More than 16,000 distributors gather for 4Life’s
Success Rally in Puerto Rico.
4Life Finds Success in Puerto Rico
by Nancy Laichas
Puerto Rico, known as the Isle of Enchantment, is probably not the first place that comes to mind when one thinks of booming direct selling markets. But for the 16,000 distributors who attended the 4Life Research Success Rally on March 3, 2007, at the Coliseo De Arecibo Manuel G. Iguina, direct selling offers an unparalleled opportunity for economic independence.
“People in Puerto Rico understand the importance of pursuing their dreams, and network marketing is the vehicle they use to achieve them,” says Bruce Redd, 4Life Executive Vice President. And according to Trent Tenney, 4Life Senior Vice President, Marketing, Puerto Rico is an important strategic portal to both the rapidly growing U.S. Spanish market and Latin America. “Puerto Rico is 4Life’s gateway to a thriving, bilingual U.S. market and a ton of activity throughout Latin America,” he says.
4Life, known for its Transfer Factor family of immune-system-support products, has distributors in more than 40 countries. The company’s Puerto Rico networks encompass tens of thousands of distributors around the world, including people from South America, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Venezuela, Chile, and Paraguay; to Central America, Panama, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Europe, Spain and Italy. And though the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, with its population of 3.9 million, is just a little larger than the city of Los Angeles, the Caribbean island is having a big impact on 4Life’s international expansion efforts. “Our leadership in Puerto Rico overflows to business-building activities around the world,” says 4Life President Steve Tew.
That international business-building was indeed evident at the rally, which drew 4Life distributors from the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and a number of Latin American and Caribbean countries. The rally even attracted distributors from as far away as Japan and Korea. The crowd in the packed stadium enjoyed dance performances and fireworks, but the real reason they all came together was for professional development and distributor recognition. Several 4Life leaders shared their personal stories and emphasized the importance of teamwork and the importance of having dreams. The Success Rally, which is a stepping stone to the upcoming 4Life International Convention, also allowed the company to generate excitement among its leaders with the launch of its new Spanish-language tool, Success from Home magazine.
When 4Life’s Founder & CEO David Lisonbee took the stage to welcome event attendees and introduce the new Spanish-language magazine, he also announced his recent participation in the World Federation of Direct Selling Associations’ CEO Council Meeting that took place in Brazil in February. “The amazing thing that happens at the CEO Council Meeting is that we come together as competitors and reach out and help each other, working together to solve common problems,” Lisonbee told the crowd. “You do the same.”
Lisonbee attributes the success of 4Life’s Puerto Rican salesforce to the same kind of teamwork he experienced in Brazil. “4Life distributors in Puerto Rico follow a system that teaches people how to focus on their dreams, work for what they believe in, and participate as part of a team committed to the principle of integrity,” he says.
4Life Co-Founder Bianca Lisonbee, who also spoke at the event, told Direct Selling News that the company’s leaders in Puerto Rico have an exceptional appreciation for their success. “Oftentimes I meet people who think success is a birthright and something to be handed to them,” she says. “Our leaders in Puerto Rico embrace opportunity as a privilege, and this has made all the difference.”
4Life’s success in Puerto Rico in the last three years has translated into record growth for the company in the U.S. Spanish marketplace, the Caribbean and Latin America. Additionally, 4Life has strong networks in the Dominican Republic and enjoys record-breaking growth on other Caribbean islands, including the U.S. Virgin Islands. Following the Puerto Rico event, 4Life launched Success from Home in the Dominican Republic before 2,000 distributors and prospects. “The commitment and kindness shown to us by our 4Life family in the Dominican Republic is truly inspiring!” Bianca Lisonbee says. “David and I are grateful to count ourselves among such great people, both in the Dominican Republic and in Puerto Rico.”
Nancy Laichas is Managing Editor of Direct Selling News. E-mail her at nlaichas@directsellingnews.com. To read more about 4Life’s event in Puerto Rico, visit our blog, Inside Direct Selling News, at www.directsellingnews.com/dsnblog.html.
