One of the things that gives me pleasure is watching women come into their own; that time in life when women find something special that gives them pride and satisfaction outside of their family.

“Who knew purses and perfume would be the vehicle to get me back to what I find satisfying? It’s been my lifeline.”

Before Mary Ellen Clarkson started her family, she taught 4th and 5th grade. When her children came along—now 15, 20 and 21—she stepped away to raise them and volunteer in the community. As happens with many women, Mary Ellen found herself caring not just for her children and husband of 24 years, but her parents as well. Subsequently her mother died, and her father has dementia. Mary Ellen found herself depleted, without anything extra to give anyone.

At a get together with some high school friends, Mary Ellen discovered she was having fun, a feeling that had been missing for a longtime. One of her friends had a fabulous bag she admired, the “Carmen Clutch,” from the India Hicks collection, a chic lifestyle brand sold through entrepreneurial women at home and online. Mary Ellen’s girlfriend was an “Ambassador” for India Hicks. If the name India Hicks sounds familiar, it should. She is literally design royalty.

A former model and author, India is the daughter of David Hicks, 60’s jet-set chic interior designer and Lady Pamela Mountbatten Hicks, first cousin of the Duke of Edinburgh. India was a bridesmaid in Lady Diana’s wedding to Prince Charles, who is her godfather.

The day after meeting with her high school friends, Mary Ellen saw an opportunity to get out of the survival mode of caring for her parents and family and get back into life.

“I didn’t know a lot about India Hick’s story. I’d just seen the one bag, but I knew I had to do this,” said Mary Ellen. “I jumped in with both feet, and I’m so glad I did. This was my lifeline back into life.

“When I first started, I just wanted to have a party and sell India Hicks pieces. But now that I’ve been doing this for a year, what I really love is mentoring and coaching the new women who signup to be Ambassadors. It’s rewarding, walking with them through their journey. I get to use what I loved about teaching. Who knew purses and perfume would be the vehicle to get me back to what I find satisfying?”

Now a Senior Director for India Hicks, Mary Ellen has nine Ambassadors directly under her and they, in turn, have brought in other Ambassadors, so Mary Ellen has 32 women she helps. As compensation she receives 25% of what she sells; a 10% product credit program on everything she sells that allows her to buy samples of next year’s India Hicks collection, plus a percentage of the sales of the women under her.

“We do video calls with all of the women, recognize those who’re outstanding and offer encouragement and teaching. The community of women who’ve become Ambassadors are encouraging, supportive, hardworking and talented. I’m so thankful to be on this adventure with India Hicks.”

Explore the India Hicks collection and let Mary Ellen Clarkson be your personal shopper. I’ve already bought some beautiful things for the girlfriends on my Christmas list. Speaking of girlfriends… Good girlfriends support and lift up other women, so please shop from Mary Ellen’s India Hicks link so we can help her build her business. And shop before December 16th so your things will be delivered before Christmas!