Beth and Tom Taylor with their children: Jeffrey, 15;
Johnathan, 11; Morgan, 9; Marisa, 7; Meriel, 3.

"Beth Taylor wasn't looking
for a new opportunity, but when one came along,
she made becoming
a success her goal."

When Beth Taylor started out, she intended to be a career woman, joining the working world to create her own success. At the time, she had no idea that her definition of success would change, or that she would find it so close to home.

Beth's plan was to attend college to study journalism, with an eye toward television news. Instead, she graduated from high school and began working at a radio station as an on air personality. There, Beth met Tom, a radio station engineer. They were married and began a family. Beth eventually quit her job at the radio station and neverlooked back. Their family grew, and today Beth and Tom have five children. The couple is dedicated to their family, and they strive every day to nurture a positive, close-knit environment at home. That's one of the primary reasons Beth has chosen to home school their children. Not only does she want to play an integral role in their upbringing, she also wants to ensure a positive learning environment for them. Her primary goals for their education are encouraging them and bringing attention to their academic strengths. She feels these aims build each child's self confidence and empower them to conquer some of the challenging subjects. "I try to maximize their strengths, let them excel in something and feel good about themselves," Beth says. "That's the way children are wired to learn."

SEIZING OPPORTUNITY

In 2003, the Taylors' future took an unexpected, life-changing turn. Browsing through a magazine for ideas about what to do on vacation, Beth came across something that caught her eye. "I just happened to catch the ad at the very end and wondered, 'What is this company?' I was curious about it. Looking back, I think it was divine intervention."

Divine, Beth says, because she didn't see the name of the organization, only the name of a woman to contact for more information. "So I called the lady and asked her to send me a catalog," she says. "When it arrived, and I saw the products, I just fell in love with them. It occurred to me, 'Wow, there's no one around here. What an opportunity to be the first in this area to do this. The possibilities are endless.'"

Beth set some short-term goals; nothing wild, just some sensible goals for a mother of five who home schools her children. "I thought it would be nice if I had a little time out of the house, away from being a mom and wife, developed my own identity and had something that I did on my own."

A TEAM EFFORT

Of the many adjectives one could use to describe Beth, goal-oriented would be amount the top. "My kids, husband and I have our goals posted everywhere," she says. "If you were to come to my house, you would see we have our goals written on the kitchen windows with a wipe-off marker. We have them on notes on our refrigerator. I have them clipped to the visor in my car. They're pinned up in my office." Beth used this motivational method to climb the mountain of success.

Set with determination and following a carefully planned set of goals, Beth became an accomplished leader in Signature HomeStyles. She'll also be the first to tell you she didn't do it alone. "My husband's my No. 1 cheerleader and support person," Beth says. "If it weren't for him I couldn't do it, because it's a lot to juggle." The Taylor children are excited about helping their mom be successful, too. "My kids support me by doing all kinds of things," Beth says."They stamp invitations, put together information packets and label catalogs."

As it turns out, Beth's business has helped her integrate learning opportunities into her children's home schooling education. "The children can see money doesn't just walk in the door, that you have to do these things to get it," she says. "The business also enables us to teach invaluable success skills, such as goal-setting and leadership."

Beth was named Top Recruiter for 2004-2005. She also was on the President’s Council in 2005. These are just some of the rewards Beth has reaped from her efforts. Although she has developed a highly functional, organized business for herself, she still claims she never has a "typical" day. "I always tell people that each day has its own opportunities and obstacles," she says. "It's how you're going to use them that makes each day what it is." What Beth does have is the flexibility to be a full-time mother and have a career home schooling during the day and working her Signature HomeStyles business in the evening.

Beth seems to be one of those lucky people who have it all; a great family and a great career. But they didn't come as a lark and they didn't come easily. Or, as Beth says, "You get where you are by what you choose to do with your time and talents. The results of your choices can't always be changed, so make the choice a good one."

Written By: Carla Diebold