Wheat field in Stanly County, NC.
My
fascination of wheat and grains came around 1994 and developed into a
part-time business endeavor that spawned 14 years. Without planning, I
became an entrepreneur of sorts with young children and loved every
minute of it.
We started this way: I was involved in a Mom
and Pop co-op group that was ordering all kinds of dry goods out of
Michigan for our families, but some things were missing. One day one of
the ladies came to me and said, "Our co-op is looking for
Montana White Wheat. Do you
think you could find us a source?"
The idea never came from me. I was asked. So, is there someone asking you?
My
husband and I had two little boys at the time. I did some legwork on
the subject of Montana White Wheat and came upon a local bakery that
used it. They wouldn't allow me to buy from them, so I called their
supplier and worked out my own possible delivery.
I realized I
was on the cusp of a business. That very night of news I stayed up late
and lay prostrate across my bed with the Bible open, asking The Lord
for His sign of what I was to do. The Psalms seemed like a great place
to start.
The Good Book opened to Psalm 147:14 during my
search. "He brings peace to thy borders, and fills thee with the Finest
of Wheat." I knew it was right to proceed and FINEST OF WHEAT was born.
I inadvertently
became the grain supplier for parts of VA, NC, SC and GA over several
years and by 1998 Y2K time caused an explosion in sales which caused us
to move things to two different warehouses. By this point we had 4
children, 3 boys and a new baby girl. I drug them to wheat deliveries
and they helped greet customers and carry buckets where they could.
Wheat
people would often ask what supplements I would recommend, and I would
send them off to find a Shaklee representative because my mom-in-law had
told me they were super vitamins and someday I should sell them.
Strangely enough, in 1999 I was presented also the Shaklee Business
Opportunity by an old friend and I took her up on the offer just for fun
and more adventure. Plus I needed some supplements for my little girl.
HealthSource
was a success: Shaklee grew very quickly and it turned out I had major
health issues develop that same year that the supplements helped.
Wheat sales got smaller again after the turn of the century, but stayed
steady right up until I retired wheat sales in 2008. I kept Shaklee
going, then took a break completely from business for a number of years.
But
questions are again being asked. "How is your business going? Is
network marketing viable? What supplements do I take? Do you still
recommend Shaklee?" Yes, forever and a day.
Enough on my
history. What about you? Are you at a crossroads in life? Are you
working your passion in this time period? Are you considering a change
in career?
I'm asking! 
