Did THAT just happen?

Day in and day out, I do dishes, change diapers, pick up toys, do laundry, and tend to all the rest of the highly glamorous tasks of a stay-at-home mom.  I have lived through the season of life where simply getting myself a shower was an incredible accomplishment.  And, if I got to do my hair on top of that, my day was made! 

For some, being a stay-at-home mom is a very rewarding, fulfilling treasure that gives them purpose.  While for others the isolation and demand can be depressing.  For me, it can be both.  I love being able to put my boys down for their naps and experience everything they experience – love that!  However, I know ZERO about early childhood education, which would be massively helpful to have a clue about since I have two children who are early in their childhood and need to be educated!  I often feel at a total loss for what to do, when to do it, and how to do it.  And yet, after a few deep breaths, moments with the Lord, and personal time out, the parenting continues.  The parenting always continues without vacation, leave, or replacement.

So, it is fun for me to step out of Mommy Mode, and utilize my skills, intellect, and personality through my work.  Last September, it was so much fun to step out of Mommy Mode and go on a business trip to Chicago.  I went to the New Director’s Academy at the Pampered Chef Home Office.  Upon arrival at Midway, I was basking in the freedom to be on my own, utilize both my hands at the same time, and dictate my own schedule based on MY mood.  Then when I realized that I had a private car waiting to chauffer ME to the Home Office, I told the driver that there MUST have been a mistake.  I’m usually the one who is the chauffer!  What a treat to get to be chauffeured around Chicago!

On a recent trip to Chicago for the Pampered Chef National Conference, I had a major shock to my system.  Consultants from all over the country and International Consultants come to this Conference.  It’s a great time to network, learn, see the new line, and just talk some serious shop!  I love it!  And, I was thrilled to get to see many of my fellow Consultants from Pittsburgh.  Again, I was out of Mommy Mode and enjoying my business.  You can see all the pictures from my trip on my Facebook page.  But, there was one moment at conference that I’d like to share with you. 

The opening general session of Conference was getting underway!  I was so excited to have the invitation to sit in the reserved section of my National Executive Director, Randy Weiss, which meant getting to sit in the very front row! There were video guys all around filming as they walked around. And, as the music was thumping, the countdown to the opening began!  I had a bit of confusion with where to sit because I had an invitation to sit in a reserved section for Excellence Award Achievers (on the 15^th row), and an invitation to sit with Randy (on the first row).  Logistically, I didn’t know where I was “supposed” to sit.  Thankfully, Beth, a Home Office Staffer was able to help me.  I told her my dilemma, and when she looked at my name tag, she said, “You’re going to sit in the front row, and you’re going to sit RIGHT THERE.”  I thought, “Whew! Out of this incredibly packed place!  How convenient to find someone who knew where little ole me should sit!” I thought nothing more of it and got to my seat!

This was like the most fun pep rally EVER!  Sitting among a couple thousand of my fellow Pampered Chefs was just FUN!  Everyone had a glow stick and the place was aglow with the colors waiving all around.  Randy popped up in front of me, handed me a light up scepter, and said, “Hey!  Did you know that tomorrow you’re leading our team in the National Team Parade?!”  I had no idea there even WAS a National Team Parade!  She said to have fun with the scepter during the opening session and make sure to hold on to it because I’d need it for the parade.  So, now I had the HUGEST “glow stick” of sorts in the whole place!   

Then, it began!  The Founder of The Pampered Chef, Doris Christopher, came out to welcome the crowd.  She was a mother of 2 school age girls and just wanted to bring in some extra income when she started the company in her basement 31 years ago.  To get to see her from the front row was super neat!  Then out came the CEO of the company, Marla Gottschalk.  She welcomed everyone to the conference and started sharing about a Consultant who over breakfast in Maui had inspired her.  I had actually gotten to eat breakfast with Marla while we were in Maui!  My friend, Sharon Mellor, who helped me start my business 7 years ago, nudged me and said, “Is she talking about YOU?”  I laughed and just shook my head as we kept listening to Marla describe how this Consultant described herself as “less than a hobbyist when she first started her business.”  Sharon nudged me again, and said, “Tish!  Don’t you describe yourself that way?”  “Sharon, do you know how many other Consultants start out as just a hobbyist!  She’s not talking about me.” I laughed it off.  And we continued listening as Marla shared about how this Consultant paid off the loan on her husband’s new car 18 months early.  Sharon was now gripping my arm because I paid off our Scion XB way early by doing 1 or 2 shows a month.  And when Marla shared that this Consultant had a house on the market in Alabama for over two years while living in Louisiana, I can tell you that I didn’t black out.  But, I don’t remember anything else she said from the stage.

I looked in front of me and realized that the camera guy kneeling three feet in front of me with a video camera on his shoulder had been kneeling there since the session began.  I had noticed him when he knelt down there, but thought to myself, “How self absorbed would THAT be to think that his shot is on me!  He’s probably got a wide lens and can see half this place!”  But, he and his grip WERE planted in front of ME.  While Marla continued talking about I DON’T KNOW WHAT, I looked at the camera guy and pointed to him and silently said, “Are you here for me?!”  When the grip slowly nodded, I realized I wasn’t in Mommy Mode anymore. 

The CEO of The Pampered Chef was sharing my story with the company as the opener to National Conference!  Internally I was completely overwhelmed and could only think to myself, “Is this really happening?! Is this actually HAPPENING!?”  And when I say I was overwhelmed, I mean that the real slow tears that come with disbelief were beginning to come.  Then I heard Marla say, “So, do you all wanna meet her?!  She’s right here on the front row!  Meet Tisha Smith!”  Sharon had to tell me to stand up!  Marla came off the stage, all the stage cameras came with her, and she gave me a hug, held my face in her hands and said, “Tisha, we are so proud of you  We see you.  And we are so proud of what we see!”  The slow tears kinda started to speed up a wee bit.  I mean, what do ya do when you go from just super excited to get to sit on the front row and watch the session to being PART OF THE OPENING SESSION!  The only thing that I could muster up to say to Marla was, “Thank you SO MUCH!  Ummmm….is this HAPPENING?!?!”  As I sat down, Sharon and I were just in shock with tears welling up.  WHAT just happened!  I realized that my Nat’l, Randy, had to be in on this since she had invited me to sit in her section, which was the front row! (I later found out that the scepter had been how they marked me so the production staff knew who I was.  Good thing I asked Beth where I should SIT!)  So, I went over to Randy as the session continued, and I asked her, “What just happened?  Did that just happen?!” And, she paid me the greatest compliment I have been given in regard to my business.  She said, “Tisha, they see your sincerity.  They see the sincerity in how you run your business and your life.”  

Doing laundry, changing diapers, and being a businesswoman all the while – this IS happening!

Me & Marla...