In this Fearless Networker Spotlight, we're featuring Michael and Jennifer Murgatroy, a couple who are celebrating 10 years in Network Marketing and enjoying the opportunities they have built for themselves through this profession.
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?
Michael Murgatroy: I have been an Alpine Ski Coach and Alpine Ski Official with the US Ski and Snowboard team since 1998.
Jennifer Murgatroy: I started trail running and doing Spartan races at the age 40 and am internationally ranked in my age group in the competitive division.
The Fearless Networker: What would you say is the most courageous thing you have done in your life?
Michael Murgatroy: Bootstrapping a gym business in a small town with nothing but $20,000 of my own cash and sweat equity. In five years, I built that business to about $500,000 in revenue, not because of wanting to, but because I had to!
The Fearless Networker: What's the last thing you geeked out about? Or are you technologically challenged?
Michael Murgatroy: The onX Hunt app….I am completely addicted to it.
Jennifer Murgatroy: I've geeked out about perfecting my running form and running injury. I work remotely with a coach and use all sorts of tracking devices to analyze my progress. It drives home the lesson that all things can be improved by paying attention to the hard data.
The Fearless Networker: What were you doing BEFORE you got involved in Network Marketing?
Michael Murgatroy: Before Network Marketing I was a coach and entrepreneur.
Jennifer Murgatroy: I was a high end residential architecture.
The Fearless Networker: How did you FIRST get introduced to the Network Marketing profession and, honestly, what was that experience like for you?
Michael Murgatroy: A pilates instructor of mine set an appointment in my schedule and shared with me what she was doing.
Jennifer Murgatroy: I really knew nothing about Network Marketing. After having been involved with a company for three months, I attended a local meeting at a hotel to support my husband. There were people from all professions; some very successful in their fields, including a few people I knew. We shared similar reasons for being at the meeting and all wanted to create more opportunities for our future. I learned to be open to the unknown; that it is very limiting and expensive to have a closed mind.
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?
Michael Murgatroy: We are in our 10th year of Network Marketing. This was our first company and we have enrolled over 800 people, plus a couple thousand retail customers, and we have just over 25,000 people in our organization.
The Fearless Networker: What does a typical day in your life look like?
Michael Murgatroy: I go to the gym at 6:30 a.m. at least four days a week, then get to my office at about 8 a.m. and work until noon. I spend the afternoons either doing stuff with my kids or skiing, fly-fishing, or some other form of outdoor recreation.
Jennifer Murgatroy: I have certain daily to-do's at my home office in the morning to touch my business and network with my special interest communities. I use afternoons to go to appointments, meet with local friends and teammates or prospects, and do errands. For several years we worked our business every night after dinner. Right now, I strictly limit what I commit to business-wise in the evenings and put my school-aged kids' priorities first. As our business and life has matured, it's been a huge blessing to be able to choose where to put our focus.
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.)
Michael Murgatroy: My favorite business book is The Radical Leap by Steve Farber and for fun…anything by Tom Clancy.
Jennifer Murgatroy: Finding Ultra by Rich Roll is my favorite book. I love lots of music with a tendency towards Indie singers/songwriters. And, I enjoy classic rock; I thought it was just rock, but my kids have informed me that it is most definitely “classic“.
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?
Michael Murgatroy: When I was 11 years old I wanted a new pair of Rossignol 4S racing skis, but my parents said they couldn't afford to buy them for me. So, I started a snow shoveling business in my neighborhood and hustled all winter long to buy the skis. I got them just in time for the Buddy Werner Championships, a renowned alpine ski race.
The Fearless Networker: How has being involved in Network Marketing CHANGED YOUR LIFE, professionally, personally or both?
Michael Murgatroy: Overall, the personal development component has really made me a better listener, coach, husband and dad.
Jennifer Murgatroy: In my previous career I was not encouraged to have a voice or become a leader. This profession has given me so much confidence. People are looking to me to be the example and make the first moves.
The Fearless Networker: What gives you joy and/or feeds your passion?
Michael Murgatroy: Giving back to the activities that I enjoyed as a child and teenager and sharing those experiences with my kids.
The Fearless Networker: What is your biggest fear?
Michael Murgatroy: Heights! It's weird because I am always on chairlifts and in trams.
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?
Michael Murgatroy: I am what most people would consider full time, however, I still work as a ski coach and train because I love it. I just don't have to depend on those activities to make a living.
The Fearless Networker: What makes you happiest and most effective when working with others?
Michael & Jennifer Murgatroy: When we meet people that have the same vision and goals as we do!
The Fearless Networker: What are the failures that you most cherish?
Michael Murgatroy: Failing in sport because if you want to continue to get better, you have to get up and do it again and again.
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?
Michael & Jennifer Murgatroy: Consistency vs. constantly. This business is meant to be built over the long term, it's a marathon not a sprint. Yes, you may need to sprint at times when needed, but you can't keep up that pace forever. Enjoy the journey!
The Fearless Networker: You two have it right…consistency, I teach on that all the time. Michael and Jennifer, thanks for contributing. Looking forward to hitting the slopes again with you two!
