You know I’m not here to sugarcoat things. So, let’s have some real talk (hard lessons and harder truths), woman to woman (thanks @KimWard with https://www.LifeByDesignSolutions.com) … because what I’m about to share? It stings a little, but it will save you big time.

If you’ve been in the wild world of network marketing or affiliate marketing for any length of time (especially as a woman over 50), you’ve probably felt it too. There will be a rising panic when the business model shifts. The gut punch when people you thought were friends suddenly stop returning your calls. Or worse, when your “perfect” company gets bought out, changes the comp plan, or poof … disappears overnight.

Been there. Twice.

And I’m not just talking theory … I’ve lived it.

💔 Lesson #1: Friends in Corporate? Not So Much.

Back when I was a steady producer in a network marketing company, I thought I had made real friends. The corporate staff treated me like family. We laughed at conferences, toasted and hugged to our wins, and celebrated milestones like besties at brunch.

But here’s the raw truth: I was valuable because I was profitable. Period.

When the tides shifted and my numbers didn’t shine quite so bright? The warmth cooled. The invitations stopped. And just like that, I realized: I was a transaction, not a teammate.

Now listen, I’m not bitter … I’m wiser. And I want you to be too.

🚚 Lesson #2: Transport Business — Business Is Just Business

Fast forward to my time running my auto transport brokerage. Let me tell you that industry doesn't even pretend to be warm and fuzzy. It’s cut and dry: pick up the load, deliver the load, get paid.

No one cares about your feelings when the freight’s late.
No one sends flowers when a deal falls through.

But you know what? That blunt reality taught me something priceless: when you keep your emotions in check, you stay in control.

And control, my friend, is the secret sauce in entrepreneurship.

🧩 The Pattern: Business is Not Personal — It's Strategic

Here’s the thing:

✔️ Relationships are important, but not at the expense of smart decisions.
✔️ Loyalty to a person or company won’t pay your bills.
✔️ And no, you shouldn’t put all your eggs in one gloriously woven basket.

Because when that basket burns to the ground (and trust me, it happens), you want to have a second, third, and fourth basket ready to go.

This is why I preach building your own brand and your own email list like it’s gospel. Because your list?

➡️ It’s your safety net.
➡️ It’s your direct line to income.
➡️ It’s your freedom ticket, especially if you don’t have a huge social following (like me).

👑 The Power of Building Your Own Empire

Women over 50 are some of the most powerful forces in business today. Why? Because we bring life experience, grit, and a “don’t mess with me” attitude that younger entrepreneurs are still developing.

But we also carry some baggage … like being too loyal, too trusting, or too emotionally invested in relationships that don’t serve our future.

Let’s leave that behind, shall we?

  • Build your brand.

  • Grow your list.

  • Protect your future.

Even if your social media is a ghost town, there is a simple, smart way to build an email list that’s yours … no algorithms, no gatekeepers, no corporate overlords.

🚀 Ready to Take Control?

If you’re thinking, “Carla, I love this, but I don’t have a big following,” good news … you don’t need one.

There’s a simple way to build your list and protect your future, no matter where you’re starting from.

👉 Curious how I’m building my email list without the tech headaches? Message me and I’ll show you the simple system that’s working for me … no complicated tools, no overwhelm, just real results.

Remember: your business is YOURS. Let’s build it that way.

Just a heads-up—this article has affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you decide to buy something. Pretty sure you don’t mind (because, hey, we all gotta eat), but legally, I gotta let you know! 😉