Quixtar Opportunity

Opportunity Knocks

As previously reported, Larry Harper has departed for Mexico where he will be Director of Sales & Marketing for the Latin America affiliate.  He will be sorely missed here, but what a great opportunity for him!

In just a couple weeks, we will welcome Larry back again, however, for a goodbye party.  I believe it will have a little Mexican flair. . . just a guess.  Meanwhile, Larry's opportunity has led to an opportunity for Todd Krause to step into a new leadership role as Director of Sales for Quixtar.  Todd already was a Manager in the Sales Division and has worked with some of the top IBO organizations, so he's well prepared for his new role.  On top of that, he's a great guy.

In the announcement of Todd's promotion, his record of championing change, building strong relationships with IBO organizations and establishing mutually beneficial partnerships between the company and IBOs were cited as components for "a strong foundation from which to lead the Sales team."

Congratulations Todd!  You'll do a great job for Quixtar, for IBOs, and for the business opportunity we share.

Health & Beauty Opportunity

The October issue of Internet Retailer includes some great predictions about the growth of e-commerce.  In particular, Forrester Research predicts that online sales of Health and Beauty products will grow by 22% in the next five years, hitting $7.8 billion by 2010 (up from $2.9 billion this year). 

That's great news for Quixtar, which already is the online sales leader for Health and Beauty products, led by NUTRILITE vitamins, ARTISTRY skin care and cosmetics, XS Sports Nutrition, and the introduction of NAO never accept ordinary cosmetics last month.  Internet Retailer ranked Quixtar #1 in Health & Beauty online sales earlier this year, and #14 among all e-commerce companies.

Forrester says growth has slowed in the number of homes shopping online, with nearly two-thirds of all households already making purchases.  That means that 2 out of 3 households are Web-ready and, quite possibly, ready for a business of their own. 

Opportunity to Give Back

Quixtar and its parent company, Alticor, have provided its employees and IBOs numerous opportunities to give back to the community.  It really is quite impressive.  For instance, this past weekend employees and IBOs were invited to participate in the first ever "Walk With Me" event to benefit Easter Seals in West Michigan.  Quixtar sponsors these events nationwide, but this was the first time one was held in West Michigan.

The recent hurricanes to strike the Gulf State region have provided additional opportunities for Quixtar employees and IBOs to help others.  About $200,000 has already been contributed at Quixtar.com to benefit American Red Cross relief efforts, with Alticor matching dollar for dollar (which will continue until the $250,000 mark).  Plus, Alticor gave another $250,000 to benefit relief efforts and more than $1 million in products so far.   Alticor founder Rich DeVos has contributed very generously on his own, and IBOs have contributed generously to many organizations.

Next week the first employee relief trip hits the road, and by the end of November more than 250 employees and their family members will have participated in company relief trips. 

The people of Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas remain in the thoughts and prayers of employees and IBOs across the U.S. and Canada.  Next week, many employees will pull on their leather gloves and put their hands to work where there hearts have already been this past month.

Kicking Butt with Kick Start

We just welcomed an incredible IBO to Quixtar as winner of the Kick Start! It's Got Legs promotion.  In fact, Quiyan Yang won the promotion's VIP trip to Quixtar for both May and June, since for two consecutive months she registered the most new IBOs who placed 50 PV in orders in their first 30 days.

Quiyan, of West Windsor, N.J., said she learned about the Kick Start program one day when she was browsing the Quixtar website.  She came across the Kick Start section, read the details, and grew excited at the prospect of earning prizes. She said she normally encourages new IBOs she sponsors to purchase products in their first 30 days to help get a fast start in their independent businesses.

“Of course, I intensified my efforts for Kick Start,” said Quiyan.  Quiyan added that the new IBOs loved the free shipping they earned by placing their first 50 PV order. “They considered it an excellent idea,” she said.

Quiyan said she has been an IBO for just more than a year. Before that, she was a “loyal client of Quixtar.”  While she pursues her independent business, she also works as an accountant.

Larry's NEW Opportunity

Larry Harper, Quixtar's Director of Sales, is leaving us.  This is a sad day for Quixtar but a wonderful new opportunity for Larry, who is moving to Mexico to become Director of Sales and Marketing for the Latin America Region of Amway Corp. 

Larry has been a tremendous asset to Quixtar, a strong advocate for Independent Business Owners, and a wonderful partner for the field.  The company has big shoes to fill with Larry's departure!  And Larry is off on an incredible adventure helping build the Amway business in places like Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, and all ports in between. 

Congratulations Larry!  You're a class act and we will miss you!

Katrina: An Opportunity To Contribute at Quixtar.com

IBOs have an opportunity to contribute to Hurricane Katrina relief efforts at Quixtar.com and get their donation matched by Quixtar -- dollar for dollar.  The company announced a $250,000 match which means if IBOs and employees at Quixtar do their part, there will be a $500,000 contribution.  Actually, much more it turns out.

The company has already contributed $250,000 in cash to four separate organizations providing Katrina relief.  It also has sent a ton of products, including four truckloads of eSpring water, personal care items like shampoo and bar soap, and more.

This is a great opportunity for IBOs to contribute and "max the match" that the company has out there!

This Biz Now

Have you checked out the new web site from Quixtar?  This truly is the company putting "the best foot forward" for the business opportunity, providing real testimonials and facts that will help Independent Business Owners present the company to their prospects.  And, from what I hear, it's only going to get better.

Among my favorites at ThisBizNow.com are quotes from a VP at Barnes & Noble and a professor at FSU.  They've got little videos of their testimonials!  Also, lots of info about the company and how it and IBOs are making a difference in the community.  You've got to check it out!

A Quixtar Opportunity to "Walk With Me"

Employees at Quixtar and at parent company Alticor have a great opportunity coming up to demonstrate support for the community on October 1.  Quixtar, as a national sponsor of Easter Seals, is Presenting Sponsor of that organization's premier fundraising event -- Walk With Me -- held in more than 50 communities nationwide.

On October 1, the first ever West Michigan Walk With Me event will be held, and Quixtar and Alticor will be there as sponsors and as active participants.  Jim Payne, Managing Director of Quixtar, is Honorary Chairman of the event, which is expected to raise tens of thousands of dollars for the Michigan Easter Seal Society. 

Quixtar is one of the top five sponsors of Easter Seals.  With IBOs, the company raised more than $800,000 for Easter Seals last year, and is shooting to top $1 million in the next year.

A Kick-Start Opportunity

The Kick-Start "It's Got Legs" program is now in its eighth month, but the excitement this opportunity has generated within many IBO groups has hardly waned.  Last week, Jennie Suratsingh received the VIP treatment here at Quixtar as the April winner of the program along with her husband, Jagdis.  For the month of April, the Suratsinghs registered the most new IBOs placing orders of 50 PV in their first 30 days.

Jagdis, a gynecologist, had to remain home on business, so Jennie traveled on her own by corporate jet to Grand Rapids, stayed at the exclusive Grand Plaza Hotel, had business meals with Quixtar executives, toured Quixtar and Alticor facilities, and enjoyed a shopping spree at the Alticor Employee Store. But the highlight, she said, was the reception she received when she arrived at Quixtar Headquarters.

"When I walked into the lobby and saw all the people who were cheering, it was overwhelming," she recalled. "Everybody was so happy for us." 

As one of the employees in attendance, I can attest that we can be a pretty raucus group when welcoming top achievers in this business.  Fortunately for us, we get the opportunity to cheer often.  Yesterday we were out in large numbers to greet New Platinums in Grand Rapids for their conference.  It's always a real lift to us because we get to see so many IBOs who truly are excited about the business opportunity and the chance to learn even more here at the corporation. 

A Platinum Opportunity

It's time once again for all of us here at Quixtar to welcome new Platinum Independent Business Owners (IBOs) to the company headquarters for the New Platinum Conference (formerly New Platinum Seminar), beginning on Monday, July 18.

All IBOs who attain the Platinum level of achievement are rewarded with this all-expenses-paid business conference. Platinum is the first key level of achievement in the business, and this is the first incentive conference that IBOs can earn – along with a one-time cash award of $2,500. Needless to say, these hard-working individuals are proud of their accomplishment, enthusiastic about their future in the business, and thrilled to have the opportunity to see Quixtar first-hand and celebrate with their peers.

The new Platinums stay at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel and spend two days touring Quixtar's Spaulding facility and Alticor's main complex, participating in breakout sessions, attending presentations by Quixtar staff, and learning about products, services, and various corporate initiatives at a special expo.

Because attendance for this conference is so large, they've been divided into two groups for tours of Quixtar's facilities next Tuesday, July 19.  With each new busload of Platinum IBOs arriving, there are hundreds of Quixtar employees on hand to cheer and clap and give them a warm welcome.  It's incredible to see the look on IBOs' faces as they are enthusiastically greeted so warmly, and it's a great opportunity for employees to meet just a few of the people whose efforts keep this business growing.