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(v/o) This year’s Spirit of Close To My Heart award winner joined the company
over 19 years ago when she wanted to enter the Mrs. Utah pageant but didn’t
have the entrance fee. She loved stamping and thought she could quickly earn
the pageant fee by selling a few stamps. She had no intention of making
“Consultant” a permanent title — she was just after the “Mrs. Utah” title at the time.
Not surprisingly though, Karen Pedersen of Springville, Utah, won the pageant
and kept selling stamps to earn her entrance fee to the Mrs. USA pageant.
Our very own beauty queen took sixth place, but more than that, she discovered
how much she loved being a Consultant and having her own home-based business.
Karen, a Senior Executive Director, believes her business is not just about making money,
but about building strong friendships and blessing others’ lives.
Anyone lucky enough to be within Karen’s generous sphere of influence
can attest to her caring, her sincerity, and her warmth. In fact, one evening
while watching TV in her pajamas with her husband, Karen picked up her computer
and wrote an uplifting email to a fellow Consultant she thought might be discouraged.
It’s her little acts of compassion that let others know that Karen truly
leads with her heart. She scatters sunshine everywhere she goes,
she’s free with compliments and kind words, and she genuinely loves
to see other people succeed. In fact, she regularly nominates Consultants
for the Spirit of Close To My Heart award.
As a Consultant, Karen’s creative skills are highly sought after,
especially as an Extravaganza teacher. Her fabulous blog is filled to the brim
with gorgeous artwork she’s created and loves to share. This Team leader
of over 300 Downline served on the Close To My Heart Advisory Board for two years
and was full of great ideas she eagerly promoted. Karen has also earned nine
incentive trips and is on-track to earn the 2013 cruise. Her Team,
the Pacemakers, earned second place for annual Team Sales in their Downline size in 2011.
As the wife of “Dan the Man” for 27 years, a mother of 4, and a grandmother of 3,
Karen is an unfailing optimist, even during difficult times. In the past few years
the economic recession hit her household especially hard, necessitating
a move away from their beautiful home, friends, church, and community.
But as Karen said, “I’m not losing my home — I’m just losing a house.
A home is not made of wood and plaster; it’s made of love and family.”
She has a remarkable perspective that is no doubt fostered by her great faith.
In her new location, Karen picked up right where she left off:
volunteering in her new church and community and, of course,
working her Close To My Heart business. Another trait this incredible woman has
is knowing when someone is going through tough times, even when they try to hide it.
Karen’s oldest son, Easton, wrote in a tribute to his mom,
“I always thought ‘mother’s intuition’ was a made-up science to make moms
sound smart, but I can’t count the times when I was going through a difficult time
and my mom always knew about it. I would find a heartfelt note on my pillow
or mom would be the first person to offer a shoulder to lean on.
My mom has always known what to do for her children. I no longer think
mother’s intuition is made up. I am the person I am today because
of the help I received from my mom. I love you Mom and am so proud of you!”
Close To My Heart is proud to crown this hard-working beauty queen,
wife, mother, grandmother, Consultant, and dear friend as the 2012 winner
of the Spirit of Close To My Heart award. Congratulations, Karen!