HOME BUSINESS OFFERS REFUGE FROM RECESSION

Local Entrepreneur Enjoys Flexibility and Financial Stability

[Grand Haven, Michigan]. – June 27, 2009 – The latest economic indicators for May bring some hopeful tidings, but also some significant concerns. The U.S. unemployment rate is as high as it has been in 25 years, and there is continued concern about sizable job losses to come. The recession has been a source of severe stress for many throughout the country.

According to the recent Multi-Sponsor Surveys’ 2009 Economic Impact Market Segmentation Study, 49% of employed adults expressed worry about potential job loss, while 32% admitted to “significant” financial troubles.

But amid numerous reports of havoc and despair created by the current economic climate, Cheryl Legg, a local small-business entrepreneur here in Grand Haven, reports a very different experience during this recession.

“If it weren’t for the additional income my health-and-wellness business generates, I think my family would probably be in a very different place,” says Legg, who operates a Shaklee business out of her home.

“My business helps us not only continue to pay the bills on time, but it also generates additional income which we save to have on hand for unexpected situations, or use when we want to do something special, like take a trip, buy a new car, or remodel the kitchen—things that would otherwise be outside of our budget.”

Legg credits her home business for helping to alleviate much of her family’s stress and says her business has eased financial concerns while providing flexibility—qualities that can insulate a family from the changing tides of the economy. Most people who run a business from home work only part time, so there’s freedom to plan business activities around the busy schedule of a young family.

“When I began my business,” says Legg, “it was on a very part-time basis. Since I started, I’ve increased the amount of time I spend working with it. Using the Internet and communicating my business online makes my work much more efficient and flexible at the same time, making it possible for me to work on my business pretty much whenever I have downtime from my other responsibilities. Plus, it was easy and inexpensive to get started, and there’s no need to make space in our home for any inventory since the company ships directly to my customers.”

Home businesses have drawn considerable interest from people who may be having a difficult time finding employment and from those looking for an income opportunity that also resonates with their personal beliefs—characteristics that most jobs likely do not offer.
“Because I recommend products that help people to be healthier, that help our environment to be cleaner, and for homes to be safer, I feel good about what I do. And because I also offer the chance for other people to do what I’m doing—to achieve independence in a way they may not have thought possible—there’s an incredible feeling of satisfaction in knowing that I can help make a real difference for people looking for extra income right now.”

According to the 2009 Economic Impact Market Segmentation Study, 60% of adults are now interested in operating a home business in response to the economic downturn.

“To me, there’s a great sense of security knowing that my business is backed by a company that has a proven track record and more than 50 years of experience giving people the means to thrive, even during the most difficult economic times,” says Legg. “Shaklee has grown during each of the prior recessions since it was founded in 1956.”

For more information about Shaklee, please visit www.shaklee.net/babyboomerhealth.


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About Shaklee Corporation
Founded more than 50 years ago, Shaklee has been a leading provider of premium-quality natural nutrition products, personal care products, and environmentally friendly home care products. In 2000, Shaklee became the first company in the world to be Climate Neutral™ certified to totally offset its CO2 emissions, resulting in a net-zero impact on the environment. Through Social Marketing™, Shaklee offers an economic opportunity to anyone regardless of background or experience, and has paid more than $4 billion in commissions to its independent distributors worldwide. With a robust product portfolio, including over 50 patents and patents pending, Shaklee has more than 750,000 Members and Distributors around the globe and operates in the U.S., Mexico, Canada, Japan, Malaysia, Taiwan, and China.
For information about Shaklee, visit http://www.shaklee.com/.

The Man Who Sold Hot Dogs

The Man Who Sold Hot Dogs

-- Author Unknown (This version slightly revised to adapt to current economy) --

There was a man who lived by the side of the road
and sold hot dogs.

He was hard of hearing so he had no radio.

He had trouble with his eyes so he read no newspapers.

But he sold good hot dogs.

He put up signs on the highway telling how good they were.

He stood on the side of the road and cried,
“buy a hot dog, mister?"

And people bought.

He increased his meat and bun orders.

He bought a bigger stove to take care of his trade.

He finally got his son home from college to help him out.

But then something happened.

His son said, “Father, haven’t you been listening to the radio?

Haven’t you been reading the newspapers?

There’s a big recession.

The current business situation is terrible in this country -we have problems with unemployment, high living costs, strikes, pollution, the influence of minorities and majorities, the rich, the poor, drugs, alcohol, capitalism and communism."

Where upon the father thought, “well, my son’s been to college, he reads the papers and he listens to the radio, and he ought to know.”

So the father cut down on his meat and bun orders, took down his advertising signs, and no longer bothered to stand out on the highway to sell his hot dogs.

And his hot dog sales fell almost overnight.

“You’re right, son” the father said to the boy.

“We certainly are in the middle of a great recession.”

* * *

Another story that CNN's Bob Conklin used to tell that relates was about the shoe company that sent a new salesman to Africa. When he arrived, he immediately wired back, “Returning on the next flight. They don’t use shoes here.” They sent another salesman who, upon arrival wired back, “Start shipping shoes of all sizes and styles immediately. There’s no competition!” More millionaires were created in the U.S. during the depression than at any time since. While most people are sitting at home being depressed those of us out there have no competition.

Don't share your dreams with negative people.

Go ahead and imagine yourself successful.

For your dreams to come true, create a success team.

(Isolation is a dream killer).

You need a team to help you brain-storm

and to boost you up after any set backs.

Be sure the ones you share your dreams with

believe in your dreams.