Today we’d like to introduce you to Allison O’Neil.
Allison, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
About two years ago, I was applying to graduate school, and I realized how much it was going to cost me. My student loans from undergrad recently kicked in, and I was definitely not looking forward to taking out even more loans, so I could be sinking even deeper into debt. Around this time, I saw a girl posting on Instagram about how she was making an extra income from her phone by working with social media. I reached out to see what it was about, and a week later, I got started! I quickly fell in love with the products, as well as the mission of the company. The CEO was a teacher and a coach, which I closely connected to since I was also a teacher. His mission is to give people products that are as natural as possible, with quality ingredients. Rather than paying a large advertising company that has already seen success, he wanted to be able to impact the lives of everyday people, like me and so many others. So, by allowing us to promote these products, he has given us the chance to change our financial situations.
I started with this company exactly two years ago and I could never have imagined this is what my life would turn into. When I started, I was hoping to earn an extra $200 a month for books, and other odds and ends while in school. It quickly became so much more than that. I was able to pay for grad school in cash. I was also able to leave a job that I was unhappy at, which gave me more time to focus on school and find my passion in nannying. I have been able to help many families pay for child care at a lower expense since the income from nannying is just extra spending money for me. I have been able to help families during emergencies since I have the freedom of time. I am now able to donate to multiple charities each month including the Payton Wright Foundation, The V Foundation, Children’s Cup, Selah Freedom, Samaritan’s Purse, The Gary Sinise Foundation, as well as the National Kidney Foundation and the Crohns and Colitis Foundation, and more. It has always been a dream of mine to be able to give back, but that can be hard to do when you are lacking time and finances.
I have been able to help over 500 other individuals start their journey towards financial freedom and that is the most important aspect for me. I love being able to reach my goals, but knowing that I get to help others do the same makes all the stress, long days, and hard work worth it.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely has not been a smooth road! It has been bumpy, to say the least. There have been moments where I wanted to give up, a lot of tears, and restless nights, but there is never success without struggle. I have been told no, had people quit, I have had people block me (since I work solely from social media), there have been haters and naysayers, in the beginning, even my family didn’t fully support me. But, all of the lows make the highs worth it. My biggest advice is to remember that all success is, is going failure to failure with never giving up. People are lying if they say they have never failed. If they never failed, then they’ve never stepped far enough outside of their comfort zone. You must take every set back as a lesson and learn and grow from it. In order to succeed, whatever that may look like for you, you must be willing to fail.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about It Works Global – what should we know?
I am a network marketer for It Works Global! We are a plant-based health and wellness company with over 50 products! We got started with our famous tightening and toning wraps that work in as little as 45 minutes! Over the 17 years we have been in business, we have expanded and grown. Some of our most popular products are a part of our Keto line, which supports the ketogenic diet.
There are a few reasons I am proud of being a part of this company. The main reason, is our CEO, Mark Pentecost. Every time you listen to him speak, he talks about the importance of being debt free. He always mentioned that “enough will be enough when everyone is debt free”. He talks about moms being able to stay at home with their kids, or college students graduating debt free, how distributors are able to be with their loved ones in time of crisis, and having the freedom to live the life that everyone deserves. Mark stresses the importance of giving back to others and has set up the It Works Gives Back Foundation. It has donated over $620,000 globally, which does not include his personal donations he contributes outside of the company. I feel honored to have a CEO who is so humble and believes it is our duty to help and give back.
Another reason I am proud to be a part of this company is the products. I have watched these products help transform lives. Whether it was a friend who was having difficulty losing weight or another who lost her hair due to chemotherapy and was able to grow it back quicker, someone who has struggled with acne their whole life and now has clearer skin. Many people look at our company and think “it’s just weight loss” but it is so much more than that. I am helping others feel confident and love the skin they are in. I would never suggest to someone they need to look a certain way, but let’s face it, we are human and have insecurities. I love that I get to be the one who helps someone gain their confidence back.
The last reason I am proud to be a part of this company is the sense of support I am surrounded by. I have never been around so many positive influences in my life, and I feel blessed to call many of them my close friends now. In a world that unfortunately is filled with so much negativity, it is refreshing to be around positive, uplifting people. Everyone truly wants to help one another succeed whether they are on your direct team or not! This company has taught me how to dream, to dream big, to fight for my dreams until I reach them, and then to make even bigger dreams! I have never had a job tell me to dream bigger before. I’ve never had a job that encouraged me to be my best self. I’ve never had a job that truly wanted the best for its employees. This isn’t just a job you clock into, just to get paid and start the countdown to going home. This business taught me so many things that I didn’t know I needed.
What’s the most important piece of advice you could give to a young woman just starting her career?
How could I narrow it down to just one?! The most important pieces of advice are to retire the excuses, never give up, and just do it!
Howard Shultz was told no 217 times, Walt Disney was turned down 302 times, Colonel Sanders was rejected 1009 times! Imagine if they had given up because people didn’t support them? You WILL be told no, it won’t always be easy, but it will always be worth it! I know it sounds cliche, but that’s because it really IS that simple! I know it might seem impossible or like others have it easier or there should be some sort of luck involved. Truthfully, honestly, all you have to do is put your head down, get to work, stay positive, and make it happen! Positivity goes the longest way. “Whether you think you can or you can’t, you’re right.”
Contact Info:
- Website: allisononeil.myitworks.com
- Phone: 978-317-5325
- Instagram: allisonerika
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