Then, I gave her something to think about. Like many who first consider being self employed, she had no idea what was involved and was pretty blown away!  Following are just a few of the questions I asked her: 

  1.  In your mind, what does your business look like?
  2.  Where will you find your target customers?
  3.  Will they be repeat customers or one time customers?
  4.  Are you selling a product line with your service?
  5.  How many customers do you need each month to build a significant income?
  6.  Will they be coming to your home or will you make house calls?
  7.  How much time are you prepared to put into this?
  8.  What does your initial capital investment cover?
  9.  Do you have a web presence and how will you keep in touch with them?   And many more….

Questions like this are not  just for self employed or traditional businesses.  They are equally important to direct selling/network marketing businesses.  Now that I have been in this industry for many years, I often hear network marketers say “you really don’t have to do anything, except talk to a few people and promote the opportunity.”  While, this is in part true, there is much more to consider, like how  it aligns with your passion, your goals and your current life situation, etc.     

After having been a trainer for a multi-national company, a retail franchise owner, a real estate investor and now, a network marketing professional for the last 10 years, I was fortunate to increase my skills in  business, marketing and sales along the way.  Unfortunately, most people starting up a business (network marketing included) have not been so lucky.  I know many other business owners that are experts in their fields, yet they lack marketing, sales and business building skills to grow their companies effectively.   

Keep in mind, that every type of new venture should be treated like a business even when working from home and especially when it is a network marketing business.  My rule of thumb is, keep the business a business!

If you are thinking of venturing into the world of self employment and/or network marketing please let me know if I can provide some insights.  It’s amazing what can happen when you bounce your ideas and concerns off someone else!  

Last week, we had an EVOLV TEAM FLY IN to introduce our guests to Trey White and his Executive Team right in Dallas, Texas.  Here’s why I believe Evolv Health is the company to align with (aside from Evolv breaking all industry records!)  

• Powerful health formula, Archaea Active backed with research and on-going future studies 
• Unique Vision 2020, Decade for HOPE, Helping Other People Evolv
• Extremely well capitalized start-up by Trey White who holds a proven track record of success
• A company that helps people create generational wealth with sustainability
• A business that creates another income stream, part-time or full-time
• Company leaders with heart and soul operating in a spirit of partnership (definitely no ivory tower mentality here!)

Even though it was 100 degrees F in Dallas at Trey’s place on Wed nite, our team really got a sense of where this company is going, and the win- win opportunity it holds for everyone.  With my 10 yrs in Network Marketing, along with a background in Franchising, Training and HR, I am more and more impressed each day with the calibre of people running this company.  I highly recommend you check it out and be part of making history with Evolv!  Here’s to Freedom and Independence!  My website is www.freedom.myevolv.com

What happens when you get a super successful business man like Trey White passionately embracing the network marketing industry?   He looks first at ‘what are we not doing well, rather than why are we so great’.   He shared his total committment to the science behind the Evolv Archaea Active formula and how the soon-to-be released studies by Futureceuticals will change the way people look at their health and longevity. 

He  believes that Network Marketing is about creating a new life and having the heart and stamina to get to where you want to go.  Alignment of interest is the key.  Most people are concerned about, what’s in it for me?  And that is why the network marketing model often does not work for people.  Trey says, “the first product is our people…they get to change people’s lives…so we have to ask ourselves if we are we creating an alignment of interest…if not, we don’t do it!    When we at Evolv Corporate are making major decisions, we include the field…the leaders.  This is a partnership…we are always willing to listen.  We have a servant’s heart and willing to change”. 

This business is about plugging into a life plan…instead of the lifestyle model with cars, boats, and expensive things.  Trey adds, “Evolv is putting together the brightest minds in finance to create wealth building programs for Evolv members to have compounding interest working for them…it’s not about spending it, but saving it.  No one in the network marketing is doing it”. 

Hang on to your hats…the biggest paradigm shift is about to happen and coming sooner than you think!

Contrary to what many believe, the astounding advances in technology have not made word of mouth marketing obsolete. In fact, they have done exactly the opposite! With web 2.0 and the social networking sites it encompasses, word of mouth has gone from someone telling a few people over a period of time about a company they have done business with, to immediate reviews and customer experiences shared with hundreds or even thousands of people. You can’t get access to that kind of viral marketing anywhere else!

According to a recent U.S. study:

• 2/3 of U.S. business comes from word of mouth
• 10% of consumers influence the purchasing decisions of the other 90%
• 91% of consumers are likely to make a purchase based on a recommendation
• 92% of consumers prefer a word of mouth recommendation to other forms of advertising

Those numbers have to get you excited about word of mouth marketing. I know they did me! The only question now is – how can you utilize this amazing marketing machine? Is it even possible to control word of mouth?

According to Ivan Misner, Founder and CEO of BNI, the world’s largest referral organization, and a Business professor at California State Polytechnic University – not only is it possible, it’s an absolute must for any business. He says that the three most important things you can do to begin increasing business through word of mouth are:

1. Diversify your networks – In order to get the word out about your service or product you must be visible and active in the professional community. Participation in various networking groups and professional associations are the best way to achieve this.

2. Develop your contact spheres – These are other businesses that aren’t in direct competition with you but offer a service or product which compliment your own. A perfect example is a Real Estate Agent, an Insurance Agent, a Home Inspector, and a remodeling contractor. These businesses do not compete with one another but each offers something that the customers of the other businesses need.

3. Word of mouth is more about farming than it is about hunting – Build strong and lasting relationships with professionals in your community and business organizations. Keep in mind that when it comes to business, it is not what you know, but rather, “who” you know.

By utilizing these strategies and remembering to ask for referrals, you will be well on your way to a successful business using the oldest, and still most effective, form of marketing. Pass it on!

My Team with Evolv Founder Trey White

It was wonderful to meet with all of the amazing leaders both from corporate and the field. It was a truly unique experience – filled with energy, fun and learning. The entire event really encompassed the feelings of giving, sharing and evolving which Evolv Health is quickly becoming known for. Evolv is continuing to break all the records in the direct selling industry and, after this event, it was very easy to see why. Founder Trey White discussed at length the “alignment of interest” and CEO Brent Hicks focused on ”the importance of culture”. Throughout the event I found myself thinking of those two points and realizing that without those considerations, such amazing growth and phenomenal success would not be possible. 

During the Summit we also learned of many new things that are in the works such as contests and promotions, website features, and even an iphone app!  I can’t wait to share the details with you as they become available. So stay tuned and be sure to check in each week. These are exciting times and we are all “going vertical” with Evolv! 

Founding Directors enjoying their new, specially designed Evolv leather jackets

On top of that, this week I have some even more exciting news to share with you. I have officially reached the Executive Director rank with Evolv! Now, before you start throwing out your “congratulations” and “great jobs”, I have to say that I could never have done this without my team. They are the reason that I work so hard in this business and they deserve as much of the credit for this as I do.

Often when someone reaches a new goal or accomplishment they spend a lot of time patting themselves on the back. Those of us who are honest with ourselves know that we never accomplish anything on our own but through the hard work of those surrounding us. So, to my team, thank you so very much for making this possible. On a daily basis you supply the strength and brilliance that make this team a success and I could not be more grateful!

Last but not least, be sure to check out next week’s blog as I will be giving some details on the things that I am learning this week at the summit. I will be taking part in some fantastic training and coaching sessions and learning from those who have made Evolv a huge success. I can’t wait to share it all with you!

We have “e”Volved from a world focused on the “i” to one focused more on the “e” (for everyone). Haiti is a perfect example of this, from the outpouring of donations to the sudden surge in volunteers. With this new outlook taking place throughout the world, now is the perfect time for a product like Evolv. They are taking the old form of direct marketing to all new levels by focusing on “e”veryone within the business, and not just those few on the top rungs of the ladder.

Evolv’s CEO, Trey White, has worked hard to make it an “e” business rather than an “i” business, in more ways than one. Even before the launch of Evolv, Trey was well known in business circles for his generous donations to terminally ill children and various charities local to him in Texas like the Boy Scouts and local Fire Departments. He has shown the members of Evolv and the public at large that the most important part of becoming successful is what you do with that success.

While working on this article I thought about my own success and whether I have been focused on the “I” or the “e”. And, while I feel that my own moral compass has kept me on track, I know that there is always room for improvement. With that in mind I will be spending more time in the future thinking about the bigger picture and not so much the immediate rewards. I feel that Evolv has been instrumental in bringing me to this decision and have never been more excited about the opportunities not only for myself, but for “e”veryone involved!

With that in mind, I would be happy to speak with any of my readers about my venture with Evolv. I will answer any questions you may have and tell you why I think it is one of the best things to happen to me. As always, this consultation will cost you nothing and there is no further obligation. I hope you have a wonderful and successful week and take some time to focus on the “e”!

My good friend, Lisa Larter posted a video blog on 3 Things to Increase Sales. I was so impressed that I asked her if I could share it with my readers and she was so gracious as to say yes. In this vlog she states what I have also learned through my years of being in retail (at the corporate level and as a franchise owner) and, most recently, in my direct sales career. I have used the same principals that Lisa discusses and they have continually brought me great success.

I don’t want to give away her 3 secrets here so Click below to view the video from Lisa’s blog:

 And, don’t miss part 2 of the discussion here: http://www.lisalarter.com/BlogThoughts/?p=271

Are you leaving your sales to fate? While sales numbers will never just magically increase, you can use the magic formula to create that growth and pull nothing but success out of your hat! Please share your “magic” sales tips with the rest of us in the comments section. I’m looking forward to reading what has worked for you!

About Lisa Larter:
Lisa is a dynamic business woman who teaches and coaches professionals on how to take their business to million dollar levels.  She has an amazing background in retail corporate, is the owner of a Telus Wireless dealership and the President of Lisa Larter Consulting Group.

Thanks Lisa – I appreciate you sharing your knowledge! 

I can’t help but be awed by the impact of this wonderful company on the lives of so many people. New consultants are joining us in record numbers. These are people who can be described as nothing less than savvy, smart, successful business women and men and they would have never even considered network marketing before Evolv. Now, they can’t wait to get going and share this opportunity and product with the rest of the world!

Are you wondering why Evolv is such an attraction for these people? Just what makes Evolv different? Well, you definitely came to the right place because I have the answers you’re looking for:

• Evolv Health is considered to be the next breakthrough company in network marketing (much as Apple and Google were in their respective fields).
• It is a progressive company with outstanding leadership that has created a culture of putting people first.
• They have shown themselves in only three months to be on the forefront of philanthropic efforts as evidenced by the shipment of more than 43,000 bottles of Evolv Water through Convoy of Hope to relief efforts in Haiti.
• Evolv Water is a zero competition, science backed product that is proven effective, easy to use and affordable.
• It is a product that requires no change in personal habits (often one of the most difficult hurdles to overcome in any sales endeavour) as water is the most consumable product on the planet.
• It is a repeatable, consumable product which quickly builds residual income.
• Claims are backed not only by science, but also by athletes who are endorsing the product based upon their experiences.

Some of our newest team members can’t sing the praises of Evolv enough and had the following to say when they were asked why they want to join my team:

• I love that you and your Evolv members are team focused, ethical and hard working!
• It is easy to see the integrity and great work ethic surrounding this opportunity.
• The ability and ease of leveraging the skill of team members makes it easy to get started.
• With the product, endorsements, ongoing scientific research and the help of a team, the only limit to the money you can make is yourself.
• The product is very exciting to share and, in this case, it has great sex appeal!
• Evolv injects fun into business building!

If you find that you’re intrigued and want more information on Evolv don’t hesitate to contact me. I can’t wait to tell you more!

I’ve been thinking a lot over the past couple of weeks about how amazing it is that a new business venture can evoke such strong emotions. My emotions have truly run the gamut this week from anticipation to excitement and pride. Just like a parent, I’ve watched Evolv grow from it’s infancy here in Canada into this amazing young adult with tons of potential and a bright future ahead. I am so proud of my part in this and am thrilled that everyone will now get to see the fruits of all of that labor. And, I absolutely can not wait to see what lies ahead!

I just want to thank you to all of those who have played a part in bringing this opportunity into my life and to all who have been so supportive of it. I now have to go and finish preparations for tomorrow’s event. But, I leave you with these questions – What business decisions have you made that created the same type of emotions for you and what are your feelings about your current career path?