This time last year, I was fairly new to the Thermomix business. My consultant and old school friend – Karina, had just hit a huge milestone: she qualified for Thermofest 2024! I can still picture myself at work, iPad propped up on my desk, secretly streaming the event live while cheering her on from afar. I sent her a message in awe, and she replied with five little words that stuck with me: “You’ll be here next year.”
I loved hearing that, but it felt almost laughable. Me? At Thermofest? In my first year? It seemed like a dream far too big to even reach for…
What is Thermofest?
1. Team Turbo at White Night 2. White Night at the Sheraton on the beach 3. Team Turbo at the Seminar 4. Aspire Branch at Gala Night 5. Making memories at Malamala Island 6. Team Turbo ready for Mixchella at the Sofitel
For those who don’t know, Thermofest is an annual, all-expenses-paid conference for consultants and team leaders who qualify. Every year, it’s held in an incredible location. This year was Fiji.
Thermofest is more than just a free trip. It’s the company’s way of saying thank you. It’s a celebration of hard work, connection, and community.
Here’s what this year’s Thermofest looked like;
- Welcome Party – A White Night themed welcome party with a smorgasbord of Fijian food, dancing, a kava ceremony, fire dancers, and fireworks.
- Seminar Day – Packed with awards, new MixShop launches, exciting announcements, and inspiring talks.
- Gala Night – A glamourous evening inspired by the Fijian sunset, with a 3-course meal and ended the night with more dancing.
- Activity Day – We had the choice to have a free day or choose one of three activities. Options included an island trip, zip lining or snorkelling.
- Mixchella – a take on the music festival Coachella, they went all out on our last night of Thermofest. We had an endless line of foods from all over the world; Italian, French, Middle Eastern and of course Fijian. It was nothing short on wow and one of the best nights of music and dance.
These events are nothing short of a celebration, I felt like a celeb walking into each meticulously planned event. It’s the ultimate reward, with lots of fun to be had, friendships to be made, and memories that stay with you forever.
And I think the best of it all, is that you get to connect with consultants from all over Australia and New Zealand. Some I had quietly admired online, already knew who I was too! It reminded me how wide and supportive this Thermomix family really is – one of the many reasons why I love this business.
My Why – Finding Myself Again
Becoming a mama changes everything. Your world flips upside down, your priorities shift, and while your heart grows, it can feel like pieces of you get lost in the process.
Since joining Thermomix, I’ve felt glimmers of that old me, while also discovering a stronger, more confident version of myself. Every demo I hosted gave me back confidence, purpose and joy.
My start wasn’t easy. It was a slow burn, and the missed goals really stung. Still, my passion for food and the way Thermomix helped me share that passion, kept me moving forward. I wanted to show my girls that mama can dream, chase big goals and achieve them. So, slowly but surely, I began to rebuild confidence, find momentum, and rediscover that version of me that I thought I had lost.
The Goals That Felt Impossible
or just another ‘standard’ TM6. The suspense is real ✨📦😂
At our first branch meeting of 2025, the destination for Thermofest was announced, along with a super incentive: the chance to earn a limited-edition sparkling white TM6. Only 350 across Australia and New Zealand to be earned.
Of course, my heart was set on Thermofest. But driving home from that meeting, my heart sank. Even earning that sparkling TM6 felt so out of reach. Still, I set the goal.
Those months became a whirlwind of demos, conversations and determination. I loved getting out, meeting people, sharing food stories, and showing how a Thermomix could transform their kitchens. It gave me connection, joy and a sense of purpose outside of being “just mama”. And the kindness and support I received along the way reminded me how much good there still is in the world.
I think this is where perspective really changed for me. This was the point in my journey I realised I could do it all and achieve it all. I didn’t just earn the sparkling TM6 – I also finished my booster program (hello, another free TM6) AND earned the brand new TM7. I had earned not just one, but THREE Thermomixes in a span of a week! Me!!! The same mama who once thought she couldn’t do it!
Now all that was left was to keep powering on and get to Fiji!
The Last Hour, The Last Sale
June 2025 rolled round, and it quite literally came down to the last hour. I needed one more sale to qualify for Thermofest!
On the very last morning of the qualification period, my Team Leader rang me to check in. By then, I’d already made peace with the idea that I was one sale short and wouldn’t quite make it. While we were chatting, I thought of one lovely customer I’d been keeping in touch with for months – it hadn’t been the right time for her earlier in the year, so I thought I’d give it one last shot. I gave her a call, and that conversation ended with the words I’ll never forget: ‘Charmaine, you’re going to Fiji!’ I’m beyond grateful – not only to her, but to every single person who has supported me on this journey. Without you, I wouldn’t be here today.
At 11pm on the very last night of qualification, it finally happened… I officially qualified for Thermofest 2025! My teammates, Team Leader, and even my Branch Development Manager were right there with me, on the edge of their seats, sharing every moment of the suspense. The joy and relief were just as real for them as they were for me. I’ll be forever grateful for my Thermomix family – their encouragement made this milestone even more special, and without them, half the emotions I’m feeling right now wouldn’t even exist.
I’ll never forget that moment: shock, disbelief, tears streaming down my face. The dream I thought was impossible was suddenly real. I was going to Thermofest!
Why Incentives Matter More Than You Think
Another element to this business that I love is that it continues to challenge me, it pushes me to grow, and celebrates the wins along the way. The incentives along the way make getting to those big goals even easier. Most are small incentives but there was one giant one in the midst of qualifying for Thermofest and that was the Gladiator Challenge.
Now that Thermomix Australia and New Zealand is part of the global Vorwerk family, we get to join international competitions. The Gladiator Challenge was a worldwide challenge with massive bonuses on the line – including a $10,000 bonus to be earned in just five weeks!
My earlier self would’ve said, “no way you’ll reach that”. But as I did before, I set the goal anyway. And somehow, surprised again by how I did it, I achieved it! That $10k helped me turn Thermofest into our first overseas family holiday.
Because of incentives like these, I’m constantly inspired to strive for more. Not just in business, but in life. Being part of this journey has been truly life-changing. It’s given me the gift of staying home with my girls while still having something that’s mine – something that fills my cup, gives me purpose, and makes me feel accomplished. The extra income means I can contribute to things that bring joy to our family, from holidays together to my next big goal: renovating our kitchen.
What This Journey Has Given Me
Thermofest wasn’t just a trip. It was a reminder of how far I’ve come and everything I have achieved. It gave me a break from mum life, a chance to learn, connect, and be inspired. It gave me unforgettable memories with like-minded men and women. And most of all, it gave me the joy of being celebrated and valued.
I mean, c’mon! What workplace sends you overseas, showers you in learning opportunities, throws glamorous gala dinners, and fills your days with laughter, food and cocktails?
That tiny glimmer I felt when I first started has now grown in to a full blown flame and I know it’ll only burn brighter from here.
The beauty of this business is that you can grow at your own pace, with a whole village behind you cheering you on. There’s no pressure, no obligation – just endless encouragement and support. Right now, there’s an incredible opportunity to take the next step, and I’m seriously considering taking the plunge into Team Leader… watch this space.
My Message To You
Everyone has their own journey in life, and it’s without a doubt so much more meaningful (and fun) when you have people who inspire you and believe in you, cheer you on.
If you’ve been thinking about joining Thermomix, now is the time. There are incredible opportunities available at the moment. If you’re just starting and finding your feet – don’t give up. I promise it gets better.
And to those that are setting their own goals and creating their own dreams – persistence is key. Chase it, work for it, and believe in it, even when it feels impossible. Because one day, like me, you’ll look back and realise… you did it! And it’s the best bloody feeling in the world!
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