Entrepreneurship Through Direct Sells

I LOVE this!!!! I fully support DIRECT SALES!! It doesn't come easy or free. You work your tail off, but get to do what you love. You choose something you are passionate about, communicate with others, work from home (which is a HUGE necessity for me and BLESSING all in one) as well as provide for your family in a way that you could not do if the opportunity of direct sales was not there. During my business education in college I took a sales class. In that class a guest speaker came and instantly changed the volume in the room. He had our attention immediately as well as gave us a platform to stand on. He showed us how something so subtle makes a BIG difference. I was lucky enough to shadow this man for a whole day and he was the NUMBER ONE example I have ever had for direct sales. He was real, raw, passionate, driven, helpful, and did what he could to provide for his family! He works from an office in downtown Portland, but goes from client to client at their downtown offices. Lets just say as intimidating as direct sales may be, it is worth every bit!!! I am and always will be a HUGE supporter of direct sales!!

The article that definitely peaked my interest!!! 
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/regan-long/the-brutal-truth-about-those-pyramid-schemes_b_10602586.html

Success In Marriage!

Sooo... I will be the first to admit that marriage is HARD! It is also BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!! David and I have began to realize how different we are, but how those differences can compliment our relationship and one another so much. We have been married for four years, and these last two years building our business have not been the easiest. Let's just say we LOVE being self employed, but we also have to step back and realize how much there is to learn!! It can be so easy to work to complete exhaustion and put our own relationship and time together on the back burner. The only "extra" time we have is easily acquainted with others because we make the time. When we do need each other, but are torn between responsibilities, work, kids, etc. we can usually set those needs aside and think "oh my spouse will understand that I HAVE to do 'this'." However, that is just not healthy. A proper work-life balance is so vital for a successful marriage!

So today I came across this blog post and LOVED it!! These are 5 steps to a healthy marriage by blogger Kristyn Morgan. The link is here. Check it out and tell me what you think!!

These 5 steps are so simple, yet so incredibly important!!! I love the boldness behind each one as well. No excuses, just do it!! Today and from here on out I will do my best to make these five steps my top priority.....because it is so worth it!!!!! Also, why shoot for the stars, when you can reach the moon?? In other words, why settle for less, unhappiness, inconsistency, or anything else, when your marriage can be even better!!

My WHY!!!

Who am I and why Usborne?

Hi everyone!!! I am Amanda Richardson and am from Washougal, Wa. My hubby, David, and I have been married for four years and have two beautiful boys (1 and 3). We are an entrepreneur family at heart and already own two businesses that keep us very busy. Being self employed has been such a huge blessing in our lives! We are able to put our family first whenever need be. My husband is very hard working and spends most of the time operating our businesses. We have a home remodeling business as well as a real estate investment company. For the love of homes right!?! haha he is the Chip to my Joanna!! Anywho, yes we flip and renovate homes and love every bit of it! However, I am a full time stay at home mommy and work the business while the kids sleep or we all work side by side as a family. My three year old thinks it is the coolest thing ever!! Using drills, pliers, hammers, etc. But this momma needs a break sometimes!! I have an absolute love for books as well! So when I found Usborne during an online party I was hooked. My husband and I dream of having our own library and one for our kids too. We know how important reading is and it holds a very special place in our hearts. Especially for my husband because he had to relearn to read and write his senior year of high school. He knows how much of a blessing it is to read (again). During my childhood, reading was an adventure and brought me so much hope, gave me motivation as well as inspired me when I needed it most. As our kiddos grow we want the same for them. We will also be homeschooling, doing school co-ops when they start school and I love the books that Usborne offers!!! In a large nutshell...this is WHY!

    

For Kicks and Giggles!!!

This was a post I had started and left up about a month ago!!!.....

So much has happened since my last post, which was in April. We have moved into a new house and we absolutely love it here! My brother Adam married his beautiful bride and my new sister, Kiersten. We are all so ecstatic about that! They are such a sweet, loving, caring and wonderful couple. They just moved to a new home and job in Nevada. Such a fun new adventure!

On May 13th (yes Friday the 13th haha) I went in to have a double knee surgery. Don't worry, it was suppose to be pretty minimal. Just screws out of my right new and arthroscopic diagnosis on my left knee.

This is what my husband decided to add to it!!! .......hahahaha

I am a mommy blogger. Yes, I have lots of stress. No, yes, I say no. I don't like burritos. My mom always said, life is like a box of chocolates and I think that is good because I love chocolate as long as you mix it with peanut butter and coconut. Oh, my minivan is superb. The only thing that could make it better is shiplap and an island with one less wall. LOL

Could not help but post this!!!! SO hysterical to me!!! Thanks David!!!