Recent appearances:

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

Appeared in the Mahomet Citizen, September 9, 2009:

(reprinted by permission)

Minding Your Business
by Ava Wolf

Independent Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator is Just “Loven” Her Business

Ten years ago when friends asked Meg Loven to join their scrapbooking parties she made polite excuses not to go. Newly married and working hard on a PhD in Physiology, she had neither time nor interest in attending a stamp and scrapbooking party.
Too embarrassed to say no a fifth time, she finally gave in and went. A demonstrator showed the group how to make a variety of greeting cards with beautiful artist materials.
“I looked around and saw that everyone was having a really good time,” Loven said. “I was having a really good time!”
This sparked her interest. Loven and her husband had been looking for a business opportunity that would allow her to stay home with their children, but it still took two more years of post-doctoral work before she was ready to test the waters. Today she’s an awarding winning independent demonstrator for Stampin Up!, a 20-year old, multi-million dollar direct-sales company offering an exclusive line of decorative stamp sets and accessories for home décor, greeting cards, craft projects and scrapbooking.
            “I teach people how to use supplies, offer classes and workshops, take orders, and coach other demonstrators to grow their own businesses,” explains Loven, who mentors 140 people spread out across the country. “These are demonstrators who signed up under me, and who have signed up other people under them. I oversee demonstrators on five levels.”
            People become demonstrators for a variety of reasons. Many are artists themselves who enjoy product discounts and the tremendously creative people they come in contact with. Others want to earn a good income selling high quality products that practically sell themselves. But most people become demonstrators because they enjoy building small communities of like-minded individuals where customers quickly become friends.
            “My job is to help people get what they want out of this,” says Loven. “When you’re excited about what you do, you want to share. Why wouldn’t you want others to do it too?”
            Loven was recently recognized with an invitation to attend the company’s annual Founder’s Circle weekend retreat. Founder’s Circle members are top achievers in several different categories, such as personal sales and recruiting. Loven was chosen as one of the top 100 Demonstrators of the Year out of thousands in the United States. A patient and encouraging teacher, motivating others seems to come naturally to her.
            “I feel so fortunate that my business is thriving,” says Loven.  “I'm able to run a full-time business that lets me be home with my small children but also gives me an opportunity to share the joy of stamping with others.  
“My energy comes partly from helping people learn to relax and be creative, and partly from cheering on the successes of the other demonstrators that I mentor.”
            According to the Hobby Industry Association, scrapbooking is a multi-billion dollar industry that continues to grow as more people turn to crafts and do-it-yourself projects at home. Loven offers regular classes and workshops in her Mahomet home and travels to other homes for demonstrations. She also hosts open houses, corporate events, kids events, and still has time to manage her own website and blog.
            Stamp Club meets on the first Monday, Tuesday and Thursday nights of the month. Everyone makes four projects and two technique cards. If you’re new to stamping you can be a guest at the club, or try the Intro to Stamping class. Want to get a jumpstart on your holiday cards? Come to the Christmas Card Crank later this month, and crank out 16 cards.
Stampin’ Up! paper and craft supplies come in a bevy of coordinated images and colors. The designer motifs, ribbons, ink, and papers always match. This takes a lot the guesswork out of crafting for some, but opens up a world of creative possibilities for others.
Loven recently started the Stamps in the Mail Club through her website. These are personally designed project kits containing everything needed to make a set of cards or 3-D projects, all pre-cut and ready to go right out of the box. Stampin’ Up! Also sells a variety of other pre-packaged kits through the mail.
            Want to create a splashy wall design or an online photo album? Stampin’ Up! offers Décor Elements, a new line of wall decals that are easy to apply and won’t harm paint. Also new is My Digital Studio, a software package for PC or Mac that takes you step-by-step through the process of creating and printing digital art projects.
            “Our motto is: If it doesn’t move, then stamp it,” laughs Loven. “And if it does move, then stamp faster!”
            Part personal shopper and part art consultant, Meg Loven can be reached at 586-7484 or visit her website at www.lovenstamps.com.