Executive Director III Rachelle Ferguson is excited to finally have a way to help the people she meets achieve their goals. “You hear people all the time say things like, ‘If you need anything, be sure to let me know,’ or, ‘I’ll keep you in my thoughts and prayers,’” Rachelle says. “I have something better than just words of encouragement to give to people, and I feel so much joy for what I’m able to give them.”
Life changing information
Although it wasn’t easy, Rachelle worked hard to establish her Melaleuca business while her kids were young and her husband, Nate, was busy establishing a new church in their town outside of Chicago. “One of the hardest parts of building my Melaleuca business was just opening my mouth,” she says. “I used to apologize when I approached potential customers, like I was inconveniencing them somehow. But now I know that I’m offering people the opportunity to change their lives.”
Initially, it was tough for Rachelle to get her Melaleuca business off the ground—the Fergusons were dealing with multiple challenges, from health issues to financial stress. But now, she says, all of their hard work is paying off.
“We’re seeing the benefits that building a successful business brings and we’re really enjoying life,” Rachelle says. “My boys are old enough now to go on vacations with us and enjoy them. That was one of our goals when we started building our Melaleuca business—to have the freedom to go on multiple vacations a year and spend more time together.”
Along with her goal of greater time freedom, Rachelle is working toward a $20,000-a-month residual income and staying actively involved in their church community. Although she’s not quite there with her target residual income, she’s held true to her other goals.
Helping others reach their goals
Rachelle says the key to developing leaders is helping them tweak their goals. “I work with leaders to shape their goals into something more manageable,” she says. “Once they decide on a goal we both absolutely know they can reach, that’s when we really go for it and I hold them to it.”
And hold them to their goals she does. “I had a new business builder tell me she was craving more time with her daughter,” explains Rachelle. “So, a few weeks later I asked her, ‘Even though you’re building a business, are you sticking to your goal? Are you taking the kind of time for your daughter you promised yourself?’”
Another business builder said her family goal was to travel three or four times last year. Rachelle followed up with her and asked what their vacation plans were for the year.
Leading by example
But Rachelle doesn’t hold her teammates accountable without holding herself accountable as well. “When I hit Executive Director II, I faxed my check to one of my team members and said, ‘This is how much I made—how much did you make?’” Rachelle says. “When I advanced this month she texted me and said, ‘Fax me THAT check!’
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This is an awesome story. I’m truly inspired by your accomplishment Rachelle, keep up the God work.