t partnered with a company that
shared that belief. ■
Q: What are some of the ways you help your downline set and
achieve goals?
A :I loved that the convention theme last year was “Dream Big!”
Wow! We all deserve to dream big, don’t we? Goal setting is so
important in reaching those dreams that take you out of your
comfort zone! To encourage my group, I have been putting a
focus on goals that individuals can work toward, such as holding
that first workshop, signing a new recruit, or achieving the
incentive trip to Hawaii. I then help them break down the details
and make resources available to make those goals achievable.
Q: We often refer to “the Stampin’ Up! family.” In your
experience, how is your group like a family?
A : When I think of family, I think of a group of people who are
united unconditionally by something they share. In our group,
that shared characteristic is definitely our love of stamping.
Regardless of our Stampin’ Up! goals, we all love to stamp and
the excitement that filters through the room over a new stamp
set, technique, business promotion, or success is why I
continue to love what I do! I really enjoy watching our group
embrace a new demonstrator in the mix and listening to the
chatter as people share things that work in their businesses.
The Stampin’ Up! family applies in the literal sense as well
because my mom is my upline and continues to be a constant
source of support!
Q: How do you help members of your group when they are going
through a rough time?
A :My goal, not only as an upline, but as a friend, is to be able to
offer encouragement, understanding, and support in tough
situations. The thing that makes Stampin’ Up! so exceptional
is the emphasis on relationships. I am thankful the line
between business and friendships is blurry, as I am a very
open person and really like to know my demonstrators and
customers on a personal level. By truly knowing someone, it
helps to create understanding in difficult times. ■
on stage vol. 9 issue 1 11