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Valerie
Tell us about your clients and the people you work with at Carlisle. I tell people I run a first-aid clinic, the vehicle just happens to be clothing. Most women, even the most beautiful, are very critical of their appearance. They focus on their faults rather than their assets. If I can make women look fantastic, and in so doing, if I can highlight the best parts of themselves and send them out to receive compliments on their appearance, I can free them from worrying about their image and help them get on with their lives. To me, that's what being a Carlisle Consultant is all about. Throughout the company, people are always sharing ideas; it's like a think tank at every level. Even after 22 years, I'll come back from national meetings having taken tons of notes because there is always something new to learn. I think in large part this is because Bill Rondina has tremendous vision. At the core of Carlisle, he is what makes it work. It's pretty brilliant what our designers do. Each region of the country has its own needs. We all tell the designers not what we want, but what we know our customers need. And for some crazy reason, these wonderful designers have minds like steel traps and they hear us out and they're able to address all our needs and turn out something fabulous. It always amazes me. You know, I met someone who told me that they studied Carlisle at Harvard Business School because we are considered the Rolls Royce of direct fashion sales. It's certainly been my experience that the company merits that characterization. In what important ways has being a Carlisle Consultant affected your life? You really find out what you're capable of when you own your own business. When you go through trials, when you really challenge yourself, when you persevere, it's like forging a sword with fire: you find out your strengths and your abilities. You'll grow a lot if you challenge yourself. Also it's such a wonderful feeling that you're being a fairy godmother to all these Cinderellas. They may not realize that you're playing that role, but you can see it, and you get to watch them grow as a result of the confidence you help give them. It's tremendously satisfying.
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