Melaleuca CEO Frank VanderSloot encourages ISU students to help others and find happiness

POCATELLO – If you want to have a good life or business, help other people reach their goals.

That was the message from Melaleuca CEO Frank VanderSloot Tuesday afternoon to hundreds of students, faculty and others at Idaho State University.

VanderSloot addressed a packed crowd in the Student Union Building as part of the ISU College of Business Wells Fargo Speaker Series. He spoke about setting goals, the mission of Melaleuca and the importance of achieving happiness.

“The most common element people have, regardless of the path they take, is they want to live a happy life,” VanderSloot said.

VanderSloot shared four principles he believes lead to happiness. They include good health, strong relationships, resources and living within bounds of what is right and wrong.

“When I talk about resources, I’m not talking about wealth,” VanderSloot said. “I mean the ability to go and do and experience things. It’s not the ability to have and accumulate stuff because having stuff doesn’t bring happiness.”

VanderSloot said he’s learned that every person, regardless of nation, culture or religion, has similar boundaries as to what is right and wrong.

“Honesty – we all value that,” VanderSloot exclaimed. “And we will like who we are only if we live within the boundaries of what we believe is right and wrong.”

VanderSloot said Melaleuca has always tried to do what is right and that’s one reason his company is doing so well.

“We provided 1.3 billion in sales last year, we are in 14 countries, and in China alone we’ll enroll over 130,000 customers this month,” VanderSloot said. “It’s just an explosion.”

One hundred and nineteen Idaho State University Alumni work for Melaleuca, according to VanderSloot, and the CEO said he is always looking for “the best and the brightest.”

“Regardless of what you do, be the best you can be in what you do,” VanderSloot said. “This is the only life we’re ever going to have. We can make a difference.”