Be Your Own Boss

I'd recently given birth to our second child, Molly, and was busy being mum at home to both her and our two-year-old son, Harry. During July that year, I'd made a huge decision to sell my business of three-and-a-half years. I'd been busy running a bridal boutique and absolutely loved what I did. However, once I'd had my little ones I was then having to pay full-time staff on top of all the other overheads, and there just wasn't enough left for me at the end of each month – yet I still had all the stress and responsibility.
As much as I loved being mum at home, I soon realised that I needed something more. Forever had been in my life for the previous eighteen years as my mum had built an amazing business during this time. Eleven years later, my sister also joined the business and has been a real inspiration. I've always seen how hard they have both worked to achieve a fabulous lifestyle and I really wanted to be part of that too. It still makes me giggle though, as my sister and I both swore we'd never join! I even banned any Forever conversation between them in my presence as it was all they seemed to talk about!
From making the decision that the time was right for me, my business flew pretty quickly. I had a sense of urgency as knew that I needed an extra £600 per month to replace my shop income. In three months I'd achieved this, had built an amazing team and made some wonderful friends. Six months later I made Manager position; I couldn't quite believe it! My income is more than I'd thought possible when I started and I've also achieved Earned Incentive thanks to an amazing and supportive team. It's amazing what happens when you set solid goals!
It's not always easy, and yes it is a balancing act, and sometimes you do need to give up a few other things in order to make the time to grow your business.
I have some fabulous people in my team who I know aren't far behind me, and helping them is just so inspiring. We all make sure we are at every event, whether it be a Success Express, the Global Rally, or the BPs and trainings. This has been so important in helping to keep everyone motivated and excited.
I’d like to say a huge thank you to my mum and my sister for not giving up on me and for being such fantastic role models. I see the wonderful lives they live, and being able to do the same for my family is my greatest achievement.

Kyra was working as a Deputy Director at a Women’s and Children’s Charity…
I had worked in this career to a high position after twenty years of investment and study when I was introduced to the opportunity. My job role took up fifty-to-sixty hours a week and by the time I got home to my beautiful daughters and husband I was exhausted.
I was passionate about the work I did and wasn’t looking for another option, but I knew my life wasn’t in balance and the mounting debts we had indicated that the job wasn’t financially or emotionally meeting our family’s needs.
With great trepidation I took a look at the business and saw a way of earning an additional £300 that could ease the pressure. I took a chance and got started in August 2015.
What happened next still feels surreal; I was able to get the financial return on my investment of starting the business within ten days and by the end of the month I could see the profit in my purse.
As a family we began to breathe. Working in the pockets of time around my demanding job I was able to build my business from home and within six months matched my corporate income. Ten months later I had cleared any debt we had. I was in a position to leave my job, be a mum at home and have an income where we didn’t have to reduce our family requirements.
Almost four years on, I am still a mum working from home. I am there for my children every day, I never miss an Irish dance competition, a school event, or have to leave them when they are unwell.
I have the privilege to work in the leadership team in Ireland, but my business now spans the globe. World travel is part of my year as Forever provides incredible opportunities to those who work hard in their businesses. My family and I were gifted with a Mediterranean cruise, my husband joined me on a trip to America and I have travelled to the Middle East, Europe and the USA numerous times as a thank you from the company.
The positivity and the integrity of this business is refreshing. I have made lifelong friends and supported others to bring another income stream into their homes. It offers you an opportunity to create a life that you deserve. I am thankful every day for the TIME it has given me for my family. I am Forever Proud.

Claire started her business in January 2014 whilst on maternity leave from a career in education…
I had been searching for a way for me to be a full-time mum but not have to compromise on lifestyle. I suppose when I look back, I also knew I craved success, financial independence and that I wanted to set a great example for my children.
Very quickly I had developed an income that gave me the confidence in myself and belief in the company that I could develop a serious career with Forever and I made the decision not to return to work at the end of my maternity leave in June 2014. In fact, six months in and I was earning more than my full-time monthly wage, working part time around my daughter.
This wasn’t without a very sceptical start. Network marketing was new to me and seeing for myself that I could, in fact, develop a serious career, as well as feeling fulfilled as a mum, made me feel both excited and sceptical. I could see others developing successful businesses so I developed the attitude that if they can, maybe with some work on myself then I could too!
I came with a huge desire to change my life and a great work ethic. This saw me quickly progress through the marketing plan and go on to qualify for the car, travel and chairman’s bonus programmes. My income allowed us to get a mortgage on a house we wouldn’t have been able to previously, which was a huge goal for us and our growing family.
I now continue to develop my business as a full-time mum to three young daughters; Bella, 5, Sadie, 3 and Minnie 1. We have enjoyed not only a dramatic change in lifestyle that the income from my business has given us but also the time it has given us as a family.
I feel free, that’s the best way to describe it. I won’t miss a thing with my children because I’m in charge of my diary. I’m not aware of another opportunity that would enable us the same work life balance, lifestyle and financial security we have currently.
Forever is a way of living for us, not just a job that I pick up for an hour or two at a time and because of this I’m able to show the girls that by working hard and smart, anything is possible if you’re bold enough to chase after your dreams. I use the nooks and crannies of the day to work my business, and the beauty of it for me is that many of the business-building activities are incorporated into life as a busy mum, perfect!
Our girls are growing up in a positive environment, with people with great attitudes, and around other children that we meet on the trips away with Forever. The travel incentives have been really special to us. I’ve used them as a way to enable the girls to see parts of the world that we wouldn’t have been able to prior to me starting my business. I feel privileged that the company has invested in me, as the training and the people we have met as part of those trips have been incredible.
I’m driven by being able to show others that you can absolutely have both! You can have the time with your children whilst they’re young without having to sacrifice income, career satisfaction and personal development.
My passion is to help others to see the potential in the marketing plan and help them to learn the skills necessary to make the changes they’re looking to make to their lives. I’m a very proud Network Marketing Professional and am really excited about the future not only for our family but for the people we work alongside and the industry as a whole.

Millicent joined Forever in August 2003 and was very enthusiastic about the dream of becoming successful and financially free, but she didn’t know that Forever had more in store for her...
I was a law administrator with four children, so travelling was restricted but I wanted to see the world. Then, in February 2004, Forever gave me the opportunity to go for a month’s holiday in Kenya, and this is where my travelling dream began to become reality. The opportunities opened when I started sharing Forever with all my friends and relatives, and I could see that the business offered exponential growth. I qualified for the Manager position but my husband Jasper, who was an accountant, was still sceptical. The marketing plan was too good to be true, but he was willing to learn and got to work.
Back in the UK I had also qualified for an incentive that took me to Athens, Greece. Whilst there, we requested the help of Rex Maughan, Forever’s founder and CEO, to see if we could get Forever into East Africa. On a mountain with the breath-taking view of the Acropolis, Jasper and I had the chance to talk to Rex about the East African distributorship, and we were amazed when he gave us the go ahead.
Jasper had clearly caught the vision as well and we left the UK for Kenya in 2005. Whilst there, we worked with a team of other Forever Business Owners and Kenya had its grand office opening in Nairobi in August 2005. This later expanded to both Uganda and Rwanda which contributed to the success of Forever East Africa.
Our hard work had paid off and in 2006 we qualified for an exclusive training event in Stockholm, and by the end of that same year we had qualified for the 2008 World Rally Tour! Our travelling adventures didn’t stop there, and to date Forever has also awarded us with gifts of travel to Phoenix Arizona, Las Vegas, Cottonwood Cove on Lake Mohave in Nevada, Colorado, Texas, the Grand Canyon, Dallas, South Africa, Zanzibar, South Sudan, Washington DC, Bahamas, Hawaii, Singapore and many other Forever resorts.
I’ve been overwhelmed by the generosity of Forever as a company and in recent years we have even received bonus cheques of over £174,000! It’s a great comfort to know that we are not alone – we are supported by a great team of achievers – and we truly believe in the business opportunity and how it’s changing lives.

When I first joined Forever, I thought I would be able to operate it through a beauty blog I had and almost be ‘faceless’ to it. The first few weeks I read and watched as many of the trainings as I could. This quickly gave me a realisation that I wouldn’t have a successful business being faceless. By the end of that first month I majorly stepped out of my comfort zone to become the face of my business.
As a manager within an HR department I was a little fearful over how people might react to my new business. I was SO relieved to actually experience positivity and excitement - so many work friends came to my launch! I hadn’t needed to be scared at all. The negative comments I did get made no impact as I was just so engrossed in getting into a rhythm with business, that I had no time to care about negativity.
After a series of launches and a huge burst of energy, I hit the supervisor position and truly felt like I was capable of reaching further promotions. I remember a training event focusing us on Eagle Manager and seeing the reward was a 5* trip to Cancun at the Moon Palace, I was determined to achieve it. Working towards that was fast, tough, exciting and rewarding. I will never forget that Christmas Eve when I hit the incentive. The best Christmas present ever.
Behind the fast pace of my business at the beginning was a vision to create space in my life to have children. I knew that I would need IVF but what I didn’t want was to have to talk to anyone about it, least of all my boss. I didn’t want to be putting in time off requests and I wanted to limit the impact stress would have on me. On my one-year anniversary with Forever I left my job and hit the Senior Manager position.
Success kept coming, I felt unstoppable at one point and was so happy to be coaching and leading teams of amazing women and men who wanted to achieve for themselves. I haven’t been a perfect leader, I have been a learning leader, learning from my mistakes, growing and adapting and also letting go when I have needed to.
By the time I had my daughter Ivy, I was a two-time Global Rally qualifier, a two-time Chairman’s Bonus achiever and two-time Eagle Manager. I was insanely proud of that, but most of all I was proud of my team for being self-starters, self-motivated and determined to enable me to be fulfilled as a new mother. I was able take time off and, on my return, dramatically reduce my working hours with my team. This did mean a drop in income, like anyone reducing their hours would expect. At first this was uncomfortable until I reached a new level of stability in my business.
My desire to achieve goals didn’t disappear and when I realised my volume was close to achieving Global Rally, I increased my working hours so that I didn’t miss out. I also kept focus on my New Zealand team to see them make history as the first Manager business over there. I feel so grateful for my experiences and I know that my connection with Forever will be lifelong. This is the only business I know of where you adapt your work around your needs, ramping up and quieting down when you need it. What I have massively appreciated in the last two years is the global scope of my business and what it has taught me in terms of being more efficient and focused. The way I run my overseas business is different to how I have run my UK one, and I am excited about the change in my UK business to align these. It’s going to take time, but I am in no rush!

Network marketing was not a new concept to Annie as her parents had started their network marketing business alongside another company when she was six years old…
A few years in, my parents were both able to leave their jobs and work their business really flexibly from home around myself and my two sisters. This gave us an amazing upbringing with unlimited time and lots of memories as a family, so I have a lot to thank the industry for!
It never crossed my mind that it could be something that I could do also, as my experience of network marketing stopped at their company and that just wasn’t for me.
After studying fashion design at university, I landed what I thought was my dream job as a designer in London. At first this was a whirlwind of excitement, however, as the time went on, I started to feel less and less enthusiastic. I didn’t feel fulfilled, I worked really long hours, had a long commute, and I hated that I was constantly wishing time away until home time or the weekend. From this job I realised a few things - I didn’t want to have a boss, I didn’t want someone to be in control of my time, and I wanted the freedom to not be tied down to one place.
It was finally a phone call with my mum and me voicing this when she said, ‘Annie, why don’t you take a proper look into network marketing and find a company that’s right for you that you can get really passionate about…’ So that night I did some real research and it finally clicked! I realised that network marketing was exactly the answer. I researched companies and when I found Forever I knew it was right for me. I searched on the Forever events Facebook page for an upline and got started the next day in October 2016.
When I started, although I had full belief in the industry and the company, my belief in myself took a while to build. However, the incredible training and support I received helped me grow and develop. I attended every event, read every book I was recommended, and my business started to grow. Early in 2018, I hit the position of Manager giving me so many more choices. I was able to leave my full-time job and also move to and explore a new city altogether!
It’s creating that time freedom I’ve witnessed first-hand that drives me. Building my business has been an absolute rollercoaster ride and really hard work, but I wouldn’t change any of it! I’m completely obsessed with what I do now, I have met the most incredible people, love working with my team, and I am so excited for my future with Forever.

DECIDE TO DREAM BIG
Esther’s journey began in July 2016 but she had no idea it would take her to where she is today...

I had been using Forever products for a couple of years but I used to just find them online as I was unaware of the business opportunity and that I should buy through an FBO. When I learned about the business I joined so that I could benefit from the generous discount. I still wasn’t interested in retailing and I told myself that I was busy enough with my full-time job and social life. At the time, I thought I had far too much on, but within the first few weeks I started to see that Forever had a lot more to offer. Talking about the products I loved and used already every day was actually quite easy and a natural part of day-to-day life, so I decided to give it a real go by finding the time to put a little more effort in.

In the first month of joining I was close to hitting my personal target. I set up my Facebook page, created a new name for my business and had some business cards made. Talking about aloe vera became second nature and before I knew it, I had fifteen customers who wanted Forever Aloe vera Gel, and friends and family who were keen to try other products! I promptly set up my own website and joined online support groups and subscriptions including FLP.Social and FLP360°, and in the months that followed I hit Supervisor, I was awarded ‘retailer of the week’ by Victoria Warren, and I achieved the number four spot in the top twenty pro-networkers!

I’ve always felt there was something bigger out there for me, I just never knew what it was until I found Forever, and now I can’t imagine not being a part of the Forever family. The opportunity has opened the door to a new career and I feel as if I’ve found my niche. I’m enjoying meeting new people and I’ve never felt so inspired and driven to succeed in life as I do now. Every time I think about Forever, I think of when Richard Branson said, “If someone offers you an opportunity and you’re not sure you can do it, say yes – then learn how to do it later.” I guess that’s what I did, and what I’m doing! I regularly attend the Business Presentation and my knowledge is growing everyday with all the events, training and help received from my mentors. I’m very excited for what the future holds and I can’t wait to share it with everyone – Eagle Manager, I’m coming for you!

"I’ve always felt there was somethingbigger out there for me, I just neverknew what it was until I found Forever,and now I can’t imagine not being a part of the Forever family."

Based in south-west London, Matt enjoyed a successful career working for a major brand. He was focused, passionate and hardworking, but the long hours and lack of time began to tarnish the corporate dream…

I started my Forever journey back in February 2015 whilst working for a large well-known soft drinks brand. I headed up their national sales team which consisted of over 130 managers, and while some may say I had the perfect career, I always believed there was more to life than working a sixty-hour week and having no time to yourself.

Fortunately, I saw the Forever opportunity as my way out of the corporate rat race. I set a goal to get to a place where I’d be able to quit my job within five months, and exactly five months later I resigned. I knew that working alongside such an incredible company with amazing products would work, so I began building a business by following everything that my upline told me to do. Kyle Burrows and Emma Cooper were outstanding mentors!

I achieved Manager in three months by working my business around my job, and alongside managing my own personal £multi-million international property portfolio. I was also having my house extended and I was in the middle of buying a new three-bed London apartment to rent out. I may have been busy, but I made time for my Forever business; it was going to set me up for the future and once there I would never have to look back!

I now have four amazing Managers based in Scotland, and a team of over 300 people – we are like one big happy family! The friendships you make in Forever are incredible; these people are going to be in my life for the rest of my days, and the journey we are going to walk together makes me ‘smile’. When I was at Global Rally in South Africa, I looked around and, whilst holding back emotion, I knew I was working for something special when I saw such inspirational and highly motivational people.

I am more committed than ever to carry on building my business with Forever, and Senior Manager is firmly set on the horizon, but I have also had the time to retrain in something I’ve always been passionate about – property. I have now qualified as a self-employed mortgage and insurance advisor and I intend to work this role alongside my Forever business. Forever has given me options; options to have more time, freedom, and the ability to do what I want, when I want, and with whom I want. That is priceless! I would like to thank everyone who is playing a key part in my journey and I am super-excited for the years ahead.

"The friendships you make in Forever are incredible; these people are going to be in my life for the rest of my days."

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.

EMBRACE EVERY BIT OF TIME

At twenty-five years old Becky has achieved a lot to be proud of, including building a successful business. Through the tough times, it was her mindset and the support of her team that carried her through…

My background is in neonatal nursing caring for premature babies. I started my Forever business in December 2014 intending to stop having to take on overtime. Some weeks I found myself working sixty - seventy hours at the hospital as I was trying to save for my wedding the following year.

Within five months of joining the business, I had reached Manager and matched my nursing income. This enabled me to stop my overtime, but it also meant I could go part time at the hospital. This was then followed by a six-month career break as I was dealing with some stressful situations near the end of 2015. In the space of a month, I got married, lost my Nan and lost our first baby.

Forever helped me to get through those hard times by giving me something to focus on. I had received a lot of support and training throughout my time in the business, and I had a good mindset. This meant I was able to deal with all I was going through and I could continue to build my Forever business whilst remaining positive. Even though it was a sad end to the year, I still qualified for Global Rally (1500CC) and I have since qualified for Senior Manager. After achieving this promotion I was able to hand in my notice at my nursing job. Forever has given me the vision that anything is possible. Life is too short, and I want to embrace everything and make the most of every bit of time I have with my friends and family. I loved my nursing job, but I love my freedom and flexibility more – that is what Forever has given me. Forever has also given me a lot of self-confidence. Confidence and self-belief is something I've always struggled with; speaking to people in large groups, never mind presenting a Business Presentation, absolutely terrified me. However, with the support of my upline and the belief that they gave me, I now regularly present at my local Business Presentation, I host my own trainings and webinars, and I have more confidence than I have ever had in my life. Confidence is something I never thought I would have, but thanks to Forever, I know that I can do anything if I put my mind to it – and I will!

Forever Flexible by Lynne Fryer – Assistant Manager

I joined Forever when I learnt I could earn money from home by working flexibly around my daughter and my university course.

I’ve been a single parent since my daughter was born, and although I have a professional background in marketing, I was told I couldn’t return to work part time due to 'business requirements' – whatever that means! I fought the decision, and ultimately got nowhere, so I got another job. However, I quickly lost this when my daughter developed a lung condition and I had to take time off. For twelve months I found myself stuck in a pattern of starting new jobs and losing them for being 'unreliable'; eventually enough was enough.

I'd never been on benefits before but suddenly this was starting to look like the only (and better) option. Instead I decided to go to university to study. I figured I would only be hurting myself if I had to rush off to collect my daughter from nursery; by being at university I wouldn't have the pressure of letting employers down. However, I knew that when I finished for summer I would have to get a job again to see me through until September, but I was scared. Scared of letting people down and being spoken to like I wasn’t capable of doing my job.
When my friend told me about Forever, I had just been diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, which meant I was suffering with male-pattern baldness. I was intrigued by the products and started drinking the Aloe Vera Gel and I also did the C9.
I became so emotionally attached to these products that I knew I had to join. Since joining Forever I have made a lot more friends – my Forever family – and not only am I earning money, I can now fit work around my daughter, who is three, AND continue to study. My daughter will always be the most important thing to me, but my Forever business is a very close second – I've definitely got my sense of spirit back!

Living the dream by Julianna Woods – Sapphire Manager

Julianna Woods has been involved in Forever since 2009, but in the beginning she had to overcome her self-doubt, and believe that her dreams really could become reality…

How has your life changed since becoming an FBO?
Before Forever I was working as a team leader for Lloyds TSB Insurance, but the role didn’t provide the security and flexibility I was looking for; ultimately I wanted to be my own boss. I honestly don’t know where I would be today if I was still working for Lloyds; my previous partner left me with £33,000 worth of debt and there is no way I would have been able to pay that off on my previous income. Plus the financial constraint would have meant I’d struggle to start a family. Now I’m about to get married, I’m completely debt-free, my monthly income is double what my annual salary used to be, and I am able to give my children everything, including being around for them at home.
Today my life is unrecognisable: I am living in my dream house, driving amazing cars, and I honestly don’t have a worry in the
world. Forever has given me complete peace of mind. Sometimes, when I think about my life, I think I’m dreaming; any minute I’ll wake up and be back in reality. So when I do actually digest that it is real, and it is happening to me – a little girl who now lives on the side of a mountain in Pontypool – I can’t help but burst into tears. It’s so overwhelming.

Was your progression to Sapphire an easy achievement?
It definitely took a lot of hard work and dedication. I had to work on myself – my mind-set and self-belief – but I think the activities surrounding recruitment are actually fairly simple. Working on my inner-self was certainly the hardest part for me to overcome since I grew up in a family that constantly struggled; I just couldn’t get used to the idea of having more than I’d always known. I learnt a lot from Dave O’Connor and Natalie Heeley; they helped me believe that it was within my grasp. I still have to work on my mind-set every day; I’m not the finished article (I doubt I ever will be), but I am more discerning about the way I think and the way I manage my time with people. I never ever thought that I’d have a life like I am living; I just didn’t think stuff like this would happen to people like me.How do you motivate your team?I don’t necessarily think you can motivate anyone; to be honest, to really succeed, I think they need to be willing and have that drive in them. But what I do think you can do is inspire someone. Encouraging others to find out what their goals and dreams are can really release someone into the business, and helping them to build up their mind-set, so that they believe in themselves, will enable them to realise that they can achieve anything if they put their mind to it.
What useful advice would you like to share?
My advice will always be to stay active:
continue to contact five brand new people a day, be persistent and consistent, and come from a place of contribution – I always try to take myself off the agenda so that others can reach their full potential. But most of all remember that your mind-set is the most important aspect; it is this thatcan have significant influence on you and your success.