Mind your own business!!!!!

I have had so many AHA moments this past weekend that I feel like I am about to explode. I am so grateful for this blog and the ability to share with whomever desires how to live the life that they only dreamed of. Am I all the way there? No! I am on my way and that's all that matters. Now I am able to help others do the same.

This past weekend we had the opportunity to speak to a group of people who have their own Network Marketing Business. They were from all walks of life, ages, race, religion, etc. But with one common goal. To become better at sharing with others, build a network and live amazing lives. 

So what is Network Marketing? It's where companies pay individuals who love their products or services and share with others using word-of-mouth instead of the company spending millions of dollars to agencies for advertising, transportation, marketing and distribution. The individual receives a portion of the profits.

This is an Industry that is recognized by Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, Time Magazine, and the Harvard Business School just to name a few. Now that brings me to the title of this blog. I knew you were waiting and wondering why I was so angry. HaHa. Fooled you. I am not angry just grateful. Over 18 million people started a Network Marketing/Direct Sales Business in 2009. But all we heard in the news was 9 million people  lost their jobs. Oh oh I wish they knew what we knew.

In case you don't know by know we have a business that is in the Network Marketing Industry. And are proud to say that. This industry has gotten a bad reputation over the past 50 years. I am sad to say I was one of those who bad mouth it. But when it came into our lives, we knew we had something great because only God heard my prayers (cries) and dropped this business in our laps. 

I am not in the convincing business and I am not in the "selling vitamins" business. Network Marketing isn't about a product or service. It is about building a Network not a nest egg!

I just finished reading a book titled, "The Business of the 21st Century" by Robert Kiyosaki. You may have heard of him and you may not. All I can tell you is over the past 7 years of building this amazingly life changing business, we have been ridiculed, laughed at talked about and continually asked, "Are you still doing that thing?". Some of the comments have been painful and down right ignorant to say the least. BUT understandable. This book has confirmed yet once again. We are in the right place and the right business. It has nothing to do with a "niche" or what "works" for us. It is about having Financial Intelligence. Have you ever seen this image?

Prior to starting our business 7 years ago we lived in fear, anger and frustration as Robert says so truthfully in the book. And we also "thought" in the left side of that image above. It is called the Cashflow Quadrant. But as we educated ourselves (not formal education by the way) we learned that this incredible "vehicle" would take us to places no job could ever take us! So if you are struggling with the decision to step out on faith and to start a business. Do it! But first there are 3 things you must do:

First, you must "unlearn" what you have been taught. We live in an information age not, not an industrial age! Reading books such as, "Who Stole The American Dream" by Burke Hedges, As A Man Thinketh by James Allen, The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson and of course The Business of the 21st Century by Robert Kiyosaki!

  

Secondly, find out what you want. What is your vision. The Bible says, "without a vision, people perish". Having a Network Marketing business grows you, enables you to dream bigger dreams and makes those dreams come true. But it takes time and effort. I have set goals and accomplished them, now I have set new goals and write them down.

And lastly, get around like-minded individuals. It is said that your income tends to be equal to the average of your five closest friends. If you desire to become the CEO of your own company, why would you hang around people who tell you that won't happen, or say things like, "you, become a business owner, yeah right".

Seek friendships that build you up not tear you down. Of course we have people that love us and care for us. Although they mean well, they don't help us. And yes even get away from negative, mean-spirited relatives. I don't care how good Uncle George cooks at the Family Reunion. Everytime you get around him, he laughs at you for being "different" or mocking you for getting involved in one of "those things" And you feel even worse after you leave his presence. You can love them from a distance! lol

We lost many "so-called" friends when we made the decision to start a Network Marketing business. For some people with dreams, they aren't ready to give up those friends and I hate to say that but it is true. I was taught by my mentor, "if people (friends, relatives, etc) aren't living the life you desire, why would you take their advice? Why would you listen to someone say, "those things don't work" and they have never built a successful business a day in their life. But yet those that do listen, stay where they are, complaining and blaming everyone else and not living the life God created them to live. It breaks the heart of God to see any of His children living mediocre lives.

Being in the Network Marketing industry has been an amazing journey and God has given us new friends.

Friends who are headed in the same direction as we are and helping us to be better and helping us to do more than we ever thought we could. Oh yeah, once last thing. This isn't for everyone. So I am not preaching for everyone to start a business. But you know who you are.

So don't be afraid to start a business. Mind your own business!!!!!

Erika

3 steps to help you live an authentic life

1.  Ask yourself what is your passion? The dictionary defines passion as a strong or extravagant fondness, enthusiasm, or desire for anything. Is it coming to you now? When you think of your passion does it make you excited? Does it bring a smile to your face? Does it bring fear? No one can answer that for you. What would you love to even if you didn't receive a pay for? Many of us live our lives doing jobs we hate and dying inside. Why? This isn't a dress rehearsal. We only have one life and this is it.

2. Figure out what it is that brings you joy and do it. Do your research. Read the book on it. Find someone who is doing what you want to do and hang out with them and pick their brain. Count up the cost. Give yourself permission to disappoint those who may disagree with you. We do ourselves a disservice living a lie and not living in truth. God didn't put you on this earth to just be a mom or just be a dad or to just exist. But to thrive, to make a difference and to change lives. But remember it is not our job to "save the world". That's God's job! But it is our job to be the example of what God can do through us.

3. GO DO IT!  Pursue your dreams. Because if you love what you do, you'll never work another day in your life! Then come back and tell me what you did!

Erika

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