Younique’s 2016 Convention ended just about a month ago, and I’m still not sure I could adequately convey all that the three days meant to me. Talking about the general sessions, or the classes, or the perks (lots of free makeup, One Republic concert, and an appearance by singer Rachel Platten) won’t even do it justice.
That’s because the energy of the convention? It was simply amazing, and reaffirmed that I’m in the right place… because this makeup business is about SO much more than makeup. (Although the makeup is a ton of fun too, of course).
But before I even got to convention, my family and I went on our annual trip up to Michigan. I’ve been going up there more often than once a year lately — having a part-time, work wherever you want job helps make that possible — but this was the week that my hubby could take off work and come too. This year, my parents invited us up during a week they hadn’t rented the house out, along with my in-laws. There was a lot of food, a lot drinking (well not for me and my pregnant belly), and some wonderful relaxing time on the beach… even though Little Miss was a bit afraid of the sand.
Even with a toddler who was a bit shy of the beach, it was relaxing and just what I needed as Summer starts to wind down. In fact, I like to call my time in Michigan my relaxing time… while, meanwhile, down in St. Louis this year, it was my re-energizing time.
I learned SO much about leading my team, advanced makeup techniques (I’ll never stop learning!), taking care of myself, and more about what success looks like. Success both in the form of promoting in Younique, but even more importantly, to me, in terms of truly believing I’m capable of great things.
That last one might sound odd. We talked about believing in ourselves? At a makeup convention? Yup. Even more strangely, Yvonne Camus — who competed and completed the extremely difficult Eco Challenge Adventure — spoke. Most people wondered why our Chief Sales Officer Tori Poulter (previously of L’Oreal) asked Camus to be a featured speaker; after all, Camus trained for a 400 kilometer expedition with a team of three others. But once Camus started speaking it was clear. For one, as she said, “you should explore what you’re capable of when you’re at your best.”
In the business of direct sales and network marketing, not everyone understands what we do, or why we do it… kind of like why people didn’t understand why she was willing to go through a brutal multi-day race that literally resulted in her breaking her wrist and barely being able to walk. I know. Still a strange comparison, but to hear her speak was incredible, and her lessons heartfelt: Practice with the intention of improving; be relentlessly committed to effort and getting better; and surround yourself with incredible people.
That last one I could identify with the most. I met so many people I’d known only online, and people who are like super stars to me. And every one of them was both inspiring and encouraging in their own way. The icing on the cake: a river boat ride doing the Mississippi River. Not only was it a fabulous time getting to know some of my team mates and fellow Y sisters, but I received something unexpected, an award for being “the heart of Younique” from my sponsor Morgan. And my heart was very, very full after this weekend.
That said, the last day was one of the hardest. Not only was Younique convention coming to an end, but the morning was devoted to learning about something incredibly important and something difficult to talk about, the Younique Foundation and its sister charity Defend Innocence.
If you haven’t heard of Defend Innocence, please, click this link. The organization is all about starting a conversation with our kids in order to break the cycle and stop the epidemic of child abuse. 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys will be sexually abused by the time they’re 18. And by talking to our kids and knowing the signs? Hopefully we can make a difference in the lives of so many kids.
It’s a lot to take in. So much went on that weekend, and I could easily go on and on. But it’s something that I wish and hope more of my friends can participate in the years going forward. Because while I adore the makeup — I wouldn’t have started otherwise! — it’s clearly about so much more than that too.
