April 1999
Success Story
June G. Mercer of Starlight International
They say the third time's the charm. That may be true in some cases, but as far as June Mercer is concerned, the 18th time's the charm. June's life was very full-- with three growing children and a full-time job managing her husband's physical therapy office. She started running the moment she woke up and didn't stop until her head hit the pillow. "I worked day and night," she says with a sigh. "And no matter how hard or how much we worked, the bills kept coming and they kept getting bigger."
That's when June got a call from a friend about Network Marketing....
My friend called one day and said she had a terrific opportunity she wanted me to take a look at. My mind instantly slammed shut, and I thought: another business opportunity?! I can't handle the one I have now, why would I want to take a look at a second one?
I knew right away it was Network Marketing. This same friend had called me 17 times before about 17 other Networking businesses she had tried. I had never gotten involved in any of them. This time, I told her just to fax me some information, and you know, it surprised me-- right away I liked what I saw.
I was interested in the products, number one. I also took a good hard look at the business plan. I have a master's degree in consumer economics and marketing, and I really liked what I saw. I knew that I could do it, as long as I truly believed in the company and the products. I thought a lot about what the rewards would mean to me and my family and decided to go for it.
I'll tell you right off, bringing distributors into the business was never really a problem for me. The main problem I had was wanting this business for others more than they wanted it for themselves.
I could see what they couldn't. I had a vision of ultimate success for them, but they didn't. I would keep on and on, working their business for them-- which is easy to do in the beginning when you are running on pure excitement. You want this business for everybody because you understand how great it can be. You think people want it as much as you do, when the truth is, not everybody does-- even those that sign up.
Juggling schedules was a real challenge for me, too-- working in the office full-time and then having to go out at night and do meetings. I remember thinking: How in the world am I ever going to do this? But you find a way.
I started overcoming my challenges when I really started to listen to people. I started focusing on what they really wanted, rather than on what I wanted for them.
If someone wanted success as much as I did, then I devoted myself to them and we built the business together. But if someone wasn't committed as much as I knew it would take, I didn't try to push them-- nor did I do the work for them. That can really drain you, if you let it.
Leaving my home and traveling at night was new to me, but I was willing to do it because I knew it would mean more time at home with my children one day. That was worth anything. Look, it takes time to build a business. If you aren't willing to give it the time it takes, then don't expect to reap the rewards.
It's not always convenient, either. Let's just say that convenience is not a word that you could use to describe Network Marketing. But if you are willing to be inconvenienced for a limited period of time, all your dreams can come true.
The main thing I did to make this business work for me is that I got out there and talked to anyone I came in contact with about the products and the opportunity. When I got started, my kids were 5, 7, and 15 years old, and involved in all sorts of activities. No matter where I was-- a ballgame, dance lessons, car pool, church, the grocery store, wherever-- I Networked my business.
The very first weekend I signed up, I sold over $4,500 worth of products by doing nothing more than talking about what I had learned with every single person I ran into. I made lists of people, constantly. I even woke up in the middle of the night to jot down names of people I wanted to present the opportunity to. I got out there and had four to six meetings a week, at least for the first year and a half. I knew it was going to take that kind of work to get the momentum going.
I stayed focused on consistent action-- always talking about the business. I wasn't a pest, don't get me wrong, but I made sure that my new business was a priority in my life.
It's all about priorities. If you don't keep them straight, you can get off target in everything you're doing. I don't think you need to put your life on hold, or your business on hold, or anything else on hold to be successful in Network Marketing. You just need to learn to work it along with your daily activities and with your normal life. Make space for what needs to be done.
Yes, you're going to have to spend more time on Networking in the beginning to get it going, but it gets easier as you move forward. Success comes from the consistent effort-- from your commitment to succeed no matter what-- and from your ability to motivate yourself.
As I see it, if you really care about people, you can't help but do what it takes to be a success in Network Marketing. Keep an open mind. And whatever you do, never ever stop sharing the products and the opportunity with people.
The best thing about this experience for me has been that I now own my own life. I have the time and financial freedom that I've always wished for.
It used to be that in January I'd always look back over the previous year, and it would be a big blur-- my days and nights mixed together; my months mixed together. But ever since I've been involved in Network Marketing, I can look back and see everything so clearly; all the fun times, all the precious memories. Now I remember the little details about the fun things we've done. It's like my life is mine again.
To be out of debt, to be able to really give to charities, to travel, to save for the future, to spend time with my kids, and to see others have hope for the first time in their lives-- it's all this and more. q
JUNE G. MERCER is a full-time distributor with Starlight International, Network Marketers of health, beauty, and nutritional products. June has been involved with the company for almost five years, and has achieved the level of Diamond Superstar. She lives with her family in Valdosta, GA.
Reprinted with permission from Upline, Mercer-Success Story-April 1999, 888-UPLINE-1, http://www.upline.com
