Unless you’ve been hiding somewhere deep in a cave, you know that the biggest gathering of top level network marketers in the country is happening in Las Vegas, on July 9th 2010.
This is a powerful gathering of people, all focused on developing, teaching and training others in how to grow a strong, substantial network marketing business by focusing on online network marketing. There’s nothing negative about this. In fact, it will be the event of the years in terms of education and connection.
Katie Freiling is the ONLY woman in the entire line-up of presenters. And so here is my thought and my challenge. As the No Excuses Summit takes its place as a top notch gathering and becomes (hopefully) a yearly if not bi-yearly event, I want to challenge top women in the industry to get on that stage…or we create our own!!
I know and you know that there are women just kicking it in the industry. They are teaching and building massive downlines. They’ve developed courses, webinars, ebooks and more. The men running the No Excuses Summit are not the only ones who know how to do this stuff and do it really well. Women in the Internetwork Marketing industry need to stand up and be counted and recognized for the value they contribute and the unique, powerful manner in which they do business.
Commit now to being on stage one year from today! Stand up and be counted. Write it below in the comments section. (BTW–it does not have to be the No Excuses Summit..in fact…a Summit for Women only is in the works…but that’s still a secret….Hhhmmm…)
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Richard Goutal says
That is a really good observation. No wonder the testosterone about this event is so high. I think the best way to trump this is not a summit for women only. The best way is a major conference for everyone where the speaker list is 90% successful women! Anyway, just a few hours ago I got word a June conference that I would actually like to attend but two weeks in a row is a bit much (I’m going to Mike Klingler’s event in June). I bring this up because there are 10 speakers and four are women – one of whom is Connie Ragan Green from who I’ve learned a thing or two. It’s called the UnSeminar and I have heard good things about it from other marketers – if interested here: http://www.unseminar8.com Perhaps other marketers have a different idea of what a conference needs!?
Wendy MacKay says
I agree Deborah, there are many awesome women achieving remarkable success. My experience in the past 6 months has been to listen to more women speakers than men, so maybe it is just the platform. I really don’t think it is a gender difference. But for what it’s worth, I plan to be within a speaking forum within a year.
Ben Wardlaw says
Hi Deborah!
How are things in Crested Butte today?
I think you have uncovered a Terrific Opportunity!
PRESENTING: “NO EXCUSES SUMMIT II!”
Your friend in South Carolina,
Ben Wardlaw
Chief FUN Officer
Hilton Head Island, SC USA
Ferny Ceballos says
Hey Deb,
We tried. Ann Sieg couldn’t make it. She’s the only one missing from this line up of top people and very disappointed that she couldn’t do it.
Choosing speakers was also based on who’s the best at a particular topic, has the largest following (to sell tickets) and has experience teaching it.
I think one thing yet to be taught is how women can succeed and sponsor in a male dominated industry.
Whether we like it or not, men are likely to choose a male sponsor, but Lena Bjorna has done a masterful job at sponsoring all genders. How she and others do it I think would be of interest to many.
Just some ideas.
-Ferny
Deborah says
Thanks for your thoughts Ferny….
My goal with the article was/is to motivate women to move to the top…to bring it to a level of recognition within the greater community. There are many women who are doing amazing things in this industry and making a lot of money as well.
Raymond Fong says
Actually, to add to what Fernando said, we would’ve loved to have Liz Parkinson and Sophia Rashkin speak but that didn’t work out (M3 is right around the corner).
And at the end of the day, it’s also a matter of who we know and as it stands, we know more male trainers than we do female trainers.
I am with ya Deborah, there’s a big market for some female powerhouses to step up!
Raymond
Deborah says
Stepping it up as we speak Raymond!! Thanks so much for your valuable comment.
Deborah
Fred says
Aren’t you all just targeting people (focused on those who can’t afford it) to dream unrealizable dreams for your own benefit? Marketing should be about a product or service – not recruiting. You should be ashamed.
Samantha Gardner says
Deborah,
I am going to add on this here.
Women are this industry – the vast majority of home based business industry is women. Personally, I have sponsored as many men as women over the years so I don’t think that is real an issue. People look for who that want to follow as a leader! No matter the gender.
I am excited to be working with you and so many other powerful women on project as well as building my own business.
But I see the value in Ferny’s and Raymond’s point. They know guys. That is OK.
Gives us ladies a chance to do something all our own. Ben – thanks reinforcing the idea several of us have been throwing around!
Samantha
Fred says
I see my comment will remain eternally “awaiting moderation”. I gotcha. Not willing to face doubters. Didn’t really think so.
Deborah says
Hey Fred,
Now you are in print..patience is a virtue. I’m curious about your anger and frustration. Network marketing is a legitimate and powerful business model, based on selling products and services to consumers. Sales happen person to person rather than through a store-front. When Target wants to sell more stuff, they build more stores. When a network marketing company want so market more products and services, the expand the group of people who are doing the selling.
If a company is just recruiting and paying commissions on that, it is a scam. A legal, legitimate company sells worthwhile products and services. I personally know many people who are able to supplement their income and keep their family comfortable, uses this business structure to sell excellent products. I also meet people every day who have worked hard over a number of years and now make a full time income working at home in the network marketing industry. These are not “gurus” or people whose name you’ll ever hear. They are average people who believe in hard work and self-sufficiency.
So no..there is certainly nothing to be ashamed of going on here. I’m sorry if you’ve had a bad experience in the past. There are some unsavory people and companies in this industry, as their are in all industries.
Peace and Abundance,
Deborah
Fred says
OK Deborah. I’ll accept that. I have had very limited experience with MLM, or network marketing, or pyramid schemes, or whatever we’re talking about here. I come from a military background, now working for a small consulting company. We provide good old fashioned intellectual, science and engineering work – mostly to government clients. I’ve always viewed these schemes that rely on building a “downline”, or whatever you call it, with great skepticism. But I accept that there are some good people in it, and I apologize for my comments – to a degree.
I have been investigating a bit lately, due to the fact that someone important in my life (daughter-in-law) has been pulled in to this world. She is all about marketing with videos, “articles” (about what, I’m not sure), etc. – building leads, the whole bit, but I can’t seem to get her to clarify what it is she’s “selling”. For a while, it was Pre-paid Legal, which I’ve read nothing good about. Now, it seems to be about building the pyramid, and not about selling any quality product or service – as far as I can tell. I just want to understand the “business model”.
She has been involved for a few years now, and her bottom line is hugely in the red. And not for lack of effort, or ability – she’s quite energized and bright. For the sake of my son and grandson, I would love it if she just had a “regular” job, or even no job. She’d be better as a mom and wife, in my frank opinion. From things I’ve read in the open literature, the average incomes in MLM are miniscule, if positive at all. And I’ve specifically read that a large percentage of participants/associates, or whatever the new recruits are called, are from the low end of the economic scale. A few rich people at the top seem to be winning out at the expense of a vast number of victims at the bottom. To me, that stinks, and is bad for society – gives people false hopes. We should be teaching our youth to work hard, yes, but toward some productive end – not with the focus only of making money. All I see in the materials from MLM marketers is how you can make ridiculous sums of money if you just persevere. I never hear – “This product will improve people’s lives – it’ll sell itself. Just get out there and build a customer base.” That would be more honorable.
So if that doesn’t apply to you, I retract everything. I’m just very concerned about how it’s impacting my family. And conferences in Vegas, testimonials of how people are getting filthy rich, cult-like videos showing motivational speakers, etc, don’t do anything to make me feel better.
Yes, there are bad people in all walks of life. I just feel that MLM has far more than it’s share.
Take care, and thanks for your inputs.
Deborah says
Fred..I understand your concerns. Thank you for illuminating the situation that you are observing in your family. I have two Master’s Degrees and worked as a teacher, a mental health center therapist, and a clinical social worker in private practice for over 25 years.
When I began investigating network marketing, I did so in the same way I approached my degrees — seriously and professionally. Being an entrepreneur is not for everyone. For those who have the drive and determination, developing a business and an ongoing stream of residual income is by far the best way to ensure security financial security in the 21st century economy.
If you look at the statistics for small business development – traditional brick and mortar business – a majority of them fail within 2 years. Network marketing and internet marketing statistics are similar. But for those who persevere through the steep learning curve, the rewards are beyond what is accessible to most in a traditional job or corporate America. Network marketing has been called “the only true equal opportunity employer”. It is hard work, but anyone can succeed if they choose a good company, realize that it’s not a get rich scheme, put their head down and get to work.
There is a wonderful recorded audio called “Brilliant Compensation” , created by a man named Tim Sales. It does not promote any company. It is designed to educate people about the structure of the network marketing industry from a pure business perspective. You might find it helpful. It’s available through Tim Sales’ website.
If I can be of assistance in any manner, please let me know. BTW — “This product will improve people’s lives – it’ll sell itself. Just get out there and build a customer base.” I get what you are saying in this comment. The company that I am with, fits into this category of products that improve people’s lives. But ask any salesperson — no product sells itself. Education, advertising, marketing and more goes into the sale of everything, even something as simple as a can of Coca Cola. Good luck to you and your daughter.
Deborah
Melinda Butterfield says
Kudos on the awesome reply, Deborah. Also, a good book to read is “The Business of the 21st Century” by Robert Kiyosaki (he is the author of “RichDad PoorDad”- which has sold millions of copies).
Yay for ALL in this industry- what a totally kick tail business model! It brings out a fantastic entrepreneurial spirit and the desire to impact the world in a positive way. I am new in this profession and have loved following the string and am enjoying learning how to be a great communicator and leader- there is so much to learn- Exciting! Thanks to Ray and Ferny for gifting us with the No Excuses Summit… It starts tomorrow and I am super psyched- and Yes! Let’s get our groove on Ladies and make it happen in a big way! I’d love to connect with you here in Vegas Deborah, Fernie, Ray, et.all
Blessings, :)Melinda
Staci Gauny says
Deborah,
Great article. It is very inspiring 🙂
Judy Bailey says
I was at the Summit and it was amazing but I agree that I would like to see more woman presenters as well. The event was fantastic but this will just add another dimension to it.
That said – you guys did am amazing job!!!
Judy Bailey
Lani says
Aloha Deborah, It would have been nice to see more women, but the event in itself was explosive and a blessing. Katie, held up the flag for the women and she was remarkable and professional and ran with the big dogs. Thanks for sharing! Lani
Kate says
Deborah,
Thank you for your article and your articulate responses to the comments. I was at the Summit and it was really an amazing event – and I can’t wait to share what I learned. As another female internet-network marketer, I am committed to being onstage training in the next year – so now it’s in writing!
Thank you again!
Kate Lawler
Garrett Miller says
Let’s go ladies! 😀
Garrett