dno
> I thought I'd post this to encourage others
> to "step outside their comfort
> zone"--whether you're in a traditional
> business or otherwise, if you're not telling
> others that you HAVE a business, you have no
> idea what type of business you may be
> missing out on!!

> Yesterday, I was calling past customers to
> see if there was anything I could get for
> them...and one of the numbers I called was
> answered by an unfamiliar voice. I asked for
> the couple by name, was told that no, they
> weren't there, they were on vacation. I
> COULD have said thanks, and hung up (and
> normally I would have--which is why I'm
> telling you about this!!), but instead, I
> asked if he was one of the couple's kids. He
> answered yes, that his parents had asked him
> to come up and watch their house while they
> were away. I mentioned to him the business I
> was in, and that his parents were my
> customers, and that I was calling to see if
> they needed anything...and he said, "I
> have to thank you. I'm really glad to see
> that my parents have many of your
> products--it's refreshing to see that
> they're taking steps to eat better, use
> healthier products. I don't know where my
> parents met you, but thank you--I'm very
> impressed with your product line!"

> Well, of course, I was kind of taken aback
> by his praise. We started talking about good
> health, and I came to find out that this
> young man (who's thirty) is living in a
> commune, and that he follows a pretty strict
> vegetarian diet when he's home, but has a
> deep appreciation for good quality natural
> products. I continued to speak with him
> (despite the fact I thought initially it was
> kind of weird that he lived in a commune)
> and asked him what they did on his commune
> to make money. He said they grow herbs and
> sell them to herb companies. I asked him
> then if he knew anyone that might be
> interested in making some extra money
> selling our product line (I was going WAY
> out on a limb, but hey, I thought it
> wouldn't hurt!) He said, "You know, I
> think your products are fantastic, and
> personally, I think that I would be
> interested in doing that--and probably know
> a LOT of other people who may be interested
> in making extra money too!"

> Anyhow, I went out to meet with this young
> man, showed him my business, explained all
> the details. He was so excited, and when he
> returns home to his commune (he also helps
> to start other communes, as well as visits
> over 700 communes a year!) he plans on
> joining me in my business.

> After we left, my son and I went to a
> restaurant (Yes, I took my son on the call
> with me--he wants to learn more about how I
> do my business). As we were walking in, a
> man who was also entering the restaurant
> mentioned the car sign on my truck, I
> overheard him, acknowledged that I was the
> local rep for my company, and we started
> talking. The conversation continued into the
> restaurant, and before I left, he asked if I
> had a business card--he said his mother in
> law loved our products but thinks that she
> doesn't have a representative anymore.

> I think about how many times in the course
> of a day that we talk to other people--and
> how many times do you talk to people and
> DON'T mention your business? Sure, we have
> lots of excuses NOT to--they wouldn't be
> interested, they are too busy, they have a
> business of their own, etc.

> I spoke to a woman who owns her own business
> the other day, and she's getting ready to
> join me now in my business as well. We've
> known each other for a couple of years, and
> both of us respect the other for being
> hard-workers. However, my business doesn't
> have a physical location and walls--and hers
> does. Did you ever stop to think that even
> though they have a business, that they would
> LOVE to have physical freedom from that
> business? They're tied to it, every single
> day! Don't ever prejudge who may be
> interested in your business. Open your
> mouth, you may be $urpri$ed! :)