Why I am in Network Marketing - In My Own Words

It seems like an eternity since I have written a blog which is not generally a good practice in the world of social media.   So what has been going on in my life?

So in 2015, I continued to run two businesses, AIMC Business Solutions for website solutions and AIMC Health Solutions for health & wellness.    I actually became a TLS Weight Loss Coach in March 2015.   I got a new "day job" as an IT Director at a behavior health company in Boston and even bought a new car at the end of the year.    All in all, one thing did not change, my pride and joy and my vehicle to retirement, my network marketing business, my shop-com business.    Finally, I became an Executive Coordinator w/ shop-com in 2015 which is nice designation and demonstrated with a little hard work, you will succeed.   What a year!

So why do I have my shop-com business which is going on eight years this April?   There are so many reasons.  Everything from the education, the people and the business, there is no single reason but it has been the most amazing ride.    Being in a network marketing business, you meet all types.  From the negative, close-minded "You are in one of those MLM scam things" to open-minded millionaires that know the ups and downs of success.   I have gone through three rebuilds of my team in eight years and have had great years and not so great years.   That is what being a business owner is all about, so it is told.   But the one thing is, I am in a lot better place now than I was eight years ago.   I have a vehicle toward a lucrative retirement, I have learned a tremendous amount about business, and I am taking the best products in the world.   At nearly 47 years old, I feel like I am 27.

So why network marketing?   Heck, I can get a second job if I needed more money or freelance.   Sure I can survive on four hours of sleep a night.   Network Marketing stresses team/ organization where everyone duplicates efforts and does a little bit toward everyone's success.  Everyone wants you to succeed, unlike at a corporate job.    Most network marketing companies have great products and services.   You have to remember, these companies do not need to pay for distribution of products and can focus their efforts on delivering great effective products.   Network Marketing companies have teams of entrepreneurs to deliver their products.  Very powerful.

The biggest challenge and sometime frustration in network marketing is delivering its amazing message.  There is a perception out there that all network marketing companies are a scam, even it the company had the best products.   What if I said Proctor & Gamble was a network marketing company, would you stop buying Gillette razors?  The only difference is a network marketing company builds by building a network of people that all work toward the same success no matter what their level or expertise is.   Proctor & Gamble builds by internal company resources and executives that get rich on your dime.

I sometimes take offense when people tell me that I am in a scam.   I am a pretty smart and successful professional.  Do you think I would get involved in a scam?  My motto is to help others like I would want to be helped.    So if you like to join me, I would be more than happy to discuss my network marketing opportunity with you.   Serious inquiries only.  I take my business seriously and plan to help others meet their objectives in life whether it is financial or personal.

Thanks Amway For Ruining a Great Industry

I am investing in an amazing network marketing business to build a residual income so I can build a great retirement fund and never have to worry about money again.    I wanted to get that out of the way first.

Network marketing, what is it?  It is simply marketing and selling a product or service using a network.   Just like affiliate marketing is marketing a product or services using an affiliate company or direct mail marketing which is marketing a product or service using direct marketing.   See, network marketing is not really a dirty word.   It is another way to market and sell a product or service.

But why when I mention what I do, I hear "scam", "pyramid scheme" or that question,  "Is it Amway?"

Good ol' Amway, the company that has had legal trouble in the past but is doing better now.    However, Amway has ruined a great industry to a point that 97% of our population would not touch a network marketing company to build a residual income.   They rather work a second job, start a very expensive business or simply buy a lottery ticket every day and get psyched when they break even.   97% of our population is entrenched with the legacy way of go to school, get a job, get laid off and stay away from those "scams".   Nothing like living on the edge, huh?

Interesting enough, network marketing is a clever business model.   It is truly like an employee owned company.  There is no "salary limit" since it is a business.  You can make $2 a year or $2 million.   It depends on your ambition, the company you are affiliated with and your network.   Network marketing has turned that driven inspirational professional to top 1% income status in America.   For a small investment under $500 for all the tools you need and a great network of positive people, with the strong possibility of making more money that you can make at that job, why won't anyone jump at the opportunity.  After all, I broke even with my business in the first month and it has been all profit every since.  Why do people run away?  Because of frigging Amway!   I'll ask again, what is so illegal about a business model that is built for people to control their own destiny?   As long as the company has products or services of their own and people don't get paid on recruiting, then it is NOT illegal.   You know what is illegal?  Your job.   Ask yourself, who makes the most money in your company?  The CEO and shareholders, period.   Pyramid scheme.   Only 3% of our population get it and are successful in network marketing.

So if you are past the Amway thing and want to learn more about network marketing, there are many resources to do so.  Get the facts about any business you are looking into.  Check the Better Business Bureau to see how legit a company is.  I did the same when I looked into my business and it was the best move I have ever made.   Since I started my business six years ago, I am more outgoing, confident, successful, wealthier and most of all I have the ability to help anyone that wants to control their own destiny.   I have gone through three layoffs in my corporate career and I always thank God I have my Plan B to fall back on.   So, just like when you took a chance asking someone out that resulted in a relationship, made that extra sales call to meet your numbers or got in front of people to tackle your fear of speaking, you never know how successful you can be, unless you try.   Don't let the 97% control your own destiny.  I didn't and life is just wonderful.

MLM People, Financial Planners and Life Coaches Are Taking Over the World of Networking

A lot of people that know me know that I am an avid networker and go to between 2-3 events a week.  Why do I network?  It is because you have to in today's professional world.  Considering I am in transition and have a couple of businesses, networking is the lifeblood of my professional career.    I recently went to an event in Boston this past week and looking around, you can clearly distinguish the different breeds of entrepreneurs enjoying the free food and working their elevator pitches.

First, you have the financial planners/ advisers.   They are the ones wearing full suits and ties despite the fact it was 95 degrees out.  Clearly, you can see them sweat not just from the weather but also knowing five of their competitors are in the room.   You had MetLife, Mass Mutual, New York Life and Wells Fargo in the room.  My advice to a financial person.... wear a Hawaiian shirt and rent a BMW for the next networking event.  Personally, I did not select my financial advisor because they wore a suit in 95 degree weather.

Second, you got those Multi-Level-Marketers.  At this event, you had Adzzoo, Trump Network, Avon, Arbonne and Tuppleware.  BTW, Market America is NOT multi-level-marketing for the thousandth time!!!  They all claim their company has the best products & services, provide the best compensation plan, have meetings in exotic places... but meanwhile they are wearing Walmart specials driving off in their beat up Saturns... My advice to MLM networkers.... treat your business as a business not not some spectacular money making machine and listen to people.  Personally, I did not start my business with Market America because Donald Trump owns it and sends me to Key Largo for $1000 to look at his hair.  FYI, Donald Trump doesn't own Market America.  He wished he did!

Finally, ah yes, the life coaches.  The ones that teach business people to transition their life, to discover holistic health, and pay them thousands for advice that you can also get on Google.  I honestly always wonder how these fine folks make any money.  They must do a wonderful job showing how their clients get their best return on investment.  Really, go into real business, you would do wonders!   The Life Coaches dress a little better since they are setting an example to their clients.  My advice, get a Plan B.  This business is very cyclical.

So I am hoping at the next event, I meet some restaurant owners, car dealers, social media people, cigar shop owners, just to mix it up a bit.  I guess that is why BNI is successful at what they do.  They only allow one of two professionals from each line of work. 

Ok, time to go to the dry cleaners to go get my suits for the next event.... a wedding, not a networking event!!

Network Marketing is the Real Deal

Do the household names Avon, Tupperware, Pampered Chef or P90X ring a bell to you?  How about Isotonix, Transitions, Nutralite, Primerica or Partylite?    All of these household names are part of the burgeoning network marketing industry that has generated over $125 billion in revenue in over 150 countries in 2010 and is growing on average 25-30% a year via over 75 million men and women who are in distributorships where they take pride in helping others.

As you probably figured out, I am a distributor for a very well known internet marketing company.  The reason I got into the business was originally because the products and the mission of the company was nothing like I have ever seen.  I also liked the fact that the company paid out over 60% of its revenue back as commissions to distributors of the company.   But the biggest reason was I always had a calling to help people.  My purpose at a networking event is to help people connect.  My purpose in network marketing is to help people financially and with their well being.    Where else for a very small capital investment, you can change your world and the world of others willing to open their mind.

It baffles me when I introduce to people to my business venture, that the old "it's a pyramid" or "scam" vocabulary is the first word out of their mouth.  Later on they come to realize that some of the products that they are currently using are very much from the same network marketing companies that they claim is part of some pyramid.   Finally, I always like to ask, so what are your options to make a little extra income and then there is silence....

Network marketing or otherwise known as direct selling is the original social networking business. Long before we even knew what a computer was, people were getting together for fun, socializing and shopping. Add in technological power and globalization, and you’ve got a winning formula for a fast growing and recession proof business.  Network marketing or now known as social networking focuses on what people want.  Check out your Facebook page and look at the ads.  Chances are you will see ads focused on products from a leading network marketing company that you may be interested in.

The concept of network marketing is so intriguing.   It eliminates the "middle man" distributing a product or service to the end consumer.  There is no brick and mortar store or large numbers of salaried employees needed to move product and because some companies have hundreds of thousands , even millions of distributors, they essentially have independent contractors doing the bulk of product and service distribution and then paying them pretty handsomely on top of that.   It is such a cool concept and it is fast becoming the wave of the near future.

So why is network marketing the real deal?  It may be the only way to help solve the shrinking job market.  Face it, we will never go back to pre-2007 employment levels.  Network marketing may be the answer since it has a competitive advantage in the training that it offers,  both in business and personal skills.  It allows people to be retrained while they pursue something new.  It gives an opportunity when no one else will.   The shrinking job market will not do that.