A Green and Healthy Lifestyle

Simon Prentice on RichGrads.com posted on May 24, 2009 a list of the the types of questions you should ask when checking out any business opportunity such as Shaklee.  Here is a link to his posting:

Full Article on RichGrads.com

In order to help you filter out the good companies from the bad, I have put together a post that discusses the Top 10 Qualities to look for when selecting a network marketing company.

These 10 characteristics are based on research put together by D.C. Falter Marketing, The University of Illinois Network Marketing Faculty, MLM Insider and Networking Times. By finding a company that has all of these qualities, you can feel assured that you will be getting involved in a company that will give you your best chance of achieving success.

Here is the list and how Shaklee stacks up:

1.) The founder of the company started the business for a purpose he or she was passionate about.

• Shaklee was founded by Dr. Forrest C. Shaklee in 1956 and was passionate about improving peoples' lives through better health and a more healthy home.

2.) The products are consumable. For example, if the company sold water it would meet this criteria as water is consumable. Vitamins are another very good example.

• All of Shaklee products are consumable - from vitamins, Cinch weight management products, Get Clean home products, and all healthy beauty products.

3.) A binary compensation plan is used. It is far easier to make passive income with a binary compensation plan.

• Shaklee does not use a binary compensation plan, but is a type of "stair-step" program which is often described as being driven by both product and performance.  This doesn't mean that binary plans are not good, they are just a different format. What is important is that the compensation plan is built around selling product, not recruiting new distributors for a fee.

4.) The company has a good reputation. Google it! Sketchy companies will have many negative comments written about them. Good companies will have more positives than negatives.

• Check it out and see for yourself. Because Shaklee has been successful for so many decades means that they are doing something right.

5.) The company has been in business for at least seven years.

• Shaklee was started in 1956 - over 50 years and growing.

6.) The industry the company is based in has a future not a past. Therefore, there is growing demand for the products. A good example would be products that serve the baby boomers (a growing segment).

• Shaklee is in the center of the nearly $1 trillion health and wellness industry, focusing on health and wellness, anti-aging, green products, nutrition and beauty, and home-based businesses.

7.) The company has exceptional training programs and marketing materials.

• Shaklee provides comprehensive training for all new distributors, such as the online Shaklee University. Training continues through local, regional, and global conferences. The most important training comes from your sponsor.

8.) The product or service is distributed through online systems.

• All distributors have a personal web site (PWS) which is used for processing all orders. No distributor needs to order, house, or ship products.

9.) The company prides itself on HELPING people not selling to people. Sketchy companies focus most of their energy on training you how to just recruit other distributors. Good companies focus on training you about their products and why they help people and how to help people achieve their goals.

• Shaklee likes to focus its products as designed to help individuals and their families live a healthier life while treating the planet well. Of course the most successful Shaklee distributors work on developing new business leaders, but their compensation is based on total product sold - not income from new memberships.

10.) The company has an exceptional product or service that people will want to recommend to their friends.

• You have to determine this for yourself. Our household has been using Shaklee products daily for over 20 years and we do not hesitate to refer others to these products.

Corporate America has becoming an increasingly accepting opportunity for members of the LGBT community. There are more and more companies that offer non-discrimination policies for sexual orientation and even benefits for partners. Co-workers and management can be supportive and allow gay and lesbian workers more freedom than in the past.

But being an open member of the LGBT community in the workforce can still be a tough situation. In some parts of the country it is more accepted than others.

What is a good alternative?

Becoming your own boss and building your own business has been a way for gay entrepreneurs to earn a good living and live their own lifestyle. But starting out on your own can be stressful, take an incredible amount of initiative and effort, and often requires a significant investment. One good opportunity we have discovered is to build a Shaklee business as an Independent Shaklee Distributor.

10 Reasons for Gay Entrepreneurs to Build a Shaklee Business:

1. You can be your own boss.

You will have flexibility in your time and schedule, deciding on the best use of your time. And you will have the opportunity to truly enjoy your work.

2. You can select your business partners.

When you decide to join Shaklee and start building your business you will be able to select the people you will be working with on a daily basis – no boss or company will tell you who your co-workers will be.

3. You get a choice in who are your customers.

In addition to having a choice in your business partners, you will also be able to have a say in who your customers are. You can promote Shaklee products to anyone so why not select people you like to see every day?

4. You can build a business promoting healthy products in the $350+ billion health and wellness industry.

Shaklee has been in business for over 50 years and is the number 1 natural nutrition company in the US. Shaklee is the first company in the world to be Climate Neutral™ certified. The Shaklee products are excellent quality and you will be genuinely helping others to live a more healthy lifestyle.

5. You will have the opportunity to promote three of the most valuable products for the LGBT community:

• Vivix Anti-Aging Formula
• Vitalizer Healthy Nutrition Supplements
• Nutriferon Immunity Boost

6. You can be rewarded based on your efforts.

The Shaklee program provides you with unlimited income potential. There are 7 ways to generate income and it one of the best in the industry. And importantly you will be recognized for your achievements

7. You can work in a supportive organization that values individual contribution

Instead of working for someone else, being constrained by the existing structure, you will be part of an organization that recognizes individuals based on contribution – not on who they are.

8. Becoming a Shaklee Independent Distributor does not require a large investment.

Starting as a GOLD Ambassador costs only $299, providing a $500+ value. There is no inventory, customer service, or transaction costs. And you can build your business online, giving you the chance to promote your business nationwide and even globally.

9. Shaklee provides comprehensive training to get started.

Shaklee is not looking for just sales people. We are looking for entrepreneurs. The training is extensive, including online and printed material. Shaklee University will give you the tools needed to business a successful business. And most importantly the person who sponsors your member will become your mentor.

10. Become part of the LGBT Shaklee “family”.

We all spend a tremendous portion of our time in our work. We feel that this time should be spent with positive individuals who want to work with us no matter what community we belong to. And at Shaklee we are working to build a large and successful LGBT network of distributors.

Does this sound interesting to you? Do you want to know more? We hope so and want to hear from you.

What’s next?

• Click here to learn more about Shaklee Products and the Shaklee Opportunity on our web site

• Check out our Green and Healthy Vitamin Supplements blog

• Sign up for our Shaklee Opportunity and Training Webinars

• View our Shaklee Videos on YouTube

• Follow us on Twitter

And most importantly you can Sign Up with Shaklee today!

You can always reach us to ask questions and get more information by going to our Shaklee web site and clicking on the CONTACT ME link at the top of each page.

We look forward to hearing from you soon!

“Your future life will be exactly what you decide to make it” – Dr. Forrest C. Shaklee

Find out more about the ingredients in Shaklee's Get Clean home product line.

This glossary includes general terms used in connection with the science behind Shaklee skin and hair care products, and an extensive listing of ingredients currently used in the Enfuselle®, Minerelles®, Meadow Blend®, and ProSanté® product lines.