Selfish Philanthropy

Thursday morning started earlier than normal for me.

For over 15 years, I’ve been blessed to live the great life of a networker.

Although I don’t wake to the sound of an alarm clock because I have to go to a job, one of my greatest blessings as I’ve built my Direct Sales and Network Marketing businesses has been to be available to my family. Every day, almost without fail, I get up early and make sure my family is ready to start their day.. at school, work, in their business endeavors. Trust me, some mornings, it’s hard to be an early bird when at heart you are a night owl!

Could I sleep in? For sure, but I have the FREEDOM TO CHOOSE! And I choose to put my family first!

This Thursday, however, I rose an hour earlier than my usual 6 am. I had bribed (literally) my high-school-aged daughter to let me take her to school early and headed off to a business networking meeting, starting at 7 am.

I knew I had a long day ahead of me – I had scheduled appointments with new and current representatives and prospects all the way through until my final appointment at 9 pm and was excited for a busy and rewarding day.

I entered the conference room of the bank at which the networking event was hosted and smelled the fresh coffee waiting for me! Good start, I thought!

I mingled among the early morning guests, introducing myself and meeting new friends.

As the event began, everyone had an opportunity to introduce themselves and their businesses.

I was prepared, ready to share a great lifestyle Magazine about income freedom and some samples with all my new networking friends.

As the introductions went around the room, I heard people sharing, with varying levels of presentation skills, about their business. Some more casual, some practically climbing on top of the table with enthusiasm for their product or opportunity.

I listened, hearing many familiar sincere declarations and industry catch-phrases and thought a bit more about what I would say.

Half way through the bakers’ dozen, it was my turn. Like many people there, I had more than one interest in my business life. An established, successful business that has provided me with a great income, the free cruises and trips, recognition and awards that come along with being at the top of your game, and a newer adventure, already well on it’s way to surprising personal growth and success.

I shared a bit as I passed around some of the magazines and my Avon Brochures(labeled with my contact info of course) and some product samples (labeled as well) and then moved into a concept I had been contemplating for some time.

What exactly do I do?, I mused aloud to the group? I’m a business and personal coach… like some of you here have said you do as a fulltime career. And I share some fantastic products that people love and benefit from all across the country.

We may start off in our business thinking we are an upline, but as we impact individuals’ lives and help them move from the point of entry into our business towards success in their life and career, we become much more.

Coach, Cheerleader, Mentor, Friend, Leader, Teacher, Workout Partner, Nag, and so much more .. we impact the lives of those around us more than we may think!

It’s been said that Network Marketing is a great personal development journey with a bonus check attached.

That couldn’t be more true.

We give of our knowledge, experience, compassion, time and resources freely to help other people change their lives and fulfill their dreams of personal and professional achievement and freedom.

And in return – and in proportion to how much value we provide in peoples’ personal and business growth, our companies pay us a bonus. The better we do at providing value, the more we can earn.

So… are we generous? Giving our all to all who ask… rejoicing with the few who are brave enough to change their attitudes, their actions and their lives… and sadly watching the many …. who are unable or unwilling to do what it takes to achieve success… but continuing our mission regardless to impact lives –

Or… are we selfish? As we give, exponentially our income grows. As our influence impacts others for good and they duplicate and expand their sphere of influence, our bonus checks grow! And the more we teach others, the more we can earn with the right compensation plan and company!

I guess it’s a little of both. I call it Selfish Philanthropy. Works for me.

My new networking group seemed to like my story - and they loved the samples I brought to share.

I told them, I’ll tell them another great story the next time we get together. And, as they asked for, maybe bring some more samples. That got smiles all around. I love the Freedom of being a Rich Networker!

Wanna Explode Your Avon Leadership Business?

People come to me all the time and say things like: "Man, you're so lucky" or "How did you do it? How did you build such a big business?" or " Yeah, of course, YOU can do it, You're Sue Mazza, but I don't know if I could do it..."


And am I lucky? Yes.. lucky to have had great mentors and great opportunities. Lucky that God gives me the strength each day to pick myself up when I fall and get back on track! I always laugh when people say I'm lucky, cause it's true.. the harder I work, the luckier I get.
I love the money, the trips, and the friends I've made! How many people can say they run a 2.5 million dollar business from home? It's a good feeling at the end of the day!


But, how did I do it? What's the SECRET? More importantly, how can YOU DO IT?
The REAL KEY is... and I had to really internalize this for myself... so, I will use myself as the example.


The KEY is that it is Not about me qualifying for a title, or a prize or a trip or a new level, it is about helping people on my team, at all levels, develop into leaders and advance in the business. By focusing on those who want to move forward (and that can change from day to day!), I can help them move onto a path of personal development and skill development so they develop the skills and the belief they need to Get and STAY moving in the right direction. It's all about helping them find their "whys" and helping them to dream to achieve them. Otherwise, if it's all about "me", all I do is recruit and replace people on my team and never begin to build deep and wide.


Does this seem like an easy answer? It may be, but in order to get there, I had to first work harder on me than anyone else and it's the honest to goodness truth,. because no one will work hard for little reward at the beginning unless they have an overwhelming desire... to achieve a goal, a dream, become something more. To keep working when the money's not coming in as fast as you want because you BELIEVE there is a great future coming at you. At the beginning, you're learning how to become successful, and the great thing is, in our business, you can earn a little money while you are learning! And the faster you can help others, the faster that freight train of success starts barrelling towards you!


All the rest is just strategy and tactics.. which boils down to three things.. the three R's (Thanks, Mike) Retail, Recruiting and Retention. That's the bottom line. And if you and I could get every leader on our team to internalize this, then, in fact, you and I will always be at the top of the payplan, looking for new people to help join us at the top!