Today I would like to share a story published in the weekly Vitamark International e-newsletter that all members receive...
A Vitamark Success Story: Ruth Marks-Bradford
Diamond Affiliate Ruth Marks-Bradford tells us how she's built a successful Vitamark business!
Succeeding Against the Odds
My journey of success is coming full circle with Vitamark International. Success is a decision.
You see I am legally blind. My parents were not aware of this until my first grade teacher told them that I could not see the black board even though I was sitting on the front row. The school district wanted to send me to a school for the blind but my parents insisted that I remain in the school just 15 doors from my home. Mainstreaming was not the law in 1960. That decision "set my sails of success" and allowed me to adapt and thrive in the real world.
I have had many mentors in my life starting with my parents. People who saw in me the ability to overcome a disAbility and inspired me to do just that. When I was a senior in high school the State Commission for the Blind began to counsel and coach me to enter the job market. They were instrumental in helping me direct my sail as I continued my journey. Whenever I wanted to quit college, and later my job, thinking it was to hard to compete with people that had more ability than I, they would come up with a new tool to help me adapt to a world that was full of daily challenges and hurdles to overcome.
I have a successful career working for the U.S. Government as a Postal Worker, going on 22 years now as a retail window clerk. In 1997 a customer came to my window for help mailing an item to his cousin. We struck up a conversation and he loaned me the product to try for the weekend. After trying it and finding out that I could make money part time selling. I was hooked! I joined the company which turned out to be a scam. This experience taught me a valuable lesson. The lesson: education is key. 
I always have had a entrepreneurial spirit. So I started reading all of the business periodicals that I could get my hands on especially the ones on network marketing. I found an advertisement one day titled "Big Al tells all". I wanted to know what "all" was so I sent off for information. In the package that I got in the mail, (this was before the Internet) was a blue pamphlet titled, "Are you walking past a fortune?" It was shear brilliance! Here was this guy telling me how to get paid for what I was already doing, recommending and promoting things to my family and friends. I went on to continue to read as much as I could find written by Tom "Big Al" Schreiter. He was also a contributer to "Upline" an industry magazine where I found a bright young man with immense knowledge, Art Jonak. The education I received was critical for my success as a postal worker. I learned how to listen to my customers, co-workers, family, and friends. My relationships were better and that helped me serve them better. I carried that pamphlet with me in my wallet as a reminder to never quit. I kept all of Tom's training material and referred to them often to sharpen my skills and keep my competitive edge at work. I still use my Upline magazine today in my business.
Life Happens
Fast forward to the year 2004. Life happens. This is the year that took me off course. You see my youngest sister Teresia lost her battle with cancer. Eight months later my older sister Scheryl lost her battle with cancer. I was the primary caretaker for both. My manager allowed me to work part time to perform this labor of love. I eventually took a leave of absence from my job. This allowed me to spend invaluable quality time with my family. Something that I have longed for since learning about Network Marketing. The time freedom was wonderful but, I had no money to do the things I longed to do. I was determined not to go back full time at my job. I was resolved to take a disability retirement. I have always focused on my abilities. My vision will never be perfect. There are visual aids that help though. Life will not be perfect. Business will not be perfect.
Build People
Sitting at my computer one day another mentor stepped into my life. I downloaded an eBook called "Success In 10 Steps". Here was the truth about why I was struggling to have success in this Industry. Here was yet another tool that gave me a "slight edge". Here also were people that were smart, caring, and eager to help me reset my sails. So each day I sat reading, with my many mentors helping me gain the skills and knowledge to get back on course.
Personal Development is a major component in Mentoring for Free. I have practiced this for years so I felt quite at home. I decided to join one of the companies participating in the Mentoring for Free system. I chose Vitamark. I knew I wanted to be on a successful team so I phoned up the person that I downloaded the book from and she was not in Mentoring for Free anymore so Michael said "no problem Ruth I will personally mentor and coach you". And he did. I was a project though, struggling with low self esteem and feelings of in inadequacy. I was afraid to tell him I wanted to join him. Fear was my nemesis. I needed a sponsor. I phoned up a leader who was in Mentoring for Free at the time: Roberto Torres, someone who was very close to Michael. He agreed to sponsor me into Vitamark and what a wonderful sponsor he has been. Roberto and Cleta are patient and compassionate. Roberto is a master teacher and skills trainer. I still struggled though. You see, you have to do the work. Not your sponsor or your mentor. So I finally did a Mental Cleanse and got clear of all the negative emotions and fears that were blocking my success.
I am in a unique position, in that I now have a "dream team" of mentors and teachers to help me keep my sights and sail on the right course. I literally fell off of my chair when I first logged into my GMT and looked at my upline genealogy. In my life now are the people that have helped guide me in Network Marketing: Tom and Art. What are the odds. There are no accidents. I am supposed to be here.
A Diamond Decision
I made the decision to go Diamond at the 2007 convention. The theme was "You Gotta Believe". I got my belief there and at each and every other event I attend, phone calls, training calls, local events, and the leadership summit. Being at events helped me cross the line to Diamond. Focusing on income producing activities was key for helping me go diamond. Having a team of people who use the products, a customer base who want the products and who refer their family and friends to you so that they can purchase the products. That is powerful!
The People
My Vitamark International business is allowing me to make my dreams a reality. In order to have success in Network Marketing you must grow and become the type of person that people want to be around. People join people. People don't join just for the company. You are the important reason they join your Network.
 Vitamark has attracted the type of leaders in this company that will help you build your business even if you are not in their direct line of sponsorship.
Focus on Ability
The management and affiliates alike see no disAbilities in anyone. Their focus in on Ability and helping you become the best you can be in life.
I love the fact the Vitamark uses the acronym LIFE in their mission statement
Love - Individual Worth - Freedom - Equality
The Products
One of the main reasons I joined Vitamark is the remarkable products that helped me regain my health. Working for 22 years standing on my feet at the Post Office and just the aging process has brought about some aggravating health problems for me. I order the Optimum Health regimen for me and my family each month on autoship. Limu Plus, VitaOne, and the other items in that pack are awesome for managing my aches and pains from arthritis, plantar fasciitis, and carpal tunnel. Now when I hear people complain about their aches and pains I ask them would you like to do something about it?
The Prosperity
Money is a great reason to join Vitamark and to go Diamond. The week I made Diamond solidified it for me. I made more in Vitamark that one week than I did working 40 hours at the Post Office. Prosperity is more than money however having good health and healthy relationships is the best by-product of being a part of this company.
Ruth Marks-Bradford
So, if you are reading this and are inspired to take action and start you own Vitamark International business, and would like to get started marketing Crave Energy Drink with a Free website, please visit my website at www.willyouCraveit.com. You are also more than welcome to visit my Vitamark International website by visiting www.nicbrits.vitamark.com to find out more information and to see out full range of products.
Have a Great Day!
Nic
No comments:
Post a Comment