Dr . Shellie : Tell us about your family . Debbie : I have six children — four girls and two boys .
Dr . Shellie : How are you raising six children and running a major business ?
Debbie : I have a very supportive husband . I travel with my children when I can . That ’ s been a total blessing for me this past year . We look at colleges , we do mini vacations , and when I am home , I AM home . And when I am working , I AM working .
Dr . Shellie : Do you have any tips for moms who may be starting this journey and are like , “ Oh no , I can ’ t be an entrepreneur because I have children .” What would you say to them ?
Debbie : One of the things that I find fascinating and interesting about our particular business is that a lot of women get into our business when they are in some sort of transition . It ’ s either when they are graduating school , starting a family , leaving a full time job to stay home with their children , women who are transitioning in a marriage or life situation or their children are going off to college , so there are all sorts of transitions . I believe we short-change ourselves and that we believe we are not capable of doing everything we can actually do . If you follow the recipe of our business , anyone can do it .
Dr . Shellie : What would you say helps you to balance raising your family and running a company ?
Debbie : For me , the most important thing , I think , in being a mom who works outside the home is being organized . I use the method of time chunking . I time chunk , so when I am working I am super effective . And so when I am with my family , I can BE with my family . And the reality I have for my children is that they are all going to have to work . I have worked since I was 13 . I believe it is important for me to model that for my children because the likelihood is that they are going to be working when they get to be adults .
Dr . Shellie : Work ethic in children is vital . So we ’ ve talked about your children and your wonderful husband . How do friends fit into the equation ?
Debbie : I love my girlfriends , and a lot of them are working women as well . Friendships are the one area that I have to be very diligent about maintaining . I don ’ t see them as much as I used to , but I talk to my friends all the time because I think that is really important . Actually why I originally got into a direct selling fashion business ten years ago was so I could have girlfriend time . Friendships are a really important part of my life , but the family part trumps the friend part right now when I have to make choices .
Dr . Shellie : I totally understand that . Debbie , what about giving back to the community ? I know you have some philanthropic endeavors , tell us about those .
Debbie : I am involved with Children ’ s Hospital of LA , CEOs Against Cancer , and the American Cancer Society . These three in particular are near and dear to my heart as I am a pediatric cancer survivor myself . At 9 , I was diagnosed with a rare cancer and was treated at Children ’ s Hospital of LA until I was 18 , so I remain close with them .
Dr . Shellie : I understand you have a relationship with the American Cancer Society .
Debbie : Last year , we became a corporate sponsor for the American Cancer Society , and as a result , Shawn designed three cancer support bracelets where $ 3 of each bracelet goes to ACS . Our personal stylists are actively involved in their communities as well for the American Cancer Society . What is also wonderful is that most of our stylists want to give back to their community , so fundraising is a part of their business where they work with individuals or organizations who want to raise money for a particular cause .
ViVi cancer support bracelets
Dr . Shellie : How would women find out about this as a business opportunity for themselves ?
Debbie : Women can go to our website www . beViVi . com . All the information about becoming a personal stylist is there . You can see our entire jewelry collection
SUMMER 2016 INSPIRING LIVES 15