Advisory Board Adventures

First, can I just say how much I love my family?!

Sunday when I got home from Founder’s Circle I got to spend the afternoon and evening with family. Sage and Jason and Shalae and Jon and all their kids were here, and it just doesn’t get any better. I sat in our house, with the doors open (don’t you just love the fresh fall air?), feeding Phoebe, watching the boys run in and out, and talking to the grown-ups. The only word I can think of to describe how I felt is giddy.

After we hugged everyone good-bye and watched the kids blow us kisses, I turned to Sterling and said, “Life is so good! ” I just can’t get enough of my family, and it was great to be home!

Of course, I never stay home for long, and Monday I was off again—but for a great reason! We had our Advisory Board retreat yesterday and today, and it was wonderful! I love the chance to get to know these demonstrators better, and although it’s a very full and busy two days, I enjoy every minute.

As I arrived on Monday morning, I parked in my usual spot, which is a fair distance from the building. About halfway to the front door, the gray clouds started dumping, and I was pretty focused on getting into the building and preserving whatever poof I had left in my hair. Just as I got to the front door, this black van drove up, and I glanced over. I knew immediately who was inside, because the outside was so cool! Yep, the transportation service had gotten hold of some Décor Elements, and there was a beautiful array of white flourishes dressing up the dark tinted windows of the van. I loved it—it made quite a statement!

We packed a lot into the two days, including a brief overview of each of our departments, several little mini-tours (including listening in on Demonstrator Support calls and spending a few minutes on the pick line!), and lots of discussion. We love to have our Advisory Board members come because it gives them a new perspective on the business and it gives us different perspective from a new group of demonstrators. Because of confidentiality issues, we can’t talk a lot about what we talked about, except to say that they will be wonderful advocates and representatives for all our demonstrators.

One of the most enjoyable parts of the retreat for me is the “My Favorite Things” night where we all get together and share our favorite things, so we can get to know each other better. This is a time when I really connect with the Advisory Board members on a very personal level—and I love it! The evening always stretches far into the night, but it’s worth the lack of sleep.

We ended the retreat with a dinner at one of my favorites restaurants—the Roof. It’s a very nice buffet dinner, and we reserve a private room that has a beautiful domed ceiling with acoustics that allow us to all sit at one table, speak fairly quietly, and still be heard. It’s intimate and personal, yet very classy—the perfect way to end a fabulous event!
 

I’m tired, but I can’t go to bed quite yet. I’m scheduled to appear tomorrow morning on “Good Things Utah,” a morning television show here on our local ABC affiliate, and I need to finish preparing. I’m demonstrating Décor Elements, but I’m cheating a little by displaying Jill Kocherhans’ projects from her convention presentation. I’ll be showing them how to do the Spooky Spider glass jar, and I think I’ll also adhere a couple images to their set. Maybe they’ll leave the décor up for several weeks—a little free advertising never hurts! 

Comments

[Lorri]

Hi Shelli, it's SO FUN to read your blog! Thanks for taking the time to do this, it means a lot, especially coming from a BUSY gal like yourself! God bless you, it is a privilege to work for Stampin' UP!!
~Lorri

[Sara Douglass]

Good luck on GTU!! I'm bummed I don't get to watch you this morning...I'll be thinking good thoughts, call me K? xoxo

[Caroline Counsell]

I love reading about it all.. Last week I was thrilled to be with Paula, Kelly and Pam here in the UK to see the new catalogue. Pam is such a great asset to SU, a wonderful lady and such a laugh! (we KNOW she kisses her dog on the lips) shhhh I do too! I am looking forward to the coming year with SU, we are almost done with the first year, I hope SU are pleased with us.

Cazx

[Karen Spain]

I love following your blog. You are such an inspiring person. I'm a US demo overseas on Military Status and I joined the SU! family because I really believe in the company, the high quality products and the fact that SU! cares so much about it's demonstrators!

[Maureen Stivala]

How fun!! I know I love when my step-children come over with the kids (11 of 'em) and we have such a great time eating (Dad's fabulous italian food of course...remember I don't cook!!), playing, catching up and laughing a lot! And the kids are so dang funny! I am blessed with a large lovely family too and it does mean soooo much!! I just posted about how lucky I am on my personal page...so its fun that you are talking about the same kinda things!!

Also - I have to say - whenever I think of Advisory Board - I can only think how much crazy fun you must have had with Tina when she served - I know I ALWAYS laugh when I am with her....I can only imagine.......

ok - gotta go! as always TFS (thanks for sharing!)
((()))reen

[Sharie]

What a beautiful group of women, looking forward to watching my GTU today. =)

[Kristin Moore]

Wow, looks like fun! You guys look great too! Can't wait to hear more about your appearance on Good Morning Utah! Good Morning America should be next in line!! :)

[Alice]

What a busy women you are. I'm glad you get to spend sometime with your family. Looks like you had a fun to days as well.

[Beverly aka beestamper]

HAHAHA! You go girl! I hope you put decor elements all over their set! Very clever!

[Andrea Bolton]

How do you do it all Shelli? You just amaze me! I am so proud of all you do, and don't even know you. But you inspire me to be better to strive harder. Keep up the great work. Yes, family and friends, memories, is what makes up the best parts of our lives. We are our own heros. Sincerely, Andrea Bolton...

[Jade Boteler]

Shelli, You are such a busy lady, sometimes I don't know how you do it all, I am thankful that you do though.I wish I could see you on that show but sadly I don't live in Utah. With that thought, I wanted to comment at convention, but things got a little busy there. My little request is maybe making a dvd of you and your daughters(&other SU employees)that appear on shows. I know that I love seeing them at convention, and some of my customers that have loved SU for so long would love to see them too. Just a thought. I hope you have a relaxing break sometime soon. Thanks for being you!!

[Debi Pippin]

It sure would be fun to be a fly on the wall at your Advisory board sessions. But I think it would be more fun to be there in person. That is one of my future goals and although it may take some time; I can see myself stampin' for the long haul. I just love the ladies I teach not only are they my customers but my friends. Each is special in everyway. I love clicking into your blog and hearing you chat on especially about your family. It is great that you enjoy every moment you have with them. You are always so busy and I am glad for the time that God lets you just relax and take in all that is beautiful. Hope you do well on the show. Wish I could watch but not within our viewing area unless you record it and put it on your blog. That would be a nice surprise for all of us that love every minute we spend with you.
Debi Pippin
Inverness Florida

[Kathy Etheridge]

You can go to www.abc4.com and look under the Good Things Utah link. They have a video of Shelli's appearance.

And, Shelli you are truly an amazing person. I don't know how you keep the schedule you do. It is inspiring to me!

[Stella MacKay]

Oh how fun Advisory must have been! Having just been to Founder's, it was the first time I'd seen a photo like that and said "I know her and her and her and her..." So glad you all had fun :) Now get some rest!

[Janell WIckersham]

Shelli,
You looked great on Good Things Utah. Keep us posted on future appearances. If you live outside of Utah, like I do, here is a link to view the fabulous Shelli. There is a short ad that runs first.

http://www.abc4.com/mediacenter/local.aspx?videoid=87198@video.ktvx.com&navCatId=462

Thank you for being such a wonderful role model.

Janell

[Sue Ring]

you are one busy lady Shelli! I know you shared at convention in 2007 that you were dealing with an illness. How are you feeling now and how has it affected you in the past year?

[Rebecca]

Ok, there y'all go again, with the matching jammies in yummy fabrics...
I expect you to notify ME FIRST when you get into fabric designing. LOL!!! LOVE it!
I know I'm "supposed" to be a stamper first, but I first learned HOW to stamp on fabric... and I LOVED seeing the blinged out auto windows. My husband and I have built custom cars and hiring a pinstriper to do the fancy work can be VERY expensive! Also, did you know that with these vinyl elements you can use them as a mask to make etched glass, either by sandblasting or chemical? It would be super if the "negative" parts of the designs were available also, for that reason.

[Cindy Major]

I love to hear about everything Stampin' Up! is up to. Being part of that board would be such a dream come true. I guess it's those incentives that get us going with our businesses!

My personal ultimates would be:
3) Earn cruise
2) Make the Advisory Board
1) Work as a Concept Artist

I don't know how close I am to any of those goals, but I take it one step at a time.

Thanks for sharing everything - I love reading about it all!

Cindy