Look Good. Feel Better.

Gary always had a passion for music and entertaining others, but after years of dedicating himself to the industry, he realised he needed to find something that offered him a better life balance…

I started singing around the pubs and clubs at the age of eighteen. My mum helped me to get started by paying for my first PA system and managing me, and through this I built up an amazing career entertaining crowds under the name of Gary Marsden.

Over the years I’ve had the privilege of singing alongside some well-known artists like The Vengaboys, Lisa Scott-Lee from Steps and Alexandra Burke. I absolutely love singing and I'm also part of a duo called Fascination! I had dreams of becoming a pop star and of having a lifestyle like a rich and famous person, but, at the age of thirty-four, these dreams seemed less likely.

Alongside my music career, I worked as a presenter at my local bingo. For the past twelve years I've worked split shifts and my working pattern began to take its toll. Gigs and bingo took up most of my time, any kind of social life was rare, and I knew things were only going to continue unless something changed.

I came across Forever when I noticed one of my friends had achieved impressive results from completing the C9. I wanted to know more so got in touch with a friend of over fifteen years who I knew sold the product. After completing the programme I felt amazing and was very happy with the results. A few days later I received a message from Jo saying how great I'd be at the business – I didn't even know the business opportunity was available to me but after seeing the Business Presentation I was amazed! After much discussion, I realised that this opportunity would give me the chance to finally turn my dreams into reality.

I couldn't afford the Business Owner Box so my mum came to the rescue; she knew how passionate I was about it. I joined Forever and after two months I'd managed to recruit three people and not long after this I hit Supervisor. The feeling was amazing but I wouldn't have done it without the hard work and support of my team. Forever is now my focus and I can see a big future ahead. I know, hand on heart, that I will be successful and I urge anybody who is looking for change to pursue this amazing business; it could transform your life like it is mine.

"After completing the programme I felt amazing and was very happy with the results."

Ex-professional footballer Darren was on top of his game having played for premiership and championship team Blackburn Rovers (and other clubs) from the age of fourteen. However, when he was in his mid-twenties, an injury caused everything to change. His partner, Charlotte Hawes, shares his story…

Darren’s life was football, football, football. Every day was about working on his fitness, training and being healthy, and if he wasn’t on a football pitch or in the gym, he was on the golf course! Darren played with and against top players and he would visit and play in various countries – he was ‘living the dream’. But, in 2008, Darren suffered a snapped cruciate and problems with his knees, and although he is still playing local football, his professional career had to come to an end.

Darren was devastated as football was all he knew from such a young age. He had to have four knee operations and it was becoming a daily struggle for him to work and walk, never mind trying to play football!

Darren discovered Forever whilst working at a client’s house and soon realised, without knowing the details, that there was a very good opportunity available. Darren recommended the business to me as he knew I was at a crossroads – I had very little spare time and no work-life balance, and we instantly saw an opportunity to earn (in time) a substantial income alongside a flexible lifestyle.

We signed up and I currently play the lead role whilst Darren shares his product experiences and the opportunity to everyone he meets. So far the business has given us amazing friendships, it’s allowed us to set goals and get excited, and we can now start to build a career together and plan for a future we didn’t think was possible.

Darren and Charlotte on F15…

Darren found Forever's products to be of great benefit to him and he is now keen to use the products to help him get back to the level of fitness he was pre-injury. Darren and Charlotte are currently part-way through the F15 programme. Here is what they have to say:

“F15 is fantastic and having a programme to follow for diet and exercise is giving me the best chance to get in shape and stay in shape. My motivation to be at a high level of fitness is back and I will reach the goals I’ve set. Since starting the programme, I’ve started to see definition and I’ve lost some weight in the process. If you’re doing F15, don’t give up, dig in and get it done – the end goal is always worth it.” – Darren Dunning

“Being a keen sportsperson myself but having struggled to get back into a regular fitness regime, the structure of F15, along with the brilliant workout videos that Forever produced, has given me the kick and the support I needed to get back on track.” – Charlotte Hawes

Bethan wanted more from her working life but as a young mum she found it difficult to progress. Then she discovered Forever…

In 2011, at the age of twenty-one, I was a single mum to my little boy Tyler who was two years old, and I was working full-time for a large retail chain. I dropped out of college at nineteen when I became pregnant and two years later I was feeling like I hadn’t fulfilled my potential. Retail became something I was good at and even though I adored being a mum, I didn’t want to be just another young mum in the system.

There was never anything wrong with my life; I had great friends and family, and a job that paid a wage that paid my bills, but there was always something missing – I just didn’t know what! My bosses were amazing but working full-time had no flexibility for me as a mum with a young child, and I really struggled to pay for childcare costs. I was working for the pride of being able to say I was, but I had no money once everything was paid. I had no qualifications other than my GCSEs, and no real life experiences. Even if I did want to do something else, I didn’t know where to start, but that’s when Forever found me. I saw a chance to shineand earn a corporate income with full training and support, so I jumped.

For the past six years I have built a global business and a corporate income that surpasses anything I could have ever imagined. My Forever income has allowed me to privately educate my eldest, travel the world, drive dream cars, have our dream wedding, and it’s given us time to have two more children: Miles, one, and we have another on the way! I love being a stay-at-home mum, but I also love that I don't have to sacrifice a career to do that.

I have spent the last few years building myself up, something I know is invaluable, and although I have a lot of friends who are sceptical, once I talk people through the Marketing Plan and the stability of the company, even if it isn’t right for them, they seem to come around.

I started this business as a baby and have become someone I’m truly proud of. Forever will never just be a job for me, and the people I work with will never just be people I work with; Forever is my life, and I will always be passionate about sharing this opportunity.

"For the past six years I have built a global business and a corporate income that surpasses anything I could have ever imagined."

I came out of school with a D as my highest GCSE and I was incapable of committing to even one year of college. At sixteen I went straight into an office administration role, but I only lasted a week! I picked myself up and tried again and landed a customer service role. This time six months went by, but then I was in the same situation, booted out for the better of the company! This pattern lasted for the years that followed.

I have dyslexia, ADHD and I’ve suffered with depression for a number of years. I can articulate and hold a good conversation so I don’t often come across like someone diagnosed with dyslexia, but I've always struggled to stay on task. I get distracted easily and time slips through my fingers. Writing is difficult and takes me a long time, and to concentrate on something is really hard work for me. These things, along with terrible time-keeping and a worse attitude, put a strain on me progressing in life.

When I was twenty-two I decided I was better suited to self-employment. I entered a modelling competition and for the first time I knew what I wanted. I moved to London to pursue it properly and through the jobs I received I met some incredible people, gained great experience and it was something I could pick up when I wanted. Unfortunately I just didn’t have the drive to push myself so I ended up returning to the office. After a year and a half I had had enough; I was tired and underpaid and I was also slipping into deeper depression.

I went to Bethan as a shell of my former self. For the first time in three years I was ready to listen to her. I had no idea if I could do it and I lacked self-belief, but I had nothing to lose. I wanted to learn and see if the business could do all the things it promised.

The more I worked the business and developed myself as a person, the more obvious it became that I had to make some serious life choices. In the space of a week I left my relationship, my home, a mortgage, the city, attended a funeral, and I helped my Nan through depression. Forever became a focus away from everything else, and I put all my efforts into helping, advising and guiding my team. My upline’s advice and dedication to me and my team kept me strong and excited, and I absolutely adore where my life is headed. I chose to believe the impossible was possible and now I’m proud to say I’ve found something I can, and will, commit to.

A BUSINESS THAT’S MORE THAN MONEY...

Mohammed and Shomirun have been Forever Business Owners for many years and they have recently achieved the coveted position of Sapphire Manager. Sapphire Managers have at least nine personally-sponsored Managers in their downline and are able to earn an additional 1% on their income. This percentage may sound small, but it can actually make a significant difference to an income!

Forever’s Editor, Kate Hodge, caught up more about his journey to Sapphire…

KH: WHAT WAS LIFE LIKE BEFORE FOREVER?

MA: My sponsor and I were in another network marketing company for about a year before we found Forever, and although we were excited about the business opportunity, the products weren’t consumable. We therefore decided not to continue and instead I used my time to focus on my traditional businesses; this included running a transport company.

KH: HOW DID YOU DISCOVER FOREVER?

MA: After a few years, in 1997, Shareef called me to say he had found another exciting company which was well established. We arranged to meet and I joined Forever immediately after listening to his one-to-one presentation. However, I started to lose interest in the idea after talking to my friends and family as their reaction was fairly negative. Despite this, my sponsor had recommended several products to me so I gave them a try anyway and, in a short period of time, I was surprised to find good results. I was so impressed that I sat down for a planning meeting with my sponsor, made some serious commitments, set goals and became Manager within two months! That’s when I decided to give up on all the other businesses I had so that I could focus purely on Forever.

KH: WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO CONTINUE RUNNING YOUR BUSINESS AFTER ALL THESE YEARS?

MA: Over the course of the last nineteen years I have been approached by many people from other MLM companies, but none ever captured my interest as they were all just about the money. I feel extremely lucky to be a Forever Business Owner because I am not only receiving an income, but I am also blessed to have access to products that benefit my wellbeing. Today I drive the car of my choice, I can earn a slice of the company’s profit, I have travelled the world, and I have an income that I can save for my pension. The business really is so simple, and the best advice I could give new Forever Business Owners is to use all the products, attend all the meetings, and share the products and opportunity with absolutely everyone you meet.

KH: HOW HAS FOREVER YOUR LIFE?

MA: Forever has given me back time with my family, and it’s given me stability – before I was finding it hard to make ends meet! I want to thank Shareef for giving me courage, making me believe that I can be successful, showing me the light when I couldn’t see, and for travelling with me everywhere just to make me successful. We will certainly be friends FOREVER! I want to tell everyone in my team that I love them so much; without them I wouldn’t be where I am today, and I would like to thank Rex for creating a profitable environment where individuals like myself, can become, with dignity, what they want to become – thank you!

"I feel extremely lucky to be a Forever Business Owner because I am not only receiving an income, but I am also blessed to have access to products that benefit my wellbeing."

FUELLED BY FITNESS

I joined the business through my love of the products and at that time I was also training to be a personal trainer, a job which I thought would fit around the children and mean I didn't have to give up my passion – fitness! I'd been a stay-at-home mum for six years at this point; I was lucky as I didn’t have to work, but I really missed my financial independence and that sense of providing for the family.

I spent the first year retailing, mainly the sports and weight management products, and I built a great retail business, but I was petrified when it came to building a team. I had little belief that anyone would listen to me and I worried about their opinions, so I sat happily at Supervisor for about ten months. Then, in February 2014, my third child was born and everything changed.

I met up with my upline who gave me a small nudge and I left that meeting with self-belief, a fire in my belly and a huge desire to have something more. I spent a lot of time working with my team, working on my self-development and learning to get better in all areas of the business, and I’ve developed a passion for helping others and seeing in them something they don't. I have recently separated from my husband and it’s been incredibly challenging, but Forever has given me the financial stability to start my life again. I now work Forever around three beautiful children and I've still not had to give up on my fitness passion. In fact, Forever has enabled me to achieve more. The products have changed my performance in the gym – I use Forever Aloe Vera Gel, Forever Arctic Sea and Argi+ daily, and Forever Pro X2 bars and Forever Lite Ultra are also staple snacks in my life.

I use my attitude to training in the gym to benefit my mindset in the business. When you want to achieve a goal in the gym you have to dedicate time to learning how that’s done, you have to be passionate and fired up enough so that the goal is tunnel vision, and you have to take daily consistent action! There will be tough days where you feel it’s not possible, but you just support yourself with a good coach who encourages you, and when you are training in the gym at times when others are out socialising, you hear things like 'lighten up' or 'you're crazy', but you go even on the days you don't want to because the goal is that important to you – my success in Forever has been down to applying this exact mindset to my business!

FITNESS, FREEDOM AND FOREVER

After seventeen years in the military, Dewi Winkle from Ripon, North Yorkshire, took the decision to embark on a career in sport and event management. It was a difficult decision but, alongside working as a triathlon coach, he wanted to be involved in creating events that challenged people.

The last eleven years have seen him working in a variety of posts including roles at the Asian Games in Doha, working for British Triathlon, operating as an open water swim coach in the Caribbean and Mediterranean, and co-ordinating challenge events for a military charity. Eventually Dewi settled down in North Yorkshire with his partner Dawn where he manages The Wattbike Studio, trains triathletes and organises the annual iconic Scilly Swim Challenge on the Isles of Scilly. With a passion for motivating others and guiding people into a healthier lifestyle, it was perfect timing when he met Global F.I.T. Ambassador Mike Butterworth and his partner Lindsey Jackson…

Dewi says:

I recall Mike saying, “You come across as a personable and enthusiastic coach, might you be interested to learn about a business that might suit you?” Obviously I answered yes. I was really intrigued and excited; the business model, products and team-building hit a chord with me as I wanted to sell products that tied into my work at the studio. Forever’s products were perfect for my varied customers and the more I learned the better the opportunity seemed.

I’ve been in the business eighteen months now and I still ensure I achieve my 4CCs every month. I want to continue building my retail business and team, and I’ve recognised that the only barriers are the ones that I put up myself. I am really appreciative of having an opportunity that allows me to work when and where I want, at the pace I decide. Stepping out of my comfort zone has been essential, and I’ve come to realise that this will be a business that continues to educate me.

Living in the Yorkshire Dales, being surrounded by loyal people and deciding how I choose to work really suits me; having a job that allows me to improve people’s fitness, self-esteem and wellbeing has made me very grateful. There aren’t many jobs that allow you to give people a business, and that’s a real privilege – thank you Forever!

FOREVER BENEFITS OUR CHARITY

Heidi and Alan were introduced to Forever by an old friend Alan knew through his work in TV – comedian Dominic Holland! During a fundraising event for ‘The Lunchbowl Network’, a charity the couple helped start ten years ago, Dom spoke about his Forever business and introduced Heidi to Forever Aloe Vera Gel. Their business grew from here…

If I’m honest, at first I didn’t think the business was for me. I’d never sold anything before and since I was so busy with the charity, a couple of other small jobs, and four children, I didn’t think I had the time. However, my background is in research so my natural intrigue caused me to look further into the company, the products and the possibilities. I purchased the Business Owner Box and after a couple of months I really started to see Forever’s business potential.

Our sponsors didn’t know, but for a long while Alan and I had been praying for a new venture that we could run together. Alan works in TV sound and absolutely loves his job. He is very lucky, works on all the big shows and even went to Rio to work on The Last Leg and Paralympics. However, the older he gets, the more he wants to reduce his hours. Ideally he’d like to be selective about where and when he works, but until Forever, such a choice seemed unlikely. I also had a promising and well-paid TV career, but I had to give it all up as the unsociable hours and travel didn’t fit with the demands of a family. I also adore the work I do for The Lunchbowl Network – the charity cares for orphaned and vulnerable children in Kibera slum, and I raise awareness in UK schools and travel to the project in Nairobi – but this role is entirely voluntary. Lunchbowl will always be my passion, but I’ve always missed having a career. Forever has given me a second chance. I can now build and train a team of people, we have new travel opportunities, and we are excited about building our business globally.

Our team, ‘The Aloe-luias’ are lovely and we have made so many new friends. What’s really been amazing though is how our involvement in Forever has also benefitted The Lunchbowl Network. Many Forever Business Owners (FBOs) are now heavily involved with the charity and we have made friends with FBOs from Scotland, Scandinavia, Ireland and from various places in the UK – we can’t wait to meet them at Success Express and the global events! It hasn’t always been easy, but we have had the opportunity to plug into self-development and setting goals. Our focus now is all about our team and helping them to achieve Manager too – we can’t wait to see what 2017 brings.