In this Fearless Networker Spotlight, we're featuring Emily Paech, a wife, mother of two, and Network Marketer who has sky-rocketed to success in just six years.
The Fearless Networker: Emily, thanks for joining us! You've been involved with the same Network Marketing company for the past six years. How has this profession changed your life?
Emily Paech: Network Marketing has changed EVERY aspect of my life! Being involved in this incredible industry has changed my life for the better because it has forced me to become a better person, mother, friend, sister, daughter and wife.
I am not the same person I was six years ago; in fact, you would barely recognize the old version of me, the Emily Paech that always feared she wasn’t good enough, not worthy enough, not important enough and an individual who had a crippling fear of public speaking.
But, the one thing that I’ve always had is DRIVE; and in the past six years, due to this incredible vehicle known as Network Marketing, that pure drive, determination and passion for life has been reignited. I've found my PURPOSE in life and you can’t put a price tag on that!
Of course, I have made mistakes and gone through some tough times, but due to that process I've learned so much about myself and life. I’ve discovered that inner strength and resilience are traits I can draw on and teach my team and two beautiful children that when they face struggles in their own lives, they can do the same. I've come to realize that the ONLY variable in inevitable success or failure is ME.
This business has enriched and deepened the relationships I have with my family members and with those most important in my life. I get to spend quality time with positive, connected, supportive and meaningful people and have relationships and friendships from all over the world that will last the test of time! This has been one of the biggest gifts in my life, yet what excites me even more is the anticipation of wonderful friendships that are still to be formed.
I am excited by each day and have the ability to give back and make a difference to so many. I have developed a genuine attitude of abundance and gratitude which is actually the same philosophy of The Fearless Networker… “pay it forward”.
I have also realized so many new opportunities; the power to really dream BIG and realize that, yes, ANYTHING is now possible in my life. Without Network Marketing I would have never dreamed of retiring from the nine to five job before the age of 40!
The Fearless Networker: Wow! That's some powerful stuff. What has been one of your biggest road blocks along the way and how have you overcome it?
Emily Paech: When I first saw this business model, I felt it was too good to be true. My parents were both government employees; we call them Public Servants here in Australia, the name says it all! I had been to University for five years where it was constantly reinforced that I needed to get a good job and work hard so that I could invest in my retirement account to ensure a comfortable life for my future retirement.
My career as a high school physical education teacher and student counselor meant that I was also counseling my students into further education pathways. The idea of entrepreneurship never even entered my mind. I really had to go to work on educating myself on this profession, which served me well when those close to me chose not to understand, and in some instances ridicule, my decision.
So I guess my biggest road block, initially, was that entrepreneurship had to become a learned skill. I’d also have to say I struggled with my belief in self and my fear of what others thought about the fact that I had chosen to pursue Network Marketing as a career.
The Fearless Networker: Belief and fear are common roadblocks. It would help some of our readers to learn about your BIGGEST fear as you started your Network Marketing career and how you've overcome it.
Emily Paech: I have always been an introvert who was absolutely terrified at the thought of speaking in front of groups of people. I remember being asked to thank guests for attending my mum’s birthday one year and I stressed for days! So when I attended my first Network Marketing event and saw these amazing people on stage training and sharing their stories, I honestly thought that I would never be able to do that.
So very slowly I volunteered to do more and more public speaking. I employed a business coach to work through this fear and I now enjoy these experiences. I realized that I was making it all about me and in order to help others, I needed to put myself out there.
Since those first few years (yes, it did take three years to overcome this fear), I have spoken at company sponsored conferences and on incentive trips with the top leaders and trained in front of over 1,000 people!
The Fearless Networker: When it comes to team building, what have been some of the most useful exercises you’ve implemented to help your team grow?
Emily Paech: I run a weekly team training call to connect with everyone within my central group. This call is designed to get team members focused and motivated for the week ahead. I also then know who is serious about building a business and learning the skills so my time and effort goes to those who deserve it. I ask team members to step up and present trainings, and by doing so, know who is serious and where to put my energy and focus. This develops a culture of leadership and connectedness to one another. I promote the use of positive language, interaction and mindset to all participants.
I believe that a team who works together, stays together. Culture is extremely important within my organization. Culture is the glue that keeps everyone together; it keeps us grounded and united in our goals.
I also believe in a team culture that fosters empowerment and respect. Everyone comes into this business with different reasons and different time commitments, so there is no judgement, no shame or comparison for where people are at, or where they are going.
I also believe that reward and recognition is HUGE in making this business stand out on so many levels, especially in today’s society, and contributes to a positive culture within our organization. We recognize monthly accomplishments, promotions and bonuses which fosters success and a healthy element of competition and personal satisfaction of striving to reach personal and team goals. Recognition increases motivation and makes success the benchmark. This business also runs very much on that excitement and energy that success brings, so we foster this into our teams.
We also know that our Mindset is a powerful tool in this business. If consultants aren’t equipped with the right mindset and the right skill set, their chances of longevity in this industry are lessened. Therefore, we work on personal development right from the outset and continue it throughout our career. If we aren’t learning, we aren’t growing. Learn to “mind your mind”.
We all work towards a common goal and this year our theme is #RaisingTheBar. So when communicating, we foster this mantra throughout the entire team. As we often hear, it takes a team to make the dream work. This is so important within the Network Marketing business model. Building solid relationships within my team is of huge importance to me. I care about my team, and that care and kindness is fostered downline. My team are real people who are important to me, not just a number on a screen!
The Fearless Networker: In addition to the above exercises, are there any specific strategies you’ve utilized to expand your business?
Emily Paech: The art of success in this business is not only what works, but what duplicates. So, we focus our strategies around SIMPLE, duplicable processes because a confused mind says “no”. We keep the main thing, the main thing; prospect, invite, present the opportunity and/or product, follow up, and repeat. Simple.
I have introduced four key strategies within my central group. These four strategies are reinforced on every training call and in every individual goal-setting and coaching call. I am crystal clear with our system for success, our team processes and steps to achieve promotions, therefore, this is duplicated downline. The four key strategies revolve around sponsoring, bonuses at specified levels of management, personal building blocks and a simple daily method of operation.
These four strategies are specific to my organization and its compensation plan. I strongly recommend you get to know your compensation plan and devise key strategies that work best within it.
I also train that it’s these small daily disciplines that will compound over time. This is certainly not a “get rich quick scheme”, so my strategy includes an emphasis on daily personal development and income producing activity.
The Fearless Networker: Where have you found your biggest success in recruiting new people into your organization? And…can you provide any insight into this strategy?
Emily Paech: I truly believe this business is a “belly to belly” relationship. Business first and foremost. My biggest success in sponsoring people is to be curious about them, to be interested in the people I meet and to be a really great listener and observer.
I am a very quiet person by nature so the idea of recruiting people didn’t come naturally. Therefore, I worked on my strengths…building relationships, trust and rapport. Consistently putting myself into social situations and meeting new people each and every day is vital.
When recruiting, I paint the vision of what this business opportunity can provide my recruits; I always make it about them. Everyone will become open to you if you have care, compassion, kindness and are generally interested in them.
The Fearless Networker: What’s the BEST piece of advice you’ve ever received that’s served you well in your business?
Emily Paech: The proverb “give a man a fish and feed him for a day, teach a man to fish and feed him for a lifetime”. This has to be one of the most relevant philosophies in our industry!
The Fearless Networker: Emily, what's one piece of advice that YOU'D give someone entering Network Marketing for the very first time?
Emily Paech: My one piece of advice is to be CONSISTENTLY CONSISTENT!!
This includes learning to be consistent in all areas of your life…your relationships, family, daily personal development, income producing activity, leisure time, health and every other aspect of your life.
Stay the course and take quitting off the table. Be realistic and know that there will be great times and there will be down times. Commit to putting in the effort consistently. This business takes WORK and will work if you do!
I don’t like the word sacrifice. Instead, know that you will need to invest time now so that you can get your return on investment in the future. This business will take time to develop and evolve, as will you! A really tall building needs a deep foundation, so to build a solid business you need to be consistent for at least five years and then watch what happens!
CONSISTENTLY learn and develop your skills. Become a professional. Your business will only ever grow to your skill level and the level to which you are personally developed.
The Fearless Networker: Speaking of skill building, what is your favorite business book of all time?
Emily Paech: Dale Carnegie's How to Win Friends and Influence People. I believe that book should be read by every person the world over. When I was teaching and counseling, I even recommend all of my students to read this it! It contains such simple life philosophies.
Network Marketing is a people business. It really is the essence of why we were put on this earth…for people to help people; for mankind to be better; to work better together to achieve happiness.
The Fearless Networker: What would you suggest to make Network Marketing a lasting and successful business?
Emily Paech: TIME…just that! Give this business the time and love it deserves. You can’t build a tall building without a solid foundation; anything worthwhile takes time.
Be an AUTHENTIC LEADER, one who sees this opportunity as helping others and believing in them! The more people you enable to be successful, the more successful you will become. Stay humble, kind and true to your own values. Strive to be the very BEST version of yourself each and every day!
The Fearless Networker: Lastly, if you could share anything that would positively impact those reading this interview, what would you say?
Emily Paech: This incredible industry allows for ordinary people to live extraordinary lives. Trust this and trust in yourself. You are worthy of greatness!
Allow Network Marketing to really become part of who you are and enjoy the process, the experiences, the learnings and the work!
The Fearless Networker: Well-stated Emily! Thank you for participating and my best to your family.
