Mom of Six Powered By At-Home Job

When licensed social worker and Natick native Lea Christo had her fifth and sixth kids concurrently, she knew her life would never be the same. She knew going back to work full-time with six kids, including two sets of twins, would not be financially feasible or practical.

As a result, she decided to become an independent distributor with Shaklee, a 54-year-old company that had helped her mom, who had been suffering with polio.

Shaklee specializes in green cleaning products and nutritional supplements. The company developed AstroAde, a rehydration beverage, for NASA, and Olympic athletes have used some of its products.

"My mom was involved with Shaklee years ago, so I was familiar with their products," said Christo, a Natick native who now resides in Holden. "I had no intention of starting my own business when I first rediscovered them after my mom's death, but I knew that I would never clean my house with another product."

"We believe nature holds the answers to a long, healthy, productive life," the company website reads.

Christo said she feels strongly about caring for the world and working toward better health through prevention.

"Caring for the planet and ourselves is the right thing to do," Christo said. "All health is related to the environment we live in and we're all connected to one another: the earth, the universe and human life."

Christo, a licensed social worker, said she knows the importance of preventative health care.

"All we can control is our own choices about our health," Christo said. "My mom started using supplements back when modern medicine had nothing to offer her."

Today, holistic approaches are more accepted and Christo believes that with Shaklee supplements you can feel better, faster.

"It is very gratifying to me to have someone come to me in as little as 30 days feeling better," Christo said, "as opposed to some of the other modalities I used as a social worker that would take much longer."

Christo also finds it very empowering to be able to offer others a job in this economy.

"It is so gratifying to me to teach people to be in charge of their own future," Christo said. "Whether it be college kids seeking work or out-of-work adults, I feel good knowing I can offer them access to a career income through a good, solid company."

Christo acknowledges that there are many start-up companies out there, but she feels that Shaklee's long record of success speaks for itself.

"This group has a track record that a cynic like me needs validated," Christo said. "When people need nutritional advice they call Shaklee. Their products are top shelf and they are making a difference with not only NASA and Olympic athletes, but everyday people too."

They are also making a difference to this mom of six who is now making a living without leaving her children.

"That's the biggest gift of all," Christo noted, "I can work this business around my family, and I have all the energy I need to successfully execute my day."

To learn more about Christo or Shaklee, visit www.waytogo.myshaklee.com or email leachristo@gmail.com.