prosper-inc’s posterous

I have started a very successful internet business under the guidance of the team at Prosper Inc. I sold my first item within a day of making my website available to the public. This was accomplished simply by following the advice of my mentor: “This week, your assignment is get listings in as many relevant directories as possible”. To-date, (which is exactly 1 month as of the day I am writing this), I have sold over $1,500.00 worth of product on-line at a profit margin of about 40%.

Though these numbers are not huge, the education I received from my mentor has provided me with the knowledge base which will allow me to continue expanding my site and increase my income steadily. I now know that my internet income is limited only by the time I put into working on my website, negotiating appropriate products to sell, and the creativity of my own ideas in discovering other venues in which to market my products.

Over the next 3 months, I intend to complete my web page marketing my custom dance shoes to brides and bridal parties. I plan to purchase an advertisement in a prestigious group of on-line bridal magazines which will direct the customers to this specific page on my site. I have already discussed the web page styling with one of the editors, and am working hard to complete the page targeting the lucrative wedding industry.

I also have negotiated a contract to sell several brands of top-of-the-line dance shoes through the only dealer n the US that I know of who can keep a specific line of very desirable high-end ballroom dance shoes in stock. The distributor accomplished this through working with German dance shoe design genius for over 30 years. Knowing first-hand of the frustration of professional and semi-professional ballroom dancers in getting these shoes, I invested much time in negotiating an agreement with this distributor to drop ship shoes for me.

It is important to note that this distributor has NEVER drop-shipped for anyone before, but by careful negotiations we have worked out what I believe will be a win-win agreement. During the next few months, I plan to add at least 2 of the several top-end brands to my site, and based on response to those listings, I may add more top end shoes.

The personal mentoring I received through this program kept me on a straight path to success. My weekly assignments were well thought out and very specific. Through this one-on-one mentoring I learned that I have to stay on top of the internet trends, particularly following the way Google ranks websites. The personal mentoring I received through this program could never be replaced by a classroom type curriculum. Each internet business has its own set of obstacles to overcome, and a general approach would never have allowed me to be successful. I know that my personal mentor had no knowledge of or interest in the ballroom dance community that I now market my products to before working with me. However, his broad experience in internet marketing allowed him to quickly understand the niche, and from that understanding he discovered how to help me in overcoming obstacles.

All of the mentors, technical support people, and designers were absolutely great. I can not criticize any of them in their delivery of the required tools and information. In fact, if I compare the investment vs. income payoff of this program as compared to that of obtaining a degree from a university, I think the investment in Prosper would win out in many people’s bottom line. This comes from someone with a B.S. degree in Engineering, an M.S. degree in Engineering and a MBA.

Through my experience with Prosper, I believe I have finally found a way in which the investment of my time and energy will pay me back in proportion to that investment. My full time job as an engineer working on thermal control of space borne satellites for NASA provides me with technical challenges, but does not come close to providing me with the sense that what I put into my work will pay me back proportionally. This sort of satisfaction and gratification are exactly what I was looking for...

Finally, I would like to express special thanks to my mentor who remained patient with me throughout the process. I am very demanding of myself, and am quite demanding on others. He lived up to my very high expectations.

SUCCESS UPDATE This Week: $2,260.87, this Month: $2,009.87, this Year: $88,579.98. Timing was good too with Dancing With The Stars and all of the movies coming out. My margin varies but averages around 42.5%. Nice to have a little extra income stream...my oldest daughter is a freshman at McGill in Montreal, and my younger daughter is a junior in High School.

SUCCESS UPDATE On December 31, 2007, my Year - to - Date sales showed up close to $105K. When I downloaded net sales from vermotion from 01/01/07 to 12/31/07 and put it into a spreadsheet it came up to close to $125K....after taking out the sales taxes that are paid in NYS.

Melissa S. Honeoye Falls, NY www.bestballroomshoes.com

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It's been incredible how quickly things have progressed. When I started with Prosper Inc I had no clue about websites, and felt intimidated by the thought of creating one. My hand was held through the process (thanks coach, thanks tech support!), and in less than a month my site www.fitbysara.com was created. I love my sight because it truly represents me. Everyone that I know who has viewed it has told me how incredible it is. I'm so pleased with the result!

After creating my website, you were so helpful in guiding me with ideas on how to get traffic (i.e., reciprocal links, back links, directories, and press releases). Just a few days after writing my press release "Moms Get Fit While Pushing Strollers", I've ranked within the top 10 on a few of my keywords in some of the highest ranking search engines! I was blown away!

On top of all the great things that have been happening with my website, I've received many opportunities which I believe are seeds being planted, and will sprout into a large tree. Shortly after producing my Stroller Workout for Moms DVD, I began doing a monthly fitness segments on KUSI Channel 9 News, and gained sponsorship from an upscale fitness clothing line known as "Marika". I also landed a segment on Bob Circosta's TV show "What a Great Idea!", which will be filmed in January (note: Bob Circosta is one of the original hosts of the Home Shopping Network). When I presented my DVD to Bob's panel of guests, Home Shopping Network indicated they wanted me to speak with them after my filming on Bob's showl.

After going to "Cracking the Millionaire Code", I networked with some amazing people. One of which is a doctor at Kaiser. He aided me in connecting with the Regional Office at Kaiser Hospital who has indicated a possible interest in distributing my DVD in their hospitals. I also met an incredible Marketing Specialist named Charlie Lyons, who has started the negotiation process to link my DVD with the stroller I use on my video called "Baby Trend". Baby Trend's largest distributor is Babies R Us (which is one of the largest distributors for baby products and strollers), and their strollers are due to be in Target for the holidays. Charlie has proposed for Baby Trend to buy my DVD at a whole sale price, and use it as a promotional offer with the stroller for the holidays and for the future. The potential for this endeavor is exponential!!

On November 14 I will be filmed in First Trimester Yoga. This is the first DVD in the series, since I will make a DVD for each trimester, i.e., second, third, then postpartum yoga. My producer, Miles Johnston from Sore Toe Productions, is phenomenal. I have a fantastic team of people (including Prosper of course), and I feel the possibilities are endless! (I also couldn't do it without the tremendous support of my wonderful husband, Brad!)

I've learned that I need a team who can help and support me, and I've found it! Now I feel that I can reach my ultimate dream, which is to help women all over the world reach their optimum potential in body, mind, and spirit.

Sara H. Poway, CA www.fitbysara.com

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I do not have a crystal ball, but when you are right, the rewards are sweet. My two successes have to do with General Motors and Exxon Mobil.  I had these contracts a while ago so it seemed like they were just going to expire worthless. Yet I had gauged the market correctly a while ago and just had to be patient. GM stock plummeted and when I finally closed the contract it represented a growth of 63.2%.

I was more patient with XOM (Exxon Mobil). Crude oil has been dropping. Exxon Mobil dropped dramatically with the -670 drop in the DJIA. Today the stock fell further and when I closed the contract it represented a growth of, 851%!

I looked at my Options Xpress account balance and nearly fell off my chair. I do not share this to brag.  I may be slightly more advanced that the average investor but by no means, an experienced expert. Again, I credit my success to my mentors. 

Let stories like this serve as a reminder to you that what you are doing and the time you devote to Prosper Inc makes a difference.  I have my own company and am having some success in the market at a time when much of the country is in economic crisis.

Michael J.

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After 26 years as a radio personality it was time for me to learn a new trade and I could not have done it without Prosper. Their program is definitely the fast track to learning about eCommerce, Search Engine Optimization, and affordable marketing techniques for small businesses in the 21st Century.

Because of Prosper Inc I have learned how to create websites and drive substantial traffic to them. I have learned how to write web copy, create and submit articles and press releases to the Internet, and develop new strategies for promoting my businesses.

Given the current state of the economy, I am happy to be surviving right now and am eager to be prepared for prosperity when the economy improves. I believe that what I have learned from Prosper will help me navigate the new economy in a much more powerful position.

Cliff S. Mesa, AZ

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Dear, Prosper Inc,

Just one week after we closed on this first property, we came across a duplex that was also in foreclosure and conveniently located to all of the same amenities as the first property. The property had only been on the market for a few days and an offer had already been placed by another party. We decided to view the duplex anyway, and with much luck the first offer was declined by the bank. It was in surprisingly good shape and will only require about $20K in rehab. We picked it up for $26.5K and will be closing around September 22. The duplex after rehab will ARV around $75K. With rent, we should clear over $600 a month in income from this deal alone, plus the equity we have in the property as well.

Mark, Sherri, & Matthew B. Bridgeville, PA

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Thank You Prosper Inc!!

ALOHA! My blessing flow to you DR. Cooper and especially to MR. ANDESON my personal COACH. Enrolling at Prosper Learning is by far the best thing I have done for my FINANCIAL HEALTH. You open the doors of AN EXITING NEW CARREER!!!

Thank you.

Maria Castellanos

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Dear, Prosper Inc - $7K Gain in Less Than Two Weeks!!

Thought I would tell you about a couple of recent trades. I bought ten put contracts of Home Depot on 11/6 and sold them three days later for a gain of $869.95! I also purchased 8 calls on Priceline on 10/29. I sold them on 11/9 for a huge gain of $6,769.87! I am looking forward to talking to you thursday

Garrett C.

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I had been trading just equities on a small scale with very average success. It was a matter of buying a stock and waiting for it to go up. I knew that I would need to learn more if I was to progress beyond that. I came upon the Prosper Inc website and spoke to their consultants. The program was quite expensive, but now I believe it was money well spent.

The personal coaching of Josh Willis is so inspiring and informative. As well as gaining knowledge of the market overall, I learnt a number of different strategies. Whilst I would not use all of the strategies at this stage of my development, it is good to know they are there for later consideration.

I understand and utilize the normal call option buys. (I can’t yet bring myself to look for stocks going down in order to buy puts!) I particularly like covered calls because of the known risk and return, with the option to buy ‘insurance’. I have had a couple of good results, the best being SVNT (Savient Pharmaceuticals), where I bought the stock at $12.60, it is now trading at $14.32, and I sold the calls at $3.40. In this instance I chose not to use the protective put. With three weeks to go, this trade is currently showing a profit of $5,120 on an investment of $12,600. This is a static return of 27% and, if exercised at current price, a return of 41%.

Another strategy learned recently was a Strangle with contingent trades. I used this on the S&P100 index and made $16,100 profit in two days on an investment of $18,900 – albeit on a paper trade. I particularly like this strategy as it is almost like betting on both horses in a two-horse race!

I have just commenced live trading with a couple of small successes. I will continue to practice with paper trades and put the lessons learnt into live trades.

Murray D.

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From 16K to 200K in 2 Months!! 

Using various techniques taught by my coach such as candlestick charts, indicators, and stock screeners my portfolio value was $16,400 and in 2 months time value was $205,925.

I would buy calls 2-3 strike prices out-of-the-money and hold till they were close to in-the-money and sell. Then just do it all over again.

This Prosper Inc program has tremendous potential to build wealth.

Jim W.

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We think we can do it!! That’s our most prevalent thought. Three years ago, we would have said no way! With the help of Justin Brimhall and the Prosper Inc Center, we are on the right track…we think we can, we think we can, we know we will!!

As our net worth increases and our liabilities decrease, we are excited and encouraged to press on and meet our goal of debt free before we retire around June, 2014. Our biggest change in mindset is that we are using Quicken to monitor our monthly expenses, and consciously pay all bills and purchases using electronic payments, debit card or cash. Contrast this with our rather indiscriminate use of credit cards just two years ago. The reduced debt burden also gives us great confidence and optimism as we approach our retirement years.

We have just a few debts left to eliminate and the house is our biggest! Our only use of a credit card since we started has been to pay off $36,000 on our home equity by using a credit card with 0% interest for a year and we’ll pay this off within the year. This is a great idea that we could never have done before!

Our improved cash flow paid for James’ tuition and replaced his car
without further debt. We have eliminated $67,000 in indiscriminate credit card debt. Altogether, we eliminated $165,000 in debt so far, leaving $353,000 to go! An inheritance from a beloved Uncle helped us make long overdue repairs and upgrades and still left us with $29K in cash.

We are trying to restrict our charitable contributions and gift giving. We just need to stay on it, particularly as the holidays are approaching. We also need to continue to monitor additional expenses of air travel to visit our families in AZ, FL, and NY. There is not much we can do about the added travel since it is to attend to close family members who are ill or having babies. Although this is important and necessary, it will keep us from being debt free sooner. 

It’s a daily decision to think before we spend…and that isn’t always easy. But, with our goals in mind, we can be more committed to challenging and questioning each other, before we decide to spend money on airfare, gifts, donations, or etc.

Our debt free date with a $3,000 accelerator is January, 2014. Think what we can do if we just increase the accelerator by $1,000! We are off to a great start!

We have attached our net worth statements from April 2005 and September 2007. You can see for yourself! 

Thanks for all your super coaching! We could use at least one more session on balancing between investments and paying debt.

George & Linda Crittenden

Great Falls, VA

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