In this Fearless Networker Spotlight, we're featuring Britnie Kaplan who built a thriving organization, that is now over 7,000, fighting for her life and livelihood while in the hospital.
The Fearless Networker: Welcome! Let’s jump in and get to know one another a bit better. Do you have any unusual or impressive talents you’d like to share with us? Or is there something about yourself that would surprise everyone?
Britnie Kaplan: I‘m a natural blonde. I've had dark hair for 12 years now. When I tell people that I'm a natural blonde, no one believes me.
The Fearless Networker: What would you say is the most courageous thing you have done in your life?
Britnie Kaplan: The most courageous thing I've done in my life is continued to fight for my life when I could have given up.
The Fearless Networker: What's the last thing you geeked out about? Or are you technologically challenged?
Britnie Kaplan: Anything and everything that comes out, I want in on it. I'm obsessed with connecting whatever I can to my Alexa for voice activation. It reminds me of the World of Progress ride at Disney when you get to the last room and everything is virtual. I grew up wanting a house that I could speak things to.
The Fearless Networker: What were you doing BEFORE you got involved in Network Marketing?
Britnie Kaplan: I was working for the Orlando Magic Basketball team.
The Fearless Networker: How did you FIRST get introduced to the Network Marketing profession and, honestly, what was that experience like for you?
Britnie Kaplan: Network Marketing fell into my lap. Honestly, for the first year or two I didn't even know I was in Network Marketing. I was extremely ill and the doctors couldn't figure out what was wrong with me. I was at a point where I couldn't work a normal 9-5 job anymore. I had a friend of a friend posting online and I messaged her asking if she was making money and I joined. After that, I never heard from her again. I reached leadership status in under 90 days all from the hospital bed or my bathroom floor. I realized then that I was on to something and started to look for a company I truly wanted to be part of. My first experience wasn't bad. It was a true learning experience for me.
The Fearless Networker: Okay, now for the stats…how long have you been involved in the Network Marketing profession, how long have you been with your current company, how many people have you personally enrolled into your company and what is the current size of your organization?
Britnie Kaplan: I've been in Network Marketing for almost six years and with my current company for almost five. I have personally enrolled 891 and my organization is currently at 7,000.
The Fearless Networker: What does a typical day in your life look like?
Britnie Kaplan: I'm the most unorganized, organized person you will ever meet. My personality was totally made for the Network Marketing lifestyle. I'm one of those people who wakes up and just goes with the flow. If in the middle of the day I want to get up and go somewhere I do. I work my business 99.9% from my phone so I don't ever feel constricted to be able to go out and actually enjoy life. Every day is different for me. I wouldn't have it any other way.
The Fearless Networker: What is your favorite book(s)? How about your favorite genre of music? (If you want to throw in the first concert you attended, go for it! (My first concert was Rush, June 6, 1979 at the Seattle Center Coliseum.)
Britnie Kaplan: I'm not a book reader. GASP! I know. How can I get my personal development if I'm not reading?! I honestly prefer podcasts or listening to the replay of somesone's presentation while I'm doing something. I can't sit still for too long to focus on reading.
Music is everything to me. I have music playing all day every day from the moment I wake up. It breathes life into me! I actually have the Magic Rock Pandora station playing right now while I'm filling this out. I love everything from Reggae, Spanish music, hip hop, 90's R&B, anything Stevie B or Lisa Lisa and The Cult Jam, Beach Boys, 50's and 60's ….. I grew up with music around me at all times. My dad was a DJ when I was little, so I feel like it's in me.
Networker: The Fearless Networker: Tell us about a time, no matter what age, that you wanted something so badly, regardless if it was big or small, that you were unstoppable in pursuing it. What obstacles did you overcome to reach that goal?
Britnie Kaplan: I just built my first house and closed on it in May. This was a HUGE deal for me. For the last three years I had been preparing for this moment. I had the worst credit from all my medical debt that I had to prepare, I had no savings. I started out as the worst candidate to build a house. I knew it was going to be a hard and long road, but it was on my dream board (actually I write my goals on my mirror with a red lipstick called Stinkin' Rich) and nothing stops me once something goes on that mirror. The road was not easy. I was told I was crazy for even attempting to do it. And here I sit in a brand new almost 4,000 square foot house that I accomplished on my own. It's still the most surreal feeling in the world.
The Fearless Networker: How has being involved in Network Marketing CHANGED YOUR LIFE, professionally, personally or both?
Britnie Kaplan: I'm not the same person I was six years ago. I will never forget who I was though because SHE is the one who showed me my strength, grit and grace. The old me is the foundation of what my business and life are built on and I'm proud of that. At many times, when I'm feeling defeated in either my business or life, I think back to what the old me did when she was broken and fighting for her life and it lights such a fire within me. I tell people that old version of me is my power source. I wouldn't be where I am right now had I not gone through what I did.
The Fearless Networker: What gives you joy and/or feeds your passion?
Britnie Kaplan: What really sets my soul on fire is when I watch the women on my team actually start to see what they are capable of. They start to see that there's truly hope at the end of the tunnel of whatever situation they feel stuck in. Helping a woman see her worth and build something that financially makes her unstoppable to change her circumstances will forever be my passion. It's like having a front-row seat to all of these women rising from the ashes of defeat. It gives me chills just thinking about it. The power of a woman who feels unstoppable is electrifying to me.
The Fearless Networker: What is your biggest fear?
Britnie Kaplan: My biggest fear is losing what I have built for myself and the situation I got myself out of and going back to an eviction notice on the door or looking for change on the floor to turn into the coin star just to buy groceries. So many people tell me it's something I have to heal from. But, I feel differently. I feel like that's what keeps me going when I want to give up or kick back. It keeps me on my toes because I NEVER want to go back to that place.
The Fearless Networker: If you are full-time, how long did it take you to go from being a part-time Network Marketer to going full-time? Were there any hesitations, struggles or roadblocks?
Britnie Kaplan: For my situation, I didn't have a choice. This was full time for me. Because I was so ill and fighting for my life, this was my only source of income from the beginning. It was a do or die situation. I had to make this work. My lights and water were constantly being turned off. I was behind on my rent. I needed an injection every 14 days that cost $1,400. I was in a situation where I didn't have a choice. THIS was my answer, it had to be.
The Fearless Networker: What makes you happiest and most effective when working with others?
Britnie Kaplan: I love when I see the lightbulb click during a coaching session. It's like the power switch was just turned on and her life is about to change forever. I'm all about digging deep when I speak to my girls. Anyone can train on how to post on social media or gives scripts to send out. I'm about uncovering those self-limiting beliefs and busting through them. I can give them all the training in the world, but if the blocks are addressed they're just wasting their time running in circles of defeat.
The Fearless Networker: What are the failures that you most cherish?
Britnie Kaplan: I had a leader on my team leave and run through my organization crumbling it to the point that I almost walked away. Rebuilding is not for the weak, that's for sure. I spent a year rebuilding and came back stronger than ever. What it taught me was that my organization wasn't as strong as I had believed prior to that happening. It exposed all the holes I had, not only in my organization, but in myself. It was my greatest learning experience. I rose up in a way I didn't know I could. It was the pivotal moment in my business that I feel truly turned me into the stronger leader I am today.
The Fearless Networker: Let’s end on this note: What’s one solid piece of advice that you’d give someone entering this profession for the very FIRST time? And/or the best advice you’ve ever received?
Britnie Kaplan: The one thing I would tell someone entering this is, fight for the fairytale because it does exist! Give every ounce of yourself to this. And when you get knocked down, because you will, stand up, brush yourself off and hit back stronger!
The Fearless Networker: Britnie you are one heck of a fighter! Thanks for sharing your journey.
