Collette’s USANA Story

Collette and her Grandchildren

My journey with USANA began in 1994 when I set a goal to make a little extra money each month in order to keep my daughter Sharlie, who suffers from cystic fibrosis, on the USANA products. I had no idea how positively these products and this company would impact our lives and shape my future.

I was a single mother of five simply trying to avoid bankruptcy. My youngest daughter, Lexi, (also born with cystic fibrosis) had undergone a double-lung transplant in an effort to save her life. Sadly, just a few months after I joined USANA, Lexi’s body rejected her new lungs and she passed away. I was emotionally, physically, and financially devastated. I was desperate. I needed to make a lot of money, I needed to make it quickly, and it was critical that I be able to work from home so I could continue to care for Sharlie who had been given less than a year to live.

I didn’t know a thing about network marketing but I had nothing to lose and everything to gain. USANA seemed to have advantages over other opportunities I had looked into. The start-up costs and monthly overhead (autoship) were minimal compared to starting a traditional business. I could work from my own home and I knew I could start with just two people – one on my right and one on my left. There were no levels and no one would ever break away from me. I was very excited to learn that USANA paid weekly.

What started out as “mom’s USANA business” has evolved into a family enterprise. My children are now grown with children of their own. We work our USANA business as a family and have been fortunate to travel the world as we’ve helped open many of USANA’s international markets. My precious Sharlie is now 31 years old and continues to be my inspiration.

One final thought. When I started my USANA business I was a single mother of five with a high school education and no business experience. I was completely broke – facing bankruptcy. I had no references and no business experience. What I did possess was a belief in myself, a burning desire to support my children and a determination to turn my life around. USANA was the vehicle and I provided the fuel. When I signed my name to my USANA application, the impossible became the inevitable.

Collette Larsen