I live in a small city.
I am in the “old west,” where the U.S. Army fought Cochise in the late
1800’s. The city exists because of a
military base. Surrounding our city,
there is basically nothing. It is 90
miles to the nearest large city, 90 miles of nothing. The vast majority of the population is either
in the military, works for the Department of Defense (DOD) or a Defense
Contractor.
When I first moved here, I worked jobs, with a boss,
earning a regular paycheck. Then the
economy took a down turn. My job (the
position) was eliminated. I started another job, and after a few months, it too
was eliminated. I was tired of job
hunting, learning new jobs only to be laid off.
I decided to work from home. I tried a couple business opportunities
unsuccessfully before I discovered my current company.
I now work with Xpress Healthcare, a discount health and
dental benefits company. Hmmm. Military town, health benefits. Yep, most people who live here have benefits
through the military, Department of Defense or through the Defense
Contractors.
Some people look at my career situation as a challenge,
even a handicap. I did not. I simply began working my business via the
internet, entirely through the internet.
Within a few months, I’d built a larger business than I’d had with
either of my previous companies, and I grew a team. I have customers in various areas of the
United States, and my team is spread throughout the country.
I have a strong, ever-growing business, and never had to
sell my discount plans locally. In
January, 2012, Xpress Healthcare added some non-health discount benefits to our
program. We now offer LifeLock® ID Theft
Protection, Pet Care Discounts, Roadside Assistance, Legal Discounts and Cash
Back Rewards.
The military does not provide those benefits! I am now in a position where I can offer my
products offline. Although it may seem
odd, I AM facing a challenge now – myself!
It has been “interesting” pushing myself out of my phone/internet
comfort zone.
Lots of people say their business requires no
“selling.” On the internet, my products
mostly “sell themselves,” because my websites do the work for me. But approaching the local population is really
SELLING!
I am aware that I am not taking full advantage of the opportunity
of promoting my business locally. I am
slowly approaching the local community.
I presented my program at a local senior center a couple months ago, and
I’m setting up a table at a health fair tomorrow. Approaching businesses and individuals will
be my next adventure into the community.
I must admit, it is a bit frightening to me. Wish me luck!
