Sarah Fasusi
Today we are sharing the inspiring story of Vivian Mokome a South African businesswoman who grew from a toothpaste seller to a millionaire through network marketing.
Mokome story has encouraged young people to take up the skill of selling and make it part of their lives. In her own words, “university was not the only way out of poverty.” We cannot only rely on formal education. I left my job to come and sell. It was a risk but we need to start thinking outside of the box. Network marketing gives us an opportunity to be who we want to be,” Mokome said. She said her success was due to a great partnership that she has had with a Chinese company, LongRich BioScience International.
Network Marketing isn’t a trade new in Africa, especially among Nigerians. Network marketing is a type of marketing business that relies on individual distributors who market and sell a product to their network of friends, relatives, and people they know or meet. The distributors make money through commissions on the products they sell. Often, they’re not employees of the company, but rather independent contractors. Examples of such companies in Nigeria are; Oriflame Cosmetics and Longrich International. These companies supply cosmetics, electronics, and other essential products.
Vivian Mokome is a 39-year-old South African entrepreneur, who made her first million before the age of 35 selling products from the back of a car. She is a Ph.D. candidate at Wits University and holds a master’s degree in information sciences. Mokome’s life changed when she embraced the concept of selling. Mokome said selling something as simple as toothpaste can pay for a holiday trip overseas, and that’s her testimony.
Mokome said she hoped to tell the world about the talent that South Africans have and the courage that some mothers in Africa display by sending their children to University through money made by selling small products.
When individuals partner with Network Marketing companies as Mokome did, they also bring in friends, family members, and acquaintances to join, the company pays them for buying and introducing people. There are so many avenues to wealth creation, it could be through investing in a well-known networking brand and growing enough to invest in your personal goals and core business interest. I hope Vivian Mokome’s story inspires young people to start somewhere, even if they have to sell something, as long as they are sure of the potency of the product.
