In the not so distant past, it wasn’t uncommon for me to revaluate my life and prepare to run in the other direction. I’ve grown since then, but one thing hasn’t changed. I yearn for greatness. It burns inside me. Like a candle in the distance when all seems dark. A light guiding me to my best life. We only get one life, you know.
That flame was intensified late in 2013 when became pregnant with my first child, a son. The potency of my desire started burning like a forest fire. I’ve come to learn I can tame
through learning, self growth, contribution/impact and in knowing I am making the best choices for my future. That seemed a little lost on me then.
In the midst of my internal forest fire, I was watching my oldest and dearest friend Amanda Dalton live the life we started talking about at the pure age of 5. A life of family, adventure and let’s face it beauty (inside and out). In an almost serendipitous moment, she reached out to me about what she was doing with the Doctors that created Proactiv to help people get their best skin.
I was comfortable living with my significant other of 8 years, working a corporate job and working on my level of fitness. I wasn’t looking for anything more, especially if that meant ‘selling’ something. But, because she was my friend and I trusted her, I told her I would listen, because frankly, I consider myself an open minded person. I also owed more in student loans than my house was worth. So I agreed to hear her out.
When I got on that call, I was most impressed by a few standout points.
1) Dr. Katie Rodan and Dr. Kathy Fields originally sold their products in departments stores. Realizing the products didn’t sell because of where they were sold but because friends were telling friends about them. The Drs went to the drawing board to find a way to take these products out of retail and help more people. They research business models and moved the chess pieces until they fit. The proverbial ‘glove’ was Network Marketing through the direct sales model. Why? Because word of mouth is the highest driver of revenue. BUT wait, the model also allows for individuals to changed their lives and the Drs. wanted that too! So, they created a compensation model that is arguably the best in the direct selling market that incentivize the individual to do their best and to change the course of their own lives.
2) The business model had been featured in a Harvard Business School Case Study. Not to mention many more reputable news, education and beauty sources. There had to be some credibility there.
3) There was no advertising budget, so all the money goes back directly to the consultants in the form of compensation and incentives.
4) These are the doctors that created Proactive, so there is global recognition of their names that I could leverage for myself. They are expanding globally, and I could get a piece of that market?
5) The before and afters I was shown, BLEW ME AWAY.
Even after all this I was held up on the fact, I barely washed my face and had very little interest in beauty so, I told her “cool, I’ll think about it”. I am true to my word, so I did. In the coming months, that little light kept burning brighter when I thought about the opportunity so she eventually got me on a call with, whom I now respect as an amazing leader and influencer, Romi Neustad. Romi professionally and factually opposed of all of my objections.
I was starting to see the light, because I am a business minded person with an MBA and if you show me opportunity, I will play out as many likely outcomes as I can. In the end, I agreed to “trying” it. I fully expected to take advantage of the 100% money back guarantee at the end of the 60 days, but I started doing what was asked of me. Low and behold, a few weeks into my business I received my first direct deposit.
I was completely shocked. I have been a member of two other direct selling companies and I had never received a penny. This opened my eyes. I took a deeper look into the possibilities and a future of my dreams flashed before my eyes. That was 18 months, a child and many, many medical problems ago. I am now contributing more to my family (aka paying more towards my student loans) and not stressing about the mountain of medical bills that continue flowing in our door.
This little ‘side thing’ I intended to give back has become a complete game changer for me. The forest fire has been tamed and I am now roasting comfortably in the warmth.
I invite you to check it out if you have a fire burning inside too. The possibilities are endless.
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