Who is David Meade?
My story starts way back when I had no clue what I wanted to do as a career. I married my beautiful wife Susan 32 years ago and was blessed with two children, Lisa and David, Jr. At the time I was working a job that was like going to a prison camp – at least for me. I had no education beyond high school and felt there was no future for me to advance in my j.o.b. One day my wife found an ad in the local newspaper about working from home. We excitedly called the number Roy Besmond, came over to present his business. It was a network marketing opportunity and we got very excited! I remember thinking how awesome it was with the promise of becoming Financially Free by simply sharing the same idea with others. I thought everyone would jump at such a fantastic idea – Wrong! That first company and the 2nd one went of business very shortly, but we were excited about the concept. My wife’s brother David, who was going to Medical School in Hershey, Pa, invited us up to his place for the first time for the weekend after the 2nd biz went under. To make a long story longer, he presented Amway to us and we got excited yet again.
I worked Amway hard. I was a young dumb kid with a dream that was burning deep within my soul. Amway just didn’t pan out for various reasons. My self image was keeping me from really believing it could happen for me, even though on the outside you wouldn’t know it. Folks, your business will grow in direct proportion to your belief level and that is the main thing I took away from my Amway experience – reading positive books, getting around positive folks, and believing in yourself. That was a building block to my future in the home based business industry. I worked many network marketing businesses over the years while still working my job, but nothing ever seemed to replace my income at Westinghouse Corporation.
Quitting my Job of seventeen years, 1991 was a pivotal year for me. My wife and I decided to start a coupon fund raising business. My idea was to design a book that looked like a checkbook. Folks would carry the book in their purse, etc. and, when out and about, would have the coupons when they needed them. We sold them to churches, sports clubs, etc. I started selling after work and on the weekends and the response was really great! I had 2 large organizations who wanted thousands of books and my wife and I pondered quitting my job. I hadn’t really had the books sold, just clubs who said they would sell them. I realized it would take more of my time, which made quitting my job of 17 years a major decision. I needed to put the time into the business to build a successful business and hated my job with a passion…so…I made the move! In June of 1991, I was a “real” entrepreneur! I couldn’t believe it! Oh yeah, my Mom, Dad and family couldn’t believe it either! I called the sports club to arrange my first big job and got the terrible news – he changed his mind. I couldn’t believe it. He was the main reason I had quit my job! That was the beginning of the pressure and stress of being an entrepreneur.
We earned just enough to pay the bills. Most of the time, we didn’t know how we were going to pay them when a job would come through…it seemed like that always happened. Introduced to Network Marketing Again Then….it happened….again! A pastor of a church presented to me a business that looked like Amway, but seemingly with the problems solved. After getting my many questions answered, I got the bug – again! I worked it hard doing many in-home meetings and meeting folks at fast food restaurants. I was still on a very tight budget and had to borrow my Mom’s 10 year old car that had to have the heat on or it would overheat…and this was in the summer in 90 degree weather! I would show up to a meeting in a suit sweating like a boxer! When that car broke down, I borrowed my brother’s bright yellow rusty pickup truck….beer cans in the back and all! I remember meeting this guy in a McDonalds and I parked all the way on the other side of the parking lot next to a nice looking car so he wouldn’t see the piece of yellow sh…well…you get the idea. When we got done, I told him I’d go get the additional info he requested and would meet him at his car. Well…he kept walking with me and I insisted I’d get it and take it to him. Well…his car was the nice car I had parked next to! Yikes! I saw what was happening and quickly said as we walked that I had borrowed my brother’s truck while my Volvo was in the shop. (The car that had to run with the heat on) Well, I got through that…but I guess I’m saying is, if your Dream is big enough you will do whatever it takes. We built that business to a full-time income after a few years and I dropped the coupon biz and went full-time! That was my first real Success with a home business. We only averaged $3500.00 per month, but to us, we were in Heaven! That business did us well for a few years and then the company changed the comp plan and I didn’t feel comfortable sharing it with others because it was more difficult for the average person to build a good income. I stopped building and my business suffered. I made the move to Online Marketing around 1999 and got online to find a whole new industry and a new way of building home businesses. The challenge for me was all the tech stuff in building a list, driving traffic, etc. I just couldn’t get a handle on it. Through trial and error (and a whole lot of research and application), I finally discovered what works and what doesn’t. That brings us up to date…almost…
For the last 10 years… up to 2 years ago I earned a measly average income of about $18,000 per year. In 2007 though, I found a business that was the perfect business for average people. (I’m very average, but have an above average dream) I always look for businesses where folks I introduce it to can also earn. I got involved with an online advertising company with an affiliate program and hit it big…finally after 30 years! We were living in a 900 sq ft outhouse and were at last in a situation to purchase our dream home! We were 2 weeks away from settlement when we got the word the company we were with was closed down. It was devastating. We gave up on the Million dollar home and began a search for a business model that would leave no one behind. Building any business takes a strong management team, and a product line that makes sense. I’ve always said the product must make sense before the business. That will lead to a long term business. I also know one must have a marketing system in place to help that new person coming aboard start out of the gates running. That brings me up to date with my story. Hope you enjoyed it!
