Be at peace now
This is not my usual post on marketing, because today, I found out about another person I knew who was taken by this awful disease. So today, if everyone out there would say a little prayer for Bette, who lost the battle, and her family, who are left to carry on, I would really be thankful.
If you or your friends or relatives have cancer and I can pray for you, please let me know.
My Children Were Turning Blue – Pertussis, a deadly bacteria
If you have ever seen your child turn blue, you can understand the horror and fear I experienced this past summer. It all started one night when our 14 month old began coughing. He was still sleeping in a crib beside our bed at the time, and it sounded like he was choking. I got up, held him until he was done, and put him back to bed. Now, I have 8 children and have seen a lot of ugly viruses go through our home, but nothing like this. My children have had pneumonia and reactive airway disease, so I do not usually worry too much over a cough. However, our youngest, Samuel, was experiencing a cough that I had never heard before. It sounded like he had something in the back of his throat, and his airway was getting blocked. Over the course of that weekend, his cough was getting worse, especially at night. Soon, my three year old began to cough. That Monday, I took my kindergarten twins to the doctor on for their school physicals and brought Samuel with. His lungs were clear, so the doctor was not worried, and we went home. He did hear deep congestion in one of our twins, so he put him on an antibiotic. By Wednesday, I was sleep-deprived, since every night Samuel was choking, and seemed unable to breathe. I began a search on the internet, and being somewhat of a medical mystery geek, I looked up pertussis. I saw a video of a child on You Tube and recognized the cough right away. I immediately called the doctor’s office and requested they test my children for pertussis. Ironically, my sister and I met at the doctor’s office since her children were suffering from a similar cough. My children and hers tested positive and the entire family was put on antibiotics. There is more to the story, but let me first tell a little about pertussis.
Pertussis is a bacterial infection which grows in your nose, throat and airways. Usually it begins with minor cold like symptoms, such as a runny nose and cough. As the disease progresses, the cough becomes thick and spastic. The airway can become blocked and oxygen deprivation can occur. The bacteria leaves behind toxins which produces thick secretions in all the airway passages. A person will struggle to cough up this mucous and at times, be unable to breathe. Usually coughing fits will end with vomiting. Pertussis or whooping coughs has also been called the 100 day cough by the Chinese. In reality it is not unusual for this cough to last for 6 months.
When my family contracted pertussis, I thought antibiotics would take care of the problem, and we would be all better within a week. Much to my shock, the only reason for the antibiotics was to kill the bacteria, so it would not be spread to other people. The bacteria, which had been growing secretly in my children, had already done its damage by producing toxins. Since antibiotics do not get rid of toxins, the disease would have to run its course. For more nights than I can count, I ran from child to child trying to help them breathe. I had four children sleeping in my room, and the only way they could breathe was to sleep sitting up. All night long I would listen to them breathe. When I would hear a strange breathing pattern, I would run to that child, sit them back up, and help them as they went through another coughing fit. This happened for 5 straight weeks. I watched my youngest two children as their lips turned blue and they gasped for air. I do not believe I slept more than one hour at any given time. The first week of the disease, I did not sleep at all. I went down to 97 lbs and even had my first real anxiety attack. I cried, I prayed, I screamed out to God to help my children. I was not ready to lose any of them and begged Him to make them well. I was a nervous wreck, and was ready to take the entire family to the hospital. However, I learned that the hospital would be doing the same thing that I was doing at home, so instead of leaving them in a room alone in the hospital at night, I kept them at home. The only thing I couldn’t do for them that the hospital could do was give them oxygen. I gave out breathing treatments around the clock. Preparing for bed took over an hour, as children lined up to receive a breathing treatment from the nebulizer. But it did not stop with my children, my husband was sick too! One night I woke up to a horrible gasping sound in the hall. My husband, a strong guy, was unable to breathe. He was gasping and trying to get in air. He finally coughed and threw up. This happened to him every night for about two weeks. I was really scared. He even threw up blood at one point. He also was prescribed an inhaler, and used it for several months. I thought to myself, “if my grown husband cannot cough this stuff up, how can little children survive?” I learned that many, many babies die from pertussis.
Most people have never seen pertussis because with vaccinations readily available, it is no longer considered a normal childhood disease. However, this year, pertussis was seen at epidemic levels around the country. It is highly contagious, and children who have been vaccinated can still get it, although it will not be as severe. It is extremely contagious, and every parent should recognize the symptoms. Sometimes, it is misdiagnosed as viral asthma, since doctors have not seen it often. In fact, in researching pertussis, I was shocked to find so many articles about children not getting properly diagnosed.
If you think your child may have pertussis, please contact your healthcare provider and keep your child away from other children. Even after antibiotics, I did not allow my children in public for 6 weeks.
If you have questions about pertussis which I can answer, please contact me and I would be happy to talk with you about my experience.
Entrepreneurs Profit in Illinois
With joblessness on the rise and recession looming over the heads of every American, many people will be tempted start their own businesses. This is a great idea, and one that has helped thousands of people become financially free.
Today, I am going to spotlight a small business opportunity located right in Illinois. I am certain that many readers here are familiar with network marketing, which at times can get a bad rap. However, when done right, this business can make people up to six figures per month. You just need to know how to do it and find the right mentor. I will write more about this in a future blog.
In Illinois, a new opportunity emerged in May of 2008. Ambit Energy, a natural gas supplier, decided to allow independent consultants to market their company. Unlike most companies which do their own advertising causing the price of the product to cost more, this company has chosen to bring more savings to the customer by spending little on advertising, and giving ordinary folks the chance to earn thousands. In Texas, where Ambit began just a few years ago, ordinary people have already become millionaires.
So, how does it work? The average Illinois resident can buy into the business for $429.00, which is a low start up cost when you figure other businesses start up costs are much higher. They gather a handful of friends who enroll in Ambit’s lower priced natural gas service and also gather a handful of friends who want to make money by consulting for Ambit. To make this more understandable, let’s call the Ambit Consultant John. John convinces 5 friends to sign up and 3 consultants to join his business. John will make money from signing up his friends and bonuses for signing up other consultants. The real money comes in with the residual monthly income. You see, John not only makes money from signing people up for gas service, he makes a certain amount of money from their gas bill month after month. It doesn’t stop with the people he signs up either. He will make money from any customers his consultants sign up down to six levels deep. What does that mean for dollar amount? If Johns signs up three consultants and helps them sign up three consultants down six levels, and each of them bring in 10 customers, his monthly residual income alone will be at the least $10,000 per month and at the most $49,000. Why the difference in price? It depends on the customer’s home size and how many therms of natural gas they use each month. If John and his consultants (downline) sign on customers who use more energy, the monthly bill is higher and the commission is higher.
Questions people may have about Ambit Energy
Ø Why would anyone want to switch their gas service? Good question, but this company makes it very attractive. Ambit Energy has signed a contract with the Illinois Commerce Commission which guarantees the customer at least a 1% savings over nicor. If they don’t hold up that end of the bargain, they will not be able to supply gas in Illinois.
Ø Does it cost money to switch? NO, absolutely not. It costs nothing to switch and nothing to go back to nicor if you are not completely satisfied.
Ø Are there contracts to sign? No, you sign no contract. Unlike other natural gas suppliers in Illinois who force you into a contract, Ambit does not.
Ø Who will read my meter? Who will fix my gas leaks? Nicor will still bill you, read you meter and fix any pipe problems. What the reader may not understand is that nicor owns all of the pipes and infrastructure. You will still be with nicor, but you have given yourself the right to choose a cheaper natural gas supplier, who will deliver this gas to the pipes of nicor, and nicor will deliver to you.
Ø Will nicor get mad at me? NO, nicor still makes money from you. Look at your nicor bill right now. You will see a delivery charge on there. (Incidentally, if you read my blog on joblessness, you will see a quote that nicor is raising the delivery charge.) Nicor makes money on everyone, because they charge you to deliver the gas, and they charge for the therm use. There are two separate elements to your bill. You are now able to lower one of those elements, and that is the therm price.
Ø 1% is not so great…why should I bother? Well, to that I would say, when gas prices were high, didn’t you go searching out the gas station that could save you money? People, recession is here…save some money!
Ø What else do I get for doing this? Ambit will give you a 3 day/2night hotel stay, just for switching your service.
Ø You will also earn travel rewards month after month which can be applied toward travel packages. They automatically give you 1000 rewards points when you sign-up
Ø What else? When you enroll, you get your own website, which you can sign up your friends. Sign up 5 friends and win a choice of one of six travel packages
Ø FREE GAS – yes that is possible too. Sign up 15 friends under your website and Ambit will average their gas bill and subtract it from yours.
Does this sound too good to be true? This is the real deal and it will explode this year in Illinois. If you want to get in on something amazing, now is the time. It is easy to sell, and the income potential is amazing.
If you have questions about Ambit, call me at 815 325-8979. You can also view the website for a video presentation at www.lisarebecca.energy526.com.
You can e-mail me at lisa@groundbreakingenergy.com
Do you have a small business you would like me to spotlight? Call or e-mail me and I would love to talk with you and write you in my blog.
The headline in Craines Chicago business reads, “Illinois companies to cut 7000+ jobs.” If you read the Craines Chicago business review and begin looking through the finance section and the other sections within this insightful paper, all you read is bad news. Some of the headlines that caught my attention were: “Suntimes closing a dozen papers,” “Maker of Equal files chapter 11, “Walgreeens to eliminate 1000 management jobs.” This is just a small sampling of the grim economic news on the horizon. What can be done? Many CEO’s will soon be out of jobs, as this economy seems to be spiraling out of control.
It is said that small businesses will explode in 2009, due to executive positions being eliminated. People are already turning to the internet to find some guidance for a new line of work. However, one must beware of the “too good to be true” offer. Look at any home based business advertisement on the internet. “Make $10,000/month working 30 minutes a day.” People are so desperate to find a stable job, they are willing to believe anything. What the unsuspecting person does not realize, is that the ad they are reading is a generic ad, generated by a lead company to capture their personal information. Once that person gives their name, phone number and e-mail address, their information is sold to small business owners who want to put people in their business. It is not uncommon for this information to be sold to twelve different small businesses. Get ready for the onslaught of phone calls from every MLM that ever existed, because if you give out your information, be prepared to get calls.
Not all calls you will get from small businesses looking for individuals are bad. However, what the reader needs to realize is that this is not a typical job. He/She will be asked to buy into a business, usually a network marketing or MLM business. These businesses really can make people thousands per month, but require far more time than 30 minutes per day.
So, perhaps you have decided that MLM what is you would like to do. Good for you! I don’t blame you for wanting financial security. I am in a wonderful MLM myself. I wish you the best. This industry is growing by leaps and bounds due to the potential to make unlimited money and joblessness being at an all time high. However, not to burst your bubble, but 95% of network marketers leave this industry within 3 months. I believe it is because they are not educated and are fed a bucket full of lies. It takes time, money and motivation, not to mention education. So if you are willing to put that forth, you can succeed! However, choose your MLM carefully. You do not want to build an organization, only to have it taken from you. Here are a few things to consider:
THE PRODUCT:
Some people do not think about this in detail. They believe the product super vitamin X is so amazing that anyone would buy it. Ask yourself, can I sell this product? Is it sold in the stores for less money? Is it a good product? These questions are important, because if you cannot sell your product because it is found for less money at Walmart, do not invest your money in the start up fees. You will be wasting your money and beating your head against the wall trying to find some reason why people should buy it.
THE COMPANY:
Investigate the company. Find out who the leaders are and do a google search saying “company X scam” or “president of company name scam” and see what comes up. If there is anything against the company, read it and reconsider. Please note: some MLM companies will try to blacklist other companies. It is important to read through each item that comes up. Often times another MLM consultant will be trying to turn bad press into their benefit.
TERMS AND AGREEMENT AND POLICIES AND PROCEDURES:
Most people will never read these. They sign up for the “best company since sliced bread” without even seeing the contract they are agreeing to. Yes, that is right, you are under a contract. What does this mean? READ it! If you build your organization and are making $40K/month, your company may want to eliminate you. How will they do it? They will scrutinize your advertising. Have you been on social networking sites? Have you kept all of your receipts for the past 5 years? Does your contract say that you can be terminated for no cause? Your MLM will not look at you now, because you are not making money. When you do make lots of money each month, that is when they will look. Watch your business get taken away if your contract is not in your interest, but in the interest of the company. I cannot say this enough! Look at the contact. You need to ensure that all your hard work will not be taken from you in the blink of an eye. Think this hasn’t happened before? Think again. There are many very successful MLM marketers who have built their business only to have it taken away because of a small phrase in their contract.
CHOOSING YOUR MENTOR:
That is right, you can choose your mentor. What makes a good mentor? Look closely at who is offering you this great opportunity. How are they growing their business? Can you afford to repeat their efforts? Are they willing to train you, spend time with you and help you succeed? If not, walk away. You are new to this business and need training. If you are left to figure it out on your own, it will become very expensive and you will soon quit.
Right now, the MLM business is a hot one. People are doing these businesses on the side, while working their current job. In May of 2008, a new MLM company came to Illinois. It was unlike the others because instead of marketing vitamins or products not everyone uses, this company signs on consultants to market natural gas, a product just about everyone uses. Since deregulation of natural gas in Illinois, the consumer has the choice to choose nicor or another gas supplier. Nicor does not lose out, because they have control of the pipes and still make money from the delivery charge. In fact, just a sidenote here, your delivery charge will be going up soon according to nicor. (Crain’s) — “Nicor Inc., which supplies natural gas to 2.2 million suburban customers, plans later this month to file for a $140-million rate hike that would increase total gas rates by 5% and boost the average monthly residential bill by $4.60. The rate hike affects only the costs of delivering gas and not the cost of the commodity itself, which rises and falls with the power markets and is passed through to customers without markup. The delivery charge accounts for 20% of the typical gas bill.”
Just thought I would throw that in for anyone who cares. Okay, so back to deregulation. The consumer who has nicor in Illinois can choose to save money on the cost of the natural gas, not the delivery charge which will always be in the hands of nicor. The consumer can have a different supplier give the natural gas to nicor, and nicor delivers it. In May 2008, one of these suppliers decided that instead of paying big money to advertise, they would offer consultants the opportunity to grow their own businesses marketing natural gas. Imagine getting paid on everyone’s gas bill! However, not everyone in Illinois has nicor gas. This cheaper gas can only be marketed to nicor customers.
In a bleak economy there is some good news! I think network marketing will be the big surge in 2009, and if you live in Illinois, you can get in on marketing natural gas.
Do you need more information on deregulation or MLM opportunities in Illinois? You can go to lisarebecca.energy526.com. There is a great video which expains deregulation, how it affects the consumer and it’s potential for the individual looking to start a home business.
Hi! I guess this was to be my first post. Since I already posted I guess I am doing introductions second!
Well, hello, my name is Lisa. I live in Lockport with my husband, eight children (yes, I did say 8!), and puppy. My husband and children are wonderful……I cannot say the same about the puppy. Ask me in a year when I don’t need to think about the $1700 surgery he had when he ate a bobby pin.
Anyway, I hope to create some good content on this blog, most of which will be related to parenting, saving money and starting your own home business. I began my home business last year and love it!
The most important thing to me is God and my family. I enjoy learning new things and when I find something interesting, I am completely captivated. I have been known to stay up late into the night reading and learning about new things. The most facinating subjects to me are mysterious illnesses. I love to watch mystery diagnosis and have read books on this topic as well. (I am a doctor at heart…my major was biochemistry).
I write this blog at 2 a.m., as I drank a little too much coffee at my business meeting. Hopefully, I will be asleep soon, but I am not tired yet!
I hope you enjoy the contents of this blog. Please feel free to leave me a message or e-mail me at lisa_drong@yahoo.com and I will get back to you!
www.helpingyouwintoday.com
