This October the CEO of Shaklee, Roger Barnett, joined us at Project Groundswell in Denver. It was his first time visiting at a Denver Groundswell meeting and I thought, “Hey, what a great time to see if I can speak with him one on one!” I sent Roger an email and within minutes he replied, “Yes!” He would make time to speak with me! During the day of the event, it was rather hectic as people all wanted to speak with Roger. He’s like a celebrity 😉
I was going to try to stick around after the event but my nine-week old baby who was with me had other plans for me (Wahhh!). To my surprise, when I arrived home Roger gave me a call on my personal phone. He said he would give me his time and so he did. I was very impressed that he took the time to reach out and speak with me. This was a sure sign that I was with the right company and under the right type of leadership. Roger truly lives the Shaklee lifestyle of selflessly caring for others.
Below is our conversation:
Cortney: When people are getting started with the Shaklee business they can often be nervous to reach out to others. What advice would you give a new business builder?
Roger: Shaklee is a gift for other people. If you are thinking of it only as something that is good for you than it becomes harder. I think if you can flip it and believe that what you are sharing is something that is good for the other person, than I think it is easier to share. I think first if you have the relationship and you start to share how it is helping you feel better, and making a difference in your life and then see if there any ways it could be good for them, then it would be easier to share.
Cortney: Why should people trust the Shaklee business opportunity over other opportunities out there?
Roger: Well, there are a lot of things that set Shaklee apart. First thing is it’s the only company in the world that can claim that their founder invented the first multi-vitamin in the United States. There is only one company in the world that can claim they invented the first plant based protein supplement. There is only one company in the world that can say they were the first to offset their carbon emissions. These are distinguishing differences that show there is a long history of doing great things. I think the key is to share that the average customer has been with Shaklee for a dozen years. That kind of longevity in a customer comes from the fact that the products work and are helping improve peoples health and their lives. That’s different.
The key to building this kind of business is to have something that you build that will stay with you over a long time. If you just build and that business disappears, then no matter how much you are earning for that moment, you are just being paid for that moment. The key is to build a business that can last a lifetime. For it to last a lifetime, you have to have a company that is based on a foundation of quality and products that actually work, where people are feeling such a difference and [the products] are clinically proven to have a positive impact on people.
I think Shaklee’s history demonstrates that it has it more than almost any other company in our industry whether it is direct selling or in the retail channel. That kind of credibility allows you to build business for the long term and that’s different. Then you look at the culture and the values of the company and say, “Well ,what’s the reason for the company to exist?” Our reason is to help others.
Cortney: I love seeing what Shaklee has done to help the environment and I think that is very unique.
Roger: That’s part of what we call the Shaklee Difference. The amount of tests we do on our products to guarantee the purity of them, which really no one else in the world does. To have a commitment to sustainable, to engaging in action to plant a million trees, to working with the NASA space program, to having our products in the White House, to empowering people to really have all of these health transformations.
Shaklee has been in business for 60 years and never do I hear anyone say anything negative about it. That’s the proof in the pudding. You want something that lasts, that’s the key. There are companies that have come, and even those that sometime have grown very rapidly, but then they decline really rapidly and they disappear. And people devote all of their time and energy into something that is not theirs in the long run and that is not really worth it.
Cortney: There are great opportunities with Shaklee to have unlimited earning potential. What are some of the key characteristics you have seen in Shaklee’s top earners. What set’s them a part?
Roger: I think it’s two things. One is resilience, meaning that they have the ability to realize that no’s or set backs that happen are short term rather than long term. That’s a critical factor because one of our Senior Master Coordinators has said the reason she has built such a big business is because more people have said no to her than most other people. That’s [just] people who are not interested, and you’re not talking to them. Unless you are talking to more people [than] them, then you can’t find the people who Shaklee will be the right vehicle [for].
I think resilience and a positive mindset, meaning…just trying to be an optimist. Realize that structurally, in the long term, people want and need what we offer. People want more energy, they want more vitality, they want to feel younger…longer, they want to create the foundation for a longer, healthier lifestyle. That’s the universal desire. They want the freedom to decide with whom they work and what they do to earn a living, and we can provide that as well. You just have to keep at it. That’s in regards to the optimistic mindset, resilience and consistency. With those three things I think that people can build a successful business.
Cortney: I know you had the opportunity to work with Wangari Maathai. What is something you have learn from her?
Roger: The exact same characteristics. She was able to articulate [her] vision and then provide small steps that everyone could participate in. Her vision was to plan trees. Anyone can plant a tree. By teaching people, and reminding them of why it is important.
A million people in Kenya planted 30 million trees. Along the way they changed things in their lives, because the planting of trees was an action to organize their villages to take control of their health and other things. It’s the big picture that allows people to participate. The ability to have a vision and allowing everyone to do something that’s small and actionable, reminding them that what they are doing is important. That’s her gift.
Cortney: She also was not afraid to ask when she asked Shaklee to help her plant one million trees.
Roger: She had the courage to ask.
Cortney: One more quick question for you. What would you say are the three Shaklee products you just could not live without.
Roger: Wow! Well it would be my children I could not live without.
So first of all, the Shaklee Life Plan. Even though it includes the Life Strip and the Life Shake, it counts as one product you have to take everyday. Then I think Mindworks, because who doesn’t want to get more focused? I would have to say also the cleaning product line because I could not live in a toxic home.
That was your hardest question you ever asked me!
Cortney: I had to throw in a tough one in there. Thank you for your time and for visiting us in Denver.
Roger: Thank you and congratulations on the the third generation with Shaklee [our new baby]!
Roger Barnett has a vision for the future where people are healthier, our planet is protected and individuals have the financial freedom to live the lives that they dream of. I am happy to be a part of the Shaklee family and be surrounded by such inspiring and successful individuals. What about you? Are you ready to join me and start your own journey with Shaklee?
