In honor of Mother’s Day, I drove up to Northern Maine and spent the weekend on the family farm with my Mom. As I reminisced about my childhood memories, I was reminded of a situation when Network Marketing had a dramatic impact on my Mom’s life several years ago.
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I come from very humble beginnings. I grew up on a potato farm in Northern Maine about 10 miles from Canada’s border. My Dad was a 2nd generation potato farmer. The farm was handed down to him by his Dad. In the winter, he spent long days in the cold northern Maine woods cutting firewood to keep the family finances alive. My Dad never wanted my Mom to work. His main concern was that my mom stayed home and took care of his kids…my brother, 2 sisters and myself.
After 30 years of farming and due to a failing economy, my Dad was forced to give up the potato farming business and move to Connecticut to work with his brother in the construction industry. I was beginning my first year of college and my siblings were out on their own, either married or established in a career. As a devoted partner and wife, my Mom followed my Dad to Connecticut. They closed the farmhouse, and set off to begin a life filled with a future of fear and unknowns.
Not long after settling into their new life in Connecticut, my Mom was approached by a young lady as she stood in line at the post office. My Mom is always well “put together” and her personality, big blue eyes and smile makes her extremely approachable. “Sandy” approached my Mom and struck up a conversation with her. They quickly became very good friends. Sandy was a Mary Kay consultant and introduced my Mom to the exciting world of Network Marketing. My Mom dove right in and quickly established herself as a leader in her Mary Kay business. Little did anyone know at the time, this was Mom’s plan B that would carry her through some of the toughest years she had yet to face.
In October of 1993 my Dad officially retired from the workforce. My parents moved back to the family farm in northern Maine, eager to resume the peaceful lifestyle their country home had provided our family for so many years.
In early April of 1994 my Dad was diagnosed with inoperable metastatic cancer. 4 months later, after a valiant fight, we lost our Dad, the patriarch and bread winner of our family. My Mom lost the love of her life, and her best friend of 43 years.
After her period of grieving, my Mom resumed her Mary Kay business. The bonds and relationships she had established through Network Marketing filled the empty void left by the loss of my Dad. Her Network Marketing business provided a career, income, and support through the concrete relationships she had established with her friends, customers and her team members. Network Marketing gave my Mom hope through some of the darkest years of her life.
Network Marketing will always mean different things to different people. Here’s my view of what Network Marketing means to me…
- Network Marketing is about “networking” with like minded people who share common interests and goals.
- Network Marketing is about building concrete and meaningful relationships that we can rely on, when faced with the many trials and tribulations life may send our way.
- Network Marketing is about reaching out and helping other people set and attain their goals.
- Network Marketing is about leading people to a life of personal and financial freedom.
More importantly, at the end of the day…Network Marketing is about making a difference.

Anne Theriault
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8 Responses
Hi Anne,
Thanks for sharing your story with us! I always find it interesting to learn new things about people.
You hit the nail on the head! Network marketing is about making a difference. A difference in the lives of ourselves and others.
Have a wonderful day!
Twila
Hi Twila,
I also love to learn new things about people…everybody’s got a story.
Network Marketing is about making a difference, and I will continue to do all I can to help people maximize their real potential.
I hope you had a great Mother’s Day with Nicholas and Hubby!
Anne
Hi Anne,
Beautiful story! Thank you for sharing it with us!
I can truly relate to the need of having a Plan B. You never know what can happen in your life and a Plan B could be your security blanket or the net that catches you after you get your feet pulled out from underneath you.
It’s never to late to start your Plan B.
Make it a great day!
Ilka
Hi Ilka,
We never know what lies ahead of us. Most people take it for granted that their job, spouse or all the comfortable aspects of their lives will always be there.
A good “Plan B” is like money in the bank.
Nice to see you again. Have a great week!
Anne
Hello Anne, Awesome article, I am so proud . Awesome job.. Love Deanna
Hi Sis,
We’ll never forget that time in our lives will we…
It was great to see you last weekend. I hope you had a great day.
Love, your lil sis
Network marketing is one of the most effective businesses that helps people to a great extent in the current day. People find success when they get more leads. Good one!!
Thank you…it is one of the most effective businesses and one you can completely control. I wish you all the best.
Anne