As a child, all I ever wanted to do was grow up, fall in love, have a family and be a stay-at-home mom.  No other option had ever entered my mind.  Yes, I went to school.  Yes, I excelled in the secretarial field.  I was even hired “off the street” as the secretary to the Vice President of a major clothing company.  Not too shabby of a feat for an 18 year old!  I was VERY good at typing (140 words per minute on an IBM Correctible Selectric!) and my shorthand skills ran rings around any other secretary that I knew!  Ok, so that was in the mid ‘70s and I am not sure they even produce “shorthand tablets” anymore.  But the corporate scene did not thrill me at all.  Although I did my best, I just was never really “there” in mind and spirit.  Well I did get married, had four children and considered my life idyllic as a stay-at-home mom.
 
So fast forward 30 years…my husband was and still is in the corporate world, but through the years added additional income to our family by owning and operating a small hobby store with his brother.  So besides the everyday grind of a 9 – 5, there were the nights and weekends of building that business.  Not to mention the Toy Shows we worked and traveled to on the weekends with one, two or even all four kids in tow.  It was not easy and put a heavy strain on the marriage and the kids sometimes.

Besides the time it took to develop, there was the expense of the overhead and inventory, the time consuming paperwork and employees.  Well, the employees were family members, but still trying to coordinate and count on everyone was not an easy task.

I must say the extra money afforded us many things other young families did not have…a paid off home, a small condo on a lake, a boat, new cars, and the kids not wanting for anything.  But it was all at the expense of trading time for money.  When you have all of those things are just things unless you have the time to enjoy them.

After the many years of doing that, but always keeping my mind and options open for something else to come along, my mom had introduced me to the Direct Selling Industry.  Yep, we got to buy a ton of merchandise and schlep it to other people’s home to put on presentations…through rain, or snow or the gloom of night!  Mom was a great presenter and I was an awesome “roadie,” but that really is work.

Along came the wonders of Network Marketing.  I had been introduced to a product that was suppose to aide me in my few discomforts of an aging body.  I was desperate to try anything, so I did and much to my surprise I was beginning to feel better.  I never really looked at the Network Marketing Industry and believed it to be a sort of a scam.  But BOY WAS I WRONG. 

It was actually nothing I was doing different then hauling all of that merchandise around and sharing what the merchandise could do to change the “feel” of their home, but this time all I had to do was to build a business was use a little bit of the product and share with others how they two can build a home based business do the same thing.  Without having to constantly buy things I didn’t want, drag them all over the place “doing shows” and then ordering, receiving, packing and delivering!

I believe that Network Marketing is without a doubt one of the few industries in which an individual can become financially independent and build a large sales organization with very little overhead, no paperwork, no inventory and no employees, when compared to 'brick and mortar' alternatives.

What is the greate thing, is that now I realize we could have had all of those things with building a business in only a few hours a week leaving the rest of the time to enjoy them and the family.

Many people who begin a Network Marketing business forget the importance of the word 'network'. The path to success in this business model is to build a team organization and you receive commissions for building that team and introducing them to the business opportunity. There are a few different terms for this role as you build your business, but the one that is widely accepted is Sponsor. You are sponsoring people into the business opportunity.

This type of business model is a numbers game, pure and simple. You have to keep expanding your network, assessing the people in it and deciding if someone is worth approaching.  It is a people helping people business.  However, not all people will understand or even accept the concept of Network Marketing so you must learn to accept the “No’s” and move on to the next.  Remember, you are building your business with like-minded people who you do not have to convince that the business opportunity you are offering will give them the things they desire.

You can build your network either offline or online or maybe a mixture of both. The process normally involves the person you are sponsoring agreeing to buy the product you are representing. This then gives them the right to market the product/service they purchased and receive a commission on a sale and/or receive a commission for each person who decides to become a business owner doing the same as you.
The key to success is your marketing approach. Many people starting in network marketing have never actually been involved in sales or marketing before. This is where the quality of training offered by the opportunity is the key to your and their success.

What you have to realize and must know is that you are NOT marketing the product. You are marketing YOU.  If the business opportunity or your potential Sponsor cannot demonstrate to you they are experienced at training you how to market you then you are in trouble. You can still make a suitable income selling the products of a company - that's direct sales as opposed to network marketing. However, the real money is in leverage. You create a team of motivated business owners who can each then go on to create a team of motivated business owners themselves.

So, yes, if you love the product that is being introduced to you and you only want to sell the product as retail that is ok, but again I will repeat; the real money and road to time freedom and financial security is in the leverage of people who understand that being in this business is just taking the product and finding a few key other people to take the product and for them to find a few key people.  Remember, it is not about selling the product, but rather it is about people helping people build their team.

If you have 8-10 hours a week to devote to building your business, if you have a desire to help people achieve their dreams, if you are willing to commit for a minimum of six months to learn how to build your business, then network marketing may be the perfect business for you.

Are you one of the many looking for ways to add extra income in this tough economy?  Were you "downsized" and need to replace your income?   Or are you just tired of the corporate scene and not getting appreciated or paid what you are really worth? Maybe you have thought before how wonderful it would be to start your own business, but just didn't have the capital to begin.  Or maybe you had the money, but didn't like the idea of all of the overhead, inventory or employee problems that come with the "brick and mortar" business, not to mention the hours upon hours of building that business.  Basically, "buying" a job!  Starting a home-based business just may be easier than you might think and network marketing may be the answer you have been searching for.

Here are 10 important considerations before deciding which company to pursue for your new career in the home-based business industry.

1.  Is the Company Stable?

A stable company means that the company promoting the product has to be a debt free company in existence for a period of many years.  Avoid "here today, gone tomorrow" companies that try to sell the concept of getting in at the top to make a huge income. Look for companies that have been consistently growing.   

2.  Look to the Founders 

The best way to judge the stability and future of the company is to look at the past of the founders of the company.  Are they new to the network marketing industry or have they been involved in the industry before.  Better still, if they have been actively involved for years and have gained substantial experience in order to serve their new found company and its distributors in the highest and most ethical manner. Are there at least three founders?  Is their belief system based on heart and not on themselves.  Do they give back to the community?  To the world?     

3. Is there product in demand?

Is the product of the company a "category creating" product?  In other words, is it readily available elsewhere.  Category creating products are products that the company is the first to bring to market.  That is very important and creates a high demand and a unique business opportunity, which means the products cannot be readily found.

4. Can it produce a good income for me?

Study the compensations plans.  Not all are created equal or even fair.  There are many, such as: bianary, matrix, and unilevel.  Read the fine print.  Some companies offer "up to" 50%, when in fact, it is more like 27-32% when the compensation plan is used to full advantage.  It is better to find a company that does not have "breakage" in their plans.  That is not good and will actually hinder your income.  A fair and just compensation plan states a 50-50 split amongst the company and the distributors.  Also look for Dynamic Compression and a Global Bonus. 

5. Is the product affordable?

The end customer who purchases the product should find value for the price they are paying. It does not matter to the customer how many levels of up line are being paid commissions. The business opportunity should come second to the product value. If the same product is available elsewhere for a greatly reduced price, then it would be difficult selling such a product. However, remember in consideration #3 that you are looking for a "category creating" product and should not be available elsewhere!

6. Will the product produce repeat sales?

Depending on which type of company you want to represent and offer their products, you must find highly consumable products to offer. A one time sale will produce only a one time income. Products that keep producing repeated income is exactly what will provide you with the main benefit of a network marketing business, and that is residual income. For example, if you sell an ebook information product you will have a one time profit from each client, where as if you were to sell monthly membership access to several ebooks that are updated every month, then you have an income that will continue every month as long as the member remains subscribed.  Highly successful products in the network industry are health and wellness products, beauty products and daily consumables such as coffee and even chocolate 

7. Does the company provide a strong back-end marketing system?

The marketing system for the company and the product should be able to clearly and professionally present the product to the potential client. The tools that you will need to use to build your business should be offered affordably and not be an income source for the main company.  The backend system on your business website for the product you promote should be able to present the product to your client, follow up on leads, provide statistics and track the downline of your clients. 

8.  Does the company provide training? It is very important to have a team that can guide you and train you and help you build your business.  Network marketing is a people business and people helping people is how you become successful.  There should be ample availability to webinars, meetings, conference calls and always someone answering the phone at corporate should you have any questions.  Are the training tools they offer readily available and affordable? 

9. Is this a product you will use with confidence and be comfortable promoting?

Yes, there are some people who can sell ice to an eskimo, and doesn't use ice themselves, but would make for a very rare and successful home-based network marketing business.  It is very important to be a product of the product and have a very high belief in the product and the company. Your confidence, sincerity and enthusiasm will shine through and people will naturally want what you have.

10.  You want to build a home-based business.

It really is all about you.  It is about selling yourself and representing a product and a company.  People buy into people and want what we have if we are friendly, knowledgeable, and offer value to our everyday lives.  You decided to treat a home-based business as a business and not as a hobby.  Most network marketing businesses have a very small start up fee.  Usually around $35!  It is very important that you treat it the same as if it cost you $100,000 or even a million dollar business, because that little $35 can truly begin your million dollar business right out of the comfort of your own home. 

If all of these considerations are satisfied, they you are on your way to a wonderful new lifestyle and the comfort and security of building a residual income can provide. In conclusion, you should look for an affordable, "category creating" company and product line that produces repeat sales from a stable company with a good income potential and excellent backend systems founded by people who have a very strong background in the network marketing industry.

Good luck in your search and I am here to help if you need any.

Andrea

Article from CareerBuilder.com 

Two strangers meet at a networking function. One person speaks up first. "Hi, I'm Laura Mulford," she says, offering her hand to her partner. "Raj Babu," he responds with a handshake. "Nice to meet you." The whole exchange takes less than four seconds. Ten minutes later, neither person can remember the other's name.

Ah, names. Some people have gift for remembering them. But for far too many of us, they go in one ear and right out the other. Unfortunately, referring to everyone as "hey" or "you" can be suicide when it comes to networking.

"In networking, names are the good stuff," say Anne Barber and Lynne Waymon, co-authors of "Make Your Contacts Count" (Amacom). "It will be mighty difficult for you to initiate a relationship with someone if you don't know that person's name."

If remembering others' names is downright impossible for you, try out these tips from Barber and Waymon:

1. Repeat the first name or confirm the last name.

Simply saying, "It's nice to meet you, Chuck" or "and your last name was...?" will help you register the name and give it a better chance to implant itself into your memory.

2. Ask a question or make a comment about the person's name.

"Nice to meet you, Julia. My college roommate's name was Julia, so I'll have no problem remembering you."

3. Ask the person to spell his or her name.

"Abby, do you spell your name with a 'y' or with an 'ie'?"

4. Associate the name with a picture in your mind.

If you meet a CEO named Arthur, visualize him as King Arthur with the knights of the Round Table. "Some people like this technique; others say it confuses them," warn Barber and Waymon. "Only use it if it's helpful."

5. Ask how the person got his name.

"Savannah, were you named after the city?"

6. Tell the person what you have heard about him.

"I heard you organized this whole event, Peter."

7. Keep your energy level high.

Let your body language and tone of voice signal that you are honestly trying to learn the other person's name and teach her yours. According to Barber and Waymon, people say this is flattering.

8. Always say the person's name again as you leave her.

"It was good to meet you, Jen."

9. Handle forgotten names with grace.

No, whining about how bad you are with names is not graceful. Instead, ask a friend to remind you, or if you can recall where you met that person, say "I remember meeting you at the conference in Seattle. I'm Sarah Ansari. Will you tell me your name again?" The person may have forgotten your name too, and will be grateful for your reintroduction.

Always remember: making small talk about a person's name may take time, but it could save you embarrassment later on!

You may not be a business professional that passes out business cards to associates every day, but how often have you had to go searching for a scrap of paper to scribble your address and phone number on? Years ago when I was a busy, working mom with 4 children to keep track of, I was always being asked for my name and number by other mothers, teachers, friends, etc. That's when I discovered "calling cards."

These handy cards are convenient to keep a few in your purse, and they look so much nicer than that scrap of paper you normally pass out. When my kids became teenagers, I got each of them a set of "calling cards" as stocking stuffers for Christmas one year. Each set was personalized with pictures of their favorite sport or activity and they just loved them.

Over the years, I've ordered calling cards for friends and family and they have always been a hit. The best prices, quality and design ideas I have found so far has been at Vista Print. Click on the Vista Print coupon above, choose a design, enter your information and place your order!

Let your imagination take over and let the world know who you are and what you do.  One of my cards STILL proudly just says... Proud "MOM" of Joe, Michelle, Kathryn and Laura.   What will yours say?

Make EVERY SINGLE DAY a special day.

Andrea

I received this email from a friend of mine that was pretty skeptical (oh heck, she is skeptical about EVERYTHING!) when I told her about my business with XanGo.  I was one of "those" people who didn't want to let my friends know about me becoming involved in network marketing, but figured once I am a 500K and making $100,000 a month in residual income I figured they would be mad at me for not telling them.  So I figured, "I damned if I do and damned if I don't...tell them!"

So I knew she just wasn't feeling up to par and told her what I am experiencing with the product and the company.  It took her a few weeks to take the plunge and fork over her credit card info to place the order...

HERE IS HER EMAIL TO ME.

"Hey, (did you finally get your butt out of bed? lol)

I wanted to tell you about the XanGo and Eleviv. I have been taking both for a week now and I am starting to feel better. Yesterday was sort of a turning point for me. I was laying in bed last night and realized how much calmer and at ease I felt. Sort of euphoric without any real cares in the world. For the last two days, I've also had a lot of energy and just perky feeling. I went to a festival Saturday and walked around there for about 4 hours. I thought I would wake up sore and tired Sunday, but I didn't.....I actually felt even MORE energetic!    Oh, and Mom got into the cold weather baking mode and made FOUR pies yesterday!  I ate one small piece and felt satisfied.....didn't need or want more. That nervous-bored eating thing was gone yesterday. At the festival Saturday, I was surrounded by good-smelling food everywhere, but I ate one small rice ball and that was it.....didn't even WANT anything else!  I was thinking last night that I need to try dieting again and see if I can't get some of this fat off.   Anyway, I am feeling a lot better.......I'm hooked.  LOL Don't let me run out!!!!!  Love, Shelley"

Want to start feeling great again?  Contact me.

Here's to your health,

Andrea

Well Mike McCarthy was in rare form tonight in Salisbury, NC.  Mike and his wife, Linda, have built a 12 million dollar business out of their home and they have done it without overhead, without paperwork, without inventory and even without a single employee! You must hear this network marketing genius the next time he is in your area.

He is pure genius when he tells his story and keeps everyone always smiling and laughing.  He is a master at network marketing and smartly gives all the credit to his beautiful wife, Linda.  With his warm and charming sense of humor and his utter quirkiness, you just know he is setting everyone up to SUCCEED in this business.  He will be the first to admit that network marketing isn't easy, but is a perfect example of the "good life" it can bring if just worked.  Hey, who wouldn't rather work a little hard for about 5 years to enjoy a 7 figure RESIDUAL income...instead of 30 years at a company with a tiny retirement check landing in your mailbox every month!  

If you would like to be a part of the fastest growing network marketing company in history and learn how you can become the next superstar creating your own FINANCIAL FREEDOM.  Just ask, I will be glad to help you make all of your dreams come true.

Andrea Pekarik Welch

I RECEIVED THIS IN AN EMAIL SOME TIME BACK...CAME ACROSS IT LAST NIGHT. 
I am sure you will enjoy....

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 cups of coffee!

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with an unanimous "yes."

The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured t he entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

"Now," said the professor as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things---your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions---and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.

The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car.

The sand is everything else---the small stuff. "If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you.
"Pay attention to the things that are really critical to your happiness. Spend time with your children. Spend time with your parents. Visit with grandparents. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first---the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled and said, "I'm glad you asked."

The coffee just shows you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend."

Now take a moment and call someone!  Have a great day. 
Andrea

It is getting more and more crucial to build your business by making yourself known in your industry.  Article submission is one of the best and easiest ways to get your name out there and found when someone "googles" you and wants to know more about you.  If you have trouble coming up with ideas or have the ideas, but just are not good with words, then having someone write the article for you may just be the ticket.

Just Articles has been a leader in content-based Internet marketing since 2005. Recently the website has announced that they are committed and solely focused on providing content-based marketing services for the network marketing and home-based business industry. Thousands of clients worldwide have used Just Articles to market their home-based business using their press release writing and distribution service as well as original articles written on demand.

In fact, some of the biggest names in network marketing have used the service to promote their business and to recommend to their downlines.

For more formation on the article writing services and their press release writing and distribution service (which is very exciting for those who are interested in creating quick high quality traffic to their work from home business opportunity) should visit Just Articles

Oh what a beautiful day here in Winston-Salem, NC.  Clear blue sky, a gentle breeze and I can smell a hint of autumn in the air!...my favorite time of year.

Growing up and living in Chicago for 48 of my (almost) 51 years, I always loved the seasons. Autumn always brings back sweet memories of my childhood. Not really sure why, but it just gives me such a sense of home and family and I probably really liked all the candy at Halloween!  Actually it was probably the cute, but goofy costumes my mom used to make and dress me in.  This one Halloween (I wish I had a picture) I was a big sunflower.  You should have seen me trying to keep this big poster board thing with pointed flower tips, which would probably be classified as a weapon today, around my face and on me head.  Not to mention the jacket she sewed tons of green crepe paper leaves on.  Would not have been a pretty sight if it rained.  Hmmm, funny because that is when we use to scour the neighbor for hours at a time with pillow cases going door to door....ahhh the good ol' days. 

I really didn't much like the winters.  Once the first snow fell and you admire the beauty of the snowflakes and the bitterness in the air....well that was all for me.  Of course if you know anything about Chicago, after Christmas and once all of those twinkling lights are dimmed, it really can get dreary.  However, I must admit that I believe there is no better place than Chicago, no matter what time of year.  Although that could be because there is "No Place Like Home." 

I am searching for people in the Chicago area who would like to be taught how to start a home-based business of their own.  I will teach you everything I know for FREE.....get me back to Chicago!!!!! 

"Sweet Home Chicago!"  See you soon.  Andrea