Yesterday, I lunched with Orlene Johnson at the Garden Party Cafe in Baraboo. Orlene is a member of my BNI business referral group.

Orlene distributes Mona Vie, a lovely and delicious acai berry juice that you drink not only for flavor but because it is ridiculously full of anti-oxidants, vitamins and other healthy ingredients.

Orlene lives in North Freedom, Wisconsin and has a very full plate in her life – along with Mona Vie, she distributes a cosmetic line, works at an organic food store and also is married to a pastor. But look at her! She always looks this perky and amazing.

And she is just as positive and energetic as she looks.

For example! This whole BNI thing is kind of freaking me out because every week members (including me, gasp) have to give a 60-second commercial for themselves, educating the other members about their business and why they should refer people to us.

My general state of anxiety came up during our lunch and Orlene said, essentially, that I should tell stories, show examples, basically toot my own horn. And she encouraged me just to be myself and have fun.

So today at the meeting I followed her advice and I had a wonderful time and did not practically hyperventilate (as I have at previous meetings).

I have taken the 90-day Mona Vie challenge (I’ll drink the juice for 90 days and see how it affects my energy and health). Seems like a good investment.

PS I included a little illustration of my favorite way to drink Mona Vie – on the rocks with about 6oz of seltzer and a squeeze of lime juice.

Enjoy!