Michelle Stefferson on Being a Successful Home Career Mom
Michelle Stefferson looked like she had it all, a nice home and her own business. But, she was a slave to her conventional business until she broke free with direct selling. Her MLM success story and exclusive interview is below.
Wow thank you so much for this big interview, Michelle. You have quite the story that I am very interested in learning more about. So, let’s get started!
Where were you born and raised, what was childhood like, and what did your parents do for a living?
I was born and raised on Long Island.
My Father was in Vietnam when I was born and my mom lived with her parents while my dad was fighting for our freedom. I lived with my mom and grandparents till I was 18 months old in a small town named Ronkonkoma.
We then moved to Holtsville at that time.
After the Vietnam war and moving to Holtsville, my father drove an 18 wheeler to provide for his family.
My brother came along in 1971.
My Mom was a stay at home mother and took care of us in every way a mom could.
My father had most of the pressures for providing for us and if he wasn’t working , he spent his time as a volunteer Fireman for the Holtsville FD.
He loved taking care of his community and also volunteered as a paramedic.
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Can you tell us what happened when you were 12, and how did that influence your life?
When I was 12 years old and my brother 9, my father passed at the young age of 33, of a massive heart attack and stroke.
He basically worked himself to death.
That forever changed my life because, at the age of 12, a girl really needs her daddy to keep her in line in many ways.
I had to grow up real fast.
At 16, I had no choice but to get a job and a car to help my mom get back and forth to work.
While others my age went and got cars and jobs for fun, for me it was a necessity. I watched my mom struggle as a cashier in a grocery store.
I knew at the age of 13, that I did not want my life to turn out like my mom’s or my dad’s. I knew that God had a place for me in the world for much bigger things.
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What did you eventually become occupationally when you grew up?
Occupationally, I became a Interior designer, then a conventional business owner, and on to a professional network marketer, trainer and coach.
In essence, I always wanted to be a teacher but God had a bigger vision for me. Alas, I am that teacher!
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You became a slave to a conventional business. Can you tell us what type of business that was, what kind of working conditions did you face, and what was the downside to that?
Yes, I was a slave to that conventional business. It was a residential and commercial cleaning service. The working conditions were just out right horrible. It all was an uphill battle daily; training new employees consistently that would not stay anyway. Many of my customers were awesome however, the rude ones were out of control.
I remember specifically one customer while I was pregnant with my son (while I was out on the road) demanded me to take care of a situation and when I kindly told her that I will be there asap, I was pregnant and needed some time to get there, she blatantly told me in some colorful language that she could careless.
I’m being nice here but she had some rough language that i will not repeat.
There were many downsides as I have mentioned but to top it off, If I wanted to take a vacation, I had to close the whole business down to do it.
When did you discover network marketing, and what were the first two years like, and what was the biggest lesson learned during that time?
I discovered NWM when I was 22. It was a lotion and potion company and when I was introduced to it and residual income was explained, I was sold to the industry hook, line, and sinker. You didn’t have to tell me twice.
At the age of 22, I was very green and still trying to find myself so, I quit. I did go back to the same company because of the residual but found myself starting the conventional business because I thought that was the way to go.
Then in 2005, I became sick and tired of being sick and tired and decided it was time for me to get back into the profession of network marketing.
That is where I found my primary company and made the industry my home.
I believe my biggest lesson was just life itself. The journey of finding myself and believing that I could make a difference, an impact on the world.
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What is your most important advice for new network marketers and why?
My most important advice for network marketers would be to remember that this is a great big personal development journey.
Be actively learning and growing because when life hits you in the face, and by the way, no matter what level you are at, it will hit you in the face sometimes, know that through the journey you become a better person. A person that can and WILL make an impact on the WORLD.
Know that you are valuable and you have value no matter how small.
There is always someone watching.
You have greatness inside you no matter what the past held. Do NOT let that define you.
YOU are Capable, YOU are Deserving, and you are WORTHY. YOU have everything you need right now to make this your best life ever. Today and every day!
I love your blog! How old is it, how many posts are on it, and what is your daily traffic like?
My Blog is still in the early stages.
It is only about 6 months old right now.
I blog about 4 or 5 times a week and build my relationships also through video so my followers can get to know me, my brand, on a more personal level.
Traffic is fair on my business blog right now. My followers engage quite frequently because I am a no BS kind of gal so I tell it like it is.
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How important is personal branding and why do the leaders brand themselves and not their MLM company?
First it is important to understand that everyone is their own person with their own personality and characteristics like no other. You are your own brand to begin with.
Personal branding is important on so many levels.
Leaders brand themselves and NOT their MLM because first:
Companies can quit on you. Companies can fail. You don’t own it.
If you get used to those velvety ropes and red carpets and the stages of your company, and it quits on you, you are back to starting all over again.
When you brand yourself right from the start, People get to know you. People sign up with people. They don’t sign up with Companies. Leaders know that.
Personal branding builds the relationships, rapport.
It sets you apart from the rest. You stand out rather than blend in.
And if you are looking to make a lasting impact on the world, you brand yourself. Not your company.
How did you rise in rank so fast in your primary MLM, and what advice do you have for someone who wants to make it big and fast within network marketing?
I rose in rank quickly in my company because I rolled up my sleeves and got to work without excuses.
If you are looking to do the same, I suggest you roll up your sleeves, get to work, get rid of the excuses, and dedicate a block of time for daily personal development. Stay active in the community and do what the leaders do.
You need to grow into your goals.
Ask yourself better questions.
Instead of I can’t do this, say “How can I do this”
Its simple to do, simple not to do. Greatness never comes from easy.
Block out time for your daily money producing activities. Learn the skills needed to master your craft. And most of all, Don’t Quit before your blessing.
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What is your best method for generating leads today and can you share a couple methods?
My best method for generating leads today is blogging and promoting value in the market place.
- Have a value based free product to give away to people to your list
- And teach them the best methods to create results.
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You are passionate about helping moms break free, why is that and how can you help them?
I’m passionate about helping moms break free and I can help them because my mom struggled to pay the bills after my dad passed and I struggled as well as a single mom myself.
I know what it feels like to be what it seems like confinement to the everyday worry of living paycheck to paycheck. To wonder how you’re going to pay your mortgage and keep the roof over your head.
I can help moms create the freedom of those chains by creating a residual income legacy as well as improving their self image of how they may see themselves.
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What is your favorite book right now and why?
oh my, My favorite book is The Miracle Morning for Network Marketers. Undoubtedly.
It helped me get a better perspective on a DMO that will work for me. It changed my life and it is my ‘bible’ that I go back to periodically to remind me of my daily miracles and how to live a happier fulfilled life. It keeps me grounded and consistently moving forward in greatness. Life changing indeed!
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What are your goals for 2023?
My goals for 2023 are:
- Start a draft of my first book that I plan on publishing
- Create a bigger impact to the masses by creating courses in the NWM industry
- Through the Law of attraction, create speaking engagements and make an impact again from the stage.
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What is your favorite quote and why?
My favorite quotes come from Tony Robbins.
- This is my favorite because if you believe that what you dreamed of has already happened and LIVE it as if it has, The greater chance that it Will Happen.
- Decide to be that person and when you do, YOU BECOME that person.
- Keep working it. Eventually it will seem as if you are an overnight success even if it is really years or decades in the making.
Thank you so much for this interview, Michelle!
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