The fact that I get to do what I love for a living—and have been able to do it for the past 30 years—is one of the greatest blessings in my life.
It all started when I was a young mother, trying to support my family. Getting a “traditional job” meant being outside my home all day, and I was reluctant to leave my small children alone. I was looking for a company where I could be home, be creative, interact with other women, and also earn a living. Such a company didn’t exist . . . so I decided to create one. In the beginning stages, I entertained dreams of where this company could go, but there were many nights when I didn’t know if those dreams would ever come true. But, oh, how they did!
As 2014 comes to a close, I’m reflecting on not only the many blessings of these past 30 years, but also the many exciting Close To My Heart events and innovations that have come to pass during this one year alone.
We held two Conventions this year in order to meet the needs of our ever-expanding Consultant base. I had the pleasure of overseeing and attending our first Australasia Convention, where Consultants from far and wide came to experience their very own Artistic Adventure. And what an adventure it was! Opening the doors in Australasia takes me back to the year we expanded from the United States to Canada. I’ve seen incredible expansion within this company and we’re not done yet! Where will the next 30 years take us?
This year has also been a big one for change at Close To My Heart. We launched a new idea book program, starting with Annual Inspirations and rounding out with Seasonal Expressions. The look and feel of these books is trendy, colorful, and full of life. I hope you enjoy their beautiful artistry. It’s exciting to look back at years of similar publications—idea books, catalogs, how-to books, and many others—and see how they’ve morphed; both trends and technology advancements have practically given our publications complete makeovers! The idea books I hold in my hands today have come a long way from the hand-drawn and hand-pasted stamp designs I drew at my kitchen table 30 years ago.
But over the past 30 years my ability to communicate with the world—with you!—has expanded in ways far beyond print. This year I oversaw the creation of this blog, and I thoroughly enjoy having such direct communication with each of you. Thirty years ago I never dreamed I’d be able to address such a large audience in a matter of mere seconds, and in such a lovely way, at that. I truly hope you enjoy the community building and sharing of inspiration that goes on here. I hope you use this blog as a tool to reach out to one another and to lift and inspire your peers. It’s easier (and faster) than ever before to make a difference in someone’s day, even if they are thousands of miles away. Isn’t that incredible?
We’ve also introduced some fabulous products this past year, including the outstanding Cricut® Artfully Sent cartridge, designed completely by Close To My Heart! It is a stunning product, the best cardmaking cartridge on the market. Additionally, we’ve broadened our product selection for crafters of all skill levels and dispositions by introducing great products like Picture My Life™, Cut Above™, Designer Creations, and several others. Looking back on 30 years worth of innovative products, I see the rise and fall of trends, but always, ALWAYS the consistency and love from audiences far and wide for hand stamping.
Stamps are really where my business started, as you know. This year marks not only my thirtieth anniversary of being in the business, but also my tenth anniversary of introducing the My Acrylix® line of clear stamps and blocks to the world. Clear polymer stamps have completely transformed the way people stamp! As the first direct sales company to produce and carry clear stamps and blocks, we have true reason to celebrate a fabulous ten years of success.
It has been a fantastic year, and it ends on a positive note for me personally. I was recently honored to receive the Legacy Award from the Direct Sales Management Association of Utah. Given in honor of my longevity and innovation in this business, this award represents the challenges and achievements I’ve experienced over the past three decades. It honors not only the creativity and passion that have gone into this business, but also the good old-fashioned sacrifice and endurance. I was honored to receive the award, and, in part, credit the wonderful people who have long worked by my side in pursuit of this dream—both those at the corporate office, as well as all of you!
Indeed, 2014 has been the icing on a beautiful cake that has been in the making for thirty years. Thank you for everything you have contributed to this legacy. Here’s to the many years past and the many more to come!
Jeanette
And you have inspired many of us to follow our dreams too (while still being creative and flexible!) Congratulations on your award and on your 30 years. Much love, Kathleen
Congratulations! What an exciting way to round out 30 years! We can’t wait to see what you have in store for the next 30! : )
Thank you for this amazing & innovative company you created for us! And Congratulations on winning the much deserved Legacy Award!! Love you and this company! Here’s to a blessed and prosperous new year for you Jeanette!!
I am so thrilled for you! Thank you so much for all you have done for so many women… from consultants to customers alike, you have touched so many lives. Thank you so very much for all you have done and continue to do for us. Thank you. You are Close to My Heart.
Congrats! What an honor it is to be connected to such an incredible lady and her amazing company!! I love being a consultant with Close to my Heart! Thank you, Jeanette!!!
Congratulations! Thank you for all you have done to create such an amazing company to belong too!!
Congratulations on a such an honour. Your company and “legacy” is most certainly an honour to be asociated to. I, too, love being a CTMH consultant. Wishing you the best for at least another 30 years.
Congratulations Jeanette!! What a wonderful person and company; you deserved this award and so much more.
Congratulations Jeannette. You sure deserve it. I love Close To My Heart, people, products, service and business, etc.
I remember your company when it started when I visited the States. I live in Sydney and have met many new friends through CTMH. Thank you for giving people the opportunity to share your love of card making and scrapbooking.
Congratulations! A well deserved reward for you and Close To My Heart! We in Australia have been so blessed to have joined this wonderful company.
Thank you, Jeanette, for all you have done. You are inspirational in many ways and I share your story with anyone who will listen. I am privileged to be part of the CTMH family and I truly appreciate the way you treat us with respect and as equals. Thank you for your gifts throughout the year – I love receiving birthday wishes and the lovely stamp from convention beautifully wrapped was such a delightful surprise. I’m looking forward to being around for the next 30 years!
Congratulations! A great reward to mark your achievements … 30 years CTHM! Since becoming part of Australia we too have be blessed with your wonderful products and creativity through idea books and catalogues …. They’ve become an Icon for us all and we can’t wait for more to come! Thank you Jeanette for your honest hard work and Love that your’ve put into your company …. Your truly a gifted & talented Lady! Cheers and Good Luck for the future of CTHM and your own personal life & family too! xx
Congatulations jeanette on a job super well done. Thank you for opening your heart and your business to us in Australia, It has been a great blessing to us.
Congratulations!!! Well deserve!! You are such an inspirations for us mothers…We want to become artists and leaders like you!! You have been a breath of fresh air to all of us…Hope CTMH last forever so my girls have the chance to enjoy all the things we do as consultants in the next 30 years!..Thank you for your inspirations and for being YOU! HAPPY NEW YEAR! God bless you and your family always!! xxxxxoooo
Congratulations, Jeanette, on the award and for 30 yrs of producing fabulous products for all of us to love and enjoy!
Jeanette, this has truly been a fantastic year! Congratulations on 30 years of innovation and inspiration, and a huge congratulations on this prestigious award!! You certainly deserve it!
Wow! What an awesome honor for all your accomplishments these past 30 years! It is much deserved! Congratulations!
You rock Jeanette! You deserve this and so much more for all your hard work and dedication to this company. May you be blessed with so many more years of creativity.
I have to agree with all the comments so far. And add that even though I have occasionally thought I wouldn’t like the changes you implemented, I have also been pleasantly proved wrong more often than not. You are an inspiration and so deserve this award
Congratulations Jeanette. It is a well deserved award for all your hard work. You are such an inspiration to us all.
You are an inspiration to us all, Jeanette! Thank you for all of your hard work on our behalf and congratulations on your wonderful award!
As I begin my 20th year with CTMH, I am grateful to those who helped me expand my creativity through stamping and scrapbooking. I am grateful for Jeanette and her vision of what this company could be. Congratulations on your award. Although I am no longer as active as I once was, I still enjoy sharing CTMH with family and friends through my handmade cards and projects. I hope to be around for years to come and still enjoying being a part of CTMH.
Congratulations, Jeanette, on building a wonderful and flourishing company from scratch. I am so proud to be associated with a company that is debt-free and has such a strong leader at the helm. You have proven time and time again that you and your team know the direction this company needs to head, which is why it has been so successful. You deserve this award tenfold and my heart is filled with joy for you. I hope to be around for many more years to see all the other awards (and rewards) yet to be bestowed on you and this awesome company!
Congratulations.