Making Connections-It Really Is Who You Know
Filed Under life lessons, Home Business | Posted on February 6, 2009
Making friends and business connections on the internet through my businesses has been invaluable to me. With no exaggeration, I have been introduced to opportunities that I never would have unless I knew these people and established a business/trusting relationship.
I will gloss over the opportunities for a moment even though they have been the main reason why I have been able to quit my job and work from home.
It is more about establishing these relationships that needs to be addressed because not everyone knows how to do it. I’ve either “met” these people through programs I have promoted or have been involved in, through being on a list where I made contact or through forums. Initially, I made contact because I saw someone was successful and wanted to learn more or had people who were in my downlines or uplines that I wanted to get to know better.
It also helped that I have a sincere desire to help out and I believe people saw that sincerity….for the most part! I guess that is the teacher in me. When you sincerely approach people to give help or ask for help, it is amazing what you can see in return. Literally, opportunities fall in your lap because you just don’t meet that many people online (and I am not talking about dating) that are sincere and not looking to take your money.
I have met so many people with the right intentions but that “so many” to me is truly a small percentage and frankly, I’ve noticed, many of them know each other and are involved in and have been invited into some of these amazing and lucrative ventures. Just to be clear, I am not really talking about affiliate marketing and MLM.
To have a presence so that people are drawn to you and will trust you is not that difficult especially when you post on forums. You do not have to be a great writer or a fluent English speaker for that matter. It is what you say or at least what you are trying to say that matters. People will pick up on it.
This relates to the title of my post because now that I have established some sort of internet presence, I have made some very valuable friendships with people who are much more on the “inside” than I am and who are very experienced marketers and business people. I marvel at the small world that I am becoming a part of. This has been quite a revelation that I am now reaping the benefits and participating in opportunities that have only come to me for this reason alone.
I’ll make the explanation of these opportunites brief. They relate to online and offline investments. It’s not all about the Dow and NASDAQ you know….in fact it is far from it. There is a whole world of forex and opportunities that people of means know about and can do that are not always open to the little guy….unless you know someone of course (the whole point of this post).
In the end, I really just want to say that there is a way to present yourself that will open doors and opportunities that you may never have dreamed of. Yes, it is who you know but is more importantly, who you are.
Until the next time,
Laura
Home Business life lessonsMy Roller Coaster Year-An Introspective Little Post
Filed Under life lessons, blogging, Home Business | Posted on January 1, 2009
Sometimes I absolutely cannot believe that I have come out of this one relatively unscathed and just a few pounds heavier than when I started. Ok…more than a few pounds…and yeah…I’m talking about 2008. Believe me, I know what is happening all around me and even though this year has been a very emotional one for me, I feel blessed given the enormity of the fall out from the financial crisis and then the Bernie Madoff scam. My heart goes out to anyone who was affected by this disaster and one can only hope that people will be able to pick up the scattered pieces.
I want to write about some of the major personal events in 2008 so that I can begin 2009 with a fresh start. So here it goes. I started off the year with a bang because I had been blogging for a very short time and I was named one of the top women bloggers to watch in 2008. That was so exciting because I really didn’t know what I was doing at all and frankly I didn’t even know I could write or even like to write. In terms of my business I was doing pretty well and I was chosen to moderate on a forum by a top internet marketer whose business was booming. Pretty awesome stuff.
I signed up for a program called RIOY (Retire In One Year) and was in profit in just a few weeks….even more awesome. I was really taking to this and enjoying every minute. The reality of my job was sinking in though and thus the roller coaster of emotions from the highs of my home business to the lows of my career.
Normally, I didn’t have major lows regarding my career because I had been lucky enough to work in top schools as a math teacher for most of my career. Then came my job last year. What an absolute mess. I liked the idea of working with underpriviledged kids but this was something else. The incompetence was rampant and the place was being run by the kids. Needless to say, this made me work much harder on my home business in order to get out. A place like that can really drain you of all passion and energy. It is just too difficult to watch kids who have little hope of succeeding in life in the first place have all those chances taken away from them because they are placed in the hands of people who should not be anywhere near an educational institution.
OK, I got through the school year, barely, and started to widen my network of people who are experienced internet marketers. This is always a good thing. I would go up and down on the time I spent learning though but I was still lucky enough to be doing fairly well. I made some mistakes with programs and lost a little bit of money but for the most part I was still ahead. RIOY had its ups and downs and I have written about that in many posts….lots of changes….too many.
The summer was relatively uneventful, but definitely peaceful. Exactly what I needed. I didn’t even want to think of the past school year. In August I received a phone call from a guy exactly a year to the date that I last saw him. There went my peace. He and I had spent the last 4 years together….let’s just say on and off and on and off. Off was better.
It’s funny because I am such a strong woman in so many ways but I didn’t always seem that way when I was with him. What is even more strange was he just was not worth the trouble at all and I didn’t even see it. OK….maybe I didn’t want to. I do now though and I won’t even go into details about all the truths that I found out. Nothing like wearing blinders!
About a week later my mom and my sister came up to visit me which was planned at the last minute. We had a great time and all of us were really happy to have the short time together…you know…just the girls. We didn’t know how lucky we were because this was the last time that would happen.
Literally two weeks later my mom was diagnosed in the final stages of pancreatic cancer and would not be with us much longer…about 3 weeks to be exact. I wrote about her in a post called “A Tribute To A Woman.” It was my way of saying goodbye.
This was pretty life changing and it opened my eyes to what I was doing with my life. What the hell was I doing??? The school year had begun and was run by a new and even more incompetent administration. If I wrote about what I saw in the hallways on a daily basis I promise you would not believe me. Let’s just say you would hope and pray that you would never have a child that you would have to send to a school like this. It was just more than I was able to bear given the circumanstances.
The RIOY business fell through. I never would have believed it but so many things happened to get in the way and Karl Green was not able to sustain the program. The companies we promoted are still there and I will continue to work with them but it was a real shame for those who lost money. They will be paid back but it will be over time. There was nothing I can say to make it better for anyone. My heart was broken.
I quit teaching because I could not do it anymore…that was in December. I will be working from home….starting…..now! I have not even begun to organize and work out a real plan. I do have money coming in from passive income and affiliate programs. Actually I have a lot of money coming in and I will be off to a good start. Am I worried about the future? Believe it or not…..no. I have a really good feeling about being my own boss and starting a new in a second career. In my pajamas of course.
Here’s too a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!
Until the next time,
Laura
Now I Know What It Means
Filed Under life lessons | Posted on December 21, 2008
My God, everyone is right. People say that over the holidays is truly when you realize the heartbreak of losing someone you love. The loss of my mother is still very fresh but it is getting worse not better at all. I actually picked up the phone to call her the other day…so stupid.
I missed the cheese basket this Thanksgiving that she always sends and the cards for the holidays where she offfers support, encouragement and love. I won’t be getting them from her anymore. I miss the phone calls the most.
I am going to move on and enlist the support of my family. Losing such a beautiful person who has affected so many lives is so difficult but I am sure she would be miserable to know that I am having such difficulty dealing with this. She raised me to be strong and for the most part I have been but she was my number one supporter without fail.
My mom wrote me a thank you note after visiting me in August and I have kept it by my side ever since. She was so absolutely appreciative because I tried my hardest to make her happy and comfortable during her stay. Can you believe that? The woman who adopted me and loved me with all her heart was happy to because I wanted to return the favor.
That is the woman I miss more than anything.
I am so lucky to have been her daughter.
life lessonsTop Women Blogger Days Are Coming To An End
Filed Under internet home business, life lessons, Home Business | Posted on December 12, 2008
Back in January of this year I was named one of the top 25 women bloggers to watch in 2008 by Heidi Richardson, the founder of WECAI (Women’s Ecommerce Association International). I was number 5 and I had only been blogging since the end of August of 2007. I was more than flattered and it really gave me some major inspiration to really work this business and write to tell people about my experiences in business and in life.
A lot has happened since then. Before I go on though I have to say that though I love to write I really can only do it when I’m inspired. I wrote a post a few weeks ago that I am having a very difficult time finding my inspiration but I know that will pass in time. I’m giving myself time.
Besides the passing of my mother and hero, a lot has changed with my internet home business. I have learned so much about marketing and have been in profit for a long time. Thankfully, I have made some great connections in business with people who are very successful and have helped me along the way. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
I’ve learned about passive income programs which I may write a post about very soon. Some of these programs, along with my primary businesses are allowing me to quit my job in less than 2 weeks. It’s been an amazing journey.
The biggest changes though this year have been in my soul. I’ve learned more this year than any time in my life about people who matter and people who don’t. People who really care about you and people who pretend for their own reasons. People who have class from deep down in their hearts and souls and people who are able to pretend for their own benefit.
This does not make me sad. It has empowered me because I know more than ever what to look for in any human being. It gives me strength.
Now I look at my mom’s example and goodness for strength and the way to conduct myself in my own life. Now that is real inspiration. Maybe I can get back to what I should be doing.
I think this is going to be a very good year. Thank you Heidi for acknowledging my work and most importantly thank you mom for inspiring me.
Happy Holidays,
Laura
Home Business internet home business life lessonsWhere Is My Inspiration
Filed Under life lessons | Posted on November 23, 2008
It’s just my mood but I cannot for the life of me get out of it. What the heck is she talking about you may ask????
I’m not inspired to live my life the way I normally would since the death of my mother. Things are going pretty well for me now, especially with my home business and investments. Financially, I have probably never been in a better position.
It is inside though that has really changed. Now I really know what it means when people say that money does not buy happiness. When you feel empty it does not go away magically….that is for sure. I just didn’t realize that this was going to be such a prolonged empty feeling.
I have always been so passionate about my business, career, even working out but I am having one hell of a time trying to focus on any one of the things I normally love to do. I need my inspiration back along with the feeling of passion that I miss. How do I get it back though…that is what I want to know.
Really, I try not to focus on the loss I feel and rather am trying to move on and move in some different directions. I have major changes that will be occuring in my life and normally I would be so thrilled but my heart isn’t in it. The worst part is my heart isn’t into anything right now. Maybe it’s just my mood like I said before.
I really did not realize what a blow it would be to lose my mom since she was always going to be there for me…..or so it seemed. On top of the many things she did for our family while she was alive, she didn’t stop giving when she passed. That was always her intention.
I think this is the first time I have ever written a post like this. Just babbling about the way I feel. I promise this won’t be a regular thing but it feels better to let people know why I have not been myself…or will be the passionate person I have always been for quite awhile. I’ll give myself some time.
I miss you and I miss me.
life lessonsMoving On Because Life Goes On
Filed Under life lessons | Posted on October 3, 2008
I don’t plan on doing any more posts like this one but at of respect to my mom I want to write again before I move on. I don’t mean moving on like nothing has happened. It probably is better to say moving forward.
My mom passed away last week after a very short bout with cancer. She was with her family and friends the entire time and came to a peaceful end in her sleep.
She knew the end was in sight but kept making promises that she was going to be OK. That was just how she was…..always protecting and trying to care for her family.
Now it’s time for me to get back to my day to day life and most importantly, make her proud. She absolutely loved that I had started a home business and was having success online and always wanted to know everything.
So I am back. Back in full force. I will be writing about my experiences with RIOY and even some new experiences with some investment programs I have learned about. I have had some great successes with some of these and have made some serious profit in such a short time. Please comment if you want to know more.
Given this economy, its time to think out of the box.
Thanks for reading and I will keep you updated.
Laura
Thank you Mom for everything. You are my hero.
life lessons rioyA Tribute To A Woman
Filed Under life lessons | Posted on September 17, 2008
This woman is my mom. This post is for her and about her. It is about strength, courage and selflessness. Her name is Mary.
My mother gave up her ambitions in order to take care of her family when she was just 16 years old. She was valedictorian of her class in high school, lost her father and had 4 brothers and sisters who were much younger. Her mother didn’t really speak English at the time.
My mom gave up her dream of going to college in order to provide for her brothers and sister. She put one brother through medical school to help him achieve his dream and gave another the opportunity to leave home to pursue his dreams of playing professional baseball. She supported all of them until they were able to pursue their own dreams.
Mary made a name for herself in business working for Dow Chemical and IBM. She received awards for some of the work she did with those companies and worked her way up year after year. She even received a Presidential award during the 70’s when she set up a van pool system for Dow Chemical employees all over the country. Mary did everything with gusto and took all her responsibilities seriously.
Fast forward this scenario about 10 years. My mom met the man of her dreams and married him. Due to complications from bad surgeries, my mom could not have kids. That didn’t stop her from adopting my sister and I and telling us about it as soon as we were able to understand the concept. She will always be our real and only mom.
My mom taught us to cook and take care of ourselves from a very young age. My friends would come to my house after school and help us with all the chopping, cutting and whatever else the detailed instructions were to get dinner ready. There are some good cooks out there thanks to my mom.
Now we are here in September of 2008. This strong, giving and loving lady won’t be with us much longer. She was diagnosed less than 2 weeks ago with the final stage of cancer which has spread all over. My mom has had tons of visitors and people coming from all over. We had an amazing party where people just played guitar and sang, drank too much and celebrated my mom’s life. She was like a little kid and the love permeated through to everyone. It was beautiful.
So this is my tribute to my my mom. It’s a life lesson as well. When you live your life honorably it comes back to you. People will remember your strengths and shortcomings. Focus on your strengths and give. Be as selfless as possible. It will come back. That is what my mom did.
I love her more than I think she knows. The thing is she probably loves me more than I can understand.
Thank you Mom for everything. I love you.
laura
I Absolutely Love Having A Home Business
Filed Under life lessons, home based business, Home Business | Posted on April 17, 2008
I was never interested really interested in business and certainly never considered having a home business. No way. I was thinking before I began to write this that I remember thinking that education is a more intellectual and noble pursuit and I was inspired by that notion.
I can admit when I am wrong. I was wrong. I personally get so much satisfaction on a daily basis these days. I have the opportunity to help people learn how to make a living or at least help them to earn money to supplement their incomes.
I have had the chance to help and motivate people and actually give pretty decent advice on how to get started with their home business. So guess what, I am still teaching! My students are interested in this part of my life and love to hear and learn about marketing (not during math class of course)! They think of it as an option for them some day and frankly it is an option.
There are so many good people who have home businesses and who truly enjoy helping people learn and earn as well. I learned from the experts (thanks Stone and everyone affiliated with PIPS) and I love sharing what they gave me.
Its not only about the money. When you have a home business you have to be creative, giving, strong, secure, intelligent and you have to love to learn something new every day. You have to be good with people and be sincere because most people will see the insincerity. You have to love what you are doing.
I sure do!
home based business Home Business life lessonsLet’s Make Sure We Put Things Into Perspective
Filed Under life lessons | Posted on February 19, 2008
I feel lucky in so many ways. I have an awesome family and group of friends. I have found a second career that I absolutely love and have been lucky enough to have found success and fulfillment.
I joined another program this weekend that I am very excited about and wanted to dedicate this week (because I have the full week off) to working and promoting it.
I was thrilled to have this time and then life happens. The father of one of my closest friends passed away. This wasn’t unexpected but it is an emotional time for everyone involved. Two days later, I was in a car accident and my car was totaled. A very unwelcome occurence and huge nuisance.
As I sat around feeling badly about all that was happening I had to stop for a moment. Yes this stinks. But guess what, it just stinks. That’s all. It is just what happens in life. That’s it.
Nothing that has happened to me or my friends’ family isout of the ordinary. It’s not what you want to necessarily deal with but you do because things just happen when you are living your life.
It is all about perspective. It is not about money, being successful, being liked or not liked, being educated or any of that. It is how you view your situation and put it into a healthy perspective.
Let me add before I post this that I do believe and see people whose lives have been difficult from the beginning and know nothing else. I am not taking about them. I am talking about me and others like me who have had some ups and downs but in general really don’t have anything to complain about.
This post was for me.
life lessonsThe Perfect Storm In Business - It is Happening Now For Me
Filed Under life lessons | Posted on February 13, 2008
My intentions were to write several articles about The Berry Tree, The RIOY System and their programs, my newest findings on The Reverse Funnel System and the progress of one of their affiliates (Lorelie….a newcomer and someone to watch for) . Instead I am using my creative energies tonight to not promote one single program but rather to stop and look at what has happened to me and my affiliates.
I received a phone call tonight from a woman who signed with my RIOY program. She is from Slovenia and wanted to talk to me about our business and signing with programs and many other things as well. She is motivated, intelligent and eager to learn about this business. Her name is Janja and she is exactly the type of person who every sponsor wants to have in their downline. As far as I am concerned, we are equals and I only know more about this business because I have been here longer. I see her taking on a team in no time.
As a teacher of many years and a relative newcomer to the internet marketing business, I could not be more happy. Yes, I want to make a full time living with online marketing but I am seeing that my greatest satisfaction is to see the motivation and power of people who have signed with me. I don’t know, maybe it all goes back to being a teacher but I do know I am as happy as I can be to see and actually hear from people who are happy becasue they signed up with me!
