FEATURE
Kristian Hoenicke—a self-described serial entrepreneur—can trace the beginnings of his journey to Melaleuca to a childhood experience that has proven definitional. At the tender age of 12, his father dropped him off at the Travis Air Force Base library with one instruction: go learn a skill. The oldest of nine children in a military family living on base in Northern California, Kristian knew his parents’ limited income would never provide the luxuries in life he dreamed of. So he checked out a book on small engine repair and got to work repairing and reselling the more than 40 lawn mowers he found left behind by recently deployed soldiers. Kristian quickly expanded his vision and convinced his dad to drive him around the base to find other things he could repair and resell—bicycles, string trimmers, chainsaws, and other items with small motors. “In just a matter of weeks, I had a giant operation in my parents’ backyard!” he remembers. “I would bring everything I had ready out to the front yard and put out a sign and see what I could sell. I made pretty good money for a 12-year-old!” But Kristian didn’t stop there. He expanded his business to include repairing household items as well. Then he went into business with his younger brothers handling seven newspaper routes and mowing lawns in the summer. The lawn care operation became so successful that they had to hire additional neighbor kids to keep up with the demand! Kristian was such as a successful young entrepreneur that he was able to buy his first car before he even learned to drive. Everything about Kristian’s work ethic and personality pointed to a future of success. In fact, he was so focused on the future of his business ventures that he almost missed the best thing that ever happened to him: meeting Kristin. Getting in the Boat Together While Kristian’s youth was defined by his passion for fixing things and making money, Kristin had other interests. She grew up a couple states away developing her love for music—especially singing and playing the piano. The summer after graduating from high school, she flew from her home in Newcastle, Washington, to a music school in Indiana. That’s when she was first introduced to Kristian. “I didn’t like him,” Kristin remembers. “And the only reason I ever thought about him again was because my roommate had a crush on him and wouldn’t stop talking about him!” “The funny part is that I didn’t notice her,” Kristian adds. “I don’t remember meeting her at all. I was the weirdo who was too focused
16 JULY 2022 | MELALEUCA.COM
These results are not typical. Consult the Annual Income Statistics on page 58 for typical results.
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