Persistence pays!

Born 49 years ago, I grew in a family of very humble means. My father died in a motorcycle accident when I was 3 years old. The youngest of four sisters, I never went hungry but life was anything but easy. After receiving my General Certificate of Secondary Education I started working for a fruit company at the age of 15, selling, billing and bookkeeping. I was there for more than 20 years.

I got married in 1984 and two years later had twins, Cristina and Beatriz. When they were very young, the Opportunity Plan of another direct sales company attracted me: my marriage was going through a
crisis and it was a way for me to go out, get pretty, meet people, etc. – just what I needed. My husband worked 12 hours a day at our catering business, and sometimes I felt very lonely.

After I’d been there a year I began to see that the business was run like a sect. There were a lot of things I didn’t like about it – I was spending more than I was earning – but I reached the 18% position. I had a group of more than 60 persons by then and I hated having to let them down: but there was a moment when I had to decide between my marriage and that company, and I left the company.

Soon after, Soledad Fresquet (a friend from the previous company) invited me to an Oriflame meeting but I turned her down. Then one day she came to my office and spent two hours trying to convince me to join. Just to get rid of her, I signed up for the Starter Kit and hid it in the office so my husband wouldn’t find it.

During three campaigns I only placed orders for myself and I didn’t do any selling. But Soledad kept calling me at home, at work and on my mobile, insisting that this business was different and would be just right for me. One Saturday morning she came by, and wouldn’t leave till I promised her I would begin on Monday! I became a 12% Manager* in 15 days, a Senior Manager* the next month and a Director* 4 or 5 catalogues later.

 I soon earned my first Oriflame trip (to Bali), which impressed me very much. In October, just 7 months
after starting, I advanced to Gold Director*. Many of my dreams have come true in the meantime: I’ve travelled, earned money and, above all, made lots of new friends. Now my husband is retired and helps me in the business as well as taking care of our first granddaughter, Mireia.

Gloria Suarez Santana
Diamond Director
Spain