WANT TO
BECOME A BETTER LEADER?
“ Leadership is about making others better as a result of your presence and making sure that impact lasts in your absence.”
— SHERYL SANDBERG, COO of Facebook
Leading an international team is never easy. You can’ t be everywhere at once! Although, Natalie Aston, international trainer at FarmHouse Fresh, makes it look like a piece of cake.
After running her own spa out of her home in Texas, Aston knew she wanted more. She went to the Arlington Spa Show with a stack of resumes only to fall in love with the team and mission at FarmHouse Fresh.“ Unbeknownst to me, I handed my resume to the owner [ Shannon McLinden ] and said briefly,‘ I love and use your products, so I just wanted to give you my resume to see if you need any help on a part-time basis for conventions.’ I took 10 resumes with me and came home with nine. I only saw happiness with FarmHouse Fresh.” That happiness came to fruition as she was hired to work conventions for the skincare company part-time. She enjoyed that role for almost a year until she was offered a full-time position creating the
NATALIE ASTON, International Trainer, FarmHouse Fresh, McKinney, Texas
FarmHouse Fresh training program.
“ I am beyond elated, as to what has happened with my career in the last six years,” says Aston.“ We now have a flourishing training program with stellar people who not only love their jobs, but are also a voice within the program.”
Listening to the opinions of her team is a huge component of her leadership philosophy.“ When my team tells me they passionately love what they do, are thankful for their position, see longevity with our company and enjoy having me as their leader, to me that is my biggest accomplishment so far.”
Aston has found that preparation and research allow her to be taken seriously as a leader, despite her young age.“ I arrive fully prepared, very organized and having done my research,” she notes.“ Through stories of experience I can relate to the groups of people and be a credible, trustworthy partner.”
As a trainer, Aston comes across a lot of young people who feel unhappy in their chosen career. The training program she developed helps her team feel more prepared for anything that might come up, but she notes that sometimes it won’ t work out, and that’ s OK.“ I think a lot of young people initially take a job for the salary or commission, but find that they are not happy on a daily basis. Make sure you are truly passionate about what you do.”
WANT TO
BECOME A BETTER LEADER?
B. Williams Enterprise, LLC. will host its next BW Leadership Academy on May 4-5 in Phoenix, Arizona. During the two-day event, participants will be given access to the Gallup StrengthsFinder online assessment and will complete a customized leadership action plan. A certified leadership coach will also work with each participant before and after the Academy. For more on how to take part of this event, visit bwleadershipacademy. com.
40 PULSE ■ March / April 2017