CHALLENGES AND LIFE LESSONS
Platinum International Diamond Lilly Sánchez’s childhood in Mexico and the United States was filled with obstacles and hardship. She said, “My father didn’t believe that women should be educated. However, from the time I was young, I thought, ‘There has to be more to life than this.’” Lilly felt that the only way out of her abusive home was through marriage, so she got married at age 16. Unfortunately, her first husband had the same beliefs about women as her father.
Lilly realized that no one was going to change her life for her; she had to do it herself. She read self improvement books about successful women and worked to follow their examples. When Lilly was introduced to network marketing, her husband dismissed the idea immediately. However, Lilly recognized that this industry could help her change her life.
One night, Lilly’s husband gave her an ultimatum. Lilly remembered, “He told me that I had to leave the business or leave the house. I tried to reason with him by saying, ‘I’m doing this for our home, for the children, and for you.’ I never thought he was serious, but I left for a meeting with a heavy heart. When I returned, my belongings were in a box outside. I’ll never forget my children’s faces as they looked out the window at me. I was heartbroken.”
With nothing left to lose, and everything on the line, Lilly was determined to show her kids that life could be better for them and for her. She said, “I told my children, ‘I’m leaving, but I’ll be back.’ As a woman, a mother, and a worthwhile individual, I chose to make the best of a terrible situation and work hard to make my dreams a reality.”
CHANGING THE FUTURE
Although Lilly wasn’t allowed back in her family home, she never stopped reaching out to her three children — Ivan, Cindy, and Orlando. She remarked, “I went to the kids’ school to visit them. I called them on the phone. I told them that their lives would be better one day. My children became my motivation—the engine—to make my dreams come true.” Lilly began establishing herself as a successful
businesswoman. She shared, “It was a long process with many sacrifices. However, if you carry your past with you, it holds you back in the present. I knew I wanted something different for my kids and me, and
so I kept moving forward.” At a leadership meeting for another company, Lilly heard Angel Sánchez speak. After a series of miscommunications and blunders, Lilly and Angel began writing each other online. “We couldn’t go a day without talking to each other,” Lilly said.
After several months, the two made plans to meet at an airport. Lilly felt nervous that they wouldn’t have the same feelings for each other once they met. However, when Lilly and Angel saw each other, they both knew they were meant to be together. And, they’ve been an unstoppable team ever since.
PARTNERING WITH 4LIFE®
Lilly and Angel were introduced to 4Life many years ago by Platinum International Diamond Ángel Molina,
who told Platinum International Diamonds Juan and Damaris Rosado about them. Recognizing their leadership potential, Juan flew to Texas to meet with Lilly and Angel even though he didn’t have any money. When Lilly and Angel began sharing 4Life with others, they were full of dreams. They wanted to improve their finances, provide college educations for their children, travel, serve others, and enjoy a better lifestyle. Angel remarked, “When we decided to build a 4Life business, we gave it everything we had. Of course there were difficulties at first, but we kept visualizing the greatness of what we could achieve. We knew that our life could be wonderful with 4Life.”
Lilly said, “I’ll never forget the moment we decided to sign up with 4Life. Angel took out a blank piece of paper and a red pen. We wrote, ‘Today, we begin our new life in 4Life. We will not give up until we make it to the top.’”
Lilly continued, saying, “From the day I signed up, I felt committed, but my ‘all in’ moment happened when I attended my first 4Life convention. I was even more captivated when I attended an International
Networkers Team event in Puerto Rico with 16,000 people. I decided to work hard to achieve results; change personally, emotionally, and financially; and pass on my vision to my children.”
FAMILY LEGACY
As the years went on, Lilly worked hard to repair the relationships with her children. She reached out to them often, offering support and encouragement. When Lilly and Angel began building a 4Life® business, she shared her passion and knowledge with them. Now, all of her children are building successful businesses. Lilly commented, “My favorite aspect of 4Life is spending time with my children, getting to know them better, and helping them grow as leaders.”
Lilly went on, “I think it’s valuable for my children to see that a woman who didn’t get an education can still achieve a high level of success. It shows that when someone makes a decision, focuses, and acts on her plan, she can accomplish what she desires.”
PLATINUM ACHIEVEMENT
Lilly and Angel’s road to Platinum International Diamond was not without challenges, but they never lost sight of their dreams. “I cried when I saw others reach Platinum International Diamond, particularly when I listened to their success stories at conventions,” Angel remarked. “It motivated me. I love watching other people succeed. I thought, ‘If they can do it, so can we.’”
Lilly agreed: “When I decide to do something, nothing holds me back. I love challenges! When we started with 4Life®, I said, ‘I want to be a Platinum and I’ll do whatever I have to do to get there.’”
EMPOWERING WOMEN
As a strong woman in a leadership position, Lilly is an inspiring example for other women in the 4Life® family. She shared, “Impacting the lives of thousands of women is very fulfilling for me. I feel a huge responsibility to empower others, especially women. I want to tell them, ‘If I can do it, you can do it, too.’”
Lilly recognizes that sometimes women lack confidence that they can achieve the highest ranks. She has worked to improve herself so that she can be an example to others. She commented, “Don’t just read self-help books and post inspirational quotes on Facebook. You have to live what you believe! Any woman can succeed by preparing herself, respecting herself, and visualizing the person she wants to become. You have to really want it. If you have a deep reason for building a 4Life business and reaching the Platinum rank, you can do it. I’ll wait for you!”
FUNDAMENTALS OF LEADERSHIP
Angel and Lilly make sharing 4Life® products a partof their everyday lives. Lilly commented, “My favorite way to share 4Life is by tasting products like Energy Go Stix® in front of other people. That way, I don’t even have to offer them! People just ask, ‘What is that?’ Or, they’ll ask, ‘How do you have so much energy so late in the day?’ That’s when I start talking about 4Life products!”*
Throughout their 4Life journey, Lilly and Angel have built an organization that is founded on love, passion, and shared goals. Lilly said, “I enjoy getting to know team members. When relationships are strong, you can better motivate people. We set goals together, prepare ourselves, and work to achieve what we desire. By helping team members accomplish their dreams, we reach our dreams as well.”
