Howdy!

I am Doris May from Texas, born and raised in the Houston area. I joined TGC in 2003. My first craft show sold $1300. I was totally in shock and very excited.

This was a miracle because I was working from a wheel chair with limited communication skills. The Gourmet Cupboard is a company that has grown with me. I now only use the chair for comfort and support. My communication is doing very well now.

I have done more and more craft shows over the past few years as well as home shows. And now, I have my very own online store. Every show is fun and profitable. I welcome your questions and offer my support for your success.

My family is myself, my husband of 30 years, my 27 year old navy son, my 23 year old son, Goldie Kitty, and Merlin, my black collie. We live in Conroe, The Woodlands, TX area, just 90 miles northwest of Sour Lake, TX where The Gourmet Cupboard is located.

I am a retired teacher of 20 years in Music (Band, Choir, Elem. Mu.) and Language Arts. I love music, sewing, cooking, and spending time with my family at home, my church family and my Gourmet Cupboard family .

Best Blessings Always,
Doris May





July '08
Distributor of the Month

Doris May is our distributor of the month. She has been with us since the beginning, and she has overcome so much. Her story is so inspiring, and I think you will truly enjoy it.

Starting out!
I started with this company in June of 2005. I found them on the internet along with another company to try my hand at direct sales.

Situation! When I started with the company I was in a real life altering situation. I was in a very slow recovery from an assault at work in October of 2002. (I believe this to be very true, but others were reluctant to go that far in admittance. I WAS IN NO SHAPE TO ARGUE!) As a veteran teacher of 20 years I went to pick up my 6th grade band students to go to the high school across the street for their band class. Coming from the principal’s office toward the front doors I was tripped by one of my students which barreled me the top of my head first into the plate glass window. A teacher friend of mine said it sounded like a shot gun blast through the building. All in all I had a brain injury, spinal cord rubbing from a disc in the neck, traumatized spine, and massive bruising to my upper left leg, and was a mild paraplegic, my body and limbs were very weak. My brain, head, hurt to see, think, listen, hear, talk, and had a bad brain fog as well. Life as I knew it would never be the same.

Quote:
“If you can’t do the best thing then do the next best thing!” L. B. Morris, an old family friend. I remembered this from many years ago. I, of course, was thinking the best thing was to be able to make an immediate full recovery. The next best thing is to get over it and find out what I can do. The faith I learned as a child in our family and friends church became my most important asset.

Outlook:
For almost 2 years my next best thing was to get out of bed without pain and move around for 15 minutes once, twice, 3 or more times a day. For many of my Doctor visits they sent someone to get me. They even drove my husband and I to a hospital in Pasadena, TX for the spinal surgery that April. I tried to drive until my neighbor told my husband it wasn’t a good idea. But when I did get to moving the first thing I wanted was some good food and something to do to get my mind and body active again. So, one day when playing free cell I stopped and went to the internet. I remembered that in college I used to sell Stanley Home Products. So I went looking for home businesses on the net. One day I found this company called, Gourmet To Go! There was another one too. They both didn’t have a sign up fee.

Testimony: I started my new business. Melissa and Judy were the friendliest voices in the real world I had heard in a while. And they were very positive and encouraging. I started by having some shows in my own home. There was no way I could have done it any other place. I still couldn’t stand for long so I scooted around the kitchen in a kitchen chair making the mixes, Mexican meatloaf, Honey Pecan Chicken, Key Lime Pie, and such. You might say these were my coming out parties. My son loved the Honey Pecan Chicken so much that He ate it all before the second party of the day because he thought my parties for the day were over. I laughed so hard cause it was so cute. He is 6’7” and always hungry.

First gigs:
My first big gig was at Klein UMC. Judy and Melissa were just getting the company off the ground and said they would help me. They brought the mixes with baskets and everything. I was so touched and moved by their open generosity that I was going to do all that I could to make a good show. By this time I was able to maneuver a wheel chair without too much pain as long as I just sat in it mostly. My son, the hungry one, and my husband loaded me up and unloaded me at the church, He set up everything. I know now that God was in this wonderful event. I sat there and the customers came to me. They shopped bagged and even helped me calculate my sales at times. After two days we had sold around $1300 dollars. I took the remainder mixes with the help of my mom back to Sour Lake. When I got home I was in the bed for 2 weeks. I then realized I still could do something. I think I can do one of the every other month. Now, I was going to focus on my abilities and not my disabilities.

Presently!
My husband and I enjoy watching the sun come up everyday. My oldest son is in the Navy. My youngest and tallest son still likes to eat and doesn’t want to leave home. LOL I am now a team leader. I do drive! I have done many craft shows. I still get help but not as much as I did in the beginning. I still have to rest one to several days after each show. But, I do love it. I look forward to many years with these wonderful new sisters and business associates.10/4 Good Ladies

Best Blessings Always,
Doris Ashford May