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Network Marketing Basics 101

by Lisa Molina

The other day, Skye, my five year old, shared with me how he was being a good example at school when he took his lunch and went to the lunch area to eat, before he played on the playground.

Today in Los Angeles,  when he saw someone had stuck gum to the back of bench, he said to me,  ”That is not being a good example“.

Of course it lights me up to see this basic, yet often overlooked, principle in play for him at his early age.

When I first got into the industry of Network Marketing I was blown away that I had never learned about this business model before.

Age 30, ready to be an entrepreneur…I fell in love with the industry.  Sadly, I started noticing, not everyone loved the industry as much as me.  Some people even cut off communication with me the minute they learned I was a “network” marketer.   Of course, being green, I took this personally at first, and over time, accepted, it was not about me….

After 10 years in the industry, I find network marketing to be so powerful!  It feels great to be in the people building business with so much opportunity! With so many greats, like our Rich Dad, Robert Kyosaki, and like the great Brian Tracy, shouting our industry from the rooftops,  what’s even more valid, is my own first hand experience of my life transformations and observing thousands of everyday, ordinary people WIN at this game!

I have come to learn what it is that turns people sour on this industry.  It still surprises me when someone is willing to make a decision to join the industry, however, is  not willing to make the decisions to take responsibility for getting the results they want to get.  <like being the example goes right out the window…>. This shows up in a myraid of ways.. things like,  not taking responsibility to do their marketing/ advertising to get the results, blaming the company -that  ’took their money’ <laughable!>  or blaming their  leader who jumped ship or disappeared, or in general, blaming something outside of themselves…for their lack of results.

Now, we all know, not all companies are created equal, and we know some are not built to last. We can say the same thing about people…(tee hee)  Wait a minute.. companies are made up of people!  lol

We also know with certainty, that if we don’t get the results we want in our life, it is not anyone’s fault but our own!

These people in turn out of their own lack of responsibility, will attempt to put blame onto all the things external.. and show up on their take-no-responsibly blogs.. which tend to attract those who also hold the NO RESPONSIBILITY picket sign.

Speaking of responsibility in our industry, I recently read a very well written article by Art Robbins that he wrote for the Downline News Magazine, December/ January 1994, called

Networking Marketing Ethics & Etiquette Focus on Cross Sponsoring

Although written over a decade ago, what great words of wisdom were his, that still ring true today.

We do have a choice of who we are in business with.  This was another reason I joined this industry. No longer did I have to be in business with anyone I didn’t want to be in business with; freely being able to choose who I align myself with and partner with.  What a beautiful thing!

A person’s success, financial and otherwise, can most definitely be predicted to the extent that individual is willing to take responsibility.

Participating in our industry with Ethics and getting the results we came here for is one giant major step for our cause! Growing our industry and showing others  an ethical solution, that does not pend on politics or corporate ladders.  It does not depend on who a person knows. It doesn’t matter a  person’s past experiences, nor current skill set.  NO matter where the person lives, remote rural living is just as good as bigcityUSA.

Network Marketing is a game where EVERYONE can win.

It’s amazing what an environment of success will do for the ethical person.   So it’s up to us to weed out the few bad seeds.  The only way we can really benefit our team or anyone, is when we are in action getting our goals!

When someone shows up to me with the a shiner, newer, piece of opportunity, I love to let them know,  that where ever you go there you are… so you might as well choose to be responsible right where you are!

Ethical principles never go out of style and  neither do Being the Example!

Just as my five year old would have it……call it wisdom, nah…. better said – just a Basic Elementary Principle!


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Posted in Entrepreneurial Tips, General, Parenting Tips | 21 Comments »

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Are you my Mentor?

by Lisa Molina

Some of the best advise I have ever received was  ONLY take advise from people getting the results you want.

Clearly if you, or a loved one, require brain surgery, you would go to the best brain surgeon.  If you want to know how to play tennis, you would go to the coach that you believe to be the best tennis player.  If you want parenting advise, you would go to a successful parent.  And if you want success in your business, you would go to someone that has demonstrated the success you want.

Everyone can be a teacher, tis true.. however, not everyone is cut out to be your mentor.

Are you my MENTOR?

When I first started my business, I could easily see the ones who were going to have success and the ones who were not.  Yes, there was a high-energy spirit to them, they were in action.. but, also I noticed they had someone whom they were hanging around and listening to.

I did recognize the value in that, and I sought out to find that person to tune into.  Reminds me of the book, in the Dr. Suess I can read myself book series, Are you My Mother?

I was out on the search……seeking, silently asking…..Are you My Mentor?

With 10 years of experience in the network marketing industry, I find it interesting when someone calls on me, frustrated with their results.  When I ask them the question of what or whom have they been listening to,  it quickly reveals that many are not certain whom to follow or whom to listen to.  The following steps will serve as a guide for some understanding around mentors:

1.  Be Selective.

You have heard this before, To be a good leader, one has to know well to follow.

  • Follow someone who has achieved the level of results, preferably with their results being as recent as possible. Let’s face it, the person in action and getting results right now in the game, has a clear advantage over the person who got results, say years ago.
  • You should be able to relate to this person, and they must be able to relate to you.
  • This person will empower you. You should not feel invalidated by them.  They will challenge you, yes, however, if you are working with someone who consistently wants to make you feel small, realize you are the mentor in that relationship and move on!

2.  Listen Up.

  • Be attentive to the facts that produce results, and tune out everything else.

I must admit, having found a mentor, it took some practice to tune out the other voices.   For anyone new in a business,  in most cases, MUCH input comes, faster than one can assimilate it.   I realized I had gotten used to allowing input from those NOT getting the results I wanted.  This would cause a distraction for a moment or for many moments!  I realized that I was accustomed to listening to those that didn’t have success in mind at all. In fact, I had to really discipline myself to only tuning into the vibration of success.  This was probably one of my greatest challenges as a budding entrepreneur – creating NEW habits of listening.

There is a time and a place to ask for feedback, and taking note of opinions,  and when it comes to the success of your business, this is NOT one of those times!

3. The mentor can change.

  • Mentors are meant to change and people come into our lives to assist us only to a certain level.  It’s up to us to change to grow.

Finding and having a mentor that has demonstrated the results you seek, means the mentor will change.    I surpassed the results of my first mentor in a relatively short period of time. It actually surprised me, and even had me at a standstill for a bit,  unsure what to do, having reached a greater result.   We tend to put our mentors up on a pedestal.  This experience had me realize this very important lesson.

Sometimes mentors come in the form of someone we are not necessarily in communication with.  Perhaps they have deceased, or are not available for regular conversations.  These people can still continue to guide us, and lead us.

Having a mentor is not only valuable to success, it’s vital!    Gaining an outside perspective from a success point of view, a higher level of thinking, is essential to bridge the gap to success.

I would love to hear your experiences and thoughts around mentors.  And as always, if you found this to be of value to you, please share!

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Posted in Entrepreneurial Tips, General | 13 Comments »

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Is Everyone in Your Environment Worthy of Your Company?

by Lisa Molina

We have heard time and time again how important our Environment is to our success.

How closely are we willing to look at who in our environment is keeping us growing and who is keeping us from growing?

This one basic thing, will make or break our success.

Doubt or Certainty

As social beings we are influenced. Not only with picking up another’s vibration,  <happy, mad, sad, bad….>  but also mimicking another.

We do it sometimes without thinking. All the more reason to take caution of who we allow into our social environments.

People really can make or break you. It is vital to determine who to allow in our company or who to remove.

There are two types of people in the world:

Ones with good intentions

and

Ones with bad intentions.

I can imagine we all have the goal to steer clear of the ones with bad intentions, however, most often, the people with bad intentions stay hidden well enough to cause all kinds of havoc before we discover them.

Let’s take a closer look at this.

Think about when you were  a child (or perhaps you have had this experience as a parent of your child) and remember a time there was a fight between you and someone else.  Each time this occurred, whether you noticed it or now, there was someone in the mix stirring up the trouble.  They would have been whispering to your friend or whispering to you, but spreading negative thoughts, nonetheless, to stir up trouble.

Thank Goodness our world is filled with mostly people with good intentions!

It is true, however, that the small percentage of people with bad intentions have a dramatic impact.

Anytime there is a argument, a fight, a conflict, an upset of any kind, whether with children, teens OR adults…  there is someone in the mix, usually NOT present, who has stirred up the trouble.

Someone who is secretly and maliciously  planting thoughts, whispering negative comments, basically creating chaos in the background.  This person has bad intentions and will usually place themselves around people who have good intentions; almost as if there very existence comes from feeding off the positive; they weave their venomous web over another.  Almost trance like, the person who has no malicious intent what so ever, is pinned as the trouble maker… while the Silent, Covert, Evil Weaver, slyly smiles with victory.

I see this occur far too often and I see it be the reason a person does not have the results they are seeking.

When one is experiencing a rollercoaster effect in their business and in their life, it is evident someone in their environment is at fault.

A few simple steps to follow when there is an upset to determine who should stay and who should go:

1 .  Who is the source of the information?

Simply discovering where the information originated, is not only the only way to go, it also demonstrate to those around you what you expect in your environment of success.  Doing so will also reveal a re-occuring theme, in which to know whom should be removed from this sacred environment.

2.  Get all parties involved into the conversation to handle it.

No matter how big or small the issue, the way to build a solid environment of success is to bring all participants into the conversation.   The way a person responds to your request for clarity will be very revealing.  People who are doing things maliciously or with harmful intentions, do not like to be called out on it.  In fact, they will do anything they can to stay hidden.  The ones that won’t come around to get all the facts on the table are typically the ones that have been silently creating the trouble for the others, hence it becomes obvious.

3.  Stick with the facts.

Any time you find someone who is telling lies, stealing, cheating, lieing or worse than that.. you have an outside party influencing these actions.  Often times the person at fault with the bad intentions is the least likely candidate.  If you are willing to listen, you will discover the truth and better yet,  you will be able to weed out the re-occurring trouble source.

4.  Who is worthy of your company?

Going into the conversation where there is an upset, it’s important to keep your purpose in mind.  You are not there to accuse, nor to be the judge and jury.  You are there to determine who it is that is on your journey to assist you and who it is that you should part ways with.

When we keep this in mind,  we can stay on the UPWARD Spiral of life!

Exactly where we deserve to be!


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Posted in Entrepreneurial Tips, General, Parenting Tips | 22 Comments »

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3 Steps to Success as an Entrepreneur – Lead Generation

by Lisa Molina

1.  Know Your Purpose

2.  Define Your Target Market

3.  Generate de Leads!


1.  Know Your Purpose

Herein lies the very thing that will make or break a person’s ability to be an entrepreneur.  And the first step to making money…

Define why you are doing what you do…

GET CLEAR.. no matter if it’s for the new car/ the new house/ the trip/ spend time with family/ contribute to charity/ start the foundation … etc..  There is no wrong answer here.. Your answer IS right!  The key is.. you must be clear on what your answer is that you are so excited about achieving!

2. Define Your Target Market

Who do you want to work with?    If your answer is anyone with money, you are in trouble!    Define SPECIFICALLY who you would like to be in business with.  Be specific on characteristics/ ethics/ age/ sex/ geographical location/ interests, etc.  This does not make you biased/ sexist/ nor racist…  however it does allow you clarity and the only way you will attract a winning team to you is by being clear.  The more certain you are, the more certain the people responding will be.  Don’t make the mistake of feeling that this step will have you getting less business.  This step allows you to attract to you who you want!  and the others will come along too…  I can guarantee it.  It gives you the option to discern.  Be selective. After all, that is the only way to build a winning team!!

3. Generate De Leads

How to create the most cost effective and Quality lead will forever be the unending quest of the successful entrepreneur.

Generating your leads, all depends on two things…

Your budget

and

Your interest

With a team thousands strong, it is evident there are  thousands of ways to market. Funny that people can get stuck on the same 1 or 2 ways.   Recently I led a training of a few hundred people and we came up with 80+ ways in about 15 minutes.

Newspapers/ internet/ social media sites/ personal contacts/ google/ internet marketing/  etc etc etc..

You want several ways.  Get one way working, then add another way.    Having 4+ ways of continual lead flow will ensure you have leads coming in.   And without leads.. you are dead in the water.

What about purchased leads?

I recommend these to those on my team with no phone experience, or someone who wants practice with the script to get over the initial phone jitters. However, it’s hard to find a reputable company. And when you do, they don’t last too long.. As everyone hears about them and gobbles up the quality leads.  With the high demand, it leaves the company with out the ability to provide the supply.   If you are choosing this route, Get Referrals.. and check them!

BEWARE: of the ‘instant and endless supply of  leads‘  gimmicks.  Let’s face it.. there are many lead generators out there that simply want a heartbeat.. and call that a lead then sell it to you!  Lead generation does not have to be difficult, however it does take effort and practice (lots of trial and error marks lots of success!)  The best way to a quality lead is your passion and energy going into attracting it!

Be as creative as you want, remembering also to duplicate what is already working!  Action Takers create leads their first day in business!  They don’t have to spend months setting up  automated websites or anything else.  Plug into your companies training and into the leader who enrolled you into your business.  Successful leaders will always give you sample ads that are compliant and ones they getting results with.   Think how can I get this message out to someone  TODAY  and you can always continue to educate yourself  so that you are set up for tomorrow.

Alright now here comes the most important words I can put in this blog… Have Fun and IMPLEMENT! :)

Please share and tweet as you feel appropriate.

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Posted in Entrepreneurial Tips, General | 17 Comments »

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Star Spangled Banner – Let Your Freedom Ring

by Lisa Molina

Our King quit ruling our country.  And our king wanted to be another country’s king.  That is why our country is not ruled anymore.  And our country is now Free.

Skye Molina – July 3rd, 2010  (age 5)

Today Skye told me the story above and wanted me to act out a scene with him for Bob (Dad).  He had me tape the flag he got from the hardware store up on his bookshelf.   He had me be England and he was American.  We fought in a pretend battle (with swords) where he took me down and conquered me, and Skye then stood under the American flag.

Then he requested I write down all the words of the Star Spangled Banner, as he said them to me.

“I know what perilous means!  It means dangerous!”

Bob and I sat in a bit of amazement as Skye drew us a picture  of ramparts…when we asked him, what does “ramparts” mean.  (we had to look it up!)

What a beautiful reminder of what freedom means.

Just the night before at bedtime, Skye asked us what if he doesn’t know what he wants to do with his life.  Bob reassured him with, you have a lot of years to know.  I felt a bit more inquisitive as to why he was asking the question.  I asked him what he meant, and he kept asking me questions like, “do people get to do what they want to do?”  I let him know, he really does get to choose what he wants to do with his life, and although some people will act as if they don’t have a choice, the beautiful thing is, they do.  ”and so do you.”  He was satisfied with that, and drifted off to a peaceful sleep.

Recognizing now, why he was asking me the question,  It always amazes me how he sees so much.  Today he served as an amazing reminder to what the 4th of July represents.

This weekend is symbolic to celebrating Freedom that the US of A is free, and without a king to rule over us.

Although his inquiry to me last night posed an important question…… are we Really Free?

To me Freedom starts from within.  (Easy for me to say, now, that others have been willing to fight the  battle to keep my country free!)  In your world, do you have a ruler or is your mental space (aka: country) free?   For so many, freedom is quite the elusive word, yet it seems to be what everyone is, still today, going for.

I do know that in order to have our own freedoms, we must be able to clearly define what that means.

How would you define your  Freedom?

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Fatal Mistake as an Entrepreneur

by Lisa Molina

I received an email today from an old friend.

The email was giving me kudos for my experience and success in the industry, and went on to ask me for advise on the opportunity he was taking a look at.

I didn’t have to think long, excited he was looking to be an entrepreneur, and knowing he has a daughter, I was excited to assist him anyway I could in being more available for her.  I replied right away happy to assist.

What came next felt like a hit below the belt.

I  received an auto responder email  titled, “Lisa will you be one of my three?”  This email said  he could only bring 3 on board with him, and I was one of the 3 he selected.

Mistake #1….
 To put me into an auto responder system without me choosing in, violated my agreement with him.

About an hour later, I received an email from him, titled  “Thanks”.   The email read…

“Apparently you are already in the database so I doubt the email went through.  Like you said, you’ve probably seen them all by now.”….and he went on to say,  “Thanks again and let’s talk soon.”

This had me confused.  Like oh, ok, if you don’t get the email with the information, well thanks anyway…….  HUH?

Mistake #2….
 Asking me to do something, then not following up on what he asked me to do.

Why did I find myself  frustrated at him?   He was new, and I remember being new…

Then I realized why I was tweeked.

He was not seeking advise from me.  He had already joined the opportunity. What he wanted was to get me to see the video/ opportunity.

I do not fault his desire and willingness to play up.  I definitely respect him for being in action.
There are many opportunities and we all believe ours is the best.
HOW you treat people will make ALL the difference. and today, I got the great reminder from my old friend, so I could pass it on to you,

The Fatal Mistake of an Entrepreneur….
 Not being Authentic!

I can certaintly get over mistakes a new one to the industry may make.   It takes a bit more forgiveness when one is not being, nor wiling to be authentic.

Entrepreneurs, New and Experienced, at All costs, BE AUTHENTIC!

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Information Age or MIS Information Age – the Internet

by Lisa Molina

We all love the internet!

Information about anything, is at our fingertips at any moment. For those encyclopedia sales men that used to hit the streets packing those large books, this is a miracle!  Along with ALL of this information comes a lot more required research on the consumer/ info seekers part.  As a consumer today using the internet to gather information to enhance their business and their lives,  sifting and sorting through much information becomes a vital part of the decision making process.

The number one thing a consumer should ask themselves when getting information online is:

Is the source of information credible?

Here are a few things to consider  to ensure the information you gather, is in fact, valuable.

1.  What is the credibility of the person making the offer you are interested in?

Is the person with the offer getting the results you want in life?

This seems obvious and yet can be easily overlooked.    Google their name, check out their facebook page, their blog, etc.

Does the person with the offer have your best interests in mind, or looking to make a quick buck?

After doing the research, being in a direct conversation with them, is a valuable way for you to discern; to give you the confidence you require to make an informed decision about the product or service being offered.  Are you a quick sale to them, or do they take the time to be with you about your questions?  Much is revealed of a person’s character in a quick five minute conversation.  (more to share on this in an upcoming blog).

2.  Reviewing what others have said about the offer you are interested is a way for consumers to get information. Reading reviews and comments sections about the product/ service can be valuable if you keep the following in mind:

Is the person posting comments/ feedback about the offer you are interested, using their name?

If a person is not willing to use their name, or if they using a false name, it is an indicator that their feedback whether positive or negative, could be as valuable as the writing on the bathroom wall.

Does the person offering the feedback, speak with reason?

If the person posting is disgruntled in anyway, proceed with caution.   There is a difference between sound feedback and someone giving up their responsibility in the choice they made.  Notice their level of responsibility. If they take NONE.. beware.  Blame is very typically a person pointing over at something/ some one else so you won’t notice what they themselves have done.

Note:  Unethical marketers may use reviews/ feedback sections in attempt to sway the customer’s attention.  When you see this, be warned.   If someone is throwing another under the bus to get your attention,  steer clear.  It’s a sign  of Unethical Behavior Ahead.

These are a  few simple things to do to ensure  the information we are getting on the internet is in fact true.  Let’s do our research!   Although it’s out there, soon the MIS information will be so invaluable.  The Truth Always wins! and  finding the truth to assist their business and their lives, is what every successful consumer and entrepreneur will do!

Yours in Success,

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Posted in Entrepreneurial Tips | 24 Comments »

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What every Entrepreneur should know…. that our schools do not teach

by Lisa Molina

Skye wanted to show me that he could write his letters.  He said he wanted to write me a note and said, “I will say the word and you spell it, ok?”  A little game that most 4-5 year olds play with their parents/ adults.    A few minutes later he handed me this note.      Skye was four.

Can you imagine the success that every Entrepreneur  would enjoy if this one principle was firmly put into place?!

Disclaimer:   My kid is the smartest, coolest, most handsome, most well-behaved kid on the planet.

We used to nick-name him, Little man. After his parent teacher conference last week, we were told by the school administrator, and I quote,  ”You can not call this kid – a little man.  He is a BIG man, and takes up a BIG space.”   Did she know that had been his nick-name from Bob and I?!   I did not reveal, and had quickly taken her point to heart.  She went on to tell us that one of the teachers calls him “Dictionary”  because he is so good at saying what the words mean.  I giggled and that night we asked Skye about it.  He was so proud, and said “Yah, you can call me Dictionary!”

Guys, am I abnormal?   I learned how to like myself at age 30 and still learning!  and it was because I put my nose into many personal development books, tapes, seminars, communities. I started to discover and uncover who I was… maybe a bit late in life, and truly began building my self-esteem in my ADULT years.    I don’t know if you can relate, but I grew up self-conscious and full of doubts on who I really was.

You’ve heard said that as adults, we have to UNLEARN.

I know this to be true because I have spent the last 10 years letting go of beliefs that didn’t serve me.  and spent the last 5 (since having Skye) doing my best to live my life with the wild abandon of a child.  As the idiom states… Out of the mouths of babes….

Whatever age, we can all benefit from this simple tip from the Big Man we now call “Dictionary” ! :-)


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Posted in Entrepreneurial Tips, General | 11 Comments »

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