My wife and I have always had a great family and spiritual life. But after living on straight commissions for more than 10 years with a retail sales company that lacked vision, in a cut-throat industry, we found that career dictated the quality and degree to which we enjoyed the other areas of our life. Simple things like going to a movie on opening day or celebrating a special day at a nice restaurant were things we simply could not afford to do.

Since becoming involved with Pre-Paid Legal, we’ve taken the phrase and the mind set of “I can’t afford it” out of our vocabulary and our way of thinking. Most important is the change in our philosophies. We now live by thoughts and habits based on hope, faith, and success. It is wonderful to see not only changes in ourselves but in our children – Lauren, Christopher, Aubrey, and Hannah – as well.

We became involved in Pre-Paid Legal when a customer of mine named Judy Garton invited me to lunch. She shared information about the membership with me and I told her that I thought I might get it. Her response was, “Of course you will. Everyone is going to have it. I want you to market it.” After getting in trouble for taking a lunch outside the store, I readily agreed to go to a meeting, and my wife Cindy reluctantly joined me. After the meeting, we entered that first “can’t sleep” stage.

I knew this opportunity was right for me when Cindy said it was right for her. At that first meeting we attended, we had the privilege to hear from Patrick Shaw. In his presentation, he helped us see clearly that we could make an additional $500 a month. And $500 at that time would change our lives. After the meeting my formerly cynical wife said, “If you’re not going to do it, I am.” We love how that $500 a month led to not only a career change but also a life change. We love building a team, working with our wonderful family and friends, and of course the income! We qualified as Executive Directors in our ninth month (and every month since). We earned the $100k income ring in our first 11 months as Executive Directors, and we’ve reached the level of Platinum 2 Executive Director.

The most rewarding experience for us happens every time one of our team members understands that he or she can change their destiny, as they change their philosophies — when they set a course of personal development and work to make it happen. Cindy and I are best friends and truly partners. We are experiencing a life of time freedom and money freedom that most couples can only hope for at retirement. For us this is truly a family business.