Interview 6/10/2012
JM: Andres, you are very young, you are 27 but you are already so successful. Your dad passed away when you were finishing college and you as the oldest out of four siblings had to support your family.
AS: Yes, there is something I learned from my dad. As long as you’re still alive and there are people who love you, there will always be a way to move on, and you should never give up – no matter what others may say or think. My dad’s passing,three months after my graduation, was a sad experience that changed my life completely. All of my plans changed and I had to move on and be a good example for my siblings.
JM: Where did you grew up?
AS: I was raised in a little town called Minatitlan in Mexico. Thanks to God and my parents, we always had the essential things at home. However, we had serious financial troubles, especially during the (Peso) devaluation in 1994, when my dad lost everything and we went bankrupt. We even had to live for a while at my grandparents’ place.
JM: Where did you go to school?
AS: Because of my dad’s determination, I had the privilege to graduate from University and get a degree in International Relations and Exterior Commerce, and also study for a year in the US and for three months in Canada to learn Business English.
JM: You are a hard worker. What was your first work experience after college?
AS: Since I was young, I held pat-time jobs to make some money: but my first full-time job as a graduate was at an oil company. At first I felt very lucky and privileged, because in Mexico it’s difficult to get a good job, and even harder to get one that pays well. So since my very first day I worked really hard, with a lot of enthusiasm and dedication, hoping to get a promotion and a salary increase. Time went by and yet it never happened. In fact, I did get more responsibilities and added stress, but the wage was still the same. I pictured my life having to do the same for more than 20 or 30 years and it wasn’t making me very happy. I would even get blue just by thinking about it. I never had time for myself and I rarely got to see my friends, since I was working in a different city.
JM: How were you introduced to Forever?
AS: When Gerardo, one of my best friends and classmates from college invited me to join FLP, I rejected him at first. In fact, I was even rude to him. I told him that I hadn’t studied for a career to be selling a “Miraculous Juice” door-to-door, and to stop wasting his time and money and to get a “real job.” One of the reasons I was so skeptical and hesitant about it was because I had been invited to some other “opportunities” and didn’t like what I had experienced – and, because often in life, we tend to create an idea of something based on what we hear from others, instead of what it really is. It was after more than eight months since Gerardo first invited me , (during which he invited me several more times), that I decided to pay attention or what he had to say. When I really got to see how Network Marketing really works, in particular, the FLP Marketing Plan, I finally understood this business wasn’t about selling door-to-door at all! I understood the basis of the business was about using better quality products, and to duplicate sharing it with others. However, I did the math and thought it was too good to be true. I thought, “How can this be possible? Why isn’t everyone doing this then?” So again, my skepticism drove me away. But the seed was already planted in my mind.
JM: What was deciding factor then?
AS: I started to research more about Network Marketing, about the company, and I used some of the products. The more I learned about it, the more I thought it was a great opportunity. But there was only one thing missing – which I think is what most of us miss and why others don’t grow their FLP business – and that was ACTION! So, after a few months , I decided to start and develop my business with commitment, responsibility and professionalism. And as I mentioned before, it wasn’t easy. I made a lot of mistakes and things didn’t start off as I expected. However, I learned from those mistakes and challenged myself to learn something every day – and I still do. And let’s be honest… which things in life that are easy to achieve, are really worth it? So every day I worked to be better, to share something, and to do something for my business so it could take off.
JM: What did you accomplish since you started building your business with Forever? You are so young. You are 27 and you are a businessman, that can be proud of your accomplishments.
AS: Yes, today (four years after joining FLP) I am a Senior Manager. I have qualified for Earned Incentive and Profit Sharing. I now have a global business in which I use the Internet and social networks to share the opportunity, and I have received bonuses from countries that I haven’t even r , I am paying for my own house and I’ve been able to buy three brand new cars! Above all, I can share with you from my heart that FLP has not only given me travels and material things, but it has also given me the opportunity to touch other people’s lives, along with the freedom I had lost. And it has made me a better human being. Now, what I like the most is that I love and enjoy what I do! God willing, this is only the beginning of great dreams. If you have a dream, then don’t worry about what others may say – just follow it. Remember, we cannot change the beginning, but we can start over and change the end. I wish you all success and happiness in your business and every day!
