With XANGO THRIVE ’09 already 2 weeks in the rearview, it’s time to share the 5-step recipe for this world-class event. Relive the memories and appreciate the foundation of XanGo’s rousing 7-year reunion:
1. XanGo Goodness
In a year where many have been wondering about their own futures, we were determined to continue putting the futures of others first. Our desire was to help the families who have quietly made the XanGo Opportunity possible by growing and harvesting mangosteens in their home country of Thailand.
Together with our Distributor partners we had decided to sponsor an Operation Smile Mission to Thailand in 2010. So, when the time came for THRIVE ’09, we started with a rededicated Black Tie Dinner where a silent auction fundraiser placed the emphasis squarely on giving back.
XanGo’s top Distributor leaders took the message to heart and put up generous bids for the 6 “Founder Experiences.” As they vied for one-of-a-kind vacations, they also had the privilege of jumpstarting the fundraising efforts of THRIVE ’09.
Throughout the next 3 days, plenty more Goodness would follow:
Immediately following the Premier Leadership Meeting, XanGo Distributors gathered together to be a part of the XANGO THRIVE ’09 Goodness Project.
Inside the XanGo Store, Distributors were splitting their budgets between wellness products for themselves and donations to the 2010 Operation Smile Mission through the “Buy a Smile” initiative going on in the Goodness Corner.
On Saturday, after three days of Goodness-focused thriving, the giving began even earlier with the Thrive for Goodness 5K/1K.
General Session III wrapped up Convention with Founder Gordon Morton introducing the new XanGo Goodness Foundation video, followed by CEO Robert Conlee and 200K Glenn Sparks honoring all of our Goodness Emissaries who have made it a point in their business to make a difference with the Goodness Meal Pack.
2. Leadership & Partnership
By nature, every XanGo Convention is an exercise in leadership and partnership—bringing our valued partners together in our home to discuss and to enact the prized principles of successful leadership. This was apparent in many ways at THRIVE ’09:
Ongoing corporate tours gave Distributors the opportunity to see our offices and view our inner workings. If there’s one thing that makes XanGo tick, it’s a mutual understanding of corporate and Distributor roles.
The ultimate embodiment of these two ideals was evident at this year’s Premier Leadership Meeting, where Premiers and above from across the world heard leading announcements from XanGo President Craig Hale and Senior VP of Distributor Relations Scott Smith…
For example, it was direct and open communication between Distributor leaders and XanGo executives that led to the implementation of Title Compression in the XanGo Compensation Plan. And it was the work of both domestic and international Distributors that led to the announced opening of XanGo Italy.
3. Quality Wellness Products
The XanGo Store kept long hours, offering Distributors several on-site THRIVE specials both morning and evening. Featuring quality XanGo brands like Glimpse, Eleviv and 3SIXTY5, these package deals served to build business, increase wellness and, of course, qualify for the chance to win one of 4 THRIVE cars!
In General Session II, XanGo CMO Larry Macfarlane and Senior VP Beverly Hollister laid out the science, success and strategy of the entire XanGo family of wellness products, introducing Distributors to the idea of two important types of products: XanGo Category Creators and XanGo Essentials.
In the course of sharing our two-tiered product plan, Larry and Beverly also revealed the latest essential product brand—Juni™ by XanGo.
4. Entertainment & Memories
With selfless acts, wonderful wellness products and lessons on leadership taking center stage at THRIVE ’09, you might think there was no time to relax, unwind and let it all soak in. But, because enjoying life and creating memories is as important as any other principal of success at XanGo, there was plenty of entertainment and plain-old partying going on.
Thursday night’s pajama party served as far more than just an opening ceremony for THRIVE ’09. It had all the makings of an unforgettable evening with numberless glow sticks, plentiful snack tables, soft slippers and eccentric live entertainment.
The voice talent was phenomenal this year as our closing session featured both Founder Aaron Garrity and Vocal Point in emotional performances. And, even after Convention was officially over, XanGo Founders and Distributors took a trip to Rio Tinto Stadium to watch a free-flowing game of attractive soccer where XanGo’s team topped their greatest rival 3-0.
5. Outstanding Speakers
Calling on XanGo Founders, top Distributors, corporate executives, XGoPro leaders, doctors and many other special guests, the lineup of speakers this year was downright amazing. Each one delivered their own brand of inspiration, and it would be impossible to recount it all… so we’ve chosen three THRIVE messages that were especially impactful:
A. Closing out General Session I on a spirited note, Chris Gardner was the opening keynote speaker for THRIVE ’09. As one of the greatest examples of parental responsibility and determined dream achievement, the inspiring true story behind Pursuit of Happyness had the crowd cheering, sniffling and mentally redoubling their own determination.
His unyielding desire to be the father that he never had drove him to lead the life of a hard-working homeless man for over a year—with his baby in his arms and all his belongings on his back. He created opportunities for himself and he took advantage of them. In one particularly memorable moment, he characterized it like this: “I did what anybody from XanGo would’ve done—I improvised.”
B. In General Session II, it was our own Founder & Chairman Aaron Garrity who held high the banner of living, hoping and thriving. Having the perspective of someone who has been with XanGo since it was just an idea, Aaron used all his experience to unfold a success story brimming with hope.
Calling upon his “List of Misfits,” he portrayed the very human side of greatness: “When you look at the names… images of greatness come to mind… people who really changed the world for the better. Yet they each had weaknesses… some of them great weaknesses. But they didn’t let that stop them. They changed the world anyway. Edmund Spencer said, ‘And he that strives to touch the stars, oft stumbles at a straw.’”
In his own humble ascent to personal success, Aaron has seen a few very simple secrets that can keep greatness within arm’s reach of anyone. His characterization of hope was especially moving: “I can tell you, the space between having the faith to begin the dream and actual achievement is hope. Hope fills that great chasm in between… and walks with us toward what can be—what will be. But it takes work.
“There is a very subtle difference between fear and hope. And yet that difference is everything. Hope makes a very modest claim. Hope simply says, ‘It’s possible…. Your dreams… they are all possible.’ It’s worked for somebody else… why not you?”
C. Finally, firmly affixed to the XANGO brand and still offering some of the world’s greatest training, Doug Wead took the stage at the end of General Session III to give the THRIVE crowd the sendoff they deserved.
His frankness and directness, matched by his charm and wit, made him an instantly and completely endearing icon worthy of the crowd’s rapt attention. He set the record straight about life requiring work, no matter what one chooses to do: “You will be the slaves of other men’s dreams, or you will build your own dreams. But you will work.”
The overriding message that he impressed upon the audience was that “It is not about what you are able to do. It is about what you are going to do.” There is a small, but crucial difference.
We are all created equal, and there are millions of things that we each could do. We could play an instrument or speak a foreign language; we could play on a sports team or even earn a million dollars… but we often don’t. And it’s not because we can’t. It’s simply because we do not decide to do it.
So, at the close of THRIVE ’09, thousands of decisions were made. The space between your dreams and reality started to disappear. We invite you to finish it off.
FIVE Steps to THRIVE: 2009 Convention Review
With XANGO THRIVE ’09 already 2 weeks in the rearview, it’s time to share the 5-step recipe for this world-class event. Relive the memories and appreciate the foundation of XanGo’s rousing 7-year reunion:
1. XanGo Goodness
In a year where many have been wondering about their own futures, we were determined to continue putting the futures of others first. Our desire was to help the families who have quietly made the XanGo Opportunity possible by growing and harvesting mangosteens in their home country of Thailand.
Together with our Distributor partners we had decided to sponsor an Operation Smile Mission to Thailand in 2010. So, when the time came for THRIVE ’09, we started with a rededicated Black Tie Dinner where a silent auction fundraiser placed the emphasis squarely on giving back.
XanGo’s top Distributor leaders took the message to heart and put up generous bids for the 6 “Founder Experiences.” As they vied for one-of-a-kind vacations, they also had the privilege of jumpstarting the fundraising efforts of THRIVE ’09.
Throughout the next 3 days, plenty more Goodness would follow:
On Thursday morning, XanGo President Craig Hale stepped up in the Premier Leadership Meeting to announce that XanGo Goodness was now The XanGo Goodness Foundation—a registerd 501(c)(3) charity.
Immediately following the Premier Leadership Meeting, XanGo Distributors gathered together to be a part of the XANGO THRIVE ’09 Goodness Project.
Inside the XanGo Store, Distributors were splitting their budgets between wellness products for themselves and donations to the 2010 Operation Smile Mission through the “Buy a Smile” initiative going on in the Goodness Corner.
On Saturday, after three days of Goodness-focused thriving, the giving began even earlier with the Thrive for Goodness 5K/1K.
General Session III wrapped up Convention with Founder Gordon Morton introducing the new XanGo Goodness Foundation video, followed by CEO Robert Conlee and 200K Glenn Sparks honoring all of our Goodness Emissaries who have made it a point in their business to make a difference with the Goodness Meal Pack.
2. Leadership & Partnership
By nature, every XanGo Convention is an exercise in leadership and partnership—bringing our valued partners together in our home to discuss and to enact the prized principles of successful leadership. This was apparent in many ways at THRIVE ’09:
Ongoing corporate tours gave Distributors the opportunity to see our offices and view our inner workings. If there’s one thing that makes XanGo tick, it’s a mutual understanding of corporate and Distributor roles.
The ultimate embodiment of these two ideals was evident at this year’s Premier Leadership Meeting, where Premiers and above from across the world heard leading announcements from XanGo President Craig Hale and Senior VP of Distributor Relations Scott Smith…
For example, it was direct and open communication between Distributor leaders and XanGo executives that led to the implementation of Title Compression in the XanGo Compensation Plan. And it was the work of both domestic and international Distributors that led to the announced opening of XanGo Italy.
3. Quality Wellness Products
The XanGo Store kept long hours, offering Distributors several on-site THRIVE specials both morning and evening. Featuring quality XanGo brands like Glimpse, Eleviv and 3SIXTY5, these package deals served to build business, increase wellness and, of course, qualify for the chance to win one of 4 THRIVE cars!
In General Session II, XanGo CMO Larry Macfarlane and Senior VP Beverly Hollister laid out the science, success and strategy of the entire XanGo family of wellness products, introducing Distributors to the idea of two important types of products: XanGo Category Creators and XanGo Essentials.
In the course of sharing our two-tiered product plan, Larry and Beverly also revealed the latest essential product brand—Juni™ by XanGo.
4. Entertainment & Memories
With selfless acts, wonderful wellness products and lessons on leadership taking center stage at THRIVE ’09, you might think there was no time to relax, unwind and let it all soak in. But, because enjoying life and creating memories is as important as any other principal of success at XanGo, there was plenty of entertainment and plain-old partying going on.
Thursday night’s pajama party served as far more than just an opening ceremony for THRIVE ’09. It had all the makings of an unforgettable evening with numberless glow sticks, plentiful snack tables, soft slippers and eccentric live entertainment.
The voice talent was phenomenal this year as our closing session featured both Founder Aaron Garrity and Vocal Point in emotional performances. And, even after Convention was officially over, XanGo Founders and Distributors took a trip to Rio Tinto Stadium to watch a free-flowing game of attractive soccer where XanGo’s team topped their greatest rival 3-0.
5. Outstanding Speakers
Calling on XanGo Founders, top Distributors, corporate executives, XGoPro leaders, doctors and many other special guests, the lineup of speakers this year was downright amazing. Each one delivered their own brand of inspiration, and it would be impossible to recount it all… so we’ve chosen three THRIVE messages that were especially impactful:
A. Closing out General Session I on a spirited note, Chris Gardner was the opening keynote speaker for THRIVE ’09. As one of the greatest examples of parental responsibility and determined dream achievement, the inspiring true story behind Pursuit of Happyness had the crowd cheering, sniffling and mentally redoubling their own determination.
His unyielding desire to be the father that he never had drove him to lead the life of a hard-working homeless man for over a year—with his baby in his arms and all his belongings on his back. He created opportunities for himself and he took advantage of them. In one particularly memorable moment, he characterized it like this: “I did what anybody from XanGo would’ve done—I improvised.”
B. In General Session II, it was our own Founder & Chairman Aaron Garrity who held high the banner of living, hoping and thriving. Having the perspective of someone who has been with XanGo since it was just an idea, Aaron used all his experience to unfold a success story brimming with hope.
Calling upon his “List of Misfits,” he portrayed the very human side of greatness: “When you look at the names… images of greatness come to mind… people who really changed the world for the better. Yet they each had weaknesses… some of them great weaknesses. But they didn’t let that stop them. They changed the world anyway. Edmund Spencer said, ‘And he that strives to touch the stars, oft stumbles at a straw.’”
In his own humble ascent to personal success, Aaron has seen a few very simple secrets that can keep greatness within arm’s reach of anyone. His characterization of hope was especially moving: “I can tell you, the space between having the faith to begin the dream and actual achievement is hope. Hope fills that great chasm in between… and walks with us toward what can be—what will be. But it takes work.
“There is a very subtle difference between fear and hope. And yet that difference is everything. Hope makes a very modest claim. Hope simply says, ‘It’s possible…. Your dreams… they are all possible.’ It’s worked for somebody else… why not you?”
C. Finally, firmly affixed to the XANGO brand and still offering some of the world’s greatest training, Doug Wead took the stage at the end of General Session III to give the THRIVE crowd the sendoff they deserved.
His frankness and directness, matched by his charm and wit, made him an instantly and completely endearing icon worthy of the crowd’s rapt attention. He set the record straight about life requiring work, no matter what one chooses to do: “You will be the slaves of other men’s dreams, or you will build your own dreams. But you will work.”
The overriding message that he impressed upon the audience was that “It is not about what you are able to do. It is about what you are going to do.” There is a small, but crucial difference.
We are all created equal, and there are millions of things that we each could do. We could play an instrument or speak a foreign language; we could play on a sports team or even earn a million dollars… but we often don’t. And it’s not because we can’t. It’s simply because we do not decide to do it.
So, at the close of THRIVE ’09, thousands of decisions were made. The space between your dreams and reality started to disappear. We invite you to finish it off.