079: What I Learned from Network Marketing
Have y’all ever been involved in a network marketing organization, AKA a direct selling company? Amway, Avon, Mary Kay, Herbalife, Tupperware, NuSkin and Primerica are a few of the more popular examples. Network marketing is a business model that depends on person-to-person sales by independent representatives, often working from home. A network marketing business may require you to build a network of business partners or salespeople to assist with lead generation and closing sales. There are many reputable network marketing operations, but some have been denounced as pyramid schemes. The latter may focus less on sales to consumers than on recruitment of salespeople who may be required to pay upfront for expensive starter kits. We all have that one friend or relative on Social Media who has offered to help you lose weight quickly, VIA a delicious, instant protein shake, or cure your ailments using a proprietary blend of essential oils. Maybe they tried to sell you all-natural skin care products or athleisure/fitness apparel. Furthermore, if you TRULY enjoy the product, you can earn money from the comfort of your home only working 5-10 hours per week by SELLING it. To the ambitious and optimistic potential entrepreneur, the idea is undeniably enticing. Sell a product you love and use every day to your family and friends, while recruiting other like-minded hustlers to help grow your business along the way! TRUST ME. I’ve been there. I was recruited at the age of 17 to Amway. I then moved onto another organization called VEMMA a few years later. Financially speaking, I didn’t make a killing, but I didn’t lose money, luckily, as so many often do. There were a few invaluable lessons learned along my journey as a young network marketer that I’d LOVE to share with you today! Quote: “Network marketing tends to develop the type of leader who influences others by being a great teacher, teaching others to fulfill their life’s dreams by teaching others to go for their dreams.” – Robert Kiyosaki, The Business of the 21st Century At the very least, being involved in a network marketing company provided me with the inspiration to go out and CHASE MY DREAMS. I truly don’t believe I’d have a podcast or be an entrepreneur if I had never engaged in network marketing. Education, personal development, financial literacy, networking, and community building are the central themes in my personal experience. Network marketing basically helped develop and enhance ALL my soft skills: communication, emotional intelligence, leadership, teamwork, critical thinking, positive attitude, patience and respect. I became a better entrepreneur and more importantly, a better person because of network marketing. Don’t let failure derail your ambitions, it’s a just a temporary detour. Get back on track and keep cruising in the direction of your dreams! https://mruddo.com https://www.greenchef.com/mruddo80 https://headspace.com/mruddo