Back in January 2015 I joined LuLaRoe and became a fashion consultant. This is something that was completely outside of my character - hello? eternal stay at home mom right here who had never worked outside the home and never gave a moment's thought to direct sales. But it felt right, and awesome, and I loved the clothes and I was super excited about it! The company was small (less than 1000 consultants at the time), the culture of positivity was inviting, and did I mention that I loved the clothes? A whole new wardrobe at wholesale cost . . . please and thank you!
Over the last (nearly) 3 years I have had a lot of fun with this company . . . going to conventions, local trainings, and meet-ups with fellow consultants to talk business over lunch & swap clothes to freshen our inventory. Somehow I grew a team and made the rank of Trainer (crazy) and then I got to attend a leadership conference where I got to dress all fancy, walk down a red carpet and meet Mario Lopez. Yep.
outfit: LuLaRoe Julia dress from the 2015 Elegant Collection
Let me just share a few pics from that January 2016 Leadership Training at the Disneyland Hotel because it was awesome.
Having my headshot taken for the Trainer wall. Eek! We had no prior warning this was going to happen -- I SO wish I had chosen a different outfit with head to toe LuLaRoe!
That summer I attended my second convention. (Follow this link to see the first convention I attended in 2015.)
It was a blast! And oh so much bigger. We went from a group of 600 attendees the first year to 6,000 the next. Craziness. The trainings were great, the parties were amazing (including a private Andy Grammer concert on the beach!), and I even got to spend it with my bestie Sheila who had also become a consultant.
At our trainings we often talk about defining your "WHY." Why do you do the business? What is your purpose/dream/goal? What is your driving force? The idea is that if you can identify your "WHY" then you will have something to motivate you and keep you going through all the ups and downs. Knowing your WHY will give purpose to what you are doing and make it so much more meaningful.
During that summer 2016 convention I really started to think about my "WHY". In the past it was pretty much a surface level thing -- wear cute clothes and share them with other women. It was pretty weak. I decided to search a little more and I came to the conclusion that . . . I am working LuLaRoe because I want to earn enough money to update/remodel several areas of our 1990's house. Specifically, the bathrooms.
But in this "WHY" exercise that is not enough. Ohhh, no. They want you to dig deeper. And so someone will challenge your statement and ask why? again. And again.
Um, I really want a home that is beautiful and inviting so that we can have guests over often. I want people to come over and feel comfortable, happy, and welcomed.
why?
Because my parents' house was/is that way. Not only is their house beautiful but people frequently comment on how good they feel when they are there (a calm, peaceful feeling). I want my home to feel that way too.
why?
I want to fill my life and others lives with joy, connection, and a sense of home.
why?
And there it is. I remember when I came to this realization -- sitting in a random training course. I went through this "WHY" exercise in my head and suddenly it became so clear to me. And it brought me to tears. (That is usually the signal that you've found your core why -- it will stir up strong emotions). It felt so good and I dove into the business again armed with my why and my goals. I was loving this LuLaRoe life and I was ALL IN.
In October 2016 I was preparing to attend another Leadership Training in southern California. Again, it was building up to be an amazing event and I was planning outfits and gearing up for the big parties. Three days before I was scheduled to leave for California my mom was officially diagnosed with Stage IV Breast Cancer. Our world changed. And there was no way I was going to be able to attend this event with all that was going on at home. So instead of driving south to Anaheim, I turned north and went to my parents house for a few days. Looking to give comfort, but also to find it for myself.
my mom and I just a few days after her diagnosis. Both wearing our LuLaRoe. She will firmly attest that LuLaRoe is THE BEST clothing for cancer patients (particularly the Carly dress). It is easy, comfortable, and when you get into an MRI or CT scan or PET scan you don't have to change your clothing. Zippers, buttons, and snaps are not allowed and LulaRoe has none of that!. Anytime you don't have to change into a hospital gown, it just makes life feel a little more normal.
In the following weeks I made several more trips to my parents house, staying for a few days at a time, and then returning home for a week and then making my way back to California. There was a constant tug and pull in my heart to be close. As I went about everyday life a heavy weight resided on my chest . . . but at my parents' home it was made lighter.
The hours spent alone on those desert highways gave me time to think and contemplate this shift in my reality. I would get lost in my thoughts while at the same time offering up prayers, trying to connect with Heavenly Father and receive some comfort and hope. At one point I got a clear, undeniable feeling and impression that I needed to take a step back from LuLaRoe. That I needed to refocus my time, my priorities, and my efforts on my family. So that I could more present and available. And 100% invested. Because life is short and my time, my support, my heart was needed - distraction free - in more pressing places.
I felt in my heart that this was true. So true. I didn't question it at all. I came home from one of those drives and told Scott that it was time to close this chapter. The end of the school year was my timeline. He was supportive and I went forward in my business, like normal, but mentally anticipating that this change would come. And it was going to be so good, and so right for me and for our family.
As these impressions came to me I realized . . . . I am really, truly, fulfilling my "WHY". I want to be like my mom. She gives everything to her family.
So with all that said, I'm working on closing up my LuLaRoe business this month. I had anticipated doing it in June but life got too crazy (Girls Camp and something about planning a family reunion). So I took a break for the summer and had a wonderful summer - did not miss the business at all - and I felt more focused and present than I have in a long time.
That being said, I had a fantastic experience with LuLaRoe. I don't look back on it as a negative. Not at all. I learned so. many. things. and grew in so many ways. I gained confidence and developed skills and pushed myself in ways I never had before and I will always be grateful for those experiences. Always. I don't discount it at all.
This is just a time to redirect my focus. I think it is so so so important in life to be self-aware and in a habit of evaluating what is working and what is not. Do you feel joy? Do you feel balance, centered? Do the day to day actions of life match up with your long term goals & dreams?
And when things are feeling off we can and we should make choices to put it back in alignment.
Love this thought (and all of Becky Higgins "Cultivating a Good Life" series)
I also think it's incredibly important to follow the whisperings of the Spirit. Rely on the feelings you've had, even when circumstances might change and your choice/direction comes into question. Have the faith to hold onto those promptings. If they were right once, they will continue to be right.
So, it has definitely been a journey and I want to thank LuLaRoe for all that you've given me . . . confidence, connections, leadership & learning, inspiration to dream, amazing once-in-a-lifetime experiences, and a super comfortable wardrobe.
.
.
.
.
.
.
And a few crazy pieces too.
This one is still available for purchase! (XS and Small Amelia dresses). You could be a hashbrown or a scarecrow or nachos for Halloween! Just sayin'.
