Congratulations! You are just getting started in a venture that can change your life. It will take both effort and belief to insure your dream.

Your first challenge might be to overcome the influence of others; there might be those who are critical of your dream of building a future in Shaklee. Sometimes these are the people closest to you. Those closest to us are not always the best at offering support and encouragement.

The following are true examples of people who had a dream but faced the obstacle of criticism from others. I found the following quotes in UNSTOPPABLE, by Cynthia Kersey which contains stories of people who are powerful examples of perseverance and triumph.

"Liquidate the business right now and recoup whatever cash you can. If you don't, you'll end up penniless.” —The attorney of cosmetic tycoon Mary Kay Ash, weeks before she opened her first store

"It's a cutthroat business and you've got no chance of success.” —Accountant for Estee Lauder, founder of a multibillion dollar cosmetics Empire

"You can't play the piano, and God knows you can't sing. You'd better learn how to weave chairs so you can support yourself.” —A comment by Ray Charles' teachers

"You're foolish to try to sell sparkling water in the land of Coca-Cola drinkers.” —Advice given to Gustave Lenen by several consulting firms' when hearing about his plans to launch Perrier in the United States

"A global, twenty-four-hour news network will never work.” —Network executive's response to Ted Turner's plan for CNN

"There's no market for it. If there were, major airlines would already be offering it. You won't be able to find reliable couriers.” —Conclusion of advisors to Fred Smith, founder of Federal Express

In the 30 plus years I have been in Shaklee I have seen thousands of people come into Shaklee. The saddest thing I've seen is when high potential people lose their dream due to one critical comment by a friend, relative or acquaintance.

I heard the same comments when I decided to build a Shaklee business, but the people being critical had never been in the business and knew absolutely nothing.

"You went to college for 6 years and you're going to do that?”

"Why don't you get a real job?”

I made up my mind to find what was true and what wasn't. I wasn't going to allow friends, relatives or anyone else to steal my dream. I had a job, but I wanted a future. Here are the four questions I needed to answer:

• Is it true about this company?
• Is it true about the products?
• Is it true about the system of distribution?
• Is it true that people earn excellent incomes?

In my quest, I used the Shaklee products, interviewed Shaklee leaders, attended Shaklee meetings, observed the many successful Shaklee leaders in our community and concluded the Shaklee story was real. I ignored the well meaning people who didn't understand the tremendous potential in Shaklee.

Your dream is most vulnerable immediately after you decide to explore getting involved with the Shaklee business. Make a wise decision based on facts, not a decision based on what other uniformed people think, even though they may be important people in your life.

To keep your dream alive, pursue activities which will strengthen your belief system and minimize your vulnerabilities.

• Evaluate the products
• Host a product event in your home where your sponsor will make a presentation of Shaklee Products
• Arrange appointments where your sponsor will present the opportunity
• Attend meetings and ask questions
• Study the compensation plan
• Focus on possibilities in order to overcome negativity
• Avoid negative people

The promise of a future is an awesome thing. Your job is to find out what is true for you so you can begin your very exciting Shaklee future.

    —Gary and Faye Burke