The year 1981 was a time of fury. Our nation was staggered by the shooting of President Reagan, and the entire world cringed when Pope John Paul II was gunned down in Rome. Millions of Americans watched from the protection of their living rooms as hails of bullets smashed through Anwar Sadat's reviewing stand. It was a bitter year of turmoil for Poland, El Salvador and the Middle East. West Europeans marched for peace as Libya's Muammar Kaddafi terrorized the world with his threats.
Somehow through all of the pandemonium in the world, pomp still proved to be glorious when Prince Charles and Lady Diana exchanged their wedding vows. Millions watched with childlike fascination as this procession of royalty fulfilled this once glorious nation's traditional dream.
Another event of international prominence to catch the attention of the public's eye was the dedication of the magnificently restored Amway Grand Plaza Hotel in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The registration list for this gala event revealed 600 prominent guests. Some of the most notable persons to be invited included President and Mrs. Ronald Reagan, former President and Mrs. Gerald R. Ford, Vice President and Mrs. George Bush, President Jose Portillo of Mexico, Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau of Canada, former President Valery Gisgard d'Estaing of France, Foreign Minister Sunao Sonada of Japan and Hollywood's acclaimed Bob Hope.
It was a grand affair of elegance and nobility. During the early evening hours on the night of the dedication, security officers directed traffic for dozens of limousines, each struggling for a place in which to deposit its distinguished guests. It was an exquisite parade of the elite and well-to-do. Each was being escorted into this newly renovated building which was previously known as the Old Pantlind Hotel. Inside the scene was breathtaking. The vaulted ceilings gleamed with approximately one million square inches of hand applied gold leaf. Richly polished mahogany paneling provided resonance for the newly painted decor. Prisms of light shot about the expansive rooms, bouncing from one luxuriant chandelier to another. Bouquets of fragrantly scented flowers added an aroma of paradise to the surroundings.
This event would be historically noted as a week of splendor never to be forgotten. Here under one roof had gathered many of the world's most well heeled and opulent leaders. All of this international socializing would not have been possible without a "Dream." This "Dream" began in the minds and hearts of Amway's founders, Rich DeVos and Jay VanAndel. The entire vision was the product of two determined entrepreneurs. They had built an empire, and it was now time to enjoy the prestige and fruits of their labors.
In looking across the expanses of the world, millions of determined entrepreneurs can be found. They may be seen pushing a sandwich cart in New York or even selling ash from the eruption of Mt. St. Helens. Determination and creativity are the two vital ingredients necessary to propel these daring and ambitious tradesmen on towards success.
Each has probably chosen to ignore the circumstances, which constantly surround and threaten him with extinction. Usually his pride or bravado catapults him beyond all obstacles, thus proving to all unbelievers that he is, in fact, a doer! All scoffers are put to open shame by his ability to achieve, and excel.
Of course, no tall businessmen will produce with the same degree of vigor and enthusiasm. Some look to the trade as a mere livelihood, while others see the market place as a very competitive battleground where there can only be "winners" and "losers." The Amway distributor, like many other entrepreneurs, has much determination. However, uniquely apart from most other businesses, this business requires little "creativity." "That's the beauty of the business," some distributors will tell others. All the groundwork has all ready been laid. One only has to remember four things: Setup a meeting, go to a meeting, recruit someone at the meeting and set up another meeting. It is as simple as that!
Or is it? After several months in the business, I found that it was not as easy as I had been led to believe. In fact, there was a price, which I personally had to pay when selling the "Dream." This price was less time with my family and a deficit in my checking account!
After leaving Amway myself and during the course of my investigation into the very depths of this company, I met Michelle. She is an attractive young blonde who works for a very active inner city Christian ministry in Portland, Oregon.
She explained to me how she had been approached about Amway by Larry, a close friend whom she had known for several years. One day at work Larry came by. Michelle was shocked to see him wearing a suit. "He never wears a suit, not even to church!" she thought to herself.
"Michelle, "Larry stammered, "I've gotten into my own business, and I'd like you to come over tomorrow night so I can tell you all about the opportunity! How about it?" "What kind of business is it?" Michelle asked.
"Just come to my house and you will find out" Michelle pressed for more information but was unsuccessful.
She then remembered talking to a girl friend that had complained about some of the tactics that certain Amway distributors had used to get her to go to a meeting. Michelle sensed the possibility that this might be such a ploy and so the asked Larry, "Is it Amway?"
Larry hesitated, smiled and then exclaimed, "No, it's just a great business opportunity. How about us getting together, and I'll tell you all about it?" She agreed to attend the meeting the following night. Michelle arrived promptly at 7:30 p.m. After Larry had lectured for an hour and a half about the fantastic opportunities the business had to offer with the possibility of earning an income to match one's dreams, one fellow finally asked, "What is this business called?" Larry replied eagerly, "The American Way!" "Oh, you mean Amway!" the man concluded. Michelle was devastated. "How could Larry have lied to me!" she thought. Something strange seemed to have gotten a hold of her friend. For months everywhere he went he carefully concealed the name Amway in an attempt to recruit others into this organization.
"I felt used!" Michelle exclaimed to me. "When I tried to talk to Larry about it, he just wouldn't listen. Because I didn't join, he felt I was a loser and that my way of thinking was totally negative. The only thing he would talk about whenever I saw him was his Amway business, even at church! This business has really affected our relationship. Our friendship has never been the same."
Another girl, whose name was Jessie, related to me her experience with this business. She told me how one day some of her old Schoolmates from a Bible college in California had called her "out of the blue." These friends, now married and living in Central Oregon, were very anxious to get together with Jessie and seemed more than willing to make the long drive over the Cascade Mountains to Portland, Oregon, to see her. Jessie eagerly looked forward to an evening of reminiscing and fellowship with these friends. She was, indeed, very disappointed when she found out that the reason these guests had driven hundreds of miles was to try to sponsor her in to the Amway business.
Michelle's and Jessie's stories are not unique. For the past two years, I have carefully collected dozen of stories similar to theirs -- only the names and places have changed. But let's go a step further. I have also discovered that thousands, like Larry, have eventually dropped out of this business. In fact, more than 50 percent of the total distributors quit in any given year. I'm sure that they felt like failures, and that is understandable. Most sales companies reward only those who produce results. The evidence shows that the vast majority of Amway distributors really earn very little, while a very small percentage of the entire one million distributors enjoy enormous profits. These tremendous adverse odds are not obstacles to those with this mission and its accompanying dream. Despite the world's situation, they are single minded in their determination.
Everyday newspapers, radio and TV bring us more bad news. The world is shaking at its very foundations. Famine, drought and rumors of war threaten to engulf us all. Skyrocketing inflation and unemployment push us to the brink of chaos. Yet there are those among us who are dedicated to a dream. The dream is that they are going to make it and make it big in this business. Unfortunately, in most cases, it is only a dream. It will probably never come true.
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