If you had met me when I was 17 years old, you probably would not have predicted where my life would go. I certainly would not have.
I was raised in a broken home with absent parents. I dropped out of high school as a teenager and went down a path that could have taken my life in a completely different direction.
Drugs. Alcohol. Bad decisions. Major mistakes.
Eventually I reached a point where I knew something had to change. I moved away, began recovering from drug and alcohol addiction, and started rebuilding my life. What I had was an opportunity to work. So I worked.
God was changing the direction of my life long before I understood where He was taking me.
Work Gave Me a Foundation
Construction gave me a career, structure and responsibility. Network marketing later introduced me to personal development, entrepreneurship and sales. I became fascinated with understanding people, solving problems, communicating value and generating revenue.
I Wanted Success Before I Understood What Was Supposed to Come First
I wanted the business, money, freedom and recognition. Today I believe there are times when God holds something back because He knows we are not ready to carry it without allowing it to become more important than Him. God comes first. Everything else belongs underneath Him.
Success Eventually Came — Just Differently Than I Expected
The skills I developed followed me into my professional career. Eventually I became a million-dollar producer for multiple companies. The company, product and market can change, but the skills and character you develop go with you.
Why I Stepped Away From Network Marketing
I was chasing people. Friends, family members and professional relationships became prospects. That never sat right with me. I also did not like the way parts of the industry demonized people’s jobs. Somewhere along the way I realized: I do not hate my job. I am grateful for it.
You Don’t Have to Hate Where You Are to Believe God Is Taking You Somewhere Else
I can be genuinely grateful for where God has me today while faithfully pursuing where I believe He may be leading me tomorrow. Sometimes the place you are anxious to leave is the very place God is using to prepare you for what is next.
I May Never Quit My Job
Entrepreneurship was often presented to me as an escape plan. Today I am not convinced that is what I want. I like my career, selling, helping customers and the relationships I have built. I also love entrepreneurship. Maybe I continue doing both.
Why I Came Back to Network Marketing
I never completely stopped believing in the potential of the business model. There is something powerful about its accessibility. But I believe it has to be done the right way.
I Don’t Want to Chase People Anymore
I want to build differently: become valuable, help people, solve real problems, create useful content, build a personal brand and audience, and develop real skills and systems. Instead of chasing people, create something worth being attracted to.
Build Something You Own — But Don’t Let What You Build Own You
Build your skills, reputation, personal brand, audience, relationships, systems, knowledge and ability to serve people. What you become through the process goes with you. None of it belongs above God.
Build something you own — but don’t let what you build own you.
The Diagnosis That Changed My Perspective
I was diagnosed with cancer. Suddenly, a lot of things that had seemed incredibly important did not look quite as important anymore. It stripped away the illusion that I was in control and changed the way I understood surrender.
The Greatest Change in My Life Isn’t My Career
The most remarkable part of my story is not sales, becoming a million-dollar producer, the businesses I have started or anything I am building today. God radically changed my passions and desires. He is not a footnote in my story. He is the reason the story changed.
Jesus Changed What I’m Living For
My faith is in Jesus Christ. I still have goals and want to build, create wealth and help people. But none of those things are the destination anymore. Christ is. Everything else is part of the journey.
My Greatest Mission Has Nothing to Do With Business
My number-one mission in life is to tell people what God has done in mine. I want to pursue excellence, provide for my family and help people succeed, but I want all of those things to serve something greater than me.
I’m Still Building
I am still working, selling, building businesses, studying marketing, learning technology, creating content and pursuing ambitious goals. But I do not need success to become my identity. Those things have their place. Their place is underneath God.
Maybe You’re Building Too
You do not have to hate where you are to pursue where you are going. Be grateful for where you are. Be faithful with what is in your hands. Build. Learn. Grow. Dream bigger. God first. Everything else underneath Him.
What I was chasing was never the point.
God was.
And whatever I build from here, I want to make sure I never forget that.