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I Built A Worldwide Business From Broke.

Carol Jones

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@Carol Jones I have read every post and your full story on your website, and I love it all. As I read your story I cheered you on every step of the way.

I like the mindset that demands that you provide real value, and real service.

I like the fact that you pulled yourselves up by the bootstraps.

I like your website. There are too many sites built by people wanting to show off their website building skills, but don't present a customer-friendly, helpful and ethical attitude.

I like the fact that you employ people with disabilities. I did the same in my second business and like you, I got to love the people who were doing that work for me. Yes, "Made with love" is a good description, because I found them dedicated and conscientious, and overall a delight to work with.

And maybe I was glued to your website story because I was born near where you now live and operate your business. Having operated both of my international businesses from rural locations I understand the difficulties, but having escaped the rat race I wouldn't have it any other way.

To sit at my desk, looking out of my office window with cattle and kangaroos grazing next to my garden fence has been priceless.

Now that I am retired, I am like you, giving back. It's a great feeling, and incidentally it's an antidote to the dreaded emptiness that so many people feel when they retire.



Congratulations on the way the power of recommendation has worked well for you. When the well known personality wrote: "This is beyond a doubt the Rolls Royce of ironing board covers", you were really on the map.

I have had a similar experience when on another forum that I no longer frequent, a grateful member wrote: "Walter's book is the Rosetta Stone of importing." Rather extravagant, and I had no idea that so many people knew that the Rosetta Stone was the key to unlocking the mysteries of hieroglyphics, but book sales skyrocketed.

Getting those recommendations is well worth the effort. Congratulations on persevering.

In Post #38 you wrote: "Everything comes at a price. To succeed, you have to want to pay the price." That reminded me of the statement by Robert DeCastella the great Australian marathon runner: "You have to be prepared to cross the pain threshold."

Cheap ironing board covers from the big stores fail so quickly that I have been buying more than one at a time. Now you have another customer delighted to have found you.

Walter

G'day Walter @Walter Hay,

That is one amazing comment! I read it out loud to Victor. We're both ecstatic!!

Thank you for taking the time to read all my posts. And my story on my website. You've probably read the equivalent of a book! I find that the most touching of all.

Where were you born? Close to Mudgee? Kandos? Lithgow? Bathurst?

Next question. If you're looking out your office window at cattle and kangaroos, you're still in Australia. So where? I do see that you say you're a 'Citizen of the World'. So you've obviously spent much of your life travelling to. And/or living in. Other places.

#1. One of the real battles we fought was with website designers. Not listening to us about where our grassroots are. And secondly, not wanting to tweak words when I learned something new from a customer that would make my site better. We were always put on the backburner.

Sick of that, a customer told Victor, who is an intuitive designer, but not computer literate, that he could build his own website using FrontPage. Wordpress wasn't even a twinkle in anyone's eye then.

With the FrontPage manual glued to his eyes, he designed. And built. Our second website. What you see now is his 6th redesign. With each new site, we became bolder with our desire to emphasise the ruralness of our business. And one of Victor's best decisions was to incorporate my photos that I take on the property every morning at sunrise, into the site. Customers and visitors love them.

We're now on Wordpress. And although Victor designs how the site will look. I'm the backroom gal with the technical expertise that makes it all happen. We sit side by side while we put a site together. We're a perfect team. As always.

#2. It's not hard to provide real value. And real service. All any business owner has to do is have a recollection of how poorly they've been treated at 'XYZ'. Or how bad the product was they purchased. And remember how they never went back. Multiply that by triple digits, and that's how much business a company loses every year because of apathy. But business owners don't seem to relate the poor service. And poor products. To their own business.

An experience that is riveted in my mind is when Victor and I were waiting to buy fresh pet meat in a shop. A customer came in. Who had been in earlier. His order for cat food hadn't arrived the first time he popped in. It was there the second time. While we were waiting. The owner of the shop, a classy gal with style, put his order together. Apologised for him having to come back twice. And popped an additional two, one kilo packs of cat meat, on top of his order. I will never forget the look of surprise. And delight. On that customer's face.

This is sooo easy to do. But too many people count the pennies it costs them to keep a customer happy. Rather than the value they've just added to the customer experience.

#3. Searching for a sewing company who employed men and women with a disability was the result of being thrown out of 'able-bodied' sewing companies because we were too fussy about how we wanted our ironing board cover to be made.

It is the best decision we made. These men and women are loving. And affectionate. Interested in us. And care about us. We're known as 'Mr & Mrs Ironing Board Cover' behind our backs.

How many workshops can you walk into where the people who sew for you are allowed to down tools? And come over and say hello? None.

They've sewn millions of items for us. And only one has been returned because of a manufacturing fault.

#4. Mindset. And reputation. Are everything in business.

With a strong, determined mindset. You can circumnavigate brick walls. Find your way out of dark alleys. Jump hurdles. And get to B. From A.

Reputation is everything. And I mean everything. When everything is stripped from you. All you have left is your reputation. It's the baggage you take with you everywhere you go. It's important that a person's reputation be in pristine condition. With no rough edges.

I can't tell you how many times we've been offered money under the table to bend the rules. Especially when Victor was the dream architect loved by developers.

We instinctively knew to decline the offer.

Because.

A reputation will either keep a door closed. Or magically open one for you.

Being in business isn't hard. It's not easy either. But knowing your values. And sticking to them. Makes the road less travelled a better journey.

Keep in touch! You really have added unexpected sparkle to our day.

I will be thrilled if ever I see an order from you. ~Carol❤
 
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Carol Jones

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Yes, that info helps thanks.

You may find a way to deliver into the UK without the tarrif if you investigate further how I'm getting deliveries from the mainland UK into Dublin, via Northern Ireland.
Maybe you can go the other way? Dublin to the mainland UK via Northern Ireland?

Thank you again @Andy Black for all this information.

I've done my due diligence. And this is what I've found.

Australia Post is the cheapest. Most reliable. Means for me to despatch parcels overseas. And. They provide a great service whereby they let me know every step of the way where that parcel is. And also notify me when the parcel has been delivered overseas to my customer.

They can get a parcel to the USA in 6 days. To the UK in 10 days. That's great service.

Having looked at alternatives, because of your information. And this is something I wouldn't have done otherwise. I'm now convinced that Australia Post is the best option for me.

Thank you for all your input. It was enlightening! ~Carol❤
 

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Hi Carol,

True, your story was about the size of a small novel, but it was a good read.

I was born at Rylstone but I know Ilford well, having hunted rabbits and feral pigs there many years ago. My ancestors were pioneers in the Rylstone district.

Having recently downsized from our large cattle property where that bucolic scene out of the office window was my workplace. I am now living on a much smaller property where smaller allotments have largely crowded out the kangaroos, so I don't see them through my window. Cattle are still an every day sight, and I don't need to travel far to see kangaroos, so as age imposes a less active lifestyle I still enjoy the countryside.

Yes I have lived in 4 countries as part of my importing business in which I set up franchises in those countries. Living there gave a better knowledge of the local business practices and opportunities, rather than relying on what I had learned from relatively short visits. Those visits have involved me driving in 17 countries, but there were others where I would never attempt to drive myself.

Operating that franchise organization involved the difficult task of instilling the customer first mindset into people who bought a franchise because they saw an opportunity to make money. Few seem to understand that by going the extra mile and sometimes sacrificing some profit in the short term you can reap greater rewards later.

I have even replaced free of charge a competitor's faulty products that the customer thought were mine. I casually mentioned it when personally delivering the replacements together with their small order, and they were gobsmacked. Repeat orders grew ever larger and that customer was mine for life.

I was drawn to read your story because of your attitude to people and to life in general, and I have no doubt that it is the major factor in your success.

Walter
 
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Andy Black

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I was drawn to read your story because of your attitude to people and to life in general, and I have no doubt that it is the major factor in your success.
Agreed, 100%. It's impossible to not draw that conclusion.


I have even replaced free of charge a competitor's faulty products that the customer thought were mine. I casually mentioned it when personally delivering the replacements together with their small order, and they were gobsmacked. Repeat orders grew ever larger and that customer was mine for life.
Love this!!!


Having recently downsized from our large cattle property where that bucolic scene out of the office window was my workplace. I am now living on a much smaller property where smaller allotments have largely crowded out the kangaroos, so I don't see them through my window. Cattle are still an every day sight, and I don't need to travel far to see kangaroos, so as age imposes a less active lifestyle I still enjoy the countryside.
Love this too!
 
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RHL

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How in the world did I miss this thread? 400K global customers? Sick.

Also, MJ, can we increase the rep transfer limit or remove the cap?
 

Carol Jones

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Carol Jones

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How in the world did I miss this thread? 400K global customers? Sick.

Also, MJ, can we increase the rep transfer limit or remove the cap?

Good morning @RHL from Oz,

Thank you. I've read your threads, RHL. Am so impressed with what you've achieved. And now a new baby to add to the spice of life.

It's a pleasure to meet you. And I hope we stay connected. ~Carol❤
 

Carol Jones

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Hi Carol,

True, your story was about the size of a small novel, but it was a good read.

I was born at Rylstone but I know Ilford well, having hunted rabbits and feral pigs there many years ago. My ancestors were pioneers in the Rylstone district.

Having recently downsized from our large cattle property where that bucolic scene out of the office window was my workplace. I am now living on a much smaller property where smaller allotments have largely crowded out the kangaroos, so I don't see them through my window. Cattle are still an every day sight, and I don't need to travel far to see kangaroos, so as age imposes a less active lifestyle I still enjoy the countryside.

Yes I have lived in 4 countries as part of my importing business in which I set up franchises in those countries. Living there gave a better knowledge of the local business practices and opportunities, rather than relying on what I had learned from relatively short visits. Those visits have involved me driving in 17 countries, but there were others where I would never attempt to drive myself.

Operating that franchise organization involved the difficult task of instilling the customer first mindset into people who bought a franchise because they saw an opportunity to make money. Few seem to understand that by going the extra mile and sometimes sacrificing some profit in the short term you can reap greater rewards later.

I have even replaced free of charge a competitor's faulty products that the customer thought were mine. I casually mentioned it when personally delivering the replacements together with their small order, and they were gobsmacked. Repeat orders grew ever larger and that customer was mine for life.

I was drawn to read your story because of your attitude to people and to life in general, and I have no doubt that it is the major factor in your success.

Walter

Good morning again @Walter Hay,

Rylstone is such a sweet rural town. Because couriers won't deliver to our property. Too off the beaten track. Rylstone Ag Supply graciously offered to accept all courier deliveries there. It's a drive to get there. But it's a good option.

Thank you for your kind words. I love people. I'm not a great socialiser. I limit who I spend time with. But I'm very people focussed. And love meeting people on the street. And chit chatting.

Before the internet. Before shopping centres. And back into the last century. This is how shopkeepers kept their clientele. By liking them. Showing kindness. And consideration.

Some of my earliest memories of going shopping with my mother in New York City before I started school - I'm an expat American - before the age of supermarkets - was the attention the shopkeepers paid to me. I was just a child. But Mrs Novotney, who owned the delicatessen, always cut a slice of salami for me to munch on while she talked to my mother. She was my favourite!

That was all stripped away when self service became the norm. And shopkeepers got out of the habit of letting their customers know they cared about them.

Love your story about replacing a competitor's product. How many business owners would even think to do that today?

I hope we stay in touch and keep connecting. ~Carol❤
 
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Beautiful story! Welcome to the forum. I've noticed that this forum attracts many great people like you.

Also thanks for making me realise that many succesful people like you listen to Tony Robbins. I should get more into his teachings because I haven't until now. There is a reason he is the most popular self development coach.

Wishing you great success and fun in the future.
G'day @codonnell ,

Thank you for your comment. It's always a delight to meet another Australian.

First. We never do anything cheaply. We're selling quality. So our product utilises first-class materials. And when the price goes up, we increase the price of our product. I've never noticed we've lost customers. And this is obviously something you agree with.

I also don't skimp on the essentials for our business. We've had the same suppliers for 23 years. I don't chop and change. Or look for the cheapest price. My loyalty to my suppliers pays off in spades when I need them to move mountains for me in an emergency. As I did recently when the new premier hotel in Tasmania, Macq01, wanted 126 ironing board covers for their boards in a short time frame. So they would be on the boards for opening day.

I willingly pay for quality software that runs my business. Which means I don't have glitches that cost time. And money.

My accountant is top notch. His advice has been incomparable.

I'm a firm believer that you get what you pay for. And for me. Paying for quality saves time. And money. In the long term.

We keep our profit margins low. Which discourages anyone who is tempted to copy us. To begin with, the Fitz Like A Glove™ Ironing Board Cover is a pain in the bum to make. Fiddly. With 13 accessories to source.

People copy you because they can make your product cheaper. And maker greater profits. In our case, the profit margin just isn't there to make it worth their while.

Also. We're not me too products. All our products are unique. There is nothing else like them to compare with. And they are all protected by copyright design.

Second. We've also made many mistakes. But looking back 23 years, I would never again ask. And pay. Experts. For their advice.

We asked Charles Sturt University's marketing department in Bathurst NSW for advice. Their recommendation? That we be corporate. And edgy. And make our products in China.

That's not who we are. And is not the image we want to project. We're a rural business. And very much down to earth. And that's the image our customers love.

Victor is Russian. I'm an ex-pat American. Both immigrants to Australia. The last thing we want to do is export jobs to other countries. Our loyalties are to Australia. The best business decision we ever made was to have our products made with love and care in rural Australia by men and women who have a disability.

Early on, we sought advice from the Manufacturing Council Of Australia. They appointed us an 'Angel'. As an Australian, you would know who he was. He lied to us. Totally misled us. He was only interested in lining his pockets with the grant the Council gave us. To pay him. He told us 'XYZ' company was very interested in our product. When we rang, we were horrified to hear that they told him they had no interest in our product. And please don't call them again. That happened 7 times in a row. We were shattered.

We have a litany of bad advice from 'experts'. All revolving around. Sell it cheaper. There is a dearth of 'experts' who know how to sell on quality.

Talk to people in our industry? They all make ironing board covers the same way. We are a breakthrough design. We rang Hills Industries. Who make ironing boards. We sent them a cover. Their marketing manager rang to tell us our cover was the best they had ever seen. We asked them if they would distribute our cover for us. Absolutely not, they said. Their prediction? We'll be lucky to sell 250 covers. Tops. We have more than 400,000 customers in 30 countries.

Our experience is that everyone sells cheaply. Because it's the easy way out.

We taught ourselves to sell on quality. It's harder. And takes longer to get traction. But we are so experienced at that now, that we don't worry about price. We only put it up when we have to. The last price increase we had was in 2014. By keeping our profit margins low, we discourage competition. And we develop a loyal customer base. Who are aware that they're getting value for money.

The second best business decision we made was to listen to our customers. They care enough to give us constructive criticism. We have implemented every change they've asked us to make. In running our business. And regarding our website. We have a better. And stronger business. Because of them. They're paying us. And deserve our attention when they make recommendations.

I don't agree that doing things as cheaply as possible is a good business strategy. There's always someone who can be cheaper than you. When you offer superior quality. You're offering value that people don't get elsewhere. And it's hard to compete with that.

Make no mistake, Codonnell, we are very well aware of the fact that we are the ironing board cover of last choice. Customers will always try the cheapest first. But when those cheap covers let them down. Time after time. They finally buy ours. And we have them for life. As one customer told me recently, "I was always looking for the ultimate cover. And never found it until I purchased yours". We hear that over. And over.

This applies to all 7 of our products. Not one of them is the cheapest. But all of them are the best. Ever!

We always say that our products work. When others don't. And once they buy ours. They know what that means.

Our values are giving the best ever possible to our customers. In terms of products. And customer service. To achieve that, we run our business on high octane fuel.

Those are our values.

We're all different Codonnell. And we all have different objectives in running our businesses. What's right for me. Could be totally wrong for you.

I hope this answers your questions. It's a pleasure to meet you. And thank you for your questions. They make me think of why we do what we do. Please feel free to ask more questions. ~Carol❤
Your mindset on how to do business is very insightful and humane. Love it!
 
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Carol Jones

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Beautiful story! Welcome to the forum. I've noticed that this forum attracts many great people like you.

Also thanks for making me realise that many succesful people like you listen to Tony Robbins. I should get more into his teachings because I haven't until now. There is a reason he is the most popular self development coach.

Wishing you great success and fun in your journey.


Very insightful, thank you!

G'day @LLPC from Oz,

Love your comment. Thank you so much. Your good wishes are graciously accepted.

There are short bursts of Tony Robbins everywhere online.

One of my favourites is this. And I'm paraphrasing.

Someone was delivered a serious blow. Catastrophic to his business. And Tony's response was:

"What's great about this situation you're not seeing right now?"

This is the link to this short video.

Tony Robbins Has One Question That Can Turn Your Worst Day Around

That one question can turn your worst day around.

I find most of his short messages on Twitter.

There's always a light at the end of the tunnel. So long as you're prepared to keep digging.

It's a pleasure to meet you, LLPC. I hope we stay connected. ~Carol❤
 
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G'day @LLPC from Oz,

Love your comment. Thank you so much. Your good wishes are graciously accepted.

There are short bursts of Tony Robbins everywhere online.

One of my favourites is this. And I'm paraphrasing.

Someone was delivered a serious blow. Catastrophic to his business. And Tony's response was:

"What's great about this situation you're not seeing right now?"

This is the link to this short video.

Tony Robbins Has One Question That Can Turn Your Worst Day Around

That one question can turn your worst day around.

I find most of his short messages on Twitter.

There's always a light at the end of the tunnel. So long as you're prepared to keep digging.

It's a pleasure to meet you, LLPC. I hope we stay connected. ~Carol❤

Watched the Tony Robbins vid. Love it! I certainly need to control my state into an empowering one more often. Until now I have focused too much on the spiritual ''accept whatever is'', but that doesn't always allow further progress.

I will certainly keep on digging :)

It's a pleasure to meet you too Carol !
 

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Hi from Adelaide Carol!

What an inspiring story, thanks for sharing and thanks for joining the forum!
 

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G'day Limitless4Life,

What a lovely compliment. Thank you.

I can remember when I was 23 years old. And I would tell you. And everyone else that age. And older.

That there are two things we need to address.

The first is that there are no limits to what you can do. Or achieve.

We put limits on ourselves. And hold ourselves back.

No one else holds us back. Just ourselves. Lack of belief in what we're capable of doing. That's the big hurdle to jump over. Especially if other people are telling you it can't be done.

I always tell people that to change yourself, you have to change the story in your head that you tell yourself. It takes practice. But it does happen. Tony Robbins is an expert at that.

And.

The second thing is to simply take action.

Stop thinking. And start doing. Be prepared to make mistakes. Victor and I have made so many mistakes. But we learned from every one of them. And we have a better business because of them.

Failure is NOT making mistakes. Failure is NOT DOING!

Setbacks are part of the process. Victor and I just experienced one this week. While Victor was in a state of despair. I told him that every time we have a setback, we find a better way to do something. And we come out the other side so much better off.

And we did. The setback this week. Although crucial. Made us make a change. And that change has made our business better.

Have belief in yourself, Limitless4Life. Setbacks. Mistakes. They're part of the process that takes you further along the road to wealth.

Life is to be lived. And it's never perfect. I hope this helps. Never hesitate to ask me for help. I love giving back. ~Carol❤

I absolutely love the fact that despite the hardships encountered, you allowed your mind to work through the obstacles and become successful rather than falling into the safety trap! Thanks for sharing, and being an inspiration/example to us of those that are facing the hard uphill grind!
 
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Good morning Deppy @DeppyJ from Oz,

Thank you! Very much appreciated.

Greece. The cradle of Western civilisation. Where would the western world be without you?!

Where in Greece do you live? On one of those gorgeous islands? Or on the mainland?

Tell me more about you! What's your story?

Especially as I so LOVE your avatar. What made you choose that one? ~Carol❤

Hey Carol thanks for the connection, what a pleasant surprise you got back to me!

Haha, yes. But that was a long time ago lol.

Nah, I live in Patras, have you heard of it? By your tone I presume you've been to Greece and those beautiful islands you're saying? :)

Well thanks for asking. I am a 28 year old civil engineer graduate, chose this major in college because of parent and school pressure as a result of my good grades at school but untamed and restless as a spirit, I couldn't follow the path everyone in my country followed or expected for me. My mother had joined Amway at some point where I first heard of the "passive income" concept, and I was fascinated by this. During my college years I found a guy who was teaching how to make money through Amazon's Kindle pulblishing and said it was newbie friendly, so me, someone with zero experience in Internet marketing or anything whatsover,bought his course and started with it.

As a deeply spiritual and very sensitive human being though (I am Libra as well, I don't know if the stars or sth have anything to do with anything, I'm just saying lol) I wasn't heart and soul into it because I didn't know my place as a human being in this world. I couldn't find the meaning in pursuing money and financial freedom, since "we are going to die afterall, what's the point in trying"? I am not very materialistic either as a person either, thanks to my lucky upbringing as my parents are absolute slowlaners but amazing souls. Anyway I was deeply confused, had many psychic questions, and I wasn't happy. Something was missing. I was going back and forth with Kindle publishing, had some amazing results for a period of time, made some good money, which I didn't know how to handle though, my "sidewalk lane" insticts (instant gratification) lit up and then I was back to point zero again.

I don't want to drag this because it's a many-years journey but, I was reading a lot and thankfully I bumped into two books that literally changed my life. First book I read was MJ's Millionaire Fastlane , that put the bits and pieces I had in my mind in a correct order and changed my whole way of thinking in money terms, and the other one was " The power of now" by Echart Tolle. Those two books are my perpetual gift to everyone's birthday-nameday-celebration, I literally have gifted at least 6 copies of those to my friends (hope the Millionaire Fastlane was translated in Greek though, I want to gift this book to EVERYONE I know, especially those I care about mostly but they don't know English or they're too bored to read in English!).

They say the hardest battle you'll ever going to give is with yourself and you are your own worst enemy. That's like the most important thing a person must know and believe. Because there are no obstacles to fight than those we put to ourselves. I know I am my only obstacle and I fight me everyday. Not my spirit, but my brain. My not so easily distracted brain anymore, a skill I strengthened after a loooong and highly discomforting period of time. In a world full of distractions, it requires constant practice and fight and patience. I know it will never stop, every moment I need to fight my urges of instant gratification but I will never give up. Every moment I know become stronger and even when I fall back to old patterns, I stand up again and re-practise, until it is second nature to me. Life is an experience, and all it matters is to "smell all the roses". So wherever I "smell" discomfort, there I go :D
And that is the answer to your question on why I chose "Supergirl" as my avatar :)

P.S. I am still in Kindle publishing but this time I am following long term strategies and I am building a system, a brand. It is not easy, but nothing worthy is easy right? My goal is to create enough income from Kindle publishing to fund my entrepreneurship, which is the only "problem" right now, as I haven't found what that will be. I believe that will come to me as I expose myself to the unknown. I know I NEED to add value , but I don't know how. Yet! Do you maybe have any advice on this part here..? maybe?

My answer was long sorry! Anyway I was inspired by your story and I wanted to thank you that you shared your experience with us, I am happy to connect with all those likeminded people I can't easily (or at all!) find at my country!

xx,Deppy
 

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G'day Limitless4Life,

What a lovely compliment. Thank you.

I can remember when I was 23 years old. And I would tell you. And everyone else that age. And older.

That there are two things we need to address.

The first is that there are no limits to what you can do. Or achieve.

We put limits on ourselves. And hold ourselves back.

No one else holds us back. Just ourselves. Lack of belief in what we're capable of doing. That's the big hurdle to jump over. Especially if other people are telling you it can't be done.

I always tell people that to change yourself, you have to change the story in your head that you tell yourself. It takes practice. But it does happen. Tony Robbins is an expert at that.

And.

The second thing is to simply take action.

Stop thinking. And start doing. Be prepared to make mistakes. Victor and I have made so many mistakes. But we learned from every one of them. And we have a better business because of them.

Failure is NOT making mistakes. Failure is NOT DOING!

Setbacks are part of the process. Victor and I just experienced one this week. While Victor was in a state of despair. I told him that every time we have a setback, we find a better way to do something. And we come out the other side so much better off.

And we did. The setback this week. Although crucial. Made us make a change. And that change has made our business better.

Have belief in yourself, Limitless4Life. Setbacks. Mistakes. They're part of the process that takes you further along the road to wealth.

Life is to be lived. And it's never perfect. I hope this helps. Never hesitate to ask me for help. I love giving back. ~Carol❤
Great advice for all ages!
 

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There is something so pleasant about your personality Carol. It reflects in both your posts as well as the videos on your website.

I personally only buy clothes that I don't have to iron, but definitely know where to go when an ironing board cover is needed! Based on your personality alone, it tells me that you have a quality product. Thank you so very much for the opportunity to read your story and get to know you.
 
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There is something so pleasant about your personality Carol. It reflects in both your posts as well as the videos on your website.

I personally only buy clothes that I don't have to iron, but definitely know where to go when an ironing board cover is needed! Based on your personality alone, it tells me that you have a quality product. Thank you so very much for the opportunity to read your story and get to know you.

Good morning scott @scott.legendre from Oz,

I love this! And I'm also very touched that you went to the trouble to watch the videos. Thank you!

I hope we stay connected. And perhaps you will share your story with me?! ~Carol❤
 

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Hey Carol thanks for the connection, what a pleasant surprise you got back to me!

Haha, yes. But that was a long time ago lol.

Nah, I live in Patras, have you heard of it? By your tone I presume you've been to Greece and those beautiful islands you're saying? :)

Well thanks for asking. I am a 28 year old civil engineer graduate, chose this major in college because of parent and school pressure as a result of my good grades at school but untamed and restless as a spirit, I couldn't follow the path everyone in my country followed or expected for me. My mother had joined Amway at some point where I first heard of the "passive income" concept, and I was fascinated by this. During my college years I found a guy who was teaching how to make money through Amazon's Kindle pulblishing and said it was newbie friendly, so me, someone with zero experience in Internet marketing or anything whatsover,bought his course and started with it.

As a deeply spiritual and very sensitive human being though (I am Libra as well, I don't know if the stars or sth have anything to do with anything, I'm just saying lol) I wasn't heart and soul into it because I didn't know my place as a human being in this world. I couldn't find the meaning in pursuing money and financial freedom, since "we are going to die afterall, what's the point in trying"? I am not very materialistic either as a person either, thanks to my lucky upbringing as my parents are absolute slowlaners but amazing souls. Anyway I was deeply confused, had many psychic questions, and I wasn't happy. Something was missing. I was going back and forth with Kindle publishing, had some amazing results for a period of time, made some good money, which I didn't know how to handle though, my "sidewalk lane" insticts (instant gratification) lit up and then I was back to point zero again.

I don't want to drag this because it's a many-years journey but, I was reading a lot and thankfully I bumped into two books that literally changed my life. First book I read was MJ's Millionaire Fastlane , that put the bits and pieces I had in my mind in a correct order and changed my whole way of thinking in money terms, and the other one was " The power of now" by Echart Tolle. Those two books are my perpetual gift to everyone's birthday-nameday-celebration, I literally have gifted at least 6 copies of those to my friends (hope the Millionaire Fastlane was translated in Greek though, I want to gift this book to EVERYONE I know, especially those I care about mostly but they don't know English or they're too bored to read in English!).

They say the hardest battle you'll ever going to give is with yourself and you are your own worst enemy. That's like the most important thing a person must know and believe. Because there are no obstacles to fight than those we put to ourselves. I know I am my only obstacle and I fight me everyday. Not my spirit, but my brain. My not so easily distracted brain anymore, a skill I strengthened after a loooong and highly discomforting period of time. In a world full of distractions, it requires constant practice and fight and patience. I know it will never stop, every moment I need to fight my urges of instant gratification but I will never give up. Every moment I know become stronger and even when I fall back to old patterns, I stand up again and re-practise, until it is second nature to me. Life is an experience, and all it matters is to "smell all the roses". So wherever I "smell" discomfort, there I go :D
And that is the answer to your question on why I chose "Supergirl" as my avatar :)

P.S. I am still in Kindle publishing but this time I am following long term strategies and I am building a system, a brand. It is not easy, but nothing worthy is easy right? My goal is to create enough income from Kindle publishing to fund my entrepreneurship, which is the only "problem" right now, as I haven't found what that will be. I believe that will come to me as I expose myself to the unknown. I know I NEED to add value , but I don't know how. Yet! Do you maybe have any advice on this part here..? maybe?

My answer was long sorry! Anyway I was inspired by your story and I wanted to thank you that you shared your experience with us, I am happy to connect with all those likeminded people I can't easily (or at all!) find at my country!

xx,Deppy

Good morning Deppy @DeppyJ from Oz,

That's a very insightful post, Deppy. You know yourself better than most people do. Congratulations!

Several things.

Many people at 65 still don't know what their purpose is in life.

And for those of us who do, the goal posts change quite a bit as you travel down your Yellow Brick Road.

But you're spot on about one thing. The more you engage, the more you'll understand what your purpose is. Especially as you're prepared to leave your comfort zone and experiment. Don't rush this. It will come. And when it does, it will be like a lightning bolt. You won't miss it.

Like you, I have never been motivated by money. Other than as a teenager. Wanting more than the allowance my father gave me. So at 13 years of age, I got my Saturday job.

But working just for money has never been a priority for me.

Helping other people has always been the focus of my life. And striving to be the best ever. At whatever I do. Has enabled me to be successful. It's more a back door approach to success.

There's no one path to fulfilling your dream. We're all unique. With our own brain pattern. And individual way of thinking. Your path will be like no one else's path. But I've no doubt that you will find your path. And nail it!

I've never been to Greece. A good friend spent a year living and working on the islands. She never stops talking about it. I'm always enthralled by her stories.

I am very optimistic about you, Deppy. You must promise to stay in touch. Keep me in the loop. And if I can ever help you, please let me know. ~Carol❤
 
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I absolutely love the fact that despite the hardships encountered, you allowed your mind to work through the obstacles and become successful rather than falling into the safety trap! Thanks for sharing, and being an inspiration/example to us of those that are facing the hard uphill grind!

Good morning again @azsno,

Thank you so much. That's a lovely observation. Much appreciated.

No matter where you are on the path to fulfilling your dream. You never quite get there. There's always something else ahead that you want to achieve. So we are all in an uphill grind. Just at different levels.

The obstacles keep coming. But we do get better at overcoming them.

Practice does make perfect!

I love staying in touch. ~Carol❤
 

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Hi from Adelaide Carol!

What an inspiring story, thanks for sharing and thanks for joining the forum!

Adelaide! @Bearcorp. How amazing!

Thank you for your lovely words.

Don't get away from me. Please stay in touch. We can engage in pure Aussie humour! ~Carol❤
 

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Watched the Tony Robbins vid. Love it! I certainly need to control my state into an empowering one more often. Until now I have focused too much on the spiritual ''accept whatever is'', but that doesn't always allow further progress.

I will certainly keep on digging :)

It's a pleasure to meet you too Carol !

How wonderful @LPPC! Thank you for that feedback.

We all have negative chatter that crushes our brains every day. It takes discipline to drive it away. But it can be done. Tony Robbins gives some of the best down to earth, easy to understand reasons, why this happens to everyone.

Another person to watch is Mel Robbins. Especially her talk with Tony Bilyeu. 'Why Motivation Is Garbage'. She also talks about the negative chatter in our brains that can destroy us. This is the link.
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCHPSo79rB4


It's a pleasure to be able to help you, LPPC. And it's very rewarding to let me know! I look forward to staying in touch. ~Carol❤
 
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Good morning Deppy @DeppyJ from Oz,

That's a very insightful post, Deppy. You know yourself better than most people do. Congratulations!

Several things.

Many people at 65 still don't know what their purpose is in life.

And for those of us who do, the goal posts change quite a bit as you travel down your Yellow Brick Road.

But you're spot on about one thing. The more you engage, the more you'll understand what your purpose is. Especially as you're prepared to leave your comfort zone and experiment. Don't rush this. It will come. And when it does, it will be like a lightning bolt. You won't miss it.

Like you, I have never been motivated by money. Other than as a teenager. Wanting more than the allowance my father gave me. So at 13 years of age, I got my Saturday job.

But working just for money has never been a priority for me.

Helping other people has always been the focus of my life. And striving to be the best ever. At whatever I do. Has enabled me to be successful. It's more a back door approach to success.

There's no one path to fulfilling your dream. We're all unique. With our own brain pattern. And individual way of thinking. Your path will be like no one else's path. But I've no doubt that you will find your path. And nail it!

I've never been to Greece. A good friend spent a year living and working on the islands. She never stops talking about it. I'm always enthralled by her stories.

I am very optimistic about you, Deppy. You must promise to stay in touch. Keep me in the loop. And if I can ever help you, please let me know. ~Carol❤

Dear Carol.

Thank you for your advice, but mostly thank you for the time you're devoting to reply to each and every one of us who responded to your story. I agree with all the people here and through my eyes, you inspire me.

I will "use" your story, message, advice and kindness to continue experiencing life to the fullest.

P.S.1 Greece is a beautiful country as well as Australia I might guess. You should definitely make time to visit. Heck, send me a message if you ever decide to come, I can be your guide! Not to Patras, though. Lucky me, I have family to several islands.

P.S.2 We need to thank MJ again for this Forum and for bringing all those souls together.

Carol, hope we'll be in touch! Take care and thank you again :) :*

x, Deppy
 

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Dear Carol.

Thank you for your advice, but mostly thank you for the time you're devoting to reply to each and every one of us who responded to your story. I agree with all the people here and through my eyes, you inspire me.

I will "use" your story, message, advice and kindness to continue experiencing life to the fullest.

P.S.1 Greece is a beautiful country as well as Australia I might guess. You should definitely make time to visit. Heck, send me a message if you ever decide to come, I can be your guide! Not to Patras, though. Lucky me, I have family to several islands.

P.S.2 We need to thank MJ again for this Forum and for bringing all those souls together.

Carol, hope we'll be in touch! Take care and thank you again :) :*

x, Deppy

Thank you for your kind words, Deppy @DeppyJ. You. Inspire me!

An invitation with a personal guide to Greece won't be knocked back. If ever we come, you'll be the first to know.

And.

If you ever want to experience a bit of solitude and relaxation in a rural Australia environment. You'll be welcome at our guest house on our rural property, Meadow House Getaway.

My partner, Victor, an architect, designed it for his mother to live in when his father died. She lived in her house for 14 years. And it's been a beautiful guest house ever since. Guests wax lyrical about their stay at Meadow House. It always gets 5 star reviews.

Australia is a diverse and beautiful country. And should be on everyone's bucket list.

I hope you drop in to say G'day often. I'll be keeping up with you and your posts. ~Carol❤
 

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I have 35 years of business experience to share. And love sharing what I've learned. And observed.

Forums are about giving to others. And learning from others. The perfect give. And take. And this forum is exceptional in that respect.

If ever I can help you, please let me know. ~Carol❤

You are amazing.
 
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You are amazing.

G'day @cmor16 from Oz,

Thank you!

You get out of life. What you put into it. Sometimes not in equal proportions.

But if you don't give back - if you can - when the opportunity arises, your soul remains barren.

When I look back on my life, I've had help on every journey. Setbacks too. But I remember the people who helped me.

It starts with my 4th grade teacher, Violet Deitsch. Who gave me confidence. After my 2nd and 3rd grade teachers tried to demolish it. Because I wouldn't be steamrolled by authority. That character trait does not bode well for any child in the school system.

And for every person who tried to undermine me in my pursuit to get from A to B. And everyone has them in their life. In spades. I have a memorable person who lifted me up with a helping hand.

I can never repay those people directly.

But I can pay them the honour of payback by offering others a helping hand.

That's how life works.

Never. Ever. Have I killed the dreams of another person.

I've mentored several people. For free.

Some had ambitions which they probably couldn't reach. But I didn't dissuade them from their dream. I just simplified it for them. Drilled down to the core of what they wanted. And helped them change trajectory. While still keeping their dream alive.

Life is negative enough without me adding to it. There's a plethora of negativity in the lives of most people.

But few people know someone who wants to offer them a helping hand. To let them know that what they want to achieve just might have a chance.

That's who I am. I'm an optimist. And a realist. I know how easy it is to want to do something. But also know how difficult it can be to take the first step.

I want to encourage people to take that first step.

I hope we stay in touch. ~Carol❤
 

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Thank you for your kind words, Deppy @DeppyJ. You. Inspire me!

An invitation with a personal guide to Greece won't be knocked back. If ever we come, you'll be the first to know.

And.

If you ever want to experience a bit of solitude and relaxation in a rural Australia environment. You'll be welcome at our guest house on our rural property, Meadow House Getaway.

My partner, Victor, an architect, designed it for his mother to live in when his father died. She lived in her house for 14 years. And it's been a beautiful guest house ever since. Guests wax lyrical about their stay at Meadow House. It always gets 5 star reviews.

Australia is a diverse and beautiful country. And should be on everyone's bucket list.

I hope you drop in to say G'day often. I'll be keeping up with you and your posts. ~Carol❤


Perfect.

As for Australia, I can't say no either. The Meadow House Getaway looks amazing, it's just right up my alley!
I have a long bucket list and Australia wasn't in it - now it is.

You too! We'll be in touch. :)

xx, Deppy
 

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