Archives for June 2010

Isn’t it exciting what the Internet has made available to us? I have to pinch myself regularly when I think about the fact that I can work from home, in my PJs or Yoga pants; at 2 in the afternoon, or 2 in the morning, because I want to!

There is no boss telling me what I should or shouldn’t do. My time is my own to spend with my family! This picture is my daughter and I having fun at a 70s party! I have loved being there for her and my son from the moment they were born!

I started exploring the possibilities of using the Internet to power my business back in October, 1999. It has been a whirlwind journey and I have learned a lot. And, I made a lot of mistakes along the way, but when you think about it – that is how we learn and grow.

Time and financial freedom is something you can’t really explain until you experience it. It totally rocks! And, it is so fun coaching others on how to accomplish this for themselves.

As the Internet grows, and Generation Y and others turn to it to find and start a business, there is so much potential there!

Sometimes people ask me why our family added a Custom Greeting Card business to what we are doing. After all, I already had great success with another company.

Here is why:

As an Online Network Marketer, I generate a lot of leads online. Many are outside of the US and and my goal is to have a business built around the world, primarily using the internet as a tool. My question has always been – “How do I tap into the global economy and opportunities offered by the Internet? And how do I do that NOW?”

I also generate a lot of leads from people looking for a complementary program to their existing one; they want to create multiple income streams and see this opportunity as one they can use to keep in touch with prospects and their growing team.

There are not many programs that truly offer something complementary, except for “lead programs” and most of those have not proven very solid over time.

My true passion is the internet and using these tools to build and coach a successful team. My belief is that the internet is going to do nothing but grow over the rest of my life! I want to be a part of that, in a big way! I want to teach my children how to do this. And, I don’t want anyone telling me that the Internet does not work as a business building tool! It does, and I know how to do it! Do you want to learn?

My son has wanted to start a business; and he knows the power of the internet. How fun to combine my passion with teaching him to have a business of his own! So, we started his business!

I want to develop relationships and work with people all over the world. That was my dream in October, 1999.

This provides a way for me to “have it all!”

I would love to have a conversation with you to see if we might be a business match!

Thanks for stopping by “The Journey.” Before we continue, I would like to introduce myself to you, so you know a little more about me and what I bring to the table.

“Who are you?” you might be asking. “And why are you qualified to assist me in building a business?”

Well, I’m glad you asked, because there is a difference!

First, it’s important to know that I am a very ordinary person, with no special skills or education. In fact, I never finished college. I consider myself “Street Smart”, however, because I am self taught and very passionate and driven about education that interests me. I have never taken a formal computer, web design or internet marketing class.

I wear many hats, probably a lot like you. I am a Professional Direct Sales and Network Marketer; coach and trainer.  I am also a wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, kid’s shuttle service, maid, cook, and more.

I’ve been fortunate in that I had a great career before motherhood and Network Marketing came into the picture. I was in sales and marketing in the airline industry. It was a dream job, traveling the world, wining, dining and wooing travel agents and corporate travelers and doing all of this on an expense account. It was a blast.

Problem is it did not mesh well with motherhood. So, I traded in my traveling boots and expense account for diapers and baby talk. I have not looked back.

I did, however, began to look around, at some point. Motherhood was great, but living on one income is tough. And, my desire to have something of my own led me to begin researching home based businesses.

My father had run his own business since I was very young, and I loved the fact that he made breakfast every day, was home for lunch, and always able to set his schedule around our many events and activities. Entrepreneurship runs in my blood and I was determined to find a fit.

After researching different options, I started a word processing business. I had a computer and put it to work. Small problem – time and money. My income potential rested solely on my ability to produce as well as market my services. Not so easy with a tiny baby.

I went back to my research to determine what would be a better match, without requiring a big capital investment. The options were pretty limited.

All roads seemed to be pointing me to an industry called Network Marketing, MLM or Direct Sales. It seemed to be the best option for me in terms of income potential and time freedom. But, all of the things I was reading were not positive. In fact, there were some serious negatives regarding the industry.

As I furthered my research, though, I did get excited by the stories I read about ordinary people creating extra-ordinary lives through this industry. I liked the idea of self improvement and developing my people skills further. I liked the “team concept” and the ability to improve my own life situation while helping others do the same. It seemed to be a very equitable system.

Finally, after exhausting all other business options and doing as much research as I possibly could, I decided to jump in and get involved in Direct Sales and Network Marketing.

I was an extreme skeptic when I finally started in the industry. I was leery of talking to my family, friends and others and letting them know that I had joined one of those things. One thing I knew, though – I wanted the income and the lifestyle that a Network Marketing business offered. And, I did not want to put my children in day care.

Today, after more than sixteen years in this profession, I have made nearly every mistake that could possibly be made, yet still managed to build a multi-million dollar business, and create a downline of tens of thousands with several different companies.

My passion for the industry grows stronger each and every day and it is empowering to me to pass on some words of wisdom and ideas for how to build your own business smart, professionally and with integrity.

There is only one thing that allowed me to create exactly what I wanted in this industry – commitment.  Commitment is a very powerful word. It does not involve the word “try.”  It is about doing.  Seeing the job through.  No matter how long or how painful it may seem, when you make a commitment, you honor it.

I would like to tell you that the road on my journey has always been smooth, straight and dry.  But, this would be a disservice to us both.

I have wanted to quit a thousand times.  Run into my closet, shut the door and screamed “Why am I doing this to myself?”  Thought to myself that there is no possible way I will ever be a success in Network Marketing.  But, I am. And, I continue on each and every day. As I have grown in this business, I have learned to embrace the “obstacles and challenges” that have presented themselves. These have all been growing experiences and have molded me into the person I am today.

I would love to share this journey with you.