Many people will recall trips to Florida and with visions of fabulous vacations or spring break getaways. Martin Wang recalls a visit to Orlando, Florida, that changed his life.
It was 2006 and Martin had just returned home to Houston, Texas, from his U.S. Navy assignment in the Middle East. He had been offered another three-year assignment in Hawaii and was trying to decide what to do.
“It was a big decision,” he said. “By this time, the economy was not good. My dad challenged me to think beyond a military career—he knew I didn’t want that for myself.
“I remember him asking me, ‘Why give your life to something you don’t see a future in?’ I couldn’t argue with him.”
‘I admit it, I was rebellious’
His parents had found success with Amway while he was stationed overseas and had often suggested he give it a try, but he always resisted.
“I didn’t want to do it just because my parents wanted me to,” he said. “I admit it, I was rebellious.”
This time was different. Faced with the decision to continue with the Navy or start something new, he told his dad he would think about it.
“My parents then invited me to an Amway event in Orlando so I could see the business for myself,” he said. “I didn’t want to go, but it blew my mind.”
While there, he experienced firsthand the energy and engagement of belonging to a larger organization of business owners. He even met Amway President Doug DeVos.
“I couldn’t believe he took the time to meet me,” Martin said. “I was a nobody. You don’t get that genuine warmth in a corporate environment—it changed my mind.”
A gift to be shared
He saw more of that warmth a few months later when, after joining Amway, he traveled to China to celebrate a milestone achievement by his group’s leader.
“I saw the most successful leaders in Amway sitting down and teaching the fundamentals. That humility really stuck with me.”
Martin realizes the leaders saw the Amway opportunity as a gift that they wanted to share.
“Before then, I had thought about the business only in the context of selling products versus sharing experiences,” he said. “These leaders proved to me that the opportunity was about selling products and helping people help themselves.”
Personal growth drives success
He dedicated himself to improving his own business skills and, in the process, experienced tremendous personal growth.
“You can’t develop your business until you develop your character,” he said. “The product knowledge and selling principles are important, but for me, the real benefit was my personal development.”
Now a group leader and mentor in his own right, Martin believes that mentorship is key to success and he teaches that to his team.
“In traditional business, your colleagues are your competitors,” he said. “In the Amway business, we succeed only when we help others. The business model commands you to be competitive only with yourself.
“It’s a completely different mindset.”
Hear more from Amway IBOs who have grown personally and professionally with Amway.
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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.
