Lisa Skelley was raised in a home of self-starting entrepreneurs yet, graduating from Sonoma State University, she entered the workforce as a traditional employee. She quickly discovered that she wanted to dictate when she worked and took time off. She wanted more control of her time, life and income.

Lisa went on to create numerous businesses including a consulting business, massage practice, a cleaning business. Currently she owns and operates an Excavating Company with her husband and has her own distribution business in the Network Marketing profession.

Lisa believes in following your heart and your calling in life, and is passionate about helping people find and create a life in which dreams become real. She aspires to re-educate people about the power of residual income and to promote multi-level marketing as a viable and wise option for creating financial freedom and the life of your dreams. Enjoy her exclusive Business Heroine interview…

BH: When did you realize you were an entrepreneur? Tell us your story!

Lisa: I’ve dabbled at many things from waitressing, retail, counseling, entertaining, a cleaning business and more. I realized I wanted more freedom and more control of my time, so I started freelance work as far back as in high school in 1970.

I quickly developed my own businesses ranging from painted T-shirts, crocheted bathing suits, and my own massage practice. My husband and I have excavating business that we started 17 years ago, and I now have a network marketing business that I love.

BH: How did you discover the industry of network marketing?

Lisa: Eight years ago my girlfriend called me and asked if I know anyone that would like to make some extra money from home. I said, “Yes, me!” That was the beginning and now I absolutely LOVE the networking industry. I love the residual income. I love how anyone can succeed in this business, no matter their background. I love that for an insanely low start-up cost, you can make millions.

BH: Network marketing industry sometimes gets a bad rap. What’s the deal with that, and can you set us straight?

Lisa: Well at one point in the early history of network marketing, there were some pyramid schemes floating around that gave the industry a bad name. There was confusion about what was and what was not legitimate network marketing.

Eventually, Amway went to court, and it was defined that a legitimate network marketing business was one where you actually sold a product to end line users AND you are able to make more money than the upline people above you, earning on performance.

BH: When building your business, what do you look for in team members?

Lisa: Someone who has success in life but wants more. Someone who won’t settle, but is willing to do the work to go the distance. This is not “get-rich-quick” money but, if you stick to it, the pay out is enormous.

It is about leveraging. Successful network marketing professionals tend to be gutsy, can work alone, and are great team workers as well. They do not need to reinvent the wheel – they can just plug into the system and coach others how to duplicate the system.

BH: What is the biggest mistake people make when choosing a network marketing company?

Lisa: The biggest mistake is not checking out the opportunity to really see if it is a good fit. When you go to buy a house or a car you look at what fits you and your needs. I wish people would do this when it comes to choosing the right network marketing opportunity but, typically, most people get in because their friend has them in front of a presentation, and they say yes.

Research the opportunity and ask questions – Is the product you are going to market in alignment with who you are? Does the company have integrity? What are the values and reputation of the owners? Is it a start up or is there a track record? How do you get paid? Is the compensation plan distributor-friendly? Does the company have a support system and training?

Simply choosing wisely in the first place would avoid a lot of people wasting time going down the wrong path for them.

BH: What advice do you have for the Business Heroines out there considering network marketing as a career path?

Lisa: Check more companies out. If you are considering this as a career then look at who’s in your marketplace. Look at the compensation plan and if there are hoops to jump through to get paid a decent amount of money.

Find out how you have to stay qualified to get paid. Find out your monthly obligation in selling products, in your autoship, and in the numbers of team members you are required to have active.

How big is the matching bonus? How do they train you and how do they support your growing business? Do they terminate you if you sell another product? What about the products? Are they top quality and something you personally could love?

Remember, think long-term and if the particular opportunity fits you. That’s most important.

To learn more about Lisa and network marketing, visit: LisaSkelley.com

February 2014 Issue