Louann Cormier

Before I started working from home…

My background is similar to many, maybe even yours. At 14, I started working as a bagger at a major grocery store chain.  I continued to work there through high school and college.  12 years later I had worked my way up to be the Human Resource Manager in charge of over 300 associates.    While I liked my job, I didn’t love it.  It wasn’t my passion.

In 1999 I gave up my career to pursue the dream of owning my own business.  I borrowed money from my parents, maxed out my credit cards and proudly started a small business on the main street of Manchester NH.  I loved it.  I was my own boss, I made my own schedule, my customers built relationships with me and I even got to bring my newborn baby to the store with me everyday.  I was blessed!

BUT…I was working 60 + hours a week.  I was stressing out each month trying to pay back the $10,000 investment we had made.  And I was pregnant with child #2.  While our business was successful, I never made enough to hire another employee and I knew there was just no way I could continue operated my store front business with a 2 year old toddler and a newborn…so…I struggled with the same decision as millions of women and men.

Should I go back to work, leaving my children in someone else’s care?  Or should I give up my career and raise my children myself?

The choice was simple.  My family came first.  But, it didn’t stop me from wanting to continue my career or from wanting to create an incredible lifestyle. There had to be a way I could work from home, earn a great income and still be with my children.

I had read numerous stories of people that were doing just that….working from home, raising their children themselves and finding a balance doing both.

My husband and I decided to close the doors to my store and I became a stay at home mom with no income.

My first home based Business…

I was introduced to my first MLM, Network marketing, party plan company.  Honestly, at first I thought to myself, I was not touching this with a 10 foot pole!  I had never been to a home party, didn’t want to go to a home party and had no idea why anyone else would.

But some very amazing people who knew me better than I knew myself told me to give it a try.  And honestly I was DESPERATE for money (and time out of the house away from babies)  I did my first home party, made some money and no one ever laughed at me, threw eggs at me or made fun of me.  Actually, they had a great time, loved me and even booked more shows from it.  That was the beginning of my home based business career.

1 year later, I was invited to be a partner in the company and LOVED LOVED LOVED what I was doing. I helped build the business from the ground up, was consistanly doing 6 – 10 shows a month and adding 1-2 team members. In 2007, the majority owner started taking the business in directions that I didn’t feel were good…and decided to leave. Turned out to be a good choice since they closed in 2009.

In 2007 started with another gourmet food company and was really enjoying that too. Again, I was a successful leader and earned several awards for team building and sales. In January 2009 that company merged with a well known home party candle company.

To be honest, I was not happy about that at all…I was not a candle girl…I was a food girl…and while I was able to still sell and promote my food line…it was all under the candle company name and was very confusing to my customers.  For 9 months, I worked the business…with success…booking 6 – 8 shows per month, adding new team members each month. I even earned a trip to Jamacia with my husband! I discovered that people really do love high quality candles!

But even though I was having sales success, I was not happy. I was stressed out due to high leadership monthly minimums, high sales/booking pressure tatics from my leader and constantly having to buy new products for my display tables.   Plus it was getting harder and harder for me to do evening home shows as my children began school as so many of their activities are in the evenings.

The beginning of my Send Out Cards Journey…

I am a firm beliver in choices…choices on how to run your business. Since many of us work this right alongside our families, there are months when we can spend lots of time on it, and other months when we choose to focus more on family or other activities. As a mom of 3 young children who is very involved in her community…this was important to me.

I am also a big believer in paying it forward.   I love the feeling that comes from inside when you send someone a card, or make a phone call, or send a gift.  When it comes from the heart, it is always right.  I encourage my friends and family to do the same.

I was introduced to Send Out Cards in March 2011 and when I took the time to see what it was all about, I felt that this business was tailor made for me.

It had all the compentants I had ever wanted in a company.

• A product that anyone could use – Seriously, everyone can send cards and gifts, no matter what sex, age or demographic you are in.
• No Home Parties or weekly meetings – I loved doing them and think they are a great resource for many.  But for me, I wanted to be able to work while the kids were in school, not in the evening during our family time
• No Inventory to carry or new product lines to buy - Just finished paying off the credit cards from the last time
• The ability to take it worldwide – With Send out Cards we can ship cards and gifts worldwide AND we can add distributors in 7 different countries.
• Support from people who have been successful. – I am surrounded by others who are willing to share, teach, train and motivate.  There is always someone I can call/text/email for help.
• And the #1 reason…

I am in a business helping others people put smiles on their friends and families faces.  I assist businesses in appreciation marketing programs which helps them grow their business.  All at cost lower than the stores.

Every day cards and gifts are being sent all over the world to celebrate life, friendship and business deals.  And I am a part of that.  This business allows me to earn an income, working right alongside my husband and our 3 beautiful children.  It’s the perfect match for me.

Dream Big, Dream Often and surround yourself by others who believe in you

Louann Cormier
Send Out Cards Future Eagle