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Teamwork Off the Field – Fueling Entrepreneurship

Having grown up as athletes, Jess and Marcus Frisby know the power of a strong team.

“If I’m running around the track and there’s seven people who are around my speed or a little bit faster than me, I’m always going to run faster,” says Jess. Being around others who have the same goal has always pushed Jess to be her best.

Although no longer a college athlete, this mindset continues to propel Jess and her husband Marcus years later as Amway Independent Business Owners (IBOs). In their nearly 20 years owning an Amway business, Jess and Marcus have built a strong support system comprised of other IBOs in and around their home of Lancaster, Pa. The duo credits this tight network for supporting them in their entrepreneurship journey through guidance, encouragement and inspiration.

“It’s hard to coach people in things that you yourself are not growing in,” says Jess. “I am incredibly grateful for this support system because I know that when I look to them for advice, it comes from their own personal growth through their own lived experiences. And they can rely on me for the same.”

Both Jess and Marcus credit their philosophies in life and their business to aspects of their childhood and strong mentors.

Growing up, Marcus had many role models, including an uncle who wouldn’t let him quit football when he first started in the sixth grade. More than just teaching him about the game, Marcus’ uncle taught him about perseverance and overcoming both the physical and mental challenges playing football (or any other sport) entails. The tenacity Marcus developed during those years primed him for the entrepreneurship journey he would take later on in life.

Jess grew up with a front row seat to business ownership. She witnessed her mother work day and night running her private practice as the only female physician within 100 miles of their town. Inspired by her mother’s legacy working in healthcare, Jess also pursued a career in healthcare and now works as a psychological evaluator in addition to her work as an IBO.

When Jess was introduced to Amway, she was surprised to see how many of the typical hurdles of traditional business ownership were lowered by the Amway model. Those interested in becoming IBOs are provided with all the elements needed to get a business off the ground without the high risks. Amway provides the products, a personal online storefront, and training, and comes with a network of other entrepreneurs on a similar journey — a refreshing contrast from all the hoops her mother jumped through to get her practice off the ground.

For Marcus and Jess, that’s the best part about having an Amway business – the people they connect with.

“We have an awesome support system that has enabled us to accelerate faster than we would on our own.”