Tuesday, January 31, 2006

Dani Johnson's conference call this week is huge

I just got done listening to Dani Johnson's free conference call this week. This call was significant to my business. If you have not listened to her call this week, I encourage you to do so now.

This weeks call is a first… Dani answers questions LIVE from listeners about various topics including prospecting, how to start a new person, bilingual marketing, and so much more! This is a very good call that will impact how you do your business today!

Topics include:

What are you willing to do to make sure that 2006 is better than 2005?

What plan do you have to make sure that you are moving forward in 2006?

What should you do when you make an appointment for a follow up call and the prospect does not show up?

Specific things that you can do to increase your “show up” ratios now

What are the key reasons people do not show up to an appointment?

What do you say to people who say, “I have heard that all before?”

What is it essential that you do with your new person in the first 48 hours?

What should you do if you can't afford to go to the First Steps to Success seminar?

How to get bilingual prospects

What to do if you are opening a new market in your business

If you are not plugged in to Dani's free conference calls, are you truly doing all that you can in your home based business to succeed?

Saturday, January 28, 2006

A $7,000 day

I had only been up about 30 minutes this morning and I had gotten a call from Stacy of ND. Stacy was a training sale from Tony of FL. Stacy came in at the Premiere level and is very close to making her first training sale. When I answered the phone Stacy said, "Are you ready to make some money today?"

I responded, "Sure, whatcha got?" (assuming she was talking about a training sale) She said, "I am ready to upgrade to Level III. I have been thinking about this and I got started with Coastal to get out of debt and it just makes more since to be at the Platinum level instead of Premiere. I understand more about this business; and, I think upgrading is the best business decision I can make. It would have been better if I had gotten started there but, stepping up now is better than not".

Stacy said she had to move some money around but she would be ready later in the day to make that payment. This afternoon about 4 pm I was on my way out the door with a couple of friends to go watch Annapolis. The phone rang. It was Stacy. "OK, I am ready". I motioned to Gary and Brandon to hold on. I quickly logged into my merchant account and took her payment of $7525.00 for her Level III upgrade. I am excited for Stacy. Since returning from Dani's Seminar, I have began to see a real level of seriousness from her. I can only Thank God that I am fortunate enough to be her Director.

What a great weekend? An easy $7,000 profit. I LOVE this business. It just doesn't seem real!

Friday, January 27, 2006

Home based business owners I challenge you!

I made a $2,000 donation to St. Jude's Children Hospital just now. I encourage all Home Based Business owners to set aside at least 10% of your income this month for a charitable purpose, just as I have done. Take this as a challenge. I realize a lot of you may already do this and some of you may not. If you normally give to a charitable cause each month I ask that you leave a comment on my blog or send me an email I can share with the readership, to encourage others to do the same.

I believe God blesses us so that we can bless others. If you do not believe in God at the very least I hope you have a moral compass that encourages you to give back to a society that has given to you. Please don't make a donation with pride in your heart. Don't leave a comment on my blog or send me an email about your donation with the intent of bragging about what you have done. Your reason for sharing your donation is to encourage others to do the same. When you give to a charitable or religious cause it's not about you or your money. It's about your humbleness and you willingness to share with others. If you are a Christain and you are giving your tithe then you are simply giving God back what is his.

So I challenge all Home Based Business owners to step up to the plate and donate your 10% this month. It doesn't matter if your 10% is ten dollars or ten thousand dollars. Regardless, of the charity or your religious beliefs, this challenge is much bigger than that. It's about people helping people. It's about the Home Based Business industry giving back! If you would like to give to St Jude, then just visit their website.

I got a call this evening...

I spoke with Jen from PA, earlier this evening around 8 pm. Jen, got started with Coastal at the Premiere Level, she had called me because she was speaking with a client who had asked her a lot of questions. She had a follow up with the client on Saturday and she wanted to make sure that she could answer all of the questions that he had asked her appropriately. I have to tell you I am so amazed by Jen, each week in her Coastal business I see her growing so much. According to Dani Johnson, income follows personal growth. The personal growth and development that I am seeing in Jen, let's me know that her income is about to explode along with the rate she is growing personally. I am extremely proud of you Jen, KEEP IT UP!

Fifteen minutes after getting off the phone with Jen, she immediately called back. I was curious as to why she was calling, I had assumed maybe she had just thought of something else that she had forgotten to ask me. What happened next has me up at 5:00 am this morning concerned about her. Before she even spoke a word I could almost tell by the silence that her presence was different. Jen, told me of a personal tragedy that had just occurred in her life. She had just gotten a phone call, it was one of those phone calls that none of us want to hear. Holding back tears, she told me that she had an appointment with a potential client but, something tragic had come up that she had to take care of immediately. To know Jen, you would know that she is one of those people who is always cool, calm, and collective. She is the type of person that has everything under control. To hear her voice quiver as she tried to remain under control, almost immediately brought a tear to my eye. I told her I would take care of her appointment and she could just concentrate on those things at hand. We are a team, heck we are closer than that we are a family. Family takes care of each other. I called her client, and apologized that Jen was unable to be there. I explained that Jen had a personal issue that came up and she asked that I take the appointment so that we could be sure to get her the information that she had asked for. The client was very understanding, so it was no problem at all.

I ask of you now, could Jen and her family have your prayers? If you are of a faith that believes in God and believes in prayers to help heal and console. Will you pause for a moment to say a prayer for Jen and her family. It is times like these that as Christians we find it the hardest to pray sometimes; thankfully we have brothers and sisters in Christ who are always there and able to intercede for us on our behalf. Having gotten to know Jen over the past few months I am certain that she would appreciate your prayers. On her behalf I thank you in advance.

Wednesday, January 25, 2006

Do you believe in success?

Better yet, do you believe you can succeed? So many people would tell you that they believe in success. Yet they do not give themselves the opportunity to succeed. Think back with me to your childhood when you were young, active, and full of excitement. What did you want in life? What did you want to grow up to be? Maybe you wanted to be a Doctor or Lawyer or Vet. who lives in a mansion and drives a bright red, fast, sports car. You will be able to take a luxury vacation ever year and probably have a large pool in the backyard. You will donate to charity every month and feed the hungry. All in all, life will be great.

Then as you grew up, you realize college was expensive and your grades were not what they needed to be. As you got older someone told you to be realistic with your goals and dreams. At that point you realized maybe you would just settle for a realistic job with a good hourly wage. Of course on that wage you couldn't buy the mansion but you told yourself, "Who really needs a house that big?".

So you settle for a 3 bedroom in the middle of suburbia and tell yourself "It's a good neighborhood". You end up driving a Subaru sedan after all it just makes more sense than a sports car. Doesn't it get better gas mileage? Not to mention the family can all fit in the Subaru and with your hourly wage you can't afford two cars. Overall you aren't poor, you can still provide for your family. Sure you have to budget carefully, live paycheck to paycheck, and save your entire life for the kids college, and then your retirement. That's OK, you have convinced yourself that you do pretty well. After all, don't you know a lot of people who have less than you have? Shouldn't you be thankful for what you have?

Of course don't forget as a kid you wanted to donate to charity every month, and help feed the hungry. At this point you probably gave up on that as well, after all you are living paycheck to paycheck. If you donated money to charity every month and can't afford the bills before long you realize someone will have to start donating to your family. So of course take care of your family first, after all it's not your place to feed the world.

WHAT GARBAGE!

In this society we allow ourselves to believe success is "getting by". Since when is success "mediocrity". Since when is success trading dollars for hours; hours that should be spent with your family. I encourage you to believe in success. Thank back to when you were a kid; before you convinced yourself to be realistic. Think about not just your needs and wants but also your wishes, dreams, and desires. Imagine your adult life the same way you did before high school. A life of fun and excitement. A life where you still can be everything that you want. I ask that you once again believe in success. Shoot for the stars. If you miss you will still hit the moon. That is far better than shooting for the sidewalk and hitting it. I pray you reach all of your dreams even those that society has convinced you are unrealistic. Believe in success.

Monday, January 23, 2006

Ford cuts jobs

Did you hear? Ford is cutting jobs again it's part of a comperhensive plan to cut 25,000 jobs over the next four years. I can only thank God that will not have a negative effect on me. Actually it may prove to have a positive effect on my business as those losing jobs start looking for something to replace their income. Invariably some of them will look to start working from home.

I can't blame them, since I started working from home I sleep in more than I ever have. I can remember a time working in the hospital in which I had to be at work by 7 am. That was a only a few months ago but, it feels like it was years ago. Since I started my home based business my quality of life continues to improve. For the past week I have had one of my best friends Gary, as a guest at my house. I will be leaving to go back to Michigan to visit Carmen probably next Thursday. I believe Gary is going with me. I don't worry about a boss giving me time off. I don't worry about income, I will simply take my laptop with me and my cell phone and my business will go where ever I go. That is one thing that I continue to enjoy about my home based business. The freedom; the freedom to travel, the time freedom. As you are reading this it is my hope that you have been able to find those same freedoms in your own life.

More than ever, I find myself rooting for the little guy. Not the ordinary nine to fiver but the nine to fiver that comes home and works after five seeking, searching, and succeeding with his home based business. A business that will give him freedom. If you are that seeker/searcher and have yet to succeed then I simply encourage you to keep up the work. Keep up the faith. Hold to your hope and don't lose your vision! I failed at least 6 times before succeeding with my current home based business. I failed with my current business for 3 and a half months before succeeding. So I encourage you not to quit short of success. Thank God I did not, and it is my prayer that you will not!

Sunday, January 22, 2006

Just a lazy day with football

Today has been a rather lazy day. Watched the AFC and NFC championship games today. Pittsburgh Steelers won the AFC title and the Seattle Seahawks won the NFC title. My poor Carolina Panthers lost! I am not a real big sports fan but football is probably my favorite sport to watch. Carmen, on the other hand is a huge sports fan, I think her and I have some role reversal going on here. I was getting pretty excited about the Superbowl this year because I had convinced myself that the Panthers would be there. Oh well, I guess that's not going to happen. Regardless, it's been a very relaxing day and I am looking forward to this upcoming week.

Saturday, January 21, 2006

Jenna Jameson Porn Star or Business Woman

Yesterday I saw the E True Hollywood Story of Jenna Jameson the adult film star and owner of "Club Jenna". A couple of things came to mind as I watched this; first of all, they must have run out of celebrities to do stories about. Second, I was impressed at how Jenna Jameson saved and invested her money. Most women in that industry are known for making large sums of money and quickly squandering it. Jenna Jameson, was different. Whether or not you agree with her chosen profession, many of us can take note on how she managed her money. Early in her career Jenna Jameson, saved money in mutual funds, money markets, and savings accounts. Later she used that nest egg that had grown to start her own company called "Club Jenna". Jenna Jameson, was the first porn star to ever start merchandising. In an industry that is often looked down upon one woman was able make smart financial decisions which allowed her to set herself up for life.

Regardless, of whether you agree with this controversial industry of adult entertainment, we could all take a page out of her book. This E True Hollywood Story of Jenna Jameson, made me think of people who are close to me in Coastal Vacations. I know of many people who are making rather large sums of money with this business. I find myself hoping they are making good financial decisions as well. I can understand that we all want more money to spend and we all want a few more toys. In this business a person can retire in a fairly short amount of time if they chose too ( 5 years ). So If your primary goals are not to pay off your debt, and save for an early retirement then I would ask, "Are you any better off than before you started your home based business". Let's face it anyone can spend money as quickly as they make it however, I would encourage you to save your nest egg very similar to the way Jenna Jameson did. At the very least it will help you reach financial security. Once you have done that then you can set aside more money to have fun with!

Before, I get a barrage of emails I am not condoning Jenna Jameson nor the adult industry. I am simply using her as an example. Jenna, is a woman who works in an industry which does not promote nor support financial independence the way the home based business industry does. If she can make smart financial decisions working in that industry then, why aren't more of us in this industry doing the same if not better?

Thursday, January 19, 2006

Get a Free Vacation

If you have yet to subscribe to my blog, this is your chance. I have no earthly idea why it has taken me this long to do this. I am giving away a complimentary 2 night 3 day vacation to each new subscriber. After subscribing feel free to refer-a-friend, if they subscribe they too will receive a complimentary vacation. This vacation is good for at least two adults and includes complimentary accommodations. It has a retail value between $175 to $225 depending on your choice of destinations. There are over 40 different destinations to choose from Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe, Myrtle Beach, Orlando, Daytona, Hawaii, and many many more. You can use this vacation for yourself or give it away as a gift. I donated one of these vacations to a church youth group who raffled it off and raised $1600.00 to send their kids to youth camp. What you do with your vacation is completely up to you, it's just my way of saying "Thank You" for subscribing.

This vacation is coming from my Coastal Vacations Platinum Travel Package.

Tuesday, January 17, 2006

Back home, and ready to rock and roll

I am back home. I got in yesterday at about 2 pm and almost immediately went to sleep. I woke up last night at midnight and stayed up till 3 am before going back to sleep. I woke up this afternoon at about 1 pm and I am ready to go. You may ask, "Why so much sleep?"

When I was at Dani Johnson's training seminar I slept for 4 hours Friday night, Saturday night and another 2 and a half hours on Sunday night. I was a zombie and needed some sleep. Now I am up and ready to go. Dear God, I love my Coastal Vacations business, it allows me to be the catalyst to help so many people change their lives. I had four team members at the seminar with me and that was very exciting. I know they have picked up some skills that will help their business explode. The four team members who attended Dani's "First Steps to Success" without a doubt are the team members most likely to earn well over 6 figures this year and will likely earn the most money in January. My other team members are just simply disadvantaged. I want everyone to play on the same level playing field so for their sake, those who could not go I hope and pray they are able to go next month to Dani's "First Steps to Success" seminar.

It's time to go back to work!

Friday, January 13, 2006

On my way to Dallas, TX

I am on my way to Dallas, TX. Currently sitting in the airport waiting for my flight to leave at 10:58 am. I got here quite early but that is ok it gave me time to post to my blog. I am excited about Dani Johnson's seminar but I am going to miss Carmen. On Monday, I will be leaving Dallas and flying back home to NC. I will be there about 3 weeks before flying back. I absolutely HATE the weather in Michigan but then again it's not the weather that brings me here. I technically already have a place to live up here. I signed the lease on the duplex that is vacant beside Carmen, a couple of days ago.

I don't actually move up until the end of March. Carmen, wants me to move sooner but I just refuse. We agreed on March and I don't want to face this cold weather no sooner than that. Also I really want to get some more North Carolina fishing in before moving up here. Then when I move up at the end of March hopefully it will start warming up here and I can try some fishing in Michigan. Oh well, in the meantime I will concentrate on my team and my business. Dani Johnson here we come!!!

Wednesday, January 11, 2006

I am so excited for my team members and clients

We are getting ready to go to Dani Johnson's "First Steps to Success". I am so excited, I have several of my current team members going as well. I am really excited about meeting them in person since 99% of our interaction is always online and over the telephone. Most importantly, I am excited about the skills that Dani will be able to teach them. If they leave her seminar and apply some of the basics that she teaches they will begin to see their businesses grow almost immediately. Jen from PA ,is going to her 2nd Dani Johnson Seminar. This is my 3rd Seminar. I am beginning to see a difference in team members that go to Dani's seminars versus those that don't. My brother is a student of Dani Johnson and he qualified out as a Director faster than anyone else on my team. I am willing to bet that Jen will qualify out really fast as well since she is very much plugged into Dani's free teleconferences and her seminars as well. Jen is currently a Level II Director in training and will likely be one of my very first Level IIs to qualify out at Level III; especially if she stays plugged into Dani's training.

I also am going to meet Dan from Texas at the seminar, Dan is just one of the many prospects I am working with who is looking at Coastal Vacations. He wanted to take the opportunity to show up at Dani's seminar, learn what he could about succeeding with a home based business and meet to me in person. I am very excited to meet Dan, he is extremely energetic and has some of the same thoughts that I posses about entrepreneurship. I very much hope that I have the priviledge of working with him.

Tuesday, January 10, 2006

Why would anyone choose to work a regular job?

I just can not understand this. If you are reading this and have any comments then they would be greatly appreciated. I just can not figure out why anyone would want to work a regular job? Now, I can understand that Coastal is not for everyone. But even in Carmen's business (my girlfriend), or my uncle and aunt who own a "Mom and Pop" convenience store not to mention my other aunt who owns a small dance school. All of us earn more than the average person would ever earn working a regular job. We all have control of our own time for the most part. We get paid directly related to the efforts that we put into our business. We control our own income. I really don't know exactly how much my aunts or uncle earn but, I am certain that Carmen and I earn way more than almost anyone with a job. In fact this year we will earn more than some CEOs of large corporations.

Yesterday, Carmen and I met for lunch we were sitting there and I told her, "Can you believe our waiter, he is working so hard. I never work that hard but, I earn more than he could ever imagine earning in this job". Please understand I am not saying this trying to put anyone down. I just can not wrap my brain around the idea that so many people work for a boss and not for themselves. Now grant it, I am glad that there are people who are employed. When I go to the ER, I want to know there is a Dr. employed at the hospital who can take care of me or my family. I want to know we can go out to eat and there is someone willing to serve us our meal. So I am glad everyone does not have my mentality. But for the life of me I just can't figure out why everyone doesn't think the way I do. If you are reading this and you can comment on it please feel free to.

I am not certain if most people are just to lazy to start their own business? Then again I don't think I work any harder then most employees.

I am not certain if the money is the issue but Coastal is very reasonable compared to most businesses to get started. Carmen's business doesn't cost anything to start you just have to be hired in first and then you can work your way up to become a business owner.

Maybe its' the benefits but, I currently afford better insurance than I have ever had before. Sure, it cost more than it did when I worked as a nurse in the hospital but, I earn about 10 times what I earned as a Nurse. So that really isn't an issue. No I don't' have the same retirement available to me either but, I can afford to put more money back into my retirement than I could before. I don't have to worry about some large corporation going bankrupt and me loosing my pension either.

I know some people just love their job and they could never imagine doing anything else. I think that is just a very small percentage. So please help me out, leave your comments and let me know why you think the average person would just to continue working a normal job?

Monday, January 09, 2006

Introducing newest Level III member in Coastal

Dr. Robert Dougherty comes from Kansas City, Missouri. Dr. Bob came to me as a training sale for Level II Director Bob Becker of Washington. Dr. Bob, says that his hobbies earlier in life included sports, square dancing, fishing and flying (He is a private pilot). Now at age 75, he still likes watching sports on TV. His greatest accomplishment so far in life is becoming number 1 salesperson for the US Chamber of Commerce in Washington DC in 1977 among 550 people. Dr Bob said that he was not looking for Coastal but it actually found him; he said, "I was looking for a business that would not require cold calling. I was retired and Social Security wasn't adequate and I needed something to do". Bob decided to come in at the Platinum level because he said it offered the greatest potential for income the quickest. He was most impressed with the opportunity of Coastal Vacations especially the built in back office, the vacations packages offered, and the one on one coaching and assistance offered by his Director (Thanks Bob ;). Bob's goals are to make enough money to pay off debts, build a new home, and to help others achieve the same financial independence.

Bob, I am looking forward to work with you and consider it an honor to be your Director.

Friday, January 06, 2006

My best day ever

The money should be in my account by tomorrow from one of my best days yet in Coastal. I will formally announce their names and reasons for getting started in Coastal on another post. Tuesday, I received a voicemail on my toll free number froma lady in Texas. She wanted to know if she could process a payment with me for the Platinum travel package using two different credit cards. I returned her call and assured her that would not be a problem. We made an appointment to get back together over the telephone later that evening which we did and she purchased her Platinum package for $11,000.

Likewise, I got a call from a gentleman in Missouri at about 3:00 pm. He called me to let me know that he had just put his Cashier's Check in the mail to pay for his Platinum package as well. He was actually brought to me as a Level III training sale by a friend and team member Bob from Washington. Congratulations Bob! I hope these two, put on your seat belt and get ready their life is about to change. By coming in at the highest level possible this two individuals have truly positioned themselves for success!

My profit on each of these packages is $9,705 for a one day grand total of $19,410!

Tuesday, January 03, 2006

Month in review, December

Ok, guys I am going to keep this short and sweet. December, was the only month this year that I did not make any money. Yep, it was a bit depressing but the year over all is looking good. I will have to get back with you when I get back home and I have my accounting papers in front of me. It looks like 2005 ended with roughly about $70,000 generated from my homebased business. 8 months of that was working part time with Coastal while I was still working full time as a RN. Onward and upward to 2006!

When thinking outside the box you can get really rich

Ok, give this guy credit. His name is Alex and he is the owner of the world famous Million Dollar Homepage. In less than a year he has earned over a million dollars with this genius idea. Also for a fascinating read look at his blog. I have been following this guy for a brief while, I am awe struck at the simple concept that he has used to create 1 million dollars in under a year. Thinking outside the box can earn you a lot of money, but I am just not smart enough for that.

It's hard enough for me to think of everything that is already in the box much less look outside the box. I can admit that I am no genius, that is why I have not been successful with any business venture that I have created. It took me finding Coastal Vacations, the business in a box (pun intended), to finally succeed with a home based business. I will not earn a million dollars this year but, I will earn $250,000 following someone else's system. I can follow instructions. I can use a proven marketing system and lead generation program in a cost effective manner as instructed. I can outsource my training to the expert.

Thankfully, there is still hope for those of us less intelligent in the home based business industry.

Sunday, January 01, 2006

Back from Ohio and here is the full story

Ok, we are back from Ohio and I figured I would share with you the full story about why we went down there. Carmen's Mother and her faternal twin sister Kim, found out several years ago when they were well in adulthood that they were adopted. This was discovered when their adopted mother, who they had always presumed was their biological mother, became ill and was hospitalized. Carmen's mother Karen and her sister Kim went to their mother's house during her illness; while there they both accidently discovered their very own adoption papers!

Needless, to say that was quite a shock for them, and it opened up the doors to all kinds of questions like, who is our real mother? Do we have other brothers and sisters? Why were we given up for adoption? etc. For several years Carmen's Aunt Kim had been looking for her biological mother, their adopted mother has since passed away. Because of the birth certificates they knew they were adopted from Germany but that made the search a little more difficult for them. Some how in an almost ironic twist of fate (God), Kim met a lady from Germany named Helga. Helga's, brother was a retired detective turn Private Investigator in Germany, when he found out about Karen and Kim's search for their mother he offered to help. Of course they accepted his help but, it was not an easy task for him either. It seems that Karen and Kim's mother herself was adopted so that made the genology research even more difficult. She had also moved alot in young adulthood so that made what records they could find difficult to track. Eventually the pot of gold at the end of this elusive rainbow was discovered.

Their biological mother had unfortunately just recently passed away a couple of years earlier but, they had a younger brother and sister who had been looking for them for years and had never known that they were in the United States. Come to find out their mother had always told them about their older sisters Karen and Kim who had been adopted; so they always knew they existed and had looked for them all over Europe. Speaking very little English, they made the trip to Ohio to spend about 2 weeks with Kim and we went up this weekend to meet them also. It was awesome to be in the presence of siblings who loved each other, it was as if they have spent a lifetime loving each other without knowing each other. It was amazing and a great way to start the New Year.