I'm in my late 40's now and I have been helping others for 20 years now. Much of my experience has been in traditional network marketing - with every kind of product imaginable.

Michael speaking to a network marketing organization in Albuquerque NM

During the mid to late 90's I was blessed with much success. I was publicly recognized with awards for my contributions to the overall success of the membership. I traveled for speaking engagements and also conducted "live" motivational/training calls twice weekly for over 2 years straight. Many people experienced life changing results through our efforts and I felt fortunate just to be a part of it.

In addition, I recorded several motivational/training audio tapes (yes, we still used tape back then). These recordings were credited with massively expanding the membership of that particular company. I was actually stunned when something I recorded in my Dining Room eventually sold over 500,000 copies.

I'll wrap this up by saying that after a couple years "off" to raise my daughter, I re-entered the home-based business arena with a renewed passion and drive to help others. I learned long ago that the more I help you make, the more I make. Is that selfish? I don't think so. Just a proven fact of life if you want to build a successful sales force in any business.

To be more specific, when I started my "home based business" adventure, it was out of desperation. Like most people, I was in a tight spot facing a dismal future and knew that if I didn't do something different - something more - I was doomed to never having more than I did at that time. It was NOT a very pleasant time in my life. Many people choose to simply give up. I chose to do something about it.

Michael speaking at a large national sales convention in Dallas, TX Michael with his daughter, Brittany after speaking at a national convention.

To be honest, I started like many people - chain letters, direct mail offers and gifting programs. Back then there were no home computers or internet. I relied on magazines and snail-mail to get my info. It was a tragedy in the making, that's for sure. I knew nothing. I had desire and drive - but no real sense of direction.

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You guessed it. I suffered terrible losses - went further into debt - and got nowhere fast. However, I've always tried to take away something positive from every experience. If you can learn, you can turn a failure into a "step" that takes you down the path toward your true goals.

Probably the most important thing I took away from these trial periods was contacts. Yes, contacts. Getting to know solid, informed, experienced people around the country and developing long term friendships. Many of those are still intact today. Of course, we meet a lot of dirt bags along the way - people with unethical or self-centered methods. It's the nature of business. Yet, I feel fortunate to have been able to sift through those to find a few gems. Genuine, honest, hard working folks with sincere intentions. Together, we've grown over the years.

So, that would be the primary advice I could give anyone. Regardless of what you do or how successful you are - nurture and develop relationships along the way. Don't be afraid to ask for help. Learn from others. Imitate the successes. Share your results with others who will eventually look TO YOU for the same assistance. To me, that's the epitome of networking. Not the business - the people. Networking our knowledge and experiences for mutual benefit.

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Michael with Stephanie Powers in Orlando FL after production of a promotional video they both appeared in.

Michael and production executive, leaving the Four Seasons Hotel in Hollywood, CA heading for the studio to film a promotional video with (not pictured) Carnie Wilson of Wilson Phillips.

With the 90's behind me - and the nasty divorce - I spent nearly 6 years running a successful real estate office right here in Murphy, NC. Unfortunately, with the crash of the real estate market, I found myself moving on once again.

After that, I opened and ran a small wholesale store for a while before getting back into sales. A short stint in furniture sales was profitable - but boring. So, I moved on to get my licenses in several areas of the insurance industry and went to work for a large, 120 year old financial giant. This too, was both challenging and rewarding. However, as we all know, the economic upheaval and financial collapses of the last couple years have changed the face of all money-related businesses.

About the time I found my insurance business slipping away, I started dabbling on the computer again. This time, I would write. I would create. I would use my imagination.

I would find a way to entertain through words.

Here's hoping you enjoy the results!

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