New breed of entreprenuer

However, a new breed of successful entrepreneurs is on the rise. They don’t wear designer suits or high-heeled shoes but are often informally dressed and in some cases, don casual jeans and T-shirts.

One only realises that these entrepreneurs are earning a decent living through the set of car keys they are holding, as they would be busy negotiating a business deal.
These people are their own bosses, they don’t report to anyone. In some cases they get extra cash while sleeping in their bedrooms. They manage their time. They work once and get a lifetime income. In recent times, many Zimbabweans have embraced a new business ideology called multi-level or networking marketing.

The structure is designed to market and make sales through word of mouth. Instead of spending thousands of dollars in standard advertising methods, people get paid through selling health products, and recruiting others, in a concept similar to money pyramid schemes.

The more people one recruits, the higher the profits he or she makes from the sales of all these people.
Many Zimbabweans have embraced the concept of network marketing that is being done by companies like Green World and Forever Living, which offer multi-level marketing, through selling health products and recruiting more people.

Nutritionist and MLM consultant Ngoni Chandiwana said the initiative was changing people’s lives.
“You are in charge of your own destiny. Instead of making your boss rich, all the work you do actually benefits you. You’ll enjoy the freedom and flexibility of owning your business — not to mention excellent tax benefits,” he said.

He said some of the people in Zimbabwe involved in network marketing were earning as much as US$6 000 per month.
“Corporate jobs limit your pay range which is usually determined by market standards. With Green World, there is no limit on how much you earn. The harder you work, the more money you make.

“Perhaps the greatest benefit that multi-level marketing strategy offers is lasting income. You will always earn commissions on the distributors you introduce to the products, continually reaping the benefits of your hard work,” he said.

“Traditional brick-and-mortar businesses cost tens of thousands of dollars to establish, not to mention a bank loan that will take you decades to repay. Starting your home-based business with the products only costs you a few hundred dollars. You don’t have to hire employees. You don’t have to offer benefits. You don’t have any overhead costs. It is finally possible for you to own your own business,” he said.

On January 26 this year, four resourceful and hardworking entrepreneurs were given Mercedes-Benzes for their hard work with Green World.
Angela Chimbetu, one of the distributors of Green World products, said multi-level marketing had changed her life.

“Apart from the income I get from distributing the products, I meet different people and it has empowered me. I now have confidence to stand in front of gatherings and make presentations,” she said.

The concept is just the same with every distributor mandated to recruit other distributors (often referred to as downliners for him or her to get points.)
The concept is not about how many products you can sell but on how one builds a team that will see him/her going through the ranks, something he or she would be rewarded for based on the number of people she recruited.

“This is just a blessing which came from God and I am earning a living through it. In this economic hardships era, selling the products and recruiting people is something that has brought food on the table,” Spiwe, another distributor, said.

“I was a high school teacher in Highfield but resigned after realising that I could sustain my family through this,” said another distributor, 51-year-old Takawira.
Erina Musha, who is working with Forever Living products, believes she has not only benefited financially, but also from using the products as supplements.

“I think it’s not all about making money but also saving people’s lives with products ranging from cosmetics to medicines. People who say we are only after making money must come and hear testimonies of people who had chronic ailments and have since been healed,” she said.

There’s little risk and unlimited potential. A passion for success is all one needs to achieve prosperity.