Creative Memories : The 10 Timeless Principles Behind the Company that Pioneered the Scrapbooking Industry (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Heidi L. Everett (Author), Heidi Everett (Author) "While it may seem odd to start a book about a direct-selling company with car talk, the metaphor of wheel alignment helps position the role..." (more)
Key Phrases: album enthusiasts, creative memories, scrapbooking industry, Home Class, Resource One, Cheryl Lightle (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Business lessons from the leader in the multibilliondollar scrapbook industry

It's a classic American success story: Cheryl Lightle, once an unemployed single mom, goes on to become the cofounder of one of the most successful direct selling companies in the United States. Creative Memories reveals the 10 guiding principles she used to create her scrapbooking empire, teaching readers how to use these principles to achieve success in their own lives. Through Lightle's inspirational story, combined with her proven business strategies and leadership lessons, this motivational book gives readers the tools they need to:

• Maintain continual business and personal growth
• Preserve integrity and credibility
• Communicate clearly and concisely
• Define their own leadership style and direction
• Protect their relationships with their customers

From the Back Cover

In this classic American success story, Cheryl Lightle tells her true tale of personal growth and extraordinary professional accomplishment. From housewife and struggling single mom to co-founder of one of the most profitable direct selling companies in the United States, here is a powerful account of how one woman transformed a beloved hobby and family tradition into a multimillion dollar business: the aptly named scrapbooking empire, Creative Memories.

Founded in 1987, Creative Memories specializes in photo-safe scrapbook albums and accessories. Its more than 90,000 worldwide consultants teach millions of people to preserve their personal history in a unique and meaningful way, for generations to come. But it is the history of Lightle's path that truly sheds light on her success. And as the story of her empire unfolds in this fascinating chronicle, so do the Guiding Principles and Leadership Lessons at its heart. These valuable principles helped to develop this landmark business from a unique idea into a business triumph--and they can be applied to any work environment and relationship. Now she shares them with you, knowing they will help you achieve success in your own life by providing you with the tools to:

• Maintain continual business and personal growth
• Preserve integrity and credibility
• Communicate clearly and concisely
• Make sound, consistent business decisions
• Create checks and balances for all company practices
• Define your own leadership style and direction
• Protect your relationships with customers and colleagues
• Develop new ideas and initiatives that encourage business growth

From the serendipitous phone call that started it all to the three little words that got the ball rolling, this inspiring and informative book is filled with engaging anecdotes as well as invaluable business strategies. An everywoman with a good heart, a good idea, and good instincts, here Lightle imparts her dream, and, along with motivation and encouragement, gives you the road map and skills you need to pursue your own.

DISCOVER THE 10 GUIDING PRINCIPLES BEHIND ONE WOMAN'S SUCCESS--AND HOW YOU CAN MAKE THEM YOUR OWN...

In this inspiring real-life story, former housewife and budding entrepreneur Cheryl Lightle chronicles her rise from stay-at-home mom to cofounder of a multimillion dollar business: the direct sales empire, Creative Memories. This company transformed a traditional hobby--scrapbooking--into a lucrative international business that provides meaningful work for over 90,000 home-based business owners--and teaches millions a skill that provides them with a timeless legacy. Creative Memories shares the 10 Guiding Principles and the Leadership Lessons that got her to the top of her industry, and can help you achieve your life goals too. They include:

• Operate from least to most
• Embrace the abundance mentality
• Respect personal choices
• Go for the good of the whole

"The Creative Memories Guiding Principles help drive consistent decision-making down throughout the organization and provide an easy-to-follow roadmap for continued success to future leaders of the company. These Guiding Principles are a must-read for any organization."--John C. Maxwell, best-selling author of The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership

"With Cheryl Lightle at its helm, Creative Memories has modeled a great example of the vast diversity of opportunity that existsin the direct selling industry today."--Dick Bartlett, Vice Chairman, Mary Kay Inc.; former board chairman, Direct Selling Association (DSA)

"Long-term success and sustainability is only achieved when individuals and organizations align their values to true-north principles.  Cheryl Lightle and Creative Memories model and live by this philosophy.  You can learn how to do it in this inspirational book."--David M.R. Covey, President, International division, Franklin Covey Company

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill; 1 edition (July 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0071439617
• ISBN-13: 978-0071439619
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,177,254 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting story but nothing new here, January 4, 2006

By	G. E. Kugler "Ed Kugler - nomoreBS - Author o... (Big Arm, Montana United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I like stories of people who build businesses and while I am unfamiliar with this company I took a chance on the story. The storyline is interesting how they got the company turned around and built it into what it is today. The timeless principles are nothing you havent read but hey these ladies are successful and it is a nice read but no big lessons just a good success stroy.