Click on these links to explore Judy Smith's family experience with Usborne books:

Judy Smith’s Success Story

 The Soil:
            After college, Judy worked for six years in public education as a teacher and counselor of middle school students.  After the birth of her first child, she became a stay at home mom.  Later, she began reading books on home education.  Many of these books discussed the importance of giving your children practical work experience and entrepreneur skills through home based businesses.

 The seed is planted:
            In the spring of 1992, Judy attended a home school conference with her husband, Joseph, and their two preschool aged daughters.   Here Judy was intrigued by the home school moms working as vendors for various products.  One of the vendors was the president of the local home school group.  She was selling Usborne Books and she was very busy. 

Usborne business sprouts:
            A friend invited Judy to an Usborne Books home show.   Three months after the home show, Judy bought a start up kit and immediately she did her launch home show.  In February 1993, Judy and Joseph attended a regional meeting where they met Randall and Kathy.  Randall presented the financial details and assured them that this is solid company.  Kathy explained the benefits of the home show program, the importance of setting goals, and gave tips on how to use the Usborne Books at Home program to develop a profitable business.  On the drive home, Judy and Joseph decide that promoting to supervisor would be one of their first business goals.

 The business grows and branches out:
            Judy was excited about this Usborne Books business.  She began booking home shows and promoted the books at every opportunity.  Then she started sharing the business opportunity as well as the books.  As she presented the business opportunity, she gained recruits and started building up a team of other book lovers.  Later, Judy began working booths and book fairs.   She loved the variety of opportunities which the business gave her.
            The Smith Smiles team grew as more customers tried the opportunity and as more consultants promoted out to form their own teams.  At this point, Judy shifted direction in how she spent her work time.  Instead of only focusing on herself and her sales, she began to balance her work time between her personal sales and instructional/counseling time in which she helped other consultants.  Judy promoted to supervisor in September 1993.  She promoted her first two downline supervisors in January 1995.   All those skills she had used in her previous career, as a teacher and counselor, came back to help her with her new role as an upline supervisor.

The business blooms:
Today the Smith Smiles downline supervisors include these wonderful ladies:
            First line: Mary Schlieder, Patti Wall, Veronica Evans, Cathy Eads, and Jane Lopez
            Second line: Alicia Chrastil, Jean Vaughn, Tami Weber, and Carol Hyatt
            Third line:  Gloria Edger, Beth Jackson, and Jo Farbee
            Fourth line; Miriam LeBlanc and Tressa Nelson
            Fifth line:  Timberly Miller
            Sixth line:  Emily Bennett
Judy’s upline supervisors are Ruth Smith and Nancy Ann Wartman 

            Judy started the business because it seemed like a fun job she could do at home alongside her family.    Yes, these past eleven years with Usborne Books at Home have been very enjoyable and fulfilling.  In addition, Usborne Books at Home has also provided business skills for her children, a collection of quality books for her home, a network of friends from across the United States, many exciting vacations, and has  a solid framework from which she has been able to develop a profitable home business.    

Future growth:
           As we begin 2004, Judy looks forward to sharing these wonderful books with new and repeat customers; as well as, building a stronger team as more consultants catch the vision.   There is no "perfect" business free of obstacles; however, Judy believes Usborne Books at Home is ideal for anyone who enjoys sharing great books and helping others to succeed.   She says Usborne Books can contribute significant income to your family’s budget while at the same time allowing flexibility, variety, and creativity in your home and work environments.   

What I've Learned
By Judy Smith

           Kathy Slemp asked me to share my success story at the January supervisor training event in 2004.   As I reflected on my experiences in the business, I thought of all the material things which I have purchased with my “Usborne” money – the furniture, the toys and gifts for my children, the special events and lessons for my children, etc.   Then I also thought of my personal life and how it has been enriched because of Usborne – the trips I have earned and the friends I have made across the country.  I thought of all the skills I have learned from being an Usborne consultant.   I reflected on the great successes when I was able to get those big school orders and also on the disappointment when other orders did not come through. 

            But then I decided to interview my children and see what their view point was on having an Usborne mom.   I went to each child privately and ask him/her two questions:  1. Why are you glad your mom sells Usborne books?  2.  What have you learned from your mom selling Usborne books?    These are the answers I got from my children:

 Jeremiah, son age 9

• I like reading the Usborne books for free.

• I like it because my mom is home to meet me when I come home from school.

• I think Usborne books have interesting facts.

Jeanette, daughter age 13

• I love the preschool books.

• The touchy feely books are sooo cute.

• I can read all the Usborne books I want without cluttering up my room.

• Doing “sales tax” and “shipping” helped me understand discounts in Algebra this year.

Joanne, daughter age 16

• I have learned how to take credit cards.

• I am the only one in my high school who knows that all visas start with 4, mastercard starts with 5, and discover cards start with 6.

• I love working the booths.   It is so much fun.

• It is fun to help customers find what they need and want.

• I have learned business terms, such as net sales, retail sales, etc.

• I understand what “doing inventory” means, and I do not want to be a stockman in a grocery store.

• I have helped with every aspect of the home business, except the financial bookkeeping which is Dad’s job.

• I have tried out several careers:  graphic designer, editor, and product testing by helping you with Usborne.

• I have learned how to change my approach based on the needs of my customer.

• Usborne Books at Home has helped me in school, girl scouts, and all aspects of my life. 

           After my interviews, I was reaffirmed that the “success” of my Usborne business is more than money, more than material things, more than numbers on a chart; my Usborne business has had a very positive influence on my children and on my family in so many intangible ways.   We have so many very gifted and talented individuals in Usborne Books at Home who could be following other career paths if they choose to.   However, this is a good, profitable and wholesome journey.

Photographs of Our Experience

2003: Our family, Jeanette (age 13), Judy, Joanne (age 16), Joseph, and Jeremiah (age 9), enjoying a trip to Yellowstone National Park.

1996: Judy and Joseph working an Usborne booth.

1999: Judy with her first two downline supervisors: Patti Wall and Mary Schlieder.

2000: Jeremiah (age 6) with Stephen Cartwright in his art studio.

1993: Judy begins her home business with two helpers: Jeanette (age 3) and Joanne (age 6).