In a recent episode of Transformational Leadership TV, I had the pleasure of interviewing Annette “Nettie” Tomlinson, a remarkable leader who has dedicated her life to making a positive impact in her community. Nettie’s journey is nothing short of inspiring, and her work with Transformation Tables has touched countless lives.
Nettie’s giving spirit shines through her various endeavors. She’s an accomplished author, speaker, and entrepreneur. Having achieved the esteemed title of SuperStar Director with Scentsy is a testament to her dedication and leadership skills.
Driven by her passion for empowering others to succeed, Nettie finds fulfillment in her role as a Scentsy Independent Consultant and Transformation Table facilitator through the Transformation Tupelo community transformation initiative.
Before her success in the business world, Nettie dedicated 29 years of her life to serving at the Tupelo Children’s Mansion, where she held the esteemed position of Director of Sponsor Relations. Her unwavering commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of others is evident in her long-standing tenure at the organization.
Personal Transformation and Community Impact
During our conversation, Nettie shared how she got started with Transformation Tupelo through an unexpected yet profoundly personal experience within her own family. It began when her children started participating in Transformation Tables. One day, Nettie received text messages, thanking her for being a good listener. This piqued her interest, and she became curious about what these tables were truly about.
Then, witnessing the positive transformation in her children’s behavior, like her college age son taking initiative to get his contractors license, Nettie felt compelled to attend her first Transformation Table session. She was immediately impacted.
She realized that true transformation starts from within. Nettie emphasized the importance of self-transformation before one can make a significant impact on others. “We cannot transform other people’s lives if we are not continuously transformed ourselves,” she said.
This realization led her to fully immerse herself in the Transformation Tables process, learning the values and then taking specific action to live them out. The lessons that were most impactful to Nettie were forgiveness, listening, and initiative.
In the initiative lesson, she was reminded she can do big things. She began to change her mindset to take initiative daily. To make a difference in her business and in her community, she said she has to wake up every day and do the work. Nettie learned that to make the biggest impact, it takes a tremendous amount of personal initiative.
As she saw her own life transform she became dedicated in facilitating countless Transformation Tables within her business and in her community to bring that same transformation to others.
“We cannot teach transformation if we do not live in transformation,” Nettie reflected.
Overcoming Challenges and Spreading the Word
One of the key messages Nettie conveyed was the simplicity and effectiveness of Transformation Tables. She noted that people often find it hard to believe that something so simple could be so powerful.
“The program is so simple that people almost don’t comprehend,” Nettie explained. However, the beauty of Transformation Tables lies in their accessibility and the profound impact they can have on individuals and communities.
Nettie’s passion for Transformation Tables is evident in her relentless efforts to spread the word and get more people involved. She spoke about the challenges she faces, such as getting in front of the right people and overcoming skepticism.
Yet, her determination never wavers. “The challenge is just getting through the red tape and getting in the right rooms with the right people. And that takes discipline, and you just have to fight for it because you believe in the program so much,” she said.
Advice for Aspiring Changemakers
As we were closing our conversation, Nettie offered advice to those who want to make a difference but have never experienced Transformation Tables.
“First, transform yourself. Go through the tables…so that [you] can first be transformed” she encouraged.
Nettie believes that once individuals experience their own transformation, they will naturally want to share this powerful tool with others, creating a ripple effect of positive change.
Nettie Tomlinson’s journey is a testament to the power of self-transformation and the impact one person can have on their community.
Her dedication to spreading the message of Transformation Tables is truly inspiring, and I am grateful for the opportunity to share her story. As Nettie so beautifully put it, “If you have such a big gift, you wanna give that gift away and bless other people.”
Let’s all take a page from Nettie’s book and seek our own transformation so that we can make a difference in the world around us.
Watch the full interview with Nettie on Transformational Leadership TV.