One Decision that made the Difference

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

~ Robert Frost 

For a couple who grew up, met and married in the province of Quezon,  Percy and Venus Lazo's world revolve around farms, small towns, municipalities and occasional visit to the city. 

Percy’s family was into farming.  He grew up in the farm, and literally was tilling the soil, planting trees, root crops, raising animals. Until one tiring day,  he realized that he doesn’t want to become farmer for life.  He dreamt of a good future.   Percy's parents cannot afford to enroll him in a Bachelor’s degree, so he only took a vocational course (Radio Communications).   

Unfortunately, he gained a useless education after college when he realized that the technologies he learned were starting to become obsolete with the advent of more advanced means of communication.  With a limited access to a good corporate career, he found job in a Non-government Organization (NGO) dealing on micro finance. This exposure enabled him to have short term plan of  putting up his own micro-lending company.  

Venus, likewise, grew up in a less privileged family.  Growing up, she never experienced  a normal childhood.  When she was 8, she was already working for a small eatery, which was the family's business.  She remember only having new clothes on Christmas Day.  She never had a toy that was not a hand-me-down. Not a single Barbie doll.

All those hardships and challenges made her nurture bigger dreams and she was committed to do what it takes to become successful. Although her father dabbled in local politics, and she was being groomed to follow in her father's footsteps,  she realized that she cannot achieve the kind of freedom and peace of mind if she pursued politics. She decided to find her luck in Manila.  While in college, she worked part time in different fast food chains to support her education and needs.

When she earned her B.S Electronics and Communications Engineering degree, she got a job in the Semiconductor Industry.  Early on in her career, she realized that working is such a limiting way to achieve their dreams. The goals she set, would require her a six figure income.  When she checked the industry, she found out that it takes  an average 20yrs for a good engineer to reach  top level position and have a 6figure income to enjoy a good life.

As a young couple,  they were open for opportunities to augment the income.  They have big dreams.

Perci, who came from a family of farmers, was determined not to follow the same path.  "I wanted a different life for my family." 

Besides, they have many other relatives they need to help, as well.

 Venus, had just given birth, when she volunteered  to see the business opportunity with a friend. It was just a very casual presentation at a fastfood restaurant, figures and facts written at a tissue paper but she realized that she wanted to give it a try. The information presented was too good to be true but she asked herself,  "What if it is true? Their goals are non-negotiable, they have a deadline and if not Nu Skin, what other opportunity are there to help them achieve their dreams?"

"Upon seeing the potential of the business, I knew I had to be a part of this," recalls Venus.  The next time she met with her friend and she brought along Percy.  Her enthusiasm further intensified when Percy also gave his moral support.  "Both of us saw the vision that Nu Skin can bring to our lives. This is the opportunity that we have been waiting for!"  The most memorable moment is when they had to loan money to buy the initial product package.  They literally had to scrape their savings and knock on friends' doors to enable them to start big.  

"We were very religious in attending all the trainings, we wanted to become Executives right away!  We filed our Letter of  Intent, even without single downline!"  They were so into it, that Percy decided to resign from his job to concentrate on the business.  For someone like Percy, who could not speak straight English and didn’t know anyone in Manila; no Money and no resources. He was more at home in  the farm, making small talks with local farmers but joining an international business and talking to different people, is like a fish taken out of the water.   "I had to learn a lot of things, I made a lot of mistakes, embarrassed myself not a few times, but I always tell myself, this is temporary.  My dreams are bigger than my ego."

 “We made a choice to Be, Do, and Have something different." 

The couple realized that their dreams are not ordinary dreams, therefore, it called for extraordinary efforts.  They were prepared for hardwork.  "We’ve faced a lot of challenges, but we always thought that every ‘No’ will take us closer to a 'Yes'."  We tried and did our best to produce results to show people that this business is possible as long as we are committed to do whatever it takes.”

In less than 6 & a half years in the business, Venus and Percy achieved the title of a Blue Diamond.

*They are also recognized as Nu Skin Philippines'  local Million Circle Members (20Million Mark in total commissions).  They have also been recognized by the Direct Selling Association of the Philippines as Entrepreneur of the Year (2009)

From the boondocks of Quezon to the halls of Nu Skin Enterprises Philippines at 15th Floor Octagon Building in Ortigas, Pasig, Venus and Percy have come a long way.  

They now have the world for their playground...

They qualified twice and enjoyed a glamorous all-expense paid Blue Diamond trip to the United States (LA, Las Vegas and Utah). Year 2009 and 2011.  

They travelled, with their team to Singapore and Malaysia 2007,  Shanghai in 2008, US and Beijing in 2009 and Sydney, Australia 2010 and US again in 2011.  All for Free.

But more than anything else, the can provide the best for their families.

The couple’s priority was sending their siblings to college.  They were able to do that.  Lowell Cleope – (Venus' brother) BS Customs Administration graduate.  Lowell is now a Lapis executive in Nu Skin and will be part of the local millionaire's circle in the next few months.  Venus's niece, Gretchen Las Pinas, a BS HRM graduate, is now a branch manager of Wendy’s Foods Corporation and helps send other sibling  to school.  Reygan Lazo – (Percy’s Nephew) BS Elementary  Education. Now a Teacher-in-Charge in one of the schools in the province and helping his family.  Rogelyn Lazo ( Percy’s Niece) BS HRM – Now 4^th year in college.  "Success is only meaningful when you are able to affect a better change in someone's life."  These are their laurels.

Percy, who grew up in a farmland while Venus’ house was (butas ang bubong at tumutulo pagumuulan) and they both wanted a big home for their children.  They are now proud owners of a beautiful home in Portofino, Alabang.  Along with their children getting excellent education from the best schools.

The couple now pays it forward by helping people discover the Nu Skin business. “We are happy to assist people in discovering their dreams and in making choices that can lead them to the life they desire,” Venus says. “We show people that they are in the number one industry, company, and team, with number one products. Nu Skin is their vehicle in achieving their dreams and that the world’s natural abundance will make it all possible. We often tell them that when people and purpose come together, there’s abundance.”

Truly, this opportunity demonstrated the difference. " When we were still struggling with our finances we always prayed for blessings to pay our bills. But when everything has been provided for us, we always pray that the Lord God lead us to people who would need an opportunity;  that may our story brings an inspiration to a lot of people that even if they are just ordinary if they want an extraordinary life and they are willing to fight for their rights to freedom, then it is achievable. They just have to have CLEAR GOALS, BELIEF that they deserve that great life and willingness to take ACTION and do what it takes to make it happen."

To them, "The most valuable things that we’ve achieved in this business is not just the money and the lifestyle that we have. Most importantly, being SIGNIFICANT to those people who believed in us. Zig Ziglar is really brilliant saying that “ In order for you to get what you want, you must help enough people get what they want”.  As we received our 20 Million mark, we counted the number of Millionaires in our team and it was goose bumps when we found out that there’s already more than 20 millionaires and counting. Imagine how many families we will touched as we continue our journey towards the Million Dollar mark."

Certainly, there is so much to learn from this outstanding couple.  Their tenacity, perseverance and humility is exemplary.  Should you wish to know more about their discipline and work ethics. CLICK HERE.  

*To qualify for any pin level you must meet all requirements of the Sales Compensation Plan, including retail sales. For a complete summary of the Sales Compensation Plan, please contact the company at 8-NUSKIN (868-7546) or go to www.nuskin.com.

Venus & Percy ~ Wisdom from Success

Venus and Percy Lazo, one of the top-earning distributors of Nu Skin Enterprises Philippines, with offices at 15F Octagon Building, San Miguel Avenue,  Pasig City ~ share their thoughts on some of the most Frequently Asked Questions by new distributors and those who are interested in a career in networking.


1. What is the most challenging aspect in the Nu Skin business?

The most challenging is our attitude. Because of our situation (great amount of passive income), we tend to procrastinate. We still have a lot of things to do.   We need to continuously build the business, talking to new prospects, have daily presentations. We tend to relax and we feel like we deserve to enjoy the fruits of our hardwork. But we clearly know that we still have a lot more to achieve especially that as a leader, we know that we have to set the pace of our team. We need to pave the path so they would know where to go as well.

2. What are the instances that you almost give up?

We never had an instance that we wanted to give up.  We are the type of persons that once we start on something, we never quit. We had very clear goals, we are certain and we have strong belief that we really deserve to enjoy the best life possible. We never doubted ourselves and our goals. When we saw Nu Skin as a vehicle, we knew that we  are on our way to becoming successful, we just had to work for it.

3. How do you motivate yourself?

As we become more and more successful in Nu Skin, we realized that our success is not about how much money we make but how many lives we've touched along the way.  When we reached the 20Million Peso mark, we did inventory of our accomplishments and we realized that its not just the huge house, the cars, the travels, the good education of our kids, the churches we've served but more importantly, we had more than 20 people in our team who became millionaires as well.

We were so amazed and touched in the equation that in order for us to get the things that we wanted, we have to help enough number of people get what they wanted as well. As we are qualifying for the next level, that is,  a Million Dollar Circle member,  we now know the formula.

We just need to look for more people to help. We still have a lot of slots to fill in. We are excited to wake up every morning to ask guidance from the Lord to lead us to the right people whom we could help and develop in this business. We are motivated to talk to  new friends and prospective partners because in our hearts we knew our best intention is to help them have a great life, too.

4.  What is the secret to getting new clients? Sponsoring new people?

In our ten years of experience in this business, we could say that there is no secret in sponsoring new people. The only key is to have that attitude of doing things consistently.  In the beginning, we  just played  with numbers. We do not know what we are doing, but we knew that it is necessary. We just kept inviting and when 1 out of 10 agreed that the business is doable, then we had a ratio of 1:10.. We practiced over and over again until our ratio becomes better.

5. How do you break the ice when talking to new people?  When doing "bumps?"
 
There is no Step 1-10 in prospecting.  We always say something nice, at any possible circumstance to initially build rapport to the new prospect. But before anything else, prospecting is not about doing it just because you upline/mentor asked you to do.  It is a habit that we need to develop because whether you are doing network marketing business or not we need to add our network.

Just the saying goes, the amount of your net worth is based on the quality of your network!  But how come, we could attract good prospect in our business if we are not of good quality leader, as well?  John Maxwell said, "You attract who you are, not who you want."

So, when we when we go out for prospecting, we want to ask ourselves in the mirror,  am I a good prospect?  There is no perfect script that could fit you, because its not about what you say but how you say it.. The confidence and the quality of voice that you'll have when talking to strangers.   More importantly, we have to do it consistently and persistently.

6. Do you still have people in your "chicken list" ? Who?

We cannot consider them as chicken list.   Our confidence streams from that fact that, we have the best vehicle, best opportunity, best company & best compensation plan.  If they could see our vision they will definitely benefit from it. It is all about the mindset. Because we knew from the fact that as long as they are not yet doing Nu Skin as a business, they are not yet on their right path to achieve total freedom.

7. What is the most valuable gift that this business has given you?

First, the courage to dream big dreams and we never gave up.  Second, is the courage to decide to do Nu Skin on the day that we've seen the opportunity. Third, the lifestyle we are enjoying  now. But top it all, we are very much thankful for the  choices, that we could have.

As everybody says, MONEY cannot buy everything  but  having more money is having more Choices. The freedom to choose things you wanted to do at anytime you want it.

In our case, our marital relationship became stronger.   We do the business together and we understood each other better because we are in the same wavelength.    We empower a lot of  people around the globe as they get inspired by our humble story.

We became an inspiration to our whole clan, that they also had hope that it can be done or they could also succeed. And most especially, we could leave a legacy to our kids. Something  they could benefit until the next generation.

To summarize the greatest value we achieved in this business is SIGNIFICANCE...Life has no meaning unless we choose to give it significance.

8. You are a leader, managing leaders. How do you handle your organization?

As a leader, we just have to become a good example to our people. We have to set the pace and as a leader, these is our core values we are great influencer to our team :

Integrity with people
Nurtures other people
Faith in people
Listens to people
Understands people
Enlarges people
Navigates people
Connects with people
Empowers people
Reproduces other influencer

Obviously,  the common denominator is PEOPLE...because truly this is a people's business. If you learn to love, respect and empower others, then the business will just naturally happen.

9. What are your future goals in the business and why?

Our core objective is to develop and equip leaders who will, in turn,  develop and equip other leaders, who will share  the great Nu Skin opportunity and products to make a difference in the world.

Our next goal, is to help more people in our business to become successful.  We want more partners to become millionaires. We aim to do more charitable work, to support more for the Force for Good and Nourish the Children projects...

10. What are the regrets that you have, and how do you live with it?

No regrets because we knew that we are responsible for all the decisions that we had made years ago and we are grateful for those. We had challenges along the way but knew that it is just part of the great journey.

11. Message for the new distributors?

You have found the greatest gift from our dear God. If you have been constantly praying for an opportunity, this is God's answer to you.  The fact that u've seen this business, it means that you have already been blessed. The trend is inevitable, the market is huge and you are riding on the best vehicle to achieve the life that you deserve.

We would like to say that you Go for it! Give your best shot! Because whether you like it or not the company will continue to grow with or without you. Everything is perfect, the only one missing is You!! You cannot control the traffic situation, you can't control the economy, you can't control the political system but you have the full control of your future.  I believe that you and your family deserve to enjoy the best life posssible and you must have to decide to make it happen.

Note:

Should you wish to be a part of the Nu Skin opportunity. Nu Skin has office at the 15th floor Octagon Building, San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City, with telephone numbers 632-8-NUSKIN.

Nu Skin now in Davao!

All my friends from Davao City are jubilant.  Finally, their favorite Nu Skin and Pharmanex products are now readily available!  Whereas before, they had to order from their friends in Manila, mainly at the 15th Floor, Octagon Building in Ortigas Center, Pasig City or beg their friends from the US to sneak one or two in their balikbayan boxes. Now,  they can just drop by at JP Laurel Avenue to get their anti-aging must-haves!

The swanky new walk-in center is located at Landco Bldg. at the PDCP Corporate Center, JP Laurel Avenue in the bustling city of Davao.  For those who are interested to invite friends and also look at the great business opportunity that Nu Skin is offering, the center has an intimate training center, where you and your friends can discuss all those beautiful products and your dream lifestyle.

 

There is so much potential for any business in Davao City.  It has emerged as the financial-capital, investment and tourism hub for the entire Southern Philippines.  It's one of my memorable and  favorite places  in the country.  I can be in the modern city and be in the beach in a span of 10minutes! I've read before that it has been listed by the Foreign Direct Investment magazine, as the 10th Asian City of the Future! So, if you're planning to build a business, you don't really need to get out of the country, there's so much potential, outside of Metro Manila.

Some of the Nu Skin leaders who are tapping on the potential of this city are  Jonathan Chua, Pam Soriano, Crislen Bernadas, Liza Ygnalaga, Mary Ann Tan Casis, Ivy Sagragao, Chai Valencia and Grace Turiano.   It is said, that if you want to tap the Mindanao market, go first to Davao City.  See you there!

 

To know more about Nu Skin, please log-on to www.nuskin.com.ph or call +632-8-NUSKIN. (868-7546). You may also call the Nu Skin Davao Walk-in Center directly at +6382-295-6839.


xoxo,
ripemango