We Were Made To Live In Abundance

It's a question I hear all the time.  "I thought you were a Christian.  Why are you always talking about growing your business?  Aren't you supposed to live in poverty?"

Absolutely not!  We were made to live in abundance and prosperity.  And I'm not going to get into a teaching of Scripture here.  Let's just say if you want to go read the Bible, there are plenty of passages about abundance throughout.

We are supposed to be blessings in the world.  And let's be real.  It's hard to be a blessing to anyone when you are poor.  If you feel called to be a doctor but you can't afford college and medical school, that's a problem.  If you feel that you should foster children, that's hard to do if you can't afford to care for them.  If your work is to feed the hungry, it's hard to support the charities that make this possible without money. 

Everything in our society today takes money.  Healthcare is expensive.  Food is expensive.  Homes are expensive.  And so, yes, I talk a great deal about building your business and making money.  Because my family and I require all of those things and more to live to our fullest potential.  And I want to help others have them to - which takes money in order for me to have the tools necessary to reach and teach them.

And since I am passionate - called if you will - to help others fulfill their missions, it stands to reason that I am made to live in abundance.

I don't make any pretenses about it either.  My goal with my business is to make as much money as possible.  I need healthcare for my husband.  I want all 7 grandchildren to go to college and not graduate with a mountain of debt. 

I want to start a group home for foster children that have aged out of the system and have no place to go.  I want to help ensure that no child ever goes to bed hungry.  I want everyone to be able to live up to their full potential and use the gifts they were given to help make this world a place that is safe and prosperous for my grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  Lofty goals?  Perhaps.  But with money, I can make a start.

So yes, I want to be rich.  Because I cannot fulfill any of these goals without the necessary tools to do so.  Healthcare costs money and I want the best for my husband.  College gets more expensive every year and I want my grandchildren to be able to go where they wish to get the education they need to fulfill their purpose.

It will take money to remodel my home or purchase another property to turn into a group home.  And even more money to furnish it and pay daily expenses and so forth.  I already support a charity devoted to ending childhood hunger.  But think how much more they could do if I - and everyone who supports them - could double or even triple our contributions!  Which is why I work so hard to help others build abundant lives.  But how many more could I reach if I could afford more tools, better tools, more help?

I was given the gift of being able to communicate and connect with people.  And I would be a failure if I did not use that gift to do the most good.  This is what I was meant to do.  And in doing it I become successful.  But it takes money.  And so to become what I was meant to be, I will need to be rich.  And there is nothing wrong with that!  In fact, I believe that if I didn't do what God had called me to do and prepared me to do and gifted me to do, I would be derelict in my duty to Him.

So why am I going on this crusade today?  Because I am tired of people using the "nobility in poverty" excuse for their failure.  I am done watching people tear down those that are trying to better themselves as if there is something wrong with that.  I have had enough! 

I am also fed up with those who purport to help others but in reality all they are helping is themselves.  I am not going into details here, but you know who you are.  You are the ones who keep promising the next breakthrough is right around the corner, if only you can pay just a little bit more.  The ones who teach that it's okay to leave your integrity at the door when it comes to your business.  After all, it's not like you're really hurting anyone.  The ones who keep quiet when they know things aren't right but they don't want to jeopardize their own cushy set-up.  Yes, we were made to be abundant but not at the expense of others.

If you want the best possible life for your family, it's time.  If you feel called to do something with your life but don't know how to get there, it's time.

If you've been trying to grow in abundance but deep inside you feel it's not supposed to be, I'm here to tell you, YOU ARE WRONG!  So let's work together to get past that mindset of lack.

If you've been listening to all the naysayers tell you that money is the root of all evil, remind them that the correct proverb is "The LOVE of money is the root of all evil."  Then dump those negative nellies and surround yourself with people who love and support you in your growth.

And if you are experiencing some success but in your heart you know you are not acting with integrity, then it's time to stop and look at what you are doing. 

You've read my passions.  What I am called to do.  What are yours?  And how can I help you live them?  Share in the comments.




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This Too Shall Pass

My grandma had a saying whenever one of us was going through a difficult time.  "This too shall pass."  And even though at the time we sometimes doubted, it turns out grandma was right.  The situation always changed.


I have found myself repeating that phrase many times in my life.  Especially as an entrepreneur.  Business slow?  It will pass.  Difficult client?  It will pass.  Team members dropping like flies?  Yes, even that will pass.  Technology issues, impossible deadlines, short on cash, doubtful family and friends, health concerns, fallout from doing something when you knew better (😐) - all this will (and did) pass.


Things aren't suddenly going to be all rainbows and unicorns just because you have decided to pursue your passion and become an entrepreneur.  There will be good days.  There will even be great days.  But there will also be bad days.  But you will get through them.  This too shall pass.


The trick is to know that bad days will come and to be ready.


Now some crises really aren't.  They are just imagined.  And when that happens you need to take time to get your mindset straight.  That's why it is so important to surround yourself with a group of people who will lift you up and support you while you are struggling with your doubt and fear.  I know what it's like.  Why would anyone listen to me?  I'm just a poor girl from the wrong side of a small town from nowhere.  When those feelings hit, my support circle quickly pointed out how wrong that thinking was.  And it passed.  And became less frequent as I realized I did have something to share that people wanted to hear. 


Tip #1 - surround yourself with the right kind of people.  The ones who will lift you up when need it - and who will give you a swift kick when you need that.


Some crises seem worse at the time than they really are.  Your business will experience many little bumps in the road.  Don't panic!  Actions taken in panic mode will often only make things worse.  Assess the situation and determine if you need to take action or if you simply need to wait it out.  If action is required, look at all options before making any decisions.  If you're unsure, find a trusted mentor or coach and ask their opinion.


Tip #2 - Never make a decision out of fear or panic.  Look at all of your options.  Get help from a mentor or coach.  Remember that sometimes doing nothing really is the best choice!


Of course, there will always be the chance that something will go horribly wrong with your business.  When that happens the steps are pretty much the same as for minor crises.  Don't panic.  Assess the situation.  Look at all your options.  Take the necessary action. 


Many major crises can be averted simply by reviewing what is happening in your business and in your industry and adjusting as necessary.


Tip #3 - Be proactive not reactive.  Know your numbers (income, outflow, etc).  Periodically review your business and make any adjustments necessary to keep on track.  Keep current with your industry but be careful not to jump on every new trend that comes along.  Make sure it's right for you and your business before you do.


These three tips will help you over the daily hurdles that come with running a business.  But when all else fails, just remember what grandma said.  This too shall pass!

Don't Waste a Minute!

No more excuses!  With all the resources available today, if you are not where you want to be - in your life or your business - it is probably your own fault.


Yes!  I dared to say that!  With today's technology, you have access to the combined knowledge of hundreds - maybe even thousands - of the best minds in the business (no matter what business you're in).  And that same technology allows you to perform most of the tasks related to your business with an ease never before experienced.  It gives the marketer working from his bedroom the same global reach as even some of the largest companies.


Network marketing is not hard.  Business in general is not hard.  Most of the obstacles we find along the way are actually of our own creation.  (Yup!  I said it again.  It's your own fault). 


I know.  There's a lot of conflicting advice out there about building your business.  Why is that?  Well, what works for me and what I'm comfortable with may be very different than what works for you.  I hate cold calls.  In fact, I hate the telephone in general.  And so all the advice out there on this topic is a waste of my time.  I do the bare minimum necessary.  But I have a friend and team member who LOVES the phone.  I think one day we may have to have it surgically removed from her ear!  I tried to teach her how to build her list and how to blog.  And she hated every minute of it.  So how do you sort through all of the information out there to find what works?  Well, first, look for what feels right to you.  Focus on your strengths and make them stronger.  We all need to learn new skills.  I may learn to perfect my phone technique one day.  But right now I prefer to write. And it works for me.  So I'm taking coaching and training in copywriting and blogging.  My friend is perfecting Facebook Live and video.  Because she likes to talk.  Both methods work, as long as they are being used by the right person.


I've been told that I need to "get with the times" and do more video.  And maybe someday I will.  But that's your belief.  I'm doing fine right now with my own DMO (daily method of operations *smile*).


"But not everyone believes in network marketing.  They won't listen.  They think I'm a fraud!"  Ok.  Some will.  Some won't.  Who cares?  Work with the ones that do.  Ignore the rest. 


You can do this!  I know you can.  You have the power within you to live your life on your terms.  Many of you won't and that's sad.  But some of you want something more.  Go get it!


I have a small group of friends.  We call ourselves the Ninja Marketers.  Our sole purpose is to share our skills and knowledge with others in the business and to support and motivate each other.  We are a team.  When one of us succeeds, we all succeed. 


Find your Ninjas.  And if you can't, you are welcome to come and hang out with us.  Either way, find others who share your vision and work together to live your dreams.


Don't waste another minute!  Get up right now and do something - anything - to get your business back on track, to build the life you want to live, to move closer to your goals.  If you don't have goals, write some!  I have a blog post about that!  Then take MASSIVE action - to COMPLETION - to achieve them.  And yes, I have a blog post on that too. 


It's time.  If you truly want to live the life you were meant to, the life you dream of, then stop making excuses.  As Henry C. Link stated, ""While one person hesitates because he feels inferior, the other is busy making mistakes and becoming superior."

Talk About Yourself with Ease on Your "About Me" Page

You’ve probably heard that the "about me" page is the most visited on nearly any website. And that makes sense if you think about it: Your potential customers and team members want to know who they’re doing business with.

The trouble is, getting that information across without being too personal (i.e. unprofessional) or too formal (read: unreachable) is tough. Especially when you’re writing about yourself.

Let Your Personality Show

This is, after all, your “about me” page. So it makes sense to let the real you shine just a little bit. Write as if you’re having an email conversation with a friend. Don’t worry about being too formal, and if you start to sound like you’re writing a cover letter, lighten up a bit.

However, you can go to far. You probably should not use swear words (even if in real life you have a potty mouth), and you should leave out the details of your rotten divorce and how you’re trying to raise three kids and that’s why you’re working from home. That much “personality” is a turn off for potential clients.

Also, be sure to include your photo. It will make you seem more like a real person and less like some faceless website owner. Just be sure the photo you choose leans more toward professional than not. You don’t have to spring for expensive headshots, but don’t use the Halloween costume party photo, either.

But What Should I Say?

Here’s where most people really get stuck. Some things you might want to include in your “about page” are:

• Who you work with
• How long you’ve been in business (unless you started less than a year ago)
• Your core strengths
• What makes you different from others in your field

Not sure where to start? Take a look at the “about me” pages of those who are doing similar work, and who have a similar style. What do you like about their pages, and what do you think isn’t working for them? Make some notes including specific details so you can refer to them as you write your own page.

Remember, your "about me" page doesn’t have to be long or formal, but it does have to give people a sense of who you are and what you can do for them.

Really Stuck? Get Outside Help

Writing about yourself is hard. If you’re struggling, it may be time to get some help. You might choose to hire a writer – there are even those who specialize in “about me” pages – but it might be just as easy to get a friend to help.

Building a Home Business

There are a lot of people that would like to work from home right now.  The corporate rat race just keeps getting worse and with the number of people looking for work, you could be a bit insecure!  Especially with the recent announcements of layoffs and shutdowns.

The good news is a home business is something you can begin today while you still have your other job.  You can build it up with the aim of making enough money for you to set aside for emergencies.  Or you can work to eventually replace your income if you do lose your job.

Lots of people have started home businesses and are doing very well with them.  The problem is you usually only hear from the ones who haven't.  But what they don't tell you is that it is usually their own fault.  They either don't put enough effort into it, they choose a bad system to follow that doesn't help them grow, or they treat their business a lot more like a hobby than a business. Something to be worked on only when they don't have anything else to do.

You are nothing like that, are you? You've been working 50 hours a week for at your job for so long you know you couldn't go through a day without doing something. With your own home business those hours would be devoted to you and your folks and your customers and down-line and no one else. You would be calling the shots.

No more sitting in traffic, skipping lunch and working late. No more spending money on business attire. NO more going days without seeing your kids and your spouse. Oh and did I mention vacations? Take your laptop along on as many vacations as you like, do some work during the day and live the good life with your family.

Can you see it?  Can you picture that life?  Great! Do you already have experience in sales or a customer-oriented job?  That's even better!

There are plenty of things worth doing if you would like to start a home business. You could spend weeks poking around on the internet trying to find the perfect idea and how to get started.  But chances are you will start to feel frustrated and ready to throw in the towel before you even get started! You can easily waste a lot of money too.

Here's the secret to success in the "work from home" arena - find someone who is already making the kind of money you want, who is living the life you aspire to. Team up with them, find out what exactly they are doing and have been doing to produce that result.  And then just do what they do. Seriously. Building a lucrative business can really be just that simple - no matter what business you want to promote.

Sales and marketing is the key - not what you're promoting. Right now there are plenty of online systems you can use to generate a regular supply of leads, qualify those leads instantly, produce a nice stream of income whether they join your business or not, and literally grow your business on autopilot. Here is the  home business lead generation system we recommend.

Reputations Are Fragile

Paula Deen.  OJ.  Arthur Andersen.  Lindsey Lohan.  Tonya Harding.  Lance Armstrong.  Volkswagen.  BP.  Monsanto.  Goldman Sachs.  The list could go on and on.  What do all of these names have in common?  Damaged reputations.  Once they were considered to be among the best in their fields.  And then...one misstep, one error, one wrong statement or one bad act and a reputation is sullied.  Sometimes forever.

Reputations are fragile.  Once they are damaged, they can be impossible to restore.  Trust is everything.  Once it's lost, it might never be reclaimed.


People do business with those they KNOW, LIKE, and TRUST!  So why do so many sacrifice good reputations for power, money, or prestige?  You invest so much into building that reputation only to watch all of that hard work and success disappear.  


I've heard it.  I've even said it myself a few times.  "I don't care what others think of me."  And in some ways that can be a good and positive thing.  If people think I'm a little bit quirky, or sometimes too outspoken - I can live with that.  But if they don't trust me to do the right thing - if they think I'm unreliable, dishonest, or lazy - then it DOES matter what they think of me.  Because their perception of me can negatively impact my ability to earn a living.


How many of us do business with a particular person or company simply because we trust them more than others?  We may pay a little more.  We may wait a little longer for an appointment.  We may accept a bit less selection.  We may travel a little farther.  But we do it happily.  Why?  Because they have earned our trust and respect.  I know I do it all the time! 


You may think that since you are a network marketer or an online marketer, that your reputation is out of your control and doesn't really matter anyway.  But it's is probably more important here than elsewhere!  We are already fighting against the poor reputation network marketing has gained through the actions of some less scrupulous companies and reps.  More than ever, we need to be the positive example!  Spamming, inflating earnings, exaggerating product claims, stealing reps from other teams - all these only serve to further damage our reputation as a business model, not to mention your own reputation as a business person.


Socrates said, "The way to gain a good reputation is to endeavor to be what you desire to appear."  You are the face of your business.  If you want people to think of your company with respect and trust, then you must act accordingly always.  Will you sometimes make a misstep?  Sure.  Sometimes things happen through no fault of your own.  You might be part of a company that has some problems (been there!).  Or you might promote a product that isn't what you were led to believe.  (Been there too!)   But if you personally have a good reputation, you can overcome that when it happens.  Pick yourself up.  Admit the issue.  State how you will correct the issue.  And then do it.  With a smile.  Think Tylenol.  Remember the poisoned Tylenol scare?  That could have destroyed the brand.  But they responded quickly and efficiently to protect their consumers and because of that, may have earned more respect for their brand.


"But I'm having a bad day.  So I did send out a little spam.  I did target someone I knew was going to join another team.  I need the money."  Well, guess what.  We're in business.  So, yes we may have bad days.  No, we aren't allowed to use that as an excuse.  You still have to deliver great products and services, and impeccable customer service.  You still have to be honest and trustworthy.  Every day.  Without fail.


It takes time to build a great reputation.  It can be destroyed in a day.  So be consistent.  Be reliable.  Be trustworthy.  Offer the best products and services you can.  Offer stellar customer service.  And always, always tell the truth. 


The purest treasure mortal times afford is a spotless reputation.  --Shakespeare    

Foodies Everywhere Rejoice - Meet Jeff Pfohl!

I'm a foodie.  In case you couldn't tell by looking at me!  I LOVE to cook - and EAT - exquisite food.  So I was thrilled when a friend introduced me to a company called Gourmet Delights.  I ordered a few things, loved them, and have been a faithful customer ever since. (Thanks Terri!)  But you know me...I am also an avid networker.  So of course, it was not long before the owner of this amazing company and I had connected.  I can't even tell you how it happened because I feel like we've been chatting for ever.  I love his sense of humor.  I love his products.  I love his commitment to customer service.  You will too.  Fellow foodies - meet Jeff Pfohl.

1. Jeff, tell us about yourself.



My formal education is in chemistry and physics. After getting my PhD I worked in the government for several years before venturing out on my own as an entrepreneur. This scientific background prepared me well for entrepreneurship in that a Ph.D. not only takes 6 years, which takes patience and determination, but also means failure. Experiments go wrong, and you need to reevaluate, and adjust, moving forward. In a small business things also go wrong, and you need to stop, and often rethink everything you originally believed, challenge every assumption, and then come up with a new plan to move forward.
 

2. Tell us about your business



Gourmet-Delights.com is an online retail store specializing in gourmet foods for the home chef. I was tired of paying what I considered exorbitant prices for average ingredients. I knew I could offer higher quality ingredients than were currently available retail, at a lower price than the average products on the store shelves, thus our motto "Exceptional Foods at realistic prices".



I decided to be online only, for two important reasons: first was to keep my costs down, so I could pass those savings along to the customer, and second was to expand my reach. I’ve lived in big cities, and small towns, and the variability of supermarkets is astounding. When I lived in those places, long before the internet was mainstream and in everyone’s home, not being able to find a real balsamic vinegar, or true extra virgin olive oil, or certain spices was painful for a home chef like me. Gourmet-Delights.com solves those dilemmas and puts high quality ingredients right on your doorstep no matter where you live.



3. Why did you choose to start your own business and why this particular niche?


Gourmet-Delights.com is my 9th startup. It became a reality when I was hosting dinner parties for friends, with ingredients I hand carried back from around the world during my travels, and my friends always asked "where I can find that ingredient" and I would say it is only available in Europe, or Asia, or…. So if I had extra I’d give them some, which meant I ran out sooner. At some point ½ my suitcase was bringing ingredients back for friends, and I said "if my friends are begging me for these ingredients, and love them, there must be others out there looking." I launched the website in March 2009 and immediately started getting sales.




4. What do you like most, and least, about being your own boss?
 

What I like most is the lack of office politics. Small businesses allow everyone to be connected. The owner/CEO can talk to everyone, and everyone can talk to the CEO. Problems get identified, and resolved, faster because everyone has a stake, and everyone has a valuable perspective to offer. That teamwork is invaluable for a small business. The worst thing is my boss, that’s me, is always watching me *lol* Every moment I’m doing something else, which isn’t often, I think "I should be back at work".



5. What personality traits and skills are needed to run a business?
 

You need to have an even keel. A business, especially in the early stages, is like a roller coaster. Ups, downs, and stomach wrenching drops. If you react emotionally, if you jump at every little hiccup, you will burn out very quickly. You also need to be ready for failure. Not everything will go your way, you can count on that. So when things go wrong, you cannot just wallow in the failure, and sulk for a few days, you need to immediately fix that issue because 10 other things are related and could fail too if you don’t resolve things quickly. It takes a special personality, and mindset, to take blow after blow after blow, and still believe you can survive and be successful. Be ready to sacrifice your personal life, be ready to be the only one who will still believe in you month after month after month, and be ready for the disappointments that will inevitably come your way.
 

The fight is very real, and since only 1 in 14,000 companies make it to their 2nd year, the odds are really against you.
 


6. What has been the most difficult part of being an entrepreneur?



Not everyone understands the entrepreneurial lifestyle. It is a vow of poverty as you put your own savings into the company to get it off the ground. It is working days, nights, and weekends. It is thus very isolating. You will often feel alone, and you are alone. You need to be comfortable with being alone. But also make sure you have a support network, friends, family, colleagues, who you can talk to. It keeps you grounded, and helps you clear your mind, and look at things from a different perspective. But remember, in the end, it is your company, and it lives, or dies with you.



7. Do you have any resources that you have used to build your business that you would recommend?

Always hire professionals to do things you are not an expert in. You need to focus on your strengths to push the company forward. Hire a good contracts attorney, and let them handle the legal stuff. Hire a good accountant, and let them handle the accounting. For online businesses, use a top-tier hosting company, with the best support and software. Yes they cost money, and are more expensive than the "Bargain basement" hosts, but the amount of time, and frustration, you save is well worth the investment. This not only gives you some peace of mind, but is smart operationally and strategically.
 

8. Do you have any tips to share on promoting yourself?



Be honest with everyone. You may need to deliver bad news, you may need to deliver news that is embarrassing to yourself, a mistake you made, something that went wrong at the company, but if you are honest and open with others, they respect that.



9. What other advice would you like to share with someone starting their own business?
 

Be part of a small company first. You will get the look and feel of a small business without the 100% responsibility that comes with owning your own business. There is nothing like seeing the dynamics of a small company, the struggles, and the dedication it takes to determine if you are ready for your own company. You will build a network of people that can help you later on, and most importantly you can learn from other’s mistakes.
 

10. How can we contact you to learn more about your products and services?

My website is full of information, from product descriptions, to recipes, to customer reviews. I work very hard to put all the information I possibly can on the website so the customer can be as informed as I am. That empowers the customer.