Ordinary Man – Extraordinary Results: Steve Thompson (continued)
In Day Four of our weekly profile of Steve Thompson, we look into several emerging leaders within Steve’s organization and provide insight into their unique individual stories and accomplishments. When we asked Steve to name his Emerging Leaders and Top Consultants, he was quick to talk about more leaders than we could fit in this article.
Steve is very proud of his Team and submitted a rather extensive list stating that he had been blessed with more leaders right now, than ever before in his career. For the sake of the article, we only choose a few! This was no easy task, and Steve was clearly disappointed that we only included 7 leaders. Steve said, “Are you kidding, it’s like asking me to pick my favorite kid, they are all my favorites, these guys are awesome – they are changing lives every day!”
Yassar Ayub came to America at 6 with his family in search of the American dream. His father owned and operated newsstands that eventually turned into convenience stores. The business grew from 1 store to 18, with the family eventually selling all but 2 of the stores.
Yassar in his final year of college originally heard about Ambit from his Uncle in Texas. His uncle wanted to know more about the opportunity, but did not speak English and needed Yassar’s help. Although this was a business model Yassar had never understood or participated in before, he liked what he saw. In May 2007 he joined Ambit and within weeks, had over 30 people in his down-line. He was amazed with the interest and positive response he received.
Ambit founders, CEO Jere Thompson and CMO Chris Chambless, requested a dinner appointment with Yassar upon hearing of his achievements. This was exciting to meet with the leadership of the company, and was amazed at how down to earth they both were. Yassar shared one observation with them about his experiences in the business. People were reluctant to give out their social security numbers. In a time where different forms of identity fraud make headlines daily, this was an understandable concern. “This was not a deal breaker,” Yassar said, “just a simple concern that I expressed to the Executive team”.
The very next day, he got an email from corporate explaining that Ambit will no longer require SS# from there New York customers. “This is huge, I am involved with a company that I have a voice in. Today in less than 10 months I have 500 people in my organization and over 1,500 customers; I could not be happier with my opportunity at Ambit!” Yassar said having recently become the youngest Executive Consultant in Ambit at only 25 years old within his first year.
Lionel Cesaire is a Haiti /American, born in the United States Living in New York City. He is a married 36 year old and happy father of four children.
Lionel had some sales experience in the financial services industry, and eventually became involved in the Mortgage industry. With the current changes and turn in the mortgage industry he felt the need to look at other options. He was introduced to Ambit in the fall of 2007.
“It was truly unlike any I have ever seen”. Lionel said “this was a good time in my life for a change. The company is simple; and has a very lucrative incentive plan, and offers a product that all people need. There is tremendous momentum and my team has grown to over 1500 consultants with a lot of hard work and effort”.
According to Lionel, Ambit offers a great deal to both distributors, and customers. “There are no contracts or commitments, people save money and finally there is an alternative option out there for energy”. Lionel added.
Justin Title Originally from Toronto Canada, came to Texas in1992. He joined his first Network marketing company when he was only 17 years old, working with Excel Communications for 7 years. He was recognized as one of the Top 100, and was Steve Thompson’s sponsor at Excel.
When things didn’t work out with Excel he left network marketing altogether and went in to the car business. “I was out of the industry for good” Justin said, until he received a call from Steve about this ‘NEW’ opportunity. Politely as possible Justin told, Steve, “good luck,” but that he was uninterested. Five months later, Steve called again and told Justin that he was having great success and more than he had in previous opportunities.
Justin started actively participating in the company about 5 months later. Today he talks about the phenomenal growth and potential that he has personally achieved through hard work at Ambit. He noted that he could not have done it without the rock solid support system and team trainings. Additionally, he wanted to give special thanks to his team, Coach Joe Dean, Bob Jackson and Otis and Judy Tucker.
Henry Ye was born in China, grew up in Central America and came to the United States when he was 19 years old. Henry didn’t speak any English other than “Hello”.
He found himself working, as a full time Union Rep., husband and father struggling to find a better way. Henry had always struggled with the concept that people work until 60-70+ years to retire. “Why does it have to be this way?” Henry said “No more, there has to be a better way, I want to enjoy my life while I am still healthy and strong enough to help people”. Like many others before him, he too was looking for different options when the Ambit opportunity emerged.
When approached by his friend, Henry said no to the concept of network marketing. He felt like the industry was not right for him; however this friend continued to call Henry 4 more times. During the fourth phone call his friend said “Henry, this is a way for you to reap the rewards of your own hard work and allow your family to benefit as well”. Those words caught his attention, and he went to his first network marketing meeting.
After significant due diligence, he called his friend and said “Let’s get me started”. He signed up right then over the web. “People are always looking for a shortcut that can help them make more money, save money. Now, this is not always easy and does come with hard work and perseverance, but worth doing” Henry said.
Bishop Richard Rose is an Entrepreneur and has had his hand in a great assortment of thing including overseeing pastors all over the country. He is opening charter schools in Houston and Dallas, and is the founder of Zoe learning center, for at risk children ages pre K- 6th grade.
He was introduced to Ambit, and the business made sense. “It was complete and well put together, and I was happy with the product”. Bishop Rose said. “I can help build an organization that capitalizes on a basic need that anyone I am surrounded by uses and needs; energy.”
Within 3 months Bishop Rose was an executive consultant, where he built teams in NY, TX, and now IL. “This is just the beginning, as we look to 30 more states that are in some form of deregulation. When these states are open, it will be even greater. It’s not a matter of how or when….it is about getting started it and doing it”. Bishop Rose says, “Teamwork makes the dream work”.
Jim Celarek lives in Schaumberg, IL, with his wife and girls and was looking for ways to move away from the corporate life. Jim wanted an opportunity that would give him residual income and started looking at network marketing companies. He tried a few and was not satisfied with the results. Most products were not complete or the corporations were not well put together and he felt that there had to be more.
When Ambit first came along Jim did not want anything to do with it… that is, until he got a call early this year from Darrell Holmes. They spoke for 45 minutes; Jim asked a lot of question which Darrell was happy to answer. Darrell then had him speak to Steven Thompson and others in the business who answered any remaining questions Jim had.
“It was a well put together plan, great products that everyone needs”. Jim told us, “I believe in the company, partnerships, and the leadership team. They are all doing it the right way. You get great service for less. Timing is everything, and now is the time”.
Chris Atkinson is 41 years old, and is a small town Texas guy who left a few times, but always came back. He found Network Marketing in 2002 when he became involved with a company and unfortunately lost money. “Although I had lost money in this industry, I did meet those that had achieved success and was determined to figure out how to do it as well,” expressed Chris.
Steve Thompson called Chris to tell him about the Ambit opportunity. Chris was excited and wanted to learn more, so with a friend he met with Steve and got the information he needed. Chris was immediately impressed and wanted to join but did not have enough money to get involved. In October 2006 Chris borrowed the money for the start up fees and got started right away. Today, two years and a lot of hard work and effort later, Justin currently works with over 3,500 consultants and 17,000 customers.
Of course he can’t take credit alone for this. It is a team effort. His Team has a training site and a host of people that keep thing going. Their determination to see to it that others have a similar experience is what drives them each day.
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“It goes further,” Thompson interjects. “Chris is right. Yet even beyond that, we hold ourselves to a very high standard. Our products get delivered correctly on time, every time, so people begin to trust in us and in our ability to reproduce results day after day, month after month. We realize that when our consultants go out into the field, they are putting their reputations on the line, so we do everything in our power to be worthy of their trust.”
Thompson stresses, “We have never sacrificed integrity for growth. And never will. This philosophy has permeated the entire organization and we repeat it on every broadcast call and at all of our training events. Because we never sacrifice integrity for growth, we feel we have earned our customers’ trust and continue to support our consultants’ successes.”
According to Ambit Representatives in Thompson’s group, the proof has been in the doing. Ambit started, maintained and continues to live its vision statement to be the finest and most respected energy company in the America. Steve Thompson adds “They have NEVER sacrificed integrity for growth” which also is the company’s slogan. Today the company has more than 100,000 customers, expanding into several more states this year and has been growing at 20% a month in only the second year of business.
