Stormy Wellington has been called the “Queen of MLM [multi-level marketing]”, a self-made success story whose ambition and determination helped transform her from a teenage mother and high school dropout to the successful CEO of her own company (Total Life Changes LLC). She’s also an author and business coach. She was featured in the Winners’ Circle of a previous issue of The Edge, and this is part of that interview.
You’re one of the most sought after MLM coaches. When did you realize that you have a calling in network marketing?
I have a knack for connecting with people and also for identifying who is really proactive. I believe that when you learn how to connect with people and help them to discover their innate gifts and talents, that’s when the magic happens. I’m very blessed to be successful in network marketing. It’s not my first time being successful. I made it to the top before but went back to the bottom. Every time I engage in these types of business models, I make it to the top and use my ability to pull out the best in people. You must help others get what they want so you can get what you want. The more people you lift up, the more successful you’ll become.
For those not familiar with MLM industry, can you explain how it functions?
It’s very simple: every product, from sunglasses to bottled water, is manufactured. These products go through various channels before getting to the store. The stores spend millions of dollars on advertising before the product goes to the consumer.
For example, a bottle of water may cost 25 cents to the manufacturer but by the time it goes through all the channels, the price increases significantly because somebody has to pay for the marketing. We do the same thing in MLM, but we as distributors become the mouthpiece of the company, so people begin to buy you. When you understand MLM, you become the person who makes the profit, as opposed to the retailers.
What accomplishments are you most proud of and why?
I’m proud of my strength and courage and that I did not quit when faced with adversity. I don’t know how to quit. I used to be overweight and depressed, I didn’t know which way to go. I felt like giving up, but I didn’t. I’m very innovative and always try to figure stuff out. I won’t allow myself to become a has-been. At the end of the day, as long as I keep moving with the team, we’ll continue growing together. I also feel accomplished that I worked hard to purchase a Rolls Royce, have millions in the bank, and bought my dream house. A person has to look at you and say, “Wow I wish I had that lifestyle.”
If you were to direct a movie about your life, what stories would you tell?
I would probably want to share the part of my life where my mom passed away and I was holding her hand. After she passed away I felt alone. I got married a year after she passed, and I now know that I shouldn’t have gotten married, it just caused me to move in the wrong direction. I have a beautiful son as a result of that marriage; I also learned a lot about myself through the experience. These are the events that I would want to portray in a movie showing what I overcame. There were times I was not able to put food on the table.
Are there areas in your life that you feel you haven’t explored? How do you intend to discover that path?
I’m starting to explore the law of allowing: allowing people to be who they are. I want the best for you, but if you don’t want the best for you, that doesn’t mean I can’t be an inspiration for you. That’s an area of my life where I could be more patient; I can be very impatient. Because I’m so hard on myself and I push myself to operate to a higher standard, I think that most people are supposed to be the same, and that’s just not so.
Complete this sentence: “You will not understand what life is about until you…”
“You will not understand what life is about until you fully live to your true potential.”
If you can share a message with our readers, what would it be?
I believe that we have to engage in a vision bigger than ourselves and stay focused on that vision. When I have stumbling blocks and I want to withdraw, I firmly remind myself of my original vision and long-term goals.
Nezha Boutamine | Contributing Writer
