Boss Mama Story: Small Town Girl to Top 1%

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Background Story

My story with Michele goes way back—over 2.5 decades, at a small local dance studio in a little town in Vermont, owned by her Mom. My sister and I spent countless hours there taking classes and teaching classes until we graduated high school at 18. Michele and I practically grew up together, doing homework in the studio office, tweeting Justin Bieber’s backup dancers (Michele had a major JB obsession back in the day), and spending hours and hours rehearsing High School Musical dances in her living room. We go way back!

Fast forward to adulthood, and we both dove into the wild ride of entrepreneurship around the same time. Watching her navigate the growing pains of business alongside me was inspiring. She would later pivot in business just as I did in 2022, embracing change and stepping into something new. I had the honor of featuring her on my website during my first business journey, and now I’m beyond excited to cross paths and feature her again because, let me tell you, this Boss Mama has moved mountains.

Michele didn’t just pivot—she tackled a completely new challenge with Arbonne. She leveraged her existing social presence, discovered fresh ways to grow her business, and built a platform that now reaches thousands of women. Women who, just like her, are figuring out their path, craving impact, and wanting to level up their lives.

But I can’t stop there…Michele started at the very bottom of Arbonne. She hustled—raising a family at the same time—staying up countless nights with her team to hit goals. And she did it. Every. Single. Time. Today, she’s in the TOP 1% of Arbonne. That’s the power of dedication, commitment, hard work… and a whole lot of grit.

What makes me proudest about Michele, though, is how she quieted the noise. Network marketing has its naysayers, but she didn’t let negativity derail her. She used it as fuel to rewrite the narrative and show the real-life ripple effect a company like Arbonne can create. And she did all this while growing her family—two boys and a little beauty on the way. That’s no small feat.

I love championing women like Michele—it lights me up. Every story from a fellow mompreneur makes me so pumped! It’s so important to shine a light on mamas hustling to build the life they dream of, whatever that looks like. Every journey is unique, and that’s exactly why I’m excited to share hers with you.

So, cozy up (it’s cold out there), grab a cup of something good, and dive into her story. She’s got nuggets of wisdom for anyone doing the dang thing.

And hey, don’t forget to check her out on socials and give this Boss Mama a follow!

YOUR STORY

We love a good origin story, but first, give us your short + sweet intro!

I help busy women embrace duality in life, guiding them to hone in on their greatness and thrive versus survive: physically, mentally & financially.

Every boss mama has a ‘day one.’ What was yours?

In 2019, I had just stepped into the health and wellness field after moving across the country from Vermont to California with my then-boyfriend, now husband, Tyler. I had studied exercise science, nutrition, and psychology in college, but I had very little business knowledge. While many of my peers went on to pursue OT, PT, or Athletic Training, I decided to carve my own path and launch an online fitness and nutrition coaching business.

Both of my parents were incredibly entrepreneurial, and I drew a lot of inspiration from them. Still, I quickly learned that being a small business owner came with far more challenges than I anticipated. My business was struggling to gain traction, and I found myself trading time for money as a personal trainer at a local gym. I was miserable and dreaming of a way to impact more people, earn a bigger income, and actually leverage my time.

Little did I know that Arbonne would become the answer.

I was very skeptical about network marketing at first. But once I allowed myself to look beyond my own narrow mindset and truly evaluate the ingredient policies, the compensation plan, and the success system, I realized Arbonne was the vehicle that could help me scale both my time and my finances — especially with plans to start a family.

After losing my dad in 2020 at just 56 years old, I finally found the courage to go all in. Life felt too short to hold back from opportunities simply because they seemed scary. So on April 1, 2020, I dove headfirst into Arbonne.

Now, five years later, I’ve built my business to the top 1% of the company and continue to scale my income while impacting thousands of lives — mentally, physically, and financially. And the greatest gift of all? I get to do this while staying home with my two toddlers and growing another little one on the way.

Which came first—the business or the babies? Tell us how your family + business journeys intersected.

Before!

We know it’s a wild ride—tell us how you’ve balanced building your dream biz while raising your crew. The good, the tough, the real.

Each season of family growth has come with its fair share of challenges — from learning to navigate motherhood, breastfeeding, postpartum recovery, sleep regressions, tantrums, and everything in between. It can definitely feel like chaos at times. I’ve learned to find power in habit stacking and using the small pockets of time throughout my day — nap time, quiet play, or the few hours on MWF when my oldest is in preschool — to make the most of my productivity.

It certainly helps that I run my business primarily online. In this season of life, being able to work from WiFi and my fingertips has allowed me to weave work into my day while keeping presence with my boys at the forefront of my priorities.

Even with all the hurdles, nothing compares to the rush and joy of being able to design my days with my boys — without having to answer to anyone… except them, haha.

Spill a fun little secret about you!

Fun fact: I’m a huge ancient history nerd — I love anything related to ancient cultures! Another fun fact: I grew up a dancer and danced from the time I was 3 until my early 20s, right up until I moved to California.

YOUR BUSINESS

Tell us your superpower—what’s your product, service, or special offering?

I create wellness programs, sell healthy living products (nutrition, skincare, makeup, bodycare, babycare) and provide a community hub for busy women who want to learn how to embrace duality in life.

What’s the magic that sets you apart?

I could talk about this forever, but in a nutshell — what I do with Arbonne and the community of women we welcome is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. Our community offers a beautiful duality: we invite women to show up exactly as they are — with all their past, their broken pieces, and the things that authentically make them them — while also asking, “Who do you want to be, and where do you want to go?”

We believe that who they are already adds value and matters, and we partner with them to grow into the person they were truly born to be.

Spill the tea — any big milestones, press shoutouts, or launches on the horizon? 

In May, I was promoted to the top level of Arbonne — National Vice President — and at our most recent Incentive Trip, I was recognized as #9 in the company for helping the most women promote and rise within the organization! This milestone also created an incredible opportunity for our family, allowing my husband to start his own business and build it full-time from the ground up this year.

Give us a Day in the Life of being both Mom and CEO!

I wake up before the sun — and hopefully before my kiddos — to have some quiet time just for me. I start the day with my morning supplement lineup to fuel my body, gut, and energy. From there, I set my intentions, pray, journal, and take some deep breaths.

Once the boys are up, we ease into our morning with snuggles, books, breakfast, and a little playtime. On school days, I drop my oldest off at preschool and enjoy some undivided quality time with my youngest until pickup.

After the boys’ naps, I fit in a workout and often hop on my treadmill while tackling most of my daily work over a couple of hours — checking in with my team and clients, creating content, and connecting with potential new teammates and clients.

Afternoons are unplugged until after my husband gets home, dinner, and bedtime. Family time is incredibly important to us, and we prioritize it as a core value. I usually wrap up the day with a quick work session to tie up loose ends, then spend quality time with my husband before bed.

ADVICE FOR MOMPRENEURS

What’s the single best piece of advice or favorite tool you’d share with other mamas building their businesses?

I am a huge fan of personal development books and podcasts! Some of my favorites include:

• Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki
• Business of the 21st Century by Robert Kiyosaki
• Chop Wood Carry Water by Joshua Medcalf
• Pound the Stone by Joshua Medcalf
• On Fire by John O’leery
• The Power of One More by Ed Mylett

What’s been your biggest challenge juggling motherhood and running a business?

Learning to embrace duality instead of being “all or nothing.” 2 things, 2 feelings, 2 goals, etc. can coexist at once. Learning to move through difficulties instead of sitting in them and leading with an attitude of gratitude!

What’s your approach to balancing business and family? We love the real, unfiltered stories!

It’s so easy as moms to let our reason WHY turn into our reason WHY NOT when life gets hard. My approach to balance? Honestly, balance is BS. Nothing is ever going to be 100% balanced. The sooner we accept that, the sooner we can focus on time management and prioritization.

My biggest guiding principle is “being where my feet are.” When I’m with my kids, I’m fully present with them. When I’m working, I’m all in for work. Moving through my day with this kind of intention has truly become a cornerstone of my life.

Looking back, what’s something you wish you had known before starting your business?

What a great question! Something I wish I knew early on is that I’m not for everyone — and that’s okay. The people who resonate with the authentic version of me are the only ones I truly need. I’d much rather be a spicy, real version of myself that connects with like-minded women than a lukewarm version trying to resonate with everyone.

What tool, resource, or habit has completely changed the game for you?

HABIT STACKING!! through and through and through

What mindset shifts have helped you keep going during hard seasons?

The phrase “this is temporary” always helps me stay grounded in gratitude and the present. Whether it’s a difficult season of loss, challenges in business, pregnancy, motherhood, or anything else, reminding myself that every high and low is temporary helps me stay focused and intentional.

What words of encouragement would you give a Mom tempted to give up on her business dream?

Hard times will come, and there will be moments when you want to quit. But even on the toughest days, if you focus on being just 1% better than you were yesterday, you’re moving your business in the right direction. Success isn’t about who gets there first — it’s about who stays and perseveres when things get hard.

I love Michele’s story because it’s proof that Moms can hit “reset” and build the life they actually want—on their own terms. Having little feet running around all day is not a roadblock—it’s a superpower. Moms have a PhD in juggling, prioritizing, and time management, and that makes us more than capable of chasing big dreams.

Her story is also a powerful reminder to focus on what truly lights you up. Michele’s secret sauce is passion. She led with a desire to help other women facing the same challenges she did. That fire kept her going through the tough days and eventually landed her in the top 1% of Arbonne. That’s a remarkable achievement.

The lesson is simple: know your WHY, lead with authenticity, keep showing up, and never, ever give up.

I’d love to feature more Boss Mamas like Michele. If you know someone who deserves the spotlight, please reach out and send me their info here. And hey, if that’s you, I love a little self-brag too! Send me your details so we can shine the spotlight on you as well.

Here’s to all the incredible Moms juggling a million things—keep shining bright, cheering each other on, and building the life you love!

Ashley

Friendly Note: I’m simply sharing my journey, experiences, and lessons learned as a Mom in business. This isn’t legal, financial, or professional advice. Always check with a qualified pro for guidance tailored to you.