Butt's On Fire!

A few years ago, Ken and I were sitting at a networking national convention as the trip-of-a-lifetime winners were brought onto the stage. The top 10 from the group were allowed to say a few words, and for some, words were said that will never be forgotten. One speaker in particular made us laugh out loud because with her broken English she loudly blurted out into the microphone, "my butts on fire!" What she meant to say was, "I'm on fire!" The audience roared with laughter, and from then on she was known for that charming phrase, "my butts on fire!"  

"The most powerful weapon on earth is the human soul on fire."  - Field Marshal Ferdinand Foch

Getting and staying FIRED UP is key to big success in network marketing. That new Associate excitement may waiver with the complaints or occasional "no's", but staying focused on your goals, anchoring deep your "why", then being consistent every day with talking to people, sampling and sponsoring keeps you pumped. Activity and sponsoring = your butts on fire!  

Billy Banks from Texas is always on fire. There's never been a day that he hasn't called his sponsors (Ken and Sandi Burgess...lucky us!), reported his activity, bragged on his great leaders, and put someone new on the phone (3-way call) for us to speak with about the business. Billy's butts definitely on fire, and the results speak for themselves. He's a born leader who leads by example. He doesn't have time for the negatives, never gets down, and has even been known to tell people to quit if they are non-stop complaining. He knows what an incredible opportunity he's found, knows who he is and where he's going. He listens and follows the 4-step system. He teaches what he learns and he does what he teaches. Billy is coachable - approachable - lovable, and just plain fun to be around.

What to learn from Billy Banks (whose check for April will be over $22,000.00)?  "Follow the proven 4-step system, plug in and stay plugged in, participate in all calls and webinars, sponsor new people every month, sample everyone you know - and those you don't know but want to meet.  Wear your V3 button everywhere, follow-up, share the dream, and definitely develop leaders," says Billy.  He always edifies his upline (thank you Billy), and empowers his downline (nine Executives + two more breaking this month of May!) and loves what he is doing, feels abundantly blessed, and simply loves life. His training, "Going Vertical" is exactly what Billy does 24/7. It's the old "Attitude Determines Altitude" philosophy that keeps Billy on track and laser-focused. 


You can find Billy's training at www.burgessbiz.com under the Advanced Training tab. He is amazing and we adore him.  If you want to see big success with the biz ... find yourself a Billy Banks - go vertical and make sure your "butts on fire!"

Selling the Dream

I just attended my second time with seeing the amazing musical, "Miss Saigon". One of the songs in the show reminded me of why we are all involved with network marketing. The song's title is "The American Dream." It describes in song and dance, from the perspective of non-Americans, all of the marvelous aspects of ultimate freedom and lifestyle that Americans must be living. Freedom, lifestyle and opportunity are dripping with luxury cars, jewels and wealth. And although the songs depiction of living the American Dream is hugely exaggerated, the message is there for all to see. Freedom and lifestyle painted in glitzy red, white and blue!


Network marketing was founded on those same "American Dream" principles. To name just a few freedoms, freedom from a boss, fighting traffic, working when you want, and with whom you want to work with are at the top of the list. Recognition for hard work, tax and travel advantages, and of course, the possibility for financial freedom are part of the picture. Hope and possibility encourage opportunity with network marketing. And that is why MLM continues to thrive for centuries, especially in a challenged economy.


"If I can show you a way to make extra money, right from the comforts of home without changing anything you are currently doing, would you be interested?" This question, along with activating the important - FORM (family - occupation - recreation - message), helps you deliver the message of hope and possibility for your prospect. Start every presentation with telling your prospect "why" you are doing this business. And your "why" must be about freedom and lifestyle - not product. The product works - that's a given. Your task of "selling the dream" is easy when your "why" is anchored deep. Simply take a quiet moment to determine, then write down your "why" so that you can effectively share it from your heart. Your "why" is your passion for the business. It keeps you on target and moving forward, no matter what or who attempts to thwart your efforts. Nothing can stop you.


As James Truslow Adams, in 1931 defined the American Dream, "Iife should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement, regardless of social class or circumstances of birth."  By that definition, network marketing is all about living the American Dream and enjoying life and lifestyle to its fullest. So, dust off your dreams, write down new goals, and learn to sell the dream with everyone you meet.

What Does Leadership Look Like?

Ginger Williford, New Executive Director

What does a leader look like? Are there born leaders, or are they developed? What attributes do leaders possess? 


John Maxwell says, "A potential leader is the one who would be able to mentally sustain you organization's vision if you quit thinking for the next month."


Stephen Covey, the 8th habit says, "Leadership is communicating to people their worth and potential so clearly that they come to see it in themselves." 


Both of these great motivational speakers and authors define leadership as having vision, being able to communicate, be mentally strong and focused on the task, and able to develop and empower people. In our business of network marketing these attributes are evident, and adding to that ... leaders lead by example and follow the path laid out for them by their leaders. They plug into a system, teach that system, don't try to re-invent the wheel, and stay on target with their goals until those goals are achieved. They are goal-oriented, busy people who, no matter what, get the job done. They are plugged into weekly calls and activities, promote those same activities with their team, and stay positive and productive.


We are blessed to have some of the best leaders involved with us on our team. Our newest addition to the Executive ranks is mother of five (5), Ginger Williford of North Carolina. Ginger juggles managing an office, her five children and her Voyager business, and does it all with passion and love. She radiates a positive attitude and is always looking to help with a solution vs a criticism. Ginger gives credit to those who have helped her along the way, and is always listening and learning how to do this business better. Her duplicating spirit is why she is succeeding with building her business. 

So, when answering the question "what does leadership look like?" Our answer is simple, Ginger Williford. A hard-working, goal-oriented woman who wants everyone around her to succeed. That why network marketing is the perfect business for her. Ginger (and all of our fabulous mothers and leaders)...HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!

Balancing the Biz!

Annie Arnes, Michigan

No one is better with juggling business building, six kids, four grand children, church involvements, school activities, community involvements and the role of supportive wife than executive leader, Annie Arnes from Grand Blanc, Michigan. Annie and her husband, pharmacist Tom, also achieved the founder position with Voyager in the nooks and crannies of their very busy days. Annie uses and teaches the system to build her team. She understands the importance of being on the calls and webinars, and sets the example for her team to follow. In the nooks and crannies of her days, she is consistent with her efforts and feels like she is always talking and sharing the opportunity of Voyager. Her local team is plugged in with the weekly Team Gideon Thursday night call, and has found success in holding Executive Business Opportunity luncheons with the other key executive leaders in the area. Annie has learned to effectively juggle the biz and see success.

Heather Bishop

Looking at our incredible Voyager team, we see many stories that are similar to Annie's. Strong women who know how to juggle the biz, fitting into the nooks and crannies of their lives. And they are always busier than most that are seeing the great success. Take Heather Bishop for example. She is attending school, has five kids, runs an in-home daycare, started a foster program for abandoned dogs, and works V3 local shows on the weekends. She wears her button everywhere she goes - even to school. She makes biz building a way of life - sporting her V3 car magnet, she mingles, messages (Facebook) and has fun building her business for the future.

Melissa Butts and Gretchen Vatter

Lucille Ball is quoted as saying:
"If you want something done, ask a busy person to do it. The more things you do, the more you can do."


Gretchen Vatter took a leap of faith with getting involved with Voyager. She is a mother of two children, found she and her husband out of work, and wondered how to even drum up enough money to purchase her Pro Pak. But she did it, and even ran out of product before it arrived!  She made things happen, set her goals, used the system, and achieved director - and is well on her way to achieving executive. Gretchen is someone who didn't say, "I think I can." She said, "just watch me!" 


Stories like this empower all of us to want to do more, set higher goals for ourselves, and reach for the stars. Daring to succeed drives these success stories and is proof positive that with the right attitude and work ethic, anything can be achieved.

Shannon Jenkins

Mary Kay Ash (a woman I highly admire and respect) said:
"Most people live and die with their music still unplayed.  They never dare to try."


With our strong Voyager women (don't worry men..I will highlight you on Father's Day), They dare to play their own personal "music" by never quitting because they are too busy. They are seen doing local weekend expo's, posting their before and after pictures on Facebook, plaster planning with fliers on bulletin boards, holding up grocery lines sampling the checkout clerk, and they never leave home with their samples of V3.  Look at Shannon Jenkins who has gone back to school, is raising her children and building the business whenever she can. She is amazing, and is doing more than just making some extra money in the nooks and crannies of her days. She is setting a strong, important example for her children to follow. They can see first-hand what self-worth and ambition is all about. And that is worth its weight in gold. Shannon has learned how to effectively share Voyager and V3 whenever and wherever she can. Thank you Shannon.

As with all of the ladies from coast to coast, we extend a very "Happy Mother's Day," and thank you for making a difference in so many peoples lives. You are loved, appreciated and admired for everything you are doing. Thank you for sharing your passion, love and success with us. Keep up the great work, and continue with your biz building on the side!