CEO of $200 Million Company Leaves Business to Serve Mission

Two weeks ago, Stampin’ Up! CEO and co-founder Shelli Gardner stood in the center of a well-lit stage in Orlando. She’s broken news to their independent demonstrators many times during the company’s 27-year history, but this announcement was different.

This speech wasn’t about finances, compensations or product rollouts. For the company with revenues in the millions — as in, hundreds of millions — plus 450 employees and more than 40,000 demonstrators in 10 countries, this announcement was about something much more valuable.

With 1,600 in the audience and thousands more watching online, most of whom are not members of their faith, Gardner revealed that she and her husband Sterling are stepping down from the company to step up to a fulltime mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

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