It was January 2010...I was a stay at home mom of a 2 year old daughter, Ava, and 7 month old daughter Sophia. My husband works his cute lil tushie off for our family- mostly overseas- so I found myself alone a lot...well, not ALONE....I had two, poopy, sometimes pukey, cute, loving, amazing little girls with me....but I starting talking to myself....not a good colour on anyone....

I NEEDED something for just mommy. I thought, if I have to change ONE more diaper, do ONE more load of stupid ******* laundry (Which I obviously HATE doing- it's the putting away part that gets me.) or cook one more meal, that they won't even flippin' eat- they throw on the floor, which I then get to WASH...YAY ME!- I would go postal.

We have dear family friends, who we love, love, love-and she was a rep for a Jewelry company, and thought it was something I should try. I wasn't into it. Here's why.

1. I hate selling.
2. I hate home parties.
3. I LOVE the ease of online capability, and that company, just didn't have it. (I actually went online to sign up, but you had to call first, fill out forms, blah, blah- lost me right there.
4. I wasn't in love with the line. Don't get me wrong-it's very nice, but it wasn't ME...and I knew I would not be successful representing something I wasn't completely head over heels in love with.

It was maybe a couple days after my failed attempt at trying to sign up for the other company, when my friend asked me if I would host a "Stella & Dot Trunk Show" for her. I said yes- I didn't know what that was, but I wanted to support her. Then she sent me the link to her website. I IMMEDIATELY signed up online. Literally. I think I looked at the website for MAYBE 2 or 3 minutes. I knew that I wanted more than the typical $250 in free that hostesses get. I wanted it ALL. And that's what I did. I signed when there wasn't a $450 special on, so I quickly spent the $350 in free when signing up, and definitely didn't waste the 50% off. I called my friend and cancelled my trunk show..."Sorry, but I just signed up under you!" She had been only signed up for a couple days, so I told her not to worry about "training" me, I'd figure it out. And that's what I did. She was great, helped me with the questions I couldn't find myself-and HER sponsor, and HER Sponsor's sponsor-everyone-they were all so helpful! But the online training is unbelievable.

I decided to at least try to make back my investment. If I did a couple trunk shows, and pay off what I spent, the worst that would come of it, is that I'd have a ton of free, AWESOME jewelry.

Those "couple" trunk shows turned into over $52,335.00 this year. So, my personal commission, was money I made by having a glass of wine with great women, and trying on jewelry. Seriously.

I now have a team of 39 and counting...did you know you make "Coaching commission" on your team? So...2011 is going to be a great year. Not only for me, but for my team. I want the amazing women on MY team to each have 20+ women on THEIR teams. Because we are changing the world one necklace at a time. Think I'm crazy if you want, but this "little business" of mine, has changed my life. I have gotten ME back. I don't wear jogging pants every day anymore. (Comfy yes, but you feel like a pile of ****. Admit it....I mean, I feel SO much better, when I'm dressed like a grown up, with beautiful jewelry on, than when I'm wearing old sweats.)

Not everyone has to do it full time like I do. (MY full time right now is about 15-30 hours a week, depending on the week.) You can fulfill a huge part of yourself doing it VERY part time. I can't tell you how much I love Stella & Dot, and how incredibly GRATEFUL I am for coming across this opportunity.

Are you wondering if you "can do it"? If you can see yourself doing 4, 90 minute trunk shows a month- Signing as a Stylist may be for you!  Get $350 in free jewels when you start YOUR business! You are so not alone in this. We have an AWESOME network of women! (I have made some of the most amazing friendships) I would love to help you. Give me a call-it may be the call that changes your life.

~style YOUR life at http://www.stelladot.com/sites/rjohnson/our-opportunity~

xoRJ