A Recession-Resistant Business

Yesterday (October 24th, 2008) the troubles in our economy became mirrored in the global markets. South Korean shares dropped 11 percent and Russia dropped 14 percent. The American market was down as much as 6 percent at one point during the day. As I was working around the house I overheard someone on the evening news predicting that something historical would happen over the next 5 days. He added we would be talking about it for years to come.

From the Rocky Mountain News, Saturday, October 25, 2008. “Many financial professionals . . . think the bad news is largely reflected in current stock prices: a global economic slowdown, a residential real estate recession, the credit market crunch and poor corporate earnings.” Bad news indeed.

My suggestion is find yourself a recession-resistant business. Network Marketing is one such business. One of the most successful people in this business says that her business “took off” during the recession of the late 1980s. People flocked to her business when faced with losing their jobs, homes and savings. A home-based network marketing business can provide a solution for people.

Providing income with the added benefit of residual income, these businesses can be done part-time or full-time. Time freedom is one benefit of a network marketing business. Work when you want to.

These businesses have low overhead–a separate “brick and mortar” building isn’t necessary. I do my business at the dining room table. They have minimal labor requirements, the fewer personnel the better. They are portable, the business goes where you, your phone and/or laptop goes.

In addition, these businesses are far more affordable than buying a franchise. Many can be started for less than $50. Franchises are hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Franchises are also complicated to own. A friend of mine looked into purchasing a convenience store. She discovered that after you spend several years building the business, the parent company can come in and take the business back–including your investment. This doesn’t sound like a wise investment on your part.

For added security look for a network marketing business in an area of the economy that is growing. Health and wellness are predicted by economists to grow to a $1 trillion dollar industry by 2010. People are looking for preventive measures to stay healthy.

According to the DSA (Direct Selling Association), Direct Selling was a $30.80 billion industry in 2007. The companies that make up that figure are multilevel–over 95%. 90% of Direct Sellers do their business part-time.

Take a look at the options available. Insulate yourself from the history-making bad news about the economy. Take the advice of one of the wealthiest Americans, Warren Buffett. Last week he said “I will tell you how to become rich. Be fearful when others are greedy. Be greedy when others are fearful.” Warren Buffett

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Westgate Vacation Villas, a Global Resorts Network Member’s Property Review

My reservation was from Sunday to Sunday and was booked online directly through the product vendor for Global Resorts Network. It took about 2 minutes to finish securing and paying for the trip. Although a member can book a hot week often as far out as 45 days, this was a last minute vacation idea for my family. What a fun way to finish up the summer before my daughter started back to school. I discovered the availability on a Tuesday afternoon for check in the following Sunday. (I love being flexible so I can grab these deals!)

We arrived late Sunday afternoon. After clearing security at the front gate, we were pointed to the reservation and guest amenity center. We were greeted at the door by staff who showed us where to the check in. It took about 10 minutes to secure our room, get our keys and get to our condo. I was stunned to see how large this vacation complex was. It’s a small city!

Following check in, we headed to the local grocery store to stock up for the week.

Our 2 bedroom/3 bath condo was bright and clean with large white tile floors throughout except for the bedrooms and a nice throw rug in the living room (makes good sense in light of the rainy Florida weather and several pools on site). The condo featured a full kitchen and a breakfast bar stocked with dishes, cookware, large and small appliances, just everything you’d need to prepare meals. We enjoyed a washer and dryer and lots of storage closets.

The two bedrooms were separated from each other for maximum privacy and each had their own full baths and double sinks. One room featured two double beds and the other featured a queen with access to the patio. Both had plenty of closet, cabinet and drawer space, night stands, plenty of lighting and TVs. A third guest bath was located off the main living area and featured a tile shower.

The living area was very nice and comfortable, lacking nothing. A beautiful tan leather couch and matching oversized chair were nice to relax on. Just like home, we had end tables, a matching coffee table, large entertainment center and sliding doors to the back patio, beautifully tiled in a Florida burnt orange color. A table and chairs as well as a lounge chair called for outdoor living and being fully screened in overlooking the lake, it was hard to resist. If the weather was too hot, inside we had a beautiful dining area that seated 6 comfortably for meals.

The resort amenities include:

14 swimming pools, children’s pools and Jacuzzis
Game Room with high tech video games and air hockey
100 Seat Theater for movies at 3, 5 and 7 pm (changing every day)

Multiple:
Shuffleboard courts
Sand Volleyball counts
Tennis courts
Basketball courts
Horseshoe pits

Also available is an Activity Center
Kids Club
Bike rental
Paddle Boating
Miniature Golf Course

Also on site:

Joe’s Marketplace and Deli located at the club house and is open daily. Offers a wide variety of groceries, sandwiches, sundried and one of a kind souvenirs.
Pizza Hut Express for delivery to your condo or poolside.
Joe’s Pool Bar for a variety of specialty drinks for enjoyment at the pool.
Photo shop for 1 hour developing
Resort Train to transport guests around the property

The resort offers daily and weekly rates for internet access. We did run into issues with being able to use the internet services. We had to run next door to the Ramada and use their lobby for checking emails as the internet service was not operational during our stay. It was very annoying, but overall, our stay was relaxing and enjoyable. If having access to internet is important, double check with the staff at the resort before you confirm your reservation.

On a final note, the Westgate Vacation Villas would not be a place you would come if you are seeking a quiet romantic private get-away. You won’t find that here. There’s a lot of action and a lot of families enjoying the amenities and their vacation at Westgate. I loved the family atmosphere and seeing everyone have fun. We were never bothered during our stay and the staff was always friendly and helpful.

The location of the Westgate Vacation Villas are perfect in relation to any of the Orlando/ Kissimmee theme parks, including any Walt Disney Park, SeaWorld, Discovery Cove, and the list goes on. The main gate to Disney World is just one mile away. Also within a few minutes’ drive are all the conveniences of home such as major chain grocery stores, the library, 3 Wal-Marts, places like that.

The Global Resorts Network travel club membership allows members to reserve 7 night, 8 day vacations in over 5,000 locations worldwide for as low as $298 and never more than $799, most cap out at $698. Reservations are made right online with a full customer service department to assist if need be. Convenient, easy, fast and over the top customer service make this travel club membership something to write home about. A member will quickly discover that after using the membership just once or twice, they have recouped their investment and now can use it for a lifetime.

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Spain – The Global Power

We think of globalization as a new phenomenon, but 500 years ago, great powers competed for resources across the Americas, in what we call the United States today. In the New World, European nations sought minerals (especially gold), furs, access to trade routes, sea lanes, and land.

Spain had a head start, with its colony in Mexico. In the 1530s, she launched a campaign designed to counter the Russians moving down the from the Pacific Northwest coast, the French from the North (Canada) and the English from the East.

Three well-equipped Spanish expeditions headed into what is today the United States. At the eastern end of the continent, Hernando de Soto sailed from Cuba, landing at present-day Tampa in 1539. During the next three years, he used the Panhandle as a base to survey the area from the Carolinas to Texas. Native peoples resisted, and thousands of them died at the hands of the well-armed Spaniards. During his exploration, De Soto crossed the Mississippi and became the first European to sail on its interior.

In 1540, Francisco Vásquez de Coronado launched an expedition into the interior. Looking for gold and the fabled city of Cibola, he marched or sent smaller groups through southern Arizona and New Mexico, to the Texas Panhandle and as far as Kansas. The members of one group were the first Europeans to see the Grand Canyon and the Colorado River. When the native peoples resisted strongly, the Spaniards brutally subdued them. Spain lost this huge colony in 1680, when the Pueblos threw the conquerors out of their homeland. In 1692, the Spaniards returned for good. Today, many consider the Pueblo Revolt “the first American Revolution.”

Finally, in 1542, João de Cabrilho, a Portuguese sailing for Spain, became the first European to visit present-day California. After sailing northward along what the Spaniards had named Baja California, he stopped in a bay and became the first European to drop anchor in what would become San Diego. One account called it “an enclosed harbor which is very good.” Cabrillo’s ships continued along the California coast, perhaps as far as Monterey. He found much of value on this “savage” continent. The Native people built finely- crafted, ocean-going tomols (boats) that were so numerous that Cabrillo (his more familiar Spanish name) called the place Pueblo de las Canoas, “town of the canoes.”

Despite this push to globalization, none of the three conquistadors found a passage to the Indies, gold or fabled cities. All died in the New World, far from home. But their expeditions allowed Spain to claim a large empire northward from Mexico almost to Canada. In 1848, these lands became part of the United States. Half the population of the United States would eventually live in lands that were once part of Spain.

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Your Home Based Business – 3 Simple Principles for Success

To quit the rat race and make money in your own home based business is one of the fondest dreams of millions of people.

But is it really possible to run a real legitimate business from your own home? Can you make money by working out of your own home?

It is a fact that home based businesses are one of the fastest growing forms of enterprise around the world today. As employment opportunities continue to shrink, lay-offs and redundancies being the order of the day coupled with the high cost of starting a traditional business, more and more people are turning to home based businesses.

Indeed, there are those who have become millionaires working from home, and many more are earning more than they would get at a job.

In this report, we look at three principles when running a business from home, no matter where you live. Remember your home based business is a business and should be regarded with the same level of seriousness that you would any other business or at your job.

1. Be Committed

One of the things people like about working at home is the allure for time freedom. Whereas that is true, the fact is that you require total commitment to be successful at your business.

As with any other business, your work from home business will demand your time and effort. Granted, it will eliminate commuting time, but you must have the discipline to work and resist the temptation to do other things that waste your time.

2. Be Professional

Working at home is not an excuse to be slack. Your business is a serious venture and not a casual fling. It will take planning your activities, organizing your work, keeping good financial records and maintaining business ethics.

Continuous learning about your business coupled with personal development are critical for your personal and business growth.

3. Go Global

The Internet has made it easy to run a home based global business from any part of the world. The nature of most home based businesses do not limit the market for their products and services to the local domicile.

Going global increases your market and provides you with the opportunity to earn much more. It also means that your business does not close shop, day or night and you should be prepared for this reality.

Your home based business will provide you with new challenges that help you grow and develop, both as a person and as a professional. It will be possible for you to achieve your desire for time and financial freedom, but you must also stay committed and be in it for the long haul.

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