SWEET: Successful Women Empowering Entrepreneurs Together

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SWEET Retreat 2020

Hundreds of successful female entrepreneurs gathered in San Diego last week for SWEET Retreat. The annual event, organized by the USANA United States Sales Team, is critically important.

SWEET, which stands for Successful Women Empowering Entrepreneurs Together, is designed to bring together entrepreneurs from all walks of life. Lori Truman, USANA’s Vice President of U.S. Sales, says the retreat helps “SWEET Sisters” empower one another and lift each other up.

It’s a unique event that I think is absolutely amazing.

From what I saw on social media and in hearing from others personally, a strong lineup of speakers, including keynote and bestselling author Elaine Welteroth, were not only inspirational and motivational, but they also offered practical advice to help others succeed — in business and in life.

Members of the USANA management team, as well as top Associate leaders, offered personal insight on a range of topics. Communicating effectively, providing an exceptional customer experience, and creating a clear vision for your success were just a few of the presentations that seemed to resonate with attendees.

While I (obviously) didn’t attend (Dan Macuga and I did come close, several years ago…), I’m certain I could feel the energy emanating from SWEET.

SWEET Retreat 2020 Elaine Welteroth

SWEET: Learning, Empowerment

As I’ve traveled around the world so far this year, I’ve spoken a lot about the value of emotional intelligence. How do we as leaders connect with others in their space? More specifically, how do we better empathize with those facing challenges personally and professionally?

An event such as SWEET, which combines learning and empowerment and camaraderie and outright fun, is critical to USANA as a company. It’s who we are, and who we strive to be.

Direct selling in the United States is a $35 billion industry. And, according to the Direct Selling Association, women make up 75% of the direct sales force.

Continuing to recognize and empower our female leaders is of utmost importance. I’m grateful USANA has strong, talented women leaders who exhibit emotional intelligence and who encourage others, as I like to say, to live life in crescendo.

As Elaine Welteroth emphasized in her SWEET keynote, three keys to success are:

  1. Have a clear vision
  2. Have faith in yourself
  3. Get support from other females

Judging by the popularity of SWEET over the years, and by the successful women entrepreneurs who have attended, I’d say we’re on the right path.

It’s the People You Meet

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A jingle from a lifetime ago about people popped into my head the other day.

Oh, who are the people in your neighborhood?
In your neighborhood?
In your neighborhood?
…
Well, they’re the people that you meet
When you’re walking down the street
They’re the people that you meet each day.

That’s right — Sesame Street. It’s a song that introduces children to a variety of people and professions.

Meeting with members of the media in Beijing.

Meeting with members of the media in Beijing.

As you might know, I’ve been traveling non-stop since the first of the year. If you’re following me on social media, you’ve seen me post pictures from Taiwan, Beijing, and Korea. I’ve spent time in New York and Chicago, and now I’m home in Salt Lake for a few days.

A selfie with some of the people I met in Taiwan in January 2020.

A selfie with some of the people I met in Taiwan in January 2020.

Though they live outside my literal neighborhood, I’ve been thinking about the hundreds — possibly thousands — of people I’ve met over the last three weeks.

The people I’ve met.

Yes, many were familiar faces. But a lot were friendly strangers I met for the first time. It’s amazing how much I’ve learned from them — about their diverse cultures, their expertise in all aspects of life, and how they’re going about achieving their goals and aspirations.

Throughout the trip, I’ve spoken frequently about the value of emotional intelligence. How we connect with people “in their space,” so to speak. It’s what experts say distinguishes great leaders from good ones. Researchers have boiled emotional intelligence down to five key components, one of which is empathy.

Empathetic people are skilled at attracting and retaining talent, they have an ability to develop others, and they possess a sensitivity to cross-cultural differences.

Doesn’t that sound like the kind of person you’d like to be? It’s the kind of person I strive to be.

If you read my blog post from earlier this month, I spoke about kindness and how we each should try to be a little kinder to one another in 2020. Well, as I’ve traveled all over the world and experienced all sorts of cultures, I’m impressed by the people I’ve met — in terms of kindness and empathy.

It’s the people we meet each day that could have a major effect on our lives (and us on theirs). It’s the emotional intelligence we demonstrate in these everyday interactions that will have a lasting impact.

Here are a few more pictures from my recent travels. Thank you all for making me feel so welcome wherever I go.
So grateful for the individuals who attended my book signing in Taiwan.

So grateful for the individuals who attended my book signing in Taiwan.

A warm welcome in New York. Thank you!

A warm welcome in New York. Thank you!

Celebrating the grand opening of the new offices in USANA Korea.

Celebrating the grand opening of the new offices in USANA Korea.

A version of this post originally went to my e-newsletter subscribers. If you’re not yet subscribed, please do so here.

A New Year of Possibilities Starts with Kindness

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A new year is upon us and with it a world of possibilities. Many of us make resolutions and set goals — lose weight, advance in our careers, eat healthier, etc. But at the start of 2019, I invited readers to join me in one important quest:

Let’s work toward becoming a little kinder, a little happier, and a little better in our relationships with others.

Now, at the start of a new year: How did we do?

Evaluate and Assess

Facebook - All the Right Reasons Announcement 3Each December, I evaluate and assess what I accomplished in the previous 12 months. I’m also honest with myself and write down what I’d hoped to accomplish, but which I didn’t.

I wrote about my process in a blog post last January. That process includes a tactic I picked up from Benjamin Franklin. As a teenager, Franklin wrote down important things that he wanted to pattern his life after. We think of those as our values. For me, my goals and objectives are closely connected with my personal values.

So we write down our goals, but it’s not enough just to write them down and stuff them in a drawer. Rather, as Franklin did, we must track how we’re doing. Franklin tracked in his notebook how well he did in following one of the 13 virtues he considered to be most important to him. (Incidentally, a more in-depth description of this is included in All the Right Reasons. Not surprisingly, the chapter’s called The Ben Franklin Principle.)

Looking Ahead

Toward the end of 2019, I participated in an important challenge called Commit to You: 90 Days of Health. In addition to writing down my commitment, I recorded it on video and shared it publicly. I committed to living a life more present. To live in the moment rather than dwelling on the past or worrying about the future.

And that’s how we circle back to the invitation at the top of this post. By committing to being more present, I became more aware of how my actions affected those around me. I instantly thought about how I could be a little kinder. Interacting with those I love and care about helped me to become a little happier. All of the above helped me to become a little better in my relationships with others.

But just because we flipped the calendar doesn’t mean we’re done. As we embark on another new year, I ask that we continue to strive for more kindness and happiness in our lives.

As Gary Vaynerchuk, who spoke at the 2019 USANA Live event, wrote on his social media: Kindness is the word of 2020.

All the Right Reasons includes 12 timeless principles for living a life in harmony. Book sales benefit the USANA Foundation to help ensure impoverished children and families reach their fullest potential.

USANA Kids Eat: Serving Our Community

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USANA Kids Eat - No Child Should Ever Go Hungry

We recently officially opened USANA Kids Eat. It’s a food-packing facility where volunteers will fill backpacks with food for children who don’t have enough to eat (for background on the program, please see my previous blog post or visit usanakidseat.org).

You’ve heard me repeat the quote, attributed to Winston Churchill, often:

“We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.”

USANA Kids Eat Ribbon Cutting

The USANA Kids Eat facility officially opened on Dec. 19, 2019.

Giving is so important. And that’s what USANA Kids Eat, in conjunction with the USANA Foundation, allows us to do. We’re providing millions of meals to children and families across the globe. But now, we’re able to better serve those in our local community.

Helping to Feed Hungry Children

I get choked up when I think about kids going home for the holiday break to empty cupboards. Just the other day, I joined several USANA employees in packing food for one particular school.

We were able to help make sure those children went home with backpacks filled with enough food to get them and their families through the long winter break. One in five Utah children goes home to insufficient or no food every day.

“With each backpack containing seven meals, we are filling and distributing 800 backpacks each week,” said Brian Paul, USANA Foundation president. “For long holiday breaks, we fill over 3,000 extended-break food kits so kids will have enough food. We welcome the public’s help to reach the goal of filling and distributing 1,000 backpacks per week, which will total 300,000 meals for hungry kids in our community in 2020.”

Making a difference is part of our vision and culture at USANA. And we’re looking forward to making an even bigger difference in the days, weeks, months, and years to come. Our goal with the program is to fill and deliver 1,000 backpacks each week to hungry children.

Thank you to our special guests and dignitaries who joined us for the ribbon-cutting ceremony on Dec. 19. And thanks to each of you for your continued support of the USANA Foundation — and now USANA Kids Eat.

Media Mentions

The following are media mentions connected to the USANA Kids Eat program, as well as to the grand opening on Dec. 19, 2019:

To learn more about USANA Kids Eat, please visit usanakidseat.org. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

What I’m Reading — Mindset: The New Psychology of Success

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In the video below, I share a story about an interaction I had recently that illustrates “mindset.”

An employee greeted me as I walked through the front door at work recently. I asked how she was doing. She looked at me right in the eye and said, “You know, today’s going to be a great day.”

It struck me because I thought to myself, today is going to be a great day. And it’s going to be a great day because I think it’s going to be a great day. It’s where I’m at.

Mindset: The New Psychology of Success

I’ve spoken recently about the power of mindset. In her book, Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, author Carol S. Dweck does a phenomenal job outlining the concept.

I’m often asked about the difference between leaders who succeed in USANA and those who don’t.

It boils down to two things: growth vs. fixed mindset.

Mindset - Growth vs. FixedIn Mindset, Dweck discusses two different ways of thinking about things. We can either have a fixed or growth mindset. Those who are successful and continue to grow are those who employ a growth mindset.

In contrast, those who have “fixed” mindsets aren’t seeking to grow. They aren’t interested in learning new things. They’re content living their life in the same way they always have lived it.

I encourage you to think about your own way of thinking. Is today a great day? Did you decide it’s going to be a great day? Because you’re the only one who can decide.

One thing I’ve learned is this: the only person I have control over is me. My mindset is so critical to my performance and to my happiness.

I challenge you to take a look at this book. Think about which bucket you fall into. Is it “growth” or “fixed?” Are you open to trying new things? Or is “operating as usual” more comfortable for you?

For more on What I’m Reading, please visit my other blog posts.

 

USANA Kids Eat Set to Open its Doors

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USANA Kids Eat Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony • Dec. 19, 2019

 

We at USANA are always looking for ways to give back to our community. The USANA Kids Eat initiative is one way in which we’re striving to do that.

Kids Eat - Kevin GuestAs I mention in the video above, we’re celebrating the opening of the beautiful new food-packing facility on Dec. 19, 2019. Several dignitaries — including Dr. Oz — are planning to join us.

The event starts at 11 a.m. and is open to the public. So if you’re in the area at 11 a.m. on Dec. 19, I’d love for you to stop by. You can tour the new facility and even pack a backpack or two.

Located next to USANA’s corporate offices at 2538 South 3850 West in Salt Lake City, the center promises to make a big impact within our community.

USANA Kids Eat: An Important Initiative

For those who haven’t heard, several months ago the USANA Foundation acquired two local charities to help in its mission to feed hungry children — worldwide and in our own backyard.

USANA Kids Eat is a USANA Foundation initiative that strives to eliminate childhood hunger in Utah by providing food to at-risk youth. Already, the community’s come together to pack food for kids to take home with them on weekends and holiday breaks.

And now, with the opening of the new facility next week, we’ll have a dedicated spot to better serve children.

Recently, USANA Kids Eat earned Mountain America Credit Union’s “Pass it Along” recognition, which recognizes local nonprofits making a significant impact in the community.

To learn more about the program, please take a look at this article on What’s Up, USANA? and be sure to follow the organization on Facebook and Instagram.

The Holland Principle: Find Opportunities to Serve, Then Act

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This time of year is always special for me. It’s a time to reflect on what’s truly important in our lives, to give thanks and to express our gratitude. It’s also a time to serve others. I’ve been thinking recently about The Holland Principle, one of 12 principles included in All the Right Reasons.

All the Right Reasons | Kevin GuestEach of us has a great capacity to help others, to make someone’s life better. That, in a nutshell, is The Holland Principle.

Find opportunities to serve, then act.

When we serve others, we are ultimately working to improve ourselves. I speak a lot about the notion of “giving vs. getting.” Often, we’re so wrapped up in our own busy lives, that we forget the importance of helping others. If we can focus more on serving others, I think we’ll live a life of abundance.

Speaking of helping others, in less than two weeks we’ll be opening the doors on the brand new USANA Kids Eat food packing center. I wrote about the program in my e-newsletter last month (you’re welcome to subscribe).

People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.

As we put a bow on another year, I thank you for commitment to helping make the world a better place. I’m grateful for the many blessings in my life and I wish you a healthy and prosperous 2020.

Please consider contributing to the USANA Foundation. Its mission is to ensure that impoverished children and families reach their fullest potential by providing food and nutrition.

Help Us Provide 2 Million Meals to Hungry Children

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When I published All the Right Reasons in August 2018, we set an ambitious goal. We sought to provide 1 million meals to hungry children.

As you know, all sales benefit the USANA Foundation. And each book sold represents 40 meals delivered to children in need.

USANA True Health Foundation: 40 Million MealsThanks to your generosity, we reached our goal earlier this year. But we’re not done.

With a little urging by Dr. Mehmet Oz, who challenged us to double our goal, we’re now heading toward 2 million meals.

That’s right. We’re hoping that by August 2020 we’ll hit our next milestone.

Goals are important to have, and milestones are nice to achieve. But the most important thing is that we are doing good in the world. Children are being fed as a result of this project.

I’m humbled to know that principles contained within All the Right Reasons are resonating with so many people. I’m grateful that the book is not only making a difference in the lives of those who read it, but also in the lives of children around the world.

Providing Meals

It’s a reflective time of year for me, as I’m sure it is for many of you. We look back on the past 12 months and make a plan for the future. It’s a time to count our blessings and express gratitude. We get together with friends and family and celebrate.

And we pause to think about the less fortunate. I’d like to express my heartfelt thanks for your support of the USANA Foundation. The organization began in 2012 and in its brief existence, it’s provided 40 million meals to hungry children around the world. That’s making a real difference. We couldn’t do it without you. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

What I’m Reading: Emotional Intelligence

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Harvard Business Review: Top 10 Must-Reads on Emotional Intelligence

The notion of Emotional Intelligence is top-of-mind for me. It’s something I touched on in my talk at USANA’s Global Live event in August.

Harvard Business Review - Emotional IntelligenceI’ve been talking to and training employees on this subject. And I did the same on my recent trip to Dubai with our top business growers. I spent an hour talking to the group there about this topic.

Normally, when I share a “What I’m Reading” post, it centers on a specific book. This time, it’s a collection of articles from the Harvard Business Review.

If you’re familiar with the HBR, you know the articles are always well-researched and filled with interesting studies or findings.

What is Emotional Intelligence?

For me, it centers on empathy. What that really means is working to understand others’ emotional makeup. Put yourself in their place and truly “meet” people where they are.

I think that’s a key for us at USANA being successful as we share our messages. Are we meeting people where they are? Or are we expecting them to come to where we are?

It’s not physically traveling to “meet” people at their home or office. But rather, it’s understanding what other people are thinking, where they’re coming from, and what experiences they may have had in the past that influence who they are today.

With all the knowledge that we have and all the years of experience that we may have. And that begins with being empathetic and being socially and emotionally intelligent. I would encourage you, if you get a chance, you can Google the Harvard Business Review on emotional intelligence. Study it, read it. I’m sure it will help you in all aspects of your life.

I believe boosting our emotional intelligence will improve our individual productivity, as well as our personal and business relationships.

News & Notes From Around USANA

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USANA Happenings

Kevin Guest - Skydiving in Dubai during the Americas/Europe USANA Growth tripEach month or so I like to touch on a variety of topics or events pertinent to the USANA Family. In this episode, I share a few thoughts on:

2019 USANA Live

Two words: Extreme success. The energy at the 2019 USANA International Convention proved to be off the charts.

We’re seeing momentum build and pick up in our markets around the world as a result of some of the promotions that we launched. Most importantly, we’re expanding and furthering our vision to be The Healthiest Family on Earth.

Americas/Europe Growth Trip

I experienced two “firsts” on our recent trip to Dubai with USANA’s top growers from the Americas and Europe. The first “first”: riding a camel. And the second “first” you probably saw on social media. I jumped out of a perfectly good airplane.

It was exhilarating and fun. It helped me overcome a fear of mine and have a unique experience. I’m so glad I did it with some of our USANA friends.

Most importantly, on these kinds of trips, I get to connect with our distributor base in a different way. It’s very much an opportunity for me one-on-one to meet with those who are really working hard and growing their business

Upcoming Travels

It looks like I’ll be packing my bags three more times before the end of 2019. I’m visiting Macau for the China convention. And then I travel to Mexico for a leadership summit event. Finally, I head to Washington D.C. for Direct Selling Association board and planning meetings.

It’s a busy few months, but I’m looking forward to it. There’s still a lot to do and accomplish. Even more, this is the time of year when we as a USANA management team conduct our strategic planning for the next 12 to 18 months.

Thank You

I can’t thank each of you enough for following along, reading this blog, and watching my video messages. I truly believe I’m in the people business, and without you, I wouldn’t be who I am.