Category: General

Customer loyalty in network marketing? Aren’t we supposed to build a team? Let’s face it, to be successful in the Network Marketing world, we have to sell out products. It doesn’t matter how many people you sign up if they don’t buy! My upline Lynette, is a $25K Executive Manager (25K monthly sales volume) and a large percentage is her repeat customer business. She has customer loyalty.

Nick Urban, a former lineman at Winona State signed a contract with the Minnesota Vikings after attending a minicamp as a tryout. He is a great example of loyalty, and what someone did to create it.

After signing his contract, Nick returned to work in his cashier job at Target.

And as Nick said,
“They were nice enough to take me on, knowing my situation and I owed them a lot,” Urban said of his bosses at Target, who gave him flexible, part-time hours so he could train for his shot at the NFL. “They were nice enough to help out [at Target] and people that are nice enough to help you, you don’t just leave high and dry.”

Way to go Target Manager! What about you? Are you standing out or just one of the million others who only cares about their money? During these times of cutbacks, have your customers been LEAVING YOU HIGH AND DRY?

Maybe the bigger question is: What are you doing to build relationships with your customers (or prospects) so they are so loyal to you?

Here is what I suggest:

1-even if they are not buying right now, stay in touch. Say hi, send something to make them smile or laugh on occasion. Make it something that is true to your personality and energy, then you are memorable

2-be a great listener, customers love it when you listen. Yes, listen, on social media, or even make a call and say hi!

3-be someone who does what they say they are doing to do. We are often quick to say: “Let me research that and get info to you.” Or “I have an article I think you will appreciate; I will send it when we get off the phone.” Do you?

4-Treat people who say no right now, as great as people who say yes. This will keep you “Top of Mind” when they are ready! I have some customers that took a long time to finally buy…but I kept the relationship positive.

5-be a referral source even to customers that cannot afford what you sell. Can you offer solutions to their problems beyond what you sell?

6-follow up! Check in when they receive a product, check in once they started using it, check in when they should be about out…check in!

What would you suggest to create a loyal customer?

When I was younger I remember being asked this question. And I always hated it! The answers seemed obvious and in my mind safe. But back then, I didn’t know myself well enough to know an answer that would truly delight and inspire me.

You know that famous question: if you could choose to have dinner with anyone from anytime in the world, which 5 people would you choose?

Now I know, because they align with so much of my life’s work and purpose. I have worked with women for 30 years to become healthy, happy, fulfilled in their lives and careers. To be the fullest expression of themselves. To be sexually self actualized and therefore empowered by their sexuality. Of course I know exactly who I want to sit with now!

Meet my dinner table:

Mochizuki Chiyome was a Japanese noblewoman and the first woman ninja who created and trained a group of women ninja warriors. She used conforming as a “lady” with proper dress and manners to allow her warriors to move throughout society and fight for the Takeda clan. She is imply a badass! And of course my first tattoo at 48 is a full size Katana as seen in this picture and I can barely lift it over my head!

Mileva Maric Serbian, aka Mileva Einstein-Maric, Alberts first wife. She is believed to have co-created his most profound theories, and she was not credited, simply because she’s a SHE. Truly brilliant in her own mind but not given credit!! Can you imagine what she could share? Enough of “behind every great man there is a woman”! She so deserves credit

Frances Hesselbein at 104 (still alive today) I consider the foremost female leadership expert. She could not publish without a male leading author, becasue she would not be taken seriously in her time. She was founding President of the Peter Drucker foundation and was CEO of the Girl Scouts during its largest involvement in the 70s. I’d love to hear how she influenced all these male leaders!

Maud Stevens Wagner once a contortionist in the circus, and she became the first female tattooist! She personally was completely tatted in an era where it was considered taboo for both sexes let alone a woman. She used to “show them off” wearing risky clothing during an era where women covered up. I love she still wore her pearls though! Such an “improper” woman, I bet she has the best stories as a rebel!

Hedy Lamarr, who had a 20 year career as a femmes fatale, was known to have the first “orgasm” on screen. She also co-created and patented a “secret communication system” during WWII which was the groundbreaking technology for WiFi, GPS and Bluetooth. I always believe we can be “smart, savvy and sexy” as women and she did it!

I could probably pick MANY more fabulous rebel women leaders of their time, but I limited it to five for the question, and the blog would get too long, lol. And ok, I’d have to squeeze Earl in of course, lol. Some might think that is strange, but he has a huge love for who I am as a woman, and powerful women as well. He would ask the best questions and liven up the group for sure!

So who would be at your table?

I never bought into the concept of turning 18 and being an adult just as a by-product of some arbitrary law or date. I can’t truly tell you why but maybe it was due to the close, love and respect I had for my parents and elders in my family. 

I was and am a momma boy, the youngest of a two-child family and the only son. My earliest memories are of fun times with my family: BBQ’s, trips fishing with my Big Mama (grandma), and holiday celebrations. I took for granted the youth and vigor of my family but why should I have thought otherwise. My youth and my formative years were great. I spent plenty of time with my maternal grandparents in Washington state as well as Northern California with my parents and sister. During my formative years there was some distance between me and my dad. In hindsight, I think it was because he saw a lot of himself in me and assumed, I would get into some of the mischievous things he and his brothers did at my age.

When I was 28 years old I pretty much thought I was man. That was when that belief was tested. My mother was diagnosed with a form of Leukemia called Multiple Myeloma. I took care of my mother, not only saving our family home from foreclosure, but taking her to dialysis, taking care of the house, pay bills, you name it if she had been doing it, I was now. During those two years she was sick I was sure to talk to my mother daily about how much I love her, what she wanted to do with her remaining time and how she wanted to go across the rainbow bridge. I knew she was scared and so was I but I carried out her wishes to the letter. I can still see her as I stood by and watched her take her last breath.

This was the most traumatic event I had ever experienced in my life. It through my life into a tailspin. It was so painful to think that the person that had brought me into this world was just gone. I mean when you think of the things that make a person who they are to you and poof. That physical reality is just gone.

I also made a point to be sure I became close to my dad. I would often take him to the horse races as it was one of his favorite things to do. It was great having my father around and he was truly invaluable as I dealt with the childhood home, now mine, having a huge fire in 2001. We did the demolish together and he kept his eye on the build. In 2003, when the house was ready to be occupied, I gave my father a tour of what I had done to our family home. I knew in the moment that my dad was proud of the man I had become and the things I had done in taking care of my mother and the house. The next morning, I found out my father had passed away suddenly in his sleep.

In the span of five years I had lost the two most important people in my life.

There honestly aren’t any words to describe the pain, loss and utter chaos of these events. People say time heals all wounds. I’m going to tell you from a grief perspective that is a lie. The loss of a love one is unimaginable; its like being blindsided. There is just no way to prepare for it. I went to grief counseling and it did provide some relief but the only way I can truly explain this pain and loss is that it is like dropping a rock in a pool of water. The epicenter being the most violent and turbulent of the waves of pain but as you get further away from the epicenter the distance and the intensity of the waves weakens. I still experience sudden pain related to the loss of my parents. 

If you or anyone you know is experiencing grief, I implore you to go see a Grief Counselor or professional who is trained in dealing with this type of pain. Growing up takes on a whole new concept when you must deal with loosing those you love.  

Like so many others, I was mystified by the spectacle of Royce Gracie winning the first Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). I knew I wanted to learn “that stuff” someday and I was fully committed to getting my black belt but sometimes other things took priority.  My life was full: I was working in San Francisco wearing a suite every day and preparing for the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT). Before I could blink it was 1995 and I am off to Seattle to attend my dream school the University of Washington for a Master’s in Business Administration.

Flash forward suddenly it is 1997 and I move back to the Bay Area fully committed to prioritizing my Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) journey.  A friend of mine told me he was training at a Gracie gym in Pleasant Hill, CA.  I decided to go watch a class, signed up that night and returned the next day to start the journey.

I can still remember my first class. It was a small group, just three of us. The trainers showed us the basic armbar from the guard position and a technique for escaping when someone is mounted: the Upa.   After practicing these drills, we were introduced to the active rolling (wrestling) that goes on during class. I can honestly tell you if you never been in a fight you have no idea how much energy it takes to just wrestle for five minutes! I was one tired person after that class but I was in love. That was first and last time I ever saw my two introductory classmates. I can’t even remember their names. People only got to know you if you stuck around and trained at least a good six months. And many showed up, like me enamored by the “Gracie” name, but it is glamourous at all.

Then BAM, when life seemed so good, I was rocked to my core to find out my mother was terminally ill with a form of leukemia called Multiple Myeloma. I took care of her until she passed.

Months later, and BJJ is still on my mind, getting that black belt in my soul. I had the pleasure and pain to have been around and train with some talented martial artists, all who in he ebb and flow are now black belts. Guys like:

Gil Castillo,

David Terrell,

Steve Heath,

Nick Ertl,

Jake Shields,

Gil Melendez,

Val Ignatov,

Marty Armendarez,

Casey Strand,

the late Alex Gong,

Richard Nero,

Tim Lajcik,

and a very young Nick Diaz.

In the early days you learned early and often that guys were going to beat you up good and techniques were top secret until or if you learned to defend and submit people. Think of going to a place everyday knowing that you were to be beaten unless you made movies up the learning curve. I was getting up everyday going to work at 4am, come home grab a nap or a bite to eat and head to the gym knowing that I was the low man until or if I quit, or took someone else’s spot by beating them. Remember, this was before the internet we all take for granted today. No Youtube videos or facebook groups, just a few online forums with verbal descriptions of technique and maybe a few hand drawn pictures. You would have had an easier time finding porn on-line then than a viable BJJ technique!

I think it took me literally a year before I could hit my first armbar while actively rolling. No one was spoon feeding you any technique people showed you once maybe twice since there were so few techniques. I remember being promoted to Blue belt (the second you can earn). You had to fight and win to get a promotion. I was elated.

Suddenly, and unexpectedly I had a fire in my home which was a total loss. Me and my Dad had to demolish everything in the house down to the studs and remodel the house. Once again, I had to step back from BJJ and take care of life. It took me 2.5 years to get the house back to where it could be occupied (that’s another story). I got back to training as I could and was once again rocked by the sudden death of my father.

Life and success are not linear, there is an ebb and flow to everything. I’ve lost loved ones, jobs, torn ligaments, had a herniated disc, torn nerves and lost everything in a fire.  It is all part of the ebb and flow of life. Despite all the ups and downs I’ve never loss focus on the goals that I set out to achieve. This September will make 23 years training in BJJ. I knew when I started down this path that I would never quit. Just because life throws a curve ball, don’t ever give up.

It’s funny how some of the greatest lessons I have learned to be an independent associate have not come from being an independent associate! I am a huge believer in mindsets; I am known on social media for saying: “you must train your mind to change your life!“

I grew up in an old Victorian home built in 1903 in Tacoma, Washington. When we finally moved into that home my sister and I actually got our own rooms. And me being the older of the two got the cool room upstairs in the attic. I even got to pick the carpet that was laid on the hardwood floor and decorate it to my style. Even cooler? I got a queen size bed!

I remember when I was about thirteen my wonderful Italian grandmother came to visit from Chicago. All of about four foot ten and one-hundred pounds soaking wet, she was a bright star in my life.

One day while visiting she climbed up the old, narrow, steep staircase into the attic to see this room which I was so proud. I was thrilled to show it off to her. The light blue carpet, the matching girly curtains on the old attic window. Even the built in vanity where I could do my hair and make up.

She did exactly what any wonderful grandmother would do; admired every little part of my bedroom. The latch hook rug of a unicorn I had made, my pictures on my dresser and how it was decorated. After all that admiration she had one final thing to say.

“Annie, I cannot believe you have not made your bed. You’ve been up for hours! You need to make your bed.”

“But grandma, who cares about my bed it’s only me up here. Nobody’s going to see it.”

“That’s not the point Annie. You make your bed every day for you and because you know you did it. Not for anyone else.”

Since then, I have made my bed every day.

Fast forward 15 years. I am in my late 20s and have decided to start my own business. Every day, no matter what I have going on, I get up and make my bed. I may be traveling around the globe to speak at that time, but my bed was made before I left the house. Even then I could still hear my grandma’s voice: “Annie, make your bed for you.”

Now, it’s 2020, I’m more than half a century-year-old, and I still make my bed every single day. Even if my husband Earl “man caves” on Sunday morning I go in there once he gets up and I make the bed.

Every. Single. Day.

You’re probably wondering what the hell this has to do with being successful with in our network marketing business, LOL. In many ways everything. You still might be thinking making your bed doesn’t really matter. No one sees it after all.

When being an independent contractor with CTFO nobody’s going to tell you to “make your bed”. Making the bed symbolizes the mindset of hard work and discipline. Nobody’s going to tell you to get up so you earn your paycheck. No one is going to tell you to make those calls to potential customers and team members. No one is going to ensure that you get your to do list done.

Every day you must get up with the mindset that you are going to put in the work, even on days when it doesn’t seem to matter. Especially on days when no one will “see it” but you.

So how will you “make you bed” today? Where do you need to make changes in your discipline? Do it for you, not anyone else!

Adopted from my book: “Unscripted: How Entrepreneurs Leap and Find Success”

With the introduction of the internet to the general populace circa 1990 the world was introduced to the beginnings of the 24/7/365 data cycle.  I say data because everything on the world wide web can be raw and truly lacking context and obviously may not be real. Around 2004 the world was introduced to social media via companies like Myspace and Linkedin and coupled with the pervasive nature of the cellphone Skynet was online or rather we were now always in a world where no matter the time of day or night you could get on line. Via the internet or social media we were bombarded with tons of data and stimuli. It seems very innocent but the constant connectivity and stimuli and the medium can have negative effects on you physically and I’m not just talking about tendinitis of the thumb and neck pain, lol.

I was on the fore front of this movement and believe me I was up every workday at 4am to start my commute and using my protestant work ethic to try and rise up in the organization and make money. One day I got a call at work from my Father and he said: “Son there has been a small fire at the house.”  I immediately left work to go check on my family. When I got home the house was destroyed. I took the rest of the work week off and with my father’s help we worked on cleaning out the house so I could begin the rebuild.

When I went back to work, the Vice President of the business group I support was upset because she hadn’t gotten her monthly package I complete. I convened with our Chief Financial Officer to ask for his thoughts on my approach to addressing this issue. He said: “just tell her what happened, she should understand.” This was hard for me as I I like to keep my private life separate from work. Against my own judgement I attempted to talk with my business partner about my personal tragedy. What I got was basically a who cares where is my business package.

In that moment I recognized that no matter how much good work I had done up until this point this lady didn’t care about me or my wellbeing after losing everything in the fire. I asked for a week and proceed to get things back on track but my entire approach to work changed as I started coming in at 8 am instead of 5 am. I started leaving after eight hours unless I absolutely had to stay late. This brings me to the concept of La Dolce Far Niente.

 The Italians have a concept called “La Dolce Far Niente” which means “the sweetness of doing nothing”. This was the pivotal moment I learned how important “nothing” truly is. When I say nothing, I’m not talking about sitting at home watching television, passively zoning out on the internet. I’m referring to putting down the devices, stepping back from the latest streaming show, get over “dammit I’m missing the latest episode of Shameless”, even putting work down (yes, even when it’s your own business). I’m not telling you to forsake your responsibilities I’m saying that the Protestant work ethic and connectivity will be enhanced with a little “La Dolce Far Niente”. In my mind this is the concept of stopping and smelling the roses. No matter where you are in the world I believe there is something beautiful to appreciate whether it is a beautiful urban garden, a nature spring, or a beautiful piece of graffiti as I take breaks and walk at work now.

La Dolce Far Niente.

We live in the San Francisco Bay area and my wife often says: “when you get stressed out or anxious just look up.” She says it because in her mind there is always an amazing view to capture. People talk about being present which I agree, but when I’m talking about being present, I want to focus on enjoying the moment its entirety. Mind, body and spirit. If you are sitting in the park people watching don’t let your mind drift to what you should be doing but rather focus on the people you see in your line of sight. Find joy in that sweet nothing. Work and responsibilities are always going to be there but mastering the art of doing nothing could help your quality of life.

When one realizes they choose, in every situation, how you feel about living is remarkable. Everything in life is our choice. Our self-love stems from that. Choices for me have been hard and frightening, like moving to California for a boy I thought was magnificent (yet no commitment yet), or simple yet powerful choices, like choosing to grow food not lawns.

Our yard was destroyed when the contractors had to rebuild after a fire in our home. As Earl would ask, “what should we do,” my heart knew I wanted a garden. I have fond memories of my grandfather’s lushly scented garden, his beautiful tomatoes and the joy he took in it. Of how my father loved to press flowers in phone books. I wanted to grow flowers and especially food.

Earl agreed. Having parents that died early in life, 53 and 61, we knew how important food was to living long, full lives. April 2020 will start our twelfth year growing our own food. The garden is 9000 square feet, high-density, organic, urban and we grow food and flowers ALL year.

It has been an adventure in choices.

Dig trenches, raise beds, composting. How? Ok, raised beds, clay way too hard to dig, and composting is “dirt man’s” (i.e. Earl) job. Planting and harvesting. When? Will mother nature agree? Probably not, but seasons are short. Plant high density to get the best return on investment.

A drought? Are you kidding me woman? Ok, choose to grey water. Be more sustainable. Put a damn bucket in the sink! Keep it there when the drought is “over.”

Wait, why is that ONE kale plant shaking, like the wind is blowing, in that HUGE 8x4x2 box of greens? Fuck me it’s a fucking mole! Dig the dirt out of all NINE boxes, ALL 64 square feet of it, times NINE boxes, put mole guard down, fill them back up. Who says gardening isn’t a workout! lol

Slugs. Snails. Aphids. Organic is hard. Pick and rub them off. Oh my look at that, we attract Monarchs! I was going to dig out all that milkweed, choose to leave it. And that is a huge praying mantis! Organic is paying off.

Summer. Harvest cucumbers, zucchini, beans, corn, and peppers. Holy tomato! They are in abundance this year! We didn’t grow them to compost them or give them all away. Learn to can. Pickle. Freeze.

Winter. Harvest greens, cabbage, beets, carrots, choys, celery. Wow did it just get THAT warm in February? The bok choy is bolting. Learn to ferment. Make kimchi.

Be ready to do that WHEN the plants say it’s time. Be willing to share with those that appreciate.

“Hey friend, want something from the garden since we are coming over?”

“Sure, how about some zucchini?”

“That doesn’t grow this time of year.”

“Oh I never thought of that, we buy it all year at the grocery.”

Choose to eat seasonally. Choose to learn new fun creative ways to eat seasonally so it isn’t boring. You should see what I can do with zucchini!

Yes, I choose. In every situation. Big or small. Hard or easy. Having this garden has shown me that I can, at any given moment choose. I can choose overwhelm, stress, frustration. I can choose adventure, learning, creativity. Hard or easy is also a choice. But the state of not choosing will eat away at our soul. Make a choice: left or right; fat or thin; stay or go, love or leave. And then BE in that choice. Make a choice about making your life better, not the same as it has always been. Year after year, day after day. The choice is yours.