Seven Years of Norwex: More Than I Ever Expected

It started with a little bit of encouragement

Back in September 2019, I was already a Norwex customer. I had been buying products, making changes around my home and really enjoying what I was learning.

I decided to host another Norwex party because I wanted to help the person (who yes, becomes my sponsor) I was purchasing from. During that party, she told me that I was doing a great job engaging with my customers and that I had a natural ability to connect with people.

That conversation stuck with me.

At the time, I was comfortable in my job, but I also knew I wanted to do something a little more with my life. I wanted to push myself, expand my experiences and continue rebuilding some of the confidence I had lost a few years earlier.

There was another reason this opportunity meant something to me, too.

I wanted to find a way to honor my Grandpa Ron.

Losing him suddenly was incredibly difficult for me and my family. When I decided to become a Norwex consultant, I knew I wanted to carry his memory with me in some way.

So I said yes.

Honestly, I had no idea what that yes would eventually become.

I thought I knew what I was getting into

I figured I would get my discount, continue using the products I already loved and maybe sell a little here and there to friends and family.

Seven years later, I can say with certainty that I underestimated what this experience would bring into my life.

The products have continued to teach me something new. I am grateful for the new products and product lines that have been introduced over the years and for the ways they have made different parts of my life easier.

But the people have probably been the biggest surprise.

I have built relationships with customers, teammates and other consultants who have taught me things, challenged me, supported me and shared pieces of their lives with me. Some are people I may only see once a year, yet those relationships still mean so much to me.

I never could have predicted that when I said yes in 2019.

Seven years also means seven years of learning

I am a very different business owner and communicator than I was when I started.

I have learned how important boundaries are, even though that is something I am still working on. I have learned to give myself permission to do things differently instead of assuming there is only one right way to build a business.

I have learned to try new things.

I have learned that not everything will work.

Sometimes I have been convinced something was going to be great, only to watch it completely flop. I have had customer interactions that I will always remember and a couple of party experiences that definitely did not go according to plan.

I have made mistakes.

I have questioned myself.

I have changed how I communicate with my customers in ways I never would have imagined seven years ago.

I have also discovered how much creativity matters to me. Having a place where I can create, experiment and come up with new ways to connect with people has become something I truly value.

That eventually led me to building my own website and finding even more ways to bring together the things I enjoy doing.

My business today looks very different from the business I had even two years ago. Some of those changes have been intentional. Others have come from needing more flexibility in my life.

I am not proud of every change or every decision I have made along the way.

But I am learning to appreciate the fact that a business can evolve.

So can I.

If I could talk to the Emily who started seven years ago…

I would tell her:

You are going to be pushed and challenged in ways you never expected. Some days will be painful. You will make mistakes. You will try things that do not work. Some people will not understand your intentions, even when you are trying your best to be forthcoming.

Some people will not understand that you are human, even when it looks like you have everything put together.

You are going to sacrifice more time than you probably realize for other people and for this business.

There will be moments when you wonder if it is worth it.

There will be moments when the effort does not seem to pay off.

But because you care. Because you try to model what your Grandpa instilled in you and what you saw him do in his business.

You care about doing what you believe is right. You care about your customers. You care about helping people. You care about learning. You care about continuing to become a better version of yourself.

Sometimes, simply showing up and trying your hardest is something to be proud of.

Seven years later

When I look back at September 2019, I see so many versions of myself.

The woman who was looking for something different.

The woman who wanted to rebuild her confidence.

The woman who wanted to honor her Grandpa.

The woman who thought she would just get a discount and sell a few products to friends and family.

And the woman I am today.

I am still learning.

I am still changing.

I am still trying new things.

I am still making mistakes.

I am still figuring things out.

I am still showing up.

As I write this, I am realizing that maybe that is what makes me the most emotional.

Seven years have not been perfect. They have not always been easy. There are things I wish I had done differently and moments I wish I could go back and change. Plus, a lot of personal life has happened during this timeframe as well.

But there are also so many things I am grateful for.

The people.

The relationships.

The lessons.

The creativity.

The opportunities.

The customers who have trusted me.

The challenges that pushed me further than I thought I could go.

And the opportunity to continue carrying a little piece of my grandfather with me along the way.