I talk to God most every morning. I don't have reverent moments often. Most are conversations based on the reality of the moment, just like I am talking to another person. Early one morning this past February (2007), I had one of those conversations with God. Wendell, my husband, and I will both turn 62 in less than a year and our dream is to retire from the work-a-day world, get us an RV and travel any time we feel like hitching up the wagon. The closer that time gets, and the higher the gas prices rise, we had to face the reality that our finances are not going to allow much fluctuation in living expenses on our soon-to-be drastically reduced income. We talked for several months about finding a home-based business that we could also do on the road in an RV. I was the designated net-surfer for this information, and I found many so-called opportunites. Without even discussing it with Wendell, I fell for an advertisement that claimed they would teach me how to market anything on the internet, paid $100, and downloaded 50 pages of junk that, in the end, instructed me to post a certain ad (with a number in it that identified me) 50 to 100 times a day on free classified websites. Wendell was not pleased when I told him I had bought into this scam, as he called it. I worked real hard trying to show him that it was for real. I posted those ads every day for two weeks and thought I was going to pull my hair out from all the junk that kept coming back to me, some of the same things that I was sending because now I was one of those free websites. Our computer crashed and after a $150 computer repair bill, I promised Wendell I wouldn't buy into anything again without discussing it with him first. Words of advice, don't ever try to make money from this type of home-based business offers. I never made one cent, and paid a lot in time and money for that lesson.

After that little true confession moment, I want to go back to that morning in February when I was talking to God. I had already made my mind up. I wasn't going to post another bogus ad and I had a lot of other things I didn't want to do with a home-based business. I didn't want to sell at flea markets. I didn't want to do home parties. I didn't want telemarketing. I didn't want something that tied me to the computer all day. I didn't want to sign up for something that talked more about money than product. I wasn't going to sell a product I didn't use myself. I had promised Wendell I would not send money to anyone without discussing it first. My list of "don'ts and won'ts" was getting longer and longer. I knew I was running out of valid options. My conversation with God that morning went something like this: "Okay, Lord, I admit it. I need your help on the internet this morning. Please show me something today that tells me this is what we really need to be searching for.

I got my cup of coffee and went to the computer and opened MySpace, like I do every morning. Now, let me be honest here. MySpace was not something I knew a lot about at that time. My sons helped me set it up just the weeks before so we could communicate with each other and stay in touch. I quickly learned that through comments in their sites, I could "spy" on them (keeping in mind they are 30 and 40 years old) and it had become a morning ritual for me I secretly enjoyed. When they did something they may not tell their Mother about, there was always some comment from one of their buddies telling on them.

This particular morning, there was no news from the boys, but there was a Friends Request from a total stranger (the first one I had received). I had no other "friends" on MySpace and didn't want to include "strangers" in that special place for communication with family. So I didn't accept that Friends Request, but I did read the message that was sent to me by these total strangers.

The strangers turned out to be Carol and Dale Lowe from Kentucky, and they introduced themselves and talked about this wonderful home-based candle business they had found. They were about our age (few years younger), and in the business for the same reason (retirement income). Dale is an aircraft mechanic (Wendell is, too). As I read their message, I remembered my prayer that morning. Could this be the answer I've been searching for? I quickly put "candles" to the test. Is this something I use? That was a very strong YES! Could we sell them on the road? That was another strong, "YES"! I acknowledged God's help very quickly, saying, "Thanks, Man, you worked fast." Almost instantly, I got this nudge to go ahead and join the COTM Program that morning! I hesitated. "Wait just a minute here, Lord, I promised Wendell I wouldn't do anything without talking to him first." I wasn't sure how good these candles were (have burned some real losers in the past). I also wasn't sure how Wendell would feel about selling candles. But, the nudge was so strong, I gave in. After all, it was only $39.95, and I was going to get some candles, not just bogus paper. It's still hard for me to believe that I signed up that day. Keep in mind at this time I had never heard of, let alone seen or burned or smelled, a Mia Bella candle.

When Wendell got home that evening, I was so excited to tell him that I had found the home-based business for us. He calmly said, "Get some information together on it, and we'll take a look at it." I then said, "But I've already signed up." He looked at me with those steel blue eyes giving me the here-she-goes-again glare. When I told him about my prayer, and reading him the message from Carol and Dale, and that he was an aircraft mechanic, and that they were in this for retirement, too, Wendell was not so impressed. He reminded me that their message had to have been sent before I prayed my prayer. You see, Wendell is a realist (God bless him), and my sometimes impetuous and childlike faith puzzles him at times.

The next few days were overwhelming. Carol Lowe was sending me emails (lots of them). I will probably go down in history as her easiest "sell" ever. She was sending me so much information about how to get started in my business, and I was pumped and ready, but still not a candle in sight. I became frustrated, realizing my Candle of the Month was just one candle and I would want to burn it myself. So, I placed an order for the Starter Pack even before I got my COTM. Within a week, I received my case of jar candles with the other products. I don't think I've ever been so excited to see the UPS man in my life!!! Now, I had candles to smell, candles to burn, and candles to sell. There was no stopping me now!!

I must tell you that my candle passion is the food scents. I asked God to make sure I had some food scents in that first case. My favorite is Creme Brulee. Guess what? There was one in the case, along with at least three other food scents. I lit the Creme Brulee and fell in love instantly. Wendell wanted to try the Carrot Cake and we had both burning in different rooms. This place smelled like bakery heaven!!! I loaded up the case of candles the next day, even the ones I had been burning, and went visiting friends and family. Everybody wanted to try one. I gave away several and sold the rest in one day. I had orders for at least two cases just from showing the brochure listing the different scents I didn't have with me. I honestly never tried to sell anything I just handed them a candle and they wanted it, or found one they did want.

By the end of February, I developed a survey to introduce myself (without selling) on MySpace, and was getting questions about my candles or orders almost every day. At Carol Lowe's suggestion, I signed Wendell on as a distributor, and now have two of my first customers as distributors. They are now adding people. It's just the end of March and I already have a 2nd downline.

Am I making a lot of money? Well, to be honest, not a lot that I can spend elsewhere just yet. We have no doubt, whatsoever, that given enough time our candles will support us into our retirement. Because our goal is to build an inventory and supplies, the profits are going back into the business right now. In the meantime, we are having the time of our life talking about candles. Wendell's office doesn't allow them to burn candles, so he took a simmer pot to work with him. He gets orders at his office most every day for simmer pots, Mia Melts and candles to take home. People we've never met call to order because they experienced the quality of a candle at someone else's home.

Remember my list of things I didn't want to do with my home based business? Well, we recently sent off a check to reserve our very first booth at a local festival in May. And, guess what? Pam, one of my first line distributors is pairing with me to do this. We can hardly wait to put up the canopy and talk candles to complete strangers. Also, a lady asked me the other day if I would come and do a home party for her. I quickly said "Sure, just tell me when and I'll be there."

It's difficult to believe it's only been two months since that cold February morning when I read that message from Carol and Dale Lowe. I honestly feel as if I've been a member of the Mia Bella family all my life! Nothing has ever made me feel so much an integral part of a successful venture before. I am so thankful for everyone that I have met, whether online or in person, through this candle business.

The key message I want to leave with you is we're not building this business by ourselves. Someone higher up is helping us, guiding those steps all the way. I fully recognize and acknowledge God knew what we needed long before I ever prayed that prayer. He set the wheels in motion way up in Kentucky and was waiting for me to ask for His help. Now, when the opportunities to build this business are presented to me, I no longer say that's something I don't want to do. I get that familiar nudge, and say "Okay".

I had something printed on my business cards that says, "When nothing but the best will do, Mia Bella is for you". People think it's a catchy sales pitch but that's not why I had it printed on my cards. It's confirmation to me every time I read it. God wanted the best for us. All we had to do was ask for His help, then act on what he sent us.

^{Submitted by: Kadye Ward, Olive Branch, Mississippi
(901) 326-8910
kadyeward@yahoo.com
www.ourcandleclub.com
www.candlecountry.scent-team.com

MY MIA BELLA TESTIMONIAL
by Tina Dore
Staten Island, NY
Team Leader}

Simply Scent-sational!

Well how do I start this article, maybe with my favorite words - I'm a Mia Maniac and I simply LOVE Mia Bella! Of course I should start this article that way! It's simply scent-sational!

Mia Bella Gourmet Candles are simply the best! Better than all the rest!

My name is Tina Dore, and some know me better as the Mia Maniac. I was so extremely luck to have found the Florida Flames Team! While attending some online parties I stumbled across the amazing company Mia Bella. At the time I was an active Partylite rep. After attending a few shows, reading about the products, spending countless hours on the web site, burning the candle, I just knew it was time for a change.

My friends and family thought I was crazy, how could you possibly leave a candle company who was around for over 30 years, well known, well established, with great products. They all said, what is Mia Bella anyway? I never heard of them???

I thought to myself, GREAT, seeing candle parties are very hard to book in my area, because there is a PL rep everywhere you turn after all their company has over 40,000 reps nationwide. No wonder I can't get parties booked!

I am the Team Founder/Leader of the Pleasure Divas Team, YES I do "those" parties. I am known as the recruiting queen to many LOL, and I thought I could use my experience and skills with my Romance Business and put those skills to use with my candle business. Yet I was tired of trying to keep my $500 a month quota with Partylite but I didn't want to stop selling candles, after all candles equal romance right?

Many people at my Pleasure Parties always ask "do you sell candles too?" Of course I do! When women AND men want to have a romantic evening what sets the mood? CANDLES!

When I read that I didn't have to reach a $500 month quota I was shocked! Amazed! Amazed that I could just receive my Candle of the Month and either spoil myself and keep the products, or sell the products for retail and earn back my COTM fee while having my own full shopping cart web site up and running 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, I was so extremely happy about this! With my old company customers could not view the product line online, customers couldn't shop from the comfort of their own home. But with Mia Bella they can! So if a customer runs out of their Fresh Apple Jar, she can simple go to my site and re-order her favorite scent or try a new one in the comfort of her own home!

I realized with all this, I didn't have to give up my candle business after all, I just needed to make a change, a change for the better! This is exactly what I did!

I have had nothing but great responses from family and friends, as well as customers when them smell our candles! When they say our candles are true to life scents they mean every word! How do I know? Because when I burned a Hot Apple Pie candle, I had to run and buy myself an apple pie because my house smelled so yummy I was dying for a piece of Apple Pie LOL!

The quality of these candles amazed me and still do! I am a HUGE candle fan! I burn candles every day! I used to burn about 1 - 2 dozen of votives every day along with an aroma melt or 3 wick candle. I had to burn these many candles to get a nice even scent within my home. I no longer have to burn so much wax to enjoy a wonderful aroma. Not only am I earning, but I'm saving so much money now!

I can light a couple of votives and the scent is strong, I no longer have to burn 1 - 2 dozen of votives a day I burn a couple of votives. Some days I just burn a jar. The scent throw from our candles I have never experienced before with another candle company.

Now take it from me, I've burned just about EVERY candle out there! With other companies I would experience, excess wax left over, the candle burning down the middle and leaving tons of excess wax for me to chop down in my pretty holders sometimes causing me to break expensive holders, the scent would fade, the black soot around the holders and jars were disgusting!!!

When you burn a Mia Bella Gourmet Candle, you get a cleaner burning candle, that liquefies and evaporates, I don't have that excess wax I used to have to scrap and break glass holders, I no longer have that disgusting black soot on my jars, our candles truly are triple scented, and the scent never fades, Every time I relight the candle it's as if I am burning it for the first time. The scent throw is amazing! Since I am a pet owner, I love the fact that if my dog knocks over a candle by accident I can clean this wax with hot water and soap! I could never do that with other candles!

I also love the fact I can earn money 3 ways with Mia Bella: 1.) Retail Sales, I purchase my candles wholesale and set my retail prices! 2.) Fund-raising - this is the area I am working on now, I see the potential and how much income you can earn with such little work! 3.) Residual Income - since I am very big into recruiting, I love the pay out Mia Bella gives. With my old company they couldn't compare to what Mia Bella pays out - 8 levels deep paying 10% on the first level! Again NO quotas! I needed to enter $1200 a month in sales with my old company and didn't even receive half of the percentage Mia Bella pays!

I love that my business is flexible, since I am a team leader with my Romance Business and Candle Business, I knew I needed a candle company that was easy to sell, pays high, and didn't require so much hard work. Mia Bella Candles truly sell themselves! The smell and sell program REALLY WORKS! I also love the fact that I don't have to do candle parties to earn income, I love that I can work this business however I want, whether it's home parties, retail sales, fundraising or recruiting, it's MY BUSINESS I can choose to work it how I wish. I have the flexibility to work when I want how I want!

All I can say is I am extremely excited to have found Mia Bella, and I wish I would have found this company a long time ago! I am honored to be a part of the Florida Flames Team! Our team consists of some amazing men and women, and all I can say is I am truly honored to be a part of it!

Thanks for taking the time to read my article, I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did writing it.

Rock on with your Mia Bella Candle Business!

Love and Light,

Tina Dore

(347) 351-TINA

www.GourmetWickedWicks.com

Patrick Calhoun -#1	Pamela Clark -#11
Blair Rendle -#2	Margie Mathisen -#12
Dawn Mathisen -#3	Frances Campbell -#13
Cynthia Hicks -#4	Terry Bobersky -#14
Terri Tavares -#5	Kim Martin -#15
Sheila Page -#6	Kathie Ciak -#16
Barry Duncan -#7	Michael Mahoney -#17
Dale Lowe -#8	Sean Bradley -#18
Steve Bobersky -#9	Jennifer Bishop -#19
Margaret Byus -#10	Jenn Smith -#20

Marcella Cerda - Sponsored by Amber Stracke	Doug Litten - Sponsored by Jill Litten
Sandra Vaughn - Sponsored by Terri Clark	Jeffrey Stenmark - Sponsored by Misty Dawn Stenmark
Ricky Martin - Sponsored by Kim Martin	Natasha Graham - Sponsored by Terri Tavares
Margaret Byus - Sponsored by Marie Duncan	Barry Duncan - Sponsored by Marie Duncan
Mary Darr - Sponsored by Sharlene Wade	Rhoda Thorpe - Sponsored by Melissa Conatser
Tarin Still - Sponsored by Melissa Conatser	Elena Aitken - Sponsored by Melissa Conatser
Ashma Khanani-Moosa - Sponsored by Toni Bobersky	Pamela Clark - Sponsored by Kadye Ward
Frances Campbell - Sponsored by Pamela Clark	Dorothy Bryant - Sponsored by Blair Rendle
Cynthia Hicks - Sponsored by Blair Rendle	Jessica Rendle - Sponsored by Blair Rendle
Jolene Ewert - Sponsored by Donna Prosenick	Sheila Barret - Sponsored by Carol Lowe
Janet Ramynke - Sponsored by Carol Lowe	Mark Ramynke - Sponsored by Janet Ramynke
Carol McDowell - Sponsored by Mark Ramynke	Lori Mullins - Sponsored by Janet Ramynke
Glen Giles - Sponsored by Carol Lowe	Gary Stover - Sponsored by Carol Lowe
Angela Lawless - Sponsored by Carol Lowe	Krysta Sewell - Sponsored by Carol Lowe
Erica Reimer - Sponsored by Cristina Balahadia	Tammy Lee - Sponsored by Gina Bell
Tracy Ricca - Sponsored by Dawn Mathisen	Jennifer Mohrhard - Sponsored by Dawn Mathisen