In December 1992, I ran away from home. My country, Croatia, was torn by war and so, at only 19, I found myself alone in a foreign country. I didn't know any English, didn't have any friends, and my only education was a basic high school diploma. But I had big dreams!
Promising myself that I would succeed, I took on extra hours and worked seven days a week. I began to make more money than most of my educated friends at the time simply because I was working so hard to catch up. Soon I opened my first business, a hot dog stand. I was extremely proud; how many 20-year-olds operate their own business? At the end of the year, I had to pay the city for permits and for the many inspections I needed to pass in order to continue working. In the end, I wasn't making much more than I had when I worked for somebody else, but working for myself was a lot more satisfying.
After six years of owning and operating the hot dog stand, I finally realized that it was not my ticket to financial freedom and security. I felt like a pipe-line: as soon as money came in, it poured out again. So I decided to go to art school, since I was talented in arts and drawing. Four years later, I graduated with an honors degree and was ready to take on the world.
After a few months of looking for jobs, which were mainly contract-based, I saw that this path was not going to get me very far. I had continued to work at my hot dog stand and also imported some electric scooters from China. I sold all 134 scooters in less than four months, but still I was not satisfied. Although my business forays gave me great experience, I felt that all I was doing was creating little jobs for myself.
Then one day something happened that would change my life forever.
My father, who had very low energy due to a liver condition, contracted Hepatitis C from unsterilized hospital equipment. One day, as he was looking for ways to improve his condition, which was very severe at the time, a lady gave him a yellow bottle with some juice in it. My mother, always protective and careful, wouldn't allow him to drink it until she had checked it out. When she went to the library, she was amazed at the literature she found about the beneficial effects of aloe vera. So with our “doctor mom's” approval, my father started drinking aloe vera gel from that yellow bottle, accompanied with his liver diet. After three months of this regimen, we went to the hospital for his check-up. He looked and felt great. His liver condition became normal.
After my father's experience, I became so passionate about aloe vera products that I had to find a way to dedicate my life to spreading the word. I looked into the marketing plan offered by Forever Living Products and my business was born! Now I know where my life is going. As I learn more and more about network marketing, I am growing my organization internationally. My child will inherit everything I build from this point on, which alone is a good reason to continue building my forever business. But I have another big goal: to help as many people as possible achieve better health and financial freedom.
Aloe vera is truly amazing. It kick-starts our immune systems, allowing our bodies to function the way they really should. Aloe vera is good for everybody, whether you just want to maintain your health or whether you want to improve your medical conditions. I hope that my father's story will open minds and that you will try these products. They really will change your life.
