Kristin Rogers leader of the month

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Leader of the Month for August 2006:

Kristin Rogers

I grew up in a single-parent household. My mother supported my brother and me as a Mary Kay Consultant. As I grew up, I observed how my mom continually sought personal growth and how she would pick top people to observe and emulate. The way that my mother strategically improved herself played a key part in my personal development. As she was emulating others, I was emulating her. As she listened to John C. Maxwell in the car, I listened along, too. (In fact, we would rotate from listening to John Maxwell with our kid sing-along tapes). John’s lessons really struck a cord in my heart. Unlike other little girls who wanted to grow up to be ballerinas or nurses, I wanted to work for John Maxwell! Many people laughed when I told them my dream and discouraged me from pursuing it, but I knew deep in my heart that if I stayed focused on my dream--and was willing to step out on faith--that the path would be created. After I graduated from college, I decided I would do whatever it took to get a job with John C. Maxwell. However, after several months of waiting for a job opening, and talking to the “wrong people” I figured out that if I really wanted a job with John C. Maxwell, I was going to have to create my own position. So, I did just that. I sold John’s company on my idea to tailor make leadership resources to people in direct sales. I flew to Atlanta for an in-person interview, and within a month moved across the country (thousands of miles away from my family and friends). This was a big (and scary) change for me, but I knew that it was where God wanted me to be. I knew that I needed to leave my comfort zone in order to grow into the person that I wanted me to be. Now, over a year and a half later, my path has been redirected once again. I have transitioned into being a business affiliate to John Maxwell, and have started my own company called Growing Up Pink. I now travel around the nation, sharing my personal story of growing up with a mom in direct sales. I provide women with tips on how to involve their kids in their home-based business, as well as train with the latest John C. Maxwell leadership resources.

For the positive, empowering message that she so effectively delivers to women throughout the United States, and the courage and conviction with which she has pursued her passion, Kristin Rogers is the Leader of the Month for August 2006.

Bio: has teamed up with speaker and author John C. Maxwell to bring leadership resources to the direct selling world; travels the nation, sharing her story of Growing Up Pink and training others with the latest John C. Maxwell resources; Magna Cum Laude graduate from Eastern Washington University; held leadership positions in college; was a National Teen Spokeswoman for Velocity, Mary Kay's cosmetic line for teens; enjoys traveling, shopping, and spending time with family and friends; resides in Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Current personal passion: I believe that my calling is to help women develop leadership skills. I have the opportunity to teach women to examine their values. I show them how knowing what is truly important can bring them personal, financial, and spiritual fulfillment. I specifically work with women who have home-based businesses and who are many times mothers. I help these mothers get rid of the guilt and show them how their children can learn life skills by being involved in their home-based business.

Favorite quote: “No man becomes rich unless he enriches others.” -Andrew Carnegie

I love this book! It is an easy read with simple and powerful principles on how to develop and become a successful leader. Each chapter covers one of the 21 Laws of Leadership, so it makes it easy to focus on one law a week and start immediately applying John’s principles to your life!

Lifetime leadership highlights: I just turned 25, so I am hoping that I have many more highlights in my future. In the past year and a half I have traveled to 48 states training on leadership. I have spoken in front of tens of thousands of women! I have been a featured speaker in the Catalyst Groupzine for next generation leaders, as well as featured in several online direct-selling magazines. I currently lead my own team of dynamic women and feel so blessed to be called their leader.

Most admired leader: My mother! She started Mary Kay when I was five and my brother Scott was just two. She actually started her business to earn an extra $50 a week to put me in piano and dance lessons, but soon after my mom started her business she became a single mom. So, Mary Kay was what put food on the table, clothes on our back, and a shelter over our heads. If my mom didn’t work we didn’t eat, so she was extremely motivated to make her business successful. Nineteen years later, my mom has now achieved the highest position in Mary Kay Cosmetics. (Mary Kay sales force is over 1.55 million strong, and my mom is one of 300 at the top). My mom is a Mary Kay multi-millionaire and leads thousands of women worldwide. I admire her heart and determination to be the very best leader she can be.

What is caught is so much more than what is taught. My mom led me by example!

Advice to aspiring leaders: Dream BIG! You can do and be anything you desire as long as you are passionate and willing to work for it. Make the decision that you are not going to live an average life. Think abundantly and there will be no limits on what you can do. Intentionally put yourself in challenging situations…take risks…fear is the biggest enemy to success! Ask for wisdom and seek out the mentorship of others…let yourself learn from their knowledge and experiences. Even if you are getting mentored via your CD player or IPOD…this is still mentorship! Surround yourself with people that are where you want to be. Be willing to grow, change, and expect to live your best life!

Best training programs for leaders: Leadership starts with growing yourself. It all starts with you. Leadership is developed daily, not in a day.

If you are a person that is constantly on the go, sometimes it is difficult to find time to read leadership books and attend leadership conferences. Use your drive time to listen to leadership books on CD or join a leadership CD of the month program. The average American has a 45-minute commute to work one way. Use this time to grow yourself and your skills by listening and learning from other leaders who are where you want to be. I highly recommend Monthly Mentoring: It is the CD of the Month program I facilitate for John C. Maxwell. It is available at www.GrowingUpPink.com under Resources.

Metaphor, story, or analogy for leadership: People don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.