Nancy Christenson
Hello! This is Nancy Christenson, and I'm glad you have stopped by my website. I hope you find the content to be useful in your search. Since the internet can feel impersonal, I would like to tell you a bit about myself.
Life’s experiences have provided me with many opportunities filled with joy by serving my family and others. Marriage, single-parenting, then remarriage and step-parenting have been a part of my journey. Add to that the necessity of utilizing budget planning, the rewards of starting a home business, and being able to rely on self-sufficient living. I was able to take early retirement from my 20-year job when my home business became profitable enough for me to do that. Now that my husband and I are empty-nesters, I have been able to focus on my passion of helping other people to be successful in developing a home based business. I never imagined having my own business, certainly never becoming an internet entrepreneur! Yes, I have had a piano studio for many, many years; that has been wonderful home based employment. I love music, I love teaching, and I love my students. Read on to get an understanding of why I chose the theme of "family" and the importance of an ongoing Family Home Makeover.
Let’s Start At the Beginning
Nancy was born in Preston, Idaho but was raised in a small farming town in Northern Utah, population 199 (when she moved away to go to college). She was the second of six children. Being born into the baby boomers generation, I remember: - Babysitting for .25 cents an hour
- Garter belts (to hold up our nylon stockings)
- Sleeping with my hair wrapped around soup cans to straighten it (gotta love the late 60’s)
- Baby cloth diapers, diaper pins, rubber pants, and the diaper pail (gross…)
There’s no doubt I lived a simple life back then—good old ‘rural living off the land’ on my families dairy farm where my dad milked cows, grew hay, wheat and corn fields, and a plentiful vegetable garden.Being raised on a dairy farm, I learned the value of hard work and frugal living. Money was tight, and so my mother went to work when I was 11 years old. This meant my sister (who was 16 and 1/2 months older than me) and I needed to step up to the plate to help out with our four younger siblings and whatever else, as needed. I was making six loaves bread every other week at age 11. Mom taught us how to clean. Every Saturday the rugs got shook, floors swept and scrubbed, laundry done, and furniture dusted. "Spring cleaning" was done in the spring, of course, when we would wash all of the walls in the house, whether they needed it or not. (I'm most certain they did, with eight people living under the same roof!)
I also did farm chores—as needed, where I washed the milk barn and milking equipment, fed the cows, drove the tractor while my dad hauled hay, and other responsibilities that come with living on a farm. There's an advantage belonging to a large family, though. As my younger brothers got old enough, the chores were shared, and my sister and I did eventually end up with mostly "house chores." I don’t remember feeling over-burdened, even though I was so young. If I did, I got over it years ago and feel blessed by what I learned from my childhood experiences, particularly the blessing of self-sufficient living. If we had store-bought cereal, it was corn flakes or shredded wheat. We had home-made maple syrup, which my kids still say they like better than store-bought. A cow was butchered as needed and we had all the “raw” milk plus cream you could ever need. I knew the life of frugal living. I got involved in 4-H for eight years, a youth program where I learned a variety of skills. I mostly took sewing classes, cooking, and a course in home beautification. I was able to sew many of my school clothes and then when I got married, there was a time when I sewed almost everything we wore! I started taking piano lessons when I was six years old. I have taught piano lessons since high school—when I charged $1 a lesson. This skill has not only been a tremendous financial blessing for my family, but also very rewarding.
When I Grew Up I Always Wanted to Be. . .
. . . a secretary. So, I took a type class and learned short-hand. (I became quite proficient at both.) Sure enough, my first real job right out of high school was as a typist at Utah State University. I worked in Admissions and Records typing grades on transcripts.
After having two children, it was determined I would no longer work outside the home. Teaching piano lessons, being able to rely on my sewing and cooking skills, and frugal living helped us stay self-reliant and live comfortably.
Life’s journey continued to provide me with growing and learning experiences.
Expect the Unexpected. . .
My first marriage ended after 11 years and I found myself a single parent with three children but blessed to have skills that enabled me to work outside the home part-time and teaching piano lessons at home. Always being mindful of the importance of financial security, I became keenly aware of my responsibility of taking care of my children. I withstood the effects of single parenting by staying focused on the needs of my children and relying on the support of my family, friends, and church.
Eighteen months after my divorce I met a wonderful man who swept me off my feet! We got married and became a “blended” family. He had two sons and a daughter, I had two daughters and a son, and then we were surprised—and blessed (after four months of marriage) to learn that we were expecting one of our own. The Brady Bunch we were not! (More on that and “blended” families later…)
The Rest of the Story. . . Sort of
My life’s story is still in the works—thank goodness! My journey has most certainly been filled with much joy, along with sorrow. But as we know, life wasn’t meant to be easy. And even more, some of our greatest joys and rewards come to us through adversity.
What Was I Thinking!
I really hadn't considered starting a home business, but after the gentle prodding of my daughter, I joined a network marketing company. I had no prior network marketing experience - no sales skills whatsoever! In fact, before I joined, my perception of network marketing was that they were all pyramid schemes—out to get your money, set you up to annoy your friends and family, and end up with nothing to show for it except a hole in your pocket and a bad memory. I did my research and learned that network marketing is a great industry! But, what I had gotten myself into... I soon learned my "list" of names
wasn’t going to make me rich. (Yes, I bought into the hype...)
I thought there had to be a better way of building my business. Fortunately, after requesting a free training CD on-line, I got a call from Ann Sieg with an offer of a complimentary consultation. She not only assured me there was a better and more effective way
to build my business than the infamous “list,” I watched her go on to become one of the top internet marketing guru’s in the industry. She got there from hard work, determination, and an undying desire to help others succeed. I am so blessed to have her as a mentor.
From Ann Sieg, I learned the idea of providing solutions:• Someone has a problem and is on the Internet looking for a solution. • You have something to offer as a solution, available on the Internet. • They find you through your on-line posting (article, website, blog). • If your solution is a good fit for their problem… You’ve got a win-win situation!
Now this business building concept made perfect sense!
It became apparent that I could begin my goal of financial security at retirement by being willing to learn new skills, working hard, and being patient with the process. A successful Internet-based home business now became doable.
I started my journey by getting into action and implementing my plan of becoming an internet entrepreneur. While network marketing has remained a part of what I do, it's just one piece of the puzzle.
I understand the wisdom of creating multiple income streams and continue with up-to-date training to ensure I have all of the pieces needed for long-term success. I use the skills I have already acquired and enjoy learning new ones. It has become a very satisfying journey that I anticipate will only get better. Always be ready and willing to learn new things.
My family is very important to me. I've learned so much from them and appreciate the life experiences they continue to teach me. I know that the learning process is never complete. That's why I say, A Family Home Makeover is an ongoing process...
Here's wishing you joy and an abundance of blessings.Sincerely,
Nancy Christenson
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