HAVE A - Arbonne

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E Y E O N A R B O N N E
HAVE A
POSITIVE ATTITUDE
Since I was 16 years old, I have always depended on myself. My parents
believed in my potential and always knew I would make something of
myself. In 1989, I competed in the Miss Thailand World and won. Even
though I did not speak the Thai language, I had what they were looking for.
Off I went to the Miss World competition and placed third. That same year,
I walked away with the Miss Continental Queen of Asia title. From then on,
my life took on a storybook ending. I became a household name in Thailand
and much sought after as the cover model for hundreds of magazines. I even
hosted a TV talk show for a music video-based TV channel.
I have to admit that I enjoyed being a “big fish” in a small pond. It must have
been fate that drew me down this path because I never would have met the
man of my dreams had I not lived in Thailand. In May 2000, I married
James Berger, after never even dating once. In fact, our wedding night was
the first time we kissed. But because we had become great friends, we knew
instantly that we were meant to go through life together. Little did we know
shortly into our marriage that our lives would be turned upside down. When
our daughter was just 6 months old, my husband had to close down his car
dealership. My 80-pound weight gain had stalled my career. For financial
reasons, we had to leave Thailand and move in with my in-laws in Hawaii.
For almost a year, I was so lonely without my husband, who remained in
Thailand to wrap up the loose ends. In the meantime, I saw an ad for the
Mrs. Hawaii pageant and read that the grand prize giveaway was a car. I
thought, what better way to gain new friends, get established here and win
that car. I was on a mission. I walked off the weight, won the Mrs. Hawaii
title and drove off in the car. More than that, I made friends who would be
vital to my future happiness. My husband finally wrapped up our past,
shipped our belongings to Hawaii and rejoined me.
The real nightmare began when my husband took a job in our family car
business. He ended up working 15-hour days, seven days a week with no
Helen’s biggest Why: Son, Java and daughter, Haley.
Helen with parents, Sommai
and Richard Headlee.
helen berger
Independent Consultant, Regional Vice President
Helen Berger Region; Honolulu, HI
social life, no exercise and no balance. After our second child was born in
2004, I was convinced that he would have a heart attack or stroke, and that
I would be left a widow. This thought scared me because I had no college
education or job training to fall back on and a legacy of debt from the failed
car dealership and credit card bills. Our dire financial situation was often
the source of tension in our home with fighting becoming the norm. Then,
one day while speaking with NVP Luana Alapa, before she discovered
Arbonne, I told her that I wanted to dream again, travel and perhaps be an
airline hostess. I applied for this position and, in the meantime, accepted a
one-year modeling contract in Thailand. I longed to get back into the fashion
world, not just for myself but to help earn money to reduce our family
Helen with husband, DM James Berger at Helen’s
Mercedes-Benz car presentation.
continued ...

success strategy:
“
Dream big, work hard
and never give up.
”
debt. When that job ended, ENVP Cynthia Aiu and NVP Luana Alapa invited
me to a mock meeting to discuss the 25th anniversary of the Mrs. Hawaii
event. To my shock, no such thing was discussed. The true purpose was to
invite me to an Arbonne Presentation. After this, my life has never been the
same. Because of Arbonne, I had a chance to dream again, own a home,
pay off our debts, send our children to better schools and spend more time
with my husband.
Arbonne came into our life just when we were looking for it. I achieved RVP
after three months in the business. The great part is that Arbonne allowed me
to travel and live a full life outside the business, thanks to teamwork, my
husband and the concept of time leveraging. Now I am learning that you
have to jump in with both feet in order to reach the top. I intend to devote
myself to my business full time and am looking forward to the amount of
knowledge and the potential for wealth that can be gained by not giving up.
Just like anything else in life, dream big, work hard, never give up.
To my husband, AM James Berger: Thank you for finally believing in me and
taking care of business while I was away for part of this year. We would
have lost so much momentum had you not stepped in. You kept it together
and now we can focus on owning a home and traveling. I love you. To my
daughter, Haley, and son, Java: I know it seems like mommy and daddy are
always at an Arbonne meeting, but you two are very lucky to have a stayat-home
mom who will do anything to make sure that you have a better
future. You both inspire me. I love you so much! To my parents, Richard and
Sommai: You both jumped into the business and have been there for every
event, meeting and party with a home-cooked meal, ready to win the folks
over through their appetites. Thanks for the love and being a fine example
of a solid marriage.
To ENVP Cynthia Aiu: If you did not have the vision to take this to another
level, where would Hawaii Consultants be today You are my Arbonne guru.
To NVP Luana Alapa: What a journey. You were the first voice I heard in
the morning and the last voice I heard at night. The theme song for our
Arbonne experience had been, “This is how we do it.” But now that we have
done it and both are driving white Mercedes-Benzes, we will sing a new
tune, “Pump up the volume.” To Kauai Alapa: Thank you for sharing the
business with your sister, Luana. I cannot wait for your car presentation. It is
going to be so sweet.
To ERVP Liana Green and ERVP Estelle Green: You and your family are the
perfect example of ohana. Thank you for jumping in and opening your home
to weekly “Discover Arbonne” meetings. It has been a joy getting to know
NVP Luana Alapa, DM James Berger, Helen, Kirk Culberson, ENVP Cirina
Culberson, ENVP Neta Irwin and Rick Irwin at Waialae Country Club.
Helen with ENVP Cirina Culberson, DM Sandy Yuasa, ENVP Neta Irwin
and Sharon Minato.
you and your whole team. To my first business builder, AM Megan Walsh:
I love your spirit and after having seen your car get swallowed up in that
flash flood at ENVP Luana Alapa’s car presentation, I look forward to the
moment you drive off the lot with your white Mercedes-Benz. You deserve it.
You have built a solid team with Liz and Tiffany. To AM Sandy Yuasa: I am
in awe of your beauty and kind spirit. You are a born leader and your team
is so lucky to have you. To Becca, Casey, Lisa and Sharon: Thank you for all
your support and for jumping in with both feet. To the men in the Helen
Berger Region, including Justin, Kyle, Rusty, Bernard and Jamie: You guys
are amazing. I love that you are doing the business with us.
To ENVP Cirina Culberson: When I grow up, I want to be just like you. You
have inspired me in more ways than you know. To ENVP Neta Irwin: Thank
you for opening your home in Arizona. Your guidance and presence here
in Hawaii has helped build a stronger Arbonne community.
To President Rita Davenport: I have enjoyed working with you. Your
presence is larger than life and I look forward to seeing you when I get to the top.
ABOVE:
ERVP Leanna Green, Helen
and NVP Luana Alapa with
the fleet of Mercedes-Benzes.
LEFT:
Helen with her first business
builder, DM Megan Walsh at
Helen’s birthday celebration.
REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT
The testimonials in this story reflect the actual experience of an individual, are anecdotal only, and may be atypical.
EYE ON ARBONNE | FEBRUARY 2007