It is so rewarding

What was your background before joining Forever? What was life like for you?

My life before joining Forever was very busy. I worked in Sales and Brian worked for Telecom Eireann. We had a 6-year-old girl and two boys aged 13 and 17. Life was hectic trying to juggle work and child minding. I was also diagnosed with Arthritis, which made matters worse.

What has your Forever journey been like so far?

Over the last 30 years with Forever, our journey has had its ups and downs. Some people joined and did nothing. Some people joined, were very successful and then decided to leave and join other companies, none of which are around today. We never let it affect our business and for some people, we changed their life financially and health wise. The ups far outweighed the downs.

What were the specific challenges you encountered that led you to start thinking about changing your direction?

I have to say Brian was the instigator in us joining. There had been a new structuring at Telecom Eireann, which he hated and really wanted to get out. He could see the big picture with Forever and consequently took an early pension deal at 46 to do the business full-time.

I originally was not looking for a business as I did not think I had time. However, I loved the products and got great relief and knew a lot of people they could help.

Did you have any reservations about the industry and what have you learned since becoming a part of it?

I cannot say we had any reservations about the industry when we joined, but we soon learned that Network Marketing is probably the most ethical business in the world. It is important to find a good network business and, to be honest, a company that has lasted 45 years and in over 160 countries worldwide has to be the best.

What was a typical day/week like for you before you joined Forever and what is it like now?

Before joining, I was tied to the alarm clock. I was racing around trying to juggle everything: kids, work, after school activities, etc. Now, when we joined Forever and decided to work the business properly (it took us a few months) we went to manager in 5 weeks. We worked hard in the beginning.

We had no mobile phones, no Google Maps, no Zoom, no FaceTime (it is so easy nowadays). If someone two-hundred miles away wanted to look at our business, one of us jumped into a car and drove there. Sometimes we were successful, sometimes we weren't. We just kept going. We made our goals and Brian had left work, so we really had no choice.

What skills have you developed while running your Forever business that you would never have thought yourself capable of?

We both learned skills we never had. Personnel development was probably the main one. People pay thousands and thousands for the training we got over the years for nothing. To be able to stand up in front of hundreds of people and present a training section: neither of us would ever have dreamed of. Brian was a very popular MC at Success Days and even MC’d at the Global Rally in Belfast. Brian was a National Athletic Coach and an awful lot of the skills and training he learnt he carried into his athletic training.

What would you say to people who tell you they do not have time to start a Forever business, and did you feel the same way?

I am afraid that is no excuse nowadays. You can build this business today without leaving your home. Covid did a lot for that. Turn off the television when the kids go to bed and turn on your computer. I did feel this way at the time when I joined, but then we did not have the technology we have today. Our business grew through Covid and we never left the house. It is important to set your goals and write down what you want from this business.

What is it about your business and your lifestyle that gets you up in the morning?

Brian and I lived an amazing life in Forever until his death in 2021 and made some incredible friends along the way. A lot of people live their life to retire at 60/65 and only then they try to decide what to do with the rest of their lives. Quite often, they cannot afford to do the things they want to. Or they get ill and run out of time. How sad is that?

What is the best advice you can give to someone considering a Forever business?

Build a customer base and look after your customers. Some of your customers will become FBOs (we did). Set goals: both short term and long term. This is not a get-rich-quick business, but if you really work this business every day for five years you will have built up a residual business for the rest of your life.

My best advice is NEVER GIVE UP. If you are thinking of joining the business – just do it. It might just work; you have nothing to lose.

What is it about Forever’s values that attracted you?

It’s ethical, it’s honest, it’s generous, it’s dependable (never missed a bonus cheque in 30 years), it listens to FBOs and puts them first. When you work hard and qualify for Global Rally, you are treated like royalty. I remember in the Marina Bay Hotel in Singapore ($600 a night), the staff could not believe we were there for five nights. They said most companies only stayed two nights.

 Less than 3% of active participating, hardworking FBOs worldwide qualified for Forever’s Global Rally in 2022. For more information, please see Forever’s Annual Income Disclosure Statement at foreverliving.com/income-disclosure.

What are your goals and focuses right now and how have these changed since you joined?

People’s needs and goals change all the time and that is why you need to keep updating regularly. Our goals over the years were the next International, European, or Global rally, Car Plan, breaking the next Manager in our business.

My focus at present is to keep my business ticking over. I admit I don't have the head space to recruit as its very hard without Brian, but I am determined to get back full swing. I have a great, loyal customer base, which entitles me to receive my bonus (from several countries) every month.

In what way is being a Forever Business Owner rewarding?

It is so rewarding when you realise you can change people’s lives both financially and health wise. It is impossible to explain how you feel when you get Thank You cards from people who you have helped. There are no words to describe how you feel.

What advice would you give to others who are currently questioning their next steps?

Go to as many meeting as you can get to. We used to go at least once a week, but Covid put an end to that. You cannot beat personally meeting up with people, so any Success Days that come about make sure you get to them. Work on your customer base, let everyone know what you do (without being pushy) and never give up.

How would you describe yourself?

I would like to think I am a very positive person and I love to help people.

What is your greatest achievement?

On a personal basis, having and rearing my three children and having 4 (nearly 5) grandchildren.  I am so proud of my children and I honestly think them growing up with us in Forever has rubbed off.

Business wise, it is hard to pick. But I guess reaching Soaring Manager and our first Global Rally in Anaheim when we flew to Dallas and visited Southfork Ranch. I grew up with the series Dallas and to think our company now own Southfork was just mind blowing. I have been there twice since, but it did not have the same effect as the first time.

What drives you?

Honestly, it is very hard at the moment, but keeping involved with Forever is what keeps me going at the moment.

Who is the most influential person in your life, and why?

There are two. One person in both our lives is Marion Fitzgerald. She introduced us to this business, inspired us and to this day is one of the top FBOs in Ireland. She has always been there for us and even today is a shoulder to cry on. I will be forever grateful to her for showing us a different way of life.

The second is the Founder of Forever, Rex Maughan, who, without his vision, thousands and thousands of people’s lives around the world would be so different.

**The achievements expressed in this testimonial are the individual’s personal opinion and subjective experience. Individual results may vary. Forever makes no guarantees on income or success. Your success depends on your effort, commitment, skill, and leadership abilities, and how effectively you exercise those qualities. Please see Forever’s Income Disclosure Statement at foreverliving.com/income for more information.**