A review of an mlm you are involved in
57I have never passed up a chance to report on the MLM business that I am involved in so I am not about to start now!
I have spent over 20 years researching MLM businesses as I have always felt that the concept was terrific if I could find the right company with the right compensation plan, retail profits, unique products and excellent company and upline support and training. After many years of searching and some costly mistakes along the way, I can honest and proudly say that I found one that not only meets all of these requirements but far surpasses any expectations that I ever had in an MLM business.
The Products
I am a distributor of an alternative vegetable blend candle that is very unique in the fact that it is considered an environmentally friendly candle. This is due to the fact that it burns cleaner and cooler than normal candles, the double wicks are 100% cotton so they are lead and zinc free. They emit almost no soot when compared to regular candles. I have had no problem challenging any other candles to compare to ours in a total burn comparison. The unique vegetable blend waxes allow the scent to evenly distribute throughout the entire candle for a scent that is just as wonderful at the bottom as it is at the top. Some have asked why they are better than 100% soy candles. While soy is an excellent alternative to paraffin based candles, they aren't the best simply because the soy allows the scent to pool close to the top of the candle, allowing the candle to lose scent before it reaches its maximum usage. Truth is, these candle started out as 100% soy and once this discovery was made, the vegetable blend was introduced and has met with great success as has all of the other products that we carry such as bath and body supplies, simmer pots, melts and much more.
The Company
Our company is based in Wilkes Barre, PA and was formed in 2002. The makers of our candles were one of the first companies to introduce candles to the fundraising industry and built a huge, thriving business in retail, wholesale and fundraising.
The retail profits, compensation plan and company support has far exceeded any promises I have heard in the MLM industry in over 20 years. Not only did they create the compensation plan to benefit the members but they don't hesitate to change it in the favor of the members as I have seen done since I have joined their team.
The Support
I have been in several businesses that promise one on one training and unlimited support. They did that for about the first 2 days in business then I was hung out to dry. It was all about a numbers game to them just to get the sign-up fee and then throw the new member to the wolves!
I have been amazed, to say the least, at how this company has not only given support along with good training but at how they make it their personal goal to make sure that you succeed. So much so that when I started holding my first meetings, the CEO himself called me on the phone just to see how things were going and if he could offer me any support! Now, THAT is what I call support! It is the first business I have ever encountered in which you could actually speak personally with top executives, have them call to check on you and personally email you to let you know what a great job you are doing and send their contact info in case you need them!
The Training
Most of the businesses I have tried in the past is all about recruiting. No matter how you have to get them, just get that member! It's different with this company. I am repeatedly taught that it is all about the people, not about the numbers! I am taught how to help others figure out what their goals are and how to help them reach those goals. I am taught that duplication is great but just because something works for one doesn't mean it will work for everyone. I am taught to research several of the top leaders who have reached the goals that I want to achieve to see how they did it and to take what works for me from each one and combine it to personally fit a plan for me.
I have never had anyone in this company try to shove expensive sales aids down my throat and tell me that I can't build my business without them. I have been taught to work within my own budget to build at a pace that is right for me. When was the last time you saw a company that cared more about what you could afford to invest over selling their sales aids for their own profits?
As for training materials, I have never had to pay a single penny to receive any training document, recorded call, conference call registration or any other file that would help me in building my business. I have free access to groups that are upline, downline and crossline if that is where I need to get help with anything I need. Where most companies frown on even discussing your business tactics with crossline members, in this company, we are all equal partners and all are willing to share ideas with each other, regardless of what team you are on. In this business, we are ONE team,
The Progress
When I began working as a recruiter in this business, I had very low expectations due to my past experience with companies that promise you the moon and the take away your space shuttle! However, I set my goals, I made some contacts and within the first month, I had reached Diamond level, which was actually the goal that I had for the entire year! Needless to say, I had to upgrade my yearly goals but it was a task that I gladly took on. There has been so much that has progressed in the past year that my head spins when I look back at the things that I accomplished in such a short time. Because of all the support I have received from so many in this business, I have an uncountable number of published articles, a monthly newsletter and countless blog fans and networking site members and the list goes on! All I can do now is try to contain my excitement of the new year ahead and all of the wonderful blessings that lie ahead and all the many friends that are waiting for me down the road.
I am so grateful that you have requested this hub as it has renewed me even more, if that is possible! My one wish for 2008 is that everyone find a company that is as wonderful and rewarding as the one that God has put in my path.
© 2008 Bonnie N. Ramsey
Bonnie Ramsey
Diamond Team Leader
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Comments
Michelle,
Thanks for stopping by! I agree that many people misrepresent the potential in that they claim it will "build itself, earn you thousands in no time or doesn't take a lot of work". If people will stop and think about those claims, they will realize that there is NO business in the world that will do any of these things LOL. Any business you get involved with, be it online or offline takes time and work to build. The key is to find the opportunity to provide the most benefits from the compensation plan with high retail profits that doesn't take a huge investment. The more affordable it is to the vast majority, the more likel;y you are to succeed. The first MLM I joined required a $500 start up kit with very few products that you could actually sell to recover your investment. Then we had to buy a large monthly amount to qualify for commissions every month. I found that to be a totally unrealistic expectation for most and started looking for something better.
The main thing is that most people don't understand the compensation plan and how it works, therefore, not sure what to look for in that plan to know if it is good or not. The promises may be possible if they are honest about how long it takes, what is expected of the member to achieve that point and the investment required. THAT is where many people go awry when presenting their business opp. You can't gaurantee anything to anyone that is based on what they know and what they are willing to do. Not to mention that if they are teaching the members this same technique to recruit, it's a ball rolling downhill to begin with! LOL.
Bonnie
Two thumbs up to this and some other posts I have seen you do.
Although I am in another business, I am grateful to see truth posted without any hype.
It sounds like your business is in health and wellness (or a cousin anyway ~ the idea of safer burning candles is a great idea ~ many do not realize what is going into their air burning much of what is out there). I am in the health and wellness industry and I love it. In my opinion it has the greatest opportunity or potential for those that want to find success ~ I am referring to both what you are doing and what I am doing.
This market for people that want healthier lives is awesome and I believe in much of the MLM industry in that it must provide great products, systems and services or they will not survive.
But enough about that. I just want to drop by and say thanks for the breath of fresh air here and some other places I have seen your posts!
Happy Networking,
George
Hi, Goerge!
Thanks for dropping by and all the wonderful compliments! I feel that MLM/NM has so much negativity about it due mostly to those who have either tried the wrong business and failed or those who are not educated in how and WHY it works who listen to all the horror stories, I just want to try to help people understand that there are great opportunities out there if you know how and what to look for. I appreciate the wonderful support that you posted and wish you much success in your business!
Bonnie
ripplemaker says:
2 years ago
Hi Bonnie, I got involved too with several mlm's to help our little preschool survive -- meaning, we wanted to earn extra on the side. LOL And yes the promise of the moon and the stars was disappointing. It's a great read to know that success is indeed possible. Thanks.