(Speech I gave at “Meet the Masters” in Phoenix, AZ. Oct. 24, 2009)
I would like to start with a story…
In the sweltering summers and bone-chilling winters, a farming man would look to his sons for the hands needed for planting and harvesting. When the midwife delivered to his wife what had all the appearance of a stillborn child, it was a twice dealt blow.
The father would not accept the verdict that the child was lifeless, although as he looked at the shriveled infant he noted that it seemed no more than a tiny sack of skin and bones. But he saddled his horse and rode three miles to the nearest doctors in practice, and brought back with him two physicians.
Their prognosis matched that of the blunt wording of the midwife. The infant had barely any pulse; it was hopeless. When the mother asked if she might nurse the child, it seemed the kindest thing to let her do, and the infant suckled and went into a deep sleep.
For weeks and even months, there were no palpable signs of improvement. Neighboring women who came to call and to care for the mother, as was the custom, clucked sadly about the misfortune, for it was apparent to all that this frail creature could hardly hope to survive.
But they had not counted on one thing. Giving all the energy that a healthy child might have converted to wriggling, bawling, exercising each of his limbs, the child lay in his crib performing just two functions. He observed and he thought. And when the room was still of voices and empty of the bustle of people, gradually, very gradually he practiced with great concentration, just curling up the fingers of one hand and then the other. (Shaklee Survey, 1976)
As humans, we sometimes long to know where we came from, why we look the way we do, and act the way we do. We search our family history looking for clues.
Just as we learn from our family history, we also learn from our Shaklee history and the heritage we have as Shaklee Members.
A small sample of Basic H given to me by a friend became a gift that keeps on giving.
As a young mother that small sample of Basic H introduced me to another way of living, a different way of thinking and a lifetime of sharing.
Learning about Vita Lea and Protein saved me from sleeping 24/7. Taking nutritional supplements was weird at the time and I got lots of ribbing. But I needed something, and Shaklee provided it.
I made a commitment at that time to use all the products and to never ever quit.
I was soon sharing with all my family and friends. My parents were the first to hear about Shaklee. I took a bottle of Basic H, a Vita Lea and a can of protein when I went to visit them.
I followed my mother around her kitchen telling her all the amazing things Basic H would do. She never said a word. I left the products with them. A week later, they called and wanted more of that stuff. In only one week they felt a difference taking the Vita Lea and protein. 
Several years later I asked my mother why she used the products when she seemed so uninterested. Because I was her daughter and she wanted to help me. And help me she did. She told everyone about them. She had a great group of members and earned a bonus check every single month.
(Picture of my parents on 70th weddding anniversary)
She had a hereditary form of arthritis and the doctors had told her she would be in a wheel chair by the time she was 40. It never happened. She could still do the splits when she was 86. We didn’t ask her to try after that. Her favorite product was Alfalfa and she bought it by the case because she never wanted to be without it.
On a routine visit to her doctor, because of her age he suggested she use a drug to increase bone density. She read the side-effects and then looked at him and said, “Why would anyone want to take this? I’ll just go home and take more calcium.”
My dad is 96 and still living in his home. He takes no meds, but calls and lets me know that he needs more of that stuff to help him live another 25 years. And he is still earning bonus checks.
I have not made the millions that Al has, (Al Hegerman, Presidential Master Coordinator, earns more than $3,800 a day, 7 days a week ) but I should hit a million dollars in earnings within this next year.
There are thousands like me in Shaklee. The money has been great, but more than the money, nothing could compensate for the healthier lives and a better quality of life for my parents and those I love.
Shaklee gave me the freedom to be a stay-at-home mom and now a stay-at-home grandma.
It paid for a two year church mission for our son, a national scout jamboree, modeling school and much more.
We’ve enjoyed expense paid trips, new cars and fun vacations.
My husband had two back surgeries within 9 months, and was told he could no longer work in his chosen field. For two years our bonus checks paid the house payment, the utilities and gas for the car. Our Shaklee business has been a gift.
The child who laid in the crib thinking, observing and curling up his fingers was Dr. Forrest C. Shaklee. He left us a heritage of wonderful products and a philosophy to live by.
We bought into his philosophy of Living In Harmony with Nature.
Today, we have Roger Barnett, CEO and owner of Shaklee Corporation. He has a huge vision for Shaklee. As Shaklee members, we are beginning to catch his vision of “Making a Difference” to millions of families and just as we bought into Dr. Shaklee, we are buying into Roger. Under Roger’s leadership, Shaklee is growing and expanding around the world.
We have new products, new ideas, new technology and a POWERFUL COMPENSATION PLAN.
As Dr. Shaklee would say…”the heck with yesterday, what’s doing today?”
What is “doing today?” For me it is….
ITrack, my blog, on-line newsletters, email with hot links, Shaklee University, web sites, videos, YouTube, conference calls and more.
We have Vivix, Vitalizer, NutriFeron and Cinch. Get Clean and Enfuselle.
We are living in the information age. We have exciting tools and products.
Shaklee is on the move….if you’re not in, get in, if you are in, stay in. Never, ever quit.
When I attended those first Shaklee meetings, I was clueless about the marketing plan. I didn’t understand it. Just like some of you may be feeling.
When Mary Ann and Ralph (my up-line business leaders) got their first car, the thought came to me, “They aren’t any smarter than me. I can do that too.” And I did.
And so can you. Start where you are, do something each day, keep moving forward. Dr. Shaklee would always tell us, don’t worry about the money, go out and help the other fellow. The money will come. And it did and it will.
And gradually, very gradually, the child in the crib, practiced curling up the fingers of one hand and then the other…..and like the child in the crib, Shaklee continues to grow. The company is the #1 Natural Nutrition Company in the U.S., and is reaching out and encircling the globe. Become a part of it.
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Start a business from scratch and the chances of survival are only 15-20%. Not the best of odds.
some significant concerns. The U.S. unemployment rate is as high as it has been in 25 years, and there is continued concern about sizable job losses to come. The recession has been a source of severe stress for many throughout the country. 