Jennifer Coulson & Gareth Griffiths Financial Director/ Accounting Practice and Stockbroker Bedfordview, Johannesburg The Amway business plan made economic and financial sense to Jenni and Gareth, both professional accountants. The fact that the business offered them the best retirement annuity they had ever seen was their motivation to joining the Amway family in 1999. Jenni and Gareth have always believed in the Amway business, but it wasn't until Jenni was diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago that they realised the true value of the business. During months of surgery, treatment and recovery, Amway gave both Jenni and Gareth a positive attitude to life. The support they enjoyed from colleagues and friends, as well as the additional income received through their business certainly helped Jenni and Gareth through a very difficult time of their lives. Jenni, a mother of two boys (26 and 30 years old), is the owner of an Accounting & Property Management Practice. Since building her Amway business, she is now in the fortunate position to only serve three of her clients in her traditional business, thus freeing up her valuable time to spend quality time with her family and also pursue her passion for charity work. Gareth is a very passionate and successful stock broker. While he certainly enjoys the good life, he works very long hours. Amway has contributed greatly to his personal development and has given him the vision for shorter working hours, and a lifestyle where he can realise his dreams of running and travelling (he has completed 24 Comrades Marathons to date!). Jenni and Gareth have set their sights on an Emerald qualification within the next year. Reaching Sapphire is just a step closer to Diamond, their eventual goal. Lorraine & Mario Atakligan Owner of a corporate interior business and manufacturing jeweller Johannesburg Lorraine and Mario embarked upon their journey to success in May 2005. At that time, they were both on the corporate treadmill, living the outwardly successful life, but with limited cash flow and limited options for freedom. Lorraine believed that the residual income offered by Amway was the answer. In addition, she wanted more quality time with her children. Mario, on the other hand, has a huge love for soccer and wanted to become more involved in this sport. Lorraine and Mario are focused and committed to a four year plan to full fi nancial freedom, knowing that they have the backing of a company that prides itself in offering the perfect business opportunity to create this freedom. Lorraine has been able to sell her business, and the family is in the process of relocating back home to their farm outside East London, as they dreamed of. With the business skills he has developed in this business, Mario has been able to become a soccer agent, and looks forward to one day owning his own team. Lorraine and Mario have had different hurdles to overcome. Lorraine was frustrated by the inability of some people to see this opportunity for its true value and potential, and Mario had to overcome his own personal fears of speaking effectively to people about this opportunity. They both had to learn how to prioritise their time, and they both had to broaden their people skills. Platinum is significant to Lorraine and Mario as they are now earning very meaningful income, but this qualification is merely a stepping stone to higher levels. A solid and profitable Emerald business within the next year is their next destination on their journey to success. Fred & Marita van der Riet Medical Doctor/Homeopath and Clinical Psychologist/Teacher of Biodanza Cape Town Fred and Marita have been involved in their Amway business for two years. It has provided them with the opportunity to reduce the pressure of generating an income from their private practice. Since building their Amway business, Marita has been able to free up time from her practice for charity and developing others' potentials. She also has the opportunity to develop her interest in art. Fred and Marita have gained a circle of like-minded friends through their business. In addition, they have discovered new strengths in each other as couple and as business partners. Fred and Marita have four sons, John (26) Jaco (24) George (21) and Louis (18) who are all studying further. Family is very important to Fred and Marita. Perhaps the biggest hurdles to overcome were time-constraints and letting go of preconceived ideas. "We know that you cannot go back and make a new start, but you can start now to make a new ending," Fred and Marita encourage others. They would like to give their time and knowledge to enable others to develop mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. The four fundamentals, on which Amway was founded, are integral to Fred and Marita's value system. As Amway offers true free enterprise to everybody and anybody, the fundamentals of freedom, family, hope and reward are not empty promises. Reaching Platinum represents an even greater belief in the power of setting goals and reaching them. They are en route to Emerald, Diamond and beyond! Laurika van der Westhuizen Medical doctor, Programme Director at the University of the Free State Bloemfontein As a medical doctor in charge of the undergraduate medical education programme at the University of the Free State, Laurika is a very busy professional. Amway has presented her with the opportunity to take control over her life and have a much brighter future. Laurika has four children, all of whom are actively involved in the Amway business. Two of her children live abroad and she has three grandchildren in the USA. Laurika's desire to visit her family as often as she wants to and see her grandchildren grow up were perhaps the most important reasons for her joining the Amway family in December 2006. The additional income she brings in through the business has certainly allowed her to realise this dream. Laurika has experienced tremendous personal growth whilst building her business. The ability to changes others' lives in such a positive way has brought her great reward and personal satisfaction. In addition, the feeling of taking control over her financial position brings her tremendous comfort and relief. Going Platinum is merely a stepping stone towards financial freedom which brings the idea of early retirement into reality. An Emerald qualification within the next 18 months is where Laurika wants to be. "I know of no other way to get time and financial independence without huge capital input and financial risk," Laurika explains excitedly.