Bonnie Allers O’Neill, Independent Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator
When you have a section specifically to tell the story about yourself, Bonnie Allers O’Neill, Independent Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator, and your adventure with Stampin’ Up!, you kind of panic. I do love what I do, so sharing a part of me should not be so hard. Well, here it goes!
Before Stampin’ Up!
I was born and raised on Long Island until I was 14 years old. Moving across country with my mother, I spent the next 6 1/2 years in Mesa, AZ. At the start of my Junior Year in college, I transferred to the University of Maryland. After graduation, I made my way back to New York and currently live in my home with my husband, Brian and our three boys. Our boys are growing quickly, one is a sophomore in college, one is a junior in high school and the youngest is in 7th grade.
October 2018: My three sons! Kory, Kraig and Kyle
Love to take pictures:
I have always loved to take pictures. In high school I made scrapbooks using construction paper and words from magazines. When I pledged my sorority at Maryland, I was elected Historian. The perfect office position because I was able take pictures and create albums for keepsakes. In April 2017, my sorority celebrated its 70th Anniversary and my sisters sent me pictures from my books! They loved looking back and remembering the fun times we had. Here is one of the pages they sent me. My handwriting is featured on the Pledge Committee listing which I think I write pretty much the same.
After College:
After college, I moved back to NY, met my husband, got married and had children. Celebrating the 1st birthday of my second son, Kory, I decided I wanted to start scrapbooking again. I went to a local craft store and in the scrapbook aisle, a woman approached me asking me what I was working on. She was happy to hear I wanted to scrapbook my boys and suggested I contact a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator. According to her, they had “GREAT” products for scrapbooking. Thanking her for the suggestion, I left never getting her name. After telling my husband about my encounter, I remembered a friend showing me a catalog on crafts about a year ago. I contacted her and she actually was a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator! I booked a party! Soon after being amazed with the awesome products Stampin’ Up! had to offer, I signed on as a demonstrator in November 2003.
Stampin’ Up! Family:
I can not lie and say it’s been a breeze. I have had my ups and downs, like everything in life. HOWEVER, the relationships I have formed from the past 15 years are priceless. I can not imagine my life without Stampin’ Up! We get to travel to places and create lasting memories. My Stampin’ Up! people are my extended family, I am very fortunate….
A group shot in front of our Home Office in Riverton, Utah, July 2013
A group shot from Convention 2015 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
I cherish my customers as well. Some of them have been with me for over 14 years! I am truly blessed by the people I have met due to sharing Stampin’ Up! with them.
Incentive Trips: Hard works pays off!
1. Kona, Hawaii, March 2009:
In the beginning, making my quarterly requirement was tough. I was a stay at home mom with 2 boys working retail part-time. I held maybe one class a month and a workshop. Slowly but steadily my business grew. I started to build a downline and my business began to grow. I added more classes and more workshops. In 2008, I earned my first incentive trip! YAY! The trip was to Kona, Hawaii in March of 2009. I knew Brian and I would never plan that kind of trip for ourselves, so earning it was a big thing!
2. Getaway to San Diego, California, September 2013:
3. Getaway to Newport Beach, California, September 2015:
4. Phuket, Thailand, July 2017:
In July 2016, I earned my second Grand Incentive Trip. Along with 315 demonstrators plus guests, Brian and I travelled to Phuket, Thailand in July 2017! It was a trip of a lifetime. Our daily excursions kept us busy. I have 100’s of pictures but here are a few from the trip. The scenery was amazing, as was the beautiful Indian Ocean. On our way home from Thailand, we took a small detour to London, England for 3 nights. Two places off my bucket list!
Shopping in Patong, Brian and I walked to the beach to catch the sunset.
A boat trip to the Phi Phi Islands was AMAZING! The water was absolutely breathtaking.
Dinner with friends at the Angsana Resort
Last night in Phuket at the Blue Elephant
5. Cruise to Alaska, July 2018:
In May 2017, I earned the Cruise to Alaska Incentive Trip. I never really thought about going to Alaska, but thankfully I earned the trip and Brian and I had a wonderful time. We explored the scenery of Alaska and made lasting friendships with wonderful demonstrators. The beautiful glaciers, the never ending evergreens covering the mountains or the quaint city of Victoria are memories we will cherish for a lifetime.
Leaving Seattle
Train in Skagway
share fair memories
Our Canadian friends are the best! What memories we created! Victoria, Canada
The Last Night on the Ship
6. Greek Isles, July 2019
Brian and I traveled to Rome, Italy on July 3rd. We spent 3 nights before heading to the cruise ship that would take us touring the Greek Isle. The weather was beautiful, seeing my Stampin’ Up! friends was priceless and creating memories to last a life time. I did miss being back home but the scenery was nothing I had seen before and I am thankful I got to see to beautiful places I never dreamed of!
Greek Isles Incentive Trip – Welcome Reception
Greek Isles Incentive Trip – Santorini
Greek Isles Incentive Trip – Mykonos
Greek Isles Incentive Trip – Acropolis
Greek Isles Incentive Trip – The First Olympics
Greek Isles Incentive Trip
Greek Isles Incentive Trip – Pillow Gifts!
7. Maui, Hawaii: July 2020
Next summer’s adventure….well now it’s May 2021
Who would of thought: Presenter!
September 2014:
In September 2014, I had the opportunity to hold a local Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator Unite and Excite Event on Long Island. It was fun sharing card swaps, business tips and just building relationships with local demonstrators. Donna Griffith, from our home office, flew out and attended the event. I still remember the event as if it was held yesterday! This is a picture of Donna and 4 of my downline with me.
January 2015:
In January 2015, I was asked to present at our Leadership Conference in Orlando. It was amazing being a presenter for Paper Pumpkin. I had a lot of fun sharing my passion for the monthly kit offered by Stampin’ Up! I don’t think my smile left my face all day!
November 2016: Secaucus, NJ
Late summer of 2016, I received a phone call from Andrea asking if I would be a Product Spotlight Presenter at the OnStage Event in Secaucus, NJ. I showcased the Sending Love Product Suite. Fortunately, several of my team members were able to join me. I love running into my Stampin’ Up! friends at events. It is always a good time!!
Fall of 2016 something truly amazing happened!
Bonnie Farley, from home office, called to tell me I had been selected to be a member of the Global Events Council for 2017-2018. I was at my part-time job when I received the call. I hung up the phone and started crying. I so love being a part of Stampin’ Up! and this was an opportunity I had never thought about 14 years ago.
April 2017: Richmond, VA
My first event was the Richmond Onstage Event held on April 8th. I, along with staff from home office, helped with setting up, checking in, creating fun, prize patrol, and cleaning up the event. It was a FABULOUS weekend, one I will forever cherish! Here is a picture of me during my Product Spotlight on the Birthday Memories Suite.
November 2017: Salt Lake City, Utah
What an amazing experience! I am without a doubt enjoying my time as a council member. Presenting is so much fun and helping with setting up, prize patrol and clean up is without a doubt a BLAST!
April 2018: Hartford, Connecticut
In a blink of an eye, 18 months of being an Events Council Member has flown by. April 2018 was my last event as a member. Words can never describe how humble, thankful, grateful I am for being appointed to the council. I am a bit sad to see it end but also look forward to my next adventure with Stampin’ Up! I love being involved and I love presenting! Here is a picture from the event taken by my downline. 800 people watching my presentation, what a joy to share what I love!
Love what I do:
I am fortunate to say I love what I do. I craft, I make pretty things and I get to share it with a variety of people. My hope is, I inspire people to craft. Each month, I hold team meetings with my downline, Second Street Stampers. We gather to catch up, swap cards, talk business and to offer support whether it is personal or professional. I also offer Private Card Classes and weekly classes in my home.
One of the best things about Stampin’ Up!, it fits everyone. We may all be different but we all love to craft and stamping together is truly delightful!
Thank you for reading about me.
Happy Stampin!
Bonnie
