5LINX® is a multi-million dollar, Inc. 500 fastest-growing company for four years running that offers a premier home-based business opportunity for sale offering the products and services all of us use most each and every day. Never before has it been possible to so quickly and easily launch your very own business marketing an incredible portfolio of goods and services that are in such high demand.
That’s because 5LINX® is a true one-stop shop for all the essentials consumers need both at home and in business! Whether you are looking for digital home-phone service that provides unlimited local- and long-distance calling in the U.S., Canada, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico (plus FREE unlimited landline calls to 75 calling areas), wireless phones and accessories, satellite television, broadband Internet service, energy (gas and electric), security systems, identity theft protection or a host of other business services, 5LINX® has something for all of us.
In-Demand Products and Great Vision
Founded by three entrepreneurial visionaries—Jeb Tyler (Executive Vice President of Marketing), Craig Jerabeck (President and CEO) and Jason Guck (Executive Vice President of Sales)—who wanted to make a difference, 5LINX® is based on five key principles that serve as the linchpin for the company’s name: Vision, Integrity, Opportunity, Freedom and Success. Profits this year are expected to reach as high as $120 million, with the five-year goal being a billion or more as 5LINX® continues to expand, especially in the areas of gas and electric, text marketing and VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol).
The company provides a true entrepreneurial opportunity at a fraction of the cost of other franchises and distributorships, all with a substantial potential customer base for its products and services that includes everything from small businesses to large corporations to residential consumers. As such, there truly is no limit to what someone can earn as a 5LINX® distributor. In fact, the opportunity offers virtually unrivaled potential, especially given that the commission structure is so impressive
Growth, Success and Well-Deserved Recognition
Over the course of the last few years, 5LINX® has experienced a growth rate of more than 800%. In addition to its being recognized by Inc., the company has been featured in recent issues of such noteworthy publications as Success from Home and Your Business at Home. Additionally, 5LINX® has appeared in Forbes and Direct Selling News, as well as a number of television features. More locally, the company has been recognized for six consecutive years by its hometown of Rochester, N.Y., as one of the top-100 fastest-growing privately held companies, reaching number one in 2012.
Kathy Biczok is a proud independent business owner with 5LINX®, who lives with her daughter in Canada. She recently took some time to share her insights, advice and expertise as a successful entrepreneur with BusinessOpportunity.com’s Entrepreneur Exchange…
How does someone know if they have what it takes to own their own business? Tell us a bit about how you made the decision and why.
If you desire a better lifestyle and if you are serious about making a better life overall for you and your family, then you have what it takes to start your own business. The more important question is what kind of business is the right one?
Reflecting back on history, you will see a pattern, one that repeats itself over and over again as one great idea fosters another. For instance, Bill Gates and Microsoft created Internet Explorer, creating the first truly user-friendly navigation tool. That started a revolution, and look where the company is today. Then it was the social-media craze. Think back to when Facebook first emerged. It too was among the first. Again, look where Facebook is now. Today, the world has gone mobile. Companies jumping into this technology right NOW will be the super giants of tomorrow, and that is where I want to be. For once, I am ahead of that bell curve! And that’s a great place to be…
What was the biggest challenge you faced in your first six months in business? How did you meet that challenge?
The first six months is a learning experience where you are focused on getting trained and understanding the products and services so that you can present what you are offering in an honest and ethical manner. Then you encounter your first rejection. That’s something that is inevitable, but you can’t take it personally and allow it to discourage you. You need to understand it is just business.
What do you think is the greatest challenge facing business owners today and why? Any suggestions for how to address those challenges?
Changing technology and keeping current with trends is tough. Finding those products that work well and finding them at an affordable price can also be a challenge. Knowing which offers are real and which ones are scams is also important. You must do your research on any company first, before you sign on the dotted line.
What is the single strongest piece of advice you would have for someone just starting out in business for themselves?
Choose your business wisely. The perfect scenario is to find a market that is not yet saturated. Find a business that is solid, with cutting-edge services and that has products that are in demand. Think of this: With companies like Avon, it was the people who started out in the very beginning that were the most successful. The big money is made when you are ahead of the curve, on the cusp of the next big thing.
Once you’ve found that perfect product, the rest is all about the elbow grease. There is no such thing as a “company that grows itself” or “no work required.” I am sure you have read these kinds of tantalizing offers before. We all have, but you can’t expect people to just jump in, join up or buy what it is you’re selling upon initial contact. There is so much junk out there. They also need time to digest what you tell them and do some research first. Follow–up is key and all too often overlooked as necessity.
What marketing strategies have you found to be most successful in growing your business?
The Internet has changed the playing field for marketing and advertising any business. What was effective in the past has become obsolete. Try to think about the last time you went to the closet to find that great big Yellow Pages book to look for a business. It’s probably been awhile, right? Today people pick up their smartphone and just Google. Companies must have an Internet presence and now, given the increasing number of devices on the market, they must also be mobile-optimized.
What is it about the business/industry you are in that made it so attractive to you?
Did you know that as of August 2012, according to Google, more than 50% of all Internet traffic originates from smart mobile devices? And, 97% of all text messages are read within five minutes of being sent, where the open rate of emails is less than 4% and only then days later? The mobile marketplace is nothing less than huge and yet it remains largely untapped.
Every business…let me say that again…every business with a desktop website is now beginning to understand that they must become mobile-optimized or they will lose business. Every business knows how vital it is to communicate with their customers, to keep them loyal and give them reasons to keep coming back time and again. Mobile marketing, the phone app, text messaging—there are no better marketing and communications tools today, and 5LINX® has it all. Additionally, we offer digital home phone service that provides unlimited local- and long-distance calling in the U.S., Canada, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico (plus FREE unlimited landline calls to 75 calling areas), wireless phones and accessories, satellite television, broadband Internet service, energy (gas and electric), security systems and identity theft protection. 5LINX® has something for anyone and everyone.
What process do you follow to successfully close on a lead and make the final sale? Any tips?
Don’t oversell yourself or the product. Listen to the prospect’s questions, and then answer them fully.
If you bought into an already existing business opportunity, distributorship, licensee opportunity or small franchise, how and why did you make that choice?
Solid, leading-edge products and great corporate training sessions are just two key reasons. Plus, the team I joined is very active, holding its own promotional sessions to which we can all send prospects and help us close the deal.
What is/are your favorite motto and/or quote when it comes to business? Any final words of encouragement and/or inspiration for the budding entrepreneur?
“Timing and positioning are keys to success.” And, “Location is to real estate what timing is to marketing.” Both of these sayings really mean the same thing. Get in before the market gets flooded. There is really only a two-to-three-year window of awesome opportunity in the mobile industry, and it’s open right now! You could wait years for another opportunity as good as the one 5LINX® offers to come along.
Why wait? The products are in demand, the timing is perfect…and it’s RIGHT NOW.