Amway Ada-tudes: A View from the Top

Cleanup on Aisle 3

Lisa Hunter — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 13:42:00 GMT

I know that “spring cleaning” rings true for a lot of people, but in my household, the deep-down, move-the-furniture, top-to-bottom cleaning gets done in September.

That’s when my son Michael goes back to school, and Justin starts pre-school. So, I have the time and motivation to get at the corners and the cobwebs that seem to multiply during the summer.

In my family, my husband’s the clean freak. And he’s such a fan of Legacy of Clean products from Amway, he’d wear ‘em on a tool belt if he could.

Hubby’s gonna love the new Legacy of Clean™ Planet Positive cleaning kit, available now through December 31 – to give a fresh start to the whole house, from walls and countertops to laundry and dishes.

And forget about harsh chemicals. Legacy of Clean products simply don’t have ‘em. Never have. Never will. But you still get the clean you want. And these products are concentrated, so you use less and there’s less trash.

Two boys in the house really leave their mark – everywhere. My walls are like fingerprint magnets! Thankfully, the Planet Positive kit includes All-Purpose Cleaner Ready-to-Use Spray with the Concentrated Refill, enough for the fall cleaning spree, and beyond!

With L.O.C.® Concentrated Multi-Purpose Cleaner, we can clean everything and harm nothing. It’s as safe as water. And I stash the L.O.C. Towelettes in the car, for quick clean-ups after a (healthy!) fast-food stop.

And no worries when an entire soccer field’s worth of grass stains goes from field to T-shirt. (And trust me, this will happen.) SA8®+BIOQUEST Concentrated Laundry Detergent lets me hit “delete” on the worst dirt even with the hard water in our home.

Am I lucky, or what? Most nights, my husband does the dishes (with help sometimes from older son Michael). Both Big Guy and Little Guy give the thumbs up to the kit’s Dish Drops® Concentrated Dish Liquid and SCRUB BUDS® Pads – to zip through dishwashing in time for another round of Wii golf before bedtime.

Here’s another eco-friendly deal: Order the Legacy of Clean Planet Positive Cleaning Kit now through December 31, and they’ll include a very cool Legacy of Clean reusable tote bag for only 99¢ more.

You might say we’ve got your fall cleanup chores “in the bag!” (And who knows? Maybe someday they’ll make that Legacy of Clean tool belt!)

Clearing the air

Mark Nelson — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 20:20:00 GMT

If you have kids, you know that any season can set off an asthma or allergy attack. Fall is particularly brutal, with the kids back in school and exposed to everything from the grass on a football field to the air in the classroom.

But according to the Environmental Protection Agency, the air inside your home could be more polluted than the air outside – meaning it could potentially affect your family’s health through respiratory illness and asthma.

Kinda scary, right?

And I ran across a few other disturbing stats the other day, from the Allergy and Asthma Friendly™ Certification Program:

Among children ages 5 to 17, asthma is the leading cause of school absences from a chronic illness.
Allergies are the third most common disease among children under 18 – and the most frequently reported chronic condition.
Allergies are estimated to limit the activities of more than 40% of children who suffer from them.

Clearly, it’s up to us parents to take action. And, while we can’t control the air outside, we can certainly consider investing in a home air purifier.

Like the ATMOSPHERE® Air Purifier from Amway.

The ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier has my kind of high-tech innovation: an activated carbon filter equal in size to 366 football fields, along with a HEPA air filter that effectively removed 99.99% of the airborne impurities in the air we breathe – down to sizes as small as .009 microns!

Add to that the unique PUREFLOW™ whisper-quiet operation, so it doesn’t sound like you’ve got a generator running in your house. And when cooking or pet odors get really bad, the Turbo Power function clears and cleans the room’s air in just half an hour.

And get this – the ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier is certified through a special program created by the oldest, largest not-for-profit asthma and allergy patient advocacy organization in the world. The Allergy and Asthma Friendly Certification Program helps all of us make more informed decisions about allergy-related product purchases.

Impressive? No doubt.

But even more than that, it’s our assurance as parents we’re doing everything we can to help clear the air for our children, just for the health of it.

What’s your positivity story?

Gary Mougalian — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 19:02:00 GMT

I want my daughters to grow up with a positive outlook on life, believing they have unlimited potential and knowing that whatever they choose to do, they can be successful.

For me, that means setting a positive example for them. Helping them to see the glass as half-full. Encouraging them to excel at school. Using upbeat words and positive reinforcement to inspire and motivate them, especially when the going gets tough.

Same is true with coworkers. And the supermarket cashier, the waiter at a restaurant, even the guy or gal who checks your receipt as you’re leaving a store. Watch what happens when you smile and say something positive.

Positivity inspires everyone, giving them unlimited possibilities. It’s contagious!

Which brings me to the Amway Positivity Project contest.

It’s a celebration of positivity on people’s lives every day. You. Your community. Your coworkers. Your family and friends.

We’re inviting you to share your story, and helping to spread positivity throughout the country and around the world.

Maybe someone special inspired you. Your positive message changed the life of a child. You and your neighbors changed another person’s life. You experienced positivity at work, with wonderful results.

Your personal story could win up to $10,000, and an invitation to a special VIP Power of Positive awards event.

Even more importantly, you’ll help bring the power of positive to life for others – starting with your own family.

How have you set an example of positivity for those around you?

Share your story with us, and the world.

Join us for a health and wellness fiesta

Gary Mougalian — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 18:21:00 GMT

Que pasa? How are you? No, really, how are you feeling?

For some of us, it may be time to take a closer look at our overall lifestyle: Are we exercising? Eating a healthy, balanced diet, with plenty of brightly-colored fruits and vegetables?

Maybe it’s time for a little party – a fiesta of health and wellness.

That’s the idea behind Feria de Salud (“Health Fair”) – a community street fair presented by the American Diabetes Association:

· August 28 – New York

· October 10 – Los Angeles

· December 6 – Miami

These festive events feature music, dance, food, nutrition information, and healthy food preparation tips, plus much more, with the spotlight on diabetes – a growing concern for many Latinos.

Through its continued community involvement Amway Global aims to put the fuerza positiva (power of positive) in these Feria de Salud celebrations. It’s a fun, educational opportunity for everyone to learn more about our brands and our commitment to health and beauty from the inside out.

We’ll have designated NUTRILITE™ and ARTISTRY™ areas, as well as a special Amway Global play area para niños (for the children).

Bilingual Amway Global brand ambassadors will help you tour the area, and shed new light on nutrition and wellness. You’ll soon understand how NUTRILITE supplements help fill the gaps between the fruits and vegetables all of us should be eating, and what we actually eat.

And where else can you get a free makeover using ARTISTRY products? After all, our theory is, when you look good, you feel good.

See? We told you this was no ordinary health fair!

Don’t miss Feria de Salud, coming soon to New York, Los Angeles, and Miami. La esperanza para verle pronto! (Hope to see you soon!)

A True Inspiration

Steve Lieberman — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 19:51:00 GMT

At Amway Global, we are constantly amazed by the determination of IBOs to make this world a more positive place to live. I recently learned the story of Josh Kennison. He was born without arms and legs, but he has never let that deter him from his goals. He played sports in school and recently participated in the UCO Endeavor Games, determined to qualify for the U.S. Paralympic Team. As a child, open stares bothered Josh “for a little while”, but he grew to realize that he also had been given the opportunity to bring hope to others

Josh has a personal life goal to inspire as many people as he possibly can, helping them to believe that they “can do anything” they aspire to do. He shares his determination, positive attitude, and passion through many venues: athletic competition, public speaking, coaching, and camps. His schedule is packed and his travels have taken him around the country to share his version of the power of positive in action.

Read Josh’s complete story at AchieveMagazine.com

People are talking about the Amway Global Positivity Project!

Gary Mougalian — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 14:49:00 GMT

Not just employees or Independent Business Owners, either.

-Scott Andrews, CEO of ARRiiVE Business Solutions.

-Lori Deschene, founder of Tiny Buddha and inspirational blogger.

-Karl Staib, founder of Work Happy Now!

-Sue Stebbins, CEO and founder of Successwaves International, L.L.C.

-And Stacey Weckstein, founder of the Mom Renewal Project.

What about Yasmin Davidds, best-selling author, consultant and empowerment specialist.

What’s the common denominator among these nationally-known authors, life coaches, motivational speakers, and bloggers?

One word: Positivity.

These experts not only understand the power of positivity, they’re walking the talk every day of their lives – through their books, blogs, live presentations, and one-on-one coaching.

So, they all jumped at the opportunity when Amway Global invited these leading positivity advocates to take an in-depth look at our company, our people, and our Power of Positive campaign through a day-long immersion last week here at our headquarters in Ada, Michigan.

We took them behind the scenes at Amway Global. Talked up the tremendous pride we share in our history, innovation, and corporate culture. Participated in one-on-one meetings and group events. Shared our commitment to world-class research, quality products, and environmental stewardship.

And, we highlighted details about the Amway Global Positivity Project, which invites everyone to tell us about the good things happening in their lives, by updating their status on our Twitter and Facebook pages.

Then, we invited these positivity pros to join us in the Positivity Project – and motivate their own audiences and readers to celebrate positivity as a very real way to improve their lives and communities.

Did we accomplish our mission? I’ll let our new advocates tell you in their own words, from our Twitter site and from interviews with them.

Work Happy Now founder Karl Stalb: Visited Amway's "Sprouts" garden for Boys & Girls Clubs - kids totally into planting vegetables, strawberries, perennials! Amazingly groovy!

Mom Renewal Project founder Stacey Weckstein: Freedom, Family, Hope, & Reward - that's the @AmwayGlobal way.

Small business coach Karl Stalb told us, “Positive thinking helped me get to where I am now, and it’s helped me get others to improve their lives as well.”

The Positivity Project is an exciting movement-in-progress. We’re extremely proud to have these celebrated authors, life coaches, and motivational speakers carrying on the message of living a positive life to their audiences throughout the country.

AmwayGlobal way.

Small business coach Karl Stalb told us, “Positive thinking helped me get to where I am now, and it’s helped me get others to improve their lives as well.”

From Positive Sprouts to a healthy harvest

Lisa Hunter — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 12:14:00 GMT

I was leafing through the August 16 issue of People magazine, when a photo of the Amway Global “Power of Positivity” ad on pages 34 and 35 jumped out at me.

The people looked surprisingly familiar – and no wonder.

It was taken at the Boys and Girls Club of Grand Rapids during last month’s Positive Sprouts garden planting, and showed an Amway Global volunteer helping Club member Alan Reynaga plant cilantro in the salsa garden.

Which got me thinking. How is the garden progressing? What’s happened there since my son and I, along with about 40 Amway Global volunteers and Independent Business Owners, helped get the gardens off the ground? I mean that literally, since we planted four raised, themed garden beds separated by wood-chip paths and picket fences with chicken wire to keep the rabbits out.

I called my buddy Erin Crison, Unit Director of the Club to find out.

She told me, “You won’t believe how those tiny little plants and seedlings are now a brimming bounty of tomatoes, basil, herbs, beans, squashes, strawberries and more!”

Then, late last week, our resident Master Gardener, Linda VanZee (who works in IT at Amway Global and whose volunteer work helped make these gardens possible) visited the Club to see how things are progressing.

Erin proudly showed off the work the kids have put into keeping the gardens watered, trimmed, and harvested.

“They’ve taken great pride in this project,” Erin told Linda. “They weren’t even deterred when some clever bunnies got under the fence and ate up all the cabbage. One boy told me, ‘It must’ve been extra-tasty or the bunnies wouldn’t have eaten it.’”

“This was my first volunteer project with kids,” Linda told me. “I had a blast, and I was really inspired by their enthusiasm.”

Through Amway Global, our Positive Sprouts garden projects give the Boys and Girls Club a wonderful opportunity to show kids where their food comes from – with supplemental materials that give them a quick how-to on nutrition and preparing healthy meals.

And it always amazes me how one Amway Global Positive Sprouts project invariably inspires others to step up and follow our lead.

In the time since we were there, volunteers from Lowe’s have built a much-needed, six-foot-high fence on the west side of the gardens. They also donated a few more brightly painted picnic tables, so the kids can eat their lunches outdoors – and maybe snack on a fresh-picked cherry tomato or two!

I am already anxious and can’t wait for the harvest party where we will celebrate the program with fruits and vegetables for the Club member families for the holidays, share stories about gardening and bring our volunteers back to the Clubs when we aren’t dressed to dig in the dirt! We may even have a few celebrity guests on hand to join our celebrations!

Back to school means Brainiums

Mark Nelson — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 12:06:00 GMT

Did you know a child’s brain at birth has about 100 billion cells – and about 200 billion by the time they reach adulthood?

That means between birth and around age 21, they’ll double the number of brain cells!

So I’m making sure my own kids – Brian, age 5, and Nicole, age 9 – return to the classroom this fall with all the key omega 3 fatty acids their growing minds need.

They’ll start each day with a healthy breakfast, a NUTRILITE™ Kids MultiTarts Chewable Multivitamin/Multimineral, and NUTRILITE™ Brainiums DHA® gummies.

The Multi is because, well, Brian and Nicole don’t always eat the healthy foods they should, and I want to make sure they have all the nutrients they need for their active lives.

But why Brainiums? Because they’re packed with DHA, an important omega 3 fatty acid that supports focus, concentration and learning – just what a kid needs at school.

Here’s the dilemma: Our bodies don’t produce omega 3s very efficiently unless we eat lots of fish. And fish isn’t exactly Brian or Nicole’s favorite food. (It doesn’t even make their Top 20!)

But with Brainiums, my kids are getting DHA sourced from cold water fish – in what Brian calls his “yummy gummy.” Nicole’s fave flavor is Fruit Punch, while Brian goes for the Lemon flavor Brainiums. Either way, Brainiums are the smart supplement for kids.

Back to school? In our household, that means back to Brainiums!

Making a Positive Difference

Steve Lieberman — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 14:58:00 GMT

Khris Nedam is the kind of person that makes all of us proud to be part of Amway Global. While working in Afghanistan Khris saw a need and has worked with tireless energy to fill that need. Khris is a sixth-grade teacher in Northville, Michigan who founded Kids 4 Afghan Kids. To date, Khris and her sixth graders, have built three schools, a medical clinic, an orphanage, a bakery and a guesthouse for a village in Afghanistan. Khris was recently nominated for the Energizer Keep Going® Hall of Fame for her dedication to the kids here in Michigan and in Afghanistan. We wanted to take a moment to recognize Khris' positive example in teaching her classroom that it is possible, no matter your age, to make a difference in this world.

You can read Khris' full story at AchieveMagazine.com.

Running on empty

Mark Nelson — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 20:22:00 GMT

Amway Global and Nutrilite often come up with products so good I’d use ‘em even if I didn’t work here.

Nutrilite Endurance Cubes is a perfect example: An innovation that fills a definite need, and works so well you wonder how you ever lived without it.

True story: The other night, I was doing my half-marathon training run. I’m cruising along, feeling the wind on my shoulders, enjoying the scenery, when all of a sudden … nothin’.

I hit the wall.

Couldn’t. Go. Another. Mile.

In other words, I bonked. It’s a technical term, OK?

Scientists tell us bonking happens when there’s too little glycogen in the liver and muscles, resulting in complete lack of energy.

Tell me about it.

Then I remembered the Nutrilite Endurance Cubes I’d stashed in my pocket (Fruit Burst flavor, but there’s also Berry flavor). Popped a couple of these gummy little chews in my mouth.

Before long, I was feeling the Cubes’ B-vitamins, carbs, antioxidants, electrolytes, and caffeine go to work in my system.

Nutrilite Endurance Cubes helped me end the bonk, and finish my run that night. And I’ve been sharing them with my fellow runners ever since.

They’re tasty. Portable. More convenient than gooey quick-energy products. And the kind of ground-breaking product I’d buy even if I didn’t have “Amway Global” on my business cards.

Best of all, they keep me from running on empty.

The Positivity Project: Pass it on

Gary Mougalian — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 21:27:00 GMT

If you’ve seen an Amway Global ad on TV, on the web, or in a national magazine, you know we’re all about the power of positive. It’s only natural.

After all, we get our inspiration from Amway co-founders Rich DeVos and Jay Van Andel – the ultimate positive thinkers, even back in 1959 when this company began.

From investing time and money in non-profit organizations such as the Boys & Girls Club of America or Easter Seals, to partnering with organizations like the American Red Cross, Amway Global is looking to make a positive impact on the world around us. Today, the products we create and the businesses we support are all driven by upbeat optimism. It’s a mighty powerful thing.

That’s the idea behind the Amway Global Positivity Project.

The Positivity Project aims to kick-start the conversation with you. We want to hear about the good things happening in your life. Update your status with a positive message on the Amway Global Facebook or Twitter sites, and you might even be chosen as one of the Top Ten stories in contention for a $1000 prize.

But the Positivity Project doesn’t stop there. We’re also presenting nationally-known authors, life coaches, motivational speakers whose blogs and writings carry the message of living a positive life.

That positivity message goes wherever we go, from Amway Global events to appearances of our NUTRILITE® and ARTISTRY® Mobile Brand Experiences.

And slowly, one by one, story by story, a movement will begin. Together, we can motivate and inspire others to bring the power of positivity into their own lives and communities across the country.

That’s the Amway Global Positivity Project. So do us all a favor: Pass it on!

Go mobile with Amway Global!

Jori Hartwig — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 13:07:00 GMT

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if you could browse the entire Amway Global product line and order the products you need – all while you’re on the go, from the convenience of your smart phone?

Amway Global is part of a hot new mobile marketing trend, enabling you to order our products via most smart phones wherever you are in the U.S. and Canada. It’s like online shopping, minus your computer.

Our easy-to-use Mobile Web puts the entire Amway Global catalog of products at your fingertips – from NUTRILITE® DOUBLE X® to ARTISTRY® Time Defiance to Legacy of Clean® products, and everything in between. All of our Home Care, Durables, and Personal Care products are right there, too.

Just browse our top-quality brands, and order everything you need. Your next Amway Global order is as close as your smart phone.

Registered Amway Global customers can also use the free Amway Global iPhone® app on your iPhone or iPod® Touch®.

There’s never been a faster, more convenient way to buy your favorite Amway Global products. Go mobile with us today!

Doing The Right Thing

Jori Hartwig — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 12:32:00 GMT

We’ve all seen the stories about the massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. It has devastated the region’s billion-dollar fishing industry, affecting some 27,000 jobs directly.

Since the spill began more than 100 days ago, many of us have wondered, “What can we do to help?”

Amway Global celebrity spokesperson and radio personality John Tesh stopped wondering and sprang into action, creating the “Adopt A Fisherman” fund. The fund is based in Venice, Louisiana, where many commercial fishermen live.

This humanitarian effort provides financial aid for affected families, to be used for income, supplies, medical care, child care, and more. 100% of all donations received go directly to the fishermen and their families.

None of us can stop disasters from happening. But we can all encourage people like John, who are doing their part to make life a little easier for people in the Gulf region.

It’s the way we do business here at Amway Global. And we believe it’s the right thing to do.

Being Miss America

Kelli Miller — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 17:40:00 GMT

Full disclosure: I was among the thousands of little girls who dreamed of one day becoming Miss America. The whole bit: Wearing the crown, waving that "Miss America" wave to the crowd, looking my best wherever I went – whether it was a county fair in the Midwest, an appearance on TV, or visiting sick kids in the hospital.

But when I met the real-life Miss America, Caressa Cameron, I got a jolt of reality. Yes, she does all those things (the crown, the wave, the public appearances). But honestly, she’s completely down-to-earth, totally comfortable in her own skin, and always ready to laugh – even at herself.

So here’s a revelation: How does Miss America always look like Miss America? She uses ARTISTRY® skin care and cosmetics!

A perfectly beautiful partnership

It makes perfect sense. Long before we became a pageant sponsor, the ARTISTRY brand and the Miss America organization had individually been changing women’s lives – emphasizing inner beauty, intelligence, and the importance of making a difference in the world we live in.

Imagine the possibilities of this high-profile partnership, as we bring the ARTISTRY brand and ARTISTRY products to life for the exciting, vibrant Miss America crowd.

And talk about a shared values and a love of freedom! On the Fourth of July 2010, Miss America sang the National Anthem at "POPs on Independence Presented by Amway Global" concert in Philadelphia with Steve Lieberman of Amway Global enthusiastically cheering her on in the audience.

Blending beauty with brains

The ARTISTRY scholarship – a key part of our Miss America sponsorship – is a smart new way we can empower young women to follow their dreams and achieve their goals.

This scholarship is part of the more than $45 million in cash and scholarship assistance made available through the national, state, and local Miss America organizations.

Making a beautiful difference

Fact of life: We’ll most likely never be Miss America. But like her, we can embrace wholeheartedly the "beauty from within" philosophy of the ARTISTRY brand.

And, like Caressa Cameron, we can all make a beautiful difference in the lives of everyone we meet.

The power of positivity through freedom

Steve Lieberman — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 16:04:00 GMT

Amway Global was a proud sponsor of the “POPS on Independence” performance on July 2, 2010, by the Philadelphia Pops, conducted by Peter Nero, in front of Independence Hall. I was privileged to participate in the event. Here’s a video, as well as a few excerpts from my speech on that very special day.

In 1959 when Rich DeVos and Jay Van Andel started Amway, life in America was much the same as it is today: The economy was weak, we were experiencing foreign threats, people were feeling uncertain, and anxiety was in the air.

But there’s something about the American spirit that lifted us up then, and continues to lift us up today.

At Amway Global, freedom isn’t just a word, but a guiding principle that drives us forward – giving us the hope and the belief that tomorrow will be better than today.

That’s the power of positivity.

This country was founded on that kind of unwavering optimism. And around the world, our business is driven by this positive outlook.

When we talk about positivity, we’re also talking about free enterprise – or, as we put it today, economic freedom. It’s about empowering ourselves to reach for our dreams.

Every one of us – young and old, rich and poor – should have the freedom to achieve their goals, big and small. After all, what’s more American than that?

The power of positivity: That’s what the Amway Global opportunity is all about