Congratulations to Our 2021 O2 Culture Award Recipients!

by Stacey Harmon | Aug 16, 2021 | Force for Good, O2 News, Owlettes and BROS, Recognition

One of our favorite parts about convention is recognizing YOU!

We especially love when we’re able to surprise you – our OWL-mazing Designers – with special awards like our O2 Culture Awards!

We’re thrilled to share the incredible Designers who were recognized during our Origami Owl Virtual Convention Recognition Event.

Congratulations to our O2 Culture Award recipients!

Heart of O2 Award

The Heart of O2 Award is the highest level of Designer recognition and is given by the Founders. The recipient of this award embodies everything O2, from our mission to our core values. This Designer is committed to mentoring all Designers (even those who are not part of their team) and makes it a priority to help them achieve success both in their jewelry business, and in their personal lives. This Designer is a role model for all, contributes to causes they are passionate about, and is genuinely selfless.

Nomination:

This year’s Heart of O2 Award recipient is a true “light shiner.” She amplifies the goodness around her and inspires others to do the same. She knows how to love people and has a way of turning strangers into family. Her team, The Cute Hoots, is full of individuals from every background, but they are united in a sisterhood based on honesty, acceptance and love. Her leadership and friendship have impacted so many lives. She is a cheerleader, an advocate and a helping hand. Watching her bloom through chaos this past year, and truly show up with enthusiasm no matter what, are just some of the many reasons she was selected as the Heart of O2 Award recipient. She was an anchor for so many, while still being a ripple of kindness in her community. When we think of the heart of our mission statement, and those who truly live it every single day, this soul shines so brightly.

Congratulations, Melissa Taylor, Senior Director!

“I watched the recognition event from my phone while I was visiting my family in Canada,” shares Melissa. “I was in complete shock and so pleasantly surprised when they announced my name! To be surrounded by my entire family made it even more special. Thank you to our amazing Founders, my team and those who nominated me. You’ve made my heart so full!”

Force For Good® Award

The Force For Good Award is awarded to a Designer who represents the O2 mission in every aspect of his or her life. They use O2 jewelry as an opportunity to positively impact the lives of others and leads and serves their team in every way. Not only have they made significant efforts to be a Force For Good in their community, they also make extraordinary sacrifices for others, and contribute to charitable organizations by volunteering their time, or donating to a cause they are passionate about.

Nomination:

Our first Force For Good Award recipient is said to be “the epitome of Force For Good” by some of her teammates and friends. The reason she started her O2 business was to give back to others and make a difference for future generations of children and families who suffer with Autism. She was inspired by her three-year-old granddaughter who was diagnosed with Autism. This Designer turned her heartache around in a positive direction by committing to helping others. She has done amazing work using her business to bring awareness to Autism. In addition to raising funds for autism, she’s also provided gifts and acts of kindness to organizations such as Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Ventura County. She also started the Semicolon Empowerment Necklace Project to give necklaces to people affected by suicide and the Sew Powerful Purse Project. As a former foster teen, she had direct experience of what it feels like to live without hope. But, as a young adult, she turned that around and emigrated to the United States from Australia to make a better life for herself. She came to this country with a little bit of money and a whole lot of hope for a better life. Today, it is her life’s work to give back and make a difference – and she’s doing JUST THAT with her Origami Owl business.

Congratulations, Kathleen Leonard, Executive Team Leader!

“After hearing my name announced, I immediately thought of how we made an impact in hundreds of children’s lives with these fundraisers,” shares Kathleen. “I cried tears of happiness for my team and every person who worked together on various projects to make the world a better place for children.”

Force For Good Award

Nomination:

Our second Force For Good Award recipient suffers from Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome, a life-altering neuroinflammatory disease. It’s known to be the most painful chronic aliment, and most people with this disease live in excruciating pain. Despite her pain, she does not let it stop her from helping others, especially those who are in the same situation as her. She runs a CPRS warrior group and donates what she can each month. She also created a “Happy Mail” program where these warriors send out packages every month to people who ask for help. All that matters to her is putting a smile on the face of any of these sufferers. When she hears someone has been put into hospice or is bedridden due to this debilitating disease, she sends them a gift from Origami Owl and a note to lift their spirits. She believes that O2’s idea of giving back really works and saves real lives every single day.  She has intentionally decided to live out the mission of being a Force For Good, spreading it to the warriors around her, and now they are ALL living it day-in and day-out. She never complains, takes everything this disease throws at her in stride, and will not stop helping others who are also suffering despite her own pain. She has turned small, meaningful pieces from Origami Owl into live-saving devices.

Congratulations, Christina Whearley, Senior Team Leader

“As my husband and I watched Tyson announce the second Force For Good recipient, we began to cry,” shares Christina. “Not because we realized I had been chosen, but because we knew so many would learn about the disease that countless silently suffer from.”

Love, Inspire, Motivate Award

The Love, Inspire, Motivate Award is awarded to a Designer who genuinely loves and inspires all. This Designer positively affects any situation, helps others to realize every situation and is a Force For Good. This Designer is both a committed professional Mentor, and a compassionate personal coach, who has a personal story that inspires others.

Nomination:

The recipient of the Love, Inspire, Motivate Award has continued to be an inspiration not only to her team, but to so many across the field, including us. Her growth this year has been ASTOUNDING, with 95 New Designers added to her team just this past year alone. A huge amount of this growth is attributed to her leadership, passion and love for Origami Owl. She is deeply loved by her team. She leads them with heart, guides and trains them, and she is there for them every step of the way.  This recipient is a testament to hard work, NO EXCUSES and true consistency.

Having four little ones at home (one is two years old), plus working full-time as a teacher through the pandemic, she has still managed to work and grow her business and lead her team. She reached a tremendous goal and promoted to Director this year, despite the challenges of the pandemic, and both herself and her team losing loved ones. She has done it ALL with a smile on her face and being a light of positivity to everyone she encounters. If you follow her on Facebook, you can see how she radiates joy, fun and consistently delivers the message of both the love of family and O2.

Lastly, she has also had a huge impact on the Spanish-speaking community by helping with Spanish meetings and hosting trainings in her community. Spanish-speaking Designers who are not on her team frequently say how much they learn from her. She is always one of the first to volunteer for trainings at her local team meetings, one of the first to help lead Customer appreciation events, and always participates in Force For Good team projects with donations going to orphanages in Mexico.

Her team calls her a real-life Wonder Woman! They do not know how she does it all, but what they do know is she ALWAYS, always does it with authentic joy. She models the right behavior, is a true example of love, and has inspired and motivated so many on her team and beyond!

Congratulations, Claudia Chavez, Director!

“I felt so incredibly blessed, grateful and overwhelmed with joy,” shares Claudia. “I realized after a couple of statements from Shawn that he was talking about me. I didn’t know who had nominated me, but I felt so humbled that they would even think of me for such a special award!”

Making a Difference in the Lives of Others Award

The Making a Difference in the Lives of Others Award is awarded to a Designer who exudes love and kindness to anyone who crosses their path. They are always shining the light on others, even those not on their team. This Designer is constantly cheering on others who are striving for a goal. Making a difference in the lives of others comes natural to them, as they’re always looking to help others and uplift anyone who needs it.

Nomination:

The Making a Difference in the Lives of Others Award is going to a dynamic trio in Canada, whose positive attitudes and ginormous hearts never waiver despite the challenges or adversity that comes their way. From the moment they became Designers, they have exuded nothing but love, inspiration and kindness to everyone they meet. Their lights are always shining as they consistently make a difference in the lives of others throughout Canada, the U.S. and the Young Entrepreneur community.

You can always count on them for a word of encouragement on the team page, or a “Motivational Monday” quote for the week. When fellow Designers (and Young Entrepreneurs) are feeling blue or under the weather, they always post a message of encouragement to make they feel better. They welcome New Designers (and Young Entrepreneurs) with open arms, beautiful notes or a funny GIF. They cheer on those who are striving for a goal, or those who simply are trying to achieve their PV to stay active. They are the first to arrive on team Zooms, and the last to leave a question-and-answer session at the end.

During the pandemic, this trio worked other full-time jobs and still generated 500 to 1,000 PV each month consistently. They continued to lead their teams to excellence – all while Canada was completely shut down – and they NEVER complained. These ladies are the epitome of kindness and thoughtfulness. Each one of them shines so bright individually, but together, they shine even brighter and make a big difference in this world.

Congratulations, Wanda Carriere, Executive Team Leader!

“The feeling I felt when Tyson said my name for the Making a Difference in the Lives of Others Award really came as a surprise to me,” shares Wanda. “I was shocked. I felt like my soul left my body and tears were running down my face. I feel so blessed to have been chosen alongside my sister and niece. I guess mom did it right! I am so thankful for all of you. When life throws you unexpected surprises, hold them tight and never let go.”

Congratulations, Tina and Cassidy Grover, Young Entrepreneur Team + Team Manager!

“We felt honoured, overwhelmed, surprised and ever so grateful when we received this award,” shares Tina. “Small acts of kindness each day go a long way. Our goal is to live life with a purpose and to make the world a brighter place; one smile at a time.”

Most Inspiring Young Entrepreneur Award

The Most Inspiring Young Entrepreneur Award is awarded to an Owlette or BRO (youth ages 11-17) who has embraced their role and demonstrated their commitment to learning about O2’s jewelry opportunity. They not only embody the O2 mission and core values in every aspect of their life, but they also inspire and motivate their peers through positive action.

Nomination:

This Young Entrepreneur was nominated by several of her peers. She has faced tremendous adversity this past year, mainly with her father’s health issues, which have affected her family significantly. This Young Entrepreneur and her sister have stepped up, taken over the family business by themselves to provide for their family, all while working her Origami Owl business on her own. Despite all the challenges and heartache she currently faces, she always shows up for her Young Entrepreneur community and peers.

Here is what a few of her peers wrote about her:

“She always shows up no matter what. I can’t imagine what it’s like to be dealing with her father‘s health issues and running two businesses. Even though she always puts family first, if I message her saying I need help with something, she is right on it. She has so much knowledge of Origami Owl and a passion that shines through everything she does. I am always so excited to see her smiling face and can’t wait to hear what she has to say. The fact that she gets up and shows up every single day is inspiring to me. She works so hard and continuously loves and cares for others’ feelings, which inspires me. I can’t wait to see what she does in this world, as I know whatever she chooses, she is going to make such a big impact.”

“I can’t think of a girl who is more deserving. What she has had to endure with her dad, while still being there for everyone else doing Force For Good initiatives and being so supportive of all Young Entrepreneurs, is just so inspiring to me.”

“Even though she has more than enough on her plate, she’s never been one to complain about any task she’s given and is always willing to help others out. She trains her team consistently, regardless of everything she has going on, and does anything she can to help make sure they succeed. She helps at monthly team meetings and always has a Force For Good give back that she facilitates. She is a true definition of inspiration and spreads light and joy into the lives of everyone she meets.”

Congratulations, Elizabeth Hendrickson, Executive Designer!

“Honored, humbled, surprised, grateful and blessed are some of the emotions I felt when it was announced that I was awarded the Most Inspiring Young Entrepreneur Award,” shares Elizabeth. “When I started at 8 years old helping my mom and sister, I never thought eight years later I’d be here. I’m so blessed to be a part of this community and company. God has blessed me with so much. I’ll never forget this moment and how I felt. Thank you to everyone who has inspired me to become the person I am today.”

Most Inspiring Young Entrepreneur Team Award

The Most Inspiring Young Entrepreneur Team Award is awarded to a Young Entrepreneur team who embodies the O2 mission and core values and has overcome adversity or challenging circumstances. Not only have their achieved success in their O2 jewelry business, but they also serve as a role model for other Young Entrepreneur teams.

Nomination:

This Young Entrepreneur Team live out our mission statement daily. They go above and beyond helping and training other Young Entrepreneurs and Designers to become successful and reach their dreams. They lead monthly meetings specifically for Young Entrepreneurs, either at their home or on Zoom. They also host meetings and holiday parties for any local Designers, not just those on their downline. The Young Entrepreneur on this team can explain everything about our jewelry and how to set up and run events. She’s a wonderful role model for so many, consistently sponsoring and earning the monthly Young Entrepreneur incentives. She has worked alongside her mom since she was 8 years old and was so excited to become an official Young Entrepreneur when she turned 11. She now serves on the Young Entrepreneur Council – a position her team is proud of.

They persevered through tough family circumstances this year and were still successful with their business, (earning the trip for two on the O2 Coastal Vacay incentive trip and the Level Up Leadership Challenge Tier II. They spent weeks away from home, traveling long hours to care for a sick family member. Many times, with only a moment’s notice to jump into the car, knowing they’d be gone for a week or more. They would always grab their inventory so they could continue to work their business while away. Once, they were in the middle of a fundraiser they were working hard on for teachers, and they had to pack up everything they needed to continue the fundraising event.  They did it, they were successful, and they never complained.  They just got done what needed to get done. They are both so compassionate and loving. They do many fundraisers together for teachers, dog rescues and other organizations. When they find something they love, they go full-force and make sure it is a success! The bond between this mother-daughter team is amazing. They are determined, always try to see the bright side of things and spread the O2 love wherever they go!

Congratulations, Sandy & Lily Gast, Executive Team Manager!

“Lily and I are both shocked and honored to have been selected for this award,” shares Sandy. “To be nominated by our peers and selected by the (Origami Owl Co-)Founders is the highlight of our career to date. We love our Origami Owl family and hope to continue to inspire others as we journey on to Think Goodness!”