Reflecting on a Year of Achievements in 2023

Reflecting at the end of each year is an important part of setting ourselves up for success in the year ahead. 2023 proved to be a transformative year for me personally as I moved into the role of USANA Executive Chairman. Jim Brown, USANA’s President, added CEO to his title in July to ensure a seamless transition.

The shift has allowed me to focus on strategic initiatives as USANA continues to thrive and evolve. It also gave me the opportunity to perform several gigs with my band.

Thank you for your support and encouragement.

Select Highlights

USANA continues to lead through its core values. Community, Excellence, Health, and Integrity provide a clear lens through which we view our decision-making. This foundation helped USANA earn a variety of impressive accolades throughout the year.

A sampling…

  • Honored with prestigious “Best of State” awards, recognizing USANA’s commitment to excellence in various categories. It marked one of 40 awards and other honors USANA received during the year.
  • In addition, USANA earned recognition for its commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion in the workplace. In March, the Utah Governor’s Office recognized USANA for its support of women in the workplace.
  • CellSentials received a ConsumerLab.com seal of approval, reaffirming its status as a leader in nutritional supplementation. This recognition is a tribute to the cutting-edge science and research that goes into creating quality products.
  • USANA Business magazine recognized USANA as a “Best Company to Work For” for the ninth time. This recognition speaks volumes about the positive culture cultivated at USANA, where employees are not just part of a company but a thriving community.
  • And the Utah Manufacturers Association named USANA a “Top Manufacturer” for the second consecutive year.

To read more about USANA’s accolades, visit the newsroom on USANA.com. One overarching goal we’ve set for ourselves as a company is to reach 1 million customers. And with your support, I’m confident we can soar past that number.

 

Noteworthy Efforts

In 2023, USANA continued its commitment to sustainability with the release of its latest Sustainability Report. This report — People, Planet, Products — outlines our progress and initiatives aimed at contributing to a healthier planet.

The USANA Foundation remained a focus, as The Garden Towers Project helped so many families around the world.

Also this year, USANA introduced its affiliate program, as well as some new products, each designed to meet the diverse needs of our customers. These additions exemplify our commitment to innovation and providing cutting-edge solutions for optimal health.

In terms of new partnerships, USANA joined forces with the USA Bobsled/Skeleton team and the South Sydney Rabbitohs rugby team.

Expanding our reach globally, USANA recently officially opened for business in India. The expansion represents an exciting opportunity to fulfill our mission of creating The Healthiest Family on Earth.

Early in 2023, USANA partnered with Good Deed Revolution and its Promise2Live campaign. I believe we’re in the midst of a global mental health crisis. As an international company focused on health and wellness, USANA has made the promise to stop the stigma around suicide, start conversations, and save lives.

Reflecting on the Past and Looking Ahead

Once we’ve finished reflecting on the past, let’s center our attention on the year ahead. I’m excited about the possibilities in 2024. Our journey has been one of growth, recognition, and positive impact.

In a previous message, I suggested we focus on maintaining a positive mindset. I echo that sentiment today. Let’s try to push out the bad and direct all our energy to that which is good. If we open our minds to see what’s possible, rather than dwell on obstacles, we can expand our belief and confidence in who we are and what we can be.

Thank you, as always, for your dedication and passion. I wish you a joyous holiday season and a healthy, happy, and prosperous new year. Together, let’s make 2024 a year of continued success, growth, and shared achievements.

In the spirit of staying connected, I encourage you to subscribe to my monthly e-newsletter for regular updates and insights. 

Celebrate the Spirit of Giving

I love this time of year. For me, as I’m sure it is for many of you, it’s a season of giving. December, in fact, is designated to be “National Giving Month” in the United States.

It’s about more than just material gifts, of course. This time of year we should give of our time, our service, and our compassion. As I wrote at the start of the month, it’s important to give of ourselves to others.

But it’s also important to give to ourselves.

We need to stay balanced personally. To do that, we should dedicate time for self-care, peace, and solitude. By nurturing ourselves, we cultivate the energy needed to help others.

National Giving Month | Kevin Guest

3 Ways to Celebrate the Spirit of Giving

  1. Serve Others: Volunteer time and skills to those in need. Whether it’s helping a neighbor or volunteering at a charity, I find tremendous value in getting outside of myself and making a difference in someone else’s life.
  2. Anonymous Do Kind Acts: Do something kind for someone who can do nothing for you in return. When possible, do it anonymously. It’s an act that truly embodies the spirit of giving and flows out to others.
  3. Give to Yourself: Because it’s important to stay balanced personally, dedicate time for self-care, peace, and solitude. By nurturing ourselves, we cultivate the energy and tolerance needed to help others.

In All the Right Reasons, I relay a story of a college professor who said, “Nothing is more important than relationships. In your careers, your paths will cross with many people. They all matter and deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile, say hello and learn their names. Few things are more important to people than being called by their first name.”

Especially during this month of giving, I urge everyone to treat others with kindness and respect. Learn their names, acknowledge them as you pass by, and step outside of your own issues to be genuinely respectful to everyone.

By adopting this mindset, individuals can foster deeper connections, creating a sense of unity and shared purpose that extends beyond the holiday season.

As the Month of Giving unfolds, let’s come together to create a ripple effect of generosity, kindness, and compassion. By serving others, helping anonymously, and actually giving time for ourselves, we pave the way for stronger, more meaningful relationships that endure well beyond the holiday season.

We all have the power to help others, to give back, and to do good in this world. That’s my wish and hope for you this holiday season. Please take comfort in the spirit of giving to those around you and to yourself.

I shared these thoughts in a news release published on Dec. 4, 2023. I also shared a version with e-newsletter subscribers on Dec. 19. Please consider subscribing.

The Dorothy Principle: A Lesson to Embrace During the Holidays

I’d like to share with you a paradigm-shifting concept. It’s called the Dorothy Principle, a popular story in “All the Right Reasons: 12 Timeless Principles for Living a Life in Harmony.”

All the Right Reasons | Kevin Guest

The “Dorothy Principle” name may seem peculiar, but its implications have been profound in my life.

The essence of the Dorothy Principle lies in treating others with utmost respect and kindness. It’s about understanding that our greatest successes, our most meaningful victories, are nestled in the heart of our relationships.

In my book, I recount an incident from my college days when a college professor posed a seemingly simple question: “What is the name of the woman who cleans this building?” The class was stumped. The woman’s name was Dorothy. The lesson? In life, nothing is more important than relationships. And paying attention to others, even if you only pass them in the hall (if only several times a week like I did), is a secret to success.

This story resonated with me. I remember my first day at college; my professor wrote on the board: “Nothing is more important than relationships.” As a young college student, I felt this was counterintuitive to my ambitions. But time and experience have shown me the wisdom in those words.

I recall studying for hours for my final exam only to be faced with one question: “What had the professor written on the board on the first day of class?” Even after 35 years, I remember the answer and the lesson it taught me.

The Importance of Relationships

Relationships matter. Whether it’s the mail carrier, your co-worker, or the person who cleans the building, everyone deserves your attention, your respect, and your kindness. A simple smile, a warm hello, or just remembering someone’s name can make a world of difference.

As we approach the holiday season, I urge you all to put relationships first. Cherish your family, your friends, and every person who crosses your path. Remember, people matter more than things. Our success is not actually measured by our wealth or achievements, but by the lives we touch and the relationships we foster.

To experience true inner peace, we must understand what holds real meaning in our lives: relationships, making a difference, and living authentically. This is not just a message of hope; it’s a call to action.

It’s up to us to uphold virtues, to fight for integrity, to love truth, to right the wrongs, and heal the wounds. It’s up to us to repair what’s broken. If not us, then who?

So, I ask you today, will you join me in this quest for character? Will you strive for harmony? Will you live your life for all the right reasons?

It’s time we embraced the Dorothy Principle and put relationships first in everything we do. In the grand scheme, nothing is more important than relationships.

I first shared these thoughts in a LinkedIn post published on Nov. 15, 2023.