Flatterday Saturday

Hey {ippity} peeps, it's Maria today :) Did you all survive Christmas?!? We went to my parents house and had A HOUSE FULL!!! The kids ate way too much candy, the toys were all too loud and we had a great time!!!

I'm so happy to be able to bring you the very first Flatterday Saturday interview with none other than our very own Michelle Ogdahl. I got a kick out of reading her bio and I'm sure you will too. Here is a little about Michelle in her own words:

I have been asked to share a little bit about me…hopefully you won’t fall asleep :)
I would like to think that I am an easy going person, who loves to laugh and make others laugh and have FUN. Life is too short to be serious ALL of the time :) My family and friends are extremely important to me. I truly try to live in the moment as there are no guarantees for tomorrow.

My husband, Jason, and I live in New London, MN with our 2 boys Kirk (age 11) and Nathan (age 9). We have 4 dogs…yes 4…I think only crazy people have that many dogs- 3 ankle biters and a Yellow Lab that resembles a horse :)

I have a long commute every day to the Unity/{ippity} office…it is about 8 blocks from my house.

My past and future:
I started a business, 9 years ago, with a direct sales company and was able to work out of my home. I loved what I was doing, worked extremely hard to build my business and team of almost 100 women. Angela called me, almost a year ago, asking if I would be interested in helping out at Unity. She said they had just gotten back from a big Craft Show and had LOTS to get done. I didn’t have any idea what my job would entail, how long I would be helping out, if I was volunteering or actually getting paid…but what I did know was whatever I was going to be doing would be FUN! Boy was I right!!

Since January, I tried keeping up with two 40 hour a week jobs but because I am not superwoman, I finally had to decide between Unity Stamp and my business. In September, I ended my journey with my direct-sales business which enabled me to help develop an amazing opportunity for people in this industry. This is how {ippity} was born. Direct sales is definitely a passion of mine and now I have the best of both worlds…creating and shaping an opportunity that is like no other in this industry. The foundation of {ippity} is a combination of the things that I LOVED about my previous direct sales experience and also left out the things that I wasn’t very fond of! IT IS AWESOME!!

Here is a little Q&A with Michelle:
How did you first get involved in stamping?
My first stamping experience came when I was putting together a scrapbook for our foster girls that were returning home. I wanted to capture the highlights of their 11 month stay with us and a scrapbook was the best way to do this. I had so much fun creating their book that it inspired me to begin making cards and crafting. I am a beginner, I have SO MUCH to learn-that is for sure- but I love being surrounded by so much talent and each of YOU inspire me daily.
What is your favorite {ippity} stamp set and why?

I can’t pick just one…each kit is so unique and different- I honestly LOVE them ALL!! We are adding 8 new kits to the line in February…it just gets better and better :)
What is your title at Unity/{ippity}?

I am in charge of Business Development for Unity and I am an Administrator for {ippity}
My goal with {ippity} is to make this THE BEST OPPORTUNITY available in the crafting industry. The sky is the limit with {ippity} and I am blessed to be a part of this amazing journey!

How long have you worked there?

I began with Unity Stamp Company in January 2009.
Are you a crafter? Do you use Unity/{ippity} stamps outside of work?

I am a beginner…but everyone has to start somewhere right? Yes, I don’t know how anyone could be in crafting and NOT use our products…we have THE BEST IMAGES and PRODUCTS!!!
Can you tell us a funny story about your boss? {Sorry Angela!}

Everyday is an adventure when you work at the Unity and {ippity} office :) Sometimes, what happens at the office has to stay at the office :)
What song best describes you?

Girls just want to have FUN!
If you were stranded on a desert island what are the three things you would bring? Coffee, creamer and a coffee maker, my laptop with internet access, my cell phone, a good book, lots of chick flicks, some chocolate…I guess I am not a light packer :)

What is your favorite quote?

“Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.” ~ Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Try to end your day with little to no regrets as you are not guaranteed a tomorrow. Michelle Ogdahl
Find a way, no matter how big or small, to pay it forward each day…it might make the biggest difference in someone’s life! Michelle Ogdahl
“An organized person is just too lazy to look for things.” Author Unknown
And…
If you are breathing find something to be thankful for today! Michelle Ogdahl

What would I find in your refrigerator right now?

Christmas leftovers, Coffee Creamer (a must have) and lots of forgotten items that have become science experiments that need to be thrown away

If you could be a superhero, what would you want your superpowers to be?

With the wave of a wand, make crabby/unhappy people SUPER HAPPY and be able to zap drama away with a snap of my fingers :)

If someone wrote a biography about you, what do you think the title should be?
Everything happens for a reason

What would your dream vacation be?
Either traveling throughout Europe OR a trip to a tropical paradise