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Sheri Sharman: A Success Since 1987...But It Wasn't Always That Way
On this lens I will share my Rags-to-Riches story. A story of childhood molestation, two abusive marriages and the struggle of raising my son on $6.50 an hour. I have been successful in network marketing since 1987 but after reading my Rags-to-Riches story you will realize it wasn't always that way! I share my story to touch others and to inspire them to strive for their potential.
Please visit Sheri Sharman's Blog and/or click following link for more information About Sheri Sharman.
My Early Years In The Business World
A Struggle I Will Always Remember
I was holding on to my 4 year old son and walking out the door while my husband was yelling "you will never make it in the real world!". But I got divorced anyway and accepted a $1.00 alimony settlement. I couldn't stop thinking, "at least I'm on my own". I was making $11,000 a year and living in a 900 square foot house with my son. The next 3 years were more difficult than I could ever have imagined. I can't even remember how many times I had to raid my son's piggy bank just to put gas in my car so I could get to work. We would run out of food by the weekend so I would intentionally show up at dinner time at my mom's home every Sunday just to make sure my son was fed.
Believe me, reality had really set in. I felt worthless because I couldn't support and take care of my son on my own. Then one day I came home to find water coming out of my garage. My water heater had blown up! I had to ask my mom to buy me a new water heater at Sear's. I had always been proud that I had never asked for money. On that day, I sat outside with my head in my hands and I cried. I cried because I had to ask for help. That was a turning point for me. I got down on my knees and placed my folded hands on my white lace bedspread and I prayed for a miracle. I prayed hard! That very same day a good friend called and said he wanted to introduce me to someone in network marketing. Not realizing that this was the answer to my prayers, I strongly argued with him for at least 30 minutes. Finally, he said to me "can't you just give me one hour of your time Sheri?". He was a very good friend and to that I just couldn't say no. I was, however, very pessimistic. So with not much hope in my heart, I went to a business overview with my friend and what I heard totally changed my life. I heard a women on stage speak of how she made $8,000 in one month. Now remember, I was only making $11,000 in a whole year. I decided right then that I wanted to learn to do the same thing!
Believe me, reality had really set in. I felt worthless because I couldn't support and take care of my son on my own. Then one day I came home to find water coming out of my garage. My water heater had blown up! I had to ask my mom to buy me a new water heater at Sear's. I had always been proud that I had never asked for money. On that day, I sat outside with my head in my hands and I cried. I cried because I had to ask for help. That was a turning point for me. I got down on my knees and placed my folded hands on my white lace bedspread and I prayed for a miracle. I prayed hard! That very same day a good friend called and said he wanted to introduce me to someone in network marketing. Not realizing that this was the answer to my prayers, I strongly argued with him for at least 30 minutes. Finally, he said to me "can't you just give me one hour of your time Sheri?". He was a very good friend and to that I just couldn't say no. I was, however, very pessimistic. So with not much hope in my heart, I went to a business overview with my friend and what I heard totally changed my life. I heard a women on stage speak of how she made $8,000 in one month. Now remember, I was only making $11,000 in a whole year. I decided right then that I wanted to learn to do the same thing!
The Start of My Career In Network Marketing
Overcoming Fears and Obstacles
I didn't have lofty goals or big dreams when I started in network marketing. I just wanted to move out of lower income housing, get my son Eric into a better school and a better neighborhood. There were drug dealers living on our street and I desperately wanted to get my son away from them. I also wanted the freedom to spend more time with my family and I wanted to repay my mom for the water heater. After watching that woman on stage, I decided I also wanted to be a powerful woman and an example for other women to follow!
So there I was starting a career in network marketing with no business experience, no training and a terrible fear of public speaking. (I actually flunked speech class in my sophomore year because I couldn't speak in front of 28 other students.) The first time in my new career that I had to speak in public I was so nervous I wrapped my arms around a pillar back stage and refused to move. Someone had to pry my arms apart and literally push me on to the stage. The audience was only a small group of people but they terrified me. I was to give a speech with the theme "if I can make it in this business...so can you". With sweating palms and a palpitating heart I talked about how I went from making $11,000 a year as a preschool teacher to making $250,000 my first year in network marketing. I eventually overcame my fear of public speaking, which had been my very worst fear, and turned it into my career. Amazingly, I can now speak comfortably in front of thousands of people. My goal is always to inspire at least one person to create a better life for themselves. If I can do that, then it is definitely worth getting up on stage.
So there I was starting a career in network marketing with no business experience, no training and a terrible fear of public speaking. (I actually flunked speech class in my sophomore year because I couldn't speak in front of 28 other students.) The first time in my new career that I had to speak in public I was so nervous I wrapped my arms around a pillar back stage and refused to move. Someone had to pry my arms apart and literally push me on to the stage. The audience was only a small group of people but they terrified me. I was to give a speech with the theme "if I can make it in this business...so can you". With sweating palms and a palpitating heart I talked about how I went from making $11,000 a year as a preschool teacher to making $250,000 my first year in network marketing. I eventually overcame my fear of public speaking, which had been my very worst fear, and turned it into my career. Amazingly, I can now speak comfortably in front of thousands of people. My goal is always to inspire at least one person to create a better life for themselves. If I can do that, then it is definitely worth getting up on stage.
Working Hard And Living In My Dream Home
I mentioned that I made $250,000 my first year in network marketing. But don't get me wrong, I worked hard, very hard. My first two years I sometimes worked 18 hour days, 7 days a week. When I figured out that network marketing was really a relationship building business things started getting easier. I developed a very simple way to build relationships and then I kept refining my system until I could teach it to others and they could duplicate it.
I've come a long way and I learned that by staying very focused on helping my team mates get what they wanted, I was able to get what I wanted...my dream home. For six years, I lived in a 6000 square foot ocean front home. It was absolutely breath taking.
I've come a long way and I learned that by staying very focused on helping my team mates get what they wanted, I was able to get what I wanted...my dream home. For six years, I lived in a 6000 square foot ocean front home. It was absolutely breath taking.
Giving It All Up...
...and Starting Over Again
I left that home in 1997 when I chose to walk away from a 7 figure a year income because of integrity issues with the company I represented.
My income was at zero, I had to start all over again.
After finding a company with integrity and a great product, I was able to build my income back up and I'm now the top female income earner in my company. I feel blessed to live in a beautiful 5000 square foot Mediterranean-style home that sits on a hill with lush landscaping and a view of the ocean. I have the pleasure of having my mom, Imo Sharman, work with me. She is 74 years young, making a 6 figure yearly income and truly enjoying her golden years!
I've been able to travel all over the world and share wonderful trips with my son, my mother and friends. I took my son to see the statue of liberty instead of him just reading about it in school. I was able to celebrate his 16th birthday with him while on a surfing safari in Bali.
These trips and my lifestyle are all possible because of the time freedom and financial freedom I have gained through network marketing.
My income was at zero, I had to start all over again.
After finding a company with integrity and a great product, I was able to build my income back up and I'm now the top female income earner in my company. I feel blessed to live in a beautiful 5000 square foot Mediterranean-style home that sits on a hill with lush landscaping and a view of the ocean. I have the pleasure of having my mom, Imo Sharman, work with me. She is 74 years young, making a 6 figure yearly income and truly enjoying her golden years!
I've been able to travel all over the world and share wonderful trips with my son, my mother and friends. I took my son to see the statue of liberty instead of him just reading about it in school. I was able to celebrate his 16th birthday with him while on a surfing safari in Bali.
These trips and my lifestyle are all possible because of the time freedom and financial freedom I have gained through network marketing.
Tips For Others Considering Network Marketing
My career in network marketing taught me that you need to:
- Work on your personal development by reading books, attending seminars, etc...
- Always work with integrity and work for a company with integrity.
- Create leaders not followers or you'll never have time freedom.
- Use a turn key system that anyone can follow so you can leverage your time and earn a significant income while you do the things you love.
- Develop self confidence. It's very powerful. You don't have to be more powerful than someone else. You just need to be powerful from within; a light house shining upon others.
Always remember, if you can build your business once you can built it again.
- Work on your personal development by reading books, attending seminars, etc...
- Always work with integrity and work for a company with integrity.
- Create leaders not followers or you'll never have time freedom.
- Use a turn key system that anyone can follow so you can leverage your time and earn a significant income while you do the things you love.
- Develop self confidence. It's very powerful. You don't have to be more powerful than someone else. You just need to be powerful from within; a light house shining upon others.
Always remember, if you can build your business once you can built it again.
Sheri Sharman's Other Lenses on Squidoo
Please also visit my other lenses by clicking on the links below:
- The Truth About Sheri Sharman
- Here you'll find info that will give you some insight into the real Sheri Sharman...the entrepreneur and the person!
- Testimonials For Sheri Sharman
- Read what others are saying about Sheri Sharman and the positive impact she has made on their lives.
- Secrets of Success Training by Sheri Sharman
- Learn the "Secrets of Success" From The Master...Sheri Sharman. "Secrets of Success" is a series of training sessions that focus on Personal Development & Business Development. Through this training Sheri coaches people on how to earn more, how to become more and how to have more of the lifestyle they want.
- A Passion For Empowering & Helping Women
- I have a passion for helping women, teaching others and spotlighting people's talents which is what led me to create Women's Empowerment Events. At these events, and through my personal coaching, I help women dream again. I teach them how to have great self confidence and how to find Joy through their true talents. My past (sometimes negative) experiences have made me a very effective, inspiring life coach for women.
- Sheri Sharman Spotlights ViaVienté Team Leaders
- This lens is dedicated to a series of interviews with Wellness Professionals who have aligned themselves with ViaVienté.
- A Home-Based Business That's Perfect For Women
- A bit of history about women in the business world, why women are great at direct selling and how a direct selling business with ViaViente can bring you success. Benefits of course include working from home, a more flexible schedule, travel perks and financial freedom to name just a few.
- Sheri Sharman Press Room News
- News articles, press releases and media coverage to help you stay up-to-date with the happenings at Sheri Sharman Inc. We will also highlight books and magazines that Sheri has authored, co-authored or been spotlighted in.
- Business Success Tips By Sheri Sharman
- This lens will be dedicated to sharing information that will help you succeed in the network marketing industry. Many of the tips offered, however, apply to any type of business so read on for valuable information.
- Sheri Sharman's Passion for Charitable Contributions
- Giving back to others is very important to me! I'm telling you this only because I want to share with you some of the many causes and charities I've been able to support. I truly believe that we can all make a difference in this world...we just have to do it one step at a time...one person at a time!
- List Of All Lenses
- My list of lenses is growing. So, to make sure you don't miss any of them, click above link for a complete list that's generated by Squidoo.
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Reply
- cscarpero cscarpero Sep 8, 2008 @ 10:10 pm
- Hi Sheri,
I don't think you remember me, but I certainly remember you. I'm a former Equinox distributor. It's great to see your continued success. You deserve it!
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Reply
- GiftedLady GiftedLady Jun 26, 2007 @ 7:53 pm
- Hi Sheri...very inspiring story!
by SheriSharman
I'm a very energetic and inspiring business and life coach that
strongly believes in teaching personal development and how to build
self-confidence...
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