Category: Live your dream and be your own boss

Too Good To Be True?

No Limits Sign

I am sure you have heard the phrase, “If it seems to good to be true, it probably is.”  My generation has grown up hearing that phrase. But today, this is not necessarily the case. More than ever are we seeing growing opportunities for entrepreneurs. Maybe this is because many of us are tired of the “uncertainty” that lies within corporate jobs these days. “Who is going to be the next group to be downsized? ”

Perhaps people are tired of spending half of their day commuting to a job that may pay well, but that is taking them away from family time. “Working for my family but never seeing my family? “ That seems to be a common theme.  Perhaps some of us are tired of working ‘our all’ just to help someone else make all the money. Whatever the reason is, there are home based businesses out there that are “tried and true.”

Don’t get me wrong. Success  doesn’t happen over night and magically you are making millions. Everything takes practice, dedication and work.  But with the proper choice in business and the right attitude, you have no limits. YOU, are entirely up to you.

Usually my blogs do not promote a particular company, but today I want to share a bit about my ‘side gig.’  Why? Because people DO think it is too good to be true and I want to share the gift that has been given to me.  I was lucky enough to listen and learn when people pitched ideas to me.  I was lucky enough to see the business opportunity  in front of me when it was presented. I was able to start a home based business, fully up and running with a website and product for under $1000.00 in five minutes. My only regret is not having started sooner.  My slow decision was probably due to the fear of what ‘others might think.’ So when you are looking at something that you think is too good to be true, STOP, THINK, LISTEN…and just maybe you can find your plan B.

  • Listen to the opportunity-what is 30 minutes out of your day ? It is nothing if you consider you are about to hear about something that may change your life!
  • Do some research. Ask questions and review the company profile.
  • Consider the ‘buy in’ and the product. Is there a valid, branded product to stand behind?
  • Don’t worry about what other people think. If you want to go for it go for it. The only regrets are the chances we never took.
  • Can you start earning immediately?
  • Are there policies and procedures?
  • Do you need to have inventory at home or is it internet based?
  • Do you need a support team to execute your plan?

These are just a few of the questions I would ask. But in the end, what have you got to lose?I was lucky enough to learn about Rodan & Fields and I have been an Independent consultant for over a year. I have been supplementing my income from where ever I am-at home, on vacation, at my day job and anywhere!.  I am running my business from my phone and it is a blast!

My final point, have a BLAST! You need to LOVE what you are doing. I am lucky enough to be having fun while I work this business. And so, as  I know “it is entirely up to me” to be a success, I have decided to put more time into this side gig year two. And you know what-I am making money and learning a lot about business.  Some of what I learn with my side gig has helped me be even better at my main gig. So, the next time someone presents an opportunity to you that seems ” TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE,” the time has come to take a listen and learn. You may just find your PLAN B!

 

 

You Are Entirely Up To You, A Journey Worth Taking

 

FB_IMG_1513649356967.jpg

I love that quote! Think about it. What does it mean to you? For me, it is so empowering.  It reminds me that anything IS possible in this life we have been blessed with. This  quote says when you travel life’s road you will be given choices. How you look at these choices and react is up to you. This is how I live my life every day. I am 53 and the possabilities are endless .

Think about this. If you have the ability to imagine something in your mind that you want-  and you can see it as a target- then the dream is possible.   What you do next is THAT which will define you. Your next step IS entirely up to you. It is up to you to create a plan to achieve your goals.

And think about your journey. This  road trip will have some twists and turns, but that is what makes a trip fun. No one wants to drive on a straight road for hours with nothing to see! BORING. It IS the twists and turns that make us look forward to what lies ahead .

This road trip may have some detours or roadblocks along the way . No one said this would be easy.  How you react to the  roadblocks – that will be your defining moment.

  • So you can  be “Debby Dreamer” and stare out the window just sight seeing hoping something magical will appear.
  • You can be a “Betty Blamer” and find every reason why you can’t or haven’t reached your final destination.
  • You can be “Negative Nancy” and focus only on the bumps in the road- poor me, nothing goes,my way. It figures there is a road block-nothing is ever easy .

Or you can simply  rise to the occasion.  Make a plan and when you hit a roadblock adjust the journey. Look at the “hiccup ” as an opportunity to see more sights.  The roadblock is just a means for you to  find another way around to your end point . You might have to back track a bit and regain your bearings, but that is how you learn.

If you can realize that every day you make a choice of who you  are going to be and that “You are entirely up to you, ” life’s journey will never be a disappointment.

 

 

Choices

Screenshot_20180306-093729

Deciding to cut the ties from your steady eddy job and venture forward with an unknown future business is brave and frightening all at once. But even more challenging is overcoming the fear of making the right choice.  Fear of failure …Fear of scrutiny from your family and friends…Fear that you are starting  too late . Well it is never too late, you will always meet resistance and naysayers and you could fail. But the real failure is in giving into your fears and not focusing on your dreams.

More and more people are out there working home based businesses and touting their benefits.  We are the champions ! We are the people who dare to do more ! So, how do you choose?

I will tell you how I chose and how many people go about their new journey.

  • Have an open mind and listen to all opportunitues.  Not only will you learn about the company, you will get experience on the do’s and don’ts of a product presentation .
  • Look into the leaders in the company . Who are they ? What is their track record?
  • Look at the numbers. What is the company grossing? How much have they grown? What is the future growth opportunity?
  • Look at the product itself and reviews . Remember there are never going to be perfect reviews . Weigh the good and the bad.
  • Then look at support . Success does not happen overnight . It might look that way but it comes from work and dedication . Will you have the support and tools to succeed?

This is what I did when I joined the Rodan +Fields  team. I had already run my own business for 9 years. I was looking for supplemental and renewable income with a group of really fun people, a product I could stand behind and a means to make more money but share the wealth . I also wanted to keep my overhead low. This works for me!

I can work anywhere from my phone any time and I do not have to have inventory in my home .

Think about what you have a passion for. “You are entirely up to you” – unknown author

To learn more go to my two websites:

Www.aesthetics360.com and clapointe.myrandf.com

You Have Brains in Your Head. “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. ” – Dr.Seuss

18684Words to live by from one of my favorite and timeless authors. Dr. Seuss may not have realized how often we all need to be reminded of our endless possibilities. We forget that we steer our ship. We are responsible for the direction we take  because we  are the people who make the choices. Now the choices in front of us may not always be fantastic but we always have a choice.

As someone who has been in business for myself for well over 8 years I know how complex and scary some of the choices are that are put before us as entrepreneurs.

1. Should I bring on a partner or stay solo?

2. Who can I trust? Who should I not trust?

3. Do I need a line of credit or do I get investors?

4. How will I support my family if I lose a client ? To be my own boss or work for someone else?

6. Who’s pitch do I listen to? There are so many.

7. Should I just go back to my corporate life or do I stick it out ?

Choices are boundless.  But that is a great thing. That means no matter what we do we have an opportunity to learn from the last choice and then take another step with our feet in our shoes and choose again!

The key is to embrace the fear of the unknown and know you can steer your ship.  The key us to be open to opportunities so your choices expand. The key is to use the brains in your head combined with imagination and faith and the know future possibilities are endless.

Take a look at some if the most successful people in history. They steered their ship.

Look up President Abraham Lincoln and you will see how many times he failed before being elected president.

Walt Disney was fired from the Kansas City Star in 1919 because his editor said he “lacked imagination.”

Vera Wang failed to make the 1968 U.S. Olympic figure skating team. Then she became the editor at Vogue, but was passed over for the editor in chief position. She began designing wedding gowns at age 40 and has a business worth over 1 billion.

I look forward to watching you steer your ship or joining you in that adventure! Keep me posted! I will do the same!

“I am not what happened to me. I am what I choose to become.” – unknown

20180111_210137You can live your life watching opportunities pass you by, blaming everyone else and every situation you experience as the reason you have not achieved your dreams. Or, you can learn from experience and accept all that happens as one step closer to achieving your dreams.  I choose the latter.  I control my destiny. That doesn’t mean times have not been tough on this road to being the CEO of me. Of course it has. I would be lying if I told you the last 9 years have been smooth sailing. But what I can tell you is that I have learned to be open to new adventures. I have embraced networking. I assume “no” is a given and I move forward. It will take you sometimes 100 No’s to get one Yes, but when it happens, the feeling of success is so sweet! So if you have dreams of working for yourself then make them a reality. Be prepared to put in the effort because contrary to popular belief success does not happen over night but it does come to those who work every night putting in the effort.

When you are ready to start a new path, I am here to help! Looking forward to partnering in business with you! Cheers!

Christine Lapointe, Co- Founder Aesthetics360,LLC

Independant Consultant Rodan+Fields

Entrepre