That Girl Stigma

I want to be bold for a sec.  I am making myself put my money where my mouth is…errrr my writing where my blog is HA!  Give me a minute or two, K?

One big part of my life these days is my business with Rodan and Fields.  It has changed my life for the absolute better and I love sharing my story.  BUT there is a stigma that I hate and I have been feeling the Lord challenging me from day one to change it.

Let’s go back in time throughout my career. Since I was 18, I have been working for major fortune 500 companies.  I started working at a front desk as a phone operator straight out of high school and worked my way up on that business. No college.  Just me hustling from day one.  Shane came home from school, we got married, and worked our butts off to climb the corporate ladder, each of us.  We were good at that work and building a great future.  When I got pregnant with Claire, I was able to find a job fairly quickly working from home so I could work, but still be home with her.  I was able to stay home working until Bree was 2.  Shane and I made similar salaries, had company cars, bonuses, traveled, and had our dream jobs.  I went back in the office when the current company that I worked for wanted to start an office here and I convinced me to stick around (i.e. MONEY Ha!).  I went in the office and it was the beginning of a downward spiral that lasted many years.  I had my dream of being home with my babies (mom quit her job and stayed with us every day so I could work – it was the best 🙂 ). I thought that once they were older I would be able to chase some big goals and let my career take off so I could support anything and every thing for the kids.  I liked working and loved traveling, and to be honest, loved being able to spend money on clothes for me and the kids as I wanted HA!  But I had a very unexpected thing happen.  My heart started breaking all the time as I had to miss things at school or not be there for them at pick up or travel and have to miss a big event.  My kids are so resilient and we have an amazing village – it definitely hurt me more than them – but I was dying inside.  I was so effing mad at myself too.  I felt like I was stuck – how would we ever be able to walk away from my salary – we had created this life that I would never want to take from the kids…BUT I was completely missing out on that life.  It was not wonderful that I could pay for all the dance and training if I missed the performances.  It was not wonderful to pay for private school if I missed the important programs.  It was not wonderful for Owen to have all the awesome gear if I missed his games. I was honestly shocked at all the feelings.  I never expected it and was just sick.  In addition to that we were RUNNING constantly.  I felt like I was never home and life was just passing me by.  Busy is an understatement.  I kept it to myself for A LONG time.  Like didn’t even tell Shane.  {please know that I am not trying to start a working mama debate.  I have been on both sides and will not play that way. }

I kept on trucking on and praying for answers because I honestly had NO idea what the hell to do.  One day I saw one of my online friends (isn’t that a funny saying?! HA!) had just started a Rodan and Fields business. I was S H O C K E D.  I did not know much about those types of businesses.  I just knew that I didn’t like them. Sad, but very true.  When I saw she was doing it, and doing really well at that, my interest was perked.  So I do what any smart woman would do, started stalking the whole thing HA! I had to find the catch. I had to see if it was real. I had to see if this was the Lord bringing me a boat.  I was terrified that it was honestly.  I didn’t want to be THAT girl.

Then it happened.  A really bad day at work.  I had to book a flight for the exact time as an important day for Claire. I literally had to keep myself from throwing up.  I WAS DONE.  So after researching on my own and stalking, I knew a little and enough to just reach out to MT.  I always say that I don’t even remember typing the email or what I said.  When I hit send, I almost threw up again HA!  When I look back I laugh because that was a lot of dramatics – and what for? Because I didn’t want to be perceived a certain way.  And the other part – Shane had no idea…

She responded quickly and sent me a ton of information – including a video of the amazing leaders on our team. I sat there and BAWLED in my office. I knew that this was my boat.  I went home that night and immediately told Shane about it. He was shocked but could see that I was not messing around.  We researched. We looked at every possible scenario.  I told him how I was feeling and was praying this could get me home.  Once again shocked, he believed in me and told me to go for it.  I had to promise I would not quit for at least a year (we have a 60 day money back guarantee on our business kits – but he wanted me to ignore that and go all in).  The last thing he said to me about it was: “Rachel, if anyone could do something like this, I believe you can, but I just don’t know where you can find the time.  We are beyond stretched – how are you going to do it?” and I told him that if he would give me a year and help me and make sacrifices – I could do this.  If we ever wanted to have time, we had to do this.  Days later, on payday, I joined on our biggest kit.  I had never touched a single piece of product by RF.  I joined for the biz opportunity and never looked back.

Nine months later – I quit my full time career, one that I built over 18 years – to be a stay at home.  I have tears as I type that because it is still hard to believe that is true :).  It was a crazy nine months – ups and downs – and not going to lie, it was hard.  I learned more about myself during that time than I ever have in my life.  I am very passionate now about sharing my story and removing the stigma around these types of things.  If you are still with me – let me share with you just a couple truths about direct sales and how you might be wrong like I was :)… {I am speaking to my experience with RF – not all companies are the same}

RB, very few people succeed in these businesses.  People get in, spend too much, and end up quitting when they realize that.  My aunt Martha quit after 4 months when she realized she had not made a dime.  Honestly – more people quit than succeed.  But that is about them, not the company.  This is not a get rich quick scheme – thank the Lord.  It takes work and grit and everyday is not going to go as planned.  Just like every other business.  If you want to succeed, you join a GREAT team, be coachable, and commit.  In my experience, most people are half-assers.  You know what I mean – half in, half way out.  The reason I succeeded is because I refused to do that. If I wanted to impact my family and change my life – I had to trust that my leaders knew what they were doing and go all in. I am not afraid to be known as an RF girl.  RF changed everything for the better for me.  I honestly believe that it could be a game changer for ANYONE that is ready and willing.  And your Aunt Martha?  She only worked when it was easy and bailed the minute it got hard – little did she know that right around the corner from the hard stuff was the true success :).  This is not quick or easy. I had to sacrifice that first year, but it was MORE THAN WORTH IT.

RB, its a pyramid scheme.  These businesses are just about getting in early, building a team, and then sitting back and making money off them. NOPE.  Pyramid schemes are illegal.  And honestly, do you really believe that I would be a part of that? I hope I proved my character better than that :).  Yes, you can make good money from building a team.  But you make more off your personal business.  In fact, listen to this: when I quit my job, I did NOT have much of a team yet.  I was able to walk away from Corporate America on my own work – my personal business.  SO I call BS.  Also, this is the future.  Believe it or not – this is where business in going. If you look at how you shop and how things have changed to more online – it will make sense. Trust me – we are not even close to late 🙂 .

RB, I am not a salesperson. I don’t want to hound people. I don’t want to be that annoying girl  on FB.  This is probably the most common thing I hear.  I am not going to lie to you that you are never going to sell anything. I mean, I am a salesperson. But guess what? I didn’t think I was at the beginning either.  That is what our teams are for – our coaching, and training.  You can build a very successful business without hounding people or being annoying. I know that on our team, we are actively working to be the opposite of annoying.  Are you going to talk to people? Yes.  Are you going to get ignored? Probably. Is it worth it? ONE HUNDRED PERCENT YES!  You can stay true to you and still find that right outside of that comfort zone is an even better version of you :).  I get it. There is a stigma – but I know that you can have a successful business and not be THAT.  I could go on and on about doing this for the right reasons and you will be blessed- but this is already becoming a novel HA!

Here is the deal – I am proud of my story and know what this could do for so many.  But there is so much close-mindedness (I am making up words left and right HA!) out here and it makes me sad.  I am not saying RF is the answer for every thing, but it could be for you. Like so much in life, we hold ourselves back because we worry what that damn chick from the 8th grade might think, right?  I know I got hung up on that.  But until they are paying your bills, don’t give them an inch in your head. The fact is that these opportunities could be a game changer for you too.  If someone has come to you or perked your interest, take a minute and open your mind.  Pray about it.  And ask questions.  And be flattered. Not annoyed.

I have become a completely different person since I was able to stay home.  My entire life has changed for the better- my relationships, my health, my faith, and event more.  I can now chase so many more goals and dreams – like this blog and my FB pages- that would have never been possible before.  The Lord had (and still has) big plans for me – but I would not have gotten there without me getting in that boat a couple years ago.  I pray that you jump in too – I like this skincare one the best :).

One last thing – I know many of you are not going to join one of these businesses or my team – but you can make a difference.  Encourage your friends doing it and support them when you can.  It would mean the world to them and help more than you could ever know.