Success Story
We Will Until - Mike & Michael Dorsey of Pre-Paid Legal Services
 Michael Dorsey, Sr. -- better known as Mike to distinguish him from his son Michael -- knew that he wanted a way out of Corporate America. He first got involved with Network Marketing when Michael was only two years old. Sometimes Mike was full-time, sometimes he built his business part-time beside a traditional sales and management job. Michael got to watch it all, and he knew the industry's potential. When someone introduced both of them to Pre-Paid Legal Services four years ago, father and son both saw the pieces finally fall into place -- the timing was right for their partnership. Michael said, "I don't know about you, Dad, but I'm doing this." Mike said, "Let's do it together..."
Mike: Franchising was the big trend back in 1972, while you could count the number of Network Marketing companies on your hand. I remember the president of that first company saying, "There's gonna be thousands of MLMs in the future." That puzzled me, because there was only a handful at the time. Looking back, I can see that company president had vision. I guess I believed him and caught the vision also.
Michael: I caught it, too -- I'm a second generation Network Marketer. I always wanted to work with Dad and my family. I remember being in high school when people would ask me, "What do you want to do with your life?" I always wanted to be in Network Marketing, but only with the right company. I always knew I had the personality to do Network Marketing, but I didn't have much confidence that I could accomplish success. The biggest challenge I faced was rejection, getting past the "no."
Mike: I knew the industry quite well over the years, but there still was a learning curve with an entirely different company. Most people go through that, and they're not always willing to stick with the company when they run into obstacles. We kept the attitude: We will until.
Michael: I overcame my lack of confidence by listening to tapes -- hours and hours of them -- to educate and improve myself. I listened to Jim Rohn and Brian Tracy, people who had a big impact on my life and helped me get past the rejection. They helped me to understand that professionals sort and amateurs convince in this business. Reading books, listening to tapes, constantly trying to get better, to bring more value, working harder on myself than on my business so that my business would grow as a result. I still do that, even more than ever.
Mike: We were able to rely on our upline for support in the beginning. Find someone who is successful, and get that person's help. I'm sure you can find somebody. People who get in the business should be the type who will build the business regardless of who sponsored them.
Michael: Motivation is short-lived compared to inspiration. Inspiration lasts a lifetime. We looked up to the people who had accomplished what we wanted in this business. Working as a unit really helped us.
Jim Rohn says, "Formal education will make you a living. Self-education will make you a fortune." I believe that. I have some college in my background, but I don't have a formal degree. What I do have is five years of constant self-education on top of 20+ years of listening and learning through osmosis from my father.
Our desire, and being able to talk to each other in a family setting -- not having to hold anything back -- allowed us to overcome any challenges. We were able to rely on each other to be more positive and attack the day.
Mike: Everybody should have the attitude, "I can do this business."
Michael: My philosophy is that success is doing what you said you would do long after the mood you said it in is past. You have desire and excitement when you first see the product or opportunity, but success is following through. Help others get what they want, and you will get what you want. Help people get value, and you'll get the success you want.
Mike: With our high tech society, our philosophy is that we have to be high touch. That's why we go around the country visiting as many people as possible. We feel that eyeball-to-eyeball contact is very much needed for the transference of the belief that's necessary to build this business.
Michael: There is nothing that will take the place of high touch. When we first started and weren't yet making a lot of money, we'd drive somewhere. Now we fly (things change a little bit), but it all goes back to talking to people and not trying to be anything that you're not.
Mike: Another important part of our philosophy is "Let go and let God." We feel that we couldn't have built the business without His help.
Michael: The very best thing for me is the lifestyle we have. I get this from Dad: Time without money is no good, and money without time is no good. Network Marketing offers both time and money. I think I probably stole the answer from him ...
Mike: You did!
Michael: ... but they say it's the sincerest form of flattery, right? My goal was to live in a golf-course community before the age of 40. I've done that. With the help of our company and my parents as my business partners, I've been able to do that before the age of 30. I'm able to play golf, which is one of my new passions.
The other great thing is being able to stay home with my wife and raise our daughter. In the middle of the day, I can grab my daughter and have tickle time. It's a blast.
Mike: It scares me to think that 90 percent of the people at age 65 in this country are flat broke. I thank God I'll never have to work for the rest of my life. We can help others achieve their dreams, too. We're helping people.
We're past the money part because it's coming in. It's now about helping others achieve in the business.
And one last thing, don't trust anybody with your dream. If you leave it up to others, they will try to steal it from you. People will work for money for only so long -- for a dream, they'll give their all. Look for those who share your passion, but don't ever give it up.
MIKE AND MICHAEL DORSEY have both been full-time with Pre-Paid Legal Services, Network Marketers of affordable access to attorneys, for about 4 years. Theirs is a family business which includes Lola (Mike's wife, Michael's mother). Michael and his wife Amy have one daughter and another baby on the way. Mike and Lola live in Duluth, GA, and Michael and his family live in Suwanee, GA.
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Reprinted with permission from Upline, Dorsey Profile - January 2000, 888-UPLINE-1, http://www.upline.com
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