Many people dream about being an entrepreneur, starting their own business, working for themselves, and living the good life. Very few, however, will actually take the plunge and put everything they’ve got into being their own boss. Fabrizio Moreira
In 1519, the Spanish conquistador, Hernan Cortes, landed on the shores that would one day be Mexico with all his men and beached his ships. He then gave the order to burn them. With no turning back, men with a strong vision, ambition and no other option will be conquerors. And we know from history, a small group of determined men conquered the powerful Aztec empire.
I do not consider my years of military service wasted following someone else’s vision. During those years I did learn skills, organization and leadership that have seen me through many challenging and also rewarding experiences. However, ever since I was a very young man, I have been working various businesses from a gardening service, to recycling, a television and small electrical appliance repair service, a computer maintenance and repair service, tutoring, and at one point a handyman business. I had brief periods of challenging times, success, failure, and then moved on. But the true mettle of an entrepreneurial heart, is that same Cortes-like determination. Put everything – heart and soul- into the venture.
Honesty and integrity are by far the most important assets of an entrepreneur. Zig Ziglar
Over the years, I have looked at the network marketing business model. If you consider that many entrepreneurs have made a success owning a franchise, you may consider owning a McDonalds, or a Starbucks, or perhaps even a rental-equipment company. But the network marketing business is a franchise without the high investment costs. Each investor, becomes responsible for his or her own success, and then mentors and encourages his or her ‘franchisee’ – or “downline”.
Like most businesses that have a successful long-established training model, product or service, there’s one strength and one weakness – the independent business owner. While many who look for quick returns will be disappointed, there are many successful entrepreneurs in network marketing, like entrepreneurs in other businesses and industries who share that same vision: Never quit. Put your heart and soul into your venture. Provide a good product.
Finding a business that is in line with your interests and values – since the best advertising is the entrepreneur who believes, uses, and relies on the product or service they invest in. Customers are the fundamental part of any business who, as in any enterprise, will return time and again when value, service, and trust in that business is exceptional. Success is measured in your willingness to learn, adapt, and grow professionally and personally. And to know that, in general, only a few of the hundreds or thousands that encounter your service or ‘franchise’ opportunity, will have the ‘Conquistador’ never-quit that entrepreneurs and self-made people possess to want to burn their ships and follow your example.
If you can’t admit a failure, you’re not an entrepreneur. You are not a good business person. There’s nothing brilliant about what you are doing. Mark Cuban
Truths, Half-truths, and Sea Stories 