Why You Should Join Amway

(MoneyWatch) 
You probably think I'm kidding. I'm not. If you're at all familiar with my writing, you might think this is another satirical piece. It's not. I think you should join Amway.

I'm going to make the assumption that you're already familiar with Amway. They've been around since the 1950s and have more than 3 million people working with them. They have received their share of controversy over the years and there are many who feel vitriol toward the company (a Google search for "scamway" returned almost 50,000 hits).

So, why in the world would I recommend you join Amway? Let me take you back to when The X Files was on TV, Nirvana was on the radio, and Braveheart was in theaters...

The year was 1995. I was working as a counselor in a group home for children outside of Portland, Oregon. I had a degree in psychology and long hair (trust me, I fit in). I could tell you all about Jung and cognitive-behavioral therapy, but I couldn't tell you a thing about marketing or cash flow. I had absolutely no business education or experience.

A co-worker suggested I come to his house for a presentation about an "exciting business opportunity." This was my first introduction to Amway. A couple of hundred dollars and a week later I was an Amway distributor (they call them Independent Business Owners -- or IBOs -- now).

Suddenly I was in business! I studied the Amway material, listened to tapes, and went to the library to digest more business books. Above and beyond all of the "stuff" I got, I experienced a profound mental change.

One moment I was an employee and the next I was an employee AND a business owner. This is a monumental shift. If you've never had your own business, you can't understand what it feels like to be CEO of a company and to be responsible for marketing, generating clients, cash flow, recruiting, training, and all of the other hats an entrepreneur must wear.

I even got a Franklin Planner to manage my time and calendar better. "Manage your what?" my girlfriend asked. For the first few weeks there wasn't much on the calendar, but it felt good -- no, it felt amazing. This happened 15 years ago but I remember the feeling like it was yesterday. It was powerful. I had a business. Let me repeat. I had a business. I was introverted but I had to go out and talk to people. I had been squandering the other 8 hours, but now I had meetings and appointments. I've always been driven to learn and succeed, but now I was focused.

Okay, so what does this have to do with you? If you want to use the other 8 hours to make more money, but aren't sure where to start, I strongly suggest you look at Amway or even another network marketing company. Why? It is the easiest and quickest way to start your own business. You can read all you want about starting a business, but it's different when you actually have your own business.

I spoke to one of the grandfathers of Amway -- Jim Dornan -- about what new Amway IBOs should expect to learn. "Almost all new IBOs are already working as employees, but many are not used to leading people, inspiring others, or setting goals. Amway can help you learn to lead and work with people more effectively. It can also help you overcome fears such as public speaking or even talking to people."

Jim Dornan also said Amway provides a safe place for new business owners to grow and learn. "We promote positive values and an environment where everyone has an incentive to help others grow and learn."

For $50 (refundable for up to one year), you could own your own business. Do I think network marketing is your fast track to riches? No. Do I think it is for everyone? No, but I think it provides an unbelievable opportunity to learn and to experience what it feels like to be responsible for running a business -- something I couldn't appreciate until I did it.

By the way, I'm not involved with any network marketing company including Amway -- I left in 1996. I was only with Amway for a year, but what I learned and experienced has stayed with me to this day.

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[dalerwhaler]

@ stephanwissing

I joined Amway in 1990 and left in 91. I was in the Britt line of sponsorship and Larry Winters was one of my crossline heroes. I never made any real money in Amway, but I met some decent people who were all dreamers - it was contageous and I learned how to dream also (and believe - which is 4/5 of the battle). It was one of the most memorable times in my life. Though I didn't amount to S*iT in Amway it gave me the necessary attitude adjustment that I needed to succeed in life (business life). I now own a $1.5 M per year delivery business and do quite well. I never finished college, but I honestly spent many more $$$$ for college than I ever did buying tapes books, attending functions, and buying products. I would have never received this attitudinal shift in my brain by finishing college, or by listening to friends, family, and negative people like you. Amway gets a bad rap because negative people look at it through a very myopic lens, and then they spread nasty rumors based out of negativity and jealousy - because deep down inside they feel that they will never amount to S*iT.

Winners/Potential Winners in life will read this and say, "This makes sense", while those destined to fail financially will badmouth my post just as much as they badmouth Amway and capitalism in general.

The attitude shift was necessary for me. If I never got into Amway I may never have had the success I have had in my life.

[jondahl11]

Awesome article! Amway has proven very beneficial to me and many people in my life. It has been an incredible business for self growth and great financial benefit. I highly recommend this business vehicle to anyone who is looking for more in life. Thanks for your story! One of MANY success stories thanks to Amway!

[stephanwissing]

So after 2 years you have 57 "recommends" for your post on joining Amway. Doesn't sound very inspiring. If I'm going to invest in something I'd like to have some hope I'm going to get some financial return.

[marc8686]

stephan, I'll point out an important aspect. The Amway corporation is only a small portion of what your experience with "being in Amway" will be like. Within Amway are several accredited 'teams' that coach, train, and mentor each person that gets started to help them. Picture it this way, Amway is the NFL and all the teams are the teams within the NFL. they are all in the same organization, but they have different quality players and different track records.....some win consistently, some win occasionally, and some just dont win. these teams, they all have their own thoughts and processes on how to help you do this. The Amway company is 100% reliable.....if you produce X RESULT you will get paid X COMPENSATION.......always! the only variables are a) who will you be learning from, b) how well will you listen to them? and c) how much work are you willing to put in?

-hope this helps, Marc
[e-mail] if u have further questions