Changing my life for the better

When I was a little girl, I had the feeling that there’s something magical in store for me.  Then came school, Leningrad College of Mines, being a mining engineer in our Far East – not exactly magical, more like a typical Soviet person’s plodding journey.  When I was 50, along came Perestroyka, and fear filled my heart: No more social guarantees, no confidence in the future, no prospects except for a paltry pension --  definitely not a magical future. 

But at least Perestroyka did allow people to attempt success in business. I made attempts, but not successes. However, I managed to keep my confidence. Instead of getting me down,  my failures opened my eyes wider than ever for another opportunity – including one that had been in front of me for two years without a serious  thought  (naturally enough, because I was a complete ignoramus when it came to cosmetics): My niece Olga Ponomaryova  had her own  Oriflame business and was a Diamond Director. 

 I plunged into work with her from the very first day, with fear my constant companion. One day, my sponsors Olga and Andrey Ponomaryovya and I were setting up delivery of products from Moscow to KhHabarovsk. I was wrestling with the questions “To whom should I  offer the business?” and “How can I  build up a network and make it stable and profitable?” I decided to offer the business to everyone I knew.

On the way to qualifying as a Ddirector, I realized how drastically my life was finally changing for  the better. I started to work twice as hard, passing the Gold, Sapphire and Diamond qualifications. There’s no fear of poverty anymore. I’ve set up a new goal for myself – Executive Director. I have a great company in KhHabarovsk, Vladivostok and St. Petersburg. I’m so proud of all my Ddirectors and emerging leaders.  With them I feel I can make the world go round. I would also like to thank the Af Jochnick brothers for taking the risk of rolling out their business in Russia, and the employees for constant help and support.

Don’t believe that you can’t change your life at age 50! With Oriflame everything is possible. I’m 56 and I’m retired, but I’m confident about my grandchildren’s future.  Oriflame has made my childhood dream of a magical future come true!

Ekaterina Lovyagina
Diamond Director
Russia