I’ve had the privilege of being invited to the GMA Awards Night by friends who were receiving awards on that night. It was my first time attending a dinner hosted by an insurance company and I was really looking forward to it. I’ve always had an admiration for hard-working financial planners and network marketing entrepreneurs. It takes a lot of determination, perseverance, maturity and hard work to succeed in these businesses.

Despite the stereotyped reaction when someone presents me a business card that reads “your first step to financial freedom” or “millionaire seminar”, I cannot help but admire the kind of dedication they put into their work. It’s not just about selling a product or convincing their customers that their products are the best. Behind the scene, it takes hard work that translates to weekly seminars and trainings, long hours, extreme patience in follow-ups and in guiding your downlines, and personal sacrifices in exchange for building a long-term exponential business.

To me, apart from rewarding their members with recognition, A-list entertainers and superior 8-course banquet, a successful insurance or MLM function is one that can motivate their members to achieve greater heights and not be complacent with their current achievements. That’s why I like attending such functions. I’ll feel so charged up after that.  Of course, it’s also the perfect place for networking and meeting people from various industries and background. Their success stories can be so touching they’ll make you feel almost ashamed for being complacent.

My good friends whom I know I can always count on in good times and bad. They are professionals who work 9-5 everyday and still make time to lay the foundations in achieving financial freedom both for themselves and the people around them.

I used to be involved in Elken a few years back, doing it as a part-time business but treating it like it’s my full-time job. I attended weekly talks, trainings and stayed up late every night. I was touched by my upline and mentor’s patience and dedication. More so, I enjoyed the company of like-minded individuals and the support and encouragement from the team.  Some friends would wonder why I quit. I have my personal reasons but it’s certainly not because of their business model.

I believe in their business model. I think it’s a business model that works, but it requires a realignment of priorities and an open heart and mind to self improvement and empowerment. It’s a ‘people’ business, and although a person can change oneself, it’s the difficulty in managing your downlines that takes a bigger hurdle. Much of my perseverance in my own business today is due to the lessons I’ve learnt from my uplines and other successful fellow Elkenians whose tears and sweat are a testimony that nothing comes easy in this world. You’ve got to work hard and work smart to be successful. My upline Max always told me, “There is no such thing as easy money. MLM is not easy. It’s tough. But you gain double even triple the amount earned if you put the same amount of work and time as you do in your office job.”

The friends I’ve met and the lessons I’ve learnt from the education seminars and advice from businessmen are invaluable. Even if you are not there for the business, join Elken for their education system – it will help you improve your health, beauty, communication and business skills (I’m not paid to say this. Just from a personal point of view).

When I attended GMA Awards Night, it brought back some memories of sitting with my upline, sidelines and downlines at mamak stalls discussing on technical difficulties, getting encouragement from one another and listening to advice from new found friends who are ever willing to share regardless of whether my success will benefit them.

In every business, there would be hustlers and bullshitters, people who would take you for a ride and then disappear when somethine goes wrong or superficial young individuals yearning to earn fast money. It’s these people that spoil the reputation of multi-million dollar industries such as financial planning and network marketing. For every newcomer, my advise is to survey the market first before diving in. Educate yourself by attending every company’s workshops and seminars. Participate in their functions to get a feel of their culture. Understand their business models. Find out about the kind of support that you will get. Research their products. Don’t be fooled by flashy cars. Don’t get talked down by some members who make you feel inferior that you are not earning as much as them (or at least pretend to be). Don’t be pressured into buying products or packages that is beyond what you can afford. Don’t be tempted by the dollar signs of how much you can earn. More importantly, you’ve got to love what you sell and trust the business partners (uplines) whom you will be working with.

After all, it is a business and it would be your business to build. So, as with every business start-ups; research, calculate, analyse. Once you’ve decided, zerolise yourself, become a student again, learn and follow the system diligently.

As they say, 99% of the world’s wealth belong to 1% of the entire population. Are you among the 1% ?