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In the Press... Newspaper Article, May 2008

Recent appearances:

  • September 9th, 2009; Mahomet Citizen Newspaper Article View Article
  • August 19th, 2009; Press Release View Release
  • August 4th, 2008; Press Release View Release
  • May 7th, 2008; Mahomet Citizen Newspaper Article

Appeared in the Mahomet Citizen, May 7, 2008:

By CAILIN BUNDRICK
The Mahomet Citizen

Meg Loven has stamped her way to Alaska, the West Caribbean, the Mexican Riviera, the Panama Canal and, most recently, Bermuda.

When Loven, a Mahomet resident, became a demonstrator for Stampin’ Up!, an exclusive line of decorative stamp sets and accessories sold at home workshops and through a network of independent sales consultants, it was the “for her” thing. At the time, she was a post-doctoral research fellow at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and she sold Stampin’ Up! products on the side.

Then Abby came along. “When my daughter was born, I quit my research job and started doing Stampin’ Up! 40 to 50 hours a week,” Loven said. “At first, I was really interested in doing something that would allow me to stay at home with my little girl while also bringing in a good income to supplement my family’s
budget. I didn’t think it would take off to this level.”

Last year, Loven was recognized as the number seven demonstrator in the country, out of more than 40,000, for helping new demonstrators in her group reach their first promotion. This year, Loven was selected from more than 50,000 independent Stampin’ Up! demonstrators in the United States and Canada to serve as one of eight advisory board members for the company.

Board members work closely with company officials to provide feedback, ideas and suggestions. The company relies on this information as it makes business decisions regarding product offerings, business opportunities and career plans, and customer service.

“Serving on our advisory board is a tremendous honor and privilege, as well as a very demanding responsibility,” Stampin’ Up! co-founder and CEO Shelli Gardner said. “These individuals play an essential role in our growth and success as they offer insight into what our customers and sales force need.” Advisory board members are selected based on a long list of criteria, including their performance, attitude and example.

Although she was unable to take her first incentive trip to Alaska due to Abby’s birth, Loven and her husband, Erick, did not miss out on Bermuda this year, taking their 5-month-old son Tucker along with them. In the last four years, the Lovens have traveled to the West Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, Panama Canal and Bermuda due to the success of Loven’s Stampin’ Up! business. Loven was one of 349 demonstrators rewarded with the cruise to Bermuda this year, and she has already earned a trip to Hawaii next year.

It all began when Loven attended a Stampin’ Up! party with friends. Loven was already a fan of scrapbooking, and she instantly fell in love with rubber stamping. Shortly after finishing her Ph.D., Loven became a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator, sharing her love of stamps, scrapbooking and card making at
home workshops. Through these workshops, Loven was also able to recruit new demonstrators. In six years, 85 people have signed up to be demonstrators directly with Loven. “I love teaching people to love this craft,” Loven said.

In addition to holding training events, incentive events and monthly demonstrator meetings, Loven also hosts Stamp Club with Meg! the second Monday, Tuesday and Thursday of every month at Meg’s Stamping Studio in Mahomet. At club meetings, everyone makes four projects, including one "WOW" project, and two technique cards.

“I really like stamping cards because there’s the joy in making the card and the joy in receiving the card,” Loven said. Although many people would argue that they do not have time to make cards, Loven said that it actually takes less time to make cards than it does to get children ready to go, load them in the car, drive to the store and pick out cards.

There are about 10 people per Stamp Club with Meg! “They’re a very diverse group, from stay at home moms to doctors at Carle,” Loven said.

For those who cannot attend Stamp Club with Meg!, Loven offers a Stamps in the Mail Club! Each three-month round of Stamps in the Mail includes monthly shipments of enough stamps, accessories and pre-cut cardstock to complete four projects. Directions and photos for the projects are included with the supplies.
Loven said stampers can stamp just about anything, including ceramic tiles, wall art, baby clothes, cards and table décor.

“If it doesn’t move, stamp it,” she said. “If it moves, stamp it faster.” Loven’s next stamping event is from 5 to 11:45 p.m. this Friday at the Hilton Garden Inn in Champaign. The Stamp N Scrap Evening Retreat will provide attendees with a spacious space to work on projects already in progress. There will also be two free mini-classes with Make N Take projects available, as well as an optional Purse Scrap Project.

To register for the retreat, e-mail Loven at MEG@LOVENSTAMPS.COM. To request a newsletter, learn more about Stampin’ Up! or to book a workshop, visit www.lovenstamps.com.

For immediate release: 8/4/2008

Media contact: [Meg Loven Stampin' Up! Independent Demonstrator, 217-586-7484]

 Local Businesswoman Honored with Founder’s Circle Recognition

MAHOMET, Illinois—Stampin’ Up! recently recognized local businesswoman Meg Loven with an invitation to attend the company’s annual Founder’s Circle weekend retreat. This prestigious event honors Stampin’ Up!’s most successful demonstrators with a weekend dedicated to thanking these outstanding individuals for their commitment and dedication.

Founder’s Circle members are top achievers in several different Achievement Award categories, such as Top Personal Sales and Top Recruiting. Meg Loven was honored specifically in a category of “Demonstrator of the Year.” This category honors the top 100 demonstratorsout of all the thousands of demonstrators in the United States who have shown leadership and a balanced, successful approach in developing their business. This award is only presented to Demonstrators who have been with the company for more than six months.

The achievers in this category receive a Founder’s Circle pin and a Founder’s Circle bag. In addition, each of these demonstrators are invited to join Stampin’ Up! cofounder and CEO Shelli Gardner for three wonderful, relaxing, and inspiring days in St. George, Utah.

“Every year, I enjoy the opportunity to interact one-on-one with the remarkable demonstrators who have earned Founder’s Circle,” says Gardner. “It is truly a treat to pamper these women who have worked so hard to grow their businesses and who have contributed so much to Stampin’ Up! The Founder’s Circle Retreat is exactly that—a retreat from the hectic, everyday demands these women face, and it’s all about them! We work hard to make sure these achievers know how much we appreciate them and all they do.”

Earning a spot in the Founder’s Club is one of the most sought-after awards for Stampin’ Up! demonstrators, who recognize the deep respect these businesspeople receive. These demonstrators exemplify all that Stampin’ Up! represents and work hard to share their love for creativity and stamping with others as they strive to make a difference in the world around them.

“I am excited to be part of the Founder’s Circle again this year,” says Loven.  “The group of demonstrators who achieve this award are an impressive group of women and I love to chance to share ideas from my business while gaining insights from my peers.”

About Stampin’ Up!
Stampin’ Up!, a 20-year-old, $240-million, direct-sales company, offers an exclusive line of decorative rubber stamp sets, Décor Elements and crafting accessories for greeting cards, craft project, scrapbooking, and home décor. Currently, over 45,000 demonstrators from all 50 states, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and recently France, Germany and the United Kingdom teach the art of stamping. Stampin’ Up! operates a state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in Kanab, Utah, and a 300,000-square-foot home office, distribution center, and demonstrator support call center in Riverton, Utah. For more information, call 1-800-STAMP UP or visit www.stampinup.com.

Meg Loven, Independent Demonstrator can be reached at (217)586-7484, by email at Meg@LovenStamps.com or on the web at http://www.LovenStamps.com

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