Happy Boss's Day!

So I woke up this morning to different post on Facebook about today being Boss's Day. I have to say I got a laugh at some of the post. But a few minutes later my mother-in-law called. I can say I am blessed to have a mother-in-law that I love and look forward to our conversations. For those of you who do not know my mother-in-law she is a spunky, energetic 81 year old who will tell you she has never had a boss. She became a hairdresser over 50 years ago! She has always believed no one will ever pay you what you are worth. She went on to tell me how she knew she didn't want a boss telling her she could only make a certain amount of money. When African American women that she knew were making only $15 a week, cleaning and cooking for someone else, she would make more in a day than her friends would in a week. She also believes in the Network Marketing Industry and chose to have her own business years ago and made a huge success of it.

She says that we in the U.S. have it so easy but take education and work for granted and realizes why many come from other countries and are able to take advantage of any and all opportunities to make a success of their lives. With today being Bosses day and I have no boss to thank. I thank my mother-in-law for confirming to me and my family that being your own boss is the best way to go only if you will do the work and then you will reap the rewards of being paid what you are worth. Oh and Happy Boss's day to me:) and any other of you who are THE BOSS!

A calling?

Today marks 7 years of "being my own boss". If you had told me 7 years ago I would not be at a J.O.B. I would have laughed in your face. But when life doesn't go as you plan you must choose another option. And as Albert Einstein said, "We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them." Making the decision to go against the "norm" was scary to say the least but worth it!

After a conversation with a friend of mind who has what some would consider a great career, there were things that my life had that my friends didn't. My friend duties at the end of the day doesn't change lives and gives clients hope? My friend doesn't have the option of just taking off, staying in their pajamas and knowing that the income will still flow in. Yet I was somewhat comparing myself and thought, "what an exciting life that must be" and I am sure at times it can be. But I was told how blessed I was. And I would have to agree.

I believe in what we do. I give people their dreams back and give them hope. I teach them how to be better than what they are and feel good about themselves. As one person said in his blog, God doesn’t call the equipped.  He equips the called.  And I have been called….

Thank God and thank you to Matt Shanna Ryan for helping us start this incredible business.

Erika 

Choosing the Right Company

by Pete Zdanis

Evaluating network marketing companies can be a daunting task. However, it is well worth the effort to insure that your time, money and reputation are not wasted on trying to build a business with an inferior company.

We know you will find the following guidelines to be valuable in helping you select a company that you will be proud of and that will provide you with the level of lifetime residual income that you aspire to.

There are four main areas to evaluate. First, you'll want to look at the company. Who are the leadership of the company? The management? What are their credentials? Is there a vision for the future? Do they function with integrity, and can you prove it? Is this the company...are these the people that I want to align myself with?

Second, you'll want to look at the products. Does the company do the research and development of the products? Does the company own their formulas? Does the company do their own manufacturing? Are they in control of quality control procedures? Are the products highly consumable...that people use and reorder on a monthly basis, and become loyal to? Do the products have a positive impact on people's lives?

The third issue is timing and trends...timing in the industry, as well as timing in the company. Is the industry just now emerging as a growth industry? Does the company have a history of solid growth...not one that is declining, or flattened out in terms of growth?

And, the 4th is the compensation plan. How do you make money? And, is it fair for the individual who is working on a part-time basis...someone who wants to make an extra few hundred dollars per month, and beyond that... will it pay an individual $10,000, $20,000, or more per month...for the people who really want to go out and create wealth and financial freedom?

Don't short-cut this process! And, trust your answers! Because we know that if any one of these areas is lacking, your chance for success is cut in half. Which means you'll have to work twice as hard to be successful. If two of these areas are lacking, you'll have no chance.

The time to do your homework is before you make the decision to partner with a specific company...not by jumping from one company to another.

Who are you listening to?

As I listened to a wonderful Podcast today from Marianne Williamson on "You've Got Talent". I decided I would speak on this for my first blog and share how I relate to Susan Boyle and compare it to starting our Home Business. If you haven't seen or heard of her, you might want to watch the Youtube video that has been viewed by millions around the world. Please take a moment and watch, then continue reading! Click to see Susan


I just watched again and got emotional! Why you might ask? Because so many of us, like Susan Boyle have the potential to change our lives but some may never experience the wonderful freedom when you make the decision to go against the grain. We had allowed so many in our life to be the so-called "Judges" to determine if we would "make it" or how we should live our life, what we should believe, where we should go to school and where we should live. Who were our judges? Bosses, friends, teachers, neighbors, co-workers, parents, pastors and the list goes on and on. Is it wrong to take the counsel? Absolutely not! One thing we learned years ago that set the course for where we are today is "take no advice from someone who is not where I am striving to be, do or have."

We were told to go to college, get a "good paying" job with benefits and work there for the rest of our lives. But when we decided to go against the grain, we were ridiculed, laughed at, talked about and "judged". I too was naive to all the things to fear in the Network Marketing Industry. Just as Susan was naive to the feelings of those looking at her from the audience. But as Susan Boyle walked out on the stage, not realizing she didn't have "the look" or have "it", that didn't stop her from opening her mouth and changing how every judge (doubter) saw her. Now as we have the life and future we have obtained not from a job, many have changed the way they see us and the Home Based Business Industry.

When I lost my job, I made the decision with my husband not to get another "good job" or go back to school. I didn't think to myself, what will my friends think, or what if this doesn't work? I knew that if I didn't change what I was doing, my life would continue to remain the same. Susan never stopped to ask herself, "am I pretty enough or smart enough or do I have what it takes? Just as was stated in the podcast, everyone made fun of her before she opened her mouth. When that happened everything changed! When we stepped out on faith and trusted God everything changed. Our health, finances and marriage changed. Our lives, our children's lives and those we have come in contact with have been forever enriched and changed forever.

Was it worth it? Yes! Did we lose friends? Yes! We have gained more friends, better health, more financial and time freedom in the past six years than we ever achieved in our lifetime prior to starting a home based business. Whose your Simon Cowell? Who are you taking counseling from? We must realize that God created us for greatness! To live any less than is a slap in the face to your creator. And if no one applauds you when you walk out on the stage of change, God and the angels will be applauding!


To your success!
Erika