"Where Have You Been??!!"

A few years ago my friend Mike Lohner helped form a new jewelry company called Stella & Dot. When he invited me over to see the jewelry I fell in love, scooped up some bling, and started my bid for Best Customer Ever. Fast forward to June 2008 and I'm at the Lohner's house with Marcee (Mike's wife and my friend). She spent a couple hours with me showing me her personal jewelry stash. We picked out tons of julz for me to take on a two week cruise with Mr. Chinn.

On our 13 hour flight, Mr. Chinn and I discussed the Lohner's and how happy we were to have them as friends. I appreciated Marcee for her time and friendship. I was grateful to Mike for years earlier being the first on our doorstep welcoming us to the neighborhood. He was always happy to see us and took the time to chat. Who wouldn't love them?? So by August 2008 I came to the conclusion that I should show a bit of support for their business (besides being their self proclaimed best customer in the entire United States). I hosted a trunk show. I was so nervous about asking my friends to come, that I attached the show to our monthly book club meeting. The jewelry was such a hit, the girls were thanking me for inviting them! Two friends booked shows, so I attended those and had so much fun that I wanted in! Quite a turnaround!

In November I started my own Stella & Dot business! It was a blast playing with all the jewelry and meeting a ton of new people! However, it was a lot of work. I soon realized that I would need a better reason for doing said work than buying a new hand bag and the like. So I created a stuffed animal program with Mary Graham Children's Home called Fury Friends. Each year they house about 1400 of the worst cases of child abuse, neglect, and molestation in the county. The children arrive with nothing. It completely breaks my heart to picture it.

In December we were all set to welcome two little boys into our family. Baden had purchased Christmas presents for them and we totally thought it was a done deal. Then at the last minute their foster family decided to adopt them. We were devastated. I kinda went into hiding.

A few months later I picked up my business again. It was a great distraction. I can't say I was very good at it. My dedication was half hearted. I really wanted to support my stuffed animal program though, and after awhile it helped me find my desire to do well. There were plenty of long talks with Mr. Chinn and tons of guidance from Stella. Finally in August things really started to take off. I was booking 6 - 8 shows a month, building a team, earning a glam getaway, and hobnobin' with Stella's finest! I was having a blast and still able to be around every day when my kids got home from school. I loved my increased responsibility - I was even asked to speak at meetings! Before you're too impressed, you should know that it was always about how I totally blew in the beginning and then turned things around to really rock it. EVERYONE else spoke about how they were the best at (fill in the blank) from the start and "you can be too." Me: Pitfalls to Avoid. :-/

By January 2010 I have earned $$$. With the profits from my business, I am able to provide a stuffed animal for each child as they enter the facility for the next 2 years! I hope it brings them a bit of comfort as they snuggle their little friend at night and find it waiting for them after school. I'm sure it's a sad and lonely time for those children.

Mr. Chinn and I both feel strongly for children in these circumstances and have decided to pursue our adoption again. We will be adopting a little boy, aged 4 -5 through Child Protective Services (CPS). Our family is really excited, and honestly I'm a bit nervous. This may come as a shock, but I'm not Superwoman! So I've also decided to close my Stella & Dot business. This little boy will need a whole mommy, and frankly the first three will too!

So that's my scoop. I hope you made it to the end without falling asleep!

xoxo