escaping to bacara {beautycounter incentive trip}
It’s been a week now since being back from California. On the plane back home, I thought to myself: “Well, that trip pretty much rocked my socks off!” It was so.much.fun! Not even exaggerating.
I want you all to catch a glimpse of what I experienced that weekend. First let me tell you…. Beautycounter has an incentive trip every year. I remember being new and seeing photos from last year’s incentive trip in Ojai. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d be on an incentive trip some day. It sure looked lovely though!
When they announced the trip this year, I said to myself… “Well, geez. I’m going to try at least. Heck, I’m going balls to the walls!” 😉 I had nothing to lose but so much to gain. I’ve already come out of my comfort zone (and still am) throughout my year with Beautycounter. You know when you’re a kid and your parents told you that you can be whatever you want to be? I’ve learned I can be passionate and love what I do, even if I have no background in it….makeup, skincare, ingredients, or laws and regulations. Drive and excitement is all I had when I started so I learned and am still learning everything else. I’ve learned to have a voice….to ask, to inform, to educate (with confidence). I’ve learned that if I believe in something, to go after it. I’ve learned that being part of a direct sales/retail company is not a bad thing. I’ve had so many supporters with only a few sprinkles of “haters gonna hate.” The people that have supported me know that I’m just an average girl who found products and a mission that I adore and want to share with them. That’s it. I would never twist someone’s arm. No one should ever be violent like that. 😉
Educators had 2 months to earn a spot. It wasn’t easy. Actually it was pretty darn tough. There were times I wanted to throw my hands up and say “I’m not getting it. I’m done trying. I’ll try again next year!” I wanted to, but I didn’t. It’s so easy to give up. Isn’t that how it is with anything in life though?! No one ever wants to push themselves. No one ever wants to put effort if it’s not achievable right away. No one wants to take chances if it makes them feel uncomfortable. No one wants to push through any obstacles. Well goodness gracious, I don’t know about you, but I always tell my kids: “If you want it don’t give up and work harder. If you want it, you gotta earn it.”
Aug 1st, I earned my spot on this year’s Beautycounter Incentive Trip to Bacara. 144 earned it out of over 25,000 Educators. I didn’t get this doing it on my own. I couldn’t have done it without the support from my teammates, my mentors, my amazing clients, my friends/online community, my kids who rooted for me so we can do something fun every time I earned points, and especially my hubby, Blaine, who held down the household when I was out doing socials, opportunity events, and trainings. It’s never a 1 person show with any business. It’s a tribe and my tribe ROCKS!
Day 1….
If you’re Facebook friends with me, you already know I was having anxiety before going on the trip. Anxiety is real and sucks. It’s crazy to be so excited yet so anxious all at the same time about a trip I’ve been looking forward to for months! Thanks for the prayers everyone! I stepped onto the plane in Des Moines, and I was more comfortable and at peace.
What was in my carry on bag (Jo Totes “Gracie” camera bag)?
2 amazing books “Closer to God Each Day” and “You are Bad Ass”
Beautycounter‘s Rosewater Mist, lip sheer in Twig, lip gloss in Opal
Beautycounter canvas pouch filled with my makeup
Business Cards
Laptop
Fujifilm xt1 digital camera with 35mm 1.4 lens (used this camera for the photo below and most of Day 2. I completely forgot to bring my charger so iPhone pics the rest of my time there)
Starbucks is a must when traveling. 😉
There are hardly any pics on Day 1 since it was a day of traveling mainly. I finally got to Santa Barbara in the evening later than I expected and missed part of the welcome reception. On my way back to my villa from having a nice chat with my mentor, Leah, I captured this beautiful sight and couldn’t wait to see this place during the day!
Day 2…
Time for breakfast!
Training for 3 hours. It’s so inspiring listening to these rockstars!
Everyone got a brand book and a new shade of lip gloss.. Bare Shimmer! If you love the lip sheer in Twig, you’ll especially enjoy this. Guess what?! It’s included in one of our Holiday Collection! 🙂
After training, it was time for lunch. Check out this view… Talk about being in paradise!
Lunch with these ladies from Minnesota… learning from the best! 😉
The meal I had there was so delicious. This meal gets 2 thumbs up. I’ve never had crunchy corn and it’s a great added texture to the tacos (my love for the reality show Top Chef is coming out). Do I need to get out more that I’m raving about crunchy corn?
Check out all this SWAG! I was speechless when I saw all this stuff for us trip earners. Talk about spoiled!!
Krysten and I then went on a walk on the beach! It was so beautiful and peaceful.
We came across 3 of Beautycounter’s Regional Directors: LeeAnne, Kelli, & Natalie! These ladies are our support and help us grow our businesses as consultants!
Lots of laughs trying to get these 2 shots on the self timer on my camera!
After a couple hours on the beach, we headed back to get ready for the Beach Bash! On our walk, we were greeted with some bubbly and food at each station. I really enjoyed the progressive drink stations on our walk to the final destination.
These views before walking to the tent! WOW!
You guys, I felt like I was at a celebrity wedding. The details, ambience, food, and music made it one of the most beautiful parties I’ve ever attended!
This lady right here. Everyone needs to meet Madame-Athena our Director of Community with Beautycounter. She has so much heart and passion that when she speaks, you can’t help having a big smile from ear to ear.
Super bummed this pic is blurry, but it has such fabulous ladies in 1 pic, I had to post anyway!
Gregg Renfrew, CEO and Founder of Beautycounter, had her kids there…. her “WHY BEAUTYCOUNTER” is right there standing along side of her.
Her husband was there too. Support from loved ones is such a HUGE part of someone’s success. This made me miss my husband, Blaine, and I don’t think I thank him enough for all he does. The post office runs he makes so I can get samples to people. The last minute meetings with my teammates. When I’m hosting online socials, he’s making sure to keep the kids busy downstairs. Being away isn’t easy, but I can always count on him to pick up the slack when I’m gone. The list goes on and on. Supportive husbands are amazing!! 🙂
Dessert station… why yes, I’ll have some of that!
What a nice little surprise when I got back to my room!
Day 3….
Time for breakfast before some more training!
Check out our HQ staff! Again, it takes a tribe! We are so thankful for them!
No biggie, just Chris Moore who is a film producer known for Good Will Hunting and American Pie AND Lindsey Dyner who was a producer for the Today Show is the new Head of Digital Content at Beautycounter. They talked about the importance of video which reminds me that I need to start doing some more. I have been doing more of mini vids on my Instagram stories (click HERE to follow me so you don’t miss a video)…short and to the point. Sometimes all I have is 10 seconds to watch someone’s video so I can relate! What do you guys think and/or want? Once a week? Twice a week? Comment below!
Lindsay Dahl… This girl. I love hearing her speak. She let us know what is all going down in Washington DC with all the work we’re doing trying to get more laws in place for the cosmetics and personal care industry. She makes me understand a little more about laws and regulations every time. I hate to admit but before I was clueless. It’s actually quite interesting how it all works and what all goes down inside those walls.
After training, it was time to soak up some sun by the pool!
It’s times like this that I’m so thankful for the people Beautycounter has brought into my life. Meet Krysten. We have been Facebook friends since last year. We finally met for the first time in Minnesota at the Fall Workshop in September. We have cheered each other on and helped each other out. She gave me the greatest compliment. “You’re as cool as you are online.” It made me laugh, but sometimes you never know how people are on social media compared to real life. So I’ll take the compliment even though I don’t really think I’m that cool. Just a mom living one (hot mess) day at a time. 😉 If we counted how many minutes throughout the trip we talked and laughed out loud together just the two of us, it would have been probably a good 12 hours. That’s how you know you just made a new BFF!
We devoured those nachos! Check out my view from my room.
More swag from my mentors Jen, Britta, and Leah! <3 Thankful for their guidance.
We then ended the evening at The Lark! Great food, drinks, and company!
Lisa was my roommate and goodness is she the sweetest!
Here’s a photo with Christy Coleman, who is the Head of Innovation at Beautycounter. She comes up with the great ideas like an introduction to charcoal products (cleansing bar and mask)! She is a fashion and celebrity makeup artist applying our very own products on models and celebrities for magazines and red carpet appearances! Pretty awesome, right?!
Check out these group of beautiful leaders on Jen’s team! We are all so different yet have the same passion!
Lots of laughs having dinner with these 3!
Photo with Gina Murphy, Head of Sales at Beautycounter! What a sweet soul this woman has! Gina does such a great job fueling us with knowledge, confidence, and energy!
We ended the night with a photo with Gregg. Now, that’s how you top off the weekend! It all started with Gregg’s vision. The mission of getting safer products into the hands of everyone. Because of Beautycounter, many people are being educated and are being part of this change. The change for safer beauty because your health should never be compromised for beauty. AMEN SISTA!
What a nice surprise, when we returned to our rooms!
Day 4….
Time to go back to the great state of Iowa! Here I am back in my own personal paradise. Paradise can also be a place with corn fields all around, right? 😉
What a trip that was! I’m so glad I’m on this adventure as an Educator. It came to me when I needed it. God just knows. This path is something I couldn’t have ever imagined. A path that has even made me uncomfortable at times as I have stepped out of my comfort zone, but every time I do something uncomfortable, I feel like I can take on anything. Literally. You know what they say, great things never came from comfort zones. 😉 You all should try it!
I needed something that I could be at home with the kids more and was flexible with our busy schedules. This is a type of job that doesn’t ever feel like a job. Every day is exciting, and every day is rewarding. Don’t get me wrong, I still work. As Rupaul says… “You better WORK.” Just an FYI incase you forgot, money doesn’t grow on trees. 😉 I’m busy…like REALLY busy before Beautycounter. I didn’t think I would have time for something like this, but I treat this like a business. I make time even if it’s an hour a day. Who wouldn’t want to make time for this? How amazing to be able to be a part of something so HUGE and making a difference, bigger than selling a lip sheer or a moisturizer. I hope to leave a legacy for my kids. I’m advocating for better laws so in the future my kids don’t have to worry about what’s inside their products. A job that’s for a cause, have access to safe, chic products that perform (I love how I get savings on these amazing products), while being financially compensated! As Gregg says: “Take the job!” I have to mention by saying: “hashtag” bestjobever !! Plus, surrounding yourself with other likeminded individuals is so good for the soul!
My babes were excited to have mom back home, but I’m pretty sure my husband was the most excited. 😉
Want to know more about how to become an Educator for Beautycounter? I want to take you with me next year on the trip! Let’s chat or click HERE to get more details! #takethejob
Final thoughts not Beautycounter related…
- I’m short. It’s no newsflash but being 5’2″ and wearing heels is still short when everybody else is in heels. 😉
- I loved dressing out of my typical yoga pants and sweatshirt. It was a pain to pack outfits and I fully admit I overpacked, but it was great to get the heels and jewelry out multiple days in a row!
So I’m laughing out loud that I took a selfie showing my pool attire WITH my sunglasses on. Who does that?! I swear I’ve never done that in my life before. It’s ok, you all can laugh and shake your head too! LOL