June 11, 2009
In this Fearless Networker Spotlight, we're featuring Ellen Bradley Ganus, an actress who discovered a passion for Network Marketing.
The Fearless Networker: Ellen, you've been in the Network Marketing industry for almost 12 years now. That's longevity girl! How has your involvement changed your life?
Ellen Bradley Ganus: It has given me total and complete freedom in every aspect of my life. It has allowed me to be the best provider for my family and best mother to my children. It has helped us fund many, many dreams and has delivered a quality of life that I never knew possible. I have gained a community of life-long friends whom I adore.
The Fearless Networker: What is the key to making Network Marketing a lasting and successful business venture?
Ellen Bradley Ganus: Find a company that allows you to share your passion and what is really important to you, rather than aligning yourself with a company to just sell products.
The Fearless Networker: Couldn't agree more! What, if anything, was your biggest struggle on your way to achieving success in this profession, and how did you overcome it?
Ellen Bradley Ganus: Finding people that were abundant-minded, open to Network Marketing and ready to get to work! As I shifted my beliefs around money and started to understand the psychology of the skeptic, I became better and better at connecting, overcoming obstacles and ultimately started attracting exactly what I wanted.
The Fearless Networker: So, are their any specific strategies that you’ve implemented into growing your business that you’ve found to be exceptionally productive?
Ellen Bradley Ganus: When coaching people, I have enjoyed creating agreements about their goals and then holding them accountable. For people that really want to succeed, accountability is key. Secondly, formulas have always worked well. For example, “if you do this, you get that”. I find that when people can see the target that they are shooting for, they are more apt to hit it. However, while focused on strategy and action I believe that people need to be valued, recognized, heard and loved above all else. Therefore, listen and care first…strategize second!
The Fearless Networker: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received that’s served you well in business?
Ellen Bradley Ganus: Don’t waste time with the wrong people. You can’t dream bigger for someone else than they can dream for themselves.
The Fearless Networker: Well said! How do you prefer to recruit new people into your organization?
Ellen Bradley Ganus: I believe social media is the best way to recruit today. However, I did not build that way. I built anywhere and everywhere I went (I am extremely social). I think the best places to meet quality, like-minded folks is at personal development seminars, networking events, and any activities where entrepreneurs hang out.
The Fearless Networker: When it comes to developing, building and strengthening a team, what have been some of the most effective actions you’ve taken?
Ellen Bradley Ganus: I hosted a weekly team call for 11 years that taught lessons, built belief about the products & opportunity and dedicated time for recognition. I've also hosted special dinners, get togethers and parties, held contests, launched online training sites, created an interactive online yearbook and now distribute a weekly newsletter. I think the better question is, what have I not done? You gotta do it all!
I believe people need to be valued, recognized, heard and loved above all else. — Ellen Bradley Ganus
The Fearless Networker: Ellen, you have an organization of almost 46,000. I think people would be interested in learning if you had any angst starting out and, if so, was your biggest fear as you began your network marketing career?
Ellen Bradley Ganus: Changing my identity from “actress” to “businesswoman”. And keeping the faith that my time invested would have a positive pay off.
The Fearless Networker: Sounds like your belief was your rock. What’s one piece of advice that you’d give someone entering this profession for the very first time?
Ellen Bradley Ganus: Don’t quit. Don’t blame. Believe.
The Fearless Networker: There seems to be a theme here…belief. So I'm curious, what is your favorite business book of all time?
Ellen Bradley Ganus: Awaken the Giant Within, by Tony Robbins is such a great one. I am a fan of all the classics and I always recommend Eric Worre’s Go Pro and Robert Kiyosaki’s The Business of the 21st Century.
The Fearless Networker: All classic reads. Any final insight you'd like to share with the readers?
Ellen Bradley Ganus: Everything I have experienced in Network Marketing is real and it can be the same, or even better, for you. Just keep the faith and get to work.
The Fearless Networker: Ellen, it's been great learning more about you and I appreciate you sharing your positivity and belief with all of us.
