Sunday, November 30, 2008

Heck yeah! It's time to go to work!

Well Thanksgiving is over are you stoked about working on Monday? Some people would die to do what we do. Who else gets to wake up when they CHOOSE TO? Tomorrow everyone of us on our team will. AND...

The contest for the FREE Cruise kicks off for everyone in Coastal Travel starting tomorrow in DFI. All the details will be given out on the Open Forum call with Jackie O'Quinn Wednesday night at 10pm EST 712-338-8100 pin 1989#

In the 14 year+ history of Coastal Travel this has never happened. Imagine, 5 days away...

No stress, no kids just you and one significant other and fun in the sun on the Carnival Destiny. The best part is the trip will not cost you anything out of pocket. The port fees, taxes and governmental fees have all been paid. If you have not been on one of our recent calls given the details this is one you don't want to miss on Wednesday night!

See it's good to be us!
I'm Thankful
Stacy O'Quinn

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Coastal Vacations / Coastal Travel mentioned on Popular Travel Website

I recently ran into this article from www.zmetraveldotcom one of my favorite travel websites.

Ok, so you’ve found a great travel package, dealing everything from transportation to lodging to food to travel guides, at a unbelievable low cost. Well lucky you, but before you blindly follow into the deal, consider that some things are too good to be true, or as i like to call them: scams!

PAY NOW, TRAVEL LATER …

Usually, scam agent won’t give you full and complete information, regarding your travel plan, in writing until after you’ve given them a credit card number, certified check or money order. Once you do get further information, there will be restrictions and conditions which may make it more expensive, or even impossible, to take your trip. You can see a mock scam site by the Federal Trade Commission here.

While getting a refund is sometimes possible, it’s better to avoid paying anything in the first place. While there is the remote chance that you might miss a legitimate deal, chances are you will save yourself time and money in the long run.

To help avoid being a victim of a travel scam, the American Society of Travel Agents provides the following suggestions when evaluating travel offers:

» Be extremely skeptical about postcard and phone solicitations which say you’ve been selected to receive a fabulous vacation;

» You should receive complete details in writing about any trip prior to payment. These details should include the total price; cancellation and change penalties, if any; and specific information about all components of the package;

» If you insist on calling a 900 number in response to a travel solicitation, understand the charges and know the risks;

» Walk away from high pressure sales presentations which don’t allow you time to evaluate the offer, or which require that you disclose your income;

» Be suspicious of companies which require that you wait at least 60 days to take your trip.

If you’re reading this and think you’ve been scammed, contact your local Better Business Bureau, your local or state Consumer Affairs Office ASAP, state attorney general’s office, or e-mail ASTA’s Consumer Affairs Department at consumeraffairs@astahq.com for information and assistance.

Coastal Vacations a Scam? Facts About Coastal Vacations

With so many things being said about Coastal Vacations, its travel packages, and its business opportunity, people on the Internet could get confused about what Coastal Vacations really is and if it really is a legitimate home based business and travel package.

First of all, Coastal Vacations is an association of entrepreneurs that have purchased a travel package at any of the three levels available and market these same packages at wholesale prices or as a business opportunity.

Below is a list of questions people are wondering about Coastal Vacations:

How do I know this isn’t a scam and shut down tomorrow?

All of the companies that are represented in this package are some of the most respected and ethical companies in the vacation and travel industry including Carnival Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Wyndham, Quest Cards, Alamo Car Rental, Access, etc.

How is it possible for Coastal Vacations to sell so many valuable vacations for such a low price?

First you have to understand how the Vacation & Travel Industry works. The price of a resort stay, cruise, or an airline ticket depends entirely upon projected capacities and vacancy rates.So it is to their advantage to have full rooms. This is why they let Coastal’s vendors give away these free vacations and cruises- to fill out the rooms, and of course, they know these people will spend money in other areas even if they get a free room.

SPORTS TRAVEL PACKAGES

Often you will find advertisements for travel packages to major sporting events, like the Super Bowl, the Daytona 500 or the World Series. Due to the limited time window, in which sporting events are held (same goes for any scheduled large event like concerts, festivals, conference), people will often look for fast and cheap ways of getting there, the thought of scams never cross their minds. Many of these offers are legitimate, but there have been instances in the past where consumers have been scammed by unscrupulous vendors who never had tickets to the event.


“Every year, we hear reports of sports fans whose travel plans were ruined by a questionable organization with an offer that sounded too good to be true,” said ASTA President and CEO Cheryl Hudak, CTC. “A good travel agent knows which questions to ask and what to look for in a legitimate sports travel package. Many people aren’t aware, for instance, that under the U.S. government’s ‘Truth in Ticketing’ rules, a tour operator advertising a Super Bowl travel package that includes a flight and game tickets must have the game tickets in hand or have a written contract for the tickets before they can even advertise.”

Before you buy a sports travel package, be sure to carefully read the tour brochure and any other solicitation material and pay by credit card, where possible, so you can be protected under federal fair credit practice laws.

AGENT CREDENTIALS FROM ‘CARD MILLS‘

Beware of offers from companies that sell questionable travel agent credentials. Consumers may be led to believe that such cards allow them to travel at free or reduced rates.

Organizations making these offers are known throughout the travel industry as “card mills” because they routinely offer credentials by the thousands in the form of an identification card that is sold for a significant fee. In turn, these cards would presumably be accepted by every segment of the travel industry. Many suppliers of travel, however, do not accept them.


Pretty good article from the guys at ZMETravel.

Good Work Guys
Stacy O'Quinn
888-348-0180

DFI Gives Away Cruise first in 14+ year History of Coastal Travel

Coastal Travel has been in business for over 14 years but never in the history of Coastal Travel outside of normal profits has there ever been a contest like this. When most people are struggling in this economy Coastal Travel is florishing.

DFI a marketing and support arm used by most building a Coastal Travel Business today is stepping up in a powerful way now. Yesterday they announced the first ever time every in way over a decade that they have partnered up with CEM to provide a FREE 5 day cruise that a member of DFI will win.

Have you ever been to Ocho Rios? How about Grand Cayman? DFI is going to be giving one lucky member in Coastal Travel a FREE 5 Day cruise leaving out of Miami on the Carnival Destiny and going to Ocho Rios and Grand Cayman, all port fees, taxes and gratuity will be covered.

To be able to participate in the contest you must first be a member of the DFI marketing and support arm and have a Coastal Travel Membership. You can set up your marketing system and learn the details of the contest by going to "Sign up today"

The contest will start December 1st and the winner will be selected at the DFI training event on Friday Jan. 23rd in St. Louis MO. How can DFI do this? We are fortunate with the support of so many others who work with us. We've grown by 128 new people for the month of November alone. With that kind of results a lot of things become possible. Good luck in your business.


To your Success,
Stacy O'Quinn
888-348-0180

Scam Series: Coastal Travel is a Scam

Do you want to know what is true and factual and what is not? I'm starting a new series on this blog titled Scam Series where I will share my experiences and shed some light on what I know to be legit and what is not.

Is Coastal Travel a Scam? I previously wrote about this "Coastal Travel is a Scam". In that article it was really more personal and not factual. In this blog post I want share some facts. It's easy to understand why people would consider at first glance that Coastal Travel is a scam. People are naturally skeptical. Heck I was a skeptic for almost 7 months when I first heard about Coastal Travel.

Here are some of the reasons people become skeptical and assume that Coastal Travel is a Scam.

- Because of the value of the product. How is it that Coastal Travel allows it's members to take vacations so dang cheap? Who's ever heard of taking a Cruise for 5 days and only paying 250 dollars a person?

- Because the income potential is extremely high. How has Coastal Travel been around so long and are able to pay such high commissions? They are the highest paid in the home business industry and have been for over a decade with no sign of slowing down.

I've been a member of Coastal Travel since July 27th 2005 and here is what I've learned so far. We would not have been around for over 14 years if Coastal Travel was a Scam.

We would not have over 70+ vendors in our package that have been in business for 5 years or more that are licensed and bonded if Coastal Travel was a Scam.

We would not have benefits in our package like Disney World, Universal, Marriott or Hilton to name a few if Coastal Travel was a Scam.

Now to fully debunk the myth of is Coastal Travel a Scam you have to understand how the product has so much value and how the Board of Directors were able to create that.

1. The benefits of the package that come from the travel industry is a God send for the vendor's themselves and here's why.

a. Every cruise ship or resort has a consistent amount of over head. They don't hire and fire employees weekly or daily. Utilities cost does not go up and down because they purchase those things at wholesale. A cruise ship has the same amount of fuel regardless of how many people are on the ship. They take on the same amount of perishable food.

b. Now statistically speaking the every resort or cruise ship will always project a vacancy in the future. Meaning they are never full. It's different than space available. Space available depends on actually numbers booked. But the benefits in our package are that the Board of Directors has put together appear to be based off of projected numbers. So if a cruise ship or resort estimates that during peak season they average a 10% vacancy and during off season they have a 50% vacancy by providing a portion of that to us in Coastal Travel they have limited their Liability and overhead. This is also why we have so few blackout dates, because the arrangements are preset so that benefits are typically based off of projected vacancy not actual vacancy.

c. Even if they don't receive income from the actual rooms they know that no one goes on vacation with out spending money. It may be at gift shops, spa's, playing golf, restaurants or even going to a casino. So they have figured out that getting people in the room just makes smart business sense. What does it cost us as members of Coastal? Very Little.

Why are the prices set so high if the cost is so little to put it together? I don't know the answer to that except it was a business decision that the Board of Directors made based off of the value they provided in the package. In many cases compared to other packages I've seen it is also easy to question why are packages are so cheap.

If you find someone trying to offer you a package out side of the recommended pricing set by the Board of Directors than you need to be EXTREMELY cautious? In one of our future installments of the Scam Series we will look into this and the dangers involved. Bottom line ask to speak to several people that have worked with this person. No director should have a problem providing you with references and really why would a Director jeopardize their ability to do business and lively by not following the guidelines the Board has set in place?

The Bottom Line: Coastal Travel is a legitimate product based off of my 3+ years marketing and using it.

To learn more about Scams in this industry and to ensure you are not scammed join the 6 Figure Income Club


To Our Success,
Stacy O'Quinn
888-348-0180

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Taking a Cruise for the First Time?

Are you a first time Cruiser? Are you considering going on a cruise for the first time? Below is a good are article I got from cruise critic. You can find more helpful info to the links provided as well.

Travelers new to cruising often have more excuses as to why they've never sailed than there are ships at sea. And often these excuses are based on misconceptions about what a cruise vacation is really like. Here we answer some common questions to give you better insight into the cruise experience.

Isn't it expensive? (not if you win one in DFI) or use a Coastal Travel Membership.

The upfront price may come as a shock, but remember that your cruise fare includes your accommodations, food, activities (including children's programs) and nighttime entertainment. Add that to the option of reduced-rate airfare and transfers, and you can actually save bucks going on a cruise as opposed to a land-based vacation. Note: There are extra expenses. For more info, check this: Hidden Costs of Cruising.

Won't I get seasick?

Most ships are so big and well stabilized you can hardly tell you're moving, especially in the calm waters of the Caribbean and Alaska's Inside Passage. Radar helps big ships outrun hurricanes and other bad weather patches, but if you do happen to pass through some rough water, any queasiness can usually be relieved by an over-the-counter medication like Dramamine or Bonine. If you are very prone to seasickness, ask your doctor before you leave home for the Transderm patch, available by prescription. Alternative remedies include ginger capsules and acupressure wristbands, available at most pharmacies. Also, note that the purser's desk on most ships can provide an emergency ration. For more info, check this: Avoiding Seasickness.

Can I stay in touch?

On most ships you'll get CNN or some other cable news network on your in-room TV. A daily news sheet may also be available that combines wire reports with stories from major newspapers. You can make phone calls from the phone in your cabin (though it's prohibitively expensive) and, of late, from your cell phone as well. Most ships have some kind of e-mail capability (they range from just-like-home to basic-but-serviceable). For more info, check this: At Your Service: Connecting at Sea.

Is cruising safe?

Ships must follow an extraordinary number of rules and regulations that assure passengers' (and crewmembers') safety while on board. The Coast Guard conducts rigorous quarterly inspections of all ships operating from U.S. ports, looking to make sure they comply with its emergency-response requirements. Rather than sinking a la Titanic, fire is the biggest concern, and when it comes to fire safety, ships operate under international rules known as Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS). The rules require most ships to have smoke detectors, sprinklers and low-level emergency lighting for escape routes.Within the first 24 hours of sailing, everyone on your ship is required to participate in a safety drill that includes trying on a nifty orange life jacket and locating your assigned lifeboat, on the odd (and rare) chance that you need to use it.

Will I be bored?

You may need a map to navigate around today's big ships, and there's something to do in nearly every corner. For intellectual stimulation you can listen to guest speakers, participate in a Bridge tournament or attend a wine lecture. To get your heart pumping, play some hoops or visit the ship's gym, and then reward yourself with a cool one at the sports bar. There are pools for soaking and swimming, shops for shopping and spas for pampering. You can participate in a contest, learn a craft or watch a movie. Or simply grab a book and get a tan. Even on small ships there's plenty to do during times when the vessels are at sea; most notably, these tend to offer strong enrichment-oriented activities. Plus, remember you're not on the ship all the time -- most itineraries include a variety of different ports of call.

Won't I get fat?

Okay, we know the rumor that the average person gains about five pounds on a one-week cruise. But for those watching calories, be assured there will be low-fat (and often low-carb) options on the menus and at least some healthy choices at the buffets; the newest trend is trans-fat free food. Meantime, you can burn calories by working out in the ship's gym, walking fast or jogging around the various decks (we like ditching the elevators in favor of the stairs), and mountain biking, hiking and kayaking at the ports.


Maybe we can meet on a cruise soon!
Stacy O'Quinn
888-348-0180

Monday, November 24, 2008

What you may not know about a Home Based Business

Thanks for visiting let me give you a tip that helped me make 19,410 dollars in one day.

I am about to give you a little known fact about the home based business industry! This is planting time! This is one of the best times of the year to be working. This is for several reasons, first many amateurish homebased business owners are slacking off due to the pending holiday season.

Second, people are still looking to work from home and still requesting information everyday. 30,000 people will start a homebased business this week! Right now there is less competition for those people, since the amteurs are slacking off. This time of year alot of people will look at a home business but may not get started just yet. This is of course due to the many distractions going on right now with Thanksgiving and Christmas coming up.

However, these same people are still looking to work from home and if they don't get started right away many will come back in Jan. to get started. The secret to having a massive 1st quarter of next year is to be working right now! It's like getting a head start on next year.

It's creating a wave of momentum and then having that wave come crashing down on you the first part of next year. Make sure you are not one of those slacking off right now, now is the time to be planting. Your harvest will come if you are planting now. If you have a home based business then go work it hard! If not then go here www.moretimegreatmoney.com

Happy Planting,
Stacy O'Quinn
888-348-0180

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Decide Freedom International just got BIGGER!

Decide Freedom International is one of the teams experiencing growth in home business industry during a recession. Krissy Hitz from Cutting Edge Media recently noted, "The support you guys have in Decide Freedom International the way you accept anyone regardless of their background you train and guide them; that has to be the reason you are having so much success."

Hearing the stories every day on our calls is probably one of the most exciting things I get to do. As most people are thinking about the Holidays coming soon we have some Leaders on our team that are having incredible success!

Cutting Edge Media is sponsoring a contest for Decide Freedom International for the month of November. Who ever brings in the most new members to our team will win a 500 dollar Holiday Shopping Spree to a combination of stores that include Best Buy, Toys R Us and Wal-mart.

Here are some of the current standings... The number following their name is the number of new members they in the last 18 days have added to their team in Decide Freedom International.


Tim West 15
Deon Danner 6
Shawn Scheppele 5
Jenny Baker 5
Bonnie Clark 4
Stacy O'Quinn 4 OK I'm way too far down the list here :)
Amanda Butler 3
Catherine Rupp 3
Angela Lasher 3
Nike Roach 3
Stephanie Johnson 3
Cadie Kalmes 3
Pat Schuett 3
Linda Allen 3
Renae Heikkila 2
D. Simmons 2
Jessica Wendelboe 2
David Gregoria 2
Heather Marshall 2
Jackie O'Quinn 2

There are many many people that have also brought on one TEAM MEMBER!

Congrats to each and everyone of you! Based off of the effort and diligence you put into your business anyone working with you is certainly blessed!

To Our Success,
Stacy O'Quinn
888-348-0180

Decide Freedom International Rocked Orlando

Decide Freedom International just got back from an incredible weekend at the Omin-Resort in Orlando. We had what appeared to be the largest team in attendance. According to Jeff Usner from Snapresponse.com and Earnpro.com, "There are not many teams that work together and has the support that DFI has!"

It was a true honor to get to have fun and pick the brains of so many of our leaders in attendance like Jolynn from SD, Cadie from MN, Angela from PA or Tim from LA.

Both Angela Lasher from PA and Tim West from LA were featured on the Monday night Call with Dani Johnson due to the amount of money they have made with Decide Freedom International and Coastal Travel. Make sure you subscribe to the 6 Figure Income Club to be able to listen to that call as soon as it is posted on Dani Johnson's website.

Have you ever wanted to work from home? Do you want to have support to help you succeed 24/7? Do you want a team to guide you to what they have done to help so many people be successful? Do you want to work with a Trainer that has had incredible results helping people make more money in less time giving them more freedom?

If so Join Decide Freedom International.

See you in St Louis!
Stacy O'Quinn
888-348-0180

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Fireproof!

This is a business blog but momentarily it is a movie recommendation blog! If you are in business your house must be in order to maintain and reach your fullest potential. Now I have an incredible marriage and I'm married to an amazing woman. She is hot, sexy and supportive of me in our house and business.

That being said we recently watched the move Fireproof! It was the best movie we have ever seen together. It allowed us to reflect on our marriage and family. I could only imagine the impact it could have if you are in a marriage with your husband and wife and currently you are going through a season of bumps and bangs which is inevitable with any relationship worth having.

Go SEE the movie before it leaves the theaters!!! When was the last time you and your husband or wife got some time away and alone with each other? Take some time away from business and kids to do something for each other! If you have seen the movie or you go to see it. Leave a comment here for anyone who reads this article. They may be considering going to see it or maybe even considering renting it in the future.

Comment leave your 2 cents because they are worth a lot more than that here.


Together we succeed,
Stacy O'Quinn
888-348-0180

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

How to increase your income with a Blitz!

Once in a while I run into someone who will ask what are you guys doing in DFI to have the results that you have had? Here's the reality it would take hours to explain exactly our business model as a team. Why it really works even though it's super simple. Why people from all backgrounds and all walks of life are having success working from home and maybe I'll do that one day.

How do you know you are on the right track though? Results is the obvious answer and I'll be sharing some results in our next post.

What are others willing to do to see you succeed? What sacrifice are others willing to make? Has one of your advertising agencies or marketing partners slashed their profits to work with you? Has anyone put in any effort to help you or contribute to your success? One man has recently for our team in DFI for our Coastal Travel businesses. Jeff Usner a 7 figure income earner in the homebusiness industry and now he owns several businesses. Including earnpro.com and the advertising company we work with www.snapresponse.com

He recently did a training call for us during our Blitz! He's the original person who mentored us on how to run an effective Blitz with your team. Before that call he shared with us his desire to cut his profit margins lower then he has in the past to work with our team. He recapped what he shared on the call and also talked about him slashing prices in a comical way in a recent letter to DFI!

Dear DFI TEAM!

Were you on the call this morning? If not - be sure to get on the calls this week... Be sure to read through the message for an exciting special offered to only a few select DFI team members.

1) Preparation - this is why it is critical to plug into your morning calls and calls throughout the day - to have your mind where it needs to be for Peak Performance.

2) Focus - the blitz will cause you to focus more than you may have ever done in your life. Get your goals clear and in front of you for the day, week - for your dials, presentations and enrollments - it's got to be crystal clear.

3) Intensity - you must bring an extra normal energy and drive to the blitz. This is not just a 'normal' day or week - this is BLITZ week - This means your intensity must be at another level - your expectancy for growth - for success for positive results must be at a new high.... not for a long time - just for the blitz, and you will be surprised at some of the benefits of the blitz after it is over.

4) Higher success with hitting your target/goal. this is critical - when you attack your business with an all out blitz... even if you stink on the phone or presenting - or you are a pro..doesn't matter - you will have more success than 'normal' because of the focus and intensity of the blitz. This means you will achieve your goals faster and more complete than ever during a blitz.

5) Victory - when this blitz is over - I guarantee you will have more victory in your life - in your finances, overcoming fears, taking actions, helping others, having more fun than ever before and maybe even breaking some of the DFI records. this will happen - bottomline - guaranteed...you can't help but have more victory when you are blitzing...it's that simple.

You can do this.

And during the blitz - you will need people to talk to. If you already have a media agency you are excited about and getting results - by all means - whether that is SnapResponse or Cutting Edge Media - stick with it -

However, I would encourage you to get as many people in front of you as possible - which means it can be a great idea to invest in multiple advertising agencies. It's just smart business.

Check out the blitz packages we are offering with SnapResponse - they are killer deals that we have never offered before...and quite honestly, may never offer again.

They are so good - my wife actually asked me, 'Jeff, what are you doing...do we even make money to cover expenses on this package?' go see what my wife was ticked about -
http://www.SnapResponse.com
(this is the main reason I can't say this will last forever... she might kick my butt! :)

so don't miss out - check 'em out now and get out there BLITZING!!!

http://www.SnapResponse.com
Jeff Usner
President SnapResponse.com
866.985.3237

PS - Please share your results with me this week - I want to hear your success stories...


Thanks Jeff for your invaluable support!
Stacy O'Quinn
888-348-0180

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Some Final Numbers from October!

You may know that we are in serious growth right now with Coastal Travel in DFI. The success stories just keep coming it is incredible. Welcome to all of our new team members from October.

Here are the following tallies and the leaders who are bringing in the most clients.

Angela Lasher 18 new associates, "does she ever sleep" wow! Single mom with 3 kids kicking butt!

Cadie Kalmes 14 new associates, Stay at home mom with 3 kids all under 6 yrs old

Linda Allen 9 new associates, AMAZING!

Jessica Wendelboe 8 new associates

Stacy O'Quinn 8 new associates

Heather Marshall 8 new associates

David Gregoria 6

Catherine Rupp 5

Rita Schuett 5

Cindy Chamberlin 5

Nike Roach 4

Lorraine Rodman 4

Richard Birney-Smith 4

Bonnie Clark 4

Shawn Scheppele 4

Pat Smith 4

Holly Marshall 3

Carol Grubb 3

Dion Danner 3

Jackie O'Quinn 3

These are the top 20 Leaders for the Month of October. We had 208 new team members for the month of October congrats to each of you. Welcome to our new members!



Stacy O'Quinn
888-348-0180

Saturday, November 1, 2008

Do you know the latest news in DFI?

There are always all kinds of things going on in DFI. You can't have training and support with out always moving forward. As a team we had an incredible month for October. We brought on 205 new members to DFI, that is AWESOME! Here what is going to happen in November now.

If you did not here the "State of DFI" Call then here is the email that we recieved about the call.

Hello DFI Member!

Did you hear the news? There were lots of announcements on the call last night. Don't put yourself in a position of not knowing about it, you won't be able to take advantage of these things in your business if you don't listen now!

http://www.mydfilive.com/replay/CH-ABC-AJBJEDID-CBBJG

The first 4 minutes are dead air space, our apologies, but you are welcome to forward it past the 4 minutes of air space. We can't wait for next Tuesday to come!

Hear you on the calls!
MyDFILive Support Team
Announcements@mydfilive.com
888-348-0180