Simon Stepsys

"My secret to success are the 4 D’s: Desire, Determined, Dedicated and Discipline."
 
Age: 35
 
Highest Education: High School
 
Year Started Business: "I started working for myself at 18, but this was working away from home. I started my home business in 1997."
 
Type Of Business: Home publishing, mlm, and Internet marketing
 
Market: Anyone who is dissatisfied with their way of life; anyone who is looking to get out of the rat race; someone who is positive, has a bright outlook in life, and is determined
 
Number Of Employees: "I have a part-time bookkeeper and use a professional accountant. They're not cheap but worth every penny."
 
Best Month (Gross Revenues): "My best month in my home business was in February 2003 when I made $38,077.67. My income is about to explode!"
 
Hours Worked Per Week During Start Up: "Every spare hour I could find, although it didn't feel like work! It was fun!"
 
Hours Worked Per Week Now: Around 40–"I work when I want to instead of having to."
 
Favorite Business Magazines: "SFI Magazine was my favourite read; I love reading about successful people who work from home and achieved thier dreams! I also read Making Money Magazine, and E and M Magazine.
 
Favorite Business Books Or Authors: Recruit Your Way to Millions, by Fred Stege–"A new book but a MUST read for anyone who wants to know how to do what the title says!"; The Trick to Money Is Having Some!, by Stuart Wilde; and Think and Grow Rich, by Napoleon Hill–"I still read this today. I am a big reader of all Internet marketing and MLM training books. I also read anything by the great Jim Rohn."
 
Relaxes By: Spending time with family and playing with son Max–"I also like days out regularly with my family and I love to ride motorcycles. I also like to listen to music, watch good movies, take saunas and steam room and aromatherapy room treatment at my local gym. These are great ways to relax, recharge and energize."
 
Keeps In Shape By: Keeping fit–"I am a great believer that a fit and healthy body equate to a fit and healthy mind. I love running, and I go to my local gym at least three to four times each week. Your health is the most important part of life. Look after it!"
 
Favorite Part Of The Job: "The best part of my job is seeing success in others. I also love my one-minute commute to work; from my bed to my home office is sheer bliss."
 
Least Favorite Part Of The Job: "I hate administration tasks, complainers, moaners and groaners, negative people, and arguing. Most of all, I dislike excuses."
 
Companies He Admires: Microsoft and, especially, Amway–"What they achieved is incredible. When Amway started, it must have been very difficult. They paved the way for the rest of the network marketing companies…well done to Dexter Yager! I also admire SFI for their totally automated home business system."
 
Favorite Quotes: Do or do not. There is NO try –Yoda ("Empire Strikes Back," Lucasfilm Ltd.) Losers always have an excuse; winners always have an idea. Losers fix the blame; winners fix the situation. Losers make promises; winners keep commitments. Losers let it happen; winners make it happen. Losers say, "Why don’t they do something?" Winners say, "Here’s something I can do.” –Unknown Today I shall behave as though this is the one by which I shall be remembered. –Dr. A. Twersk
 
The Person Who Most Influenced His Life: "My dad Val. He was very wise and simply amazing; he had great understanding and great communication skills. With that came his great leadership. Sadly, he passed away five years ago, but he still lives with me in my memory everyday."
 
Heroes: "Derek Ross. He taught me all about networking, and, most importantly, he gave me belief in myself. He passed away recently, but he was truly a great inspiring leader, motivator, and trainer."
 
Special Accomplishments: Member of Six-Figure Income’s Presidents Club; number three in SFI's Top 100 Sellers list in June 2003 and a top re-seller; achieved the top position of senior marketing director with UK MLM Telecoms Company, turning over more than $1 million a year; achieved presidential member status of MLM Home Shopping Club in less than one year; president member in leads company Traffic Oasis; also a top seller in many affiliate programs and top producer in traffic-generation programs No More Hits and Free Net Leads.
 
Months Before Achieving A Profit: "I made a profit in my first month."
 
Books/Tapes/Reports He Authored: "I have many training e-mails I send out to my team on a regular basis. If you would like to receive my FREE 52 follow-up training course about how to start a home based business and profit from the Internet, please send a blank e-mail to: mailto:freeinfo4u@hotresponders.com.
 
Contact Simon At: + 44 (0) 1270 611371 (United Kingdom) or simon@amzing2ndincome.com

GETTING STARTED:
I'm starting a home business next month. I have a maximum of $3,000 in start-up capital. Where should I invest it?
 
SS: Advertising and leads. Without advertising and leads, your business is going nowhere. I have put together a lead system at http://www.Leads4Income.com/.
 
I've just started a home business. My spouse has given me six months to make it work. Any advice?
 
SS: Find a mentor or mentors and do what they do. Work with them closely;they will help YOU.
 
They say it takes money to make money. Should I try to get a small-business loan for my startup capital or just try to get by with my own limited finances?
 
SS: I know of many people who started without a loan, me included. Having startup money is certainly a huge advantage, but it’s not everything. Having the motivation and desire is far more important.
 
TECHNOLOGY & TOOLS:
How quickly do you adopt new technology for your business?
 
SS: As soon as I can.
 
Do you use a fax machine with a dedicated line?
 
SS: Yes, I do have a fax machine with a separate line; it’s handy at times.
 
How do you use e-mail in your business?
 
SS: E-mail is used massively in my day-to-day business. I love e-mail. It’s fast, easy, and it works. I take many inquires and questions by e-mail.
 
How do you utilize the Internet?
 
SS: I use the Internet in almost everything I do. I use my Websites to create leads and then sell to them via autoresponders.
 
How many of your own Website(s) do you have?
 
SS: I have many Websites. My latest new Website is http://www.DiscoverHomeBusiness.com, which is all about home business. Plus I own the following domains: http://www.Extreme2ndIncome.com and http://www.Amazing2ndIncome.com, which I use to point to two of my top-selling affiliate programs. I also have a lead-generation Website at http://www.Leads4Income.com, which provides exclusive MLM leads and a site about who I am at http://www.SimonStepsys.com, which is important as it builds up trust in your prospects. I also own http://www.GenuineIncome.com that captures leads for one of the many affiliate programs I work.
 
Do you use autoresponders? How do you use this tool in your business?
 
SS: I use many autoresponders. They are essential to success online. I use autoresponders to follow up on prospects, sell, keep in touch with my customers, and train the people in my downlines.
 
If you use a toll-free number, what is its primary use?
 
SS: I have a toll-free number that I use for my offline ads in newspapers. You’ll get a lot more calls if you use a toll-free number.
 
Describe your computer system and how you use computers in your business.
 
SS: I have four PCs at my home office. My main system is my pride and joy–it’s an NEC PowerMate with 500MB RAM, a 60GB hard drive and an AMD processor with a beautiful 17.4-inch LCD flat screen monitor. I also have an older, backup system that my partner Julie uses, a laptop, and an even older system that’s used by the kids now! I also use a Web cam, a scanner, and a Hewlett Packard PDA (great for keeping organized). In addition, I use photo messaging on my mobile phone, which is useful and FUN!
 
What software do you consider in the "must-have" category?
 
SS: Must have Windows (preferably XP), Microsoft Office, FrontPage, and Microsoft Outlook. Dreamweaver is also a must-have.
 
What other technology do you use in your business?
 
SS: a cell phone, a PDA, and a laptop for use on my travels.
 
Name up to five personal favorite business URLs our readers can benefit from:
 
SS: Learn all about success and leadership at http://www.jimrohn.com/, http://fortunenow.com/, and http://www.Leads4Income.com/.
 
Of all the technology you use, rank the top three.
 
SS: 1) Autoresponders–they are even more important than a personal Website because if you are promoting affiliate programs, you will have a link that is personalized to the company you are promoting; 2) A personal Website–this is great to show the world who you are and what you sell; 3) A phone–some people need to speak to a live person before they trust you.
 
MARKETING & ADVERTISING

How do you market on the Internet?
 
SS: I use http://www.Leads4Income.com/. I also use joint ventures, search engines, and subscription services.
 
Approximately what percentage of your sales originate from Internet marketing?
 
SS: Approx 90%. I also advertise my Websites offline.
 
How do you market in the print media?
 
SS: I advertise my Website in the business opportunity section of newspapers.
 
Approximately what percentage of your sales originate from marketing in the print media?
 
SS: Approx 10%.
 
What other kinds of marketing do you use?
 
SS: I advertise with drop cards and even on the back of my two new cars.
 
Do you recommend using a toll-free number in advertising?
 
SS: I recommend using a toll-free number in any newspaper ad, as these are usually more expensive, so you want to generate as many inquires as you can. The small extra cost of including the number in your ad is worth it.
 
Where do you market (locally, nationally, internationally, all three)?
 
SS: All three.
 
THE HOME OFFICE

How should someone set up his/her home office to maximize its effectiveness?
 
SS: You should ideally have a separate room. If that's not possible, you must have a quite place where you will not be disturbed.
 
What, if any, ground rules have you established for yourself and family in order to operate a successful home business?
 
SS: It’s easy to get sidetracked when working from home, but the great thing is that it’s easy to make up lost time because you’re working from home!
 
What are some of the advantages to working at home? What are some of the disadvantages?
 
SS: Flexibility is a major advantage; a one-minute commute to work is another, and very low overheads are yet another advantage. The disadvantages include a need for self-discipline and feelings of isolation at times, so it’s important to get out from time to time.
 
MANAGEMENT STYLE

What part(s) of your work do you farm out?
 
SS: My Bookkeeping, accounting, and graphic design work.
 
What part(s) do you feel should never be farmed out?
 
SS: Sales and marketing.
 
Do you encourage or discourage Partnerships?
 
SS: I never have had a partnership, but I can only see it as a bonus, as you would have two heads instead of one. You need a good lawyer, though, to draw up a contract.
 
Do you encourage or discourage hiring family members?
 
SS: I am all for hiring family members.
 
When legal issues arise, what’s your usual response?
 
SS: I deal with it myself or consult my professional advisors.
 
MONEY & INVESTMENTS

What are the advantages of earning a lot of money. What are some disadvantages?
 
SS: There are a lot of advantages–the main one being freedom of choice. You can choose what to do when you want to do it. Lifestyle is everything–the time and freedom factor, nice cars, frequent holidays, etc. A disadvantage is complacency. Don’t ever get complacent!!
 
Best general tax advice?
 
SS: Get a good professional accountant.
 
Best general investment advice?
 
SS: Real estate is definitely one of the best investments you can make; I invest in property with the money I make.
 
You're in business already, and you've just received a windfall of $20,000. What would you do with it?
 
SS: Invest in leads, advertising, and real estate.
 
NETWORK MARKETING

What do you lead with–your company's products or the business opportunity?
 
SS: The business opportunity, unless it’s with a service-based MLM, such as a telecom. In that case, I would lead with the service first, then the opportunity.
 
Rank the following traits in order of their importance in building a successful network-marketing business: enthusiasm, persistence, knowledge, and communication skills.
 
SS: Enthusiasm–People don’t so much listen to the words you say, they listen to the way you say it. Rome wasn’t built in a day; nothing worthwhile is ever achieved unless you are persistent. Knowledge = Commitment = Action = Success. Communication skills come with experience.
 
How long were you in business for yourself before you saw your first four-figure commission check? Your first five-figure check?
 
SS: One month; eight months.
 
What's more important, the initial contact with a prospect or the follow-up?
 
SS: The follow up, for me as the timing is not always right for the prospect involved.
 
You've just recruited a promising new distributor–how do you help him/her get off to a good start...or do you consider that the new distributor's responsibility?
 
SS: Follow the proven system that is in place by the network-marketing company and your upline team. Set goals, targets, and time commitment.
 
How do you get your best leads?
 
SS: From advertising. Why try to convince people how good your opportunity is if they are not looking? Best to recruit prospects who are looking and are hungry for success rather than try to convince your family and friends who aren’t interested.
 
I'm planning a big local meeting; what's the best way to fill the room?
 
SS: Tell everyone you know and ask for referrals. Also, get your team to do the same and place an ad in the local paper.
 
I need to generate 100 leads within 60 days; what's my best strategy to achieve this?
 
SS: Buy them at http://www.Leads4Income.com and http://www.trafficoasis.com/index.php?18053.

How many distributors must a person recruit each month to succeed in network marketing?
 
SS: You need to recruit at least four new distributors every month if you want to be successful. NEW blood is essential to your continued success. Lead by example. If you are doing it and your team is duplicating what you do, then you will get excellent continued growth in your business.
 
Best tips for surviving rejection?
 
SS: Don’t take it personally. Each "NO" is a step closer to a "YES." The leaders in this business have had more nos than yeses. You have to expect it. Train your downline about this, and they will stick with you when the going gets tough.
 
Do you recommend that new distributors prospect close friends and family?
 
SS: Yes and no. It depends how confident they are. If they don’t want to, then that is fine. There are plenty of people in the world who are looking for a better life!
 
THE ROAD AHEAD

In five years I'll be....

SS: 40 years old. I love what I do, so I will still be involved one way or another, semi retired, possibly living in a warmer climate like Spain or Florida in the UK winter.
 
In 10 years I'll be...

SS: 45 years old, semi retired, probably living in a warm climate all year round.
 
POWERFUL IDEAS

What was the motivating factor that drove you to start your own business?
 
SS: The lifestyle. It wasn’t all about money; it was about doing what I wanted to do. First, I worked as much as I needed to make a living. Then I created the plan to make it happen.
 
What role, if any, did your family play when you were getting your business off the ground?
 
SS: I did it all myself. I had a huge desire to get out of the rat race, and I did what it took and made it happen.
 
What motivates you now to continue building your business?
 
SS: I love helping people become successful; I get real satisfaction in that.
 
What’s the best thing about being self-employed?
 
SS: The lifestyle and freedom of choice–time and freedom from a boss!
 
How often do you read books and/or listen to or watch tapes for improving your business skills or knowledge?
 
SS: Everyday. I subscribe to many newsletters and buy books, tapes, and CDs. I listen to positive self-help tapes everyday, especially before I go to sleep. This plants positive seeds in my subconscious mind that manifest themselves into positive ideas the next working day.
 
The most underrated activity in business is…
 
SS: Prospecting.
 
The most overrated activity in business is…
 
SS: Meetings.
 
What was the biggest obstacle you had to face when you were launching your own business? What’s your biggest obstacle now?
 
SS: Fear. You will need guts and lots of them! I overcame fear with ACTION. I focused with vision and felt the success before it actually happened. My biggest obstacle now is time. I am so busy raising a small family and moving my business forward. I overcome this with a structured daily time table and a list of important things to do each day.
 
If you had to start your business all over again, what would you do differently?
 
SS: I would automate it immediately.
 
What was your worst business decision?
 
SS: Throwing money at a problem that doesn’t go away.
 
What was your best business decision?
 
SS: Investing money at a method that does work and duplicating the process.
 
What do you consider to be the main keys of your success?
 
SS: Determination to make it happen and overcoming every obstacle; dedication to making it happen and perseverance to see it through.
 
What's your success philosophy?
 
SS: My success cycle is: Knowledge = Commitment = Action = Success. The Knowledge will give you the commitment to the business so that you take the right action, and that will result in success!
 
What about you has changed the most since finding success in business?
 
SS: I am a much more humble, understanding, and compassionate person now. That has come with experience in the business.
 
What is the legacy you hope to leave?
 
SS: Of a great trainer and motivator.