Hip or Hype? The Empower Network

Empower Network:

   Is this 100% commission structure hype or hip?

[sic] "Ive made enough money.  I've purchased my wife jewelry and now I want to give money away to you!" ~ David Wood

Really Now? MMMM......

A Bad Rep, Freaks, Frauds and Zombies

Network marketing has a "bad rep" based on the previous freaks and frauds who dominated this industry in the early years.  We have a lot of negativity to overcome as a Community without having some guy tell us we're going to make 100% commissions based on 'his work' because he's a nice guy.

Evidently, David Wood has tipped out too a lot of money to restaurant workers.  He's also bought his wife a lot of jewelry.  Now he says he's making too much money, so he came a conclusion to 'give' his money to "us" - the network marketers a.k.a., David Wood Zombies who've put our arms straight out, wrists limp from too much mouse clicking and keyboard exercises and walked straight into the Empower Network.

Hippie Kid Car

All of this sounds just a bit too flakey, even for me.  And I'm a hippie child so I know flakey when I see it.

Even I, as philanthropic as I have been in my more monetarily robust past, won't give you money because I have enough jewelry.  No matter what amount of money I've made.  Why would I randomly give away money when I don't even know who you are or what you're doing with it?  For all I know you could be a politician!

I'll Admit It...I'm A Lot Jealous and Seriously Want Some Action

I've heard about the over four thousand paid members in The Empower Network , the over 1/2 million dollars in payouts and the amazing rise to fame of all involved and I'm feeling a bit left out.  As I listen to the videos, take heed of the efforts and watch as money basically falls from the skies I await approval of a merchant account application I submitted over a week ago.  Evidently I can use PayPal and didn't know this (found this out today) and will have to take a look at how that works; but I'm still a bit upset about the whole thing.

I am brooding.  I am pouting. Why?  Because I have not made money in this industry and am still going strong and this is exactly what I was looking for (i.e., The Empower Network) , but I'm for a loss as to why I can't seem to hit the dock when the boat has yet to leave the slip.  So yes, I'm a feeling a bit left out of the crowd.  And late for that darned boat.

Why?

Why would anyone stay in an industry over 2 years, become homeless and have no money, only to work their way back up to making a bit more than the borderline poverty level and still not make even 1% of what they've spent to keep themselves going in their network marketing business?  Don't you think that's kind of stupid?  Who does that?  A single woman with two dogs and a battery operated boyfriend, that's who....

What's Love Got To Do With It?

Tonight I find myself at my client, Judy's beautiful home in Los Gatos, talking with my friend Cindy about 'what exactly is network marketing'.  As I engaged both of them in a 3 hour conversation about how network marketing is changing the landscape of how we do business I find myself making believers out of two very skeptical women who have no idea what I'm referring to when I say, I love this business.

Cindy:  What's love got to do with it?

Nicole: Well, when you love what you do and you do what you love you make money at it.

Judy: So, what's you're excuse Nicole?  Why aren't you bringing in $30k a week with this new network marketing thing like the guy you just told me about, what's his name? Larry?

Nicole: Lawrence, Judy, Lawrence.

Judy: whatever....why aren't you making $$ with all this stuff?  I mean you've been at it quite a while and you know what you're talking about.  I mean look, me and Cindy are still sitting here listening and learning and haven't moved from the kitchen.

Cindy: The dogs won't let us Judy.  They want their cookies.

Nicole:  You know Judy, that's a really good question - but one I don't have an answer for.

Judy: mmmm....well, you definitely made a believer out of me with this network thing you're into.  What's it called again? Em? Emmmm.....?

Nicole:  Empower Network

Cindy:  Yeah, I want to join.  Definitely.  I love the idea and you're getting me so excited about what my e-book can do for people and how I can get my knowledge out to those who really need it.

Nicole:  I know, I should have video taped this whole thing.  It was really quite interesting the way I explained it to you when you both thought this was a 'scam' and now you understand it's a genuinely lucrative way of doing business.

Cindy: I need to know more....

A Trusted Authority makes believers out of  conservative skeptics over a cup of cheap red zinfandel

Cindy and Judy are both amazingly intelligent women but very confused whenever I mention "network marketing" as a means by which to create a life of freedom because they've only heard of 'scam' when they hear about network marketers and most of those who've decidedly become the trusted authorities to which they've listened have not educated them about what goes on in our industry.

It probably doesn't help that I have yet to create my freedom or any residual income and I'm still struggling, but they like me and because they know, like and trust me they'll listen to what I have to say as long as I'm transparent and honest.

Over a cheap cup of red wine and some really awesome home made chili, Cindy and Judy asked me a ton of questions and I obliged with the fervor and zest of that of a well known speaker in front of a crowd of starved network marketers.  All of a sudden I was their Trusted Authority.

By the time our conversation had come to an end, and Stanford was getting trounced by the Ducks (53 to 30), Cindy had decided to join the Empowered Network if not for any other reason than that to blog about what she knows about health and fitness, osteoporosis, fibromyalgia, and many a joint dysfunction that plague a lot of us every day.  She wants to understand the marketing aspect and she knows she has a niche who will, and has relied on her as a trusted authority as a physical therapist.

So, is Empower Network Hip or Hype?

Well, let's just say I'm not leaving the industry just because....

I'm not an overnight success like some.  I haven't made tons of money in 30 days.  I haven't retired my battery operated boyfriend and converted him into my new partner.  And I haven't purchased one single piece of jewelry for myself or my dogs (with the exception of the Minnie Mouse earrings at DisneyWorld).

Empower Network is a means by which we can all make some money while achieving our freedom - whatever that may be - so do I believe in that?  Yep.  Sure do.  Is it a hype?  Only if you have that mindset.  Is it hip?  I would say if Lawrence Tam is bringing in $30k in one week that's pretty darn hip.  Dontcha think?

Check it out.