How a Broken Garden Tiller Changed Our Shaklee Business

From the first issue of Rise and Shine.
June 2005

Dear friend:

You’ve received this newsletter for two reasons: 1) At some point, you did something very wise and became a Shaklee Member, and 2) I broke my neighbor’s tiller.

Notice, I did not say, “My neighbor’s tiller broke while I was using it.” Which, I think (when you read between the lines), is closer to the truth. But a broken tiller is a broken tiller, and at the time I couldn’t help but feel somewhat responsible. So I went to see Jay, my uncle, who in addition to being a Shaklee member, is also great at fixing things.

But before he began welding, he asked me an interesting question, “Is Lisa still selling Amway?”

“What?” I said. “Oh, you mean Shaklee.”

“Yeah, that’s right. Shaklee.”

Still, I was confused. Jay was not an apathetic member. Five years ago, Shaklee changed his life. For me, it was a tipping point. Until then (like many), I had heard the testimonials and seen some small changes in my own and other’s health, but Jay was different--he was in real trouble.

Growing up, I remember Jay as a strong and hard working logger, who always had the energy to fight through another day in the woods. When he got sick, I hardly recognized him. Gaunt and pale, he walked gingerly. His clothes engulfed a weakened frame that had lost more than 50 lbs.
I figured if Shaklee could help him, then (for me) there could no longer be any doubt about the effectiveness or integrity of this company
and its products. He had been suffering a long time. The drugs were no longer working. The doctors at the Mayo Clinic said surgery was his only option. I love Jay, so I shared what I knew about Shaklee, and we found some information about his condition (through Shaklee).

Long story short—instead of deferring to the doctors, Jay had the courage to take responsibility for his own health. He chose a strict nutritional program, and he stuck to it. Today, he’s fine. No surgery.

The doctors (specialists) at the Mayo Clinic had to eat crow.

But now he was asking me if Lisa was still doing Amway. I was a little befuddled.

Then he said, “I haven’t seen the newsletters for quite awhile. So I didn’t know.”

Jay’s a busy guy. How is he supposed to know? How are any of you supposed to know? I’ll tell you how. WE ARE SUPPOSED TO TELL YOU! So that’s what we’re doing with this letter. Our job.

It is your right to know how to get the most from the membership you invested in. It is your right to know how to use Shaklee to strengthen what’s weak, heal what’s injured, and experience the life optimal health creates. As Shaklee Distributors, it’s our job to keep you informed about the benefits of your membership. They are many. I truly believe it is the greatest investment you have ever made. You were wise to make it. Now, at least once every month, we are going to show you why.