Today we’d like to introduce you to Anna Gordon.
Anna, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Sometimes, life sends you in unexpected directions. If you had told me ten years ago where I’d be today, I never would have believed it! I have always had a passion for making a difference and helping others, and I have also always had an overwhelming desire to create a life of freedom – where I wouldn’t be tied to a typical 9-5 job. I love to travel and make my own schedule and be my own boss, and I love to help others do the same, so I’ve built my life and career around those two goals!
I grew up in Southern California and graduated from High School when I was 16. I went on to attend the United States Military Academy at West Point and earned degrees in physics and nuclear engineering in 2004, and was commissioned as an Officer in the Army when I was 20 years old. I attended flight school and became a Blackhawk Helicopter pilot, and served as a pilot for seven years all around the world – traveling to over 20 countries, and learning so much about other cultures (and about myself!). While I was in the Army, I also finished a Master’s Degree in Aeronautics.
When I left the Army (so that my husband and I could start a family and be home with our kids), I was recruited for a corporate job – and I accepted. But, from my very first day at that job, I knew that I couldn’t spend the rest of my life in a corporate office. I knew there had to be more to life than working so hard for someone else, with just a couple weeks of vacation every day, just waiting for retirement.
So – my husband and I decided to get serious about growing our own business! For the next eight years, we grew an extremely successful, multiple six-figure photography business, traveling to shoot weddings and coach/teach other photographers and managing a storefront studio. We are so proud of what we accomplished as photographers – but as those of you who are business owners know, there is A LOT that goes into running a small business, and last year I found myself working 60+ hour weeks to stay caught up with everything in our business as we continued to grow, as well as being away from home every weekend to photograph weddings…..and I found myself feeling less and less fulfilled as a mom who was working all the time and missing out on so much with my kids. I loved our clients and what we had built, but I knew something had to change, so I started looking for ways to build more residual income.
Last year, my personal business mentor started a side business for an additional residual income/revenue source with a company called Monat, and over the course of six months, I saw her create huge success for herself and her family. I was intrigued by what she was doing, so, 11 months ago, I finally asked for more information – saw the details of the opportunity, and immediately signed up to join them.
As a smart businesswoman who has taught business/sales for many years, I know an opportunity when I see it and I have always been interested in learning about new ways to diversify my income.
As a result of my decision to join Monat – this year has been a whirlwind in the craziest as most unexpected ways! The new business grew so fast, and I was having so much fun with it, that we (unexpectedly) made the unplanned decision to close our photography business and focus solely on the new venture. We bought an RV, renovated it, and traveled for most of the summer – which we plan to do every summer moving forward now that I can work from anywhere. I’ve officially retired my husband. We went from shooting weddings every single weekend and working 60 hour weeks in our photography business, to having so much freedom we don’t know what to do with ourselves. We closed our studio downtown so we can travel when we want. And, most importantly, I am happier and more stress-free than I think I’ve ever been. None of this was planned or expected, in any way. And the best thing that has come out of this year is that I am able to help other people create the same freedom that I’ve created. I love mentoring people in business, and now I get to focus on mentoring my team with Monat and helping them grow to see success. I honestly never imagined that selling luxury hair products would bring in REAL income. But then I made enough my second month to pay ALL of our bills, and the rest is history.
I am now helping people of all ages with their hair, while building a team of like-minded women (stay at home moms, hair stylists/salon owners, businesswomen, corporate career women), in the US, Canada, and the UK who are serious about growing residual income and helping others. I’ve never felt such a strong community and support in any other venture, and I’m so thankful every single day for my team, for this opportunity, and to be home with my family.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Is growing a business ever a smooth road?! I’ve had plenty of failures, I constantly have to work through self-doubt, and I try to remember that every bump in the road is an opportunity for me to learn and come out the other side smarter and stronger.
To be completely honest – my biggest struggle, when I started with Monat, was overcoming my own personal judgments and doubts about networking marketing (or MLM type companies). Because I personally thought they were some type of pyramid scheme and had a lot of negative misconceptions – I struggled a lot with what people might think of me (going from running a successful “legit” business to this). That held me back a LOT in the beginning. However, I had to just trust my intuition and make the decision to not worry about what others might think, and go after what felt right. I’m so glad I did.
Growing this business, in general, comes without many of the struggles of running a traditional business. I don’t have to worry about creating marketing, budgeting, or any of the typical behind the scenes tasks. I follow a simple schedule and system, I get to share something I’m passionate about with others, and I get to help my team members do the same. I love the simplicity that is affords.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Monat and Business & Motherhood story. Tell us more about the business.
Monat is the #1 luxury haircare line in North America, and we are only four years old. We are also the first and only hair care company in the network marketing/direct sales realm. Last year, we saw 700% growth, and we are just getting started – most people still have not heard of us!
We are the only naturally based, vegan, gluten-free, shampoo that will bring your hair and scalp to their best health and will completely transform your hair. Whether your hair is lacking volume, dry, oily, curly, thinning – we have something for every age and every hair type. We are probably best known for helping people to regrow hair after hair loss, as well as for healing hair that has been damaged by bleaching/coloring or heat. The stylists on my team will be the first to tell you that there is nothing else like it on the market. It’s the most effective and best product line they have ever tried (and the income they are creating for themselves is much more lucrative than any other brand they’ve sold). We also have a full range of styling products that are amazing!
Everyone washes their hair, and I have found that everyone wants to somehow improve their hair. Once someone tries Monat, they fall in love with it, and it’s SO different that it’s impossible to go back to your old shampoo. All of our products are backed by a 30-day money back guarantee, but we have a less than 1% return rate!
As a business, what sets Monat and my team apart is:
-Hair products are a consumable product = repeat business
-We carry no inventory
-It costs ZERO dollars to run the business each month, there are no required orders or purchases each month, which makes it completely risk-free
-Monat is debt free and owns all of its own labs, manufacturing facilities, and distribution (based in Miami, FL)
-We have no competition, and this is a ground floor opportunity
-Our pay plan (compensation plan) is unmatched in the direct sales industry. The potential is incredible. Whether you just want to make an extra few hundred a month, or you want to make thousands, it’s possible in this company in a short period when you put the work in.
-You don’t have to have much time; you don’t have to know how to “sell,” because we have a step by step training/support system that you simply follow to grow your business
Despite all of that, I am probably most proud of the culture of my team and our company. We are completely focused on helping others and supporting each other, and it’s so fun to be part of something that is truly making a difference in so many lives (both my customers and my team members).
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
This is a great question! I do believe in “luck,” in a sense, and people often seem to think that I am “lucky” because of the things I’ve done in my life or what I’ve built.
But what they don’t see is all of the grit and hard work that I have put in behind the scenes. When I set my sights on something, I don’t give up even when it feels hard or I encounter a setback, and I think that my perseverance has set me up to be in the right place to “get lucky” or take advantage of opportunities many times.
I also think that sometimes luck is simply being open to opportunity (like I was with Monat, despite my hesitations) — and it also comes from having the right attitude and being open to abundance vs. being judgmental/negative.
Pricing:
- It’s currently one time investment of $299 to join my team, which gets a year’s worth of personal use products, with no future expenses at all.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://businessandmotherhood.co/
- Phone: (425)577-3415
- Email: anna.gordon02@gmail.com
- Instagram: @businessandmotherhood
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anna.d.gordon
Image Credit:
My headshot image is: Aislinn Rain Photography
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
