Pounamu Skelton

Pounamu is a New Zealand doTERRA Silver Leader living in New Plymouth. She found doTERRA in June 2017 and since then has actively been creating her doTERRA Business and completely embodying the essential oils.

Pounamu was first introduced to doTERRA at a Women’s Lifestyle Expo, she was a stallholder working with another company. “On my lunchbreak I went for a look around the other stalls. My back was aching from standing all day in ridiculous shoes when I was drawn to the doTERRA stand.  I met the wonderful Platinum Leader, New Zealand Founder and my upline Jo Worrall who happily rolled and massaged Ice Blue onto my back. Within minutes the pain drained away from my body leaving a feeling of relief and intrigue of what had just occurred. I ended up sitting in the doTERRA booth for over an hour and was completely absorbed by the essential oils. I was smelling, rolling and soaking up all I could about these amazing oils.”

This first time experience of doTERRA was so profound and special for Pounamu that she felt like she had arrived home and didn’t want to leave. With total distraction she went back to her stall with excitement and anticipation. “I arrived home and researched madly about the company, Co-Impact Sourcing and the different oils and blends available. I would stay up into the wee hours gathering information with a surge of excitement awaiting in anticipation for my appointment with Jo.”

Essential oils and aromatherapy was not a new concept for Pounamu, as she was trained as an Aroma Therapist over 20 years ago. She felt a sense of familiarity and knowledge about the oils. But within the first 6 months in doTERRA she experienced a massive learning curve about essential oils. 

“I was loving soaking up the new knowledge and experimenting on anyone that was keen to try. The biggest game changer was being able to add essential oils to my cooking. This opened up a whole new world of creativity and exploration. I learned early on that two drops of Oregano essential oil in the Bolognaise was one too many!”

Pounamu is a teacher of Kai Oranga or ‘Organic Gardening’, which focuses on raising awareness of the relationship between the food that people eat and their overall health and aims to rebuild and re-insert knowledge that relates to traditional and contemporary food, sustainable practices, food production and management. 

“I fell in love with adding these pure vibrational plant compounds to my smoothies, water, salsa and lime to my salad dressing. The Mauri or ‘Life Force’ of the plant compounds bring so much energy and vibrancy to every dish.”

 Pounamu opened up about some key moments throughout her journey to becoming a New Zealand doTERRA Silver Leader.

“My journey to Silver meant teaching lots of classes both online and offline and following up with people who I had provided samples to. We have a proverb in Maori culture which states ‘Mauri Mahi Mauri Ora’. It means to do the work and receive the goodness. I regularly listened to personal development leader Jim Rohn’s podcast called ‘Building Your Networking Marketing Business’. I would listen to the podcast out in the garden whilst I was weeding or planting Kai. Every time I listened to John I learned a new golden nugget of wisdom. It was these pearls of wisdom that informed my action or reaction to all those unexpected challenges that you face as you start to grow a team. I am grateful to my leadership team of Dr Martha Nessler, Natalie Cutler-Welsh and Jo Worrall for guidance, bold leadership and belief in me and the company.”

One of the changes along Pounamu’s journey is that her husband Shane Cassidy has joined her in the business. They hit the road together and started teaching classes across the country, stopping off to enjoy a hot pool along the way. “It is great to do the business together and travel, teach and network. Shane was learning on the job and sharing his own amazing oil experience.” 

Pounamu offers her insight and helpful tips to other Wellness Advocates starting out to assist them with the creation and building of their business. 

“Establish a strong relationship with the oils so you have an irreversible belief in them. Do this by experimenting with the oils and expanding yourself to try new diffuser blends every day, try new rollerball blends and use oils on yourself every day. Grow your oil repertoire and your belief so that you can serve others with conviction.

Block out the noise and distractions that keep you from your goals. Make a plan and put it into action.  Let go of trying to be perfect and let your passion and love for the oils shine through. Admit when you don’t know something and either refer to an app, reference book or your upline. Always recommend adding Fractionated Coconut oil to their enrolment order. 

Adopt a ‘We are in this together’ rather than ‘I am out for myself’ attitude towards your doTERRA business. 

Most importantly, enjoy the Journey.”

Every Sunday, Pounamu creates space to plan and prepare for the week ahead. She ensures all of the important things are scheduled in, such as a regular mindset practice, daily practice of self-love and personal development. She believes these three things are essential tools to success. 

“As we think so we become – whether you choose meditation, incantations or affirmation practice the choice is yours, but the important thing is to keep strengthening your subconscious mind so your vision is manifesting. The practice of self-love can be as simple as applying oils to your feet as you hop into bed, setting yourself up for a deep relaxing sleep”.

Pounamu stays motivated by continual education about essential oils and deepening the learning and relationship with the oils. “Share the knowledge so you can empower others to benefit. Participate in leaders’ calls and mentorship so you can connect with other like-minded people. Use oils daily for their daily vibration. Grow your own team of oil lovers so you are part of a growing community. Inspire and empower others to step into their greatness and in return you will be fulfilled and success will follow”.   

Pounamu has created a beautiful ritual around using her favourite doTERRA essential oils.

Yarrow|Pom

“I love the radiant blue colour. I add 2 drops into my palm and enough moisturiser to cover my face and neck. Massage lovingly into your gorgeous face inviting the Yarrow Pom to nourish and bring Mauri into your skin. Soak up the feeling of self-love that this gorgeous combination of yarrow and pomegranate gifts to your skin. Inhale the palms of your skin and feel your skin glow. This ritual I do every morning and night.”