On the heels of the email from Kimberly Martinez, which I shared with you all yesterday, I received an email from Theresa Stelter.  Theresa's business card was one of three pulled from a bowl for the "Audience Pitch" competition at our Make Mine a Million $ Business event in Phoenix, AZ this spring, where she surprised all of us by getting up on stage and doing her 3 minute pitch her plans for growing her business making wholesale and retail buttons.  Theresa won the competition, received the prize of business coaching, and came back to us as a Make Mine a Million $ Business finalist in Albuquerque, NM, where she won again.  Just this year, she has grown her business to $373,000 this year.  This is what she had to say: 

"Dear Nell,

I've read your articles and am very excited about this coming year.   I am pleased to tell you despite the economic times our sales were up 20% this year.   That was a lot of buttons!  I am pleased to report both the private label and our label of buttons increased.   The new year is starting well as our private label products will keep my staff busy for at least 3 months.   I plan to expand my Hillcreek label and will be talking with my business coach and learn to understand "Branding".  I believe I have brand recognition but want to be sure I am handling it properly.

While in Florida you asked if you could tell my whole story.  I can now say ok, I'm ready.  My concern about saying I have MS was because I wanted to show the business as a viable business in itself.  I was afraid that if I had told you why I was running the business from  home it would take away from the strength of the business.  In thinking about it, I see that I was able to build and find a business that was right for me in spite of my situation.  This could be inspiring to others in different situations.  I have a quote on my desk sent to me by son:

Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. -Theodore Roosevelt

Robert sent this to me after he had moved to Colorado, this was about 10 years after starting the button business.  I feel my message to him growing up was learned and he sent this reminder back to me in a note.  I find it to be a great thought for anyone, I'm running the business of my dreams with a great staff and now I have a comfortable place to find answers to my questions.  For that I thank you.  I also thank you for instilling courage and confidence.  I have found this at the events you have put together with your wonderful staff.  I'm so glad my name was drawn in Phoenix and I took the opportunity to grow with Count Me In."