Pat Dryer: From Corporate Career to Home Business Freedom
Pat Dryer was used to making a great income in the Corporate world when suddenly within 3 days, he lost everything. Now, he is his own boss. His story and interview is below.
Thanks for accepting this interview, Pat. I’m excited to learn more about you. So, let’s get started with this interview.
Where were you born and raised, what was childhood like, and what did you want to be when you ‘grew up?’
I was born on the east coast in Mineola, NY. I was raised in Orange County, CA. I was two years old when we left NY so I grew up as a Southern California boy.
My childhood was pretty awesome. We had seven kids in the family and there was always something going on around the house. It seemed to be the gathering place for the neighborhood. If someone was there at dinner time there was always room for one more.
My oldest brother and I were always into sports and if you wanted to find us we were usually down at the school yard playing baseball, football or basketball. There was always a pickup game going on and we would be in the middle of it.
As we grew older we got into more organized sports through the school system. My brother went into basketball and I went to football and track. I think sports gave us the skills and attitude/mindset that we carried into our careers.
I went to school to become a Physical Therapist. I came to that conclusion after a football injury. The Physical Therapist I went to was a former college football player and he loved what he was doing. So, I thought that was what I wanted too.
After applying to get into the Physical Therapy Program twice and getting turned down both times I found something out about myself. I was a business minded person! Who knew.
After a debrief with the Physical Therapy Program Interview Team they told me that my ideas I shared with them about setting up offices all over Southern California was better suited for “anything else”. They were looking for more “Patient minded” students for their program.
So, I finished with a degree in Business and went off to conquer the world.
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What did your parents do for a living and was there any Entrepreneurship in the family?
We were a “yours, mine and ours” family – a combination of divorced full time parents. Mom and Dad worked in a Cold Storage Plant and that is where they met. She worked in the office and he drove a forklift. When Dad was promoted to manage the facility, Mom quit work to take care of the seven young kids (I think my Dad got the better part of that deal).
The closest thing we ever got to Entrepreneurship was in the mid-70’s when my Dad was approached to manage and co-own a cold storage facility/ice house in Orange County.
After discussion with an attorney friend my Dad turned down the offer. Apparently, the offer was “Mob” related and the term “put em on ice” took a completely different meaning……
As you can imagine it took a lot to raise seven kids. We didn’t have a lot of money but we always had what we needed.
I always wanted more – so, I found work. I mowed lawns, had a paper route, repaired pallets at Dad’s work – whatever it took to put some money in my pocket until I turned 16. It was then I could get a work permit and a real job.
I worked with a friend of mine at McDonalds. I liked the job and the money but I was more impressed with the owner. He had 3
stores and was building more. Now that is leverage. I think my being raised in a family of 9 and seeing how others create wealth created my business mindset.
Like I said – I wanted more and I was going to get it.
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How did your Corporate career begin, what were some of the perks and downsides of having a corporate career, and what led you to a “side project?”
After college, I took a few jobs until I landed a career job in telecom. I was in Sales and ranked at or near the top every year. Winning trips and cruises and collecting bonus money and stock options for being top ranked – those were the days.
We were able to provide the big house, good schools, great vacations – you know, the American Dream. Game on!
After several years of Sales, I was promoted into the support side of the house. I traveled throughout the USA for various projects. Travel was fun but being away from the family was getting old.
Over the years, the company grew through acquisition and now my travel was International. First Asia Pacific and then a year later Europe was added to the mix.
I was in Hong Kong for a five-day regional strategy meeting when it all came tumbling down. The company was being accused of fraudulently reporting numbers. In three days, I had lost it all – stock options now worthless – 401K down 80% – and my job is not worth keeping.
After 6 months, I found my way out of that company with another corporate job. This time I did something else – I started a “side project”, a home business. Something that could eventually take the place of my primary income.
Using my sister’s experience we developed a company that designs, builds and manages trade show properties for corporate clients. As that became our primary income it was time to start another “side business” to add the same financial protection we’ve become accustomed to.
This time I joined a network marketing company through my daughter.
When did you discover network marketing, what was your first year like, and can you tell us what you would change if you started over today?
Oh gosh, I was made aware of network marketing a long time ago. I can’t remember if the first one I heard about it was Amway or Herbalife. Then it was AL Williams, Fund America, ACN and a bunch of others. I did get involved in Fund America but it went out of business.
My first year with Fund America was a complete failure. A few months into my second year the company closed. It made a good excuse to use for my performance – I made a great Victim.
What would I change? Like many people who get into network marketing I thought I had a better way. I didn’t follow the suggested method of building my business and my performance reflected that.
Doing it over as I did with my current company, I would treat my warm market differently. I would tell my friends and family what I am doing and let them know what I expect of them (as follows):
- Positive Support
- Become a Customer and Purchase Products
- Provide Referrals of Customers and/or Business Partners
- Become a Business Partner
You must let the cat out of the bag and accept any response you receive. Do not take it personal. There are many people who will see the value in what you offer. There are many more who will not see the opportunity as something they want to pursue.
I’ve been with my current company for 6 months now and this warm market approach worked well for me. The only problem is you find yourself running out of warm market prospects.
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You discovered online attraction marketing through using a system, can you tell us about MLSP and what it does?
Knowing that 95% of network marketers struggle and only 5% are successful I became determined to be part of that 5%!
By applying the warm market strategy that I explained above I was able to sponsor a good base of business partners. Of course, I didn’t want to attack my server in restaurants or apply the 3-foot rule so I searched for a way to meet “like minded” people online.
I found a few training platforms and was really impressed with My Lead System Pro (MLSP). I signed up for a 10-day trial and got engaged on day one; the rest is history. I get leads on a daily basis and have signed a bunch of new business partners into the company.
MLSP is a group of successful marketers whose passion is to help others become successful in network marketing. Many are 6, 7 and even 8 figure earners who are doing the training. They teach you how to brand yourself, market like a pro and become a leader in any industry.
MLSP has all of the tools necessary to create the online business that you need to be successful. The daily live training they offer is a bonus.
Another benefit of MLSP is seeing who the industry leaders are and connecting with them on a personal level. I am amazed at the amount of free training available on their Blogs and Websites.
What is the biggest mistake you see new internet marketers make, and how can they fix it?
They see the leaders in the business and they want the same success – and they want it NOW!!
So, they bury themselves in setting up all of the social media sites, a Blog, etc. and get overwhelmed with busy work and want to quit.
Best way to fix it is to get help (I signed up with MLSP). Start with one or two strategies – Facebook and a Blog are two good ones. Facebook to start making new connections with people and the Blog to capture email addresses for your “List”.
Pretty simple – connect with people on Facebook, write a Blog Post, drive people to your Blog to capture names for your list, send email to your list. Repeat.
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I love your blog! How old is it, how many posts are on it, and what is your daily traffic like?
Thanks – I started it 5 months ago. It is a great resource and seems to take on a life of its own at times. There are 20+ posts on it right now with additional pages for other business items.
I want to add 3 to 5 posts a week going forward to attract more traffic to it. I added a Facebook Pixel to the site and I am getting anywhere from 25 to 75 visits daily – naturally, I want to see that number increase substantially.
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What’s the hottest way to generate leads for you these days, and can you share a technique?
Facebook is the best lead generator for me. Both passive (attraction marketing through Posts) and active prospecting (searching for struggling marketers) is working. I’m also running some Ads and Re-targeting with the Pixel.
For active prospecting I look for discussions in specific Groups or someone’s wall (someone like Eric Worre or Robert Kiyosaki) and see who is asking questions that I can get involved in. Just gently insert yourself into the conversation and see where it takes you.
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What is your favorite book right now, and why?
GoPro – 7 Steps to Becoming Network Marketing Professional by Eric Worre
He says all the right things about success in network marketing. I make it required reading for everyone on my team.
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What are your goals for 2023?
I want to wean myself away from the trade show business and play more golf.
I need to grow my network and affiliate marketing to accomplish this. To do this I need to meet more people and help them reach their goals.
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What is your favorite quote and why?
“Success Leaves Clues”
If someone wants to be successful in network or online marketing all they have to do is follow the leader. It really is that simple.
Every one of the leaders started at the beginning just like you did.
It was by being personally accountable and through personal and professional development they could create the success they have now.
Go slow or go fast but never look back. Your future is ahead of you.
Thank you so much for this interview Pat!
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