Hey, ntwrkrs! I’m excited to be here with you in this book! We’re going to have fun together on these pages as we explore a topic that resonates with many of us women: the art of juggling motherhood, career, and achieving success. Specifically, we will dive into the ways that Network Marketing can help us do that! I’m thrilled to be able to share my own personal experiences and insights with you, in hopes that you walk away with the understanding that yes, you really can have it all.

Looking at where I stand today, I can confidently say that Network Marketing has been instrumental in helping me achieve my dreams. I had a previous career as a hairstylist, but I’ve since built a thriving business in this profession that surpassed my former income by ten times! I’m the proud mother of two beautiful, independent, adult daughters, and I just became a grandmother. I found my success—the dream life I wanted—by envisioning what I desired, taking action, and adjusting my direction as needed during different chapters of my life. So, I’m going to walk you through the ways I balanced motherhood, career, and success, and provide you with the actionable steps so you can do the same!

Maybe by this point, you’re wondering ‘who is Lori Hart to tell me I can have it all?’ Well, I’ve lived it! Motherhood has been the cornerstone of my life, filled with boundless responsibilities, deep love, and cherished connections. My two daughters (and now my baby grandson) have filled my days with joy in ways that I could have never imagined. They also challenged and strengthened me in ways that I never dreamed of! The desire to be able to experience that full range of emotions, be present for all the pivotal moments, and create long-lasting memories for my family led me to Network Marketing.

My journey into motherhood coincided with my career as a hairstylist, a role I enjoyed and excelled in for three decades. During those years, my life was a whirlwind of clients, haircuts, and color appointments, interspersed with the precious moments of raising my daughters. This dual role was my first venture into the world of multitasking—a skill that would become invaluable when I transitioned to Network Marketing.

Initially, in the early years, the demands of motherhood were largely tactical or nurturing: changing diapers, preparing bottles, and soothing through sleepless nights. However, as my daughters grew, these responsibilities evolved. The after-school pickups, homework sessions, and bedtime routines filled my evenings. And amidst all this, I wished for a career that could accommodate my role as a mother without forcing me to choose between professional aspirations and family life.

This longing led me to Network Marketing—a profession that promised flexibility and empowerment! Unlike the rigid schedules of corporate jobs or the unpredictable demands of being a hairstylist, Network Marketing offered me control over my time. It allowed me to be there for the school plays, the doctor’s appointments, and the unexpected sick days—all without the guilt of letting down a boss or big clients.

In this new profession, I discovered that motherhood and career building were not mutually exclusive. Network Marketing gave me the space to flourish as a professional while being an ever-present figure in my children’s lives. It was a revelation, and I continued down the path that defied the traditional trade-offs between work and family.

Network Marketing has not only allowed me to be a present mother, but it has also become a legacy that I’ve been able to pass down to my daughters as I enjoy more of a ‘consulting’ role rather than a ‘managerial’ role in their adult lives. I see the seeds of this profession sprouting in their lives, offering them the same opportunities for balance and success that it offered me! So, now that I’ve shared the details of my own path, let’s explore the ways Network Marketing can help you have it all. Let’s go!

Motherhood

Being a mother is a continuous, sometimes chaotic journey of love, sacrifice, and growth. In Network Marketing, this journey is not a barrier to success but a catalyst for it! Countless numbers of women have proven, day after day, that it’s possible to nurture a family and a flourishing career simultaneously, without compromising values. So, we’re going to dive into flexibility, meaningful connections, and positive influences on family.

One of the most compelling aspects of Network Marketing is the flexibility it affords, especially for mothers. Take, for instance, a recent winter day when my grandson fell ill with RSV. In such moments, the ability to be present for my family, without the stress of seeking permission from a boss or worrying about work commitments, is priceless. Network marketing empowers you with control over your time, a luxury that’s not available in most traditional careers.

And it’s not just the flexibility that offers help in the midst of motherhood! The opportunity to make meaningful connections to others when your days are filled with toys, toddlers’ games, and Sesame Street. In this profession, the relationships you develop go beyond mere acquaintances. I’ve been blessed to meet and bond with other women who share similar aspirations—women who seek more than the routine of daily chores, who strive for a balance between nurturing their families and nurturing their own dreams. These relationships aren’t just about business, they’re a support system, a space where we share ideas, challenges, and victories, both as mothers and entrepreneurs.

This network of professional growth, personal development, and friendship extends its influence to our families as well. My daughters, for example, have been inspired by the practices they’ve seen me learn and embody. From embracing the concept of manifestation to adopting productive habits, they are learning life’s lessons not just from my words but from my actions. These moments of influence, where career and motherhood intertwine to set a positive example, are among the most gratifying experiences of my journey.

And I have to make a special mention of the fact that Network Marketing plays an immense role in empowering single mothers! I’ve encountered numerous single moms who have turned to this profession not just out of financial necessity but because it allows them the freedom to be both the caregiver and the breadwinner without leaving their homes. This aspect of Network Marketing holds a special place in my heart, as it underscores the profession’s potential to be a lifeline for those in challenging circumstances.

One of my favorite memories of being a mother in Network Marketing when my daughter was about ten years old. She was having a tough year in the fifth grade and was being bullied by her peers. I was so grateful that I could be home with her after school so that we could talk the day out, and I could have her friends come over to play while their moms were still at work.

At one point that year, she was part of her school’s on-stage version of American Idol. She was so excited to perform, and I remember exactly how lucky I felt to be in that audience at two o’clock in the afternoon. I looked around for the other moms in the audience but didn’t see many—most were at work. My daughter got up on stage in her ankle boots and braided hair, smiling in front of the glittering backdrop, and belted out Adele’s When We Were Young.

I cried the entire three minutes or so, in awe of her bravery and her beauty, feeling immense gratitude for a career that allowed me to see her in that moment. These precious times when you can witness them growing up, help them through problems at school, or nurture them when they’re sick, make Network Marketing the perfect profession for mothers!

Career

Beyond the financial rewards and flexibility that Network Marketing offers, it’s also a journey of personal growth and development. This profession equips individuals with valuable skills that not only enhance their business acumen but also enrich their personal lives. Leadership, time management, and self-belief are just a few of the many attributes nurtured in this field. These skills have a ripple effect, influencing not just our professional endeavors, but also our roles as mothers, friends, and community members.

My own venture into Network Marketing began in the unlikeliest of places: a hair salon! As a stylist, I loved the creative essence of my job, but I also recognized the limitations of a career that required me to be in a fixed location (the salon) and a fixed, four-days-per-week schedule. My introduction to the world of Network Marketing came from a salon client whose simple suggestion to meet his wife opened the doors to a new world of possibilities. It was an opportunity to dream bigger, to envision a career that wasn’t confined to the walls of a building.

“We’ve got three-year-old twins,” he mentioned as I cut his hair. “My wife does Network Marketing so she’s able to stay home with them.”

“Network Marketing?” I asked. “What’s that?”

“I don’t really know,” he admitted, laughing. “But with your personality, I think you’d be really good at it. You should come over sometime and talk to her about it.”

I was intrigued—especially the part about being able to be home with my then three-year-old daughter, since I was having to hire babysitters to watch her while I worked at the salon. So, a week later, I went over to their house and talked to his wife for three hours about how she had transitioned from a traditional career into Network Marketing. 

She introduced me to concepts I’d never heard of before: not trading time for money, residual income that kept coming in long after she’d made a sale, and the personal development that was helping her become a better businesswoman, wife, and mother. I continued to go back to her house to learn more about the profession. I viewed income and career through a new lens, and gradually, I knew that Network Marketing was a better fit for my long-term goals than hairstyling. 

This transition wasn’t just about seeking better income; it was about redefining what a career could be. It was a realization that my professional identity could extend beyond being a hairstylist to that of an entrepreneur, a leader, and a mentor. In Network Marketing, I found a career that harmonized with my life as a mother, offering me the flexibility to be present for my family while leveling up professionally.

Success

True success transcends financial gains, flexibility, and rank advancement—that is to say, it’s about more than just the professional aspects of success. It’s about the overall sense of fulfillment that comes from balancing a thriving career with a fulfilling family life! This definition of success is deeply personal—It can be the freedom to dictate your own schedule, to be there for your family’s significant moments, or to build a life not constrained by traditional work boundaries.

For me, success in this career has also been marked by tangible rewards! I’m the proud owner of a white Range Rover, complete with extra-long sunroof and leather interior. I love my car. She’s beautiful, and I feel safe and confident and powerful driving her. Earning my dream car through my company’s reward program was not just a personal achievement, but a symbol of the collective success of helping others reach their goals! It’s a reminder that in this profession, success is often a shared journey, where your accomplishments uplift those around you.

It takes work to get the perfect blend of family and professional life, to get the cars and the trips and the other amazing rewards this career has to offer. I showed up consistently. I did the work every day. I figured out how to believe in myself. I went all in on my company, its products, and my upline and leadership. And when I did all those things, I became this unstoppable superwoman who could be everything I sought out to be: a mom, daughter, aunt, friend, and successful career woman. I can assure you, you have the power to embark on a similar journey and emerge as your own version of that superwoman.  

Now, let’s delve into the actionable steps that will propel you toward achieving your own vision of success! 

1. Execute Clear, Realistic Goals
   
   Sounds simple enough, right? But navigating multiple roles as a mom, a wife, a friend, and more can indeed be challenging. The first step in this process is setting boundaries. This may involve telling your children, “Hey guys, mommy has to work for an hour first, but then we’ll go see a movie, okay?” or telling your friends, “I need to work until three o’clock, but after that, I’d love to go for a run.” Get silent, get by yourself, and set the expectations for those around you.
   
   Once you’ve set your boundaries, it’s important to make sure your goals are realistic. This means that you should consider whether your financial goals align with how much time you have to work on them. To say, “I want to make a million dollars this year,” but only set aside two hours a day to work on your business, is unrealistic, and setting these types of goals will only disappoint and discourage you. Ask a mentor or your upline to give you a reality check if you need to—just make sure that you’re honest with yourself about whether your goals match your bandwidth to work.

Now that you have defined your goals and allocated time to work towards them, it’s essential to make sure you know what the critical path to success looks like. What is your company’s comp plan? How do rewards and incentives work? Exactly what will you need to do, and in what order, to achieve the goal you’ve set for yourself? Without knowing this, you’ll be walking through a maze of possibilities—so gather all of the information before you set out on your path.

And finally, you need to employ some sort of time management system. Don’t leave it up to your memory—our brains were never designed to be alarm clocks! Instead, use a physical planner, an online calendar, or another software tool that will help you organize the way your day flows. Trust me on this, it’s essential to have this in place before you get going!

With a clear path to a realistic and scalable goal, and the time and space to work, as well as a time-management system, you’re ready to execute!

2. Know That You’re The Boss

This one is a double-edged sword, my friends. When you’re the boss, it’s easy to do and it’s just as easy not to do. When you have your own business, it can be tempting to not take yourself or your work too seriously—but this is not your hobby, it’s your career. If you treat it like your hobby, well, you’ll get hobby-sized results. If you treat it like your career, you’ll get career-sized results.

And since your boss is you in this career, it’s your responsibility to ensure you don’t burn out. It’s essential that you make time to practice self-care, stay healthy, and be with your tribe—in other words, those who support you and can recharge your batteries. Get out of bed in the morning and put on your makeup and blow out your hair if that’s what makes you feel confident. It’s easy in this profession to get so focused on work that you lose yourself in the process!

It’s a huge responsibility to manage yourself in this way. if you’re not showing up for yourself as a great boss, it will impact everything you do. If you’re too relaxed, then as a result, productivity will suffer, leading to unmet goals. If you’re too hard on yourself and your health and energy suffer, then the people you meet will feel like something’s off, and they’ll look for someone else to work with. Remember, energy is everything! Make sure you’re treating yourself like someone who deserves a great boss.

3. Don’t Be Afraid To Pivot

If you find that something you’re doing in your business isn’t yielding the desired results, don’t hesitate to redirect some of your time, energy, and resources to another target. You don’t have to quit the company you’re with, but you also shouldn’t beat something over its head if it’s not giving you the results you want. Instead, put some effort into trying something new, then evaluating if it’s working. If it is, well, keep going! And if it’s not, it may be time to pivot once more.

It’s not uncommon for many women to pride themselves on their ability to stick with people, jobs, and situations that span a spectrum of dissatisfaction, from the mildly unfulfilling to the downright toxic and dangerous. Do not fall into this trap. This is your one and only life, after all! There is no reason to invest your time, energy, and resources into people or endeavors that aren’t going to get you closer to having it all. Hold your head up high, and be willing to pivot when necessary. 

Network Marketing is not just a career choice; it’s a lifestyle choice. It offers a unique blend of flexibility, personal growth, and the opportunity to build meaningful connections. It’s a profession that understands and accommodates the complexities of motherhood, empowering women to pursue their dreams and aspirations without sacrificing their family life.

As we conclude this chapter, I hope you feel empowered and assured that you can indeed have it all. Motherhood, a fulfilling career, and success in Network Marketing are not only achievable but can complement and enhance each other beautifully! You possess the power to be your own superhero—flourishing as a mother, thriving in your career, and achieving success beyond your dreams.

So, to my fellow ntwrkrs, embark on this journey with confidence and enthusiasm. Remember, you are capable of incredible feats! Embrace your journey with determination and joy, and watch as you transform into the embodiment of success, balance, and fulfillment. You’ve got this. Step forward with determination, crush your goals, and join the many women who prove that in the dynamic, supportive, and growth-oriented world of Network Marketing, you can truly have it all!