THE MOTHER NATURE

THE FAMILY GROOVE’S PROFILE OF A MOM WHO’S MAKING IT HAPPEN

Gone are the days of the traditional coffee clutch, because at THE FAMILY GROOVE, we’re doing it new
school, bringing people together to laugh, learn, share and commiserate in the global village called the
Internet.

We love a good start-up success story—especially when it comes complete with jewelry! Meet
Deborah McNaughton, mother of two and founder of AZULI SKYE, a gem of a home jewelry party
company that’s adorning the nation. And it’s no wonder to us, really, that her bedazzling business is taking off. The company’s tagline, “Endless Possibilities,” seems to say it all about Deb and her vision. Her positivity and enthusiasm are palpable and infectious—and so refreshing in these fill-in-the-blank times.

Here, Deb talks about the power of dreaming big, the importance of knowing that you can do anything and the need to stick to your to-do list.

Deb McNaughton 1. Who are you?
Deborah McNaughton, AZULI SKYE founder and president

2. How old are you?
41

3. Where do you live?
Apex, N.C.

4. How many children do you have? How old?
Two children, 7 and 9

5. What time do you get up?
7 a.m. My children don’t let me sleep any later.

6. What daily rituals must you do to feel normal?
I have a cup of tea or two.

7. What do you wish you’d do every day, but haven’t been able to incorporate into your routine?
Work out every day—I manage to work out a few times a week, but not every day.

8. Do you work?
Yes.

9. What do you do?
I’m the founder and president of AZULI SKYE. I’m also the lead jewelry designer.

10. Tell us about it.
AZULI SKYE is a party-plan jewelry company (think of a modern version of Tupperware). I work with our independent consultants across the country to help them be more successful.

11. What’s the best thing your mother ever told you?
Live by the Golden Rule—treat others as you would like to be treated—not just when you feel like it, but every day in every situation.

McNaughton Family 12. What does being a good mother mean?
Spending time with my children doing things they love. Not just being in the same place, but really getting to know them.

13. What’s your mantra/personal philosophy?
Live your life to the fullest! Have a really huge vision. Dream big! We are able to achieve anything we set out to, but we have to know it’s possible first.

14. What do you tell other mothers?
Take time for yourself. As moms, we’re so focused on everyone that sometimes we forget to take care of ourselves. Find a career that fits in with your family’s schedule. I believe you can have it all: time for your family, time for yourself and a rewarding career as well.

15. Finish this sentence: I want my children to know…
…that they can be anything they want to be in life. All it takes is a dream!

16. Who inspires you?
My family! My children make it all worthwhile and my husband is amazing. Last year, I fell and broke both my arms so severely that I had plates put in both wrists and oral surgery to replace damaged teeth. My husband, Allan, took care of me and the kids and even got our new business up and running almost single-handedly. I couldn’t even brush my hair—can you imagine? But my husband didn’t miss a beat.

17. What are you passionate about?
Helping other women live their dreams and offering them the opportunity to reach financial freedom while maintaining flexibility of their time.

18. How do you balance your life as a woman, a mother, a friend?
I take time for myself every day—to reflect and plan. When my children come home from school, I sit with them for a few minutes to learn about their day. We have dinner most every day as a family. I don’t have any trouble fitting friends into my life. They are the icing on the cake that makes everything else so yummy.

19. What do you wish you knew then that you know now?
I wish I had delegated more in the past. My accident forced me to delegate everything, and I found out life is much easier when you let others do the things they are better at. Learning to delegate has freed up a lot of time for me to focus on the tasks I can’t delegate, and I have more time for my family and friends.

20. How do you get into your groove?
I start each day with a to-do list and I stick to it. I like to think of it as an accomplishment list. I reward myself as I complete the tasks on the list. Without a list, I might get distracted from the important things I need to get done.

For more from Deborah, go to www.azuliskye.com.