True Confessions of a Network Marketer's Wife

Networking Marketing and the Home (Bedroom!) Office

The Networkmarketers Wife — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 17:02:00 GMT

Robin occasionally travels for business and, due to our complex home life, he often travels alone. As some of you might suspect, he is also one that like to be prepared for anything. One of the side effects of this preparedness is that he tends to over pack. (Well, I think he over packs--he thinks he needs absolutely everything he packs.) This means that he spends a lot time getting ready for a trip by weighing his suitcase to make sure it is not over the 50 pound limit. He also tries to get as much as possible on his carry ons. By the time he is ready to go, he has two checked bags and two carry on items--the maximum of course. This is all fine and dandy after he gets on the plane, but can make traveling from the airport to the hotel a little tricky. Balancing two suitcases, a laptop case, and a smaller carry on while holding a cane and talking on the phone requires some pretty complex acrobatics. In any case, on this particular trip, the hotel shuttle driver decided that a blind guy with multiple heavy suitcases didn't need an help getting a large suitcase down from a top shelf on the shuttle. As a result, Robin fell out teh door of the schuttle, dragged out by his suitcase, and messed up his shoulder, broke three ribs, broke his wrist and just generally bruised his upper body. By the time he got back home from the trip (since this happened the first day of a 10 day trip which happened to be May 7th,2009), he was either in a lot of pain or on a not himself from the pain killers they gave him.

To make an already too long story short, all this pain and these painkillers made it hard from Robin to go up and down the stairs. So, his office, formerly located in the basement, was moved up our bedroom. Temporarily of course. Well, he discovered that he liked the office in the bedroom. The kids could run around and he didn't hear it. Plus it was more convenient. So, that temporary move has now become more permanent.

We were at a small group session with our church last night and I mentioned how much better Robin's business had gone since he started working out the of the bedroom. There was suddenly loud laughter. People really need to get their minds out of the gutter! While working out of our bedroom may be better for him, it has certainly been a challenge for me. Our bedroom used to be the place I could go to escape. We have the recorder in there, so I could watch the television shows I missed and I could relax. Well, those days are long gone. Business has picked up the point that Robin is on the phone almost continuously from morning to night. Unless I want to learn the MLM business passively (because I have to listen to all the phone calls), or I want to put in my ear plugs, there is no peace in the bedroom. Any movement or noise elicits the angry "I'm on the phone" look. Sighing, I leave the bedroom in search of sanctuary elsewhere, usually the bathroom--there is a lock on that door. If only there was a television in there, and a comfortable chair, maybe a radio...

Just take this as a warning that no room is sacred when you have a network marketer in the house. The room that works the best will be the one they use--no matter what! I just hope this business keeps growing. Then we can either build a sound proof office for Robin or a padded room for me--because that is where I am going to me if I don't get my bedroom back soon!

Thanks for reading.

The Power of Reward

The Networkmarketers Wife — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 13:37:00 GMT

Most companies recognize the power of reward. Stores offer free rewards for shopping in their store via a rewards card. Credit card companies offer all kinds of rewards for using their credit card. Consumers are responsive to the offer of rewards—that’s why so many companies use them.

Companies also know about rewards. Many of them offer rewards to their employees for everything from sales quotas to making a specific deadline. Companies also know that employees respond to rewards and are motivated to receive them. Many companies even make sure that they give that award in a forum where the person is recognized publicly for their achievement, or offer group reward where everyone shares in the success.

So why not use rewards to motivate yourself? If you are working for yourself, you can set you goals, work hard to get there, and then forget to reward yourself. When you are setting up your goals, why wouldn’t you decide on a reward for yourself when you reach that goal? The best part about setting your own reward is that you know it is something you will really want.

Getting to goal and rewarding yourself can be an important part of maintaining you momentum without getting burned out. Just going for goal after goal, even when you are recognized by the company, can become tedious and tiring day after day. The reward you decide for yourself doesn’t have to be money. Maybe it is an afternoon off, maybe it is a movie, maybe even just a relaxing bubble bath. Whatever the reward, make sure it matches the goal. The bigger the goal you achieved, the bigger the reward!

Try adding rewards to your business. If you want to add a level of accountability, find someone and tell them what reward you have chosen when you reach that specific goal. Adding rewards will add a new level of motivation, but also a new level of fun. Everyone loves to do what they want to do for a chance and the opportunity to give yourself that chance shouldn’t be passed up. You work hard—reward yourself!

"Dr. Robin Rushlo", is a well known MLM Radio personality and is nationally recognized as an expert in the network marketing business.He is the current host of the radio show, "Networking with the Blindguy"live daily from SEAD RADIO Network,providing Success and Retention Training for the network marketing industry brought to you at the Successful People Builders Network http://myshopandcompare.com and http://www.robintrushlo.com

Will You Stay or Will You Go?

The Networkmarketers Wife — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 12:54:00 GMT

New businesses, for the most part, are susceptible to failure, particularly in their first five years of business. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, over 50% of small businesses fail in the first year and 95% will close within the first five years (although not always because of failure) http://www.sba.gov/advo/stats/bh_sbe03.pdf. Although it is difficult to come up with hard numbers, you can be sure that the same is true of multi-level marketing companies.

So how do you balance the risk with the opportunities available? If you get a chance to get in on the ground level of a new MLM company, should you do it? How do you know if a company is having trouble (in other words, when to go)?

You can use a couple of strategies when it comes to your participation in the MLM business. First, you can look at joining MLM companies much like a stock portfolio by diversifying. If you want to join that new company (with the corresponding high risk), be sure you have a steady stream of income from a more stable source.

You can join the new company, but be conservative about how involved you get. Be careful about how much you are investing, particularly if you are buying multiple positions. Don’t stockpile a lot of sales materials or products.

What are some of the warning signs of a MLM that may be having difficulty? Probably the number one sign is when the company announces changes in the compensation plans that don’t benefit the distributor. Have they changed how they pay out or how often? Do you now have to do more to get the same compensation?

Another sign is if the top distributors go, either voluntarily or by being dropped. Yes, even though you are an independent business owner, a multi-level marketing company can terminate you. Usually this only happens to top distributors for two reasons. One is that they really did something bad or they are now making too much and the company can no longer afford them. If there multiple big names going, you should be looking into what’s going on.

Multi-level companies that start adding products that are a mismatch with what they have previously carried is also a sign that something might be going on. If your local tire company suddenly starting selling vitamins, you would probably wonder what was going on. The same is true in multi-level marketing companies. Sometimes the company may stay afloat, but ultimately split (since selling tires and selling vitamins are two different things).

If you are new to multi-level marketing, or just don’t like taking risks, then stick with a company that has been around. They probably know what they’re doing and you will have a good chance at being successful without wondering if they will be around tomorrow.

Send me an email and I can help show you a stable company and program.

Dr Robin Rushlo drblindguy@gmail.com

“If you can't fly, run. If you can't run, walk. If you can't walk, crawl. But by all means, keep moving.” Martin Luther King, Jr.

What’s Your Story?

The Networkmarketers Wife — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 19:44:00 GMT

If you have ever gotten a job, any job, you have a story to tell about howy ou got that job, how you came to be in that business, etc. The same is true of multilevel marketing. Everyone has a story of how they got started, who told them about the business, and how their life has changed. Sometimes your story is the only verbal contact you will have with someone, so you need to make it good!

While everyone may have a story, not everyone has mastered telling their story. Sometimes we get so excited about our business, they we want to tell absolutely EVERYTHING about what this business has done for us and what the business can do for them. Half an hour later our audience is either asleep, has put us on permanent hold (if we are on the phone), or is looking for a way to escape. Some of us try to make the story too short. “Well, a friend of mine called up one day and I signed up and it’s been great ever since!” No too inspirational.

Your story should be short, but spark interest. Your listener should want to hear more about your company (not necessarily about you), more about the products, and most importantly,how they can join you. There are some things you can do to tell and effective and compelling story.

First, you need to practice. If you have to,write down what you want to say and read it over. Writing it down will force you think about what you want to say. It will also give you a chance to really evaluate what you are saying and how you are saying it. Practice in front of the mirror or, even better, videotape yourself. Do you seem interested? How long did it take? Did you mention all the essentials (your company’s name for example)?

Next, find someone to practice on. This should be some one who can give you an honest critique of your story. Someone in your organization is a good choice, but someone who may not have already heard your story would be good as well. Have your upline listen as well and have them both give you feedback on the story. Keep repeating this until you have a story that says what you want and you can tell it the way you want.

Your story is as important to your business as you business card, your website, or any other method you use to contact people. Telling it wrong can destroy your chances and telling it right can inspire others to give it a try.

“The best leaders…almost without exception and at every level, are master users of stories and symbols. Thomas J. Peters American Management Consultant, Author, Trainer

http://itreallyworks.biz

contact me at drblindguy@gmail.com

Is It Finally Your Time?

The Networkmarketers Wife — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 20:40:00 GMT

At some point in our lives, most of us have wondered 'when will it be my time?' We work, we take care of our kids, and we take care of our parents, our spouse, and our house--pretty much everything. And we get older. Nothing seems to change and it seems like we are doomed to a mediocre existence.

We see opportunities come and go and we wonder if we will ever have a chance. But why not now? Why not take that chance? There will always be reasons not to take a chance but why not think of all the reasons to take a chance. What would you do if you were guaranteed not to fail? What if you could take a small chance and try something that could change your life? Change your future and your family’s future, your grandchildren’s future, your great-grandchildren’s future? Would you do it? Or have you been beaten down so many times that you are afraid to take chances any more. Maybe you think you are too old, too young, too…you fill in the blank.

There are companies that can offer you that chance. Minimal risk but big rewards. Does it happen automatically? Of course not. Does it happen overnight? Nope. Do you have to have a ton of experience? Absolutely not. Will it be easy? Maybe not but it can be fun. You can meet new people, learn something new and maybe even make a little money in the process. If you are willing to learn, willing to work consistently, and are coachable, you could earn a lot of money--a whole lot of money. But you will never know unless you take that first step. It's your time and your chance. Take advantage of it! It is never too late and you are never too old unless you think you are!

If you really know it is your time or you have decided it is your time now and you no longer want to be sick and tired of being sick and tired call me at 319-400-8957 (CST).(US and Canada, NZ, Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, UK, Ireland, China, Twain and Korea)

It is time to make the time. Henry Dumas (1934-1968) American writer and poet

Product Products Everywhere

The Networkmarketers Wife — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 15:13:00 GMT

If you have been involved with networking marketing for any length of time, you are probably familiar with the term autoship. If you have been involved in direct sales, you know about minimum purchase requirements. Both of these terms basically mean that you have to purchase or sell a certainly amount of product each month or each quarter or some other predetermined length of time. By purchasing or selling that particular amount of product you stay active. In other words, you are actively participating in your business and you are eligible for all the various bonuses, commissions, offered by that particular company. You also know that when you first start in a business you get some kind of "starter pack." This is usually an assortment of products from the company so you can try the various products. Sometimes you get to chose which products you want, sometimes it is a predetermined assortment.

The result of both of these particular requirements is that you can end up with quite a few "extra" products hanging around your house. So, what do you do with these extras? They certainly aren't doing anyone any good sitting in your garage and for the most part they are great products--right? Here are a couple of ideas of how to make those products work for you rather than just take up space.

1.    Use the extras as samples for potential customers. Maybe your company doesn't offer samples. These extras can be great way to introduce your products to someone.   Just be sure to use them wisely and get contact information on anyone you give a sample.
2.    Gift baskets. Teachers, people you do business with, families and friends are just some of the people that might appreciate a gift basket of you products. Again, be smart and make sure you contact information is at least in the baskets but preferably on the products themselves.
3.    Give the products to charity. This can be a great way to get a tax deduction. A way to use them for charity and still get you name out is to offer the products as a gift basket to be raffled off or for a silent auction for a school or other charity. If you don't have kids, just find a school in your area. They will be happy for the help and you will get some advertising.
4.    Trade shows. Take those extra products to a trade show and sell them. This is a grea tway to make some money, talk to potential customers/distributors, and make new business contacts with other vendors.
5.    Have your own trade show. Have your products on display at a garage sell or other event at your home. Have an open house to introduce people to these great products you represent.

Having a lot of extra product sitting around is a waste all the way around. You paid for these great products, let them go to work for you! (Plus you can use the space for other more important things--like storing that collection of beer cans!)

Thanks for reading!

The Elevision Network A Lesson in Trust

The Networkmarketers Wife — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 16:09:00 GMT

Many of you have read about The Elevision Network and Chris A. Hutcherson on my blog before. I'm going to be right up front and say that The Elevision Network is a great idea with almost unlimited potential. The SPEAKERS that have been involved with Elevision are unsurpassed. Unfortunately, the management fell short.

One of the hazards of meeting and getting involved with people on the internet is that it is difficult to get a real feel for people. The face-to-face interaction is limited. As a result, we can miss important cues about people and it is easy to let your guard down. Especially when the story is really, really good. Such is the case with Elevision and Chris A. Hutcherson. How could you not trust a man who was in tears describing is mission to raise 200 million for kids and how Elevision was going to help him reach that goal. It was really touching. There wasn't a dry eye in the house. The more people that get involved, the more you feel like "hey, this is a great thing." And for a while it was.

Robin and I have been involved with Chris and Elevision (before it was even called Elevision and before it was even internet television) since October of 2007. It was a great idea and we were more than happy to help make it happen. Over the next few months everything and everyone seemed to be coming together. The business kept growing. There were investors. Famous names. Then it seemed like things were becoming out of control. Elevision didn't launched as promised. There were a very large number of people involved with no one really knowing what the others were doing. A large amount of money was coming and going.

Being the administrator that I am, I started to get worried. There was no business plan, no marketing plan. No one could produce financials. People became defensive when you asked questions. No one seemed to be communicating. The more we pushed for answers the more questions that seemed to crop up. No one knew how many subscribers there were. No one knew who was answering subscriber questions. No one seemed to know much of anything. Then they stopped paying their bills and their consultants.

So, what happened and why? There are lots of reasons that things went very bad very fast. This is not the first company to have these problems and it won't be the last. (If you want to know more, you can read my series on Recipes for Trouble. They have been published under Robin's name in various places.) The two main problem were no business plan and no fiduciary controls. What do I mean by fiduciary controls? Controls should exist in any organization, but particular in an organization that is bringing in or has the potential to bring in millions of dollars. It means that more than one person has access to the bank account. It means that someone other than the person that is paying the bills is reconciling that bank statement. It means that more than one person's signature is required for amounts over say $10,000. It also means that financial statements are provided on a timely basis to investors and board members. If any of these things are lacking in an organzation, they are just asking for trouble. None of these existed (or exist now) at The Elevision Network. These kinds of controls help insure that one person is trying to make all the financial systems. It protects both the company and the CEO and/or CFO. It also helps to deter mismanagement, theft, and/or embezzlement.

I do think that Elevision is a great idea that has great applications in almost any industry you can name. I hope it is reborn as a company with a plan and the proper controls. It is just unfortunate that so many good people lost their money, their time, and their dreams. That is something that can never be replaced.

Making Money on the Internet

The Networkmarketers Wife — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 16:54:00 GMT

One of the things that being involved with network marketing teaches you pretty quickly is that most people don't understand what you do. Some think they understand, some think its a scam, some just think you sell things. When you are both able to stay home like Robin and I do, they really start to take you at least a little seriously (or they think you are dealing drugs--just depends!). Some people think you are taking a chance and, probably, some are jealous. Who knows. My dad looked at me the other day and said "you know, I just don't understand how people can make money on the Internet." Seems like a quesiton that would be easy to answer, but I found it wasn't quite a easy as I thought. This weekend, the prefect example presented itself.

Robin has a fairly large presence on the Internet and huge presence in the multilevel marketing world. Because he is so visible, people are always talking to him about about various businesses, particularly MLM. Sometimes questions about running the MLM, the compensation plan, and sometimes about a new opportunity. Well, this weekend he heard about a new thing that Facebook was doing called ChatToText (http://www.chattotext.com/amember/go.php?r=464&i=l0). For $5.99 a month, you can access this program that lets you send chat directly from your facebook account to people's cell phones. (My kids missed the significance of this since they said it was easier just to do it from their phone. Robin asked them if they could text 3,000 people all at once--then they got it.) Besides being pretty inexpensive it is pretty cool. Facebook let these developers use their platform and didn't just offer the ChatToText, they made it an MLM opportunity. In other words, if you told people about the ChatToText and those people signed up, you would get $2.00for you first tier. Plus you would get $o.25 for every person they signed up and on and on for eight levels (up to several thousand people--let's say 10,000--I don't know exactly, but you can find out). Kind of like a referral fee. This money continues for every month that the person stays subscribed. Now, this may not seem like a lot of money, but lets just do a little math.

There are about 10.5 million people on Facebook. (This may seem like a lot, but when you consider there are 1.4 billion users on the Internet, it doesn't seem like so many.) Maybe one fourth of people on Facebook are interested in this new product. That's 2,625,000. You only need to reach enough people that 10,020 sign up since that is the maximum you can get paid on. You don't have to reach all those people yourself directly since the people you contact will contact their people, and so on. (The average person knows about 250 people--just as a reference, if each of those 250 knows 250--you can see where this goes.) With this opportunity alone you could make an extra $2,540 per month. Think it will take forever to get that many people? Robin filled up an entire position in less than two days.

Making money on the Internet is all about the numbers. If you have a good product at a good price and you get it out on the Internet in an effective way, you can make money. People that sell successfully on the Internet spend a great deal of time and effort (and sometimes money) designing websites, emails, etc., that will drive the traffic to their product. Given the vast numbers, even if you only reach a small percentage, you can be successful. But you do have to work at it. So remember, it's all about the numbers!

Have a great one and thanks for reading.

Baby It's Cold Outside!

The Networkmarketers Wife — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 17:51:00 GMT

Okay, I'm a day late. Yet another impromptu snow day and I have the two year old at home. This means that working on the computer becomes next to impossible since I have WAY too much help!

As I look outside today I see a beautiful clear sky and the bright sun. If I just keep looking up, I can imagine that it is warm. I can even imagine that I am back in Florida and that I could go out and take a walk in the park. Of course, I have to keep looking down and the reality sets in. I see the brown, leaveless trees and the wide expanse of white which is the foot of snow that is on the ground. The weather monitor on my computer says -6 with a wind chill to -14. Yikes!

The same thing can happen in network marketing (or any business for that matter). You keep looking up at the sky thinking everything is great. The truth is, if you don't keep activity going and keep working your business, pretty soon it will look like the Iowa landscape in January--frozen and inactive and will be March before you see anything going again.

I leave you with an oldie, but goodie, the Diary of Snow Shoveler. I don't know what made me think of it. Maybe the four more inches of snow they are predicting for tonight!

The Diary of Snow Shoveler

December 8:
6:00 PM It started to snow. The first snow of the season and the wife and I took our hot chocolate and sat for hours by the window watching the huge soft flakes drift down from heaven. It looked like a Grandma Moses print. So romantic we felt like newlyweds again. I love snow!

December 9:
We woke to a beautiful blanket of crystal white snow covering every inch of the landscape. What a fantastic sight! Can there be a more lovely place in the whole world? Moving here was the best idea I've ever had. Shoveled for the first time ever and felt like a boy again. I did both the driveway and the sidewalks. This afternoon the snowplow came along and covered up the sidewalks and closed in the driveway, so I got to shovel again. What a perfect life.

December 12:
The sun has melted all our lovely snow. Such a disappointment. My neighbor, Bob, tells me not to worry, we'll definitely have a white Christmas. No snow on Christmas would be awful! Bob says we'll have so much snow by the end of winter, that I'll never want to see snow again. I don't think that's possible. Bob is such a nice man. I'm glad he's our neighbor.

December 14:
Snow, lovely snow! 8" last night. The temperature dropped to -20. The cold makes everything sparkle so. The wind took my breath away, but I warmed up shoveling the driveway and sidewalks. This is the life! The snowplow came back this afternoon and buried everything again. I didn't realize I would have to do quite this much shoveling, but I'll certainly get back in shape this way. I wish I wouldn't huff and puff so.

December 15:
20 inches forecast. Sold my van and bought a 4x4 Blazer. Bought snow tires for the wife's car and 2 extra shovels. Stocked the freezer. The wife wants a wood stove in case the electricity goes out. I think that's silly, we aren't in Alaska, after all.

December 16:
Ice storm this morning. Fell on my butt on the ice in the driveway putting down salt. Hurt like crazy. The wife laughed for an hour, which I think was very cruel.

December 17:
Still way below freezing. Roads are too icy to go anywhere. Electricity was off for 5 hours. I had to pile the blankets on to stay warm. Nothing to do but stare at the wife and try not to irritate her. Guess I should've bought a wood stove, but won't admit it to her. I hate it when she's right. I can't believe I'm freezing to death in my own living room.

December 20:
Electricity's back on, but had another 14" of the stuff last night. More shoveling. Took all day. Snowplow came by twice. Tried to find a neighbor kid to shovel, but they said they're too busy playing hockey. I think they're lying. Called the only hardware store around to see about buying a snow blower and they're out. Might have another shipment in March. I think they're lying. Bob says I have to shovel or the city will have it done and bill me. I think he's lying.

December 22:
Bob was right about a white Christmas because 13 more inches of the white stuff fell today, and it's so cold it probably won't melt until August. Took me 45 minutes to get all dressed up to go out to shovel and then I had to go to the bathroom. By the time I got undressed, went, and dressed again, I was too tired to shovel. Tried to hire Bob who has a plow on his truck for the rest of the winter, but he says he's too busy. I think he's is lying.

December 23:
Only 2" of snow today. And it warmed up to 0. The wife wanted me to decorate the front of the house this morning. What, is she nuts. Why didn't she tell me that a month ago? She says she did but I think she's lying.

December 24:
6" more snow packed so hard by snowplow, I broke the shovel. Thought I was having a heart attack. If I ever catch the guy who drives that snowplow, I'll drag him through the snow. I know he hides around the corner and waits for me to finish shoveling and then he comes down the street at 100 miles an hour and throws snow all over where I've just been! Tonight the wife wanted me to sing Christmas carols with her and open our presents, but I was busy watching for the snowplow.

December 25:
Merry Christmas. 20 more inches of the -#2$&# slop tonight. Snowed in. The idea of shoveling makes my blood boil. I hate the snow! Then the snowplow driver came by asking for a donation and I hit him over the head with my shovel. The wife says I have a bad attitude. I think she's an idiot. If I have to watch "It's a Wonderful Life" one more time I'm going to kill her.

December 26:
Still snowed in. Why did I move here? It was all HER idea. She's really getting on my nerves.

December 27:
Temperature dropped to -30 and the pipes froze.

December 28:
Warmed up to above -20. Still snowed in. She's driving me CRAZY!!!!

December 29:
10 more inches. Bob says I have to shovel the roof or it will cave in. That's the silliest thing I've ever heard. How dumb does he think I am?

December 30:
Roof caved in. The snow plow driver is suing me for a million dollars. The wife went home to her mother. 9" predicted.

December 31:
Set fire to what's left of the house. No more shoveling.

January 8:
I feel so good. I just love those little white pills they keep giving me. Why am I tied to the bed?

Thanks for reading and stay warm!

Weathering the Weather

The Networkmarketers Wife — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 16:13:00 GMT

Happy New Year! Well, it is the first Monday of the new year. I know I've been noticably absent from this blog for a few weeks. Haivng all the kids home during the break plus some impromptu snow days and the holidays pretty much put a big kink in my schedule. Happily all the muchkins are off to their various locations today (although one tried the old stomach ache routine) and I am back to having the house to myself with the exception of the noisy network marketer in his office! (Actually he's only noisy when he's on the phone. Listening to one-sided phone conversations is always interesting.)

I have, however, been writing quite a bit under my alias Robin Rushlo. Some on Elevision some on whatever. Not all the articles are mine, but maybe you will recognize the ones I wrote. In any case, I will continue to write articles, but I also wanted to get back to my blog.

It is actually a beautiful day here in the artic midwest. Cold, but at least the sun is out. Winter in the midwest kind of reminds me of business. Some days are beautiful, but it always seems like there is a storm looming on the horizon. Sometimes the storm is worse than predicted, sometimes it is not as bad, and sometimes you manage to avoid it all together. In any case, you do seem to always get through it and there is the satisfaction of knowing that it didn't get the best of you!

I don't really know what kind of weather this year holds for our business or anyone else's for that matter. If I listened to the gloom and doom on the news, I would think that no one will escape the storm of the current economy or the potential policies of the incoming president. As we all know, however, there are always winner and losers in any circumstance. Network marketing tends to survive. I think the timing is perfect for Elevision since so many people are looking for uplifting inspiration, ideas, or even just entertainment and they can get it on Elevision.

For day, like the sun and crisp cold, I feel hopeful, blessed, and just generally ready to face the fun and the challenges that this new year will bring. I hope you feel the same way.

Thanks for reading!

The Elevision Network..Finally...Again...No Really!

The Networkmarketers Wife — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 20:46:00 GMT

I know, I know, I've talking about The Elevision Network and talking about how it is going to launch right now, and on and on. But this time I really mean it! Elevision Network has launched. You can read the press release for yourself at http://www.prweb.com/releases/affiliate/elevisionnetwork/prweb1719474.htm. You can even go to an actual Elevision Network URL

http://affiliateu.com/letter?a=2817 You go to the About Us link on that website, you can learn more about The Elevision Network and how the launch is going to go. This will also get you $2000 in freebies and upgrades after 00:01 am on 9 December 2008

There have been so many lessons learned on this great adventure that it is hard to know where to start. It has certainly been a journey of faith, perseverance, opportunity, and a great tribute to the power of networking. Probably the most obviously lesson is how a relatively simple idea can be so incredibly complex to bring to fruition. The number of people, the range of skills, the amount of money--all have been far more than I think any of us thought at the beginning.

The Elevision Network is something that is desperately needed, especially in these times. All of the speakers on the network give up beat and useful information to a world that needs some inspiration right now. More importantly, these speakers also give you alternatives to traditional employment arrangements, opportunities that are available and how to take advantage of them, and lot of other information that people will find useful, uplifting, and, most importantly, entertaining!

The Elevision Network changes how we do training. It gives everyone access to speakers that used to be available by appointment only (and at a the high cost of attending a meeting or seminar). Now you can have access 24 hours a day, seven days a week to hundreds of hours of content designed to help you.

The Elevision Network is in pre-launch but will be accepting subscribers soon. So if you are tired of negative television and are looking for an way to be inspired, learn more, and have some fun. The Elevision Network is for you!

Thanks for reading!

No You Can't!

The Networkmarketers Wife — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 22:13:00 GMT

I have always wondered if there was a certain test to see if one was truly a network marketer and really understood what it means to work for yourself and, maybe more importantly, believe in yourself. I think I finally found it. At least I found one that works with Robin. Nothing gets him more motivated than when someone tells him it can't be done. It's really actually pretty fun to watch.

He will walk out of his office with this thoughtful look on his face.

"So and so just told him that I'm wrong and that such and such can't be done."

"Really" I say. There is no point in really discussing it much further. Once I know the challenge, that is all I need to know.

Over the next couple of days, the obsession will set in. I'll walk in every once in while to see him with this sly smile on his face. Finally, he will emerge with this excited little kid look on his face and say "Guess what I just did!"

Of course, I know he just did whatever it was that someone told him could not be done, but I don't want to spoil the fun, so I say "What?"

"I just did such and such" he says.

"Oh." I say. Yes, I remember that so and so said that couldn't be done, but I don't want to kill the suspense.

"Yeah, so and so said it couldn't be done, but I did it. They spent all this money, but I did it cheaper and faster and mine is working better." He smiles

"Cool." I say, knowing full well that it would happen.

Now, in this case everyone benefits. The company benefits because he can't resist telling them "I told you so" (like it doesn't make them happy to have someone figure out something that works and brings them more distributors and/or more customers and thus more money--duh!). His downline benefits because what is more fun than telling the story a ton of times and giving your team the same tools.

The next time you have a hard problem to solve, just tell Robin about it!

Thanks for reading!

The Elevision Network...Finally!!!

The Networkmarketers Wife — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 17:15:00 GMT

Speaking of finally I'm back writing. I have been busy moving, painting and painting and moving and cleaning and...whew! I would like to say that I'm done, but....More about the move in my next blog. There is something more exciting to talk about at the moment (and no, it is not the election).

Anyway, on to bigger and better things. The Elevision Network is about to launch! It was supposed to be today, but we figured no one would pay attention to anything until after the election, so the official date is now November 7. Now, I would like to say that I could send you to a website to see what it is all about, but content is being frantically downloaded as we speak, so I'll just have to tell you about it.

I've talked about The Elevision Network in previous blogs, although I'm sure sure how many times I used the actual name. In any case, it is an opportunity for anyone with an internet connection to get thousands of hours of programming on hundreds of topics. This is all positive, uplifting information in a high definition, instant gratification format. It has taken over year, and hundreds of man hours from actually a relative small, but extraordinarily talented, group of people. We all learned a lot along the way, but also all knew what this should look like. Compromise was not acceptable which is part of the reason this has taken so long.

If you know me, you know a little about my background. I've been involved with quite a few organizations, some with very noble causes. However, I have to say that The Elevision Network is probably the project that has the potential to change the most lives. Not only the lives of the people that are directly involved, but the lives of the people that subscribe and take advantage of having access to the brightest and the best in the world--24 hours a day, seven days a week at their convenience. I thank God every day for the opportunity to be involved and the people that I have met along the way through this project. It has been something I will never forget and I wouldn't have misssed it for the world.

If you want more information about this great project, you can contact Robin at drblindguy@gmail.com. This email has been set up specifically for our work with The Elevision Network.

Thanks for reading!

Moving at the Speed of Light

The Networkmarketers Wife — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 13:57:00 GMT

You know how life goes sometimes--you plod along thinking that the particular phase you are currently in will never end. For months we've been working with Chris Hutcherson on The Elevision Network. This amaziing concept has also been taking an amazing amount of time to get going. Don't get me wrong, there are top notch people involve--John Beal, Gary Goldstein, Frank McGuire Art Jonak, Bob Burg, just to name a few, the list is growing each day with more and more people and speakers joining ...I mean, it's a high powered group. Chris has been great working with this diverse group--but sometime it seems like it is one step forward and two steps back. None of us gave up, but Chris worked to really keep the excitement up--so this is the month and things are really going move--like at the speed of light. If you would like to read more about how this all came about and the story of how Chris started it all (as well as some other interesting articles) go to http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/search.cgi.

Now, the other thing we know will always happen is that when one thing starts moving, everything starts moving. We have been looking for a house closer to town for about the last four or five months. We looked at over 100 houses. I was about ready to call the show Hidden Potential--there was a couple of there that had looked at over 800 houses in two years! Anyway, we finally found one and started moving October 1. (Notice I said started moving.) Anyway, now we have moving, painting, all that good stuff going on along with The Elevision Network.

Then we also have a new company that we are working with called Boresha (www.drinkcoffeegetpaid.com). This is 100% certified organic, fair trade, pesticide free, shade grown, Double AA Arabica coffee from Africa. Great coffee, but also a great mission for the company. A portion of their profits go to an organization called Invisible Children that helps kids in Africa. So, you can drink your coffee and help kids too. This company is just starting to take off, so we have been working on marketing materials for them as well.

Now, all this, while a little overwhelming, is also fun and exciting. To see months of hard work pay off--well, there is no greater high! Keep reading--things are going to gear up even more!

Thanks for reading!

Guest Blogger for one article

The Networkmarketers Wife — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 16:05:00 GMT

As you Know I am Dr Robin Rushlo and my wife Kathy writes the blog here. The exception is this one. She wrote this one for my as this man is the reason I keep my sanity and feet on the ground. Chris A. Hutcherson help lift me to the next higher level. This was written so that all of you may see the other side you do not usually see. Thanks

No Good Deed Goes Unpunished

Once in a while you meet someone really exceptional. Chris A. Hutcherson may be just the one that fits this, but read on and then you answer the questions. Not necessarily exception because of how much money they have or how famous they are, but exceptional because of their concern for people. Not just their families, but concern for a great good, like helping children. Meeting people like that in business, at least in my experience, is extremely rare. And people that can put up with me are even rarer (just ask my wife).

Chris A. Hutcherson is just such a person. From the time we “met” via LinkedIn.com, while we have worked on developing the affiliate model for The Intertnet Network, TV That Takes You to a Higher Level, and in everything we do, Chris has been kind, considerate, and compassionate. The more I get to know him, the more I like him. It also seems like such people often fall prey to deceptive people. Unfortunately,that is exactly what ha happened to Chris A. Hutcherson.

You may have read some things about Chris A. Hutcherson on the internet lately. These articles are written by a man who took advantage of Chris’ kindness and compassion. This man misrepresented himself and a project to Chris to the point that Chris entered in a business relationship with this man. After months of working with this man, it became apparently that this man was mentally unstable. Chris, being the compassionate person that he is, tried to help this man get the assistance he needed to get better. In spite of threats of violence from this man, in spite of threats to his family from this man, Chris did his best to make sure this man was able to receive the help he so desperately needed.

In spite of Chris’ best efforts, this man refused to seek help and continued to make threats and write the type of articles you see on the internet. Unfortunately, there is no happy ending to this story and the negative stories on the internet remain there. As someone once said, “Getting something off the internet is impossible. It is like trying to take pee out of a pool.”

When you read something negative on the internet about Chris A. Hutcherson, please take the time to do a little research. Look deeper into the real man and what he is doing and what he done. There are great things coming thanks to Chris! Keep watching out there. Lots of kids are going to benefit from Chris' efforts!

Dream Stealing

The Networkmarketers Wife — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 14:02:00 GMT

Robin and I got into a "discussion" today about a blog I was considering writing. "If you write that blog" he said, "you will be stealing people's dreams!" Now, those of you that know me know that I would never write anything that would discourage anyone and what the blog would have been about (since I will probably still write it at some point) is not important. It made me think about dream stealing.

I've been watching America's Got Talent. The final show was last night and the five finalist performed. What set these five apart from the thousands that tried out and the hundreds that performed once one simple thing. They had a dream. Not just an ordinary dream, but a dream that was so strong nothing and no one could stop them. There are two young men from the wrong side of town in New York that play violin like nothing you have ever seen. Four singers. One woman who wanted to sing all her life, but she got pregnant at a young age, then had two more children and those kids came first. But for 25 years she held on to that dream and she was one of the finalist. Another man who had been in a bicycle accident. Doctors told him that he would never sing again. Even worse, he was eliminated early on, but when one of the acts had to drop out due to an injury, America voted him back on and now he's in the finals! Another singer that was raised by a single mom in a poor household. His music teacher discovered him singing in the hall and encouraged him to join the choir. His voice gives you goosebumps over the television--I can't even imagine what it is like in person. And the final singer, who has been singing in night clubs or wherever he could get job. Sleeping in his car--whatever it took. Even if he doesn't win the competition, you can bet that producers are out there looking at him and that all that sacrifice is about to pay off.

My point is, if you have a dream and a vision that is as strong or stronger than these people, you have a gift. I think very few people ever really totally surrender to their dream--even fewer can even figure out what their dream really is. But those that do, reap unbelievable rewards when that dream comes true. When the dream happens, all the pain, all the sacrifice, all the suffering goes away in an instant. And when the dream comes true, they dream another one. Find those people in your organization and spend as much time with them as you can. Their attitude is contagious and you want to catch it.

As Eleanor Roosevelt once said "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." I would change it to say "No one can steal your dream without your consent!"

Never be afraid of what you will lose and never be afraid to dream.

Thanks for reading!

But I Don't Want to SELL Anything!

The Networkmarketers Wife — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 15:08:00 GMT

When I got into the MLM business with Robin one of the first things I told him was "I don't want to sell anything."

"No problem," he says, "you don't have to."

"Really?" I said.

"Really" he said.

He said that because when we first got into this particular network marketing company, it wasn't about selling, it was about recruiting. The problem with forgetting about selling and concentrating on recruiting is that in order for anyone to make money consistently products have to move--and no matter how you cut it, that is about selling. If you concentrate totally on recruiting, the people you recruit concerntrate on recruiting and no one is selling, pretty soon people start dropping out and the next thing you know your business collapses. If you talk to Robin now, I think you would get a different perspective.

You can read a lot of books about selling. About how selling is not about selling but about matching up people with their needs. In some cases, it is more about making people THINK they need your product, especially in the direct selling business. As many of you know, I was a consultant for Tastefully Simple for about three years. I would say that Tastefully Simple is one example of really creating a need. Let's face it, from a health standpoint the world would probably be better off without TS almond poundcake, but I could make you think you absolutely had to have almond poundcake for you next family get together (or even dinner that night!), meeting your need for acceptance and praise. When I told you how easy it was, I met your need of saving time. Pretty soon, you HAD to have almond poundcake and I was there to frequently remind you how much (and how often) you needed it. This was true of pretty much all of their products. I don't think anyone ever came up to me and told me how much TS products had changed their lives--except maybe that they were gaining weight!

There are products out there, however, many of the natural supplements for example, that I do think improve people's lives and it is great that they exist. I also think those products are getting better all the time and are meeting more and more needs in an aging population.

The point is that selling is what keeps any business going--even an MLM. You can recruit all day long, but if you aren't selling and the people you recruit aren't selling, no one is making any money and a lot of people are walking around out there with unmet needs! I think that there are many great MLMs out there and many of them have fabulous products that can truly make a difference in your life. Just understand that an MLM, like any business, needs to have products moving out the door, whether they are sold or "meeting needs." It's part of the business if it is a part that you don't want to do, or a part you don't want to learn how to do, then maybe the MLM business is not for you!

Thanks for reading!

Kathy

The Fine Print of a Network Marketing Business

The Networkmarketers Wife — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 18:17:00 GMT

You can't take something off the Internet - it's like taking pee out of a pool.
NewsRadio.

One of things that people forget when then sign on with a company is that pesky little thing called "terms and conditions." Most of us just happily click on the "Agree" button without really reading the entire agreement. After all, it is multiple pages long and you just want to get started. Yes, you are an independent business owner, but you also represent the company and usually buried in that agreement are the reasons that the company can dump you. Yes, they can take away your position. No matter who you are or where you are in the company, you can be kicked out.

The internet is really like a small town. You can try to get by with something, but if it is out there on the web, be guaranteed that someone (and probably more than one) will find out about it. No matter if is is buried on page 127 of a search. There are a lot of people out there who live and breath the internet and many of them are more than happy to forward that information. You can be sure that one of those people will be someone in your company or another distributor with the company that one of those people will "tattle" on you. The next thing you know, you receive a notice that you are out. If you have been working your business all those people that you worked so hard to recruit go to someone else.

Is that fair? Well, you are the one that agreed to the rules of that particular company. My advice, read that agreement carefully. There is a huge variation between companies as far as what they allow. The rules can apply to how you can use their logo, what kind of advertising you can do, where you can recruit, where you can sell the products, and a host of other variations. No matter how much you love the products, if you are a free spirit and the company is pretty strict, that particular company may not be a good match. Conversely, if they allow a lot of free wheeling by their distributors, the company may not always look professional, especially when they are represented on the web--and you don't want that to reflect on you.

If you want to change the rules by asking for forgiveness rather than permission, just remember that you are taking a risk, particularly if what you want to do involves the internet. The method may be profitible in the short term, but may cost you your business in the long run. You have vey little recourse if the company dumps you--especially if you did break their rules (no matter how justified or how stupid you might think the rule is).

Tread lightly. Someone is surfing!

Thanks for reading!

Getting Organized

The Networkmarketers Wife — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 16:10:00 GMT

Robin has been traveling a little for business lately. On one of these trips, I needed to find something in his office, affectionately known at the man cave. I hadn't been in there in a while, as evidenced by the inch of dust. (One of the many things about being blind is that things like dust don't bother you because you can't see it.) There were also piles and piles of stuff everywhere. Trying find what I was looking for might be more of a challenge than I thought.

I started on the desk (figuring that the most recent stuff was probably there). I found a couple of bills--wondering if he paid those. Some reminders about appointments--do I have those on my schedule? Some coupons--now expired--dang, I could have used those. Finally, success! I took what I was looking for and left.

Robin came home.

"Who's been in my office?" he says.

"I have."

"You moved my stuff, now I won't be able to find anything" he says.

"I didn't move anything" I say "I just had to get something. If found it and left. How would you know anyway, you have so much junk in there."

"I know exactly where everything is" he says. "It is my pile file system."

Believe it or not, at one point in my life I went to a community college to become a medical secretary. We actually took an entire class on filing and I guarantee you that the "pile file" method was not taught. As you might suspect, I'm pretty picky about papers and filing. Having a bunch of loose papers just hanging around drives me crazy (which is why I don't go into Robin's office much). This is also why any papers that have to be kept any length of time, he gives to me.

What is the point of all this? One of the greatest excuses not to call people, not to be on a conference call, not to read a book you should be reading, or any number of other things you could be doing to work your busines is because you are getting things organized. You are filing away things, entering phone numbers (instead of calling them), etc. At the end of the day your desk looks great, but what did you accomplish? Robin's "pile file" method may be messy and you may think important things get lost, but you can't argue with his success.

Don't get me wrong, organization has its place. Having things so out of control that you can't find anything, including the contact information for an important prospect, or that you miss appointments is also an issue. But you definitely need to ask the question of what is a better use of your time? What activities are going to get you to your goals? What is your time worth to you? Is it time to hiring someone to take care of this kind of thing for you because your time is so much more valuable? As you progress in your business, the answers to these questions may change--so don't forget to step back once in a while and reassess.

Of course, if you have a spouse that is obsessed with organization, you may not have to worry about--just set them loose and let them do their thing!

Thanks for reading!

Everybody's a Critic

The Networkmarketers Wife — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 14:36:00 GMT

I really like Zig Ziglar. I think as speakers go, he is one of my favorites. He always has great stories and they are always true. One he talks about goes as like this.

Col. George Washington Goethels, the man who completed the Panama Canal, handled criticism effectively. During the construction he had numerous problems with the geography, climate and mosquitoes. Like all mammoth projects, he had his critics back home who constantly harped on what he was doing and predicted that he would never complete the project. However, he stuck to the task and said nothing. One day an associate asked him, "Aren't you going to answer the critics?"

"Yes," Goethels responded.
"How?" he was asked.
"With the Canal," Goethels replied.

I know that some of you may be surprised to learn that Robin's ideas are sometimes controversial and often times doubted. Some of this is because he always talks about things as if they are certain when maybe they haven't happened yet. Part of this is because he is often unwaivering in his conviction that he is correct. While I may not always like the methods, I have to admit that, for the most part, he is right. Did he get there the way I would have--no way! Did he say it the way I would have--no way! If you doubt what he says does he beg for you to believe him--absolutely not! He definitely operates on the same principle as Col. Goethels. Maybe it's a military thing, but I think it is more than that. It is something that most of us have a hard time doing--the absoulte, unwaivering belief that what we are doing is correct and that what we are doing is going to get us exactly where we wanted to be.

As most of you know, life down the network marketing road has not been a bed of roses. Bad companies, bad advice, financial issues--the whole nine yards. I will be the first to admit that I have been angry, disappointed, resigned, in a panic, and frustrated in spite of all his assurances that things would be alright. I have had my friends and family think that everything was just a scam and fake. That we did was ever going to amount anything.

At one point, Robin said to me, "You don't have much faith in me do you?"

I looked at him and said, "I may not have faith in the company you are working with, I may not have faith in the system, and I may not have faith in myself right now, but I always know that the things that you say will happen will indeed happen--in time."

That time is about to come for us and those that believed in what could be a stuck with us in spite of past disappointments in a way that is so big that none of us could have ever dreamed it--except maybe Robin. The canal is almost done and the critics will be answered.

Thanks for reading!

The "Vacation" Part 3

The Networkmarketers Wife — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 13:15:00 GMT

The great tour of the southwest continued with three days in Las Vegas Baby! (I really wanted to say that on the radio, but Robin wouldn't let me--spoil sport) and three days in the Salt Lake City area. Vegas was pretty much just fun (although Robin did have one of his downline fly in just to talk to him). Salt Lake was a little more business with a visit to relatively new MLM called Orovo.

We get to Salt Lake and Robin, as usual takes over the desk. He plugged in everything into every available outlet. He has his laptop, his headphones, hearing aids, cell phone, etc. taking up pretty much the entire desk area. There is, of course, only one desk chair. "You can put your stuff up here he too" he says. Right.... By now I haven't been on the computer more than a couple of time over the past 10 days and I feel like I really need to check at least my email. I settle for the coffee table and the couch. Seemed okay at first, but after 30 minutes of sitting there I noticed I couldn't feel my legs any more! On top of that, I have to carry around an extra keyboard since my grandson decided it would be great fun to pop off the keys on my keyboard including the space bar! Finding a replacement keyboard for a Sony Viao has turned out to be a challenge.

Moving on...

Two of our fellow network marketers joined us in Salt Lake, Pam and Kevin. Kevin and Robin have worked together on a few projects, so it was great to finally meet them. All four of us and the girls went to the Orovo offices. Orovo is a fairly young company that is run by young people. I don't think anyone in the company is over 30 and most are under 25. The girls were less than enthused about this tour, but when they met the very young, very smart, very cute casual guys that run this company, they quickly decided that maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all. We had a great time as they showed us not only the company offices, but also the company house--where some of the employees lived and worked. Beautiful house in the mountains. Very interesting concept and seems to work well for them. We also took a scenic drive through the surrounding mountains. The girls road with Skyler, one of the young men in Orovo, in the company Mercedes. I'm in the van with Robin, Pam and Kevin are in their rental car. The mountains were great, but driving back down through the narrow and curving road in a van while trying to keep up with the Mercedes was a bit of a challenge. Needless to say, I didn't see much of the scenary since my eyes were glued to the road. Robin was trying not to get car sick since all the weaving and turning was starting to resemble a roller coaster ride!

One evening we had the honor and priviledge to have dinner with the owner of Orovo, a 27 year old gentleman, Min. Min is a seasoned businessman and had already enjoy great success in two other companies. I was sitting between Robin and Min for the entire meal. Now, usually when that happens, and they start talking business I start to wish I was a little kid again and could just slide out of my chair under the table. Not the case this time. The conversation was fascinating and I became totally intrigued by Min and his business philosophy. This was perfect example of the power of experience (Robin and Kevin) combined with the energy, money, and ideas of the young (the young executives of Orovo). Min had a very strong vision of what he wanted this company to be. He wanted nothing but the best in his products--no matter the cost. He wanted his representatives to make the most money possible (and Orovo does have a great compensation plan), and he wanted his employees to experience much the same lifestyle as his representatives. He recognized the value of Robin and Kevin's experience both in life and in network marketing. He also wanted to continue to put all the money back into the company, which is what he had been doing. He had taken no profits from the company and had even paid the taxes out of his own pocket! He had so many ideas for the future and future products. It was great to listen to everything and the evening went by very quickly. To make it even better, they do have great products!

When you stick around in network marketing and pay attention to what is out there, some great opportunities can come your way with some great fringe benefits, like getting to meet people that you never would have met otherwise--even if it is on your vacation!

Thanks for reading!

The "Vacation" Part 2

The Networkmarketers Wife — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 12:59:00 GMT

The first stop on our vacation was Albuquerque, New Mexico. We used to live in Albuquerque and we were looking forward to seeing some of our friends. The kids were particularly anxious to see some of their old classmates.

We stayed at the Embassy Suites. We had a separate bedroom for us and the kids had a queen sized pull out couch in the outer room. Worked out very nicely. The Embassy Suites may seem expensive, but we got a free hot breakfast for the four of us as part of the room as well as a Manager's Reception in the evening with free drinks and snacks. Subtract that off the cost of your room and it is really a pretty good value. At this particular Embassy Suites the service was really exceptional and I have to say that it was probably the best hotel I had stayed at for quite a while. But I digress.

You know that when you go into the room there is usually only one desk area. Of course, Robin immediately heads there and sets up. Now, I do travel with my computer as well. However, I rarely have a hard surface above the level of my knees to put it on (not to mention anywhere to plug it in). On top of that, for some reason my aircard wasn't working and it just annoys me to pay the $10 a day for the internet. Robin gets everything set up and, as many of you know, even did the radio show from the room. Now, since I couldn't use my computer and and he needed the room quiet to do the show, I was left with no alternative but to take the girls shopping!

It was also during this week that we had to go get the fuse fixed in the car. We are driving around looking for a small shop that could work us in. We finally found a place and pulled in. Robin explained what happened to the woman at the desk (good thing he couldn't see the look on the woman's face). Turns out she was the owner's wife. They were willing to work us in if we didn't mind waiting a few minutes. Well, there was an antique store going out of business next door, so l went over there and left Robin to "chat."

He comes and gets me about half an hour later. The woman asked what he did and why he to have so many plugs in the car. One thing led to another and he tells me she has signed up in Drink ACT. (I forgot to mention that we also had three cases of Drink ACT, Vitamark diet cookies, Drink ACT powder, Orovo vitamins and other assorted products in the car.) He had given the woman some to try and she signed up! (She has since signed up her son and purchased some $400 worth of product.) Just goes to show that there are always opportunities! They also didn't charge us for changing the fuse, but recommended that we not plug so many things in at once. Hmmmm.....

Albuquerque was fun, but after a week we were ready to move on with Vegas and Salt Lake City next on the list and further adventures of the network marketer on the road.

Thanks for reading!

The "Vacation" Part 1

The Networkmarketers Wife — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 15:33:00 GMT

Hi everyone! Did you miss me? We have been gone for the past couple of weeks visiting points southwest. We traveled a little over 4,300 miles by car and saw some of the most beautiful country (and some of the most boring) country you will ever want to visit. I thought you might enjoy hearing about the trip, so that will be the topic of the blog for the next couple of weeks. Needless to say, it was definitely an adventure.

We started off on a cloudy day from our home in Hills, Iowa, geared up for the 1,200 mile. two day trip to Albuquerque. In spite of not taking the youngest two kids, the van was still pretty full (and I needed to leave room for shopping of course)! We were well stocked with energy drinks (Drink ACT of course--great stuff), food, and anticipation.

Robin had been out earlier getting the car "ready." Remembering that being a network marketer is not a job, but rather a way of life, I shouldn't have been surprised at what I found. There are two power plugs at the front of our van. Robin had put a splitter in both power plugs expanding them to two plugs each. There was something plugged into each of those two plugs so there were four power cords strung across the front of the van. Forget about using the drink holders. The ensuing conversation went like this.

Me: "What are all those plugs?"

Robin (rather proudly): "The GPS, my cell phone, the computer, the extra phone." (Keep in mind that I have a cell phone, Robin's cell phone has an extended battery, and both of the kids have cell phones. Why do we need the "extra" cell phone when we are all going to be in the car together and why does it need to be plugged in? Ask Mr. OCD.)

Me: "Are you sure the car battery can handle all that?"

Robin: "Shouldn't be a problem."

Me: "Really..."

So, off we go. Robin's mind never really shuts off and he can hardly stand being in the car and not doing something, so it is not long before his laptop is out and he is on the internet. (Gotta love air cards.) He soon finds that he is having difficulty keeping a connection. (He claimed that it was because I was going so fast that the coverage was swithcing between towers and this computer couldn't keep up.) In any case, he kept trying. Of course, his cell phone continued to ring (he had forwarded the office phone at home to his cell phone), and it was pretty much business as usual. I'm surprised he didn't try to the radio show from the road.

Of course, my only source of entertainment on the road is the radio. I have long given up books on tape in the car because everytime he gets a phone call, the radio gets turned down or turned off. I really envied the kids the back with their IPods and headphones connected to the DVD player. I get to listen to all the one-sided phone conversations (sigh). Occasionally he would come up for air and talk to me!

We are traveling along and about the middle of the first day and all of a sudden I smell something burning. Like electrical burning. What the heck?? Then we all smell it. Robin goes to grab one of the power plugs and it is so hot he can hardly handle it. He also notices that he suddenly has no power to his laptop. We had blown a fuse and burned up the splitter. Imagine...too many things plugged in. Why didn't I think of that??? Needless to say, one of our stops after we got to Albuquerque was to go to a small car repair shop and get the fuse fixed. Of course, he signed up the clerk that worked there in one of his MLMs, but that is another story!

Thanks for reading!

Kathy

The Fear of Success

The Networkmarketers Wife — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 16:04:00 GMT

Last week I went to Adventureland with my kids. Adventureland is a small amusement park in Des Moines. It is the closest amusement park to Iowa City (about 90 miles) with the next closest probably being Six Flags in St. Louis (a five hour drive). It is a fun day and if you go during the week, you have the added bonus that it is not very crowded. We were there on a Wednesday. Robin had volunteered to stay home with the baby, so that was an added bonus. He actually "volunteered because he doesn't really like the rides. In another one of those "things about Robin that don't make sense to me," the same man that jumped out of airplanes, got picked up after a "mission" by a large hook on his back (the plane goes by and grabs the hook), doesn't like the ferris wheel or roller coasters--go figure. For those of you that think this is related to his blindness--wrong--he never rode those rides.

One of the things this amusement park does have, however, is some pretty decent roller coasters and water rides. My seven year old niece was watching people on the roller coasters. You could tell she wanted to ride. After all, these people seemed to be having a great time. But you could also tell she was scared. She even got in line once and then chickened out when it was almost her turn to get on. My sister and I finally talked her into getting on a raft-type water ride. She wanted to leave, but we didn't let her. We made her get on. After we started on the ride she covered her eyes and started saying she wanted to get off. Too late! She finally opened her eyes, screamed when we went down the hill, and then laughed when she got wet at the bottom!

Her reaction to roller coasters reminded me of what happens to a lot of us as we find ourselves finally successful. All this time we have watched other successful people and thought "how great to be in that position." We work hard and things started to work. We can handle that. But when things start to happen in a really big way, bigger than we could ever have imagined, fear can set in. It is just hard to believe that this is all happening and happening so fast. Most of us (if we were raised in a conservative middle class home) have been told all of our lives two contradictory things--one, that we can do anything we want, two--we will probably never be rich. Why? Because for most people, the idea of dreaming that big is scary. We are afraid to ever even hope that it will ever happen to us. We aren't born that way, but life knocks us down a few times and we become more jaded, more afraid to believe.

To add to the scary, we start to play the "what if game." "What if something happens to ruin this--like an accident, like sickness, like--anything!" Then you remember that if you say and believe it that is what will happen, so then you work hard not to play the "what if game," but the more you try not to think of those things, the more you think of them! Panic!

Take a deep breath! You do deserve this! You can handle it! You can do lots of good with this! Most people that win the lottery are broke again within a few years. Why? Because they never thought it would happen to them and they never planned for it. Even though they played every week!

Plan for success. We may not know when or how, but always believe it will happen. You can handle it and just like the roller coaster ride, once you get over the fear, the thrill and fun of the ride are all you can think about!

Thanks for reading!

The Next Big Thing

The Networkmarketers Wife — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 13:10:00 GMT

Wow--what a week! From Iowa to Dallas to San Francisco and back again. Technology, investors, and fabulous people. Exhaustion and exhilaration all at once. The excitement has not only not died down, but continues to grow!

In everyone's life there are those defining moments. Moments that you remember either because they changed you in some fundamental way or because they changed the direction of you life. Your wedding day, the birth of your children, the day your divorce is final, graduations (yours and your kids), and even deaths. However, there are also the defining moments in your professional life. The job promotion, getting a new job that you really wanted, and even getting laid off or fired. All those experiences combine together over your life. Sometimes they are very painful, sometimes very joyous, but overall, they make you stronger. (As the saying goes, if it doesn't kill you, it makes you stronger.) I think the more events like this you have in your life, the more open you tend to be to change. The more open you are to change, the more likely you are to recognize and opportuityand be willing to take at least some risk to make it happen.

Such is the case with Gorilla TV. This new idea came about because a group of people saw an opportunity and were willing to go for it. They had an idea and kept working until they found a team that could make it happen. They not only saw the potential, but were willing to take the risk to make it work. They also did the most important thing of all--they believed it would work and had the VISION of what it could be. So, you are asking, WHAT THE HECK IS GORILLA TV???

Well, as usual you will have to ask Robin for the extended explanation, but basically Gorilla TV is internet TV. Through a subscription to Gorilla TV you can listen any speaker on the network (of which there are thousands) any where, any time, as many times as you want in high definition TV. Motivational and training 24/7 anywhere in the world! The best part is Gorilla TV can expand and will eventually have channels and include any kind of learning you can think of including continuing education credits, a channel for home schoolers, travel, anything the mind can imagine!!! Further expansion will translate all this information into 10 different languages reaching over 90% of the world's population. I think if you let your imagination wander you can see how big this can be.

Gorilla TV will not only change the lives of people that watch it, but also the lives of the people involved. The investors, the affiliates (which is the model that is being used to sign up subscribers. If you want to learn more go to www.mygorillatv.com). I don't think I have ever seen a group of people as excited about anything as this group was about Gorilla TV. Fifty people in the room and not one negative comment! Gorilla TV will change the way business is done.

So, stayed tuned and I'll keep in you informed if how things are going. It's going to be a heck of a ride!

Thanks for reading!

New Adventures

The Networkmarketers Wife — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 19:25:00 GMT

Network marketing is always an adventure. Sometimes it is REALLY an adventure. This week is one of those times. I'm writing to you from the conference room at Splash Media in Dallas, Texas. I can't get into the details of what we are doing here, but I am telling you that this is BIG (and I'm really hard to impress)!!! You will have to ask Robin if you want to know more. (Actually, this is just a test to see how many readers I really have!)

The one thing that is really impressive here is the technology. There are people talking in a room that I know is blue, but it looks like they are in a studio (or on top of a building, in a studio designed for you, in a bar, whereever!) How cool is that?!?! I know that technology has been around for a while, but it is still cool to see it in action. Brings new meaning to the old commercials "Calgon, take me away." At least it looks like you have been taken away!

The other amazing thing about this is the networking that occurred to make this whole thing happen in the first place. It would be fun to take a big piece of paper and start connecting the dots of how these people all met and how they came to know each other. It would have to be a BIG piece of paper.

The excitement in the room and the energy is why people get involved in network marketing. It is a fabulous high and it is addicting--even if you are just watching! You may have heard of some of the people here, but you may not have. If you have been involved in networking marketing at all, you probably have heard of some of them.

I'm not writing much to day because I'm having too much fun watching!

Thanks for reading and I'll write more about this adventure on Wednesday!

Management 101

The Networkmarketers Wife — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 15:16:00 GMT

One of the things that a network marketer learns pretty quickly is the number tasks that are involved in running a business. These tasks range from just keeping track of people to keeping track of business expenses. Most networkers, at least in the beginning, do not have the funds for a personal assistant to keep them organized. And maybe you don't have a spouse to do it for you (or you have a spouse, but they won't do it for you or are too busy themselves). So, how do you keep it together? There are lot of books out there about time management and I am not going to go into that much depth, but I think there are some things you can do right from the start that will keep you organized and keep you out of trouble with the IRS.

First, take a little time and set up a space for your home office. I don't mean you have to have rotating file cabinets and color-coded files, but you do need a space. The kitchen table might be great to spread out, but sooner or later you are going to have to eat there and all your stuff will end up in a jumbled mess. Find a corner in your bedroom, the garage, the basement, whatever works and make that your space. At a minimum you probably need a phone and access to a computer.

Second, office hours. This may seem silly. You are working at home you can work whenever, right? WRONG! You will drive everyone and yourself crazy if you don't establish regular business hours. Be serious about those hours. If you were at work and someone needed a ride somewhere would you stop what you are doing and take them? Probably not. The same should hold true for your office hours at home. Make sure everyone in your family knows your schedule. On the other side, work during those hours. Don't take that time to rearrange your desk, play on the computer, etc. Remember, you are taking time away from other thing to work this business.

Third, tracking expenses. I don't think anything can more out of hand more quickly than keeping track of expenses. Probably the most important thing here is to get a separate checking account and/or credit card for your business and use that card and that card only for all your business expenses. Receipts are another thing. As soon as you can afford it, use a bookkeeper. It will save you a lot of time and trouble. They can not only keep track of your receipts, but they can also help you with filing the correct tax forms. I also saw a really neat thing at Office Depot the other day which was a very small device that can scan in your receipts. It weighed less than a pound was about the size of a three hole paper punch. As an added bonus, it also scanned in business cards! Somes technology is worth investing in if it is not too expense and can save you loads of time. I'm thinking of getting one for Robin (since his receipts come back after he has had them wadded up in the bottom of his pants).

These are just a few simple tips. Maybe you have already thought of them. Even if you have been in business for a long time, it never hurts to start getting organized (although it is definitely much harder after you already have a big mess to deal with!). Doing small things will also help you focus on the important stuff--working your business!

Thanks for reading!

Patience is a Virtue

The Networkmarketers Wife — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 14:47:00 GMT

Okay, although I didn't plan in this way, getting this blog out today has been an exercise in patience. I'm sitting at Barnes & Noble waiting for my granddaughter to get done with summer school. I'm on Robin's old laptop (which isn't really that old by the way) which is slower than my laptop. My laptop is with the Geek Squad since my grandson decided to start removing the keys on the keyboard by flipping them off. Did you know that they really can't replace the keys, they have to send the ENTIRE laptop to the manufacturer to have them replace the keyboard???? A real bummer. In spite of the fact I have an aircard, I'm also only connected at "good" instead of "excellent." Plus there are no outlets here. What is the point of offering wireless if you don't have any outlets for people to use??? I hope I get this written before my battery goes!

Anyone involved in network marketing either directly or indirectly knows that you have to be patient. Although it may seem like that patience is needed early in the process, where it really takes strength is actually when things start to come together.

In the movie "The Secret," they talk about how many people give up just when things are about to happen. They show the example of a seed that has become a plant and is pushing through the dirt toward the sun. The very last part, where the ground is sometimes hard, takes the most effort. But if the plant persists, it is rewarded with sun and water and it can grow. If the plant doesn't have the strength to push through that last little bit of soil, it will die.

The same is true in network marketing. Some people work very hard for months and months. They may think they aren't making any progress, but, in fact, they are laying some very important groundwork. The foundation of their business. Then, just when all that work is about to pay off, they quit. There are lots of reasons that this happens--family issues, a change in financial status, etc. I have also observed that it seems like just when things are about to come together, really bizarre things start to happen in life, either to you directly or sometimes to others you are working with. Here is a list of things that I have heard of happening to people that were on the verge of getting it all together. Wife ends up in hospital, guy comes down with pneumonia, son wrecks car, colon polyps, stolen truck, stolen laptop, broken jaw, and pretty much anything else you can think of.

So, what do you do when everything seems to be piling up? First, be happy, it means you are probably really close to making it! Second, stay positive. Don't lose sight of your goals and dreams. Look at that dream board or anything else you have come up with to keep site of what you are working for. Third, remember things will change. Nothing ever stays the same. Fourth, if you get too scared or frustrated, talk to your spouse, a friend, or your upline. They may have ideas of how to get you over the hump. Fifth, help someone else if you can. Besides the fact that you might make someone else feel better, it will help you not feel so out of control. Often things take care of themselves if we are just patient!

Take care and thanks for reading!

The Partnership, Part Two

The Networkmarketers Wife — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 14:01:00 GMT

To continue from my last blog, there are a lot of things you can do as a partner in this network marketing business, even if you don't really "get it."

Somtimes, you have to play the bad guy. Network marketers often really love their companies. They also can get really close to their sponsors While this may seem like a great thing, it can affect their ability to be objective about the company and some of their methods. I am happy to report that only once have I had a strong feeling about a company to the point where I told Robin that there was something wrong. It was not exactly with the company per se, but rather with the individual that was in charge of training. I really questioned some of his methods and I just didn't get a good feeling about him. In fact, I got a really bad feeling about him.

Now, Robin and I never argue, we "discuss." You can ask our kids. Sometimes they will come up and say "what are you arguing about." Robin and I will look at them in surprise and say "we aren't arguing about anything, we are discussing something." Now, in the case of this company, there were several reasons that Robin's vision became a little clouded. First, his sponsor was a good friend and someone that had helped him out a lot in the past. He didn't want to hurt this guy's business or his feelings. Second, he really liked the guy that was above his friend in the business. More importantly, he really trusted both of these guys. This made it really difficult to be objective. I, on the other hand, did not have a past with these people, so I was more objective.

Make no mistake, it took time and a lot of taking. I took a lot of heat, but I really just could never embrace this company fully. No matter how many meetings I went to, no matter how many training calls, and no matter how successful, it just never felt right. This went on for many months. As often happens, when things aren't right with a company, it starts to unravel and the truth comes out, which is what happened in this case. So, I was eventually vindicated. If I had to do it over again, I would have been even more insistent, but, in case, it was a lesson learned. If you are in a network marketing business, never underestimate the impressions of your significant other.

You can also perform the routine reality check. On occasion, I have been doing things around the house and it will suddenly occur to me that I haven't seen Robin for the past three or four hours. I will knock on the door just to make sure he is still alive! He also sometimes comes out of his office with these strange little red dots all over his forehead--he has fallen asleep on his keyboard (which is covered with braille, hence the dots). At this point, I tell him that, yes, we are all still alive...

Never forget that you are a valuable member of the team, even if you never recruit a single person!

Thanks for reading!

The Partnership, Part One

The Networkmarketers Wife — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:43:00 GMT

One of the advantages of writing your own blog is when life gets in the way and you miss a couple of days, the world doesn't end! As many of you know, we have had massive flooding in the state of Iowa (with about 2/3rds of the state being delared a disaster area). While my office and our home are not directly under water (thank God), it has had an effect. I have not been able to go to my office because much of the University of Iowa has water issues including the physical plant. Access to the University is also difficult because so many roads are closed. The result is that "non-essential" personnel (i.e., you don't have anything to do with what needs to be done to address the flood) have been asked to stay away from the downtown area. The bottom line is that the routine was disrupted and it took me a little bit to get back on track. ANYWAY, now that things have settled into at least a temporary normalcy, I thought I better get my blog out. I've had this fantasy of getting two or three weeks ahead with my writing, but I haven't managed to accomplish that yet. Guess I better write a goal for that....it would help if Robin would do more things I could write about!

If your husband (or wife) is in network marketing, and you are not (or you have only peripheral involvement--i.e., your spouse signed you up because they needed to fill a spot in their downline), don't think you can't contribute to the business. You have lots to offer.

Network marketers often get very involved in their company and the whole process to the point that sometimes they can't see the forest for the trees. For example, they may be working on some kind of copy. It looks great to them, but you can provide valuable feedback. You can look at what they are writing with fresh eyes and eyes that may not know a lot about what they are trying to say or about networking marketing in general. What makes perfect sense to them, may not make any sense to you.

Early in our relationship Robin would bring me copy. Sometimes the conversation went like this:

Robin: Can you look at this for me?
Me: Sure.

A few minutes later.

Robin: What do you think?
Me (trying to be positive): well, I like the colors. What does this mean?
Robin: What?
Me: This part--what does it mean?
Robin: Networkers understand what that means.
Me (pondering): Okay--who are you trying to reach?
Robin (looking a little annoyed now): Well, new prospects

I keep silent, waiting because I know he is going to figure it out.

Robin (looking more than a little annoyed): What don't you understand?

And the conversation goes on from there. Sometimes Robin says things like "most people don't question things as much as you do" or something similar. I tend to disagree. I actually don't question things all that much and I'm pretty trusting. If you tell me something, I will believe you until you give me a reason not to. I am, however, pretty direct. If you want to tell me somthing, then just tell me. Don't beat around the bush or give me double talk. I think most people, at least the kind of people you might want in your business, are like me. So if you want your communications to attract those kind of people, try it out on someone who is not in your business and see what they think.

I also act as an abstracter. I love to read and I read a lot of different things. Robin also reads a lot, but he doesn't read some of the things I read. This is a great advantage for a couple of reasons. First, if I hear about something I think he might find interesting, I tell him. I may not understand all the nuances of the business,but I know enough that when I hear something that might be applicable I let him know. Sometimes he already knows about it, sometimes he doesn't. I think he would say that I have given him some leads that have paid off.

Because we have not been a couple all that long, we also know different people. Again, this can be used as an advantage. In particular, I know a lot of women in business. Since I know these people pretty well, I also know if he has an opportunity to offer that they might be interested in. Now, I'm pretty particular about who he contacts and with what, but again, I would say that my contacts have given him some pretty good leads.

You can be helpful by simply keeping your ears and eyes open. You should know at least the skeleton of any particular business so that you will know when information that comes your way might be useful. After all, even if you are not directly the business, you are still in a partnership. Being helpful and supportive goes a long way towards the potential success of your network marketer which translates into success for you!

Thanks for reading!

Let's Talk Money!

The Networkmarketers Wife — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 12:58:00 GMT

For all the nice-nice talk about being in a multi-level marketing company for the friends you will make, the self-discovery process and all the other changes that result from getting out of your comfort zone, let's face it, the idea of making a residual income and having multiple streams of income is still one of the main selling points. While it may be a selling point, explaining a compensation plan in simple terms is easier said that done.

Now, I consider myself pretty good with numbers. I mean I've taken calculus, statistics, and accounting (and yes, I did pass!). I have to admit, the first compensation plan I was explosed too left me with a headache! It took me months before I could explain it to anyone without sounding like a complete idiot. I thought maybe it was just that company, but I'm here to tell you, there are as many different compensation plans out there as there are multi-level marketing companies. Direct sales has their own versions as well.

Binary, tertiary, afflilate model. By levels, by percentage of sales, by the day of the month there is a full moon (okay, I made that last one up). Putting yourself under yourself??? What the heck does that mean??? I ask Robin to explain it to me. Now, you know anything that starts off with "it is really easy to understand" is probably not going to go well. Robin has a head for complex plans. He can figure out in his head how an entire organization should look and the most advantageous way to put people into a business to maximize the payout. So, what to do?

Well, I get to cheat. I'm married to the master, so I just let him figure all that out. When I'm feeling the need for an intellectual exercise, I pick up the compensation plans for one of the companies and try to figure it out. I usually either get a headache or I fall asleep. But what if you don't have a genius in your household?

First, rely on the leaders. Now, while you should start with the person that put you into the business, they may be just as clueless as you are. Don't be afraid to ask questions and keep asking and moving up the ladder until you get the answer you want. This is especially true if you are recruiting people early in the business. There is nothing worse than putting your best recruit in the wrong place in your organization.

Second, get all the training you can. Get on the phone calls, listen to the webcasts, read the materials--whatever your company offers. No matter how much time it takes, learn the compensation plan and get comfortable with it. You should be able to explain the plan in less than five minutes and should understand it well enough to answer questions. Again, however, if you get struck, or if you are recruiting just after you have signed up, don't be afraid to contact someone if there are questions you can't answer. It better to tell someone you will get the answer for them than try to guess and be wrong.

Third, don't get too hung up in the details. Don't let the fact that you don't totally understand the compensation plan stop you from recruiting and talking about the products. There is always someone in the company that can help you with those details until you get on your feet. (Just as a side note, if you have trouble getting help, you might want to rethink being in that company.)

To the leadership in MLM companies out there, I think good recruits are sometimes lost because their inability to grasp the compensation plan and the inability of the person recruiting them to explain it. I know that the plans are often made to maximize the money that distributors/representatives/consultants make, but it is a mistake to assume that someone looking at your company knows about MLMs. Remember all your literature should embody that time-honored principle--KISS--keep it simple stupid!

Well, don't forget, no matter how complicated the compensation plan, the ability to make money is there and may be there in a big way, so don't pass up the opportunity just because you may not totally get the plan right way!

Thanks for reading!

The Future You See is the Future You Get

The Networkmarketers Wife — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 12:44:00 GMT

Sometimes writing this blog is easy, and sometimes, it is hard. Today, I thought it was going to be hard. I was walking into work this morning trying to think of something to write about. I couldn't think of a thing. To top it off, the sky was a dull shade of gray and everything was wet and muggy from the endless rain that has plagued the area almost all summer. (I thought the rule was that if you suffered through a horrible winter you got to have a good summer!) So, I truged into work, fired up my computer. One of my emails was from Woopidoo. I subscribe to their business motivation emails. The quote on this particular email was from Robert G. Allen. "The future you see is the future you get."

No one does this quote better than Robin. I, being a mere mortal, get caught up in the day-to-day stuff, the financial setbacks, the unexpected (and sometime unpleasant) surprises. He, on the other hand, never, ever loses the vision. No matter what happens in life, no matter what people or company he is involved with, no matter how things go. He has had a vision from long before I met him and he has never, ever lost sight of it. His unfailing vision of what WILL (not what might, what will) be serves as a reminder to me when I get frustrated, angry, or just plain scared.

We all want the vision. We can imagine, at least for a short time, our version of the perfect life. Hanging onto the vision can be difficult. We have been so conditioned to think that it will never happen, that deep, deep down, we really don't think it will ever happen. Let's face it, most of us are told from very early on to be realistic, to do the "right" thing, to be careful. Taking risks is difficult, especially as you become older and have more responsibilities. Once life has knocked you down a few times it is hard to get back up right???

Well, if you think that is the way it has to be, you don't know Robin's whole story. Being blind is just part of it. But no matter what happened to him, no matter how tough things got (and believe me, they got very tough), he never lost the vision. The vision, by the way, is not just about money. It is about a lifestyle, priorities, and helping not only our immediate family, but many, many others. Helping to the point where no relative of ours will have to worry about where to get money to go to college or to fix their house or even get a house. About our church expanding like they never dreamed. How many times have you seen some disaster on TV and the heartbreak of what someone is going through and wished that you could help and help in a substantial way? And the list goes on. What does your ideal life look like? What do you want to do for your kids, your family, your church, your community, and yes, yourself?

Finding and keeping your vision is one of the toughest things anyone can do. Robin is not only a shining example of how to do it, but he can help you find and keep your vision. It is never too late to create the vision and make that vision come true unless you think it is! I can guarantee there will be roadblocks and detours along the way, but if you make that vision strong enough, if you make that vision part of you, then "the future you see is the future you get."

Thanks for reading!