It was an exciting awards night for the Song of My Heart demonstrator team at the annual Stampin' Up convention in Salt Lake City this year!! We'd been celebrating since we arrived, with various recognition waves and walks, but Awards Night has a whole different level of glamor. Plus, there was the promise of a to-die-for party afterwards, and we were NOT disappointed! Thanks to several different demo friends for these pictures... my camera battery died just at the crucial moment, wouldn't you know.
Right off the bat we got to cheer our heads off for Lynn, one of only FIVE demonstrators in their first full year to acheive a very lofty set of sales and recruiting standards. It was an enormous accomplishment, obviously! Lynn earned not only a bonus and a beautiful star necklace, she also gets to go on an exclusive "Rising Star" retreat at the Stampin' Up home office this fall. We are all so proud of her. Lynn is my second SOMH Rising Star team member--Allana was one two years ago.This year was exciting for everyone as well, because for the first time ever, there was a male Rising Star. There is now a beautiful watch as an option instead of the necklace ; )
One of my dear friends, Alanna Wharf, pictured here with another dear friend Dena Renkow, was honored with the Artisan Award Design Team, our highest stamping-related honor. To let you know how tough this competition is, most people do not even manage to complete all the required projects to even enter, let alone win. Congrats to all ten winners--can't wait to see what you come up with all this year!
Next I got to walk the stage with a fellow Wisconsite SU-family member of mine, Wendy Fassbender, as we both earned the Acheiver's Bonus for our sales and recruiting efforts this year. We all got gorgeous fresh flower lei's instead of a boquet or corsage this year--that was cool!
I said to Mom when I got back to my seat, "I wonder if the lei's are a hint as to where the next incentive trip will be?" And guess what??? They WERE!!! The next Getaway Weekend we can work for is a trip to Washington, D.C., and the next Grand Vacation is to Oahu, Hawaii!!! I about died. AND the dates are mid-May instead of early May, so hopefully it will work out for Mike to attend, if I earn it. So you KNOW what I'll be working my tail off for this year!! Wish me luck!
Next up was the Founder's Circle announcements. I was honored to be among the Top 100 Demonstrators of the Year for the third time. Things had been tough this year and I had prepared myself to not hear my name called--but it was!! I kept peeking at the screen to make sure it was still up there because I could hardly believe it! So I get to go on an exclusive retreat in September, too! And I got a great purse which I love, to boot.
While I was up on stage getting a Founder's Circle hug from Shelli, she asked me how to pronounce my last name. I didn't think anything of it, because people are always asking me that (Zwoh-LA-neck), but it did strike me as an odd moment to ask. I soon found out why she needed a refresher on the pronunciation, though!
I still can't believe it as I'm typing this even now, days later, that this happened! I have been selected to serve on the six-member Advisory Board for Stampin' Up. It is the highest business honor the company can bestow. There is no way to earn it, you have to be appointed to it. There are several additional duties at Leadership and Convention, and an extension of the Founder's Circle retreat in September for the members to work on whatever topics they assign us.
I am SO excited to serve the one-year term, as I dearly love this company and would do anything in my power to help them in any way they see fit to ask me. Other board appointees cry when they find out, but I was grinning from ear to ear as I hurried up to the stage from back in the boonies where my very proud Mom sat in her wheelchair listening to a crowd of six thousand people cheer, and whispered, "That's my girl."
All I said to Shelli when I finally got up there was "Bless your heart!" and "Thank you so much!" but as I thought about it afterwards, what I wanted to say was, thank you for believing in me. Thank you for appreciating how seriously I take this, how badly I want each demonstrator to develop their wings and FLY just like I have been able to with the opportunities that are available to EVERY one of us with Stampin' Up. This company has been such a God-send to me and my family, and it has made a difference in each the lives of my seventy team members and their families as well. I can't wait to help out on the Advisory Board! The hard part will be keeping my mouth SHUT about new things in development. I will have to sit on my hands many times this year, I'm sure!
This pic is me and my momma at the after party... this post is already too long, though! Will save that for another day.
Geez Lyssa, I'm all choked up! Sincere congratulations to you!
Posted by: Kerry McDonough | 07/22/2013 at 09:52 PM
Lyssa, congratulations on your awards, I can't think of a better person-who-I-follow-via-her-blog to have these honors than you! You are an inspiration to many of us, your positive attitude and giving heart are great qualities for you to take to Founder's Circle and Advisory Board. Thanks for sharing all that you do, you have helped me as a demonstrator many times!
Posted by: Emily B | 07/22/2013 at 10:06 PM
I am so happy for you! You are so deserving of this honor. Thanks for sharing the pictures! I am so sorry I was not there to cheer you on. You are the best Lyssa!
Posted by: Kristen Bryant | 07/22/2013 at 10:38 PM
What an awesome story/memory for you and your Mother. I am sure she was very excited to be there to see her little girl get all those awards. You work so hard at what you love. You so reserve it all. Congratulations and God Bless you and your family. Safe travels to you and your family on your trip home.
Posted by: Sue Wagner | 07/22/2013 at 10:49 PM
So happy for you reaping so many rewards for your hard work and dedication and so happy your mom could be there to experience it with you! Congratulations! * hugs *
Posted by: Faith | 07/22/2013 at 11:51 PM
Lyssa, I am so thrilled for you. All your accomplishments, AND advisory board! It will be an exciting and busy year!
it was a joy to meet your mom.. thanks for introducing me!
Posted by: Ruth Bingle | 07/22/2013 at 11:52 PM
I am so happy for you! It brought me to tears! You are an inspiration and I admire you so much! Your picture with your Mom is priceless, what a blessing to have her with you on such a special day! I can't wait to see what you do for Stampin' Up! this year! Thanks so much for your support and encouragement to all of us as demos! God's blessings on your journey this year!
Posted by: Angie Honegger | 07/23/2013 at 12:36 AM
Super huge congrats lyssa!!!! You so deserve everything you get and I'm thrilled that your Mom was there to share the excitement!!
Posted by: Dee in NH | 07/23/2013 at 02:33 AM
Congratulations, Lyssa! It is thrilling to see your hard work, dedication, generosity, creativity, and just plain kindness rewarded. I am proud to be a part of your team!
Posted by: Nicole Steele | 07/23/2013 at 07:44 AM
Congrats! You may not have cried, but you had me tearing up reading about it, and how proud your mother is. We're all proud! You have a busy schedule ahead for you this year....go get 'em! :)
Jenny
Posted by: Jenny | 07/23/2013 at 11:11 AM
I am so very, very proud of you! This brought tears to my eyes! I am so blessed to have you as a part of my life!
Posted by: Brenda B | 07/23/2013 at 12:42 PM
Congrats and you are very pretty!
Posted by: Xaviera | 07/23/2013 at 03:41 PM
How wonderfully exciting for you. If anyone deserves it, it is you!!! Congratulations and thank you for all you do to help me as a Demonstrator by sharing your knowledge every day!
Posted by: Donna | 07/23/2013 at 06:44 PM
So exciting! I love to follow your blog! It is one of my favorites! I can see why they picked you! Enjoy the honor!
Posted by: Kathy | 07/23/2013 at 08:21 PM
Congratulations on your wonderful achievements. They are a testament to your hard work and your generosity in sharing your knowledge. Good luck for Hawaii!
Posted by: KarrenJ | 07/23/2013 at 09:02 PM
Congrats on all of the awards and being appointed to the Advisory Board. Your perspective and attitude will be an awesome asset for Stampin' Up! I lurk a lot on your blog, and wish I had had the "courage" to say "hi" at Convention.
Posted by: Lorene | 07/23/2013 at 09:38 PM
Beautifully written post as usual! Blessings are bestowed on those that bless others...you have always done that, so glad you are being rewarded! But, knowing you as I do, I know you are not in it for the tangible rewards, but in all the little rewards that come from a life well lived! This is my best standing ovation!
BRAVO! My fried! Bravo and Encore! :)
Posted by: Lori B | 07/24/2013 at 08:42 PM
Congratulations on your honors. Love your blog.
Posted by: Doris D. | 07/30/2013 at 05:29 PM
Congratulations to you Lyssa! I am so proud of you and so happy that you have been awarded with these honors! You will do a fabulous job! I'm looking forward to seeing you shine this year and know that your voice will be one that will speak eloquently and effectively on behalf of what you believe in and on behalf of your fellow demonstrators! I believe in you and know you will do great things! .. and you are so sweet! I'm flattered that you shared here about me. .. and sorry that I missed it until now! :) Miss you!
Posted by: Alanna | 08/04/2013 at 12:10 AM