Finally in December of 2007, when she won the $10,000 with Multiple Stream Media Affiliate Contest, I had no choice but to hand the check directly to her home in Indiana. Here are some pictures of Maryanne with Kristin Hilton (our affiliate manager) and Paul Robins (customer service) in Indiana.

Maryanne with the $10,000 check and mom.	Kristin Hilton & Maryanne	Kristin, Maryanne and Paul

I admire Maryanne's resilience and drive as an entrepreneur and I thank her for the time she has invested for this interview. 

Read what Maryanne Myers, a super affiliate earning over $100,000 a year has to say about her experience in starting an online business and being successful at it.

I was a "high school dropout" and had zero discipline for being at a certain place at a certain time - such as a job or school. In 1998/1999 I heard that I could self publish the book online and get it on paperback when someone ordered it. I somehow got the idea to self promote it by making a website too. So I got on the phone, shanagled the Gateway computer guy to give me credit when I had no credit history, a job or money, and he did. It was a big break and when I got it, I remember I did not even know how to turn it on. 

I made the site at Homestead.com, it was free back then, and it was a click and drag builder - no HTML knowledge needed. 

One day I came across an ad for SFI and that is where I first saw the online business opportunity arena. So I dropped the book promotions and focused on that. After awhile, I moved from "click and drag" HTML builders to learning the actual HTML. Along the way I saw and learned advertising methods when trying to promote the book and thought "search engine submissions are easy, I can just buy some software for 60 bucks. I can sell it to people cheaper than them having to buy the software!" So... I did. I came across an ad for a "merchant account", opened a DBA bank account and saw "own your own domain name". 

So I got everything on credit, paying massive interest. My first customer shipped ' Ostrich Eggs' to me instead of cash for search engine submissions and I loved those, and in time, paying customers came.

Then I saw a site up for sale that I advertised on, it was MdFFA so I bought the MDFFA domain  (it was a large FFA in 1999/2000?) and hired the original owner to program. My idea's in it plus a better way to send emails for an Ezine I started on webstars2000 as Getresponse.com cost too much for me at the time. It then mushroomed from webstars2000 to webstars2k. 

Throughout the years, I also learned PHP programming through trial and error, and now do everything myself. Everything was learned by never giving up through constant trial and error of learning how things worked, and researching in the search engines. I learned to look it up in the engines because people love to tell how to do things there, for free.

Abe: How do you find people to bring into your organization that truly care about the organization the way you do?

Maryann: I am a solo Entrepreneur in the true sense of the word. I do not have any employees, I AM the server administrator, web designer, customer service, advertising and marketing and the programmer. I do outsource some tasks but most of all I handle every part of my online business.


Abe: What three pieces of advice would you give to others who want to become entrepreneurs?

Maryanne: Entrepreneur means taking risks, so do it. Do not depend on anyone else, this includes educational, financial and especially emotional support. 

Ignore everyone who tells you that you will not make any money or you are getting ripped off. I was told that 9-10 years ago, I ignored them and remember looking at them as if they were aliens because to me - it is alien to discourage people if it is sensible stuff at their own risk. 

Depend on your own tenacity to do whatever it takes to make it, this means teaching yourself what is what, who is who and how to do what. Oh, the third one is: Just because someone tells you a program is "recommended" especially at seminars, don't believe them. Just pick and do your own thing. 

Abe: If you had the chance to start your business over again, what would you do differently?

Maryanne: I would not react and waste my time responding to negative comments and bogus information posted on Blogs and discussion forums. My focus would be entirely on my business and my clients and not what other people have to say. 

Abe: What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur?

Maryanne: Tenacity and tending to stick firm on what I believe will work. Resilience and ability to recover quickly from setbacks. A burning desire for Independence. If you have that then you will have it all.

Abe: What have been some of your failures, and what have you learned from them?

Maryanne: I have had a few sites fail, at least to my standards failed. I learned what my members do not want and what they do. You can't sell a juicy rare hamburger to a strict vegetarian, so why keep forcing it, move on to the next site.

Abe: How long do you stick with an idea before giving up?

Maryanne: I usually give my best for about 3 weeks. If it doesn't work I move on to the next idea. 

Abe: How many hours do you work a day on average?

Maryanne: A lot, like 19 hours average until I burn out and then do the opposite, then I run away with Rolling Rock and watch Documentaries like a vegetable. Sort of manic I would say.

Abe: Describe/outline your typical day?

Maryanne: I get up, grab a Coke + 4 Excedrin and walk straight to my office. Work several hours answering emails, updating accounts & sending commissions, work on improving my sites, do advertising and then offline to do other things. Then it's back to work until time to sleep.

Abe: How has being an entrepreneur affected your family life?

Maryanne: Well, when I first started I was in a bad domestic violence situation - it got me and my kid out of that when she was 3 years old so it changed her entire life path. 

I saved money, claimed I was making none and left in secret. It has also extended out to my entire family such as my relatives. It has helped them financially for years. 

It has came at a cost also, with the level I take it - it requires a lot of time, so those usual off time weekends/evenings are gone and so has almost all relationships - so the circle is kept very small. It was quiet a difficult choice to make.

Abe: What motivates you?

Maryanne: Believe it or not, FEAR (do it or die) has been my best motivator. The other one would be having to financially support my family.

Abe: How do you generate new ideas?

Maryanne: I am not sure how to explain this exactly. I lay down and they literally pop in my head. I ask "What would sell?" and boom, it is there without an outline or any massive thinking. Like the CashSpeeder that I just opened, its made over 10 thousand in less than a week. Cashspeeder just popped in my head and took 3 minutes to formulate it, about 7 hours of programming it.

Abe: How far are you willing to go to succeed?

Maryanne: Whatever it takes. I have no choice in the matter.

Abe: What is your greatest fear, and how do you manage fear?

Maryanne: Sometimes my greatest fear is that ' everything will come crashing down' that I have built. I deal with it by just keep going, what else could I do? Let it happen? No way.

Abe: How do you define success?

Maryanne: Reaching your first goal, making it and keep going to the next equals Success. It works like a ladder, take one step, that was successful, then take another... success again.. until the ultimate goal is reached.

Abe: What is the best way to achieve long-term success?

Maryanne: One small step at a time and when you have gained the confidence, take a bigger and bolder step. Keep going. 

Abe: Is your online business profitable or what is your profit for last year?

Maryanne: Yes, my business has been very profitable throughout the years. It surprises me just about every month though as it is to me, a gift. I do work for it, but having SEEN the opportunity and then having customers - it is a gift everyday, even years later. 

Abe: Where did your organization's funding/capital come from and how did you go about getting it?

Maryanne: I take all financial risks in my own name. I figure it keeps me focused as it is my own name and credit on the line.

Abe: How do you build a successful customer base?

Maryanne: In the first year, it was advertising for free or very small amounts at money, and starting an Ezine. And everyone should publish an Ezine. Not just a "list", they should have an electronic magazine. It is good income taking in "sponsor" or "solo" ads plus you can repeatedly advertise whatever you want to in it.

Abe: Do you believe there is some sort of pattern or formula to becoming a successful entrepreneur?

Maryanne: Yes, thinking in the 'Ladder Thought'. One step at a time. Even if it gets slippery and you slide on a step, just hold on and put your foot back on the step. It makes no sense to let go (on purpose) just because of a slip on one of the steps.

Abe: If you could talk to one person from history, who would it be and why?

Maryanne: Joan of Arc - I would to ask her all kinds of questions to see what made her tick. Like if she really saw visions of god.... Did she just say that so she could follow her instinct/ambition and so they would believe her since god visions were involved. (master manipulation).

Abe: Who has been your greatest inspiration?

Maryanne: My inspiration was a character in a movie -- "Celie" in The Color Purple. The reason is this: you never know what is around the corner if you keep your eyes open to see it when it comes. So let nothing despair you until your eyes are shut.

Abe: What book has inspired you the most? (OR What is your favorite book?)

Maryanne: My favorite book is "The Laughing Jesus" right now, and the one that has inspired me is Frances Farmer's autobiography "Will There Really Be a Morning?". It taught me to not let others push you into a life path they wished for and did not do. Don't be weak and choose it for yourself or be miserable.

Abe: What is your favorite aspect of being an entrepreneur?

Maryanne: I can go lay outside in the sun or leave when I feel like it, take a day off on the fly. I used to get fired at every job within a month and now I can't, because I can't fire myself can I? :)

Abe: To what do you most attribute your success? What would say are the five key elements for starting and running a successful business?

Maryanne:  1. Make a first small goal and do it. Make another one when that is reached. 2. Extreme self discipline and focus in whatever you are doing. 3. Reinvesting in your business -- You can't spend all your profits (remember taxes and advertising for future profits). 4.  Never take anything or anyone for granted. 5. Research what you need to know. Google and Yahoo has the answers. 

Abe: What has been your most satisfying moment in business?

Maryanne: Most satisfying moment was making 88+ thousand in one month that is without the thousands that affiliates made. It was insane and completely shocking too. 

Abe: What do you feel is the major difference between entrepreneurs and those who work for someone else?

Maryanne: I think they are not empowered if they do not want to work for someone else but do anyway. OR they want the security of not having to run it alone, some people are just feel better with an umbrella over them. I say... whatever floats their boat.

Abe: How do you go about marketing your business? What has been your most successful form of marketing?

Maryanne: Email Marketing. I keep in touch with my lists often. One person described me in an email as a "cockroach you try and kill but it keeps coming back". Now, he did not unsubscribe either and when he said this, it told me I got his attention. He is right about his comparison and it was absolutely hilarious to me, I think I made a friendly contact in the end. So a lot of repeated communication is #1 method. 

Abe: In one word, characterize your life as an entrepreneur.

Maryanne: Happier. 

Abe: What are some of the biggest mistakes you've made?

Maryanne: By angrily responding and reacting to negative comments people post online. I have learnt to be more patient with things like that. Do not react to people, instead think of the repercussions before you react to any negative situations.

Abe: How can you prevent mistakes or do damage control?

Maryanne: Just don't do damage and if a mistake, fix it right now not later.

Abe: What are your hobbies? What do you do in your non-work time?

Maryanne: I love gardening and making artwork. I am also documentary junkie. 

Abe: What makes you happy?

Maryanne: Being in New Orleans absolutely most of all, or making a website that everyone likes. Seeing my kid get A's finally. Waking up and seeing the servers did not crash again.

Abe: What sacrifices have you had to make to be a successful entrepreneur?

Maryanne: Some peace of mind and relationships with all friends, a few family members and having a boy friend all of the time, I kid you not. Some time has to be cut somewhere. Financial priorities are first.

Abe: Excluding yours, what company or business do you admire the most?

Maryanne: 

Amazon.com - they do not seem to be jerks to their affiliates after making it big. 
Clickbank - recently faced court over email ads and protected their merchants and affiliates (it seemed to be that way to me in the documents). 
Multiple Stream Media - been online as long as I have and 10 times bigger at that.

Abe. Where you see yourself and your business in 10 years? 20 years?

Maryanne: 10 years, married and a housewife ....and maybe a small website going. In 20 years, living in Louisiana doing the same exact thing. I am in Indiana right now.

Abe: If you were conducting this interview, what question would you ask?

Maryanne: "What is your top tactic for beating out competitors?" If you want to know my answer - get on their newsletters, watch them and put advertising everywhere that you see where they are advertising at. Do you see Walmart being nice to Kmart? No.