Welcome Fellow Network Marketers

Hello,

My name is Jennifer Wideman.  I am first and foremost a child of God, saved by the power of the work Jesus, Himself, did on the Cross 2000 years ago.  I am also a network marketer with a heart to mentor and serve others to live their why!

I have created a group on FaceBook in which each week I share a nugget from the Word of God to encourage the members of this group to keep looking to God for direction, courage, wisdom and strength as they pursue the gift that the network marketing business model can and will provide for anyone who is persistent enough to go after it.

No companies or products will be promoted or mentioned on this blog, it is simply a resting place for the wisdom available from the Word of God.  I have personally found that I will only be able to help others if I know the ONE who holds all the answers.

So, enjoy, share your comments to encourage others who love Jesus and seek the fellowship and strength that unity provides in Jesus.

Anythoughts or question …  call or email me anytime.

If desire assistance in building your MLM, I am here to help you as well, regardless of what company your involved in.  I’m always here to pray for you and the success journey you are on as well.

God’s richest blessings to you,

Jennifer Wideman

Email:  jenniferwideman@cox.net

Phone:  480-544-2915  (Arizona time)

Every great leader first became a great follower

I was at a leadership event this past weekend and I heard some of the basics of building strong teams in our network marketing companies.

MLM Basics inspired by Tom Big Al Schreiter:

1. Learn how to talk to people.
2. Find people to talk to.
3. Take the volunteers.

The second impactful simple truth was this:

We all understand that in order to become a great leader, you must become a great follower. One of the leaders at the meeting pointed out that she really makes no conscious effort in being a leader, but in following and doing what other leaders do. Simple, I realize, but that is the point. Another leader shared that as one concentrates their effort in following other successful people, pretty soon, one can look behind them and “Lo and behold there are people following you!”

My local church’ mantra is Folloow-Lead-Serve. The more I see that on the wall, the more I ponder it, the more I realize it applies to every area of my life, and of course to my business. Jesus’ disciples followed Him and learned and observed. After His return to Heaven, they were the leaders that others began to follow. That has continued to this day.

And of course, leadership without servanthood in life and specifically in network marketing, is really not leadership at all.

Hope these simple reminders inspire you to keep following those in your circle or outside that are where you want to be in your business.

To your success,

Jennifer Wideman
“A Place for Christians in MLM”

Connect with a group of leaders who freely share what works today. How can we serve you in your journey of building your business?
http://jenniferwideman.com/

I was at a leadership event this past weekend and I heard some of the basics of building strong teams in our network marketing companies.

MLM Basics inspired by Tom Big Al Schreiter:

1. Learn how to talk to people.
2. Find people to talk to.
3. Take the volunteers.

The second impactful simple truth was this:

We all understand that in order to become a great leader, you must become a great follower. One of the leaders at the meeting pointed out that she really makes no conscious effort in being a leader, but in following and doing what other leaders do. Simple, I realize, but that is the point. Another leader shared that as one concentrates their effort in following other successful people, pretty soon, one can look behind them and “Lo and behold there are people following you!”

My local church’ mantra is Folloow-Lead-Serve. The more I see that on the wall, the more I ponder it, the more I realize it applies to every area of my life, and of course to my business. Jesus’ disciples followed Him and learned and observed. After His return to Heaven, they were the leaders that others began to follow. That has continued to this day.

And of course, leadership without servanthood in life and specifically in network marketing, is really not leadership at all.

Hope these simple reminders inspire you to keep following those in your circle or outside that are where you want to be in your business.

To your success,

Jennifer Wideman
“A Place for Christians in MLM”

Connect with a group of leaders who freely share what works today. How can we serve you in your journey of building your business?
http://jenniferwideman.com/

“The Greatest Secret” by Ron McIntosh

Hello Fellow Christians in MLM,

I wanted to share a valuable and inspirational resource with you this week that is changing the mindset and life of myself and many of my own team.

Ron McIntosh has written a book entitled “The Greatest Secret“. It is a Biblical prospective on the Law of Attraction and so much more.  He also has an audio series entitled “Barrier Busters” which are Biblically-based meditation audios on various topics.

Jesus said clearly “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life and no one can come to the Father but by me.” John 14:6

You will find the truth setting you free as you study any of Ron’s materials. You’ll especially appreciate his take on “set points” that keep us from moving forward past where we have always been comfortable.

What does this have to do with MLM? “As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.” Proverbs 23:7

Check out Ron’s materials at http://www.rmmimpact.com/index.html

God’s richest blessings … mind, body and spirit,

Jennifer Wideman
“A Place for Christians in MLM”

P.S. I also wanted to make available the free ebook that changed everything for me in my path toward success in my own MLM business at http://jenniferwideman.com/

“D”isappointment to “His” appointment in building your MLM

Agenda, how to get rid of it forever when building your MLM organization

Several weeks ago I sent all of you a link to Gregory Dickow’s wonderful free resource “Fast from Wrong Thinking”

Today, I received Day-19 and the thought  we were to fast from was “After all I’ve done, this is all I get?”

As leaders in network marketing, we are helping  people.  People do what people do.  People do things that will disappoint us.  So, I have copied the message and inserted it below.  When we help and give, the agenda is that we will be able to help those that want help, either through our product or the opportunity or both.  As Tom Schreiter says, “We can only take the volunteers.”

Enjoy:

“Day 19 >

Today we’re fasting from the thought that says, “After all I’ve done, this is all there is!”

We’ve all had this thought. “After all I’ve done for that person, for God, for that company, that client, etc. And look at what I get (or don’t get) in return…”

Let’s CHANGE IT TODAY:

1. Re-shift your reason for what you do. Make love the reason. And love is IN YOU. (Romans 5:5)

2. View people through eyes of mercy. Go easy on them for their shortcomings, as God goes easy on you. James 2:13 says mercy triumphs over judgment.

3. Change your view of disappointment. Replace the ‘d’ with an ‘H’. Your disappointment toward someone can become His-appointment to something better. People disappoint. God never does. (Psalm 43:5-6)

4. BELIEVE that the good you do, God will reward. (Ephesians 6:8)

5. Lower your horizontal expectations (of people) and RAISE your vertical expectations (of God).

6. God NEVER forgets the good you’ve done. (Hebrews 6:10)

THINK IT & SAY IT:
Love never fails and I will receive a harvest for the good I’ve done. Disappointment is going to turn into His-appointment in my life. I refuse to look to people to pay me back for what I’ve done.  He never forgets and I look completely to Him for supernatural payback for good I’ve done, in Jesus’ Name.

Again, access this resource and sign up for the daily emails if you wish by visiting to Fast from Wrong THinking.

Grow in God,

Jennifer Wideman

480-544-2915  any time

“A Place for Christians in MLM”

The WHY Factor for Christians in Network Marketing

In Mentoring for Free, we are strongly encouraged to discover and write out our why.  Here is a quote from Chapter 2 of Success in 10 Steps where the author, Michael Dlouhy, brings clarity as to why this is so imperative.

“Ninety percent of new businesses fail the first year.  And 90% of the rest fail in the next 4 years.  THAT is tough.  You’re excited. You start. A thousand things go wrong. You want to quit a thousand times.

Most people just quit.

You need a strong enough reason to do it. Then if WHAT you’re doing doesn’t work, you’ll figure out some other way. But if you’re at all wishy-washy, you’re a goner.”

When I came across the beautifully written thoughts by Mother Theresa below, it brought me back to the “WHY” again and how it relates to building a successful home business.

My WHY has grown and changed in my own personal growth.  My reason for doing this has kept me from quitting a number of times when I hit those inevitable walls of frustration and doubt that are just part of the process.

And, of course, in this journey of growing a team and helping others, I have seen a handful start and quit because things don’t happen fast enough or as they feel they should.  I guess Michael does know what he is talking about after being in network marketing for 30 years and seeing people come and go.

“These facts-and they are facts well known to almost everyone who knew Mr. Carnegie—give you a fair idea of what the reading of this book may bring to you, provided you KNOW WHAT IT IS THAT YOU WANT.” -Napoleon Hill, Introduction of Think and Grow Rich

Skills training, the right system to tie it all together can be right there for someone to take a hold of.  However, if one does not know what they want or why they want it, failure and quitting is a possibility.

“People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered…  Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives…  Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some false friends

and some true enemies… Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you…Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight… Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous… Be happy and serene anyway.

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow… Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and it may Never have  been enough… Give the world the best you’ve got anyway.

You see, in the final analysis, it’s between you and God… It was never between you and them anyway!”

-Mother Theresa

Finally, find your reason and put it in writing where you can see it often.

Ultimately, for christians in MLM, all of our WHY’s come back to what God has called each of us individually to do in our life and how the income generated from a thriving network marketing business can help us fulfill that calling.

”Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” -Colossians 3:23-24

All of God’s best,

Jennifer Wideman

LaDonna Loehrke, a Celebration of Success

Today I would like to introduce you to my friend and fellow Christian network marketer, LaDonna Loehrke.  LaDonna and I met on Facebook in the past year.  She has inspired and touched my heart more times than I can count.  She has also shared some marvelous recipes that I have enjoyed.

There are many things about LaDonna that have caused her to stand out from the crowd of friends I have on Facebook.  If you take notice of her, I am certain your experience will be the same.

First, she is always positive.  I recall a statement she posted recently that was just what I needed to hear… “Be yourself, you are uniquely qualified”.  And that, in a simple statement, is who LaDonna is.  What you see, is what you get.  She stated that another of her favorites is by CS Lewis: “ You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.”

Secondly, she carries herself in a very professional, yet very personable manner.  She caught my attention  when she was talking about making one of her grandmother’s recipes.  I begged her for it, because it was one of my favorites (rhubarb pie).  However, it is obvious that she does not have to boast about her success to attract prospects and friends.  Tom Big Al Schreiter says “Don’t just look for the right people to join your business, become that person and you will attract them.” (My paraphrase).

LaDonna is a fellow Christ follower.  She shared with me that she had gone to church when she was young, but in late elementary school, her family moved and with that move came the discontinuation of the habit of attending church.  Looking back, she states it was the time she needed God the most in her life, but did not have the guidance she needed because of her family situation.  There was, however, her grandmother.  You can hear the smile and love in LaDonna’s voice as she speaks of this wonderful lady.  She knew that her grandmother was always praying for her.  She was the person God used to nurture LaDonna and point her to Jesus.

It was not until about 12 years ago that LaDonna gave her life completely to the Lord.  God has given her such peace and abundance.  She and her husband have two grown children who are doing really well.  LaDonna’s favorite Scripture has and continues to be Jeremiah 29:11.

“For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.”

LaDonna made two attempts in the past to build the same home business.  Both attempts did not create the desired results.  Then in 2007, she was working outside the home.  She and her husband felt it would be a good time to look at a home business again.  So where did LaDonna turn to?

To God for guidance, …. But as anyone who is reading this has … She turned to the internet.

She diligently researched home business opportunities to find the right fit.  LaDonna made a point to avoid situations where there were high sales quotas or party requirements.  If she was going to do that, she might as well just keep her job.  She found one that she was seriously considering.  However, she just did not have peace about it and hesitated in making the commitment.  After telling the person she had been communicating with about the opportunity that she had decided not to go this particular direction, she was told that the company had recently made some changes.  These changes would have made it very difficult for LaDonna to feel confident in her ability to build a business with them.  Again, God at work by letting her know subtly that this was not the right one.

So her search began again.  She chose a company called Scent-Sations.  They are a gourmet candle company who has recently added mineral cosmetics to their product line.  She decided on the opportunity, then went in search of a sponsor.  She told me that her sponsor later stepped back from the company, but that the upline who is now her immediate sponsor is just the right person for her to be business partners with.

How does LaDonna build her business?  You know, the more I talk to successful people in the MLM Industry, the more I hear the same exact thing as LaDonna shared with me.

LaDonna has and continues to build strong relationships with people.  She understands completely that God is not a silent partner in her business.  Scent-Sations allows her to earn income in several ways that are profitable and comfortable for LaDonna’s style.

She does home parties and vendor shows.  And she offers catalog parties … the point being to enable others to “avoid the mall scene” if they so desire.  Fundraisers for charities are another way for her to generate sales.  She also has a decal on her vehicle, and has sold candles right from her car when she has been out and about.  And of course, this is retail profits that she is able to put in her pocket.

LaDonna is also building a team.  This, too, is just as profitable and important in earning residual income in any network marketing opportunity.  She has used Facebook as a valuable means of connecting with people.  In this process, she has met and attracted several team members from around the country.  Like many of us, we find that social media is a place where true connections happen with people every day.  It all starts with “hello” and can become a lifelong partnership and friendship from there.

The beauty of Scent-Sations, in her experience, is that you get paid well to do any or all of the above.

When she first started with Scentsations, she was introduced to a book entitled Your First Year in Network Marketing by Mark Yarnell.  This book really helped her understand the foundation of building her business and the process that is involved.   Another author she enjoys is Andy Andrews.  I recently discovered Mr. Andrews’ writings and have found them very inspirational.

LaDonna said, “You keep sharing your products and opportunity with people and they will decide if what you are doing is a good fit for them or not.  A new team member came to me recently through a contact I made a year ago.  You keep planting the seeds and wait for the fruit.  It can take apple trees several years to bear fruit.”

LaDonna’s “WHY” is similar to that of my own, to bring her husband home from his 20-year career so that they can spend more quality time together as a family, do the things they love to do.  He has been and continues to be a great support to her and hands out her business cards wherever he goes.  This, too, is something that I have taken note of in the lives of successful network marketers.

Final thoughts from LaDonna about her success and yours were,

“Do not focus on the negative.  Have a heart of gratitude.  It’s a work in progress.”

If you would like to get to know LaDonna, I suggest you connect with her on Facebook at http://facebook.com/ladonnaloehrke.

If you would like more information about the products and opportunity at Scentsations, you can learn more by clicking here. http://www.DakotaHeartScents.com

I asked LaDonna to share one of her cherished recipes with us as well.  She’s quite the accomplished cook, as well as Child of God, wife, mother, grandma, business partner, leader in a network marketing company, and someone I am proud to call friend.

Rhubarb Pie

2 eggs, lightly beaten

6 ounces, “lite” evaporated milk

2 Tablespoons quick Tapioca

1 cup sugar

2 cups chopped rhubarb

Mix the first four ingredients thoroughly; add rhubarb and pour into a 9-inch pie crust

Bake 40 minutes at 350 degrees. Cool on counter 20 minutes, then refrigerate. Serve chilled.

The Favor of God Part-I

This is Part-I of a two-part series I am doing on the favor of God and how it impacts your life and your network marketing business.

I have been pondering the favor of God recently.  This is because I keep seeing it in action in my life every day.  He has blessed my life in every area and watched over me with loving care all my life, even before I came to know Him as my Savior and best friend.

Tonight I was fixing Sarah a grilled cheese sandwich, being sure to carefully cut off the crusts as I always do for her.  I started thinking about why I do little things like that for my family, as well as for people in my life I care about.

It’s because they are my favorites!  Let’s face it, there are always people who stand out from the crowd whom you would do anything for at any time.

I went on a search in http://biblegateway.com for verses with “favor” in them.  All through the Old Testament there is mention of God’s favor being upon people, or n-o-t being there.  Obedience to God is often referenced as the reason for God bestowing His favor.  Think of Joshua, Daniel, the little boy Samuel, King David, Solomon.  The angel who appeared to Mary, the mother of Jesus, said right out that she, Mary, had found favor in God’s eyes and been chosen for her special mission as a result.

Matthew 7:7-12 (New International Version)

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

“Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

I realize not everyone reading this is a parent, but at some point all people have some kind of interaction with children.  It may be just me, but I am so ready to give good things to my kids when they are obedient.  I often have to catch myself from going overboard.  I’m not necessarily talking about a material thing, but I just want to grant their wish.  “Can I have some time alone with you tonight Mom?”  “Mom can we have macaroni and cheese for dinner?”  “Can Bryce come over and play tomorrow?”

“Yes” is the answer most often when they are being the little angels.  I’m certain they have figured that out.  Likely, my kids are just above average?   I have told my children often “When we obey God, we can expect His best blessings.”

The point here is this.  Many self-development books I have read talk about simply asking for what you want, seek to find what you desire, and knock on the door until it opens.  God said that and put that law into motion at the beginning of time.

In relationship to our business, I ask, seek and knock  …. And what I ask for comes my way, what I seek for generally falls into my lap, and the doors I knock on open.

I ask God to bring me entrepreneurial-minded people I can help with my business.  I have a list of qualifications that I desire in those people.  They seem to keep appearing.

I seek wisdom from continued training with my system and the associations I have within my organization.  I seek God’s heart beat and direction every day.  And, again, I know what to do and what to say to keep things moving forward for Terry and I’s 2-year plan.

I knock on the doors of people’s lives and request friendship.  I continue to find common ground and connections with the most amazing people ever, primarily through Facebook.

Having God’s unmerited favor (Grace) in your life is a reminder of how simple this all is:

You are God’s favorites and He is always ready to pour out His blessings upon your life.

Ask, Seek and Knock.  Then come and share the blessings God has given to you on our group wall.

Jennifer Wideman

“God is not a silent partner in your business, just as He is not a silent partner in your life”.

To come:  Part II–How to earn the favor of Others.  Giving first ushers you into the court of kings.

From “Why not ME?” to “Why NOT me!”

Why not ME … to Why NOT me?

This little phrase came to me today in a moment of reflection of how far I have come in the past few years of my life.

The growing and changing started in my thinking about God, myself, others and what my purpose on this earth is.

My journey in network marketing has been about provision.  Having provision for financial needs and the backing to fulfill the Gospel to give even more to the poor and spread the Word of God.  My heartbeat remains to go back to Africa where three of my adopted children were born.  My husband Terry wants to head south to Mexico to start schools.

Be honest with yourself here, but have you ever asked yourself, God or another person “Why not me?”  Why do good things happen to others so often and not me?  Why did God take my loved  one so soon?  Why did my husband lose his job?  Why did my mom and dad have to divorce?  Why do some people seem so very fortunate (lucky) and it doesn’t seem to work out that way for me?

WHY do some network marketers claim to be making an income, get a good part-time or full-time income and not me?

We could go on and on with our “Why not me” questions, couldn’t we?

I have been a radically-saved Christian since age 15.  God spared my life in more ways than one.  However, I often found myself over the past 20+ years asking God “Why not me?”  Why did I not get the miraculous healing that so-and-so did?  Why do I struggle believing God really means what He says?  Why can’t I just get pregnant like the rest of the women around me?

As this post is directed toward my Christian network marketing friends on Facebook, you are aware that I talk about how my thinking has been shifting over the past 9 months.  I have a vision, the faith to believe it’s possible, the ever-evolving plan, the strength to take action daily and the results to prove FINALLY that I am going the right direction.

Now, I rarely find myself asking “Why not ME?”

Instead, every day I get more and more excited in saying “Why NOT me?” There is NO reason now for all that God has promised to be mine.  There is no reason or obstacle in the way for all I dream of to come to pass.

The Book of Philippians remains my favorite Book of the Bible.  In chapter 4, is the infamous verse “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13).  It also goes on in chapter 4 to mention another often-quoted verse:  “For I know that my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory.” (Philippians 4:19)  If you spend time really reading the entire Book, Paul keeps focusing on  the depravity of his own ability to accomplish anything without Christ.  He had to come to that conclusion in a powerful and even painful way.  The reason for this was because of his previous station in life as a chief Pharisee, , aka big-wig in the Jewish community at that time.  He did all that was required according to the Law and had bragging rights.

Paul came to realize his own actions were indeed rubbish in the sight of God.  They did not get him to his goal of righteousness.  It remains all about Jesus, doesn’t it.

Finally in chapter 4, Paul talks about the power of rejoicing, the power of God’s strength, and the contentment of being in plenty or want knowing that God always supplies everything one needs.

Well, Why NOT you?  Why can’t you have it all?  Or … can you with God’s strength, His courage, the help of others, and the simplicity of knowing what to say and what to do to build your business to the level you desire to?

Why NOT you my friend?

This link will take you to a very powerful video of Steven Curtis Chapman’s song “His Strength is Perfect.” And that it is!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzKo25QKPsY

God is not a silent partner in your business, just as He is not a silent partner in your life.

Jennifer Wideman

Are you sitting on Acres of Diamonds?

Hello Fellow Christian Networkers,

I have been aware of a little book Acres of Diamonds for some time.  I was gifted a free pdf file of this manuscript recently.  Actually, it was a speech presented by Russell Conwell over 5000 times between 1900-1925.

Someone should be going around the country reading it again in the town halls and the city arenas.  It should be read in high schools and on college campuses.  What would happen if CNN jumped on board.  Even better, what if this was the President’s inaugural address.

People, particularly Christians, who read this speech will find that many of the things they have grown up believing about wealth creation were incorrect.  It hits home the point again that the “LOVE or idolatry of money is the root of all evil”.  Money, itself, is simply a tool.

In the book, Dr. Conwell told the story about one of his misguided students who came to him and said that “money was the root of all evil”.  Dr. Conwell had him find the passage in the Bible and quote it correctly:

“So I say that when he quoted right, of course he quoted the absolute truth. “The love of money is the root of all evil.”  He who tries to attain unto it too quickly, or dishonestly, will fall into many snares, no doubt about that. The love of money. What is that? It is making an idol of money, and idolatry pureand simple everywhere is condemned by the Holy Scripturesand by man’s common sense. The man that worships thedollar instead of thinking of the purposes for which it ought tobe used, the man who idolizes simply money, the miser thathordes his money in the cellar, or hides it in his stocking, orrefuses to invest it where it will do the world good, that manwho hugs the dollar until the eagle squeals has in him the root of all evil.”

One other comment I wanted to share with you that I hope will inspire you to read and re-read this manuscript is the following:

“Well, then, you can measure the good you have been to

this city by what this city has paid you, because a man can

judge very well what he is worth by what he receives; that is,

in what he is to the world at this time.”

Dr. Conwell even attributes much creative genius to the women of his day and previous to his day.  That was not a likely stand to take in the 1920’s, you think?

Christians, according to Dr. Conwell, should be some of the most prosperous people on the earth.  Why?  Because of the statement above, because what we bring to the world in the form of goods and services should exceed all forms of expectation.  Thus, our compensation will reflect that gift of service in the form of income.

Most leaders in our industry got where they are today because they first learned how to think like God thinks, like Dr. Conwell, like Dr. Napoleon Hill, like John C. Maxwell thinks.

Secondly, these leaders found a means to bring value to their community and the world.  Most, if not all, MLM companies have some sort of product that benefits others, and adds value to their existence.

The leaders with a good part-time or full-time income learned what to do and what to say and then taught it to their business builders.  They shared product with those who could benefit most by it and desired to use it, and were compensated accordingly.

My experience has been that too many networkers did not have the “what to do and say” part taught to them correctly, became discouraged, figured they were failures and quit.

Some people have learned just what to do and say to build their business and bring significant value to their world, how to plant, to cultivate and how to watch for and receive the harvest.

You can read this wonderfully inspiring manuscript for free at:

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/rconwellacresofdiamonds.htm

God is not a silent partner in your business, just as He is not a silent partner in your life.

How can I be praying for you?

Here to see you have the harvest,

Jennifer Wideman

http://jenniferwideman.com

“It is the simplest minds, that ob the simplest thiings, that accomplish the greatest marvels.” --Russell Conwell, Acres of Diamonds

Terrance Brandon … A celebration of success

Today, I would like to introduce you to a fascinating gentleman whom I have had the privilege of connecting with on Facebook.  He and I connected through our mutual acquaintance with network marketing.  Terrance Brandon is a Christian believer and he became a part of A Place for Christians in MLM, a group I started on Facebook to connect with other believers working to earn income from home.  Terrance and I are not with the same company or connected by a business association in that regard.

What intrigued me about Terrance was his messages to me on several occasions about how God was blessing his business.  He’d share a note about a big sale and commission and other basics that caused me to realize that the idea of God not being a silent partner in His business was absolutely true.

Terrance, his wife Yolanda, and their five children live in Minnesota.  He and his wife met at a single’s event while Yolanda was living in Minnesota and Terrance in Ohio at the time.  Neither had purposed to go to this event, but their supportive friends made it clear this was something they must do, and so they went.  Terrance figured making all that money was no good if he did not have someone to spend it on anyway.  (You’ll soon catch on to his wit and gift of communication).  They both knew immediately that God had brought them together and they have now been married for 14 years.

God has blessed them with five great kids’ ages 20, 12, 9, 3 and brand new as of this summer.  Yolanda runs a daycare out of their home.  Terrance has a degree and background in Information Technology.  He got involved in 1986, which he states that according to whom you talk to, was the year the computer revolution began.  He has enjoyed and been successful in this arena, but has realized he wanted to be around people, not just computers.  Currently, his career is separated in thirds.  He spends 1/3 of his time working at an office supply store, which is his bread and butter for paying the bills.  One third of his time is spent building his network marketing business.  The one-third he wishes he could do more of is teaching Information Technology courses at a local college.  This occupation allows him to combine his love of people and computers.  In fact, his one prayer request, when asked, was that God would open the door for that to become something he could do more of.

Terrance is relatively new to building income within the network marketing business model.  His exposure to his current company came through the avenue of being a product consumer first.  Four years ago, his wife was encouraged to have a gastric bypass surgery for health reasons.  It all went well, but now that her stomach was smaller, she found it more difficult to get proper nutrition.  The supplements she was taking from chain stores were not getting the job done.  A friend from their church recommended Eniva products because they were liquid.  There were immediate and significant results to her overall health and well-being.  Terrance began to use the products and lost weight and saw his blood pressure begin to lower.  Their three oldest children have been diagnosed with a mild form of Tourette’s Syndrome as well as ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder).  They put their children on the products and there are medically documented improvements as a result.  In fact, Terrance shared that the school will call and ask if the products had been forgotten before school, and specifically ask for the student to be brought some.  When the school notices that much of a change, it is something to take note of for certain.

Terrance states that he has always strived to become and is a cheerful giver.  His pastor has taught him that a cheerful giver does not have to “muster up” the desire; it’s just there so obey when it hits you.  He was asking God one day how he could prosper so that he could give more and more.  One word came to his mind in response,“Eniva”. He said it was as if God tapped him on the shoulder and said “I’ve got that covered”.

Since that time, Terrance, in his zealous and critical-thinking style, has devoured much material on just how network marketing is done successfully today.  I have been a student of the industry a bit longer than Terrance, but I was overwhelmed and shaking my head in agreement with the grasp of his knowledge of how things are done correctly.

His biggest success to date has been the ability to move product.  He has become an astute student of our Industry.  Contrary to what many companies and leaders tell new distributors, not everyone is a good candidate to build a business with you.  If you have to close them into your business, you will have to close them every month, and who has the time or energy or desire to do that?

What Terrance has learned is that if you have to distribute a lot of anything quickly, network marketing is the most efficient way to do it.  That is why so many scams masquerade as legitimate multi-level-marketing companies, and why unethical people do this.  After all, people rob banks because they know that is where the money is.  He has noticed that though network marketing is an honest and ethical business model, not everyone who operates in it is; which is true for everything in life.  In any business, you pay your money and take your chance.  Business is like parenting, it is not for cowards.  Many people want babies, but they don’t want to raise children.  People want the benefits of owning their own business, but are not always ready to build it to that level.  This is something God has enlightened him with.  The idea is not to look for people TO convince, but for people who ARE convinced.  Truth is easy to find, just hard to accept.

Terrance firmly believes and has seen proof that God is not a silent partner in his business.  We share the idea that we plant, we water, but it is God who gives the increase.  He quoted a well-known Christian speaker, Creflo Dollar, when he said , “People  make the mistake of equating prosperity just with money, it’s a part but not the whole.  It is not incorrect, but not complete.” He noted that he is prospering in all areas of his life as his business grows.    He lives by this and many other principles from God’s Word.  I particularly was blessed by, “Don’t tell God how big your problem is, tell your problem how big God is!”  He does not want to be known as a “self-made man”, but rather “a man that the Lord has made”.

His summation was “Network marketing is a business, and like all businesses, it is hard work, but while you are working, don’t forget to have fun with it.  Network marketing is like Christianity, if you aren’t enjoying it, you ain’t doin’ it right!”

If you would like to know more about Eniva’s water soluble, cell-ready nutritional products, you are encouraged to visit Terrance’s website.  Eniva is a Christian-based company.   I also encourage you to befriend him on Facebook.  His ability and desire to add value to anyone God puts in his path is genuine and significant.

I do not know if I can convey the spark of energy that was evident during our conversation, but I will tell you this … I have not laughed and smiled that much for some time.  Thank you Terrance for sharing your MLM success journey to date and I personally pray God’s continued wisdom and blessing on all areas of your life.

Click Eniva to learn more about this company and their life-changing products.

Connect with Terrance Brandon on Facebook.

Trusting God to show the next step

Hello Everyone,

This summer has been an eventful one for personal life experiences in our house.  I am wondering what types of things have been going on in your lives and businesses over the past 3 months.

I am officially a work-at-home mom now with all 4 of my children in school full time as of last week.  I have had a myriad of emotions in both directions … elation and grief.

I have had loss this summer as well with my stepdad passing away in June.

There is obviously a new chapter unfolding in my life now with more free time on my hands to build my business.  I have had lots of ideas and thoughts.  I talk with my mentor(s) regularly about where to start, but the truth is I will not find what will work best with my time until I start doing it regularly.

I have devoured more books in the last year of my life than I likely had in the 40-something years previous to that.  Once I decided that I wanted to be an entrepreneur and not an employee, I knew I had to learn what successful people did and do it myself.

With all of this learning and new ideas floating around in my head, there is also the temptation to not know where to start, thus not starting.

I have been on a journey to really study the Book of Proverbs this month.  You received an invitation regarding this “event” and an invitation to visit the blog I created to share my thoughts.  Accountability is key  for  me because I am easily distracted.  (http://wisdom-of-god.com)

All this is said to say that God has been speaking to me significantly in my study.  Of the many books I have read in the past year, they all had a common theme about success.  It starts with a thought and belief that it is possible, followed by consistent action.  Every solid concept I have learned can be verified as true (for the most part) in the passages of Proverbs alone.

So, this is where my prayer has been today:

Proverbs 16:30

“Roll your works upon the Lord [commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and] so shall your plans be established and succeed.” (Amplified version)

I like the way the Amplified version states it because it covers everything.  I can absolutely trust that God will show me the right path I should go down next, and that He will speak to me, guide me, put the right situations in my path.  He has given me the desire to be successful with full-time income through my network marketing business, and I can trust that all things will fall into place as I stay connected with Him first, my team of mentors and wise advisors next, and that I stay persistent.

I’ve referenced this to me.  I cannot speak for you.  Wherever you are at right now in life or in your business, how can I specifically be praying with you for God’s wisdom and peace?

God is not a silent partner in your LIFE, just as He is not a silent partner in your BUSINESS!

Your fellow servant of Jesus,

Jennifer Wideman