FiredUp Letters - Section 2: Family & Relationships
The following are letters which were received and published by Shad Helmstetter's The Helmstetter Report.
My wife and signed up in the Amway Business October 14, 1984. We had been married a little over 2 years and had 2 children. I am a commercial pilot and my career plus the financial strain was putting a wedge between my wife and myself. I would go to work and my kids would be asleep. When I came home my kids were asleep. My wife and I couldn't carry on an intelligent conversation and I had begun to drink more and more to cover up the pain of my frustration. I was frustrated and had just about given up hope.
I looked in the mirror one day and said to myself, "Is this all there is to life? If you don't change the way you think or what you're doing, it's not going to get any better.
A short time later, my sponsor showed us the plan. Two weeks after getting in Amway, I quit drinking. Because I got a dream, I didn't need alcohol anymore.
My wife wasn't excited at first. I had lost her respect. But when my upline showed us the plan, I saw something in them that we didn't have that I wanted for my family. Not only did they have it, but I saw it in the leadership in our organization.
Through the example of my sponsor and the books and tapes, I have learned how to be a husband to my wife and a father to my four children. Had it not been for the positive influence of this business, my wife and I would be another marriage tragedy instead of a marriage success story.
As a sidenote to my letter, here is an example of the type of people you'll find in Amway.
My company had transferred me to Lynchburg, Va. The 26th of November, 1996, the day before Thanksgiving, I had just finished showering and getting dressed to come out of my bedroom and foundd my house in flames. Fortunately my wife was at work and the kids were at school. I was there alone. Ten more minutes and I wouldn't have gotten out of the house.
We lost everything material. Our Amway friends took us into their home, others provided clothes, others money and lots of prayer. The outpouring of support was phenomenal. Most people wouldn't believe it if I told them just how much help we got. That night, our sponsors drove over eight hours round trip with food, clothes and money to make sure we were all right. Not one family member called.
Amway is more than the money.
—R.S. and C.S, Conover, NC
I am a 52 year old single grandmother and I was out of hope as far as a secure future was concerned, and then my boss sponsored me as an Amway Dist.
My whole life has changed in the most wonderful ways. All the people I have met are so supportive and loving. My up line lives 100 miles from here one way and travels to help me from 3 to 7 times a week and always with a smile. No matter what I need help with wheather it is getting my car fixed to teaching me the business they are there for me, and reader, if you are not in Amway now you need to be.
Amway has saved me and given me the freedom to live again and enjoy my mother in her declining years, and be with my grandchildren in their formative years. My 5 year old granddaughter was asked at school what she wanted to be when she grows up, her reply was, "I want to be a Diamond, like my Gammie is going to be".
Thanks so much Dr. Helmsletter, and thank you Amway.
—S. P., Ardmore, Oklahoma
Dear Shad,
Much has been written about the very real financial rewards and personal growth afforded by the Amway opportunity, and rightly so. One area that is often overlooked, however, is the people element.
Even though our business is still young, there is incredible diversity within even our relatively small group. Our team includes African-Americans, Caucasians, Asian-Americans and Hispanics; high school, college and post-graduate education levels; ages from 21 to 70; blue collar, white collar, professionals, retirees and students; Catholics, Protestants, Buddhists, Born Again Christians and Atheists; married and single; Republicans and Democrats; families and single moms; financially well-off to just-getting-by; a wide range of personality types and interests; and backgrounds ranging from upper middle class to the mean streets of South Side Chicago.
How does a group like this even get along in the same room, let alone form lasting friendships and working relationships? Because even though our dreams are all different, we're all moving onward and upward in pursuit of a better life in the spirit of mutual cooperation.
I truly believe that as the Amway business accelerates its growth into the next millenium, we will play a significant role in ending the racial, economic and political divisiveness that currently afflicts our nation.
—D. B. & L. B., Chicago, IL
My wife and I have had our own independent Amway business for two and a half years. In that time we have seen a tremendous change in ourselves and in our relationship.
The positive motivation and encouragement we have received from our upline and other Amway distributors has had a great impact in our lives.
One example stands out. In June of this year, our second child, a son, was born. He had many complex medical problems at birth. After only twelve hours and six minutes, God called my son home to Him. My world was shattered. I felt as if my entire life had been turned upside down.
Then the phone began to ring. Friends? Family? A few of the calls were. But the vast majority came from fellow Amway distributors, offering help, hope, and prayer for my family.
I have never met many of the distributors who called or sent messages on Amvox, but their words of support still resound in mind as if I had just hung up the phone. Where else in the world can a person find that kind of support?
The income is nice, but the true rewards of our Amway business cannot be measured in worldly terms. Even if we never made another dime, we would never quit.
—D. G. & P. G., Larimore, ND
Thank you for your recent report regarding Amway. As I was reading through your answers I was impressed you made mention of the generational issue. I wanted to bring to light the fact of what a powerful statement that was. My parents have been involved with the Amway business for over thirty years. I am a product along with my other siblings (ages range from 23-40) of being raised in the "Amway enviroment". We are either invovled with our parents, business owners ourselves or serving our society in some capacity.
None of us have ever been on public assistance, arrested, or unemployed. Out of five children and fourteen grandchildren we have no one on drugs, dropping out of school, serving in any kind of correctional instituion, no one is seeking psychiatric help, in others words no one from our three generations has depleted from society.
We are simply following the path and example that was set before us by our parents. We are independent thinkers and have been able to have more variety in our social interactions because of the way we were raised. Our parents have not only duplicated themselves but have strongly seeded the market with productive indivduals. We are ALL better spouses, mothers, fathers, and business people because of the values and standards our parents set for us, through their involvement with the Amway business.
They instilled in us a sense of self-worth, responsibility, committment, and the will to achieve.We were brought up to be strong in our faith, love our country, and be proud of our heritage. When kids are raised with these kind of morals and ethics you can except quaility results, therefore producing a generation of contributors for the good.
One more powerful force that cannot be compared to in any other business in the world is the loyality and bond between the second generations. There is this awesome respect we share for our parents and what they have corporately represented with their lives, that is almost unexplainable. Many second generations have given their lives to their parents and the business to ensure the legacy will continue on.
In a world plagued with constant turmoil, violence, corruption, and the terrible bombardment of our beloved family unit, it should be a refreshing change to all who read about the Amway business that it has far reaching benefits of not just one, but two and three generations.
Sincerely, — AJ, Fort Mill, SC
I appreciate the opportunity to share how the Amway opportunity has benefited my family.
My father was one of the original founding fathers. He assisted in developing the plan that we now operate under in Amway. I observed my father and mother in a pursuit of a Dream. Growing up as a child, I marveled as my parents grew with the business. My parents were my heroes and later my mentors and coaches in both life and in the business because I chose to follow them. "I wanted to be just like my Dad."
Today, my three children are pursuing careers in Amway. Sure the opportunity is different but better. However, the values and principles are the real standards and practical applications taught in Amway. One thing is to teach them but to live them is another. To have a vehicle where you can live your dream and not sacrifice your values; that is Amway. There are no quotas, no territories, the opportunity is only limited by the six inches between our ears.
E-commerce is our future. Yes, Amway will be more than ready for e-commerce. The best opportunity just got better. The way we do business today will prepare for the 21st century and beyond. Many men and women distributors are committed; as are the owners of Amway corporation to do whatever it takes to step out and step it up (SOSIU) as we re-launch.
People who say it cannot be done will be constantly interrupted by others who are doing it.
—J. V. (MM) Ohio
My wife and I have been involved with the Amway business for a little over six years. We have two beautiful children of our own and are in the process of adopting a precious baby girl. I wait tables for a "job" and my wife stays at home with our children, instilling them with our values and beliefs. We teach Sunday School to preschoolers, a challenge we embrace wholeheartedly. We have a loving marriage, one that has been tried, tested, and proven unbreakable and always overcoming.
The reason I tell you these things is not to brag but merely show the results of being associated with positive, motivated, upward mobile people in the Amway business. How else can you explain two people from different, broken, and dysfunctional families, stumbling across a "business opportunity" and in the process of doing so learn to overcome all the past family hang-ups of multiple divorces, alcoholism, drug addiction, adultery, irresponsibility, and physical abuse?
Many in society would use those negative experiences to justify their lack of position in life. We chose differently. We chose to overcome. Our association with so many positive influences, which this business embodies, has allowed us to dilute the negative past and replace it with an awesome present, and a limitless, incredible optimism for our future.
Our personal experience with that Amway business has enriched our lives and those around us immeasurably. So, to those just checking out the Amway opportunity, I say "You don't know, what you don't know!". I pray you find out and experience Amway for yourselves. I'm glad we did!
Sincerely, —R.S. & M. S., Virginia Beach, VA
