BOOM What a TITLE? Am I right? “Falling In Love With Freedom An Entrepreneurial Journey” I know it’s packed full of AWESOME. That’s because this is an awesome post.

Today we have Diane with Scent Sisters back AGAIN!

In case you missed the last post “Meet Diane” https://blog.fullyalivephotography.com/2018/11/meet-diane-essential-oils-for-every-season-the-creative-commercial/ Click over and head back! Because this lady is the bomb. I’m so lucky to have met her and I’m so fortunate she joined my creative content club over here because she’s so much fun to be around. I’m proud to be a part of her life and business and she grows her voice and brand.

I am going to take a moment to talk about the freedom of being an entrepreneur, as well as reality.

Often times the grass is greener on the other side, and entrepreneurship isn’t for everyone, I admit that. But that doesn’t mean anyone CAN’T do it! Because you can! It just takes a buttload of determination, vision, focus, strategy, and excellent time management skills. Thankfully there are more tools at your fingertips than EVER before! Including my small business kick start classes. (pricing and workshops HERE) Entrepreneurialism allows you to take your gifts, skills, and passions and turn them into a business or even change the world!

Today’s story is no exception. I mean check out this fun girl! She’s got everything spit spot and ordered up for the Valentines, Spring Cleaning, and simply enjoying life highlights. I love a good planner! These sessions are so fun when they are organized and ready to go for me!

But how did Diane get here? Well, let me tell you! I sent her some questions and she so sweetly answered them for you! So let’s dive right in!

Tell me more about your previous career and what helped you make the choice to switch to the entrepreneur world.

I worked in Commercial Insurance for 15 years. I worked my way up from the file room. When I ended my career, I had a $30 Million dollar book, 6 Figure income, and my MBA. My dream was always to be in the
board room. After having 3 beautiful girls, (2,4,6) the grind of corporate America was just too much. The toll it took on my family, my soul, my marriage was just too much. I didn’t know what to do. My identity was in my work and I worked so hard to climb the ladder.

Around this same time, my father passed away. It started bringing up questions like: What do I want to do with my life? Do I want to leave my family? Do I want to give my good hours to people that treat me poorly? Am I really helping people? Am I making new relationships?

I started to pray. What am I going to do? I only knew Corporate America. Fast forward to my sister’s bridal shower. Her best friend from high school and friend of the family for 20 plus years; arrived with her Young Living oil kit. My second cousin did oils for years but we never connected. I ended up getting the kit because I liked more than 1 oil and I didn’t have a diffuser. I got my oils and starting researching. It was fun because it wasn’t insurance.

At my sister’s wedding, my cousin gave my sister and I tickets to the 2016 convention. We took them because we wanted to see Lady Antebellum. But we had no idea what we were doing, we actually missed half the convention. We bought tickets just to see the concert and thought the oils would be set up like an expo; little did we know that we missed all the product classes, MLM classes and Personal Development speakers. I actually had to track down people that were 6 levels above me to get our registration packets. I was blown away by convention.

This was the answer to my prayers. I needed my sister to be on board though. She is a registered nurse and wanted to do this with her. With the tour of the farm, she jumped in. She was impressed with all the analysis and testing that goes into Young Living oils. I got home and told my husband. I was literally in tears. He supported me all the way. I came home from convention in June 2016 and was out of insurance Dec 2016.

It was the first Christmas I had spent with my kids in 6 years.

I am not making the same money I was in commercial insurance…..Yet. Every aspect of my life is better though. An added bonus is that I am choosing healthy alternatives for my family.

What is most attractive or your favorite things about being an entrepreneur to you?

Time freedom, choosing who I work with, believing in what I am building.

What is the scariest or hardest part of working for yourself? Do you miss anything about your previous 9-5?

NO!!!

What is your favorite part of the Young Living company?

Young Living is made up of farmers.  They don’t spend a lot of money on marketing and fancy IT.  They spend a lot of money on farming and harvesting.  If there wasn’t farm equipment to gather the lavender sprigs to yield the most healing benefits than they built it.  When the founder Gary Young was alive, (he passed last year) you could approach him about any of the oils.  He listened and gave his suggestions.  He knew the plants, the process; because you used these healing oils for everything.  There is a heart to this company.  It is spiritual.  They believe that God gave us healing power in these plants.  I am a business minded person – I knew that they believed in quality when they wouldn’t sell a million dollar oil because the harvest wasn’t up to their standards.

What specific things do you do to thrive as a Young Living Sales rep?

 I create community.  We are a group of people choosing a healthier lifestyle – money , time, products, or community .  I create events to teach people about how they can use the oils for their families.  Every month I teach one specialty class (personal care prodcuts, DIY cleaning, sexual health etc) and one essential 101 classes.  I throw roller ball parties, where you can create your own blends with friends. 

Why did you decide to book a photographer for your business?

Because I am not of the social media generation.  I needed content to post, as  I am so much better face to face but didn’t want to limit my reach.

I chose you because you came highly recommended; but also because you wanted to help me as a follow entrepreneur.  In this model, your success is equal to the amount you give back.  You wanted to help me – you wanted me to succeed.  I know flowers – I know aromatherapy.  I don’t know pictures, social media, and branding, so I needed you to be part of my team.  And we are a team.  You helped me more on our first phone call, then months of me listening to free podcasts and web research.  Finally, you are passionate about you; that passion is contagious.  I needed to work with people that have high energy that are positive.  People that are actually  – doing it.  My business would not be where it is without you!!!

Can I just take a minute and say SAY WHAT???? THAT IS THE NICEST THING EVER TO SAY ABOUT ME! I am so excited to be a part of your team. I’m thrilled that I can help you thrive and build your brand and business all while having fun. I seriously LOVE content creation.

Check out Diane’s highlights for her Spring session and let me know if you want in on my super awesome fun creative content club, cause I have room and I’m totally in love with supporting businesses and women thrive!

Want to see more Creative Commercial Sessions? Check them out on pinterest HERE. or Simply in my Creative Category.