I am so Confused, I NEED HELP!

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I am so Confused, I NEED HELP!

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promisenatalia

posts: 2

Jan 24, 2009 2:52 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Hi Everyone, Thank you for reading my post!

I have been looking to start my own business for such a long time. I have a big Dream Business, but it seems like it`s something "unreachable" for me, I dream of opening a restaurant with international foods, mostly Romanian. But that`s something I put aside.
My question, actually is: Why most people don`t like Network marketing (MLM)? I`ve been looking to start working with a company, whose products I`ve been taking for a while, and absolutely love them (in my opinion they are the best out there), but everyday i hear people advising me to NOT get involved in MLM? WHY? Yes, I have heard that there is a 97% failure in MLM, but I don`t know how true is that, aren`t people out there who have been successfull in Network Marketing? (I don`t really believe anymore what I read on the Internet, because there is such a big debate on the subject, I don`t know where to look.) I believe that if you put your mind to it, and work hard, then you can achieve success in any business, or job, or Life in general. Why are most people so disguised by MLM?
I`ve tried creating my own products, like silk flower arrangements, which I had little success with, but I haven`t gotten far with those either, because nothing I like more than what I really like: and that is Cooking (Healthy cooking)!
My message seems to be confusing probably (sorry) but based on my passion for cooking, what ideas or advice you migh have that I could benefit from? And WHY do people run with a "high speed" from MLM?
Thank you for reading, any ideas, suggestions, advice, info would be greatly appreciated!

CraigL

posts: 9051

Jan 24, 2009 7:25 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Hi there :-)
It`s true that for most people, MLM businesses don`t work very well. However; I think it`s because most people approach them as a way to make money.

You, on the other hand, have a personal and *emotional* involvement in the product you`re thinking of selling. That`s a fundamental difference, and would profile you toward the 3% of people who DO succeed.

As I`m pondering your post, I`m thinking that your intent is to accomplish three things:

Make some money with cooking,
Make some money to build capital,
Use the capital to open a restaurant.

First of all, understand that getting capital can be done in many different ways, and all that can come later. Secondly, no business "must" be put together as a finished product. There IS such a thing as a "phased" development plan. :-)

What that means is that you have the overall concept of "cooking." That can mean anything from toasting a marshmallow over an open fire, to running an international franchise of high-end resort locations.

Why not at least start with the MLM you have in mind, and see if you like the company "feel" as much as you like their products. Your personal excitement about those products will go far beyond the more ordinary person`s. If the company feels compatible with you, and you don`t have to invest too much to get started, then give it a shot.

Secondly, you could investigate ways to begin introducing the cooking into your business life-plan. For example, you could have a blog that highlights the specific type of cooking you intend to focus on. That`ll help you organize your thoughts and make you lay them out for others to understand. After all, if you yourself can`t understand your own blog, then that`s helpful, right? :-)

Another option would be to explore a catering business, or perhaps offering some sort of food product for sale online. There may be regulations involved, but so what? You have a LIFE to work out details and figure out solutions. :-) A business isn`t a short-term thing you do while you`re waiting for something else to come along.

Does that help?

balloonbizznezz

posts: 1

Jan 24, 2009 7:55 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Hi promisenatalia,

Today is my first day at this site and this is my first response to a post.

It`s funny but my husband is currently doing the whole MLM thing and I am looking into starting a business, so I kind of something to respond on both issues.

The whole MLM thing I think only works when it is something you believe in. I think the Pyramid Structure implies quick money and most people are tired of getting scammed by them. The reason why I say it should be something you believe in, understand and appreciate and want others to benefit from is because ultimately it is something you are selling. If you sell something to friends and family that you are not too sure of, it my cost you your relationship. My husband is an investor so when he came across a MLM idea that involved credit restoration, in this market, he jumped on it! (Oh...by the way I am also a Realtor so that kind of helps as well) He knew he could actually help people and make money off of it. That`s what I mean when I say that it really should be something that you believe in.

As far as the restaurant with international foods I think it is genius. Why not?! I think you should start by catering from home. My cousin is actually starting that now! He has his career, but he always loved cooking so he made up a menu and started telling friends. He has only done a few private (more personal) romantic diners and recently one wedding. He profited $1,000. Which is not bad when you consider that he did not charge for most of the services that he provided because lack of knowledge on big parties.

I think you could do it all! Why Not?! It`s not going to hurt to try? Try the MLM with the product you like and try catering than when people realize how good your food is than you open up your Dream business with your clientele.

I am currently doing my research on a business I want to start. That is why I ended up on this website. So I suggest doing your research, which is probably why YOU are on this site and go for it!

I wish you the best and lots of luck!

CraigL

posts: 9051

Jan 24, 2009 9:32 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Great advice, Balloonbizznezz....and welcome to the community :-)

Bottom line: You have your whole life to develop and create a business. There`s time, y`know? :-) Yes, now is a great time because it won`t be long before everyone and their dog will be jumping on the bandwagon, hoping for "stability" and "security," none of which exist in the entrepreneurial world.

That being said, there`s a far more important aspect to being a business owner and that`s the capability of managing your own destiny.

promisenatalia

posts: 2

Jan 27, 2009 10:22 AM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Thank you both very much, I know it took so long to do this....
Your posts really inspired me, now I`m creating a new blog, I`m reading a book and doing lots of research on how to start a catering business. The problem is that it`s not all that easy from my side here, I won`t go too deep into that, but there is another maybe year or so I can`t really start a real business.

But by the time, everything is going to be ready and done, I`ll be prepared and ready! As of right now, "I can" only do stuff online, and MLM, I`m not really allowed to do anything else. I already started doing business with the Network Marketing and I absolutely love it!
Thank you both again so much!
Natalia

CraigL

posts: 9051

Jan 27, 2009 4:23 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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There are two basic ideas you can always use, as long as you`re alive and you have a mind:

What can I do in the next 20 minutes to solve this thing I`m worried about? (If nothing, then stop thinking about it until the next time it comes to mind.)
Considering everything in my life right now, what "seems like" the best idea, right this moment for me to act upon?

Everyone faces triumphs and tribulations. It`s part of life. Everyone has worries and fear, just as everyone has happiness and joy. They key is to mostly focus one`s attention on the triumphs, happiness, and moments of joy---no matter how infrequent.

When you`re stuck, the two above principles won`t make your life fabulous immediately, but they WILL help you to keep moving. And as long as you`re moving, no matter how slowly in whatever tiny increments, then things can change. :-)

Loren

posts: 242

Jan 27, 2009 6:17 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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MLM is just a distribution model. Sometimes it works very

well. It requires a high-level of commitment to success however

and a big part of why people get frustrated is because they

have a hard time attracting commited partners.

When people invest only $195 in a business start-up kit, or

whatever the cost is, it is very easy for them not to commit

to the hard part - which is learning how to market a business.

Many, many people get involved with the industry with

a "lottery" metality. I do it with a "skill" mentality and I don`t

make all my income from network marketing at all. I have

however learned some great skills from it and they continue

to help me succeed and grow all parts of my business.

Doing MLM as an internet marketer could be very frustrating

for you. Both MLM and internet marketing require a high

level of commitment and to learn both skills at the same time

is, frankly, beyond the capacity of many people.

WebJunky

posts: 549

Jan 27, 2009 8:29 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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well said - the third point you mentioned, which in my opinion is the most important aspect of a successful MLM campaign, is often underestimated or ignored. everyone just wants the magic pill

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