Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, April 8, 1993 TAG: 9304080414
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S-16 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RANDY WALKER SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
BUSINESS' BENEFITS NOT JUST MONETARY
In April 1990, Nancy Daniel underwent a hysterectomy. Five months later, she had a mastectomy and began taking a powerful anti-cancer drug.The combined effects of the surgeries and the drug left her mentally and physically drained.
"I couldn't hold down an eight-hour job and couldn't do anything. I got real depressed," she said.
Then, in 1992, Daniel attended two house parties for Princess House crystal. She watched the sales consultant make her presentation and take orders from the guests.
"It was like a light came on in my head and said, `Hey, you can do this.' "
That was the beginning of Daniel's career with Princess House, a career that has provided her not only with income, but with plenty of positive reinforcement.
Daniel, 51, was born in Altavista. She and her husband, Raymond, settled in Rocky Mount in 1979 after Raymond retired from the Navy.
She worked five years as a cafeteria bake shop supervisor, then quit to take care of her two granddaughters. After her surgeries, however, she was too weak to care for the girls.
Self-employment as a Princess House consultant was the ideal solution. "In this business, the days I don't feel good, I can just rest," she said.
"You can do as much as you want or as little as you want because it's your own business."
Daniel is free of cancer now, but still has to take the drugs, which sap her strength. She works 20 to 25 hours a week, making $10 to $15 an hour.
"I could probably do better than I do, but I'm enjoying it, and I don't want to make it so much work that I quit enjoying it."
One of the things she enjoys is meeting people at her shows. "You meet people from all walks of life. There's a lot of nice people."
She also enjoys the positive feedback provided by the Princess House organization.
"When you have so many surgeries, you lose your self-esteem. You feel like you can't do anything. I need something to help me feel good about myself and that's what Princess House has done for me."
During an recent interview, Daniel wore a blue ribbon covered with the sales recognition pins she has won in less than a year of selling Princess House. Among them was the "4000" pin, given for selling $4,000 worth of product in a four-week period.
"It's a very positive business. If you keep yourself feeling positive, you can do just about anything you set your mind to do.
"I feel better because I have something to look forward to," she said. "My family can see the difference. They say I'm happier and nicer to be around. Even my doctor said he can tell the difference."
One of Daniel's goals is to become a unit manager. She is working toward the requirement of recruiting four new consultants. She also hopes to earn a vacation trip.
Nancy Daniel can be reached by calling (703) 483-7352.