Working my fingers to the bone at a desk job for only $9 an hour, I knew there had to be something so much more one day. Although I had the best boss who treated me like royalty, he had very little control of my pay rate with the budget given him.

One day I knew I would find a place to jive with my gifts and talents and actually pay enough to cover basic expenses. But what and where?

That's when I was bitten by the entrepreneurial "bug" back in 1996. And, the best of blessings was yet to come! As I educated myself with tapes and books from those who had made something of their lives, I began to feel like there was nothing I couldn't do.

In order to appreciate the receiving of blessings in life, God requires fine tuning through tough situations to prepare us for the road ahead and to give us a more meaningful driving purpose.

After a whopping car accident in 1998 forced me out of my job, I joined a direct sales company called Premier Designs Jewelry.

While I worked around a myriad of doctor's appointments for a head injury, I was also being groomed for the vogue world of fashion, professional imaging, and for the finest of customer service skills in honoring God and serving people. It has been one of the greatest joys ever experienced and an organization I am still a part of today nine years later.

Fulfilling a dream while working with one's own gifts and talents to make a living, is the cadillac of careers. But even more gratifying, is the ability to bless another life.

During my time with Premier, I endured and escaped a five year increasingly abusive relationship with a potential male spouse in my life, I longed to reach out and help other abuse victims come to wholeness again. Forgiveness is key to wholeness.

The goal is to raise awareness that abuse comes in many forms escalating from subtle to outrageous over a period of time. It often comes from the most unexpected sources. If it could happen to a happy and confident person like me, it could happen to anyone.

But God can use anything, and this indeed was an experience like none other that I didn't want to embitter me to powerlessness, but to empower me with the ability to identify as I reach out to others.

To help with my plan to grow an entity that provided revenue for such a service, I gobbled up scripture verses on wisdom and tuned into the wisest advisors on the planet for business ownership and investing.

One of those experts was fellow Nebraskan, Loral Langemeier, of Liveoutloud.com.

Loral's Cash Machine Workshop was held in Chicago the summer of 2007 was the catalyst for an exciting new direction. That's when I met my current business partner, Tammie Kavan, the brain child for our jewelry name tags!

The conference served to help me sharpen my skill set and to find a complimentary venture for the world of professional imaging. Meeting in a conference center full of brilliant entreprenuers, I couldn't help but notice each person's first impression.

Over the next three days, I thought of steps that could guide them to make a dynamite splash visually, in their diverse worlds of business.

As Tammie explains in her story, at the same time, she was looking for someone who could enhance her jewelry idea with fashion skills and enthusiasm.

Later, when she shared her dream with me for the name tags, I nearly flipped over this concept as mental pictures raced through my mind of dazzling designer beauty resting on the shoulders of our customers . . . all in the form of stunning looking name tags!

This was what I had been waiting for! A superb idea, and, a stable wonderful new business partner. To top that off, just as with our mentor, Loral, we learned we were all born only a few hours apart in the same state of Nebraska. Who says corn fed Husker girls can't change the world?

Tammie's idea allowed me to exercise my experience in jewelry and professional imaging, and, satisfy the purposeful goal of aiding others. I feel so privileged to have been chosen by her to share in this delightful adventure and to be given a new and life long friendship.

With due diligence and carefully planned goals, Tammie and I embarked on a journey to bring this idea into fruition. After many phone calls and interviews, the most delightful manufacturer was found to speed the process of development and bring our designs to life. We also have the best web designers in Atlanta.

Clearly anyone can see that this dynamic product will make all the difference in the life of the wearer for sales introductions, relationship building, and so much more. What better way to to make a memorable first impression, while attracting open conversation, than our stunning name tags.

We are delighted to share this product with you and thank you for your business. May your experience with our carefully crafted name tags be a wonderful addition to your stunning first impression!

Remember: A first impression, is a lifetime impression!

ReAnn would like to thank the following people for their inspiration.
God, Tammie her business partner, her family and church affiliates.

ReAnn has lived in Atlanta for the past 20 years. She is current owner of four businesses, is active in Refuge Ministries and domestic abuse organizations. Her professional experience is with media, television, drama, and fashion imaging.

back to previous