Dialogue With The Pros—Making it in network marketing

Sandy has come a long way in her personal growth and development to the pinnacle of success in network marketing. It's a true rags-to-riches story with a strong message for readers who are willing to take a risk with their comfort level. Her message; "Take control of your life." Sandy spent 10 years as elementary school teacher at P.S. 332 in Brownsville, New York. In the 18 years that followed, she worked with six companies, becoming a number one distributor three times. Richard Poe featured her story in Wave 3: The New Era in Network Marketing. Upline Magazine uses her as a featured network marketing trainer. She has overcome many adversities to become a master at the art of developing a seven-figure income. She would like to teach once again to help people get out of their "poverty consciousness" way of thinking. In an exclusive interview for SPARE TIME, Sandy shared some of her special concepts of how to take massive action if you are not happy with your life today. Keep this information close at hand.

What was your first introduction to network marketing?
My husband Bill first got the passion for network marketing almost 20 years ago. He asked me to come with him to an opportunity meeting in Phoenix, Arizona. I looked at the speaker's plaid polyester suit and gum-soled shoes and winced when he promised the members of the audience that they could earn $28,000 a month working part-time. Bill pleaded for six months [to be allowed to get into] the business. I reluctantly agreed, but had significant doubts when he worked full-time the first 30 days and received a check for only $100. The next month the check was $300 and the month after $500. By the sixth month his check had climbed to $3,800 a month. At this point, I had seen enough of Bill's dream to become a full-time networker myself.

What is your secret for success in this business?
I pride myself on being a nurturing sponsor. My usual method of sponsoring is nurturing, caring, praising, and motivating. I live for building relationships. I have a passion for everyone.

What ways have you found the most effective for promoting your business?
To date, I have never promoted myself. Usually, other people have done it for me through word-of-mouth and testimonials. John Milton Fogg, editor-in-chief of Upline Magazine, had to nudge me for seven years before I wrote my first book, Bread Winner, Bread Baker. I was very proud when Richard Poe reviewed the book and stated, "Each chapter is filled with priceless nuggets of how-to information. An excellent primer on the MLM basics!" I'm a gardener, not a hunter. I feel people are your greatest resource in network marketing. You use "OPT" (Other People's Time, Talent and Technique) and OPE (Other People's Energy, Education and Enthusiasm). I have developed a system so the business is simple, fun, makes money, and represents the best timing to get involved now. As a former schoolteacher, I know how to provide the high-intensity training to help network marketers become successful.

On this road to self-development and personal growth, did you have to face any adversities?
The year was 1989. I was flat broke and eight months pregnant. I had a husband too sick to work and a five-year old daughter depending on me. I was turned away by an obstetrician because of an unpaid $2,000 bill. I was told there was no charity work here, and referred to the California welfare office under Medi-Cal. I had to wait three hours in the government office before they started a series of ridiculous questions. The light switch went on as I gathered up the last shreds of my dignity and stormed out of the welfare office. I had my mother-in-law place $2,000 on her credit card and swore I would pay the debt in thirty days. In my ninth month of pregnancy, I sold products through network marketing and generated a group volume of $97,000. My commission for that month was $6,969.39. I also generated an additional $5,000 in right-now retail cash money while waiting for the bonus check, for a total monthly income of $11,969.39. I did immediately repay my mother-in-law.

What lesson did you learn from that significant experience?
In the final analysis, it all boils down to commitment, a blind, hardheaded, mule-stubborn, failure-is-not-an-option commitment. Maybe it is programmed into our DNA, and we each just need to discover our own personal access code to tap into it. It comes from having a strong, burning desire, a fire in your belly that makes mere "hope" look like a couch potato. That energy propelled me up and down on the freeway in a beat-up Volkswagen van without heating, air conditioning or a radio, pumping $2 worth of gas at a time. It compelled me to surpass that first month's goal in my ninth month of pregnancy, and motivates me year after year right up to the present moment.

What one sentence would you like people to use in describing the way you do business?
The woman is a giver! She adores and loves people and will help put action around their passion.

What advice would you give to someone that might be considering this business?
Find something that gets you to open your mouth beyond just making a buck. Confucius said, "Find a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life." The two biggest causes of stress in America are: one, not enough money, and, two, not enough time to enjoy friends and family. Network marketing represents an angel of mercy because you can have it all - both time and financial freedom.

What factors would you consider before joining a company?
I came up with a test that was important in doing research on each company I considered. The list was as follows. 1. Was there strong financial backing for the company? 2. Was there strong leadership/management of the company? 3. Did the management have network marketing experience? 4. Was there a product that had huge marketing potential? (I was looking for a product that had mass-market appeal, and the timing is very critical.) 5. Was there a powerful but fair compensation plan? 6. Did the company have a vision for the future? 7. Did the company support good social causes, to give something back to the community? 8. Did the management listen to the suggestions of the distributors in the field? 9. Is it juicy and can I get excited? (It's important to be able to get passionate about what you represent.) 10 I would also suggest reading books and special reports on both the industry and specific companies.

What was the strangest experience you have had in the business?
At one time I worked closely with Jerry Rubin–known in the 60's as a wild-haired revolutionary and one of the participants in the Chicago Seven trial.

In the stock market crash of 1987, he lost $700,000 overnight. He was ruined financially. He read through opportunity ads in the paper, and discovered a network marketing company involved with nutrition. Working closely with me, network marketing proved to be one of the few avenues to personal success still left open. After we had built a large organization. Jerry was hit by a car crossing the street and died. I miss him a great deal, but at least I had the consolation of knowing that the check generated by his organization supported the family that Jerry left behind. Jerry gave new meaning to the term, "free radical."

You are a wealth of information. How does one learn more?
For those new to the industry, I would suggest acquiring a copy of my book. I also have a free report, "How to enhance your life, take control of your future, and be happy and wealthy!" If people will send you their mailing address and phone number I would be happy to send them this material. [Editor's note: See Alan Rothman's resource box at the end of this article.] It can save them years of aggravation and the trial and error process that generates costly mistakes.

Are there any closing thoughts you would like to share with the readers?
When we make a commitment, we accept accountability, we take responsibility–for both our triumphs and our tragedies. Golda Meir said that self-responsibility is not a burden but an opportunity for freedom. Commitment means not only planning your work, but working your plan day after day. There is no such thing as sometimes committed or a little bit pregnant. When you are deeply rooted, not even a freight train can derail you. Make an effort to always feed your mind with things that support the reality you intend to create.

Copyright 1998, A. Rothman, all rights reserved
Alan Rothman is a columnist, speaker, and consultant with interviews on your products or services that can be read by three to five million readers each month. For more information, and for a free copy of Sandy Elsberg's report, call the author at 714-362-9233 or 800-593-9234, or e-mail him at arothman@fia.net - or check the websites realvoices.com/ss/sball/MLM01htm and www.SmallBusinessU.com Order his new book, The LocalNet Phenomenon, for $19.95 (plus $3 for shipping and handling) with a check or money order payable to Rothman at 24401 Caswell Court; Laguna Niguel, CA 92677.