The product that changed one entrepreneur's life

SPIRIT LAKE - It all began about two years ago. It was the week before Christmas 2008, and Karen VanderLaan was having a multitude of tests done in the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. She feared for the worst: cancer. Fortunately, it wasn't cancer; but it was the catalyst that changed her life.  

VanderLaan was a stressed out Realtor with constant heartburn, little energy and bad sleeping patterns. She had tried every diet and health gimmick available. And still, she was at her heaviest weight. A co-worker watched VanderLaan's health deteriorate, and introduced her to Isagenix. In February 2009, she ordered the products, and eight weeks later, she had lost 35 pounds, 35 inches off her frame, and felt like she was back in her 20s. Her energy level soared, she could sleep through the night, and her cravings for junk food disappeared.

VanderLaan is now an Executive Independent Consultant with Isagenix International, a world leader in nutritional cleansing. "This business chose me," she said. After she began using Isagenix, people started asking her what she was doing. And she was more than happy to share her story. She coaches people on the product systems that are used to cleanse, replenish and revitalize the body, leading to good vibrant health. The word Isagenix means "balanced life."  

"Isagenix is a no compromise product," said VanderLaan. It contains all natural products that come from all over the world. "It's not a diet," she reminded. It is a complete nutritional cleansing and replenishing product; think of it as meal replacement. It is health and wellness for any age, made of the purest natural products with no harmful stimulants.  

 "People are looking for a way to get healthy again," said VanderLaan. "People say they can't afford to be healthy. I say, 'Can you afford to be sick?'"  

Isagenix has many Product Paks, including Athlete Paks, Healthy Lifestyle Paks, Fat Burning System, Diabetes Friendly Paks and Heart Healthy Paks, as well as male, female and youth paks.  

Every other week VanderLaan holds informative meetings at Supreme Kitchens in Spirit Lake where attendees can come and learn about Isagenix. The next meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 30. On Thursday, March 24, a Health and Wellness Clinic will be held at Arrowwood Resort in Okoboji, with Isagenix representatives from Arizona, Kansas City and Minneapolis. The event will begin at 6 p.m.

For more information, email Karen VanderLaan or call her at 

712-320-5628. She will do one-on-one meetings with anyone, including taste testing and giving information on the different products.  

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The Iowa Lakes Corridor is proud to launch the Women in Business Club. To join, a woman must own her own business and want to meet with other women in business to share ideas, challenges, successes and grow professional relationships. Those interested in joining should email Pat McGill or call her at 712-332-2965, or Jean Tennant at 712-490-5165. Women from throughout the Corridor region are encouraged to attend these meetings. 

SPENCER - Before the 2011 University of Okoboji Winter Games, Iowa Lakes Corridor staff was busy deciding which ad to use in the Okobojian, a tab printed in Spencer. A never-before-used ad was chosen, showing a young man jumping into the icy water during the Polar Plunge.

In another country, on another continent, half a world away, Storm Lake native Jeffrey Demers was serving his country supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. His parents sent him the Okobojian so he could catch up on the events of University of Okoboji's Winter Games. As he turned the pages, he saw a full-page ad on page 13 showing a young man jumping in the Polar Plunge. He realized he was looking at a picture of himself!

Demers quickly contacted the Iowa Lakes Corridor via email. "Just when I was a little upset that I had to miss Winter Games due to a deployment, I was actually in the hands of many reading the top stories," he wrote.

Demers and his family have always been affiliated with the Iowa Lakes Corridor region. His grandparents lived on East Lake Okoboji, and his family recently purchased a lot in Spirit Lake with the intention of building.

Kathy Evert, president and CEO of the Iowa Lakes Corridor, responded to Demers, saying, "We never envisioned this year's ad to impact someone in the way it touched you, and we're happy that it helped you during this time that you are so far away from home."

Demers wrote again, saying, "Page 13 has been in my cargo pocket of my uniform since the day that I received it, just as a reminder as to what I get to go back home for! I often find myself taking it out glancing at the photo and just 'smiling.'"

Corridor staff then compiled a care package that included a University of Okoboji Winter Games sweatshirt donated by the Iowa Great Lakes Chamber of Commerce, snacks and other items. A flash drive with a digital copy of the ad was also included in the package.

In his most recent email, Demers said, "I will be hanging the Winter Games sweatshirt in the tent next to my photo! My time is drawing to an end over here for this tour, I have a projected date of April 15^th to fly back to the US. Excited as ever, hopefully everything will be in full swing in the lakes area and the walleye are biting!"

Corridor staff will arrange to finally meet Demers in person once he arrives back in the area.