Gretchen Manmiller

Senior Executive Director

In April, 2007, I joined Thirty-One … solely to get a great discount for my Mother's Day shopping. I was a full-time teacher taking two Masters-level classes each semester. My husband was working 60+ hours each week and I was caring for a very busy six-year-old daughter. God stepped in in October of 2007 and showed me that truly, time is a gift. And how we spend the time in our lives is a choice. My daughter became ill, and it quickly became obvious that I would need to take a leave of absence in order to give her the care – and the time – she needed from her mom. After much discussion and prayer, my husband and I decided that I would give Thirty-One my all in order to supplement the family income while also caring for our child. After only one year, while paying my daughter's medical bills with my Thirty-One income, I also built a wonderful team of women who are also meeting their families' needs and pursuing dreams of their own through what I call “the gift” of Thirty-One. I never dreamed I would become a Senior Director in so short a time. Now, when I think about how I spend my time , I know I'm spending that precious currency that God has given me very wisely. Spending it with Thirty-One – and my daughter – has been the time of my life.

Story seen in the Spring 2009 catalog