#1.  Network Marketing is a great business venue for someone going or coming through divorce.  Besides the obvious of increases their income (I've never yet met a person who was better off financially because of a divorce) - the mlm industry is a great place to hang out with positive people!  Most marketers have goals and like to assist others on their journey to success.  This environment is awesome, particularly for those whose divorce is messy and dragging on the emotions.

That is all back drop to convey what I discovered upon entering YWAM, Youth With A MIssion.  Everyone in YWAM raises their own support!  It has been that way from its conception by Loren Cunningham and continues that way for almost 50 years now. 

Another organization, Campus Crusade for Christ, has a different philosophy, and provides some training, but nothing as good or thorough as can be provided by good mlm training.

It was in this light and experience I went about to create a web site that would provide solid support raising strategies and training for those young people coming into YWAM - particularly those who wanted to make missions a career choice.  After a few weeks of transitioning what I know to be effective and fruitful sales training into the sphere of the missionary I created this site to asist any missionary that raises their own support:

Click here to take Home Based Business Aptitude Quiz

Home Based Business Success Aptitude Test - Are strong leadership skills needed for home business success?

Four basic areas of skill are needed for success in a home based business:  technical areas, personality, leadership, and sales skills.  You don’t have to be a master of everything, but a “Jack of all trades” is certainly a plus - including leadership skills.

When looking at leadership skills, there are aspects that can be cultivated.  Some aspects of leadership are subjective, and thus more difficult to get better at - like charisma.  But most people come to the table with a certain level and experience in leadership, but these areas can grow.

These areas can include:

*Communication Skills - Both verbal and written.

*Teamwork - This would include the ability to work with others, particularly in a leadership capacity.

*Decision Making - Entrepreneurs need to be able to make good decisions quickly, and the confidence needed to do it.

*Entrepreneurial - People want to follow others who have creative ideas and energy.

*Problem Solving - The ability to navigate the maze of home business growth.

*Risk taking - Calculated risk taking, including investment, is essential for home business success.  Many people just aren’t willing to risk and thus are not well adapted for business ownership.

The quiz measures these areas.

Home Based Business Success Aptitude Test - What type of personality is better suited for a home business entrepreneur?

The four basic areas of competency needed for success in a home based business are  technical areas, personality, leadership, and sales skills.  It is not necessary to be an expert in every arena, or actually in any of them, but it is essential that a satisfactory level of skill is achieved in each.

Although any personality type can be successful at business, there are certain types of characteristics that lend themselves to someone who is wanting to start a home business.  In pioneering and developing a new business by having more aggressive or extraverted characteristics  lends towards greater effectiveness. 

These areas include:

*Teachable:  Some people enjoy learning.  Those who do hold greater potential for success at a home business.  There is much to learn and master as a home business owner. 

*Outgoing:  There are introverts and extroverts.  When someone is more extraverted, certain aspects of building a business will come easier and quicker.

*Goal Oriented:  Many people are content, and that is not a bad thing.  Others are more than willing to let others lead and be supportive, that also is not a bad thing.  Being goal oriented is better for those who want to pioneer a home based business. 

*Optimistic:  Those who see the glass half full rather than half empty will tend to be more successful in owning their own business.  There are discouraging days in business.  It is like riding a roller coaster, and business builder will tell you that.  If you are one that generally has a positive attitude it is more likely you will survive the down times.

*Persistent:  This personality characteristic is essential.  Building a business is often one step forward, and two steps back.  Those with a stick-to-it attitude will fair better than those who tend to throw in the towel in the face of resistance.

*Disciplined:  Although similar to persistent, this characteristic needs to be strong in a home business entrepreneur.  Discipline to the activities that are required to build a business need to occur during all times, days, weeks and seasons - the challenging ones, AND the good days.  Some drop the ball in lack of discipline during the positive and growing seasons.

The article is published - click here. 

This question is a tough one for mlm success training, with no "cut & paste" answers since every home, marriage, and situation is different.  Having said that, there are some guiding principles that can help navigate these dangerous waters.

#1.  Always be totally honest.  Lies or deception about your involvement with network marketing will not help.  (Ex:  Telling your spouse you are going out with friends when it really is a meeting connected to your business.)  (Ethical side note:  If you have been building your MLM business by spreading the one or some of the 7 Lies Ann Sieg addresses, it is a slippery slope than, even for a sincere Christian, to be less than honest in other aspects of their business.)

#2.  Work your business "smart."  If your loved one(s) are extremely negative, try to work your business in such a way that it will not impact their lives.  (Ex:  Set up a desk in your bedroom instead of the TV room.)

#3.  Set goals and deadlines, and share them with your loved ones.  When they see you are taking your business seriously and are willing to be accountable, they may become more supportive. 

Ex:  When my first company started to head south and my income dropped a few years back, my wife wanted me to go out and get a "real job."  It was a stressful time for both of us.  With the help of some godly counselors (who were mostly on her side) I set some goals and promised her I would seek a job outside of network marketing if my goals were not being met.  yes - I made my goals - and now we are both happy I did!  (For more on the Renegade System principles I used to find success in two different companies, follow this link to Renegade System and Renedage University.)

#4.  Reward them.  Be creative in bringing them into the business.  This works especially well with children when you ALL share a reward when you achieve a certain goal, or get a specific bonus.  Let them be a part.  I have seen mlmers do this, and kids who were once opposed to their work, now happily provide time and even house work so Mom or Dad can work their business! Ex:  When you make the level of super-duper-manager you will all take the fun vacation you've wanted!

#5.  Follow your heart.  You probably noticed this advice applies to men or women.  I am not of the opinion that a spouse has to blindly "obey" their partner.  The overall scriptural exhortation in marriage is to be submissive to one another.  (If you are the wife of a controlling husband with a religious spirit - you are in a difficult place; BUT you should no more forsake the calling on your life than you should obey him if he wanted you to cheat on your taxes or lie to your parents.  Make sure you are called to what you are doing, and pray hard for wisdom.  One-on-One mlm coaching may help also.)

#6.  Retreat is not giving up.  Sometimes a retreat is the only logical step to preserve a potential win in a war.  Battles can be lost, with the war still winnable.  You may need to take a season to scale back your network marketing, or let it go completely for a season.    Don't toss in the towel though - set up some agreed upon parameters of what needs to happen in the family for you to pick the business back up or full steam ahead again in the future. 

#7.  Seek the Lord.  The Bible is very clear that we as Jesus' disciples can hear the voice of the Lord.  When you get clear direction from Him, it will come with the grace, wisdom, and love to see you through, and provide the confidence and posture needed to stand strong. 

Disharmony and lack of unity can be heart wrenching.  I remember going to a sales training seminar for network marketers years ago when I lived near Chicago.  Overall they had some good stuff, but when it came to spouses, it was horrible.  Basically they taught how to overcome the objection of someone saying they needed to talk to their spouse first before they could join your business.  In this case the trainers were promoting disunity with heavy handed sales techniques.  Deception and forcing yourself on your spouse or family is never the answer, either at the start or at any season in your business.

If you find your strife in your house over your network marketing business in the season, ask the Lord to examine YOUR heart, and how you can work your business and communicate with your family in more effective and loving way.  Seek godly counsel.  Pray hard.  God can and does change hearts - I've had it happen in my marriage, and have helped others see it through with theirs.

Blessings,

Coach Curt