Jorge Munoz knew since he was a teenager that he wanted to own his own business. Like many entrepreneurs, his path was a meandering one filled with failures and successes.
In Cuba, he opened his first martial arts studio, fulfilling his dream and supporting his love of teaching. But times were tough for small businesses then and economics forced him to shut his doors and find another income source.
He then earned a computer science degree, hoping to put his analytical mind to use in business. But he found working for someone else frustrating, and the entrepreneurial drive was pushing him again.
Answering the entrepreneurial spirit
He moved to Miami and opened another martial arts studio, only to battle another sluggish economy. He closed after only six months. After that, he put his entrepreneurial dream on hold and worked in construction.
“I was working 80 hours a week, seven days a week at a job I didn’t even like,” Jorge said. “Overtime was mandatory. I had no time for my family and friends. I wasn’t enjoying my life.”
At one point during his second attempt at a martial arts academy, a cousin told him about the Amway opportunity, but he chose to focus on his academy.
Toiling long hours as a construction worker, however, changed his mindset. The next time he heard about Amway – when someone approached his wife with the opportunity – his interest was piqued.
“I accompanied her to a meeting and realized it was the same thing my cousin was doing,” he said. “While the business person in me saw that it was a good business opportunity, I was still not ready.”
Open for business
He did encourage his wife, Magaly Fernandez, to try it, however, and he watched her start to bring in extra money. His business mind kicked in and he started researching.
“I didn’t want to go by what other IBOs said. I needed to come to my own decision,” he said. “Without fail, everything I read made sense to me.
“Amway was at the top of the list, and the products were top of the line. I saw the business plan working and couldn’t turn the opportunity away again.”
He went to the next meeting with his wife and it sealed the deal. “A leader explained the business in a very analytical way. He was a numbers person, like I am,” Jorge said. “He talked about the hard work and great rewards.
“It really spoke to my entrepreneurial spirit, especially because Magaly and I could build a business together.”
And with a low startup cost, he couldn’t go wrong.
“With my martial arts studios, I needed tens of thousands of dollars just to open the doors,” he said, “and then I had to be there morning to night. It was very difficult.”
With Amway, Jorge was in business for only $62.
“At that point, Amway was undeniable for me.”
An entrepreneur and a teacher
Together, Jorge and Magaly have built a successful, sustainable business. And as a bonus, Jorge found a new outlet for his love of teaching.
“In my academies, I loved teaching others to better themselves physically and emotionally,” he said. “Now I teach IBOs to be better in business. It’s become my purpose.”
Jorge loves the fact that Amway values the whole person, emphasized by its Founders Fundamentals: freedom, family, hope and reward.
“In traditional business, it can become very competitive,” he said. “In my Amway business, I succeed only when others do. I respect that.”
Meet other Amway Independent Business Owners with an entrepreneurial spirit.
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The average monthly Gross Income for “active” IBOs was USD $207 (in the U.S.)/CAD $186 (in Canada). Approximately 48% of IBOs in the U.S., and 52% of IBOs in Canada, were “active.”
IBOs were considered “active” in months in 2016 when they attempted to make a retail sale, or presented the Amway IBO Compensation Plan, or received bonus money, or attended an Amway or IBO meeting. If someone sustained that level of activity every month for a whole year, their annualized Gross Income would be $2,484 (U.S.)/$2,232 (Canada). Of course, not every IBO chooses to be active every month. “Gross Income” means the amount received from retail sales, minus the cost of goods sold, plus monthly bonuses and cash incentives. It excludes all annual bonuses and cash incentives, and all non-cash awards, which may be significant. There may also be significant business expenses, mostly discretionary, that may be greater in relation to income in the first years of operation. For the purposes of the calculation in Canada, individuals who were IBOs for less than the entire year in 2016 were excluded.
Before registering as an Independent Business Owner (IBO) powered by Amway, you should read and understand the AMWAY™ Business Overview Brochure, which contains important information for those interested in becoming IBOs.
