75: How to get authentic and really move the needle in network marketing, with Melissa Martin

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Welcome to the Becoming Bulletproof Podcast. I am your host, Tracy o'. Malley. I'm a mom to millennials, an author, Enneagram expert and multi million dollar entrepreneur, and master performance and business coach. I've gone from rock bottom to building a bulletproof business and life. If you're looking for the unfiltered transparent truth and ethos, an extra kick in the ass, you will discover that here. Each week I'll be bringing you success stories of high level entrepreneurs as we discover how they became bulletproof and created their empire. You'll learn the story behind the glory along with Enneagram inspired truths so you can ignite your own purpose, profits and build your legacy. It's time for you to become bulletproof. Buckle up. Let's go.

Hello and welcome to another episode of the Becoming Bulletproof podcast. And the beautiful soul I am bringing you Today is going to be a gift, a flat out gift for so many of you. I know that a lot of you listening are in network marketing. And you know the great thing about network marketing is anybody can do it. The hard part about network marketing is anybody can do it. And so when you're trying to lead an effective and strong and bulletproof network marketing team, this can be challenging. And a lot of times network marketing is our first kind of toe into the water of entrepreneurship. And I have found like it has been one of the greatest skills, one of the places that I've learned some of my greatest skills in leadership and duplication and effective systems and things like that. And the beautiful woman I am bringing you today, Melissa Martin, is one of those that not only has built a very, very strong network marketing and we're going to talk about some of the adversity she faced in that, but also how she was able to build a brand within that. And I think so often, so many of you listening right now, you love the company you're with, you're passionate about it, you can help people with it and you know this, but you don't know how to establish yourself as the authority, the brand, the leader that just is tied to an amazing product line or whatever it is that you're part of. Melissa has developed coaching and systems and programs to help you with just that. I know in building a network marketing the last almost eight years now, there, there were points of like, oh my gosh, can I do this forever? Am I going to burn out? There's also this is going to be a really great topic we're going to touch on is codependency within network marketing teams and so much of your worth coming from people needing you and how that doesn't really effectively build a legacy that I know you want. We're going to talk about that. We're going to talk about imitation versus duplication. Duplication builds, builds legacies, but imitation isn't always sustainable. And we're gonna get into that juicy stuff. And her zone of genius is really like showing you who your authentic, true self is and how to really leverage that and build whatever it is you want to have all the abundance that you want to step into, the person that you were always designed to be and not have to do it like Susie on Instagram or XYZ in this company or wear the same clothes like. Like, you don't have to do any of that. Her zone is helping you find that true, authentic part of you and building that brand within you to help you take this company that you're in and really have the empire that you want. So I am so excited to let her drop some gold on you. We are friends. She is one of these people that I have watched just so willingly grow. I mean, when I met her, she was in a network marketing that all of a sudden, overnight, without warning, she was one of the top in the company overnight. Ripped it out from underneath them, completely changed the entire model of their business and went from, you know, multiple, multiple six figures to zero overnight. And I'm so like, I have goosey's just even saying that. To watch her navigate that with such grace, honesty, vulnerability, fear, messiness, all the juicy parts of life. It has been an absolute honor. And that is why I am telling you she's going to drop gold. Why I trust her to lead you accordingly, especially in this space, because she is one of those that has pretty much had every fucking thing come at her in network marketing and she's overcome and she's helping thousands of people just like you overcome it. So, Melissa, welcome, girl.

I love you. And I fully receive all of that. Thank you for just like pouring all this love on me. I'm like, yes, thank you. I fully receive. Thank you, thank you. It's an honor to be here, Tracy.

Well, good, because, you know, like, I'm a straight shooter and like, yeah, unless I know you can effectively lead somebody with your zone, like, yeah, I like you, but maybe you won't be on. But you are one of the few, especially in network marketing. And you know, I've seen a lot of people try to coach network marketers, but they haven't actually done it. And it infuriates me. And I'm sure that's why you've become so passionate about coaching network marketers and network network marketing teams in general as well, because you. You pretty much everything that a network marketer can face, right?

Yeah, I've been through some stuff.

So.

Let'S just kind of take them back. Because I think most of us, especially what my experience is, is most of those that really crush network marketing don't enter network marketing to crush it. It's kind of an accidental business. Is that what happened with you?

Yeah, yeah. I came into network marketing quite reluctantly in 2012. I had worked in the financial service industry for over 15 years and was obsessed with sales, money, marketing success. These are all things that really drove me. And I'm sure, you know, I'm a three on the Enneagram, so give me all the praise, right? And when I lost my job in 2012, it wasn't because I did anything wrong. My company completely restructured, and I felt like I had lost my identity. I mean, I was tied to this paycheck. I was tied to this job title and the prestige that came along with it. And I fell into this state of feeling really disempowered. I didn't know who I was. I was in over $100,000 of debt. I was judging myself. And I thought, you know what? I should probably do a fitness competition, because that's gonna make me feel really good about myself. So I threw myself into the fitness industry. A local gym in my hometown had posted like an info flyer on it. So I went and I listened. And at the time, I was literally applying for every job under the sun and just getting rejected. And I couldn't understand why. And I think what I didn't know then, what I know now is rejection is redirection, right? And I had a completely different path that was being laid out for me. So I got introduced to network marketing through health and wellness. My coach recommended that I get on these products. She shared the business with me, and I thought, you know, like, I don't really want to do one of those things. Like, I want the paycheck, I want the 401k, I want security, and one of my core wounds is safety. So not having control over my income felt wildly unsafe. But like most people, I had great results. You know, I was posting selfies on Instagram and algorithm was real great back in 2012. So my engagement was growing, and everyone wanted to know, how did I transform my body? And my unemployment benefits were running out. I mean, the Credit collections and just the stress of money was so overwhelming that I thought to myself, you know what, why not try it? Let this be an in the meantime thing until I find a real job. So I took the skill set that I had learned from the corporate world of how to talk to people, how to sell relationship management. I took the network that I had built over my professional career, and I took the reputation that I had built in the fitness industry and I applied it to this model of network marketing in a very unintentional way. Meaning, like I wasn't doing it full time, I was still looking for other jobs. And I wasn't 100% sold out, but I was actually able to replace my income from my corporate job that took me 15 years to build in eight months. And that was the defining moment where I said, okay, why would I go back to a 9 to 5 where I'm unhappy when I have this vehicle here that's teaching me about leadership development, it's helping me build confidence. I have autonomy in my day, I get to help people. It feels really good. Why would I trade this? So what would happen if I actually applied myself 100% and I went all in on this business and really put a flag here that I'm going to be an entrepreneur? And that's exactly what I did. And seven years later, I had built a multiple six figure income. I had over 5,000 people on my team, and I never looked back or even thought about going back into the corporate world.

One of the things you just said I think is so powerful. And you and I kind of started around the same time and with the same kind of like thought process and all of that. And, and I love that you shared that, but I love the moment where you say, well, what would happen if I actually invested full time to this? And I know that in building leadership you recognize that people will say that, but then they really don't do the full time kind of income producing activities that will build that. So, you know, when we go from a structure of corporate punching a clock, somebody telling us where and when we need to be somewhere, what to wear, even sometimes to all of a sudden like, I'm gonna be this entrepreneur and I'm gonna do this full time, what did that look like for you? Because you and I both know that there are a lot of people doing this full time, but not making a full time income. So where's that connection of doing this full time and what that actually really looks like as far as income producing activities?

Yeah, you know, it was A challenge for me in the beginning because I didn't know how to manage my time. I didn't know like what an effective calendar look like because like you said, like, I had a calendar that works for me in the corporate world. So trying to take that and apply it here was really challenging. And it took me a good like six to eight months to kind of get into my flow because I had so much time throughout the day. And I think that that's a blessing and a curse. I think one of the blessings about network marketing really is it is designed to go alongside of your full time job. So the pockets of time that you have to invest in building your business are small. So the activities that you do in that time have to be the ones that generate revenue. And it's so easy for us to get wrapped up in the minutiae of the little things, right? So I had to really get honest with myself and say like, okay, how do I look at time? How do I look at money? And two major themes started to show up for me. One was how was I spending it? And one was how was I investing in it? And spending my time on social gatherings and watching Netflix and trash TV wasn't going to get me out of debt, wasn't going to get me the dream life that I wanted and feeling empowered. So I had to be honest with myself and say, where am I supposed to spending time? Where am I spending money that's actually not yielding me a return? And start looking at how do I want to invest my time, what's the long term vision? And once I, once I rooted into my why? And I will say that network marketing gave me permission to dream a lot bigger. I mean, I know we hear these phrases all the time, but I didn't have entrepreneurs in my family. Like I didn't know that I could make money not having a corporate job. So network marketing showed me what was possible. And once I decided, okay, I'm never going back, I had to switch my mindset and start thinking like a CEO and start taking radical responsibility for the gaps in my own leadership. Because I had a great skillset, but I didn't know how to lead people right? So I had to say, okay, if I have eight hours in a day, how much of that time am I going to invest into things that are going to generate revenue? So having conversations, following up, talking about products, leading calls, things like that. But then there also was a high level of accountability in my own leadership development. The books I was reading, the courses I was buying, the coaches I was hiring, yes. Courses and coaches outside of network marketing, really developing my leadership skills. So that took me some time of figuring out what works, what doesn't, and taking radical responsibility for it. Because if I wanted to build a life that was beyond my wildest dreams, I needed to take ownership for it. Nobody was going to do it for me.

So one of the things that you said that I love is, like, you didn't have entrepreneurs modeling this in your family, so this was a radical shift, not just for you, but probably people that love you. And I'm sure you got a lot of crap for doing one of those things. Like, you're in a pyramid, like you're crazy. Like, all the things. The other thing that you said that. And these are all common objections that you and I have both heard for the last decade almost. Right. Like, but the people that love us have shit to say or I don't know how to do this. It was never modeled for me.

It's going to take time to develop these skills and to be patient with ourselves. And so often, I know you and I both have seen this. People quit before the miracle happens. And in learning how to operate like a CEO, you didn't just wake up one day and you're like, yeah, I'm the Melissa Martin, the CEO. Like, it got messy and. And all sorts of shit came your way. So what kept you in the game? Because so many of you out there. And she said this. Very good, too. Very well. You know, we both started around the same time when the algorithm was always in our favor and you didn't have to have a personal brand that doesn't work anymore. And so many of you have been around network marketing for a long time, so she's had to shift as well as she went through the journey, and so have I in network marketing. But what are the things that kept you in the game that allowed you to pivot? Because, you know, doing the same thing over and over, expecting a different result is insanity. And so you have developed yourself enough to be able to do that. And how do you lead others to do that as well? It's a lot of questions right there, but I know you got it.

Yeah. I think what it comes down to is radical ownership of your authenticity. Right. And I love network marketing so much because it literally is like a ready to go business in a box. It's entrepreneurship with training wheels. Right. And there's a system that you can plug into that provides duplication. But what I started to see and what I still see is a lot of imitation and inauthenticity, of actually tapping into your true superpower, which is you. Like there you are, the only version of you. Like, there's like you're one of a kind. And why would you want to diminish your own gifts and imitate somebody else's uniqueness? Like, that never feels good. So I started to recognize that there were parts of me that I was filtering. And, you know, doing fitness competitions and getting a six pack didn't solve my problems. I thought that it would bring me happiness, I thought it would bring me joy, but it didn't. Earning a multiple six figure income in network marketing, I thought more money, you know, would solve all my problems, it would make me feel great. It didn't. And when I started to really dig deeper, at the core of it, it was me. And I had to start really leaning into my own development and finding my own voice and recognizing that if I wasn't happy with where I was at, both personal, personally and professionally, then the common denominator was me. And if I was filtering myself and I wasn't sharing my full truth, that I was just disempowering myself and I actually wasn't doing my audience a favor either. So I was disadvantaging literally everybody, myself and others. So I really had to sit in it and ask myself, like, what's the message that I really want to share? If I wasn't afraid to speak my truth and I wasn't afraid of rejection, what is the truth that I would share and how would I show up and serve and what type of a leader would I become? So it was just a massive amount of permission of granting myself permission, even though it might not be well received. And I think that that's what happens when you start network marketing. Like back to your earlier point of like, not everybody is going to be cheering you on and that's okay. I have let go and release a lot of friendships of people that just didn't understand the path that I was walking and that's okay. And I had to intentionally seek those that would be open to receiving my message. So it's kind of a long winded answer. But I think that for me, the thing that's kept me going and evolving is unapologetic authenticity of who I am and what my truth is. And also knowing that that's going to change and evolve over time and that's what creates magnetism. People want authenticity, you know, especially with social media now and all these curated posts and feeds, like if you're not sharing the realness. People read right through the bs. And if you're copying and pasting a post from your leader, your credibility goes in the toilet. And that's what gives network marketing such a bad rap, is that people are not willing or they don't have the confidence or the tools to really share their authentic voice because they're afraid of judgment, they're afraid of rejection, or they're afraid that if I don't do it exactly how this person's doing it, then I won't have success.

One of the things that I see, and it's my favorite, like, when you have that person who's just starting and it's usually by accident that this is going to happen. And all of a sudden those first six months are so awesome because there is something to be said for ignorance on fire, because that is the most authentic. Like, I was a hot freaking mess when I first started, and I was like, I have no idea what the hell I'm doing, but my God, like, buckle up, because we're gonna have a hell of a time.

We're gonna feel great.

Like. And that was my authentic self. And people are like, I have no idea what the hell you're doing, but I'm in. And that ignorance on fire, there's something so beautiful and authentic and innocent about it until all of a sudden we start comparing and imposter syndrome kicks in. And we think we got to be like that and be like that and be like that, and all of a sudden all that innocence and authenticity goes out the window. And then we're trying to figure out what is authentic and taking radical ownership of that. And then we start leaning into some of our old compensatory strategies and bringing in codependency and enabling and all this shit, and it goes sideways. And then network marketing doesn't work right. So I love that you said that. I think it's really important. So one of the things that you do so beautifully, not only you lead by example and have done this over and over and over again from the days of the algorithm being rocking and not having to have a personal brand, and now having these curated bullshit posts with photo shoots and all that crap. And, like, you have been through all of it and you are bringing people through this authenticity jungle so that they can find their way back to who they really, really are and why they are really freaking doing that without giving up and without quitting before the miracle happens. So what does that look like when you're taking people through this?

Yeah. So first is really rooting into what is the long term vision that you have. You know, if you are going to build a business, any business, whether it's network marketing or not, you have to know what the long term vision is and also recognize that there is a pathway to getting there, both from a strategy perspective, but also from an evolution and growth perspective. So it's so important to anchor into that because I think sometimes, especially network marketing, we get like tunnel vision. But we also forget that.

This is something that we want to do for three to five years, or seven to 10 years, or maybe even 20 plus years. So are you comparing the results that you've gotten in the first three months to somebody else who's been doing it for 15 years, or are you comparing the results that you've gotten in the first three months to somebody else who already had a skill set that is going to yield them success? Right. So one is knowing like, okay, what's the long term vision? Two is you have to know the deck of cards that you're playing with like before you even get started. So I kind of alluded to this back in the beginning, but I always speak of it this way. Like there's two types of people, I think, that come into network marketing. One person has a master's degree at life and the other person is coming in at a freshman level. Right? So where do you fall on this scale, both as yourself and where does your team fall? Right. So the person that has a master's degree level has three things that really, really help them have massive success. One, they have a very specific skill set that has yielded them success and results in other areas of their life. So they know how to do public speaking, they know how to talk about money, they're well versed in sales and marketing, relationship management, and they're charismatic and confident and outgo. That's number one. Number two is they have a big network, right? So they played sports in college, they're on a volunteer committee, they have a big community that they're a part of. They're in a mom group, they own a gym, right? So they have access to people and a big network. And the third thing is they're known for something specific, right? So they already have a reputation and a niche. So I started, I was in the fitness industry. So being in a health and wellness company made sense. Maybe you're in a salon owner, maybe you're like vegan and you're really public about that or you're really like passionate about, you know, hormone disruptors or being a Mom, whatever it is, right? When you come into network marketing and you have those three skill sets, like it's very easy for you to take all of that and then apply it into the business model. But if you don't, you gotta know where you fall and then where you can take ownership and accountability for building a skill set, a reputation or a network. And unfortunately a lot of high level leaders have time to teach you that. And that's where people get into the business. They don't have a long term vision, they don't have those skills and they don't have somebody that is either qualified or patient enough or has time to teach them that. And then the third thing is really honing in on what your message is. So I take people through like a brand exercise of really figuring out like what are the things that make you you and at the center of your brand. Because yes, if you are in network marketing, you have a brand and no, your brand is not your company. Your brand is you. Like I was that girl that ran around with the T shirt and the hat and the backpack and the shaker cup and I was like literally plastered because I loved my company. But I started to recognize that people buy people, they don't give a shit about the products you're selling if they don't buy into you and your message and your authenticity. It doesn't matter how great your protein shake is because you're no different than everybody else selling the same protein shake. So you are at the center of your brand. And then there's a few things that make you unique that if you can hone in on them, will become the secret sauce to you being magnetic when it comes to attraction marketing. So what makes you quirky and unique? What is the pain that you've gone through that you can actually help other people move through? What are your core values and like what is the thing that you're most passionate about? Right. Those are just four examples. If you can really get clear on those and start leading from that place now you have a solid foundation so you have a long term vision and you know this is going to take time. You're taking ownership in your development of okay, what skills do I need to really hone in on in order for that long term vision to come true? And then the third thing is like, what is my unique voice and how can I start sharing that and tying my company back into a solution to solve a problem for my ideal client.

I love what you just said about all, like all of that. And you know, back in the day when having a personal brand, like when you and I started, like having a personal brand wasn't important in building a successful, it wasn't as important. We learned pretty quickly that it made you a little more effective. But let's just be honest, almost a decade ago that wasn't as important. But it is required now in order to have some success in it. This is the world we live in and digital marketing is now a thing and you have to stand out, otherwise you're just noise. And I think what you said is so powerful is hearing the list of things that you kind of have to have an awareness of. I can already hear people going, oh shit, that's a lot. How do I even unpack that? How do I, yeah, I can do all that. But then what do I do with it? And that's what is so important. And this is one of the things I have seen and multiple network marketing companies that because there is so much coaching available to us now than there was even when you and I started a network marketing company. A lot of these ego driven leaders out there are telling their people, you don't need a coach. Our company has everything that you need and they do. As far as systems and tools, no question about it, they're great companies out there. They have the best systems and tools and resources as far as tactical shit. But the things that Melissa just said is all mindset stuff. And you have a high powered leader, they're moving and shaking pretty darn quick not because they don't care about you, but the time it takes to really unpack. A lot of what Melissa just said is required to really build the legacy that you want and that you say you want and that you're committed to building is going to take a guide to really take you there. And so I want you to know if you've been told by somebody you don't need help and that doesn't sit right with you, just trust your instinct on that. I would never tell anybody that it's my way or the highway. There were people that would learn from other coaches and leaders and then they bring it back to whatever I was bringing to the table. And that's when magic started to happen. So if your gut's telling you that you need a guide, maybe even outside of your own company, be okay with that. And you don't feel like you need to justify that. This is your journey, your life. I'm going to hop off my soapbox on that one because it pisses me off. But that being said, Melissa, there Are a lot of shit, shitty fucking coaches out there taking advantage of network marketers and you're not one of them. Because you've been through a company shutting down, you've been through a marriage crisis in the middle of this. You've been through all sorts of crazy shit through network marketing. And you are coming from a place that not only have you done it, built it, lost it, rebuilt, but you also know what it takes today in today's world to actually be effective in it. So if people are looking for a coach, what are things that you need to look for? Especially somebody that going to teach them network marketing skills. Because there's a lot of bullshit out there, you and I both know that. And people are afraid. Like, how do I know?

How do I know? Right, Right. Yeah. I mean, and there's a lot of really great digital marketers out there. They can teach you sales funnels and branding and marketing. And that's actually, you know, for me, how I got so well versed as I recognized that my net worth is found in my network. Right. That's just facts 101. And I realized that if I just.

Ones that you bring into your company, like, exactly.

Like, yes, to my point. I realized that my entire network up to a certain point, like I got to a certain point in leadership and I realized, I looked around the room and I'm like, every single person in my circle of influence is in my network marketing company, which is great. But if I want to grow and evolve, I got to get in a room with dynamic thought leaders that are different from me. And that's why it's so important for you to invest in outside coaches and different perspectives. I mean, we joined, we met through a high level mastermind that the investment of that mastermind was more than what I made in my first year in the corporate world. Like, that was the investment that I made to be in a room of thought leaders. They could help me think about sales, marketing, entrepreneurship, self expression in a way that was so different than what I had learned. So that I could come back to my team and give them a whole new perspective on how to grow their business. Because there's more than one way to grow a business. There's more than one way to do network marketing. And I believe so much in the power of collaboration over competition. And unfortunately there is this like stigma in network marketing that if you collaborate with someone in a different company that like your team is going to disappear. And that's just not true. If anything, it's going to strengthen. Strengthen the bond that you have. So I will answer your question, but I so agree with that.

I so freaking agree with that.

Oh, it's so, it's so like even the conversations that you and I have had and like the skill set that you have, how if I were building in a network marketing company right now, like how valuable that would be and some of the clients that I work with, one to one that have high, high level teams, they've brought you in, they bring other leaders in from other network marketing companies who have a specific skill, whether it's in LinkedIn or the Enneagram or money mindset. Right? Because they see the power in someone owning their gifts and what that can do for their own team. Then you create a team of thought leaders. You don't create a team of thought followers. We don't want that. Right?

Stop the presses. That is that like seriously like y' all said, holy shit. Like, yes. Because thought leaders will build a legacy, not thought followers.

Amen. And that's the problem that I started to recognize. I was like, okay, great, I'm a celebrity in my network marketing company. But that doesn't help my business, that only helps my ego. So this is what I will say. If you're looking for a coach that you're thinking about, if you're in network marketing and you're looking for somebody, this is what I did. I started to hire outside of my industry. I joined courses, I worked one to one with coaches to help me work through money mindset. I joined an elite level mastermind. I started networking and I started learning from other people that had built in network marketing, had really successful businesses. They used the money from network marketing to fund other businesses and create true wealth. Listen guys, the reason why people get into network marketing is because they don't want to put all their eggs in one basket in their job because their job's not guaranteed. Well, I'm going to tell you that your network marketing is not guaranteed either. And I made that mistake. I saw what was happening and I started today diversify in other businesses and revenue streams and I started branding myself so that when my network marketing company changed their compensation plan and everything I had been building was gone within 60 days, I already had other revenue streams. So I get a little fired up about this because.

Had I not stopped presenting myself as this supplement girl that was aligned with this company, had I not leaned into my authenticity and started sharing my story and sharing my gifts and talking about money mindset and talking about abundance and talking about leadership and like self care and all the things that I'm passionate about, people wouldn't know me for anything other than that company. And when it came time to pivot, it wasn't easy. But I had already laid the foundation. So to answer your question, if you are going to hire somebody to help you grow your network marketing business, number one, my advice would be to work with somebody who you feel aligned with. Alignment is everything. Is it a yes or no in your body? Do you feel called to the way this person leads their life? Do you feel called to their values, to their integrity, to their energy, to the message that they're sharing? How do you feel in their energy? Number two, have they overcome some shit? Like, nothing gives you a master's degree in life better than living through some stuff? And do they understand your industry? I don't think it's necessary to work with somebody who's been in network marketing, but it certainly helps because they understand language, they understand recruitment, and they understand a lot of the blocks that people have gone through. The reason why my clients get such great results is because I know what it's like to build a team of codependent, inauthentic, whiny, time sucking people. And I also know what it's like to build a team of incredible leaders that take accountability and they take action and they bring diversification to the team. And I know what it's like to lose your business in 60 days and have to rebuild. So I want to prevent that from happening to you. So that's my soapbox. That's my TED Talk. Thanks for coming.

Oh, my gosh, I'm so happy. My heart is exploding for you because I know that girl that just entered a fitness competition eight years ago or nine years ago had no idea, like, the journey her life would be on. And to be here in 2020 and doing what you're doing today. I know like, this girl from Chicago, Illinois would have never thought that she would be this vulnerable thought leader in the world helping people the way that she does. So I love that you have taken every moment and every part, even the really gut wrenching hard parts, and used it for something beautiful and something great. And I love that there are people like you that are showing people how to do network marketing in a way that not only feels really freaking good, but also is super effective and can build legacy that isn't built on imitation or codependency. Because you and I both know eventually that won't be sustainable and you will burn out and you will become bitter and resentful and Be that person that says network marketing is bullshit. And we're here to tell you, even through adversity in network marketing, it isn't bullshit. It's a beautiful way to build residual income and to use the training wheels of leadership and entrepreneurship. It's the best thing out there that you earn as you learn. No question about it. So I, you know, and for those of you listening, I do not put my name behind anybody or anything or any product that I don't 100,000% believe in. Like, even if I love people, which I do, and there's a lot of people I love out there that I won't shout out their shit. Melissa is the opposite of that. Like, I believe in what she's doing so much, and it is filling a gap that is so freaking needed in this space that is coming from the right place.

Place.

Like she said, she knows what you're going through. She knows what it's like to have the complete carpet pulled out from underneath you with multiple, multiple six figures going on. And she knows what it's like to have relationships break down in the middle of it, too. It's not easy. None of this is easy. And she's walked every part of that journey. And I 1000% recommend you.

Connecting with her. I know she's got some stuff that's coming up just for you, and I'm going to let her talk about it because I could not do it justice. So how do they find you and how do they work with you and how do they learn from you and get all the juicy stuff?

Oh, thank you, Tracy. I receive all of that fully. Thank you. I see you and I mirror that back to you. So the best place to hang out with me is on Instagram. It's truly my favorite, favorite, favorite platform. I love getting in the DMs, I love having conversations, and I really love just showing up authentically. Like, this is the other thing I think it's important for people to understand is that you are unique and you are diverse. Like, there's a side of me that loves to get, like, glammed up, and then there's a side of me that will, like, go swim naked in a creek in Sedona somewhere. And then there's a part of me that likes to work out. There's a part of me that likes to twerk on a full moon. Like, there's multifacetets. And so you get to see all of that on Instagram. So that's definitely the place that I. I love to hang out. And also I launched my podcast back in May called Boldly Courageous, which is like, literally, this is one of my favorite things to do. Just sit and have conversations. Right. And record it. And I know for me.

Podcasts were the thing in 2016 when I was really shifting in my leadership and I felt like I need an outside perspective. Lori Harder's podcast Earn your Happy was actually the first podcast I started listening to, and it changed my life so much that. But I wanted to pay that forward. And I launched Boldly Courageous in May. And I talk a lot about network marketing, I talk a lot about sales, and I also talk about all the woo woo stuff that I incorporate and infuse into my coaching and the course that I'm launching.

All right, and what is the course? Like, who is that course for?

So I am launching the Ignite Academy, which I'm super stoked about. And it is for the early stage network marketer that's in a place in their business where they know that they want to do this long term, right? They have the vision, they're excited about it, but they're feeling scared. They're feeling like they lack confidence. They're not 100% sure how to show up. They're feeling a little bit of imposter syndrome, right? But they're ready to take accountability for their actions, and they know that, okay, I have everything that I need in my network marketing company as far as, like, strategy goes. But what I'm missing is some of the mindset work around money. Like, how do I get past my own money blocks? How do I talk about the products with confidence? Like, how do I show up authentically? How do I really pull out my unique voice? How do I operate my business from a place of true alignment? Like, what does alignment even mean? And when I think about the future, like, how do I really start showing up as that high rank, the triple diamond or whatever it is now in my business? So, yeah, so this program is really for that network, network marketer who is ready to take accountability for their actions. They're ready to invest. It's probably the first time they've ever invested in themselves before. So it's gonna feel a little bit scary, but they're really ready to just do the work and then apply it to the model and the tools that they have in their business. And they're ready to, most importantly, they're ready to invest time and money in order to make and have more time and money.

And that is what the promise of network marketing can give you. Honestly, it gives you freedom and choices and time and the money to do that. And this woman I endorse 1,000%. I think that this, what you are doing is so important and will allow even the industry of network marketing to be released from a lot of the shitty stigma that's out there. And in doing that, I mean, the stigma has come innocently in a lot of ways from people just don't know what they don't know. And I love that you are showing them the way because you know, the way you go the way and you've shown, now you're showing the way. And I appreciate that so deeply. So they can go to Instagram. Hesamartin, right?

Yep. They can find me on Instagram @themelissamartin. And if you want more information on the course, it's launching the week of September, September 14, 2020. And as a gift to you and all your listeners, Tracy, because I love you so freaking much, if you use the code IGNITE100, you'll receive $100 off your purchase. And you can find out more information@themelissamartin.com backslash, ignite, forward, slash, backslash. I never. I never get that right. Slash. We'll just say slash.

We all know what it looks like on the computer.

Yes. Yes.

Okay. I know that all my network marketing friends out there, I know you follow me because you do respect me in that space as well. And I want you to know that I just felt you take that big, deep breath and you're like, finally, somebody's telling the freaking truth. And I think it's really important that more people do. And she is telling the truth about what's required, and she will hold you accountable and love you so deeply along the way. So please go follow Melissa. Melissa, thank you so much for just pouring your love and light, wisdom, authenticity, all the things that I know that as you evolve, you'll continue to show us. And that's one of the things I respect and love the most about you, is your willingness to show the real parts of this journey and not the fluffy shit that we go into imposter syndrome over. You're the real deal. And that means a lot to me and to my audience that trusts me enough with you. So thanks for being here, babe.

I love you. Thank you so much for having me and sister. I mirror all that. Back to you. You are like blazing a trail right now of divine leadership, and you truly represent what it looks like to authentically step into your truth. And I just want to acknowledge and honor you for that as well. So thank you.

Thank you guys. I know you're loving this episode and I know you have a lot of network marketing friends and and people in entrepreneurship that need to hear this episode. So please tag us on Instagram screenshot this, Tell us how much you love us or even if you don't like us, that's fine too. I don't ever mind hearing that as well. That's how we grow. But please share this with somebody that you know needs to hear this. If you know somebody in the network marketing space that feels like they're banging their head against the wall and are ready to give up, share them this episode and let us let us know how we can help you in other ways too. So until then, here's to becoming Bulletproof, y'.

All.

Thank you for tuning in to the Becoming Bulletproof podcast. If you learned a thing or two from our show today, it would mean a lot to me if you shared it and tagged me so I can hear exactly what landed on your heart. This will help me to bring you even more episodes with the topics and guests you want. Please head over to I iTunes and leave an honest and loving five star review. If this made an impact on you, you can find me on Instagram tracyomalley and I have tons of free resources for you@traceeomalley.com as always, if you are wanting to ignite your purpose, profits and build your legacy, it's time to stand on the front line of your life and do the work. Let's become Bulletproof.

Sam.