4.
Economic Condition—Credit Crisis:
The Los Angeles Times reports that 2. 75
percent of all mortgages are currently
in default. That’s almost double the
amount compared to last year. Chapter
7 bankruptcies are up 36 percent this
year compared to last, non-business
bankruptcies are up 28 percent, and
business bankruptcies are up 42 percent
from year to year.
The credit crisis extends well beyond
mortgages and foreclosures. The average
household has accumulated far too much
debt. We are a society that has become too
reliant on debt, and the current economic
crisis is a direct result of our living beyond
our means and inability to manage our
finances.
Opportunity: A Melaleuca business can
help you get out of debt. In this Leadership
in Action, you’ll read about many Melaleuca
Marketing Executives who are working
toward or who have gotten entirely out of
debt in the midst of this tough economy.
A Melaleuca income can provide the extra
$500 or $1,000 a month that can be used
to pay off credit cards or a mortgage, and
make your own financial future secure.
How to Act: Establish your own get-out-of-debt goals. Use the financial calculators
in the business center at Melaleuca.com
to determine what you’ll need to get out
of debt, and then see how much you’ll
have to grow your Melaleuca business to
generate that extra income each month. It
can happen! Then, share that message with
those you contact. They need what you
have! They want to get out of debt!
What Melaleuca’s Done to Help:
First, Melaleuca, as a company, has no
debt. We are not reliant on a line of
credit to keep our operations running.
We are financially strong and able in this
economic environment to invest in product
development, manage good operations
and do what is required to thrive in tough
economic times.
Second, we have strong programs to
help others learn how to get out of debt
(such as Financial Freedom University) and
to provide the best income opportunity to
get out of debt. We celebrate, teach, and
value getting out of debt as a primary goal
of everyone at Melaleuca. For years, our
focus and culture has been the same. Had
more people followed that culture and focus
in these tough times, they would be secure
today. We want to help others to find that
security, and with a Melaleuca business
they can do it. It’s not automatic and it
takes work, but it works.
In late 2005, Frank pointed out the
risks of our growing credit. He wrote
about it in Leadership in Action. We began
a very intense effort to re-emphasize the
principles of debt management. We read
The Total Money Makeover together. We
strengthened our resolve. We rewarded
and encouraged our Marketing Executives
to make big steps to get out of debt. Many
people changed their plans to buy a bigger
house, upgrade to a more expensive car and
incur more debt as a result.
Third, Melaleuca gives all Senior and
Executive Directors a $400- or $1,000-per-
month car bonus. That’s a big household
expense that these Melaleuca business
owners no longer have to worry about. This
bonus is very needed in today’s economy.
Now, what does all this mean? All roads
lead to Melaleuca. Your Melaleuca business
and the opportunity you offer to others is
now, more than ever, relevant to everyone
in a tough economy. The opportunity you
have to offer has increased in demand as
the economy has decreased in strength.
I’d suggest two simple activities this
month: Use the suggestions I’ve made to
identify people you’ll approach and enroll
four customers. Then, help one of those
reach Director. That will get your business
off to a solid start. If you need help, call
your Regional Manager or Director. We
want to help in any way we can.
Today, more than ever, I’m proud to be
part of this company, to represent its values
and provide solutions people need in this
economy. Let’s give others hope, because
that’s what they need—now, more than
ever. Thanks for all you do.
Melaleuca Preferred Customer price.
Competitor product prices from Albertsons.
com, Portland, Oregon, October 20,
2008. Prices may vary. Product names are
registered trademarks of their respective
companies.
Garret and Darcy Reis
Senior Director
North Dakota
Just a year ago, Garret Reis was
a mortgage lender, helping people
purchase new homes. As that industry
rapidly collapsed, Garret realized it was
time to find a new income source. “I’d
been using the products for years, but I
started taking a closer look in January
of ’08, via John Dufner,” Garret says.
“It made a lot of sense, and I was sick
and tired of being sick and tired in the
mortgage industry.”
As the economy worsened, Garret
knew it was time to make the shift. In
June, he completely transferred his
energies to his Melaleuca business.
“People need this more now than
ever,” he says. “People are looking for
an opportunity—the economy is to our
advantage right now. They’re looking
to make an extra $500 or $1,000 a
month on the side. Everyone wants a
supplemental or even a replacement
income.”
With his new Senior Director
status, Garret is already seeing regular
checks of $4,000–$5,000 each
month—after only four months of
serious building. “I’m getting close to
replacing my previous income, and my
Melaleuca checks are more consistent
than what I was earning with my own
mortgage-lending business,” he says.
“Everyone I talk to is either broke or out
of a job right now. It’s a sad situation,
but it’s also the perfect business climate
for an opportunity like Melaleuca.”
