I received a touching letter last month from Direct Jobber Shirley Sundstrom regarding what she describes as “my deceased husband’s GOOD choice.” I have received Shirley’s permission to share it with you here: “In 1976 Leland was first introduced to AMSOIL products by his enthusiastic cousin Raymond Sundstrom, a farmer in Kansas. Being a diehard mechanic and auto parts salesman for years, Leland was skeptical and reluctant to try this new oil in his car. But Raymond kept plugging this AMSOIL idea. While enroute to Kansas for Christmas that year, our car engine developed a noise and, arriving at Raymond’s house, Raymond persuaded Leland to try this new oil product. Primarily to get his cousin off his back, Leland reluctantly allowed him to put it in the car.
“We risked starting home to Ohio with this new oil in our car, not knowing exactly what to expect on the trip. We had not gone more than 25 miles when Leland remarked that the noise had stopped and the car was driving smoother. He discovered the gas mileage improved. Being very pleased with this new product’s performance, he began telling friends at home what his experience had been. They listened to this convincing salesman and wanted to know where they could get some. He came home very excited and said, ‘Nobody in this area sells this stuff. I might as well become a Dealer because three friends are asking for it. If anyone is going to profit from this, it might as well be ME!’
“That decision changed our whole life. He was pleasantly surprised to find himself a Direct Jobber by ’79 and we made the trip to Superior to see this new company and to meet you. We were so impressed and pumped with what we saw and learned. That really began his love affair with AMSOIL. He had confidence in you and your products and was excited to be associated with such quality people and products.
“Over these years, I’ve watched him deliver oil before he went to work, during his lunch break, after work, in evenings — and he loved it! He was planning to retire in two years and go full-time with AMSOIL. He had purchased a motor home so we could travel after retirement and help other people better their lives with these quality products.
“Those dreams, however, came to an abrupt end in late January of this year when Leland died of a brain hemorrhage while holding my hand at our dining room table as I was talking to 911. In the weeks and months that followed, I have endeavored to take over the reins of the computer program AMSWIN and to get acquainted with the fabulous AMSOIL website and to just hand out catalogs. All of this had been HIS love, HIS dream and HIS goals. I had not been deeply involved in the business because my career had been teaching for 34 years and AMSOIL was mostly a ‘guy thing.’
“But, Al, as I have watched my monthly AMSOIL checks come in these six months since Leland’s passing and have observed the growth in volume, I stand in awe that even though Leland is not here, HE IS STILL TAKING CARE OF ME! Thank you, Al, for your foresight in establishing a wonderful company with such quality products that even a widow can benefit from her husband’s legacy after he is gone.
“Thanks again, Al, for giving my husband a dream and me an income! You are awesome in staying focused on quality all these years and allowing us to be a part of YOUR dream! Thank you from the bottom of my heart.” – Shirley Sundstrom I called Shirley to thank her for her kind letter and to ask how she was doing. She was on her way out to deliver some oil and while we spoke, she received an order via fax from one of her commercial accounts.
When Leland passed away, Shirley was challenged to learn the business, and that’s exactly what she has done. Her son recently helped her rearrange her front room so she could hold T-1 classes this month for her downline. Shirley promotes her business in a number of ways. She loves the G-100 catalog and passes them out continuously. She plans to have a booth at a classic car swap meet and she advertises on placemats at a number of local restaurants. Her business is growing and she received the largest commission check ever this year from AMSOIL.
I have received many wonderful letters from Dealers over the years, but few have touched me like this one from Shirley Sundstrom. I had no idea when I started this business that it would prove so beneficial to so many wonderful people. Thank you for your kind words, Shirley.
President and CEO, AMSOIL INC.