Arbonne International: “I have found my greatness.”

Written for Print Journalism, this is a Feature article.

Publish: Health/Motivational Magazine

Ever since MaryBeth became serious about Arbonne International, she has been an inspiration to thousands. She will be walking through the grocery store or strolling through the mall when someone will spot her. “Are you MaryBeth Relyea,” they would ask timidly. After she confessed that she was, “MB,” a smile would spread across her fans face. “You are a true inspiration.” MaryBeth wasn’t always as motivating as she is today. She wasn’t born enlightening people’s lives, but now she lives to help others.

“It sounded like a really good idea. I played around with the business [Arbonne], but I wasn’t serious about it and didn’t do a good job.” MaryBeth Relyea began working in Arbonne International after she answered a newspaper ad in 1994. A woman named Beverly ran the ad that said, “Help wanted, full training, flexible hours, work from home.” Arbonne is a network marketing business, which is often confused with a pyramid scheme.  MaryBeth explains, “A pyramid is more like a corporation, there is one president. It goes down like a pyramid.” Arbonne is different in that, every single person in the company can be an equal. “I want people to stand next to me, not under me.”  

Four years later, in ’98, she stopped working, but “loved the products.” With botanically based ingredients and a pure, safe and beneficial slogan, Arbonne is great for everyone. Lines in anti-aging, radiance and hydration, detoxifying, blemishes, color, aromatherapy, teen, baby, balance, healthy living and weight loss, and nutrition, make it easy to replace store bought, animal by-product packed skin care.

 “In 2002, my husband broke his back, he told me I had to go back to work. I had faith in Arbonne so I decided to build a business on May 1^st 2003. I promoted very quickly to the top level.” Moving up requires a lot of work, promoting others to higher levels and selling a certain amount of revenue in product. “I needed the money and I was very successful, because of this I learned how to be a public speaker and motivator. I traveled around the country training people.” MaryBeth has met many people, from millionaires and rock stars, to perspective Arbonne clients. “I have helped twenty one people get to the top level of the company, where they are making $300,000 a year,” this is National Vice President. “After you help someone else get to NVP, you are promoted to ENVP.” She has also helped “152 people get the Mercedes Benz, which is Regional Vice President Level.” This means that she has coached and led individuals into working their businesses enough to reach RVP. When they do so, the company gives them a monthly car allowance which goes toward any style white Mercedes Benz they want.

(Picture taken from: http://arbonne.com/company/opportunity/)

MaryBeth travels all over the country, doing trainings and motivating others to get involved in Arbonne. She has impacted a lot of people with her motivational speeches and uplifting attitude. “When I do trainings, I talk about myself and my life and how I used Arbonne as my vehicle to make really positive changes in my life. I used to be really shy and now I’m really outgoing. I used to be really broke and now I’m really rich. When I train people, people in the audience identify with me or something that I say.” She tells her audience about her struggle, being a mother of three, in debt, and suddenly in need of a job. This company saved her from having to get into the office. She got to keep her stay at home mom status and raise her children. “I’m very honest and real. I think people think I’m so great because I am the same person I was before, except I have grown. I’m not a big snob but I have confidence.” It’s easy to tell how humble MaryBeth is when speaking with her. In her home office she has a basket full of letters sent to her from individuals she has influenced positively through her trainings. “Lots of people say they’re not going to quit because of the inspiration I was to them.”

“Anne Dugan, also an ENVP, had three hip replacements at 30. She probably would have lost her house because she couldn’t work.” Anne is a member of her “team.” These teams are miniature versions of network marketing, MaryBeth began as the leader. She taught people about Arbonne and recruited people to be on her team. Although these individuals begin under her, as independent consultants, they can work as quickly or slowly as they want up to her level. Beth Tooker, also a member of MaryBeth’s team, had a story too. “Beth Tooker was a social worker working in a school and working privately 80 hours a week with four small children at home. Every night she would go home and cry because she couldn’t be a stay at home mom. Arbonne made that a possibility.”

MaryBeth Relyea has inspired many people, including herself throughout her Arbonne journey.  “I was very in debt. Now, I am much more confident, financially secure and I have thousands of friends,” all because of this company. “I started very shy and insecure. I didn’t think I was good or great or anything and now I know I am great and I have a lot to offer people.” When asked how she kept motivated to continue working, even at the top level of the company, she beamed, “I am motivated because I want to help as many people as possible. I really control my life. I want to help other people have what I have, because at my level I could retire, but I don’t want to.”

Her advice to anyone looking into the Arbonne International business; “You have to work. It is not get rich quick, it takes time, and don’t ever quit.” Because of Arbonne, MaryBeth says, “I have found my greatness.”